And We have placed a barrier in front of them and a barrier behind them, and (thus) they are encircled by Us; so they do not see.

It is all equal for them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.

You can (usefully) warn only the one who follows the advice and fears the RaHmān (the All-Merciful Allah) without seeing (Him). So give him the good news of forgiveness and of a noble reward.

Surely We will give new life to the dead, and We are recording whatever (deeds) they send before them and whatever effects they leave behind. Every thing is fully computed by Us in a manifest book of record.

Cite to them the example of the People of the Town, when the messengers came to it,

when We sent to them two (apostles), and they rejected both of them, so We confirmed them with a third one. So they said, “We are sent to you.”

They (the people of the Town) said, “You are no more than human beings like us, and the RaHmān (the All-Merciful Allah) has not sent down any thing. You are but telling a lie.”

They (the messengers) said, “Our Lord knows that we are undoubtedly sent to you.

Our obligation is no more than to convey the message clearly.”

They (the People of the Town) said, “We take you as a bad omen for us. If you do not desist, we will certainly stone you and you will be afflicted by a painful punishment from us.”

They said, “Your bad omen is with yourselves. (Do you take it as bad omen) if you are given a good counsel? Rather, you are a people who cross all limits.”

And there came a man rushing from the farthest part of the city. He said, “O my people, follow the messengers.

Follow those who do not claim any reward from you, and who are on the right path.

What excuse do I have if I do not worship the One who has created me and to whom you will be returned?

Shall I adopt those gods besides Him whose intercession, if RaHmān (the All-Merciful Allah) intends to do harm to me, cannot help me in the least, nor can they come to my rescue?

In that case, I will be in open error indeed.