۞ Permission to fight is granted to those who are attacked, because they have been wronged, God indeed has the power to help them, 39 they are those who have been driven out of their homes unjustly, only because they said, "Our Lord is God." If God did not repel the aggression of some people by means of others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of God is much invoked, would surely be destroyed. God will surely help him who helps His cause -- God is indeed powerful and mighty. 40 The people who, if We give them control in the land, would keep the prayer established and pay charity and enjoin virtue and forbid from evil; and for Allah only is the result of all works. 41 And if they reject you, then already before you did the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood reject (prophets). 42 as did the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot, 43 And the people of Madyan; and Moosa was belied, so I gave the disbelievers respite and then seized them, so how (dreadful) was My punishment! 44 How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built? 45 What, have they not journeyed in the land so that they have hearts to understand with or ears to hear with? It is not the eyes that are blind, but blind are the hearts within the breasts. 46 They want you to bring upon them their punishment without delay. God never disregards His promise. One day for God is equal to a thousand years for you. 47 And how many a town to which I gave respite while it was unjust, then I overtook it, and to Me is the return. 48