O MEN! A parable is set forth [herewith]; hearken, then, to it! Behold, those beings whom you invoke instead of God cannot create [as much as] a fly, even were they to join all their forces to that end! And if a fly robs them of anything, they cannot [even] rescue it from him! Weak indeed is the seeker, and [weak] the sought! 73 They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. 74 Allah chooses Messengers from angels and from men. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer. 75 He knows whatsoever is before them and behind them, and unto God all matters are returned.' 76 O Ye who believe! bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, and do the good, that haply ye may thrive. ۩ 77 Strive in the way of God with a service worthy of Him. He has chosen you and laid no hardship on you in the way of faith, the faith of your forbear Abraham. He named you Muslim earlier, and in this (Qur'an), in order that the Prophet be witness over you, and you be witness over mankind. So be firm in devotion, pay the zakat, and hold on firmly to God. He is your friend: How excellent a friend is He, how excellent a helper! 78