The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

178
The Quran 17: 45
you do not understand their praise: He is most forbearing, most
forgiving.
45 [Prophet], when you recite the Quran, We put an invisible
barrier between you and those who do not believe in the life to come.
46 We have put covers on their hearts that prevent them from understanding
it, and heaviness in their ears. When you mention your
Lord in the Quran, and Him alone, they turn their backs and run
away. 47 We know best the way they listen, when they listen to you
and when they confer in secret, and these wrongdoers say, ‘You are
only following a man who is bewitched.’ 48 See what they think you
are like! But they are lost and cannot find the right way. 49 They also
say, ‘What? When we are turned to bones and dust, shall we really be
raised up in a new act of creation?’ 50 Say, ‘[Yes] even if you were [as
hard as] stone, or iron, 51 or any other substance you think hard to
bring to life.’ Then they will say, ‘Who will bring us back?’ Say, ‘The
One who created you the first time.’ Then they will shake their heads
at you and say, ‘When will that be?’ Say, ‘It may well be very soon:
52 it will be the Day when He calls you, and you answer by praising
Him, and you think you have stayed [on earth] only a little while.’
53 [Prophet], tell My servants to say what is best. a Satan sows
discord among them: Satan is a sworn enemy of man. 54 Your Lord
has the most knowledge about all of you: if He pleases He will have
mercy on you, and if He pleases He will punish you. [Prophet], We
did not send you to take charge of them. 55 Your Lord knows best
about everyone in the heavens and the earth. We gave some prophets
more than others: We gave David a book [of Psalms]. b 56 Say, ‘Call
upon those you claim to be deities beside God: they have no power to
remove or avert any harm from you.’ 57 Those [angels] c they pray to
are themselves seeking a way to their Lord, even those who are
closest to Him. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment.
The punishment of your Lord is much to be feared: 58 there is no
community d We shall not destroy, or punish severely, before the Day
of Resurrection – this is written in the Book. e
59 Nothing prevents Us from sending miraculous signs, f except
a In arguing about religion and proving it as God has shown here. See 16: 125; 29: 46.
b See also 4: 163–6. c See verse 40.
d Of evildoers. See 18: 16; 7: 101.
e God’s divine Record.
f See 2: 118 for signs demanded by those without knowledge.