| |||||
| 13. And set forth to them the parable of a people of the town, when the Messengers came to it. 14. When WE sent to them two Messengers they rejected them both; so WE strengthened them by a third; and they said, `Verily, we have been sent to you as Messengers.' 15. They replied, `You are only human beings like us and the Gracious God has not revealed anything. You are only lying.' 16. They said, `Our Lord knows that we are, indeed HIS Messengers to you; 17. `And our duty is only plain delivery of the Message.' 18. The disbelievers said, `Surely, we augur evil fortune from you; if you desist not, we will, certainly, stone you, and a painful punishment will, surely, befall you at our hands.' 19. The Messengers replied, `Your evil fortune is with your ownselves. Do you say this because you have been admonished ? Nay, you are a people transgressing all bounds.' 20. And from the farthest part of the town there came a man running. He said, `O my People, follow the Messengers, 21. `Follow those who ask of you no reward, and who are rightly guided. 22. `And why should I not worship HIM Who has created me, and unto Whom you will be brought back ? 23. `Shall I take others beside HIM as gods ? If the Gracious God should intend me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they rescue me. 24. `In that case I should, indeed, be in manifest error. 25. `I believe in your Lord; so listen to me.' 26. It was said to him, Do thou enter Paradise.' He said, `O, would that my people knew, 27. `How graciously my Lord has granted me forgiveness and has made me of the honoured ones !' |
