(36–37) “How many generations before them We destroyed who were mightier than they in power! They left their mark throughout the lands—but was there any escape? * Surely in this is a reminder for whoever has a heart, or listens attentively with a mind fully present.”

Allah Most High says, warning the polytheists who deny the Messenger: “How many generations before them We destroyed”—that is, many nations who were mightier than these people in power and in the traces they left upon the earth.

Hence He says: “They left their mark throughout the lands.” That is, they built impregnable fortresses and lofty dwellings, planted trees, made rivers flow, cultivated the land, developed it, and laid waste to it. But when they denied Allah’s messengers and rejected His signs, Allah seized them with painful punishment and severe torment. “But was there any escape?” That is, when Allah’s punishment descended upon them, there was no refuge and no one to save them. Neither their strength nor their wealth nor their children availed them.

“Surely in this is a reminder for whoever has a heart”—that is, a great, living, perceptive, and pure heart. When any of Allah’s signs reach such a person, he takes heed through them, benefits, and rises in rank (1). Likewise, one who lends an ear to Allah’s signs and listens to them in search of guidance, while his heart is “fully present”—that is, attentive—will also find in them a reminder, an admonition, healing, and guidance.

As for the one who turns away and does not lend (2) an ear to the signs, they will not benefit him at all, for he has no receptiveness. Nor does Allah’s wisdom entail guiding someone whose condition and character are such.