36 Preface وَكَم أَهلَكنا قَبلَهُم مِن قَرنٍ هُم أَشَدُّ مِنهُم بَطشًا فَنَقَّبوا فِي البِلادِ هَل مِن مَحيصٍAli Quli QaraiHow many generations We have destroyed before them, who were stronger than these, insomuch that they ransacked the towns?! Is there any escape [from Allah’s punishment]?