The Clothed One 74

And show not favour, seeking wordly gain!

Surely that day will be a day of anguish,

Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely,

Yet he desireth that I should give more.

Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations.

For lo! he did consider; then he planned -

Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! -

And said: This is naught else than magic from of old;

This is naught else than speech of mortal man.

- Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! -

We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals.

Lo! this is one of the greatest (portents)

Unto him of you who will advance or hang back.

Every soul is a pledge for its own deeds;

Save those who will stand on the right hand.

They will answer: We were not of those who prayed

We used to wade (in vain dispute) with (all) waders,

And we used to deny the Day of Judgment,

The mediation of no mediators will avail them then.

Why now turn they away from the Admonishment,

Nay, but everyone of them desireth that he should be given open pages (from Allah).

Nay, verily. They fear not the Hereafter.

Nay, verily. Lo! this is an Admonishment.

And they will not heed unless Allah willeth (it). He is the fount of fear. He is the fount of Mercy.