2. The Cow

Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in what has been revealed to you, O Muhammad, and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain in faith. Those are upon right guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.

Indeed, those who disbelieve - it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them - they will not believe. Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil.

And for them is a great punishment. And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. They think to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not. In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they habitually used to lie. And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers.

Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive it not. And when it is said to them, "Believe as the people have believed," they say, "Should we believe as the foolish have believed?" Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know it not. And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."

But Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression while they wander blindly. Those are the ones who have purchased error in exchange for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided. Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness so they could not see. Deaf, dumb and blind - so they will not return to the right path. Or it is like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights the way for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand still. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.