and whenever some people among them asked why do you preach to people whom god is about to destroy or to chastise with suffering severe? the pious ones would answer in order to be free from blame before your sustainer and that these might become conscious of him.
وإذ قالت أمة منهم لم تعظون قوما الله مهلكهم أو معذبهم عذابا شديدا قالوا معذرة إلى ربكم ولعلهم يتقون