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| 14. Unto Him alone is due the true Prayer. And those on whom they call instead of HIM answer them not at all. Their case is but like the case of him who stretches forth his two hands towards water that it may reach his mouth, but it reaches it not. And the prayer of a disbeliever is but a thing wasted. 15. And to ALLAH submits whosoever is in the heavens and the earth willingly or unwillingly and like wise do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings. 16. Say, `Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth ?' Say, `ALLAH.' Say, `Have you then taken instead of HIM helpers who have no power for good or harm even for themselves ?' Say, `Can the blind and the seeing be equal ? Or can darkness be equal to light ? Or, do they assign to ALLAH partners who have created the like of HIS creation so that the two creations appear similar to them ?' Say, `ALLAH alone is the Creator of all things, and HE is the One, the Most supreme.' 17. HE sends down water from the sky so that the valleys flow according to their measure and the flood bears on its surface swelling foam. And from that which they heat in the fire, seeking to make ornaments or utensils, comes out a foam similar to it. Thus does ALLAH illustrate truth and falsehood. Now, as to the foam it goes away as rubbish and perishes but as to that which benefits men, it stays in the earth. Thus does ALLAH set forth parables. 18. For those who respond to their Lord is external good; and as for those who respond not to HIM, if they had all that is in the earth and the like of it added thereto, they would readily ransom themselves therewith. It is these that shall have an evil reckoning and their abode is Hell. What a wretched place of rest ! |
