۞ Permission (to fight) has been granted to those for they have been wronged. Verily Allah has the power to help them: 39 to those who were unjustly expelled from their homes only because they said, "God is our Lord." Had it not been for God's repelling some people through the might of the others, the monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which God is very often worshipped would have been utterly destroyed. God shall certainly help those who help Him. He is All-powerful and Majestic. 40 Those who would be firm in devotion, give zakat, and enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong, if We gave them authority in the land. But the resultance of things rests with God. 41 And if they reject you, then already before you did the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood reject (prophets). 42 Those of Abraham and Lut; 43 and the men of Midian; to Moses also they cried lies. And I respited the unbelievers, then I seized them; and how was My horror! 44 How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built? 45 Have they not marched forth in the land, so that there might become unto them hearts to understand with or ears to hear with? Verily it is not the sights that are blinded but blinded are the hearts that are in the breasts. 46 Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! But Allah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning. 47 And how many a town to which I gave respite while it was unjust, then I overtook it, and to Me is the return. 48