۞ Set forth to them the parable of two men: for one of them We provided two gardens of grape-vines and surrounded them with date palms; in between the two We placed corn-fields. 32 each garden produced its fruit and did not fail to yield its best; We even caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them, 33 so he had fruit. As he spoke with his companion, as he was conversing with him, 'My wealth is more abundant than yours and men have a greater respect for me' 34 And when, having wronged himself, he entered his garden, he said: 'I do not think that this will ever perish! 35 And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." 36 Said his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'What, disbelievest thou in Him who created thee of dust, then of a sperm-drop, then shaped thee as a man? 37 But lo, He is God, my Lord, and I will not associate with my Lord any one. 38 When you entered your garden, why did you not say: 'As God may please;' for no one has power except given by God? Though you see me poorer in wealth and children than you, 39 yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden, and loose on it a thunderbolt out of heaven, so that in the morning it will be a slope of dust, 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 But there was no host to help him, apart from God, and he was helpless. 43 Here is protection only Allah's, the True One; He is best in (the giving of) reward and best in requiting. 44