EXHORT, then, [O Prophet, all men:] for, by thy Sustainer's grace, thou art neither a soothsayer nor a madman. 29 Or do they say: 'He is a poet, we are waiting for some misfortune to befall him' 30 Say: 'Wait if you will; I shall be waiting with you' 31 Is it that their faculties of understanding urge them to this, or are they but a people transgressing beyond bounds? 32 Do they say: “He has himself fabricated the Qur'an?” No; the truth is that they are altogether averse to believing. 33 Then let them bring a discourse like it, if they speak truly. 34 Or were they created out of naught? Or are they the creators? 35 Or did they create the heavens and earth? Nay, but they have not sure faith. 36 Or do they have the treasures of your Lord, or are they the authority? 37 Or have they a stairway (to heaven), by means of which they listen (to the talks of the angels)? Then let their listener produce some manifest proof. 38 Or has He daughters while you have sons? 39 Do you (Muhammad) ask them for any payment (for your preaching) which they cannot afford? 40 Or is the hidden with them, by which they pass judgements? 41 Or do they want to stage a deception? -- Then only those who do not believe will be the ones who will be tricked. 42 Or have they a deity other than Allah? Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. 43 Even if they saw lumps falling from the sky they would say: 'A massed cloud' 44 Leave them then till they meet that day of theirs wherein they shall be made to swoon (with terror): 45 The day on which their struggle shall not avail them aught, nor shall they be helped. 46 For the harmdoers there is indeed, a punishment before that, but most of them do not know. 47 So wait patiently (O Muhammad) for thy Lord's decree, for surely thou art in Our sight; and hymn the praise of thy Lord when thou uprisest, 48 and proclaim the praise of thy Lord in the night, and at the declining of the stars. 49