وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلنَا إِلَى أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْبَأْسَاء وَالضَّرَّاء لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
[6:42]
And certainly We sent (messengers) to nations before you then We seized them with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves.
Before thee We sent (messengers) to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility.
We have sent already unto peoples that were before thee, and We visited them with tribulation and adversity, in order that they might grow humble.