AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they entered upon him, they said: Peace. Peace, said he, a strange people. 25 Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf; 26 and placed it before them, saying, "Will you not eat?" 27 [And when he saw that the guests would not eat,] he became apprehensive of them; [but] they said, "Fear not" - and gave him the glad tiding of [the birth of] a son who would be endowed with deep knowledge. 28 His wife came forward, crying and beating her face, saying, "I am an old barren woman!" 29 They said: "Thus said your Lord. He is indeed all-wise and all-knowing." 30 ۞ He said: what then is your errand! O ye sent ones! 31 They replied: 'We are sent to a sinful nation, 32 To send down upon them stones of baked clay. 33 Marked by your Lord for the Musrifun (polytheists, criminals, sinners those who trespass Allah's set limits in evil-doings by committing great sins). 34 And in the course of time We brought out [of Lot 's city] such [few] believers as were there: 35 but We found not therein except one house of those that have surrendered themselves. 36 We left therein evidence for those who fear the painful torment. 37 And in Musa also was a lesson, when We sent him unto Fir'awn with authority manifest. 38 but he turned his back with his Assembly, saying: 'He is (either) a sorcerer or a mad man' 39 So We seized him and his hosts and cast them into the sea. Indeed, he was blameworthy. 40 There is also a Sign for you in (the story of) Ad, when We let loose upon them an ominous wind 41 It spared naught that it reached, but made it (all) as dust. 42 And in Samood: When it was said to them: Enjoy yourselves for a while. 43 But they rebelled against the command of their Lord. So the thunderbolt overtook them while they looked on: 44 They were unable to stand up, nor were they helped. 45 And [thus, too, We destroyed] Noah's people aforetime: for they were iniquitous folk. 46