كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوْا وَلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ
[38:3]
How many did We destroy before them of the generations, then they cried while the time of escaping had passed away.
How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end they cried (for mercy)- when there was no longer time for being saved!
How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!