Examples of ancient peoples

We sent Noah to his people, and he said: "O people worship God; you have no other god but He; for I fear the retribution of the great Day may fall on you."

The elders of his people replied: "We see clearly that you have gone astray."

"I have not gone astray, O my people," he said, "but have been sent by my Lord, the creator of all the worlds.

I bring to you the messages of my Lord, and give you sincere advice, for I know from God what you do not know.

Do you wonder that a warning has come to you from your Lord through a man who is one of you, and warns you to take heed for yourselves and fear God? You might be treated with mercy."

But they called him a liar, and We saved him and those with him in the Ark, and drowned the others who rejected Our signs, for they were a people purblind.

And We sent Hud, their brother, to the people of 'Ad. He said: "O you people, worship God, for you have no other god but He. Will you not take heed for yourselves?"

The chiefs of his people who were infidels replied: "We find you full of folly, and a liar to boot."

"I am not a fool, O people," he answered, "but have been sent by the Lord of all the worlds.

I bring to you the messages of my Lord. I am your sincere friend.

Do you wonder that a warning has come to you from your Lord through a man who is one of you and warns you? Remember, He made you leaders after the people of Noah, and gave you a greater increase in your stature. So think of the favours of God; you may haply be blessed."

They answered: "Have you come to say to us that we should worship only one God, abandoning those our ancestors had worshipped? If so, bring on us what you threaten us with, if what you say is true."

He replied: "You have already been beset with punishment and the wrath of God. Why dispute with me about names invented by you and your ancestors for which no sanction was sent down? So wait (for what is to come), I am waiting with you."

Then We saved him and those on his side by Our grace, and destroyed to the very last those who rejected Our signs and denied the truth.

We sent to Thamud their brother Saleh. "O you people," said he, "worship God, for you have no other god but He. Clear proof has come to you already from your Lord, and this she-camel of God is the token for you. Leave her free to graze upon God's earth, and do not molest her lest a grievous punishment should befall you.

Remember, how you were made leaders after the people of 'Ad, and were settled on the land so that you could construct on the plains palaces, and carve dwellings out of mountains. So think of the favours of God, and do not act with corruption in the land."

The chiefs among the people who were arrogant towards the weaker ones among them who believed, asked: "Do you really know that Saleh has been sent by his Lord?" They said: "Indeed we believe in the message he has brought."

Those who were arrogant answered: "We do not believe in what you believe."

Then they hamstrung the she-camel and rebelled against the command of their Lord, and said: "Bring, O Saleh, on us the affliction you promise, if you are one of the sent ones."

Then they were seized by an earthquake, and lay overturned on the ground in their homes in the morning.

Saleh turned away from them and said: "O my people, I conveyed to you the message of my Lord and warned you; but you do not like those who wish you well."

And We sent Lot, who said to his people: "Why do you commit this lecherous act which none in the world has committed before?

In preference to women you satisfy your lust with men. Indeed you are a people who are guilty of excess."

His people made no answer, and only said: "Drive them out of the city. They profess to be pure."

But We saved him and his family, except for his wife who was one of those who stayed behind.

And We rained down on them a shower (of Stones). So witness the end of sinners!

Remember, We sent to Midian their brother Shu'aib. "O you people," he said, "worship God, for you have no other god but He. Clear proof has come to you from your Lord; so give in full measure and full weight; do not keep back from people what is theirs, and do not corrupt the land after it has been reformed. This is best for you if you believe.

Do not lie in ambush to intimidate and divert from the path of God those who believe in Him, nor seek obliquity in it. Remember the day when you were few and He increased your numbers. So consider the fate of those who were evil.

If some of you believe what has been sent through me, and some of you do not, have patience until God decide between us, for He is the best of all judges."

The arrogant leaders of the people replied: "We shall drive you away from our land, O Shu'aib, and those who are with you, unless you come back to your faith." But he remarked: "Even if we are disgusted with it?

We shall only be guilty of blaspheming God if we accept your way after the people of Noah, and gave you a greater increase in your stature. So think of the favours of God; you may haply be blessed."

The chiefs among his people who did not believe said (to them): "If you follow Shu'aib and his way you will surely be ruined."

Then they were seized by an earthquake, and lay overturned on the ground in their homes in the morning.

They who called Shu'aib a liar (disappeared) as though they had never existed; and those who called Shu'aib a liar were the ones who were ruined!

So Shu'aib turned away from them and said: "O people, I conveyed to you the message of my Lord, and warned you. (But you paid no heed). How can I grieve for a people who do not believe?"