Quran — Page 441

AND SET FORTH unto them a parable - [the story of how] the people of a township [behaved] when [Our] message-bearers came unto them.

Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles], and. they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: “Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!”

[The others] answered: “You are nothing but mortal men like ourselves; moreover, the Most Gracious has never bestowed aught [of revelation] from on high. You do nothing but lie!”

Said [the apostles]: “Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you;

but we are not bound to do more than clearly deliver the mes­sage [entrusted to us].”

Said [the others]: “Truly, we augur evil from you! Indeed, if you desist not, we will surely stone you, and grievous suffering is bound to befall you at our hands!”

[The apostles] replied: “Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!”

At that, a man came running from the farthest end of the city, [and] exclaimed: “O my people! Follow these message-bearers!

Follow those who ask no reward of you, and themselves are rightly guided!

“[As for me,] why should I not worship Him who has brought me into being, and to whom you all will be brought back?

Should I take to worship­ping [other] deities beside Him? [But then,] if the Most Gracious should will that harm befall me, their intercession could not in the least avail me, nor could they save me:

and so, behold, I would have indeed, most obviously, lost myself in error!

“Verily, [O my people,] in the Sustainer of you all have I come to believe: listen, then, to me!”

[And] he was told, “[Thou shalt] enter paradise!” - [whereupon] he exclaimed: “Would that my people knew

how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past], and has placed me among the honoured ones!”