The Majestic Quran

32 Tell them the parable of two men; to one We gave two vineyards, hedged by palm trees, with a cornfield lying in the middle. 33 Both vineyards had a stream running between them, so they produced an abundant crop throughout the year, 34 he had plenty of agricultural produce. One day he said to his friend, as they were talking among themselves, “I have more wealth and a larger family than you.” 35 He walked into his garden with these wrong thoughts and said, “I don’t think that these vineyards will ever perish, 36 nor do I think that Judgement Day will come. Even if I was returned to My Lord, I will certainly go to somewhere better than this.” T 37 His friend said to him as they argued, “How can you deny the One who created you from dust and then from a drop of sperm? 38 For me, He is God, my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord. 39 When you entered your vineyard why didn’t you say, “There is no power except that of God. Even if you saw that I was less than you in wealth and number of children, 40 I am hopeful that my Lord will give me better than your vineyards; He could send a thunderbolt from the sky on them and turn the land barren, 41 or make its water sink deep into the ground so that you wouldn’t be able to reach it.” T 42 So his fruits were destroyed. There he was, wringing his hands, regretting what he had spent on it. The trellises had fallen; he sobbed, “I wish I had never associated anyone with my Lord.” 43 There was no army that could help him against God, nor could he defend himself. 44 This shows, all power belongs to God, the Truth. The belief in Him produces the best reward and the best outcome. L 1: T 45 Tell them a parable of worldly life; it’s like the rain We send down from the sky, the soil soaks it, plants grow, then turn into dry straw that is scattered by the winds. God has power over all things. 46 Wealth and children are beautiful decorations of this life. However, the fruit of good deeds will remain with your Lord, an excellent reward and hope. L 2: O J D