And when man, due to his deficiency in adhering to particulars, is greatly focused on experimental reasoning, and their knowledge of the days of the past and the events of the former ones is sufficient for them in admonition to return from their beliefs and to disassociate from their obstinacy, and when they did not see their effects in a way of consideration, reflection, and remembrance, they were counted among those who did not see them. So, glorified is He, alerted to this by veiling them with the veil of honor, commanded His Messenger ﷺ to order them to travel for observation. He said, to emphasize the meaning of the previous words as advice for them and kindness towards them: "Say," meaning to those who have no concern except for this world, so they do not reflect on what they observe from the apparent to the hidden: "Travel" and He indicated to the encompassing of the abodes of the destroyed, every limit around them from the directions, as has been mentioned before, saying: "in the earth." For indeed, your past journey, due to it not being accompanied by a lesson, is of no benefit.

And when the intended meaning was submission to the Oneness of Allah, and He had reminded them of what befell them in a manner similar to what befell the past ones, He said: "So look," with the conjunction of consequence. And when what He permitted for them was of the utmost severity, He made them aware of that. So, He presented it in the form of a question to instill fear in them of being afflicted with something similar, saying: "How?" And when their punishment was dreadful, and their matter was severe and terrible, He indicated to it by reminding them of the action, saying: "The end of" meaning the last of the matter of "those." And when the intended meaning was the groups of the punished, and they were some of those who passed, so they did not encompass the time, He mentioned: "before," meaning before your days, Allah made them taste the consequences of their actions and caused them to fall into the pits of their deceit.

And when this reminder was sufficient for consideration, the listener was worthy of saying: I have reflected and seen their effects as great, and their deeds as profound, and yet their cities are empty and their houses are desolate. They were struck by the whip of punishment, and they were engulfed by loss and destruction. So why were they punished? It was answered by His saying: "Most of them were polytheists." Therefore, We destroyed them, and their multitude did not avail them, and We saved the believers, and their fewness did not harm them.