And certainly We sent Nuh to his people, and he said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than Him; will you not then guard (against evil)? 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 only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while. 25 He said: O my Lord! help me against their calling me a liar. 26 So We asked him to build the ark under Our eyes and guidance, (and said): "When Our command is issued and the source of water boils over, put a pair of every species in it, and your family except those for whom Our sentence has been passed already; and do not speak to Me for those who are wicked: They will be drowned. 27 When you and all your followers have settled in the Ark, say, "Praise be to God who has delivered us from a wicked people," 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 Lo! herein verily are portents, for lo! We are ever putting (mankind) to the test. 30 Then, after them, We brought forth another generation; 31 and sent a messenger to them from among themselves: "Worship God alone. You have no deity other than Him. Will you not then fear God?" 32