The Prophet (saas) advised his people to take a lesson from the demise of those who had gone before

all through history, societies that have opposed allah, his messengers and religion, have been destroyed by great disasters, in such a way as to leave no trace of them. the end of such societies must be a lesson for all people, to turn to allah and fear his wrath.

say: "travel about the earth and see the final fate of the evildoers." (surat an-naml: 69)

say: "travel about the earth and see the final fate of the deniers." (surat al-an'am: 11)

say: "travel about the earth and see the final fate of those before. most of them were idolators." (surat ar-rum: 42)

one thing the prophet (saas) said in the light of the above verses was "rejoice and hope for what will please you! by allah, i am not afraid of your poverty but i am afraid that you will lead a life of luxury as past nations did, whereupon you will compete with each other for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them."44 by which he warned people of the disasters that had come upon others because of their indulgence.