The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

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The Quran 2: 21
them they walk on and when darkness falls around them they stand
still. If God so willed, He could take away their hearing and sight:
God has power over everything.
21 People, worship your Lord, who created you and those before
you, so that you may be mindful [of Him] 22 who spread out the earth
for you and built the sky; who sent water down from it and with that
water produced things for your sustenance. Do not, knowing this, set
up rivals to God. 23 If you have doubts about the revelation We have
sent down to Our servant, then produce a single sura like it – enlist
whatever supporters a you have other than God – if you truly [think
you can]. 24 If you cannot do this – and you never will – then beware
of the Fire prepared for the disbelievers, whose fuel is men and
stones.
25 [Prophet], give those who believe and do good the news that
they will have Gardens graced with flowing streams. Whenever
they are given sustenance from the fruits of these Gardens, they will
say, ‘We have been given this before,’ because they were provided
with something like it. b They will have pure spouses and there they
will stay.
26 God does not shy from drawing comparisons even with something
as small as a gnat, or larger: c the believers know it is the truth
from their Lord, but the disbelievers say, ‘What does God mean by
such a comparison?’ Through it He makes many go astray and leads
many to the right path. But it is only the rebels He makes go astray:
27 those who break their covenant with God after it has been confirmed,
who sever the bonds that God has commanded to be joined,
who spread corruption on the earth – these are the losers. 28 How can
you ignore God when you were lifeless and He gave you life, when
He will cause you to die, then resurrect you to be returned to Him?
29 It was He who created all that is on the earth for you, then turned
to the sky and made the seven heavens; it is He who has knowledge
of all things.
a Literally ‘whatever witnesses’. Razi interprets this as referring either to their idols
or to their leaders.
b One interpretation is that they enjoy each meal so much that they are delighted to
see favourite dishes again; another interpretation is that the food of Paradise resembles
the delicacies of this world in appearance.
c Comparisons such as those given here were seen by some as inappropriate for God,
and this is an answer to these critics.