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XXXVII, 171-XXXVIII, 3. THE CHAPTER OF S.
175
But our word has been passed to our servants who were sent that they should be helped; that, verily, our hosts should gain mastery for them.
Then turn thou thy back upon them for a time, [175] and look upon them, for soon they too shall look.
Would they hasten on our torment? but when it descends in their court, ill will the morning be of those who have been warned!
But turn thy back upon them for a time; and look, for soon they too shall look.
[180] Celebrated be the praises of thy Lord, the Lord of glory, above what they attribute! and peace be upon the apostles and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds !
THE CHAPTER OF S.?
(XXXVIII. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
S. By the Qur'ân with its reminder ! nay, but those who misbelieve are in pride, schism !
How many a generation have we destroyed before them, and they cried out, but it was no time to escape !
And they wonder that a warner has come from amongst themselves, and the misbelievers say, 'This
* The Arabic commentators say of this title, 'God only knows what He means by it.' All the explanations given of it are purely conjectural. See the Introduction for this and the other mysterious letters used throughout the Qur'ân.
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