Surat An-Nahl (35-36)

{وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ لَوْ شَاء اللّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَيْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلا آبَاؤُنَا وَلاَ حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَيْءٍ كَذَلِكَ فَعَلَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَهَلْ عَلَى الرُّسُلِ إِلاَّ الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ} (النحل : 35 )

35- Polytheists used destiny as a proof to say: If Allah had willed, we and our decedents would have not worshipped idols along with Him nor prohibited anything of what we prohibit, but He willed so; when Allah wills something, He allows and satisfies it therefore what we do is correct.

This is a mere lying and futile argument, and previous disbelieving nations had gone astray before them, therefore Allah punished them. Have not Allah's Messengers delivered the message of their Lord clearly which included denial to the bad actions of polytheists, prohibition of their false doctrines, warning to their error, and admonition. You are the same because Allah does not satisfy disbelief and polytheism; so how would you justify your atheism?

{وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى اللّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلالَةُ فَسِيرُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ} (النحل : 36 )

36- We have sent for every past nation a messenger who commanded them to worship Allah alone and avoid worshipping any idol or god along with Him.

Some of these past nations were guided to the truth after the warning of Messengers and responded to the call of their Lord and abided by His Religion, whereas other refused and followed the way of error and were misguided.

Both groups did not go beyond Allah's Will because none of them was forced to follow guidance or falsehood, but he only followed the way which Allah depicted after the path was clear before him, said the author of Fi Zhilal Al Qur'an.

So, O belying disbelievers walk on earth and think in the monuments, stories, and events of past people, and ponder over their punishment and final destination which took place due to their disbelief and belying their Prophets along with the torment which awaits them in the Hereafter.