Historical Nations

O Children of Israel, remember My favor that I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the worlds.

That is a nation which has passed on. It will have [the consequence of] what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do.

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.

And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us].

And for all are degrees from what they have done. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do.

That is from the news of the cities, which We relate to you; of them, some are [still] standing and some are [as] a harvest [mowed down].

Then, has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them as they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.

And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, punishment would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].

And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.

And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said, "This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink.

And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be losers.

Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth [once more]?

How far, how far, is that which you are promised.

Life is not but our worldly life - we die and live, but we will not be resurrected.

Then We produced after them other generations.

No nation will precede its time [of termination], nor will they remain [thereafter].

Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe.

And [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud and the companions of the well and many generations between them.

The people of Lot denied the messengers

And if you [people] deny [the message] - already nations before you have denied. And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.