Faith in messengers and people's attitude towards them

We sent Noah to his people. He said: "O my people, worship God, for you have no other god but He. Will you not take heed for yourselves?"

The chiefs of his people, who did not believe, said: "He is only a man like you. He wishes to acquire ascendancy over you. If God had willed He would have sent down angels. We never heard this from our elders.

He is only a man possessed; so wait and watch him for a time."

"O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies."

So We asked him to build the ark under Our eyes and guidance, (and said): "When Our command is issued and the source of water boils over, put a pair of every species in it, and your family except those for whom Our sentence has been passed already; and do not speak to Me for those who are wicked: They will be drowned.

When you and those with you have boarded the ark, say: 'All praise be to God who has delivered us from the people who were sinful.'

And say: 'O Lord, disembark me in a welcome place; You are the best of deliverers.'

There were surely signs in this; We will surely put you to the test.

After them We raised a new generation.

Then We sent to them an apostle from among them (who said): "Worship God, for you have no other god but He. Will you not take heed and fear God?"

The chiefs of the people who did not believe and denied the life to come, though We had given them good things of this life to enjoy, (said): "He is only a mortal like you. He eats as you do, and drinks as you drink.

So if you follow a man like yourself you will certainly be doomed.

Does he give you a promise that when you are dead and turned to dust and bones, you will be raised to life again?

How far-fetched what you are promised;

There is only the life of this world: We die and we live: there is no rising from the dead for us.

He is just a man who invents a lie about God; we cannot believe in him."

(The apostle prayed): "O Lord, deliver me, for they accuse me of lies."

Answered (the Lord): "They shall wake up repenting soon."

So they were rightly seized by a mighty blast; and We turned them into mouldy rubbish: A good riddance of the wicked people!

Then after them We raised other generations.

No nation can live beyond its allotted time, or lag behind.

Then We sent Our apostles one after the other. Every time an apostle came to a people they denied him. So We made one follow the other (to its doom), and turned them into bygone tales. Cursed be the people who do not believe!

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our miracles and clear proofs

To Pharaoh and his nobles who behaved with arrogance, for they were a conceited lot,

And said: "Should we believe in two men like yourselves, whose people are our subjects?"

Then they accused them of lies, and joined the company of those who were destroyed.

And We gave the Book to Moses so that they may be guided.

And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and gave them shelter on an elevated ground, sequestered, watered by a spring.

O you apostles, eat things that are clean, and do things that are good. We are surely cognisant of what you do.

Verily this your order is one order, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.