Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/288

162 but are themselves created, which have no power to help them, and cannot even help themselves ?

But if ye call them unto guidance they will not follow you. It is the same to them if Thou dost call them or if Thou dost hold thy tongue.

Those whom ye call on other than God are servants like yourselves. Call on them then, and let them answer you, if so be ye tell the truth ! Have they feet to walk with ? or have they hands to hold with ? or have they eyes to see with ? or have they ears to hear with ? Call upon your partners ; then plot against me, and do not wait.

Verily, my patron is God, who hath sent down the Book, and He is the patron of the righteous. But those whom ye call on beside Him cannot help you, nor can they even help themselves. But if ye call them unto the guidance they will not hear, thou mayest see them looking towards thee, yet they do not see. Take to pardon, and order what is kind, and shun the ignorant ; and if an incitement from the devil incites you, then seek refuge in God : verily, He both hears and knows.

Verily, those who fear God, if a wraith from the devil touch, mention Him, and lo! they see.

And their brethren he shall increase in error, then they shall not desist.

Shouldst Thou not bring them a sign they say, ‘ Hast Thou not yet made choice of one ?’ Say, ‘ I only follow what is inspired to me by my Lord.