(O Prophet), did the story of Abraham's honoured guests reach you? 24 When those [heavenly messengers] came unto him and bade him peace, he answered, "[And upon you be] peace!" - [saying to himself,] "They are strangers." 25 Then he went to his home – so he brought a healthy calf. 26 and placed it before them, saying, "Will you not eat?" 27 Then he became afraid of them. They said: “Fear not,” and announced to him the good news of (the birth of) a boy endowed with knowledge. 28 But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: "A barren old woman!" 29 They said, “This is how your Lord has decreed; indeed He only is the Wise, the All Knowing.” 30 ۞ Said he, 'And what is your business, envoys?' 31 They replied, "We have been sent to a sinful people 32 to bring down upon them showers of marked lumps of clayy. 33 marked out in thy Sustainer's sight for [the punishment of] such as have wasted their own selves." 34 So We brought out whoever was in the cities of the believers. 35 But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah). 36 and We left therein a sign for those who fear a painful punishment. 37 There is also a Sign for you in the story of Moses when We sent him with a clear authority to Pharaoh. 38 But he turned away with his supporters and said," A magician or a madman." 39 So We took him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea, and he was blameworthy. 40 And in 'A-ad also was a lesson, when We sent against them the barren wind. 41 It left nothing whatever that it came up against, but reduced it to ruin and rottenness. 42 And in Thamud's also was a lesson, when it was said unto them: enjoy yourselves for a season. 43 But in their pride they turn away from the commandment of their Lord and the thunderbolt struck them whilst they were looking; 44 They were unable to stand up, nor were they helped. 45 (So had We destroyed) the people of Noah before them: They were surely a sinful people. 46