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wa-la-qad ʾahlaknā l-qurūna min qablikum lammā ẓalamū wa-jāʾathum rusuluhum bi-l-bayyināti wa-mā kānū li-yuʾminū ka-dhālika najzī l-qawma l-mujrimīna
Certainly We destroyed generations before you when they perpetrated wrongs: their apostles brought them manifest proofs, but they would not have faith. Thus do We requite the guilty lot.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Yunus – Verse 13
13. “And certainly We destroyed the generations before you when they were unjust, and their messengers came to them with clear arguments and they would not believe. Thus do We recompense the guilty people. ”
In this holy verse, Allah informs us of the calamities which were inflicted upon previous nations and warns the present nations against the descent of those calamities which may fall upon them. The Qur’an announces that Allah exterminated former nations by means of kinds of punishment when they inflicted injustice upon themselves by revolting, becoming disobedient, and after sending prophets to them with obvious miracles and clear proofs. The verse says:
“And certainly We destroyed the generations before you when they were unjust, and their messengers came to them with clear arguments and they would not believe...”
This verse carries this message that the secret of their eradication was that if they had been to remain existent, they definitely would not have believed in their prophets and the Books. Which were sent to them. In the future, too, Allah will inflict calamities upon those unbelieving people who do not reform themselves in spite of offering them proofs for completing arguments, and with the full understanding that they are well-informed as to the consequences and that they will not believe.
The verse continues saying:
“…Thus do We recompense the guilty people. ”