Surah Sad — Ayah 3 (38:3)
كَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِهِم مِّن قَرۡنٖ فَنَادَواْ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٖ ٣
English translation (Saheeh International)
How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
Brief commentary
How many generations who denied their messengers before them have I destroyed, they called out seeking help when the punishment fell upon them. But the time was not the time to be saved from the punishment where seeking help from Him would benefit them.