۞ Recite to them the parable of two men! One of them We provided with two vineyards which We surrounded with date-palms, and placed a field of grain in between; 32 Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them. 33 And he possessed much wealth; so he said to his companion, while he disputed with him: I have greater wealth than you, and am mightier in followers. 34 And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: "I think not that this will ever perish. 35 "Nor do I deem that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) come: Even if I am brought back to my Lord, I shall surely find (there) something better in exchange." 36 His companion said to him, in the course of the argument with him: "Dost thou deny Him Who created thee out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned thee into a man? 37 "But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord. 38 Wherefore saidst thou not, when thou enteredest thy garden: whatsoever Allah may will! there is no power save in Allah! If thou beholdest I am inferior to thee in substance and offspring. 39 “So it is likely that my Lord will give me a garden better than yours, and send bolts of lightning from the skies on your garden – it therefore turns into a barren plain.” 40 or its water sinks deep into the ground, so that thou wilt never be able to find it again!" 41 And [thus it happened:] his fruitful gardens were encompassed [by ruin,] and there he was, wringing his hands over all that he had spent on that which now lay waste, with its trellises caved in; and he could but say: "Oh, would that I had not attributed divine powers to any but my Sustainer!" 42 Nor had he numbers to help him against Allah, nor was he able to deliver himself. 43 In such helplessness, the human being realizes that it is God who is the true Guardian and His rewards and recompense are the best. 44