When Our angelic Messengers brought glad news to Abraham, they told him, "We are about to destroy the people of this town for their injustice". 31 [And when Abraham] exclaimed, "But Lot lives there!" - they answered: We know fully well who is there; most certainly we shall save him and his household - all but his wife: she will indeed be among those that stay behind." 32 When Our emissaries came to Lot he was distressed and embarrassed on their account. They said: “Do not fear nor be distressed. We shall save you and all your household except your wife who is among those that will stay behind. 33 We have to bring a scourge from the heavens on the people of this city as they are depraved." 34 And indeed, We have left thereof a sign, a clear sign? unto a people who understand. 35 And unto Midian We sent Shu'eyb, their brother. He said: O my people! Serve Allah, and look forward to the Last Day, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth. 36 But they cried lies to him; so the earthquake seized them, and morning found them in their habitation fallen prostrate. 37 And We destroyed the A’ad and the Thamud, and you already know their dwellings; Satan made their deeds appear good to them and prevented them from the path, whereas they could perceive. 38 And (We destroyed) Qaroon, Firaun and Haman; and indeed Moosa came to them with clear signs, so they were arrogant in the land, and they could never escape from Our control. 39 Each of them We seized for his sin. On some We loosed a squall of pebbles, and others were seized by the Cry. Some We caused to be swallowed up by the earth, and some We drowned. Allah would never wrong them but they wronged themselves. 40 The likeness of those who have taken guardians, other than Allah, is as the likeness of the spider that takes to itself a house; surely the spider's house is the weakest house if they but knew. 41 Surely Allah knows fully what they call upon apart from Him. He is the Most Powerful, the Most Wise. 42 And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs, etc.). 43 Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth; most surely there is a sign in this for the believers. 44