The Koran
Translated from the Arabic by J. M. Rodwell, M.A.,
1861
(Everyman's Library, Dutton: New York, 1971 edition)

Sura I
(Mecca -- 7 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds!
King of the day of religion!
Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help.
Guide Thou us on the straight path,
The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious; -- with whom thou art not angry, and who go not astray.

Sura II
The Cow
(Medina -- 286 Verses)
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Elif. Lam. Mim.
No doubt is there about that Book: It is a guidance to the God-fearing.
Who believe in the unseen, who observe prayer, and out of what we have bestowed on them, expend for God;
And who believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath been sent down before thee, and full faith have they in the life to come:
These are guided by their Lord; and with these it shall be well.
As to the infidels, alike is it to them whether thou warn them or warn them not -- they will not believe:
Their hearts and their ears hath God sealed up; and over their eyes is a covering. For them, a severe chastisement!
And some there are who say, "We believe in God, and in the latter day:" Yet are they not believers!
Fain would they deceive God and those who have believed; but they deceive themselves only, and know it not.
Diseased are their hearts! And that disease hath God increased to them. Their's a sore chastisement, for that they treated their prophet as a liar!
2:10 And when it is said to them, "Cause not disorders in the earth:" they say, "Nay, rather do we set them right."
Is it not that they are themselves the authors of disorder? But they perceive it not!
And when it is said to them, "Believe as other men have believed;" they say, "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?" Is it not that they are themselves the fools? But they know it not!
And when they meet the faithful they say, "We believe;" but when they are apart with their Satans they say, "Verily we hold with you, and at them we only mock."
God shall mock at them, and keep them long in their rebellion, wandering in perplexity.
These are they who have purchased error at the price of guidance: but their traffic hath not been gainful, neither are they guided at all.
They are like one who kindleth a fire, and when it hath thrown its light on all around him. . . . God taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness -- they cannot see! --
Deaf, dumb, blind: therefore they shall not retrace their steps from error!
Or like those who, when there cometh a storm-cloud out of the Heaven, big with darkness thunder and lightning, thrust their fingers into their ears because of the thunder-clap, for fear of death! God is round about the infidels.
The lightning almost snatcheth away their eyes! So oft as it gleameth on them they walk on in it, but when darkness closeth upon them, they stop! And if God pealed, of their ears and of their eyes would he surely deprive them: -- verily God is Almighty! O men of Mecca adore your Lord, who hath created you and those who were before you: haply you will fear Him
2:20 Who had made the earth a bed for you, and the heaven a covering, and hath caused water to come down from heaven, and by it hath brought forth fruits for your sustenance! Do not then wittingly give peers to God.
And if you be in doubt as to that which we have sent down to our servant, then produce a Sura like it, and summon your witnesses, beside God, if you are men of truth:
But if you do it not, and never shall you do it, then fear the fire prepared for the infidels, whose fuel is men and stones:
But announce to those who believe and do the things that are right, that for them are gardens 'neath which the rivers flow! So oft as they are fed therefrom with fruit for sustenance, they say say, "This same was our sustenance of old:" And they shall have its like given to them. Therein shall they have wives of perfect purity, and therein shall they abide for ever.
Verily God is not ashamed to set forth as well the instance of a gnat as of any nobler object: for as to those who have believed, they know it to be the truth from their Lord; but as to the unbelievers, they will say, "What meaneth God by this comparison?" Many will He mislead by such parables and many guide: but none will He mislead thereby except the wicked,
Who, after its establishment, violate the covenant of God, and but in sunder what God hath bidden to be joined, and act disorderly on the Earth. These are they who shall suffer loss!
How can you withhold faith from God? You were dead and He gave you life; next He will cause you to die; next He will restore you to life: next shall you return to Him!
He it is who created for you all that is on Earth, then proceeded to the Heaven, and into seven Heavens did He fashion in: and He knoweth all things.
When thy Lord said to the angels, "Verily, I am about to place one in my stead on earth," they said, "Wilt thou place there one who will do ill therein and shed blood, when we celebrate thy praise and extol thy holiness?" God said, "Verily, I know what you know not."
And he taught Adam the names of all things, and then set them before the angels, and said, "Tell me the names of these, if you are endued with wisdom."
2:30 They said, "Praise be to Thee! We have no knowledge but what Thou hast given us to know. Thou! Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.!
He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did I not say to you that I know the hidden things of the Heavens and of the Earth, and that I know what you bring to light, and what you hide?"
And when we said to the angels, "Bow down and worship Adam," then worshipped they all, save Eblis. He refused and swelled with pride, and became one of the unbelievers.
And we said, "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat you plentifully therefrom wherever you list; but to this tree come not nigh, lest you become of the transgressors."
But Satan made them slip from it, and caused their banishment from the place in which they were. And we said, "Get you down, the one of you an enemy to the other: and there shall be for you in the earth a dwelling-place, and a provision for a time."
And words of prayer learned Adam from his Lord: and God turned to him; for He loveth to turn, the Merciful.
We said, "Get you down from it, all together: and if Guidance shall come to you from me, whoso shall follow my guidance, on them shall come no fear, neither shall they be grieved:
But they who shall not believe, and treat our signs as falsehoods, these shall be inmates of the fires; in it shall they remain for ever."
O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I shewed favour upon you, and be true to your covenant with me; I will be true to my covenant with you; me therefore, revere me! and believe in what I have sent down confirming your Scriptures, and be not the first to disbelieve it, neither for a mean price barter my signs: me therefore, fear you me!
And clothe not the truth with falsehood, and hide not the truth when you know it:
2:40 And observe prayer and pay the legal impost, and bow down with those who bow.
Will you enjoin what is right upon others, and forget yourselves? Yet you read the Book: will you not understand?
And seek help with patience and prayer: a hard duty indeed is this, but not to the humble, Who bear in mind that they shall meet their Lord, and that unto Him shall they return.
O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I shewed favour upon you; for verily to you above all human beings have I been bounteous.
And fear you the day when soul shall not satisfy for soul at all, nor shall any intercession be accepted from them, nor shall any ransom be taken, neither shall they be helped.
And remember when we rescued you for the people of Pharoah, who had laid on you a cruel chastisement. They slew your male children, and let only your females live: and in this was a great trial from your Lord:
And when we parted the sea for you, and saved you, and drowned the people of Pharoah, while you were looking on:
And when we were in treaty with Moses forty nights: then during his absence took you the calf and acted wickedly:
Yet after this we forgave you, that you might be grateful:
2:50 And when we gave Moses the Book and the Illumination in order to your guidance:
And remember when Moses said to his people, "O my people! verily you have sinned to your own hurt, by your taking the calf to worship it: Be turned then to your creator, and slay the guilty among you; this will be best for you with your creator:" Then turned He unto you, for He is the one who turneth, the Merciful:
And when you said, "O Moses! we will not believe thee until we see God plainly;" the thunderbolt fell upon you while you were looking on:
Then we raised you to life after you had been dead, that haply you might give thanks:
And we caused the clouds to overshadow you, and we sent down manna and quails upon you; -- "Eat of the good things we have give you for sustenance;" -- and they injured not us but they injured themselves.
And when we said, "Enter this city, and eat therefrom plentifully at your will, and enter the gate with prostrations, and say, 'Forgiveness;' and we will pardon you your sins, and give an increase to the doers of good:" --
But the evil-doers changed that word into another than that spoken to them, and we sent down upon those evil-doers wrath from heaven, for that they had done amiss:
And when Moses asked drink for his people, we said, "Strike the rock with thy rod;" and from it there gushed twelve fountains" each tribe knew their drinking-place; -- "Eat and drink," said we, "of what God hath supplied, and do no wrong on the earth by licentious deeds:"
And when you said, "O Moses! we will not put up with one sort of food: pray, therefore, thy Lord for us, that He would bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth, its herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions:" He said, "What! will you exchange that which is worse for what is better? Get you down into Egypt; -- for you shall have what you have asked:" Vileness and poverty were stamped upon them, and they returned with wrath from God: This, for that they disbelieved the signs of God, and slew the Prophets unjustly: this, for that they rebelled and transgressed!
Verily, they were believe (Muslims), and they who follow the Jewish religion, and the Christians, and the Sabeites -- whoever of these believeth in God and the last day, and doeth that which is right, shall have their reward with their Lord: fear shall not come upon them, neither shall they be grieved.
2:60 Call to mind also when we entered into a covenant with you, and lifted up the mountain over you: -- "Take hold," said we, "on what we have revealed to you, with resolution, and remember what is therein, that you may fear:"
But after this you turned back, and but for God's grace and mercy toward you, you had surely been of the lost! You know too those of you who transgressed on the Sabbath and to whom we said, "Be changed into scouted apes;"
And we made them a warning to those of their day, and to those who came after them, and a caution to the God-fearing:
And when Moses said to his people, "Verily, God bids you sacrifice a cow; they said, "Makest thou a jest of us?" He said, "God keep me from being one of the foolish." They said, "Call on thy Lord for us that He would make plain to us what she is." He said, "God saith, 'She is a cow neither old nor young, but of the middle age -- between the two:' do therefore what you are bidden."
They said, "Call on your Lord for us, that he would make plain to us what is her colour." He said, "God saith, 'She is a fawn-coloured cow; her colour is very bright; she rejoiceth the beholders.'"
They said, "Call on they [sic] Lord for us that He would make plain to us what cow it is -- for to us are cows alike, -- and verily, if God please, we shall be guided rightly;"
He said, "God saith, 'She is a cow not worn by ploughing the earth or watering the field, sound, no blemish in her.'" They said, "Now hast thou brought the truth:" Then they sacrificed her; Yet nearly had they done it not:
And when you slew a man, and strove among yourselves about hiom, God brought to light what he had hidden:
For we said, "Strike the corpse with part of her." So God giveth life to the dead, and sheweth you his signs, that haply you may understand.
Then after that your hearts became hard like rocks, or harder still; for verily, from rocks have rivers gushed; others, verily, have been cleft, and water hath issued from them; and others, verily, have sunk down through fear of God: And God is not regardless of your actions.
2:70 Desire you then that for your sakes the Jews should believe? Yet a part of them heard the word of God, and then, after they had understood it; perverted, and knew that they did so.
And when they fall in with the faithful, they say, "We believe;" but when they are apart one with another, they say, "Will you acquaint them with what God hath revealed to you, that they may dispute with you about it in the presence of your Lord?" Understand you their aim?
Know they not that God knoweth what they hide, as well as what they bring to light?
But there are illiterates among them who are unacquainted with the Book, but with lies only, and have but vague fancies. Woe to those who with their own hands transcribe the Book corruptly, and then say, "This is from God," that they may sell it for some mean price! Woe then to them for that which their hands have written! and, Woe to them for the gains which they have made!
And they said, "Hell fire shall not touch us, but for a few days:" Say: Have you received such a promise from God? for God will not revoke his promise: or, Speak you of God that which you know not?
But they whose only gains are evil works, and who are environed by their sins, -- they shall be inmates of the fire, therein to abide for ever:
But they who have believed and done the things that be right, they shall be the inmates of Paradise, -- therein to abide for ever.
And when we entered into covenant with the children of Israel, we said, "Worship none but God, and be good to your parents and kindred, and to orphans, and to the poor, and speak with men what is right, and observe prayer, and pay the stated alms." Then turned you away, except a few of you, and withdrew afar off.
And when we made a covenant with you that you should not shed your own blood, nor expel one another from your abodes, then you ratified it and yourselves were witnesses.
Then were you the very persons who slew one another; and you drove out a part of your own people from their abodes; you lent help against them with wrong and hatred; but if they come captives to you, you redeem them!
-- Yet it was forbidden you to drive them out. Believe you then part of the Book, and deny part? But what shall be the meed of him among you who doth this, but shame in this life? And on the day of the Resurrection they shall be sent to the most cruel of torments, for God is not regardless of what you do.
2:80 These are they who purchase this present life at the price of that which is to come; their torment shall not be lightened, neither shall they be helped.
Moreover, to Moses gave we "the Book," and we raised up apostles after him; and to Jesus, son of Mary, gave we clear proofs of his mission, and strengthened him by the Holy Spirit. So oft then as an apostle cometh to you with that which your souls desire not, swell you with pride, and treat some as impostors, and slay others?
And they say, "Uncircumcised are our hearts." Nay! God hath cursed them in their infideility: few are they who believe!
And when a Book had come to them from God, confirming that which they had received already -- although they had before prayed for victory over those who believed not -- yet when that Koran come to them, of which they had knowledge, they did not recognise it. The curse of God on the infidels!
For a vile price have they sold themselves, by not believing what God hath sent down, envious of God's sending down his grace on such of his servants as he pleaseth: and they have brought on themselves wrath upon wrath. And for the unbelievers is a disgraceful chastisement.
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what God hath sent down," they say, "In that which hath been sent down to us we believe:" but what hath since been sent down they disbelieve, although it be the truth confirmatory of their own Scriptures. Say: Why then have you of old slain God's prophets, if you are indeed believers?
Moreover, Moses came unto you with proofs of his mission. Then in his absence you took the calf for your God, and did wickedly.
And when we accepted your covenant, and uplifted the mountain over you, we said, "Take firm hold on what we have given you, and hearken." They said, "We have hearkened and have rebelled:" then were they made to drink down the calf into their hearts for their ingratitude. Say: A bad thing hath your faith commanded you, if you be indeed believers.
Say: If the future dwelling place with God be specially for you, but not for the rest of mankind, then wish for death, if you are sincere:
But never can they wish it, because of that which their own hands have sent on before them! And God knoweth the offenders.
2:90 And thou wilt surely find them of all men most covetous of life, beyond even the polytheists. To be kept alive a thousand years might one of them desire: but that he may be preserved alive, shall no one reprieve himself from the punishment! And God seeth what they do.
Say: Whoso is the enemy of Gabriel -- For he it is who by God's leave hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart, the confirmation of previous revelations, and guidance, and good tidings to the faithful --
Whoso is an enemy to God or his angels, or to Gabriel, or to Michael, shall have God as his enemy: for verily God is an enemy to the Infidels.
Moreover, clear signs have we sent down to thee, and one will disbelieve them but the perverse.
Oft as they have formed an engagement with thee, will some of them set it aside? But most of them believe not.
And when there came to them an apostle from God, affirming the previous revelations made to them, some of those to whom the Scriptures were given, threw the Book of God behind their backs as if they knew it not:
And they followed what the Satans read in the reign of Solomon: not that Solomon was unbelieving, but the Satans were unbelieving. Sorcery did they teach to men, and what had been revealed to the two angels, Harut and Marut, at Babel. Yet no man did these two teach until they had said "We are only a temptation. Be not then an unbeliever." From these two did men learn how to cause divisions between man and wife: but unless by leave of God, no man did they harm thereby. They learned, indeed, what would harm and not profit them; and yet they knew that he who bought that art should have no part in the life to come! And vile the price for which they have sold themselves, -- if they had but known it!
But had they believed and feared God, better surely would have been the reward from God, -- if they had but known it!
O you who believe! say not to our apostle, "Raina" (Look at us); but say, "Ondhorna" (Regard us). And attend to this; for, the Infidels shall suffer a grievous chastisement.
The unbelievers among the people of the Book, and among the dilators, desire not that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord: but God will shew His special mercy to whom He will, for He is of great bounty.
2:100 Whatever verses we cancel, or cause thee to forget, we bring a better or its like. Knowest thou not that God hath power over all things?
Knowest thou not that the dominion of the Heavens and of the Earth is God's? and that you have neither patron nor helper, save God?
Would you ask of your apostle what of old was asked of Moses? But he who exchangeth faith for unbelief, hath already erred from the even way.
Many of the people of the Book desire to bring you back to unbelief after you have believed, out of selfish envy, even after the truth hath been clearly shown them. But forgive them, and shun them till God shall come in with His working. Truly God hath power over all things.
And observe prayers and pay the legal impost: and whatever good thing you have sent on before for your soul's sake, you shall find it with God. Verily God seeth what you do.
And they say, "None but Jews or Christians shall enter Paradise:" This is their wish,. Say: Give your proofs if you speak the truth.
But they who set their race with resignation Godward, and do what is right, -- their reward is with their Lord; no fear shall come on them, neither shall they be grieved.
Moveover, the Jews say, "The Christians lean on nought:" "On nought lean the Jews," say the Christians: Yet both are readers of the Book. So with like words say they who have no knowledge. But on the resurrection day, God shall judge between them as to that in which they differ.
And who committeth a greater wrong than he who hindereth God's name from being remember in his temples, and who hasteth to ruin them? such men cannot enter them but with fear. Their's is shame in this world, and a severe torment in the next.
The East and the West is God's: therefore, whichever way you turn, there is the face of God: Truly God is immense and knoweth all.
2:110 And they say, "God hath a son:" No! Praise be to Him! But -- His, whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth! All obeyeth Him,
Sole maker of the Heavens and the Earth! And when He decreeth a thing, He only saith to it, "Be," and it is.
And they who have no knowledge say, "Unless God speak to us, or thou shew us a sign ...!" So, with like words, said those who were before them: their hearts are alike: Clear signs have we already shewn for those who have firm faith:
Verily, with the Truth have we sent thee, a bearer of good tidings and a warner: and of the people of Hell thou shalt not be questioned.
But until thou follow their religion, neither Jews nor Christians will be satisfied with thee. Say: Verily, guidance of God, -- that is the guidance! And if, after "the Knowledge" which hath reached thee, thou follow their desires, thou shalt find neither helper nor protector against God.
They to whom we have given the Book, and who read it as it ought to be read, -- these believe therein: but whoso believeth not therein, shall meet with perdition.
O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I have favoured you, and that high above all mankind have I raised you:
And dread the day when not in aught shall soul satisfy for soul, nor shall any ransom be taken from it, nor shall any intercession avail, and they shall not be helped.
When his Lord made trial of Abraham by commands which he fulfilled, He said, "I am about to make thee an Imam to mankind:" he said, "Of my offspring also:" "My covenant," said God, "embraceth not the evil doers."
And remember when we appointed the Holy House as man's resort and safe retreat, and said, "Take you the station of Abraham for a place of prayer:" And we commanded Abraham and Ismael, "Purify my house for those who shall go in procession round it, and those who shall abide there for devotion, and those who shall bow down and prostrate themselves."
120 And when Abraham said, "Lord! make this secure land, and supply its people with fruits, such of them as believe in God and in the last day:" He said, "And whoso believeth not, for a little while will I bestow good things on him; then will I drive him to the torment of the Fire!" An ill passage!
And when Abraham, with Ismael, raised the foundations of the House, they said, "O our Lord! accept it from us; for thou art the Hearer, the Knower.
O our Lord! make us also Muslims, and our posterity a Muslim people; and teach us our holy rites, and be turned towards us, for thou art He who turneth, the Merciful.
O our Lord! raise up among them an apostle who may rehearse thy signs unto them, and teach them the 'Book,' and Wisdom, and purify them: for thou art the Mighty, the Wise."
And who but he that hath debased his soul to folly will mislike the faith of Abraham, when we have chosen him in this world, and in the the world to come he shall be of the Just?
When his Lord said to him, "Resign thyself to me," he said, "I resign myself to the Lord of the Worlds."
And this to this children did Abraham bequeath, and Jacob also, saying, "O my children! truly God hath chosen a religion for you; so die not unless you be also Muslims."
Were you present when Jacob was at the point of death? when he said to his sons, "Whom will you worship when I am gone?" They said, "We will worship thy God and the God of thy fathers Abraham and Ismael and Isaac, one God, and to Him are we surrendered (Muslims)."
That people have now passed away; they have the reward of their deeds, and you shall have the meed of yours: but of their doings you shall not be questioned.
They say, moreover, "Become Jews or Christians that you may have the true guidance." Say: Nay! the religion of Abraham, the sound in faith, and not one of those who join gods with God!
2:130 Say you: "We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down to us, and that which hath been sent down to Abraham and Ismael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes: and that which hath been given to Moses and to Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord. No difference do we make between any of them: and to God are we resigned (Muslims)."
If therefore they believe even as you believe, then have they true guidance; but if they turn back, then do they cut themselves off from you: and God will suffice to protect thee against them, for He is the Hearer, the Knower.
Islam is the Baptism of God, and who is better to baptise than God? And Him do we serve.
Say: Will you dispute with us about God? when He is our Lord and your Lord! We have our works and you have your works; and we are sincerely His.
Will you say, "Verily Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, were Jews or Christians?" Say: Who knoweth best, you, or God? And who is more in fault than he who concealeth the witness which he hath from God? But God is not regardless of what you do.
That people have now passed away: they have the reward of their deeds, and for you is the meed of yours; but of their doings you shall not be questioned.
The foolish ones will say, "What hath turned them from the kebla which they used?" Say: The East and the West are God's He guided whom he will into the right path.
Thus have we made you a middle kingdom, that you may be witnesses in regard to mankind, and that the apostle may be a witness in regard to you.
We appointed the kebla which thou formerly hadst, only that we might know him who followeth the apostle, from him who turneth on his heels: The change is a difficulty, but not to those whom God hath guided. But God will not let your faith be fruitless; for unto man is God Merciful, Gracious.
We have seen thee turning thy face towards every part of Heaven; but we will have thee turn to a kebla which shall please thee. Turn then thy face towards the sacred Mosque, and wherever you be, turn your faces towards that part. They, verily, to whom "the Book" hath been given, know this to be the truth from their Lord: and God is not regardless of what you do.
2:140 Even thou thou shouldst bring every kind of sign to those who have received the Scriptures, yet thy kebla they will not adopt; nor shalt thou adopt their kebla; nor will one part of them adopt the kebla of the other. And if, after the knowledge which hath come to thee, thou follow their wishes, verily then will thou become of the unrighteous.
They to whom we have given the Scriptures know him -- the apostle -- even as they know their own children: but truly a part of them do conceal the truth, though acquainted with it.
The truth is from thy Lord. Be not then of those who doubt.
All have a quarter of the Heavens to which they turn them; but wherever you be, hasten emulously after good: God will one day bring you all together; verily, God is all-powerful.
And from whatever place thou comest forth, turn thy face toward the sacred Mosque; for this is the truth from thy Lord; and God is not inattentive to your doings.
And from whatever place thou comest forth, turn thy face toward the sacred Mosque; and wherever you be, to that part turn your faces, lest men have cause of dispute against you: but as for the impious among them, fear them not; but fear me, that I may perfect my favours on you, and that you may be guided aright.
And we sent to you an apostle from among yourselves to rehearse our signs unto you, and to purify you, and to instruct you in "the Book," and in the wisdom, and to teach you that which you knew not:
Therefore remember me: I will remember you; and give me thanks and be not ungrateful.
O you who believe! seek help with patience and with prayer, for God is with the patient.
And say not of those who are slain on God's path that they are Dead; nay they are Living! But you understand not.
2:150 With somewhat of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, and lives, and fruits, will we surely prove you: but bear good tidings to the patient,
Who when a mischance chanceth them, say, "Verily we are God's, and to Him shall we return:"
On them shall be blessings from their Lord, and mercy: and these! -- they are rightly guided.
Verily, Safe and Marwah are among the monuments of God: whoever then maketh a pilgrimage to the temple, or visiteth it, shall not be to blame if he go round about them both. And as for him who of his own accord doeth what is good -- God is Grateful, Knowing.
They who conceal aught that we have sent down, either of clear proof or of guidance, after what we have so clearly shewn to men in the Book, God shall curse them, and they who curse shall curse them.
But as for those who turn to me, and amend and make known the truth, even unto them will I turn me, for I am He who Turneth, the Merciful.
Verily, they who are infidels and die infidels -- these! upon them shall be the malison of God and of angels and of all men:
Under it shall they remain for ever: their torment shall not be lightened, and God will not even look upon them!
Your God is one God: there is no God but He, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Assuredly in the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth; and in the alternation of night and day; and in the ships which pass through the sea with what is useful to men; and in the rain which God sendeth down from Heaven, giving life by it to the earth after its death, and by scattering over it all kinds of cattle; and in the change of the winds, and in the clouds that are made to do serve between the Heaven and the Earth; -- are signs for those who understand.
2:160 Yet there are men who take to them idols along with God, and love them with the love of God: But stronger in the faithful is the love of God. Oh! the impious will see, when they see their chastisement, that all power is God's, and that God is severe in chastising.
When those who have had followers shall declare themselves clear from their followers after that they have seen the chastisement, and when the ties between them shall be cut asunder;
The followers shall say, "Could we but return to life we would keep ourselves clear from them, as they have declared themselves clear of us." So will God shew them their works! Sighing is upon them! but, forth from the fire they come not.
Oh men! eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, but follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your avowed enemy:
He only enjoineth you evil and wickedness, and that you should aver of God that which you know not.
And when it is said to them, "Follow you that which God hath sent down:" they say, "Nay, we follow the usages which we found with our fathers." What! though their fathers were utterly ignorant and devoid of guidance?
The infidels resemble him who shouteth aloud to one who heareth no more than a call and cry! Deaf, dumb, blind: therefore they have no understanding.
O you who believe! eat of the good things with which we have supplied you, and give God thanks if you are His worshippers.
But that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that over which any other name than that of God hath been invoked, is forbidden you. But he who shall partake of them by constraint, without lust of wilfulness, no sin shall be upon him. Verily God is Indulgent, Merciful.
They truly who hide the Scriptures which God hath sent down, and barter them for a mean price -- these shall swallow into their bellies nought by fire. God will not speak to them, or assail them, on the day of the Resurrection: and theirs shall be a grievous torment.
2:170 These are they who have bartered guidance for error, and pardon for torment; But how great their endurance in fire!
This shall be their doom, because God had sent down "the Book" with the very truth. And verily they who dispute about that Book are in a far-gone severance from it.
There is no piety in turning your faces toward the east or the west, but he is pious who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the Scriptures, and the prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred, and to the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and for ransoming; who observeth prayer, and payeth the legal alms, and who is of those who are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them, and patient under ills and hardships, and in time of trouble: these are they who are just, and these are they who fear the Lord.
O believers! retaliation for bloodshedding is prescribed to you: the free man for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman: but he to whom his brother shall make any remission, is to be dealt with equitably; and to him should he pay a fine with liberality.
This is a relaxation from your Lord and a mercy. For him who after this shall transgress, a sore punishment!
But in this law of retaliation is your security for life, O men of understanding! to the intent that you may fear God.
It is prescribed to you, when any one of you is at the point of death, if he leave goods, that he bequeath equitably to his parents and kindred. This is binding on those who fear God. But as for him who after he hath heard the bequest shall change it, surely the wrong of this shall be on those who change it: verily, God Heareth, Knoweth.
But he who feareth from the testator any mistake or wrong, and shall make a settlement between the parties -- that shall be no wrong in him: verily, God is Lenient, Merciful.
O believers! a Fast is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may fear God.
2:180 For certain days. But he among you who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast that same number of other days: and as for those who are able to keep it and yet break it, the expiation of this shall be the maintenance of a poor man. And he who of his own accord performeth a good work, shall derive good from it: and good shall it be for you to fast -- if you knew it.
As to the month Ramadhan in which the Koran was sent down to be man's guidance, and an explanation of that guidance, and of that illumination, as soon as any one of you observeth the moon, let him set about the fast; but he who is sick, or upon a journey, shall fast a like number of other days. God wisheth you ease, but wisheth not your discomfort, and that you fulfil the number of days, and that you glorify God for his guidance, and that you be thankful.
And when my servants ask thee concerning me, then will I be nigh unto them. I will answer the cry of him that crieth, when he crieth unto me: but let them hearken unto me, and believe in me, that they may proceed aright.
You are allowed on the night of the fast to approach your wives: they are your garment and you are their garment. God knoweth that you defraud yourselves therein, so He turneth unto you and forgiveth you! Now, therefore, go in unto them with full desire for that which God hath ordained for you; and eat and drink until you can discern a white thread from a black thread by the daybreak: then fast strictly till night, and go not in unto them, but rather pass the time in the Mosques. These are the bounds set up by God: therefore come not near them. Thus God maketh his signs clear to men that they may fear Him.
Consume not your wealth among yourselves in vain things, nor present it to judges that you may consume a part of other men's wealth unjustly, while you know the sun which you commit.
They will ask thee of the new moons. Say: They are periods fixed for man's service and for the Pilgrimage. There is no piety in entering your houses at the back, but piety consists in the fear of God. Enter your houses then by their doors; and fear God that it may be well with you.
And fight for the cause of God against those who fight against you: but commit not the injustice of attacking them first: God loveth not such injustice:
And kill them wherever you shall find them, and eject them from whatever place they have ejected you; for civil discord is worse than carnage: yet attack them not at the sacred Mosque, unless they attack you therein; but if they attack you, slay them. Such the reward of the infidels.
But if they desist, then verily God is Gracious, Merciful.
Fight therefore against them until there be no more civil discord, and the only worship be that of God: but if they desist, then let there be no hostility, save against the wicked.
2:190 The sacred month and the sacred precincts are under the safeguard of reprisals: whoever offereth violence to you, offer you the like violence to him, and fear God, and know that God is with those who fear Him.
Give freely for the cause of God, and throw not yourselves with your own hands into ruin; and do good, for God loveth those who do good.
Accomplish the Pilgrimage and the Visitation of the holy places in honour of God: and if you be hemmed in by foes, send whatever offering shall be the easiest: and shave not your heads until the offering reach the place of sacrifice. But whoever among you is sick, or hath an ailment of the head, must satisfy by fasting, or alms, or an offering. And when you are safe from foes, he who contents himself with the Visitation of the holy places, until the Pilgrimage, shall bring whatever offering shall be the easiest. But he who findeth nothing to offer, shall fast three days in the Pilgrimage itself, and seven days when you return: they shall be ten days in all. This is binding on him whose family shall not be present at the sacred Mosque. And fear God, and know that God is terrible in punishing.
Let the Pilgrimage be made in the months already known: whoever therefore undertaketh the Pilgrimage therein, let him not know a woman, nor transgress, nor wrangle in the Pilgrimage. The good which you do, God knoweth it. And provide for your journey; but the best provision is the fear of God: fear me, then, O men of understanding!
It shall be no crime in you if you seek an increase from your Lord; and when you pour swiftly on from Arafat, then remember God near the holy monument; and remember Him, because He hath guided you who before this were of those who went astray.
Then pass on quickly where the people quickly pass, and ask pardon of God, for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
And when you have finished your holy rites, remember God as you remember your own fathers, or with a yet more intense remembrance! some men there are
who say, "O our Lord! give us our portion in this world:" but such shall have no portion in the next life:
And some say, "O our Lord! give us good in this world and good in the next, and keep us from the torment of the fire."
They shall have the lot which they have merited: and God is swift to reckon.
Bear God in mind during the stated days: but if any haste away in two days, it shall be no fault in him: And if any tarry longer, it shall be no fault in him, if he fear God. Fear God, then, and know that to Him shall you be gathered.
2:200 A man there is who surpriseth thee by his discourse concerning this life present. He taketh God to witness what is in his heart; yet is he the most zealous in opposing thee:
And when he turneth his back on thee, he runneth through the land to enact disorders therein, and layeth waste the fields and flocks: but God loveth not the disorder.
And when it is said to him, "Fear God," the pride of sin seizeth him: but he shall have his fill of Hell; and right wretched the couch!
A man, too, there is who selleth his very self out of desire to please God: and God is good to his servants.
O believers! enter completely into the true religion, and follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your declared enemy.
But if you lapse after that our clear signs have come to you, know that God is Mighty, Wise.
What can such expect but that God should come down to them overshadowed with clouds, and the angels also, and their doom be sealed? And to God shall all things return.
Ask the children of Israel how many clear signs we have given them. But if any man shall alter the boon of God after it shall have reached him, assuredly God will be vehement in punishing him.
This present life is prepared for those who believe not, and who mock at the faithful. But they who fear God shall be above them on the day of resurrection; and God is bounteous without measure to whom He will.
Mankind was but one people; and God sent prophets to announce glad tidings and to warn; and He sent down with them the Book of Truth, that it might decide the disputes of men; and none disputed but those to whom the Book had been given, after the clear tokens had reached them, -- being full of mutual jealousy. And God guided those who believed to the truth of that about which, by his permission, they had disputed; for God guideth whom he pleaseth into the straight path.
2:210 Think you to enter Paradise, when no such things have come upon you, as on those who flourish before you? Ills and troubles tried them; and so tossed were they by trials, that the Apostle and they who shared his faith, said, "When will the help of God come?" -- Is not the help of God nigh?
They will ask thee what they shall bestow in alms. Say: Let the good which you bestow be for parents, and kindred, and orphans, and the poor, and the wayfarer; and whatever good you do, of a truth God knoweth.
War is prescribed to you: but from this you are averse.
Yet haply you are averse from a thing, though it be good for good, and haply you love a thing through it be bad for you: And God knoweth; but you, you know not.
They will ask thee concerning war in the Sacred Month. Say: To war therein is bad, but to turn aside from the cause of God, and to have no faith in Him, and in the Sacred Temple, and to drive out its people, is worse in the sight of God; and civil strive is worse than bloodshed. They will not cease to war against you until they turn you from your religion, if they be able: but whoever of you shall turn from his religion and die an infidel, their works shall be fruitless in this world, and in the next: they shall be consigned to the fire; therein to abide for aye.
But they who believe, and fly their country, and fight in the cause of God may hope for God's mercy: and God is Gracious, Merciful.
They will ask thee concerning wine and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and advantage also, to men; but their sin is greater than their advantage. They will ask thee also what they shall bestow in alms.
Say: What you can spare. Thus God sheweth you his signs that you may ponder
On this present world, and on the next. They will also ask thee concerning orphans. Say: Fair dealing with them is best;
But if you mix yourselves up (in their affairs) they are your brethren: God knoweth the foul dealer from the fair; and, if god pleased, he could indeed afflict you! Verily, God is Mighty, Wise.
2:220 Marry not idolatresses until their believe; a slave who believeth is better than an idolatress, though she please you more. And wed not your daughters to idolaters until they believe; for a slave who is a believer, is than better [sic] an idolater, though he please you.
They invite to the Fire; but God inviteth to Paradise, and to pardon, if he so will, and maketh clear his signs to men that they may remember.
They will also question thee as to the courses of women. Say: They are a pollution. Separate yourselves therefore from women and approach them not, until they be cleansed. But when they are cleansed, go in unto them as God hath ordained for you. Verily God loveth those who turn to Him, and loveth those who seek to be clean.
Your wives are your field: go in, therefore, to your field as you will; but do first some act for your souls' [sic] good: and fear you God, and know that you must meet Him; and bear these good tidings to the faithful.
Swear not by God, when you make oath, that you will be virtuous and fear God, and promote peace among men; for God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
God will not punish you for a mistake in your oaths: but He will punish you for that which your hearts have done. God is Gracious, Merciful.
They who intend to abstain from their wives shall wait four months; but if they go back from their purpose, then verily God is Gracious, Merciful.
And if they resolve on a divorce, then verily God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
The divorced shall wait the result, until they have had their courses thrice, nor ought they to conceal what God hath created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the last day; and it will be more just in their husbands to bring them back when in this state, if they desire what is right. And it is for the women to act as they (the husbands) act by them, in all fairness; but the mean are a step above them. God is Mighty, Wise.
You may divorce your wives twice: Keep them honourably, or put them away with kindness. But it is not allowed you to appropriate to yourselves aught of what you have given to them unless both fear that they cannot keep within the bounds set up by God. And if you fear that they cannot observe the ordinances of God, no blame shall attach to either of you for what the wife shall herself give for her redemption. These are the bounds of God: therefore overstep them not; for whoever oversteppeth the bounds of God, they are evil doers.
2:230 But if the husband divorce her a third time, it is not lawful for him to take her again, until she shall have married another husband; and if he also divorce her, then shall no blame attach to them if they return to each other, thinking that they can keep within the bounds fixed by God. And these are the bounds of God; He maketh them clear to those who have knowledge.
But when you divorce women, and the time for sending them away is come, either retain them with generosity, or put them away with generosity: but retain them not by constraint so as to be unjust towards them. He who doth so, doth in fact injure himself. And make not the signs of God a jest; but remember God's favour toward you, and the Book and the Wisdom which He hath sent down to you for your warning, and fear God, and know that God's knowledge embraceth everything.
And when you divorce your wives, and they have waited the prescribed time, hinder them not from marrying their husbands when they have agreed among themselves in an honourable way. This warning is for him among you who believeth in God and in the last day. This is most pure for you, and most decent. God knoweth, but you know not.
Mothers, when divorced, shall give suck to their children two full years, if the father desire that the suckling be completed; and such maintenance and clothing as is fair for them, shall devolve on the father. No person shall be charged beyond his means. A mother shall not be pressed unfairly for her child, nor a father for his child: And the same with the father's heir. But if they choose to wean the child by consent and by bargain, it shall be no fault in them. And if you choose to have a nurse for your children, it shall be no fault in you, in case you pay what you promised her according to that which is fair. Fear God, and know that God seeth what you do.
If those of you who die leave wives, they must await their state during four months and ten days; and when this their term is expired, you shall not be answerable for the way in which they shall dispose of themselves fairly. And God is cognisant of what you do.
And then shall no blame attach to you in making proposals of marriage to such women, or in keeping such intention to yourselves? God knoweth that you will not forget them. But promise them not in secret, unless you speak honourable words;
And resolve not on the marriage tie until the prescribed time be reached; and know that God knoweth what is in your minds: therefore, beware of Him; and know that God is Gracious, Mild!
It shall be no crime in your if you divorce your wives so long as you have not consummated the marriage, nor settled any dowry on them. And provide what is needful for them -- he who is in ample circumstances according to his means, and he who is straitened, according to his means -- with fairness: This is binding on those who do what is right.
But if you divorce them before consummation, and have already settled a dowry on them, you shall give them half of what you have settled, unless they make a release, or he make a release in whose hand in the marriage tie. But if you make a release, it will be nearer to piety. And forget not generosity in your relations one towards another; for God beholdeth your doings.
Observe strictly the prayers, and the middle prayer, and stand up full of devotion towards God.
2:240 And if you have any alarm, then pray on foot or riding: but when you are safe, then remember God,how he hath made you to know what you knew not.
And such of you as shall die and leave wives, shall bequeath their wives a year's maintenance without causing them to quit their homes; but if they quit them of their own accord, then no blame shall attach to you for any disposition they may make of themselves in a fair way. And God is Mighty, Wise.
And for the divorced let there be a fair provision. This a duty in those who fear God.
Thus God maketh his signs clear to you that you may understand.
Hast thou not thought on those who quitted their dwellings -- and they were thousands -- for fear of death? God said to them, "Die:" then He restored them to life, for full of bounty towards man is God. But most men give not thanks!
Fight for the cause of God; and know that God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
Who is he that will lend to God a goodly loan? He will double it to him again and again: God is close, but open handed also: and to Him shall you return.
Hast thou not considered the assembly of the children of Israel after the death of Moses, when they said to a prophet of theirs, "Set up for us a king; we will do battle for the cause of God?" He said, "May it not be that if to fight were ordained you, you would not fight?" They said, "And why should we not fight in the cause of God, since we and our children are driven forth from our dwellings?" But when fighting was commanded them, they turned back, save a few of them: But God knew the offenders!
And their prophet said to them, "Not hath God set (Talout) Saul king over you." They said, 'How shall he reign over us, when we are more worthy of the kingdom than he, and of wealth he hath no abundance?" He said, "Verily God hath chosen him to be over you, and hath given him increase in knowledge and stature; God giveth his kingdom to whom he pleaseth; and God is Liberal, Knowing!"
And their prophet said to them, "Verily, the sign of his kingship shall be that the Ark shall come to you: in it is a pledge of security from your Lord and the relics left by the family of Moses, and the family of Aaron; the angels shall bear it: Truly herein shall be a sign indeed to you if you are believers."
2:250 And when Saul marched forth with his forces, he said, "God will test you by a river: He who drinketh of it shall not be of my band; but he who shall not taste it, drinking a drink out of the hand excepted, shall be of my band." And, except a few of them, they drank of it. And when they had passed it, he and those who believed with him, the former said, "We have no strength this day against (Dajalout) Goliath and his forces:" But they who held it as certain that they must meet God, said, "How oft, by God's will, hath a small host vanquished a numerous host! and God is with the steadfastly enduring."
And when they went forth against Goliath and his forces, they said, "O our Lord! pour out steadfastness upon us, and set our feet firm, and help us against the infidels!"
And by the will of God they routed them; and (Daood) David slew Goliath; and God gave him kingship and wisdom, and taught him according to His will: and were it not for the restraint of one by means of the other, imposed on men by God, verily the earth had been utterly corrupted. But God is bounteous to his creatures.
Such are the signs of God: with truth do we rehearse them to thee, for one of the Sent Ones art Thou.
Some of the apostles we have endowed more highly than others: Those to whom God hath spoken, He hath raised to the loftiest grade, and to Jesus the Son of Mary we gave manifest signs, and we strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. And if God had pleased, they who came after them would not have wrangled, after the clear signs had reached them. But into disputes they fell: some of them believed, and some were infidels; yet if God had pleased, they would not have thus wrangled: but God doth what he will.
O Believers! give alms of that with which we have supplied you, before the day cometh when there shall be no trafficking, nor friendship, nor intercession. And the infidels are the wrong-doers.
God! There is no God but He; the Living, the Eternal; Nor slumber seizeth Him, nor sleep; His, whatsoever is in the Heavens and whatsoever is in the Earth! Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His own permission? He knoweth what hath been before them and what shall be after them; yet nought of His knowledge shall they grasp, save what He willeth,. His Throne reacheth over the Heavens and the Earth, and the upholding of both burdeneth Him not; and He is the High, the Great!
Let there be no compulsion in Religion. Now is the right way made distinct from error. Whoever therefore shall deny Thagout and believe in God -- he will have taken hold on a strong handle that shall not be broken: and God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
God is the patron of believers: he shall bring them out of darkness into light.
As to those who believe not, their patrons are Thagout: they shall bring them out of light into darkness: they shall be given over to the fire: they shall abide therein for ever.
2:260 Hast thou not thought on him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, because God had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said, "My Lord is He who maketh alive and causeth to die:" He said, "It is I who make alive and cause to die!" Abraham said, "since God bringeth the sun from the East, do thou, then, bring it from the West." The infidel was confounded; for God guideth not the evil doers.
Or how he demeaned him who passed by a city which had been laid in ruins. "How," said he, "shall God give life to this city, after she hath been dead?" And God caused him to die for an hundred years, and then raised him to life. And God said, "How long hast thou waited?" He said, "I have waited a day or part of a day." He said, "Nay, thou hast waited an hundred years. Look on thy food and thy drink; they are not corrupted; and look on thine ass: we would make thee a sign unto men: And look on the bones of thine ass, how we will raise them, then clothe them with flesh." And when this was shewn to him, he said, "I acknowledge that God hath power to do all things."
When Abraham said, "O Lord, shew me how thou wilt give life to the dead!: He said, "Hast thou not believed?" He said, "Yes; but I have asked thee, that my heart may be well assured." He said, "Take, then, four birds, and draw them towards thee, and cut them in pieces; then place a part of them on every mountain; then call them and they shall come swiftly to thee: and know thou that God is Mighty, Wise!"
The likeness of those who expend their wealth for the cause of God, is that of a grain of corn which produceth seven ears, and in each ear a hundred grains; and God will multiply to whom He pleaseth: God is Liberal, Knowing!
They who expend their wealth for the cause of God, and never follow what they have laid out with reproaches or harm, shall have their reward with their Lord; no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they be put to grief.
A kind speech and forgiveness is better than alms followed by injury. God is Rich, Clement.
O you who believe! make not your alms void by reproaches and injury, like him who spendeth his substance to be seen of men, and believeth not in God and in the latter day,. The likeness of such an one is that of a rock with a thin soil upon it, on which a heavy rain falleth but leaveth it hard: No profit from their works shall they be able to gain; for God guideth not the unbelieving people.
And the likeness of those who expend their substance from a desire to please God, and for the stablishing of their souls, is as a garden on a hill, on which the heavy rain falleth, and it yieldeth its fruits twofold; and even if a heavy rain fall not on it, yet is there a dew: God beholdeth your actions.
Desireth any one of you a garden of palms and vines through which rivers flow, in which he may have every fruit, and that old age should surprise him there, and that his offspring should be weakly, and that then a fiery violent wind shall strike it so that it shall be burned? Thus God maketh plain his signs to you that you may reflect.
O you who believe! bestow alms of the good things which you have acquired, and of that which we have brought forth for you out of the earth, and choose not the bad for almsgiving,
2:270 Such as you would accept yourselves only by connivance: and know that God is Rich, Praiseworthy.
Satan menaceth you with poverty, and enjoineth base actions: but God promiseth you pardon from himself and abundance: God is All-bounteous, Knowing.
He giveth wisdom to whom He will: and he to whom wisdom is given, hath had much good given him; but none will bear it is mind, except the wise of heart.
And whatever alms you shall give, or whatever vow you shall vow, of a truth God knoweth it: but they who act unjustly shall have no helpers. Give you your alms openly? it is well. Do you conceal them and give them to the poor? This, too, will be of advantage to you, and will do away you sins: and God is cognisant of your actions.
Their guidance is not thine affair, O Muhammad; but God guideth whom he pleaseth. And the good that you shall give in alms shall redound unto yourselves; and you shall not give but as seeking the face of God; and whatever good thing you shall have given in alms, shall be repaid you, and you shall not be wronged. There are among you the poor, who being shut up to fighting for the cause of God, have it not in their power to strike out into the earth for riches. Those who know them not, think them rich because of their modesty. By this their token thou shalt know them -- they ask not of men with importunity: and of whatever good thing you shall give them in alms, of a truth God will take knowledge.
They who give away their substance in alms, by night and day, in private and in public, shall have their reward with their Lord: no fear shall come on them, neither shall they be put to grief.
They who swallow down usury, shall arise in the resurrection only as he ariseth whom Satan hath infected by his touch. This, for that they say, "Selling is only the like of usury:" and yet God hath allowed selling, and forbidden usury. He then who when this warning shall come to him from his Lord, abstaineth, shall have pardon for the past, and his lot shall be with God. But they who return to usury, shall be given over to the fire; therein shall they abide for ever.
God will bring usury to nought, but will increase alms with usury, and God loveth no infidel, or evil person. But they who believe and do the things that are right, and observe the prayers, and pay the legal impost, they shall have their reward with their Lord: no fear shall come on them, neither shall they be put to grief.
O believers! fear God and abandon your remaining usury, if you are indeed believers.
But if you do it not, then hearken for war on the part of God and his apostle: yet if you repent, you shall have the principal of your money. Wrong not, and you shall not be wronged.
2:280 If any one find difficulty in discharging a debt, then let there be a delay until it be easy for him: but if you remit it as alms it will be better for you, if you knew it.
Fear the day wherein you shall return to God: then shall every soul be rewarded according to its desert, and none shall have injustice done to them.
O you who believe! when you contract a debt (payable) at a fixed date, write it down, and let the notary faithfully note between you: and let not the notary refuse to note, even as God hath taught him; but let him note it down, and let him who oweth the debt dictate, and let him fear God his Lord, and not diminish aught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt be foolish or weak, or be not able to dictate himself, let his friend dictate for him with fairness; and call to witness two witnesses of your people: but if there be not two men, let there be a man, and two women of those whom you shall judge fit for witnesses: if the one of them should mistake, the other may cause her to recollect. And the witnesses shall not refuse, whenever they shall be summoned. And disdain not to put the debt in writing, be it large or small, with its time of payment: this will be more just for you in the sight of God, better suited for witnessing, and the best for avoiding doubt. But if the goods be there present, and you pass them from hand to hand -- then it shall be no fault in you not to write it down. And have witnesses when you sell, and harm not writer or witness: it will be a crime in you to do this. But fear God and God will give you knowledge, for God hath knowledge of all things.
And if you be on a journey and shall find no notary, let pledges be taken: but if one of you trust the other, let him who is trusted, restore what he is trusted with, and fear God his Lord. And refuse not to give evidence. He who refuseth is surely wicked at heart: and God knoweth your deeds.
Whatever is in the Heavens and in the Earth is God's: and whether you bring forth to light what is in your minds or conceal it, God will reckon with you for it; and whom He pleaseth will He forgive, and whom He pleaseth will He punish; for God is All-powerful.
The apostle believeth in that which hath been sent down from his Lord, as do the faithful also. Each one believeth in God, and His Angels, and His Books, and His Apostles: we make no distinction between any of His Apostles. And they say, "We have heard and we obey. Thy mercy, Lord! for unto thee must we return."
God will not burden any soul beyond its power. It shall enjoy the good which it hath acquired, and shall bear the evil for the acquirement of which it laboured. O our Lord! punish us not if we forget, or fall into sin; O our Lord! and lay not on us a load like that which thou has laid on those who have been before us; O our Lord! and lay not on us that for which we have not strength: but blot out our sins and forgive us, and have pity on us. Thou art our protector: give us victory therefore over the infidel nations.

Sura III (3)
The Family of Iman
(Medina -- 200 verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Elif. Lam. Mim.
God! there is no god but He, the Living, the Merciful!
In truth hath He sent down to thee "the Book," which confirmeth those which precede it: For He had sent down the Law, and the Evangel aforetime, as man's Guidance; and now hath He sent down the "Illumination." (Furkan.)
Verily for those who believe not in the signs of God, is a severe chastisement! And God is Mighty, the Avenger!
God! nought that is in Earth or that is in Heaven, is hidden unto Him. He it is who formeth you in your mothers' wombs. There is no god but He; the Mighty, the Wise!
He it is who hath sent down to thee "the Book." Some of its signs are of themselves perspicuous; -- these are the basis of the Book -- and others are figurative. But they whose hearts are given to err, follow its figures, craving discord, craving an interpretation; yet none knoweth its interpretation but God. And the stable in knowledge say, "We believe in it: it is all from our Lord." But none will bear this in mind, save men endued with understanding.
O our Lord! suffer not our hearts to go astray after that thou hast once guided us, and give us mercy from before thee; for verily thou art He who giveth.
O our Lord! For the day of whose coming there is not a doubt, thou wilt surely gather mankind together. Verily, God will not fail the promise.
As for the infidels, their wealth, and their children, shall avail them nothing against God. They shall be fuel for the fire.
After the wont of the people of Pharaoh, and of those who went before them, they treated our signs as falsehoods. Therefore God laid hold of them in their sins; and God is severe in punishing!
3:10 Say to the infidels: you shall be worsted, and to Hell shall you be gathered together; and wretched the couch!
You have already had a sign in the meeting of the two hosts. The one host fought in the cause of God, and the other was infidel. To their own eyesight, the infidels saw you twice as many as themselves: And God aided with his succour whom He would: And in this truly was a lesson for men endued with discernment.
Fair-seeming to men is the love of pleasures from women and children, and the treasured treasures of God and silver, and horses of mark, and flocks, and cornfields! Such the enjoyment of this world's life. But God! goodly the home with Him.
Say: Shall I tell you of better things than these, prepared for those who fear God, in His presence? Theirs shall be gardens, beneath whose pavilions the rivers flow, and in which shall they abide for aye: and wives of stainless purity, and acceptance with God: for God regardeth his servants --
Who say, "O our Lord! we have indeed believed; pardon us our sins, and keep us from the torment of the fire;" --
The patient, and the truthful, the lowly, and the charitable, and they who seek pardon at each daybreak.
God witnesseth that there is no god but He: and the angels, and mean endued with knowledge, stablished in righteousness, proclaim "There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise!"
The true religion with God is Islam: and they to whom the Scriptures had been given, differed not till after "the knowledge" had come to them, and through mutual jealousy. But as for him who shall not believe in the signs of God -- God will be prompt to reckon with him!
If they shall dispute with thee, then Say: I have surrendered myself to God, as have they who follow me.
Say to those who have received the Book, and to the common folk, Do you surrender yourselves unto God? If they become Muslims, then are they guided aright: but if they turn away -- thy duty is only preaching; and God's eye is on His servants.
3:20 But to those who believe not in the signs of God, and unjustly slay the prophets, and slay those men who enjoin uprightness, -- announce an afflictive chastisement.
These are they whose works come to nought in this world, and in the next; and none shall they have to help them!
Hast thou not marked those who have received a portion of the Scriptures, when they are summoned to the Book of God, that it may settle their differences? Then did a part of them turn back, and withdrew far off.
This -- because they said, "The fire shall by no means touch us, but for certain days:" -- Their own devices have deceived them in their religion.
But how, when we shall assemble them together for the day of (which) whose coming there is no doubt, and when every soul shall be paid what it hath earned, and they shall not be wronged?
Say: O God, possessor of all power, thou givest power to whom thou wilt, and whom thou wilt thou dost abase! In thy hand is good; for thou art over all thing potent.
Thou causest the night to pass into the day, and thou causest the day to pass into the night. Thou bringest the living out of the dead, and thou bringest the dead out of the living; and thou givest sustenance to whom thou wilt, without measure.
Let not believers take infidels for their friends rather than believers: whoso shall do this hath nothing to hope from God -- unless, indeed, you fear a fear from them: But God would have you beware of Himself: for to God you return. Say: Whether you hide what is in your breasts, or whether you publish it abroad, God knoweth it: He knoweth what is in the heavens and what is in the earth; and over all things is God potent.
On that day shall every soul find present to it, whatever it hath wrought of good: and as to what it hath wrought of evil, it will wish that wide were the space between itself and it! But God would have you beware of Himself; for God is kind to His servants.
Say: If you love God, then follow me: God will love you, and forgive your sins, for God is Forgiving, Merciful. Say: Obey God and the Apostle; but if you turn away, then verily, God loveth not the unbelievers.
3:30 Verily above all human beings did God choose Adam, and Noah, and the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran, the one the posterity of the other: And God Heareth, Knoweth.
Remember when the wife of Imran said, "O my Lord! I vow to thee what is in my womb, for thy special service. Accept it from me, for thou Hearest, Knowest!" And when she had given birth to it, she said, "O my Lord! Verily I have brought forth a female," -- God knew what she had brought forth; a male is not as a female -- "and I have named her Mary, and I take refuge with thee for her and for her offspring, from Satan the stoned."
So with goodly acceptance did her Lord accept her, and with goodly growth did he make her grow. Zacharias reared her. So oft as Zacharias went in to Mary at the sanctuary, he found her supplied with food. "Oh, Mary!" said he, "whence hast thou this?" She said, "It is from God; for God supplieth whom He will, without reckoning!"
There did Zacharias call upon his Lord: "O my Lord!" said he, "vouchsafe me from thyself good descendants, for thou art the hearer of prayer." Then did the angels call to him, as he stood praying in the sanctuary.:
"God announceth John (Yahia) to thee, who shall be a verifier of the word from God, and a greater one, chaste, and a prophet of the number of the just."
He said, "O my Lord! how shall I have a son, now that old age hath come upon me, and my wife is barren?" He said, "Thus will God do His pleasure."
He said, "Lord! give me a token." He said, "Thy token shall be, that for three days thou shalt speak to no man but by signs: But remember thy Lord often, and praise him at even and at morn:"
And remember when the angels said, "O Mary! verily hath God chosen thee, and purified thee, and chosen thee above the women of the worlds!
O Mary! be devout towards thy Lord, and prostrate thyself, and bow down with those who bow."
This is one of the announcements of things unseen by thee: To thee, O Muhammad! do we reveal it; for thou wast not with them when they cast lots with reeds which of them should rear Mary; nor wast thou with them when they disputed about it.
3:40 Remember when the angel said, "O Mary! Verily God announceth to thee the Word from Him: His name shall be, Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious in this world, and in the next, and one of those who have near access to God;
And He shall speak to men alike when in the cradle and when grown up; And he shall be one of the just."
She said, "How, O my Lord! shall I have a son, when man hath not touched me?" He said, "Thus: God will create why He will; When He decreeth a thing, He only saith, 'Be,' and it is."
And he will teach him the Book, and the Wisdom, and the Law, and the Evangel; and he shall be an apostle to the children of Israel. "Now have I come," he will say, "to you with a sign from your Lord: Out of clay will I make for you, as it were, the figure of a bird: and I will breathe into it, and it shall become, by God's leave, a bird. And I will heal the blind, and the leper; and by God's leave will I quicken the dead; and I will tell you what you eat, and what you store up in your houses! Truly in this will be a sign for you, if you are believers.
And I have come to attest the law which was before me; and to allow you part of that which had been forbidden you; and I come to you with a sign from your Lord: Fear God, then, and obey me; of a truth God is my Lord, and your Lord; Therefore worship Him. This is a right way."
And when Jesus perceived unbelief on their part, He said, "Who my helpers with God?" The apostles said, "We will be God's helpers! We believe in God, and bear thou witness that we are Muslims.
O our Lord! we believe in what thou hast sent down, and we follow the apostle; write us up, then, with those who bear witness to him."
And the Jews plotted, and God plotted: But of those who plot is God the best.
Remember when God said, "O Jesus! verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to myself and deliver thee from those who believe not; and I will place those who follow thee above those who believe not, until the day of resurrection. Then, to me is your return, and wherein you differ will I decide between you.
And as to those who believe not, I will chastise them with a terrible chastisement in this world and in the next; and none shall they have to help them."
3:50 But as to those who believe, and do the things that are right, He will pay them their recompense. God loveth not the doers of evil.
These signs, and this wise warning do we rehearse to thee.
Verily, Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created him of dust: He then said to him, "Be" -- and he was.
The truth from thy Lord! Be not thou, therefore, of those who doubt.
As for those who dispute with thee about Him, after "the knowledge" hath come to thee, Say: Come, let us summon our sons and your sons, our wives and your wives, and ourselves and yourselves. Then will we invoke and lay the malison of God on those that lie!
This recital is very truth, and there is no god but God; and verily God is the Mighty, the Wise.
But if they turn away, then verily God hath knowledge of the corrupt doers.
Say: O people of the Book! come you to a just judgment between us and you -- That we worship not aught but God, and that we join no other god with Him, and that the one of us take not the other for lords, beside God. Then if they turn their backs, Say: Bear you witness that we are Muslims.
O people of the Book! Why dispute about Abraham, when the Law and the Evangel were not sent down till after him? Do you not then understand?
Lo! you are they who dispute about that in which you have knowledge; but why dispute about that of which you have no knowledge? God hath knowledge, but you know nothing.
3:60 Abraham was neither Jew nor Christian; but he was sound in the faith, a Muslim; and not of those who add gods to God.
They among men, who are nearest of kin to Abraham, are surely those who follow him, and this prophet Muhammad, and they who believe on him. And God is the protector of the faithful.
A party among the people of the Book would fain mislead you: but they only mislead themselves, and perceive it not.
O people of the Book! why clothe you the truth with falsehood? Why wittingly hide the truth?
Others of the people of the Book say: "Believe in what hath been sent down to the believers, at daybreak, and deny it at its close" -- Thus do they go back --
"And believe in those only who follow your Religion" Say: True guidance is guidance from God -- that to others may be imparted the like of what hath been imparted to you. Will they wrangle then with you in the presence of their Lord? Say: Plenteous gifts are in the hands of God: He imparteth them unto whom He will, and God is Bounteous, Wise.
He will vouchsafe His mercy to whom He will, for God is of great bounteousness.
Among the people of the Book are some, to one of whom if thou entrust a thousand dinars, he will restore them to thee: And there is of them to whom if thou entrust a dinar, he will not restore it to thee, unless thou be ever instant with him.
This -- because they say, "We are not bound to keep faith with the ignorant (Pagan) folk, and they utter a lie against God, and know they do so;"
3:70 But whoso is true to his engagement, and feareth God, -- verily God loveth those that fear Him.
Verily they who barter their engagement with God, and their oaths, for some paltry price -- These! no portion for them in the world to come! and God will not speak to them, and will not look on them, on the day of resurrection, and will not assoil them! for them, a grievous chastisement!
And some truly are there among them who torture the Scriptures with their tongues, in order that you may suppose it to be from the Scripture, yet it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from God;" yet it is not from God: and they utter a lie against God, and they know they do so.
It beseemeth not a man, that God should give him the Scriptures and the Wisdom, and the gift of prophecy, and that then he should say to his followers, "Be you worshippers of me, as well as of God;" but rather, "Be you perfect in things pertaining to God, since you know the Scriptures, and have studied deep."
God doth not command you to take the angels or the prophets as lord. What! would he command you to become infidels after you have been Muslims?
When God entered into covenant with the prophets, he said, "This is the Book and the Wisdom which I give you. Hereafter shall a prophet come unto you to confirm the Scriptures already with you. You shall surely believe on him, and you shall surely aid him. Are you resolved?" said he, "and do you accept the covenant on these terms?" They said, "We are resolved;" "Be you then the witnesses," said he, "and I will be a witness as well as you.
And whoever turneth back after this, these are surely the perverse."
Other religion than that of God desire they? To him doth everything that is in the Heavens and in the Earth submit, in willing or forced obedience! and to Him do they return.
Say: We believe in God, and in what hath been sent down to us, and what hath been sent down to Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and in what was given to Moses, and Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord. We make no difference between them. And to Him are we resigned (Muslims).
Whoso desireth any other religion than Islam, that religion shall never be accepted from him, and in the next world he shall be among the lost.
3:80 How shall God guide a people who, after they had believed and bore witness that the apostle was true, and after that clear proofs of his mission had reached them, disbelieved? God guideth not the people who transgress.
These! their recompense, that the curse of God, and of angels, and of all men, is on them!
Under it shall they abide for ever; their torment shall not be assuaged! nor shall God even look upon them! --
Save those who after this repent and amend; for verily God is Gracious, Merciful!
As for those who become infidels, after having believed, and then increase their infidelity -- their repentance shall never be accepted. These! they are the erring ones.
As for those who are infidels, and die infidels, from no one of them shall as much gold as the earth could contain be accepted, though he should offer it in ransom. These! a grievous punishment awaiteth them; and they shall have none to help them.
You shall never attain to goodness till you give alms of that which you love; and whatever you give, of a truth God knoweth.
All food was allowed to the children of Israel, except what Jacob forbad himself, ere the law was sent down; Say: Bring you then the law and read it, if you be men of truth.
And whoso after this inventeth the lie about God: -- These are evil doers.
Say: God speaketh truth. Follow, therefore, the religion of Abraham, the sound in faith, who was not one of those who joined other gods to God.
3:90 The first temple that was founded for mankind, was that in Becca, -- Blessed, and guidance to human beings.
In it are evident signs, even the standing-place of Abraham: and he who entereth it is safe. And the pilgrimage to the temple, is a service due to God from those who are able to journey thither.
And as to them who believeth not -- verily God can afford to dispense with all creatures!
Say: O people of the Book! why disbelieve you the signs of God? But God is witness of your doings.
Say: O people of the Book! why repel believers from the way of God? You fain would make it crooked, and yet you are its witnesses! But God is not regardless of what you do.
O believers! if you obey some amongst those who have received the Scripture, after your very Faith will they make you infidels!
But how can you become infidels, when the signs of God are recited to you, and his prophet is among you? Whoever holdest fast by God, is already guided to a straight path.
O you believers! fear God as He deserveth to be feared! and die not till you have become Muslims.
And hold you fast by the cord of God, all of you, and break not loose from it; and remember God's goodness towards you, how that when you were enemies, He united your hearts, and by his favour you became brethren;
And when you were on the brink of the pit of fire, he drew you back from it. Thus God clearly sheweth you his signs that you may be guided;
3:100 And that there may be among you a people who invite to the Good, and enjoin the Just, and forbid the Wrong. These are they with whom it shall be well.
And be you not like those who have formed divisions, and fallen to variance after the clear proofs have come to them. These! a terrible chastisement doth await them,
On the day when faces shall turn white, and faces shall turn black! And as to those whose faces shall have turned black "....What! after your belief have you become infidels? Taste then the chastisement, for that you have been unbelievers."
And as to those whose faces shall have become white, they shall be within the mercy of God: therein shall they abide for ever.
These are the signs of God: we recite them to thee in truth: And God willeth not injustice to mankind.
Whatever is in the Heavens, and whatever is on the Earth, is God's. And to God shall all things return.
You are the best folk that hath been raised up unto mankind. You enjoin the Just, and you forbid the Evil, and you believe in God: And if the people of the Book had believed, it had surely been better for them! Believers there are among them, but most of them are perverse.
They will never inflict on you but a trifling damage; and if they do battle with you, they shall turn their backs to you: then they shall not be succoured.
Shame shall be stamped upon them wherever found, unless they ally them with God and men! And the wrath of God will they incur, and poverty shall be stamped upon them! This -- for that they believed not in the signs of God, and slew the prophets unjustly: This -- because they rebelled, and became transgressors.
Yet all are not alike: Among the people of the Book is an upright folk, who recite the signs of God in the night-season, and adore:
3:110 They believe in God and in the latter day, and enjoin justice, and forbid evil, and speed on in good works. These are of the righteous.
And of whatever good you do, you shall not be denied the meed. God knoweth those who fear Him.
But as for the infidels, their wealth, and their children shall avail them nothing against God. They shall be the inmates of the fire, to abide therein eternally.
The alms which they bestow in this present life, are like a freezing wind, which falleth upon and destroyeth the cornfields of a people who have been to themselves unjust. God doeth them to injustice, to to themselves are they unjust.
O you who have believed! form not intimacies among others than yourselves. They will not fail to corrupt you. They long for your ruin. Hatred hath already shewn itself out of their mouths, but more grievous is what their breasts conceal. The tokens thereof we have already made plain to you, if you will comprehend.
See now! you love them, but they love not you. You believe the entire Book. And when they meet you, they say, "We believe;" but when they are apart, they bite their fingers' ends at you, out of wrath. Say: "Die in your wrath!" God truly knoweth the very recesses of your breasts.
If good befalleth you it grieveth them, and when ill lighteth on you, they rejoice in it. But if you be steadfast and fear God, their craft shall in no way harm you. For God is round about their doings.
And remember when thou didst leave thy household at early morn, that thou mightest prepare the faithful a camp for the war; -- God heard, knew it --
When two troops of you became full of anxious thoughts, and lost heart, and when God became the protector of both! In God, then, let the faithful trust.
God had already succoured you at Bedr, when you were the weaker! Fear God,. then, that you may be thankful.
3:120 Then thou didst say to the faithful, "is it not enough for you that your Lord aideth you with three thousand angels sent down from on high?"
Aye: but if you be steadfast and fear God, and the foe come upon you in hot haste, your Lord will help you with five thousand angels in their cognisances!
This, as pure good tidings for you, did God appoint, that your hearts might be assured -- for only from God, the Mighty, the Wise, cometh the Victory - and that He might cut off the uttermost part of those who believed not, or cast them down so that they should be overthrown, defeated without resource.
It is none of thy concern whether He be turned unto them in kindness or chastise them: for verily they are wrongful doers.
Whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth is God's! He forgiveth whom He will, and whom He will, chastiseth: for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
O you who believe! devour not usury, doubling it again and again! But fear God, that you may prosper.
And fear the fire which is prepared for them that believe not; and obey God and the apostle, that you may find mercy:
And vie in haste for pardon from your Lord, and a Paradise, vast as the Heavens and the Earth, prepared for the God-fearing.
Who give alms, alike in prosperity and in success, and who master their anger, and forgive others! God loveth the doers of good.
They who, after they have done a base deed or committed a wrong against their own selves, remember God and implore forgiveness of their sins -- and who will forgive sins but God only? -- persevere not in what they have wittingly done amiss.
3:130 As for these! Pardon from their Lord shall be their recompense, and gardens 'neath which the rivers flow; for ever shall they abide therein: And goodly the reward of those who labour!
Already, before your time, have examples been made! Traverse the earth, then, and see what hath been the end of those who treat prophets as liars.
This Koran is a manifest to man, and a guidance, and a warning to the God-fearing!
And be not fainthearted, and be not sorrowful: For you shall gain the upper hand if you be believers.
If a wound hath befallen you, a wound like it hath already befallen others: we alternate these days of successes and reverses among men, that God may know those who have believed, and that He may take martyrs from among you, - but God loveth not the wrongful doers --
And that God may test those who believe, and destroy the infidels.
Thought you that you should enter Paradise ere God had taken knowledge of those among you who did valiantly, and of those who steadfastly endure?
You had desired death ere you met it. But you have now seen it -- and you have beheld it -- and fled from it!
Muhammad is no more than an apostle; other apostles have already passed away before him: if he die, therefore, or be slain, will you turn on your heels? But he who turneth on his heels shall not injure God at all: And God will certainly reward the thankful!
No one can die except by God's permission, according to the Book that fixeth the term of life. He who desireth the recompense of this world, we will give him thereof; And he who desireth the recompense of the next life, we will give him thereof! And we will certainly reward the thankful.
3:140 How many a prophet hath combated those who had with them many myriads! Yet were they not daunted at what befel them on the path of God, nor were they weakened, nor did they basely submit! God loveth those who endure with steadfastness.
Nor said they more than this: "O our Lord! forgive us our sins and our mistakes in this our work; and set our feet firm; and help us against the unbelieving people." And God gave them the recompense of this world, and the excellence of the recompense of the next. For God loveth the doers of what is excellent.
O you who have believed! if you obey the infidels, they will cause you to turn upon your heels, and you will fall back into perdition:
But God is your liege lord, and He is the best of helpers.
We will cast a dread into hearts of the infidels because they have joined gods with God without warranty sent down; their abode shall be the fire; and wretched shall be the mansion of the evil doers.
Already had God made good to you His promise, when by His permission you destroyed your foes, until your courage failed you, and you disputed about the order, and disobeyed, after that the Prophet had brought you within view of that for which you longed.
Some of you were for this world, and some for the next. Then, in order to make trial of you, He turned you to flight from them, -- yet hath He now forgiven you; for all-bounteous is God to the faithful --
When you came up the height and took no heed of any one, while the Prophet in your rear was calling you to the fight! God hath rewarded you with trouble upon trouble, that you might learn not to be chagrined at your loss of booty, or at what befel you! God is acquainted with your actions.
Then after the trouble God sent down security upon you. Slumber fell upon a part of you: as to the other part -- their own passions stirred them up to think unjustly of God with thoughts of ignorance! They said -- What gain we by this affair? Say: Verily the affair resteth wholly with God. They hid in their minds what they did not speak out to thee, saying, "Were we to have gained aught in this affair, none of us had been slain at this place." Say: Had you remained in your homes, they who were decreed to be slain would have gone forth to the places where they lie: -- in order that God might make trial of what was in your breasts, and might discover what was in your hearts, for God knoweth the very secrets of the breast.
Of a truth it was Satan alone who caused those of you to fail in duty who turned back on the day when the hosts met, for some of their doings! But now hath God pardoned them; For God is Forgiving, Gracious.
3:150 O you who believe! be not like the infidels, who said of their brethren when they had travelled by land or had gone forth to war, "Had they kept with us, they had not died, and had not been slain!"| God purposed that this affair should cause them heart sorrow! God maketh alive and killeth; and God beholdeth your actions.
And if you shall be slain or die on the path of God, then pardon from God and mercy is better than all your amassings;
For if you die or be slain, verily unto God shall you be gathered.
Of the mercy of God thou hast spoken to them in gentle terms. Hadst thou been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from thee. Therefore, forgive and ask for pardon for them, and consult them in the affair of warn, and when thou art resolved, then put thou thy trust in God, for God loveth those who trust in Him.
If God help you, none shall overcome you; but if He abandon you, who is he that shall help you when He is gone? In God, then, let the faithful trust.
It is not the Prophet who will defraud you; -- But he who shall defraud, shall come forth with his defraudings on the day of the resurrection: then shall every soul be paid what it hath merited, and they shall not be treated with injustice.
Shall he who hath followed the good pleasure of God be as he who hath brought on himself wrath from God, and whose abode shall be Hell? and wretched the journey thither!
There are varying grades with God: and God beholdeth what you do.
Now hath God been gracious to the faithful, when he raised up among them an apostle out of their own people, to rehearse unto them his signs, and to cleanse them, and to give them knowledge of the Book and of Wisdom: for before they were in manifest error.
When a reverse hath befallen you, the like of which you had before inflicted, say you, "Whence is this?" Say: It is from yourselves. For God hath power over all things.
3:160 And that which befel you on the day when the armies met, was certainly by the will of God, and that he might know the faithful, and that he might know the hypocrites! And when the word was "Advance, fight on the path of God, or drive back the foe," -- they said "Had we known how to fight, we would have followed you." Nearer were some of them on that day to unbelief than to faith:
They said with their lips what was not in their hearts! But God knew what they concealed,
Who said of their brethren while themselves sat at home, "Had they obeyed us, they had not been slain." Say: Keep back death from yourselves if you speak truth.
And repute not those slain on God's path to be dead. Nay, alive with their Lord, are they richly sustained;
Rejoicing in what God of his bounty hath vourchsafed them, filled with joy for those who follow after them, but have not yet overtaken them, that on them nor fear shall come, nor grief;
Filled with joy at the favours of God, and at his bounty: and that God suffereth not the reward of the faithful to perish.
As to those who after the reverse which befel them, respond to God and the Apostle -- such of them as do good works and fear God, shall have a great reward:
Who, when men said to them, "Now are the Meccans mustering against you; therefore fear them!" it only increased their faith, and they said, "Our sufficiency is God, and He is an excellent protector."
They returned, therefore, with the favour of God, enriched by Him, and untouched by harm; and they followed what was well pleasing to God. And God is of great Munificence.
Only would that Satan instill the fear of his adherents: Fear them not, but fear me if you are believers.
3:170 Let not those who view in haste after infidelity grieve thee: Verily not one whit shall they injure God! God will refuse them all part in the life to come: a severe chastisement shall be their lot.
They truly who purchase infidelity at the price of their faith, shall not injure God on whit! and a grievous chastisement shall be their lot.
Let not the infidels deem that the length of days we give them is good for them! We only give them length of days that they may increase their sins! and a shameful chastisement shall be their lot.
It is not in God to leave the faithful in the state in which they are, until he sever the bad from the good:
Nor is God minded to lay open the secret things to you, but God chooseth whom he will of his apostles to know them. Believe, therefore, in God and his apostles: and if you believe and fear God, a great reward awaited you.
And let not those who are niggard of what God hath vouchsafed them in his bounty, think that this will be good for them -- Nay, it will be bad for them --
That of which they have been niggard shall be their collar on the day of the resurrection. God's, the heritage of the Heavens and of the Earth! And God is well-informed of all you do.
Now hath God heard the saying of those who said: "Aye, God is poor and we are rich." We will surely write down their sayings, and their unjust slaughter of the prophets; and we will say, "Taste you the torment of the burning.
This, for what your hands have sent before you; and because God will not inflict a wrong upon his servants!:
To those who say, "Verily, God hath enjoined us that we are not to credit an apostle until he present us a sacrifice which fire out of Heaven shall devour,"
3:180 Say: Already have apostles before me come to you with miracles, and with that of which you speak. Wherefore slew you them? Tell me, if you are men of truth.
And if they treat thee as a liar, then verily apostles have been treated as liars before thee, though they came with clear proofs of their mission, and with Scriptures, and with the light-giving Book.
Every soul shall taste of death: and you shall only receive your recompenses on the day of resurrection. And whoso shall scape the fire, and be brought into Paradise, shall be happy. And the life of this world is but a cheating fruition!
You shall assuredly be tried in your possessions and in yourselves. And many hurtful things shall you assuredly hear from those to whom the Scriptures were given before you, and from those who join other gods with God. But if you be steadfast, and fear God -- this verily is needed in the affairs of life.
Moreover, when God entered into a covenant with those to whom the Scriptures had been given, and said, "You shall surely make it known to mankind and not hide it," they cast it behind their backs, and sold it for a sorry price! But vile is that for which they have sold it.
Suppose not that they who rejoice in what they have brought to pass, and love to be praised for what they have not done -- suppose not they shall escape the chastisement. And afflictive chastisement doth await them,
For the Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth is God's, and God hath power over all things.
Verily, in the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth, and in the succession of the night and of the day, are signs for men of understanding heart;
Who standing, and sitting, and reclining, bear God in mind, and muse on the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth. "O our Lord!" say they, "thou hast not created this in vain. No. Glory be to Thee! Keep us, then, from the torment of the fire.
O our Lord! surely thou wilt put him to shame whom thou shalt cause to enter into the Fire, and the wrong-doers shall have none to help them.
3:190 O our Lord! we have indeed heard the voice of one that called. He called us to the faith -- 'Believe you on your Lord' -- and we have believed.
O our Lord! forgive us then our sin, and hide away from us our evil deeds, and cause us to die with the righteous.
O our Lord! and give us what thou has promised us by thine apostles, and put us not to shame on the day of the resurrection. Verily, Thou wilt not fail thy promise."
And their Lord answereth them, "I will not suffer the work of him among you that worketh, whether of male or female, to be lost. The one of you is the issue of the other.
And they who have fled their country and quitted their homes and suffered in my cause, and have fought and fallen, I will blot out their sins from them, and I will bring them into gardens beneath which the streams do flow."
A recompense from God! and God! with Him is the perfection of recompense!
Let not prosperity in the land on the part of those who believe not, deceive thee. 'Tis but a brief enjoyment! Then shall Hell be their abode; and wretched the bed!
But as to those who fear their Lord -- for them are the gardens 'neath which the rivers flow: therein shall they abide for aye. Such their reception with God -- and that which is with God is best for the righteous.
Among the people of the Book are those who believe in God, and in what He hath sent down to you, and in what He hath sent down to them, humbling themselves before God. they barter not the signs of God for a mean price.
These! their recompense awaiteth them with their Lord: aye! God is swift to take account.
3:200 O you who believe! be patient and vie in patience, and be firm, and fear God, that it may be well with you.

Sura IV (4)
Women
(Medina -- 175 verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
O men! fear your Lord, who hath created you of one man (nafs, soul), and of him created his wife, and from these twain hath spread abroad so many men and women. And fear you God, in whose name you ask mutual favours, -- reverence the wombs that bare you. Verily is God watching over you!
And give to the orphans their property; substitute not worthless things of your own for their valuable ones, and devour not their property after adding it to your own; for this is a great crime.
And if you are apprehensive that you shall not deal fairly with orphans, then, of other women who seem good in your eyes, marry but two, or three, or four; and if you still fear that you shall not act equitably, then one only; or the slaves whom you have acquired: this will make justice on your part easier. Give women their dowry freely; but if of themselves they give up aught thereof to you, then enjoy it as convenient, and profitable.
And entrust not to the incapable the substance which God hath placed with you for their support; but maintain them therewith, and clothe them, and speak to them with kindly speech.
And make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; and if you perceive in them a sound judgment, then hand over their substance to them; but consume you it not wastefully, or by hastily entrusting it to them;
Because they are growing up. And let the rich guardian not even touch it; and let him who is poor use it for his support (eat of it) with discretion.
And when you make over their substance to them, then take witnesses in their presence: God also maketh a sufficient account.
Men ought to have a part of what their parents and kindred leave; and women a part of what their parents and kindred leave: whether it be little or much, let them have a stated portion.
And when they who are of kin are present at the division, and the orphans and the poor, let them too have a share; and speak to them with kindly speech.
4:10 And let those be afraid to wrong the orphans, who, should they leave behind them weakly offspring, would be solicitous on their account. Let them, therefore, fear god, and let them propose what is right.
Verily they who swallow the substance of the orphan wrongfully, shall swallow down only fire into their belies, and shall burn in the flame!
With regard to your children, God commandeth you to give the male the portion of two females; and if they be females more than two, then they shall have two-thirds of that which their father hath left: but if she be an only daughter, she shall have the half; and the father and mother of the deceased shall each of them have a sixth part of what he hath left, if he have a child; but if he have no child, and his parents be his heirs, then his mother shall have a third: and if he have brethren, his mother shall have the sixth, after paying the bequests he shall have bequeathed, and his debts. As to your fathers, or your children, you know not which of them is the most advantageous to you. This is the law of God. Verily, God is Knowing, Wise!
Half of what your wives leave shall be your's, if they have no issue; but if they have issue, then a fourth of what they leave shall be your's, after paying the bequests they shall bequeath, and debts.
And your wives shall have a fourth part of what you leave, if you have no issue; but if you have issue, then they shall have an eighth part of what you leave, after paying the bequests y shall bequeath, and debts.
If a man or a woman make a distant relation their heir, and he or she have a brother or a sister, each of these two shall have a sixth; but if there are more than this, then shall they be sharers in a third, after payment of the bequests he shall have bequeathed, and debts.
Without loss to any one. This is the ordinance of God, and God is Knowing, Gracious!
These are precepts of God; and whoso obeyeth God and his prophet, him shall God bring into gardens beneath whose shades the rivers flow, therein to abide for ever: and this, the great blessedness!
And whoso shall rebel against God and his apostle, and shall break His bounds, him shall God place in the fire to abide therein for ever; and his shall be a shameful torment.
If any of your women be guilty of whoredom, then bring four witnesses against them from among yourselves; and if they bear witness to the fact, shut them up within their houses till death release them, or God make some way for them.
4:20 And if two men among you commit the same crime, then punish them both; but if they turn and amend, then let them be; for God is He who turneth, Merciful!
With God himself will the repentance of those who have done evil ignorantly, and then turn speedily unto Him, but accepted. These! God will turn unto them: for God is Knowing, Wise!
But no place of repentance shall there be for those who do evil, until, when death is close to one of them, he saith, "Now verily am I turned to God;" nor to those who die unbelievers. These! we have made ready for them a grievous torment!
O believers! it is not allowed you to be heirs of your wives against their will; nor to hinder them from marrying, in order to take from them part of the dowry you had given them, unless they have been guilty of undoubted lewdness; but associate kindly with them: for if you are estranged from them, haply you are estranged from that in which God hath placed abundant good.
And if you be desirous to exchange one wife for another, and have given one of them a talent, make no deduction from it. Would you take it by slandering her, and with manifest wrong?
How, moreover, could you take it, when one of you hath gone in unto the other, and they have received from you a strict bond of union?
And marry not women whom your fathers have married: for this is a shame, and hateful, and an evil way: -- though what is past may be allowed.
Forbidden to you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your aunts, both on the father and mother's side, and your nieces on the brother and sister's side, and your foster-mothers, and your foster-sisters, and the mothers of your wives, and your step-daughters who are your wards, born of your wives to whom you have gone in: (but if you have not gone in unto them, it shall be no sin in you to marry them;) and the wives of your sons who proceed out of your loins; and you may not have two sisters; except where it is already done. Verily, God is Indulgent, Merciful!
Forbidden to you also are married women, except those who are in your hands as slaves: This is the law of God for you. And it is allowed you, beside this, to seek out wives by means of your wealth, with modest conduct, and without fornication. And give those with whom you have cohabited their dowry. This is the law. But it shall be no crime in you to make agreements over and above the law. Verily, God is Knowing, Wise!
And whoever of you is not rich enough to marry free believing women, then let him marry such of your believing maidens as have fallen into your hands as slaves; God well knoweth your faith. You are sprung the one from the other. Marry them, then, with the leave of their masters, and give them a fair dower: but let them be chaste and free from fornication, and not entertainers of lovers.
4:30 If after marriage they commit adultery, then inflict upon them half the penalty enacted for free married women. This law is for him among you who is afraid of doing wrong: but if you abstain, it will be better for you. And God is Lenient, Merciful.
God desireth to make this known to you, and to guide you into the ways of those who have been before you, and to turn Him unto you in mercy. And God is Knowing, Wise!
God desireth thus to turn him unto you: but they who follow their own lusts, desire that with great swerving should you swerve! God desireth to make your burden light: for man hath been created weak.
O believers! devour not each other's substance in mutual frivolities; unless there be a trafficking among you by your own consent: and commit not suicide: -- of a truth God is merciful to you.
And whoever shall do this maliciously and wrongfully, we will in the end cast him into the fire; for this is easy with God.
If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden, we will blot out your faults, and we will cause you to enter Paradise with honourable entry.
Covet not the gifts by which God hath raised some of you above others. The men shall have a portion according to their deserts, and the women according to their deserts. of God, therefore, ask his gifts. Verily, God hath knowledge of all things.
To every one have we appointed kindred, as heirs of which parents and relatives, and those with whom you have joined right hands in contract, leave. Give therefore, to each their portion. Verily, God witnesseth all things.
Men are superior to women on account of the qualities with which God hath gifted the one above the other, and on account of the outlay they make from their substance for them. Virtuous women are obedient, careful, during the husband's absence, because God hath of them been careful. But chide those for whose refractoriness you have cause to fear; remove them into beds apart, and scourge them: but if they are obedient to you, then seek not occasion against them: verily, God is High, Great!
And if you fear a breach between man and wife, then send a judge chosen from his family, and a judge chosen from her family: if they are desirous of agreement, God will effect a reconciliation between them; verily, God is knowing, apprised of all!
4:40 Worship God, and join not aught with Him in worship. Be good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans, and to the poor, and to a neighbour, whether kinsman or new-comer, and to a fellow traveller, and to the wayfarer, and to the slaves whom your right hands hold; verily, God loveth not the proud, the vain boaster,
Who are niggardly themselves, and bid others be niggards, and hide away what God of his bounty hath given them. We have made ready a shameful chastisement for the unbelievers,
And for those who bestow their substance in alms to be seen of men, and believe not in God and in the last day. Whoever hath Satan for his companion, an evil companion hath he!
But what blessedness would be theirs, if they should believe in God and in the last day, and bestow alms out of what God hath vouchsafed them; for God taketh knowledge of them!
God truly will not wrong any one of the weight of a mote; and if there be any good deed, he will repay it doubly; and from his presence shall be given a great recompense.
How! when we shall bring up against them, witnesses from all peoples, and when we shall bring thee up as a witness against these? On that day they who were Infidels and rebelled against the prophet, shall wish that the earth were levelled with them! But nothing shall they hide from God.
O you true believers, come not to prayer when you are drunken, but wait till you can understand what you utter; nor when you are polluted, unless you be travelling on the road, until you have washed you. If you be sick, or on a journey, or have come from the unclean place, or have touched a woman, and you find not water, then rub pure sand, and bathe your face and your hands with it: verily, God is Lenient, Merciful.
Hast thou not remarked those to whom a part of the Scriptures hath been given? Vendors are they of error, and are desirous that you go astray from the way. But God knoweth your enemies; and God is a sufficient patron, and God is a sufficient helper!
Among the Jews are those who displace the words of their Scriptures, and say, "We have heard, and we have not obeyed. Hear thou, but as one that heareth not; and look at us;" perplexing with their tongues, and wounding the Faith by their revilings.
But if they would say, "We have heard, and we obey; hear thou, and regard us;" it were better for them, and more right. But God hath cursed them for their unbelief. Few only of them are believers!
4:50 O you to whom the Scriptures have been given! believe in what we have sent down confirmatory of the Scripture which is in your hands, ere we efface your features, and twist your head round backward, or curse you as we cursed the sabbath-breakers: and the command of God was carried into effect.
Verily, God will not forgive the union of other gods with Himself! But other that this will He forgive to whom He pleaseth. And He who uniteth gods with God hath devised a great wickedness.
Hast thou not marked those who hold themselves to be righteous? But God holdeth righteous whom He will; and they shall not be wronged the husk of a date stone.
Behold how they devise a lie of God! Therein is wickedness manifest enough!
Hast thou not observed those to whom a part of the Scriptures hath been given? They believe in Djibt and Thagout, and say of the infidels, "These are guided in a better path than those who hold the faith."
These are they whom God hath cursed: and for him whom God hath cursed, thou shalt by no means find a helper.
Shall they have a share in the kingdom who would not bestow on their fellow men even the speck in a date stone?
Envy they other men what God of his bounty hath given them? We gave of old the Scriptures and wisdom to the line of Abraham, and we gave them a grand kingdom:
- Some of them believe on the prophet and some turn aside from him: -- the flame of Hell is their sufficing punishment!
Those who disbelieve our signs we will in the end cast into the fire: so oft as their skins shall be well burnt, we will change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the torment. Verily God is Mighty, Wise!
4:60 But as for those who have believed, and done the things that are right, we will bring them into gardens 'neath which the rivers flow -- therein to abide eternally; therein shall they have wives of stainless purity: and we will bring them into aye-shadowing shades.
Verily, God enjoineth you to give back your trusts to their owners, and when you judge between men, to judge with fairness. Excellent is the practice to which God exhorteth you. God Heareth, Beholdeth!
O you who believe! obey God and obey the apostle, and those among you invested with authority; and in in aught you differ, bring it before God and the apostle, if you believe in God and in the latter day. This is the best and fairest way to settlement.
Hast thou not marked those who profess that they believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and what hath been sent down before thee? Fain would they be judged before Thagout, though commanded not to believe in him; and fain would Satan make them wander with wanderings wide of truth.
And when it is said to them, "Accede to that which God hath sent down, and to the apostle," thou seest the hypocrites avert them from thee with utter aversion.
But how, when some misfortune shall fortune them, for their previous handywork? Then will they come to thee, swearing by God, "We desire nothing but to promote good and concord!"
These are they whose hearts God knoweth. Therefore break off from them, and warn them, and speak words that may penetrate their souls.
We have not sent any apostle but to be obeyed, if God so will: but if they, after they have sinner to their own hurt by unbelief, come to thee and ask pardon of God, and the apostle ask pardon for them, they shall surely find that God is He who turneth unto man, Merciful.
And they will not -- I sear by thy Lord -- they will not believe, until they have set thee up as judge between them on points where they differ. Then shall they not find in their own minds any difficulty in thy decisions, and shall submit with entire submission.
Had we laid down such a law for them as "Kill yourselves, or abandon your dwellings," but few of them would have done it. But had they done that to which they were exhorted, better had it been for them, and stronger for the confirmation of their faith.
4:70 In that case we had surely given them from ourself a great recompense, and on the straight path should we surely have guided them.
And whoever shall obey God and the Apostle, these shall be with those of the Prophets, and of the Sincere, and of the Martyrs, and of the Just, to whom God hath been gracious. These are a goodly band!
This is the bounty of God; and in knowledge doth God suffice.
O you who believe! make use of precautions; and advance in detachments, or, advance in a body.
There is of you who will be a laggard: and if a reverse befall you he saith, "Now hath God dealt graciously with me, since I was not with you in the fight:"
But if a success from God betide you, he will say, as if there had never been any friendship between you and him, "Would I had been with them! a rich prize should I have won!"
Let those then fight on the path of God, who barter this present life for that which is to come; for whoever fighteth on God's path, whether he be slain or conquer, we will in the end give him a great reward.
But what hath come to you that you fight not on the path of God, and for the weak among men, women and children, who say, "O our Lord! bring us forth from this city whose inhabitants are oppressors; give us a champion from thy presence; and give us from thy presence a defender."
They who believe, fight on the path of God; and they who believe not, fight on the path of Thagout: Fight therefore against the friends of Satan. Verily the craft of Satan shall be powerless!
Hast thou not marked those to whom it was said, "Withhold your hands while from war; and observe prayer, and pay the stated alms.": But when war is commanded them, lo! a portion of them fear men as with the fear of God, or with a yet greater fear, and say: "O our Lord! why hast thou commanded us war? Couldst thou not have given us respite till our not distant end?" Say: Small the fruition of this world; but the next life is the true good for him who feareth God! and you shall not be wronged so much as the skin of a date stone.
4:80 Wherever you be, death will overtake you -- although you be in lofty towers! If good fortune betide them, they say, "This is from God;" and if evil betide them, they say, "This is from thee." Say: All is from God: But what hath come to these people that they are not near to understanding what is told them?
Whatever good betideth thee is from God, and whatever betideth thee of evil is from thyself; and we have sent thee to mankind as an apostle: God is thy sufficing witness.
Whoso obeyeth the Apostle, in so doing obeyeth God: and as to those who turn back from thee, we have not sent thee to be their keeper.
Moreover, they say: "Obedience!" but when they come forth from thy presence, a party of them brood by night over other than thy words; but God writeth down what they brood over: therefore separate thyself from them, and put thou thy trust in God. God is a sufficient protector!
Can they not consider the Koran? Were it from any other than God, they would surely have found in it many contradictions.
And when tidings, either of security or alarm, reach them, they tell them abroad; but if they would report them to the apostle, and to those who are in authority among them, those who desire information would learn it from them. But for the goodness and mercy of God towards you, you would have followed Satan except a few!
Fight, therefore, on God's path:O lay not burdens on any but thyself; and stir up the faithful. The might of the infidels haply will God restrain, for God is the stronger in prowess, and the stronger to punish.
He who shall mediate between men for a good purpose shall be the gainer by it. But he would sho mediate with an evil mediation shall reap the fruit of it. And God keepeth watch over everything.
If you are greeted with a greeting, then greet you with a better greeting, or at least return it; God taketh county of all things.
God! there is no god but He! He will certainly assemble you on the day of resurrection. There is no doubt of it. And whose word is more true than God's?
4:90 Why are you two parties on the subject of the hypocrites, when God hath cast them off for their doings? Desire you to guide those whom God hath led astray? But for him whom God leadeth astray, thou shalt by no means find a pathway.
They desire that you should be infidels as they are infidels, and that you should be alike. Take therefore none of them for friends, till they have fled their homes for the cause of God. If they turn back, then seize them, and slay them wherever you find them; but take none of them as friends or helpers,
Except those who shall seek an asylum among your allies, and those who come over to you -- their hearts forbidding them to make war on you, or to make war on their own people. Had God pleased, he would have given them power against you, and they would have made war upon you! But, if they depart from you, and make not war against you and offer you peace, then God alloweth you no occasion against them.
You will find others who seek to gain your confidence as well as that of their own people: So oft as they return to sedition, they shall be overthrown in it: But if they leave you not, nor propose terms of peace to you nor withhold their hands, then seize them, and slay them, wherever you find them. Over these have we given you undoubted power.
A believer killeth not a believer but by mischance: and whoso killeth a believer by mischance shall be bound to free a believer from slavery; and the blood-money shall be paid to the family of the slain, unless they convert it into alms. But if the slain believer be of a hostile people, then let him confer freedom on a slave who is a believer; and if he be of a people between whom and yourselves there is an alliance, then let the blood-money be paid to his family, and let him set free a slave who is a believer: and let him who hath not the means, fast two consecutive months. This is the penance enjoined by God; and God is Knowing, Wise!
But whoever shall kill a believer of set purpose, his recompense shall be hell; for ever shall he abide in it; God shall be wrathful with him, and shall curse him, and shall get ready for him a great torment.
O believers! when you go forth to the fight for the cause of God, be discerning, and say not to every one who meeteth you with a greeting, "Thou art not a believer" in your greed after the chance good things of this present life! With God are abundant spoils. Such hath been your wont in times past; but God hath been gracious to you. Be discerning, then, for God well knoweth what you do.
Those believers who sit at home free from trouble, and those who do valiantly in the cause of God with their substance and their persons, shall not be treated alike. God hath assigned to those who contend earnestly with their persons and with their substance, a rank above those who sit at home. Goodly promises hath He made to all. But God hath assigned to the strenuous a rich recompense, above those who sit still at home,
Rank of his own bestowal, and forgiveness, and mercy; for God is Indulgent, Merciful.
The angels, when they took the souls of those who had been unjust to their own weal, demanded, "What hath been your state?" They said, "We were the weak ones of the earth." They replied, "Was not God's earth broad enough for you to flee away in?" These! their home shall be Hell, and evil the passage to it --
4:100 Except the men and women and children who were not able, through their weakness, to find the mean of escape, and were not guided on their way. These haply God will forgive: for God is Forgiving, Gracious.
Whoever flieth his country for the cause of God, will find in the earth many under like compulsion, and abundant resources; and if any one shall quit his home and fly to God and his apostle, and then death overtake him, -- his reward from God is sure: for God is Gracious, Merciful!
And when you go forth to war in the land, it shall be no crime in you to cut short your prayers, if you fear lest the infidels come upon you; Verily, the infidels are your undoubted enemies!
And when thou, O apostle! shalt be among them, and shalt pray with them, then let a party of them rise up with thee, but let them take their arms; and when they shall have made their prostrations, let them retire to your rear: then let another party that hath not prayed come forward, and let them pray with you; but let them take their precautions and their arms. Pleased would the infidels be for you to neglect your arms and your baggage, that they might turn upon you at once! And it shall be no crime in you to lay down your arms if rain annoy you, or if you be sick. But take your precautions. Verily, God hath made ready a shameful torment for the infidels.
And when you shall have ended the prayer, make mention of God, standing, and sitting, and reclining: and as soon as you are secure, observe prayer; for to the faithful, prayer is a prescribe dduty, and for stated hours.
Slacken not in pursuit of the foe. If you suffer, assuredly they suffer also as you suffer; but you hope from God for what they cannot hope! And God is Knowing, Wise!
Verily, we have sent down the Book to thee with the truth, thou that mayest judge between men according as God hath given thee insight: But with the deceitful ones dispute not: and implore pardon of God. Verily, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
And plead not with us for those who are self-deceivers; for God loveth not him who is deceitful, criminal.
From men they hide themselves; but they cannot hide themselves from God: and when they hold nightly discourses which please Him not, He is with them. God is round about their doings!
Oh! you are they who plead in their favour in this present life; but who shall plead with God for them on the day of the resurrection? Who will be the guardian over them?
4:110 Yet he who doth evil, or shall have acted against his own weal, and then shall ask pardon of God, will find God Forgiving, Merciful:
And whoever committeth a crime, committeth it to his own hurt. And God is Knowing, Wise!
And whoever committeth an involuntary fault or a crime, and then layeth it on the innocent, shall surely bear the guilt of calumny and of a manifest crime.
But for the grace and mercy of God upon thee, a party among them had resolved to mislead thee, but they shall only mislead themselves; nor in aught shall they harm thee. God hath caused the Book and the wisdom to descend upon thee: and what thou knowest not He hath caused thee to know: and the grace of God toward thee hath been great.
In most of their secret talk is nothing good; but only in his who enjoineth almsgiving, or that which is right, or concord among men. Whoso doth this, out of desire to please God, we will give him at the last a great reward:
But whoso shall sever himself from the prophet after that "the guidance" hath been manifested to him, and shall follow any other path than that of the faithful, we will turn our back on him as he hath turned his back on us, and we will cast him into Hell; -- an evil journey thither!
God truly will not forgive the joining other gods with Himself. Other wins He will forgive to whom He will: but he who joineth gods with God, hath erred with far-gone error.
They call, beside Him, upon mere goddesses! they invoke a rebel Satan!
On them is the malison of God. For he said, "A portion of thy servants will I surely take, and will lead them astray, and will stir desires within them, and will command them and they shall cut the ears of animals; and I will command them, and they shall alter the creation of God." He who taketh Satan rather than God for his patron, is ruined with palpable ruin:
He hath made them promises, and he hath stirred desires within them; but Satan promiseth, only to beguile!
4:120 These! their dwelling Hell! no escape shall they find from it!
But they who believe and do the things that are right, we will bring them into gardens beneath which the rivers flow; For ever shall they abide therein. Truly it is the promise of God: And whose word is more sure than God's?
Not according to your wishes, or the wishes of the people of the Book, shall these things be. He who doth evil shall be recompensed for it. Patron or helper, beside God, shall he find none.
But whoso doth the things that are right, whether male or female, and he or she a believer, -- these shall enter Paradise, nor shall they be wronged the skin of a date stone.
And who hath a better religion than he who resigneth himself to God, who doth what is good, and followeth the faith of Abraham in all sincerity? And God took Abraham for his friend.
All that is in the Heavens and all that is on the Earth is God's: and God encompasseth all things!
Moreover, they will consult thee in regard to women: Say: God hath instructed you about them; and His will is rehearsed to you, in the Book, concerning female orphans to whom you give not their legal due, and whom you refuse to marry; also with regard to weak children; and that you deal with fairness towards orphans. You cannot do a good action, but verily God knoweth it.
And if a wife fear ill usage or aversion on the part of her husband, then shall it be no fault in them if they can agree with mutual agreement, for agreement is best. Men's souls are prone to avarice; but if you act kindly and fear God, then, verily, your actions are not unnoticed by God!
And you will not have it at all in your power to treat your wives alike, even though you fain would do so; but yield not wholly to disinclination, so that you leave one of them as it were in suspense; if you come to an understanding, and fear God, then, verily, God is Forgiving, Merciful;
But if they separate, God can compensate both out of His abundance; for God is Vast, Wise;
4:130 And whatever is in the Heavens and in the Earth is God's! We have already enjoined those to whom the Scriptures were given before you, and yourselves, to fear God. But if you become unbelievers, yet know that whatever is in the Heavens and in the Earth is God's: and God is Rich, Praiseworthy.
All that is in Heaven and all that is in Earth is God's! God is a sufficient protector!
If he pleased, he could cause you to pass away, O mankind! and create others in your stead: for this hath God power.
If any one desire the reward of this world, yet with God is the reward of this world and of the next! And God Heareth, Beholdeth.
O you who believe! stand fast to justice, when you bear witness before God, though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kindred, whether the party be rich or poor. God is nearer than you to both. Therefore follow not passion, lest you swerve from truth. And if you wrest your testimony or stand aloof, God verily is well aware of what you do.
O you who believe! believe in God and his Apostle, and the Book which he hath sent down to his Apostle, and the Book which he hath sent down aforetime. Whoever believeth not on God and his Angels and his Books and his Apostles, and in the last day, he verily hath erred with far-gone error.
Verily, they who believed, then became unbelievers, then believed, and against became unbelievers, and then increased their unbelief -- it is not God who will forgive them or guide them into the way.
Announce to the hypocrites that a dolorous torment doth await them.
Those who take the unbelievers for friends besides the faithful -- do they seek honour at their hands? Verily, all honour belongeth unto God!
And already hath He sent this down to you in the Book "WHEN YE SHALL HEAR THE SIGNS OF GOD THEY SHALL NOT BE BELIEVED BUT SHALL BE MOCKED AT." Sit you not therefore with such, until they engage in other discourse; otherwise, you will become like them. Verily God will gather the hypocrites and the infidels all together in Hell.
4:140 They watch your narrowly. Then if God grant you a victory, they say, "Are we not with you?" and if the infidels meet with a success, they say to them, "Were we not superior to you: and did we not defend you from those believers?" God shall judge betwixt you on the day of the resurrection, and God will by no means make a way for the infidels over the believers.
The hypocrites would deceive God, but He will deceive them! When they stand up for prayer, they stand carelessly, to be seen of men, and they remember God but little:
Wavering between the one and the other -- belonging neither to these nor those! and by no means shalt thou find a path for him whom God misleadeth.
O believers! take not infidels for friends rather than believers. Would you furnish God with clear right to punish you?
Verily the hypocrites shall be in the lowest abyss of the fire: and, by no means shalt thou find a helper for them;
Save for those who turn and amend, and lay fast hold on God, and approve the sincerity of their religion to God; these shall be numbered with the faithful, and God will at last bestow on the faithful a great reward.
Why should God inflict a chastisement upon you, if you are grateful, and believe? God is Grateful, Wise!
God loveth not that evil be matter of public talk, unless any one hath been wronged: God it is who Heareth, Knoweth!
Whether you publish what is good, or conceal it, or pardon evil, verily God is Pardoning, Powerful!
Of a truth they who believe not on God and his Apostles, and seek to separate God from his Apostles, and say, "Some we believe, and some we believe not," and desire to take a middle way;
4:150 These! they are veritable infidels! and for the infidels have we prepared a shameful punishment.
And they who believe on God and his Apostles, and make no difference between them -- these! we will bestow on them their reward at last. God is Gracious, Merciful!
The people of the Book will ask of thee to cause a Book to come down unto them out of Heaven. But a greater thing that this did they ask of Moses! for they said, "Shew us God plainly!" and for this their wickedness did the fire-storm lay hold on them. Then took they the calf as the object of their worship, after that our clear tokens had come to them; but we forgave them this, and conferred on Moses undoubted power.
And we uplifted the mountain over them when we made a covenant with them, and we said to them, "Enter the gate adoring;" and we said to them, "Transgress not on the Sabbath," and we received from them a strict covenant.
So, for that they have broken their covenant, and have rejected the signs of God, and have put the prophets to death unjustly, saying the while, "Our hearts are uncircumcised," -- Nay, but God hath sealed them up for their unbelief, so that but few believe.
And for their unbelief, -- and for their having spoken against Mary a grievous calumny, --
And for their saying, "Verily we have slain the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, an Apostle of God." Yet they slew him not, and they crucified him not, but they had only his likeness. And they who differed about him were in doubt concerning him: No sure knowledge had they about him, but followed only an opinion, and they did not really slay him, but God took him up to Himself. And God is Mighty, Wise!
These shall not be one of the people of the Book but shall believe in Him before his death, and in the day of resurrection, He will be a witness against them.
For the wickedness of certain Jews, and because they turn many from the way of God, we have forbidden them goodly viands which had been before allowed them.
And because they have taken usury, though they were forbidden it, and have devoured men's substance in frivolity, we have got ready for the infidels among them a grievous torment.
4:160 But their men of solid knowledge, and the believers who believe in that which hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath been sent down before thee, and who observe prayer, and pay the alms of obligation, and believe in God and the latter day, -- these! we will give them a great reward.
Verily we have revealed to thee as we revealed to Noah and the Prophets after him, and as we revealed to Abraham, and Isma\uel and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon; and to David gave we Psalms.
Of some apostles we have told thee before: of other apostles we have not told thee -- And discoursing did God discourse with Moses --
Apostles charged to announce and to warn, that men, after those apostles, might have no plea against god. And God is Mighty, Wise!
But God is himself witness of what He hath sent down to thee: In His knowledge hath He sent it down to thee. The angels are also its witnesses: but God is a sufficient witness!
Verily, they who believe not and pervert from the way of God, have indeed erred with error wide of truth.
Verily, those who believe not, and act wrongfully, God will never pardon, and never will he guide them on path,
Than the path to Hell, in which they shall abide for ever! And this is easy for God.
O men! now hath an apostle come to you with truth from your Lord. Believe then, it will be better for you. But if you believe not, then, all that is in the Heavens and the Earth is God's; and God is Knowing, Wise!
O you people of the Book! overstep not bounds in your religion; and of God, speak only truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is only an apostle of God, and his Word which he conveyed into Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from himself. Believe therefore in God and his apostles, and say not, "Three:" (there is a Trinity) Forebear -- it will be better for you. God is only one God! Far be it from His glory that He should have a son! His, whatever is in
the Heavens, and whatever is in the Earth! And God is a sufficient Guardian.
4:170 The Messiah disdaineth not to be a servant of God, nor do the angels who are nigh unto Him.
And whoso disdaineth His service, and is filled with pride, God will gather them all to Himself.
And to those who believe and do the things that are right, will He pay them their due recompense, and out of His bounty will He increase them: but as for those who are disdainful and proud, with a grievous chastisement will He chastise them;
And none beside God shall they find to protect or to help them.
O men! now hath a proof come to you from your Lord, and we have sent down to you a clear light. As to those who believe in God, and lay fast nhold on Him, these will He cause to enter into his mercy and grace, and along the straight way unto Himself will He guide them.
They will consult thee. Say: God instructeth you as to distant kindred. If a man die childless, but have a sister, half what he shall have shall be her's; and if she die childless he shall be her heir. But if there be two sisters, two-third parts of what he shall have shall be theirs; and if there be both brothers and sisters, the male shall have the portion of two females. God teacheth you plainly, that you err not! God knoweth all things.

Sura V
The Table (5)
[Medina -- 120 verses]
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
O BELIEVERS! be faithful to your engagements. You are allowed the flesh of cattle other than what is hereinafter recited, except game, which is not allowed you while you are on pilgrimage. Verily, God ordaineth what he pleaseth.
O Believers! violate neither the rites of God, nor the sacred month Muharram, nor the offering, nor its ornaments, nor those who press on to the sacred house seeking favour from their Lord and his good pleasure in them.
But when all is over, then take to the chase: and let not ill will at those who would have kept you from the sacred mosque lead you to transgress, but rather be helpful to one another according to goodness and piety, but be not helpful for evil and malice: and fear you God. Verily, God is severe in punishing!
That which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and all that hath been sacrificed under the invocation of any other name than that of God, and the strangled, and the killed by a blow, or by a fall, or by goring, and that which hath been eaten by beasts of prey, unless you make it clean by giving the death-stroke yourselves, and that which hath been sacrificed on the blocks of stone, is forbidden you: and to make division of the slain by consulting the arrows, is impiety in you. Woe this day on those who forsake your religion! And fear them not, but fear Me.
This day have I perfected your religion for you, and have filled up the measure of my favours upon you: and it is my pleasure that Islam be your religion; but whoso without wilful leanings to wrong shall be forced by hunger to transgress, to him, verily, will God be Indulgent, Merciful.
They will ask thee what is made lawful for them. Say: Those things which are good are legalised to you, and the prey of beasts of chase which you have trained like dogs, teaching them as God hath taught you. Eat, therefore, of what they shall catch for you, and make mention of the name of God over it, and fear God: Verily, Swift is God to reckon:
This day, things healthful are legalised to you, and the meats of those who have received the Scriptures are allowed to you, as your meats are to them. And you are permitted to marry virtuous women who are believers, and virtuous women of those who have received the Scriptures before you, when you shall have provided them their portions, living chastely with them without fornication, and without taking concubines. Vain the works of him who shall renounce the faith! and in the next world he shall be of the lost.
O Believers! when you address yourselves to prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbow, and wipe your heads, and your feet to the ankles.
And if you have become unclean, then purify yourselves. But if you are sick, or on a journey, or if one of you come from the place of retirement, or if you have touched women, and you find no water, then take clean sand and rub your faces and your hands with it. God desireth not to lay a burden upon you, but he desireth to purify you, and He would fill up the measure of His favour upon you, that you may be grateful.
5:10 And remember the favour of God upon you, and His covenant which He hath covenanted with you, when you said, "We have heard and will obey;" and fear God; verily, God knoweth the very secrets of the breast.
O Believers! stand up as witnesses for God by righteousness: and let not ill-will at any, induce you not to act uprightly. Act uprightly. Next will this be to the fear of God. And fear you God: verily, God is apprised of what you do.
God hath promised to those who believe, and do the things that are right, that for them is pardon and a great reward.
But they who are Infidels and treat our signs as lies -- these shall be mated with Hell fire.
O Believers! recollect God's favour upon you, when certain folk were minded to stretch forth their hands against you, but He kept their hands from you. Fear God then: and on God let the faithful trust.
Of old did God accept the covenant of the children of Israel, and out of them we raised up twelve leaders, and God said, "Verily, I will be with you. If you observe prayer and pay the obligatory alms, and believe in my Apostles and help them, and lend God a liberal loan, I will surely put away from you your evil deeds, and I will bring you into gardens 'neath which the rivers flow! But whoso of you after this believeth not, hath gone astray from the even path."
But for their breaking their covenant we have cursed them, and have hardened their hearts. They shift the words of Scripture from their places, and have forgotten part of what they were taught. Thou wilt not cease to discover deceit on their part, except in a few of them. But forgive them, and pass it over: verily, God loveth those who act generously!
And of those who say, "We are Christians,! have we accepted the covenant. But they too have forgotten a part of what they were taught; wherefore we have stirred up enmity and hatred among them that shall last till the day of the Resurrection; and in the end will God tell them of their doings.
O people of the Scriptures! now is our Apostle come to you to clear up to you much that you concealed of those Scriptures, and to pass over many things. Now hath a light and a clear Book come to you from God, by which God will guide him who shall follow after his good pleasure, to paths of peace, and will bring them out of the darkness to the light, by his will: and to the straight path will he guide them.
Infidels now are they who say, "Verily God is the Messiah Ibn Maryam (son of Mary)! Say: And who could aught obtain from God, if he chose to destroy the Messiah Ibn Maryam, and his mother, and all who are on the earth together?
5:20 For with God is the sovereignty of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that is between them! He createth what He will; and over all this is God potent.
Say the Jews and Christians, "Sons are we of God and his beloved." Say: Why then doth he chastise you for your sins? Nay! you are but a part of the men whom he hath created! He will pardon whom he pleaseth, and chastise whom he pleaseth, and with God is the sovereignty of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that is between them, and unto Him shall all things return.
O people of the Book! now hath our Apostle come to you to clear up to year the cessation of Apostles, lest you should say, "There hath come to us no bearer of good tidings, nor any warner." But now hath a bearer of good tidings and a warner reached you. And God is Almighty.
And remember when Moses said to his people, "O my people! call to mind the goodness of God towards you when he appointed Prophets among you, and appointed you kings, and gave you what never had been given before to any human beings:
Enter, O my people! the holy land which God hath destined for you. Turn not back, lest you be overthrown to your ruin."
They said, "O Moses! Therein are men of might. And verily, we can by no means enter it till they be gone forth. But if they go forth from it, then verily will we enter in."
Then said two men of those who feared their Lord and to whom God had been gracious, "Enter in upon them by the gate: and when you enter it, you overcome! If you be believers, put you your trust in God."
They said, "O Moses! never can we enter while they remain therein. Go thou and thy Lord and fight; for here will we sit us down."
He said, "O my Lord, Verily of none am I master but of myself and my brother: put thou therefore a difference between us and this ungodly people."
He said, "Verily the land shall be forbidden them forty years: they shall wander in the earth perplexed. Fret not thyself therefore for the ungodly people."
5:30 Relate to them exactly the story of the sons of Adam when they each offered an offering; accepted from the one of them, and not accepted from the other. The one said, "I will surely slay thee." Said the other, "God only accepted from those that fear Him.
"Even if thou stretch forth thine hand against me to slay me, I will not stretch forth my hand against thee to slay thee. Truly I fear God the Lord of the Worlds.
"Yea, rather would I that thou shouldest bear my sin and thine own sin, and that thou become an inmate of the Fire: for that is the recompense of the unjust doers."
And his passion led him to slay his brother: and he slew him; and he became one of those who perish.
And God sent a raven which scratched upon the ground, to shew him how he might hide his brother's wrong. He said: "O woe is me! am I too weak to become like this raven, and to hide away my brother's wrong?" And he became one of the repentant.
For this cause have we ordained to the children of Israel that he who slayeth any one, unless it be a person guilty of manslaughter, or of spreading disorders in the land, shall be as though he had slain all mankind; but that he who saveth a life, shall be as though he had saved all mankind alive.
Of old our Apostles came to them with the proofs of their mission; then verily after this most of them committed excesses in the land.
Only, the recompense of those who war against god and his Apostle, and go about to commit disorders on the earth, shall be that they shall be slain or crucified, or have their alternate hands and feet cut off, or be banished the land: This their disgrace in this world, and in the next a great torment shall be theirs --
Except those who, ere you have them in your power, shall repent; for know that God is Forgiving, Merciful.
O you who believe! fear God. Desire union with Him. Contend earnestly on his path, that you may attain to happiness.
5:40 As to the infidels -- if that they had twice the riches of the earth to be their ransom from torment on the day of resurrection, it should not be accepted from them! And a dolorous torment shall be their's.
Fain would they come forth from the Fire; but forth from it they shall not come: and a lasting torment shall be their's.
As to the thief, whether man or woman, cut you off their hands in recompense for their doings This is a penalty by way of warning from God himself. And God is Mighty, Wise.
But whoever shall turn him to God after this his wickedness, and amend, God truly will be turned to him: for God is Forgiving, merciful.
Knowest thou not that the sovereignty of the Heavens and of the Earth is God"s? He chastiseth whom He will, and whom He will He forgiveth. And God hath power over all things.
O Apostle! let not those who vie with one another in speeding to infidelity vex this; -- of those who say with their mouths, "We believe," but whose hearts believe not; -- of of the Jews -- listeners to a lie -- listeners to others -- but who come not to thee. They shift the words of the law from their places, and say, "If this be brought to you, receive it; but if this be not brought to you, then beware of it." For him whom God would mislead, thou canst in no wise prevail with God! They whose hearts God shall not please to cleanse, shall suffer disgrace in this world, and in the next a grievous punishment;
Listeners to a falsehood and greedy devourers of the forbidden! If, therefore, they have recourse to thee, then judge between them, or withdraw from them. If thou withdraw from them, then can they have no power to injure thee. But if thou judge, then judge between them with equity. Verily, God loveth those who deal equitably.
But how shall they make thee their judge, since they possess already the Law, in which are the behests of God, and have not obeyed it? After this, they will turn their backs; but such are not believers.
Verily, we have sent down the law (Towrat) wherein are guidance and light. By it did the prophets who professed Islam judge the Jews; and the doctors and the teachers judged by that portion of the Book of God, of which they were the keepers and the witnesses. Therefore, O Jews! fear not men but fear Me; and barter not away my signs for a mean price! And whoso will not judge by what God hath sent down -- such are the Infidels.
And therein have we enacted for them, "Life for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and for wounds retaliation:" -- Whoso shall compromise it as alms shall have therein the expiation of his sin; and whoso will not judge by what God hath sent down -- such are the transgressors.
5:50 And in the footsteps of the prophets caused we Jesus, the son of Mary, to follow, confirming the law which was before him: and we gave him the Evangel with its guidance and light, confirmatory of the preceding Law; a guidance and warning to those who fear God; --
And that the people of the Evangel may judge according to what God hath sent down therein. And whoso will not judge by what God hath sent down -- such are the perverse.
And to thee we have sent down the Book of the Koran with truth, confirmatory of previous Scriptures, and their safeguard. Judge therefore between them by what God hath sent down, and follow not their desires by deserting the truth which hath come unto thee. To every one of you have we given a rule and a beaten track.
And if God had pleased He had surely made you all one people; but He would test you by what He hath given to each. Be emulous, then, in good deeds. To God shall you all return, and He will tell you concerning the subjects of your disputes.
Wherefore do thou judge between them, by what God hath sent down, and follow not their wishes! but he on thy guard against them lest they beguile thee from any of those precepts which God hath sent down to thee; and if they turn back, then know thou that for some of their crimes doth God choose to punish them: for truly most men are perverse.
Desire they, therefore, the judgments of the times of (pagan) ignorance? But what better judge can there be than God for those who believe firmly?
O Believers! take not the Jews or Christians as friends. They are but one another's friends. If any one of you taketh them for his friends, he surely is one of them! God will not guide the evil doers.
So shalt thou see the diseased at heart speed away to them, and say, "We fear lest a change of fortune befall us." But haply God will of himself bring about some victory or event of His own ordering: then soon will they repent them of their secret imaginings.
Then will the faithful say, "What! are these they who swore, by their most solemn oath, that they were surely with you?" Vain their works; and themselves shall come to ruin.
O you who believe! should any of you desert His religion, God will then raise up a people loved by Him, and loving Him, lowly towards the faithful, haughty towards the Infidels. For the cause of God will they contend, and not fear the blame of the blamer. This is the Grace of God! On whom He will He bestoweth it! God is Vast, Omniscient!
5:60 Verily, your protector is God and His Apostle, and those who believe, who observe prayer, and pay the alms of obligation, and who bow in worship.
And whoso take God and His Apostle, and those who believe for friends, they truly are the people of God; they shall have the upper hand.
O you who believe! take not such of those who have received the Scriptures before you, as scoff and jest at your religion, or the Infidels, for your friends, but fear God if you are believers:
Nor those who when you call to prayer, make it an object of raillery and derision. This they do because they are a people who understand not.
Say: O people of the Book! do you not disavow us only because we believe in God, and in what He hath sent down to us, and in what He hath sent down aforetime, and because most of you are doers of ill?
Say: Can I announce to you any retribution worse than that which awaiteth them with God? They whom God hath cursed and with whom He hath been angry -- some of them hath He changed into apes and swine; and they who worship Thagout are in evil plight, and have gone far astray from the right path!
When they presented themselves to you they said, "We believe;" but Infidels they come in unto you, and Infidels they went forth! God well knew what they concealed.
Many of them shalt thou see hastening together to wickedness and malice, and to eat unlawful things. Shame on them for what they have done!
Had not their doctors and teachers forbidden their uttering wickedness, and their eating unlawful food, bad indeed would have been their doings!
"The hand of God," say the Jews, "is chained up." Their own hands shall be chained up -- and for that which they have said shall they be cursed. Nay! outstretched are both His hands! At His own pleasure does He bestow gifts. That which hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord will surely increase the rebellion and unbelief of many of them; and we have put enmity and hatred between them that shall last till the day of the Resurrection. Oft as they kindle a beacon fire for war shall God quench it! and their aim will be to abet disorder on the earth: but God loveth not the abettors of disorder.
5:70 But if the people of the Book believe and have the fear of God, we will surely put away their sins from them, and will bring them into gardens of delight: and if that they observe the law and the Evangel, and what hath been sent down to them from their Lord, they shall surely have their fill of good things from above them and from beneath their feet. Some there are among them who act aright; but many of them -- how evil are their doings!
O Apostle! proclaim all that hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord: for it thou do it not, thou hast not proclaimed His message at all. And God will protect thee from evil men: verily, God guideth not the unbelievers.
Say: O people of the Book! you have no ground to stand on, until you observe the Law and the Evangel, and that which hath been sent down to you from your Lord. The Book which hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord will certainly increase the rebellion and unbelief of many of them; but, be not thou troubled for the unbelievers.
Verily, they who believe, and the Jews, and the Sabeites, and the Christians -- whoever of them believeth in God and in the last day, and doth what is right, on them shall come no fear, neither shall they be put to grief.
Of old we accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, and sent Apostles to them. Oft as an Apostle came to them with that for which they had no desire, some they treated as liars, and some they slew;
And they reckoned that no harm would come of it: -- but they became blind and deaf! Then was God turned unto them: then many of them again became blind and deaf! but God beheld what they did.
Infidels now are they who say, "God is the Messiah, Son of Mary;" for the Messiah said, "O children of Israel! worship God, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever shall join other gods with God, God shall forbid him the Garden, and his abode shall be the Fire; and the wicked shall have no helpers.
They surely are Infidels who say, "God is the third of three:" for there is no God but one God: and if they refrain not from what they say, a grievous chastisement shall light on such of them as are Infidels.
Will they not, therefore, be turned unto God, and ask pardon of Him? since God is Forgiving, Merciful!
The Messiah, Son of Mary, is but an Apostle; other Apostles have flourished before him; and his mother was a just person: they both ate food. Behold! how we make clear to them the signs! then behold how they turn aside!
5:80 Say: Will you worship, beside God, that which can neither hurt nor help? But God! He only Heareth, Knoweth.
Say: O people of the Book! outstep not bounds of truth in your religion; neither follow the desires of those who have already gone astray, and who have caused many to go astray, and have themselves gone astray from the evenness of the way.
Those among the children of Israel who believed not were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, Son of Mary. This, because they were rebellious, and became transgressors: they forbade not one another the iniquity which they wrought! detestable are their actions!
Thou shalt see many of them make friends of the infidels. Evil the actions which their own passions have sent on beforehand; for God is angry with them, and in torment shall they abide for ever:
But, if they had believed in God, and the Prophet, and the Koran which hath been sent down to him, they had not taken them for their friends; but perverse are most of them.
Of all men thou wilt certainly find the Jews, and those who join other gods with God, to be the most intense in hatred of those who believe; and thou shalt certainly find those to be nearest in affection to them who say, "We are Christians." This, because some of them are priests and monks, and because they are free from pride.
And when they hear that which hath been sent down to the Apostle, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears at the truth they recognise therein, saying, "O our Lord! we believe; write us down therefore with those who bear witness to it.
And why should we not believe in God, and in the truth which hath come down to us, and crave that our Lord would bring us into Paradise with the Just?"
Therefore hath God rewarded them for these their words, with gardens 'neath which the rivers flow; they shall abide therein for ever: this the reward of the righteous! But they who believe not and treat our signs as lies shall be the inmates of Hell-fire.
O you who believe! interdict not the healthful viands which God hath allowed you; go not beyond this limit. God loveth not those who outstep it.
5:90 And eat of what God hath given you for food, that which is lawful and wholesome: and fear God, in whom you believe.
God will not punish you for a mistaken word in your oaths: but he will punish you in regard to an oath taken seriously. Its expiation shall be to feed ten poor persons with such middling food as you feed your own families with, or to clothe them; or to set free a captive. But he who cannot find means, shall fast three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when you shall have sworn. Keep then your oaths. Thus God maketh his signs clear to you, that you may give thanks.
O believers! surely wine and games of chance, and statues and the divining arrows, are an abomination of Satan's work! Avoid them, that you may prosper.
Only would Satan sow hatred and strife among you, by wine and games of chance, and turn you aside from the remembrance of God, and from prayer: will you not, therefore abstain from them? Obey God and obey the Apostle, and be on your guard: but if you turn back, know that our Apostle is only bound to deliver a plain announcement.
No blame shall attach to those who believe and do good works, in regard to any food they have taken, in case they fear God and believe, and do the things that are right, and shall still fear God and believe, and shall still fear him, and do good; for God loveth those who do good.
O you who believe! God will surely make trial of you with such game as you may take with your hands, or your lances, that God may know who feareth him in secret: and whoever after this transgresseth, shall suffer a grievous chastisement.
O believers! kill no game while you are on pilgrimage. Whosoever among you shall purposely kill it, shall compensate for it in domestic animals of equal value (according to the judgment of two just persons among you), to be brought as an offering to the Caaba; or in expiation thereof shall feed the poor; or as the equivalent of this shall fast, that he may taste the ill consequence of his deed. God forgiveth what is past; but whoever doth it again, God will take vengeance on him; for God is mighty and vengeance is His.
It is lawful for you to fish in the sea, and to eat fish, as provision for you and for those who travel; but it is unlawful for you to hunt by land while you are still on pilgrimage: fear you God, therefore, before whom you shall be assembled.
God hath appointed the Caaba, the sacred house, to be a station for mankind, and the sacred month, and the offering, and its ornaments. This, that you may know that God knoweth all that is in the heavens and on the earth, and that God hath knowledge of everything. Know that God is severe in punishing, and that God is Forgiving, Merciful.
The Apostle is only bound to preach: and God knoweth what you bring to light, and what you conceal
5:100 Say: The evil and the good shall not be valued alike, even though the abundance of evil please thee; therefore fear God, O you of understanding! that it may be well with you.
O believers! ask us not of things which if they were told might only pain you; but if you ask of such things when the entire Koran shall have been sent down, they will be declared to you: God will pardon you for this, for God is Forgiving, Gracious. They who were before you, asked concerning such things, and afterwards quickly disbelieved therein.
God hath not ordained anything on the subject of Bahira, or Saiba, or Wasila, or Hami; but the unbelievers have invented this lie against God: and most of them had no understanding.
And when it ws said to them, "Accede to that which God hath sent down, and to the Apostle:" they said, "Sufficient for us in the faith in which we found our fathers." What! though their fathers knew nothing, and had no guidance?
O believers! take heed to yourselves. He who erreth shall not hurt you when you have the "guidance:" to God shall you all return, and He will tell you that which you have done.
O believers! let there be witnesses between you, when death draweth nigh to any of you, at the time of making the testament; two witnesses -- just men from among yourselves, or two others of a different tribe from yourselves -- if you be journeying the earth, and the calamity of death surprise you. You shall shut them both up, after the prayer; and if you doubt them, they shall swear by God, "We will not take a bribe though the party be of kin to us, neither will we conceal the testimony of God, for then we should be among the wicked."
But if it shall be made clear that both have been guilty of a falsehood, two others of those who have convicted them thereof, the two nearest in blood shall stand up in their place, and they shall swear by God, "Verily our witness is more true than the witness of these two; neither have we advanced anything untrue, for then should we be of the unjust."
Thus will it be easier for men to bear a true witness, or fear lest after their oath another oath be given. Therefore fear God and hearken; for God guideth not the perverse.
One day will God assemble the Apostles, and say, "What reply was made to you?" They shall say, "We have no knowledge, but Thou art the Knower of Secrets."
When He shall say: O Jesus! Son of Mary! call to mind my favour upon thee and upon thy mother, when I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit, that thou shouldest speak to men alike in the cradle, and when grown up; --
5:110 And when I taught thee the Scripture, and Wisdom, and the Law, and the Evangel: and thou didst create of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by my leave, and didst breathe into it, and by my leave it became a bird, and thou didst heal the blind and the leper, by my leave; and when, by my leave, thou didst bring forth the dead; and when I withheld the children of Israel from thee, when thou hadst come to them with clear tokens: and such of them as believed not said, "This is nought but plain sorcery;"
And when I revealed unto the Apostles, "Believe on me and on my Sent One," they said, "We believed; and bear thou witness that we are Muslims."
Remember when the Apostles said -- "O Jesus, son of Mary! is thy Lord able to send down a furnished table to us out of Heaven?" He said -- "Fear God if you be believers."
They said -- "We desire to eat therefrom, and to have our hearts assured; and to know that thou hast indeed spoken truth to us, and to be witnesses thereof."
Jesus, Son of Mary, said -- "O God, our Lord! send down a table to us out of Heaven, that it may become a recurring festival to us, to the first of us and to the last of us, and a sign from thee; and do thou nourish us, for thou art the best of nourishers."
And God said -- Verily, I will cause it to descend unto you; but whoever among you after that shall disbelieve, I will surely chastise him with a chastisement, wherewith I will not chastise any other creature.
And when God shall say -- "O Jesus, Son of Mary: hast thou said unto mankind -- 'Take me and my mother as two Gods, beside God?'" He shall say -- "Glory be unto Thee! it is not for me to say that which I know to be not the truth; had I said that, verily thou wouldest have known it: Thou knowest what is in me, but I know not what is in Thee; for Thou well knowest things unseen!
"I spake not to them aught but that which thou didst bid me -- 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord;' and I was a witness of their actions while I stayed among them; but since thou hast taken me to Thyself, Thou hast Thyself watched them, and Thou art witness of all things:
"If Thou punish them, they are Thy servants, and if Thou forgive them.... Thou, verily, art the Mighty, the Wise!"
God will say -- This day shall their truth advantage the truthful. Gardens shall have have 'neath which the rivers flow, and remain therein for ever: God is well pleased with them and they with Him. This shall be the great bliss.
5:120 Unto God belongeth the sovereignty of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that they contain; and He hath power over all things.

Sura VI
The Cattle (6)
[Mecca -- 165 verses]
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God, who hath created the Heavens and the Earth, and ordained the darkness and the light! Yet unto their Lord do the infidels give peers!
He it is who created you of clay -- then decreed the term of your life: and with Him is another prefixed term for the resurrection. Yet have you doubts thereof!
And He is God in the Heavens and on the Earth! He knoweth your secrets and your disclosures! and He knoweth what you deserve.
Never did one single sign from among the signs of their Lord come to them, but they turned away from it;
And now, after it hath reached them, have they treated the truth itself as a lie. But in the end, a message as to that which they have mocked, shall reach them.
See they not how many generations we have destroyed before them? We had settled them on the earth as we have not settled you, and we sent down the very heavens upon them in copious rains, and we made the rivers to flow beneath their feet: yet we destroyed them in their sins, and raised up other generations to succeed them.
And had we sent down to thee a Book written on parchment, and they had touched it with their hands, the infidels had surely said, "This is nought but plain sorcery."
They say, too, "Unless an angel be sent down to him...." But if we had sent down an angel, their judgment would have come on them at once, and they would have had no respite:
And if we had appointed an angel, we should certainly have appointed one in the form of a man, and we should have clothed him before them in garments like their own.
6:10 Moreover, apostles before thee have been laughed to scorn: but that which they laughed to scorn encompassed the mockers among them!
Say: go through the land: then see what hath been the end of those who treated them as liars.
Say: Whose is all that is in the Heavens and the Earth? Say: God's. He had imposed mercy on Himself as a law. He will surely assemble you on the Resurrection day; there is no doubt of it. They who are the authors of their own ruin, are they who will not believe.
His, whatsoever hath its dwelling in the night and in the day! and He, the Hearing, the Knowing!
Say: Other than god shall I take as Lord, maker of the Heavens and of the Earth, who nourisheth all, and of none is nourished? Say: Verily, I am bidden to be the first of those who surrender them to God (profess Islam): and, be not thou of those who join gods with God.
Say: Verily, I fear, should I rebel against my Lord, the punishment of the great day.
From whomsoever it shall be averted on that day, He will have had mercy on him: and this will be the manifest bliss.
If God touch thee with trouble, none can take it off but He: and if He visit thee with good -- it is He whose power is over all things;
And He is the Supreme over his servants; and He is the Wise, the Cognisant!
Say: What thing is weightiest in bearing witness? Say: God is witness between me and you; and this Koran hath been revealed to me that I should warn you by it, and all whom it shall reach,. What! will you really bear witness that there are other gods with God? Say: I bear no such witness. Say: Verily, He is one God, and I truly am guiltless of what you join with Him.
6:20 They to whom we have given the Book, recognise him (Muhammad) as they do their own children: but they who are the authors of their own perdition are they who will not believe.
And who more wicked than he who inventeth a lie concerning God, or who treateth our signs as lies? Verily those wicked ones shall not prosper.
And on "the Day" we will gather them all together: then will we say to those who joined gods with God, "Where are those companion-gods of yours, as you supposed them?"
Then shall they find no other excuse than to say, "By God our Lord! we joined not companions with Him."
Behold! how they lie against themselves -- and the gods of their own inventing desert them!
Some among them hearken unto thee: but we have cast veils over their hearts that they should not understand the Koran, and a weight into their ears: and though they should see all kinds of signs, they will refuse all faith in them, until when they come to thee, to dispute with thee, the infidels say, "Verily, this is nothing but fables of the ancients."
And they will forbid it, and depart from it: -- but they are only the authors of their own perdition, and know it not.
If thou couldst see when they shall be set over the fire, and shall say, "Oh! would we might be sent back! we would not treat the signs of our Lord as lies! we would be of the believers."
Aye! that hath become clear to them which they before concealed; but though they should return, they would surely go back to that which was forbidden them; for they are surely liars!
And they say, "There is no other than our life in this world, neither shall we be raised again."
6:30 But if thou couldest see when they shall be set before their Lord! He shall say to them, "Is not this it in truth." They shall say, "Yea, by our Lord!" "Taste then," saith He, "the torment, for that you believed not!"
Lost are they who deny the meeting with God until "the Hour" cometh suddenly upon them! Then will they say, "Oh, our signs for past negligence of this hour!" and they shall bear their burdens on their back! Will not that be evil with which they shall be burdened?
The life in this world is but a play and pastime; and better surely for men of godly fear will be the future mansion! Will you not then comprehend?
Now know we that what they speak vexeth thee: But it is not merely thee whom they charge with falsehood, but the ungodly gainsay the signs of God.
Before thee have apostles already been charged with falsehood: but they bore the charge and the wrong with constancy, till our help came to them; -- for none can change the words of God. But this history of His Sent Ones hath already reached thee.
But if their estrangement be grievous to thee, and if thou art able to seek out an opening into the earth or a ladder into Heaven, that thou mightest bring them a sign.... Yes! But if God pleased, He would surely bring them, one and all, to the guidance! therefore be not thou one of the ignorant.
To those only who shall lend an ear will He make answer: as for the dead, God will raise them up; then unto Him shall they return.
They say, "Unless a sign be sent down to him from his Lord...." Say: Verily, God is able to send down a sign; but the greater part of them know it not.
No kind of beast is there on earth nor fowl that flieth with its wings, but is a folk like you: nothing have we passed over in the Book: then unto their Lord shall they be gathered.
They who gainsay our signs are deaf, and dumb, in darkness: God will mislead whom He pleaseth, and whom He pleaseth He will place upon the straight path.
6:40 Say: What think you? If the punishment of God were to come upon you, or "the Hour" were to come upon you, will you cry to any other than God? Tell me, if you speak the truth?
Yes! to Him will you cry: and if He please He will deliver you from that you shall cry to Him to avert, and you shall forget the partners you have joined with Him.
Already have we sent apostles to nations that were before thee, and we laid hold on them with troubles and with straits in order that they might humble themselves:
Yet, when our trouble came upon them, they did not humble themselves; but their hearts were hardened, and Satan pre-arranged for them their course of conduct.
And when they had forgotten their warnings, we set open to them the gates of all things, until, as they were rejoicing in our gifts, we suddenly laid hold upon them, and lo! they were plunged into despair.
And the uttermost part of that impious people was cut off. All praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds!
Say: What think you? If God should take away your hearing and your sight and set a seal upon your hearts, what god beside God would restore them to you? See! how we vary our wondrous verses (signs)! yet they turn away from them!
Say: What think you? If the punishment of God come on you suddenly or foreseen, shall any perish except the impious?
We send not our Sent Ones but as heralds of good news and warners; and whoso shall believe and amend, on them shall come no fear, neither shall they be sorrowful:
But whoso shall charge our signs with falsehood, on them shall fall a punishment for their wicked doings.
6:50 Say: I say not to you, "In my possession are the treasures of God;" neither say I, "I know things secret;" neither do I say to you, "Verily, I am an angel:" Only what is revealed to me do I follow. Say: Shall the blind and the seeing be esteemed alike? Will you not then reflect?
And warn those who dread their being gathered to their Lord, that patron or intercessor they shall have none but Him, -- to the intent that they may fear Him!
And thrust not thou away those who cry to their Lord at morn and even, craving to behold his face. It is not for thee in anything to judge of their motives, nor for them in anything to judge of thee. If thou thrust them away thou wilt be of the doers of wrong.
Thus have we made proof of some of them by others, that they may say, "Are these they among us to whom God hath been gracious?" Doth not God best know the thankful?
And when they who believe in our signs come to thee, Say: Peace be upon you! Your Lord hath laid down for himself a law of mercy; so that if any one of you commit a fault through ignorance, and afterwards turn and amend, He surely will be Gracious, Merciful.
Thus have we distinctly set forth our signs, that the way of the wicked might be made known.
Say: Forbidden am I to worship those whom you call on beside God. Say: I will not follow your wishes; for then should I have gone astray, and should not be of the guided.
Say: I act upon proofs from my Lord, but you treat them as falsehoods. That punishment which you desire to be hastened is not in my power; judgment is with God only: He will declare the truth; and He is the best settler of disputes.
Say: If what you would hasten on, were in my power, the matter between me and you had been decided: but God best knoweth the impious.
And with Him are the keys of the secret things; none knoweth them but He: He knoweth whatever is on the land and in the sea; and no leaf falleth but He knoweth it; neither is there a grain in the darknesses of the earth, nor a thing green or sere, but it is noted in a distinct writing.
6:60 It is He who taketh your souls at night, and knoweth what you have merited in the day: then he awaketh you therein, that the set life-term may be fulfilled: then unto Him shall you return; and then shall he declare to you that which you have wrought.
Supreme over his servants He sendeth forth guardians who watch over you, until, when death overtaketh any one of you, our messengers take his soul, and fail not:
Then are they returned to God their Lord, the True. Is not judgment His? Swiftest He, of those who take account!
Say: Who rescueth you from the darkness of the land and of the sea, when humbly and secretly you cry to Him -- "If thou rescue us from this, we will surely be of the thankful?"
Say: God rescueth you from them, and from every strait: yet afterwards you give Him companions!
Say: It is He who hath power to send on you a punishment from above you, or from beneath your feet, or to clothe you with discord, and to make some of you to taste the violence of others. See how variously we handle the wondrous verses, that haply they may become wise!
But thy people hath accused the Koran of falsehood, though it be the truth: Say: I am not in charge of you: To every prophecy is its set time, and bye-and-bye you shall know it!
And when thou seest those who busy themselves with cavilling at our signs, withdraw from them till they busy themselves in some other subject: and if Satan cause thee to forget this, sit not, after recollection, with the ungodly people:
Not that they who fear God are to pass any judgment upon them, but the object of recollection is that they may continue to fear Him.
And quit those who make their religion a sport and a pastime, and whom this present life hath deceived: warn them hereby that every soul will be consigned to doom for its own works: patron or intercessor, beside God, shall it have none: and could it compensate with fullest compensation, it would not be accepted from it. They who for their deeds shall be consigned to doom -- for them are draughts of boiling water, and a grievous torment; for that they believed not!
6:70 Say: Shall we, beside God, call upon those who can neither help nor hurt us? Shall we turn upon our heel after that God hath guided us? Like some bewildered man whom the Satans have spell-bound in the desert, though his companions call him to the true guidance, with, "Come to us!" Say: Verily, guidance from God, that is the true guidance; and we are commanded to surrender ourselves to the Lord of the Worlds.
And observe you the times of prayer, and fear you God: for it is He to whom you shall be gathered.
And it is He who hath created the Heavens and the Earth, in truth, and when He saith to a thing, "Be," it is.
His word is the truth: and His the kingdom, on the day when there shall be a blast on the trumpet: He knoweth alike the unseen and the seen: and He is the Wise, the Cognisant.
And remember when Abraham said to his father Azar, Takest thou images as gods? Verily, I see that thou and thy people are in manifest error.
And thus did we shew Abraham the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth, that he might be stablished in knowledge.
And when the night overshadowed him, he beheld a star. "This," said he, "is my Lord:" but when it set, he said, "I love not gods which set."
And when he beheld the moon uprising, "This," said he, "is my Lord:" but when it set, he said, "Surely, if my Lord guide me not, I shall surely be of those who go astray."
And when he beheld the sun uprise, he said, "This is my Lord; this is greatest." But when it set, he said, "O my people! I share not with you the guilt of joining gods with God;
I turn my face to him who hath created the Heavens and the Earth, following the right religion: I am not one of those who add gods to God.
6:80 And his people disputed with him. -- He said: "Dispute you with me about God, when He hath guided me? And I fear not the deities whom you join with Him, for only by the will of my Lord have they any power: My Lord embraceth all things in His knowledge. Will you not then consider?
And how should I fear what you have joined with God, since you fear not for having joined with Him that for which He hath sent you down no warranty? Which, therefore, of the two parties is more worthy of safety? Know you that?
They who believe, and who clothe not their faith with error. theirs is safety, and they are guided aright."
This is our reasoning with which we furnished Abraham against his people: We uplift to grades of wisdom whom we will; Verily thy Lord is Wise, Knowing.
And we gave him Isaac and Jacob, and guided both aright; and we had before guided Noah; and among the descendants of Abraham, David and Solomon, and Job and Joseph, and Moses and Aaron: Thus do we recompense the righteous:
And Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias: all were just persons:
And Ismael and Elisha and Jonas and Lot: all these have we favoured above mankind:
And some of their fathers, and of their offspring, and of their brethren: and we chose them, and guided them into the straight way.
This is God's guidance: He guideth by it such of his servants as he will: But if they join other gods with Him, vain assuredly shall be all their works.
These are they to whom we gave the Scripture and Wisdom and Prophecy: but if these their posterity believe not therein, we will entrust these gifts to a people who will not disbelieve therein.
6:90 These are they whom God hath guided: follow therefore their guidance. Say: No pay do I ask of you for this: Verily it is no other than the teaching for all creatures.
No just estimate do they form of God when they say, "Nothing hath God sent down to man." Say: Who sent down the Book which Moses brought, a light and guidance to man, which you set down on paper, publishing part, but concealing most; though you have now been taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew? Say: It is God: then leave them in their pastime of cavillings.
And this Book which we have sent down is blessed, confirming that which was before it; and in order that thou mightest warn the mother-city and those who dwell round about it. They who believe in the next life will believe in It, and will keep strictly to their Prayers.
But is any more wicked than he who deviseth a lie of God, or saith, "I have had a revelation," when nothing was revealed to him? And who saith, "I can bring down a book like that which God hath sent down"? But couldst thou see when the ungodly are in the floods of death, and the angels reach forth their hands saying, "Yield up your souls: -- this day shall you be recompensed with a humiliating punishment for your untrue sayings about God, and for proudly rejecting his signs!"
"And now are you come back to us, alone, as we created you at first, and you leave behind you the good things which we had given you, and we see not with you your intercessors whom you regarded as the companions of God among you. There is a severance between you now, and those whom you regarded as partners with God have deserted you."
Verily God causeth the grain and the date stone to put forth: He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and the dead from the living! This is God! Why, then, are you turned aside from Him?
He causeth the dawn to appear, and hath ordained the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for computing time! The ordinance of the Mighty, the Wise!
And it is He who hath ordained the stars for you that you may be guided thereby in the darknesses of the land and of the sea! clear have we made our signs to men of knowledge.
And it is He who hath produced you from one man, and hath provided for you an abode and resting-place! Clear have we made our signs for men of insight.
And it is He who sendeth down rain from Heaven: and we bring forth by it the buds of all the plants, and from them bring we forth the green foliage, and the close growing grain, and palm trees with sheaths of clustering dates, and gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Look you on their fruits when they fruit and ripen. Truly herein are signs unto people who believe.
6:100 Yet have they assigned the Djinn to God as his associates, though He created them; and in their ignorance have they falsely ascribed to him sons and daughters. Glory be to Him! And high let Him be exalted above that which they attribute to Him!
Sole maker of the Heavens and of the Earth! how, when He hath no consort, should He have a son? He hath created everything, and He knoweth everything!
This God your Lord. There is no God but He, the creator of all things: therefore worship Him alone; -- and He watcheth over all things.
No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision: and He is the Subtile, the All-informed.
Now have proofs that may be seen, come to you from your Lord; whoso seeth them, the advantage will be his own: and whoso is blind to them, his own will be the loss: I am not made a keeper over you.
Thus variously do we apply our signs, that they may say, " Thou hast studied deep:" and that to people of understanding we may make them clear.
Follow thou that which hath been revealed to thee by thy Lord: there is no god but He! and withdraw from those who join other gods with Him.
Had God pleased, they had not joined other gods with Him: and we have not made thee keeper over them, neither art thou a guardian over them.
Revile not those whom they call on beside God, lest they, in their ignorance, despitefully revile Him. Thus have we planned out their actions for every people; then shall they return to their Lord, and He will declare to them what those actions have been.
With their most solemn oath have they sworn by God, that if a sign come unto them they will certainly believe it; Say: Signs are in the power of God alone; and He teacheth you not thereby, only because when they were wrought, you did not believe.
6:110 And we will turn their hearts and their eyes away from the truth, because they did not believe therein at first, and we will leave them in their transgressions, wandering in perplexity.
And though we had sent down the angels to them, and the dead had spoken to them, and we had gathered all things about them in tribes, they had not believed, unless God had willed it! but most of them do not know it.
Thus have we given an enemy to every prophet -- Satans among men and among Djinn: tinsel discourses do they suggest the one to the other, in order to deceive: and had they Lord willed it, they would not have done it. Therefore, leave them and their vain imaginings --
And let the hearts of those who believe not in the life to come incline thereto, and let them find their content in this, and let them gain what they are gaining.
What! shall I seek other judge than God, when it is He who hath sent down to you the distinguishing Book? They to whom we have given the Book know that it is sent down from thy Lord with truth. Be not thou then of those we doubt.
And the words of thy Lord are perfect in truth and in justice: none can change his words: He is the Hearing, Knowing.
But if thou obey most men in this land, from the path of God will they mislead thee: they follow but a conceit, and they are only liars.
Thy Lord! He best knoweth those who err from his path, and He knoweth the rightly guided.
Eat of that over which the name of God hath been pronounced, if you believe in his sings.
And why eat you not of that over which the name of God hath been pronounced, since He hath made plain to you what He hath forbidden you, save as to that which is forced upon you? But indeed many mislead others by their appetites, through lack of knowledge. Verily, thy Lord! He best knoweth the transgressors.
6:120 And abandon the semblance of wickedness, and wickedness itself. They, verily, whose only acquirement is iniquity, shall be rewarded for what they shall have gained.
Eat not therefore of that on which the name of God has not been named, for that is assuredly a crime: the Satans will indeed suggest to their votaries to wrangle with you; but if you obey them, you will indeed be of those who join gods with God.
Shall the dead, whom we have quickened, and for whom we have ordained a light whereby he may walk among men, be like him, whose likeness is in the darkness, whence he will not come forth? Thus have the doings of the unbelievers been prepared for them.
Even so have we placed in every city, ringleaders of its wicked ones, to scheme therein: but only against themselves shall they scheme! and they know it not.
And when a sign cometh to them they say, "We will not believe, till the like of what was accorded to the apostles of God, be accorded to us." God best knoweth where to place his mission. Disgrace with God, and a vehement punishment shall come upon the transgressors for their crafty plottings.
And whom God shall please to guide, that man's breast will He open to Islam; but whom He shall please to mislead, strait and narrow will He make his breast, as though he were mounting up into the very Heavens! Thus doth God inflict dire punishment on those who believe not.
And this is the right way of thy Lord. Now have we detailed our signs unto those who will consider.
For them is a dwelling of peace with their Lord! and in recompense for their works, shall he be their protector.
On the day whereon God shall gather them all together... "O race of Djinn," will He say, "much did you exact from mankind." And their votaries from among men shall say, "O our Lord! we rendered one another mutual services: but we have reached our set term, which thou hast set for us." He will say, "Your abode the fire! therein abide you for ever: unless as God shall will." Verily, thy Lord is Wise, Knowing.
Even thus we place some of the wicked over others, as the meed of their doings.
6:130 O race of Djinn and men! came not apostles to you from among yourselves, rehearsing my signs to you, and warning you of the meeting of this your day? They shall say, "We bear witness against ourselves." This world's life deceived them; and they shall bear witness against themselves that they were infidels: --
This, because thy Lord would not destroy the cities in their sin, while their people were yet careless.
And for all, are grades of recompense as the result of their deeds; and of what they do, thy Lord is not regardless.
And thy Lord is the Rich one, full of compassion! He can destroy you if He please, and cause whom He will to succeed you, as he raised you up from the offspring of other people:
Verily, that which is threatened you shall surely come to pass, neither shall you weaken its might.
Say: O my people! Act as you best can: I verily will act my part, and hereafter shall you know
Whose will be the recompense of the abode! Verily, the ungodly shall not prosper.
Moreover, they set apart a portion of the fruits and cattle which he hath produced, and say, "This is for God" -- so deem they -- "And this for his companions, whom we associate with Him" But that which is for these companions of theirs, cometh not to God; yet that which is for God, cometh to the companions! Ill do they judge.
Thus have the companion-gods induced many of these, who join them with God, to slay their children, that they might ruin them, and throw the cloak of confusion over their religion. But if God had pleased, they had not done this. Therefore, leave them and their devices.
They also say, "These cattle and fruits are sacred: none may taste them but whom we please:" so deem they -- "And there are cattle, whose backs should be exempt from labour." And there are cattle over which they do not pronounce the name of God: inventing in all this a lie against Him. For their inventions shall He reward them.
6:140 And they say, "That which is in the wombs of these cattle is allowed to our males, and forbidden to our wives;" but if it prove abortive, both partake of it. God shall reward them for their distinctions! Knowing, Wise is He.
Lost are they who, in their ignorance, have foolishly slain their children, and have forbidden that which God hath given them for food, devising an untruth against God! Now have they erred; and they were not rightly guided.
He it is who produceth gardens of the vine trellised and untrellised, and the palm trees, and the corn of various food, and olives, and pomegranates, like and unlike. East of their fruit when they bear fruit, and pay the due thereof on the day of its ingathering: and be no prodigal, for God loveth not the prodigal.
And there are cattle for burdens and for journeys. Eat of what God hath given you for food; and follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your declared enemy.
You have four sorts of cattle in pairs: of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females; or that which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge, if you speak the truth:
And of camels a pair, and of oxen a pair. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females; or that which the wombs of the two females enclose? Were you witnesses when God enjoined you this? Who then is more wicked that he who, in his ignorance, inventeth a lie against God, to mislead men? God truly guideth not the wicked.
Say: I find not in what hath been revealed to me aught forbidden to the eater to eat, except it be that which dieth of itself, or blood poured forth, or swine's flesh; for this is unclean or profane, being slain in the name of other than God. But whoso shall be a forced partaker, if it be without wilfulness, and not in transgression, -- verily, thy Lord is Indulgent, Merciful!
To the Jews did we forbid every beast having an entire hoof, and of both bullocks and sheep we forbade them the fat, save what might be on their back,s or their entrails, and the fat attached to the bone. With this have we recompensed them, because of their transgressions: and verily, we are indeed equitable.
If they treat thee as an impostor, then Say: Your Lord is of all-embracing mercy: but his severity shall not be turned aside from the wicked.
They who add gods to God will say, "If God had pleased, neither we nor our fathers had given him companions, nor should we have interdicted anything.," thus did they who flourished before them charge with imposture, until they had tasted our severity! Say: Have you any knowledge that you can produce to us? Verily, you follow only a conceit: you utter only lies!
6:150 Say: Peremptory proof is God's! Had He pleased He had guided you all aright.
Say: Bring hither your witnesses who can witness that God hath forbidden these animals; but if they bear witness, witness not thou with them nor witness to the conceits of those who charge our signs with falsehood, and who believe not in the life to come, and give equals to our Lord.
Say: Come, I will rehearse what your Lord hath made binding on you -- that you assign not aught to Him as partner; and that you be good to your parents; and that you slay not your children because of poverty: for them and for you will we provide: and that you come not near to pollutions, outward or inward: and that you slay not anyone whom God hath forbidden you, unless for a just cause. This hath he enjoined on you, to the intent that you may understand.
And come not nigh to the substance of the orphan, but to improve it, until he come of age: and use a full measure, and a just balance: We will not task a soul beyond its ability. And when you give judgment, observe justice, even though it be the affair of a kinsman, and fulfil the covenant of God. This hath God enjoined you for your monition --
And, "this is my right way." Follow it then; and follow not other paths lest you be scattered from His path. This hath he enjoined you, that you may fear Him.
Then gave we the Book to Moses -- complete for him who should do right, and a decision for all matters, and a guidance, and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
Blessed, too, this Book which we have sent down. Wherefore follow it and fear God, that you may find mercy:
Lest you should say, "The Scriptures were indeed sent down only unto two peoples before us, but we were not able to go deep into their studies:"
Or lest you should say, "If a book had been sent down to us, we had surely followed the guidance better than they." But now hath a clear exposition come to you from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy. Who then is more wicked than he who treateth the signs of God as lies, and turneth aside from them? We will recompense those who turn aside from our signs with an evil punishment, because they have turned aside.
What wait they for, but the coming of the angels to them, or the coming of thy Lord Himself, or that some of the signs of thy Lord should come to pass? On the day when some of thy Lord's signs shall come to pass, its faith shall not profit a soul which believed not before, nor wrought good works in virtue of its faith. Say: Wait you. Verily, we will wait also.
6:160 As to those who split up their religion and become sects, have thou nothing to do with them: their affair is with God only. Hereafter shall he tell them what they have done.
He who shall present himself with good works shall receive a tenfold reward; but he who shall present himself with evil works shall receive none other than a like punishment: and they shall not be treated unjustly.
Say: As for me, my Lord hath guided me into a straight path; a true religion, the creed of Abraham, the sound in faith; for he was not of those who join gods with God.
Say: My prayers and my worship and my life and my death are unto God, Lord of the Worlds. He hath no associate. This am I commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.
Say: Shall I seek any other Lord than God, when He is Lord of all things? No soul shall labour but for itself; and no burdened one shall bear another's burden. At last you shall return to your Lord, and he will declare that to you about which you differ.
And it is He who hath made you the successors of others on the earth, and hath raised some of you above others by various grades, that he may prove you by his gifts. Verily thy Lord is swift to punish. But He is also Gracious, Merciful!

Sura VII (7)
Al Araf
[Mecca -- 205 Verses]
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Elif. Lam. Mim. Sad.
A Book hath been sent down to thee: therefore let there be no difficulty in thy breast concerning it: to the intent that thou mayest warn thereby, and that it may be a monition to the faithful.
Follow you what hath been sent down to you from your Lord; and follow no masters beside Him. How little will you be monished!
How many cities have we destroyed! By night, or while they were in their midday slumber, did our wrath reach them!
And what was their cry when our wrath reached them, but to say, "Verily, we have been impious."
Surely, therefore, will we call those to account, to whom an Apostle hath been sent, and of the sent ones themselves will we certainly demand a reckoning.
And with knowledge will we tell them of their deeds, for we were not absent from them.
The weighing on that day, with justice! and they whose balances shall be heavy, these are they who shall be happy.
And they whose balances shall be light, these are they who have lost their souls, for that to our signs they were unjust:
And now have we stablished you on the earth, and given you therein the supports of life. How little do you give thanks!
7:10 We created you; then fashioned you; then said we to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves unto Adam: and they prostrated them all in worship, save Ebilis: He was not among those who prostrated themselves.
To him said God: "What hath hindered thee from prostrating thyself in worship at my bidding?" He said, "Nobler am I than he: me hast thou created of fire; of clay hast thou created him."
He said, "Get thee down hence: Paradise is no place for thy pride: Get thee gone then; one of the despised shalt thou be."
He said, "Respite me till the day when mankind shall be raised from the dead."
He said, "One of the respited shalt thou be."
He said, "Now, for that thou hast caused me to err, surely in thy straight path will I lay wait for them:
Then I will surely come upon them from before, and from behind, and from their right hand, and from their left, and thou shalt not find the greater part of them to be thankful."
He said, "Go forth from it, a scorned, a banished one! Whoever of them shall follow thee, I will surely fill hell with you, one and all.
And, O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in Paradise, and eat you whence you will, but to this tree approach not, lest you become of the unjust doers."
Then Satan whispered them to shew them their nakedness, which had been hidden from them both. And he said, "This tree hath your Lord forbidden you, only lest you should become angels, or lest you should become immortals."
7:20 And he sware to them both, "Verily I am unto you one who counselleth aright."
So he beguiled them by deceits: and when they had tasted of the tree, their nakedness appeared to them, and they began to sew together upon themselves the leaves of the garden. And their Lord called to them, "Did I not forbid you this tree, and did I not say to you, 'Verily, Satan is your declared enemy.'"
They said, "O our Lord! With ourselves have we dealt unjustly: if thou forgive us not and have pity on us, we shall surely be of those who perish."
He said, "Get you down, the one of you an enemy to the other; and on earth shall be your dwelling, and your provision for a season."
He said, "On it shall you live, and on it shall you die, and from it shall you be taken forth."
O children of Adam! now have we sent down to you raiment to hide your nakedness, and splendid garments; but the raiment of piety -- this is best. This is one of the signs of God, that man haply may reflect.
O children of Adam! let not Satan bring you into trouble, as he drove forth your parents from the Garden, by despoiling them of their raiment, that he might cause them to see their nakedness: He truly seeth you, he and his comrades, whence you see not them. Verily, we have made the Satans tutelars of those who believe not.
And when the wicked commit some filthy deed, they say, "We found our fathers practising it, and to us hath God commanded it" -- Say: God enjoineth not filthy deeds. Will you speak of God you know not what?
Say: My Lord hath enjoined what is right. Turn your faces therefore towards every place where he is worshipped, and call upon him with sincere religion. As he created you, to him shall you return: some hath he guided, and some hath he justly left in error, because they have taken the Satans as their tutelars beside god, and have deemed that they were guided aright.
O children of Adam! wear your goodly apparel when you repair to any mosque, and eat you and drink; but exceed not, for He loveth not those who exceed.
7:30 Say: Who hath prohibited God's goodly raiment, and the healthful viands which He hath provided for his servants? Say: These are for the faithful in this present life, but above all on the day of the resurrection. Thus make we our signs plain for people of knowledge.
Say: Truly my Lord hath forbidden filthy actions whether open or secret, and iniquity, and unjust violence, and to associate with God that for which He hath sent down no warranty, and to speak of God that you know not.
Every nation hath its set time. And when their time is come, they shall not retard it an hour; and they shall not advance it.
O children of Adam! there shall come to Apostles from among yourselves, rehearsing my signs to you; and whoso shall fear God and do good works, no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they be put to grief.
But they who charge our signs with falsehood, and turn away from them in their pride, shall be inmates of the fire: for ever shall they abide therein.
And who is worse that he who deviseth a lie of God, or treateth our signs as lies? To them shall a portion here below be assigned in accordance with the Book of our decrees, until the time when our messengers, as they receive their souls, shall say, "Where are they on whom you called beside God?" They shall say, "Gone from us." And they shall witness against themselves that they were infidels.
He shall say, "Enter you into the Fire with the generations of Djinn and men who have preceded you. So oft as a fresh generation entereth, it shall curse its sister, until when they have all reached it, the last comes shall say to the former, 'O our Lord! these are they who led us astray: assign them therefore a double torment of the fire:'" He will say, "You shall all have double." But of this are you ignorant.
And the former of them shall say to the latter, "What advantage have you over us? Taste you therefore the torment for that which you have done."
Verily, they who have charged our signs with falsehood and have turned away from them in their pride, Heaven's gates shall not be opened to them, nor shall they enter Paradise, until the camel passeth through the eye of the needle. After this sort will we recompense the transgressors.
They shall make their bed in Hell, and above them shall be coverings of fire! After this sort will we recompense the evil doers.
7:40 But as to those who have believed and done the things which are right (we will lay on no one a burden beyond his power) These shall be inmates of Paradise: for ever shall they abide therein;
And we will remove whatever rancour was in their bosoms: rivers shall roll at their feet: and they shall say, "Praise be to God who hath guided us hither! We had not been guided had not God guided us! Of a surety the Apostles of our Lord came to us with truth." And a voice shall cry to them, "This is Paradise, of which, as the meed of your works, you are made heirs."
And the inmates of Paradise shall cry to the inmates of the fire, "Now have we found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you too found what your Lord promised you to be true?" And they shall answer, "Yes." And a Herald shall proclaim between them: "The curse of God be upon the evil doers,
Who turn men aside from the way of God, and seek to make it crooked, and who believe not in the life to come!"
And between them shall be a partition; and on the wall Al Araf shall be men who will know all, by their tokens, and they shall cry to the inmates of Paradise, "Peace be on you!" but they shall not yet enter it, although they long to do so.
And when their eyes are turned towards the inmates of the Fire, they shall say, "O our Lord! place us not with the offending people."
And they who are upon Al Araf shall cry to those whom they shall know by their tokens, "Your amassings and your pride have availed you nothing.
Are these they on whom you sware God would not bestow mercy? Enter you into Paradise! where no fear shall be upon you, neither shall you be put to grief."
And the inmates of the fire shall cry to the inmates of Paradise: "Pour upon us some water, or of the refreshments God hath given you?" They shall say, "Truly God hath forbidden both to unbelievers,
Who made their religion a sport and pastime, and whom the life of the world hath deceived." This day therefore will we forget them, as they forgot the meeting of this their day, and as they did deny our signs.
7:50 And now have we brought them the Book: with knowledge have we explained it; a guidance and a mercy to them that believe.
What have they to wait for now but its interpretation? When its interpretation shall come, they who aforetime were oblivious of it shall say, "The Prophets of our Lord did indeed bring the truth; shall we have any intercessor to intercede for us? or could we not be sent back? Then would we act otherwise that we have acted." But they have ruined themselves; and the deities of their own devising have fled from them!
Your Lord is God, who in six days created the Heavens and the Earth, and then mounted the throne: He throweth the veil of night over the day: it pursueth it swiftly: and he created the sun and the moon and the stars, subjected to laws by His behest: Is not all creation and its empire HIs? Blessed be God the Lord of the Worlds!
Call upon your Lord with lowliness and in secret, for He loveth not the transgressors.
And commit not disorders on the earth after it hath been well ordered; and call on Him with fear and longing desire: Verily the mercy of God is nigh unto the righteous.
And He it is who sendeth forth the winds as the heralds of his compassion, until they bring up the laden clouds, which we drive along to some dead land and send down water thereon, by which we cause an upgrowth of all kinds of fruit. -- Thus will we bring forth the dead. Haply you will reflect.
In a rich soil, its plants spring forth abundantly by the will of its Lord, and in that which is bad, they spring forth but scantily. Thus do We diversify our signs for those who are thankful.
Of old sent We Noah to his people, and he said, "O my people! worship God. You have no God but Him: indeed I fear for you the chastisement of the great day."
The chiefs of his people said, "We clearly see that thou art in a palpable error."
He said, "There is no error in my, O my people! but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds.
7:60 I bring to you the messages of my Lord, and I give you friendly counsel; for I know from God what you know not.
Marvel you that a Warning should come to you from your Lord through one of yourselves, that he may warn you, and that you may fear for yourselves, and that haply you may find mercy?"
But they treated him as a liar: so we delivered him and those who were with him in the ark, and we drowned those who charged our signs with falsehood; for they were a blind people.
And to Ad we sent their brother Houd. "O my people!" said he, "worship God: you have no other god than Him: Will you not then fear Him?"
Said the unbelieving chiefs among his people, "We certainly perceive that thou art unsound of mind; and we surely deem thee an impostor."
He said, "O my people! it is not unsoundness of mind in me, but I am an Apostle from the Lord of the Worlds.
The messages of my Lord do I announce to you, and I am your faithful counsellor.
Marvel you that a warning hath come to you from your Lord through one of yourselves that He may warn you? Remember how he hath made you the successors of the people of Noah, and increased you in tallness of stature. Remember then the favours of God, that it may haply be well with you."
They said, "Art thou come to us in order that we may worship one God alone, and leave what our fathers worshipped? Then bring that upon us with which thou threatenest us, if thou be a man of truth."
He said, "Vengeance and wrath shall suddenly light on you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me about names that you and your fathers have given your idols, and for which god hath sent you down to warranty? Wait you then, and I too will wait with you."
7:70 And we delivered him, and those who were on his side, by our mercy, and we cut off, to the last man, those who had treated our signs as lies, and who were not believers.
And to Themoud we sent their brother Saleh. He said, O my people! worship God: you have no other god than Him: now hath a clear proof of my mission come to you from your Lord, this she-camel of God being a sign to you: therefore let her go at large to pasture on God's earth: and touch her not to harm her, lest a grievous chastisement seize you.
And remember how he hath made you successors to the Adites, and given you dwellings on the earth, so that on its plains you build castles, and hew out houses in the hills. And bear in mind the benefits of god, and lay not the earth waste with deeds of license.
Said the chiefs of his people puffed up with pride, to those who were esteemed weak, even to those of them who believed, "What! know you for certain that Saleh is sent by his Lord?" They said, "Truly we believe in that with which he hath been sent."
Then said those proud men, "Verily, we reject that in which you believe."
And they ham-strung the she-camel, and rebelled against their Lord's command, and said, "O Saleh, let thy menaces be accomplished upon us if thou art one of the Sent Ones."
Then the earthquake surprised them; and in the morning they were found dead on their faces in their dwellings.
So he turned away from them, and said, "O my people! I did indeed announce to you the message of my Lord: and I gave you faithful counsel, but you love not faithful counsellors.
We also sent Lot, when he said to his people, commit you this filthy deed in which no creature hath gone before you?
Come you to men, instead of women, lustfully? You are indeed a people given up to excess.
7:80 But the only answer of his people was to say, "Turn them out of your city, for they are men who vaunt them pure."
And we delivered him and his family, except his wife; she was of those who lingered:
And we rained a rain upon them: and see what was the end of the wicked!
And we sent to Madian their brother Shoaib. He said, "O my people! worship God; you have no other God than Him: now hath a clear sign come to you from your Lord: give therefore the full in measures and weights; take from no man his chattels, and commit no disorder on the earth after it has been made so good. This will be better for you, if you will believe it.
And lay not in ambush by every road in menacing sorts; nor mislead him who believeth in God, from His way, nor seek to make it crooked; and remember when you were few and that he multiplied you, and behold what hath been the end of the authors of disorder!
And if a part of you believe in that with which I am sent, and a part of you believe not, then wait steadfastly until God shall judge between us, for He is the best of judges."
Said the chiefs of his people puffed up with pride, "We will surely banish thee, O Shoaib, and thy fellow-believers from our cities, unless indeed you shall back to our religion." "What!" said he, "though we abhor it?
Now shall we have devised a lie concerning God, if after he hath delivered us from your religion we shall return to it; nor can we return to it, unless by the will of God our Lord: our Lord embraceth all things in his ken. In God have we put our trust: O our Lord! decide between us and between our people, with truth; for the best to decide art Thou."
And the chiefs of his people who believed not, said, "If you follow Shoaib, you shall then surely perish."
An earthquake therefore surprised them, and they were found in the morning dead on their faces, in their dwellings.
7:90 Those who had treat Shoaib as an impostor, became as though they had never dwelt in them: they who treated Shoaib as an impostor, were they that perished.
So he turned away from them and said, O my people! I proclaimed to you the messages of my Lord, and I counselled you aright; but how should I be grieved for a people who do not believe?
Nor did we ever send a prophet to any city without afflicting its people with adversity and trouble, that haply they might humble them.
Then changed we their ill for good, until they waxed wealthy, and said, "Of old did troubles and blessings befall our fathers:" therefore did we seize upon them suddenly when they were unaware.
But if that the people of these cities had believed and feared us, we would surely have laid open to them blessings out of the Heaven and the Earth: but they treated our signs as lies, and we took vengeance on them for their deeds.
Were the people, therefore, of those cities secure that our wrath would not light on them by night, while they were slumbering?
Were the people of those cities secure that our wrath would not light on them in broad day, while they were disporting themselves?
Did they, therefore, deem themselves secure from the deep counsel of God? But none deem themselves secure from the deep counsel of God, save those who perish.
Is it not proved to those who inherit this land after its ancient occupants, that if we please we can smite them for their sins, and put a seal upon their hearts, that they hearken not?
We will tell thee the stories of these cities. Their apostles came to them with clear proofs of their mission; but they would not believe in what they had before treated as imposture. -- Thus doth God seal up the hearts of the unbelievers --
7:100 And we found not of their covenant in most of them; but we found most of them to be perverse.
Then after them we sent Moses with our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles, who acted unjustly in their regard. But see wht was the end of the corrupt doers!
And Moses said, "O Pharaoh! verily I am an apostle from the Lord of the Worlds.
Nothing but truth is it right for me to speak of God. Now am I come to you from your Lord with a proof of my mission; send away, therefore, the children of Israel with me." He said, "If thou comest with a sign, shew it if thou art a man of truth."
So he threw down his rod, and lo! it distinctly became a serpent.
Then drew he forth his hand, and lo! it was white to the beholders.
The nobles of Pharaoh's people said, "Verily, this is an expert enchanter:
Fain would he expel you from your land: what then do you order to be done?"
They said, "Put him and his brother off awhle, and send round men to your cities who shall muster
And bring to thee every skilled enchanter."
7:110 And the enchanters came to Pharaoh. Said they, "Shall we surely be rewarded if we prevail?"
He said, "Yes; and you certainly shall be near my person."
They said, "O Moses! either cast thou down thy rod first, or we will cast down ours."
He said, "Cast you down." And when they had cast them down they enchanted the people's eyes, and made them afraid; for they had displayed a great enchantment.
Then spake we unto Moses, "Throw down thy rod;" and lo! it devoured their lying wonders.
So the truth was made strong, and that which they had wrought proved vain:
And they were vanquished on the spot, and drew back humiliated.
But the other enchanters prostrated themselves adoring:
Said they, "We believe on the Lord of the World,
The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
7:120 Said Pharoah, "Have you believed on him, ere I have given you leave? This truly is a plot which you have plotted in this my city, in order to drive out its people. But you shall see in the end what shall happen.
I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides; then will I have you all crucified."
They said, "Verily, to our Lord do we return;
And thou takest vengeance on us only because we have believed on the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Lord! pour out constancy upon us, and cause us to die Muslims."
Then said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people -- "Wilt thou let Moses and his people go to spread disorders in our land, and desert thee and thy gods?" He said, "We will cause their male children to be slain and preserve their females alive: and verily we shall be masters over them."
Said Moses to his people, "Cry unto God for help, and bear up patiently, for the earth is God's: to such of His servants as He pleaseth doth He give it as a heritage; and for those that fear Him is a happy issue."
"We have been oppressed," they said, "before thou camest to us, and since thou hast been with us:" "Perhaps," said he, "your Lord will destroy your enemy, and will make you his successors in the land, and He will see how you will act therein."
Already had we chastised the people of Pharaoh with dearth and scarcity of fruits, that haply they might take warning:
And when good fell to their lot they said, "This is our due." But if ill befel them, they regarded Moses and his partisans as (the birds) of evil omen. Yet, was not their evil omen from God? But most of them knew it not.
And they said, "Whatever sign thou bring us for our enchantment, we will not believe on thee."
7:130 And we sent upon them the flood and the locusts and the kummal (lice) and the frogs and the blood, -- clear signs -- but they behaved proudly, and were a sinful people.
And when any plague fell upon them, they said, "O Moses! pray for us to thy Lord, according to that which he hath covenanted with thee: Truly if thou take off the plague from us, we will surely believe thee, and will surely send the children of Israel with thee." But when we had taken off the plague from them, and the time which God had granted them had expired, behold! they broke their promise.
Therefore we took vengeance on them and drowned them in the sea, because they treated our signs as falsehoods and were heedless of them.
And we gave to the people who had been brought so low, the eastern and the western lands, which we had blessed as an heritage: and the good word of thy Lord was fulfilled on the children of Israel because they had borne up with patience: and we destroyed the works and the structures of Pharaoh and his people:
And we brought the children of Israel across the sea, and they came to a people who gave themselves up to their idols. They said, "O Moses! make us a god, as they have gods." He said, "Verily, you are an ignorant people:
For the worship they practise will be destroyed, and that which they do, is vain."
He said, "Shall I seek any other god for you than God, when it is He who hath preferred you above all other peoples?"
And remember when we rescued you from the people of Pharaoh they had laid on you a cruel affliction; they slew your sons, and let only your daughters live, and in this was a great trial from your Lord.
And we appointed a meeting with Moses for thirty nights, which we completed with then other nights, so that his whole time with his Lord amounted to forty nights. Then said Moses to his brother Aaron, "Take thou my place among my people, and act rightly, and follow not the way of the corrupt doers."
And when Moses came at our set time and his Lord spake with him, he said, "O Lord, shew thyself to me, that I may look upon thee." He said, "Thou shalt not see Me; but look towards the mount, and if it abide firm in its place, then shalt thou see Me." And when God manifested Himself to the mountain he turned it to dust! and Moses fell in a swoon.
7:140 And when he came to himself, he said, "Glory be to thee! To thee do I turn in penitence, and I am the first of them that believe."
He said, "O Moses! thee above all men have I chosen by my commissions, and by my speaking to thee. Take therefore what I have brought thee, and be one of those who render thanks.
And we wrote for him upon the tables a monition concerning every matters, and said, "Receive them thyself with steadfastness, and command thy people to receive them for the observance of its most goodly precepts: -- I will shew you the abode of the wicked."
The unjustly proud ones of the earth will I turn aside from my signs, for even if they see every sign they will n ot believe them; and if they see the path of uprightness, they will not take it for their path, but if they see the path of error, for their pasty will they take it.
This, -- for that they treated our signs as lies, and were heedless of them.
Vain will be the works of those who treated our signs, and the meeting of the life to come, as lies! Shall they be rewarded but as they have wrought?
And the people of Moses took during his absence a calf made of their ornaments, and ruddy like gold, and lowing. Saw they not that it could not speak to them, nor guide them in the way?
Yet they took it for God and became offenders!
But when they repented, and saw that they had erred, they said, Truly if our Lord have no mercy on us, and forgive us, we shall surely be of those who perish.
And when Moses returned to his people, wrathful, angered, he said, "Evil is it that you have done next upon my departure. Would you hasten on the judgments of your Lord?" And he threw down the tables, and seized his brother by the head and dragged him unto him. Said he, "Son of my mother! the people thought me weak, and had well nigh slain me. Make not mine enemies to rejoice over me, and place me not among the wrong doers."
7:150 He said, "O Lord, forgive me and my brother, and bring us into thy mercy' for of those who shew mercy thou art the most merciful."
Verily as to those who took the calf as a god, wrath from their Lord shall overtake them, and shame in this present life: for thus recompense we the devisers of a lie.
But to those who have done evil, then afterwards repent and believe, thy Lord will thereafter be Lenient, Merciful.
And when the anger of Moses was stilled, he took up the tables; and in their writing was guidance and mercy for those who dread their Lord.
And Moses chose seventy men of his people for a meeting appointed by us. And when the earthquake overtook them, he said, "O my Lord! if it had been thy pleasure, thou hadst destroyed them and me ere this! wilt thou destroy us for what our foolish ones have done? It is nought by thy trial: thou wilt mislead by it whom thou wilt, and guide whom thou wilt. Our guardian, thou! Forgive us then and have mercy on us; for of those who forgive art thou the best:
And write down for us what is good in this world, as well as in the world to come, for to thee are we guided." He said, "My chastisement shall fall on whom I will, and my mercy embraceth all things, and I write it down for those who shall fear me, and pay the alms, and believe in our signs,
Who shall follow the Apostle, the unlettered Prophet -- whom they shall find described with them in the Law and Evangel. What is right will he enjoin them, and forbid them what is wrong, and will allow them healthful viands and prohibit the impure, and will ease them of their burden, and of the yokes which were upon them; and those who shall believe in him, and strengthen him, and help him, and follow the light which hath been sent down with him, -- these are they with whom it shall be well."
Say to them: O men! Verily I am God's apostle to you all;
Whose is the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth! There is no God but He! He maketh alive and killeth! Therefore believe on God, and his Apostle -- the unlettered Prophet -- who believeth in God and his word. And follow him that you may be guided aright.
And among the people of Moses there is a certain number who guide others with truth, and practise what is right according to it.
7:160 And we divided the Israelites into twelve tribes, as nations; and we revealed unto Moses when the people asked drink of him -- "Strike the rock with thy staff:" and there gushed forth from it twelve fountains -- the men all knew their drinking places. And we caused clouds to overshadow them, and send down upon them the manna and the quails.... "Eat of the good things with which we have supplied you." But it was not us whom they injured, but they injured their own selves:
And when it was said to them, "Dwell in this city, and eat therefrom what you will, and say 'Hittat" (forgiveness), and enter the gate with prostrations; then will we pardon your offences -- we will give increase to the doers of good:"
But the ungodly ones among them changed that word into another than that which had been told me: therefore sent we forth wrath out of Heaven upon them for their wrong doings.
And ask them about the city that stood by the sea, when its inhabitants broke the Sabbath; when their fish came to them on their Sabbath day appearing openly, but came not to them on the day when they kept no Sabbath. Thus did we make trial of them, for that they were evildoers.
And when some of them said, why warn you those whom God would destroy or chastise with terrible chastisement? they said, For our own excuse with your Lord; and that they may fear Him.
And when they forgot their warnings, we delivered those who had forbidden evil; and we inflicted a severe chastisement on those who had done wrong, for that they were evil doers.
But when they proudly persisted in that which we forbidden, we said to them, "Become scouted apes;" and then thy Lord declared that until the day of the resurrection, he would surely send against them (the Jews) those who should evil entreat and chastise them: for prompt is thy Lord to punish; and He is Forgiving, Merciful.
And we have divided them upon the Earth as peoples: some of them are upright and some are otherwise; and by good things and by evil things have we proved them, to the intent that they might return to us.
And they have had successors to succeed them: they have inherited the Book: they have received the passing good things of this lower world, and say, "It will be forgiven us." Yet if the like good things came to them again, they would against receive them. But hath there not been received on their part a covenant through the Scripture that they should speak nought of God but the truth? And yet they study its contents. But the mansion of the next world hath more value for those who fear God -- Do you not then comprehend? --
And who hold fast the Book, and observe prayer: verily, we will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
7:170 And when we shook the mount over them as if it had been a shadow, and they thought it falling upon them... "Received, said we, with steadfastness what we have brought you, and remember what is therein, to the end that you may fear God."
And when thy Lord brought forth their descendants from the reins of the sons of Adam and took them to witness against themselves, "Am I not," said He, "your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we witness it." This we did, lest you should say on the day of Resurrection, "Truly, of this were we heedless, because uninformed;"
Or lest you should say, "Our fathers, indeed, aforetime joined other gods with our God, and we are their seed after them: wilt thou destroy us for the doings of vain men?"
Thus make we our signs clear: that haply they may return to God.
Receite to them the history of him to whom we vouchsafed our signs, and who departed from the, so that Satan followed him, and he became one of the seduced.
Had we pleased, we had certainly thereby exalted him; but he crouched to the earth and followed his own list: his likeness, hterefore, is as that of the dog which lolls out his tongue, whether thou chase him away, or leave him alone! Such is the likeness of those who treat our signs as lies. Tell them this tale then, that they may consider.
Evil the likeness of those who treat our signs as lies! and it is themselves they injure.
He whom God guideth is the guided, and they whom he misleadeth shall be the lost.
Many, moreover, fo the Djinn and men ahve we created for Hell. Hearts have they with which they understand not, and eyes have they with which they see not, and ears have they with which they hearken not. They are like the brutes: Yea, they go more astray: these are the heedless.
Most excellent titles hath God: by these call you on Him, and stand aloof from those who pervert his titles For what they have done shall they be repaid!
7:180 And among those whom we have created are a people who guide others with truth, and in accordance therewith act justly.
But as for those who treat our signs as lies, we will gradually bring
them down by means of which they know not:
And though I lengthen their days, verily, my stratagem shall prove effectual.
Will they not bethink them that their companion Muhammad is not djinn-possessed? Yes, his office is only that of plain warner.
Will they not look forth on thr realms of the Heaven and of the Earth, and on all things which God hath made, to see whether haply their end by not drawing on? And in what other book will they believe who reject the Koran?
No other guide for him whom God shall mislead! He will leave them distraught in their wanderings.
They will ask thee of the Hour -- for what time is its coming fixed? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord: none shall manifest it in its time but He: it is the burden of the Heavens and of the Earth: not otherwise than on a sudden will it come on you.
They will ask thee as if thou wast privy to it. Say: The knowledge of ti is with none but God. But most men know not this.
Say: I have no control over what may be helpful or hurtful to me, but as God willeth. Had I the knowledge of this secrets, I should revel in the good, and evil should not touch me. But I am only a warner, and an announcer of good tidings to those who believe.
He it is who hath created you from a single person, and from him brought forth his wife that he might dwell with her: and when he had known her, she bore a light burden, and went about with it; and when it became heavy, they both cried to God their Lord, "If thou give us a perfect child we will surely be of the thankful."
7:190 Yet when God had given them a perfect child, they joined partners with Him in return for what he had given them. But high is God above the partners they joined with Him!
What! Will they join those with Him who cannot create anything, and are themselves created, and have no power to help them, or to help themselves?
And if you summon them to "the guidance," they will not follow you! It is the same to them whether y summon them or whether you hold your peace!
Truly they whom you call on beside God, are, like yourselves, His servants! Call on them then, and let them answer you, if what you say of them be true!
Have they feet to walk with? Have they hands to hold with? Have they eyes to see with? Have they ears to hear with? Say: Call on this joint gods of yours; then make your plot against me, and delay it not.
Verily, my Lord is God, who hath send down "the Book;" and He is the protector of the righteous.
But they whom you call on beside Him, can lend you no help, nor can they help themselves:
And if you summon them to "the guidance," they hear you not: thou seest them look towards thee, but they do not see!
Make the best of things; and enjoin what is just, and withdraw from the ignorant:
And if stirrings to evil from Satan stir thee, fly thou for refuge to God: He verily heareth, knoweth!
7:200 Verily, they who fear God, when some phantom from Satan toucheth them, remember Him, and lo! they see clearly.
Their Brethren will only continue them in error, and cannot preserve themselves from it.
And when thou bringest not a verse (sign) of the Koran to them, they say, "hast thou not yet patched it up? Say: I only follow my Lord's utterances to me. This is a clear proof on the part of your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for those who believe.
And when the Koran is read, then listen you to it and keep silence, that haply you may obtain mercy.
And think within thine own self on God, with lowliness and with fear and without loud spoken words, at even and at morn; and be not one of the heedless.
Verily they who are round about thy Lord disdain not His service. They praise Him and prostrate themselves before Him.

Sura VIII
The Spoils (8)
[MEDINA -- 76 VERSES]
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
They will question thee about the Spoils. Say: The spoils are God's and the apostle's. Therefore, fear God, and settle this among yourselves; and obey God and his apostle, if you are believers.
Believers are they only whose hearts thrill with fear when God is named, and whose faith increaseth at each recital of his signs, and who put their trust in their Lord;
Who observe the prayers, and give alms out of that with which we have supplied them;
These are the believers: their due grade awaiteth them in the presence of their Lord, and forgiveness, and a generous provision.
Remember how thy Lord caused thee to go forth from thy home on a mission of truth, and part of the believers were quite averse to it:
They disputed with thee about the truth which had been made so clear, as if they were being led forth to death, and saw it before them:
And remember when God promised you that one of the two troops should fall to you, and you desired that they who had no arms should fall to you: but God purposed to prove tree the truth of his words, and to cut off the uttermost part of the infidels;
That he might prove his truth to be the truth, and bring nought that which is nought, though the impious were averse to it:
When you sought succour of your Lord, and he answered you, "I will verily aid you with a thousand angels, rank on rank:"
8:10 And God made this promise as pure good tidings, and to assure your hearts by it: for succour cometh from God alone! Verily God is Mighty, Wise.
Recollect when sleep, a sign of security from Him, fell upon you, and he sent down upon you water from Heaven that he might thereby cleanse you, and cause the pollution of Satan to pass from you, and that he might gird up your hearts, and stablish your feet by it:
When thy Lord spake unto the angels, "I will be with you: therefore stablish you the faithful. I will cast a dread into the hearts of the infidels." Strike off their heads then, and strike off from them every finger-tip.
This, because they have opposed God and his apostle: And whoso shall oppose God and his apostle.... Verily, God will be severe in punishment.
"This for you! Taste it then! and for the infidels is the tortue of the fire!"
O you who believe! when you meet the marshalled hosts of the infidels, turn not your backs to them:
Whoso shall turn his back to them on that day, unless he turn aside to fight, or to rally to some other troop, shall incur wrath from God: Hell shall be his abode and wretched the journey thither!
So it was not you who slew them, but God slew them; and those shafts were God's not thine! He would make trial of the faithful by a gracious trial from Himself: Verily, God Heareth, Knoweth.
This befel, that God might also bring to nought the craft of the infidels.
O Meccans! if you desired a decision, now hath the decision come to you. It will be better for you if you give over the struggle. If you return to it, we will return; and your forces, though they be many, shall never avail you aught, for God is with the faithful.
8:20 O you faithful! obey God and his apostle, and turn not away from Him, now that you hear the truth;
And be not like those who say "We hear," when they hear not;
For the vilest beasts in God's sight, are the deaf, the dumb, who understand not.
Had God known any good in them, he would certainly have made them hear. But even if He had made them hear, they would certainly have turned back and withdrawn afar.
O you faithful! make answer to the appeal of God and his apostle when he calleth you to that which giveth you life. Know that God cometh in between a man and his own heart, and that to him shall you be gathered.
And be afraid of temptation: the evil doers among you will not be the only ones on whom it will light: And know you that God is severe in punishment.
And remember when you were few, and reputed weak in the land: you feared lest men should pluck you away; then was it that He took you in and strengthened you with his help, and supplied you with good things, that haply you might give thanks.
O you who believe! deal not falsely with God and his apostle; and be not false in your engagements, with your own knowledge:
And know that your wealth and your children are a temptation; and that God! with Him is a glorious recompense.
O you who believe! if you fear God he will make good your deliverance, and will put away your sins from you, and will forgive you. God is of great bounteousness!
8:30 And call to mind when the unbelievers plotted against thee, to detain thee prisoner, or to kill thee, or to banish thee: They plotted -- but God plotted: and of plotters is god the best!
And oft as our signs were rehearsed to them, they said, "Now have we heard: if we pleased we could certainly utter its like! You, it is mere tales of the ancients."
And when they said, "God! if this be the very truth from before thee, rain down stones upon us from Heaven, or lay on us some grievous chastisement."
But God chose not to chastise them while thou wast with them, nor would God chastise them when they sued for pardon.
But because they debarred the faithful from the holy temple, albeit they are not its guardians, nothing is there on their part why God should not chastise them. The Godfearing only are its guardians; but most of them know it not.
And their prayer at the house of God is no other than whistling through the fingers and clapping of the hands -- "Taste then the torment, for that you have been unbelievers."
The infidels spend their riches with intent to turn men aside from the way of God: spent it they shall; then shall sighing be upon them, and then shall they be overcome.
And the infidels shall be gathered together into Hell,
That God may separate the bad from the good, and put the bad one upon the other, and heap them all up and put them into Hell! These are they who shall be lost.
Say to the infidels: If they desist from their unbelief, what is now past shall be forgiven them; but if they return to it, they have already before them the doom of the ancients!
8:40 Fight then against them till strife be at an end, and the religion be all of it God's. If they desist, verily God beholdeth what they do:
But if they turn their back, know you that God is your protector: Excellent protector! excellent helper!
And know you, that when you have taken any booty, a fifth part belongeth to God and to the Apostle, and to the near of kin, and to orphans, and to the poor, and to the wayfarer, if you believe in God, and in that which we have sent down to our servant on the day of the victory, the day of the meeting of the Hosts. Over all things is God potent.
When you were encamped on the near side of the valley, and they were on the further side, and the caravan was below you, if you had made an engagement to attack, you would have failed the engagement; but you were led into action notwithstanding, that God might accomplish the things destined to be done:
That he who should perish might perish with a clear token before him and that he who liveth might live with it. And verily, God Heareth, Knoweth.
Remember when God shewed them to thee in thy dream, as few: Had he shown them numerous, you would certainly have become fainthearted, and would certainly have disputed about the matter -- But from this God kept you -- He knoweth the very secrets of the breast --
And when, on your meeting, he made them to appear to your eyes as few, and diminished you in their eyes, that God might carry out the thing that was to be done. To God do all things return.
Believers! when you confront a troop, stand firm and make frequent mention of the name of God, that it may fare well with you:
And obey God and his Apostle; and dispute not, lest you become fainthearted and your success go from you; but endure with steadfastness, for God is with the steadfastly enduring.
And be not like those Meccans who came out of their houses insolently and to be seen of men, and who turn others from the way of God: God is round about their actions.
8:50 When Satan prepared their works for them, and said, "No man shall conquer you this day; and verily I will be near to help you:" But when the two armies came in sight, he turned on his heel and said, "Ay, I am clear of you: ay, I see what you see now: ay, I fear God; for God is severe in punishing."
When the hypocrites and the diseased of heart said, "Their Religion hath misled the Muslims: But whoso putteth his trust in God.... Yes, verily God is Mighty, Wise!
If thou didst see, when the angels cause the infidels to die! They smite their faces and their backs, and -- "Taste you the torture of the burning:
This, for what your hands have sent on before you:" -- God is not unjust to his servants.
Their state is like that of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them who believed not in the signs of God: therefore God seized upon them in their sin! God is Mighty, severe in punishing.
This because God changeth not the favour with which he favoureth a people, so long as they change not what is in their hearts; and for that God Heareth, Knoweth.
Their state is like that of the people of Pharaoh, and of those before them who treated their Lord's signs as lies. We therefore destroyed them in their sins, and we drowned the people of Pharaoh; for they were all doers of wrong.
The worst beasts truly in the sight of God are the thankless who will not believe;
They with whom thou hast leagued, and who are ever breaking their league, and fear not God!
If thou take them in warn, then, by the example of their fate, scatter those who shall follow them -- that they may be warned:
8:60 Or if thou fear treachery from any people, throw back their treaty to them as thou fairly mayest, for God loveth not the treacherous.
And think not that the infidels shall escape Us! They shall not weaken God.
Make ready then against them what force you can, and strong squadrons whereby you may strike terror into the enemy of God and your enemy, and into others beside them whom you know not, but whom God knoweth. All that you shall expend for the cause of God shall be repaid you; and you shall not be wronged.
And if they lean to peace, lean thou also to it; and put thy trust in God: for He is the Hearing, the KNowing.
But if they seek to betray thee, God will be all-sufficient for thee. He it is who hath strengthened thee with His help, and with the faithful, and hath made their hearts one. Hadst thou spent all the riches of the earth, thou couldst not have united their hearts; but God hath united them, for He is Mighty, Wise.
O prophet! God, and such of the faithful as follow thee, will be all-sufficient for thee.
O prophet! stir up the faithful to the fight. Twenty of you who stand firm shall vanquish two hundred: and if there be a hundred of you they shall vanquish a thousand of the infidels, for they are a people devoid of understanding.
Now hath God made your work easy, for he knoweth how weak you art. If there be an hundred of you who endure resolutely, they shall vanquish two hundred; and if there be a thousand of you, they shall vanquish two thousand by God's permission; for God is with those who are resolute to endure.
No prophet hath been enabled to take captives until he had made great slaughter in the earth. You desire the passing fruitions of this world, but God desireth the next life for you. And God is Mighty, Wise.
Had there not been a previous ordinance from God, a severe chastisement had befallen you, for the ransom which you took.
8:70 Eat therefore of the spoils you have taken what is lawful and good; and fear God: God is Gracious, Merciful.
O prophet! say to the captives who are in your hand, "If God shall know good to be in your hearts, He will give you good beyond all that hath been take4n from you, and will forgive you: for God is Forgiving, Merciful."
But if they seek to deal treacherously with you -- they have already dealt treacherously with God before! Therefore hath He given you power over them. God is Knowing, Wise.
Verily, they who have believed and fled their homes and spent their substance for the cause of God, and they who have taken in the prophet and been helpful to him, shall be near of kin the one to the other. And they who have believed, but have not fled their homes, shall have no rights of kindred with you at all, until they too fly their country. Yet if they seek aid from you on account of the faith, your part it is to give them aid, except against a people between whom and yourselves there shall be at treaty. And God beholdeth your actions.
The infidels lend one another mutual help. Unless you do the same, there will be discord in the land and great corruption.
But as for those who have believed and fled their country, and fought on the path of God, and given the prophet an asylum, and been helpful to him, these are the faithful; Mercy is their due and a noble provision.
And they who have believed and fled their country since, and have fought at your side, these also are of you. Those who are united by ties of blood are the nearest of kin to each other. This is in the Book of God. Verily, God knoweth all things.

Sura IX
Immunity (9)
[Medina -- 130 Verses]
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An Immunity from God and His Apostle to those with whom you are in league, among the Polytheist Arabs! (those who join gods with God).
Go you therefore, at league in the land four months: but know that God you shall not weaken; and that those who believe not, God will put to shame --
And a proclamation on the part of God and His Apostle to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that God is free from any engagement with the votaries of other gods with God as is His Apostle! If, therefore, you turn to God it will be better for you; but if you turn back, then know that you shall not weaken God: and to those who believe not, announce thou a grievous punishment.
But this concerneth not those Polytheists with whom you are in league, and who shall have afterwards in no way failed you, nor aided anyone against you. Observe, therefore, engagement with them through the whole time of their treaty: for God loveth those who fear Him.
And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with God wherever you shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert, and observe prayer, and pay the obligatory alms, then let them go their way, for God is Gracious, Merciful.
If any one of those who join gods with God ask an asylum of thee, grant him an asylum, that he may hear the Word of God, and then let him reach his place of safety. This, for that they are people devoid of knowledge.
How shall they who add gods to God be in league with God and with His Apostle, save those with whom you made a league at the sacred temple? So long as they are true to you, be you true to them; for God loveth those who fear Him.
How can they? since if they prevail against you, they will not regard in you either ties of blood or faith. With their mouths will they content you, but their hearts will be averse. The greater part of them are perverse doers.
They sell the signs of God for a mean price, and turn others aside from his way: evil is it that they do!
9:10 They regard not in a believer either ties of blood or faith; these are the transgressors!
Yet if they turn to God and observe prayer, and pay the impost, then are they your brethren in religion. We make clear our signs to those who understand.
But, if after alliance made, they break their oaths and revile your religion, then do battle with the ring-leaders of infidelity -- for no oaths are binding with them -- that they may desist.
What! will you not fight against those Meccans who have broken their oaths and aimed to expel your Apostle, and attacked you first? Will you dread them? God is more worthy of your fear, if you are believers.!
So make war on them: By your hands will God chastise them, and will put them to shame, and will give you victory over them, and will heal the bosoms of a people who believe;
And will take away the wrath of their hearts. God will be turned unto whom He will: and God is Knowing, Wise.
Think you that you shall be forsaken as if God did not yet know those among you who do valiantly, and take none for their friends beside God, and His Apostle, and the faithful? God is well apprised of your doings.
It is not for the votaries of other gods with God, witnesses against themselves of infidelity, to visit the temples of God. These! vain their works: and in the fire shall they abide for ever!
He only should visit the temples of God who believeth in God and the last day, and observeth prayer, and payeth the legal alms, and dreadeth none but God. These haply will be among the rightly guided.
Do you place the giving drink to the pilgrims, and the visitation of the sacred temple, on the same level with him who believeth in God and the last day, and fighteth on the way of God? They shall not be held equal by God: and God guideth not the unrighteous.
9:20 They who have believed, and fled their homes, and striven with their substance and with their persons on the path of God, shall be of highest grade with God: and these are they who shall be happy!
Tidings of mercy from Himself, and of His good pleasure, doth their Lord send them, and of gardens in which lasting pleasure shall be theirs;
Therein shall they abide for ever; for God! with Him is a great reward.
O believers! make not friends of your fathers or your brethren if they love unbelief above faith: and whoso of you shall make them his friends, will be wrong doers.
Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your kindred, and the wealth which you have gained, and merchandise which you fear may be unsold, and dwellings wherein you delight, be dearer to you than God and His Apostle and efforts on his Path, then wait until God shall Himself enter on His work: and God guideth not the impious.
Now hath God helped you in many battlefields, and on the day of Honein, when you prided yourselves on your numbers; but it availed you nothing; and the earth, with all its breadth, became too straight for you: then turned you your backs in flight:
Then did God send down His spirit of repose upon His Apostle, and upon the faithful, and He sent down the hosts which you saw not, and He punished the Infidels: This, the Infidels' reward!
Yet, after this, will God be turned to whom He pleaseth; for God is Gracious, Merciful!
O Believers! only they who join gods with God are unclean! Let them not, therefore, after this their year, come near the sacred Temple. And if you fear want, God, if He please, will enrich you of His abundance: for God is Knowing, Wise.
Make war upon such of those to whom the Scriptures have been given as believe not in God, or in the last day, and who forbid not that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, and who profess not the professions of the truth, until they pay tribute out of hand, and they be humbled.
9:30 The Jews say, "Ezra (Ozair) is a son of God"; and the Christians say, "The Messiah is a son of God." Such the sayings in their mouths! They resemble the saying of the Infidels of old! God do battle with them! How are they misguided!
They take their teachers, and their monks, and the Messiah, son of Mary, for Lords beside God, though bidden to worship one God only. There is no God but He! Far from His glory be what they associated with Him!
Fain would they put out God's light with their mouths: but God only desireth to perfect His light, albeit the Infidels abhor it.
He it is who hath sent His Apostle with the Guidance and a religion of the truth, that He may make it victorious over every other religion, albeit they who assign partners to God be averse from it.
O Believers! of a truth, many of the teachers and monks do devour man's substance in vanity, and turn them from the Way of God. But to those who treasure up gold and silver and expend it not in the Way of God, announce tidings of a grievous torment.
On that day their treasures shall be heated in hell fire, and their foreheads, and their sides, and their back, shall be branded with them.... "This is what you have treasured up for yourselves: taste, therefore, your treasures!"
Twelve months is the number of months with God, according to God's book, since the day when He created the Heavens and the Earth: of these four are sacred: this is the right usage: But wrong not yourselves therein; attack those who join gods with God in all, as they attack you in all: and know that God is with those who fear Him.
To carry over a sacred month to another, is only a growth of infidelity. The Infidels are led into error by it. They allow it one year, and forbid it another, that they may make good the number of months which God hath hallowed, and they allow that which God hath prohibited. The evil of their deeds hath been prepared for them by Satan: for God guideth not the people who do not believe.
O Believers! what possessed you, that when it was said to you, "March forth on the Way of God," you sank heavily earthwards? What! prefer you the life of this world to the next? But the fruition of this mundane life, in respect of that which is to come, is but little.
Unless you march forth, with a grievous chastisement will He chastise you; and He will place another people in your stead, and you shall in no way harm Him: for over everything is God potent.
9:40 If you assist not your Prophet ... God assisted him formerly, when the unbelievers drove him forth, in company with a second only! when they two were in the cave; when the Prophet said to his companion, "Be not distressed; verily, God is with us." And God sent down His tranquility upon him, and strengthened him with hosts you saw not, and made the word of those who believed not the abased, and the word of God was the exalted: for God is Mighty, Wise.
March you forth the light and heavy armed, and contend with your substance and your persons on the Way of God. This, if you know it, will be better for you.
Had there been a near advantage and a short journey, they would certainly have followed thee; but the way seemed long to them. Yet will they sear by God, "Had we been able, we had surely gone forth with you:" they are self-destroyers! And God knoweth that they are surely liars!
God forgive there! Why didst thou give them leave to stay behind, ere they who make true excuses had become known to thee, and thou hadst known the liars?
They who believe in God and in the last day will not ask leave of thee to be exempt from contending with their substance and their persons. But God knoweth those who fear Him!
They only will ask thy leave who believe not in God and the last day, and whose hearts are full of doubts, and who are tossed up and down in their doubtings.
Moreover, had they been desirous to take the field, they would have got ready for that purpose the munitions of war. But God was averse to their marching forth, and made them laggards; and it was said, "Sit you at home with those who sit."
Had they taken the field with you, they would only have added a burden to you, and have hurried about among you, stirring you up to sedition; and some there are among you who would have listened to them: and God knoweth the evil doers.
Of old aimed they at sedition, and deranged thy affairs, until the truth arrived, and the behest of God became apparent, averse from it though they were.
Some of them say to thee, "Allow me to remain at home, and expose me not to the trial." Have they not fallen into a trial already? But verily, Hell shall environ the Infidels!
9:50 If a success betide thee, it annoyeth them: but if a reverse betide thee, they say, "We took our own measures before:" and they turn their backs and are glad.
Say: Nothing can befall us but what God hath destined for us. Our liege-lord is He; and on God let the faithful trust!
Say: Await you for us, other than one of the two best things? But we await for you the infliction of a chastisement by God, from himself, or at our hands. Wait you then; we verily will wait with you.
Say: Make you your offerings willingly or by constraint; it cannot be accepted from you, because you are a wicked people:
And nothing hindreth the acceptance of their offerings, but that they believe not in God and His Apostle, and discharge not the duty of prayer but with sluggishness, and make not offerings but with reluctance.
Let not, therefore, their riches or their children amaze thee. God is only minded to punish them by means of these, in this life present, and that their souls may depart while they are unbelievers.
And they swear by God that they are indeed of you, yet they are not of you, but they are people who are afraid of you:
If they find a place of refuge, or caves, or a hiding place, they assuredly turn towards it and haste thereto.
Some of them also defame thee in regard to the alms; yet if a part be given them, they are content, but if no part be given them, behold, they are angry!
Would that they were satisfied with that which God and His Apostle had given them, and would say "God sufficeth us! God will vouchsafe unto us of His favour, and so will His Apostle: verily until God do we make our suit!"
9:60 But alms are only to be given to the poor and needy, and those who collect them, and to those whose hearts are won to Islam, and for ransoms, and for debtors, and for the cause of God, and the wayfarer. This is an ordinance from God: and God is Knowing, Wise.
There are some of them who injure the Prophet and say, "He is all ear." Say: An ear of good to you! He believeth in God, and believeth the believers: and is a mercy to such of you as believe:
But they who injure the Apostle of God, shall suffer a dolorous chastisement.
They swear to you by God to please you; but worthier is God, and His Apostle, that they should please Him, if they are believers.
Know they not, that for him who opposeth God and His Apostle, is surely the fire of Hell, in which he shall remain for ever? This is the great ignominy!
The hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down concerning them, to tell them plainly what is in their hearts. Say: Scoff you; but God will bring to light that which you are afraid of.
And if thou question them, they will surely say, "We were only discoursing and jesting." Say: What! do you scoff at God, and His signs, and His Apostle?
Make no excuse: from faith you have passed to infidelity! If we forgive some of you, we will punish others:L for that they have been evil doers.
Hypocritical men and women imitate one another. They enjoin what is evil, and forbid what is just, and shut up their hands. They have forgotten God, and He hath forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the perverse doers.
God promiseth the hypocritical men and women, and the unbelievers, the fire of Hell -- therein shall they abide -- this their sufficing portion! And God hath cursed them, and a lasting torment shall be theirs.
9:70 You act like those who flourished before you. Mightier were they than you in prowess, and more abundant in wealth and children, and they enjoyed their portion: so you also enjoy your portion, as they were were before you enjoyed theirs; and you hold discourses like their discourses. These! vain their works both for this world and for that which is to come! These! they are the lost ones.
Hath not the history reached them of those who were before them? -- of the people of Noah, and of Ad, and of Themoud, and of the people of Abraham, and of the inhabitants of Madian, and of the overthrown cities? Their apostles came to them with clear proofs of their mission: God would not deal wrongly by them, but they dealt wrongly by themselves.
The faithful of both sexes are mutual friends: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil; they observe prayer, and pay the legal impost, and they obey God and His Apostle. On these will God have mercy: verily, God is Mighty, Wise.
To the faithful, both men and women, God promiseth gardens 'neath which the rivers flow, in which they shall abide, and goodly mansions in the gardens of Eden. But best of all will be God's good pleasure in them. This will be the great bliss.
O Prophet! contend against the infidels and the hypocrites, and be rigorous with them: Hell shall be their dwelling place! Wretched the journey thither!
They swear by God that they said no such thing: yet spake they the word infidelity, and from Muslims became unbelievers! They planned what they could not effect; and only disapproved of it because God and His Apostle had enriched them by His bounty! If they repent it will be better for them; but if they fall back into their sin, with a grievous chastisement will God chastise them in this world and the next, and on earth they shall have neither friend nor protector!
Some there are of them who made this agreement with God -- "If truly He give us of His bounties, we will surely give alms and surely be of the righteous."
Yet when he had vouchsafed them of His bounty, they became covetous thereof, and turned their backs, and withdrew afar off:
So He caused hypocrisy to take its turn in their hearts, until the day on which they shall meet Him -- for that they failed their promise to God, and for that they were liars!
9:80 They who traduce such of the faithful as give their alms freely, and those who find nothing to give but their earnings, and scoff at them, God shall scoff at them; and there is a grievous torment in store for them.
Ask thou forgiveness for them, or ask it not, it will be the same. If thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times, God will by no means forgive them. This, for that they believe not in God and His Apostle! And God guideth not the ungodly people.
They who were left at home were delighted to stay behind God's Apostle, and were averse from contending with their riches and their persons for the cause of God, and said, "March not out in the heat." Say: A fiercer heat will be the fire of Hell." Would that they understood this.
Little, therefore, let them laugh, and much let them weep, as the meed of their doings!
If God bring thee back from the fight to some of them, and they ask thy leave to take the field, Say: By no means shall you ever take the field with me, and by no means shall you fight an enemy with me: you were well pleased to sit at home at the first crisis: sit you at home, then, with those who lag behind.
Never pray thou over anyone of them who dieth, or stand at his grave -- because they believed not in God and His Apostle, and died in their wickedness.
Let not their riches or their children astonish thee: through these God is fain only to punish them in this world, and that their souls should depart while they are still infidels.
When a Sura was sent down with "Believe in God and go forth to war with His Apostle," those of them who are possessed of riches demanded exemption, and said, "Allow us to be with those who sit at home.
Well content were they to be with those who stay behind: for a seal hath been set on their hearts so that they understand not: --
But the Apostle and those who share his faith, contend for the faith with purse and person; and these! all good things await them: and these are they who shall be happy.
9:90 God hath made ready for them gardens 'neath which the rivers flow, wherein they shall remain for ever: this will be the great bliss.
Some Arabs of the desert came with excuses, praying exemption; and they who had gainsaid God and His Apostle sat at home: a grievous punishment shall light on such of them as believe not.
It shall be no crime in the weak, and in the sick, and in those who find not the means of contributing, to stay at home, provided they are sincere with God and His Apostle. Against those who act virtuously, there is no cause of blame: and God is Gracious, Merciful: --
Nor against those, to whom when they came to thee that thou shouldst mount them, thou didst say "I find not wherewith to mount you," and they turned away their eyes shedding floods of tears for grief, because they found no means to contribute.
On is there cause of blame against those who, though they are rich, ask thee for exemption. They are pleased to be with those who stay behind; and God hath set a seal upon their hearts: they have no knowledge.
They will excuse themselves to you when you come back to them. Say: Excuse yourselves not; we cannot believe you: now hath God informed us about you: God will behold your doings, and so will His Apostle: to Him who knoweth alike things hidden and things manifest shall you hereafter be brought back: and He will tell you what you have done.
They will adjure you by God when you are come back to them, to withdraw from them: Withdraw from them, then, for they are unclean: their dwelling shall be Hell, in recompense for their deserts.
They will adjure you to take pleasure in them; but if you take pleasure in them, God truly will take no pleasure in those who act corruptly.
The Arabs of the desert are most stout in unbelief and dissimulation; and likelier it is that they should be unaware of the laws which God hath sent down to His Apostle: and God is Knowing, Wise.
Of the Arabs of the desert there are some who reckon what they expend in the cause of God as tribute, and wait for some change of fortune to befall you: a change for evil shall befall them! God is the Hearer, the Knower.
9:100 And of the Arabs of the desert, some believe in God and in the last day, and deem those alms an approach to God and to the Apostle's prayers. Are they not their approach? Into His mercy shall God lead them: yes, God is Indulgent, Merciful.
As for those who led the way, the first of the Mohadjers, and the Ansars, and those who have followed their noble conduct, God is well pleased with them, and they with Him: He hath made ready for them gardens under whose trees the rivers flow: to abide therein for aye: this shall be the great bliss:
And of the Arabs of the desert round about you, some are hypocrites: and of the people of Medina, some are stubborn in hypocrisy. thou knowest them not, Muhammad: we know them: twice will we chastise them: then shall they be given over to a great chastisement.
Others have owned their faults, and with an action that is right they have mixed another that is wrong. God will haply be turned to them: for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Take alms of their substance, that thou mayst cleanse and purify them thereby, and pray for them; for thy prayers shall assure their minds: and God Heareth, Knoweth.
Know they not that when his servants turn to Him with repentance, God accepteth it, and that He accepteth alms, and that God is He who turneth, the Merciful?
Say: Work you: but God will behold your work, and so will His Apostle, and the faithful: and you shall be brought before Him who knoweth alike the Hidden and the Manifest, and He will tell you of all your works.
And others await the decision of God; whether He will punish them, or whether He will be turned unto them: but God is Knowing, Wise.
There are some who have built a Mosque for mischief and for infidelity, and to disunite the faithful, and in expectation of him who, in time past, warned against God and His Apostle. They will surely sear, "Our aim was only good:" but God is witness that they are liars.
Never set thou foot in it. There is a Mosque founded from tis first day in piety. More worthy is it that thou enter therein: therein are men who aspire to purity, and God loveth the purified.
9:110 Which of the two is best? He who hath founded his building on the fear of God and the desire to please Him, or he who hath founded his building on the brink of an undermined bank washed away by torrents, so that it rusheth with him into the fire of Hell? But God guided not the doers of wrong.
Their building which they have built will not cease to cause uneasiness in their hearts, until their hearts are cut in pieces. God is Knowing, Wise.
Verily, of the faithful hath God bought their persons and their substances, on condition of Paradise for them in return: on the path of God shall they fight, and slay, and be slain: a promise for this is pledged in the Law, and in the Evangel, and in the Koran -- and who more faithful to his engagement than God? Rejoice, therefore, in the contract that you have contracted: for this shall be the great bliss.
Those who turn to God, and those who serve, who praise, who fast, who bow down, who prostrate themselves, who enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil, and keep to the bounds of God... Wherefore bear these good tidings to the faithful.
It is not for the prophet or the faithful to pray for the forgiveness of those, even though they be of kin, who associate other beings with God, after it hath been made clear to them that they are to be the inmates of Hell.
For neither did Abraham ask forgiveness for his father, but in pursuance of a promise which he had promised to him: but when it was shewn him that he was an enemy to God, he declared himself clear of him. Yet Abraham was pitiful, kind.
Nor is it for God to lead a people into error, after he hath guided them aright, until that which they ought to dread hath been clearly shewn them. Verily, God knoweth all things.
God! His the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth! He maketh alive and killeth! You have no patron or helper save God.
Now hath God turned Him unto the Prophet and unto the refugees (Mohadjers), and unto the helpers (Ansars), who followed him in the hour of distress, after that the hearts of a part of them had well nigh failed them. Then turned He unto them, for He was Kind to them, Merciful.
He hath also turned Him unto the three who were left behind, so that the earth, spacious as it is, became to strait for them; and their souls became so straitened within them, that they bethought them that there was no refuge from God but unto Himself. Then was He turned to them, that they might be turned to Him, for God is He that turneth, the Merciful.
9:120 Believers! fear God, and be with the sincere.
No cause had the people of Medina and the Arabs of the desert around them, to abandon God's Apostle, or to prefer their own lives to his; because neither thirst, nor the labour, nor hunger, could come upon them when on path of God; neither do they step a step which may anger the unbelievers, neither do they receive from the enemy any damage, but it is written down to them as a good work. Verily, God suffereth not the reward of the righteous to perish.
Nor give they alms either small or great, nor traverse they a torrent, but it is thus reckoned to them; that God may reward them with better than they have wrought.
The faithful must not march forth all together to the wars: and if a party of every band of them march not out, it is that they may instruct themselves in their religion, and may warn their people when they come back to them, that they take heed to themselves.
Believers! wage war against such of the infidels as are your neighbours, and let them find you rigorous: and know that God is with those who fear him.
Whenever a Sura is sent down, there are some of them who say, "Whose faith hath it increased?" It will increase the faith of those who believe, and they shall rejoice.
But as to those in whose hearts is a disease, it will add doubt to their doubt, and they shall die infidels.
Do they not see that they are proved every year once or twice? Yet they turn not, neither are they warned.
And whenever a Sura is sent down, they look at one another.... "Doth any one see you?" then turn they aside. God shall turn their hearts aside, because they are a people devoid of understanding.
Now hath an Apostle come unto you from among yourselves: your iniquities press heavily upon him. He is careful over you, and towards the faithful, compassionate, merciful.
9:130 If they turn away, Say: God sufficeth me: there is no God but He. In Him put I my trust. He is the possessor of the Glorious Throne!

Sura X
Jonah, Peace Be On Him!
(Mecca -- 109 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Elif. Lam. Ra.
These are the signs of the wise Book!
A matter of wonderment is it to the men of Mecca, that to a person among themselves We revealed, "Bear warnings to the people: and, to those who believe, bear the good tidings that they shall have with their Lord the precedence merited by their sincerity." The unbelievers say, "Verily this is a manifest sorcerer."
Verily your Lord is God who hath made the Heavens and the Earth in six days -- then mounted his throne to rule all things: None can intercede with him till after his permission: This is God, your Lord: therefore serve him: Will you not reflect?
Unto Him shall you return, all together: the promise of God is sure: He produceth a creature, then causeth it to return again -- that he may reward those who believe and do the things that are right, with equity: but as for the infidels! -- for them the draught that boileth and an afflictive torment -- because they have not believed.
It is He who hath appointed the sun for brightness, and the moon for a light, and hath ordained her stations that you may learn the number of years and the reckoning of time. God hath not created all this but for the truth. He maketh his signs clear to those who understand.
Verily, in the alternations of night and of day, and in all that God hath created in the Heavens and in the Earth are signs to those who fear Him.
Verily, they who hope not to meet Us, and find their satisfaction in this world's life, and rest on it, and who of our signs are heedless; --
These! their abode the fire, in recompense of their deeds!
But they who believe and do the things that are right, shall their Lord direct aright because of their faith. Rivers shall flow at their feet in gardens of delight:
10:10 Their cry therein, "Glory be to thee, O God!" and their salutation therein, "Peace!"
And the close of their cry, "Praise be to God, Lord of all creatures!"
Should God hasten evil on men as they fain would hasten their good, then were their end decreed! So leave we those who hope not to meet Us, bewildered in their error.
When trouble toucheth a man, he crieth to us, on his side, or sitting, or standing; and we we withdraw his trouble from him, he passeth on as though he had not called on us against the trouble which touched him! Thus are the deeds of transgressors pre-arranged for them.
And of old destroyed we generations before you, when they had acted wickedly, and their Apostles had come to them with clear tokens of their mission, and they would not believe: -- thus reward we the wicked.
Then we caused you to succeed them on the earth, that we might see how you would act.
But when our clear signs are recited to them, they who look not forward to meet Us, say, "Bring a different Koran from this, or make some change in it." Say: It is not for me to change it as mine own soul prompteth. I follow only what is revealed to me: verily, I fear, if I rebel against my Lord, the
punishment of a great day.
Say: Had God so pleased, I had not recited it to you, neither had I taught it to you. Already have I dwelt among you for years, ere it was revealed to me. Understand you not?
And who is more unjust than he who coineth a lie against God, or treateth his signs as lies? Surely the wicked shall not prosper!
And they worship beside God, what cannot hurt or help them; and say, "These are our advocates with God!" Say: Will you inform God of aught in the Heavens and in the Earth which he knoweth not? Praise be to Him! High be He exalted above the deities they join with Him!
10:20 Men were of one religion only: then they fell to variance: and had not a decree (of respite) previously gone forth from thy Lord, their differences had surely been decided between them!
They say: "Unless a sign be sent down to him from his Lord..." But Say: The hidden is only with God: wait therefore: I truly will be with you among those who wait.
And when after a trouble which had befallen them, we caused this people to taste of mercy, lo! a plot on their part against our signs! Say: Swifter to plot is God! Verily, our messengers note down your plottings.
He it is who enableth you to travel by land and sea, so that you go on board of ships -- which sail on with them, with favouring breeze in which they rejoice. But if a tempestuous gale overtake them, and the billow come on them from every side, and they think that they are encompassed therewith, they call on God, professing sincere religion: -- "Wouldst thou but rescue us from this, then will we indeed be of the thankful."
But when we have rescued them, lo! they commit unrighteous excesses on the earth! O men! assuredly your self-injuring excess is only an enjoyment of this life present: soon you return to us: and we will let you know what you have done!
Verily, this present life is like the water which we send down from Heaven, and the produce of the earth, of which men and cattle eat, is mingled with it, till the earth hath received its golden raiment, and is decked out: and they who dwell on it deem that they have power over it! but, Our behest cometh to it by night or by day, and we make it as if it had been mown, as if it had not teemed only yesterday! Thus make we our signs clear to those who consider.
And God calleth to the abode of peace; and He guideth whom He will into the right way.
Goodness itself and an increase of it for those who do good! neither blackness nor shame shall cover their faces! These shall be the inmates of Paradise, therein shall they abide for ever.
And as for those who have wrought out evil, their recompense shall be evil of like degree, and shame shall cover them -- no protector shall they have against God: as though their faces were darkened with deep murk of night! These shall be inmates of the fire: therein they shall abide for ever.
And on that day will we gather them all together: then will we say to those who added gods to God, "To your place, you and those added gods of yours!" Then we will separate between them: and those their gods shall say, "You served us not:
10:30 And God is a sufficient witness between us and you: we cared not aught for your worship."
There shall every soul make proof of what itself shall have sent on before, and they shall be brought back to God, their true lord, and the deities of their own devising shall vanish from them.
Say: Who supplieth you from the Heaven and the Earth? Who hath pwoer over hearing and sight? And who bringeth forth the living from the dead, and bringeth forth the dead from the living? And who ruleth all things? They will surely say, "God:" then Say: "What! will you not therefore fear him?
This God then is your truth Lord: and when the truth is gone, what remaineth but error? How then are you so peverted?
Thus is the word of thy Lord made good on the wicked, that they shall not believe.
Say: Is there any of the gods whom you add to God who produceth a creature, then causeth it to return to him? Say: God produceth a creature, then causeth it to return to Him: How therefore are you turned aside?
Say: Is there any of the gods you add to God who guideth into the turth? Say: God guideth into the truth. Is He then who guideth into the truth the more worthy to be followed, or he who guideth not unless he be himself guided? What then hath befallen you that you so judge?
And most of them follow only a conceit: -- But a conceit attaineth to nought of truth! Verily God knoweth what they say.
Moreover this Koran could not have been devised by any but God: but it confirmeth what was revealed before it, and is a clearing up of the Scriptures - there is no doubt thereof -- from the Lord of all creatures.
Do they say, "He hath devised it himself?" Say: Then bring a Sura like it; and call on whom you can beside God, if you speak truth.
10:40 But that which they embrace not in their knowledge have they charged with falsehood, though the explanation of it had not yet been given them. So those who were before them brought charges of imposture: But see what was the end of the unjust!
And some of them believe in it, and some of them believe not in it. But thy Lord well knoweth the transgressors.
And if they charge thee with imposture, then Say: My work for me, and your work for you! You are clear of that which I do, and I am clear of that which you do.
And some of them lend a ready ear to thee: But wilt thou make the deaf to hear even though they understand not?
And some of them look at thee: But wilt thou guide the blind even though they see not?
Verily, God will not wrong men in aught, but men will wrong themselves.
Moreover, on that day, He will gather them all together; They shall seem as though they had waiting but an hour of the day! They shall recognise one another! Now perish they who denied the meeting with God, and were not guided aright!
Whether we cause thee to see some of our menaces against them fulfilled, or whether we first take thee to Ourself, to us do they return. Then shall God bear witness of what they do.
And every people has its apostle. And when their apostle comes, a rightful decision will take place between them, and they will not wronged.
Yet they say, "When will this menace be made good? Tell us if you speak truly."
10:50 Say: I have no power over my own weal or woe, but as God pleaseth. Every people hath its time: when their time is come, they shall neither retard nor advance it an hour.
Say: How think you? if God's punishment came on you by night or by day, what portion of it would the wicked desire to hasten on?
When it falleth on you, will you believe it then? Yes! you will believe it then. Yet did you challenge its speedy coming.
Then shall it be said to the transgressors, "Taste you the punishment of eternity! Shall you be rewarded but as you have wrought?
They will desire thee to inform them whether this be true? Say: Yes! by my Lord it is the truth: and it is not you who can weaken Him.
And every soul that hath sinned, if it possessed all that is on earth, would assuredly ransom itself therewith; and they will proclaim their repentance when they have seen the punishment: and there shall be rightful decision between them, and they shall not be unjustly dealt with.
Is not whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth God's? Is not then the promise of God true? Yet most of them know it not.
He maketh alive and He causeth to die, and to Him shall you return.
O men! now hath a warning come to you from your Lord, and a medicine for what is in your breasts, and a guidance and a mercy to believers.
Say: Through the grace of God and his mercy! and in this therefore let them rejoice: better is this than all you amass.
10:60 Say: What think you? of what God hath sent down to you for food, have you made unlawful and lawful? Say: Hath God permitteth you? or invent you on the part of God?
But what on the day of Resurrection will be the thought of those who invent a lie on the part of God? Truly God is full of bounties to man; but most of them give not thanks.
Thou shalt not be employed in affairs, nor shalt thou read a text out of the Koran, nor shall you work any work, but we will be witnesses over you when you are engaged therein: and not the weight of an atom on Eath or in Heaven escapeth thy Lord; nor is there aught that is less than this or greater, but it is in the perspicuous Book.
Are not the friends of God, those on whom no fear shall come, nor shall they be put to grief?
They who believe and fear God --
For them are good tidings in this life, and in the next! There is no change in the words of God! This, the great felicity!
And let not their discourse grieve thee: for all might is God's: the Hearer, the Knower, He!
Is not whoever is in the Heavens and the Earth subject to God? What then do they follow who, beside God, call upon deities they have joined with Him? They follow but a conceit, and they are but liars!
It is He who hath ordained for you the night wherein to rest, and the lightsome day. Verily in this are signs for those who hearken.
They say, "God hath begotten children." No! by this glory! He is the self-sufficient. All that is in the Heavens and all that is in the Earth is His! Have you warranty for that assertion? What! speak you of God that which you know not?
10:70 Say: Verily, they who devise this lie concerning God shall fare ill.
A portion have they in this world! Then to us they return! Then make we them to taste the vehement torment, for that they were unbelievers.
Recite to them the history of Noah, when he said to his people -- If, O my people! my abode with you, and my reminding you of the signs of God, be grievous to you, yet in God is my trust: Muster, therefore, your designs and your false gods, and let not your design be carried on by you in the dark: then come to some decision about me, and delay not.
And if you turn your backs on me, yet ask I no reward from you: my reward is with God alone, and I am commanded to be of the Muslims.
But they treated him as a liar: therefore we rescued him and those who were with him in the ark, and we made them to survive the others; and we drowned those who charged our signs with falsehood. See, then, what was the end of these warned ones!
Then after him, we sent Apostles to their peoples, and they come to them with credentials; but they would not believe in what they had denied aforetime: Thus seal we up the hearts of the transgressors!
Then sent we, after them, Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his nobles with our signs; but they acted proudly and were a wicked people:
And when the truth came to them from us, they said, "Verily, this is clear sorcery."
Moses said, "What! say you of a truth after it hath come to you, 'Is this sorcery?' But sorcerers shall not prosper."
They said, "Art thou come to us to pervert us from the faith in which we found our fathers, and that you twain shall bear rule in this land? But we believe you not."
10:80 And Pharaoh said: "Fetch me every skilled magician." And when the magicians arrives, Moses said to them, "Cast down what you have to cast."
And when they had cast them down, Moses said, "Verily, God will render vain the sorceries which you have brought to pass: God prospereth not the work of the evildoers.
And by his words will God verify the Truth, though the impious be averse to it.
And none believed on Moses but a race among his own people, through fear of Pharaoh and his nobles, lest he should afflict them: For of a truth mighty was Pharaoh in the land, and one who committed excesses.
And Moses said: "O my people! if you believe in God, then put your trust in Him -- if you be Muslims."
And they said: "In God put we our trust. O our Lord! abandon us not to trial from that unjust people,
And deliver us by thy mercy from the unbelieving people."
Then thus revealed we to Moses and his brother: "Provide houses for your people in Egypt, and in your houses make a Kebla, and observe prayer and proclaim good tidings to the believers."
And Moses said: "O our Lord! thou hast indeed given to Pharaoh and his nobles splendour and riches in this present life: O our Lord! that they may err from thy way! O our Lord! confound their riches, and harden their hearts that they may not believe till they see the dolorous torment."
He said, "The prayer of you both is heard: pursue you both therefore the straight path, and follow not the path of those who have no knowledge.
10:90 And we led the children of Israel through the sea; and Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in eager and hostile sort until, when the downing overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no God but he on whom the children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims."
"Yes, now," said God: "but thou hast been rebellious hitherto, and wast one of the wicked doers.
But this day will we rescue thee with thy body that thou mayest be a sign to those who shall be after thee: but truly, most men are of our signs regardless!"
Moreover we prepared a settled abode for the children of Israel, and provided them with good things: nor did they fall into variance till the knowledge (the Law) came to them: Truly thy Lord will decide between them on the day of Resurrection concerning that in which they differed.
And if thou art in doubt as to what we have sent down to thee, inquire at those who have read the Scriptures before thee. Now hath the truth come unto thee from they Lord: be not therefore of those who doubt.
Neither be of those who charge the signs of God with falsehood, lest thou be of those who perish.
Verily they against whom the decree of thy Lord is pronounced, shall not believe.
Even though every kind of sign come unto them, till they behold the dolorous torment!
Were it otherwise, any city, had it believed, might have found its safety in its faith. But it was so, only with the people of Jonas. When they believed, we delivered them from the penalty of shame in this world, and provided for them for a time.
But if thy Lord had pleased, verily all who are in the earth would have believed together. What! wilt thou compel men to become believers?
10:100 No soul can believe but by the permission of God: and he shall lay his wrath on those who will not understand.
Say: Consider you whatever is in the Heavens and on the Earth: but neither signs, nor warners, avail those who will not believe!
What then can they expect but the like of such days of wrath as befel those who flourish before them? Say: Wait; I too will wait with you:
Then will we deliver our apostles and those who believe. Thus it is binding on us to deliver the faithful.
Say: O men! if you are in doubt as to my religion, verily I worship not what you worship beside God; but I worship God who will cause you to die: and I am commanded to be a believer.
And set thy face toward true religion, sound in faith, and be not of those who join other gods with God:
Neither invoke beside God that which can neither help nor hurt thee: for it thou do, thou wilt certainly then be one of those who act unjustly.
And if God lay the touch of trouble on thee, none can deliver thee from it but He: and if He will thee any good, none can keep back his boons. He will confer them on such of his servants as he chooseth: and He is the Gracious, the Merciful!
Say: O men! now hath the truth come unto you from your Lord. He therefore who will be guided, will be guided only for his own behoof: but he who shall err will err only against it; and I am not your guardian!
And follow what is revealed to thee: and persevere steadfastly till God shall judge, for He is the best of Judges.

Sura XI
Houd (11)
(Mecca -- 85 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Elif. Lam. Ra. A book whose verses are stablished in wisdom and then set forth with clearness -- from the Wise, the All-informed --
That you worship none other than God -- Verily I come to you from Him charged with warnings, announcements;
And that you seek pardon of your Lord, and then be turned unto Him! Goodly enjoyments will He give you to enjoy until a destined time, and His favours will He bestow on every one who deserves his favours. But if you turn away, then verily I fear for you the chastisement of the great day.
Unto God shall you return, and over all things is he Potent.
Do they not doubly fold up their breasts, that they may hide themselves from Him?
But when they enshroud themselves in their garments, doth He not know alike what they conceal and what they shew?
For He knoweth the very inmost of their breast.
There is no moving thing on earth whose nourishment dependeth not on god; he knoweth its haunts and final resting place: all is in the clear Book.
And He it is who hath made the Heavens and the Earth in six days: His throne had stood ere this upon the waters, that He might make proof which of you would excel in works.
11:10 And if thou say, "After death you shall surely be raised again," the infidels will certainly explain, "This is nothing but pure sorcery."
And if we defer their chastisement to some definite time, they will exclaim, "What keepeth it back?" What! will it not come upon them on a day when there shall be none to avert it from them? And that at which they scoffed shall enclose them in on every side.
And if we cause man to taste our mercy, and then deprive him of it, verily, he is despairing, ungrateful.
And if after trouble hath befallen him we cause him to taste our favour, he will surely exclaim, "The evils are passed away from me." Verily, he is joyous, boastful.
Except those who endure with patience and do the things that are right: these doth pardon await and a great reward.
Perhaps thou wilt suppress a part of what hath been revealed to thee, and wilt be distressed at heart lest they say, "If a treasure be not sent down to him, or an angel come with him...." But thou art only a warner, and God hath all things in his charge.
If they shall say, "The Koran is his own device," Say: Then bring ten Suras like it of your devising, and call whom you can to your aid beside God, if you are men of truth.
But if they answer you not, then know that it hath been sent down to you in the wisdom of God only, and that there is no God but He. Are you then Muslims?
Those who choose this present life and its braveries, we will recompense for their works therein: they shall having nothing less therein than their deserts.
These are they for whom there is nothing in the next world but the Fire: all that they have wrought in this life shall come to nought, and vain shall be all their doings.
11:20 With such can they be compared who rest upon clear proofs from their Lord? to whom a witness from him reciteth the Koran, and who is preceded by the Book of Moses, a guide and mercy? These have faith in it: but the partisans of idolatry, who believe not in it, are menaced with the fire! Have thou no doubts about that Book, for it is the very truth from thy Lord. But most men will not believe.
Who is guilty of a greater injustice than he who inventeth a lie concerning God? They shall be set before their Lord, and the witnesses shall say, "These are they who made their Lord a liar." Shall not the malison of God be on these unjust doers,
Who pervert others from the way of God, and seek to make it crooked, and believe not in a life to come? God's power on earth they shall not weaken; and beside God they have no protector! Doubled shall be their punishment! They were not able to hearken, and they could not see.
These are they who have lost their own souls, and the deities of their own devising have vanished form them:
There is no doubt but that in the next world they shall be the lost one.
But they who shall have believed and done the things that are right, and humbled them before their Lord, shall be the inmates of Paradise; therein shall they abide for ever.
These two sorts of persons resemble the blind and deaf, and the seeing and the hearing: shall these be compared as alike? Ah! do you not comprehend?
We sent Noah of old unto his people: -- "Verily I come to you a plain admonisher,
That you worship none but God. Verily I fear for you the punishment of a grievous day."
Then said the chiefs of his people who believed not, "We see in thee but a man like ourselves; and we see not who have followed thee except our meanest ones of hasty judgment, nor see we any excellence in you above ourselves: nay, we deem you liars."
11:30 He said: "O my people! how think you? If I am upon a clear revelation from my Lord, who hath bestowed on me mercy from Himself to which you are blind, can we force it on you, if you are averse from it?
And, O my people! I ask you not for riches: my reward is of God alone: and I will not drive away those who believe that they shall meet their Lord: -- but I see that you are an ignorant people.
And, O my people! were I to drive them away, who shall help me against God? Will you not therefore consider?
And I tell you not that with me are the treasurers of God: nor do I say, 'I know the things unseen;' nor do I say, 'I am an angel;' nor do I say of those whom you eye with scorn, No good thing will God bestow on them: -- God best knoweth what is in their minds -- for then should I be one of those who act unjustly."
They said, "O Noah! already hast thou disputed with us, and multiplied disputes with us: Bring then upon us what thou hast threatened, if thou be of those who speak truth."
He said, "God will bring it on you at His sole pleasure, and it is not you who can weaken him;
Nor, if God desire to mislead you, shall my counsel profit you, though I fain would counsel you aright. He is your Lord, and unto Him shall you be brought back.
Do they say, "This Koran is of his own devising?" Say: On me be my own guilt, if I have devised it, but I am clear of that whereof you are guilty.
And it was revealed unto Noah. Verily, none of thy people shall believed, save they who have believed already; therefore be not thou grieved at their doings.
But build the Ark under our eye and after our revelation: and plead not with me for the evil doers, for they are to be drowned.
11:40 So he built the Ark; and whenever the chiefs of his people passed by they laughed him to scorn: said he, "Though you laugh at us, we truly shall laugh at you, even as you laugh at us; and in the end you shall know
On whom a punishment shall come that shall shame him, and on whom shall light a lasting punishment."
Thus was it until our sentence came to pass, and the earth's surface boiled up. We said, "Carry into it one pair of every kind, and thy family, except him on whom sentence hath before been passed, and those who have believed." But there believed not with him except a few.
And he said, "Embark you therein. In the name of God be its course and its riding at anchor! Truly my Lord is right Gracious, Merciful."
And the Ark moved on with them amid waves like mountains: and Noah called to his son -- for he was apart -- "Embark with us, O my child! and be not with the unbelievers."
He said, "I will betake me to a mountain that shall secure me from the water." He said, "None shall be secure this day from the decree of God, save him on whom He shall have mercy." And a wave passed between them, and he was among the drowned.
And it was said, "O Earth! swallow up thy water;" and "cease, O Heaven!" And the water abated, and the decree was fulfilled, and the Ark rested upon Al-Djoudi; and it was said, "Avaunt! you tribe of the wicked!"
And Noah called on his Lord and said, "O Lord! verily my son is of my family: and thy promise is true, and thou art the most just of judges."
He said, "O Noah! verily, he is not of thy family: in this thou actest not aright. Ask not of me that whereof thou knowest nought: I warn thee that thou become not of the ignorant.
He said, "To thee verily, O my Lord, do I repair lest I ask that of thee wherein I have no knowledge: unless thou forgive me and be merciful to me I shall be one of the lost.
11:50 It was said to him, "O Noah! debark with peace from Us, and with blessings on thee and on peoples to be born from those who are with thee; but as for other and unbelieving peoples, we will give them their good things in this world, but hereafter shall a grievous punishment light on them from us.
This is one of the secret Histories: we reveal it unto thee: neither thou nor thy people knew it ere this: be patient thou: verily, there is a prosperous issue to the God-fearing.
And unto Ad we sent their Brother Houd. He said, "O my people, worship God. You have no God beside Him. You only devise a lie.
O my people! I ask of you no recompense for this: my recompense is with Him only who hath made me. Will you not then understand?
O my people! ask pardon of your Lord; then be turned unto Him: He will send down the heavens upon you with copious rains;
And with strength on strength will He increase you:L only turn not back with deeds of evil."
They said, "O Houd, thou hast not brought us proofs of thy mission: we will not abandon our gods at thy word, and we believe thee not.
We can only say that some of our gods have smitten thee with evil." Said he, "Now take I God to witness, do you also witness, that I am clear of your joining other gods
To God. Conspire then against me all of you, and delay me not.
For I trust in God, my Lord and yours. No single beast is there which he holdeth not by its forelock. Right, truly, is the way in which my Lord goeth.
11:60 But if you turn back, I have already declared to you my message. And my Lord will put another people in your place, nor shall you at all hurt Him; verily, my Lord keepeth watch over all things."
And when our doom came to be inflicted, we rescued Houd and those who had like faith with Him, by our special mercy: we rescued them from the rigorous chastisement.
These men of Ad gainsaid the signs of their Lord, and rebelled against his messengers, and followed the bidding of every proud contumacious person.
Followed therefore were they in this world by a curse; and in the day of Resurrection it shall be said to them, "What! Did not Ad disbelieve their Lord?" Was not Ad, the people of Houd, cast far away?
And unto Themoud we sent their Brother Saleh: -- "O my people! said he, worship God: you have no other god then Him. He hath raised you up out of the earth, and hath given you to dwell therein. Ask pardon of him then, and be turned unto him; for thy Lord is nigh, ready to answer."
They said, "O Saleh! our hopes were fixed on thee till now: forbiddest thou us to worship what our fathers worshipped/ Truly we misdoubt the faith to which thou callest us, as suspicious."
He said, "O my people! what think you? If I have a revelation from my Lord to support me, and if He hath shewed his mercy on me, who could protect me from God if I rebel against him? You would only confer on me increase of ruin.
O my people! this is the she-Camel of God, and sign unto you. Let her go at large and feed in God's earth, and do her no harm, lest a speedy punishment overtake you."
Yet they hamstrung her: then said he, "Yet three days more enjoy yourselves in your dwellings: this menace will not prove untrue."
And when our sentence came to pass, we rescued Saleh and those who had a like faith with him, by our mercy, from ignominy on that day. Verily, thy Lord is the Strong, the Mighty!
11:70 And a violent tempest overtook the wicked, and they were found in the morning prostrate in their dwellings,
As though they had never abode in them. What! Did not Themoud disbelieve his Lord? Was not Themoud utterly cast off?
And our messengers came formerly to Abraham with glad tidings. "Peace," said they. He said, "Peace," and he tarried not, but brought a roasted calf.
And when he saw that their hands touched it not, he misliked them, and grew fearful of them. They said, "Fear not," for we are sent to the people of Lot."
His wife was standing by and laughed; and we announced Isaac to her; and after Isaac, Jacob.
She said, "Ah, woe is me! shall I bear a son when I am old, and when this my husband is an old man? This truly would be a marvellous thing."
They said, "Marvellest thou at the command of God? God's mercy and blessing be upon you, O people of this house; praise and glory are His due!"
And when Abraham's fear had passed away, and these glad tidings had reached him, he pleaded with us for the people of Lot. Verily, Abraham was right kind, pitiful, relenting.
"O Abraham! desist from this; for already hath the command of thy God gone forth; as for them, a punishment not to be averted is coming on them."
And when our messengers came to Lot, he was grieved for them; and he was too weak to protect them, and he said, "This is a day of difficulty."
11:80 And his people came rushing on towards him, for aforetime had they wrought this wickedness. He said, "O my people! these my daughters will be purer for you: fear God, and put me not to shame in my guests. Is there no rightminded man among you?"
They said, "Thou knowest now that we need not thy daughters; and thou well knowest what we require."
He said, "Would that I had strength to resist you, or that I could find refuge with some powerful chieftain."
The Angels said, "O Lot! verily, we are the messengers of thy Lord: they shall not touch tee: depart with thy family in the dead of night, and let not one of you turn back: as for thy wife, on her shall light what shall light on them. Verily, that with which they are threatened is for the morning. Is not the morning near?"
And when our decree came to be executed we turned those cities upside down, and we rained down upon them blocks of claystone one after another, marked by thy Lord himself. Nor are they far distant from the wicked Meccans.
And we sent to Madian their brother Shoaib. He said, "O my people! worship God: no other God have you than He: give not short weight and measure: I see indeed that you revel in good things; but I fear for you the punishment of the all-encompassing day.
O my people! give weight and measure with fairness; purloin not other men's goods; and perpetrate not injustice on the earth with corrupt practices:
A residue, the gift of God, will be best for you if you are believers:
But I am not a guardian over you."
They said to him, "O Shoaib! is it thy prayers which enjoin that we should leave what our fathers worshipped, or that we should not do with our substance as pleaseth us? Thou forsooth art the mild, the right director!"
11:90 He said, "O my people! How think you? If I have a clear revelation from my Lord, and if from Himself He hath supplied me with goodly supplies, and if I will not follow you in that which I myself forbid you, do I seek aught but your amendment so far as in me lieth? My sole help is in God. In Him do I trust, and to Him do I turn me.
O my people! let not your opposition to me draw down upon you the like of that which befel the people of Noah, or the people of Houd, or the people of Saleh: and the abodes of the people of Lot are not far distant from you!
Seek pardon of your Lord and be turned unto Him: verily, my Lord is Merciful, Loving.
They said, "O Shoaib! we understand not much of what thou sayest, and we clearly see that thou art powerless among us:L were it not for thy family we would have surely stoned thee, nor couldest thou have prevailed against us."
He said, "O my people! think you more highly of my family than of God? Cast you Him behind your back, with neglect? Verily, my Lord is round about your actions.
And, O my people! act with what power you can for my hurt: I verily will act: and you shall know
On whom shall light a punishment that shall disgrace him, and who is the liar. Await you; verily I will await with you."
And when our decree came to pass, we delivered Shoaib and his companions in faith, by our mercy: And a violent tempest overtook the wicked, and in the morning they were found prostrate in their houses
As if they had never dwelt in them. Was not Madian swept off even as Themoud had been swept off?
Of old sent we Moses, with our signs and with incontestable power to Pharaoh, and to his nobles -- who followed the behests of Pharaoh, and, unrighteous were Pharaoh's bests.
11:100 He shall head his people on the day of the Resurrection and cause them to descend into the fire: and wretched the descent by which they shall descend!
They were followed by a curse in this world; and in the day of the Resurrection, wretched the gift that shall be given them!
Such, the histories of the cities which we relate to thee. Some of them are standing, others mown down:
We dealt not unfairly by them, but they dealt not fairly by themselves: and their gods on whom they called beside God availed them not at all when thy Lord's behest came to pass. They did not increase their ruin.
Such was thy Lord's grasp when he laid that grasp on the cities that had been wicked. Verily his grasp is afflictive, terrible!
Herein truly is a sign for him who feareth the punishment of the latter day. That shall be a day unto which mankind shall be gathered together; that shall be a day witnessed by all creatures.
No do we delay it, but until a time appointed.
When that day shall come no one shall speak a word but by His leave, and some shall be miserable and others blessed.
And as for those who shall be consigned to misery -- their place the Fire! therein shall they sigh and bemoan them --
Therein shall they abide while the Heavens and the Earth shall last, unless thy Lord shall will it otherwise; verily thy Lord doth what He chooseth.
11:110 And as for the blessed ones -- their place the Garden! therein shall they abide while the Heavens and the Earth endure, with whatever imperishable boon thy Lord my please to add.
Have thou no doubts therefore concerning that which they worship: they worship but what their fathers worshipped before them: we will surely assign them their portion with nothing lacking.
Of old gave we Moses the Book, and they fell to variance about it. If a decree of respite had not gone forth from thy Lord, there had surely been a decision between them. Thy people also are in suspicious doubts about the Koran.
And truly thy Lord will repay every one according to their works! for He is well aware of what they do.
Go straight on then as thou hast been commanded, and he also who hath turned to God with thee, and let him transgress no more. He beholdeth what you do.
Lean not on the evil doers lest the Fire lay hold on you. You have no protector, save God, and you shall not be helped against Him.
And observe prayer at early morning, at the close of the day, and at the approach of night; for the good deeds drive away the evil deeds. This is a warning for those who reflect:
And persevere steadfastly, for verily God will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
Were the generations before you, endued with virtue, and who forbad corrupt doings on the earth, more than a few of those whom we delivered? but the evil doers followed their selfish pleasures, and became transgressors.
And thy Lord was not one who would destroy those cities unjustly, when its inhabitants were righteous.
11:120 Had thy Lord pleased he would have made mankind of one religion:L but those only to whom thy Lord hath granted his mercy will cease to differ. And unto this hath He created them; for the word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled, "I will wholly fill hell with Djinn and men."
And all that we have related to thee of the histories of these Apostles, is to confirm thy heart thereby. By these hath the truth reached thee, and a monition and warning to those who believe.
But say to those who believe not, "Act as you may and can: we will act our part: and wait you; we verily will wait."
To God belong the secret things of the Heavens and of the Earth: all things return to him: worship him then and put thy trust in Him: thy Lord is not regardless of your doings!

Sura XII (12)
Joseph, Peace Be On Him
(Mecca 111 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
An Arabic Koran have we sent it down, that you might understand it.
In revealing to thee this Koran, one of the most beautiful of narratives will be narrate to thee, of which thou hast hitherto been regardless.
When Joseph said to his Father, "O my Father! verily I beheld eleven stars and the sun and moon -- beheld them make obeisance to me!"
He said, "O my son! tell not thy vision to thy brethren, lest they plot a plot against thee: for Satan is the manifest foe of man.
It is thus that thy Lord shall choose thee and will teach thee the interpretation of dark sayings, and will perfect his favours on thee and on the family of Jacob, as of old he perfected it on thy fathers Abraham and Isaac; verily thy Lord is Knowing, Wise!"
Now in Joseph and his brethren are signs for the enquirers;
When they said, "Surely better loved by our Father, than we, who are more in number, is Joseph and his brother; verily, our father hath clearly erred.
Slay you Joseph! or drive him to some other land, and on you along shall your father's face be set! and after this, you shall live as upright persons."
12:10 One of them said, "Slay not Joseph, but cast him down to the bottom of the well: if you do so, some wayfarers will take him up."
They said, "O our Father! why dost thou not entrust us with Joseph? indeed we mean him well.
Send him with us to-morrow that he may enjoy himself and sport: we will surely keep him safely.:
He said, "Verily, your taking him away will grieve me; and I fear lest while you are heedless of him the wolf devour him."
They said, "Surely if the wolf devour him, and we so many, we must in that case be weak indeed."
And when they went away with him they agreed to place him at the bottom of the well. And We revealed to him, "Thou wilt yet tell them of this their deed, when they shall not know thee."
And they came at nightfall to their father weeping.
They said, "O our Father! of a truth, we went to run races, and we left Joseph with our clothes, and the wolf devoured him: but thou wilt not believe us even though we speak the truth."
And they brought his shirt with false blood upon it. He said, "Nay, but yourselves have managed this affair. But patience is seemly: and the help of God is to be implored that I may bear what you tell me."
And wayfarers came and sent their drawer of water, and he let down his bucket. "Good news!" said he, "This is a youth!: And they kept his case secret, to make merchandise of him. But God knew what they did.
12:20 And they sold him for a paltry price -- for some dirhems counted down, and at no high rate did they value him.
And he who bought him -- an Egyptian -- said to his wife, "Treat him hospitable; haply he may be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son." Thus did we settle Joseph in the land, and we instructed him in the interpretation of dark sayings, for God is equal to his purpose; but most men know it not.
And when he had reached his age of strength we bestowed on him judgment and knowledge; for thus do we recompense the well doers.
And she in whose house he was conceived a passion for him, and she shut the doors and said, "Come hither." He said, "God keep me! Verily, my lord hath given me a good home: and the injurious shall not prosper."
But she longed for him; and he had longed for her had he not seen a token from his lord. Thus we averted evil and defilement from him, for he was one of our sincere servants.
And they both made for the door, and she rent his shirt behind; and at the door they met her lord. "What," said she, "shall be the recompense of him who would do evil to thy family, but a prison or a sore punishment?"
He said, "She solicited me to evil." And a witness out of her own family witnessed: "If his shirt be rent in front she speaketh truth, and he is a liar:
But if his shirt be rent behind, she lieth and he is true."
And when his lord saw his shirt torn behind, he said, "This is one of your devices! verily your devices are great!
Joseph! leave this affair. And thou, O wife, ask pardon for thy crime, for thou hast sinned."
12:30 And in the city, the women said, "The wife of the Prince hath solicited her servant: he hath fired her with his love: but we clearly see her manifest error."
And when she heard of their cabal, she sent to them and got ready a banquet for them, and gave each one of them a knife, and said, "Joseph shew thyself to them." And when they saw him they were amazed at him, and cut their hands, and said, "God keep us! This is no man! This is no other than a noble angel!"
She said, "This is he about whom you blamed me. I wished him to yield to my desires, but he stood firm. But if he obey not my command, he shall surely be cast into prison, and become one of the despised."
He said, "O my Lord! I prefer the prison to compliance with their bidding: but unless thou turn away their snares from me, I shall play the youth with them, and become one of the unwise."
And his Lord heard him and turned aside their snares from him: for he is the Hearer, the Knower.
Yet resolved they, even after they had seen the signs of his innocence, to imprison him for a time.
And there came into the prison with him two youths. Said one of them, "Methought in my dream that I was pressing grapes." And the other said, "I dreamed that I was carrying bread on my head, of which the birds did eat. Declare to us the interpretation of this, for we see thou art a virtuous person."
He said, "There shall not come to you in a dream any food wherewith you shall be fed, but I will acquaint you with its interpretation ere it come to pass to you. This is a part of that which my Lord hath taught me: for I have abandoned the religion of those who believe not in God and who deny the life to come;
And I follow the religion of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. We may not associate aught with God. This is of God's bounty towards us and towards mankind: but the greater part of mankind are not thankful.
O my two fellow prisoners! are sundry lords best, or God, the One, the Mighty?
12:40 You worship beside him mere names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which God hath not sent down any warranty. Judgment belongeth to God alone. He hath bidden you worship none but Him. This is the right faith: but most men know it not.
O my two fellow prisoners! as to one of you, he will serve wine unto his Lord: but as to the other, he will be crucified and the birds shall eat from off his head. The matter is decreed concerning which you enquire."
And he said unto him who he judged would be set at large, "Remember me with thy lord." But Satan caused him to forget the remembrance of his Lord, so he remained some years in prison.
And the King said, "Verily, I saw in a dream seven fat kine which seven lean devoured; and seven green ears and other withered. O nobles, teach me my vision, if a vision you are able to expound."
They said, "They are confused dreams, nor know we aught of the unravelling of dreams."
And he of the twain who had been set at large, said, "I will tell you the interpretation; let me go for it."
"Joseph, man of truth! teach us of the seven fat kine which have lean devoured, and of the seven green ears, and other withered, that I may return to the men, and that they may be informed."
He said, "You shall sow seven years as is your wont, and the corn which you reap leave you in its ear, except a little of which you shall eat.
Then after that shall come seven grievous years which shall eat what you have stored for them, except a little which you shall have kept.
Then shall come after this a year, in which men shall have rain, and in which they shall press the grape."
12:50 And the King said, "Bring him to me," And when the messenger came to Joseph he said, "Go back to thy lord, and ask him what meant the women who cut their hands, for my lord well knoweth the snare they laid."
Then said the Prince to the women, "What was your purpose when you solicited Joseph?" They said, "God keep us! we know not any ill of him." The wife of the Prince said, "Now doth the truth appear. It was I who would have led him into unlawful love, and he is one of the truthful."
"By this" (said Joseph) "may my lord know that I did not in his absence play him false, and that God guideth not the machinations of deceivers.
Yet I hold not myself clear, for the heart is prone to evil, save theirs on whom my Lord hath mercy; for gracious is my Lord, the Merciful."
And the King said, "Bring him to me: I will take him for my special service." And when he had spoken with him he said, "From this day shalt thou be with us, invested with place and trust."
He said, "Set me over the granaries of the land, I will be their prudent keeper!:
Thus did we stablish Joseph in the land that he might house himself
therein at pleasure. We bestow our favours on whom we will, and suffer not the reward of the righteous to perish.
And truly the recompense of the life to come is better, for those who have believed and feared God.
And Joseph's brethren came and went in to him and he knew them, but they recognised him not.
And when he had provided them with their provision, he said, "Bring me your brother from your father. See you not that I fill the measure, and am the best of hosts?
12:60 But if you bring him not to me, then no measure of corn shall there be for you from me, nor shall you come near me."
They said to his servants, "Put their money into their camel-packs, that they may perceive it when they have returned to their family: haply they will come back to us."
And when they returned to their father, they said, "O, our father! corn is withholden from us: send, therefore, our brother with us and we shall have our measure; and all care of him will we take."
He said, "Shall I entrust you with him otherwise than as I before entrusted you with his brother? But God is the best guardian, and of those who shew compassion He is the most compassionate."
And when they opened their goods they found their money had been returned to them. They said, "O, our father, what more can we desire? Here is our money returned to us; we will provide corn for our families, and will take care of our brother, and shall receive a camel's burden more of corn. This is an easy quantity."
He said, "I will not send him with you but on your oath before God that you will, indeed, bring him back to me, unless hindrances encompass you." And when they had given him their pledge, he said, "God is witness of what we say."
And he said, "O, my sons! Enter not by one gate, but enter by different gates. Yet can I not help you against aught decreed by God: judgment belongeth to God alone. In Him put I my trust, and in Him let the trusting trust."
And when they entered as their father had bidden them, it did not avert from them anything decreed of God; but it only served to satisfy a desire in the soul of Jacob which he had charged them to perform; for he was possessed of knowledge which we had taught him; but most men have not that knowledge.
And when they came in to Joseph, he took his brother to him. He said, "Verily, I am thy brother. Be not thou grieved for what they did."
12:70 And when he had provided them with their provisions, he placed his drinking cup in his brother's camel-pack. Then a crier cried after them, "O travellers! you are surely thieves."
They turned back to them and said, "What is that you miss?"
"We miss," said they, "the prince's cup. For him who shall restore it, a camel's load of corn! I pledge myself for it."
They said, "By God! you know certainly that we came not to do wrong in the land and we have not been thieves."
"What," said the Egyptians, "shall be the recompense of him who hath stolen it, if you be found liars?"
They said, "That he in whose camel-pack it shall be found be given up to you in satisfaction for it. Thus recompense we the unjust.:
And Joseph began with their sacks, before the sack of his brother, and then from the sack of his brother he drew it out. This stratagem did we suggest to Joseph. By the King's law he had no power to seize his brother, had not God pleased. We uplift into grades of wisdom whom we will. And there is one knowing above every one else endued with knowledge.
They said, "If he steal, a brother of his hath stolen heretofore." But Joseph kept his secret, and did not discover it to them. Said he, aside, "You are in the worse condition. And God well knoweth what you state."
They said, "O Prince! Verily he hath a very aged father; in his stead, therefore, take one of us, for we see that thou art a generous person."
He said, "God forbid that we shall take but him with whom our property was found, for then should we act unjustly."
12:80 And when they despaired of Benjamin, they went apart for counsel. The eldest of them said, "Know you not how that your father hath taken a pledge from you before God, and how formerly you failed in duty with regard to Joseph? I will not quit the land till my father give me leave, or God decide for me; for of those who decide is He the best.
Return you to your father and say, 'O our father! Verily, thy son hath stolen: we bear witness only of what we know: we could not guard against the unforeseen.
Enquire for thyself ion the city where we have been, and of the caravan with which we have arrived; and we are surely speakers of the truth.'
He said, "nay, you have arranged all this among yourselves: But patience is seemly: God, may be, will bring them back to me together; for he is the Knowing, the Wise."
And he turned away from them and said, "Oh! how I am grieved for Joseph!" and his eyes became white with grief, for he bore a silent sorrow.
They said, "By God thou wilt only cease to think of Joseph when thou art at the point of death, or dead."
He said, "I only plead my grief and my sorrow to God: but I know from God what you know not:
Go, my sons, and seek tidings of Joseph and his brother, and despair not of God's mercy, for none but the unbelieving despair of the mercy of God."
And when they came in to Joseph, they said, "O Prince, distress hath reached us and our family, and little is the money that we have brought. But give us full measure, and bestow it as alms, for God will recompense the almsgivers."
He said, "Know you what you did to Joseph and his brother in your ignorance?"
12:90 They said, "Canst thou indeed be Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Now hath God been gracious to us. For whoso feareth God and endureth. . . . God verily will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish!"
They said, "By God! now hath God chosen thee above us, and we have indeed been sinners!"
He said, "No blame be on you this day. God will forgive you, for He is the most merciful of those who shew mercy.
Go you with this my shirt and throw it on my father's face, and he shall recover his sight: and bring me all your family."
And when the caravan was departed, their father said, 'I surely perceive the smell of Joseph: think you that I dote?"
They said, "By God, it is thy old mistake."
And when the bearer of good tidings came, he cast it on his face, and Jacob's eyesight returned.
Then he said, "Did I not tell you that I knew from God what you knew not?"
They said, "Our father, ask pardon for our crimes for us, for we have indeed been sinners."
He said, "I will ask pardon of my Lord, for he is Gracious, Merciful."
12:100 And when they came into Joseph he took his parents to him, and said, "Enter you Egypt, if God will, secure."
And he raised his parents to the seat of state, and they fell down bowing themselves unto him. Then said he, "O my father, this is the meaning of my dream of old. My Lord hath now made it true, and he hath surely been gracious to me, since he took me forth from the prison, and hath brought you up out of the desert, after that Satan had stirred up strife between me and my brethren; for my Lord is gracious to whom He will; for He is the Knowing, the Wise.
O my Lord, thou hast given me dominion, and hast taught me to expound dark sayings. Maker of the Heavens and of the Earth! My guardian art thou in this world and in the next! Cause thou me to die a Muslim, and join me with the just."
This is one of the secret histories which we reveal unto thee. Thou wast not present with Joseph's brethren when they conceived their design and laid their plot: but the greater part of men, though thou long for it, will not believe.
Thou shalt not ask of them any recompense for this message. It is simply an instruction for all mankind.
And many as are the signs in the Heavens and on the Earth, yet they will past them by, and turn aside from them:
And most of them believe not in God, without also joining other deities with Him.
What! Are they sure that the overwhelming chastisement of God shall not come upon them, or that tht Hour shall not come upon them suddenly, while they are unaware?
Say: This is my way: resting on a clear proof, I call you to God, I and whoso followeth me:L and glory be to God! I am not one of those who add other deities to Him.
Never before thee have we sent any but men, chosen out of the people of the cities, to whom we made revelations. Will they not journey through the land, and see what hath been the end of those who were before them? But the mansions of the next life shall be better for those who fear God. Will they not then comprehend?
12:110 When at last the Apostles lost all hope, and deemed that they were reckoned as liars, our aid reached them, and we delivered whom we would; but our vengeance was not averted from the wicked.
Certainly in their histories is an example for men of understanding. This is no new tale of fiction, but a confirmation of previous scriptures, and an explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy to those who believe.

Sura XIII -- (13)
Thunder
(Mecca -- 43 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Elif. Lam. Mim. Ra. These, the signs of the Book! And that which hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord is the very truth: But the greater part of men will not believe.
It is God who hath reared the Heavens without pillars thou canst behold; then mounted his throne, and imposed laws on the sun and moon: each travelleth to its appointed goal. He ordereth all things. He maketh his signs clear, that you may have firm faith in a meeting with your Lord.
And He it is who hath outstretched the earth, and placed on it the firm mountains, and rivers: and of every fruit He hath placed on it tow kinds: He causeth the night to enshroud the day. Verily in this are signs for those who reflect.
And on the earth hard by each other are its various portions: gardens of grapes and corn, and palm trees single or clustered. Though watered by the same water, yet some make we more excellent as food than other: Verily in all this are signs for those who understand.
If ever thou dost marvel, marvellous surely is their saying, "What! when we have become dust, shall we be restored in a new creation?"
These are they who in their Lord believe not: these! the collars shall be on their necks; and these shall be inmates of the fire, to abide therein for aye.
To hasten evil rather than good will they challenge thee: but, before their time have been like examples. Full, truly, of mercy is thy Lord unto men, despite their sins; but verily, thy Lord is right vehement to punish.
And they who believe not say: ":If a sign from his Lord be not sent down to him . . .!" Thou art a warner only. And every people hath its guide.
God knoweth the burden of every female, and how much their wombs lessen and enlarge: with Him everything is by measure:
13:10 Knower of the Hidden and the Manifest! the Great! the Most High!
Alike to Him is that person among you who concealeth his words, and he that telleth them abroad: he who hideth him in the night, and he who cometh forth in the day.
Each hath a succession of Angels before him and behind him, who watch over him by God's behest. Verily, God will not change his gifts to men, till they change what is in themselves: and when God willeth evil unto men, there is none can turn it away, nor have they any protector beside Him.
He it is who maketh the lightning to shine unto you; for fear and hope: and who bringeth up the laden clouds.
And the Thunder uttereth his praise, and the Angels also, for awe of Him: and he sendeth his bolts and smiteth with them whom he will while they are wrangling about God! Mighty is he is prowess.
Prayer is His of right: but these deities to whom they pray beside Him give them no answer, otherwise than as he is answered who stretcheth forth his hands to the water that it may reach his mouth, when it cannot reach it! The prayer of the Infidels only wandereth, and is lost.
And unto God doth all in the Heavens and on the Earth bow down in worship, willingly or by constraint: their very shadows also morn and even!
Say: Who is Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth? Say: God. Say: Why then have you taken beside Him protectors, who even for their own selves have no power for help or harm? Say: What! shall the blind and the seeing be held equal? Shall the darkness and the light be held equal? Or have they given associates to God who have created as He hath created, so that their creation appear to them like His? Say: God is the Creator of all things! He is the One! the Conquering!
He sendeth down the rain from Heaven: then flow the torrents in their due measure, and the flood beareth along a swelling foam. And from the metals which are molten in the fire for the sake of ornaments or utensils, a like scum ariseth. In this way doth God depict (set forth) truth and falsehood. As to the foam, it is quickly gone: and as to what is useful to man, it remaineth on the earth,. Thus doth God set forth comparisons! To those who respond to their Lord shall be an excellent reward; but those who respond not to his call, had they all that the earth containeth twice over, they would surely give it for their ransom. Evil their reckoning! and Hell their home! And wretched the bed!
Shall he then who knoweth that what hath been sent down to thee from thy Lord is the truth, act like him who is blind? Men of insight only will bear this in mind,
13:20 Who fulfil their pledge to God, and break not their compact:
And who join together what God hath bidden to be joined, and who fear their Lord, and dread an ill reckoning;
And who, from desire to see the face of their Lord, are constant amid trials, and observe prayer and give alms, in secret and openly, out of what we have bestowed upon them, and turn aside evil by good: for these is the recompense of that abode.
Gardens of Eden -- into which they shall enter together with the just of their fathers, and their wives, and their descendants: and the angels shall go in unto them at every portal:
"Peace be with you!" say they, "because you have endured all things!" charming the recompense of their abode!
But those who, after having contracted it, break their covenant with God, and cut asunder what God hath bidden to be united, and commit misdeeds on the earth, these, a curse awaiteth them, and an ill abode!
God is open-handed with supplies to whom he will, or is sparing. They rejoice in the life that now is, but this present life is but a passing good, in respect of the life to come!
And they who believe not say, "Unless a sign be sent down to him from his Lord. . . ." Say: God truly will mislead whom he will; and He will guide to Himself him who turneth to Him,
Those who believe, and whose hearts rest securely on the thought of God. What! Shall not men's hearts repose in the thought of God? They who believe and do the things that be right -- blessedness awaiteth them, and a goodly home.
Thus have we sent thee to a people whom other peoples have preceded, that thou mightest rehearse to them our revelations to thee. Yet they believe not on the God of Mercy. Say: He is my Lord. There is no God but He. In Him do I put my trust. To Him must I return.
13:30 If there were a Koran by which the mountains could be set in motion, or the earth cleft, or the dead be made to speak. . .! But all sovereignty is in the hands of God. Do then believers doubt that had He pleased God would certainly have guided all men aright?
Misfortune shall not cease to light on the unbelievers for what they have done, or to take up its abode hard by their dwellings, until the threat of God come to pass. Verily, God will not fail his plighted word.
Before thee indeed have apostles been mocked at; but though I bore long with the unbelievers, at last I seized upon them; -- and how severe was my punishment!
Who is it then that is standing over every soul to mark its actions? Yet have they set up associates with God. Say: Name them. What! Would you inform God of that which He knoweth not on the Earth? Or are they not a mere empty name? But prepared of old for the infidels was this fraud of theirs; and they are turned aside from the path; and whom God causeth to err, no guide shall there be for him!
Chastisement awaiteth them in this present life, and more grievous shall be the chastisement of the next: and one shall screen them from God.
A picture of the Paradise which God hath promised to them that fear Him. The rivers flow beneath its bowers: its food and its shades are perpetual. This is the reward of those who fear God; but the reward of the unbelievers is the Fire.
They to whom we have given the Book rejoice in what hath been sent down to thee; yet some are banded together who deny a part of it. Say: I am commanded to worship God, and not to associate any creature with Him. On Him do I call, and to Him shall I return.
Thus, then, as a code in the Arabic tongue have we sent down the Koran; and truly, if after the knowledge that hath reached thee thou follow their desires, thou shalt have no guardian or protector against God.
Apostles truly have we already sent before thee, and wives and offspring have we given them. Yet no apostle had come with miracles unless by leave of God. To each age its Book.
What He pleaseth will God abrogate or confirm: for with Him is the source of revelation.
13:40 Moreover, whether we cause thee to see the fulfilment of part of our menaces, or whether we take thee hence, verily, thy work is preaching only, and ours to take account.
See they not that we come into their land and cut short its borders? God pronounceth a doom, and there is none to reverse his doom. And swift is He to take account.
Those who lived before them made plots: but all plotting is controlled by God: He knoweth the works of every one, and the infidels shall know whose will be the recompense of the abode.
The infidels, moreover, will say; Thou art not sent of God. Say: God is witness enough betwixt me and you, and, whoever hath knowledge of the Book.

Sura XIV (14)
Abraham, On Whom Be Peace
(Mecca 52 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Elif. Lam. Ra. This Book have we sent down to thee that by their Lord's permission thou mayest bring men out of darkness into light, into the path of the Mighty, the Glorious --
Of God; to whom belongeth whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is on the Earth: and woe! for their terrible punishment, to the infidels,
Who love the life that now is, above that which is to come, and mislead from the way of God, and seek to make it crooked. These are in a far-gone error.
And in order that He might speak plainly to them, we have not sent any Apostle, save with the speech of his own people; but God misleadeth whom He will, and whom He will he guideth: and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Of old did we sent Moses with our signs: and said to him, "Bring forth thy people from the darkness into the light, and remind them of the days of God." Verily, in this are signs for every patient, grateful person:
When Moses said to his people, "Remember the kindness of God to you, when he rescued you from the family of Pharaoh who laid on you a cruel affliction, slaughtering your male children, and suffering only your females to live." In this was a sore trial from your Lord --
And when your Lord caused it to be heard that, "If we render thanks then will I surely increase you more and more: but if you be thankless. . . . Verily, right terrible my chastisement."
And Moses said, "If you and all who are on the Earth be thankless, yet truly God is passing Rich, and worthy of all praise."
Hath not the story reached you of those who were before you, the people of Noah, and Ad, and Themoud,
14:10 And of those who lived after them? None knoweth them but God. When their prophets came to them with proofs of their mission, they put their hands on their mouths and said, "In sooth, we believe not your message; and in sooth, of that to which you bid us, we are in doubt, as of a thing suspicious."
Their prophets said: "Is there any doubt concerning God, maker of the Heavens and of the Earth, who calleth you that He may pardon your sin, and respite you until an appointed time?"
They said, "You are but men like us: fain would you turn us from our fathers' worship. Bring us therefore some clear proof."
Their Apostles said to them, "We are indeed but men like you. But God bestoweth favours on such of his servants as he pleaseth, and it is not in our power to bring you any special proof,
But by the leave of God. In God therefore let the faithful trust.
And why should we not put our trust in God, since He hath already guided us in our ways. We will certainly bear with constancy the harm you would do to us. In God let the trustful trust."
And they who believed not said to their Apostles, "Forth from our land will we surely drive you, or, to our religion shall you return." Then their Lord revealed to them, "We will certainly destroy the wicked doers,
And we shall certainly cause you to dwell in the land after them. This for him who dreadeth the appearance at my judgment-seat and who dreadeth my menace!"
Then sought they help from God, and every proud rebellious one perished:
Hell is before him: and of tainted water shall he be made to drink:
14:20 He shall sup it and scarce swallow it for loathing; and Death shall assail him on every side, but he shall not die: and before him shall be seen a grievous torment.
A likeness of those who believe not in their Lord. Their works are like ashes which the wind scattereth on a stormy day: no advantage shall they gain from their works. This is the far-gone wandering.
Seest thou not that in truth hath God created the Heavens and the Earth? Were such his pleasure He could make you pass away, and cause a new creation to arise.
And this would not be hard for God.
All mankind shall come forth before God; and the weak shall say to the men of might, "Verily, we were your followers: will you not then relieve us of some part of the vengeance of God?"
They shall say, "If God had guided us, we surely had guided you. It is now all one whether we be impatient, or endure with patience. We have no escape."
And after doom hath been given, Satan shall say, "Verily, God promised you a promise of truth: I, too, made you a promise, but I deceived you. Yet I had not power over you:
But I only called you and you answered me. Blame not me then, but blame yourselves: I cannot aid you, neither can you aid me. I never believed that I was His equal with whom you joined me." As for the evil doers, a grievous torment doth await them.
But they who shall have believed and done the things that be right, shall be brought into gardens beneath which the rivers flow: therein shall they abide for ever by the permission of their Lord: their greeting therein shall be, "Peace."
Seest thou not to what God likeneth a good word? To a good true: its root firmly fixed, and its branches in the Heaven:
14:30 Yielding its fruit in all seasons by the will of its Lord. God setteth forth these similitudes to men that haply they may reflect.
And an evil word is like an evil tree torn up from the face of the earth, and without strength to stand.
Those who believe shall God stablish by his steadfast word both in this life and in that which is to come: but the wicked shall He cause to err: God doth his pleasure.
Hast thou not beholden those who repay the goodness of God with infidelity, and sink their people into the abode of perdition --
Hell? Therein shall they be burned; and wretched the dwelling!
They set up compeers with God in order to mislead man from his way. Say: Enjoy your pleasures yet awhile, but assuredly, your going hence shall be into the fire.
Speak to my servants who have believed, that they observe prayer, and give alms of that with which we have supplied them, both privately and openly, ere the day come when there shall be neither traffic nor friendship.
It is God who hath created the Heavens and the Earth, and sendeth down water from the Heaven, and so bringeth forth the fruits for your food:L And He hath subjected to you the ships, so that by His command, they pass through the sea; and He hath subjected the rivers to you: and He hath subjected to you the sun and the moon in their constant courses: and He hath subjected the day and the night to you: of everything which you ask Him, giveth He to you; and if you would reckon up the favours of God, you cannot count them! Surely man is unjust, ungrateful!
Abraham said: "O Lord make this land secure, and turn aside me and my children from serving idols:
For many men, O my Lord, have they led astray. But whosoever shall follow me, he truly shall be of me; and whosoever shall disobey me. . . . Thou truly art Gracious, Merciful.
14:40 O our Lord! verily I have settled some of my offspring in an unfruitful valley, nigh to thy holy house; O our Lord, that they may strictly observe prayer! Make thou therefore the hearts of men to yearn toward them, and supply them with fruits that they may be thankful.
O our Lord! thou truly knowest what we hide and what we bring to light; nought on earth or in heaven is hidden from God. Praise be to God who hath given me, in my old age, Ismael and Isaac! My Lord is the hearer of prayer.
Lord! grant that I and my posterity may observe prayer. O our Lord! and grant this my petition. O our Lord! forgive me and my parents and the faithful, on the day wherein account shall be taken."
Think thou not that God is regardless of the deeds of the wicked. He only respiteth them to the day on which all eyes shall stare up with terror:
They hasten forward in fear; their heads upraised in supplication; their looks riveted; and their hearts a blank. Warn men therefore of the day when the punishment shall overtake them,
And when the evil doers shall say, "O our Lord! respite us yet a little while:
To thy call will we make answer; thine Apostles will we follow." "Did you not once swear that no change should befall you?
"Yet you dwelt in the dwellings of those who were the authors of their undoing and it was made plain to you how we had dealt with them; and we held them up to you as examples. They plotted their plots: but God could master their plots, even though their plots had been so powerful as to move the mountains."
Think not then that God will fail his promise to his Apostles; aye! God is mighty, and Vengeance is His.
On the day when the Earth shall be changed into another Earth, and the Heavens also, men shall come forth unto God, the Only, the Victorious.
14:50 And thou shalt see the wicked on that day linked together in chains --
Their garments of pitch, and fire shall enwrap their faces -- that God may reward every soul as it deserveth; verily God is prompt to reckon.
This is a message for mankind, that they may thereby warned: and that they may know that there is but one God; and that men of understanding may ponder it.

Sura XV (15)
Hedjr
(Mecca -- 99 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Elif. Lam. Ra. These are the signs of the Book, and of a lucid recital [Koran].
Many a time will the infidels wish that they had been Muslims.
Let them feast and enjoy themselves, and let hope beguile them: but they shall know the truth at last.
We never destroyed a city whose term was not perfixed:
No people can forstall or retard its destiny.
They say: "O thou to whom the warning hath been sent down, thou art surely possessed by a djinn:
Wouldst thou not have come to us with the angels, if thou wert of those who assert the truth?"
- We will not send down the angels without due cause. The Infidels would not in that case have been respited.
Verily, We have sent down the warning, and verily, We will be its guardian;
15:10 And already have We sent Apostles, before thee, among the sects of the ancients;
But never came Apostles to them whom they did not deride.
In like manner will We put it into the hearts of the sinners of Mecca to do the same:
They will not believe on him though the example of those of old hath gone before.
Even were We to open above them a gate in Heaven, yet all the while they were mounting up to is,
They would surely say: It is only that our eyes are drunken: nay, we are a people enchanted.
We have set the signs of the zodiac in the Heavens, and adorned and decked them forth for the beholders,
And We guard them from every stoned Satan,
Save such as steal a hearing: and him doth a visible flame pursue.
And the Earth have We spread forth, and thrown thereon the mountains, and caused everything to spring froth in it in balanced measure:
15:20 And we have provided therein sustenance for you, and for the creatures which not you sustain:
And no one thing is there, but with Us are its storehouses; and We send it not down but in settled measure:
And We send forth the fertilising winds, and cause the rain to come down from the heaven, and give you to drink of it; and it is not you who are its storers:
And We cause to live and We cause to die, and We are the heir of all things:
We know those of you who flourish first and We know those who come later:
And truly thy Lord will gather them together again, for He is Wise, Knowing.
We created man of dried clay, of dark loam moulded;
And the djinn had We before created of subtle fire.
Remember when thy Lord said to the Angels, "I create man of dried clay, of dark loam moulded:
And when I shall have fashioned him and breathed of my spirit into him, then fall you down and worship him."
15:30 And the Angels bowed down in worship, all of them, all together,
Save Eblis: he refused to be with those who bowed in worship.
"O Eblis," said God, "wherefore art thou not with those who bow down in worship?"
He said, "It beseemeth not me to bow in worship to man whom thou hast created of clay, of moulded loam."
He said, "Begone then hence; thou art a stoned one,
And the curse shall be on thee till the day of reckoning."
He said, "O my Lord! respite me till the day when man shall be raised from the dead."
He said, "One then of the respited shalt thou be
Till the day of the predestined time."
He said, "O my Lord! because thou hast beguiled me, I will surely make all fair seeming to them on the earth; I will surely beguile them all;
15:40 Except such of them as shall be thy sincere servants."
He said, "This is the right way with me;
For over none of my servants shalt thou have power, save those beguiled ones who shall follow thee."
And verily, Hell is the promise for them one and all.
It hath seven Portals; at each Portal is a separate band of them;
But 'mid gardens and fountains shall the pious dwell:
"Enter you therein in peace, secure -"
And all rancour will We removed from their bosoms: they shall sit as brethren, face to face, on couches:
Therein no weariness shall reach them, nor forth from it shall they be cast for ever.
Announce to my servants that I am the Gracious, the Merciful.
15:50 And that my chastisement is the grievous chastisement.
And tell them of Abraham's guests.
When they entered in unto him, and said, "Peace." "Verily," said he, "We fear you."
They said, "Fear not, for of a sage son we bring thee tidings."
He said, "Bring you me such tidings now that old age hath come upon me? What, therefore, are your tidings really?"
They said, "We announce them to thee in very truth. Be not then one of the despairing."
"And who," said he, "despaireth of the mercy of his Lord, but they who err?"
He said, "What is your business then, O you Sent Ones?"
They said, "We are sent unto a people who are sinners,
Except the family of Lot, whom verily we will rescue all,
15:60 Except his wife. We have decreed that she shall be of those who linger."
And when the Sent Ones came to the family of Lot
He said, "You are persons unknown to me,"
They said, "Yes; but we have come to thee for a purpose about which thy people doubt:
We have come to thee with very truth, and we are truthful envoys.
Lead forth therefore thy family in the dead of the night; follow thou on their rear: and let no one of you turn round, but pass you on whither you are bidden."
And this command we gave him because to the last man should these people be cut off at morning.
Then came the people of the city rejoicing at the news --
He said, "These are my guests: therefore disgrace me not.
And fear God and put me not to shame."
15:70 They said, "Have we not forbidden thee to entertain any one whatever?"
He said, "Here are my daughters, if you will thus act."
As thou livest, O Muhammand, they were bewildered in the drunkenness of their just.
So a tempest overtook them at their sunrise,
And we turned the city upside down, and we rained stones of baked clay upon them.
Verily, in this are signs for those who scan heedfully;
And these cities lay on the high road.
Verily, in this are signs for the faithful.
The inhabitants also of El Aika were sinners:
So we took vengeance on them, and they both became a plain example.
15:80 And the people of Hedjr treated God's messengers as liars.
And we brought forth our signs to them, but they drew back from them:
And they hewed them out abodes in the mountains to secure them:
But a tempest surprised them at early morn,
And their labours availed them nothing.
We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that between them is, but for a worthy end. And verily, "the hour" shall surely come. Wherefore do thou, Muhammad, forgive with kindly forgiveness,
For they Lord! He is the Creator, the Wise.
We have already given thee the seven verses of repetition and the glorious Koran.
Strain not thine eyes after the good things we have bestowed on some of the unbelievers: afflict not thyself on their account, and lower thy wing to the faithful.
And Say: I am the only plain-spoken warner.
15:90 We will punish those who foster divisions,
Who break up the Koran into parts:
By they Lord! we will surely take account from them one and all,
Concerning that which they have done.
Profess publicly then what thou hast been bidden, and withdraw from those who join gods to God.
Verily, We will maintain thy cause against those who deride thee,
Who set up gods with God: and at last shall they know their folly.
Now know We that they heart is distressed at what they say:
But do thou celebrate the praise of thy Lord, and be of those who bow down in worship;
And serve thy Lord till the certainty o'ertake thee.

Sura XVI (16)
The Bee
(Mecca -- 128 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The doom of God cometh to pass. Then hasten it not. Glory be to Him! High let Him be exalted above the gods whom they joint with Him!
But His own behest will He cause the angels to descend with the Spirit on whom he pleaseth among his servants, bidden them, "Warn that there is no God but me; therefore fear me."
He hath created the Heavens and the Earth to set forth his truth; high let Him be exalted above the gods they join with Him!
Man hath He created from a moist germ; yet lo! man is an open caviller.
And the cattle! for you hath he created them: in them you have warm garments and gainful uses; and of them you eat:
And they beseem you well when you fetch them home and when you drive them forth to pasture:
And they carry your burdens to lands which you could not else reach but with travail of soul: truly your Lord is full of goodness, and merciful:
And He hath given you horses, mules, and asses, that you may ride them, and for your ornament: and things of which you have no knowledge hath he created.
Of God it is to point out "the Way." some turn aside from it: but had He pleased, He had guided you all aright.
16:10 It is He who sendeth down rain out of Heaven: from it is your drink; and from it are the plants by which you pasture.
By it He causeth the corn, and the olives, and the palm-trees, and the grapes to spring forth for you, and all kinds of fruits: verily, in this are signs for those who ponder.
And He hath subjected to you the night and the day; the sun and the moon and the stars too are subjected to you by his behest; verily, in this are signs for those who understand:
And all of varied hues that He hath created for you over the earth: verily, in this are signs for those who remember.
And He it is who hath subjected the sea to you, that you may eat of its fresh fish, and take forth from it ornaments to wear -- thou seest the ships ploughing its billows -- and that you may go in quest of his bounties, and that you might given thanks.
And He hath thrown firm mountains on the earth, lest it move with you; and rivers and paths for your guidance,
And way marks. By the stars too are men guided.
Shall He then who hath created be as he who hath not created? Aye! God is right Gracious, Merciful!
And God knoweth what you conceal, and what you bring to light,
16:20 While the gods whom they call on beside God, create nothing, but are themselves created: Dead are they, lifeless! and they know not when they shall be raised!
Your God is the one God: and they who believe not in a future life, have hearts given to denial, and are men of pride: --
Beyond a doubt God knoweth what they conceal and what they manifest: --
He truly loveth not the men of pride.
For when it is said to them, "What is this your Lord hath sent down?" they say, "Fables of the ancients," --
That on the day of resurrection they may bear their own entire burden, and the burden of those whom they, in their ignorance, misled. Shall it not be a grievous burden for them?
They who were before them did plot of old. But God attacked their building at its foundation -- the roof fell on them from above; and, whence they looked not for it, punishment overtook them:
On the day of resurrection, too, will He shame them. He will say, "Where are the gods you associated with me, the subjects of your disputes?" They to whom "the knowledge" had been given will say, Verily, this day shall shame and evil fall upon the infidels.
16:30 They are sinners against their own souls whom the angels shall cause to die will proffer the submission, "No evil have we done." Nay! God knoweth what you have wrought:
Enter you therefore the gates of Hell to remain therein for ever: and horrid the abiding place of the haughty ones!
But to those who have feared God it shall be said, "What is this that your Lord hath awarded?" They shall say, "That which is best. To those who do good, a good reward in this present world; but better the mansion of the next, and right pleasant the abode of the God-fearing!"
Gardens of Eden into which they shall enter; rivers shall flow beneath their shades; all they wish for shall they find therein! Thus God rewardeth those who fear Him:
To whom, as righteous persons, the angels shall say, when they receive their souls, "Peace be on you! Enter Paradise as the meed of your labours."
What can the infidels expect but that the angels of death come upon them, or that a sentence of thy Lord take effect? Thus did they who flourished before them. God was not unjust to them, but to their ownselves were they unjust; and the ill which they had done recoiled upon them, and that which they had scoffed at encompassed them round about.
They who have joined other gods with God say, "Had he pleased, neither we nor our fathers had worshipped aught but him; nor should we, apart from him, have forbidden aught." Thus acted they who were before them. Yet is the duty of the apostles other than public preaching?
And to every people have we sent an apostle saying: -- Worship God and turn away from false gods. Some of them there were whom God guided, and there were others decreed to err. But go through the land and see what hath been the end of those who treated my apostles as liars!
If thou art anxious for their guidance, know that God will not guide him whom He would lead astray, neither shall they have any helpers.
16:40 And they swear by God with their most sacred oath that "God will never raise him who once is dead." Nay, but on Him is a promise binding, though most men know it not, --
That He may clear up to them the subject of their disputes, and that the infidels may know that they are liars.
Our word to a thing when we will it, is but to say, "Be," and it is.
And as to those who when oppressed have fled their country for the sake of God, we will surely provide them a goodly abode in this world, but greater the reward of the next life, did they but know it.
They who bear ills with patience and put their trust in the Lord!
None have we sent before thee but men inspired -- ask of those who have Books of Monition, if you know it not --
With proofs of their mission and Scriptures: and to thee have we sent down this Book of Monition that thou mayest make clear to men what hath been sent down to them, and that they may ponder it.
What! Are they then who have plotted mischiefs, sure that God will not cause the earth to cleave under them? or that a chastisement will not come upon them whence they looked not for it?
Or that He will not seize upon them in their comings and goings, while they shall not be able to resist him?
Or that he will not seize them with some slowly wasting scourge? But verily your Lord is Good, Gracious.
16:50 Have they not seen how everything which God hath created turneth its shadow right and left, prostrating itself before God in all abasement?
And all in the Heavens and all on the Earth, each thing that moveth, and the very angels, prostrate them in adoration before God, and are free from pride;
They fear their Lord who is above them, and do what they are bidden:
For God hath said, "Take not to yourselves two gods, -- for He is one God: me, therefore! yea, me revere!
All in the Heavens and in the Earth is His! His due unceasing service! Will you then fear any other than God?
And all your blessings are assuredly from God: then, when trouble befalleth you, to Him you turn for help:
Then when He relieveth you of the trouble, lo! some of you join associates with your Lord: --
To prove how thankless are they for our gifts! Enjoy yourselves then: but in the end you shall know the truth.
And for idols, of which they know nothing, they set apart a share of our bounties! By God you shall be called to account for your devices!
And they ascribe daughters unto God! Glory be to Him! But they desire them not for themselves:
16:60 For when the birth of a daughter is announced to any one of them, dark shadows settle on his face, and he is sad:
He hideth him from the people because of the ill tidings: shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it in the dust? Are not their judgments wrong?
To whatever is evil may they be likened who believe not in a future life; but God is to be likened to whatever is loftiest: for He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Should God punish men for their perverse doings, he would not leave on earth a moving thing! but to an appointed term doth He respite them; and when their term is come, they shall not delay or advance it an hour.
Yet what they loathe themselves do they assign to God; and their tongues utter the lie, that theirs shall be a goodly lot. But beyond a doubt is it that the fire awaiteth them, and that they shall be the first sent into it.
By God we have sent Apostles to nations before thee, but Satan prepared their work for them, and this day is he their liege; and a woeful punishment doth await them.
And we have sent down the Book to thee only, that thou mightest clear up to them the subject of their wranglings, and as a guidance and a mercy to those who believe.
And God sendeth down water from Heaven, and by it giveth life to the Earth after it hath been dead: verily, in this is a sign to those who hearken.
You have also teaching from the cattle. We give you drink of the pure milk, between dregs and blood, which is in their bellies; the pleasant beverage of them that quaff it.
And among fruits you have the palm and the vine, from which you get wine and healthful nutriment: in this, verily, are signs for those who reflect.
16:70 And thy Lord hath taught the bee, saying: "Provide thee houses in the mountains, and in the trees, and in the hives which men to build thee:
Feed, moreover, on every kind of fruit, and walk the beaten paths of thy Lord."
From its belly cometh forth a fluid of varying hues, which yieldeth medicine to man. Verily in this is a sign for those who consider.
And God hath created you; by and bye will he take you to himself; and some among you will he carry on to abject old age, when all that once was known is known no longer. Aye, God is Knowing, Powerful.
And God hath abounded to some of you more than to others in the supplies of life; yet they to whom He hath abounded, impart not thereof to the slaves whom their right hands possess, so that they may share alike. What! will they deny, then, that these boons are from God?
God, too, hath given you wives of your own race, and from your wives hath He given you sons and grandsons, and with good things hath he supplied you. What, will they then believe in vain idols? For God's boons they are ungrateful!
And they worship beside God those who neither out of the Heavens or Earth can provide them a particle of food, and have no power in themselves!
Make no comparisons, therefore, with God. Verily, God hath knowledge, but you have not.
God maketh comparison between a slave the property of his lord, who hath no power over anything, and a free man whom we have ourselves supplied with goodly supplies, and who giveth alms therefrom both in secret and openly. Shall they be held equal? No: praise be to God! But most men know it not.
God setteth forth also a comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb from his birth, and hath no power over anything, and is a burden to his lord: send him where he will, he cometh not back with success. She he and the man who enjoineth what is just, and keepeth in the straight path, be held equal?
God's are the secrets of the Heavens and of the Earth! and the business of the last hour will be but as the twinkling of an eye, or even less. Yes! for all things is God Potent.
16:80 God hath brought you out of your mothers' wombs devoid of all knowledge; but hath given you hearing, and sight, and heart, that haply you might render thanks.
Have they never looked up at the birds subjected to Him in Heaven's vault? None holdeth them in hand but God! In this are signs for those who believe.
And God hath given you tents to dwell in: and He hath given you the skins of beasts for tents, that you may find them light when you shift your quarters, or when you halt; and from their wool and soft fur and hair, hath He supplied you with furniture and goods for temporary use.
And from the things which He hath created, hath God provided shade for you, and have given you the mountains for places of shelter, and have given you garments to defend you from the heat, and garments to defend you in your wars. Thus doth He fill up the measure of His goodness toward you, that you may resign yourselves to Him.
But if they turn their backs, still thy office is only plain spoken preaching.
They own the goodness of God -- then they disown it -- and most of them are infidels.
But one day, we will raise up a witness out of every nation: then shall the infidels have no permission to make excuses, and they shall find no favour.
And when they who have acted thus wrongly shall behold their torment, it shall not be made light to them, nor will God deign to look upon them.
And when they who have acted thus wrongly shall behold their torment, it shall not be made light to them, nor will God deign to look upon them.
And when they who had joined associates with God shall see those their associate-gods, they shall say, "O our Lord! these are our associate-gods whom we called upon beside Thee." But they shall retort on them, "Verily, you are liars."
And on that day shall they proffer submission to God; and the deities of their own invention shall vanish from them.
16:90 As for those who were infidels and turned others aside from the way of God, to them we will add punishment on punishment for their corrupt doings.
And one day we will summon up in every people a witness against them from among themselves; and we will bring thee up as a witness against these Meccans: for to thee have we sent down the Book which cleareth up everything, a guidance, and mercy, and glad tidings to those who resign themselves to God (to Muslims).
Verily, God enjoineth justice and the doing of good and gifts to kindred; and he forbiddeth wickedness and wrong and oppression. He warneth you that haply you may be mindful.
Be faithful in the covenant of God when you have covenanted, and break not your oaths after you have pledged them: for now have you made God to stand surety for you. Verily, God hath knowledge of what you do.
And, because you are a more numerous people than some other people, be not like her who unravelleth the thread which she had strong spun, by taking your oaths with mutual perfidy. God is making trial of you in this: and in the day of resurrection he will assuredly clear up to you that concerning which you are now at variance.
Had God pleased, He could have made you one people: but He caused whom He will to err, and whom He will He guideth: and you shall assuredly be called to account for your doings.
Therefore take not your oaths with mutual fraud, lest your foot slip after it hath been firmly fixed, and you taste of evil because you have turned others aside from the way of God, and great be your punishment.
And barter not the covenant of God for a mean price; for with God is that which is better for you, if you do but understand.
All that is with you passeth away, but that which is with God abideth. With a reward meet for their best deeds will we surely recompense those who have patiently endured.
Whoso doeth that which is right, whether male or female, if a believer, him will we surely quicken to a happy life, and recompense them with a reward meet for their best deeds.
16:100 When thou readest the Koran, have recourse to God for help against Satan the stoned,
For no power hath he over those who believe, and put their trust in their Lord,
But only hath he power over those who turn away from God, and join other deities with Him.
And when we change one (sign) verse for another, and God knoweth best what He revealeth, they say, "Thou art only a fabricator." Nay! but most of them have no knowledge.
Say: The Holy Spirit hath brought it down with truth from thy Lord, that He may stablish those who have believed, and as guidance and glad tidings to the Muslims.
We also know that they say, "Surely a certain person teacheth him." But the tongue of him at whom they hint is foreign, while this Koran is in the plain Arabic.
As for those who believe not in the signs of God, God will not guide them, and a sore torment doth await them.
Surely they invent a lie who believe not in the signs of God -- and they are the liars.
Whoso, after he hath believed in God denieth him, if he were forced to it and if his heart remain steadfast in the faith, shall be guiltless: but whoso openeth his breast to infidelity -- on such shall be wrath from God, and a severe punishment awaiteth them.
This, because they have loved this present life beyond the next, and because God guideth not the unbelievers!
16:110 These are they whose hearts and ears and eyes God hath sealed up: these are the careless ones: in the next world shall they perish beyond a doubt.
To those also who after their trials fled their country, then fought and endured with patience, verily, thy Lord will in the end by forgiving, gracious.
On a certain day shall every soul come to plead for itself, and every soul shall be repaid according to its deeds; and they shall not be wronged.
God proposeth the instance of a city, secure and at ease, to which its supplies come in plenty from every side. but she was thankless for the boons of God; God therefore made her taste the woe of famine and of fear, for what they had done.
Moreover, an apostle of their own people came to them, and they treated him as an impostor. So chastisement overtook them because they were evil doers.
Of what God hath supplied you eat the lawful and good, and be grateful for the favours of God, if you are his worshippers.
Forbidden to you is that only which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that which hath been slain in the name of any other than God: but if any be forced, and neither lust for it nor wilfully transgress, then verily God is forgiving, gracious.
And say not with a lie upon your tongue, "This is lawful and this is forbidden:" for so will you invent a lie concerning God: but they who invent a lie of God shall not prosper:
Brief their enjoyment, but sore their punishment!
To the Jews we have forbidden that of which we before told thee; we injured them not, but they injured themselves.
16:120 To those who have done evil in ignorance, then afterwards have repented and amended, verily thy Lord is in the end right gracious, merciful.
Verily, Abraham was a leader in religion: obedient to God, sound in faith: he was not of those who join gods with God.
Grateful was he for His favours: God chose him and guided him into the straight way;
And we bestowed on him good things in this world: and in the world to come he shall be among the just.
We have moreover revealed to thee that thou follow the religion of Abraham, the sound in faith. He was not of those who join gods with God.
The Sabbath was only ordained for those who differed about it: and of a truth thy Lord will decide between them on the day of resurrection as to the subject of their disputes.
Summon thou to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and with kindly warning: dispute with them in the kindest manner: thy Lord best knoweth those who stray from his way, and He best knoweth those who have yielded to his guidance.
If you make reprisals, then make them to the same extent that you were injured: but if you can endure patiently, best will it be for the patiently enduring.
Endure then with patience. But thy patient endurance must be sought in none by God. And be not grieved about the infidels, and be not troubled at their devises; for God is with those who fear him and do good deeds.

Sura XVII (17)
The Night Journey
(Mecca -- 111 verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Glory be to Him who carried his servant by night from the sacred temple of Mecca to the temple that is more remote, whose precinct we have blessed, that we might shew him of our signs! for He is the Hearer, the Seer.
And we gave the Book to Moses and ordained it for guidance to the children of Israel -- "that you take no other Guardian than me."
Of posterity of those whom we bare with Noah! He truly was a grateful servant!
And we solemnly declared to the children of Israel in the Book, "Twice surely will you enact crimes in the earth, and with great loftiness of pride will you surely be uplifted."
So when the menace for the first crime came to be inflicted, we sent against you our servants endued with terrible prowess; and they searched the inmost part of your abodes, and the menace was accomplished.
Then we gave you the mastery over them in turn, and increased you in wealth and children, and made you a most numerous host.
We said, "if you do well, to your own behoof will you do well: and if you do evil, against yourselves will you do it. And when the menace for the second crime came to be inflicted, then we sent an enemy to sadden your faces, and to enter the temple as they entered it at first, and to destroy with utter destruction that which they had conquered.
Haply your Lord will have mercy on you! but if you return we will return: and we have appointed Hell -- the prison of the infidels.
Verily this Koran guideth to what is most upright; and it announceth to believers
17:10 Who do the things that are right, that for them is a great reward;
And that for those who believe not in the life to come, we have got ready a painful punishment.
May prayeth for evil as he prayeth for good; for man is hasty.
We have made the night and the day for two signs: the sign of the night do we obscure, but the sign of the day cause we to shine forth, that you may seek plenty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning of time; and we have made everything distinct by distinctiveness.
And every man's fate have we fastened about his neck: and on the day of resurrection will we bring forth to him a book which shall be proffered to him wide open:
- "Read thy Book: there needeth none by thyself to make out an account against thee this day."
For his own good only shall the guided yield to guidance, and to his own loss only shall the erring err; and the heavy laden shall not be laden with another's load. We never punished until we had first sent an apostle:
And when we willed to destroy a city, to its affluent ones did we address our bidding; but when they acted criminally therein, just was its doom, and we destroyed it with an utter destruction.
And since Noah, how many nations have we exterminated! And of the sins of his servants thy Lord is sufficiently informed, observant.
Whoso chooseth this quickly passing life, quickly will we bestow therein that which we please -- even on him we chose; afterward we will appoint hell for him, in which he shall burn -- disgraced, outcast:
17:20 But whoso chooseth the next life, and striveth after it as it should be striven for, being also a believer, -- these! their striving shall be grateful to God:
To all -- both to these and those -- will we prolong the gifts of thy Lord; for not to any shall the gifts of thy Lord be denied.
See how we have caused some of them to excel others! but the next life shall be greater in its grades,, and greater in excellence.
Set not up another god with God, lest thou sit thee down disgraced, helpless.
Thy Lord hath ordained that you worship none but him; and, kindness to your parents, whether one or both of them attain to old age with thee: and say not to them, "Fie!" neither reproach them; but speak to them both with respectful speech;
And defer humbly to them out of tenderness; and say, "Lord, have compassion on them both, even as they reared me when I was little."
Your Lord well knoweth what is in your souls; he knoweth whether you be righteous:
And gracious is He to those who return to Him.
And to him who is of kin render his due, and also to the poor and to the wayfarer; yet waste not wastefully.
For the wasteful are brethren of the Satans, and Satan was ungrateful to his Lord:
17:30 But if thou turn away from them, while thou thyself seekest boons from thy Lord for which thou hopest, at least speak to them with kindly speech:
And let not thy hand be tied up to thy neck; nor yet open it with all openness, lest thou sit thee down in rebuke, in beggary.
Verily, thy Lord will provide with open hand for whom he pleaseth, and will be sparing. his servants doth he scan, inspect.
Kill not your children for fear of want: for them and for you will we provide. Verily, the killing them is a great wickedness.
Have nought to do with adultery; for it is a foul thing and an evil way:
Neither slay any one whom God hath forbidden you to slay, unless for a just cause: and whosoever shall be slain wrongfully, to his heir have we given powers; but let him not outstep bounds in putting the manslayer to death, for he too, in his turn, will be assisted and avenged.
And touch not the substance of the orphan, unless in an upright way, till he attain his age of strength: And perform your convent; verily the covenant shall be enquired of:
And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with just balance. This will be better, and fairest for settlement:
And follow not that of which thou hast no knowledge; because the hearing and the sight and the heart, -- each of these shall be enquired of:
And walk not proudly on the earth, for thou canst not cleave the earth, neither shalt thou reach to the mountains in height:
17:40 All this is evil; odious to thy Lord.
This is a part of the wisdom which thy Lord hath revealed to thee. Set not up any other god with God, lest thou be cast into Hell, rebuked, cast away.
What! hath your Lord prepared sons for you, and taken for himself daughters from among the angels? Indeed, you say a dreadful saying.
Moreover, for man's warning have we varied this Koran: Yet it only increaseth their flight from it.
Say: If,, as you affirm, there were other gods with Him, they would in that case seek occasion against the occupant of the throne:
Glory to Him! Immensely high is He exalted above thier blasphemies!
The seven heavens praise him, and the earth, and all who are therein; neither is there aught which doth not celebrate his praise; but their utterances of praise you understand not. He is kind, induglent.
When thou recitest the Koran we place between thee and those who believe not in the life to come, a dark veil;
And we put coverings over their hearts lest they should understand it, and in their ears a heaviness;
And when in the Koran thou namest thy One lord, they turn their backs in flight.
17:50 We well know why they hearken, when they hearken unto thee, and when they whisper apart; when the wicked say, "You follow no other than a man enchanted."
See what likenesses they strike out for thee! But they are in error, neither can they find the path.
They also say, "After we shall have become bones and dust, shall we in sooth be raised a new creation?"
Say: "Yes, though you were stones, or iron, or any other creature, to your seeming, yet harder to be raised." But they will say, "Who shall bring us back?" Say: "He who created you at first." And they will wag their heads at thee, and say, "When shall this be?" Say: "Haply it is nigh."
On that day shall God call you forth, and you shall answer by praising Him; and you shall seem to have tarried but a little while.
Enjoin my servants to speak in kindly sort: Verily Satan would stir up strifes among them, for Satan is man's avowed foe.
Your Lord well knoweth you: if He please He will have mercy on you; or if He please He will chastise you: and we have not sent thee to be a guardian over them.
Thy Lord hath full knowledge of all in the heavens and the earth. High gifts have we given to some of the prophets than to others, and the Psalter we gave to David.
Say: Call you upon those whom you fancy to be gods beside Him; yet they will have no power to relieve you from trouble, or to shift it elsewhere.
Those whom you call on, themselves desire union with their Lord, striving which of them shall be nearest to him: they also hope for his mercy and fear his chastisement. Verily the chastisement of thy Lord is to be dreaded.
17:60 There is no city which we will not destroy before the day of Resurrection, or chastise it with a grievous chastisement. This is written in the Book.
Nothing hindered us from sending thee with the power of working miracles, except that the people of old treated them as lies. We gave to Themoud the she-camel before their very eyes, yet they maltreated her! We send not a prophet with miracles but to strike terror.
And remember when we said to thee, Verily, thy Lord is round about mankind; we ordained the vision which we shewed thee, and likewise the cursed tree of the Koran, only for men to dispute of; we will strike them with terror; but it shall only increase in them enormous wickedness:
And when we said to the Angels, "Prostrate yourselves before Adam:" and they all prostrated them, save Eblis. "What!" said he, "shall I bow me before him whom thou hast created of clay?
Seest thou this man whom thou hast honoured above me? Verily, if thou respite me till the day of Resurrection, I will destroy his offspring, except a few."
He say, "Begone: but whosoever of them shall follow thee, verily, Hell shall be your recompense; an ample recompense!
And entice such of them as thou canst by thy voice; assault them with thy horsemen and thy footmen; be their partner in their riches and in their children, and make them promises: but Satan shall make them only deceitful promises.
As to my servants, no power over them shalt thou have; And thy Lord will be their sufficient guardian."
It is your Lord who speedeth onward the ships for you in the sea, that you may seek of his abundance; for he is merciful towards you.
When a misfortune befalleth you out at sea, they whom you invoke are not to be found: God alone is there: yet when he bringeth you safe to dry land, you place yourselves at a distance from Him. Ungrateful is man.
17:70 What! are you sure, then, that he will not cleave the sides of the earth for you? or that he will not send against you a whirlwind charged with sands? Then shall you find no protector.
Or are you sure that he will not cause you to put back to sea a second time, and send against you a storm blast, and drown you, for that you have been thankless? Then shall you find no helper against us therein.
And now have we honoured the children of Adam: by land and by sea have we carried them: food have we provided for them of good things, and with endowments beyond many of our creatures have we endowed them.
One day we will summon all men with their leaders: they whose book shall be given into their right hand, shall read their book, and not be wronged a thread:
And he who has been blind here, shall be blind hereafter, and wander yet more from the way.
And, verily, they had well nigh beguiled thee from what we revealed to thee, and caused thee to invent some other things in our name: but in that case they would surely have taken thee as a friend;
And had we not settled thee, thou hadst well nigh leaned to them a little:
In that case we would surely have made thee taste of woe in life and of woe in death: then thou shouldest not have found a helper against us.
And truly they had almost caused thee to quit the land, in order wholly to drive thee forth from it: but then, themselves should have tarried but a little after thee.
This was our way with the Apostles we have already sent before thee, and in this our way thou shalt find no change.
17:80 Observe prayer at sunset, till the first darkening of the night, and the daybreak reading -- for the daybreak reading hath its witnesses,
And watch unto it in the night: this shall be an excess in service: it may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a glorious station:
And say, "O my Lord, cause me to enter with a perfect entry, and to come forth with a perfect forthcoming, and give me from thy presence a helping power:"
And say: Truth is come and falsehood is vanished. Verily, falsehood is a thing that vanisheth.
And we send down of the Koran that which is a healing and a mercy to the faithful: But it shall only add to the ruin of the wicked.
When we bestow favours on man, he withdraweth and goeth aside; but when evil toucheth him, he is despairing.
Say: Every one acteth after his own manner: but your Lord well knoweth who is best guided in his path.
And they will ask thee of the Spirit. Say: The Spirit proceedeth at my Lord's command: but of knowledge, only a little to you is given.
When we please, we will take away what we have revealed to thee: none will thou then find to undertake thy cause with us.
Save as a mercy from thy Lord; great, verily, is his favour towards thee.
17:90 Say: Verily, were men and Djinn assembled to produce the like of this Koran, they could not produce its like, though the one should help the other.
And of a truth we have set out to men every kind of similitude in this Koran, but most men have refused everything except unbelief.
And they say, "By no means will we believe on thee till thou cause a fountain to gush forth for us from the earth;
Or, till thou have a garden of palm-trees and grapes, and thou cause forth-gushing rivers to gush forth in its midst;
Or thou make the heaven to fall on us, as thou hast given out, in pieces; or thou bring God and the angels to vouch for thee;
Or thou have a house of gold; or thou mount up into Heaven; nor will we believe in thy mounting up, till thou send down to us a book which we may read." Say: Praise be to my Lord! Am I more than a man, an apostle?
And what hindereth men from believing, when the guidance hath come to them, but that they say, "Hath God sent a man as an apostle?"
Say: Did angels walk the earth as its familiars, we had surely sent them an angel-apostle out of Heaven.
Say: God is witness enough between you and me. His servants He scanneth, eyeth.
And He whom God shall guide will be guided indeed; and whom he shall mislead thou shalt find none to assist, but Him: and we will gather them together on the day of the resurrection, on their faces, blind and dumb and deaf: Hell shall be their abode: so oft as its fires die down, we will rekindle the flame.
17:100 This shall be their reward for that they believed not our signs and said, "When we shall have become bones and dust, shall we surely be raised a new creation?"
Do they not perceive that God, who created the Heavens and the Earth, is able to create their like? And he hath ordained them a term; there is no doubt of it: but the wicked refuse everything except unbelief.
Say: If you held the treasures of my Lord's mercy you would certainly refrain from them through fear of spending them: for man is covetous.
We therefore gave to Moses nine clear signs. Ask thou, therefore, the children of Israel how it was when he came unto them, and Pharaoh said to him, "Verily, I deem thee, O Moses, a man enchanted."
Said Moses, "Thou knowest that none hath sent down these clear signs but the Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth; and I surely deem thee, O Pharaoh, a person lost."
So Pharaoh sought to drive them out of the land; but we drowned him and all his followers.
And after his death, we said to the children of Israel, "Dwell you in the land:" and when the promise of the next life shall come to pass, we will bring you both up together to judgment. In truth have we sent down the Koran, and in truth hath it descended, and we have only sent thee to announce and to warn.
And we have parcelled out the Koran into sections, that thou mightest recite it unto men by slow degrees, and we have sent it down piecemeal.
Say: Believe you therein or believe you not? They verily to whom knowledge had been given previously, fall on their faces worshipping when it is recited to them, and say: "Glory be to God! the promise of our Lord is made good!"
They fall down on their faces weeping, and It increaseth their humility.
17:110 Say: Call upon God (Allah), or call upon the God of Mercy (Arrahman), by whichsoever you will invoke him: He hath most excellent names. And be not loud in thy prayer, neither pronounce it too low; but between these follow a middle way:
And say: Praise be to God who hath not begotten a son, who hath no partner in the Kingdom, nor any protector on account of weakness. And magnify him by proclaiming His greatness.

Sura XVIII (18)
The Cave
(Mecca -- 110 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God, who hath sent down the Book to his servant, and hath not made it tortuous
But direct; that it may warn of a grievous woe from him, and announce to the faithful who do the things that are right, that a goodly reward, wherein they shall abide for ever, awaiteth them;
And that it may warn those who day, "God hath begotten a Son."
No knowledge of this have either they or their fathers! A grievous saying to come out of their mouths! They speak no other than a lie!
And haply, if they believe not in this new revelation, thou wilt slay thyself, on their very footsteps, out of vexation.
Verily, we have made all that is on earth as its adornment, that we might make trial who among mankind would excel in works:
But we are surely about to reduce all that is thereon to dust!
Hast thou reflected that the Inmates of The Cave and of Al Rakim were one of our wondrous signs?
When the youths betook them to the cave they said, "O our Lord! grant us mercy from before thee, and order for us our affair aright."
18:10 Then struck we upon their ears with deafness in the cave for many a year:
Then we awaked them that we might know which of the two parties could best reckon the space of their abiding.
We will relate to thee their tale with truth., They were youths who had believed in their Lord, and in guidance had we increased them;
And we had made them stout of heart, when they stood up and said, 'Our Lord is Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth: we will call on no other God than Him; for in that case we had said a thing outrageous.
These our people have taken other gods beside Him, though they bring no clear proof for them; but, who m ore iniquitous than he who forgeth a lie of God?
So when you shall have separated you from them and from that which they worship beside God, then betake you to the cave: Your Lord will unfold his mercy to you, and will order your affairs for you for the best."
And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of their cave, and when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means find a patron, director.
And thou wouldst have deemed them awake, though they were sleeping: and we turned them to the right and to the left. And in the entry lay their dog with paws outstretched. Hadst thou come suddenly upon them, thou wouldst surely have turned thy back on them in flight, and have been filled with fear at them.
So we awaked them that they might question one another. Said one of them, "How long have you tarried here?" They said, "We have tarried a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord knoweth best how long you have tarried: Send now one of you with this your coin into the city, and let him mark who therein hath purest food, and from him let him bring you a supply: and let him be courteous, and not discover you to any one.
For they, if they find you out, will stone you or turn you back to their faith, and in that case it will fare ill with you for ever."
18:20 And thus made we their adventure known to their fellow citizens, that they might learn that the promise of God is true, and that as to "the Hour" there is no doubt of its coming. When they disputed among themselves concerning what had befallen them, some said, "Build a building over them; their Lord knoweth best about them." Those who prevailed in the matter said, "A place of worship will we surely raise over them."
Some say, "They were three; their dog the fourth:" others say, "Five; their dog the sixth," guessing at the secret: others say "Seven; and their dog the eighth." Say: My Lord best knoweth the number: none, save a few, shall know them.
Therefore be clear in thy discussions about them, and ask not any Christian concerning them.
Say not thou of a thing, "I will surely do it to-morrow;" without, "If God will." And when thou has forgotten, call thy Lord to mind; and say, "Haply my Lord will guide me, that I may come near to the truth of this story with correctness."
And they tarried in their cave 300 years, and 9 years over.
Say: God best knoweth how long they tarried: With Him are the secrets of the Heavens and of the Earth: Look thou and hearken unto Him alone. Man hath no guardian but Him, and none may bear part in his judgments: --
And publish what hath been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord -- none may change his words, -- and thou shalt find no refuge beside Him.
Be patient with those who call upon their Lord at morn and even, seeking his face: and let not thine eyes be turned away from them in quest of the pomp of this life; neither obey him whose heart we have made careless of the remembrance of Us, and who followeth his own lusts, and whose ways are unbridled.
And say: the truth is from your Lord: let him then who will, believe; and let him who will, be an infidel. But for the offenders we have got ready the fire whose smoke shall enwrap them: and if they implore help, helped shall they be with water like molten brass which shall scald their faces. Wretched the drink! and an unhappy couch!
But as to those who have believed and done the things that are right, -- Verily we will not suffer the reward of him whose works were good, to perish!
18:30 For them, the gardens of Eden, under whose shades shall river flow: decked shall they be therein with bracelets of gold, and green robes of silk and rich brocade shall they wear, reclining them therein on thrones. Blissful the reward! and a pleasant couch!
And set forth to them as a parable two men; on one of whom we bestowed two gardens of grape vines, and surrounded both with palm trees, and placed corn fields between them: Each of the gardens did yield its fruit, and failed not thereof at all:
And we caused a river to flow in their midst: And this man received his fruit, and said, disputing with him, to his companion, "More have I than thou of wealth, and my family is mightier."
And he went into his garden -- to his own soul unjust. He said, "I do not think that this will ever perish:
And I do not think that 'the Hour' will come: and even if I be taken back to my Lord, I shall surely find a better than it in exchange."
His fellow said to him, disputing with him, "What! hast thou no belief in him who created thee of the dust, then of the germs of life, then fashioned thee a perfect man?
But God is my Lord; and no other being will I associate with my Lord.
And why didst thou not say when thou enteredst thy garden, 'What God willeth! there is no power but in God.' Though thou seest that I have less than thou of wealth and children,
Yet haply my Lord may bestow upon me better than thy garden, and may send his bolts upon it out of Heaven, so that the next dawn shall find it barren dust;
Or its water become deep sunk, so that thou art unable to find it."
18:40 And his fruits were encompassed by destruction. Then began he to turn down the palms of his hands at what he had spent on it; for its vines were falling down on their trellises, and he said, "Oh that I had not joined any other god to my Lord!"
And he had no host to help him instead of God, neither was he able to help himself.
Protection in such a case is of God -- the Truth: He is the best rewarder, and He bringeth to the best issue.
And set before them a similitude of the present life. It is as water which we send down from Heaven, and the herb of the Earth is mingled with it, and on the morrow it becometh dry stubble which the winds scatter: for God hath power over all things.
Wealth and children are the adornment of this present life: but good works, which are lasting, are better in the sight of thy Lord as to recompense, and better as to hope.
18:45 And call to mind the day when we will cause the mountains to pass away, and thou shalt see the earth a levelled plain, and we will gather mankind together, and not leave of them any one.
And they shall be set before thy Lord in ranks: -- "Now are you come unto us as we created you at first: but you thought that we should not make good to you the promise."
And each shall have his book put into his hand: and thou shalt see the wicked in alarm at that which is therein: and they shall say, "O woe to us! what meaneth this Book? It leaveth neither small nor great unnoted down!" And they shall find all that they have wrought present to them, and thy Lord will not deal unjustly with any one.
When we said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves before Adam," they all prostrated them save Eblis, who was of the Djinn, and revolted from his Lord's behest. -- What! will you then take him and his offspring as patrons rather than Me? and they your enemies? Sad exchange for the ungodly!
I made them not witnesses of the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth, nor of their own creation, neither did I take seducers as my helpers.
18:50 On a certain day, God shall say, "Call you on the companions you joined with me, deeming them to be gods:" and they shall call on them, but they shall not answer them: then will we place a valley of perdition between them:
And the wicked shall see the fire, and shall have a foreboding that they shall be flung into it, and they shall find no escape from it.
And now in this Koran we have presented to man similitudes of every kind: but, at most things is man a caviller.
And what, now that guidance is come to them, letteth men from believing and from asking forgiveness of their Lord -- unless they wait till that the doom of the ancients overtake them, or the chastisement come upon them in the sight of the universe?
We send not our Sent Ones but to announce and to warn: but the infidels cavil with vain words in order to refute the truth; and they treat my signs and their own warnings with scorn.
But who is worse than he who when told of the signs of his Lord turneth him away and forgetteth what in time past his hands have wrought? Truly we have thrown veils over their hearts lest they should understand this Koran, and into their ears a heaviness:
And if thou bid them to "the guidance" yet will they not even then be guided ever.
The gracious one, full of compassion, is thy Lord! if he would have chastised them for their demerits he would have hastened their chastisement. But they have a time fixed for the accomplishment of our menaces: and beside God they shall find no refuge.
And those cities did we destroy when they became impious; and of their coming destruction we gave them warning.
Remember when Moses said to his servant, "I will not stop till I reach the confluence of the two seas, or for years will I journey on."
18:60 But when they reached their confluence, they forgot their fish, and it took its way in the sea at will.
And when they had passed on, said Moses to his servant, "Bring us our morning meal; for now have we incurred weariness from this journey."
He said, "What thinkest thou? When we repaired to the rock for rest I forgot the fish; and none but Satan made me forget it, so as not to mention it; and it hath taken its way in the sea in a wondrous sort."
He said, "It is this we were in quest of." And they both went back retracing their footsteps.
Then found they one of our servants to whom we had vouchsafed our mercy, and whom we had instructed with our knowledge.
And Moses said to him, "Shall I follow thee that thou teach me, for guidance, of that which thou too hast been taught?"
He said, "Verily, thou canst not have patience with me;
How canst thou be patient in matters whose meaning thou comprehendest not?"
He said, "Thou shalt find me patient if God please, nor will I disobey thy bidding."
He said, "Then, if thou follow me, ask me not of aught until I have given thee an account thereof."
18:70 So they both went on, till they embarked in a ship, and he -- the unknown -- staved it in. "What!" said moses, "hast thou staved it in that thou mayest drown its crew? a strange thing now hast thou done!"
He said, "Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not have patience with me?"
He said, "Chide me not that I forgat, nor lay on me a hard command."
Then went they on till they met a youth, and he slew him. Said Moses, "Hast thou slain him who is free from guilt of blood? Now hast thou wrought a grievous thing!"
He said, "Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not have patience with me?"
Moses said, "If after this I ask thee aught, then let me be thy comrade no longer; but now hast thou my excuse."
They went on till they came to the people of a city. Of this people they asked food, but they refused them for guests. And they found in it a wall that was about to fall, and he set it upright. Said Moses, "If thou hadst wished, for this thou mightest have obtained pay."
He said, "This is the parting point between me adn thee. But I will first tell thee the meaning of that which thou couldst not await with patience.
"As to the vessel, it belonged to poor men who toiled upon the sea, and I was minded to damage it, for in their rear was a king who seized every ship by force.
As to the youth, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should trouble them by error and infidelity.
18:80 And we desired that their Lord might give them in his place a child, better than he in virtue, and near to filial piety.
As to the wall, it belonged to two orphan youths in the city, and beneath it was their treasure: and their father was a righteous man: and thy Lord desired that they should reach the age of strength, and take force their treasure through the mercy of thy Lord. And not of mine own will have I done this. This is the interpretation of that which thou couldst not bear with patience."
They will ask thee of Dhoulkarnain [the two-horned]. Say: I will recite to you an account of him.
We stablished his power upon the earth, and made for him a way to everything. And a route his followed,
Until when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it to set in a miry fount; and hard by he found a people.
We said, "O Dhoulkarnain! either chastise or treat them generously."
"The impious," said he, "will we surely chastise;" then shall he be taken back to his Lord, and he will chastise him with a grievous chastisement.
But as to him to believeth and doeth that which is right, he shall have a generous recompense, and we will lay on them our easy behests.
Then followed he a route,
Until when he reached the rising of the sun he found it to rise on a people to whom we had given no shelter from it.
18:90 Thus it was. And we had full knowledge of the forces that were with him.
Then followed he a route
Until he came between the two mountains, beneath which he found a people who scarce understood a language.
They said, "O Dhoulkarnain! verily, God and Magog waste this land: shall we then pay thee tribute, so thou build a rampart between us and them?"
He said, "Better than your tribute is the might wherewith my Lord had strengthened me; but help me strenuously, and I will set a barrier between you and them.
Bring me blocks of iron," -- until when it filled the space between the mountain sides -- "Ply," said he, "your bellows," -- until when he had made it red with heat (fire), he said, -- "Bring me molten brass that I may pour upon it."
And God and Magog were not able to scale it, neither were they able to dig through it.
"This," said he, "is a mercy from my Lord:
But when the promise of my Lord shall come to pass, he will turn it to dust; and the promise of my Lord is true."
On that day we will let them dash like billows one over another; and there shall be a blast on the trumpet, and we will gather them together in a body.
18:100 And we will set Hell on that day close before the infidels,
Whose eyes were veiled from my warning, and who had no power to hear.
What! do the infidels think that they can take my servants as their patrons, beside Me? Verily, we have got Hell ready as the abode of the infidels.
Say: Shall we tell you who they are that have lost their labour most?
Whose aim in the present life hath been mistaken, and who deem that what they do is right?
They are those who believe not in the signs of the Lord, or that they shall ever meet him. Vain, therefore, are their works; and no weight will we allow them on the day of resurrection.
This shall be their reward -- Hell. Because they were unbelievers, and treated my signs and my Apostles with scorn.
But as for those who believe and do the things that are right, they shall have the gardens of Paradise for their abode:
They shall remain therein for ever: they shall wish for no change from it.
Say: Should the sea become ink, to write the words of my Lord, the sea would surely fail ere the words of my Lord would fail, though we brought its like in aid.
18:110 Say: In sooth I am only a man like you. It hath been revealed to me that your God is one only God: let him then who hopeth to meet his Lord work a righteous work: nor let him give any other creature a share in the worship of his Lord.

Sura XIX (19)
Mary
(Mecca -- 98 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Kaf. Ha. Ya. Ain. Sad. A recital of thy Lord's mercy to his servant Zachariah;
When he called upon his Lord with secret calling,
And said, "O Lord, verily my bones are weakened, and the hoar hairs glisten on my head,
And never, Lord, have I prayed to thee with ill success.
But now I have fears for my kindred after me; and my wife is barren:
Give me, then, a successor as thy special gift, who shall be my heir and an heir of the family of Jacob: and make him, Lord, well pleasing to thee."
- "O Zachariah! verily we announce to thee a son, -- his name John:
That name We have given to none before him."
He said: "O my Lord! how when my wife is barren shall I have a son, and when I have now reached old age, failing in my powers?"
19:10 He said: So shall it be. Thy Lord hath said, Easy is this to me, for I created thee aforetime when thou wast nothing."
He said, "Vouchsafe me, O my Lord! a sign." He said: "Thy sign shall be that for three nights, though sound in health, thou speakest not to man."
And he came forth from the sanctuary to his people, and made signs to them to sign praises morn and even.
We said: "O John! receive the Book with purpose of heart:" -- and We bestowed on him wisdom while yet a child;
And mercifulness from Ourself, and purity; and pious was he, and duteous to his parents; and not proud, rebellious.
And peace was on him on the day he was born, and the day of his death, and shall be on the day when he shall be raised to life!
And make mention in the Book, of Mary, when she went apart from her family, eastward,
And took a veil to shroud herself from them: and we sent our spirit to her, and he took before her the form of a perfect man.
She said: "I fly for refuge from thee to the God of Merch! If thou fearest Him, begone from me."
He said: "I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a holy son."
19:20 She said: "How shall I have a son, when man hath never touched me? and I am not unchaste."
He said: "So shall it be. Thy Lord hath said: 'Easy is this with me:' and we will make him a sign to mankind, and mercy from us. For it is a thing decreed."
And she conceived him, and retired with him to a far-off place.
And the throes came upon her by the trunk of a palm. She said: "Oh, would that I had died ere this, and been a thing forgotten, forgotten quite!"
And one cried to her from below her: "Grieve not thou, thy Lord hath provided a streamlet at thy feet: --
And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee: it will drop fresh ripe dates upon thee.
Eat then and drink, and be of cheerful eye: and shouldst thou see a man,
Say, -- Verily, I have vowed abstinence to the God of mercy. -- To no one will I speak this day."
Then came she with the babe to her people, bearing him. They said, "O Mary! now hast thou done a strange thing!
O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of wickedness, nor unchaste thy mother."
19:30 And she made a sign to them, pointing towards the babe. They said, "How shall we speak with him who is in the cradle, an infant?"
It said, "Verily, I am the servant of God; He hath given me the Book, and He hath made me a prophet;
And he hath made me blessed wherever I may be, and hath enjoined me prayer and almsgiving so long as I shall live;
And to be duteous to her that bare me: and he hath not made me proud, depraved.
And the peace of God was on me the day I was born, and will be the day I shall die, and the day I shall be raised to life."
This is Jesus, the son of Mary; this is a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.
It beseemeth not God to beget a son. Glory be to Him! when he decreeth a thing. He only saith to it, Be, and it Is.
And verily, God is my Lord and your Lord; adore Him then. This is the right way.
But the Sects have fallen to variance among themselves about Jesus: but woe, because of the assembly of a great day, to those who believe not!
Make them hear, make them behold the day when they shall come before us! But the offenders this day are in a manifest error.
19:40 Warn them of the day of sighing when the decree shall be accomplished, while they are sunk in heedlessness and while they believe not.
Verily, we will inherit the earth and all who are upon it. To us shall they be brought back.
Make mention also in the Book of Abraham; for he was a man of truth, a Prophet.
When he said to his Father, "O my Father! why dost thou worship that which neither seeth nor heareth, nor profiteth thee aught?
O my Father! verily now hath knowledge come to me which hath not come to thee. Follow me therefore -- I will guide thee into an even path.
O my Father! worship not Satan, for Satan is a rebel against the God of Mercy.
O my Father! indeed I fear lest a chastisement from the God of Mercy light upon thee, and thou become Satan's vassal."
He said, "Castest thou off my Gods, O Abraham? if thou forbear not, I will surely stone thee. Begone from me for a length of time."
He said, "Peace be on thee! I will pray my Lord for thy forgiveness, for he is gracious to me:
But I will separate myself from you, and the gods you call on beside Go, and on my Lord will I call. Haply, my prayers to my Lord will not be with ill success."
19:50 And when he had separated himself from them and that which they worshipped beside God, we bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each of them we made a prophet:
And we bestowed gifts of them in our mercy, and gave them the lofty tongue of truth."
And commemorate Moses in "the Book;" for he was a man of purity: moreover he was an Apostle, a Prophet:
From the right side of the mountain we called to him, and caused him to draw nigh to us for secret converse:
And we bestowed on him in our mercy his brother Aaron, a Prophet.
And commemorate Ismael in "the Book;" for he was true to his promise, and was an Apostle, a Prophet;
And he enjoined prayer and almsgiving on his people, and was well pleasing to his Lord.
And commemorate Edris in "the Book;" for he was a man of truth, a Prophet:
And we uplifted him to a place on high.
These are they among the prophets of the posterity of Adam, and among those whom we bare with Noah, and among the posterity of Abraham and Israel, and among those whom we have guided and chosen, to whom God hath shewed favour. When the signs of the God of Mercy were rehearsed to them, they bowed them down worshipping and weeping.
19:60 But others have come in their place after them: they have made an end of prayer, and have gone after their own lusts; and in the end they shall meet with evil: --
Save those who turn and believe and do that which is right, these shall enter the Garden, and in nought shall they be wronged:
The Garden of Eden, which the God of Mercy hath promised to his servant, though yet unseen: for his promise shall come to pass:
No vain discourse shall they hear therein, but only "Peace;" and their food shall be given them at morn and even:
This is the Paradise which we will make the heritage of those our servants who fear us.
We come not down from heaven but by thy Lord's command. His, whatever is before us and whatever is behind us, and whatever is between the two! And thy Lord is not forgetful, --
Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that is between them! Worship Him, then, and abide thou steadfast in his worship. Knoweth thou any other of the same name?
Man saith: "What! after I am dead, shall I in the end be brought forth alive?"
Doth not man bear in mind that we made him at first, when he was nought?
And I swear by thy Lord, we will surely gather together them and the Satans: then will we set them on their knees round Hell:
19:70 Then will we take forth from each band those of them who have been stoutest in rebellion against the God of Mercy:
Then shall we know right well to whom its burning is most due:
No one is there of you who shall not go down unto it -- This is a settled decree with thy Lord --
Then will we deliver those who had the fear of God, and the wicked will we leave in it on their knees.
And when our clear signs are rehearsed to them, the infidels say to those who believe: "Which of the two parties is in the best plight? and which is the most goodly company?"
But how many generations have we brought to ruin before them, who surpassed them in riches and in splendour!
Say: As to those who are in error, the God of Mercy will lengthen out to them a length of days.
Until they see that with which they are threatened, whether it be some present chastisement, or whether it be "the Hour," and they shall then know which is in the worse state, and which the more weak in forces:
But God will increase the guidance of the already guided.
And good works which abide, are in thy Lord's sight better in respect of guerdon, and better in the issue than all worldly good.
19:80 Hast thou marked him who believeth not in our signs, and saith, "I shall surely have riches and children bestowed upon me?"
Hath he mounted up into the secrets of God? hath he made a compact with the God of Mercy?
No! we will certainly write down what he saith, and will lengthen the length of his chastisement:
And We will inherit what he spake of, and he shall come before us all alone.
They have taken other gods beside God to be their help.
But it shall not be. Those gods will disavow their worship and will become their enemies.
Seest thou not that we send the Satans against the Infidels to urge them into sin?
Wherefore be not thou in haste with them; for a small number of days do we number to them.
One day we will gather the God-fearing before the God of Mercy with honours due:
But the sinners will we drive unto Hell, like flocks driven to the watering.
19:90 None shall have power to intercede, save he who hath received permission at the hands of the God of Mercy.
They say: "The God of Mercy hath gotten offspring." Now have you done a monstrous thing!
Almost might the very Heavens be rent thereat, and the Earth cleave asunder, and the mountains fall down in fragments,
That they ascribe a son to the God of Mercy, when it beseemeth not the God of Mercy to beget a son!
Verily there is none in the Heavens and in the Earth but shall approach the God of Mercy as a servant. He hath taken note of them, and numbered them with exact numbering:
And each of them shall come to Him, on the day of Resurrection, singly:
But love with the God of Mercy vouchsafe to those who believe and do the things that be right.
Verily we have made this Koran easy and in thine own tongue, that thou mayest announce glad tidings by it to the God-fearing, and that thou mayest warn the contentious by it.
How many generations have we destroyed before them! Canst thou search out one of them? or canst thou hear a whisper from them?

Sura XX (20)
Ta. Ha.
(Mecca -- 135 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Ta. Ha. Not to sadden thee have we sent down this Koran to thee,
But as a warning for him who feareth;
It is a missive from Him who hath made the earth and the lofty heavens!
The God of Mercy sitteth on his throne:
His, whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and whatsoever is between them both, and whatsoever is beneath the humid soil!
Thou needest not raise thy voice: for He knoweth the secret whisper, and the yet more hidden.
God! There is no God but He! Most excellent His titles!
Hath the history of Moses reached thee?
When he saw a fire, and said to his family, "Tarry you here, for I perceive a fire:
20:10 Haply I may bring you a brand from it, or find at the fire a guide."
And when he came to it, he was called to, "O Moses!
Verily, I am thy Lord: therefore pull off they shoes: for thou art in the holy valley of Towa.
And I have chosen thee: hearken then to what shall be revealed.
Verily, I am God: there is no God but me: therefore worship me, and observe prayer for a remembrance of me.
Verily the hour is coming: -- I all but manifest it --
That every soul may be recompensed for its labours.
Nor let him who believeth not therein and followeth his lust, turn thee aside from this truth, and thou perish.
Now, what is that in thy right hand, O Moses?"
Said he, "It is my staff on which I lean, and with which I beat down leaves for my sheep, and I have other uses for it."
20:20 He said, "Cast it down, O Moses!"
So he cast it down, and lo! it became a serpent that ran along.
He said, "Lay hold on it, and fear not: to its former state will we restore it."
"Now play thy right hand to thy arm-pit: it shall come forth white, but unhurt: -- another sign! --
That we may shew thee the greatest of our signs.
Go to Pharaoh, for he hath burst all bounds."
He said, "O my Lord! enlarge my breast for me,
And make my work easy for me,
And loose the knot of my tongue,
That they may understand my speech.
20:30 And give me a counsellor from among my family,
Aaron my brother;
By him gird up my loins,
And make him a colleague in my work,
That we may praise thee oft and oft remember thee,
For thou regardest us."
He said, "O Moses, thou hast obtained thy suit:
Already, at another time, have we showed thee favour,
When we spake unto thy mother what was spoken:
'Cast him into the ark: then cast him on the sea [the river], and the sea shall throw him on the shore: and an enemy to me and an enemy to him shall take him up.' And I myself have made thee an object of love,
20:40 That thou mightest be reared in mine eye.
When thy sister went and said, 'Shall I shew you one who will nurse him?' Then We returned thee to thy mother that her eye might be cheered, and that she might not grieve. And when thou slewest a person, We delivered thee from trouble, and We tried thee with other trial.
For years didst thou stay among the people of Midian; then camest thou hither by my decree, O Moses:
And I have chosen thee for Myself.
Go thou and thy brother with my signs and be not slack to remember me.
Go you to Pharaoh, for he hath burst all bounds:
But speak you to him with gentle speech; haply he will reflect or fear."
They said, "O our Lord! truly we fear lest he break forth against us, or act with exceeding injustice."
He said, "Fear you not, for I am with you both. I will hearken and I will behold.
Go you then to him and say, 'Verily we are Sent ones of thy Lord; send therefore the children of Israel with us and vex them not: now are we come to thee with signs from thy Lord, and, Peace shall be on him who followeth the right guidance.
20:50 For now hath it been revealed to us, that chastisement shall be on him who chargeth with falsehood, and turneth him away.'"
And he said, "Who is your Lord, O Moses?"
He said, "Our Lord is He who hath given to everything its form and then guideth it aright."
"But what," said he, "was the state of generations past?"
He said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in the Book of his decrees. My Lord erreth not, nor forgetteth.
He hath spread the earth as a bed, and hath traced out paths for you therein, and hath sent down rain from Heaven, and by it we bring forth the kinds of various herbs:
- 'Eat you, and feed your cattle.' Of a truth in this are signs unto men endued with understanding.
From it have we created you, and into it will we return you, and out of it will we bring you forth a second time."
And we shewed him all our signs: but he treated them as falsehoods, and refused to believe.
He said, "hast thou come, O Moses, to drive us from our land by thine enchantments?
20:60 Therefore will we assuredly confront thee with like enchantments: so appoint a meeting between us and you -- we will not fail it, we, and do not thou - in a place alike for both."
He said, "On the feast day be your meeting, and in broad daylight let the people be assembled."
And Pharaoh turned away, and collected his craftsmen and came.
Said Moses to them, "Woe to you! devise not a lie against God:
For then will he destroy you by a punishment. They who have lied have ever perished."
And the magicians discussed their plan, and spake apart in secret:
They said, "These two are surely sorcerers: fain would they drive you from your land by their sorceries, and lead away in their paths your chiefest men:
So muster your craft: then come in order: well this day shall it be for him, who shall gain the upper hand."
They said, "O Moses, wilt thou first cast down thy rod, or shall we be the first who cast?
He said, "yes, cast you down first." And lo! by their enchantment their cords and rods seemed to him as if they ran.
20:70 And Moses conceived a secret fear within him.
We said, "Fear not, for thou shalt be the uppermost:
Cast forth then what is in thy right hand: it shall swallow up what they have produced: they have only produced the deceit of an enchanter: and come where he may, ill shall an enchanter fare."
And the magicians fell down and worshipped. They said, "We Believe in the Lord of Aaron and of Moses."
Said Pharaoh, "Believe you on him ere I give you leave? He, in sooth, is your Master who hath taught you magic. I will therefore cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on trunks of the palm, and assuredly shall you learn which of us is severest in punishing, and who is the more abiding."
They said, "We will not have more regard to thee than to the clear tokens which have come to us, or than to Him who hath made us: doom the doom thou wilt: Thou canst only doom as to this present life: of a truth we have believed on our Lord that he may pardon us our sins and the sorcery to which thou hast forced us, for God is better, and more abiding than thou.
As for him who shall come before his Lord laden with crime -- for him verily is Hell: he shall not die in it and he shall not live.
But he who shall come before Him, a believer, with righteous works, -- these! the loftiest grades await them:
Gardens of Eden, beneath whose trees the rivers flow: therein shall they abide for ever. This, the reward of him who hath been pure."
Then revealed we to Moses, "Go forth by night with my servants and cleave for them a dry path in the sea;
20:80 Fear not thou to be overtaken, neither be thou afraid."
And Pharaoh followed them with his hosts, and the whelming billows of the sea overwhelmed them, for Pharaoh misled his people, and did not guide them.
O children of Israel! we rescued you from your foes; and We appointed a meeting with you on the right side of the mountain; and We caused the manna and the quail to descend upon you:
"Eat," said We, "of the good things with which we have supplied you; but without excess, lest my wrath fall upon you; for on whom my wrath doth fall, he perisheth outright.
Surely however will I forgive him who turneth to God and believeth, and worketh righteousness, and then yieldeth to guidance.
But what hath hastened thee on apart from thy people, O Moses?"
He said, "They are hard on my footsteps: but to thee, O Lord, have I hastened, that thou mightest be well pleased with me."
He said, "Of a truth now have we proved thy people since thou didst leave them, and Samiri had led them astray."
And Moses returned to his people, angered, sorrowful.
He said, "O my people! did not your Lord promise you a good promise? Was the time of my absence long to you? or desired you that wrath from your Lord should light upon you, that you failed in your promise to me?"
20:90 They said, "Not of our own accord have we failed in the promise to thee, but we were made to bring loads of the people's trinkets, and we threw them into the fire -- and Samiri likewise cast them in, and brought forth to them a corporeal lowing calf: and they said, 'This is your God and the God of Moses, whom he hath forgotten.'"
What! saw they not that it returned them no answer, and could neither hurt nor help them?
And Aaron had before said to them, "O my people! by this calf are you only proved: surely your Lord is the God of Mercy: follow me therefore and obey my bidding."
They said, "We will not cease devotion to it, till Moses come back to us."
He said, "O Aaron! when thou sawest that they had gone astray, what hindered thee from following me? Hast thou then disobeyed my command?"
He said, 'O Son of my mother! seize me not by my beard, nor by my head: indeed I feared lest thou shouldst say, 'Thou hast rent the children of Israel asunder, and hast not observed my orders.'"
He said, "And what was they motive, O Samiri?" He said, "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful of dust from the track of the messenger of God, and flung it into the calf, for so my soul prompted me."
He said, "Begone then: verily thy doom even in this life shall be to say, 'Touch me not.' And there is a threat against thee, which thou shalt not escape hereafter. Now look at thy god to which thou hast continued so devoted: we will surely burn it and reduce it to ashes, which we will cast into the sea.
Your God is God, beside whom there is no God: In his knowledge he embraceth all things."
20:100 Whoso shall turn aside from it shall verily carry a burden on the day of Resurrection:
Under it shall they remain: and grievous, in the day of Resurrection, shall it be to them to bear.
On that day there shall be a blast on the trumpet, and We will gather the wicked together on that day with leaden eyes:
They shall say in a low voice, one to another, -- "You tarried but ten days on earth."
We are most knowing with respect to that which they will say when the most veracious of them will say. "You have not tarried above a day."
And they will ask thee of the mountains: Say: scattering my Lord will scatter them in dust;
And he will leave them a level plain: thou shalt see in it no hollows or jutting hills.
On that day shall men follow their summoner -- he marcheth straight on: and low shall be their voices before the God of Mercy,n or shalt thou heart aught by the light footfall.
No intercession shall avail on that day, save his whom the God of Mercy shall allow to intercede, and whose words he shall approve.
He knoweth their future and their past; but in their own knowledge they comprehend it not: --
20:110 And humble shall be their faces before Him that Liveth, the Self-subsisting: and undone he, who shall bear the burden of iniquity;
But he who shall have done the things that are right and is a believer, shall fear neither wrong nor loss.
Thus have We sent down to thee an Arabic Koran, and have set forth menaces therein diversely, that haply they may fear God, or that it may give birth to reflection in them.
Exalted then be God, the King, the Truth! Be not hasty in its recital while the revelation of it to thee is incomplete. Say rather, "O my Lord, increase knowledge unto me."
And of old We made a covenant with Adam; but he forgat it; and we found no firmness of purpose in him.
And when We said to the angels, "Fall down and worship Adam," they worshipped all, save Eblis, who refused: and We said, "O Adam! this truly is a foe to thee and to thy wife. Let him not therefore drive you out of the garden, and you become wretched;
For to thee is it granted that thou shalt not hunger therein, neither shalt thou be naked;
And that thou shalt not thirst therein, neither shalt thou parch with heat;"
But Satan whispered him: said he, "O Adam! shall I shew thee the tree of Eternity, and the Kingdom that faileth not?:"
And they both ate thereof, and their nakedness appeared to them, and they began to sew of the leaves of the Garden to cover them, and Adam disobeyed his Lord and went astray.
20:120 Afterwards his Lord chose him for himself, and was turned towards him, and guided him.
And God said, "Get you all down hence, the one of you a foe unto the other. Hereafter shall guidance come unto you from me;
And whoso followeth my guidance shall not err, and shall not be wretched:
But whoso turneth away from my monition, his truly shall be a life of misery:
And We will assemble him with others on the day of Resurrection, blind."
He will say, "O my Lord! why hast thou assembled me with others, blind? whereas I was endowed with sight."
He will answer, "Thus is it, because our signs came unto thee and thou didst forget them, and thus shalt thou be forgotten this day."
Even thus will We recompense him who hath transgressed and hath not believed in the signs of his Lord; and assuredly the chastisement of the next world will be more severe and more lasting.
Are not they, who walk the very places where they dwelt, aware how many generations we have destroyed before them? Verily in this are signs to men of insight.
And had not a decree of respite from thy Lord first gone forth, their chastisement had at once ensued. Yet the time is fixed.
20:130 Put up then with what they say; and celebrate the praise of thy Lord before the sunrise, and before its setting; and some time in the night do thou praise him, and in the extremes of the day, that thou haply mayest please Him.
And strain not thine eye after what We have bestowed on divers of them -- the braveries of this world -- that we may thereby prove them. The portion which thy Lord will give, is better and more lasting.
Enjoin prayer on thy family, and persevere therein. We ask not of thee to find thine own provision -- we will provide for thee, and a happy issue shall there be to piety.
But they say, "If he come not to us with a sign from his Lord...!" But have not clear proof for the Koran come to them, in what is in the Books of old?
And had We destroyed them by a chastisement before its time, they would surely have said, "O our Lord! How could we believe if thou didst not send unto us an Apostle that we might follow thy signs ere that we were humbled and disgraces."

Sura XXI (21)
The Prophets
(Mecca -- 112 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
This people's reckoning hath drawn nigh, yet, sunk in carelessness, they turn aside.
Every fresh warning that cometh to them from their Lord they only hear to mock it, --
Their hearts set on lusts: and they who have done this wrong say in secret discourse, "Is He more than a man like yourselves? What! will you, with your eyes open, accede to sorcery?"
Say: "My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and on the earth: He is the Hearer, the Knower."
"Nay," say they, "it is the medley of dreams: nay, he hath forged it: nay, he is a poet: let him come to us with a sign as the prophets of old were sent."
Before their time, none of the cities which we have destroyed, believed: will these men, then, believe?
And we sent none, previous to thee, but men to whom we had revealed ourselves. Ask you the people who are warned by Scriptures, if you know it not.
We have them n ot bodies which could dispense with food: and they were not to live for ever.
Then made we good our promise to them; and we delivered them and whom we pleased, and we destroyed the transgressors.
21:10 And now have we sent down to you "the book," in which is your warning: What, will you not then understand?
And how many a guilty city have we broken down, and raised up after it other peoples:
And when they felt our vengeance, lo! they fled from it.
"Flee not," said the angels in mockery, "but come back to that wherein you revelled, and to your abodes! Questions will haply be put to you."
They said, "Oh, woe to us! Verily we have been evil doers."
And this ceased not to be their cry, until we made them like reaped corn, extinct.
We created not the heaven and the earth, and what is between them, for sport:
Had it been our wish to find a pastime, we had surely found it in ourselves; -- if to do so had been our will.
Nay, we will hurl the truth at falsehood, and it shall smite it, and lo! it shall vanish. But woe be to you for what you utter of God!
All beings in the heaven and on the earth are His: and they who are in his presence disdain not his service, neither are they wearied:
21:20 They praise Him night and day: they rest not.
Have they taken gods from the earth who can quicken the dead?
Had there been in either heaven or earth gods besides God, both surely had gone to ruin. But glory be to God, the Lord of the throne, beyond what they utter!
He shall not be asked of his doings, but they shall be asked.
Have they taken other gods beside Him? Say; Bring forth your proofs that they are gods. This is the warning of those who are with me, and the warning of those who were before me: but most of them know not the truth, and turn aside.
No apostle have we sent before thee to whom we did not reveal that "Verily there is no God beside me: therefore worship me."
Yet they say, "The God of Mercy hath begotten issue from the angels." Glory be to Him! Nay, they are but His honoured servants:
They speak not till He hath spoken; and they do His bidding.
He knoweth what is before them and what is behind them; and no plea shall they offer.
Save for whom He pleaseth; and they tremble for fear of Him.
21:30 And that angel among them who saith "I am a god beside Him," will we recompense with hell: in such sort will we recompense the offenders.
Do not the infidels see that the heavens and the earth were both a solid mass, and that we clave them asunder, and that by means of water we give life to everything? Will they not then believe?
And we set mountains on the earth lest it should move with them, and we made on it broad passages between them as routes for their guidance;
And we made the heaven a roof strongly upholden; yet turn they away from its signs.
And He it is who hath created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each moving swiftly in its sphere.
At no time have we granted to man a life that shall last for ever: if thou then die, shall they live for ever?
Every soul shall taste of death: and for trial will we prove you with evil and with good; and unto Us shall you be brought back.
And when the infidels see thee they receive thee only with scoffs: -- "What! is this he who maketh such mention of your gods?" Yet when mention is made to them of the God of Mercy, they believe not.
"Man," say they, "is made up of haste." But I will shew you my signs: desire them not then to be hastened.
They say, "When will this threat be made good? Tell us, if you be men of truth?"
21:40 Did the infidels but know the time when they shall not be able to keep the fire of hell from their faces or from their backs, neither shall they be helped!
But it shall come on them suddenly and shall confound them; and they shall not be able to put it back, neither shall they be respited.
Other apostles have been scoffed at before thee: but that doom at which they mocked encompassed the scoffers.
Say: Who shall protect you by night and by day from the God of Mercy? Yet turn they away from the warning of their Lord.
Have they gods beside Us who can defend them? For their own succour have they no power; neither shall the gods they join with God screen them from Us.
Yes! we have given these men and their fathers enjoyments so long as their life lasted. What! see they not that we come to a land and straiten its borders? Is it they who are the conquerors?
Say: I only warn you of what hath been revealed to me: but the deaf will not hear the call, whenever they are warned;
Yet if a breath of thy Lord's chastisement touch them, they will assuredly say, "Oh! woe to us! we have indeed been offenders."
Just balances will we set up for the day of the resurrection, neither shall any soul be wronged in aught; though, were a work but the weight of a grain of mustard seed, we would bring it forth to be weighed: and our reckoning will suffice.
We gave of old to Moses and Aaron the illumination, and a light and a warning for the God-fearing,
21:50 Who dread their Lord in secret, and who tremble for "the Hour."
And this Koran which we have sent down is a blessed warning: will you then disown it?
Of old we gave unto Abraham his direction, for we knew him worthy.
When he said to his Father and to his people, "What are these images to which you are devoted?"
They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."
He said, "Truly you and your fathers have been in a plain mistake."
They said, "Hast thou come unto us in earnest? or art thou of those who jest?"
He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth, who hath created them both; and to this am I one of those who witness:
- And, by God, I will certainly lay a plot against your idols, after you shall have retired and turned your backs."
So, he broke them all in pieces, except the chief of them, that to it they might return, inquiring.
21:60 They said, "Who hath done this to our gods? Verily he is one of the unjust."
They said, "We heard a youth make mention of them: they call him Abraham."
They said, "Then bring him before the people's eyes, that they may witness against him."
They said, "Hast thou done this to our gods, O Abraham?"
He said, "Nay, that their chief hath done it: but ask y them, if they can speak."
So they turned their thoughts upon themselves, and said, "You truly are the impious persons:"
Then became headstrong in their former error and exclaimed, "Thou knowest that these speak not."
He said, "What! do you then worship, instead of God, that which doth not profit you at all, nor injure you? Fie on you and on that you worship instead of God! What! do you not then understand?"
They said: "Burn him, and come to the succour of your gods: if you will do anything at all."
We said, "O fire! be thou cold, and to Abraham a safety!"
21:70 And they sought to lay a plot against him, but we made them the sufferers.
And we brought him and Lot in safety to the land which we have blessed for all human beings:
And we gave him Isaac and Jacob as a farther gift, and we made all of them righteous:
We also made them models who should guide others by our command, and we inspired them with good deeds and constancy in prayer and almsgiving, and they
worshipped ud.
And unto Lot we gave wisdom, and knowledge; and we rescued him from the city which wrought filthiness; for they were a people, evil, perverse:
And we caused him to enter into our mercy, for he was of the righteous.
And remember Noah when aforetime he cried to us and we heard him, and delivered him and his family from the great calamity;
And we helped him against the people who treated our signs as impostures. An evil people verily were they, and we drowned them all.
And David and Solomon; when they gave judgment concerning a field when some people's sheep had caused a waste therein; and we were witnesses of their judgment.
And we gave Solomon insight into the affair; and on both of them we bestowed wisdom and knowledge. And we constrained the mountains and the birds to join with David in our praise: Our doing was it!
21:80 And we taught David the art of making mail for you, to defend you from each other's violence: will you therefore be thankful?
And to Solomon we subjected the strongly blowing wind: it sped at his bidding to the land we had blessed; for we know all things:
And sundry Satans who should dive for him and perform other work beside: and we kept watch over them.
And remember Job: When he cried to his Lord, "Truly evil hath touched me: but thou art the most merciful of those who shew mercy."
So we heard him, and lightened the burden of his woe; and we gave him back his family, and as many more with them, -- a mercy from us, and a memorial for those who serve us:
And Ismael, and Edris and Dhoulkefl -- all steadfast in patience.
And we caused them to enter into our mercy; for they were of the righteous:
And Dhoulnoun; when he went on his way in anger, and thought that we had no power over him. But in the darkness he cried "There is no God but thou: Glory be unto Thee! Verily, I have been one of the evil doers:"
So we heard him and rescued him from misery: for thus recuse we the faithful:
And Zacharias; when he called upon his Lord saying, "O my Lord, leave not not childless: but there is no better heir than Thyself."
21:90 So we heard him, and gave him John, and we made his wife fit for child- bearing. Verily, these vied in goodness, and called upon us with love and fear, and humbled themselves before us:
And her who kept her maidenhood, and into whom we breathed of our spirit, and made her and her son a sign to all creatures.
Of a truth, this, your religion, is the one Religion, and I your Lord; therefore serve me."
But they have rent asunder this their great concern among themselves into sects. All of them shall return to us.
And whoso shall do the things that are right, and be a believer, his efforts shall not be disowned: and surely will we write them down for him.
There is a ban on every city which we shall have destroyed, that they shall not rise again,
Until a way is opened for God and Magog, and they shall hasten from every high land,
And this sure promise shall draw on. And lo! the eyes of the infidels shall stare amazedly; and they shall say, "Oh, our misery! of this were we careless! yea, we were impious persons."
Verily, you, and what you worship beside God, shall be fuel for hell: you shall go down into it.
Were these gods, they would not go down into it; but they shall all abide in it for ever.
21:100 Therein shall they groan; but nought therein shall they hear to comfort them.
But they for whom we have before ordained good things, shall be far away from it:
Its slightest sound they shall not hear: in what their souls longed for, they shall abide for ever:
The great terror shall not trouble them; and the angel shall meet them with, "This is your day which you were promised."
On that day we will roll up the heaven as one rolleth up written scrolls. As we made the first creation, so will we bring it forth again. This promise bindeth us; verily, we will perform it.
And now, since the Law was given, have we written in the Psalms that "my servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth."
Verily, in this Koran is teaching for those who serve God.
We have not sent thee otherwise than as mercy unto all creatures.
Say: Verily it hath been revealed to me that your God is one God; are you then resigned to Him? (Muslims.)
But if they turn their backs, then say: I have warned you all alike; but I know not whether that with which you are threatened be nigh or distant.
21:110 God truly knoweth what is spoken aloud, and He also knoweth that which you hide.
And I know whether haply this delay be not for your trial, and that you may enjoy yourselves for a time.
My Lord saith: Judge you with truth; for our Lord is the God of Mercy -- whose help is to be sought against what you utter.

Sura XXII (22)
The Pilgrimage
(Medina -- 78 Verses)
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
O Men of Mecca, fear your Lord. Verily, the earthquake of the last Hour will be a tremendous thing!
On the day when you shall behold it, every suckling woman shall forsake her sucking babe; and every woman that hath a burden in her womb shall cast her burden; and thou shalt see men drunken, yet are they not drunken: but it is the mighty chastisement of God!
There is a man who, without knowledge, wrangleth about God, and followeth every rebellious Satan;
Concerning whom it is decreed, that he shall surely beguile and guide into the torment of the Flame, whoever shall take him for his Lord.
O men! if you doubt as to the resurrection, yet, of a truth, have We created you of dust, then of the moist germs of life, then of clots of blood, then of pieces of flesh shapen and unshapen, that We might give you proofs of our power! And We cause one sex or the other, at our pleasure, to abide in the womb until the appointed time; then We bring you forth infants; then permit you to reach your age of strength; and one of you dieth, and another of you liveth on to an age so abject that all his former knowledge is clean forgotten! And thou hast seen the earth dried up and barren: but when We send down the rain upon it, it stirreth and swelleth, and groweth every kind of luxuriant herb.
This, for that God is the Truth, and that it is He who quickeneth the dead, and that He hath power over everything:
And that "the Hour" will indeed come -- there is no doubt of it -- and that God will wake up to life those who are in the tombs.
A man there is who disputeth about God without knowledge or guidance or enlightening Book,
Turning aside in scorn to mislead others from the way of God! Disgrace shall be his in this world; and on the day of the resurrection, We will make him taste the torment of the burning: --
22:10 "This, for thy handywork of old! for God is not unjust to His servants."
There are some who serve God in a single point. If good come upon one of them, he resteth in it; but if trial come upon him, he turneth him round (to infidelity) with the loss both of this world and of the next! This same is the clear ruin!
He calleth upon that beside God which can neither hurt him nor profit him. This same is the far-gone error!
He calleth on him who would sooner hurt than profit him. Surely, bad the lord, and, surely, bad the vassal!
But God will bring in those who shall believe and do the things that are right, into gardens 'neath which the rivers flow: for God doth that which He pleaseth.
Let him who thinketh that God will not help His Apostle in this world and in the next, stretch a cord aloft as if to destroy himself; then let him cut it, and see whether his devices can bring that to nought at which he was angry!
Thus send we down the Koran with its clear signs (verses): and because God guideth whom He pleaseth.
As to those who believe, and the Jews, and the Sabeites, and the Christians, and the Magians, and those who join other gods with God, of a truth, God shall decide between them on the day of resurrection: for God is witness of all things.
Seest thou not that all in the Heavens and all on the Earth adoreth God? the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the beasts, and many men? But of many is chastisement due due:
And whom God shall disgrace there shall be none to honour: God doth that which pleaseth Him.
22:20 These, the Faithful and the Infidels, are the two disputants who dispute concerning their Lord: but for those who have disbelieved, garments of fire shall be cut out; the boiling water shall be poured down upon their heads:
All that is in their bowels, and their skins, shall be dissolved: and there are maces of iron for them!
So oft as they, for very anguish, would fain come forth thence, back shall they be turned into it: and -- "Taste you the torment of the burning."
But God will bring in those who shall have believed, and done the things that are right, into gardens 'neath which the rivers flow. Adorned shall they be therein with golden bracelets and with pearls, and their raiment therein shall be of silk;
For they were guided to the best of words; guided to the glorious path!
But those who believe not, and seduce others from the way of God, and from the Holy Mosque which we have appointed to all men, alike for those who abide therein, and for the stranger;
And those who seek impiously to profane it, we will cause to taste a grievous punishment.
And all to mind when we assigned the site of the House to Abraham and said: "Unite not aught with Me in worship, and cleanse My House for those who go in procession round it, and who stand or bow in worship:"
And proclaim to the peoples a pilgrimage: Let them come to thee on foot and on every fleet camel, arriving by every deep defile:
That they may bear witness of its benefits to them, and may make mention of God's name on the appointed days, over the brute beasts with which He hath supplied them for sustenance: Therefore eat thereof yourselves, and feed the needy, the poor:
22:30 Then let them bring the neglect of their persons to a close, and let them pay their vows, and circuit the ancient House.
This do. And he that respecteth the sacred ordinances of God, this will be best for him with his Lord. The flesh of cattle is allowed you, save of those already specified to you. Shun you, therefore, the pollutions of idols; and shun you the word of falsehood;
Sound in faith Godward, uniting no god with Him; for whoever uniteth gods with God, is like that which falleth from on high, and the birds snatch it away, or the wind wafteth it to a distant place.
This do. And they who respect the rites of God, perform an action which proceedeth from piety of heart.
You may obtain advantages from the cattle up to the set time for slaying them: then, the place for sacrificing them is at the ancient House.
And to every people have we appointed rites, that they may commemorate the name of God over the brute beasts which He hath provided for them. And your God is the one God. To Him, therefore, surrender yourselves: and bear thou good tidings to those who humble them, --
Whose hearts, when mention is made of God, thrill with awe; and to those who remain steadfast under all that befalleth them, and observe prayer, and give alms of that with which we have supplied them.
And the camels have we appointed you for the sacrifice to God: much good have you in them. Make mention, therefore, of the name of God over them when you slay them, as they stand in a row; and when they are fallen over on their sides, eat of them, and feed him who is content and asketh not, and him who asketh. Thus have We subjected them to you, to the intent you should be thankful.
By no means can their flesh reach unto God, neither their blood; but piety on your part reacheth Him. Thus hath He subjected them to you, that you might magnify God for His guidance: moreover, announce to those who do good deeds --
That God will ward off mischief from believers: for God loveth not the false, the Infidel.
22:40 A sanction is given to those who, because they have suffered outrages, have taken up arms; and verily, God is well able to succour them:
Those who have been driven forth from their homes wrongfully, only because they say "Our Lord is the God." And if God had not repelled some men by others, cloisters, and churches, and oratories, and mosques, wherein the name of God is ever commemorated, would surely have been destroyed. And him who helpeth God will God surely help: for God is right Strong, Mighty: --
Those who, if we establish them in this land, will observe prayer, and pay the alms of obligation, and enjoin what is right, and forbid what is evil. And the final issue of all things is unto God.
Moreover, if they charge thee with imposture, then already, before them, the people of Noah, and Ad and Themoud, and the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers in Madian, have charged their prophets with imposture! Moses, too, was charged with imposture! And I bore long with the unbelievers; then seize upon them: and how great was the change I wrought!
And how many cities which had been ungodly, and whose roofs are now laid low in ruin, have We destroyed! And wells have been abandoned and lofty castles!
Have they not journeyed through the land? Have they not hearts to understand with, or ears to hear with? It is not that to these sights their eyes are blind, but the hearts in their breasts are blind!
And they will bid thee to hasten the chastisement. But God cannot fail His threat. And verily, a day with thy Lord is as a thousand years, as you reckon them!
How many cities have I long borne with, wicked though they were, yet then laid hold on them to chastise them! Unto Me shall all return.
Say: O men! I am only your open warner:
And they who believe and do the things that are right, shall have forgiveness and an honourable provision;
22:50 But those who strive to invalidate our signs shall be inmates of Hell.
We have not sent any apostle or prophet before thee, among whose desires Satan injected not some wrong desire, but God shall bring to nought that which Satan had suggested. Thus shall God affirm His revelations for God is Knowing, Wise!
That He may make that which Satan hath injected, a trial to those in whose hearts is a disease, and whose hearts are hardened. -- Verily, the wicked are in a far-gone severance from the truth! --
And that they to whom "the Knowledge" hath been given, may know that the Koran is the truth from thy Lord and may believe in it, and their hearts may acquiesce in it: for God is surely the guider of those who believe, into the straight path.
But the Infidels will not cease to doubt concerning it, until "the Hour" come suddenly upon them, or until the chastisement of the day of desolation come upon them.
On that day the Kingdom shall be God's: He shall judge between them: and they who shall have believed and done the things that are right, shall be in gardens of delight:
But they who were Infidels and treated our signs as lies -- these then -- their's a shameful chastisement!
And as to those who fled their country for the cause of God, and were afterwards slain, or died, surely with goodly provision will God provide for them! for verily, God! He, surely, is the best of providers!
He will assuredly bring them in with an in-bringing that shall please them well: for verily, God is right Knowing, Gracious.
So shall it be. And whosoever in making exact reprisal for injury done him, shall again be wronged, God will assuredly aid him: for God is most Merciful, Gracious.
22:60 So shall it be; for that God causeth the night to enter in upon the day, and He causeth the day to enter in upon the night: and for that God Heareth, Seeth.
So shall it be, for that God is the truth; and because what they call on beside Him is vanity: and because God is the Lofty, the Might!
Seest thou not that God sendeth down water from Heaven, and that on the morrow the earth is clad with verdure? for God is benignant, cognisant of all.
His, all in the Heavens and all on Earth: and verily, God! He assuredly is the Rich, the Praiseworthy!
Seest thou not that God hath put under you whatever is in the earth; and the ships which traverse the sea at His bidding? And He holdeth back the heaven that it fall not on the earth, unless He permit it! for God is right Gracious to mankind, Merciful.
And He it is who hath given you life, then will cauae you