﴿ وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًۭا فَنَقَّبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْبِلَٰدِ هَلْ مِن مَّحِيصٍ ﴾

“AND HOW MANY a generation have We destroyed before those [who now deny the truth] people of greater might than theirs; but [when Our chastise­ment befell them,] they became wanderers on the face of the earth, seeking no more than a place of refuge”

(And how many a generation) past generation (We destroyed before them) before your folk, (who were mightier than these) than your folk (in prowess) in physical strength (so that they overran the lands!) they moved about and travelled for their trade (Had they any place of refuge) or escape from Our chastisement? And it is also said this means: is there anyone of them left?