The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

170
The Quran 16: 62
forward. 62 They attribute to God what they themselves dislike while
their own tongues utter the lie that the best a belongs to them. Without
doubt it is the Fire that belongs to them: they will be given
priority there! b
63 By God, c We have sent messengers before you [Muhammad] to
other communities, but Satan made their foul deeds seem alluring
to them. He is the patron of these present disbelievers d too, and
a painful punishment awaits them all. 64 We have sent down the
Scripture to you only to make clear to them what they differ about,
and as guidance and mercy to those who believe.
65 It is God who sends water down from the sky and with it revives
the earth when it is dead. There truly is a sign in this for people who
listen. 66 In livestock, too, you have a lesson – We give you a drink
from the contents of their bellies, between waste matter and blood,
pure milk, sweet to the drinker. 67 From the fruits of date palms and
grapes you take sweet juice e and wholesome provisions. There truly
is a sign in this for people who use their reason. 68 And your Lord
inspired the bee, saying, ‘Build yourselves houses in the mountains
and trees and what people construct. 69 Then feed on all kinds
of fruit and follow the ways made easy for you by your Lord.’
From their bellies comes a drink of different colours in which
there is healing for people. There truly is a sign in this for those
who think.
70 It is God who has created you and in time will cause you to die.
Some of you will be reduced, in old age, to a most abject state, so
that, after having knowledge, they will know nothing at all: God is
truly all knowing and all powerful. 71 God has given some of you
more provision than others. Those who have been given more are
unwilling to pass their provision on to the slaves they possess so that
they become their equals. How can they refuse to acknowledge
God’s blessings? 72 And it is God who has given you spouses from
amongst yourselves and through them He has given you children
and grandchildren and provided you with good things. How can they
a i.e. sons.
b This meaning of farata is supported by Razi.
c The disbelievers used to swear by their idols, so here God swears by Himself.
d This refers to the disbelievers of Mecca.
e The Arabic word sakar means ‘wine’, ‘juice’, or ‘vinegar’ (al-Mujam al-Wasit).