After destroying the people of the ancient towns We gave the Book to Moses to be a source of knowledge, a guidance, and mercy for mankind so that perhaps they would take heed. 43 You were not present on the western side of the Mount when We gave Our Command to Moses: nor were you among the witnesses, 44 We brought into being many generations who lived long lives, nor did you live among the people of Midian and recite our revelations to them, it is We who send messengers, 45 And neither wert thou present on the slope of Mount Sinai when We called out [to Moses]: but [thou, too, art sent] as an act of thy Sustainer's grace, to warn people to whom no warner has come before thee, so that they might bethink themselves [of Us]; 46 and not say, when evil befalls them on account of that which their hands forwarded: 'Our Lord, why did You not send a Messenger to us so that we might follow Your verses and so that we might be among the believers' 47 Yet when the truth came to them 'from Ourselves, they said, 'Why has he not been given the like' of that Moses was given?' But they, did they not disbelieve also in what Moses was given aforetime? They said, 'A pair of sorceries mutually supporting each other.' They said, 'We disbelieve both.' 48 Say to them, "Bring down from God a scripture that is a better guide than these two and I will follow it, if what you say be true." 49 If they do not answer you, know that they are only following their desires. And who is further astray than he who is led by his desires without guidance from Allah! Allah does not guide the harmdoers. 50