Give them ˹O Prophet˺ an example of two men. To ˹the disbelieving˺ one We gave two gardens of grapevines, which We surrounded with palm trees and placed ˹various˺ crops in between. (32) Each garden yielded ˹all˺ its produce, never falling short. And We caused a river to flow between them. (33) And he had other resources ˹as well˺. So he boasted to a ˹poor˺ companion of his, while conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and superior in manpower.” (34)

And he entered his property, while wronging his soul, saying, “I do not think this will ever perish, (35) nor do I think the Hour will ˹ever˺ come. And if in fact I am returned to my Lord, I will definitely get a far better outcome than ˹all˺ this.” (36)

His ˹believing˺ companion replied, while conversing with him, “Do you disbelieve in the One Who created you from dust, then ˹developed you˺ from a sperm-drop, then formed you into a man? (37) But as for me: He is Allah, my Lord, and I will never associate anyone with my Lord ˹in worship˺. (38) If only you had said, upon entering your property, ‘This is what Allah has willed! There is no power except with Allah!’ Even though you see me inferior to you in wealth and offspring, (39) perhaps my Lord will grant me ˹something˺ better than your garden, and send down upon your garden a thunderbolt from the sky, turning it into a barren waste. (40) Or its water may sink ˹into the earth˺, and then you will never be able to seek it out.” (41)

And so all his produce was ˹totally˺ ruined, so he started to wring his hands for all he had spent on it, while it had collapsed on its trellises. He cried, “Alas! I wish I had never associated anyone with my Lord ˹in worship˺!” (42) And he had no manpower to help him against Allah, nor could he ˹even˺ help himself. (43) At this time, support comes ˹only˺ from Allah—the True ˹Lord˺. He is best in reward and best in outcome. (44)