And so, when Our [heavenly] messengers came to Abraham with the glad tiding [of the birth of Isaac,] they [also] said, "Behold, we are about to destroy the people of that land, for its people are truly evildoers!" 31 [Abraham] said, "Indeed, within it is Lot." They said, "We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind." 32 And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled upon their account, for he could not protect them; but they said: Fear not, nor grieve! Lo! we are to deliver thee and thy household, (all) save thy wife, who is of those who stay behind. 33 Indeed, we will bring down on the people of this city punishment from the sky because they have been defiantly disobedient." 34 And indeed We have left thereof an evident Ayah (a lesson and a warning and a sign the place where the Dead Sea is now in Palestine) for a folk who understand. 35 And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb, and he said, "O my people, worship Allah and expect the Last Day and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." 36 In response they denied him – thereupon the earthquake seized them – so at morning they remained lying flattened in their homes. 37 And (We destroyed) Ad and Samood, and from their dwellings (this) is apparent to you indeed; and the Shaitan made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so he kept them back from the path, though they were endowed with intelligence and skill, 38 Korah, the Pharaoh, and Haman were also destroyed. Moses had brought them illustrious miracles, but they were puffed-up with pride in the land and they could not defeat Us. 39 For, every one of them, did We take to task for his sin: and so, upon some of them We let loose a deadly storm wind; and some of them were overtaken by a [sudden] blast; and some of them We caused to be swallowed by the earth: and some of them We caused to drown. And it was not God who wronged them, but it was they who had wronged themselves. 40 The likeness of those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house; if they but knew. 41 Surely Allah knows fully what they call upon apart from Him. He is the Most Powerful, the Most Wise. 42 These are the parables that We set forth to make people understand. But only those endowed with knowledge will comprehend them. 43 Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth. Indeed in that is a sign for the believers. 44