And ask them about the township which was situated on the sea shore.122 Remind them of what befell its people who used to break the Sabbath (Saturday). Each Sabbath-day the fish appeared in abundance before them on the surface of the water123 but did not appear at all on other days than Sabbath. This was because We were putting them to test on account of the acts of disobedience they did.124 Also remind them that when some people from among them asked the others the answer that was given by some of them, "Why do you admonish those people whom Allah is about to destroy or punish severely?" they replied, "We admonish them in order to be able to offer an excuse before your Lord and we also hope that they might refrain from disobedience to Him." However, when they totally forgot the teachings they were reminded of, We saved those who used to forbid evil, and seized with a severe scourge all others who were transgressors, because of the acts of disobedience they did.125 But when even after this they disdainfully persisted in that from which they were forbidden, We said to them, "Become apes-- despised and disgraced!"126 And recall the time when your Lord declared,127 "I will set over the Israelites over and over again up to the Day of Resurrection, people who should inflict upon them the severest torment."128 Your Lord, indeed, is swift in retribution, and He is indeed also Forgiving and Merciful. And We divided them into many separate communities all over the earth: some of these people were righteous and some of them were different from this: We tested them with prosperity and with adversity so that they might turn back. Then after the following generations, unworthy people succeeded them: they inherited the Book, but in spite of this they grab the fleeting good things of this low world, and say. "We expect to be forgiven." Yet if similar worldly things again come before them. they again grab them.129 Has not the Covenant of the Book been taken from them that they should ascribe to Allah nothing but the truth? And they themselves have studied well that which is written in the Book.130 And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah.131 Do you not understand even this thing? As for those who strictly observe the Book and establish Salat, surely We will not let go waste the reward of such righteous people. Do they also remember the time when We shook the Mountain and spread over them as though it were an umbrella, and they thought that it was going to fall upon them; (then We said to them), "Hold fast the Book We are giving you, and keep in mind what it contains: it is expected that you will refrain from wrong ways."132