Recall (the time) when Moses said to his people, "Remember Allah's favor on you: He delivered you from Pharaoh's people who oppressed you with cruel afflictions: they slaughtered your sons and let your females live. In this there was a hard trial for you from your Lord. And remember also that your Lord forewarned, `If you be grateful11 I will increase My favors on you, and if you be ungrateful (you should know that) My chastisement is severe indeed'!"12 And Moses said, "If you prove thankless, you and all the dwellers of the earth know that Allah does not stand in need of any of you, for He is All Sufficient and worthy of all praise by Himself."13 Has14 not the story reached you of those who have gone before you of the people of Noah and Ad and Thamud, and of those who came after them? Allah alone knows their number. When their Messengers came to them with plain teachings and manifest Signs, they thrust their hands into their mouths,15 saying, "We reject the Message with which you have been sent and we have a disquieting doubt about that thing16 to which you are inviting us." The Messengers said, "Do you have doubt about the existence of Allah. Who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth?17 He calls you that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite till your appointed term."18 They answered, "You are no more than human beings like ourselves.19 You intend to debar us from the worship of the deities whom our forefathers have been worshiping. Well, bring a clear Sign."20 The Messengers replied, "It is true that we are no more than human beings like you, but Allah shows His favor to anyone of His servants He pleases.21 And it is not in our power to bring any Sign for you. A Sign can come only by Allah's permission. And in Allah alone should the believers put their trust. And why should we not put our trust in Allah when He has guided us in the ways of our lives? We will bear with fortitude your persecutions of us and the trustful should have trust in Allah alone."