Tafsir of Ta-Ha 20:128

Many Nations were destroyed and in Them is a Lesson Allah, the Exalted, says,

أفلم يهد

Is it not a guidance for them... This is addressed to those who reject what the Prophet came to them with:

لهم كم أهلكنا قبلهم من القرون يمشون في مساكنهم

(to know) how many generations We have destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they walk! `We destroyed those who denied the Messengers from the previous nations before them. They showed open hostility, so now there is not trace of them and none of them are left. This is witnessed by the empty homes that these people left behind, and which others have now inherited, moving about in the dwellings of those of the past.'

إن في ذلك ﻻيات ﻻولي النهى

Verily, in this are signs indeed for men of understanding. This means those who have sound intellect and correct understanding. This is as Allah says,

أفلم يسيروا فى اﻻرض فتكون لهم قلوب يعقلون بها أو ءاذان يسمعون بها فٳنها ﻻ تعمى اﻻبصر ولكن تعمى القلوب التى فى الصدور

Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear! Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind. (22:46) Allah also said in Surah Alif Lam Mim As-Sajdah,

أولم يهد لهم كم أهلكنا من قبلهم من القرون يمشون فى مساكنهم

Is it not a guidance for them: how many generations We have destroyed before them in whose dwellings they walk about. (32:26) Then, Allah, the Exalted, says,

ولوﻻ كلمة سبقت من ربك لكان لزاما وأجل مسمى