Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We afflicted its people with suffering and adversity, so that they might humble themselves [before God], 94 then We transformed the affliction into ease of life, so that they throve and said [to themselves,] "Misfortune and hardship befell our forefathers as well - whereupon We took them to task, all of a sudden, without their being aware [of what was coming]. 95 If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds. 96 Do the people of these towns now feel secure against the coming of Our punishment upon them by night while they are asleep? 97 Or are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of Our wrath upon them in the daytime while they play? 98 Did they consider themselves secure from the retribution of God? No one can have such attitude except those who are lost. 99