Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says (Translation): Do they not see how many a generation We destroyed before them; whom We had empowered on the earth more, than We had empowered you (in physical strength, wealth in abundance, hailing from noble families, enjoying respect, long lives, holding estate and power etc.). And We sent down on them abundant showers from the sky. and made the rivers flow beneath them. But We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them other generations. (Al-An'am 6: 6)