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LXVIII, 33-48.
THE CHAPTER OF THE PEN.
297
Thus is the torment, but, verily, the torment of the hereafter is greater, if ye did but know!
Verily, for the pious with their Lord are gardens of pleasure !
[35] Shall we then make the Muslims like the sinners? What ails you ? how ye judge !
Or have ye a book in which ye can study, that ye are surely to have what ye may choose ?
Or have ye oaths binding on us until the judgment day that ye are surely to have what ye may judge ?
[40] Ask them, which of them will vouch for this ?
Or have they partners, then let them bring their partners if they do speak the truth?
On the day when the leg shall be bared ?; and they shall be called to adore and shall not be able !
Lowering their looks, abasement shall attack them, for they were called to adore while yet they were safe!
But let me alone with him who calls this new discourse a lie. We will surely bring them down by degrees from whence they do not know.
[45] And I will let them have their way! for my device is sure.
Or dost thou ask them a hire for it while they are burdened with debts ?
Or have they the knowledge of the unseen, so that they write ?
But wait patiently for the judgment of thy Lord, and be not like the fellow of the fish ?, when he cried out as he was choking with rage.
1 An expression signifying any great calamity or battle, because the non-combatants gird up their loins to be ready for flight.
2 Jonah.
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