Have they not roamed the earth and noted the consequences for those who preceded them? They used to be greater in number, greater in power, and possessed a greater legacy on earth. Yet, all their achievements did not help them in the least.
أَفَلَم يَسيروا فِى الأَرضِ فَيَنظُروا كَيفَ كانَ عٰقِبَةُ الَّذينَ مِن قَبلِهِم كانوا أَكثَرَ مِنهُم وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَءاثارًا فِى الأَرضِ فَما أَغنىٰ عَنهُم ما كانوا يَكسِبونَ
afalam yaseeroo fil ardi fa yanzuroo kaifa kaana ‘aaqibatul lazeena min qablihim; kaanoo aksara minhum wa ashadda quwwatanw wa aasaaran fil ardi famaaa aghnaa ‘anhum maa kaanoo yaksiboon