The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

14: 22
Abraham 159
9 Have you not heard about those who went before you, the people
of Noah, Ad, Thamud, and those who lived after them, known only
to God? Their messengers came to them with clear proof, but they
tried to silence them, a saying, ‘We do not believe the message with
which you were sent. We have disturbing doubts about what you are
asking us to do.’ 10 Their messengers answered, ‘Can there be any
doubt about God, the Creator of the heavens and earth? He calls you
to Him in order to forgive you your sins and let you enjoy your life
until the appointed hour.’ But they said, ‘You are only men like us.
You want to turn us away from what our forefathers used to worship.
Bring us clear proof then, [if you can].’ 11 Their messengers
answered, ‘True, we are only men like you, but God favours whichever
of His servants He chooses. We cannot bring you any proof
unless God permits it, so let the believers put all their trust in Him –
12 why should we not put our trust in God when it is He who has
guided us to this way we follow? We shall certainly bear steadfastly
whatever harm you do to us. Let anyone who trusts, trust in God.’
13 The disbelievers said to their messengers, ‘We shall expel you
from our land unless you return to our religion.’ But their Lord
inspired the messengers: ‘We shall destroy the evildoers, 14 and leave
you to dwell in the land after them. This reward is for those who are
in awe of meeting Me, and of My warnings.’ 15 They asked God to
decide, and every obstinate tyrant failed – 16 Hell awaits each one; he
will be given foul water to drink, 17 which he will try to gulp but
scarcely be able to swallow; death will encroach on him from every
side, but he will not die; more intense suffering will lie ahead of him.
18 The deeds of those who reject their Lord are like ashes that the
wind blows furiously on a stormy day: they have no power over
anything they have gained. This is to stray far, far away.
19 [Prophet], do you not see that God created the heavens and the
earth for a purpose? He could remove all of you and replace you with
a new creation if He wished to: 20 that is not difficult for God.
21 When they all appear before Him, the weak will say to the powerseekers,
‘We were your followers. Can you protect us from any of
God’s punishment?’ They will reply, ‘If God had guided us, we
would have guided you. It makes no difference now whether we rage
or endure with patience: there is no escape.’ 22 When everything has
a Literally ‘they pushed their hands into the prophets’ mouths’.