The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

242
The Quran 27: 49
amends. 49 They said, ‘Swear by God: we shall attack this man and
his household in the night, then say to his next of kin, “We did not
witness the destruction of his household. We are telling the truth.”’
50 So they devised their evil plan, but We too made a plan of which
they were unaware. 51 See how their scheming ended: We destroyed
them utterly, along with all their people. 52 As a result of their evil
deeds, their homes are desolate ruins – there truly is a sign in this for
those who know – 53 but We saved those who believed and were
mindful of God.
54 We also sent Lot to his people. He said to them, ‘How can you
commit this outrage with your eyes wide open? 55 How can you lust
after men instead of women? What fools you are!’ 56 The only answer
his people gave was to say, ‘Expel Lot’s followers from your town!
These men mean to stay chaste!’ 57 We saved him and his family –
except for his wife: We made her stay behind – 58 and We brought
rain down on them. How dreadful that rain was for those who had
been warned!
59 Say [Prophet], ‘Praise be to God and peace on the servants He
has chosen. a Who is better: God, or those they set up as partners
with Him? 60 Who created the heavens and earth? Who sends down
water from the sky for you – with which We cause gardens of delight
to grow: you have no power to make the trees grow in them – is it
another god beside God? No! But they are people who take others to
be equal with God. 61 Who is it that made the earth a stable place to
live? Who made rivers flow through it? Who set immovable mountains
on it and created a barrier between the fresh and salt water? Is it
another god beside God? No! But most of them do not know. 62 Who
is it that answers the distressed when they call upon Him? Who
removes their suffering? Who makes you successors in the earth? Is
it another god beside God? Little notice you take! 63 Who is it that
guides you through the darkness on land and sea? Who sends the
winds as heralds of good news before His mercy? b Is it another god
beside God? God is far above the partners they put beside him!
64 Who is it that creates life and reproduces it? Who is it that gives
you provision from the heavens and earth? Is it another god beside
God?’ Say, ‘Show me your evidence then, if what you say is true.’
a As messengers, see e.g. 3: 33.
b i.e. rain.