۞ AND PROPOUND unto them the parable of two men, upon one of whom We had bestowed two vinyards, and surrounded them with date-palms, and placed a field of grain in-between. 32 Each of those gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein: in the midst of them We caused a river to flow. 33 And he had fruit; he therefore said to his companion – and he used to debate with him – “I exceed you in wealth, and am more powerful in respect of men.” 34 And having [thus] sinned against himself, he entered his garden, saying, "I do not think 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 Said his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'What, disbelievest thou in Him who created thee of dust, then of a sperm-drop, then shaped thee as a man? 37 But lo, He is God, my Lord, and I will not associate with my Lord any one. 38 Wherefore saidst thou not, when thou enteredest thy garden: whatsoever Allah may will! there is no power save in Allah! If thou beholdest I am inferior to thee in substance and offspring. 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 in the morning the water of it will be sunk into the earth, so that thou wilt not be able to seek it out.' 41 And [thus it happened:] his fruitful gardens were encompassed [by ruin,] and there he was, wringing his hands over all that he had spent on that which now lay waste, with its trellises caved in; and he could but say: "Oh, would that I had not attributed divine powers to any but my Sustainer!" 42 And he had no group of men to help him against Allah, nor could he defend or save himself. 43 In such helplessness, the human being realizes that it is God who is the true Guardian and His rewards and recompense are the best. 44