AND HAS the story of Abraham's honoured guests ever come within thy ken? 24 When they came to him, they said: “Peace”; he said: “Peace also be to you; (you seem to be) a group of strangers.” 25 Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf, 26 He then presented it before them and said, “Do you not eat?” 27 Then he conceived a fear about them, and they said: 'Have no fear', and gave him the glad tidings that he was to have a knowledgeable son. 28 Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried: A barren old woman! 29 They said: even so saith thine Lord. Verily He! He is the Wise, the Knower. 30 ۞ Said [Abraham]: "And what [else] may you have in view, O you [heavenly] messengers?" 31 They said: "We have been sent to a wicked people 32 That we may send upon them stones of clay, 33 Marked, from before thy Lord, for the extravagant. 34 So We brought the believers out of that they were in. 35 But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah). 36 and left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment. 37 And in Musa also was a lesson, when We sent him unto Fir'awn with authority manifest. 38 But he turned to his counsellors, and said: "He is a magician or lunatic." 39 So We seized him and his hosts and hurled them into the sea and he was blamable. 40 In 'Ad (also is a sign), when We sent a blasting wind against them, 41 that left nothing it came upon, but made it as stuff decayed. 42 And in the Thamud (was another Sign): Behold, they were told, "Enjoy (your brief day) for a little while!" 43 But they revolted against the commandment of their Lord, so the rumbling overtook them while they saw. 44 And neither stand up nor defend themselves. 45 Before all these We destroyed the people of Noah: they were a wicked people. 46