And who could be more wicked than he who attributes his own lying inventions to God or gives the lie to His messages? Verily, such evildoers will never attain to a happy state: 21 And on the day when We shall muster them all together, then We shall say unto those who associated other gods with God, 'Where are your associates whom you were asserting? 22 Then there will be no [excuse upon] examination except they will say, "By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who associated." 23 Behold how they lie against themselves, and how that which they were forging has gone astray from them! 24 And there are among them such as [seem to] listen to thee [O Prophet]: but over their hearts We have laid veils which prevent them from grasping the truth, and into their ears, deafness. And were they to see every sign [of the truth,] they would still not believe in it - so much so that when they come unto thee to contend with thee, those who are bent on denying the truth say: "This is nothing but fables of ancient times!" 25 And they prohibit others therefrom, and they withdraw therefrom, and they destroy not but their own souls while they perceive not. 26 And could you see when they are made to stand before the fire, then they shall say: Would that we were sent back, and we would not reject the communications of our Lord and we would be of the believers. 27 No; that which they were concealing before has now appeared to them; and even if they were returned, they would again commit the very thing they were prohibited; they are truly liars. 28 They say, "There is nothing beyond our life in this world: we shall not be raised up again from the dead." 29 If thou couldst see when they are stationed before their Lord! He will say, 'Is not this the truth?' They will say, 'Yes indeed, by our Lord!' He will say, 'Then taste the chastisement for your unbelief. 30