۞ And strike for them a similitude: two men. To one of them We assigned two gardens of vines, and surrounded them with palm-trees, and between them We set a sown field; 32 and a stream flowing through the middle of the gardens. 33 And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men." 34 He went into his garden in a state (of mind) unjust to his soul: He said, "I deem not that this will ever perish, 35 Nor do I think that the Hour will come. Even if I returned to my Lord, I should surely find a better place than this' 36 His companion said, during his conversation with him: 'What, do you disbelieve in Him who created you from dust, then from a sperm drop, and then fashioned you into a man! 37 He is Allah, my Lord, and I will not associate anyone with My Lord. 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 It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground, 40 "Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never be able to find it." 41 So his fruits (and enjoyment) were encompassed (with ruin), and he remained twisting and turning his hands over what he had spent on his property, which had (now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations, and he could only say, "Woe is me! Would I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!" 42 for now he had nought to succour him in God's stead, nor could he succour himself. 43 Thereover protection belongs only to God the True; He is best rewarding, best in the issue. 44