And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie or denies His verses? Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed. 21 And on the Day when We shall gather them all together, We shall say to those who joined partners in worship (with Us): "Where are your partners (false deities) whom you used to assert (as partners in worship with Allah)?" 22 Then their excuse would be nothing but that they would say: By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists. 23 See how they lie against their own souls, and that which they forged has passed away from them. 24 And among them is one who listens to you; and We have put covers upon their hearts so they may not understand it, and deafness in their ears; and (even) if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; to the extent that when they come to you to debate with you, the disbelievers say, “This is nothing but stories of former people.” 25 They forbid from it (the Koran) and keep away from it. They destroy none except themselves, though they do not sense it. 26 If you should see them when they are stood before the Fire, they will say: "Ah would that we were sent back (to the world)! We shall not deny the signs of our Lord, and be among those who believe." 27 No! They will say this merely because the Truth which they had concealed will become obvious to them; or else if they were sent back, they would still revert to what was forbidden to them. (So this plea of theirs would be a lie too) for they are just liars. 28 And they say: There is naught save our life of the world, and we shall not be raised (again). 29 If you could only see when they are made to stand before their Lord! He will ask them, "Is this [second life] not the truth?" They will say, "Yes, by our Lord!" He will say, "Then, taste the punishment that comes from your having refused to acknowledge the truth!" 30