We sent Noah to his people who said, "My people, worship God for He is your only Lord. Will you then not have fear of Him?" 23 But the great ones among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth, replied: "This [man] is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wants to make himself superior to you! For, if God had willed [to convey a message unto us,] He would surely have sent down angels; [moreover,] we have never heard [anything like] this from our forebears of old! 24 He is nothing else except a man who is mad, so watch him for awhile. 25 "O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies." 26 Then We said to him, 'Make thou the Ark under Our eyes and as We reveal, and then, when Our command comes and the Oven boils, insert in it two of every kind and thy, family -- except for him against whom the word already has been spoken; and address Me not concerning those who have done evil; 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 thou, my Lord! cause me to land at a landing blest, and thou art the Best of these who bring to land. 29 Surely there are clear signs in that. In this way We put people to the test. 30 Then, after them, We brought forth another generation; 31 We sent to them a Messenger from among their own people who told them, "Worship God; He is your only Lord. Will you then not have fear of Him?" 32