And certainly We sent Nuh to his people, and he said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)? 23 But the notables among his people had refused to believe, and said: "This is none other than a mortal like yourselves who desires to attain superiority over you. Had Allah wanted (to send any Messengers) He would have sent down angels. We have heard nothing like this in the time of our forebears of old (that humans were sent as Messengers). 24 He is nothing else except a man who is mad, so watch him for awhile. 25 "O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies." 26 then We revealed Our will to him: "Build the Ark under Our watchful eye according to Our instructions. When Our command comes, and waters gush up out of the earth, take on board pairs of every species and members of your household, except for any of them on whom sentence has already been passed -- do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong: they shall be drowned. 27 Then, when thou art seated in the Ark and those with thee, say, "Praise belongs to God, who has delivered us from the people of the evildoers." 28 and say, 'My Lord, let me land with Your blessing in a blessed landing place. You alone can provide the best landings.'" 29 Indeed in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing [Our servants]. 30 Then We raised up after them another generation. 31 Then We sent amongst them an apostle from amongst themselves, saying: worship Allah, for you there is no god but he; will ye then not fear Him? 32