Atheists in Quran (13) their works = Ashes Blowing in the Wind

The Atheists’ works are like ashes over which the wind blows hard on a tempestuous day, over which none can have power and they shall find no reward for it due to their nonbelief.

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Not all the Atheists are evil doers.

Some if not many of them do righteous works in the life of this world.

The Atheists may do moral works such as:

  • Kindness to kin,
  • Act of charity,
  • Helping the poor and the needy,
  • Compassion to the neighbors,
  • Etc.

Allah very much encourages these works and He promised to give very good rewards for these honorable works.

Allah’s rewards for such conducts are beyond our dreams because Allah is the best ever Kind.

However, Allah’s rewards are only for the believers.

It is very unwise to expect a reward from the one you do not believe in Him.

The verses 14:18-20 of the Quran give the likeness and the description of the good Atheists’ works and their grievous loss in the Afterlife.

The parable of the Atheists’ works

The Atheists’ works are like ashes; the ashes are blowing about hither and thither by the wind.

The wind, which blows on them, is not an ordinary wind,

The day on which the wind blows is not an ordinary calm day.

A furious windstorm is blowing, for such is the Wrath of Allah.

They have neither internal peace nor external gain.

In the scattering of the ashes, they lose control even of such things as they might have earned but for their misbelief.

All their wishes to get rewarded go astray.

They are carried far away, from what was in their minds. What did they aim at, and what did they achieve?

No power have they over aught that they have earned:

That is the straying far, far from the goal.

Their works are just as one will not find ashes when the wind blows hard on it in the way that no rewards are resulting from such works.

“The works of those who disbelieve in their Lord are like ashes which the wind blows about fiercely on a stormy day. They cannot achieve any benefit from all that they might have earned. This [disbelief] is indeed going very far astray.”

Again, Atheists’ works are as ashes over which the wind blows hard on a tempestuous day, one in which the winds blow violently, making them as scattered dust, over which none can have power and they shall find no reward for it.

  • That is the extreme error, which is far remote from the Truth or guidance.
  • That is the extreme failure
  • That is the extreme loss

Then have a look on how Allah, the Merciful, talk to them before it is too late for them.

Have not the Atheists seen that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth?

If He will, He can take you away, O humankind, and bring [about] a new creation, in your place.

O Atheists If Allah will, He can

  • remove you, or
  • destroy you, or
  • make you die,

In addition, He can bring in some new creation and will create other beings who are better than you are and more obedient to Allah.

That is no great matter for Allah

That is not very difficult for Allah;

Allah says:

It is not very difficult for Allah to terminate you and create different beings.

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The perfect harmony of Quranic style

The image of Ashes Blowing about on a stormy day adds action to the concept that the Atheists’ workswill come to nothing.

People cannot hold on to any part of their actions, or make use of them. This image gives a far more profound effect than any expression of the same meaning of total loss in intellectual terms.

This scene expresses a basic truth about what the Atheists do.

Then the verses talk about the creation of Heavens and Earth before threatening the Atheists with Allah’s ability to replace them with a new creation.

This switch from the loss of the good Atheists’ work due to lack of faith and disbelief to a picture of the heavens and the earth is very natural in the Quran.

It is also natural in human feelings and perceptions.

This is a further indication of the divine source of the Quran.

There is a secret but intelligible discourse between man and the universe.

Human nature responds instinctively to this secret communication once it tunes in to it and receives its signals.

Those who do not notice these signals and indicators must examine their receptive abilities.

Such people are described in the Quran as blind. It is not possible for human life to prosper under a system, doctrine or philosophy promoted by someone who is blind.

The fact that the heavens and the earth have been created with the truth gives the impression of limitless ability and solid stability.

The truth is solid and stable even in the sound the word ‘truth’ makes.

This contrasts completely with the ashes blown about fiercely on a stormy day, dispersed far and wide, as it contrasts with people going astray.

In light of the fate suffered by dictators who stubbornly took the wrong side in the battle between truth and falsehood, a strong warning is issued:

“If He so wills, He can do away with you and bring into being a new creation.”

Allah who is able to create the heavens and the earth can easily replace the human race with a different one, or bring about a new community of humans in place of the present one.

Again the connotations of taking a community away to replace it with another fits properly with the image of ashes blown far away.

“This is no difficult thing for God.”

The creation of the heavens and the earth testify that it is indeed easy for Allah.

The fate of earlier unbelieving communities also testifies to it, and so do the ashes scattered hither and thither.

It is indeed a remarkable feature of the Quranic style that imagery and connotations slot together in perfect harmony.

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The verses 14:18-19 in different translations:

QARIB:

18-As for the likeness of those who disbelieve in their Lord, their works are like ashes which a strong wind scatters on a stormy day; they are powerless over that they have earned; that is the far error.

19-Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth? he can put you away if he will and bring into being a new creation;

20-Indeed, that is no great thing for Allah.

SHAKIR:

18-The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their actions are like ashes on which the wind blows hard on a stormy day; they shall not have power over anything out of what they have earned; this is the great error

19-Do you not see that Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth? if he please he will take you off and bring a new creation,

20-And this is not difficult for Allah

PICKTHAL:

18-A similitude of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their works are as ashes which the wind bloweth hard upon a stormy day. they have no control of aught that they have earned. that is the extreme failure.

19-Hast thou not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? if he will, he can remove you and bring (in) some new creation;

20-And that is no great matter for Allah.

YUSUFALI:

18-The parable of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: no power have they over aught that they have earned: that is the straying far, far (from the goal).

19-Seest thou not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth? if he so will, he can remove you and put (in your place) a new creation?

20-Nor is that for Allah any great matter.

This is Allah (73) The Good Party of the Israelites Who Did Not…

Many people do not know Allah. This series is an attempt to help them to know their Creator.

Verses 7:162-163 of the Noble Quran talk about:

Verses 7:164-166 of the Noble Quran talk about:

1) The evil- doers party of the Israelites who used to…,

2) The unenthusiastic party of the Israelites who neither…nor…,

3) The good party of the Israelites who did not…,

4) To Whom Allah said: Be apes and they became so and

5) Why Has Allah turned them into animals?

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Herein are the answers of the above questions followed by the details

1) To Whom Allah Said: Be apes and They Became So

There were three disobedient men who were evil doers and encouraged others to do so Allah said to them: Be apes, despised!, and they became so.

2) The Evil- Doers Party of the Israelites Who Used To..

The Quran says that the evil-doers party used to catch fish on the Sabbath and encouraged others to do so too.

3) The Unenthusiastic Party of the Israelites Who Neither…Nor…

The Quran says that there was another group of people who did not catch fish on the Sabbath but did not warn others against doing so.

4) The Good Party of the Israelites Who Did Not…

The Quran says that there was another group of people (the good party) who did not catch the fish on the Sabbath and warned and prohibited others against doing so.

5) Why Has Allah Turned Them Into Animals?

The Quran says that when they disdained, to desist from, that which was prohibited to them, Allah has turned them into animals.

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In the previous article:

Allah Commanded the Israelites to say: Repentance; and say: there is no deity except Allah; O Our Lord! Forgive our sins Forgive our sins but they changed what they were commanded to say.

Allah Commanded the Israelites to enter the gate of the township prostrate; but they entered the gate dragging themselves on their rears.

Then Allah sent upon the Israelites the plague for their wrong-doing

And question them, O Muhammad, about the city that was by the sea, bordering the Red Sea about what befell its inhabitants (the Israelites), how they would violate, the Sabbath, by fishing, which they had been commanded not to do on that day; how their fish would come to them on the day of their Sabbath floating at the surface, visible at the surface of the water; but on the day they did not observe the Sabbath, when they would not consecrate the Sabbath over the other days, they would not come to them, as a trial from Allah. Thus, Allah was trying them for their wickedness. And when they went to fish, the city split into three: one third joined the fishing party, another prohibited them, while a third abstained from both fishing and prohibiting.

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The meaning of verse 7:164

While still talking about the dwellers of city that was by the Red Sea, the verse talks about the unenthusiastic party of the Israelites who neither fished nor prohibited it.

The verse says:

And when a community among them said: Why preach ye to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy by turning them into animals and punish with an awful doom with the Fire?  They said: In order to be free from guilt before your Lord, in order to have an argument before your Lord, and that haply they may ward off evil, ward off taking the fish on the Sabbath. These were three people (the evil-doers party) who used to catch fish on the Sabbath and encouraged others to do so too. There was another group of people who did not catch fish on the Sabbath but did not warn others against doing so. And lastly there was another group of people who did not catch the fish on the Sabbath and warned others against doing so. Allah turned those who caught fish on the Sabbath and enjoined others to do so into animals and spared the others.

In other words, the verse says: And when a community among them, who neither fished nor prohibited it, said, to those who prohibited it: Why do you preach to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy or chastise with a severe chastisement?  They said, our admonishing them is, ‘As an exculpation, by which we excuse ourselves, before your Lord, lest we are reproached for failing to prohibit them in any way; and so that they might be wary of fishing.

The meaning of verse 7:165

And when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded; and when they left what they were commanded to do, Allah rescued those who forbade wrong i.e. catching fish on the Sabbath, and visited those who did wrong by catching fish on the Sabbath with dreadful, a severe punishment because they were evil-livers, because they were transgressors.

In other words, the verse says: And when they forgot, when they overlooked, that whereof they had been reminded, that for which they had been admonished, and did not desist, Allah delivered those who forbade evil, and seized those who did wrong, through transgression, with a grievous, terrible, chastisement for their wickedness.

The meaning of verse 7:166

And when they disdained, to desist from, that which was prohibited to them,

Allah said to them: Be apes, despised!, abased, and loathed! humiliated and abominated! And they became so.

This is an explication of what preceded with regard to the details of their ‘grievous chastisement’.

But, what about the unenthusiastic party?

Ibn Abbās, one of the famous interpreters of the Quran said: ‘I do not know what befell the group that abstained’.

On the other hand, Ikrima (also a famous interpreter of the Quran) said: That group was not destroyed because they had been averse to what the others did and had said: Why preach ye to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy…

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Verses 7:164-166 in different English translations of the meanings of Arabic Quran:

QARIB:

164) And when some asked: ‘why do you admonish a nation whom Allah will destroy or sternly punish? ‘ they replied: ‘(seeking) a pardon from your Lord, and in order that they may be cautious. ‘

165) Therefore, when they forgot that of which they were reminded, we saved those who were forbidding evil, and seized the evildoers with an evil punishment for that which they used to do of evil.

166) And when they had scornfully persisted in what they had been forbidden, we said to them: ‘be apes, despised. ‘

SHAKIR:

164) And when a party of them said: why do you admonish a with a severe chastisement? they said: to be free from blame before your Lord, and that haply they may guard (against evil)

165) So when they neglected what they had been reminded of, we delivered those who forbade evil and we overtook those who were unjust with an evil chastisement because they transgressed

166) Therefore when they revoltingly persisted in what they had been forbidden, we said to them: be (as) apes, despised and hated

PICKTHAL:

164) And when a community among them said: why preach ye to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy or punish with an awful doom, they said: in order to be free from guilt before your Lord, and that haply they may ward off (evil).

165) And when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, we rescued those who forbade wrong, and visited those who did wrong with dreadful punishment because they were evil-livers.

166) So when they took pride in that which they had been forbidden, we said unto them: be ye apes despised and loathed!

YUSUFALI:

164) When some of them said: “why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?”- said the preachers:” to discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear him.”

165) When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, we rescued those who forbade evil; but we visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.

166) When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, we said to them: “be ye apes, despised and rejected.”

This is Allah (72) Have the Israelites Wronged Allah or Wronged Themselves?

Many people do not know Allah. This series is an attempt to help them to know their Creator.

Verses 7:162-163 of the Noble Quran talk about:

1) Have the Israelites wronged Allah or wronged Themselves?

2) Allah Commanded the Israelites to say : Forgive our sins but they said…,

3) When the Israelites substituted the Word Hittah by Hintah?

4) Allah Commanded the Israelites to prostrate  they dragged themselves on their rears, 5) Why Allah sent down upon the Israelites the plague?

6) the story of the city dwelled by the Israelites that was by the Red Sea,

7) How did the Israelites break the Sabbath by fishing? And

8) How did Allah try and test the Israelites?

 

Herein are the answers for the above questions followed by the details

1) Have the Israelites Wronged Allah or Wronged Themselves?

Allah says: And they (the Israelites) did not wrong Us, but they wronged themselves.

i.e. they did not hurt or harm Allah because of what they committed, but they were wont to wrong themselves, to harm and hurt themselves.

2) Allah Commanded the Israelites to Say : Forgive our Sins But They…

Allah Commanded the Israelites to say: Repentance; and say: there is no deity except Allah; O Our Lord! Forgive our sins Forgive our sins but they said…

3) When the Israelites Substituted the Word Hittah by Hintah?

Allah Commanded the Israelites to say the word hittah that means forgive our sins; but instead said: hintah that means Wheat; A grain inside a hair, they did not fear their Creator.

4) Allah Commanded the Israelites to Prostrate but they Dragged Themselves on their Rears

Allah Commanded the Israelites to enter the gate of the township prostrate; but they entered the gate dragging themselves on their rears.

5) Why Allah Sent down upon the Israelites the Plague?

Allah sent upon the Israelites the plague for their wrong-doing, for changing what they were commanded to say.

6) The Story of the City Dwelled by the Israelites that was by the Red Sea

The Quran says: Ask the Jews, O Muhammad about the story of the township that was by the Red Sea, how they would violate …

7) How Did the Israelites Break the Sabbath by Fishing?

The Quran says that the Israelites did break the Sabbath by fishing, which they had been commanded not to do on that day; how their fish would come to them on the day of their Sabbath floating at …

8) How has Allah Tried and Tested the Israelites?

The Quran says that the big fish came unto the Israelites visibly, scores and scores of them, from deep inside up to the shore upon their Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath the fish did not come unto them.

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In the previous article:

And of Moses’ folk there is a community, a group who lead with, enjoin, truth and establish justice therewith; they act upon the Truth.

And Allah divided the Children of Israel, into twelve tribes.

And Allah revealed to Moses: ‘Strike the rock with your staff’, and he struck it, and there gushed forth, burst forth, from it twelve fountains, equal to the number of tribes, each people,

And Allah made the cloud overshadow them, in the wilderness, from the heat of the sun,

Allah sent down to them manna and quails and said to them: ‘Eat of the good things We have provided for you.’

And, when it was said unto them: Dwell in this township, and eat therefrom whence you will, and whenever you will, and say “Repentance”; and say: there is no deity except Allah; it is also said that this means: say O Our Lord! Forgive our sins, and enter the gate of the township prostrate; Allah shall forgive you your sins; He shall increase (reward) for the right doers in their good works.

Have they (the Israelites) said what they were supposed to say?

No., Allah says: And they did not wrong Us, but they wronged themselves.

i.e. They wronged Us not, they did not hurt or harm Us because of what they committed, but they were wont to wrong themselves, to harm and hurt themselves.

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The meaning of verse 7:162

But the evildoers among them substituted a saying other than that which had been said to them, they said instead: ‘A grain inside a hair’ and entered the gate of the township dragging themselves on their rears.  In the previous article (75), Allah Commanded them to enter the gate of the township prostrate; Then, Allah shall forgive them their sins, i.e. they were supposed to enter the  gate of the township prostrating; but they entered the gate of the township dragging themselves on their rears.

So Allah sent down upon them terror, a chastisement, from the heaven for their evildoing.

In other words, the verse says:

But those of them who did wrong, the sinning people changed the word which had been told them for another saying; they were commanded to say ” hittah [that means there is no deity except Allah; or as in the other meaning: forgive our sins] but instead they said ” hintah that means wheat, a grain inside a hair ; they did not fear their Creator.

So, Allah sent down upon them wrath from heaven; He sent upon them the plague from heaven for their wrong-doing) for changing what they were commanded to say.

In the previous article (75), Allah says: And they (the Israelites) did not wrong Us, but they wronged themselves. i.e. they did not hurt or harm Allah because of what they committed, but they were wont to wrong themselves, to harm and hurt themselves.

The meaning of verse 7:163

And question them, O Muhammad, in rebuke, about the city that was by the sea, bordering the Red Sea about what befell its inhabitants (from among the Israelites), how they would transgress, violate, the Sabbath, by fishing, which they had been commanded not to do on that day; how their fish would come to them on the day of their Sabbath floating at the surface, visible at the surface of the water; but on the day they did not observe the Sabbath, when they would not consecrate the Sabbath over the other days, they would not come to them, as a trial from Allah. Thus, Allah was trying them for their wickedness. And when they went to fish, the city split into three: one third joined the fishing party, another prohibited them, while a third abstained from both fishing and prohibiting.

In other words, the verse says:

Ask the Jews, O Muhammad about the story of the township that was by the sea, how they did break the Sabbath; they used to transgress on the Sabbath by taking the fish, how their big fish came unto them visibly, scores and scores of them, from deep inside up to the shore upon their Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath came they not unto them. Thus did Allah try them, test them for that they were evil-doers.

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Verses 7:162-163 in different English translations of the meanings of Arabic Quran:

QARIB:

162) The wicked amongst them changed what was said for other words. therefore we sent down upon them from heaven a punishment for their evil doing.

163) Ask them about the village that overlooked the sea and what befell (its people) when they broke the Sabbath. each Sabbath, their fish came swimming towards the shore, but on other days they did not come to them. as such we tempted them (the people) because they had done wrong.

SHAKIR:

162) But those who were unjust among them changed it for a saying other than that which had been spoken to them; so we sent upon them a pestilence from heaven because they were unjust

163) And ask them about the town which stood by the sea; when they exceeded the limits of the Sabbath, when their fish came to them on the day of their Sabbath, appearing on the surface of the water, and on the day on which they did not keep the Sabbath they did not come to them; thus did we try them because they transgressed

PICKTHAL:

162) But those of them who did wrong changed the word which had been told them for another saying, and we sent down upon them wrath from heaven for their wrongdoing.

163) Ask them (o Muhammad) of the township that was by the sea, how they did break the Sabbath, how their big fish came unto them visibly upon their Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath came they not unto them. thus did we try them for that they were evil-livers.

YUSUFALI:

162) But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. for that they repeatedly transgressed.

163) Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. for on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did we make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.

This is Allah (44) Allah Sent Lot to his People Saying: Stop homosexuality

Allah’s Law: the Behinds of Both Men and Women is Prohibited

Have you ever Known or Seen a Homosexual Dog, Cat, Donkey etc?

Are there Other Creatures in Other Planets that Have Sexual Activity Like Man?

Historically, Lot’s Folk was the First Among all of the Creatures Committing Homosexuality

Lot Said: Stop Homosexuality and they Said: Expel this Pure Man from Our City

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Many people do not know Allah.

This series is an attempt to help them in order to know and acknowledge their Creator.

Verses 7:80-84 of the Noble Quran talk about:

1) Allah sent Lot to his people saying: stop homosexuality,

2) Allah’s Law: the behinds of both men and women is prohibited,

3) historically, Lot’s folk was the first among all of the creatures committing homosexuality and

4) Are there other creatures in other planets that have sexual activity like man?

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The meaning of verse 7:80

The verse mentions Lot and says: Allah sent Lot to his people; and He said to them people, Do you commit abomination, that is penetrating the rears of men, i.e. the homosexuality, such as no creature ever did this act before you?  In other words, such as no one in all the worlds ever committed before you, humans or jinn or any other creature?

This verse indicates that there are other creatures in the worlds which have sexual activity like man. These might include Jinn and other creatures in other planets that we have no idea about them.  Nevertheless, historically, Lot’s folk was the first among all of those creatures committing homosexuality.

Also, as far as I know, there is no homosexuality among the animals like dogs, cats etc.  Have you ever known or seen a homosexual dog, cat etc?

Subsequently, what about the marvel man?

 

The meaning of verse 7:81

indeed you come lustfully to men’s behinds instead of women?

Nay, you are a wanton folk, transgressing the bounds, going from what is lawful to what is unlawful. In other words, you transgress from the lawful to that which is prohibited.

 

The meaning of verse 7:82

And the answer of his people was only that they said mockingly:

“Expel Lot and his followers, from our city, Turn them out

Surely Lot and his followers are folk who would be pure!’, They are folk, forsooth, who keep pure, who avoid the behinds of men and women.”

 

The meaning of verse 7:83

So Allah delivered, rescued, saved Lot and his family, except his wife: she was of those who stayed behind, who remained in the chastisement and was therefore destroyed.

 

The meaning of verse 7:84

And Allah rained a rain upon them. Allah sent down upon them, the homosexuals, stones from heaven and destroyed them.

Consider O Muhammad the nature of the consequence for evil-doers! the end result of the idolaters is destruction. So behold what was the end of the sinners!

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Verses 7:80-84 in different English translations of the meanings of Arabic Quran:

QARIB:

80) And lot, who said to his nation: ‘do you commit such indecency (sodomy) in a way that no one has preceded you in the worlds?

81) You approach men lustfully instead of women. truly, you are a nation who exceed (in sin). ‘

82) The only answer of his nation was: ‘expel them from your village. they are people who keep themselves purified. ‘

83) We saved him and all his family, except his wife, who was made to remain,

84) And we rained down upon them a rain. so look how was the end of the evildoers.

 

SHAKIR:

80) And (we sent) lut when he said to his people: what! do you commit an indecency which any one in the world has not done before you?

81) Most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay you are an extravagant people

82) And the answer of his people was no other than that they said: turn them out of your town, surely they are a people who seek to purify (themselves)

83) So we delivered him and his followers, except his wife; she was of those who remained behind

84) And we rained upon them a rain; consider then what was the end of the guilty

 

PICKTHAL:

80) And lot! (remember) when he said unto his folk: will ye commit abomination such as no creature ever did before you?

81) Lo! ye come with lust unto men instead of women. nay, but ye are wanton folk.

82) And the answer of his people was only that they said (one to another): turn them out of your township. they are folk, forsooth, who keep pure.

83) And we rescued him and his household, save his wife, who was of those who stayed behind.

84) And we rained a rain upon them. see now the nature of the consequence of evil-doers!

 

YUSUFALI:

80) We also (sent) lut: he said to his people: “do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?

81) “For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.”

82) And his people gave no answer but this: they said, “drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!”

83) But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who legged behind.

84) And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!