(The nation of) Aad belied their Messengers. 123 When their brother Hud said to them: "Will you not take heed? 124 Verily I am unto you an apostle trusted. 125 Therefore guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me: 126 I ask no recompense of you; my reward is only with the Lord of the Universe. 127 "Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them? 128 And take ye for yourselves castles that haply ye may abide. 129 And when you strike, you strike as tyrants. 130 So fear Allah, and obey me. 131 Have fear of the One who has bestowed upon you all that you know. 132 He has given you cattle, children, 133 And gardens and watersprings. 134 Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day. 135 They said: it is equal unto us whether thou admonishest or art not of the admonishers. 136 This is not but the custom of the former peoples, 137 "And we are not the ones to receive Pains and Penalties!" 138 So they cried him lies; then We destroyed them. Surely in that is a sign, yet most of them are not believers. 139 But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace! 140