AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they came to him saying, "Peace be with you," he replied to their greeting in the same manner and said to himself, "These are a strange people". 25 Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf; 26 He then presented it before them and said, “Do 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 His wife came out lamenting, striking her forehead, and said: "I, am old and barren woman?" 29 They said: “So has your Lord said (that you shall have a boy). Surely He is Most Wise, All-Knowing.” 30 ۞ 'Messengers' said he (Abraham), 'what is your errand' 31 They said: "We have been sent to a wicked people 32 “To throw upon them stones of baked clay.” 33 Marked by your Lord for those who waste their substance." 34 Then We brought forth such as were therein of the believers. 35 But We found in it only one household of those who had surrendered themselves, 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 And in Moosa, when We sent him with a clear proof towards Firaun. 38 But he withdrew (confiding) in his might, and said: A wizard or a madman. 39 So We seized him and his hosts and hurled them into the sea and he was blamable. 40 In 'Ad (also is a sign), when We sent a blasting wind against them, 41 It left out nothing in its path, but which it split up into fragments. 42 In the Thamud [there was another sign], when they were told, "Make the most of your lives for a 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 unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves. 45 So were the People of Noah before them for they wickedly transgressed. 46