Translation:
If indeed you ask them who it is that created 4299 the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, "(Allah)". Say: "Seest you then? the things that you invoke besides Allah,- can they, if Allah wills some Penalty for me, remove His Penalty?- Or if He wills some Grace for me, can they keep back 4300 his Grace?" Say: "Sufficient is Allah for me! In Him trust those who put their trust." 4301
If indeed you ask them who it is that created 4299 the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, "(Allah)". Say: "Seest you then? the things that you invoke besides Allah,- can they, if Allah wills some Penalty for me, remove His Penalty?- Or if He wills some Grace for me, can they keep back 4300 his Grace?" Say: "Sufficient is Allah for me! In Him trust those who put their trust." 4301
Translation:
And thus it is [with most people]: if 40 thou ask them, “Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?” - they will surely answer, “God.” 41 Say: “Have you, then, ever considered what it is that you invoke instead of God? If God wills that harm should befall me, could those [imaginary powers] remove the harm inflicted by Him? Or, if He wills that grace should alight on me, could they withhold His grace [from me]?” Say: “God is enough for me! In Him [alone] place their trust all who have trust [in His existence].”
And thus it is [with most people]: if 40 thou ask them, “Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?” - they will surely answer, “God.” 41 Say: “Have you, then, ever considered what it is that you invoke instead of God? If God wills that harm should befall me, could those [imaginary powers] remove the harm inflicted by Him? Or, if He wills that grace should alight on me, could they withhold His grace [from me]?” Say: “God is enough for me! In Him [alone] place their trust all who have trust [in His existence].”
Commentary:
40 For this rendering of la’in, see surah 11 note 11.
41 See note 23 on 31:25.
40 For this rendering of la’in, see surah 11 note 11.
41 See note 23 on 31:25.
4299 Cf. 29:61; also n. 2927 to 23:85. Most worshippers of false gods are neither atheists nor sceptics. They admit the existence of Allah as an abstract proposition, but it has not come into their hearts and souls: it has not been translated into their lives. They run after false worship on account of ancestral custom or on account of their thoughtlessness or false environment, or on account of their own selfish desires or limited outlook. To them is addressed the argument: 'Ultimately your false gods can do nothing for you: why not turn to the One True God, on Whom you depend, and Who can give you Grace and Mercy, Justice and Punishment?'
4300 Cf. 33:17.
4301 Cf. 12:67, and 14:12 . Allah alone is He Who will and can discharge any trust put in Him. All other things will fail. Therefore those who put their trust in anything should put their trust in Allah.