And when it became clear from what has passed that the lesson in destruction and salvation is for the majority, He affirmed it and clarified it by saying: "And your Lord was not to destroy the cities..." He, glorified and exalted is He, was mentioned with a description that implies kindness, as a confirmation for Him and reassurance. "...while their people were reformers" means: in a state of wrongdoing, by causing their destruction while they are in their state of reform, which they are deeply rooted in. Thus, the destruction would occur in a manner that is not customary for the servants, with the knowledge that He has the right to do so in the very matter, for He is not questioned about what He does. And destruction is the requirement of what nullifies perception, and ruin is the loss of something, which occurs in such a way that it is not known where it is. And reform is the requirement of what establishes the matter according to what reason calls for.