ART THOU NOT aware of those who have been told, "Curb your hands, and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues"? But as soon as fighting [in God's cause] is ordained for them, lo, some of them stand in awe of men as one should stand in awe of God - or in even greater awe - and say: "O our Sustainer! Why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? If only Thou hadst granted us a delay for a little while!" Say: "Brief is the enjoyment of this world, whereas the life to come is the best for all who are conscious of God - since none of you shall be wronged by as much as a hair's breadth. 77 Wheresoever ye may be, death shall overtake you, even though ye be in fortresses plastered. And if there betideth them some good, they say: this is from God. And if there betideth them some ill, they say: this is because of thee. Say thou: everything is from Allah. What aileth then this people, that well-nigh they understand not any speech 78 Whatever benefit comes to you (O man!), it is from Allah, and whatever misfortune befalls you, it is from yourself, and We have sent you (O Prophet!), to mankind as an apostle; and Allah is sufficient as a witness. 79 He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: But if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds). 80 And they say: "We do pay heed unto thee'' - but when they leave thy presence, some of them devise, in the dark of night, [beliefs] other than thou art voicing; and all the while God records what they thus devise in the dark of night. Leave them, then, alone, and place thy trust in God: for none is as worthy of trust as God. 81 Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions. 82 And when there cometh unto them aught of security aught of alarm, they bruit it abroad; whereas had they referred it to the apostle and those in authority among them, then those of them who can think it out would have known it. And had there not been Allah's grace upon you and His mercy, ye would surely have followed Satan, save a few. 83 Thus, (Muhammad), fight for the cause of God. You are only responsible for yourself. Rouse the believers and perhaps God will stop the evil designs of the unbelievers. God's punishment and retribution is the most severe. 84 Whoever makes a noble intercession will have a share of it, and whoever makes an evil intercession will have a share of it; and Allah is Able to do all things. 85 Answer a greeting in kinder words than those said to you in the greeting or at least as kind. God keeps account of all things. 86 God: There is no god but He. He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection which is certain to come; and whose word is truer than God's? 87