And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)? 23 But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old. 24 He is only a man possessed; so wait and watch him for a time." 25 "O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies." 26 then We revealed Our will to him: "Build the Ark under Our watchful eye according to Our instructions. When Our command comes, and waters gush up out of the earth, take on board pairs of every species and members of your household, except for any of them on whom sentence has already been passed -- do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong: they shall be drowned. 27 And when you and all those with you are seated in the Ark, say: 'Praise be to Allah who has saved us from the harmdoing nation' 28 And say: "My Lord! Make my landing a blessed landing, for You are the Best of those Who can cause people to land in safety." 29 In this [story,] behold, there are messages indeed [for those who think]: for, verily, We always put [man] to a test. 30 Then, after them, We brought forth another generation; 31 and We sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, saying: "Serve Allah; you have no god other than He. Do you have no fear?" 32