the life of the world

most of the people do not know. They only know the outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter. Have they not reflected upon their own being? Allah only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between for a purpose and an appointed term. Yet most people are truly in denial of the meeting with their Lord!

Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more than they have built it up. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. Allah would have never wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves. Then most evil was the end of the evildoers for denying and mocking the signs of Allah. Allah begins creation; then He will repeat it; then to Him you will be returned.

— Quran 30:6–11