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blind ones (To and fro).
002.016 These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true
direction,
002.017 Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, God took away their light
and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.
002.018 Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).
002.019 Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: In it are zones of darkness, and thunder and
lightning: They press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of
death. But God is ever round the rejecters of Faith!
002.020 The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when
the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if God willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing;
for God hath power over all things.
002.021 O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have
the chance to learn righteousness;
002.022 Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and
brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto God when ye know (the truth).
002.023 And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like
thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides God, if your (doubts) are true.
002.024 But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared
for those who reject Faith.
002.025 But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which
rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for
they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).
002.026 God disdains not to use the similitude of things, lowest as well as highest. Those who believe know that it is
truth from their Lord; but those who reject Faith say: "What means God by this similitude?" By it He causes many to
stray, and many He leads into the right path; but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path).
002.027 Those who break God's Covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what God Has ordered to be joined, and
do mischief on earth: These cause loss (only) to themselves.
002.028 How can ye reject the faith in God?- seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause
you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.
002.029 It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens,
for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.
002.030 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein
one who will make mischief therein and shed blood whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?"
He said: "I know what ye know not."
002.031 And He taught Adam the nature of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell me the
nature of these if ye are right."
002.032 They said: "Glory to Thee, of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: In truth it is Thou Who
art perfect in knowledge and wisdom."
002.033 He said: "O Adam! Tell them their natures." When he had told them, God said: "Did I not tell you that I know
the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?"
002.034 And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and
was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.
002.035 We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where
and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."
002.036 Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had
been. We said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place
and your means of livelihood - for a time."
002.037 Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is