Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/152

136 creation of man from clay; then He made his stock from an extract of despicable water ; then He fashioned him and breathed into him of his spirit, and made for you hearing and eyesight and hearts ; — little is it that ye give thanks !

And they say, ‘ When we are lost in the earth, shall we then become a new creation ?’ Nay! in the meeting of their Lord they disbelieve.

Say, ‘ The angel of death shall take you away, he who is given charge of you ; then unto your Lord shall ye be returned.’

And couldst thou see when the sinners hang down their heads before their Lord, ‘ O Lord ! we have seen and we have heard ; send us back then and we will do right. Verily, we are sure !’

Had we pleased we would have given to every-thing its guidance ; but the sentence was due from me ; — I will surely fill hell with the ginns and with men all together : ‘ So taste ye, for that ye forgat the meeting of this day of yours, — verily, we have forgotten you ! and taste ye the torment of eternity for that which ye have done !’

They only believe in our signs who when they are reminded of them fall down adoring and celebrate the praises of their Lord, and are not too big with pride. As their sides forsake their beds, they call upon their Lord with fear and hope ; and of what we have bestowed upon them do they give alms. No soul knows what is reserved for them of cheerfulness for eye, as a reward for that which they have done ! Is he who is a believer like him who is a sinner ? they shall not be held equal.

As for those who believe and do right, for them