Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
who fabricates a lie against Allah,
or denies His signs?
Indeed the guilty will not be felicitous.
18 They worship besides Allah
that which neither causes them any harm,
nor brings them any benefit,
and they say,
‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’
Say, ‘Will you inform Allah
about something He does not know
in the heavens or on the earth?’
Immaculate is He and exalted
above [having] any partners that they ascribe [to Him]!
19 Mankind were but a single [religious] community;
then they differed.
And were it not for a prior decree of your Lord,
decision would have been made between them
concerning that about which they differ.
20 They say,
‘Why has not some sign 1 been sent down to him
from his Lord?’
Say, ‘[The knowledge of]
the Unseen belongs only to Allah.
So wait.
I too am waiting along with you.’
21 When We let people taste [Our] mercy
after a distress that has befallen them,
behold, they scheme against Our signs!
1 That is, miracle.
