There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], “Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and the Oft-forgiving Lord.” But they turned away, so We sent upon them the flood of the dam, and We replaced their two [fields of] gardens with gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks and something of sparse lote trees. That is how We recompensed them for their disbelief. And We do not recompense [anyone in such a way] except the ungrateful. And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey, [saying], “Travel between them by night or by day safely.” But [insolently] they said,
Rabbana ba’id bayna asfarina
“Our Lord, lengthen the distance between our journeys,”
and wronged themselves, so We made them narrations [cautionary tales] and dispersed them in total dispersion. Indeed in that are signs for whoever is patient and grateful. Indeed, Iblîs’ assumption about them has come true, so they followed him, except a group of the mu’mineen.