۞ (O Muhammad), propound a parable to them. There were two men of whom We bestowed upon one of the two vineyards, surrounding both of them with date-palms and putting a tillage in between. 32 and a stream flowing through the middle of the gardens. 33 And he had fruit; he therefore said to his companion – and he used to debate with him – “I exceed you in wealth, and am more powerful in respect of men.” 34 And having [thus] sinned against himself, he entered his garden, saying, "I do not think that this will 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 friend said to him, "How can you disbelieve in the One who turned clay into sperm out of which He created you? 37 But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone. 38 And [he continued:] "Alas, if thou hadst but said, on entering thy garden, 'Whatever God wills [shall come to pass, for] there is no power save with God!' Although, as thou seest, I have less wealth and offspring than thou, 39 "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send on it Husban (torment, bolt, etc.) from the sky, then it will be a slippery earth. 40 Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it." 41 So his fruits were encircled (with ruin). And he remained clapping his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while it was all destroyed on its trellises, he could only say: "Would I had ascribed no partners to my Lord!" [Tafsir Ibn Kathir] 42 He had no one besides God to help him, nor could he himself achieve any success. 43 Here is protection only Allah's, the True One; He is best in (the giving of) reward and best in requiting. 44