People pray as earnestly to gain evil as one should to gain virtue. But people are hasty. 11 We have made the day and night each as evidence (of Our existence). The night is invisible and the day is visible so that you may seek favors from your Lord and determine the number of years and mark the passing of time. For everything We have given a detailed explanation. 12 And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. 13 (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee." 14 Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). 15 But when [this has been done, and] it is Our will to destroy a community, We convey Our last warning to those of its people who have lost themselves entirely in the pursuit of pleasures; and [if] they [continue to] act sinfully, the sentence [of doom] passed on the community takes effect, and We break it to smithereens. 16 "How many generations have We laid low after Noah, for your Lord knows and notices well enough the sins of His creatures. 17 For whosoever desires this fleeting life We hasten for him whatever We will and to whom We want. Then, We have prepared Gehenna for him where he will be roasted, condemned and rejected. 18 But as for those who care for the [good of the] life to come, and strive for it as it ought to be striven for, and are [true] believers withal - they are the ones whose striving finds favour [with God]! 19 We help these and those, a gift from your Lord; and your Lord's gift is not restricted. 20 Behold, how We prefer some of them over others! And surely the world to come is greater in ranks, greater in preferment. 21 Set not up with Allah any other ilah (god), (O man)! (This verse is addressed to Prophet Muhammad SAW, but its implication is general to all mankind), or you will sit down reproved, forsaken (in the Hell-fire). 22