“The case of those who took others than Allah as their protectors is that of a spider who builds a house; but the frailest of all houses is the spider’s house; if they only knew.”
(Al Qur’ān – 29:41)
All these nations (like those of ‘Ād and Thamūd) had been guilty of indulging in polytheism. They looked upon their idols as guardians and patrons who they believed could make or mar their destiny. They presented offerings to them and worshipped them so as to procure their protection. They believed that by doing so their idols would help, support and protect them against every calamity. However, it is unmistakably evident from historythat such false beliefs and superstitions proved of no avail to them when God ordained their annihilation. No god or goddess, no avtār, saint or spirit, no jinn or angel whom they used to worship, came to their rescue. When they came face to face with this reality, they felt remorseful about having cherished false notions, but nonetheless they met their doom and were obliterated.
By relating these stories, the Qur’ān issues a dire warning to the Makkan polytheists: their expectations about receiving help and support from imaginary lords, idols, that are themselves helpless, will prove as frail as a spider’s web. In the same way that a spider’s web cannot withstand the mere touch of a finger, their polytheistic notions will be demolished as soon as the Divine scourge smites them. The fact is that ignorance alone accounts for their false beliefs and superstitions.