Generations are mentioned in the Quran in these verses:
[2:66] We set them up as an example for their generation, as well as subsequent generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.
[6:6] Have they not seen how many generations before them we have annihilated? We established them on earth more than we did for you, and we showered them with blessings, generously, and we provided them with flowing streams. We then annihilated them because of their sins, and we substituted another generation in their place.
[7:100] Does it ever occur to those who inherit the earth after previous generations that, if we will, we can punish them for their sins, and seal their hearts, causing them to turn deaf?
[7:169] Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life instead, saying, “We will be forgiven.” But then they continued to opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the scripture, and not to say about God except the truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness. Do you not understand?
[9:70] Have they not learned anything from the previous generations; the people of Noah, `Aad, Thamood, the people of Abraham, the dwellers of Midyan, and the evildoers (of Sodom and Gomorrah)? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs. God never wronged them; they are the ones who wronged their own souls.
[10:92] “Today, we will preserve your body, to set you up as a lesson for future generations.” Unfortunately, many people are totally oblivious to our signs.
[11:116] If only some of those among the previous generations possessed enough intelligence to forbid evil! Only a few of them deserved to be saved by us. As for the transgressors, they were preoccupied with their material luxuries; they were guilty.
[15:13] Consequently, they cannot believe in him. This has been the system since the past generations.
[17:59] What stopped us from sending the miracles is that the previous generations have rejected them. For example, we showed Thamoud the camel, a profound (miracle), but they transgressed against it. We sent the miracles only to instill reverence.
[18:55] Nothing prevented the people from believing, when the guidance came to them, and from seeking the forgiveness of their Lord, except that they demanded to see the same (kind of miracles) as the previous generations, or challenged to see the retribution beforehand.
[18:83] They ask you about Zul-Qarnain. Say, “I will narrate to you some of his history.”
[18:84] We granted him authority on earth, and provided him with all kinds of means.
[18:85] Then, he pursued one way.
[18:86] When he reached the far west, he found the sun setting in a vast ocean, and found people there. We said, “O Zul-Qarnain, you can rule as you wish; either punish, or be kind to them.”
[18:87] He said, “As for those who transgress, we will punish them; then, when they return to their Lord, He will commit them to more retribution.
[18:88] “As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they receive a good reward; we will treat them kindly.”
[18:89] Then he pursued another way.
[18:90] When he reached the far east, he found the sun rising on people who had nothing to shelter them from it.
[18:91] Naturally, we were fully aware of everything he found out.
[18:92] He then pursued another way.
[18:93] When he reached the valley between two palisades, he found people whose language was barely understandable.
[18:94] They said, “O Zul-Qarnain, Gog and Magog are corruptors of the earth. Can we pay you to create a barrier between us and them?”
[18:95] He said, “My Lord has given me great bounties. If you cooperate with me, I will build a dam between you and them.
[18:96] “Bring to me masses of iron.” Once he filled the gap between the two palisades, he said, “Blow.” Once it was red hot, he said, “Help me pour tar on top of it.”
[18:97] Thus, they could not climb it, nor could they bore holes in it.
[18:98] He said, “This is mercy from my Lord. When the prophecy of my Lord comes to pass, He will cause the dam to crumble. The prophecy of my Lord is truth.”
[18:99] At that time, we will let them invade with one another, then the horn will be blown, and we will summon them all together.
[18:100] We will present Hell, on that day, to the disbelievers.
[18:101] They are the ones whose eyes were too veiled to see My message. Nor could they hear.
[18:102] Do those who disbelieve think that they can get away with setting up My servants as gods beside Me? We have prepared for the disbelievers Hell as an eternal abode.
[19:59] After them, He substituted generations who lost the Contact Prayers (Salat), and pursued their lusts. They will suffer the consequences.
[20:49] He said, “Who is your Lord, O Moses.”
[20:50] He said, “Our Lord is the One who granted everything its existence, and its guidance.”
[20:51] He said, “What about the past generations?”
[20:52] He said, “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord never errs, nor does He forget.”
[20:99] We thus narrate to you some news from the past generations. We have revealed to you a message from us.
[20:128] Does it ever occur to them how many previous generations we have annihilated? They are now walking in the homes of those before them. These are signs for those who possess intelligence.
[23:42] Subsequently, we established other generations after them.
[24:34] We have revealed to you clarifying revelations, and examples from the past generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.
[25:36] We said, “Go, both of you, to the people who rejected our revelations,” and subsequently, we utterly annihilated the rejectors.
[25:37] Similarly, when the people of Noah disbelieved the messengers, we drowned them, and we set them up as a sign for the people. We have prepared for the transgressors a painful retribution.
[25:38] Also `Aad, Thamoud, the inhabitants of Al-Russ, and many generations between them.
[26:84] “Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.
[26:184] “Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations.”
[26:196] It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.
[28:43] We gave Moses the scripture – after having annihilated the previous generations, and after setting the examples through them – to provide enlightenment for the people, and guidance, and mercy, that they may take heed.
[28:44] You were not present on the slope of the western mount, when we issued the command to Moses; you were not a witness.
[28:45] But we established many generations, and, because of the length of time, (they deviated). Nor were you among the people of Midyan, reciting our revelations to them. But we did send messengers.
[28:78] He said, “I attained all this because of my own cleverness.” Did he not realize that God had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes.
[29:18] If you disbelieve, generations before you have also disbelieved. The sole function of the messenger is to deliver (the message).
[32:26] Does it ever occur to them how many generations we have annihilated before them? They now live and walk in their ancestors’ homes. This should provide sufficient proofs. Do they not hear?
[33:38] The prophet is not committing an error by doing anything that is made lawful by God. Such is God’s system since the early generations. God’s command is a sacred duty.
[34:54] Consequently, they were deprived of everything they longed for. This is the same fate as their counterparts in the previous generations. They harbored too many doubts.
[36:31] Did they not see how many generations we annihilated before them, and how they never return to them?
[37:71] Most of the previous generations have strayed in the same manner.
[37:75] Thus, Noah called upon us, and we were the best responders.
[37:76] We saved him and his family from the great disaster.
[37:77] We made his companions the survivors.
[37:78] And we preserved his history for subsequent generations.
[37:104] We called him: “O Abraham.
[37:105] “You have believed the dream.” We thus reward the righteous.
[37:106] That was an exacting test indeed.
[37:107] We ransomed (Ismail) by substituting an animal sacrifice.
[37:108] And we preserved his history for subsequent generations.
[37:114] We also blessed Moses and Aaron.
[37:115] We delivered them and their people from the great disaster.
[37:116] We supported them, until they became the winners.
[37:117] We gave both of them the profound scripture.
[37:118] We guided them in the right path.
[37:119] We preserved their history for subsequent generations.
[37:123] Elias was one of the messengers.
[37:124] He said to his people, “Would you not work righteousness?
[37:125] “Do you worship a statue, instead of the Supreme Creator?
[37:126] “God; your Lord, and the Lord of your forefathers!”
[37:127] They disbelieved him. Consequently, they had to be called to account.
[37:128] Only God’s servants who are absolutely devoted to Him alone (are saved).
[37:129] We preserved his history for subsequent generations.
[42:14] Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. If it were not for a predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for a definite interim, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited the scripture are full of doubts.
[43:6] We have sent many a prophet to the previous generations.
[43:28] This example (of Abraham) was rendered an everlasting lesson for subsequent generations; perhaps they redeem their souls.
[44:34] The present generations say,
[44:35] “We only die the first death; we will never be resurrected!
[44:36] “Bring back our forefathers, if you are truthful.”
[51:52] Consistently, when a messenger went to the previous generations, they said, “Magician,” or, “Crazy.”
[56:10] Then there is the elite of the elite.
[56:11] They are those who will be closest (to God).
[56:12] In the gardens of bliss.
[56:13] Many from the first generations.
[56:14] Few from the later generations.
[56:38] For those on the right side.
[56:39] Many from the early generations.
[56:40] Many from the later generations.
[56:47] They said, “After we die and turn to dust and bones, we get resurrected?
[56:48] “Does this include our forefathers?”
[56:49] Say, “The early generations and the later generations.
[56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us –
[56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know.
[62:2] He is the One who sent to the gentiles a messenger from among them, to recite to them His revelations, purify them, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone far astray.
[62:3] And to many generations subsequent to them. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
[77:16] Did we not annihilate the earlier generations?
[77:38] This is the Day of Decision. We have summoned you and the previous generations.
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