What! has He taken daughters to Himself of what He Himself creates and chosen you to have sons? 16 And when there is announced unto any of them the birth of that which he likeneth unto the Compassionate, his countenance remaineth darkened the whole day and he is wroth inwardly. 17 What! that which is made in ornaments and which in contention is unable to make plain speech! 18 They claim that angels, who are Allah's chosen servants, are females. Did they witness how their body is constituted? Their testimony shall be written and they shall be called to account. 19 They say, 'Had the All-merciful so willed, we would not have served them.' They have no knowledge of that; they are only conjecturing. 20 Or have We given them any scripture before (this Qur'an) so that they are holding fast thereto? 21 Nay! they say: We found our fathers on a course, and surely we are guided by their footsteps. 22 Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps." 23 ۞ The Messengers would say, "Would you still follow in the footsteps of your fathers even if I was to bring you better guidance?" They would say, "We have no faith in your message". 24 So We took vengeance upon them, and see how the end was of those who lied. 25