The physical remnants they left behind; 2.
The physical remnants they left behind; 2. Their historical remains. The physical remnants which they left behind include their historical narratives and works. When a person studies these effects of theirs and sees their eventual outcome, then one will easily learn lessons from them.
Their historical remnants include things such as the cities which they lived in which were destroyed and the Qur`an alludes to such events: “On your journeys to Sham (present day Syria), you will find the remnants of the destroyed cities of the people of Lut, 'Ad, Thamud and others such nations.” Why is it that we do not hear the message that these destroyed nations are trying to convey to us? Why do we not learn lessons from them?
When we walk by a cemetery, why is it that we do not pay attention to the screams and cries of the dead? Look at the palaces and castles that the kings and leaders had which are now ruins. Look at the remnants that Fir'awn has left behind! Look at those pyramids which were built with millions of stones and took years to build and in which thousands of workers had a hand in constructing.
Even today, not a single person has been able to explain how these huge rocks were gathered and put into place to construct such buildings! As it has been stated that in that part of the world where the pyramids were built there were no large mountains for thousands of kilometres such that it would be possible that they would have been able to procure rocks to make such monuments. And as it is known these huge buildings were built there to act as graves for the Pharaoh!
All of these things are lesson for us. With all of the power, supremacy and “magic” that they possessed, where they able to keep alive for eternity or to stand up against the face of death? These examples are all lessons that we must learn from and indeed there are many.
Even this evil Shah (that ruled Iran) - Muhammad Rida - it is narrated that upon the roof of his mansion, there were two machines installed that if at night, he wanted to see the sky, he would simply turn a key and the roof would open up (so that he could see the stars). At the time in which he ruled, this was one of the newest pieces of technology that was available. However in the end where did the Shah reach to with all of his pomp and glory?