We have indeed sent (apostles) to many a people before you, and inflicted upon them hardships and afflictions so that they might submit. 42 If only they humbled themselves when Our scourge overtook them! But their hearts were hardened, and satan decorated to them what they were doing. 43 Then when they forgot that whereof they were reminded We opened upon them the doors of everything, until when they boasted of that which they were given, We laid hold of them on a sudden, and lo! they were dumbfounded. 44 So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 45 Say: "What do you think? If God should take away your hearing and your sight and seal your hearts - what deity but God is there that could bring it all back to you?" Behold how many facets we give to our messages - and yet they turn away in disdain! 46 Say: "Can you imagine what your condition will be if God's chastisement befalls you, either suddenly or in a [gradually] perceptible manner? [But then - ] will any but evildoing folk [ever] be destroyed? 47 We send forth Our Messengers only to give glad tidings to mankind and to warn them. Those who believe and mend their ways shall have nothing to fear or to be saddened. 48 Chastisement will befall those who reject Our signs because of their disobedience. 49 Say, "I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of God, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I follow only that which is revealed to me." Say, "Are the blind and the seeing alike? Can you not then think?" 50