۞ And to 'Ad We sent forth their brother Hud. He said: 'O my people! Serve Allah; you have no other god than Him. Will you, then, not avoid evil?' 65 The leading men of his people who refused to acknowledge the truth, said, "We can see you are a foolish man, and we think you are lying." 66 He said, "My people, I am by no means a fool, but rather am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe, 67 I bring to you the messages of my Lord. I am your sincere friend. 68 Do you wonder that a warning has come to you from your Lord through a man who is one of you and warns you? Remember, He made you leaders after the people of Noah, and gave you a greater increase in your stature. So think of the favours of God; you may haply be blessed." 69 They said: Hast come unto us that we should serve Allah alone, and forsake what our fathers worshipped? Then bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us if thou art of the truthful! 70 He said: "Punishment and wrath have already come upon you from your Lord: dispute ye with me over names which ye have devised - ye and your fathers,- without authority from Allah? then wait: I am amongst you, also waiting." 71 Then We saved him and those on his side by Our grace, and destroyed to the very last those who rejected Our signs and denied the truth. 72