And when Our messengers came to Abraham with the good news,53 they said to him, "We are going to destroy the people of this habitation,54 for its people have become very wicked." Abraham said, "Lot is there."55 They replied, "We know full well who is in it we shall save him and all his household except his wife." His wife was of those who remained behind.56 Then, when Our messengers came to Lot, he grew anxious for them and distressed at heart.57 They said, "Do not fear nor grieve:58 we shall save you and your household, except your wife, who is of those who will remain behind. We are going to bring down a torment from the sky upon the people of this habitation on account of the evil they have been committing" And We have left from the habitation a clear Signs59 for those who use their common sense.60 And to Madyan, We sent their brother Shu'aib.61 He said, "O my people, worship Allah and look forward to the Last Day,62 and do not commit excesses in the land wickedly." But they treated him as a liar.63 Consequently, a severe earthquake overtook them, and they lay lifeless in their dwelling-places.64 And We destroyed `Ad and Thamud. You have seen the places where they lived.65 Satan made their deeds seem fair to them and misled them from the right path, although they were sensible people.66 And We destroyed Korah and Pharaoh and Haman. Moses came to them with clear Signs, but they assumed arrogance in the land, whereas hey could not outstrip67 Us. Consequently, We seized each one of them on account of his sin: then against some We sent a wind to rain stones on them;68 some others were overtaken by a terrible blast,69 and some other We sank underground,70 and some We drowned.71 Allah was not unjust to them, but they were themselves being unjust to their souls.72 The likeness of those who have taken other patrons than Allah, is the likeness of a spider, which makes itself a dwelling; and the weakest of all dwellings is the dwelling of a spider. Would that these people had knowledge!73 Allah surely knows whomever they invoke instead of Him: He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.74 These parables We cite for the instruction of the people, but only those people understand them, who have knowledge. Allah has created the heavens and the earth with the Truth.75 Indeed there is a Sign in this for the believers.76