Has God chosen some of His own creatures as daughters for Himself and has given you the preference of having sons? 16 When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) what he sets up as a likeness to (Allah) Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief! 17 (As such they attribute to Allah) who is brought up among ornaments but when disputes arise are powerless. 18 And [yet] they claim that the angels - who in themselves are but beings created by the Most Gracious - are females: [but] did they witness their creation? This false claim of theirs will be recorded, and they will be called to account [for it on Judgment Day]! 19 They say, "If the All Merciful had so willed, we would not have worshipped them." They have no knowledge of that. They are only conjecturing. 20 Or have We given them some Book before this, to which they hold fast? 21 Rather they said, “We found our forefathers upon a religion, and we are following their footsteps.” 22 And in this wise We sent not before thee into any city a warner but the affluent thereof said: verily we! we found our fathers on a certain way and verily their footsteps we are following. 23 ۞ Each messenger said, "What if I should bring you better guidance than what you found your forefathers had?" They replied, "We reject any message you have been sent with!" 24 Wherefore We took revenge on them. Behold, then how hath been the end of the beliers? 25