Surah 14. Ibrahim, Ayah 45

Lit., "the parables", i.e., the parables in the Qur'an which illuminate the idea of resurrection and of God's final judgment (Razi). See also note [37] above.

I.e., "you lived on the same earth, and in basically the same human environment, as those earlier generations who offended against all ethical values and thereby brought destruction upon themselves: hence, their tragic fate should have been a warning to you".

 Arab traders used to pass by the homes of some destroyed nations on their journeys to Syria and Yemen (such as ’Ȃd and Thamûd, respectively), stopping shortly for rest.