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164
THE QUR'ÂN.
XXXVI, 21-36.
beside Him? If the Merciful One desires harm for me, their intercession cannot avail me at all, nor can they rescue me. Verily, I should then be in obvious error; verily, I believe in your Lord, then listen ye to me!'
[25] It was said, 'Enter thou into Paradise!' said he, 'O, would that my people did but know! for that my Lord has forgiven me, and has made me of the honoured.'
And we did send down upon his people no hosts from heaven, nor yet what we were wont to send down; it was but a single noise, and lo! they were extinct 1.
Alas for the servants! there comes to them no apostle but they mock at him!
[30] Have they not seen how many generations we have destroyed before them ? verily, they shall not return to them; but all of them shall surely altogether be arraigned.
And a sign for them is the dead earth which we have quickened and brought forth therefrom seed, and from it do they eat; and we made therein gardens and palms and grapes, and we have caused fountains to gush forth therein, [35] that they may eat from the fruit thereof, and of what their hands have made; will they not then give thanks ?
Celebrated be the praises of Him who created
1 The legend is that Jesus sent two of His disciples to the city of Antioch, none believing them but one 'Habîb en Naggâr, that is, "Habîb the carpenter,' and all three were thrown into prison. Simon Peter was subsequently sent to their rescue; a great many were converted, and the rest were destroyed by a shout from the angel Gabriel. The shrine of 'Habîb en Naggâr at Antioch is still a favourite place of pilgrimage for Mohammedans.
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