And who could be more wicked than he who attributes his own lying inventions to God or gives the lie to His messages? Verily, such evildoers will never attain to a happy state: 21 One day shall We gather them all together: We shall say to those who ascribed partners (to Us): "Where are the partners whom ye (invented and) talked about?" 22 Then their excuse would be nothing but that they would say: By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists. 23 Behold! how they lied against themselves! and then failed them that which they had been fabricating. 24 And of them are some who hearken unto thee, and We have set over their hearts veils lest they understand it and in their ears heaviness, and though they see any sign they will not believe therein; in as much as when they come to thee, they dispute with thee, then who disbelieve say: this is naught but the fables of the ancients. 25 And they prohibit (others) from it and go far away from it, and they only bring destruction upon their own souls while they do not perceive. 26 If thou couldst see when they are set before the Fire and say: Oh, would that we might return! Then would we not deny the revelations of our Lord but we would be of the believers! 27 Nay, but that hath become clear unto them which before they used to hide. And if they were sent back they would return unto that which they are forbidden. Lo! they are liars. 28 And some [of the unbelievers] say: "There is nothing beyond our life in this world, for We shall not be raised from the dead." 29 If you could see them when they are made to stand before their Lord! He will say: 'Is this not the truth' 'Yes, by our Lord' they will reply, and He will say: 'Taste then the punishment, for that which you disbelieved' 30