۞ 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 never failed therein in any way, for We had caused a stream to gush forth in the midst of each of them. 33 And so [the man] had fruit in abundance. And [one day] he said to his friend, bandying words with him, "More wealth have I than thou, and mightier am I as regards [the number and power of my] followers!" 34 And he entered his garden, while he was a wrong-doer in respect of his own soul; he said: I imagine not that this shall ever perish. 35 Nor do I believe that the Hour of Resurrection will ever come to pass. And even if I am returned to my Lord, I shall find a better place than this." 36 His companion said, during his conversation with him: 'What, do you disbelieve in Him who created you from dust, then from a sperm drop, and then fashioned you into a man! 37 But as for me, He, Allah, is my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord. 38 When you entered your garden why did you not say: "If Allah wills; there is no power except by Allah." Though you see me lesser than yourself in wealth and children, 39 perhaps my Lord will give me a garden better than yours and strike your garden with a thunderbolt from the sky to turn it into a barren ground, 40 "Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never be able to find it." 41 (Sure enough the rich person's) fruits were all destroyed and he began to wring his hands in grief for all that he had invested in his garden. He found his garden tumbled to its trellises and said, "Would that I had not considered anything equal to my Lord". 42 He had no one besides God to help him, nor could he himself achieve any success. 43 There, the (only) protection comes from Allah, the True One. He is the Best to reward, and the Best to give success. 44