Verily, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people (Saying): "Warn your people before there comes to them a painful torment."

He said: "O my people! Verily, I am a plain warner to you,

"That you should worship Allah (Alone), be dutiful to Him, and obey me,

"He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins and respite you to an appointed term. Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed, if you but knew."

He said: "O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day (i.e. secretly and openly to accept the doctrine of Islamic Monotheism).

"But all my calling added nothing but to (their) flight (from the truth).

"And verily! Every time I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their refusal), and magnified themselves in pride.

"Then verily, I called to them openly (aloud);

"Then verily, I proclaimed to them in public, and I have appealed to them in private,

"I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving;

'He will send rain to you in abundance;

'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers."

What is the matter with you, [that you fear not Allah (His punishment), and] you hope not for reward (from Allah or you believe not in His Oneness).

While He has created you in (different) stages [i.e. first Nutfah, then 'Alaqah and then Mudghah, see (VV. 23:13, 14) the Quran].

See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another,

And has made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp?

And Allah has brought you forth from the (dust of) earth. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 29, Page 97].

Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth), and bring you forth (again on the Day of Resurrection)?

And Allah has made for you the earth wide spread (an expanse).

That you may go about therein in broad roads.