Allah said in Al-Quran, meaning:

“How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrongdoing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built? Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts.” 
Al-Hajj (22):45-46

In the above verse Allah S.W.T. reminded mankind of the many nations that were destroyed by Allah S.W.T. because their people were cruel. Many homes were destroyed and wells or sources of water became dry. 

How many high and rich castles, buildings and cities were ruined and what were left were mere traces. If we do not believe we were suggested to travel the face of the earth and witness ourselves the truth. 

Doubtless if we travel far enough, we will encounter several past kingdoms and empires, which were destroyed by Allah S.W.T., such as the kingdom of the Pharaohs in Egypt, the kingdom of Namrud in Babylon , the Roman Empire in Rome and the Persian Empire in Iran, and many others, each of which held infamous and atrocious records of injustice and cruelty.

Despite the fact that they were able to think with intelligence, they had eyes and ears, they failed to use them and instead succumbed to their evil passions. They failed to realise, let alone regret for their mistakes, and they refused to repent, or seek Allah’s forgiveness. Their refusal to amend themselves was reinforced with habitual and continuous injustice. Thus they invited disasters which came in various forms as reminders from the Lord of the Universe. 

Men were created with attributes that made them inclined towards injustice and cruelty. At the same time they were entrusted to manage the affairs of the Ummah, equipped with the resources, the faculties and Guidance from Allah S.W.T. 

In the discharge of their responsibilities and tasks, men unfortunately conducted  their affairs and activities of life, not in the direction of the ultimate objective purpose to serve Allah, but to serve their selfish passion for power, wealth, fame and sensate desires. 

Their responsibilities, abilities and capabilities to serve Allah and their fellow men were neglected. Many of their fellow men became unnecessary and innocent victims of their whims. When people were young, they were exploited for their strength and health. Some were enlisted to contribute their labour and energy to produce wealth for those who were already wealthy. 

Others had to  serve in the army to protect those in power. In today’s lexicon, others have to labour as knowledge workers to serve corporate giants who are rich any way. But when they became old, they became abandoned folks. Mankind continued to be treated as if they were sugar canes. After the juice was extracted, the husk were thrown and abandoned.

Men have the courage to assume the responsibilities and trust as their burden, but those who discharge their roles in pursuit of the reward of Allah’s pleasure will be ignored, if not ridiculed. 

The problems and difficulties of those who patiently face the challenges of seeking Allah’s pleasure are ignored. They have the heart but not the understanding, they have the eyes but not the insight, and they have the ears but not the care to hear. In their sight are only the creatures of God that can be enslaved to follow and serve their will.

Justice has to spread far and wide, not to be enjoyed by just the selected few. Gross injustice is when the rich become richer and the poor become poorer and are neglected. 

Many men forget that the fortune they now enjoy, whether in the form of power or wealth, until they reach the unimaginable height of position and possession, came through the support and efforts of little people. Status and wealth blind many men until they consider the weak do not require attention and what they possess are not trusts from Allah S.W.T. 

Eventually those who are considered small,  feel they are too far away from those who are arrogant, until it reaches a stage that their sight of those who sit on the throne of arrogance is so distant and they appear so small. 

A vast gap of separation emerges between the powerful rulers and those being ruled and between the rich and the poor. When acts of injustice become rampant, it becomes the source of threat that can destroy the fabric of society and the Ummah itself. 

We must realise this reality by initiating actions to amend ourselves and seek forgiveness (taubah) from Allah S.W.T., with a sense of regret over our mistakes and shortcomings. We must also resolve with determination not to repeat our evil deeds in the future, and instead replace with determination, vigour and patience in acts of good deeds and seeking Allah’s pleasure.