For when our distinct signs are recited to them, they say, “This is merely a man who would fain pervert you from your father’s Worship.”  And they say, “This (Koran) is no other than a forged falsehood.”  And the unbelievers say to the truth when it is presented to them, “Tis nothing but palpable sorcery.”

Yet have we given them no books in which to study deeply, nor have we sent any one to them before thee, charged with warnings.

They also flourished before them, treated our apostles as impostors in like sort:  but not to the tenth part of what we bestowed on them,6 have these attained.  And yet when they charged my apostles with deceit, how terrible was my vengeance: 

Say:  One thing in sooth do I advise you:-that ye stand up before God two and two, or singly,7 and then reflect that in your fellow citizen is no djinn:8 he is no other than your warner before a severe punishment.

Say:  I ask not any wage from you:  keep it for yourselves:  my wage is from God alone.  And He is witness over all things!

Say:  Truly my Lord sendeth forth the Truth:-Knower of things unseen!

Say:  Truth is come, and falsehood shall vanish and return no more.

Say:  If I err, verily to my own cost only shall I err:  but if I have guidance, it will be of my Lord’s revealing, for He is the Hearer, the near at hand.

Couldst thou see how they shall tremble and find no escape, and be taken forth from the place that is so near;9

And shall say, “We believe in Him!” But how, in their present distance, shall they receive the faith,

When they had before denied it, and aimed their shafts at the mysteries from afar?10

And a gulf shall be between them and that which they shall desire-

As was done unto their likes of old, who were lost in the questionings of doubt.

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1 In Arabia Felix, three days’ journey from Sanaa.

2 The Talmud mentions the worm Shameer, used by Solomon to cut the stones for building the temple.  Pirke Aboth. v.  See Buxt.  Lex.  Talmud, p. 2456.  Tr.  Gittin, fol. 68; and Midr.  Jalkut on 1 Kings, vi. 7.  This passage of Scripture may have suggested the idea that Solomon built, etc., by the aid of Spirits. 3 That is, in their difficult toils.

4 See M. Caussin de Perceval Hist. des Arabes, vol. iii., who, as well as M. de Sacy, fix this event in the second century of our era.

5 The Saba, of verse 14 formed an important branch of the trading population of Yemen.  This whole passage, 14-18, alludes to the cessation of traffic between them and Syria, which led to the desire to lengthen the stages and diminish the expense of the journey.  See Muir’s Life of Muhammad, i. p. cxxxix.  Muhammad attributes this desire to covetousness.

6 That is, of strength and material prosperity.

7 That is, so as to form a judgment free from the influence of others.