quickens therewith the earth after its death, and spreads abroad therein all kinds of cattle, and in the shifting of the winds, and in the clouds that are pressed into service betwixt heaven and earth, are signs to people who can understand.
160 Yet are there some amongst mankind who take to themselves peers[1] other than God ; they love them as they should love God; while those who believe love God more. O that those who are unjust could only see, when they see the torment, that power is altogether God’s ! Verily, God is keen to torment.
When those who are followed[2] clear themselves of those who followed them, and see the torment, and the cords[3] are cut asunder, those who followed shall say, ‘ Had we but another turn[4], then would we clear ourselves of them as they have cleared themselves of us.’ So will God show them their works ; for them are sighs, and they shall not come forth from out the fire.
O ye folk ! eat of what is in the earth, things lawful and things good, and follow not the footsteps of Satan, verily, to you he is an open foe. He does but bid you evil and sin, and that ye should speak against God what ye do not know.
165 When it is said to them, ‘ Follow what God has revealed,’ they say, ‘ Nay, we will follow what we found our fathers agreed upon.’ What ! and though their fathers had no sense at all or guidance — ? The likeness of those who misbelieve is as the likeness of him who shouts to that which hears him
