Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/85

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XXIII, 55-73
THE CHAPTER OF BELIEVERS.
69

rejoicing in what they have themselves. So leave them in their flood (of error) for a time.

Do they reckon that that of which we grant them such an extent, of wealth and children, we hasten to them as good things — nay, but they do not perceive !

Verily, those who shrink with terror at their Lord, [60] and those who in the signs of their Lord believe, and those who with their Lord join none, and those who give what they do give while their hearts are afraid that they unto their Lord will return,— these hasten to good things and are first to gain the same. But we will not oblige a soul beyond its capacity; for with us is a book that utters the truth, and they shall not be wronged.

[65] Nay, their hearts are in a flood (of error) at this, and they have works beside this which they do[1]. Until we catch the affluent ones amongst them with the torment ; then lo ! they cry for aid.

Cry not for aid to-day ! verily, against us ye will not be helped. My signs were recited to you, but upon your heels did ye turn back, big with pride at it[2], in vain discourse by night.

[70] Is it that they did not ponder over the words, whether that has come to them which came not to their fathers of yore ? Or did they not know their apostle, that they thus deny him ? Or do they say, ' He is possessed by a ginn ?' Nay, he came to them with the truth, and most of them are averse from the truth.

But if the truth were to follow their lusts, the

  1. I.e. their works are far different to the good works just described.
  2. At their possession of the Kaabah. The Qurais are meant.