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 do not esteem God with the right estimation. God is surely all-powerful and all-mighty. 74 God chooses messengers from the angels and human beings. Verily God is all-hearing and all-seeing. 75 God knows all that they have and all that is behind them, and to Him do all things return. 76 O Ye who believe! bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, and do the good, that haply ye may thrive. ۩ 77 And strive hard for Allah as is due unto Him hard striving. He hath distinguished you, and hath not placed upon you any narrowness in the religion: the faith of your father Ibrahim. He hath named you Muslim aforetime and in this, that the apostle may be a witness for you, and that ye may be witnesses against mankind. Wherefore establish the prayer and give the poor-rate, and hold fast by Allah; He is your Patron: an Excellent Patron and Excellent helper! 78