Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I pray unto Allah only, and ascribe unto Him no partner. 20 Say: "Neither is your loss within my power nor bringing you to guidance." 21 Say, "No one can protect me from God, nor can I find any place of refuge but with him. 22 excepting a Deliverance from God and His Messages. And whoso rebels against God and His messenger, for him there awaits the Fire of Gehenna; therein they shall dwell forever.' 23 Till, when they see that which they are promised, then they will know who it is that is weaker concerning helpers and less important concerning numbers. 24 Say thou: I know not whether that which ye are promised is nigh, or whether my Lord hath appointed for it a distant term. 25 He knows the unseen and He does not allow anyone to know His secrets except those of His Messengers whom He chooses. 26 Other than an apostle He has chosen, when He makes a sentinel walk in front of him and a sentinel behind, 27 [He (Allah) protects them (the Messengers)], till He sees that they (the Messengers) have conveyed the Messages of their Lord (Allah). And He (Allah) surrounds all that which is with them, and He (Allah) keeps count of all things (i.e. He knows the exact number of everything). 28