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186
THE QUR'ÂN.
XXXIX, 37-45
But he whom God leads astray there is no guide for him ; and he whom God guides there is none to lead him astray: is not God mighty, the Lord of vengeance ?
And if thou shouldst ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say, 'God!' Say, 'Have ye considered what ye call on beside God ? If God wished me harm?, could they remove His harm ? or did He wish me mercy, could they withhold His mercy ?' Say, God is enough for me, and on Him rely those who rely.
[40] Say, 'O my people! act according to your power; I too am going to act; and ye shall know.'
He to whom the torment comes it shall disgrace him, and there shall alight upon him lasting torment.
Verily, we have sent down to thee the Book for men in truth; and whosoever is guided it is for his own soul : but whoso goes astray it is against them, and thou art not a guardian for them.
God takes to Himself souls at the time of their death; and those which do not die (He takes) in their sleep; and He holds back those on whom He. has decreed death, and sends others back till their appointed time ;-verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect.
Do they take besides God intercessors ? Say, •What! though they have no control over anything and have no sense.'
[45] Say, 'God's is the intercession, all of it; His
1 The pronoun in Arabic is feminine, and refers to the false gods, especially to the favourite goddesses of the Qurâis.
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