سورة المرسلات

Imam Kazim (peace be upon him): Muhammad ibn Fudayl narrates from Imam Kazim (peace be upon him) who said: ... الْأَوَّلِین [the former ones]; they are those who denied the messengers (peace be upon them) regarding obedience to the awsiya (the successors, peace be upon them).

The Imams (peace be upon them): نُهْلِکِ الْأَوَّلِین means [We destroyed] the past nations before the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family).

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): O people, be aware! There has been no land in the world whose people rose up against Allah in denial and opposition except that the Lord destroyed them, and after this too, the people of any land or region who are oppressors — Allah will ruin them, just as He Himself has warned in His Book. O people! This Ali (peace be upon him) is your leader and the one in authority over you, and all the promises of the Lord are certain, and Allah fulfils His promise truthfully. O people! Most of the people in the earlier nations went astray, and Allah destroyed them, and that same Allah is ready to destroy the misguided people to come. Allah the Exalted said: أَ لَمْ نهْلِکِ الْأَوَّلِینَ* ثمُ‌َّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ الاَْخِرِینَ* کَذَالِکَ نَفْعَلُ بِالْمُجْرِمِینَ* وَیْلٌ یَوْمَئذٍ لِّلْمُکَذِّبِین [Did We not destroy the former generations? Then did We follow them up with later ones. Even thus shall We deal with the guilty. Woe on that day to the deniers].