Has the account not reached you of those who have passed away before you? They were the people of Nuh (Noah) and (of the communities) of ‘Ad and Thamud and (others) who came after them. No one knows them except Allah (because they have been totally annihilated from the surface of the earth). Their Messengers came to them with Clear Signs. So they put their hands into their mouths (out of mockery and spite) and (dared) say: ‘We deny this (Din [Religion]) which you have been sent with, and we are certainly in awe-inspiring doubt about what you invite us to.’