Surely those who disbelieve, it being alike to them whether you warn them, or do not warn them, will not believe.

And they say: Fire shall not touch us but for a few days. Say: Have you received a promise from Allah, then Allah will not fail to perform His promise, or do you speak against Allah what you do not know?

Rather you wish to put questions to your Messenger, as Musa was questioned before; and whoever adopts unbelief instead of faith, he indeed has lost the right direction of the way.

Nay! were you witnesses when death visited Yaqoub, when he said to his sons: What will you serve after me? They said: We will serve your god and the god of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq, one Allah only, and to Him do we submit.

Nay! do you say that Ibrahim and Ismail and Yaqoub and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Are you better knowing or Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals a testimony that he has from Allah? And Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.

Or do you think that you would enter the garden while yet the state of those who have passed away before you has not come upon you; distress and affliction befell them and they were shaken violently, so that the Messenger and those who believed with him said: When will the help of Allah come? Now surely the help of Allah is nigh!

Do you think that you will enter the garden while Allah has not yet known those who strive hard from among you, and (He has not) known the patient.

Or have they a share in the kingdom? But then they would not give to people even the speck in the date stone.

Or do they envy the people for what Allah has given them of His grace? But indeed We have given to Ibrahim's children the Book and the wisdom, and We have given them a grand kingdom.

Behold! you are they who (may) plead for them in this world's life, but who will plead for them with Allah on the resurrection day, or who shall be their protector?

Eight in pairs-- two of sheep and two of goats. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.

And two of camels and two of cows. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah enjoined you this? Who, then, is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah that he should lead astray men without knowledge? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

And if you invite them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same to you whether you invite them or you are silent.

Have they feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say: Call your associates, then make a struggle (to prevail) against me and give me no respite.

What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken any one as an adherent besides Allah and His Messenger and the believers; and Allah is aware of what you do.

Is he, therefore, better who lays his foundation on fear of Allah and (His) good pleasure, or he who lays his foundation on the edge of a cracking hollowed bank, so it broke down with him into the fire of hell; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.

Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: Then bring a chapter like this and invite whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.

Say: Tell me what Allah has sent down for you of sustenance, then you make (a part) of it unlawful and (a part) lawful. Say: Has Allah commanded you, or do you forge a lie against Allah?

Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.

Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: If I have forged it, on me is my guilt, and I am clear of that of which you are guilty.

O my two mates of the prison! are sundry lords better or Allah the One, the Supreme?

Say: Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?-- Say: Allah. Say: Do you take then besides Him guardians who do not control any profit or harm for themselves? Say: Are the blind and the seeing alike? Or can the darkness and the light be equal? Or have they set up with Allah associates who have created creation like His, so that what is created became confused to them? Say: Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme.

Is He then Who watches every soul as to what it earns? And yet they give associates to Allah! Say: Give them a name; nay, do you mean to inform Him of what He does not know in the earth, or (do you affirm this) by an outward saying? Rather, their plans are made to appear fair-seeming to those who disbelieve, and they are kept back from the path; and whom Allah makes err, he shall have no guide.

And they shall all come forth before Allah, then the weak shall say to those who were proud: Surely we were your followers, can you therefore avert from us any part of the chastisement of Allah? They would say: If Allah had guided us, we too would have guided you; it is the same to us whether we are impatient (now) or patient, there is no place for us to fly to.

He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that which is announced to him. Shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it (alive) in the dust? Now surely evil is what they judge.

Or, do you feel secure that He will (not) take you back into it another time, then send on you a fierce gale and thus drown you on account of your ungratefulness? Then you shall not find any aider against Us in the matter.

Or, do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wonderful signs?

Has he gained knowledge of the unseen, or made a covenant with the Beneficent Allah?

So Musa returned to his people wrathful, sorrowing. Said he: O my people! did not your Lord promise you a goodly promise: did then the time seem long to you, or did you wish that displeasure from your Lord should be due to you, so that you broke (your) promise to me?

Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise (the dead).

Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside.

Or, have they gods who can defend them against Us? They shall not be able to assist themselves, nor shall they be defended from Us.

They said: Have you brought to us the truth, or are you one of the triflers?

But if they turn back, say: I have given you warning in fairness and I do not know whether what you are threatened with is near or far;

Is it then that they do not ponder over what is said, or is it that there has come to them that which did not come to their fathers of old?

Or is it that they have not recognized their Messenger, so that they deny him?

Or do they say: There is madness in him? Nay! he has brought them the truth, and most of them are averse from the truth.

Or is it that you ask them a recompense? But the recompense of your Lord is best, and He is the best of those who provide sustenance.

Is there in their hearts a disease, or are they in doubt, or do they fear that Allah and His Messenger will act wrongfully towards them? Nay! they themselves are the unjust.

Say: Is this better or the abiding garden which those who guard (against evil) are promised? That shall be a reward and a resort for them.

And on the day when He shall gather them, and whatever they served besides Allah, He shall say: Was it you who led astray these My servants, or did they themselves go astray from the path?

Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path.

They said: It is the same to us whether you admonish or are not one of the admonishers

And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees?

He said: We will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars:

One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.

He said: Alter her throne for her, we will see whether she follows the right way or is of those who do not go aright.

Say: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what they associate (with Him)?

Until when they come, He will say: Did you reject My communications while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did?

Or do they who work evil think that they will escape Us? Evil is it that they judge!

Or, have We sent down upon them an authority so that it speaks of that which they associate with Him?

Or do they say: He has forged it? Nay! it is the truth from your Lord that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, that they may follow the right direction.

He has forged a lie against Allah or there is madness in him. Nay! those who do not believe in the hereafter are in torment and in great error.

Say: Have you considered your associates which you call upon besides Allah? Show me what part of the earth they have created, or have they any share in the heavens; or, have We given them a book so that they follow a clear argument thereof? Nay, the unjust do not hold out promises one to another but only to deceive.

And it is alike to them whether you warn them or warn them not: they do not believe.

Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.

Is this better as an entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?

Or did We create the angels females while they were witnesses?

Or have you a clear authority?

Or is it that they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the great Giver?

Or is it that theirs is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend by any

Shall We treat those who believe and do good like the mischief-makers in the earth? Or shall We make those who guard (against evil) like the wicked?

Was it that we (only) took them in scorn, or have our eyes (now) turned aside from them?

He said: O Iblis! what prevented you that you should do obeisance to him whom I created with My two hands? Are you proud or are you of the exalted ones?

Or have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say: what! even though they did not ever have control over anything, nor do they understand.

Surely they who deviate from the right way concerning Our communications are not hidden from Us. What! is he then who is cast into the fire better, or he who comes safe on the day of resurrection? Do what you like, surely He sees what you do.

Or have they taken guardians besides Him? But Allah is the Guardian, and He gives life to the dead, and He has power over all things.

Or have they associates who have prescribed for them any religion that Allah does not sanction? And were it not for the word of judgment, decision would have certainly been given between them; and surely the unjust shall have a painful punishment.

Or do they say: He has forged a lie against Allah? But if Allah pleased, He would seal your heart; and Allah will blot out the falsehood and confirm the truth with His words; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the breasts.

What! has He taken daughters to Himself of what He Himself creates and chosen you to have sons?

Or have We given them a book before it so that they hold fast to it?

Nay! I am better than this fellow, who is contemptible, and who can hardly speak distinctly:

And they say: Are our gods better, or is he? They do not set it forth to you save by way of disputation; nay, they are a contentious people.

Or have they settled an affair? Then surely We are the settlers.

Or do they think that We do not hear what they conceal and their secret discourses? Aye! and Our messengers with them write down.

Are they better or the people of Tubba and those before them? We destroyed them, for surely they were guilty.

Nay! do those who have wrought evil deeds think that We will make them like those who believe and do good-- that their life and their death shall be equal? Evil it is that they judge.

Say: Have you considered what you call upon besides Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth, or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a book before this or traces of knowledge, if you are truthful.

Nay! they say: He has forged it. Say: If I have forged it, you do not control anything for me from Allah; He knows best what you utter concerning it; He is enough as a witness between me and you, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks.

Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring forth their spite?

Is it magic then or do you not see?

Or do they say: A poet, we wait for him the evil accidents of time.

Nay! do their understandings bid them this? Or are they an inordinate people?

Or do they say: He has forged it. Nay! they do not believe.

Or were they created without there being anything, or are they the creators?

Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay! they have no certainty.

Or have they the treasures of your Lord with them? Or have they been set in absolute authority?

Or have they the means by which they listen? Then let their listener bring a clear authority.

Or has He daughters while you have sons?

Or do you ask them for a reward, so that they are overburdened by a debt?

Or have they the unseen so that they write (it) down?

Or do they desire a war? But those who disbelieve shall be the vanquished ones in war.

Or have they a god other than Allah? Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him).

Or shall man have what he wishes?

Or, has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Musa?

Are the unbelievers of yours better than these, or is there an exemption for you in the scriptures?

Or do they say: We are a host allied together to help each other?

Is it you that create it or are We the creators?

Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the causers of growth?