warn a people whose fathers have not been warned before, and who themselves are heedless.
Now is the sentence due against most of them, for they will not believe. Verily, we will place upon their necks fetters, and they shall reach up to their chins, and they shall have their heads forced back; and we will place before them a barrier, and behind them a barrier; and we will cover them and they shall not see; and it is all the same to them if thou dost warn them or dost warn them not, they will not believe. Thou canst only warn him who follows the remainder, and fears the Merciful in the unseen; but give him glad tidings of forgiveness and a noble hire.
We have sent thee with the truth, a bearer of good tidings and of warning, and thou shalt not be questioned as to the fellows of hell.
The Jews will not be satisfied with thee, nor will the Christians, unless thou followest their creed. Say to them: "God's guidance is my guidance," and if thou followest their lusts after the knowledge that has come to thee, thou hast not then from God a patron or help.
***
Verily thou art of those who are sent by God. These apostles have we preferred one of them above another. Of them is one to whom God has spoken[1]; and we have raised some of them degrees; and we have given Jesus, the son of Mary, manifest signs, and
- ↑ Moses, called in Arabic Kalimu ʾllah—He with whom God spake.
