As we mentioned in the previous sections, in every period, Allah called people to the morality of the Qur'an, and being mindful of His good pleasure, through His faithful servants. Yet, except those who sincerely believed, the great majority failed to heed this call, but responded with evil, rebelliousness, denial and derision. We may discover several such examples in the stories related about the prophets in the Qur'an, and in the exchanges the believers had with those ignorant of the religion. What has been related in the Qur'an are examples of the negative reactions offered by the unbelievers of the time. However, it would be wrong to assume that such behavior was a thing only of the past. The same responses are discovered in our day, as in the past. For this reason, when reading of the accounts of past generations, all should learn a lesson from the punishment afflicted upon them, so as not to repeat their mistakes.
However, he who does not heed such warnings should not maintain that he did not say what others of previous generations had already said, as mentioned in the Qur'an, and, therefore, that he is not like them. Because, what really matters is the intention behind the words. Today, some may intend to offer exactly the same responses, as those communicated in the Qur'an, or harbor the same thoughts, but disguised as different language. For, disbelief, which is distinguishable by its non-adherence to the right path, its turning a deaf ear to reminders, and persistent arrogance, continue to remain the same although the time have changed. A time difference, extending to hundreds of years, does not alter the facts revealed in the Qur'an.
Indeed, many nations followed in the footsteps of the people of Prophet Nuh who had denied the truth:
The people of Nuh denied the truth before them, and the Confederates after them. Every nation planned to seize its Messenger and used false arguments to rebut the truth. So I seized them, and how was My retribution!
The messengers sent to these nations, and the Muslims who followed them, openly warned these people against the Fire, and made them aware of the punishment and disappointment to be faced by those who prefer their own manmade false religion over Allah's, for the way they were adhering to was not the path of Allah but of evil. Satan, on the other hand, calls people, not to salvation, but to the Fire. This fact is related in the Qur'an as follows:
Satan is your enemy so treat him as an enemy. He summons his party so they will be among the people of the Searing Blaze.
By turning their faces from the call of the believers, who summoned them to Allah's pleasure, mercy and the promised Garden, these people have, instead, answered Satan's call. Surely, none would readily admit that he does not abide by the Qur'an but follows Satan's call. Yet, whether they are willing to admit it or not, by not following the good word, they have essentially made their choice.
Those who renounce the call of the believers, and are deceived by Satan's incitements, will face utter disappointment in the Hereafter. Satan, whom they pursue, will abandon them. The condition of those who follow Satan is related in the Qur'an as follows:
When the affair is decided Satan will say, "Allah made you a promise, a promise of truth, and I made you a promise but broke my promise. I had no authority over you, except that I called you and you responded to me. Do not, therefore, blame me but blame yourselves. I cannot come to your aid nor you to mine. I reject the way you associated me with Allah before." The wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.
As part of the test of this world, every man was made vulnerable to whispers of Satan, while, on the other hand, he is also summoned to Allah's path by believers. In the end, the decision rests with the person himself. One has to remember that this decision will determine the way he will lead his life in the world to come. Those who follow Satan will be the people of Hell, whereas those who obey the good word will be rewarded with eternal Paradise. Giving due consideration and complying to the good word, is each person's individual responsibility:
… Such people call you to the Fire whereas Allah calls you, with His permission, to Paradise and forgiveness. He makes His Signs clear to people so that hopefully they will pay heed.
