(42) “Say, ‘Travel throughout the land and observe how those before you met their end. Most of them were polytheists.’”

The command to travel throughout the land includes both traveling physically (1) and journeying with one’s heart by considering and reflecting upon the fate of earlier peoples.

“Most of them were polytheists.” You will find that their end was the worst of ends and their final fate the worst of fates: a punishment that eradicated them, while condemnation and curses from among Allah’s creation continue to pursue them, along with unremitting disgrace. Beware, then, of acting as they did, lest you be treated as they were, for Allah’s justice and wisdom apply in every time and place.