O MEN! A parable is set forth [herewith]; hearken, then, to it! Behold, those beings whom you invoke instead of God cannot create [as much as] a fly, even were they to join all their forces to that end! And if a fly robs them of anything, they cannot [even] rescue it from him! Weak indeed is the seeker, and [weak] the sought! 73 They did not realise the importance of Allah as was His right; indeed Allah is Almighty, Dominant. 74 Allah chooses messengers from angels and from men for Allah is He Who hears and sees (all things). 75 He knows what is before them and what lies behind them, and all things go back to God. 76 O you who believe! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful. ۩ 77 and struggle for God as is His due, for He has chosen you, and has laid on you no impediment in your religion, being the creed of your father Abraham; He named you Muslims aforetime and in this, that the Messenger might be a witness against you, and that you might be witnesses against mankind. So perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and hold you fast to God; He is your Protector -- an excellent Protector, an excellent Helper. 78