and when a group among them said why do you preach to a people whom allah is going to destroy or mete out a severe punishment? they said to have an excuse before your lord and that perhaps they may fear.
وإذ قالت أمة منهم لم تعظون قوما الله مهلكهم أو معذبهم عذابا شديدا قالوا معذرة إلى ربكم ولعلهم يتقون