Before you We sent forth to other nations, and then seized them with misery and hardship so that they might humble themselves. 42 When the affliction decreed by Us befell them, they did not humble themselves, but rather their hearts hardened, for Satan had made all their doings seem fair to them. 43 So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair. 44 The wrongdoers were thus annihilated. All praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds. 45 Say: "What do you think? If God should take away your hearing and your sight and seal your hearts - what deity but God is there that could bring it all back to you?" Behold how many facets we give to our messages - and yet they turn away in disdain! 46 Say, “What is your opinion – if the punishment of Allah were to come upon you suddenly or openly (with forewarning), who would be destroyed except the disbelieving people?” 47 We do not send apostles but to give good tidings and to warn. Then those who believe or reform will have neither fear nor regret. 48 But those who belie Our verses, punishment shall touch them for their misdeeds. 49 Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allah, nor do I say that I gain knowledge of the hidden on my own, nor do I say to you that I am an angel; I only follow what is divinely revealed to me”; say, “Will the blind and the sighted ever be equal? So do you not think?” 50