those they call upon are themselves seeking a means to come to their lord competing with each other to be nearer they hope for his mercy and fear his punishment. indeed the punishment of your lord is the subject of caution.
أولئك الذين يدعون يبتغون إلى ربهم الوسيلة أيهم أقرب ويرجون رحمته ويخافون عذابه إن عذاب ربك كان محذورا