AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they came to him and said, “Peace”; he answered, “Peace”; and thought, “These people are not familiar.” 25 Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf; 26 So he brought it near them. He said: What! will you not eat? 27 He therefore inwardly sensed fear of them; they said, “Do not fear!”; and they gave him the glad tidings of a knowledgeable son. 28 (Sarah) his wife came with an exclamation and clasped her face, and said: 'Surely, I am a barren old woman' 29 They said: Thus says your Lord: Surely He is the Wise, the Knowing. 30 ۞ 'Messengers' said he (Abraham), 'what is your errand' 31 They said, 'We have been sent to a people of sinners, 32 That we may send down upon them stones of baked clay. 33 marked out in thy Sustainer's sight for [the punishment of] such as have wasted their own selves." 34 So We evacuated everyone who was a believer there, 35 And We found not within them other than a [single] house of Muslims. 36 And We have left there a sign (i.e. the place of the Dead Sea, well-known in Palestine) for those who fear the painful torment. 37 In Moses, too, (there were signs). We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority, 38 But he turned his back, he and his courtiers, and said, "This is a sorcerer or a madman." 39 So We took him and his hosts, and dumped them into the sea, while he was to be blamed. 40 In 'Ad (also is a sign), when We sent a blasting wind against them, 41 which spared nothing of what it came upon, but caused [all of] it to become like bones dead and decayed. 42 And in the Thamud (was another Sign): Behold, they were told, "Enjoy (your brief day) for a little while!" 43 They transgressed against the command of their Lord. So a blast of sound struck them and they were unable to do anything but stare. 44 and they were not able to stand upright, and were not helped. 45 (So had We destroyed) the people of Noah before them: They were surely a sinful people. 46