۞ And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields etc.). 32 Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river. 33 And so [the man] had fruit in abundance. And [one day] he said to his friend, bandying words with him, "More wealth have I than thou, and mightier am I as regards [the number and power of my] followers!" 34 He went into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, "I deem not that this will ever perish, 35 And I do not think the hour will come, and even if I am returned to my Lord I will most certainly find a returning place better than this. 36 His companion replied, in the course of their discussion, "Do you deny Him who created you from dust, from a small drop of fluid, then formed you into a man? 37 But as far as I am concerned, God alone is my Lord and I set up no partners with Him. 38 When you entered your vineyard, why did you not say: 'Whatever Allah wills shall come to pass, for there is no power save with Allah!' If you find me less than yourself in wealth and children 39 “So it is likely that my Lord will give me a garden better than yours, and send bolts of lightning from the skies on your garden – it therefore turns into a barren plain.” 40 or the water of your vineyard will be drained deep into the ground so that you will not be able to seek it out." 41 And his fruit was beset (with destruction). Then began he to wring his hands for all that he had spent upon it, when (now) it was all ruined on its trellises, and to say: Would that I had ascribed no partner to my Lord! 42 And he had no group to help him against Allah, nor was he capable of taking revenge. 43 Thereover protection belongs only to God the True; He is best rewarding, best in the issue. 44