Or, has He taken daughters from those He has created for Himself and favored sons for you? 16 When any of them is given the news of the very thing [i.e. a female child] which he himself has ascribed to the All Merciful, his face darkens and he is filled with grief -- 17 And (do they chose for Him) one who is brought up among ornaments, and cannot express herself clearly in debate? 18 They claim that angels, who are Allah's chosen servants, are females. Did they witness how their body is constituted? Their testimony shall be written and they shall be called to account. 19 And they say, “If the Most Gracious had willed, we would not have worshipped them!” They do not know its truth at all; they only make guesses. 20 Or did We bestow upon them a Book before on whose authority they are holding on (to angel-worship)? 21 No, but they say: 'We found our fathers following a creed, and by following in their footsteps we are guided. 22 And thus, We did not send before you any warner in a town, but those who led easy lives in it said: Surely we found our fathers on a course, and surely we are followers of their footsteps. 23 ۞ [Whereupon each prophet] would say: "Why, even though I bring you guidance better than that which you found your forefathers believing in?" - [to which] the others would reply, "Behold, we deny that there is any truth in [what you claim to be] your messages!" 24 Wherefore We took revenge on them. Behold, then how hath been the end of the beliers? 25