۞ And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops. 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 So he had fruit; and he said to his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'I have more abundance of wealth than thou and am mightier in respect of men. 34 And he entered his garden, while he was a wrong-doer in respect of his own soul; he said: I imagine not that this shall ever perish. 35 I do not think that the Hour is coming; and if I am indeed returned to my Lord, I shall surely find a better resort 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 He is Allah, my Lord, and I ascribe unto my Lord no partner. 38 And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah '? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, 39 Yet, my Lord may haply give me a garden better than yours, and He may send a thunder-bolt, from the skies and in the morning it will be a barren plain; 40 Or else of a morning its water may sink underground, and you will not find a trace of it." 41 And his property was encompassed; and lo! he was wringing the palms of his hands over that which he had expended thereon, while it laid fallen down on its trellises, and saying: Oh, would that I had not associated with my Lord anyone: 42 He had no one besides God to help him, nor could he himself achieve any success. 43 For thus it is: all protective power belongs to God alone, the True One. He is the best to grant recompense, and the best to determine what is to be. 44