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 Strong, Mighty! 74 Allah chooses apostles from among the angels and from among the men; surely Allah is Hearing, Seeing. 75 He knows what is before them and what lies behind them, and all things go back to God. 76 O men, bow you down and prostrate yourselves, and serve your Lord, and do good; haply so you shall prosper; ۩ 77 And strive hard in God's cause with all the striving that is due to Him: it is He who has elected you [to carry His message,] and has laid no hardship on you in [anything that pertains to] religion, [and made you follow] the creed of your forefather Abraham. It is He who has named you in bygone times as well as in this [divine writ] - "those who have surrendered themselves to God", so that the Apostle might bear witness to the truth before you, and that you might bear witness to it before all mankind. Thus, be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and hold fast unto God. He is your Lord Supreme: and how excellent is this Lord Supreme, and how excellent this Giver of Succour! 78