Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/24

8 And when we said to the angels, ‘ Adore Adam ;’ and they adored, save Iblis, who said, ‘ Am I to adore one whom Thou hast created out of clay ?’

Said he, ‘ Dost thou see now ? this one whom Thou hast honoured above me, verily, if Thou shouldst respite me until the resurrection day, I will of a surety utterly destroy his seed except a few.’

Said He, ‘ Begone ! and whoso of them follows thee — verily, hell is your recompense, an ample recompense. Entice away whomsoever of them thou canst with thy voice; and bear down upon them with thy horse and with thy foot ; and share with them in their wealth and their children ; and promise them, — but Satan promises them naught but deceit. Verily, my servants, thou hast no authority over them ; thy Lord is guardian enough over them !’

It is your Lord who drives the ships for you in the sea that ye may seek after plenty from Him ; verily, He is ever merciful to you. And when distress touches you in the sea, those whom ye all on, except Him, stray away from you ; but when He has brought you safe to shore, ye turn away; for man is ever ungrateful.

Are ye sure that He will not cleave with you the side of the shore, or send against you a heavy sand-storm ? then ye will find no guardian for yourselves.

Or are ye sure that He will not send you back therein another time, and send against you a violent wind, and drown you for your misbelief ? then ye will find for yourselves no protector against us.