۞ (O Muhammad), propound a parable to them. There were two men of whom We bestowed upon one of the two vineyards, surrounding both of them with date-palms and putting a tillage in between. 32 each of the two gardens yielded its produce and failed naught in any wise; and We caused to gush amidst them a river. 33 So he became rich. Arguing one day with his friend he said: "I have more wealth than you and more powerful kinsmen." 34 And he entered his garden, wronging himself; he said, 'I do not think that this will ever perish; 35 Nor I imagine that the Hour is going to happen; and if am brought back to my Lord, surely I will find something better than this as a retreat. 36 Said his fellow, as he was conversing with him, 'What, disbelievest thou in Him who created thee of dust, then of a sperm-drop, then shaped thee as a man? 37 I believe that He is God my Lord and I do not consider anything equal to Him." 38 When you entered your garden why did you not say: "If Allah wills; there is no power except by Allah." Though you see me lesser than yourself in wealth and children, 39 it may well be that my Lord will give me something better than your vineyard, and send a calamity upon your vineyard from the heavens and it will be reduced to a barren waste, 40 or the water of your vineyard will be drained deep into the ground so that you will not be able to seek it out." 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 And there could be no party suceouring him as against Allah, nor could he himself be an avenger. 43 Thereover protection belongs only to God the True; He is best rewarding, best in the issue. 44