۞ And set forth to them a parable of two men; for one of them We made two gardens of grape vines, and We surrounded them both with palms, and in the midst of them We made cornfields. 32 each of the two gardens yielded its produce and failed naught in any wise; and We caused to gush amidst them a river. 33 And he had property. Then he said unto his fellow while he spake with him: I am more than thou in substance and am mightier in respect of retinue. 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 neither do I think that the Last Hour will ever come. But even if [it should come, and] I am brought before my Sustainer, I will surely find something even better than this as [my last] resort!" 36 His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man? 37 But as for me, He, Allah, is my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord. 38 It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: 'That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah '. If you see me less than you in wealth, and children. 39 Yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden, and will send on it a bolt from heaven, and some morning it will be a smooth hillside, 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 So his fruits were encircled (with ruin). And he remained clapping his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while it was all destroyed on its trellises, he could only say: "Would I had ascribed no partners to my Lord!" [Tafsir Ibn Kathir] 42 He had no one besides God to help him, nor could he himself achieve any success. 43 Here is protection only Allah's, the True One; He is best in (the giving of) reward and best in requiting. 44