۞ Gather together those who did wrong and their comrades and that which they were wont to worship 22 Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell. 23 And halt them, to be questioned: 24 What aileth you that ye succour not one another? 25 indeed, on that Day they will surrender themselves. 26 but [since it will be too late,] they will turn upon one another, demanding of each other [to relieve them of the burden of their past sins]. 27 Saying: "It were you who imposed yourselves upon us." 28 The oppressors will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers, 29 We had no power over you. You were a rebellious people, 30 So on us hath been justified the sentence of our Lord: verily we are to taste. 31 Therefore we perverted you, and we ourselves were perverts.' 32 On that Day, they will all share the chastisement. 33 Surely thus do We deal with the guilty. 34 For when it was said unto them, There is no Allah save Allah, they were scornful 35 saying, 'What, shall we forsake our gods for a poet possessed?' 36 No, indeed, he has brought the truth, and confirmed the Messengers. 37 Lo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom - 38 And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do - 39 Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. 40 for them awaits a known provision, 41 Fruits! And they shall be honoured. 42 In the Gardens of delight, 43 They will be seated upon couches set face to face; 44 Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine; 45 white and delicious to those who drink it, 46 Neither does it intoxicate, nor give a headache. 47 and with them wide-eyed maidens restraining their glances 48 (Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich). 49 And they will all turn to one another, asking each other [about their past lives]. 50 One of them will say, "I had a companion who asked me, 51 Who used to say: "Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death). 52 "(That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?" 53 He saith: Will ye look? 54 Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell. 55 and says: "By God! Verily, thou hast almost destroyed me [too, O my erstwhile companion] 56 And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom). 57 What then, shall we not die 58 "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?" 59 Verily this is the supreme achievement! 60 For this the toilers should strive." 61 Is this not a better reward than the tree of Zaqqum 62 Verily, We have caused it to be a trial for evildoers: 63 It is a tree that grows in the nethermost part of Hell. 64 Its produce is as it were the heads of the serpents. 65 and they [who are lost in evil] are indeed bound to eat thereof, and to fill their bellies therewith. 66 Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water. 67 Then their return will be to the same blazing Hell. 68 They indeed found their fathers astray, 69 so they are rushing to follow in their footsteps. 70 And assuredly many of the ancients went astray before them, 71 But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them;- 72 So behold what wise hath been the end of those who were warned. 73 Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. 74