And He, exalted is He, said:
“Have they not traveled through the land and seen what end befell those who came before them? They were more numerous, stronger in might, and left deeper traces on the earth, yet nothing of what they had amassed availed them.” ⦗Ghafir 82⦘ (82)

“When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they rejoiced in the knowledge they already possessed, but what they had been mocking engulfed them.” ⦗Ghafir 83⦘ (83)

“And when they beheld Our might, they cried, ‘We believe in Allah alone, and we reject all that we used to associate with Him.’” ⦗Ghafir 84⦘ (84)

“But their faith was of no benefit to them once they saw Our punishment; that is Allah’s way which has already passed among His servants, and there the disbelievers were ruined.” ⦗Ghafir 85⦘

He also said—after recounting the stories of Noah, Hud, Salih, Abraham, Lot, Shuʿayb, and Moses in Surah Hud:
“That is part of the news of the bygone towns which We relate to you: some of them still stand while others have been mown down.” ⦗Hud 100⦘ (100)

“We did not wrong them; rather, they wronged themselves. Their gods to which they called beside Allah were of no help to them when your Lord’s decree came, and they increased them only in ruin.” ⦗Hud 101⦘ (101)

“Such is the grasp of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong; indeed, His grasp is painful, severe.” ⦗Hud 102⦘

And when He mentioned the story of Lot in Surah al-Saffat, He said:
“You certainly pass by them in the morning,” ⦗Al-Saffat 137⦘ (137)

“and at night. Will you not then use reason?” ⦗Al-Saffat 138⦘ (138)