Hath He taken for Himself from whatsoever He hath created daughters, and hath honoured you with sons. 16 Yet when one of them is given glad news of (a daughter) that which he likened to the Merciful his face darkens and he chokes inwardly (with gloom). 17 Hath He taken to Himself that which is reared in ornaments, and is in contention not plain? 18 They consider the angels, God's servants, to be female. Did they witness their creation? Their claim will be put on record and they will be questioned about it. 19 And they say: had the Compassionate willed we should not have worshipped them. They have no knowledge thereof; they are only guessing. 20 Or have We given them a book before the Qur'an to which they are adhering? 21 Nay! they say: We found our fathers on a course, and surely we are guided by their footsteps. 22 And thus, We did not send before you any warner in a town, but those who led easy lives in it said: Surely we found our fathers on a course, and surely we are followers of their footsteps. 23 ۞ He said: "What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?" They said: "For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all)." 24 So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)! 25