۞ [And God will thus command:] "Assemble all those who were bent on evildoing, together with others of their ilk and [with] all that they were wont to worship 22 Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell. 23 And halt them so that they may be questioned. 24 They will be asked, "Why do you not help each other?" 25 Indeed, today they are surrendering themselves completely.” 26 and approach each other with questions, 27 They say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth). 28 They shall say: Nay, you (yourselves) were not believers; 29 And we had no authority over you, but you were an inordinate people; 30 But now our Lord's word has come true against us: truly, we are bound to taste [the punishment]. 31 We seduced you astray; verily we were ourselves the seduced ones. 32 Then lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom. 33 Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals. 34 They were those who, when it was said to them, "There is no god but God," behaved with insolence, 35 And to say: What! shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of a mad poet? 36 'No indeed; but he brought the truth, and confirmed the Envoys. 37 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;- 38 But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;- 39 Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. 40 will have their determined sustenance 41 Fruits; and they will be honoured. 42 (They will live) in the bountiful gardens, 43 (Sitting) on couches, face to face, 44 A cup will be passed round among them [with a drink] from unsullied springs, 45 Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof), 46 causing no headiness or intoxication. 47 and with them wide-eyed maidens restraining their glances 48 so delicate as the hidden peel under an egg's shell. 49 Then they will turn to one another and question one another. 50 A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth] 51 Who said: What! are you indeed of those who accept (the truth)? 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 says, 'Are you looking down?' 54 Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell. 55 He said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition! 56 And but for the favour of my lord, I should have been of those brought forward. 57 But then, [O my friends in paradise,] is it [really] so that we are not to die 58 except our first death, and shall we not be punished' 59 Truly, this is a great victory!" 60 for which one must strive hard. 61 Is that better by way of hospitality or the Zaqqum tree, 62 Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong-doers. 63 It is a tree that comes forth in the root of Hell; 64 The fruit thereof is as though the hoods of the serpents. 65 (The people of Hell) will surely eat of it, filling their bellies with it. 66 And behold, above all this they will be confounded with burning despair! 67 They can only return to hell. 68 Verily they found their fathers gone astray. 69 yet they run in their footsteps, 70 And indeed before them, most of the former people went astray. 71 We had certainly sent warners to them. 72 Look, then how was the end of those who had been warned, 73 EXCEPT for God's true servants, [most people are apt to go astray.] 74