O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. 73 No true understanding of God have they [who err in this way]: for, verily, God is most powerful, almighty! 74 God selects messengers from both angels and from mankind; God is all hearing and all seeing: 75 [whereas their knowledge is limited,] He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them for all things go back to God [as their source]. 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