Allāh ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’ān that they did not know His ﷻ true value. People worshipped idols, other people, their egos, and shayṭān. These things can bring no benefit, and worshipping them brings only spiritual harm. When hardship and oppression appear, do not rebel or object to Allāh ﷻ. Everything He ﷻ does is with wisdom and mercy. Submit, make du‘ā’, and wait for the relief Allāh ﷻ will send.