The Quran

وَلٰكِنّا أَنشَأنا قُرونًا فَتَطاوَلَ عَلَيهِمُ العُمُرُ ۚ وَما كُنتَ ثاوِيًا في أَهلِ مَديَنَ تَتلو عَلَيهِم آياتِنا وَلٰكِنّا كُنّا مُرسِلينَ

Muhammad Asad

nay, but [between them and thee] We brought into being [many] generations, and long was their span of life. And neither didst thou dwell among the people of Madyan, conveying Our messages unto them:¹ nay, but We have [always] been sending [Our message-bearers unto man].

I.e., "thou art not the first of Our apostles, O Muhammad: We have sent thee to the people of thy time just as We sent Shu'ayb to the people of Madyan" (Ad-Dahhak, as quoted by Razi).