The idolaters say: 'Had Allah willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped anything other than Him, nor would we have forbidden anything without Him', as such did those before them. Yet what should Messengers do but give a clear deliverance? 35 To every nation We sent a Messenger who told its people, "Worship God and stay away from satan." Some of them were guided by God and others were doomed to go astray. Travel through the land and see how terrible was the end for those who rejected the truth! 36 Though thou art ever so eager to guide them, God guides not those whom He leads astray; they have no helpers. 37 They solemnly swear by Allah that Allah will never raise the dead to life. No, surely the promise of Allah is binding upon Him, though most people do not know. 38 That He may explain unto them that wherein they differ, and that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars. 39 Our word for a thing when We intend it, is only that We say to it, Be, and it is. 40