And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him (Islamic Monotheism). Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His Punishment because of worshipping others besides 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 not but a man possessed with madness, so wait concerning him for a time." 25 "O my Lord," prayed (Noah), "help me against them, for they accuse me of lies." 26 So We inspired to him, "Construct the ship under Our observation, and Our inspiration, and when Our command comes and the oven overflows, put into the ship from each [creature] two mates and your family, except those for whom the decree [of destruction] has proceeded. And do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned. 27 And when you have boarded the ship, you and those with you, then say, 'Praise to Allah who has saved us from the wrongdoing 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 In this [story,] behold, there are messages indeed [for those who think]: for, verily, We always put [man] to a test. 30 AND AFTER those [people of old] We gave rise to new generations; 31 And we sent among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)? 32