This document was prepared with borrowed etext for Arthur's
Classic Novels. Etext was prepared by volunteers. XML markup by Arthur Wendover.
December 16, 2002. (See source text for details.) This is the etext version of
the book The Koran English translation by Dr. T.B.Irving , taken from the
original etext koran_irving10.txt.
Arthur's Classic Novels
THE QURAN IS A magnificent document that has been known for fourteen centuries because of its matchlessness or inimitability, its essential ijaz (10:iv), to use the Quranic term. A clear strain runs through its message and the intent of this translation is to permit everyone, Muslim or non-Muslim alike, to understand the sacred document itself, even though they do not understand Arabic.
here is a necessity, almost an urgency now for an American version in contemporary English. Our holy Book should be recited on solemn occasions, both public and private, for comfort, morality and guidance. This process must begin in childhood in order for it to become familiar, for it is every Muslim's duty to read the Quran and try to understand it. However, the duty has become a problem for those who no longer know any Arabic. A new generation of Englishspeaking Muslims has grown up in North America which must use our scripture differently than their fathers would have done. Their thinking roots have become distinct on a new continent without the familiar use of our holy tongue, and a great difference has developed between their customs and their ancestral faith.
American Muslims face many problems, and the younger ones face more than the usual group of teenagers; many now have reached the second and third generation when the use of Arabic is being forgotten in the home. It has rarely been taught as a formal subject of instruction, nor has the intellectual content of the Quran been studied. The practice which has grown up around the traditional faith has been gravely weakened. Muslims do not have to dance the dabka, wear a fez, eat Arabstyle bread or shish kabob in order to be good Muslims. You can have soft drinks, but it is harder to handle stronger beverages and remain faithful to Islam.
In the first place, any accurate version is really a tafsir or commentary written in the target language, and it is important for us to have a trustworthy one with Islamic views. The Quran itself says that any divine message should be presented in a people's own tongue: 'We have not sent any messenger unless he was to explain to them in his folk's own tongue (Abraham 14:4). Later on some poetic spirit may bring us the noble paraphrase that we likewise need; I have attempted no such paraphrase myself, because I might feel inclined to take too many liberties with it. Right now the message must simply be accurate, and clear enough so that it will convince even a child. It should be a document one can read, as well as offer a basis for research, a useful whole. Centuries of research have in fact been spent on it, by Muslims and nonMuslims alike. I am not concerned with later development and exegesis here, but merely with the statement or restatement of the initial message.
The Bible as we know it, and as the Jews and Christians have known it, and especially knew it in the Prophet's day, is not as reliable as the Quran, and has led to constant variation, especially in its interpretation. Thus despite the difficult relations that exist between the West and the Islamic Middle East at present, the basic document for all sides to understand the latter area is the Quran, no matter how social scientists or theologians may try to interpret that part of the world after their own fashion.
Religion leads people to predictable action or reaction when its principles govern the outlook of its followers. Thus the Quran is shunned or favored insofar as its principles lend themselves to controlling human behavior according to the morality or whims of those in power. Sacred symbols offer a way by which people can look at the Universe, give them a life style which tells them how things are and how they should be. The Orientalists who worked for London, Paris, the Hague or Lisbon wanted to contro l Islam for their own purposes, and they decreed that the word Islam means "submission." How far they strayed is now apparent, as the Islamic lands throw off their yokes and try to regain their ancient principles.
However, translations by Muslims are not always acceptable. Muhammad Ali's is clear but his commentary and at times the English text can be affected by his sectarian tendency. Besides he has used the Havas Arabic dictionary and this is risky because of its hindthoughts carried over from Catholicism. A. Yusuf 'Ali's is more satisfactory as a commentary but his English is overladen with extra words which neither explain the text nor embellish the meaning. True embellishment is the simple telling word which does not detract, but carries the mind directly to the meaning. Marmaduke Pickthall accomplished his labor in the East, and therefore his translation is in heavy Jacobean English laid upon a superstructure of Eastern preoccupations. The Koran by N. J. Dawood which is published in the Penguin series of World Classics is better than most, but it often becomes merely a prosaic paraphrase. 'Abd alMajid Daryabadi is clear, but hard to work with because of its arrangement, especially in the naming and numbering of chapters. Egyptian and Pakistani interpreters often show that they have not been talking to anyone outside of their own circle, and this lack has hurt even their political propaganda. Mercier unfortunately was translated into English from his French version, just as de Ryer and Sale came to us more from previous translations into Latin than directly from the Arabic. Likewise the new Japanese translation was made from the English, as the modern Spanish is from French and German. Andalusia has forgotten its glory!
Since studies like Noldeke's and Bell's exist for those who need a barren type of criticism, it is not my purpose to follow in that line of research, but rather just as painstaking a one in trying to lay before the Englishspeaking world at the end of the twentieth century of their era, or the beginning of the fifteenth century of the Hijra, the message of the Qurain in reverent yet contemporary English. My purpose is not to enter into theological controversy, nor to test the ancestry of ideas that can be found elsewhere; I will not indulge in refutation, especially of old chestnuts, but let the text and the message stand for themselves. This is a long and dignified tradition which should be made part of the world heritage in a universal age.
As with the Spanish poet Alonso de Ercilla in sixteenth century Chile the Quran was written down on whatever writing material was available paper, leather, parchment, stones, wooden tablets, the shoulder blades of oxen, and the "breasts of men." Where did they secure such a quantity of paper or parchment which was needed to make the final copies of Uthman's version.
The present and traditional order is not chronological, but arranged topically, as an editor has a right to do with any book in his hands. How to split up corpus has always been a problem, especially for Western critics, but changing the order of the text has not bred believers on the West. The vaunted scientific method of investigating texts at first hand is not practised by Western experts when dealing with Islam. However, the urge to revise has worried Western critics and Orientalists like Rodwell, Bell and Dawood, as well as many others.
The Book itself consists of 114 chapters of varying size which are arranged roughly according to their order of length. Its paragraphs and sections have a very traditional order that is easily followed and by which the verses can be located. The present order in the Quran was achieved two or three decades after the Prophet's death, or about the year 650 A.D. The third caliph Uthman ibnAffan (644656) appointed a committee to achieve an authorized version of the Quranic text. Uthman's committee was set up to publish the Quran in a standard version, and the members naturally showed great conscientiousness in this respect. This committee fulfilled its task well, and so within a score of years after the Prophet's death, a splendid job was accomplished.
If we follow the traditional order, then we receive the Prophet's essential message; while if we use a revised order, then we follow his historical mission. I prefer to follow the traditional order, and state the message that Muslim scholars can follow this without effort, and on this order I elaborated the present work for contemporary Englishspeaking readers. Within Islamic circles we cannot now produce a good English prayerbook until this is based upon a reliable English version of the Quran.
The message of Islam does not come through in most contemporary textbooks used in our schools. Very few have been written by sincere Muslims, so that Islam is derided, and kept at a distance, when we need a clear explanation in our own language, devoid of strained syntax and one which can be read meaningfully and reverently in public. Thousands of Westerners who are now living in or visiting the countries of the Middle East as well as others who never expect to live or visit there, need nonetheless to understand the ethical system which prevails in the Islamic world. The crisis in Iran has shown that.
The present volume (i.e. the English translation) has been planned as an advance edition only. What has been accomplished till now has been done mostly with my own resources. Thanks to the generous help of the Aossey brothers of Cedar Rapids, and the Canadian Muslims, especially those living around Niagara Falls, I was able to accomplish this task because they have indeed helped me financially. So have my friends in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf. God will bless their efforts and kindness, their essential ihsan and sadaqa in other words, true charity.
Nevertheless this translation is not the sacred canon but merely a thread of thought plus some inspiration which appear in the pages I have been preparing. Translation is literally impossible because interpretation in another language is an ongoing process, especially with a document that must be used constantly. Almost every day I learn a new rendering for a word or phrase; then I must run this new thread of meaning through other passages. The Quran is a living Book. We must respect yet find a way to interpret this sacred text, and not deform its meaning. The refrain running through Chapter 54 on The Moon tells us: "We have made the Quran easy to memorize; yet will anyone memorize it?" (54:22). As it claims, the Quranic message is easy to learn. It is divided up so that it can be read in sittings, or read straight through (17:XII). This is clear from the canon itself.
The Quran is not a missionary manual but a record of experience. It forms both a message or risala, an "ideology" carried by a rasul or 'messenger'; and it is also a Book or scripture (kitab) sent specifically via the Messenger Muhammad (rasul Allah or 'God's messenger')may God accept his prayers and grant him peace! However the Quran does not offer minute details about everything such as is found in many other scriptures; it is an existentialist document telling about the Prophet's experience during his mission to the Arabs and the world. It is the Noble Reading (56: III); it is a consecrated Text.
In this new translation, I have attempted to accomplish what the West has generally failed to do with Islam: to study it from within and in the light of its own texts. The Quran is obviously the best preparation for such an attempt. Moreover this book gives the young Muslim something to hold on to in this day when most authority on moral matters is being abdicated. The doctrinal and ethical superstructure raised on the Five Pillars and other beliefs does not belong in this Introduction, which has been presented merely as a means of helping understand the message.
I have tried to find the simplest word so that the Muslim child can understand it easily, and feel strengthened thereby. It is also intended for the pious nonMuslim who is not already tied up in theology of some other sort: we must be able to discuss Islam on our own terms, terms which have been made up through our own knowledge and our own use of the English language. This present volume has been prepared in order to spread greater understanding of the Islamic religion and to present the English speaking world with a clear rendition of the original Arabic into intelligible modern English. Even in English, the tendency with the Bible now is away from the seventeenthcentury language which sounds too much like Pickthall, into the English of presentday speakers.
The Islamic community in the United States and Canada has in certain fashion commissioned me with this task, and I must thank my good friends of Cedar Rapids, Iowa especially for their constant encouragement in the venture, because the whole project has grown into a massive undertaking directed also to those non-Muslims who need an introduction to the basic scripture of Islam. I also would like to thank the many people whose enquiries and requests for information and material have kept me working at the job. I hope that in this new translation I have in some small measure achieved a version of the Noble Reading, alQuran al Karim, which can open up its treasures and lay the basis for Islamic piety within the English language and throughout the Englishspeaking world. Thus for over twentythree years, I have been reading the Quran carefully in Arabic "at daybreak" (17:ix), with the aim of presenting it in a form which will live for a few decades longer, God willing, or at least until some more gifted worker takes up the challenge and improves on this version.
Grammar and Syntax
A translation from one language to another requires that the translate have the "feel" of both languages he is working with, that of the textual one which is being translated, and that of the target language, Many Quranic translators, however, have been fluent even in a third tongue which has ended by confusing them; a close attachment to Latin, Urdu or French can hinder the smooth flow of Arabic words and phrases into English. Several previous translations of the Quran have likewise bee rendered grotesque by relying on antiquated grammar and twisted syntax without mentioning other problems like terminology or the correct rendering of individual words. There is no reason why our holy Book must be quoted in awkward English: if the Arabic is clear (16:xiv, 26:xi) the why do we need to worry about it?
My aim has been to remain scrupulously faithful to the Arabic text. and still create a version which represents good American English prose and can be used confidently by Englishspeaking people. Arabic is paratactic in its structure while English syntax involves more clauses and phrases, although it does not approach the complexity of either Latin o German to which it is related.
Conjunctions and connectives pose one of our first problems, for on cannot turn English into parataxis and begin each sentence or phrase wit a series of 'and's" as is done in Arabic and Hebrew. Arabic actually has two common words for our single "and"; waw (which is a prefix in Semitic) refers to the simultaneous "and", while fa (also a prefix) expresses the consecutive connector. The letter fa, can be rendered at times by 'then', 'next' and 'so', or even by the interjection 'why ... !'as a further possibility. In English we use "so", "thus", "well", "then", "as well as" to connect sentences and thought groups in the same manner; we use 'so" and "plus constantly in this fashion in normal speech. On the other hand the simultaneous waw can be 'while' with following or linking verbs and 'as well as' with long lists of nouns, especially for the final one at the end of list which needs to be included and have attention focused on it: "to Heaven and Earth, and to the mountains... " (33:IX). The common Semitic paratactic sentence is deadly in dealing with these long lists if it is not handled judiciously in translation. Conjunctions should bind the latecoming concept into the body of the main thought, and not just let ideas go on and on. Moreover neither of these particles waw or fa need always be rendered into English.
Some confusion in translation stems at times from the inability to distinguish between noun and verbal sentences, as occurs in other Semitic languages too: "Verily, I say unto you... " or "Verily I, say unto you... " as it should be punctuated, occurs in the New Testament in John 1:51 in the King James version, as well as other places, where the Aramaic dialect shines through the bad Greek. It is really, in contemporary English: 'As for me, I tell you... " In the great hymn to "Light" we have the sentence "Waalladhina kafaru amaluhum kasarab biqiat (24:v). This begins with a noun clause, and the resulting nominal sentence should be: "Those who disbelieve [will find] their deeds are like a mirage on a desert..." (Light 24:39). The need to put the subject first in English often leads us to use the passive.
The disjunctive pronoun precedes the common Spanish phrase: A mi me gusta ... meaning 'I like . . . '; somewhat similar to Le voici for 'Here it is...' in French. In The Opening chapter (alFatiha) we find this construction used in the fourth line: "You do we worship and You do we call on for help" (1:15). There is no "only" in this sentence, as some translators insert; the disjunctive position itself gives the needed emphasis they are trying to find.
Verbs cause some difficulty too since they can vary in their usage. The English verbs "to be" and 'to have" are generally expressed in Arabic only by means of the syntax governing pronouns and prepositions. How things exist, and how they should be or how we would like to have them, yields a different quality in Semitic speech; the tone of its ethos has other distinct roots. "Act" and "mean" in my translation are not always placed between brackets since, similar to "to be" and "to have", they are implied as active, mental verbs: "Your Lord acts as an Observer" (34:II (end). The verb "acted [honorably or charitably]" in 2:VIII gives more force to the verbal quality.
"Giving" and "saying" are often not expressed clearly to a Western reader in other translations, and need to be assumed from the context and their prepositions. "Belongs" and "belonged to" are English verbs which sometimes must be inserted, as in "to God [belongs] the Unseen" li'Llah'. ... (16:xi); or "He owns whatever is in front of us, and whatever is behind us" in 19:iv. "Owns" is another verb that can be inserted for the prepositional phrase lahu 'to him [is]', and at times is clearer than'he has' (70:3).
Tense and conditional moods must be expressed with care, especially with the absent verb "to be"; La ikrah fi aldin should be '[Let there be] no compulsion in religion' (The Cow 2:xxxiv). The softened imperative here expresses the difference between how things exist and how they should be, or how we would like to have them.
Collective nouns are generally considered as abstract feminines in Arabic, exactly what we find in the English words "cattle", "opera", "people". Plurals in Arabic which do not refer to human beings become abstract feminines, and take their adjectives in the feminine singular.
The partitive construction may be known to some educated speakers of English from their study of French; yet this knowledge has rarely used by other translators from the Arabic: "seek some of his bounty we are enjoined in 17:vii; and kulu min tayyibati ma razaqnakum 'eat wholesome things we have provided you with' (20: iv); also "some of We transported along with Noah" (19:iv); and "so We may show you [Moses] some of our greatest signs" (20:I). These examples provide random sample.
The superlative absolute presents another problem. It appears as 'quite Aware' for God's quality as the Alam (17:v); 'quite Observant' for Absar and 'quite Alert' for Asma in 18:iv.
Translating into English has still other problems. For example, English is very deficient when it comes to 2nd person pronouns, which nowadays are found only as "you", "your" and "yours". The old "ye", "thou" an "thee" as well as their respective possessive pronouns are obsolete, especially when teaching our children, even though they appear in the King James version of the Bible and the translation of The Glorious Koran as this has been rendered by Marmaduke Pickthall. His archaic quality cannot live on. The situation is further complicated by the use of the indefinite 'you" referring to "anybody" or "everybody" as in the colloquia expression 'You should do that!" Occasionally I indicate the singular and plural of this pronoun (as these may occur in Arabic), especially when the Prophet is addressed; at other times the message is directed to his audience or to believers. "You all" or "you (all)" is more natural than "you" in North American English, and I have occasionally used this neutral though dialectal plural with discretion where one must show the difference between the singular and the plural pronoun of Arabic. It sounds more natural even outside of the Deep South, than the obsolete "you" which few North Americans can use effectively any more. The vocative particle ya ... is usually translated as 'O ... !'; but it is usually omitted in contemporary En glish. Moses addresses his brother Aaron simply as "Son of my mother!" in 7:XVIII.
English is also defective in the meanings for "man", both as this word i opposed sexually to "woman", and generically to the animal kingdom in general, and also to sprites. The singular insan means '(every) man' in 17:II and 19:v, almost in the spirit of the medieval European mysteries; and i the Chapter AlAsr we meet him "At eventide, everyman /[feels] at loss..." (103:12).
"Man(kind)" and "people" are other defective expressions in English. The 'folk' meant by qawm are literally those who "stand up" alongside you to defend your common interests. Ahl, on the other hand, means those people from one's own tent group, "living down the street" or in the same apartment house, as we would express this in modern urban society. "Adam" is a symbol for original man, mentioned in the Quran, but only referred to as the common ancestor of humanity: Banu Adam. The name is derived from 'red earth' in Arabic referring to the clay God used in fashioning him
The Arabic pronominal conjunction man is archaic when this is translated as 'whosoever' or even 'he who', and this usage confuses younger readers; generally I use 'anyone who' and only occasionally 'he who' for this pronoun.
On the English side, our word "day" shows lexical deficiencies, for the word can be contrasted first with the concept of 'night" (layl vs. nahar), then with the sidereal day as this is found in calendar dates, in contrast to weeks and months (which is yawm). I use 'daytime' or 'daylight' for nahar; but 'day' only for the broader twentyfour hour period.
The simple possessive case occasionally seems to be difficult to translate properly into English, especially the form with the apostrophe. The Arabic word order induces this syntactic error since it apparently follows French or Romance style, especially for Western theological students who have studied Latin first; but it really is similar to elementary Germanic syntax, even to the omission of the article in the possessing element. However, since the sequence in Arabic is possessedpossessor, the opposite of English, it seems superficially to resemble French. If you write one under the other, however, then the reverse word order shows up the affinity, a trick I have used successfully on the blackboard with attentive students in my classes in Arabic.
These examples in short are some of the textual difficulties which the translator faces in handling the Quran. It has been a challenging task, but always rewarding.
Handling Dualism and Pairs
The dichotomy of life has always intrigued and puzzled people. They have tried to explain this phenomenon by saying the world is made up from pairs, just as they were born from a father and a mother, and themselves expect to marry. Some examples of these associated pairs are Heaven and Hell, Hell and Hades (or Jahannam and Jahim in Arabic, by some alliterative coincidence), Heaven and Earth, night and day, heat and cold, light and dark.
Halal and haram are alliterated twin principles too that appear in 5:3 and other places in the Quran; dividing things into the permitted and forbidden is common for mnemonic purposes. The 'hallowed' or haram is almost like the concept of taboo which the West borrowed from the Polynesians following the voyages of Captain Cook to the Pacific in the late eighteenth century. The 'sacred' or muqaddas is a similar state: Jerusalem is alQuds alSharif or 'the Eminent Sanctuary' which Muslims can no longer visit freely or without sorrow.
Consciousness and the Unseen give us dualistic principles for knowledge as well. Bodily pains contrasted with physical pleasures form another duality linked to Heaven and Hell in our minds. So good and evil form another pair (4:xi) as we find them throughout God's creation; they both come ultimately from God, but are not coequal (5:xviii). We need to turn evil into good (7: xii) since they all derive from God (5: xiii). God may have permitted the presence of evil, but He did not command its existence.
"Where is night when the day arrives?" asked the Prophet rhetorically when he was questioned on this matter of good and evil. We also hear:
The blind and the sighted are not equal
nor are darkness and light
nor
a shady nook and a heatwave.
The living and the dead are not alike,
God
lets anyone He wishes listen, while you
will not make those in their graves
hear.
(Originator 35:1922).
If there were other gods
in either [Heaven or Earth]
besides God
[Alone],
they would both dissolve in chaos.
(Prophets 21:22)
This concern for twin principles led to the socalled "Persian error" which the Albigensians practised in southern France until one of the first crusades wiped them out in the twelfth century, the onset of the great pogroms of Europe, as that continent flexed its muscles to practise genocide. Manicheism, as it is called formally, had been brought to western Europe by Roman soldiers before the fall of their empire, if it had not been a remnant from ancient IndoEuropean folk religion, and a sister of Celtic Druidism. The Bogomils in the Balkans formed another dualistic cult like it; in the fourteenth century they welcomed the Turks and became Muslims to escape the political and religious tyranny of both Rome and Byzantium as represented in the Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches respectively. In this case Islam benefited from the industrious Slavs and Albanians who joined Islam, and who contributed statesmen and architects to the Ottoman empire.
In Islam the sin of dualism is part of Association or shirk, and thus is unpardonable (4:48, 116). This "Persian error" considers the presence of evil to be necessary, as are the other pairs like Light and Darkness, Night and Daylight: allayl wa alnahar of 2:164 etc. There has been overmuch study of Jewish and Christian sources for the antecedents of Islam, but little of Manicheism and Zarathustrianism.
How to be both artistic and correct with the dual in Arabic becomes a syntactic problem when it comes to translation into English. A dual of sorts is found in the English words "either" and "both", but English has no adequate inflections for expressions like "both of them", "the two" etc., except with parents and other married couples, such as with Adam and Eve (7:ii). However 'both' is generally the best distinguishing word in English, with verbs and nouns as well. Its use occurs with Moses and Aaron in 20:ii ("they both said"); also 10:viii and 26:ii, and with David and Solomon (21:vi, 27:ii).
A concern for light comes up, as this is contrasted with darkness (2:xxxiv): "God ... brings out of darkness into Light" (2:xxxiv, 13:i and especially 24:v). Bitter cold and darkness make the night seem hideous; though night can also comfort, since it acts as a "garment" (25:v). So do good and evil as we find them throughout God's creation, we have noticed.
Sex of course is based on dualism: "He has placed two pairs for every kind of fruit on it" (13:i).
Terminology
The fascinating matter of root meanings in Arabic is a linguistic matter which I will now deal with in this section on terminology. As soon as one begins to use our current Arabic dictionaries, it becomes evident that they have not been compiled by believers. One can tell this by the approximation of many otherwise clear Islamic terms, as well as the prejudice or worry shown by outsiders, even in Wehr, which in any case was translated from the German. These modern lexicographers have never sat in a mosque, so concerned are they with Christian ceremonies and festivals. Penrice's dictionary and glossary of Quranic terms is helpful, but it too must be used with caution, for it is overladen with nineteenth century missionary terms. Havas is clearly Catholic, and at times abysmal in its ignorance of Islam. Professor Izutsu of Tokyo has best shown why it is so difficult to translate each term adequately. He is to be commended for this, but then he is not a Westerner, full of their ingrained prejudices.
Let us discuss some terms in more detail. For instance, with the shades of meaning in the root to 'remember', 'recall', and also, perhaps surprisingly, 'male'; in the II or causative form "dh kk r" it means to ,remind'; and in the V, which is the reflexive of II or the causative, to 'reflect', 'bear in mind' (for one's own benefit). The root gives us assalam meaning 'peace' as a greeting to persons; asIslam for 'surrender' and 'submission' for the colonialist nonbeliever (infidel is how he would call himself elsewhere), but for us, 'commitment' to God Alone; and Muslim as the one 'who has so surrendered' or 'committed himself to the Deity, the man who lives 'at peace.' For Islam, the word 'commitment' is more positive, active and responsible than are 'surrender" or 'submission" which the Orientalists and missionaries use; we Muslims have a right to choose our own terminology in English. We must forge our own words for our terms and parables like those about Satan, Ishmael, Jesus, Diabolis etc.
The majestic figure of God Alone or Allah forms the capstone of Islamic worship and thought. He is asSamad of Chapter 112:2, the 'Focus' and 'Source' for everything. How should reverent Muslims name Him? God has a Hundred of the "Finest Names" (59:end). The names and attributes for God are many: "AllKnowing" in our Germanic roots becomes the "Omniscient" in European Latinized parlance, which has given us other terms like "circumnambulation", "genuflexion", "ablution", as well as "submission" and 'surrender" as meanings for Islam.
Training for this purpose will come through study and spiritual exercise. Let us therefore discuss some secular virtues. I use the word 'achievement' rather than the more oldfashioned term 'triumph' for fawz. The virtues themselves are: first of all, birr, as the basic one which we meet in 2:xxii for the first time; 'righteousness' sounds too oldfashioned now. Muhsin is 'kindly', a concept that comes from the heart. It might be 'beneficient' in Latinized jargon, for bene means 'good' or 'well' that is similar to khayr; while ficent means 'doing [it]'. The abstract noun in the causative IV form is ihsan or 'kindness' and parallel in morphological pattern (IV vn.) to Islam, and iman ('faith' or 'belief'). The ideal was static. Reverence calls for restraint before things holy, giving sanctity to attitudes. Rushd or rashad is the social ideal of 'common sense' or 'normal behavior'. We find it in the name of the twelfthcentury Spanish Arab philosopher IbnRushd, who prepared the text of Aristotle for the scholastic teachers in the rising European universities of the following century.
Similarly kufr is 'disbelief, 'ingratitude' and a kafir is a 'disbeliever'; shirk means 'associating [someone else with God],' and a mushrik is such an 'associator'; taghut are those 'arrogant' persons who deliberately come between man and his God. Almuttaqin are 'the heedful', 'those who do their duty', while taqwa is the quality of 'heeding [God's decrees]', or 'heedfulness', 'piety', just plain 'doing one's duty' before God and man. The moral basis of the new state in Madina is seen in the 'realm' or mulk in what we now know as 'control' today, and this can be used both as a noun and a verb: "O God, Holder of Control!" (3:26)
The passage Laysa albirr..., is rendered "It is not virtue.. . "; 'virtue' rather than 'piety' for this concept seems in order. Alfasiqun are 'perverse', 'corrupt' or 'immoral' people (2:xii). We should notice how the terms Heaven and Hell are alliterative in both English and Arabic (aljanna and aljahannam), to which we might add jahim which I have rendered 'Hades' to maintain the poetical effect. I also want to keep addunya and alalamin separate as this 'nearer [world]' and 'the (greater) Universe' respectively, so they can be separate in the text and in the reader's mind. The latter is really a plural in Arabic, but I have unified this concept in English. Jinn and Ruh are two terms for 'sprite(s)' and 'Spirit' respectively. Jinn is often rendered as 'spirit' too, although these are really separate concepts; I am rendering the former 'sprite(s)' and leaving the second as 'Spirit' or 'Breath' for Ruh as we see in 17:x (beginning). Sprites or jinn, as a term, is handled wretchedly by most commentators, because it represents a plural in itself, while jinni is the proper singular. Jinn are what are called elves or fairies in English folklore, and mean the personified powers of the supernatural which are vaguely sensed by less sophisticated people, whose forces we meet in Robert Frost's "Mending Wall". These sprites found in the title of Chapter 72, were made from the glow in fire (55:i), like the angels or Diabolis (7:ii).
There are foreignbased words like mil, the Roman 'mile' or a "thousand" paces; the sirat from Latin strata meaning 'street', its English derived descendant; qasr from castrum which is Latin too, which via the Arabic, gives Spanish its alcazar (as well as Castro); thawr or 'bull' has its memories of the Minotaur in Crete, and los toros in Spain; ard or 'earth' reveal this kinship, especially in terms connected with ancient agriculture; Burg in Germanic is linked with the title of Chapter 85 or AlBuruj meaning Constellations, those 'castles' that we see in the night skywhich give us 'borough' in English and 'bourgeois" in European sociology and politics.
Many expressions are given an ironic cast in some translations like "grand vizier" for the Turkish prime minister, when a simpler term like 'prime minister' or 'premier' would take it out of the Arabian Nights and make it sound more appropriate and fitting for statecraft. "No burdened [soul] shall bear another's burden" (6:xx etc.) shows what a cabinet minister carries in his portfolio. Other Turkish or AngloIndian forms are "muezzin" and "kismet". Crusading terms like "infidel" for the nonbeliever or misbeliever, one who flashes "scimitars" instead of waving swords. Spellings of this sort are 'Kaaba" and Port "Said" as if this latter were the past participle of our verb to "say"; they should read instead: 'Kaba" and 'Said".
The etymology of the word "worship" in English should be borne in mind, as an exercise giving 'value' or 'worth' to superior beings, what we might call reverence, and thus linking it to ibada in Arabic. The true worshipper or abd (96:i) we meet in many Islamic names (and which is reduced to the ironic 'Abdul" or 'servant of the.. .' in Orientalist jargon exactly like "admiral" who is literally 'prince of the...', we must presume "of the sea").
There is also much prejudice in many of the Orientalist weasel words such as the term "Moorish" in connection with Spanish Islam or the French Foreign Legion. Jinete meaning 'horseman' or 'rider' and zanahoria for 'carrot' are the only truly Moorish or Berber words in the common Spanish lexicon, while true Arabic ones occur there frequently; yet they are all called "Moorish". What does the term Moorish mean? Who invented the name "Mauretania" in this century to describe the region south of Morocco which really should be Shinqit, as its inhabitants call it. Mauretania lay north of the Atlas Mountains in Roman times, and is probably derived from a Phoenician cognate with the modern Maghrib or 'place where the sun sets' or "West".
Spelling and Phonetics
Throughout this translation I have consistently used the Library Congress system of transliteration. This is essentially the same as that employed by the Royal Asiatic Society of London and the Board Geographic Names in Washington, which ran into much incongruity during its survey of the Middle East and North Africa.
A standardization of Arabic nomenclature is needed for the countries which were under different colonial rule. Shatt alArab formed by the confluence of the Tigris and the Euphrates upstream from Basra southern Iraq becomes Chott alJarid in Tunisia and Chott achCharqui in Algeria. The word for 'mountain' jabal, has half a dozen spellings as crosses the map of the Arab world. Besides the colonial styles used by the European occupiers in their former colonies, we run into Egyptian a Pakistani spellings of Arabic words, neither of which are standard Arabic. The Spanishstyle 'Tetuan" in the former Spanish zone of northern Morocco has recently become "Tetouan" because King Hasan or "Hassan" speaks French. This is pure verbal baroque, as French Orientilsm too often is.
The spellings of 'Moslem", "Kaaba" (for Kaba) have a true beginning in ignorance, but they never seem to point any way to salvation. The spelling "Koran" is often used by nonMuslims and westerntrained Muslims, the same people as use the spelling "Moslems", as the late Professor Hitti did in his book Islam in his incredible quotation: "An old fashioned Moslem (sic) goes through the legal ablutions before he open the book" (pp. 2627) ! What sort of Muslim did he get his information from? When this is pronounced with a voiced "s", it gives us 'Mozlum" which means the exact opposite of a man of peace, for dhulm or zulm is 'harm', 'evil' etc. A "Moslem" thus means a 'cruel' individual like an Oriental tyrant.
Fortunately Arabic itself has a standard orthography and has had one for 140 years; it is only the ear of the former colonial master or the present glib newspaper or television reporter which needs trainingor to be eliminated altogether. English moreover is a deficient language in it use of the Roman alphabet, while French is even worse, or perverse. Some aspects of Arabic spelling should be indicated clearly, and not confused especially with long vowels and emphatic or velarized consonants: t, d, dh (or z), s and the occasional 1. These consonants all express phonemic and semantic differentiation, and so they should be indicated clearly in some fashion.
Similar needs exist in phonetics. The sounds of hamza and ayn are two difficult letters to transcribe consistently, as well as to explain the uninitiated. The first or hamza is the glottal stop which gives English the need of its alternate indefinite article "an" in order to avoid between words that begin with a vowel (as we bear in the childish for "I want a apple"). The ayn is the voiced pharyngeal fricative, historically has given us the capital "E" in the Roman alphabet, which represented this originally in Phoenician; and this might be used to express this sound, except that it would lead to confusion, especially among uninitiated. These two important letters in the Arabic and other Semitic alphabets are not usually indicated in the Roman transliteration that many people use; nevertheless they require some representation, especially students may learn more easily. The words Saudi Arabia and Port Said are two common examples of this confusion; many people pronounce common "Saudi" as two syllables only, even newscasters who might know better, while 'said' is not the past participle of the English verb to "say". In the name of the Prophet's youngest wife Aisha both ayn and hamza appear together within the same word which is known fairly commonly but almost always spelled merely approximately (it is the feminine present participle of the verb ash, to 'live', and thus means a 'living ' woman.
Long and short vowels moreover should be indicated clearly and not confused; these distinctions are basic to Arabic prosody and especially proper Quranic diction. I use the grave accent of French " ` " to show alif maqsura, or the long "ou" representing a hidden i or y in the root as in names Musa or Isa. The digraph "ou" is a hopeless representation because it cannot show whether the Arabic vowel is long or short. Emphatic velarize d consonants all have phonemic and semantic differentiation, and so they should also be expressed clearly. Perhaps capital letters might be used for typewriters without any symbols for such foreign accents. Many booksellers, for instance, do so.
Are Eastern nonArab Muslims able to explain these sounds speakers of English, especially to North American children who educational system has little contact with the Middle East or with foreign language instruction? Do Pakistanis hear these sounds clearly, or can Egyptians explain them to young Americans or Canadians? It is likewise grotesque for Englishspeaking persons to be advised to say a "z" or "s" the voiced "dh" (j ) or the voiceless "th" which they already say "they" and "other", or in "think" and "with". English speakers have enough difficulties already in learning a foreign language without having an unnecessary one thrust upon them.
Thus we come to Style and Mood
I have felt a need to break away from the usual type of commentary Christian, Orientalist and even some Muslim ones at times, in order to provide a fresh outlook on the Quran to move it out into the Englishspeaking consciousness. I am interested only in stating the Quranic message in clear contemporary English. This task has thus been tackled gradually as I read the Arabic text over and over for more two decades, trying to find an English cadence for it. This must not falsify message but should a llow fresh words and concepts to enter the English speaking mind and emotions.
The Englishspeaking world already has a great tradition of reading scripture. We have had a long tradition of Psalm and Gospel reading in our Protestant communities which can lead us along the way, and give us a sense of direction or manner. Some Quranic translators have tried match this mood by making their versions archaic or Jacobean, although this is not the means to achieve reverence in our youth, who understand what they are hearing or reciting. They need comprehensible yet reverent English which will be respected by future generations. I should like to duplicate the terse yet vibrant quality of the original Quranic message. We must make our message simple and go back to the primitive Arabic meaning wherever this is possible; but the whole vocabulary will have to be made over in painstaking fashion. We need to take a fresh at the original text and explore it for new content and presentday application.
Matters of style thus come up. There is as much use of the abadan or 'never' in the chapter on Light (anNur) 24 as there is in Poe's The Raven. "Among his signs are... " begins in 30:III and gives introductory refrain to each section of that chapter. There is a narrative quality to The Ants (anNamal 27 which is succinct, especially in Lot's story following verse 57. A phrase is repeated at the end of each section in this chapter: "You r Lord is the Powerful, the Merciful", as well as in [Drawn up in] Ranks (alSafat) 37. In 16:xiv, the style becomes rapid, as if one were being spoken to, as well as in chapter 28 (alQasas) when Moses sees the Burning Bush. We have similar narrative at times in 25 TheStandard (or Criterion) (alFurqan) and 26 Poets (ashShuara,) telling about Moses' visit to Pharaoh's court. The style throughout this chapter (cf. viii) is rapid, and the passages are almost the same as they describe each prophet in turn, since these are examples to show how each separate messenger had been called a poet when he was literally inspired. The allegorical or analogous verses mentioned in 3: I and the parables in 2:xxxv are important. The style in 20:i i reminds us that the Quran is narrated by the Deity, and has been received directly through inspiration.
Style creates mood: rhymed prose meets the ear, to offer us diction. As a corollary, this edition is arranged in paragraphs, verses or lines so the reader, in both public and private, is guided to the rhythm and movement of the passage. Saj (rhymed prose) is ancient, oral punctuation; it tells the reader where to pause during his recitation so that his listeners can hear the message reverently, and understand it more easily. NonEnglish speakers often read English translations without realizing where to make the proper pauses needed for reverent attention. We find this rhythm in Chapters This Land (alBalad) 90 and Morning Bright (adDuha) 93 as well as in the two final ones, Dawn (alFalaq) 113 and Mankind (anNas) 114, which I have not attempted to reproduce. The contrasting English words "night" and "daylight" rhyme, while Heaven and Hell or Hades alliterate; but these must not become cacophonic or a jingle, because such is not within the spirit of the Quran.
The present version has been arranged either in prose form or as rhythmic free verse, depending on the nature of the Arabic original. I have laid the more lyric sections in the form of free verse and rough stanzas. An ecstatic quality is found in the early Meccan chapters towards the end of our canonical text (but actually at the start of the primitive prophetic message). Here is seventhcentury Arabia speaking to North Americans in the closing years of the twentieth century, or perhaps we should now say, to mark the opening of the new fifteenth century of the Hijra era.
Giving cadence and rhythm form part of ritual through visual and auditory formulae. Through rhythm we achieve a glimpse of reality and thereby become more familiar with the Universe and how it functions. Ritual leads us through initiation and passage, especially for the adolescent who needs it; in this fashion young people begin to participate in the collective advance whereby mankind achieves its vision of reality.
What is reality, we ask again? What is that central focus for life on which everything depends, that we hear about in "God is the Source [for everything]" (I 12:2 Sincerity)? Through reverence and restraint we achieve its image, a visual or verbal formula, but without setting up any idols.
I hope that these ideas can bring the reader closer to reality, to the Unseen, that mystery of the world and life. The way we respond to the call of reality, gives us visual and auditory cadence and rhythm. Narrated style is what we hear, as this is related by the Deity Himself: "Do not fear; I am with you both. I both hear and see." (20:26). God is Omnipresent.
The Sleepers in The Cave (alKahaf) (18:iiv) has been one of the most difficult stories to translate into flowing and convincing English; likewise, Moses' Mystic Journey in the same chapter (ixx), and the tale of Double Horns or Alexander the Great that follows it (xi). At 20:iv we learn how Pharaoh was overwhelmed; while in 53:i we see "the Hawthorn on the Boundary/ alongside the Garden of Repose" covered with its wonderful golden moths or blossoms. The poetic chapters towards the end of our Book, plus passages throughout the sacred Text require talent and artistry, the use of the telling word wherever one can find one. The fascination rises towards the end of the Book, mounting in real rhythm: great verses require vivid concepts. I have continually sought the choice poetic figure which we can all enjoy, plus some word magic if this can be achieved.
The present work has been a long story, undertaken in many cities and regions, in Baghdad on the Tigris initially, then in Minneapolis on the Mississippi, in sight of the volcanoes of Guatemala, in a Chicago suburb, at home once again in Canada, and finally in the mountains of Tennessee; but the end is here at last.
The first attempt for my original presentation was the wellknown Cedar Rapids edition called Selections from the Noble Reading. That slender yet beautiful volume was edited over a decade ago, and slowly it has received recognition, especially in North American Islamic circles and to some extent abroad. A second, revised edition has appeared in Lagos, Nigeria for school children and travellers in Englishspeaking West Africa. In the dozen years that have passed since the Cedar Rapids edition first appeared, I have kept polishing my text, comparing it with other versions, and bringing the religious concepts into focus more clearly. The task will never cease for as one generation grows and changes, so does its language and method of response. Only the Arabic is eternal, and the present work is merely an attempt to give the present generation of Muslims in North America an idea of their Noble Reading, where God speaks at times in His plural of majesty.
Chanting and Recitation
"Cantillation" is a quaint word that has crept into Orientalist studies on Islam to describe the traditional manner of reciting the Quran for public worship. Others of this sort are "circumambulation" for walking around the Kaba, "submission" or "surrender" for the believer's commitment to live 'in peace'; "genuflection" for kneeling in prayer, and "ablution" for washing before it. Those who use the terms must never have sat quietly in a mosque waiting for divine service to begin; or if they did so, it must have seemed unusual to them. Yet English has a long tradition in this field with Gospel reading and the responsive recital of the Psalms.
The Quran was called the divine "Reading" of Islam and it exists precisely for that purpose. It was generally read out loud and most frequently from memory after thorough training, the usual method of reproducing sacred books which is still in use today. One Part or juz a day can be recited during Ramadan, which lasts thirty days in all; these thirty Parts are indicated with capital Roman numerals in the upper lefthand corner on each page of this edition.
As it claims, the Quran is easy to memorize, and is divided up so that it can be read in sittings, or it can be read straight through (17:106). This is clear from the canon itself. Mercier and Arberry are the only nonMuslim
Western scholars who have approached this matter of Quranic recital, and we refer you to them for the time being; the late Professor Mercier's liturgical preface on prosody to his anthology in some ways is better than Arberry's which is expressed in the Introduction to his first or shorter version; The Koran.
In preliterary times, and especially before the invention of the printing press, public recitation was the way most scriptures were taught and memorized. Chanting was performed in a printless culture so that others could hear the sacred text, and thus participate in "reading" it. We should try to capture this effect again. Before the invention of the electric light, the motion picture and other mechanical contrivances which entertain us today, novels and scriptures were read in North America and other Western countries by families, especially on long winter nights. In the same way a tradition of recitation and schools to teach this method grew up within Islam and other religions. The hafidh and the qari, who memorize and recite the Quran belong to an honorable profession in Islamic countries, and today phonograph records and cassettes are made of their art. As the liturgy was worked out, the chant developed just as the Gregorian chant did in Catholic countries. This had probably been worked out originally in the cities of Mecca and Madina, the twin Haramayn of Islam.
Few musical instruments are mentioned in the Quran, only the trumpet (assur) in 18:99 and bugle (an naqur) in 74:8. None are rhythmic or percussive although some drums may have existed, and they are easy to improvise. Much rhythm in the Middle East is maintained by handclapping anyhow. The Sufi orders later on and the craft guilds which supported them, eventually gave us the socalled 'whirling dervishes" who sought to find God and recall Him in their ecstasy.
The lilt of the Quranic style makes it easy to read and recite: "We have made the Quran easy to memorize" (54:17 ff). Rhymed prose meets the ear just as paragraphs, lines of verse and punctuation marks meet the eye in reading the printed page, In divine worship these indications become a part of ritual; the image or visual formulae are thus important. Worship means devotion, as this is seen in the verb to 'devote' oneself, to give a vow to, for it means to render the sort of 'service' which we find outlined in The Opening chapter of the Quran itself, the Fatiha (1:5): " You do we worship and You do we call on for help". The Universe moves on rhythm, which is part of its reality. Consciousness and the Unseen show that God is ineffable Intelligence, alaql: "Whenever We do read it, follow in its reading," we are told in 75:18, for the Quran has reached us in clear Arabic (12:23, 43:23 etc.).
The poetry of the early Muslims came from the Badu or Beduin, who had little formal culture or education; they preserved what their ancestors had taught them to remember in their great odes, even though the Prophet himself was declared not to be a poet, and rejected the term (52:29 and 69:41). Cadence and rhythm mold the phrase and sentence; God's hovering spirit can thus be sensed. Phonograph records, tapes or cassettes now help in learning to chant, either for listening or in order to learn the passage by heart; they provide the best contemporary way for the uninitiated to hear this art.
Any new reader, especially a fresh convert, needs to find the cadence when he is meeting this for the first time. For this reason, my translation has not been designed for memorizing but rather for reading from the printed page. The Quran is literally untranslatable: each time one returns to it, he finds new meanings and fresh ways of interpreting it; the messages are endless for it is a living Book.
If this is the first time that you are reading the Quran, then you may look for special passages to begin with. For instance, the first call to Muhammad comes in the chapter 96 called A lAlaq The Clot (or Read!) Here we find the beginning of that respect for reading and learning on which the later Islamic commonwealth was built up. His second call come at the beginning of alMudaththir The Man Wearing a Cloak 74, and is confirmed in alInshirah, Consolation 94: "Did We not relieve your breast for you?" These are the first thrilling words which God the Merciful spoke directly to His chosen messenger Muhammad. Then followed the commission heard in alAla Glory to your Lord in the Highest! 87. There is comfort for the Prophet during his trials in adDuha Morning Bright! 93, and more consolation in alKawthar Plenty 108. Two of Muhammad's visions appear at the beginning of anNajm The Star 53. He is told to reject alKafirun Disbelievers (or Atheists) in 109, and rebuttal of the charge of being a poet is found in 52:29. Muhammad clearly understood he was not one (36:69), although prophets are compared with ashShuara, Poets 26 in the chapter by that name, because of the inspiration which both receive.
Muslims do not need to "cantillate", but to read the Quran reverently. A traditional method of reading our holy Book has been built up for this purpose in Islamic countries; in North America we will have to work out manner of our own. In the East, the Book is intoned or chanted somewhat like the Gregorian chant or the method of reciting the Psalms of Beatitudes in some churches. In divine worship this becomes the full dhikr or liturgic 'Mention' of God's names and attributes: "Whenever We read it follow in its reading", we are told in 75:18, for the Quran has reached us in "clear Arabic" (16:103). A true ecstatic quality can be felt in the earl Meccan chapters, at the outset of the Prophet's missions.
The inimitability or ijaz of the Quran is stated: "Do not make up an parables about God;" (16:74); one should never compare God wit anything. "No falsehood shall approach it from either in front of it or behind it" (41:40).
Layout and Editing
It need hardly be said that writing materials were scarce in the ancient world, let alone in seventhcentury Arabia, and Muhammad could have everything copied down verbatim as he received it through divine revelation. Men's breasts were important depositories for a limited time their memories were more developed than our children's are today.
The first collection of our sacred Text was possibly attempted by close companion and protégé Zayd ibnThabit; the Prophet's wifeHafsa is also mentioned as preserving much material, as is 'A'isha. The way in which the Prophet's wives were entrusted with the text is exemplary.
A committee was then set up to establish the canonical text of the Quran by the third 'rightly guided" caliph or Successor to the Prophet, 'Uthman ibnAffan. The commissioners worked at compiling the scattered Quranic document during the years 650655. Once this task was finished and the canon established, Uthman then gave one copy each to Mecca and Madina, and sent others to the new administrative centres of Basra and Kufa in Iraq. Kufa is said to have possessed a variant much later. Uthman kept the original papers in Madina for himself and the authorities there; this copy disappeared into the imperial German archives towards the end of the First World War when both Germany and Turkey suffered defeat, but may be in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul today. Mention of old codices like the Kitab alMasahif of IbnAbitDawrid, together with a collection of the variant readings can be found in Professor Arthur Jeffery's Materials for the History of the Text of the Quran (Leiden 1938, and W attBell, p. 40).
The layout of my translation has been reached through a gradual process of trial and error which came chiefly so that I could locate significant material for myself, which I needed to refer to. Layout and editing are important just as ancient saj resembles the wild pigeon's broken cooing. Rhymed prose meets the ear, but since the invention of the printing press, it is punctuation and paragraphs that meet the reader's eye. Verse form and punctuation are both matters of literary structure; when the rhyme shifts in the Quran, it is shown roughly in this version by using different lines and paragraphs in English, so that the reader can achieve a similar rhythmic effect, especially for public reading or recitation.
Layout on the page may seem more important than rhyming today, for the eye rather than the ear is our contemporary instrument: "the blind and the sighted are not equal / nor are darkness and light" (35:1920). In the seventh century, and during the West European middle ages until the invention of the printing press and the growth of a general reading public, learning largely meant such oral training.
Further problems were those of paragraphing and capitalization so as to follow English usage. Straight adjectives which refer to the Deity are capitalized, as well as unique qualities or symbols like the Path, the Way, Truth and so on. All pronouns: We, He, You etc. representing the Deity are capitalized here, including their possessive form (His, Your, Our etc.) as occurs with other mention of the Deity. This use of capitals is employed to ensure a mood of reverence for the name and mention (dhikr) of God, especially with younger or nonMuslim readers thus the names of God, including the pronouns You and Your, He, Him and His etc., are kept distinct in this work.
Capital Roman numerals refer to one of the 30 moreorless equal PARTS into which the Quran has been traditionally divided for the purpose of continuous recitation. Lowercase Roman numerals refer to the SECTIONS into which each longer chapter is divided. I use the asterisk * to mark the beginning of a verse; two of these ** indicate the 5th, 10th etc. verses; triple asterisks *** show 100's.
Capital Roman numerals, placed in the upper inside corner of the page indicate the Part of the Quran; following this are numbers (Arabic and lowercase Roman) indicating the Section and Verse. This system has bee devised so that the Concordance, which in Sha Allah will follow with some 2000 pages, will provide easy reference for each page, without referring to future page numbers.
Marginal headings appear in the outside margin. The verse number for each 10th verse also appears. The Arabic names for chapter titles are to be found in the Table of Contents. Some titles are alternates even in the original Arabic, such as Quraysh or Winter for Chapter 106, with np parentheses; others are furthert possibilities or alternates in English translation like Eventide (or Nightfall) 103 because the Arabic word, Asr has been difficult to render convincingly. Parentheses here indicate the alternative.
Long and short vowels need to be distinguished in Arabic, as well a emphatic consonants. The use of digraphs like th, gh and dh may be deplored, but English already has them in ch, sh, th, ng etc. These emphatic consonants are d, dh (or z), and the occasional 1. Parentheses ( ) or socalled "round brackets" are used for implied statements, while "square" brackets [ ] are for elliptical insertions. Single quotation mark indicate direct translation from the Arabic: salih for 'honorable'; alRahim 'the Merciful'.
Also the system of underlining or the use of fonts should be explained. Italics have been saved for special emphasis, and especially with the Invocation: In the Name of God, the Mercygiving, the Merciful!; an blackface, or bold type is for Chapter titles (The Cow 2), (The House o Imran 3), etc., so these will be recognized as chapters and not as book titles. Blackface is also used for phrases with special importance. The use of hyphens must be more careful: IbnRushd, AbuBakr, Ibnkhaldun alaykum show pronouns and prefixes clearly for beginners and the amateur whom we have attracted to read this book. I am tired of reading student papers which talk of "Khaldun" and "Rushd" quite baldly, no realizing that this person, if he ever existed, is an ancestor or a symbolic concept, and that ibn and banii mean 'sons of' (like Mac, Mc in Celtic and abu means 'father (of)'. We need a style here that will make Quranic study valid and easier for our children and students.
SAY and SEE in small capitals denote God's own upcoming words an signs to the Prophet and to mankind. We also use NOTE and OR in the same small capitals for similar notations which are parallel.
An Index or Concordance will come later because it will consist o perhaps 2000 pages. I wish eventually to achieve a useful whole with note and an index for North American and Englishspeaking Muslims the world over. It should be a document one can read with pleasure and profit spiritual profit.
Translation as an Art
Finally we need some reflections on the art of translation: how does one use language, especially when it is the elevated expression of the Quran? Is it possible to render such lofty style into foreign tongue?
This new version of The Noble Reading which I am presenting has a serious purpose, which is to make its clear message available for the Englishspeaking world at the end of the twentieth Christian, or the beginning of the Islamic fifteenth century, which started in the last weeks Of 1980 A.D. This task is comparable to translating any great classic like Homer, Virgil, Quijote or Faust, since it involves a transfer of true literature into the medium of a parallel culture. It is a problem more for the quality which must be matched in English than for any inherent difficulty or obscurity in the text itself.
This present version is not addressed so much to scholars as to godly minds and especially to those who are growing up speaking English, and thus need a simple, clear text of the historic writ to guide them. The Qur)an itself says: "We have not sent any messenger unless he was to explain to them in his folk's own tongue" (14:i). For this reason, any attempt at translation has validity if each nation is to receive its message in its own language. It should be a document one can read, and it also, if possible, must offer a basis for ongoing research. We should respect the sacred text, yet interpret it accurately and reverently. This is not an intellectual game but has a serious purpose.
The Quran could be considered untranslatable, because each time one returns to the Arabic text, he finds new meanings and fresh ways of interpreting it. It is a living document. I have at all times tried to find the simplest word so the Muslim child can understand it easily, and thereby feel strengthened by it. Any translation which is to have a use in divine worship must be simple yet noble, and not overladen with higher criticism. No translation should confuse, but teach and make things holy; we do not need criticism so much as constructive explanation. I myself must remember to act as a Westerner before this document in order to keep its meaning from being blurred. It must be translated respectfully for our own worship, and so that we and others can understand its message. The forms of piety are important, as well as the thought and mood which they engender. In our faith this leads to direct contact with God, with no need of any intercession, a condition achieved through literal and moral purification, and through prayer.
The Islamic world is growing again, its centre is widening, and Muslims everywhere, especially throughout the Englishspeaking part of it, need a version of their Scripture they can confidently give to their children as well as to friends who have not yet captured the full message of Islam. Our aim is to give pride to young Englishspeaking Muslims in North America especially, and also in Britain, the West Indies like Trinidad and Guyana, and the Englishspeaking parts of Africa. It can also be used b y college students and interested nonMuslims who want a contemporary translation of this great world classic.
I have tried to be as objective as possible, but yet to provide the basis for evaluation by Englishspeaking readers who know no Arabic. This should make it usable so the intelligent person engaged in research can quote the Quran in today's English. There is a necessity for an American version in contemporary English, to help in the revival of the Quranic sciences during the coming fifteenth century of the Hijra, and this must occur in the Englishspeaking world. If my translation has any merit, it will simply be that it is intended for North Americans, so young American and Canadian Muslims can understand, when they are still teenagers or younger, what God told Muhammad fourteen hundred years ago in Arabia, with no artifice or bombast, but in clear, simple and I hope beautiful English. Otherwise our message will be lost here in America. The nex t generation will speak English, and few of them will take the time or the trouble to learn Arabic properly, so someone has to put it into the language of the next two or three hundred years.
It would be a waste of time at present to do any work on Sunday school materials until we have a good copy of the Quran we can trust. For this reason, several years ago I decided to dedicate time at the beginning of each morning to accomplishing this, so it would be done properly. This is the basic need for any propaganda in Islam on this continent, and until we have a version in good English, we will continue to read translations which evoke no reverence or beauty in the minds of the listeners.
We also need a good chapbook on prayers. Young American Muslims simply do not know their prayers, and that is the need in any "programmed learning" for Islam. But it must be done in Arabic, with the original text, in Romanized Arabic so those who cannot read the script can approximate the sound (and especially, avoid the dialectal variants one gets from Egyptian, Lebanese or Pakistani material), and again, a decent translation of the same into good English. This should be done with photos of the positions of prayer, and a tape recording of each of the individual prayers, not done in a hurry, but by a trained teacher with proper voicing of the material in Arabic, by a native speaker who reads the Quran and recites prayers well, at slow speed, then at normal speed, and chanted if that is necessary; but all done so that Sunday school students can learn from them, and even an untrained Sunday school teacher would be able to handle the tapes. The chapbook should be published in a dignified way.
Some direct problems of translation might bear discussion at this point. Through the original Arabic we learn what Muhammad was striving to express to his followers, but our problem is to catch how he might want this expressed for the people of today who speak English, and to translate it so that an intelligent and reverent American, especially in the teenage group, can grasp the message which the Prophet received fourteen centuries ago in Arabia. Most versions give one the sensation of being thrust upon the reader through the translator's own mentality and purpose, a failing I cannot avoid completely. However, anything translated must lie close to the heart of future generations of Englishspeaking Muslims. I do not want to render a traditional paraphrase, nor to make a display of erudition with so many notes that they will confuse the younger student; notes must be such that they will help even the random reader. One's language should be meaningful above all, and its beauty come forth from the meaning, using the English of today in all of its richness, with both our Germanic and Latin roots. Our texts have been vitiated, and higher criticism has not led many to the faith. However if the Arabic is clear (16:xiv, 26:xl), then why does it need to be worried over so intensely?
Most renditions have been so antiquated that they make the Quran and Islam appear to have little connection with living circumstances. Thus I have tried to avoid strictly Christian terms like 'infidel," "piety," "sin," etc., except where such are unavoidable. The Quran possesses a definite language and style which becomes clearer as one works along with it. One English word if possible should be chosen in all of its range of meaning for each Arabic concept, using roots that can be turned into adjectives, verbs, nouns or other grammatical forms based on it. This in fact is not a translation but a version, a modest tafsir for the Englishspeaking Muslim who has not been able to rely on Arabic for his meanings, and for sincere enquirers, those modern Hanifs who are tired of the trinity, or of chaos and confusion in matters religious. The carper should look elsewhere.
Let us hope therefore that this enterprise will lead us on into the triumphant fifteenth century of Islam, which is now upon us. Our religion is once more resurgent, and its message can be stated with full clarity. Muslims everywhere hold their fate in their own hands now, and it is their will that in the end will prevail. Once we have trained our children.
I would like to thank Professor Thomas A. Lathrop of the University of Delaware for his work in typesetting the book. And lastly, I wish to thank my wife, Dr. Evelyn Uhrhan Irving, for her support in this project over more than twentythree years, including typing of the final manuscript, and proof reading at many stages of the document.
October, 1985
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe,
the Mercygiving, the
Merciful!
Ruler on the Day for Repayment!
You do we worship and You do we
call on for help.
Guide us along the Straight Road,
the road of those whom
You have favored,
with whom You are not angry,
nor who are lost!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A.L.M.
This is the Book which contains no doubt; it means guidance for those who do their duty who believe in the Unseen, keep up prayer, and spend something from whatever We have provided them with;
who believe in what has been sent down to you as well as what was sent down before you,
While they are convinced about the Hereafter; such people hold on to guidance from their Lord; those will be successful.
It is all the same whether you warn those who disbelieve or do not warn them; they still will not believe: God has sealed off their hearts and their hearing, while over their sight there hangs a covering; they will have severe torment.
Some people say: "We believe in God and the Last Day," while they are not believers. They would like to deceive God and those who believe, while they merely outwit themselves and do not even notice it! Their hearts contain malice so God has increased their [share of] malice. They will have painful torment because they have been lying.
Whenever someone tells them: "Don't act so depraved on earth," they say: "We are only improving matters!" They are indeed mischief makers, but they are not aware of it. When someone tells them: "Believe just as other people believe," they say: "Are we to believe just as simpletons believe?" Surely they are the fools even though they do not realize it!
Whenever they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe;' while once they go off alone with their ringleaders, they say: "We are with you; we were only joking!" God will joke with them and let them go on acting arrogantly in their blind fashion! Those are the ones who have purchased error at the price of guidance, while their bargain does not profit them nor have they been guided.
They may be compared to someone who kindles a fire, and once it lights up whatever lies around him, God takes away their light and leaves them in darkness. They do not see: deaf, dumb and blind will never respond!
Or to a raincloud from the sky containing darkness, Thunder and lightning; they stick their fingers in their ears to ward off death of the thunderclaps, for God will soon be rounding up disbelievers Lightning almost snatches their sight away: each time it lights things up for them, they walk along in it, while when darkness settles down on them, they stand stockstill. If God wanted, He would take away their hearing and eyesight; God is capable of everything!
Mankind, worship your Lord Who created you as well as those before you, so that you may do your duty! [He is] the One Who has made the earth a carpet for you and had the sky built above you, and sent water to pour down from the sky and brought forth fruit by means of it as sustenance for you. Do not set up rivals for God while you know [better].
If you (all) are in any doubt about what We have sent down to Our servant, then bring a chapter like it and call in your witnesses besides God if you are so truthful. If you do not-and you will never do so-then heed the Fire which has been prepared for disbelievers whose fuel is mankind and stones! Proclaim to those who believe and perform honorable deeds that they will have gardens through which rivers flow. Each time they are provided with fruits from it for their sustenance, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before!" They will be given similar things and have clean-living spouses there. They will live in it for ever!
God does not hesitate to compare things to a mosquito nor to anything bigger than it. Those who believe realize that it is the Truth from their Lord, while those who disbelieve say: "What does God want in such a comparison?" He lets so many go astray through it, and guides many by means of it. Yet only immoral persons are led astray by it! Those who break God's covenant after they have pledged to keep it, and sever whatever God has ordered to be joined, and act depraved on earth, will be the losers. How can you disbelieve in God when you once were dead and He furnished you with life? Soon He will let you die once more, then bring you back to life again; then unto Him will you return! He is the One Who has created everything that is on earth for you; then He soared up to Heaven and perfected it as seven heavens. He is Aware of everything!
So when your Lord told the angels: "I am placing an overlord on earth", they said: "Will You place someone there who will corrupt it and shed blood, while we hymn Your praise and sanctify You?" He said: "I know something you do not know."
He taught Adam all the names of everything; then presented them to the angels, and said: "Tell me the names of these if you are so truthful." They said: "Glory be to You; we have no knowledge except whatever You have taught us. You are the Aware, the Wise!" He said: "Adam, tell them their names."
Once he had told them their names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the Unseen in Heaven and Earth? I know whatever you disclose and whatever you have been hiding."
So We told the angels: "Bow down on your knees before Adam." They [all] knelt down except for Diabolis. He refused and acted proudly, and became a disbeliever.
We said: 'Adam, settle down in the Garden, both you and your wife, and eat freely from it anywhere either of you may wish. Yet do not approach this tree lest you become wrongdoers."
Satan made them stumble over it and had them both expelled from where they had been [living]. We said: "Clear out! Some of you will [become] enemies of others. You will have a resting place on earth a enjoyment for a while."
Adam received words [of inspiration] from his Lord and he turned towards Him. He is the Relenting, the Merciful!
We said: 'Clear out from it together! If you should be hand guidance from Me, then anyone who follows My guidance will have fear nor will they be saddened; while those who disbelieve and reject Our signs will become inmates of the Fire; they shall remain in it!
Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have shown you, and fulfill My agreement! I shall fulfill your covenant. I am the One you should revere! Believe in what I have sent down to confirm what you already have, and do not be the first to disbelieve in it. Do not sell My signs for paltry price. I am the One you should heed! Do not cloak Truth with falsehood nor hide the Truth while you realize it.
Keep up prayer, pay the welfare tax, and worship along with those who bow their heads. Are you ordering people to be virtuous while forgetting it yourselves, even as you recite the Book? Will you not use you reason?
Seek help through patience and prayer, since it is exacting except for the submissive who assume they will meet their Lord, and that they will return to Him.
Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed on you. I have preferred you over [the rest of] the Universe! Heed a day when no soul will compensate for any other soul in any way. Intercession will not be accepted from him, nor will any alternative be taken for it. They will not be supported. When We rescued you from Pharaoh's household, they had been subjecting you to the worst torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women. That meant such awful testing by your Lord! So We divided the sea for you and saved you, while We drowned Pharaoh's household as you were looking on. When We appointed forty nights for Moses, you took the Calf after he [had left], and you became wrongdoers. Then later on We still overlooked this for you, so that you might act grateful when We gave Moses the Book and the Standard so that you might be guided. When Moses told his folk: "My people, you have wronged yourselves in accepting the Calf, so turn towards your Maker in repentance and kill your own [guilty] selves; that will be better for you with your Maker. He will (then) relent towards you, since He is the Relenting, the Merciful."
So you said: "Moses, we will never believe in you until we see God openly," the Thunderbolt caught you while you were (all) looking on. Then We raised you up after you had died so that you might act grateful; We spread the clouds out to shade you, and sent down manna and quail for you: 'Eat some of the good things which We have provided you with!" They did not harm Us, but it was themselves whom they harmed.
So We said: "Enter this town and eat wherever you may wish in it at your leisure. Enter the gate [walking] on your knees and say: 'Relieve us!" We will forgive you your mistakes and give even more to those who kindly. Yet those who do wrong altered the Statement to something than what had been told them, so We sent a blight down from Heaven on those who did wrong since they had acted so immorally.
Thus Moses looked for something for his people to drink, and said: "Strike the rock with your staff!'; so twelve springs gushed forth fro it. Each group of people knew its drinking spot: "Eat and drink from Go provisions, and do not cause any havoc on earth, as if you were mischief-makers."
When you said: "Moses, we'll never stand one [kind of] food! Appeal to your Lord to produce whatever the earth will grow for us, such as vegetables and cucumbers, and its garlic, lentils and onions;" He said: "Do you want to exchange something commonplace for something that better?" Settle in some city to get what you have asked for!' Humiliation and poverty beat them down and they incurred anger from God. That was because they had disbelieved in God's signs and killed the prophets without having any right to. That happened because they disobeyed and had act so defiant.
Those who believe and those who are Jews, Christians and Sabeans, [in fact] anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and acts honorably will receive their earnings from their Lord: no fear will lie upon them nor need they feel saddened. Thus we have made an agreement with you and raised the Mountain over you: "Hold firmly to what We have brought you and remember what it contains, so that you may do your duty;" while later on you turned away, and if God's bounty and His mercy had not [rested] upon you, you would have turned out to be losers! Yet you knew which of you had been defiant on the Sabbath, so We told them: "Become apes, rejected!" We set them up as an illustration of what had come before them and what would come after them, and as a lesson for the heedful.
When Moses told his folk: "God commands you to sacrifice a cow," they said: "Do you take us for a laughingstock?" He said: "I seek refuge with God lest I become so ignorant!" They said: "Appeal to your Lord for us, to explain to us what she is."
He said: "He says she is neither a worn-out cow, nor a heifer, but of an age in between. Do as you are ordered!" They said: "Appeal to your Lord for us, to explain to us what color she is." He said: "He says that she is a bright yellow cow. Her color gladdens those who look at her." They said: "Appeal to your Lord for us, to explain to us what she is like. Cows seem all alike to us and we should be guided properly, if God so wishes." He said: "He says that she is a cow which has not yet been broken in to plow the earth nor to irrigate any crops; she is sound and has no blemish on her." They said: "Now you are telling the Truth!", and they slaughtered her though they almost had not done so.
When You killed a soul and quarreled over it, God was bound to bring forth whatever you had hidden. We said: "Strike him with some part of it." Thus God revives the dead and shows you His signs so you ma use your reason. Even after that your hearts were hardened and became stony, and even harder yet, for there are some stones which rivers gush out of and there are others which water comes forth from when they split open and there are still others which collapse out of awe for God. God is no oblivious of what you are doing!
Are you so keen for them to believe for your own sake while group of them have already heard God's word? Then they tamper with it once they have studied it, and they realize it. Whenever they meet with those who believe, they say: "We believe!", while when some of them go off privately with one another, they say: "Will you report something to the which God has disclosed to you, so they may dispute with you about it in the presence of your Lord? Don't you use your reason?" Do they not realize that God knows anything they hide and anything they display?Some of them are illiterate and do not know the Book except to say "Amen" [to it]. They are merely guessing. It will be too bad for those who write the Book down in their own hand[writing], then say: "This is from God!", so they may sell it for a paltry price. It will be too bad for them because of what their hands have written. Too bad for whatever the earn! They say: "The Fire will only touch us for several days."
SAY: "Have you taken it on oath from God? God never breaks Hi word. Or are you saying something about God which you really do no know?" Rather anyone who commits evil will find his mistake will he him in; those will become inmates of the Fire; they will remain in it for ever. Those who believe and perform honorable deeds will be inhabit ants of the Garden; they will live in it for ever.
Thus We made an agreement with the Children of Israel: "You shall serve God Alone, and treat your parents kindly, and [also] near relatives orphans and the needy, and say kind things to [other] people, and keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax"; then you turned away and except for few of you, you avoided doing anything. So We made an agreement with you: "You must not shed your own blood, nor drive one another out of your homes;" then you ratified this and were witnesses [for it]. Then there you go killing one another and driving a group of you from their homes, backing one another up against them out of sin and enmity. If the are brought to you as prisoners, you ransom them, while it has been forbidden for you even to expel them!
Do you believe in part of the Book and disbelieve in another part of it? What reward has anyone of you who does so, except disgrace during worldly life, while on Resurrection Day they will be driven off to the harshest torment? God does not overlook anything you do! Those are the ones who purchase worldly life instead of the Hereafter; punishment will not be lightened for them nor will the be supported.
We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with messengers later on. We gave Jesus the son of Mary evidence and assisted him with the Holy Spirit. Yet every time some messenger comes to you with what you yourselves do not fancy, why do you act so overbearing? One group you have rejected while another group you would [like to] kill.
They said: "Our hearts are covered over." Rather God has cursed them because of their disbelief; little do they believe. Whenever a Book has come to them from God to confirm what they already have-whereas previously they had been seeking victory over those who disbelieve-so whenever something they can recognize is brought to them, they disbelieve go in it. God's curse lies on disbelievers! How wretchedly have they sold their own souls by disbelieving in what God has sent down to them, begrudging that God should send down some of His bounty on any of His servants He may wish. They have brought an exchange of anger for anger on themselves; disbelievers will have shameful torment. Whenever someone tells them: "Believe in what God has sent down;" they say: "We believe [only] in what has been sent down to us," while they disbelieve in what has come after that, even though it is the Truth confirming what they already have.
SAY: "Why did you kill God's prophets previously if you were believers?
Moses came to you with evidence; then later on you adopted the Calf and became wrongdoers." When We made an agreement with you and raised the Mountain up over you [as a symbol]: "Take whatever We have brought you seriously, and listen;" they said: "We listen and [yet] we disobey!" They sucked the [spirit of the] Calf into their hearts because of their disbelief. SAY: "How wretchedly your faith commands you, if you ever have been believers!"
SAY: "If a home in the Hereafter with God is exclusively yours instead of [other] people's, then long for death if you are so truthful!" They will never long for it because of what their hands have already prepared. God is Aware of wrongdoers! You will find them the people most eager to live, even compared with those who associate [others with God]. Each one of them would like to live on for a thousand years! Yet it would never save anyone from torment, even should he live that long. God is Observant of whatever they do.
SAY: 'Who is Gabriel's enemy? He has brought it down for your heart with God's permission, to confirm what came before it and as guidance and good news for believers. Who is an enemy of God and His angels and His messengers, as well as of Gabriel and Michael? Anyhow, God is an enemy of disbelievers! We have sent you down clear signs; only immoral people disbelieve in them. *Each time they swear an oath, does a group of them shrug it off? Rather most of them do not even believe.
Whenever a messenger from God has come to them to confirm what they already had, a group of those who were given the Book have tossed God's book behind their backs as if they did not know [any better].
They followed whatever the devils recited concerning Solomon's control. Solomon did not disbelieve but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and what was sent down to Harut and Marut, two angels at Babylon. Neither of these would teach anyone unless they [first] said: "We are only a temptation, so do not disbelieve!" They learned from them both what will separate a man from his wife. Yet they do not harm anyone through it except with God's permission. They learn what will harm them and does not benefit them. They know that anyone who deals in it will have no share in the Hereafter; how wretched is what they have sold themselves for, if they only knew! If they had only believed and done their duty, a recompense from God would have been better, if they had realized it!
You who believe, do not say: "Herd us,"; and say [instead]: "Watch over us,"
and [then] "Listen!" Disbelievers will have painful torment Neither those People of the Book who disbelieve, nor associators [of others with God] would like any good from your Lord to be sent down t you. God will single out anyone He wishes for His mercy; God possesses splendid bounty. We do not cancel any verse nor let it be forgotten instead We bring something better than it or else something similar. Do you not know that God is Capable of everything? Do you not know that God [Alone] holds control over Heaven and Earth. You have no patron nor any supporter besides God. Or do you (all) want to question you Messenger just as Moses was questioned previously? Anyone who exchanges faith for disbelief has strayed right down the line!
Many People of the Book would like to turn you back into disbelievers following your [profession of] faith, out of envy for themselves, even though the Truth has been explained to them. Pardon [them] and disregard it till God brings His command; God is Capable of everything
Keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax; you will find any good you have sent on ahead for your own souls' sake is already [stored up] with God. God is Observant of whatever you do. They say: "No one will enter the Garden unless he is a Jew or a Christian. Those individuals are merely saying "Amen" [to their leaders]. Say: "Bring on your proof if you are so truthful," Rather anyone who commits his person peacefully to God and is acting kindly will receive his earnings from his Lord. No fear shall come upon them nor will they be saddened.
Jews say: Christians have no point to make;" while Christians say: "The Jews have no point to make." Yet they (all) quote from the [same] Book. Likewise those who do know anything make a statement similar to theirs. God will judge between them on Resurrection Day concerning how they have been differing.
Who is more in the wrong than someone who prevents God's name from being mentioned in His places of worship and attempts to ruin them? Such persons should not even enter them except in fear; they will suffer disgrace in this world as well as serious torment in the Hereafter.
The East and West are God's:
wherever you may turn,
there will be
God's countenance,
for God is Boundless, Aware!
They say: 'God has adopted a son!" Glory be to Him! Rather owns whatever is in Heaven and Earth. All things are devoted Him. Devisor of Heaven and Earth, whenever He decrees so affair, He merely tells it: "Be!" and it is.
Those who do not know (anything) say: "If God would only speak to or a sign were brought us!" Likewise those before them said the same they are saying; their hearts are all alike. We have explained signs for folk who are certain. We have sent you with the Truth as a herald and warner: you will not be questioned about the inmates of Hades.
Neither the Jews nor the Christians will ever be satisfied with you until you follow their sect. SAY:
"God's guidance means [real] guidance!"
If you followed their whims after the knowledge which has come to you would not have any patron nor supporter against God. Those whom We have brought the Book, recite it in the way it should be recited such men believe in it. Those who disbelieve in it will be the losers.
0 Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed on and how I preferred you over [everyone in] the Universe. Heed a day when no soul will make amends in any way for any other soul and adjustment will be accepted from it nor an intercession benefit it. They will not be supported.
When his Lord tested Abraham by means of [certain] words, and he fulfilled them, He said: "I am going to make you into a leader for mankind." He said: "What about my offspring?"; He said: "My pledge not apply to evildoers."
Thus We set up the House as a resort for mankind and a sanctuary and [said]: 'Adopt Abraham's station as a place for prayer." We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael with cleaning out My house for those who around it and are secluded [praying] there, and who bow down on their knees in worship.
So Abraham said: 'My Lord, make this countryside safe and provide any of its people who believe in God and the Last Day with fruit from He said: "Even anyone who disbelieves, I'll let enjoy things for a while then drive him along towards the torment of Fire. How awful is goal!"
Thus Abraham along with Ishmael laid the foundations for the House: "Our Lord, accept this from us! Indeed You are the Alert, the Aware! Our Lord, leave us peacefully committed to You, and make our offspring into a nation which is at peace with you. Show us our ceremonies and turn towards us. You are so Relenting, the Merciful! Our Lord, send a messenger in among them from among themselves who will recite Your verses to
them and teach them the Book and wisdom! He will purify them, for You are the Powerful, the Wise!"
Who would shrink from [joining] Abraham's sect except someone who fools himself? We selected him during worldly life, while in the Hereafter he will be among the honorable ones. So when his Lord told him: "Commit yourself to [live in] peace"; he said: "I have already committed myself peacefully to the Lord of the Universe!"
Abraham commissioned his sons with it [as a legacy], and [so did] Jacob: "My sons, God has selected your religion for you. Do not die unless you are Muslims." Or were you present as death appeared for Jacob, when he said to his sons: "What will you serve after I am gone?" They said: 'We shall worship your God and the God of your forefathers Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac: God Alone! We are committed peacefully to Him."
That is a nation which has already passed away: there awaits it whatever it has earned, while you will have what you have earned. You will not be questioned about what they have been doing.
They say: "Become Jews or Christians; you will [then] be guided." SAY: "Rather Abraham's sect, [for he was] a seeker [after Truth]; he was no associator [of others with God Alone]." SAY: "We believe in God and what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, and what was given Moses and Jesus, and what was given the [other] prophets by their Lord. We do not discriminate against any one of them and are committed [to live] in peace to Him."
If they believe the same as you believe, then they are guided, while if they turn elsewhere, they will only fall into dissension. God will suffice for you [in dealing with] them: He is the Alert, Aware. [Such is] God's design! Who is better than God for a design? We are serving Him. SAY: "Do you argue with us about God while He is our Lord and your Lord as well? We have our actions while you have your actions, and we are loyal to Him. Or do you say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants were Jews or Christians?" SAY: "Are you more knowledgeable than God? Who is more unjust than someone who hides some evidence from God which he holds? God is not heedless of what you are doing. That is a nation which has already passed away. There awaits it whatever it has earned, while you will have what you have earned. You will not be questioned about what they are doing.
Some foolish folk will say: "Whatever turned them away from the Direction [of Prayer] toward which they used to face?" SAY: "God holds the
East and West; He guides whomever He wishes towards a Straight Road." Thus We have set you up as a moderate nation so you may act as witnesses for mankind, even as the Messenger is a witness for you. We have only set up the Direction towards which you used to face so We might know the one who is following the Messenger from someone who turns on his heels. It is such a serious matter except for those whom God has guided! God will never let your faith be forfeited; God is Gentle, Merciful with mankind.
We see you shifting your face all over the sky, so We shall appoint a Direction for you which you will feel satisfied with; so turn your face towards the Hallowed Mosque. Wherever you (all) may be, turn your faces towards it!
Those who were given the Book know that it brings the Truth from their Lord; while God is not unaware of what they do. Even though you brought every sign for those who were given the Book they still would not follow your Direction. You are not following their direction, nor will any of them follow one another's direction. If you were to follow their whims once knowledge has come to you, you would then be an evildoer. Those to whom We have given the Book recognize it just as they recognize their own children. Nevertheless a group of them hide the Truth even though they know it. Truth comes from your Lord, so do not be a doubter!
Everyone has some course he steers by, so compete in [doing] good deeds. Wherever you may be, God will bring you all together; God is Capable of everything. No matter where you may set out from, turn your face towards the Hallowed Mosque. It means the Truth from your Lord; nor will God overlook whatever you are doing. No matter where you set out from, turn your face towards the Hallowed Mosque; wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it, so that people will not have any argument against you, except for those among them who do wrong. Do not dread them but dread Me, so I may complete My favor towards you and so that you may be guided; just as We have sent a messenger to you from among yourselves to recite My signs to you, and to cleanse you and teach you the Book and wisdom, and to teach you what you did not know. Remember Me; I shall remember you. Thank Me, and do not act ungrateful with Me!
You who believe, seek help through patience and prayer; God stands alongside the patient!
Do not say: "They are dead!" about anyone who is killed for God's sake. Rather they are living, even though you do not notice it.
We shall test you with a bit of fear and hunger, plus a shortage of wealth and souls and produce. Announce such to patient people who say, whenever some misfortune strikes them: "We belong to God, and are returning to Him!"
Such will have their prayers [accepted] by their Lord,
and [granted]
mercy. Those have consented to be guided!
Safa and Marwa are some of God's waymarks. Anyone who goes on Pilgrimage to the House or visits [it] will not be blamed if he runs along between them. With anyone who volunteers some good, God is Appreciative, Aware. God curses those who hide whatever We send down explanations and guidance, once We have explained it to mankind in the Book, and cursers will curse them, except for those who repent, reform and explain; those I accept repentance from, for I am the Receiver Repentance, the Merciful!
Those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers will have God's curse upon them, as well as the angels' and all mankind's to live for ever. Torment will not be lightened for them will they be allowed to wait.
Your God is God Alone
there is no deity except Him,
the Mercy-giving,
the Merciful!
In the creation of Heaven and Earth, the alternation between night and day, the ships which plow the sea with something to benefit mankind and any water God sends down from the sky with which to revive the following its death, and to scatter every kind of animal throughout it, and directing the winds and clouds which are driven along between the sky and earth, are (all) signs for folk who use their reason. Yet there are some people who adopt rivals instead of God, whom they love just as they should love God. Those who believe are firmer in their love of God; if only those who commit evil might see, when they face torment, how strength is wholly God's, and God is Severe with torment. When those who been following them free themselves from those they have been following and they see the torment, their bonds will be cut off from them! *Those they have been following will say: 'If we only had another chance, then we would free ourselves from them just as they have freed themselves from us!' Thus God will show them their actions as regrets on their part. They will never leave the Fire!
Mankind, eat anything lawful, wholesome that exists on earth do not follow in Satan's footsteps; he is an open enemy of yours.He merely orders you to commit evil and shocking deeds, and to say what you do not know about God. Whenever someone tells them: "Follow what God has sent down;" they say: "Rather we will follow what we discovered our forefathers were doing," even though their forefathers did not use reason in any way nor were they guided. Those who disbelieve may be compared to those who bleat away at something that only listens to calls and cries: deaf, dumb and blind, they do not use their reason. You who believe, eat any wholesome things We have provided you with and thank God if it is He whom you worship.
He has only forbidden you what has died by itself, blood and pork, and anything that has been consecrated to something besides God. Yet anyone who may be forced to do so, without craving or going too far, will have no offence held against him; for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Those who hide what God has sent down in the Book and (then) barter it off for a paltry price only suck fire into their bellies. God will not speak to them on Resurrection Day nor will He purify them; they will have painful torment! Those are the ones who have purchased error instead of guidance, and torment instead of forgiveness. Why do they insist on facing the Fire? That is because God has sent the Book down with the Truth, while those who disagree about the Book go much too far in dissension.
Virtue does not mean for you to turn your faces towards the East and West, but virtue means one should believe in God [Alone], the Last Day, angels, the Book and prophets; and no matter how he loves it, to give his wealth away to near relatives, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer and beggars, and towards freeing captives; and to keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax; and those who keep their word whenever they promise anything; and are patient under suffering and hardship and in time of violence. Those are the ones who act loyal and they perform their duty.
You who believe, compensation for the murder (ed victim) has been prescribed for you: the freeman for the free, the slave for the slave, and female for the female. Anyone who is pardoned in any way for it by his brother should follow this up appropriately, and handsomely make amends with him; that means a lightening as well as mercy from your Lord. Anyone who exceeds the limit after that shall have painful torment. You will find [security for] life in [such] compensation, 0 prudent persons, that you may do your duty!
It has been prescribed for you that whenever death faces one of you, he should draw up a will in a proper manner for both his parents and near relatives if he leaves any property behind, as a duty for the heedful. Anyone who alters it once he has heard it [read] will have his sin fall upon only such as those who alter it; God is Alert, Aware. However there is no sin to be charged anyone who fears some alteration or any sin on the part of an executor, and so patches things up among them. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
You who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may do your duty, on days which have been planned ahead. Any of you who is ill or on a journey [should choose] a number of other days. For those who can [scarcely] afford it, making up for it means feeding a poor man. It is even better for anyone who can volunteer some wealth; although it is better yet for you to fast, if you only knew.
The month of Ramadan is when the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind, and with explanations for guidance, and as a Standard. Let any of you who is at home during the month, fast in it; while anyone who is ill or on a journey should [set an equal] number of other days.
God wants thins to be easy for you and does not want any hardship for you, so complete the number and magnify God because He has guided you, so that you may act grateful.
Whenever My servants ask you about Me,
[it means] I am Near.
I answer
the appeal of the prayerful one
whenever he appeals to Me.
Let them
respond to Me,
and believe in Me
so they may be directed!
It is lawful for you to have intercourse with your wives on the night of the Fast: they are garments for you while you are garments for them. God knows how you have been deceiving yourselves, so He has relented towards you and pardoned you. Now [feel free to} frequent them and seek what God has prescribed for you.
Eat and drink until the white streak [of dawn] can be distinguished by you from the black thread [of night] at daybreak. Then complete the Fast until nightfall and have no dealings with women while you are secluded at your devotions in the mosques. Such are God's limits, so do not attempt to cross them! Thus God explains His signs to mankind so they may do their duty.
Do not eat up one another's wealth to no good purpose, nor try to bribe authorities with it so you may consume a share of [other] people's wealth viciously while you realize [what you are doing].
They will ask you about the phases of the moon. SAY: "They serve as datelines for mankind as well as the Pilgrimage. It is no virtue for you to go into houses through their backdoors, but virtue lies in doing one's duty; approach houses through their [front] doors and heed God, so that you may prosper.
Fight those who fight against you along God's way, yet do not initiate hostilities; God does not love aggressors. Kill them wherever you may catch them, and expel the from anywhere they may have expelled you. Sedition is more serious than killing! Yet do not fight them at the Hallowed Mosque unless the fight you there. If they should fight you, then fight them back; such is the reward for disbelievers. However if they stop, God will be forgiving, Merciful. Fight them until there is no more subversion and [all] religion belongs to God. If they stop, let there be no [more] hostility except toward wrongdoers.
One hallowed month matches [another] hallowed month, while sacred matters have [their] means of compensation. Attack anyone who attacks you to the same extent as he has attacked you. Heed God, know that God stands by the heedful. Spend for God's sake, yet do expose yourselves to ruin through your own hands. Do good: God loves those who act kindly.
Accomplish the Pilgrimage and the Experience for God's sake. If you are prevented from doing so, then make some offering available. Do not shave your heads until after the offering has reached its destination. For anyone of you who is ill or has some rash on his head, redemption means fasting, or some other act of charity or devotion. Once you feel safe, anyone who is enjoying the Experience along with the Pilgrimage should [send along] whatever he may make available in the form of an offering. Whoever does not find any should fast three days during the Pilgrimage and seven [more] when you return [home]; those make ten exactly. That is for anyone whose family is not present at the Hallowed Mosque. Heed God and know that God is Firm in retribution.
Pilgrimage falls during specific months. Anyone who undertakes the Pilgrimage during them should not indulge in amorous intercourse, nor any immorality nor wrangling during the Pilgrimage, God knows about any good you may do. Make provision; yet the best provision is doing your duty. Heed me, those who are prudent!
It will not be held against you if you seek bounty from your Lord. When you stream forth from Arafat, remember God at the Hallowed Monument. Remember Him just as He has guided you, even if previously you acted like those who are lost. Then stream forth from wherever the people stream forth, and seek forgiveness from God. God is Forgiving, Merciful! *Once you have performed your ceremonies, remember God just as you remember your forefathers, or even more fervently. There is the occasional man who says: "Our Lord, give us [such and such] during this world!" while he will have no share in the Hereafter. There is another kind who says:
"Our Lord, give us something fine in this world,
as well as something
fine in the Hereafter,
and shield us from the torment of Fire!"
Those will have a portion of anything they have earned: God is swift in reckoning!
Remember God during the calculated days. Anyone whose anxious to leave within two days commits no offence, while anyone who stays on, commits no offence either, provided he does his duty. Heed God, and know that you will be summoned to Him.
There is a certain man whose talk about worldly life intrigues you. He calls God to witness whatever is in his heart. He is extremely violent in quarreling. Whenever he holds the upper hand, he rushes around the earth ruining it. He destroys [people's] crops and breeding stock even though God does not like ruination. When someone tells him: "Heed God," a [false] sense of importance leads him off to sin. He can count on Hell; what an awful couch!
Another type sells his own soul while craving God's approval, even though God is Gentle with [His] servants. You who believe, enter absolutely into peace! Do not follow Satan's footsteps; he is an open enemy of yours. If you should lapse after explanations have come to you, then know that God is Powerful, Wise. Are they only waiting for God as well as angels to come along to them under canopies of clouds, so the matter will be settled? Unto God do matters return!
Ask the Children of Israel how many clear signs We have given them. Anyone who changes God's favor once it has come to him will find God is Stem in punishment. Worldly life has attracted those who disbelieve. They ridicule those who believe! Yet those who do their duty will stand ahead of them on Resurrection Day; God provides for anyone He wishes without any reckoning!
Mankind was [once] one nation, so God dispatched prophets as heralds and warners. He sent the Book down along with them to bring the Truth, so as to decide among mankind concerning whatever they had been disagreeing about. However only those to whom it was given disagreed about it out of envy towards one another, after explanations had been brought them. By His permission God has guided those who believe to any Truth they may have disagreed about. God guides anyone He wishes to a Straight Road.
Or did you reckon you will enter the Garden when the same thing never happened to you such as [happened] to those who have passed away before you? Suffering and hardship assailed them, and they were battered about until the Messenger and those who believed along with him said: "When is God's support [due]? Is not God's support near?"
They will ask you about what they should spend [in taxes]. SAY: 'Any money you contribute should be [first] spent on both your parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy and the wayfarer. God is Aware of any good you do. Fighting is also prescribed for you even though it may seem detestable to you. It may be that you detest something which is good for you; while perhaps you love something even though it is bad for you. God knows, while you do not know."
They will ask you about fighting during the hallowed month. SAY: "Fighting in it is serious, while obstructing God's way, disbelief in Him and the Hallowed Mosque, and turning His people out of it are even more serious with God. Even dissension is more serious than killing."
They will never stop fighting you until they make you abandon your religion if they can manage to do so. Anyone of you who abandons his religion and dies while he is a disbeliever will find their actions will miscarry in this world and the Hereafter. Those [will become] inmates o the Fire; they will remain there. Those who have believed and who have migrated and striven for God's sake may expect to receive God's mercy, for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
They will ask you about liquor and gambling. SAY: In each of them there lies serious vice as well as some benefits for mankind. Yet their vice is greater than their usefulness."
They may ask you what to spend. SAY: "As much as you can spare!" Thus God explains His signs to you so that you may meditate concerning this world and the Hereafter.
They will ask you about orphans. SAY: "To improve their lot is best; if you have any dealings with them, [remember] they are your brethren. God distinguishes the plunderer from the improver. If God so wished, He might crush you. God is Powerful, Wise.
Do not marry women who associate [others with God] until they believe. A believing maid is better than an associating woman, no matter how attractive she may seem to you. Do not let [your daughters] marry men who associate [others with God] until the latter believe; a believing slave is better than an associator, no matter how attractive he may seem you. Those people invite (one) to the Fire while God invites (us) to t Garden and to forgiveness through His permission. He explains His signs to mankind in order that they may bear them in mind.
They will ask you about menstruation. SAY: "It is a nuisance, so keep away from women during menstruation. Do not approach them until they are cleansed. Once they cleanse themselves, then go to them just as God has commanded you to do. God loves the penitent and He loves those who try to keep clean.
Your wives are [meant] for you to cultivate: so go to your cultivation whenever you wish. Send things on ahead for yourselves, and heed God; know that you will be meeting Him. Proclaim such to believers!
Do not use God as an excuse in your oaths, to keep yourselves from being virtuous, doing your duty, and improving matters among mankind God is Alert, Aware. God does not take you to task for any idle talk in your oaths, but He does take you to task for whatever your hearts have earned. God is Forgiving, Lenient.
Those who fail to [have intercourse with] their wives, should lie low for four months longer. If they should then change their minds, well God is Forgiving, Merciful.However if they insist on a divorce, God s Alert, Aware.
Divorced women should wait [alone] by themselves for three menstrual periods; it is not lawful for them to hide what God has created in their wombs if they believe in God and the Last Day. Their husband ought to take them back meanwhile in case they want a reconciliation. Women have the same [rights in relation to their husbands] as are expected in all decency from them; while men stand a step above them. God is Powerful, Wise.
Divorce may be [pronounced] twice; then [it means] either to retain [your mate] in all decency, or else part from [the other partner] with (all) kindness. It is not lawful for you to take anything you have given any women unless both parties fear they will not keep within God's limits. If you fear they will not keep within God's limits, then there is no blame on either of them if she buys him off. Such are God's limits, so do not exceed them; those who exceed God's limits are wrongdoers. If he [finally] divorces her, she is not allowed [to remarry] him afterward, until she marries some husband other than him [in between]. If [the latter later] divorces her, there is no blame on either of them if they return to one another, provided they both think they can keep within God's limits.
Such are God's limits; He explains them to folk who know. Once you divorce women, and they have reached the end of their waiting period, then either retain them in all decency or part from them decently. Do not retain them just to act mean with them; anyone who does that merely hurts himself. Do not take God's signs as a joke! Remember God's favor towards you, and anything He has sent down to you out of the Book and wisdom for your instruction. Heed God and know that God is Aware of everything.
Whenever you divorce women and they have reached the end their waiting period, do not hinder them from marrying their [new] husbands if they have agreed to do so with proper formalities among themselves. Whoever among you believes in God and the Last Day is instructed to act thus; that is purer for you as well as more orderly. God knows while you do not know [what is fitting].
Mothers should breastfeed their children two full years, provided they want to complete the nursing. The family head must support women and clothe them properly. Yet no person is charged with more than he can cope with. No mother should be made to suffer because of her child, nor family head because of his child. An heir has the same [duties] in that respect. If they both prefer to wean [the child] when they have agreed terms and consulted together, it should not be held against them; so if you want to find a wetnurse for your children, it should not be held against you, provided you hand over whatever you may have given in all decency. Heed God and know that God is Observant of anything you do.
Those of you who pass away and leave spouses behind, let [the latter] hold themselves back for four months and ten [days more]. Once they reach the end of their term, you are not responsible for however they may dispose of themselves with due formality. God is Informed of anything you do. It should not be held against you concerning whatever you propose in the way of becoming engaged to such women, or may keep yourselves; God knows that you will bear them in mind. However do not propose anything to them secretly unless you utter a formal statement. Do not tie the marriage knot until the decree has become final; know that God knows whatever is on your minds, so be careful with Him! Know that God is Forgiving, Lenient.
It will not be held against you if you divorce women when you have never had any contact with them, nor assigned them any living. Provide for them, the well-to-do according to his means and the straitened according to his means; an assignment is due in all decency from those who act kindly. If you divorce women before you have had contact with them and have already assigned them a living, then [give them] half of what you have assigned [them] unless they forego it, or the man in whose hand lies the marriage knot foregoes it. That you forego it is nearer heedfulness. Do not forget to be generous with one another; God is Observant of whatever you do.
Watch over prayers and [especially] the Middle Prayer; and stand up devoutly to [worship] God. If you feel afraid while on foot or out riding, then [perform it] once you feel safe. Remember God just as He has taught you what you did not know.
For those of you who pass away leaving [widowed] spouses, a will means making provision for a year without having them leave [home]. If any women should leave, then you are not to blame for however they may dispose of themselves in all decency. God is Powerful, Wise. Divorced women should have some provision [made] for them as a duty binding on the heedful. Thus God explains His signs to you, so you may use your reason.
Have you not seen those who have left their homes? There were thousands of them risking death! God told them: "Die!"; then He revived them. God possesses bounty for mankind, even though most men do not act grateful.
Fight in God's way and know that God is Alert, Aware. Who is there to offer God a handsome loan, so He may compound it many times over for him? God both withholds and bestows; to Him will you return.
Have you not seen how the councilors for the Children of Israel told a prophet of theirs [who came] after Moses: "Send us a king; we will fight for God's sake." He said: "Perhaps you will not fight even though fighting has been prescribed for you." They said: "What do we have to keep us from fighting for God's sake? We and our children have been turned out of our homes!"
Yet whenever fighting was prescribed for them, all but a few of them turned away. God is Aware as to who are evildoers. Their prophet told them: "God has sent Saul as a king for you." They said: "How could he hold control over us, since we are fitter to exercise control than he is? He has not been given ample wealth."
He said: "God has singled him out for you and added plenty to his knowledge and physique. God gives his control to anyone He wishes; God is Boundless, Aware." Their prophet told them: "A sign of his control will be that the Ark shall come to you containing Serenity from your Lord, as well as some relics which Moses' house and Aaron's house have left behind. The angels will bring it; in that there will be a sign for you if you are believers.
When Saul set out with the troops, he said: "God will test you at a river: anyone who drinks from it will not be on my side; while anyone who does not taste it is with me, except for someone who scoops up only a palmful in his hand." Yet all but a few of them drank some of it!
When he and those who were along with him and believed had crossed over, they said: "We have no way today to prevail over Goliath and his troops!" Those who thought they were going to meet God said: "How often has a small detachment defeated a larger detachment with God's permission! God stands alongside the patient!"
When they marched forth to face Goliath and his troops, they said [in prayer]: "Our Lord, fill us full of patience and brace our feet. Support us against such disbelieving folk!"
They routed them with God's permission. David killed Goliath, God gave him control and wisdom, and taught him whatever He wished. If God did not defend some men by means of others, the earth would ruined; but God possesses bounty for [everybody in] the Universe. These are God's verses which We recite to you for the Truth, since you are one the messengers.
We have preferred some of these messengers over others. Some of them God spoke to, while others He raised in rank. We gave Jesus the son of Mary explanations, and endorsed him by means of the Holy Spirit. If God had wished, the ones who came after them would not have fallen out with one another once explanations had come to them; however they disagreed. Some of them believed while others disbelieved. If God had wished, they would not have fallen out with one another, but God does whatever He wants.
You who believe, spend some of what We have provided you with before a day comes along in which there will be no bartering, friendship, nor any intercession! Disbelievers are such evildoers.
God! There is no deity except Him,
the Living, the Eternal!
Slumber
does not overtake Him, nor does sleep.
What the Heavens hold and what Earth
holds
[belongs] to Him. Who is there
to intercede with Him except by His
permission?
He knows what lies before them and what's behind them,
while
they embrace nothing of His knowledge
except whatever He may wish.
His
Seat extends far over Heaven and Earth;
preserving them both does not
overburden Him.
He is the Sublime, the Almighty!
There should be no compulsion in religion. Normal behavior stands out clearly from error; so anyone who rejects the Arrogant ones and believes in God has grasped the Firmest Handle which will never break. God is Alert, Aware.
God is the Patron of those who believe.
He brings them out of darkness
into Light,
while those who disbelieve have the Arrogant ones
for their
patrons; they will lead them
out of Light into darkness. Those are
inmates of the Fire. they shall remain there!
Have you not considered the person who argued with Abraham about his Lord, concerning whether God would grant him any control. When Abraham said: "My Lord is the One Who gives life and bring death;" [the former] said: "I (too) give life and bring death!" Abraham said: "God brings the sun from the East, so you bring it from the West." The man who disbelieved was dumbfounded. God does not guide such wrong-doing folk.
Or like the man who passed by a town whose roofs had caved in. He said: "How will God revive this following its death?" God let him die for a hundred years; then raised him up again.
He said: "How long have you been waiting here?" He said: "I've been waiting a day or part of a day." He said: "Rather you have stayed here a hundred years. Yet look at your food and drink: they have not yet even become stale! And look at your donkey. We will grant you it as a sign for mankind. Look how We set its bones together, then clothe them with flesh."
When it was explained to him. he said: "I know that God is Capable of everything!"
When Abraham said: "My Lord, show me how You revive the dead;" He said: "Why, do you not believe?" He said: "Of course [I do], but just to set my heart at ease." He said: "Take four [kinds] of birds and train them to [follow] you; then place a part of them on every mountain. Then call them; they will come to you at once. Know that God is Powerful, Wise."
Those who spend their wealth for God's sake may be compared to a grain which sprouts into seven ears with a hundred grains in each ear. God multiplies things for anyone He wishes; God is Boundless, Aware. Those who spend their wealth for God's sake, then do not follow up what they have spent with any reproach or scolding, shall receive their earnings from their Lord. No fear will lie upon them nor should they feel saddened. Polite conversation and forgiveness are better than any act of charity followed by a scolding. God is Transcendent, Lenient.
You who believe, do not cancel your acts of charity by [making] any reproach or scolding like someone who spends his money simply for people to see it while he does not believe in God and the Last Day. He may be compared to a boulder covered with some soil which a rainstorm strikes and leaves bare. They cannot do anything with whatever they have earned. God does not guide such disbelieving folk.
Those who spend their wealth seeking God's approval and to strengthen their souls may be compared to a garden on a hilltop; should a rainstorm strike it, its produce is doubled, while if a rainstorm does not strike it, then drizzle does. God is Observant of anything you do. Would any of you like to have a garden full of palms and grapes through which rivers flow? He would have all [sorts of] fruit in it. Yet old age will afflict him while he still has some helpless offspring, and a windstorm containing fire will strike it, so it is burned off. Thus God explains signs to you so that you (all) may think things over.
You who believe, spend some of the wholesome things you may have acquired as well as anything We produce from the earth for you. Do not choose the poorest parts of it for anything you spend [in taxes or on charity] which you yourselves would only accept disdainfully. Know that God is Transcendent, Praiseworthy. Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to misbehave sexually, while God promises you forgiveness from Himself as well as bounty. God is Boundless, Aware. He gives wisdom to anyone He wishes, and anyone He gives wisdom to, receives an abundant boon. Yet only prudent persons will reflect on it.
God knows any expenses you may have incurred, or any promise you may have sworn. Wrongdoers will have no supporters. If you publicize any acts of charity, it is quite worthwhile; while if you conceal them and give [directly] to the poor, it will be even better for you, and will cancel out some of your evil deeds for you. God is Informed about anything you do. Guiding them is not your duty, but God guides anyone He wishes to. Any (tax] money you may spend is for your own good and whatever you spend is only through a craving to see God's face. Any money you spend will be repaid you, and you will not be harmed.
Take care of the poor who, being totally absorbed in working for God's cause, cannot manage to travel [freely] around the earth seeking their livelihood. An ignorant person might assume they are rich because of their modesty; yet you will recognize them from their features: they do not make insistent demands on people. Yet God is Aware of any money you may so spend.
Those who spend their wealth night and day, both privately and publicly, will receive their earnings from their Lord. No fear will lie upon them nor need they ever feet saddened.
Those who live off the interest on loans will never stand up, except in the way those whom Satan knocks down with a fit rise up again. That is because they say: "Trading is just like taking interest." Yet God has permitted trading and forbidden taking interest. Anyone who receives such an instruction from his Lord and stops doing so, may keep whatever [capital] is a thing of the past, while his case rests with God; yet those who do so over and over again will become inmates of the Fire, to remain the for ever. God wipes out usury and nourishes acts of charity; God does not love every vicious disbeliever.
Those who believe and perform honorable actions, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, will receive their wages from their Lord; no fear shall lie upon them nor should they feel saddened. You who believe heed God and write off anything that remains outstanding from lending at interest if you are [true] believers. If you do not do so, then be prepared to face war declared by God and His messenger! If you repent, you may retain your principal. Do not wrong [others] and you will not be wronged.
If any debtor suffers hardship, then postpone [repaying] it until conditions become easier [for him]; while if you treat it as an act of charity, would be better for you, if you only knew! Heed a day when you will be brought back to God; then every soul will be paid in fun according to whatever he has earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.
You who believe, whenever you contract a debt for a stated period, write it down. Let some literate person write [what goes on] between you properly; no literate person should refuse to write it down. Just as God has taught him, so let him write it down, and let the borrower dictate. May he heed God and not omit any part of it.
If the borrower is feeble-minded or incapacitated or cannot manage to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate it in all fairness, and seek out two witnesses from among your men-folk to act as witnesses. If there are not two men [available], then one man and two women [may serve] as witnesses from anyone you may approve of, so that if either of them should slip up, then the other woman may remind the other. Witnesses must not refuse [to serve] when they are called upon, nor try to get out of writing anything down whether it is small or large, along with its due date.
Such [procedure] is more equitable so far as God is concerned and it makes for more valid testimony, as well as reducing the chances for doubt; unless it is some transaction handled on the spot that you pass around among yourselves, in which case it will not be held against you for not writing it down. Call in witnesses whenever you engage in trade, and let no literate man nor any witness feel obligated if you do so; that would be immoral on your part. Heed God, for God teaches you! God is Aware of everything.
If you are on a journey and do not find any literate person, then a deposit may be withheld as a lien. If one of you entrusts (something to] another, the one who has been entrusted with it should hand over his security and he should heed God his Lord and not hide any testimony. Anyone who hides it has a vicious heart. God is Aware of anything you do!
God holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth; whether you disclose what is on your minds, or hide it, God will bring you to account for it. He forgives anyone He wishes to and punishes anyone wishes; God is Capable of everything!
The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from Lord, and [so do] believers; everyone believes in God and His angels, His books and His messengers. We do not differentiate between any His messengers. They say: "We have heard and obey; (we beg) Your pardon, our Lord! Toward You lies the Goal!"
God only assigns a soul something it can cope with: it is credited with whatever it has earned, while it is debited with whatever it has brought upon itself.
Our Lord, do not take us to task
if we have forgotten or slipped up!
Our Lord, do not lay any obligation us
such as You placed on those
before us.
Our Lord, do not overburden us
with more than we can bear!
Pardon us, forgive us, and show us mercy!
You are our Protector,
so
support us against disbelieving folk!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. M.
God, there is no deity except Him, the Living, the Eternal!
He has sent down the Book to you with Truth to confirm whatever existed before it. He sent down the Torah and the Gospel in the past as guidance for mankind; He has (also) sent down the Standard. Those who disbelieve in God's signs will have severe torment - God is Powerful, the Master of Retribution!
Nothing is hidden from God, on Earth nor in Heaven. *He it is Who shapes you just as He wishes in [your mothers'] wombs. There is no deity except Him, the Powerful, the Wise! He is the One Who sent you down the Book which contains decisive verses. They [form] the basis of the Book; while others are allegorical.
Those whose hearts are prone to falter follow whatever is allegorical in it, seeking to create dissension by giving [their own] interpretation of it. Yet only God knows its interpretation; those who are versed in knowledge say: "We believe in it; it all comes form our Lord!" However only prudent persons bear it in mind.
Our Lord, do not let our hearts falter once You have guided us; grant us mercy from Your presence, for You are the Bountiful! Our Lord, You will be gathering mankind together on a day there is no doubt about; God will never go back on the Promise!
Neither their wealth nor their children will ever save those who disbelieve in any way from God; those will be fuel for the Fire. In the case of Pharaoh's house as well as those before them, they denied Our signs, so God seized them because of their offences; God is Stern in punishment.
TELL those who disbelieve: "You will be defeated and summoned to Hell! How awful is such a resting place!" You have already had a sign in the two detachments which met, one detachment fighting for God's sake and the other disbelieving; they saw them with their own eyes as twice the same [number] as themselves. God assists anyone He wishes through His support; in that there lies a lesson for persons with insight. The love of passions [that come] from women and children has attracted mankind, as well as accumulated gold and silver treasures, pedigreed horses, livestock and crops. That means enjoyment during worldly life, while God holds the finest retreat.
SAY: "Should I give you news of something even better than that? Those who do their duty will have gardens through which rivers flow to live in for ever with their Lord, plus purified spouses and approval from God. God is Observant of [His] worshippers who say: "Our Lord, we believe, so forgive us our offences and shield us from the torment of Fire!" [They are] the patient ones, loyal and steadfast, who spend [in charity] and seek forgiveness before dawn each morning.
God testifies there is no deity except Himself and so do the angels and persons possessing knowledge. Maintaining fairplay, there is no deity except Him, the Powerful, the Wise.
Those who have already been given the Book did not disagree until after knowledge had come to them, out of envy for one another. Anyone who disbelieves in God's signs [will find] God is Prompt in reckoning!
If they should argue with you, then say: "I have committed my person peacefully to God, and [so has] anyone who follows me. Tell both those who have been given the Book as well as the unlettered: 'Have you become Muslims?" If they commit themselves to [live in] peace, then they are guided; while if they turn away, you need merely to state things plainly. God is Observant of [His] worshippers.
Announce painful torment for those who disbelieve in God's signs and kill prophets without any right to, and kiII those people who order fairplay. Those are the ones whose actions will miscarry in this world as well as the Hereafter; they will have no supporters.
Have you not considered those who were given a portion [of knowledge] from the Book? They were invited to [accept] God's book so it might judge between them; then a group of them turned away and disregarded [it].
That is because they say: "The Fire will never touch us except for several days." Whatever they have invented about their religion has led them astray.
How will it be when We gather them in on a day there is no doubt about, and each soul will be paid off according to whatever it has earned? They will not be wronged!
SAY: "O God, Holder of control!
You give control to anyone You wish
and snatch control from anyone You wish.
You exalt anyone You wish
and humble anyone You wish.
Good lies within Your hand;
You are
Capable of everything!
You wrap night up in daylight,
and wrap daytime up in night.
You draw
the living from the dead,
and draw the dead from the living.
You provide
for anyone You wish
without any reckoning!
Believers should not enlist disbelievers as patrons in preference to [other] believers. Anyone who does so will have nothing to do with God, so you should take precautions against them. God warns you about Himself-, for towards God lies the Goal!
SAY: "Whether you hide what is on your minds or disclose it, God knows it [anyhow]; He knows whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth God is Capable of everything!" Some day when every person will find whatever good he has done is presented [as evidence] as well as whatever bad he has done, he would like a long stretch [to lie] between them and himself. God cautions you about Himself-, though God is Gentle with [His] worshippers.
SAY: "If you have been loving God, then follow me; God will then love you and forgive you your offences. God is Forgiving, Merciful!' SAY: "Obey God and the Messenger." Yet if they should turn away, [remember that] God does not love disbelievers. God selected Adam and Noah, Abraham's House and Imran's House over [everyone in] the Universe. Some of their offspring are descended from others. God is Alert, Aware. Thus a woman [from the House] of Imran said: "My Lord, I have freely consecrated whatever is in my womb to You. Accept it from me; You are Alert, Aware!
When she gave birth, she said: "My Lord, I have given birth to a daughter."-(God was quite Aware of what she had given birth to, for a male is not like a female)-"I have named her Mary, and ask You to protect her and her offspring 'from Satan the Outcast."
Her Lord accepted her in a handsome manner and caused her to grow like a lovely plant, and told Zachariah to take care of her. Every time Zachariah entered the shrine to [see] her, he found she had already been supplied with food. He said: "Mary, how can this be meant for you?" She said: "It comes from God, for God provides for anyone He wishes without any reckoning." With that Zachariah appealed to his Lord; he said: 'My Lord, grant me goodly offspring from Your presence, for You are the Hearer of Appeals."
The angels called him while he was standing praying in the shrine: "God gives you news of John, who will confirm word from God, masterful yet circumspect, and a prophet [chosen] from among honorable people."
He said: "My Lord, how can I have a boy? Old age has overtaken me, while my wife is barren."
He said: "Even so does God do anything He wishes!" He said: 'My Lord, grant me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three days except through gestures. Mention your Lord often and glorify [Him] in the evening and early morning hours."
So the angels said: "Mary, God has selected you and purified you. He has selected you over [all] the women in the Universe. Mary, devote yourself to your Lord; fall down on your knees and bow alongside those who so bow down."
Such is some information about the Unseen We have revealed to you. You were not in their presence as they cast [lots with] their pens [to see] which of them would be entrusted with Mary. You were not in their presence while they were so disputing.
Thus the angels said: "Mary, God announces word to you about someone whose name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, [who is] well regarded in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those drawn near [to God]. He will speak to people while still an infant and as an adult, and will be an honorable person." She said: 'My Lord, how can I have a child while no human being has ever touched me?"
He said: "That is how God creates anything He wishes. Whenever He decides upon some matter, He merely tells it: 'Be!', and it is. He will teach him the Book and wisdom, plus the Torah and the Gospel as a messenger to the Children of Israel: 'I have brought you a sign from your Lord. I shall create something in the shape of a bird for you out of clay, and blow into it so it will become a [real] bird with God's permission. I shall cure those who are blind from birth and lepers, and revive the dead with God's permission. I shall announce to you what you may eat and what you should store up in your houses. That will serve as a sign for you if you are believers, confirming what I have already [learned] from the Torah. I shall permit you some things which have been forbidden you. I have brought you a sign from your Lord, so heed God and obey me!
God is both my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. This is a Straight Road!"'
When Jesus sensed disbelief among them, he said: "Who will be my supporters in the cause of God?" The disciples said: "We are God's supporters! We believe in God; take note that we are Muslims. Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and [thus] have followed the Messenger, so enroll us among the witnesses." They plotted, while God plotted; however God is the best Plotter!
So God said: "Jesus, I shall gather you up and lift you towards Me and purify you from those who disbelieve, and place those who follow you ahead of those who disbelieve until Resurrection Day. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall decide among you (all) concerning anything you have been disagreeing about. As for those who disbelieve, I will punish them severely in this world and the Hereafter. They will have no supporters." As for those who believe and perform honorable deeds, He will repay them their earnings. God does not love wrongdoers!
That which We recite to you comes from the signs and the wise Reminder. Jesus' case with God was the same as Adam's: He created him from dust; then told him: 'Be!" and he was. Truth comes from your Lord, so do not be a waverer. Tell anyone who argues with you concerning it, once knowledge has come to you; "Come, let us call our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves together; then let us plead, and place God's curse upon the liars."
These are true stories. There is no deity except God; while God is Powerful, Wise. However if they should turn away, God is Aware as to who are mischief makers.
SAY: "People of the Book, [let us] rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you, that we shall worship only God [Alone] a associate nothing else with Him, nor shall any of us take on others as lords instead of God." If they should turn away, then say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."
People of the Book, why do you argue about Abraham when Torah and the Gospel were not sent down until after him? Do you not use your reason? There you go, arguing on about someone you (actually) have some knowledge about! Yet why do you (then) argue about something you have no knowledge about? God knows while you do not know.
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Seeker [after Truth], a Muslim; he was no associator of others with God.
The closest people to Abraham are those who follow him, as well as Prophet and those who believe. God is the believers' Patron. A faction from the People of the Book would like to lead you (all) astray; yet only lead themselves astray, even though they do not notice it. People of the Book, why do you disbelieve in God's signs while you watch t happen? People of the Book, why do you dress Truth up with falsehood and knowingly conceal the Truth?
A faction from among the People of the Book say: "Believe in what has been sent down to those who believe," at the outset of the day; towards the end of it, [they say]: "Disbelieve". That may be so they will keep coming back [to argue with you]. Believe only in someone who follows your own religion. SAY: "Guidance [means] guidance from God, lest one person should he given the same as what you (all) have been given, or they should argue with you concerning your Lord." SAY: "Bounty [rests] in God's hand. He gives it to anyone He wishes; God is Boundless, Aware, He claims anyone He wishes for His mercy; God possesses tremendous Bounty!"
If you entrusted some People of the Book with a large sum, he would hand it back to you; while if you entrusted another with a gold coin, he would never hand it back to you unless you dunned him for it constantly. That is because they say: "There is no way for such illiterates [to complain] against us." They tell a lie about God while they realize it! Instead, anyone who keeps his word and performs his duty [will find] God loves the heedful.
Those who barter God's pledge plus their [own] faith for a paltry price will have no share in the Hereafter, nor will God ever speak to them nor ever notice them on Resurrection Day. He will not purify them while they will have painful torment. A group of them twist their tongues around concerning the Book so you will reckon [something] comes from the Book while it is not from the Book. They say: "It comes from God!", while it is not from God. They knowingly tell a lie about God!
It is not proper for God to give the Book plus discretion and prophethood to any human being, then that [the latter] should tell people: 'Be worshippers of mine instead of God's," but rather: 'Be the Lord's [Alone] since you have been teaching the Book and because you have been studying it." He does not order you to adopt angels and prophets as lords; would He order you to disbelieve once you have become Muslims?"
So God accepted an agreement from the prophets: "Have I not given you some of a Book plus wisdom?" Then a messenger came to you to confirm what you already had, so you might believe in him and support him. He said: "Have you acknowledged and accepted that obligation of mine?" They said: 'We so acknowledge it." He said: "Then act as witnesses; I am one of those testifying along with you."
Those who turn away later on act immorally. Do they crave something besides God's religion? Whoever is in Heaven and Earth is committed to [make] peace with Him, whether willingly or reluctantly; to Him will they be returned.
SAY: "We believe in God and what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, and what was given Moses, Jesus and the prophets by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any one of them, and we are committed to [live at] peace with Him."
Anyone who desires something other than Islam as a religion will never have it accepted from him, while in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. How should God e a folk who disbelieve following their [profession of] faith, and have testified that the Messenger was right and evidence had come to them? God does not guide wrongdoing folk.
Those will have their reward since God's curse will lie upon them, as well as the angels' and all mankind's, to live with for ever; punishment will not be lightened for them nor will they be granted any respite except for those who repent later on and reform. God is Forgiving, Merciful! Those who disbelieve following their [profession of] faith, then increase in disbelief, will never have their repentance accepted; those are lost [souls]! Those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers will never have even all the earth filled with gold accepted from any one of them, even though they tried to use it as a ransom. Those will have painful torment while they will have no supporters.
You will never attain virtue until you spend something you are fond of; while God is Aware of anything you may spend. Every [kind of] food was permitted the Children of Israel except what Israel had banned herself before the Torah came down. SAY: 'Bring the Torah and recite it if you have been truthful." Those who invent a lie concerning God after that will be wrongdoers. SAY: "God has spoken truly, so follow the sect of Abraham the Seeker; he was no one to associate [others with God]."
The first House [of worship] set up for mankind was the one at Becca (sic); it was blessed and a guidance for [everyone in] the Universe. In it are clear signs [such as] Abraham's station. Anyone who enters it will be secure.
Pilgrimage to the House is a duty imposed on mankind by God, for anyone who can afford a way to do so. Anyone who disbelieves [will find] that God is Transcendent, beyond [any need of] the Universe.
SAY: "People of the Book, why do you disbelieve in God's signs while God is a Witness for anything you do?" SAY: "People of the Book, why do you obstruct God's way for anyone who believes, seeking to make it crooked, while [moreover], you (are) watching it happen? God is not oblivious of what you are doing.***You who believe, if you were to obey a group of those who have been given the Book, they would turn you back into disbelievers following your [profession of] faith. How can you disbelieve while God's verses are being recited to you and His messenger is among you? Anyone who clings to God will be guided to a Straight Road.
You who believe, heed God the way He should be heeded, and do not die unless you are Muslims.
Cling firmly together by means of God's rope, and do not separate.
You were on the brink of a fiery pit, and He saved you from it! Thus God explains His signs to you, so that you may be guided.
Let there be a community among you who will invite [others] to [do] good, command what is proper and prevent dishonor; those will be prosperous. Do not be like those who split up and disagreed after explanations had come to them; those will have awful torment!
One day some faces will turn white while other faces will turn black. Those whose faces are blackened [will be asked]: "Did you disbelieve after your [profession of] faith? Taste torment because you have disbelieved!" while those whose faces are whitened will live for ever in God's mercy.
Those are God's verses which We recite to you for the Truth. God does not want any harm [to happen] to the Universe. God holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth, while [all] matters will be returned to God.
You are the best community which has been produced for mankind. You command decency and forbid dishonor, and you believe in God [Alone]. If the People of the Book would only believe, it would be better for them; some of them are believers while most of them are perverse. They will never harm you except by annoying [you]. Yet if they should fight you, they will [soon] turn their backs; then they will not be supported. Disgrace will be branded on them wherever they are overtaken unless they have a bond [leading] to God and a bond with other men. They have incurred anger from God while misery has been branded on them. That is because they have disbelieved in God's signs and killed the prophets without any right to; that is because they disobey and act so aggressive.
Yet they are not [all] alike: some People of the Book form an upright community; they recite God's verses through the small hours of the night as they bow down on their knees. They believe in God and the Last Day; they command decency and forbid dishonor, and compete in doing good deeds. Those are honorable men; any good they do will never be denied them. God is Aware of the heedful. Neither their wealth nor their children will ever help out those who disbelieve against God in any way; those will become inmates of the Fire, they will remain there for ever.
What they spend during this worldly life can be compared to a wind containing bitter frost which strikes the crop of people who have injured themselves, and so destroys it. God has not injured them, but rather they injure themselves.
You who believe, do not take up with any other persons than your own fellows as intimates. They will continually cause you turmoil, and they like anything that will distress you. Loathing shows through their mouths while what their minds conceal is even greater. We have explained the signs to you provided you will use your reason. Here you are, loving such people while they do not love you! You believe in the whole Book. Yet whenever they meet you, they say: "We believe;" while when they go off by themselves, they gnaw away at their fingertips in rage over you.
SAY:"Die in your rage!" God is Aware of what is on your minds.Whenever something good happens to you, it annoys them, while if any evil happens to you, they delight in it. If you are patient and do your duty, their plotting will not harm you in any way; God embraces anything they do.
When you rose earlier than your people did in order to station believers at their battle positions, God was Alert, Aware. As two factions of you worried as to whether they should both fall back, God acted as a Patron for both of them. Believers should rely on God! God already supported you (all) at Badr where you were underdogs, so heed God in order that you may be grateful.
So you told believers: "Will it never be enough for you if your Lord furnishes you with three thousand angels who have been sent down?" Of course if you act disciplined and obey orders, and they should come at you all of a sudden just like this, your Lord will supply you with five thousand angels sent on purpose. God has merely turned it into good news for you, so your hearts may feel tranquil over it. Support comes only from God, the Powerful, the Wise, so He may cut off a flank from those who disbelieve and restrain them, and they will be sent home disappointed It is no concern at all of yours whether He relents towards them or punishes them, since they are wrongdoers.
God possesses whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth, He pardons anyone He wishes and punishes anyone He wishes; God is Forgiving, Merciful.
You who believe, do not live off usury which is compounded over and over again. Heed God so that you may prosper: heed the Fire which has been prepared for disbelievers; obey God and the Messenger so you may find mercy!
Hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a garden broader than Heaven and Earth which has been prepared for those who do their duty, who spend [for others] throughout happiness and hardships and suppress their anger and overlook what other people do. God loves the kindly, and those who remember God and seek forgiveness their offences when they commit some shocking deed or harm themselves-for who forgives offences besides God?-and do not knowingly persist in whatever they have been doing. Those will have forgiven from their Lord, as their reward, plus gardens through which rivers flow to live in for ever. How blissful will [such] workers' wages be!
Institutions have passed away before you: travel around the earth observe what the outcome was for those who deny [it all]. This is explanation for mankind, as well as guidance and instruction for heedful: do not falter nor feel saddened since you are superior, if you believers. If some sore should afflict you, well sores just like them have afflicted [other] folk. We deal out such days to mankind, so God recognize those who believe and accept witnesses from among you - God does not love wrongdoers- and so God may purge those who believe and wipe out disbelievers. Or did you reckon that you would enter the Garden while God still does not recognize those among you who strive nor does He know the patient ones. You used to long for death even before you met it, so now you have seen it while you were facing it!
Muhammad is only a messenger, Messengers have passed away before him. If he should die or be killed, will you (all) revert to your old ways? Anyone who turns on his heels will never injure God in any way, while God will reward the grateful.
No soul shall die except with God's permission according to specific writ. As for anyone who wants this world's prize, We shall give him part of it; while We shall give anyone who wants the prize of the Hereafter, some of it. We will repay the grateful! How many a prophet has fought with many devout men alongside him! They never faltered despite what had afflicted them for God's sake; they did not weaken nor yield. God loves the patient! Their statement was merely to say: "Our Lord, pardon us our offences and our excesses in business. Brace our footsteps and support us against disbelieving folk!" So God gave them this world's prize, although the prize in the Hereafter will be even finer. God loves the kindly.
You who believe, if you should obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you around on your heels and send you home as losers. Rather God is your Protector; He is the best Supporter! We will cast panic into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they have associated others with God for which He has sent down no authority. Their refuge will be the Fire, and how wretched will such wrongdoers' lodging be!
God confirmed His promise to you as you grappled with them by His permission, until you faltered and argued about the matter; you disobeyed after He had shown you what you would love (to have). Some of you want this world, while others of you want the Hereafter.
Then he diverted you from them so He might test you. Yet He has overlooked it in you; God possesses bounty for believers. When you were climbing up [the hillside] and did not follow anyone, and the Messenger was calling to you from your rear, He rewarded you with one worry after another so you would not feel so sad because of what had eluded your grasp nor for what had afflicted you. God is Informed about anything you do!
Then following [your] worry, He sent down confidence upon you; a drowsiness overcame one squadron of yours, while another squadron fretted themselves thinking something besides the Truth about God, guesswork from [the times of] Ignorance. They said: "Is this a concern of ours in any way?" SAY: "The whole concern is up to God." They hide something they do not show in their souls; they say: "If we had had anything to do with the matter, we would not have had to fight here."
SAY: "Even though you were in your own homes, those for whom killing has been prescribed would have shown up on their deathbeds, so that God might test what is on your minds and purge whatever is in your hearts. God is Aware of whatever is on your minds! Those of you who turned away on the day when both troops met, were only tripped up by Satan because of something they had earned. However God has pardoned them, for God is Forgiving, Lenient."
You who believe, do not be like those who disbelieve and tell their brethren when they travel around the earth or are out on some campaign: "If they had been with us, they would not have died nor been killed," so that God places that [sort of] despair in their hearts. God gives life and brings death; God is Observant of anything you do. If you should be killed for God's sake or die, forgiveness and mercy from God are better than what they are gathering; yet if you should die or be killed, you will still be summoned [to appear] before God.
However since mercy from God does exist, you have been easy on them. If you had been harsh and cruel-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. Pardon them, seek forgiveness for them. and consult with them on the matter.
Yet once you have reached a decision, then rely on God;
God loves those who are reliant.
If God supports you (all), there is no one who will overcome you; while if He should forsake you, who is there (left] to support you later on? O God should believers rely!
No prophet should hold back anything; and anyone who defrauds [someone else] will bring along whatever he has been withholding on Resurrection Day. Then every soul will be repaid for whatever it has earned, and they will not be harmed. Is someone who follows after God's approval like someone else who incurs wrath from God? His refuge will be Hell, and how awful is such a goal!
There are ranks with God, and God is Observant of whatever they are doing. God has benefited believers whenever He sent them a messenger from among themselves, to recite His verses to them and purify them, and teach them the Book and wisdom, whereas previously they had been in plain error. Yet whenever some disaster strikes you, such as has struck you twice as heavy already, you have said: "What's this for?" SAY: 'It is your own doing; God is Capable of everything."
Whatever happened to you on the day when both troops clashed, occurred with God's permission, so He might recognize believers and recognize those who act hypocritically. They were told: "Come fight in God's way or [at least] defend yourselves." They said: "If we knew how to fight, we would follow you." They were nearer disbelief than faith that day. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; although God is quite Aware of what they are concealing. Those who tell their brethren while they remain behind: "if they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed," should be told: 'Avert death from yourselves if you are so truthful!"
Do not reckon those who are killed for God's sake are dead, but rather [they Martyrs are] living; they will be provided for by their Lord, so happy will they be with whatever God has given them out of His bounty, and rejoicing for those they left behind who have not yet overtaken them.
No fear will fall on them nor will they be saddened; they will rejoice because of favor and bounty from God, since God does not deprive believers of their wages.
Any persons who respond to God and the Messenger after some sore has afflicted them, those who act kindly and do their duty, will have a splendid fee. Those whom people have told: 'Some people have gathered to [oppose] you, so be on your guard against them!'; yet it increased them in faith and they said: "God is our Reckoning, and how splendid is such an Administrator!' They returned home with favor and bounty from God; no evil ever touched them because they followed God's pleasure. God possesses such splendid bounty! That was only Satan who intimidated his adherents. Do not fear them and [instead] fear Me, if you are believers! Let not those who hasten on to disbelief sadden you; they will never injure God in any way. God wants to grant them no fortune in the Hereafter, where they will have terrible torment. Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith will never injure God in any way, while they will have painful torment.
Let not those who disbelieve consider how Our acting indulgent with them is good so far as their own persons are concerned: We are merely postponing things for them so they may increase in vice; they will have disgraceful torment. God is no One to leave believers where you are now, until He sorts out bad from good. It is not God's role to acquaint you with the Unseen, but God chooses anyone He wishes from among His messengers. So believe in God and His messenger; if you believe and do your duty, you will have a splendid fee. Let not those who act niggardly with any of His bounty God has given them consider it is better for them; rather it will be worse for them: they will be charged on Resurrection Day with anything they were so niggardly about. God holds the inheritance of Heaven and Earth; God is Informed about anything you do.
God has heard the statement of those who say: "God is poor while we are rich!" We will write down whatever they say and how they killed the prophets without any right to [do so]. We will say: "Taste the torment of buming." That [has happened] because of what your hands sent on ahead. God is no One to harm [His] worshippers, such as those who say: "God has charged us not to believe in any messenger until He brings us some offering which fire will consume." SAY: "Messengers before me have already brought you explanations and just what you have said; why did you kill them if you are so truthful? If they reject you, messengers before you have already been rejected when they came even with explanations, the Psalms and the Enlightening Book."
Every soul will be tasting death: you will merely be repaid your earnings on Resurrection Day. Anyone who is snatched from the Fire and shown into the Garden will have triumphed. What does worldly life mean except the enjoyment of illusion? You will be tested by means of your wealth and through your own selves, and you will hear much abuse from those who were given the Book before you, as well as those who associate [others with God]. If you are patient and do your duty, that is what will determine matters.
When God made an agreement with those who were given the Book [saying]: "You shall explain it to mankind and not conceal it," they tossed it away behind their backs and sold it for a paltry price. How wretched was what they bought [instead]! Do not consider those who feel delighted about what they have been given and love to be praised for something they have not done, do not reckon they [have found] any means to triumph over torment. They will have painful torment! God holds control over Heaven and Earth; God is Capable of everything!
In the creation of Heaven and Earth, and the alternation between night and daylight, there are signs for prudent persons who remember God while standing, sifting and [lying] on their sides, and meditate on the creation of Heaven and Earth [by saying]:
"Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Glory be to You! Shield us from the torment of Fire!
'Our Lord, anyone You sentence to the Fire, You will humiliate. Wrongdoers will have no supporters.
"Our Lord, we heard a crier appealing for belief, [calling out]: 'Believe in your Lord;' and so we have believed.
"Our Lord, forgive us our offences, remove our evil deeds from us, and gather us up [at death] with the virtuous.
"Our Lord, give us what you have promised us through Your messengers, and do not humiliate us on Resurrection Day. You never go back on any promise!"
So their Lord responded to them: "I shall never waste the work of any worker among you, whether it is a man or a woman. Some of you [have sprung] from others. I shall remove their evil deeds for those who have migrated and were driven out of their homes and mistreated for My sake, and have fought and were killed; and I shall admit them to a Garden through which rivers flow, as a prize from God Himself. God holds the finest prize! Do not let it deceive you how those who disbelieve bustle about the land: [it means such] brief enjoyment; then their refuge will be Hell, and how awful will be such a couch! However those who heed their Lord will have gardens through which rivers flow, to live in for ever as a welcome from God. What God possesses is best for the virtuous.
Some People of the Book do believe in God and what has been sent down to you and what has been sent down to them, acting reverently towards God. They do not sell God's signs for a paltry price: those will receive their wages from their Lord; God is Prompt in reckoning! *You who believe, act patient, discipline yourselves, and hold yourselves ready! Heed God so that you may succeed.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Mankind, heed your Lord Who has created you from a single soul, and created its mate from it, and propagated so many men and women from them both. Heed God through Whom you hold one another responsible, as well as any ties of kinship. God is Watching over you.
Give orphans their property and do not substitute something bad for something good nor swallow up their wealth along with your own wealth. It would be a great outrage. If you are afraid you will not deal fairly with orphans, then marry off such women as may seem good to you, in pairs, or three or four [at a time]. If you [still] fear you will not act justly, then [marry] one woman [only] or someone your right hand controls. That is more likely to keep you from committing an injustice. Give women their marriage portions with no strings attached. If they themselves waive some of it for you, then consume it at leisure and with good cheer.
Do not give the feebleminded your property which God has granted you for [their] support; provide for them out of it, and clothe them and address them decently. Test orphans as soon as they reach a marriageable age. If you are sure of their maturity, then turn their property over to them; do not use it up extravagantly, over-anxious lest they should grow up. Anyone who is rich should restrain himself, while anyone who is poor may live off it in decency. Whenever you hand their property over to them, have it witnessed for them. God suffices as a Reckoner!
Men shall have a portion of whatever parents and near relatives leave, while women should have a portion of whatever parents and near relatives leave; no matter how small nor how large it is, a portion is stipulated. When near relatives, orphans and paupers are present at the probate, provide for them out of it and speak politely to them. Let anyone act cautiously just as they themselves would fear to leave helpless offspring behind; let them heed God and speak in a proper manner.
Those who live off orphans' property without having any right to do so will only suck up fire into their bellies, and they will (eventually) roast in a blaze!
God instructs you concerning your children: a son should have a share equivalent to that of two daughters. If the women [left behind] are more than two, then two-thirds of whatever he leaves belongs to them; yet if there is only one, then she has half. Both his parents shall each receive a sixth of whatever he may leave, if he had a son. If he had no son, and both his parents inherit from him, then his mother receives a third. If he has siblings, then his mother will have a sixth, once the will or any [outstanding] debt has been settled. You do not know whether your parents or your children are closer to you in usefulness, as an obligation [laid down] by God, for God is Aware, Wise.
You will have half of anything your wives leave, provided they have no child. If they should leave a child, then you will have a fourth of whatever they may leave, once the will has been settled or any [outstanding] debt; while they [your widows] will have a fourth of anything you leave provided you have left no child. Should you have a child, then they will have an eighth of anything you leave, after settling any legacy or debt. If either a man or a woman bequeaths anything to more distant kin while he still has a brother or sister, then each one of them will have a sixth. If there are more than that, then they should be partners in a third after settling any legacy or debt, yet without causing any hardship. It is an instruction from God; God is Aware, Lenient.
These are God's limits. Anyone who obeys God and His messenger will be admitted to gardens through which rivers flow, to live there for ever. That will be the supreme Achievement! Anyone who disobeys God and His messenger and oversteps His limits, will be shown into a Fire to live there for ever; he will have humiliating torment.
Should any of your women commit some sexual offence, collect evidence about them from four [persons] among yourselves. If they so testify, then confine the women to their houses until death claims them or God grants them some other way out. If two of you should indulge in it, trounce them both. If they repent and reform, then ostracize them both. God is Relenting, Merciful.
Repentance holds with God only for those who do evil out of ignorance, then repent shortly after; those God turns to. God is Aware,Wise.
Repentance is not for those who perform evil deeds until one of them says: "I have just now repented!", just as death faces him. Nor is it for those who die while they are disbelievers; for those We reserved painful torment.
You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit anything from women against their will; do not hinder them from remarrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, unless they indulge in flagrant sexual misconduct. Treat them politely; even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which God has placed much good. If you want to exchange one wife for another, and have given one of them a large sum of money, do not hold back any of it. Would you withhold it through slander and open sin? How can you hold it back when you have had intercourse with each other, and they have made a solemn agreement with you? Do not marry any women whom your fathers have already married, unless this is a thing of the past; it is a shocking act and disgusting, and the worst possible way.
Forbidden to you [in marriage] are your mothers, your [own] daughters, your sisters, your aunts on your father's side as well as your aunts on your mother's side, and your brother's and your sister's daughter your foster mothers and your foster sisters, your mothers-in-law and step daughters who are under your guardianship [since their mothers are] wives of yours with whom you have consummated marriage (however if you have not consummated it with them, it will not be held against you), and the wives of your sons who are your own flesh-and-blood; nor may you bring two sisters together [under one roof] unless this is a thing of the past. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Nor [should you marry] any [already] married women, except the ones under your control. [Such is] God's legislation as it applies to you. Anything beyond that is lawful for you, provided you court them by means of your wealth, marrying them properly, rather than taking them on as mistresses. Since you have thereby sought enjoyment with them, give them their marriage portions as is stipulated. Yet it will not be held against you should you come to other terms about it even after what has been stipulated. God is Aware, Wise.
Any of you who cannot afford to marry respectable believing matrons, should then [seek] one of your believing maids under your control. God is quite Aware as to what your faith consists of. Each one of you has ties to others, so marry them off with their family's consent and give them their marriage portions decently as matrons rather than taking them on as mistresses, nor having [any secret affairs with] them as girlfriends. Once they are so married off and should they then commit some sexual offence, they should have half the punishment that [ordinary] matrons would receive. That goes for any of you who worries lest he may. not control his (sexual] impulses; however it is better for you to discipline yourselves. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
God wants to explain things to you (all) and to guide you in the customs of those who have preceded you. He turns to you; God is Wise.
God wants to turn to you,
while those who follow their own passions
want you to give in utterly.
God wants to lighten things for you,
since man was created weak!
You who believe, do not use up your wealth idly, [squandering it] on one another, unless it is for some business based on mutual consent among you. Do not kill one another; God has been Merciful towards you! We shall roast anyone in a Fire who does so out of enmity and wrongfully. That will be easy for God [to do]!
If you will avoid the great [sins] you are forbidden [to commit], We will cancel out your [other] evil deeds for you, and send you into [Paradise] through a noble entrance.
*Do not envy the way that God has made some of you excel over others: men should have a portion of whatever they have earned, while women should have a portion of whatever they have earned. Ask God for some of His bounty; God is Aware of everything. For everyone We have placed executors for whatever either parents and close relatives may leave. Give their share to those whom you have sworn to trust; God is a Witness of everything!
Men are the ones who should support women since God has given some persons advantages over others, and because they should spend their wealth [on them]. Honorable women are steadfast, guarding the Unseen just as God has it guarded.
Admonish those women whose surliness you fear, and leave them alone in their beds, and [even] beat them [if necessary]. If they obey you, do not seek any way [to proceed] against them. God is Sublime, Great. If you fear a split between a man and his wife, send for an arbiter from his family and an arbiter from her family. If both want to be reconciled, God will arrange things between them. God is Aware, Informed. Worship God [Alone] and do not associate anything with Him.
Show kindness to both [your] parents and with near relatives, orphans, the needy, the neighbor who is related [to you] as well as the neighbor who is a stranger, and your companion by your side and the wayfarer, and anyone else under your control. God does not love someone who is conceited, boastful, nor those who are tight-fisted and order [other] people to be stingy, and hide anything that God has given them out of His bounty. We have reserved humiliating torment for disbelieverswho spend their wealth to be seen by other people and yet neither believe in God nor the Last Day. Anyone who has Satan for an intimate has such an evil soulmate! What does it matter for them whether they believe in God and the Last Day and spend something from what God has supplied them with? God is Aware of them!
God does not harm anything so much as an atom's weight: if a fine deed exists, he multiplies it and adds a splendid fee from Himself besides. How would it be if We were to bring a witness from every nation, and bring you as a witness against such people? On that day those who have disbelieved and defied the Messenger would like to have the earth leveled off while they are still [standing] on it! They will not hide anything that happens from God!
You who believe, do not attempt to pray while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying; nor after a seminal emission - except when traveling along some road-until you take a full bath. If you are ill or on a journey, or one of you has come from the toilet, or has had contact with any women, and you do not find any water, then pick up some wholesome soil and wipe your faces and your hands with it. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Have you not watched those who were given a portion of the Book? They buy up error and want you to lose your Way. God is quite Aware as to who your enemies are; God suffices as a Patron, and God suffices as a Supporter.
Some persons who are Jews lift words out of their context and say: "We have heard and disobeyed;" and "Hear without listening" or "Lead us on!", twisting their tongues around and stabbing at religion as if they had [really] said: "We have heard and obeyed," and "Hear!" and "Watch over us!", which would be better for them and more straightforward; however God has cursed them for their disbelief, since only a few believe. You who have received the Book, believe in what We have sent down to you as a confirmation of what you already have, lest We dazzle your faces and set them on backwards, or curse them just as We cursed the masters of the Sabbath. God's command must be fulfilled!
God does not forgive anyone for associating something with Him, while He does forgive whomever He wishes to for anything besides that. Anyone who gives God associates has invented such an awful offence!
Have you not seen those who purify themselves? Indeed God will purify anyone He wishes to, and they will not be harmed one bit. Look how they invent a lie about God! That is enough in itself as a clear offence.
Have you not watched those who were given a portion of the Book? They believe in witchcraft and arrogant leaders and tell those who disbelieve: "Those are better guided to a way than are the ones who believe." Those are the ones whom God has cursed; anyone God has cursed will never find a supporter for himself Or have they any share in control? Why, they will not give a speck to anybody!
Or do they envy people because of what God has given them out of His bounty? We already gave Abraham's family the Book and wisdom, and
We gave them splendid control. Some of them believed in it while others of them blocked it out. Hell will suffice as a blaze! Those who disbelieve in Our signs We will roast in a Fire: each time their hides are toasted, We shall exchange them for some other skins so they may taste the torment [again]. God is Powerful, Wise. We will show those who believe and perform honorable actions into gardens through which rivers flow, to live there for ever; they will have clean-living spouses there, and We will show them into shady nooks.
God orders you to restore deposits entrusted [to you] to their [rightful] owners. Whenever you judge between people, you should judge with [a sense of] justice. How superbly God instructs you to do so; God is Alert, Observant!
You who believe, obey God and obey the Messenger and those from among you who hold command.
If you should quarrel over anything, refer it to God and the Messenger if you believe in God and the Last Day; that will be better, and finer in the long run.
Have you not considered those who claim they believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you? They want to seek judgment from arrogant leaders and so they are ordered to disbelieve in it. Satan wants to lead them far astray. Whenever someone tells them: "Come to what God has sent down, and to the Messenger," you will see hypocrites barring the way for you. How will it be when some disaster strikes them because of what their hands have already prepared? Then they will come to you swearing by God: "We only wanted to have kindness and success!" Those are the ones whom God knows what their hearts contain, so shun them and reprove them. Give them a convincing statement about themselves.
We have not sent any messenger unless he was to be obeyed in accordance with God's permission. If they had come to you and sought forgiveness from God whenever they harmed themselves, and the Messenger had prayed for forgiveness for them, they would have found that God is Ever-Turning, Merciful.
Yet by your Lord, they will never believe until they name you to judge concerning what they are quarreling over among themselves; then they will find no inconvenience for themselves concerning whatever you have decided, and will accept it wholeheartedly. If We had prescribed for them: 'Let yourselves be killed or expelled from your homes," only a few of them would have done so. If they had done what they were instructed to do, it would have been better for them, as well as more stabilizing: then We would have given them splendid earnings from Our very presence and guided them to a Straight Road. Anyone who obeys God and the Messenger stands by those whom God has favored, such as prophets, loyal persons, martyrs and honorable men. How fine are such companions! That means bounty from God; it is enough for God to be Aware.
You who believe, take your precautions and march off in detachments, or march off all together. Among you there are some who procrastinate. If any disaster strikes you, they say: "God has favored me, for I was not a witness along with them." Yet if some bounty from God strikes you, he will say, as if no affection had existed between you and him: "If only I had been with them, I should have achieved something splendid!"
Let those who barter worldly life for the Hereafter fight for God's sake; We shall pay a splendid fee to anyone who fights in God's way, and is either killed or is victorious. Why should you not fight for God's sake when men, women and children who are considered helpless say: "Our Lord, lead us out of this town whose people are so oppressive, and grant us a patron from Your presence and grant us a supporter from Your presence!" Those who believe, fight in God's way, while those who disbelieve fight in the way of the arrogant ones; therefore fight Satan's patrons. Satan's plot is weak.
Have you not watched those who have been told: "Restrain your hands, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax"? Yet whenever any fighting is prescribed for them, then a group of them feel afraid of people just as they should be afraid of God, or they are even more afraid. They say: "Our Lord, why have You prescribed fighting for us? If You would only postpone it for a little while longer!"
SAY: "Worldly enjoyment means little while the Hereafter is better for anyone who does his duty. You will not be wronged a bit. Wherever you may be, death shall still overtake you even though you are in well-built towers." Yet if something fine happens to them, they say: "This is from God;" while if something bad happens to them, they say: "This is because of you!" SAY: "Everything comes from God." What is wrong with such folk that they scarcely understand why anything happens?
Any good that happens to you comes from God, while anything bad that happens to you is through yourself.
We have sent you as a Messenger to [instruct] mankind; and God suffices as a Witness. Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God [Himself], while We have not sent you to be a taskmaster set up over anyone who turns away.
They will say: "At your orders!", yet when they show up somewhere else than with you, a faction of them will spend the night at something quite different from what you tell [them to do]. God writes down whatever they do at night, so avoid them and rely on God. God suffices as a Trustee.
Have they not meditated on the Reading? If it had come from some other source than God, they would have found a great deal of contradiction in it.
Whenever some order concerning [public] safety or fear comes to them, they broadcast it. If they would only refer it to the Messenger and those among them who hold command, those of them who investigate matters would have known about it. If it had not been for God's bounty and mercy towards you, all but a few would have followed Satan; so fight for God's sake, since you are only held responsible for yourself. Encourage believers; perhaps God will fend off the violence of those who disbelieve. God is Strongest when things come to violence and Sternest in punishment.
Anyone who intercedes in a fine manner shall have a share in it, while someone who intercedes in an evil way will be held liable for it. God is a Developer for everything. Whenever you are welcomed with some greeting, then answer back with something finer than it, or [at least] return it. God is a Reckoner for everything.
God, there is no deity except Him. He will bring you all together Resurrection Day there is no doubt about it. Who is more reliable than God as a Narrator?
Why should you take both sides concerning hypocrites? God has discarded them because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide someone whom God has let go astray? Anyone whom God lets go astray will never find a way back to Him. They would love for you disbelieve just as they disbelieve, so you will be exactly like them.
Do not adopt sponsors from among them until they migrate along God's way. If they should ever turn against you, then seize them and kill them wherever you may find them. Do not adopt any sponsor nor supporter from among them, except those who join a folk with who you have a treaty or who come to you because their breasts shrink from fighting you or fighting with their own people. If God so wished, He would have given them authority over you so that they would have fought you. Yet if they keep aloof from you and do not fight you, and they propose peace to you, God does not grant you any way against them.
You will find others who want to feel safe from you as well as safe from their own people, yet every time they come upon another chance for dissension, they plunge into it. If they neither keep aloof from you nor yet propose peace to you and hold back their hands, then take them and sly them wherever you may run across them. Over such persons We have given you clear authority.
No believer should kill any other believer unless it happens by mistake. Anyone who kills a believer by mistake should free believing captive and deliver blood-money to his family unless they forego it as an act of charity. If he was from a nation which is at war with you and yet he was a believer, then free a believing captive; while if he were from a people with whom you have a treaty, then it means blood-money should be delivered to his family and freeing a believing captive. Anyone who does not find the wherewithal for it should fast for two consecutive months as penance from God. God is Aware, Wise!
Anyone who kills a believer deliberately will receive as his reward [a sentence] to live in Hell for ever. God will be Angry with him and curse him, and prepare dreadful torment for him.
You who believe, whenever you campaign for God's sake, discriminate carefully and do not tell someone who proffers you a greeting: 'You are no believer!" You crave the display of worldly life, while God holds many more prizes. That is what you were like previously, though God has showered His benefits on you; so discriminate. God is Informed about anything you do.
Those believers who sit around and yet have no physical disability are not equal to those who strive for God's sake with their property and persons. God shows preference to those who strive with their property and persons through [higher] rank, than with those who just sit around; for each, God has promised handsome things, yet God shows preference to strivers with a better wage over those who stay at home, such as [higher] ranks from Him, as well as forgiveness and mercy. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Those whom the angels will gather up [and] tell, as they are harming themselves: "What were you [busy] with?", will say: "We were acting as weaklings on earth." They will say: 'Is not God's earth so vast you might settle down elsewhere on it?" Those will have their refuge in Hell, and how evil is such a goal except for those men, women and children who are [really] helpless and cannot find any other means nor a they guided in any way; those God may eventually pardon. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Anyone who migrates for God's sake will find many places for asylum and accommodation on earth. Whoever leaves his home as refugee for God's and His messenger's sake, then has death overtake him, will receive his earnings as God's responsibility. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
It will not be held against you when you travel out into the world should you shorten prayer, if you fear those who disbelieve may harass you. Disbelievers are open enemies of yours.
When you are among them, [Muhammad], and have stood up t pray in front of them, then let a squad of them stand up along with you and hold on to their weapons. Once they have bowed down on their knees then let them fall back to your rear, and another squad who have not yet prayed come up to pray along with you. Let them hold on to [both] their precautions and their weapons. Those who disbelieve would like to catch you napping with your weapons and your baggage, so they may overpower you (all) at one stroke.
Nor will it be held against you if you are bothered by rain or are ill should you lay down your weapons and take [similar] precautions for yourselves. God has prepared humiliating torment for disbelievers.
Once you have finished praying, remember God while standing, sitting and [lying] on your sides. Even when you are at leisure, still keep up prayer:
Prayer is a timely prescription for believers!
Yet do not flag in pursuit of people: if you have been suffering, then they are suffering just as keenly as you are suffering; while you expect something from God that they do not expect. God is Aware, Wise.
We have sent the Book down to you with the Truth so that you may judge among mankind by means of what God has shown you. Do not act as advocate for traitors; seek forgiveness from God: God is Forgiving, Merciful, Do not plead for those who betray themselves; God does not love anyone who has been a vicious traitor.
They may try to hide from people while they can never hide from God: He stands alongside them when they spend the night talking about something He does not approve of; God surrounds anything they do. There you are, those who have pleaded in favor of them during worldly life! Who will plead with God about them on Resurrection Day, will act as an agent for them?
Anyone who commits evil or harms himself, then seeks forgiveness from God, will find God is Forgiving, Merciful; while anyone who acquires a vice, only acquires it personally. God is Aware, Wise. Anyone who commits a blunder or vice, then casts [the blame] against some innocent person, will burden himself with slander and flagrant vice.
If God's bounty and mercy had not lain upon you, a faction of them would have worried about how to lead you astray. They only lead themselves astray and do not injure you in any way. God has sent the Book and wisdom down to you and taught you what you did not know; bounty towards you has been splendid!
There is no good in much of their intrigue except with someone who calls for charity, decency or reconciliation among people; We shall give a splendid wage to anyone who does that in pursuit of God's approval.Anyone who splits off from the Messenger once guidance has been explained to him, and follows some path other than the believers', We shall turn over to whatever he has turned to, and lead him off to Hell. How evil is such a goal!
God does not forgive one's associating [others] with Him; He forgives anyone He wishes to for anything beyond that. Anyone who associates [others] with God has strayed far afield. They only appeal to females instead of to Him; they only call upon some upstart Satan!
God cursed him, and he said: "I shall take some of Your servants as a stipulated portion; I will lead them astray and urge them on. I will order them to slit the ears on livestock and order them to alter what God has created. Anyone who adopts Satan as a patron instead of God has obviously lost out. He promises them [things] and urges them on; yet Satan promises them nothing except delusion. Those will have Hell as their refuge and find no escape from it.
We will show the ones who believe and perform honorable gardens through which rivers flow, to live there for ever. God's true; who is more reliable in the way he speaks than God? *There is nothing in your saying 'Amens" nor in the way the People of the Book say "Amen". Anyone who commits evil will be rewarded accordingly and not find any patron nor protector for himself besides God. Anyone who performs honorable deeds, whether it is a man or a woman, provided he is a believer, those will enter the Garden and not be speck. Who is finer in religion than someone who peacefully commends his person to God while he acts kindly and follows the sect of Abraham the Enquirer? God adopted Abraham as a bosom friend. God holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth; God embraces everything!
They will consult you concerning women. SAY: "God advises you about them, and what is recited to you from the Book concerning orphan women whom you have not given what was assigned to them while you are disinclined to marry them; and minor children, and supporting orphans with [all] fairness. God is Aware of any good you do.
If some woman fears abuse or desertion by her husband, it should not be held against either of them if they should try to come to terms: coming to terms is best, while greed is ever present in [our] souls. If you act kindly and do your duty, God will be Informed about anything you do. You will never manage to deal equitably with women no matter how eager you may be [to do so]; yet do not turn completely aside [from one] so you ,leave another in suspense. If you (all) come to terms and do your duty, God will be Forgiving, Merciful. Yet if they should separate, God will enrich each out of His abundance; God is Boundless, Wise. God holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth.
We have instructed those who were given the Book before you, and you (all) as well, to heed God. If you should disbelieve, God still owns whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth. God is Transcendent, Praiseworthy! God holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth; God suffices as a Trustee: if He wished, He might take you people away and bring in others. God is Capable of that! Anyone who wants a worldly prize [should know] God holds the worldly prize plus another in the Hereafter. God is Alert, Observant.
You who believe, act steadfast before God as witnesses for fairplay even though it is against yourselves, your own parents and near relatives; whether it concerns a rich or a poor man, God [stands] closer to them both. Do not follow any passion so that you may deal justly. If you swerve about or turn aside, God is still Informed about whatever you do.
You who believe, believe in God and His messenger, and the Book which He has sent down to His messenger as well as the Book which He had sent down previously. Anyone who disbelieves in God and His angels, His books, His messengers and the Last Day will stray far afield. Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then [again] disbelieve, then increase in their disbelief, will have no means for God to forgive them nor to guide them in any way.
pread word to hypocrites that they shall have painful torment.
Do those who enlist disbelievers as sponsors instead of believers, seek [to gain] prestige through them? Prestige rests entirely with God.
In the Book, He has revealed to you that whenever you hear God's signs disbelieved in and ridiculed, you should not sit with them until they change to some other topic. You would be just like them then! God will gather all the hypocrites and disbelievers into Hell; such as those who try to catch you off guard, so if you receive some victory from God, they say: "Were we not with you?" Yet if disbelievers have any share [in it], they say: "Did we not help you win, and held off believers from you?" God will judge between you (all) on Resurrection Day; God will never grant disbelievers any way to [harm] believers.
Hypocrites try to outwit God while He is outwitting them! When ever they stand up to pray, they stand up lazily to be seen by other people and seldom mention God, wavering in between, [leaning] neither towards these nor those. You will never find any way [to follow] someone whom God lets go astray.
You who believe, do not enlist disbelievers as sponsors, instead o believers. Do you want to give God clear authority against you? Hypocrites will stand on the lowest level of the Fire; you will never find an supporter for them except for those who repent and reform, cling t God and dedicate their religion solely to God. Those stand alongside believers, and God will give believers a splendid wage. What does God accomplish through your torment, provided you act grateful and believe? God is Appreciative, Aware.
God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by some who has been injured thereby. God is Alert, Aware. Whether you reveal any good or hide it, or pardon any evil, God is Pardoning, Capable.
Those who disbelieve in God and His messengers, and want to distinguish between God and His messengers, and say: 'We believe in some and disbelieve in others;" wanting to adopt a course in between, are really disbelievers. We have reserved humiliating torment for disbelievers. Those who believe in God and His messengers, and not single out any one of them [especially], will be given their earnings. God is Forgiving, Merciful.
The People of the Book ask you to have a book sent down from Heaven for them. They asked Moses for something even greater than that, and said: "Show us God directly." The Thunderbolt caught them in wrongdoing.
Then they adopted the Calf even after explanations had come to them. We still pardoned that, and gave Moses clear authority. We raised the Mountain up over them as their charter, and told them: "Enter the while on your knees." We told them [further]: "Do not go too far on Sabbath," and made a solemn pledge with them.
Because of their breaking the charter, their disbelief in God's signs their killing the prophets without any right to do so, and their saying: your hearts are covered over," instead, God has stamped them with their disbelief. They only believe a little because of their disbelief and talking such terrible slander about Mary and (also) for their saying: "We killed God's messenger Christ Jesus, the son of Mary!" They neither killed nor crucified him, even though it seemed so to them. Those who disagree about it are in doubt concerning it; they have no [real] knowledge about it except by following conjecture. No one is certain they killed him! Rather God lifted him up towards Himself God is Powerful, Wise!
There is nobody from the People of the Book but who will believe in him before his death, while on Resurrection Day he will act as a witness against them. Because of wrongdoing on the part of those who are Jews, We have forbidden them certain wholesome things which had been permitted them; and because they blocked off so many people from God's way and took usury although they had been forbidden to, and idly consumed other people's wealth, We have reserved painful torment for those among them who are disbelievers. Yet those of them who are versed in knowledge, as well as believers, believe in what is sent down to you and what has been sent down [to those] before you; and We shall give a splendid wage to those who keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, and who believe in God and the Last Day.
We have inspired you just as We inspired Noah and the prophets following him, and as We inspired Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the patriarchs, and Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon; and just as We gave David the Psalms.
We have told you about some messengers [sent] previously, while other messengers We have not yet told you about-God spoke directly to Moses- messengers bringing good news plus a warning so that mankind would have no argument against God once the messengers [had come]. God is Powerful, Wise.
Nevertheless God bears witness through what He has sent down to you; He sent it down with His (own full) knowledge. And angels so testify, though God suffices as a Witness. Those who disbelieve and obstruct God's way have strayed far afield. Those who disbelieve and act wrongfully will not find that God will forgive them nor guide them along any road except the road to Hell, to remain there for ever. That will be so easy for God [to do]! 0 mankind, the Messenger has brought you the Truth from your Lord, so believe, since it is best for you. If you should disbelieve, God still holds whatever is in Heaven and Earth; God is Aware, Wise.
People of the Book, do not exaggerate in [practising] your religion and tell nothing except the Truth about God. Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, was merely God's messenger and His word which He cast into Mary, and a spirit [proceeding] from Him.
Believe in God [Alone] and His messengers, and do not say: 'Three!" Stopping [it] will be better for you. God is only One God; glory be to Him, beyond His having any son! He owns whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth; God suffices as a Trustee, (XXIV)The Messiah would never disdain to be God's servant, nor would the angels who are closest. He will summon anyone to Him who disdains to worship Him and acts too proud [for it]. As for those who believe and perform honorable deeds, He will pay them their earnings and ad even more for them out of His bounty. He will punish those who a scornful and proud with painful torment; they will not find any sponsor themselves nor any supporter besides God. Mankind, proof has come to you from your Lord; We have sent a clear Light down to you. He will show those who believe in God and cling to Him, into mercy and bounty from Himself, and guide them along a Straight Road towards Himself
They will ask you for your verdict. SAY: "God advises you (all) concerning indirect heirs. If some man should pass away and has no so while he leaves a sister, then she shall have half of anything he may leave while he inherits from her if she has no child. If they are two women [who are sisters], they shall both have two thirds of whatever he may leave. If they are siblings, both men and women.. then each brother shall have the same share as two sisters would have.
God explains things to you
lest you go astray.
God is (all) Aware of
everything!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
You who believe, fulfil any contracts [you may make].
Any animals from livestock are permitted you except for what has already been listed for you. What is not permitted you is game while you are in pilgrim dress. God judges anything He wishes. You who believe, do not profane God's monuments nor the hallowed month, nor the offerings and [beasts with] garlands, nor those intent on visiting the Hallowed House to seek bounty and approval from their Lord. Once you are permitted to [go on your way], then go hunting. Do not let ill will towards any folk incriminate you, just because they blocked your way to the Hallowed Mosque, so that you act aggressive; cooperate with one another for virtue and heedfulness, and do not cooperate with one another for the purpose of vice and aggression. Heed God [Alone]; God is Strict with punishment!
Forbidden to you is anything that dies by itself, and blood and pork, as well as whatever has been consecrated to something besides God, and whatever has been strangled, beaten to death, trapped in a pit, gored, and what some beast of prey has begun to eat, unless you give it the final blow; and what has been slaughtered before some idol, or what you divide up in a raffle; (all) that is immoral!
Today those who disbelieve despair about your religion, so do no dread them, and (rather) dread Me.
(Today I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My favor towards you, and have consented to grant you [Islam] as a religion: a commitment to live in peace.)
Anyone who is obliged to do so while (he is) starving, yet without deliberately sinning, [will find] God is Forgiving, Merciful.
They will ask you what has been made allowable for them. SAY: "It is lawful for you [to eat] wholesome things, and what you have trained beast and birds of prey to catch-you have trained them to do something just God has taught you. So eat anything they may catch for you, and mention God's name over it. Heed God; God is Swift in reckoning, Today wholesome things are [made] lawful for you, and so is the food of those who were given the Book lawful for you, while your food is lawful them.
And believing matrons [are lawful to marry] as well as matrons from among those who were given the Book before you, once you have give them their marriage- portions and taken them in wedlock respectably, not seeking any thrills nor taking [them on as] mistresses. Anyone who rejects faith [will find] his action will miscarry, while he will be one who will lose out in the Hereafter.
You who believe, whenever you intend to pray, wash your faces your hands up to the elbows, and wipe off your heads and [wash] your up to the ankles. If you are [ritually] soiled, then take a full bath. If you are ill or on a journey, or one of you has just come from the toilet or had contact with any women, and you do not find any water, then resort to wholesome soil and wipe your faces and hands off with some of it. God does not want to place any inconvenience on you, but He does want to purify you and to complete His favor towards you, in order that you (all) may act grateful.
Remember God's favor towards you and His charter which He ratified for you when you said: "We hear and obey." Heed God; God is Aware of whatever is on your minds."
You who believe, act steadfast towards God, as witnesses for fairplay, and do not let ill-will toward any folk incriminate you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just: that is nearest to heedfulness; and heed God [Alone]. God is Informed about anything you do. God has promised those who believe and perform honorable deeds that they will have forgiveness plus a splendid wage. Those who disbelieve, and refute Our signs, will become inmates of Hades. You who believe, remember God's favor towards you when some folk intended to stretch their hands out toward you, and He fended their hands off from you. Heed God, and let believers rely on God.
God made a covenant with the Children of Israel, and We dispatched twelve of them as captains. God said: "I shall be with you if you will keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, and believe in My messengers and respect them, and advance God a handsome loan. I shall overlook your evil deeds for you and show you into gardens through which rivers flow. Anyone of you who disbelieves following that will have strayed from the Level Path."
Since they broke their covenant, We have cursed them and planted a hard shell over their hearts. They lift words out of their context and have forgotten a portion of what they should have memorized. Except for a few of them, you will always catch some of them committing some act of treachery. Yet pardon them and overlook it; God loves those who act kindly.
We accepted their agreement from those who say: "We are Christians;" then they forgot a portion of what they had been reminded of, so We have stirred up enmity and jealousy among them until Resurrection Day. God will notify them about whatever they have been accomplishing. People of the Book, Our messenger has come to you to explain much of what you have been concealing out of the Book, and to dispense with much of it. Light and a Clear Book have been brought to you from God. God thereby guides anyone who seeks His approval along pathways of peace; He leads them out of darkness into Light by His permission, and guides them along a Straight Road.
Those who say: "God is Christ, the son of Mary," disbelieve.
SAY:"Who would control anything from God if He ever wanted to do away with Christ, the son of Mary and his mother, plus everyone on earth? God holds control over Heaven and Earth, as well as anything in be them. He creates anything He wishes. God is Capable of everything!
Jews and Christians say: 'We are God's children and His favorites." SAY: "Then why does He punish you for your offences?" Rather you are human beings just like anyone else He has created. He forgives anyone He wishes and punishes anyone He wishes. God holds control over Heaven and Earth, and whatever lies between them. Towards Him lies the goals!" People of the Book, Our messenger has come to explain [things] you after an interval between the messengers, lest you say: 'No herald nor any warner has ever come to us." A herald and a warner has indeed come to you! God is Capable of everything!
So Moses told his people: "My people, remember God's favor towards you when He planted prophets among you and set you up as kings; and gave you what no one else in the Universe had ever been given. My people, enter the Holy Land which God has assigned to you; do not turn your backs on it, lest you be sent away as losers.
They said: "Moses, there is a heavy-handed folk in it. We will never enter it until they leave. If they should leave it, then we will enter." Two men from among those who fear-God favored them both-said: "Walk right in through the gate on them. Once you have entered it, you will be victorious. You should rely on God if you are believers." They said: "Moses, we will never enter it at all so long as they remain in it! You go off and fight, both you and your Lord; we will be sitting around here.
He said: 'My Lord, I control only myself and my brother. Distinguish between us and such perverse folk!" He said: "It will proscribed them for forty years. They will wander around the earth, so do not worry about such perverse people.
Recite information to them about the Truth concerning Adam's two sons. When they both presented an offering, it was accepted from one of them and not accepted from the other. He said: "I'll kill you!" [The former] said: "God only accepts [things] from the heedful. Even if you stretch forth your hand towards me in order to kill me, I'll never stretch out hand towards you to kill you. I fear God, Lord of the Universe! I want you to atone for my sin as well as for your own sin; you will become inmate of the Fire. That is the wrongdoers' reward."
His own self urged him on to kill his brother, so he killed him, and one morning he turned out to be a loser. God sent a raven to scratch the earth in order to show him how to dispose of his brother's corpse, He said: "It's too bad for me! Have I failed to be like this raven and dispose of my brother's corpse?" So one morning he felt full of remorse.
On account of that, We prescribed with the Children of Israel that anyone who kills any person without another soul being involved or causing mischief in the land, acts as if he had killed all mankind. Anyone who spares life acts as if he had granted life to all mankind. Our messengers have brought them explanations; then later on many of the committed excesses on earth.
The penalty for those who wage war on God and His messenger, and spread havoc through the land, is to be slaughtered or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or to be banished from the land. That will mean their disgrace in this world, while they will have serious torment in the Hereafter, except for those who come to term before you overpower them. Know that God is Forgiving, Merciful.
You who believe, heed God and aspire for contact with him; strive for His sake so that you may prosper. Even if those who disbelieve owned whatever is on earth plus its like besides, in order to redeem themselves from torment by means of it on Resurrection Day, it would not be accepted from them; they will have painful torment. They may want to leave the Fire, yet they will not leave it; theirs will be constant torment.
A thief, whether a man or a woman, shall have his or her hands cut off as a penalty for whatever he or she has earned, as an example set by God. God is Powerful, Wise. God will relent towards anyone who repents following his wrongdoing, and reforms; God is Forgiving, Merciful. Do you not know that God holds control over Heaven and Earth? He punishes anyone He wants to and forgives anyone He wants. God is Capable of everything!
0 Messenger, do not let those who rush off into disbelief worry you, such as those who say: "We believe" with their mouths, while their hearts do not believe. Some of those are Jews who are listening for [the sake of] lying, listening for other folk who do not come to you. They lift words out of their context, saying: "If you are given this, then take it; while if you are not given it, then watch out!" God will never let you control someone whom God wants to test in any way; those are the ones whose hearts God does not want to purify. They will have disgrace in this world, while in the Hereafter they will have terrible punishment, as listeners to lying, living off graft.
If they should come to you, then judge between them or else put them off. If you put them off, they will never harm you in any way, while if you judge among them, then judge fairly. God loves those who deal fairly. How can they choose you as a judge when they have the Torah, which contains God's judgment? Yet even then they will turn away, and such persons are not believers.
We have sent down the Torah containing guidance and Light. The prophets who were committed to [live in] peace judge those who were Jews by means of it, and [so do] the rabbis and scholars, because of what they sought to observe from God's book. They have even acted as witnesses for it.
So do not dread mankind, and dread Me; do not buy up My signs for a paltry price. Those who do not judge by what God has sent down disbelievers!
There We prescribed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and wounds should have [similar] compensation. Yet anyone who treats it as charity, [will find] it serves as an atonement for him. Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are wrongdoers!
We had Jesus, the son of Mary, follow in their footsteps in order to confirm what had come before him from the Torah and We gave him the Gospel which contains guidance and Light, to confirm what he already had in the Old Testament, and as guidance and a lesson for those who do their duty. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has sent down in it; Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are perverse!
We have sent you down the Book with the Truth, to confirm what was already there from the [previous] Book, and to safeguard it. Judge among them according to whatever God has sent down, and do not follow their whims concerning any Truth that has been given to you.
We have given each of you a code of law plus a program [for action]. If God had wished, He might have made you into one community, compete rather in doing good deeds so He may test you by means of what He has given you. To God is your return entirely, and He will notify you concerning anything you have been disagreeing about.
So judge among them according to what God has sent down, and do not follow their whims. Beware of them lest they seduce you away from what God has sent down to you. If they should turn away, then know that God only wants to afflict them with some of their own offences; many men are so immoral! Do they crave judgment [from the time] of Ignorance? Yet who is finer in judgment than God for any folk who are convinced?
You who believe, do not accept Jews or Christians as sponsors; some of them act as sponsors for one another. Any of you who makes friends with them becomes one of them. God does not guide such wrongdoing folk. You will see those in whose hearts there lurks malice dashing in among them saying: "We dread lest a turn of fortune strike us!" Perhaps God will bring some victory or command from Himself, so some morning they will awaken regretful about what they have concealed within themselves.
Those who believe will say: "Are these the ones who swore by God with their most solemn oaths that they stood alongside you?" Their works have failed and they have turned out to be losers. You who believe, any one of you who abandons his religion [will find] God will bring a people whom He will love just as they love Him, docile towards believers, stern against disbelievers; they will strive for God's sake and not fear reproach from any critic. Such is God's bounty which He gives to anyone He wishes. God is Boundless, Aware.
Your Patron is God [Alone], as well as His messenger and those who believe-who keep up prayer, pay the welfare tax and bow their heads [in worship]. Anyone who enlists God as a patron, and His messenger and those who believe, [will find] God's side will be victorious!
You who believe, do not accept as sponsors those from among the ones who were given the Book before you nor any disbelievers, if they treat your religion as a joke and a sport. Heed God if you are believers. Whenever you call [people] to prayer, they take it as a joke and a sport. That is because they are folk who do not use their reason. SAY: "People of the Book, do you persecute us just because we believe in God and what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down previously? Most of you are perverse!"
SAY: "Shall I announce to you something worse than this as a recompense from God?"' Those whom God has cursed and become angry at, and made them into monkeys and swine, and who serve the arrogant ones, are in a worse plight and even further astray from the Level Path. When they come to you, they say: "We believe," while they have entered with disbelief and they leave with it. God is quite Aware as to what they have been hiding. You will see many of them plunging into vice and hostility, and living off graft. What they have been doing is so wretched! If their rabbis and scholars had only forbidden them from speaking sinfully and living off graft! How wretched is what they have been producing.
The Jews say: "God's hand is shackled." May their own hands be shackled and themselves cursed because of what they have said! Rather both His hands are outstretched; He dispenses [things] just as He wishes. Anything sent down to you from your Lord increases many of them in arrogation and disbelief. We have tossed hostility and hatred between them until Resurrection Day. Every time they kindle a fire for war, God snuffs it out. They rush around the earth creating havoc. God does not love those who create havoc. If the People of the Book would only believe and do their duty, We would overlook their evil deeds for them and show them into gardens full of Bliss. If they had only kept up the Torah and the Gospel, and whatever was sent down to them by their Lord, they would have eaten anything above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them form a moderate community, while many of them act badly in anything they do.
0 Messenger, deliver whatever has been sent down to you by your Lord. If you do not do so, you will not have conveyed His message. God will defend you from mankind: God does not guide disbelieving folk. SAY: 'People of the Book, you will not make any point until you keep up the Torah and the Gospel, as well as anything that has been sent down to you by your Lord." What has been sent down to you by your Lord increases many of them in arrogation and disbelief, yet do not despair about disbelieving folk.
Those who believe and those who are Jews, Sabeans and Christians- anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and acts honorably, should have no fear nor will they be saddened. We made an agreement with the Children of Israel and sent them messengers. Every time a messenger would come to them with what they themselves did not fancy, one group they accused of lying while another group they killed. They reckoned theme would be no testing, so they acted blind and deaf. Then God relented toward them; still many of them acted blind and deaf. Yet God is Observant of whatever they do.
Those who say that God is Christ the son of Mary have disbelieved. Christ [himself] said: "Children of Israel, worship God [Alone, Who is] my Lord as well as your Lord." God will ban the Garden for anyone who associates anything else with God; his lodging will be the Fire. Wrongdoers will have no supporters.
Those who say: 'God is the third of three," have disbelieved! There is no deity except God Alone. If they do not stop saying what they say, painful torment will afflict those among them who disbelieve. Why do they not turn towards God and seek His forgiveness? God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Christ the son of Mary was only a messenger; messengers have passed away before him. His mother was sincere. They both ate food.
Look how We explain signs to them; then look [again] how they shrug them off! SAY: "Do you worship something instead of God that does not control any harm nor any advantage for you while God is Alert, Aware?" SAY: "People of the Book, do not exaggerate in your religion beyond the Truth, nor follow the whims of a folk who have already gone astray and misled many as they stray from the Level Path.
Those Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and had acted defiantly. They did not refrain from the debauchery they were indulging in; how awful is what they had been doing! You will see many of them making friends with those who disbelieve. How wretched is what their souls have sent on ahead for them, since God is exasperated with them and they will live in torment for ever. If they had believed in God and the Prophet, and what was sent down to him, they would not have adopted them as patrons; but so many of them are perverse.
You will find the most violently hostile people towards those who believe are the Jews and those who associate [others with God]; while you will find the most affectionate of them towards those who believe, are those who say: "We are Christians." That is because some of them are priests and monks; they do not behave so proudly.
When they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you will see their eyes well up with tears because of the Truth they recognize. They say: "Our Lord, we believe, so enroll us among the witnesses! Why should we not believe in God and any Truth that has come to us? We yearn for our Lord to admit us along with honorable folk."
God will compensate them with gardens through which rivers flow to live in for ever because of what they have said. Such will be the reward of those who act kindly, while those who disbelieve and reject Our signs will become the inmates of Hades!
You who believe, do not forbid any wholesome things which God has permitted you, nor exceed the limits. God does not love the defiant. Eat any lawful, wholesome thing which God has provided you with. Heed God in Whom you are believers.
God will not take you to task for what you may rattle off in your oaths, but He does take you to task for anything you have sworn to solemnly [and then ignored]. Exoneration for it means feeding ten paupers with the average of what you would feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a captive. Whoever does not find the wherewithal [to do so], should fast for three days. This is what penance involves in order to free yourselves from any oath you have sworn [loosely]. Keep your word; thus God explains His signs to you, so you may act grateful.
You who believe, liquor and gambling, idols and raffles, are only the filthy work of Satan; turn aside from it so that you may prosper.
Satan only wants to stir up enmity and jealousy among you by means of liquor and gambling, and to hinder you from remembering God and from praying. So will you stop?
Obey God and obey the Messenger, and be on your guard. If you should ever turn away, know that Our messenger need only state thing clearly. It will not be held against those who believe and perform honorable deeds for what they may have fed on while they did not do their duty, since they did believe and performed honorable deeds. So do you duty and believe-and then again, do your duty and act kindly: God loves those who act kindly!
You who believe, God will test you by means of some of the game which your hands and spears have caught, so that God may know who fears Him even though [He is] Unseen. Anyone who acts defiant later on, will have painful torment. You who believe, do not kill any game while you are forbidden [this while on Pilgrimage]. Anyone of you who kills some deliberately may make compensation through the same [type of animal] as he has killed, in livestock, with two fair-minded men from among you judging it, which should be sent as an offering to reach the Kaba; or else exoneration may mean feeding paupers or the equivalent of that in fasting, so that he may taste the effect of his action. God pardons whatever is a thing of the past. God will avenge Himself on anyone who does so over again; God is Powerful, the Wielder of Retribution.
Game from the sea is lawful for you; eating it means provision for you as well as for travellers. Game from land is forbidden you so long as you are under taboo [on Pilgrimage]. Heed God, before Whom you will be summoned.
God has placed the Kaba as the Hallowed House to be maintained for mankind, as well as the Hallowed Month and the offerings and garlands; that is so you may know that God knows whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth, and that God is Aware of everything. Know that God is Stern in punishment and (also) that God is Forgiving Merciful. The Messenger has only to proclaim matters; while God knows whatever you show and whatever you hide.
SAY: "Evil and good are not equal, even though the abundance of evil may fascinate you; so heed God, you prudent persons, so that you may prosper!"
You who believe, do not ask about such things as would worry you if they were shown to you. Yet if you should ask about them while the Quran is being sent down, they will be explained to you. God pardons it, for God is Forgiving, Lenient. A folk before you asked about them; then became disbelievers because of it.
God has not set up [especially] any slit-eared camel, nor is any [livestock] to be turned loose [to pasture freely], nor any twin-bearing goat or ewe nor any pensioned stallion, but rather those who disbelieve make up a lie about God. Most of them do not use their reason. Whenever they are told: "Come to what God has sent down, and to [hear] the Messenger," they say: 'We are satisfied with what we found our forefathers doing;" even though their forefathers did not know anything and were not guided!
You who believe, your souls are in your own care. No one who goes astray will harm you, provided you are guided. Toward God will you all return together, and He will notify you about whatever you have doing.
You who believe, testimony should be taken by you whenever death appears for one of you; at the time for drawing up any will, two of you who are fair-minded, or two others besides yourselves if you are travelling around the earth and the calamity of death should strike you. Detain them both after prayer so they may swear by God if you (all) have any doubts "We will not sell it for any price, not even to a near relative, nor will we hide God's testimony: otherwise we would be sinners!" If it turns out that either of them has been accused of any sin, then let two others than the first two from among those who deserve to be [executors] stand up in their stead. Let them both swear by God: "Our testimony is more valid than the testimony by either of them; we have never defied [God] for then we would be wrongdoers!" That is more appropriate for you in order to secure testimony at its face value, or for them to fear you may check back by means of [fresh] oaths following their own oaths [now]. Heed God and listen; God does not guide immoral folk.
Some day God will assemble [His] messengers and say: "What response have you received?" They will say: "We possess no knowledge; You are the Knower of Unseen things!" So God will say: 'Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favor towards you and towards your mother when I assisted you with the Holy Spirit. You spoke to people from the cradle and as an adult when I taught you the Book and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel. So you created something out of clay looking like a bird with my permission; you breathed into it, and by My permission it became a bird! You cured anyone born blind, and the leper with My permission. So you brought forth the dead by My permission, and I fended off the Children of Israel from you, when you brought them explanations, so those among them who disbelieved said: 'This is sheer magic!'
"When I inspired the disciples to believe in Me and in My messenger, they said: 'We believe, so take witness that we are Muslims.' When the disciples said: 'Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send a Table down from Heaven for us?, he said: 'Heed God if you are believers!' They said: 'We want to eat from it, and for our hearts to feet at rest, and so we know that you have told us the Truth, and that we should be witnesses for it.' Jesus the son of Mary said: 'O God our Lord, send us down a Table from Heaven so it may be a recurring feast for us, for both the first of us and the last of us, and as a sign from You! Provide for us, since you are the best Provider.' God said: 'I shall send it down to you. Any of you who disbelieves afterward, I shall punish with such torment as I have never punished anyone in the Universe!"'
When God said: 'Jesus, son of Mary, have you told people: "Take me and my mother as two gods instead of God [Alone]?';" he said: "Glory be to You! It is not my place to say what I have no right to [say]. If I had said it, You would have known it already: You know what is on my mind, while I do not know anything that is on Yours. You are the Knower of Unseen things. I have never told them anything except what You have ordered me to: 'Worship God as my Lord and your Lord.' I was a witness for them so long as I was among them. When You have gathered me up, You became the Watcher over them; You are a Witness for everything. If you should punish them, they are still Your servants; while if You should forgive them, surely You are Powerful, Wise."
God said: "This is a day when their truthfulness will benefit the truthful: they shall have gardens through which rivers flow, to live in ever and ever." God approves of them, while they are pleased with Him; that will be the supreme Achievement. God holds control over Heaven and Earth, as well as whatever lies within them. He is capable of everything!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Praise be to God, Who created Heaven and Earth and granted darkness and light! Yet those who disbelieve make other things equal to their Lord. He is the One Who has created you (all) from clay; then fixed a term. A deadline has been set by Him, yet you go on doubting! He is God in (both) Heaven and Earth. He knows your secrets and anything you publish; He knows whatever you earn.
Not one of their Lord's signs ever reaches them except they shun it. They have rejected Truth whenever it came to them, yet (more) news will reach them concerning what they have been making fun of. Have they not seen how many generations We wiped out whom we had established on earth before them in a way We did not establish you? We sent [water down from] the sky upon them in torrents and let rivers flow beneath them; and yet We wiped them out because of their offences and raised up other generations to succeed them.
Even though We sent you down something written on a papyrus scroll so they might touch it with their own hands, those who would still say: "This is just sheer magic!' They say: "If an angel only sent down to him!" Yet if We were to send an angel down, the matter would be settled; then they would no longer be allowed to wait. We made him into an angel, We would have made him a man a swell, to confuse them just as they confuse themselves. Messengers have been scoffed at before you, till whatever they were ridiculing swept in around those who had been doing the scoffing.
SAY: "Travel around the earth and see what the outcome was for those who denied [it all]."
SAY: "Who owns whatever is in Heaven and Earth?" SAY: "God does. He has prescribed mercy for Himself so He may gather you in on Resurrection Day, concerning which there is no doubt. Yet those who have lost their souls will never believe. He has anything that rests at night and by daylight. He is the Alert, Aware." SAY: "Shall I adopt someone as a patron besides God, the Deviser of the Heavens and Earth? He feeds [everybody], yet is not fed!" SAY: "I have been ordered to be the first who has committed himself to (live at) peace. Do not be an associator!"
SAY: "I fear the torment of an awful day if I should disobey my Lord." He will show mercy to anyone who is spared on that day: that will be the clear Triumph. If God should let any harm touch you, no one would remove it except He Himself; while if He should let some good touch you, well He is Capable of everything. He is the Irrresistible, [High] above His servants. He is the Wise, the Informed.
SAY: "What thing is most important as evidence?" SAY: "God is a Witness for both me and you. This Reading has been revealed to me so that I may warn you (all) by means of it, as well as anyone it may reach. Do you testify that there are other gods along with God?" SAY: "I will not swear so!" SAY: "He is God Alone, while I am innocent of whatever you associate [with Him]." Those whom We have given the Book know Him just as they recognize their own sons; [yet] those who have lost their souls will never believe.
Who is worse off than someone who invents a lie about God or has rejected His signs? Wrongdoers will never prosper. Some day We will summon them all together, then tell those who have associated [others with Us]: 'Where are your associates which you have been claiming [to have]?" Then there will be no test for them unless they say: "By God our Lord, we have not been associators!" See how they lie even about themselves! Whatever they have invented has misled them.
Some of them listen to you even though We have placed wrappings over their hearts and dullness in their ears lest they should understand it. Even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe in them; so whenever they come to you, they argue with you. Those who disbelieve say: 'These are only legends by primitive people." They try to refute it and remain aloof from it; yet they only destroy their own souls while they do not even notice it! If you could see when they are set before the Fire and say: "Alas, if we might only be sent back and had not rejected our Lord's signs, and we had been believers!"
Rather what they had been hiding previously has appeared to them; even though they were sent back, they would still return to what they have been forbidden. They are such liars! They say: "Only our worldly life exists; we will not be raised up again." If you could only see as they are made to stand before their Lord! He will say: "Isn't this real?" They will say: "Of course, by our Lord!" He will say: "Taste torment, since you have been disbelieving!"
Those who deny [they will have] any meeting with God have already lost out, so that when the Hour comes suddenly upon them, they will say: 'Have pity on us for how we neglected it!" They will carry their burdens on their own backs. Is not whatever they bear something evil?
What does worldly life mean except some sport and amusement? The future Home is better for those who do their duty. Will you (all) not use your reason? We well know how anything they say saddens you. Yet they are not rejecting merely you, but wrongdoers even repudiate God's signs. Messengers before you have been rejected, yet they held firm on being rejected and abused, until Our support came to them. There is no way to change God's words! News from (other) emissaries has already come to you. If their reluctance bears so heavily upon you, then how would it be if you managed to bore a tunnel through the earth or to climb a ladder up to Heaven, and brought a sign to them? If God so wished, He would gather them together for guidance; so do not act so ignorant as well. Only those who listen will respond, plus the dead whom God will raise; then unto Him will they return,
They say: "If a sign were only sent down to him by his Lord!" SAY: "God is Able to send down a sign, even though most of them will not know it." There is no animal [walking] on earth nor any bird flying on its wings unless they exist as communities like yourselves. We have not neglected anything in the Book; then to their Lord will they be summoned. Those who reject Our signs are deaf and dumb, [groping along] in darkness. God lets anyone He wishes go astray, while He sets anyone He wishes upon a Straight Road.
SAY: 'Have you considered whether, once God's torment comes to you (all) or the Hour comes to you, you will appeal to someone instead of God if you are so truthful?" Rather it is to Him you will appeal and if He wishes, He will remove whatever you have appealed to Him about, and you will forget what you have associated [with Him].
We sent [word] to nations before you and seized them with suffering and hardship so that they might act submissively. Why then did they not act submissive when Our violence came to them, but instead their hearts were hardened and Satan made whatever they were doing seem attractive to them? So once they forgot what they had been reminded of, We opened up the doors to everything for them until just when they were happiest with what they had been given, We caught them suddenly and there they were confounded! The last remnant of the folk who had been doing wrong was cut off. Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe!
SAY: "Have you (all) considered whether, if God should snatch away your hearing and your eyesight, and sealed off your hearts, who is the god besides God [Himself] who can give them back to you?" Watch how We deal out signs, yet they still keep aloof SAY: "Have you yourselves considered whether, if God's torment should come to you suddenly or openly, any except wrong-doing folk would be wiped out?" We do not send any emissaries except as newsbearers and warners. Anyone who believes and reforms should have no fear nor will they be saddened, *while punishment will alight on those who reject Our signs because how of immoral they have been.
SAY: "I do not say God's treasures lie with me nor do I know the Unseen, nor do I even tell you I am an angel. I merely follow what has been inspired in me." SAY: "Are the blind and the sighted man equal? Will you not think such matters over?"
Warn those who fear that they will be summoned to their Lord concerning it: they will have no patron nor any intercessor besides Him- so that they may do their duty.
Do not drive away those who appeal to their Lord, wanting His presence in the early morning and the evening. You have nothing to do with their reckoning, while they have nothing to do with your reckoning. Should you drive them off, you would be a wrongdoer.
*Even so do We try some of them by means of others, so they may say: "Are those the ones among us towards whom God has been gracious? Is God not quite Aware as to who are grateful?"
Whenever those who believe in Our signs come to you, SAY: "Peace be upon you!" Your Lord has prescribed mercy for Himself so He will be Forgiving, Merciful to any of you who commits evil out of ignorance, then repents later on and reforms. Thus We spell out signs so the criminals' way may be evident.
SAY: "I am forbidden to serve those whom you appeal to instead of to God." SAY: "I do not follow your whims: in that case I would go astray and not be guided." *SAY: "I am [looking] for evidence from my Lord while you have rejected it. I do not have what you are trying to hurry up; discretion lies only with God. He relates the Truth and is the best Decider." SAY: "If I had what you seek to hurry up, the matter would have been settled between me and you. God is quite Aware as to who a wrongdoers."
He holds the keys to the Unseen;
only He knows them! He knows
whatever
exists on land and at sea;
no leaf drops down unless He knows it,
nor any
seed [lies] in the darkness of the earth,
nor any tender [shoot] nor any
withered [stalk]
unless it is [written down] in a clear Book.
He is the One Who gathers you (all) in at night.
He knows what you have
accomplished by day;
then He revives you in it
so a stated period may be
fulfilled.
Then your return will be unto Him,
when He will notify you
about whatever you have been doing.
He is the Irresistible,
[reigns Supreme] Above His servants!
He sends
guardians [to watch] over you
so that whenever death comes for one of
you,
Our messengers will gather him in.
They will not neglect [their
duty];
then they will be sent back to God,
their true Patron.
Surely
discretion belongs to Him!
He is the Swiftest Reckoner.
SAY: "Who saves you from darkness on land and at sea?" You appeal to Him beseeching and in secret: "If He will rescue us from this, we'll be so grateful!"
SAY: "God will rescue you from it, and from all anxiety. Yet you still associate zothers with Himd!"
SAY: "He is Able to send torment down upon you or from underneath your feet, or to confuse you with factions and make some of you experience the violence of others."
Watch how We handle signs so that they may understand. Even so our folk reject it although it is the Truth.
SAY: 'I am no administrator set up over you. Every piece of news has some purpose, as you shall realize."
Whenever you see those who speculate about Our signs, avoid them till they speculate about some other topic of conversation. Even if Satan should cause you to forget [to do so], still do not sit around with such wrongful folk once you remember. Those who do their duty are not accountable for them in any way except to remind [them], so that they [in turn] may do their duty.
Stay away from those who take their religion as a sport and amusement. Worldly life has lured them on. Remind [them] of it lest any soul become reckless because of what he has earned; he will have no patron nor any other intercessor besides God. Even if he were to proffer every alternative, such would not be accepted from him. Those who let themselves act recklessly concerning what they have earned must drink boiling water and suffer painful torment because of how they have disbelieved.
SAY: "Should we appeal to something that can neither benefit nor harm us, instead of to God? Shall we turn on our heels now that God has guided us, bewildered like someone whom the devils have enticed away on earth, while his companions are calling him to guidance: 'Come to us!'?"
SAY: "God's guidance means [real] guidance. We have been ordered to commit ourselves peacefully to the Lord of the Universe. 'Keep up prayer and heed Him!' He is the One before Whom you will (all) be summoned. He is the One Who really created Heaven and Earth. Any day He says: 'Be!'; then it is!
"His speech [means] the Truth and He will hold control on the day when the Trumpet is sounded. Knowing the Unseen and Visible, He is wise, Informed."
Thus Abraham said to his father Azar: "Do you accept idols as gods? I see you and your folk are in obvious error." Therefore We showed Abraham sovereignty over Heaven and Earth so he might feel reassured.
When night descended on him, he saw a star. He said: "Will this be my lord?" So when it set, he said: "I do not like setting things."
So then as he saw the moon rising, he said: "Will this be my lord?"; and when it set, he said: "If my Lord did not guide me, I would be a member of the lost folk."
So when he saw the sun rising (again), he said: "Will this be my lord? This is [even] greater." As it set, he said: "My people, I am innocent of what you associate [with God]! I have turned my face enquiringly to Him Who originated Heaven and Earth. I am no associator."
His people argued with him. He said: "Are you arguing with me concerning God, while He has guided me? I do not fear what you associate with Him, unless my Lord should wish for something else. My Lord comprises everything in knowledge. Will you not be reminded? How should I fear what you associate [with Him] while you do not fear having associated something with God for which He has not sent you down any authority? Which of either group deserves more security, if you know anything? Those who believe and do not cloak their faith in wrongdoing will feel more secure and will be [better] guided."
Such was Our argument which We furnished Abraham with against his folk: We raise anyone We wish to in rank. Your Lord is Wise, Aware. We bestowed Isaac and Jacob on him; each We guided. Noah We had guided before, and from his offspring [came] David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron; thus We reward those who act kindly. Zachariah, John, Jesus and Elijah were all honorable men. And Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot; each We preferred over [everybody else in] the Universe. We picked out some of their forefathers, their offspring and their brethren, and guided them to a Straight Road.
Such is God's guidance: He thereby guides any of His servants He may wish. If they had associated [others with Him], whatever they were doing would have collapsed on them. Those are the ones to whom We have given the Book, along with discretion and prophethood; if such men should disbelieve in it, then We will entrust it to a folk who will not disbelieve in it. Such are the ones whom God has guided, so copy their guidance. SAY: 'I do not ask you any fee for it; it is only a Reminder to [everybody in] the Universe!"
They do not value God the way He should be valued when they say: 'God has not sent down anything to a human being." SAY: "Who sent down the Book which Moses came with, as Light and guidance for mankind? You publish it on (separate) sheets to show it around, while you (also) hide a great deal [of it].
You have been taught what neither you yourselves nor your forefathers ever knew." SAY: "God [has sent it];" then leave them toying away with their speculation.
This is a blessed Book We have sent down to confirm whatever came before it, so you may warn the Mother of Towns and anyone around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it and attend to their prayer. Yet who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about God? Or says: "Something has been revealed to me... ", while nothing has been revealed to him; and who says: "I shall send down the same as God has sent down"?
If you could only see when wrongdoers are in their death throes and the angels stretch forth their hands: "Away with your souls! Today you are awarded the torment of shame because you have been saying something that is not true about God. You have acted too proud for His signs". You have (all) come to Us individually, now, just as We created you in the first place. You have left behind what We conferred on you, nor do We see your intercessors alongside you whom you claimed were associated with you. They have been cut off from you, and what you have been claiming has merely led you astray!"
God is the One
Who splits the seed and kernel,
He brings the living
from the dead, and is the One
Who brings the dead from the living.
Such
is God; yet still you shrug Him off!
Kindler of morn, He grants night for
repo
and the sun and moon for telling time.
Such is the measure of the
Powerful, the Aware!
He is the One Who has placed the stars
to guide you
through darkness on land and at sea,
We have spelled out signs for people
who know!
It is He Who has reproduced you from a single soul,
and
[granted you] a settlement [on earth]
and a resting place [after death].
We have spelled out signs for people who understand.
It is He Who sends down water from the sky. Thus We bring forth plants of every type with it; We produce green vegetation from it. We produce grain from it piled tight packed on one another, and from the datepalm, clusters close at hand produced from its pollen, as well as orchards full of grapes, olives and pomegranates, which are so similar and yet dissimilar. Look at their fruit as He causes it to grow and ripen.
In that are signs for folk who believe.
They have set up sprites as associates with God, even though created them!
They have even dared to impute sons and daughters to Him without having any knowledge. Glory be to Him; Exalted is He over whatever they describe!
Deviser of Heaven and earth! How can He save a son while He has no consort? He created everything and is aware of everything!
Such is God, your Lord;
there is no deity except Him,
the Creator of
everything,
so serve Him. He is
a Trustee for everything!
No powers of vision can comprehend Him, while He comprehends [all] vision; He is the Subtle, the Informed. Insights have come to you from your Lord; anyone who observes [them] does so for his own sake, while anyone who acts blindly has himself to blame. I am not [setup as] any guardian over you.
Thus we spell out signs so they will say: "You have been studying!"; and so We may explain it to folk who know. Follow whatever has been revealed to you by your Lord; there is no deity except Him. Avoid anyone who associates [others with God]. If God had so wished, they would not have associated [anything with Him]. We have not set you up guardian over them, nor are you an administrator for them.
Do not insult those they appeal to instead of to God, lest they insult God as an enemy without even realizing it. Thus We have made their action seem attractive to every nation; then their return shall be to their Lord, so He may notify them about how the have been acting.
They swear by God with their stiffest oaths that if a sign were given them, they would believe in it. SAY: "Signs belong only to God.' What will make you perceive that even when they are given them, they will still believe? We upset their vital organs and their eyesight since they did not believe it in the first place. We will leave them groping along in their arrogance.
Even though We were to send angels down to them and the dead were to speak to them, and We mustered everything against them, they still would not believe unless God so wishes; yet most of them act so out of ignorance. Thus We have granted each messenger an opponent, devils from humankind and sprites, some of whom have inspired others with seductive talk in order to deceive them. If your Lord had so wished, they would not have done so; so leave them alone as well as anything they may be inventing. Let the vital organs of those who do not believe in the Hereafter incline towards it, and let them feel satisfied with it and acquire whatever they may be acquiring.
Should I crave someone besides God to settle matters? He is the One Who has sent the Book down to you to set things forth in detail. Those whom We have given the Book recognize that it has been sent down from your Lord with the Truth, so do not be a doubter. Your Lord's word has been completed so far as [its] credibility and justice are concerned; there is no way to change His words. He is the Alert, the Aware. If you obeyed most of those who are on earth, they would lead you astray from God's path; they only follow conjecture and are merely guessing. You Lord is quite Aware as to who is straying from is path, just as He is quite Aware as to who are guided.
So eat whatever God's name has been mentioned over if you are believers in His signs. What is wrong with you that you do not eat something God's name has been mentioned over? He has spelled out for you what has been forbidden you-unless you are obliged to [eat it]. Many [people] lead others astray through their own passions without having any knowledge; your Lord is quite Aware as to who are disobedient. Leave off obvious vice and its inner source; those who acquire a vice will be rewarded for whatever they may have committed. Do not eat anything over which God's name has not been mentioned; it is so immoral! The devils inspire their adherents to argue with you; if you (all) obeyed them, you would become associators [of others in your worship of God Alone].
Is someone who has been dead and whom We revived and granted light to so he may walk among people with it, to be compared to someone who is in such darkness he cannot leave it? Thus anything they have been doing seems attractive to disbelievers.
Thus We have granted each town great men who are its criminals, to plot away in it. They merely plot against themselves and do not even notice it. Whenever some sign comes to them, they say: "We will never believe until we are given the same as God's messengers were given." God is quite Aware as to where He should place His message; belittlement by God and stern torment will strike those who commit crimes because of what they have been plotting.
God lays anyone's breast open to Islam whom He wants to guide, while He makes the breast of anyone He wants to be led astray seem cramped, tight, just as if he were climbing up to Heaven. Thus God places a blight on those who do not believe. This is your Lord's Straight Road. We have spelled out signs for folk who remember: they will have a peaceful home with their Lord; He will be their Patron because of what they have been doing.
Some day He will summon them all together: "O company of sprites, you have required too much from humankind." Their adherents among humanity will say: "Our Lord, some of us have taken advantage of one another, and have [now] reached our deadline which You appointed for us." He will say: "The Fire will be your lodging to live in for ever, except for whatever God may wish. Your Lord is Wise, Aware." Thus We let some wrongdoers manage others because of what they had been earning. (XVI)"O company of sprites and humankind, have not messengers from among yourselves come to relate My signs to you and warn you about a meeting on this day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness even against ourselves." Worldly life has lured them on and they bear witness against themselves for having been disbelievers.
That is because your Lord will not destroy any towns unjustly while their people are heedless: everyone will have ranks according to what they have been doing. Your Lord is not oblivious of what they are doing. Your Lord is Transcendent, the Master of Mercy; if He so wished, He would remove you and bring replacements for you in any way He wishes, just as He has produced you from the offspring of other people.What you are promised is coming; you will never avert it.
SAY: "My people, act according to your situation; I [too] am Acting! You will know who will have the Home as a result. The fact is that wrongdoers will not prosper. They grant God a share in what He has produced such as crops and livestock, and they say: "This is God's,' according to their claim, and: "This is our associates'." Anything that is meant for their associates never reaches God, while what is God's reaches their associates (too); how evil is whatever they decide! Even so, their associates have made killing their children seem attractive to many associators, to lead them on to ruin and to confuse their religion for them. If God so wishes, they would not do so; so leave them alone and whatever they are inventing.
They say: "This livestock and (these) crops are taboo; only someone we wish to may eat them!", according to their claim. There are some livestock whose backs one is forbidden to ride, as well as (other) livestock over which God's name has not been mentioned, as something invented despite Him. He will reward them according to what they have been inventing. They say: "What is in this livestock's bellies is reserved exclusively for our menfolk, and forbidden to our wives." Yet if it is stillborn, then they may be partners in it!
He will reward them for their description; He is Wise, Aware.
Those who have stupidly killed their own children without having any knowledge and forbidden something God has provided them with, have lost out through inventing things about God; they have gone astray and not accepted guidance.
He it is Who has produced gardens, both trellised and untrellised, and datepalms and field crops whose food [tastes] different, as well as olives and pomegranates which are so alike and yet so unlike! Eat some of their fruit as they ripen, and give away whatever they ought to on their harvest day. Yet do not overdo things for He does not love extravagant people.
Some livestock is for transport and some meant for use at home. Eat anything God has provided you with and do not follow in Satan's footsteps, for he is an open enemy of yours, Eight exist in pairs: two [pairs] of sheep and two of goats. SAY: "Does He forbid both males or both females, or what the females' wombs contain? Inform me scientifically if you are so truthful! Camels also [come] in twos and cattle in twos. SAY: "Did He forbid both males or both females, or what both females' wombs contain? Were you witnesses when God instructed you concerning this? Who does more harm than someone who invents a lie about God, so he may lead mankind astray without having any knowledge? God does not guide wrong-doing folk.
SAY: "I do not find anything forbidden in what has been revealed to me for anyone needing to eat something, unless it is something that has died [by itself] or it is blood which has already been shed, or pork-that is so filthy!-or a sinful offering that has been consecrated to something besides God.
RestrictionsConcerning anyone who is obliged to do so, without either meaning to disobey nor exceeding his [barest] needs, your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
We have forbidden those who are Jews everything having a claw, and in the case of cattle, sheep and goats, We have forbidden them their tallow, unless it is located in their backs or intestines, or what is mingled with their bones. That is how We have rewarded them because of their insolence. We are Truthful; so if they should reject you, then say: 'Your Lord possesses boundless Mercy. His might will not be withheld from criminal folk,"
Those who associate [others in their worship of God) will say: 'I God had so wished, neither we nor our forefathers would have associated [anything with Him] nor have forbidden anything." Even so did those before them reject [Us] until they tasted Our might. SAY: "Have you (all) any knowledge? Then bring it here for us! Why, you only follow conjecture; you are merely guessing!"
SAY: "God holds the convincing argument; if He so wished, He would have guided every one of you." SAY: "Produce your witnesses who will testify that God has forbidden this!" If they so testify, still do not testify along with them nor follow the whims of those who reject Our signs and do not believe in the Hereafter. They make all things equal to their Lord!
SAY: 'Come close, I will recite what your Lord has forbidden you:
Do not associate anything with Him;
And [show] kindness towards both [your] parents.
Do not kill your children because of poverty; We shall provide for as well as for them. Do not indulge in shocking acts which you may practise either openly or keep secret.
Do not kill any person whom God has forbidden, except through [due process of] law. He has instructed you in this so that you may use your reason.
Do not approach an orphan's estate before he comes of age, except to improve it.
Grant full measure and weight in all fairness. We do not assign person to do more than he can cope with.
Whenever you speak, be just even though it concerns a close relative.
Fulfil God's agreement. Thus has He instructed you so that you may bear it in mind.
This is My Straight Road, so follow it and do not follow [other] paths which will separate you from His path. Thus has He instructed you so that you may do your duty.
Then We gave Moses the Book as a fulfilment for someone who acts kindly, and an analysis of everything, as well as for guidance and mercy so they may believe about meeting their Lord. This is a Blessed Book We have sent down, so follow it and do your duty so that you may receive mercy, lest you say: "The Book was sent down to only two factions before us. We have been unaware of what they study." Or you may say: "If the Book had been sent down to us, We would be better guided than they are."
Evidence has now come to you from your Lord, as well as guidance and mercy. Who is more in the wrong than someone who rejects God's signs and even evades them? We will reward those who evade Our signs with the worst torment because they have acted so evasive. Are they only waiting for angels to come to them or for your Lord to arrive, or for some of your Lord's signs to come? On the day when some of your Lord's signs arrive, belief in them will not benefit any person who has not believed in them already, nor earned some good through his [profession of] faith.
SAY: "Wait; we too are waiting!"
Concerning those who permit divisions in their religion and form sects, you should have nothing to do with them in any way. Their case rests entirely with God; soon He will notify them about whatever they have been doing.
Anyone who comes with a fine deed
will have ten more like it,
while
anyone who comes with an evil deed
will only be rewarded with its
like;
they will not be treated unjustly.
SAY: "As for me, my Lord has guided me along a Straight Road, [leading to] an
established religion, the creed of Abraham the Enquirer.
He was no
associator."
SAY: "My prayer and my devotion,
my living and my dying,
(all) belong
to God, Lord of the Universe;
no associate has He,
with that am I
commanded,
and I am the first of the Muslims."
SAY: "Should I seek some other lord than God, while He is Lord of Everything? Each soul is responsible only for its own self, while no burdened [soul] shall bear another's burden. Soon your return will be unto your Lord, so He may advise you concerning whatever you have been differing over.
"He is the One Who has placed you as overlords on earth and raised some of you higher than others in rank so He may test you by means of what He has given you. Your Lord is Swift in punishment; yet He is Forgiving, Merciful."
The Devil tempts Adam before the tree of Good and Evil. The Heights which give the chapter its title are mentioned, and they present a vivid picture of Heaven and Hell which furnishes so of the imagery for the Divine Comedy by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Some consider them to be a lofty bridge or the site of Purgatory that lies between Heaven and Hell.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. M. S.
A Book has been sent down to you, so do not let your breast feel it is under any constraint because of it, so you may warn by means of it; [it is] a Reminder for believers.
Follow whatever has been sent down to you by your Lord and do not follow any sponsors besides Him; yet how seldom do you remember!
How many towns have We wiped out? Our might has come upon them at dead of night or while they were napping. Once Our might came to them, their appeal was merely to say: "We have been such wrongdoers!"
Let Us ask those to whom it was sent and let Us (also) ask the emissaries; let Us relate what We know about them since We have not been absent.
The weighing-in that day will be correct: those whose scales are heavy will be prosperous; while those whose scales are light are the ones who have lost their souls because they had been damaging Our signs. We have established you on earth and granted you means by which to live on it. Yet seldom are you grateful!
We created you (all); then We shaped you. Then We told the angels: "Bow down before Adam". They bowed down on their knees except for Diabolis; he was no one to bow down on his knees!
He said: "What prevents you from bowing down when I have commanded you to [do so]?" He said: "I am better than he is; You created me from fire, while You created him from clay." He said: "Clear out of here; you have no reason to act so proud about it. Get out; you are such a petty person!"
He said: "Let me wait until the day when they are raised up again." He said: "You are one who will be allowed to wait." He said: "Since you have let me wander off, I'll waylay them along Your Straight Road; then I'll come at them from in front of them and from behind them, on their right and on their left. You will not find that most of them are grateful." He said: "Get out of here, despised, rejected! I'll fill Hell with all of those who follow you.
"And Adam, settle down in the garden, you and your wife. Eat wherever you wish; yet do not approach this tree lest either of you should become wrongdoers."
So Satan whispered to them to show them both their private parts which had gone unnoticed by either of them. He said: 'Your Lord only forbids you this tree so that you will not become two angels, or lest you both become immortal." He swore to them: "I am a sincere counsellor with both of you!" He led them on by deceiving [them].
Once they had tasted the tree['s fruit], their private parts became apparent to both of them, and they started to patch together leaves from the Garden for themselves.
Their Lord called out to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you both that Satan is an open enemy of yours?" They said: "Our Lord, we have harmed ourselves! If You do not forgive us and grant us mercy, we'll be losers." He said: "Clear out! You will become one another's enemies. Yet you may have a residence on earth and enjoyment for a while." He [further] said: "You will live on it and you will die on it, and from it will you be brought forth [again]."
"Children of Adam, We have sent you down clothing with which to conceal your private parts and to dress up in. Yet the clothing of heedfulness is best!"
That is one of God's signs, so that they may bear it in mind.
Children of Adam, do not let Satan tempt you just as he turned your two ancestors out of the Garden, stripping them of their clothing in order to show them their private parts. He and his tribe watch you from where you do not see them! We have placed devils as patrons for those who do not believe. Whenever they perform any obscene act they say: "We found out our forefathers were performing it, and God has ordered us to do so." SAY: "God does not order any sexual misconduct. Do you say something you do not know about God?"
SAY: "My Lord has ordered me to play fair. Keep your faces set towards every place of prayer and appeal to Him sincerely; religion belongs to Him. Even as He started you off, so will you return. One party has
He guided while another party ought to be allowed to go astray: they have adopted the devils as patrons instead of God, and reckon they are guided!
Children of Adam, wear your best clothes to every place of worship! Eat and drink, yet do not overdo things; He does not love the extravagant.
SAY: "Who has forbidden God's amenities which He has produced for His servants, and the wholesome things from [His] provisions SAY: 'On Resurrection Day they will be [reserved] exclusively for those who have believed during worldly life." Thus do We set forth signs for folk who know.
SAY: "My Lord has only forbidden shocking deeds whether they are flagrant or kept hidden; and vice and sedition without any right to do so; and that you should associate anything with God for which He has not sent down any authority; and that you should say something you do not know concerning God.
Every nation has its term;
so whenever their deadline comes,
they will
not postpone it for an hour,
nor will they advance it.
Children of Adam, whenever any messengers from among yourselves come to relate My signs to you, then anyone who does his duty and reforms will have no fear nor need they feel saddened; while those who reject My signs and act too haughty towards them will become inmates of the Fire; they will remain there for ever.
Who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about God or rejects His signs? Those will have their portion from the Book presented to them so that when Our messengers come to carry them off, they will say: 'Where are whatever you used to appeal to instead of to God?" They will say: "They have left us in the lurch," and so they shall testify against themselves as to how they have been disbelievers. He will say: "Enter the Fire along with the nations of sprites and humankind who have passed away before you."
Every time some nation enters it, it will curse its sister[-nation] until, when they have all caught up with one another, the last of them will say to the first: "Our Lord, these [people] have misled us, so give them double torment from the Fire!" He will say: "Each shall have double, even though you do not realize it." The first of them will tell the last: "What advantage have you over us? Taste torment because of what you have earned!"
Heaven's gates will not swing open for those who reject Our signs and feel too proud for them, nor will they enter the Garden until a camel can be led through the eye of a needle. Thus We reward criminals: they will have a couch in Hell while over them there will hang awnings. Thus We reward wrongdoers!
Those who believe and perform honorable deeds [will find] We never assign any soul more than it can cope with. Those will become inhabitants of the Garden; they will live in it for ever. We will strip away any rancor [that lingers] in their breasts. Rivers will flow beneath them and they will say: "Praise be to God Who led us to this! We would never have been guided if God had not led us on. Our Lord's messengers have brought the Truth." They will hear someone call out: "Here is the Garden you have inherited because of what you have done!"
The inhabitants of the Garden will call out to the inmates of the Fire: 'We have found out that what our Lord promised us is true. Have you found what your Lord promised you to be true?" They will say: "Yes!" So an announcer among them will call out: "God's curse rests on wrongdoers who obstruct God's path and try to make it crooked, and are disbelievers in the Hereafter."
Between them both there will hang a curtain, while on the Heights above there will be men who recognize everyone by their features. They will call out to the inhabitants of the Garden: "Peace be upon you!" They have not yet entered it even though they long to. When their sight is shifted towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord, do not place us alongside such wrongdoing folk!"
The Companions on the Heights will call out to some men whom they will recognize by their features; they will say: "How did all your storing things up and how proud you acted benefit you? Are you those who swore that God would not confer any mercy on them? Enter the Garden; there is no [need] for you to fear nor should you feel saddened."
The inmates of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of the Garden: "Pour some water over us, or anything God has provided you with!" They will say: "God has forbidden either of them to disbelievers who have taken their religion as a pastime and for amusement; worldly life has lured them on."
Today We shall forget them just as they forgot about meeting on this day of theirs. Did they not repudiate Our signs? We have given them the Book; We have spelled it out knowingly as a guideline and mercy for folk who believe. Are they only waiting for it to be interpreted? The day its interpretation comes along, those who have already forgotten it will say: "Our Lord's messengers did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors to intercede for us? Or should we be sent back, then we would act so differently from the way we have been acting." They have lost their souls and what they have been inventing has left them in the lurch.
Your Lord is God, Who created Heaven and Earth in six days; then He mounted on the Throne. He wraps night up with daytime, seeking it automatically. The sun, moon and stars are regulated by His command. Surely creation and authority belong to Him. Blessed be God, Lord of the Universe!
Appeal to your Lord beseeching and in private; He does not love those who are aggressive. Do not spoil things on earth once they have been improved. Appeal to Him out of fear and expectation; God's mercy lies close to those who act kindly. He is the One Who sends winds to announce His mercy directly, so that whenever they lift up heavy clouds, We drive them along to a dead countryside and send down water from them; and thus We bring forth every kind of fruit. Thus We bring forth the dead too so you may bear this in mind. A good land brings forth its plants with its Lord's permission, while whatever is sterile will produce only grudgingly. Thus We spell out signs for folk who act grateful.
We sent Noah to his people, and he said: "My folk, serve Go [Alone]; you have no other deity than Him. I fear the torment of an awful day for you!" The elders of his people said: "We see you are in obvious error." He said: "My folk, no trace of error lies in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe, I transmit my Lord's messages to you, and counsel you sincerely. I know something you do not know about God. Are you surprised that a Reminder should come to you from your Lord through one of your own men, so He may warn you and you will do your duty, and in order that you may receive mercy.?"
Yet they said he was lying, so We saved him and those who were along with him in the Ark. We let those who rejected Our signs drown; they were such blind folk!
To Ad [there was sent] their brother Hud: "O my people, serve God [Alone]. You have no other deity than Him. Will you not do your duty?" The elders who disbelieved among his folk said: "We see you are [full] of nonsense, and think you are a liar!"
He said: "My people, there is no nonsense in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe! I transmit my Lord's messages to you; I am a trustworthy counsellor for you. Are you surprised that a Reminder from your Lord should come to you through one of your own men, so that He may warn you? Remember when He set you up as overlords following Noah's folk, and made you grow so very tall. Remember God's benefits so that you may prosper.
They said: "Have you come to us so we will worship God Alone and forsake whatever our forefathers have been serving? Bring us whatever you threaten us with if you are so truthful." He said: "A blight plus wrath from your Lord have already fallen on you. Are you arguing with me about some names that you and your forefathers have made up? God has not sent down any authority for them. Just wait: I am waiting alongside you."
So We saved him and those who stood with him through mercy from Ourself, and We cut off the last remnant of those who rejected Our signs and were not believers.
To Thamud [there was sent] their brother Salih. He said: "My folk, worship God! You have no other deity than Him. A proof has come to you from your Lord: this camel belonging to God is a sign for you, so leave her grazing on God's earth and do not let any harm touch her lest some painful torment should overtake you. Remember when He set you up as overlords
after Ad, and settled you down on the earth. You occupy palaces on its plains and carve houses out of the mountains. Remember God's benefits and do not cause havoc on earth like mischief makers."
The elders among his people who acted proudly told the ones they considered helpless even thou the still believed: "Do you know whether Salih is an emissary from his Lord?" They said: 'We are believers in whatever he has been sent with." Those who acted proudly said: "We are disbelievers in what you believe in." So they hamstrung the camel, objected to their Lord's command, and said: "Salih, bring us what you promise us with if you are an emissary!"
A tremor caught them; so one morning they lay cowering in their home. He turned away from them and said: "My people, I have delivered my Lord's message to you and counselled you sincerely, but you do not like sincere advisors."
And there was Lot when he told his people: "Do you indulge in a sexual practice such as no one in the Universe has ever indulged in previously? You approach men lustfully instead of women! Rather are dissipated folk."
His people's answer was merely to say: "Run them out of your town: they are persons who are trying to keep pure." We saved him and his family except for his wife; she was one of those who lagged behind. We sent a rain down on them: look how the outcome was for such criminals!
To Midian [We sent] their brother Shuayb. He said: 'My people, worship God [Alone]! You have no other deity besides Him. A token has come to you from your Lord, so offer full measure and weight, and do not undersell people in their dealings nor spoil things on earth once it has been set right; that will be best for you if you are believers. Do not lurk along every road, threatening and blocking anyone off from God's way who believes in Him, and seeking to make it crooked. Remember how few you were and He increased you. See what the outcome was for those who act depraved. If there is a faction of you who believe in what I have been sent with, and another faction which does not so believe, still be patient until God judges between us. He is the best of Judges."
The elders among his people who had acted proudly said: "We'll run you out of our town, Shuayb, as well as those who believe along with you; or else you will return to our sect!" He said: "Even though we detest it? We'd invent a lie about God if we returned to your sect now after God has saved us from it. There is no means for us to return to it unless God our Lord should wish us to; our Lord comprises everything in knowledge. On God have we relied. Our Lord, really deliver us from our own people; You are the best Deliverer."
The elders among his people who disbelieved said: 'If you follow Shuayb, you will then be losers." So the Tremor caught them, and one morning they lay cowering in their homes: those who rejected Shuayb [ended up] as if they had never been so wealthy in them; those who rejected Shuayb were the losers! So he turned away from them and said: 'My people, I have delivered my Lord's messages to you and counselled you sincerely. Why should I grieve over a disbelieving folk?"
We have never sent a prophet into any town unless We [first] seized its people with suffering and hardship, so that they might he humbled Then We turned evil into good so that they were thriving, and said: 'Both hardship and happiness befell our ancestors." So We seized them suddenly while they did not even notice it.
If the townsfolk had (only) believed and done their duty, We would have showered blessings from Heaven and Earth on them, but they rejected townsfolk feel secure from Our might's striking them at dead of night while they are asleep? Or do the people of the towns feel safe from Our night's striking them in broad daylight while they are playing around? Do they feel safe from God's design? No one should feel safe from God's design except for folk who will lose out.
Were those who will inherit the earth after its (present] people never shown how We would strike them down for their offences and seal off their hearts if We so wished, so they would not hear? We have related news concerning those towns to you: their messengers came to them with explanations, yet they were not in any mood to believe in something they had already rejected. Thus God seals off disbelievers' hearts. We did not find any agreement was ever kept by most of them, although we did find most of them were quite immoral!
Then after them, we dispatched Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his courtiers, and they mistreated them. See how the outcome was for mischiefmakers! Moses said: "Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe. It is (only) right for me to say nothing except the Truth about God. I have brought you an explanation from your Lord, so send the Children of Israel away with me." He said: 'If you have brought some sign, well produce it then if you are so truthful!" He tossed his staff down and imagine, it obviously became a snake! He pulled out his hand (from his shirtfront), and imagine, it was white to the onlookers!
The notables among Pharaoh's people said: 'This is some clever magician! He wants to drive you out of your land; so what do you command?" They said: 'Put him and his brother off, and send recruiters out through the cities who will bring you in every clever magician."
The magicians came to Pharaoh. They said: 'Will we have some payment if we are the winners?" He said: "Yes, and you will become courtiers."
They said: 'Moses, will you throw something down or shall we be the ones to throw [first]?" He said: "You throw [first]!" So when they threw, they charmed the people's eyes and overawed them. They produced a splendid trick!
We inspired Moses with: 'Throw your staff," and imagine, it swallowed up whatever they had trumped up! Truth prevailed and what they had been doing collapsed; those men were defeated and were turned back belittled. The magicians dropped down on their knees; they said: "We believe in the Lord of the Universe, the Lord of Moses and Aaron."
Pharaoh said: "You have believed in Him before I permit you to! This is some scheme which you have hatched in the city in order to drive its people out. You will soon find out! I'll cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides; then I'll crucify you all." They said: "We will be sent home to our Lord. You are persecuting us only because we have believed in our Lord's signs once they were brought us. Our Lord, pour patience over us, and gather us up [at death] as Muslims!"
The notables among Pharaoh's people said: "Are you letting Moses and his people ruin the earth, and forsake you and your gods?" He said: "We shall slaughter their sons and let their women live; we stand irresistible over them."
Moses told his people: "Seek help from God and act patient; the earth belongs to God. Anyone He wishes from among His servants will inherit it, and the outcome belongs to the heedful." They said: "We were oppressed before you came to us, and [will be again] after you have come to us." He said: 'Perhaps your Lord will wipe out your enemy and leave you as overlords on earth, so He may observe how you act."
We gripped Pharaoh's household with years [of trial] and a shortage of fruit so they might bear it in mind. Whenever something fine came to them, they said: "This is ours;" while if something evil afflicted them, they took it as an omen connected with Moses and whoever was with him. Did not their omen only lie with God? Yet most of them do not realize it. They said: "No matter what sign you may bring us to charm us with, we will never believe in you."
We sent the flood and grasshoppers, lice, frogs and blood on them as distinguishing signs, yet they (still) acted proudly and were criminal folk. Whenever some plague fell upon them, they said: "Moses, appeal to your Lord for us, because of what He has pledged for you; if you will lift the plague from us, we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel away with you."
Yet whenever We lifted the plague from them for a period which they were to observe, why, they failed to keep it! We avenged Ourselves on them and drowned them in the deep, because they had rejected Our signs and been so heedless of them. We let a folk whom they considered to be inferior inherit the Eastern and Western parts of the land which We had blessed. Your Lord's finest word was accomplished for the Children of Israel because they had been so patient. We destroyed everything Pharaoh and his people had been producing and whatever they had been building.
We led the Children of Israel across the sea. They came upon a people who were dedicated to some idols they had. They said: "Moses, make a god for us like the gods they have." He said: "You are a folk who act ignorantly. Anything those people are busy at is doomed and whatever they have been doing is absurd." He said: 'Should I seek something instead of God as a deity for you, while He has preferred you ahead of [everyone in] the Universe?
When We saved you from Pharaoh's household, they were imposing the worst torment on you: they slaughtered your sons and spared your women. That meant a serious trial from your Lord."
We appointed thirty nights for Moses and completed them with ten; the appointment with his Lord was complete in forty nights. Moses told his brother Aaron: "Rule my people in my stead and set a good example; do not pursue the mischiefmakers' course."
When Moses came for Our appointment and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "My Lord, show [yourself] to me so I may look at You." He said: "You will never see Me, but look at the mountain [instead]. If it remains in its place, then you shall see Me." When his Lord displayed his glory to the mountain, He left it flattened off, and Moses fell down stunned.
When he came back to his senses, he said: "Glory be to You! I have turned to You and am the first believer!" He said: "Moses, I have selected you ahead of [all] mankind for My messages and My word; so accept whatever I may give you and act grateful [for it]." We wrote down a bit of everything for him on Tablets for instruction and as an analysis of everything: "Hold to it firmly and command your folk to hold on to whatever is best in it. I shall show you (all) the home for immoral people. I shall divert those from My signs who have strutted around the earth so proudly without having any right to do so."
Even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe in them. If they saw the way to normal behavior they would not accept it as any way [to behave], while if they saw any way to err, they would accept it as a course [of action]. That is because they have rejected Our signs and been heedless of them.
Those who reject Our signs and [the idea of] a meeting in the Hereafter will [see] their works collapse. Will they not be rewarded for just what they have been doing?
After he had gone, Moses' folk designed a calf [made] out of their jewelry, a (mere) body that mooed. Did they not see that it neither spoke to them nor guided them along any way? They adopted it and (thereby) became wrongdoers.
When the matter was dropped in their hands and they saw that they were lost, they said: "If our Lord does not show us mercy and forgive us, we will be losers."
When Moses returned angry, sorrowful to his folk, he said: 'What an awful thing you have committed behind my back! Have you tried to hurry up your Lord's command?" He dropped the Tablets and seized his brother by the head, pulling him towards himself. He said: "Son of my mother, the people felt I was weak and they almost killed me! Dont let any enemies gloat over me nor place me with such wrongdoing folk!" He said: 'My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and let us enter Your mercy! You are the most Merciful of those who show mercy!"
Anger and disgrace from their Lord will be awarded those who accepted the calf during worldly life. Thus We reward those who invent [such things]; as for those who perform evil deeds, then repent later on and believe, your Lord will later on be Forgiving, Merciful.
When his anger had subsided, Moses picked up the Tablets whose text contained guidance and mercy for those who revere their Lord.
Moses chose his people, seventy men, for an appointment with Us. When the Tremor seized them, he said: "My Lord, even though You may have wished to wipe them out and myself (as well) earlier, are You wiping us out just because of what some fools among us have done? It is only Your manner of testing: You let anyone You wish to, go astray by means of it, and let anyone You wish, to be guided. You are our Patron, so pardon us and show us mercy; You are the best Pardoner. Prescribe a fine thing for us in this world and in the Hereafter; let us be guided towards You!"
He said: "I afflict anyone I wish with My torment while My mercy embraces everything; I shall prescribe it for those who do their duty, pay the welfare tax, and who believe in Our signs, those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet whom they will find written down for them in the Torah and the Gospel. He commands them to be decent and forbids them dishonor. He permits them wholesome things and prohibits them evil things, and relieves them of their obligation and the shackles which have lain upon them. Those who believe in him, revere him and support him, and follow the Light which was sent down with him; those will be successful."
SAY: "Mankind, for all of you I am but a messenger from God [Alone], Who holds control over Heaven and Earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and brings death. Believe in God and His messenger, the Unlettered Prophet who himself believes in God [Alone] and His words: follow him so you may be guided."
Out of Moses' folk [there grew] a nation who guided by means of the Truth and dealt justly by means of it. We split them up into twelve tribes, communities, and inspired Moses when his people asked for water: 'Strike the rock with your staff." Twelve springs gushed forth from it. Each set of people knew its own drinking-place.
We shaded them with clouds and sent down manna and quail for them: 'Eat some of the wholesome things which We have supplied you with." Yet they did not harm Us, but they themselves were the persons whom they harmed. When they were told: "Settle down in this town and eat wherever you wish in it, and say: 'Relieve [us]!' Enter the gate [walking] on your knees. We will forgive you your mistakes; We will give even more to those who act kindly," those among them who did wrong changed the statement into something else than what had been told them; so We sent a plague from Heaven upon them because of how wrong they had been acting.
Ask them about the town which lay facing the sea, when they broke the Sabbath. Their fish came to them swimming on the surface on their Sabbath Day, while any day they did not cease work, it did not come to them. Thus We tested them since they had been acting so immorally.
Whenever a community among them said: "Why do you lecture a folk whom God will destroy anyhow, or [at least] punish them severely?" they said: "To gain absolution from your Lord, and so they may do their duty." When they forgot what they had been reminded of, We rescued those who had forbidden evil while We seized those who were doing wrong with dreadful torment because they had been acting so immorally. When they became insolent about what had been forbidden them, we told them: "Become apes who will be chased away." So your Lord announced that He would send someone against them who would impose the worst torment on them until Resurrection Day. Your Lord is Prompt with punishment, while He is (also) Forgiving, Merciful,
We split them up into nations (that exist) on earth. Some of them are honorable while some of them are otherwise. We have tested them with fine things and evil things so they might repent. Successors replaced them afterward who inherited the Book, taking on the show of this lowly place and saying: 'It will be forgiven us.' If a show like it were give them (again), they would accept it. Was not an agreement concerning the Book accepted by them: that they would tell nothing but the Truth about God? They studied what was in it.
A home in the Hereafter is better for those who do their duty - do they not use their reason? As for those who hold onto the Book and keep up prayer-We shall never forfeit reformers' wages. Thus We suspended the Mountain over them as if it were an awning, and they thought it was going to fall down on them: "Hold on firmly to anything We have given you and remember what is in it, so that you may do your duty!"
When your Lord took their offspring from the Children of Adam's loins, and made them bear witness about themselves: 'Am I not your Lord?"; they said: 'Of course, we testify to it!" lest you (all) might say on Resurrection Day: "We were unaware of this;" or lest you say: "It was only our forefathers who associated [others with God] previously; offspring following them. Will You wipe us out because of what furtile men have done?" Thus We spell out signs so that they may repent.
Recite news to them about someone to whom We gave Our signs. He slipped away from them, so Satan followed him and he became misguided. If We had so wished, We might have raised him up by means of them, but he clung to the earth and followed his own whim. He might be compared to a dog: no matter how you drive him off, he just pants away. Or if you leave him alone, he still pants on. That is what folk who reject Our signs are like; tell such stories so they may think things over. How evil is the comparison of folk who reject Our signs; it is their own souls they hurt!
Anyone whom God guides
has been (really) guided;
while those He lets go
astray
will he the losers. We have bred
many sprites and humans for Hell:
they have hearts they do not understand with,
and eyes they do not see
with,
and ears they do not hear with.
Those persons are like
livestock:
in fact, they are even further off track,
They are heedless!
God has the Finest Names, so appeal to Him by name and leave those who blaspheme against His names alone; they will be rewarded for whatever they have been doing.
Some of those whom We have created form a nation which guides [men] by means of the Truth, and because of it they act justly.
We shall gradually bring those who reject Our signs from a place they do not recognize. I shall let them go on, for My scheme is sure. Have they not thought things over? There is no madness in their companion; he is merely a plain warner. Have they not observed in the sovereignty over Heaven and Earth and whatever God has created of any sort, that perhaps their deadline may be approaching? In what report will they believe later on? Anyone whom God lets go astray will have no guide; He leaves them groping along in their arrogance.
They may ask you about the Hour: "When will it arrive?' SAY "Knowledge about it rests only with my Lord; He Alone will disclose it time. Things will seem heavy in Heaven and Earth; it will simply come upon you all of a sudden!"
They will even ask you as if you yourself were anxious about it. SAY 'Knowledge about it rests only with God, though most people do no realize it." SAY: "I control no advantage nor any disadvantage by myself except whatever God may wish. If I had known the Unseen, I would have tried to increase (my share] of good, while no evil would ever touch me. am merely a warner and newsbearer for people who believe."
He is the One Who has created you (all) from a single soul, an made its mate from it, so he may settle down with her. Once he has covered her, she conceives a light burden and walks around [unnoticed with it; then when she begins to feel heavy, they both appeal to God, their Lord: "if You will grant us a healthy [child], we will be grateful."
Once He gives them a healthy child, they both set up associates for Him despite what He has given them. Exalted is God over anything they may associate [with Him]! Do they associate something [with God] that has never created anything, while they themselves have been created?
They cannot offer them any support nor can they even assist themselves! If you summon them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same for you whether you appeal to them or keep silent: "Those you appeal to instead of to God are servants just like yourselves. Appeal to them so they may respond to you if you are so truthful! Have they feet to walk with, or hands to grasp things with, or eyes to see with, or ears to listen with?"
SAY: "Appeal to your associates [instead of to God]; then plot away against me, and do not wait for me [to act]! My Patron is God [Alone] who has sent down the Book. He befriends the honorable while those you appeal to instead of Him cannot lend you any support nor do they even support themselves. If you summon them to guidance, they will not hear, and you will see them looking towards you while they are [really] not seeing [anything]."
Practise forgiveness, command decency; and avoid ignorant people.
*If some urge from Satan should prompt you, seek refuge with God; He is Alert, Aware. The ones who perform their duty bear it in mind whenever some impulse from Satan bothers them, and so they are granted insight. Their brethren will trail off into aimlessness; therefore do not interfere with them.
If you had not brought them any sign, they would (still) say: "Why didnt you pick one out?" SAY: "I follow only what has been inspired in me by my Lord. These are insights from Your Lord, as well as guidance and mercy for folk who believe."
Whenever the Quran is being recited, listen to it [attentively] and hush, so that you may receive mercy. Keep your Lord in mind within your own soul, beseeching and fearfully, without raising your voice, both in the early morning and in the evening; do not act so heedless!
Those who are with your Lord
do not feel too proud to worship Him;
they
glorify Him and drop down
on their knees before Him.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
They will ask you about Booty. SAY: "Booty belongs to God and the Messenger, so heed God and patch up any [differences] that may stand between you. Obey God and His messenger if you are believers."
Believers are merely those whose hearts feel wary whenever God is mentioned and whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them. On their Lord do they rely. Those who keep up prayer and spend some of whatever We have provided them with are truly believers. They hold rank before their Lord, as well as forgiveness and generous provision, just as your Lord sent you forth from your home with the Truth, even though a group of believers disliked it. They will argue with you about the Truth even after it has been explained, just as if they were only being driven along towards death and were expecting it.
When God promised you that one of the two bands would be yours, you preferred the one that had no weapons [to fall] to you, while God wanted the Truth to be verified through His words and to cut off the last remnant of the disbelievers so He might verify the Truth and disprove falsehood no matter how criminals might dislike it. Thus you (all) implored your Lord. so He responded to you: "I will reinforce you with a thousand angels riding up one after another." God granted it merely as good tidings to calm your hearts. Support comes only from God; God is Powerful, Wise.
Thus He caused drowsiness to overcome you as an assurance from Him, and sent down water from the sky on you to cleanse you with and to remove Satan's blight from you, and to bind up your hearts and brace your feet with it. So your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so brace those who believe. I shall cast panic into the hearts of those who disbelieve; so strike at the nape of their necks and beat every [last] fingertip of theirs!"
That is because they have split off from God and His messenger. Anyone who splits off from God and His messenger [will find out] that God is Stern in punishment. That is [how it is], so taste it; disbelievers will have fiery torment! You who believe, whenever you meet those who disbelieve, do not turn your backs on them as they go marching along. Anyone who turns his back on them on such a day, except while maneuvering for battle or wheeling towards some detachment, will incur wrath from God; his lodging will be Hell and how awful is such a goal! You (all) do not kill them but God kills them. You did not shoot [anything] when you shot [arrows or spears] but God threw [them] so He may test believers, as a handsome test from Himself. God is Alert, Wise. That is [how it is]; since God is the One Who will frustrate the disbelievers' plot.
If you sought to conquer, then victory has already come to you. Yet if you would only stop, it would be better for you; while if you do it over again, We too shall do so again. Your detachment will not give you any advantage no matter how numerous it is. God stands alongside believers.
You who believe, obey God and His messenger; do not turn away from Him while you are within earshot. Do not be like those who say: "We have heard," while they were not even listening.
The worst animals before God
are the deaf and dumb, those
who do not
use their reason.
If God had known about any good in them, He would have made them hear; yet even though He were to make them hear, they would still turn away and shun [Him]. You who believe, respond to God and the Messenger whenever He invites you to something that will make you live.
Know that God sups in between a man and his heart, and to Him you will (all) be summoned.
Do your duty lest dissension strike those of you especially who do wrong. Know that God is Severe in punishment. Remember when you were so few, disdained as helpless souls on earth, fearing lest men would kidnap you, and how He sheltered you and aided you with His support, and provided you with wholesome things so that you might act grateful.
You who believe, do not betray God and the Messenger, nor knowingly betray your own trusts. Know that your possessions and children are merely a trial, while God holds a splendid wage.
You who believe, if you heed God, He will grant you a Standard, absolve your evil deeds for you, and forgive you. God possesses such splendid bounty!
Whenever those who disbelieve plot against you, to pin you down or kill you or exile you, they plot away while God is plotting too, and God is the best Plotter! Whenever Our verses are recited to them. they say: "We have heard (it) already; if we wished to, we'd say the same as this. These are only legends by primitive people!" When they say: "O God, if this is the Truth from You, then rain down stones from Heaven on us, or give us painful torment!" God is not apt to punish them while you are among them, nor will God be their tormentor so long as they seek forgiveness.
What do they have, that God should not punish them for blocking off the Hallowed Mosque while they are not its protectors? Its protectors are only the heedful, even though most of them do not realize it. Their prayer at the House consists only of whistling and clapping: "Taste torment since you have disbelieved!" Those who disbelieve spend their money to block off God's way. They will go on spending it; then regret will be their lot. Next they will be defeated and those who disbelieve will be summoned unto Hell so God may sort out the bad from the good and pile some of the bad on top of the rest, so He may heap them all up together and drop them into Hell. Those will be the losers!
Tell those who disbelieve that anything they have done in the past will be forgiven once they stop [doing so], while if they should ever do it over again, the precedent with the earliest men has already been set. Fight them off until there is no more persecution, and Religion belongs wholly to God: yet if they do stop, then God is Observant of anything they do. If they should turn away, then know that God is your Protector; how splendid such a Protector is, and how favored is such a Supporter!
Know that with anything you may acquire as spoils, a Fifth of it belongs to God and the Messenger, close relatives and orphans, paupers and the wayfarer, if you believe in God and what We have sent down to Our servant on the Day of Distinction, the day when both forces met. God is Capable of everything.
When you (all) were on the nearer bank and they were on the further bank, and the baggage train was lower than you were, even if you had made [previous] arrangements with one another, you would have failed to keep the appointment; but [it happened] so God might settle a matter which had already been determined, so that anyone who perished might perish in order to set an example, and anyone who survived might (also) survive as an example. God is so Alert, Aware! When God pointed them out to you as a few in your dream, you (all) would have felt discouraged and debated the matter even if He had shown you that they were many; but God kept things safely in hand. He is Aware of whatever is on your minds. When He showed you them as a few in your eyes as you met, He made you seem few in their eyes too, so God might settle a matter which had already been determined. To God do matters return.
You who believe, whenever you meet with any armed force, hold firm and remember God often, so that you may succeed. Obey God and His messenger and do not argue with one another, so that you will falter and lose your courage. Show patience; God stands beside the patient. Do not be like those who left their homes recklessly and in order to be seen by everybody, and they obstructed God's way. God is Embracing whatever they are doing.
So Satan made their actions seem attractive to them, and said: 'There will be no man who will overcome you today: I'll stand close by you." Yet as both detachments sighted one another, he wheeled around on his heels and said: "I am innocent of you; I see something you do not see! I fear God, and God is Severe in punishment."
Whenever hypocrites and those in whose hearts [there lurks] malice say: "Their religion has lured these people on," anyone who relies on God [will find] that God is Powerful, Wise. If you could only see when the angels gather up [the souls of] those who disbelieve, striking their faces and backs: "Taste the torment of the Blaze! That is because of what your hands have sent on ahead. Yet God is no One to harm any worshippers."
In the case of Pharaoh's house as well as those who lived before them, they disbelieved in God's signs, so God seized them for their offences. God is Strong, Severe with punishment! That is because God is no One to alter any favor He has granted a folk unless they alter what they themselves have. God is Alert, Aware. In the case of Pharaoh's house and those who lived before them, they had rejected their Lord's signs, so We let them perish because of their offences and let Pharaoh's household drown. They were all such wrongdoers! The worst animals for God are those who disbelieve and do not even want to believe; those with whom you have pledged some undertaking, then they break their word in every case and do not heed.
Should you encounter them in war, then use them to frighten off anyone who comes in their rear, so that they may (all) learn a lesson. Should you fear treachery from any folk, confront them with it in exactly the same manner. God does not love traitors.
Let not those who disbelieve reckon they will thus forge ahead; they will not forestall a thing. Prepare any [military] strength you can muster against them, and any cavalry posts with which you can overawe God's enemy and your own enemy as well, plus others besides them whom you do not know. God however knows them!
Anything you spend for God's sake will be repaid you, and you will not be harmed. If they should incline to peace, then incline to it too and rely on God. He is Alert, Aware. If they want to outwit you, then let God serve as your [final] reckoning; He is the One Who aids you through his own support and by means of believers. He has united their hearts: even though you spent everything on earth, you could never unite their hearts; but God has united them. He is Powerful, Wise. 0 Prophet, let God be your Reckoning, and that of any believers who may follow you.
0 Prophet, urge believers on to fight! If there are twenty disciplined men among you, they will overcome two hundred, while if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieve, since those are folk who do not understand. Now God has lightened things for you; He knows how much weakness exists among you. If there are a hundred patient men among you, they will overcome two hundred, while if there are a thousand of you, they will overcome two thousand with God's permission. God stands alongside the disciplined.
It is not proper for a Prophet to have any prisoners [of war] until he has subdued [everyone] on earth. You (all) want worldly show while God wants the Hereafter [for you]. God is Powerful, Wise. Had it not been for a writ from God that had come previously, awful torment might have afflicted you because of what you have taken; so (now) consume any lawful and wholesome thing out of what you have captured, and heed God is Forgiving, Merciful.
0 Prophet, tell any captives who are in your hands: "If God knows of any good in your hearts, He will give you something even better than what has been taken away from you, as well as forgive you. God is Forgiving, Merciful." If they should want to betray you, they have already betrayed God previously, so He has made them available. God is Aware, Wise.
Those who believe, and have migrated the struggled for God's sake with their property and persons, as well as those who have given them asylum and support, [will find] some of those are friends of one another. You do not owe any protection to those who believe and have not migrated, until they become refugees. If they should plead for support however from you concerning religious matters, you must support them except against any folk with whom you have made a treaty. God is Observant of anything you do. Some of those who disbelieve are allies of one another. Unless you [Muslims] do not do likewise, dissension will exist on earth, and [cause] great havoc, Those who believe and become refugees, and struggle for God's sake, as well as those who grant them asylum and support, are truly believers; they will have forgiveness and generous provision. Those who believe later on, and migrate and struggle alongside you are (also) part of you. [Nevertheless] some blood relationships are closer to others according to God's writ. God is Aware if everything!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Dispensation [comes] from God and His messenger for those associators with whom you have made a treaty: travel around the earth for four months, and realize that you (all) cannot escape from God. God will shame disbelievers.
[This is] a proclamation by God and His messenger for mankind [assembled] on the day of the greater Pilgrimage, to wit: God may dissolve treaty obligations with associators and [so may] His messenger. If you repent, then it will be better for you; while if you turn aside, know that you cannot escape from God. Announce painful torment to those who disbelieve, except for those associators with whom you have already made a treaty; provided they have not failed you in any respect nor backed up anyone against you. Fulfil any treaty [you have] with them until their period is up. God loves those who do their duty!
When the hallowed months have slipped away, then fight associators wherever you may find them; take them and besiege them, and waylay them at every outpost. If they should repent, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, then let them go their way. God is Forgiving, Merciful. If one of the associators should ask you for protection, then grant him asylum until he has heard God's word. Later on escort him to where he can find safety. That is because they are folk who do not know anything.
How can there be any treaty with associators on the part of God and His messenger, except for those with whom you have ratified one at the Hallowed Mosque? So long as they act straightforwardly with you, be straightforward with them. God loves those who do their duty! How, if they should overcome you, will they honor any pact or obligation with you? They seek to please you in whatever they say while their hearts refuse to. Most of them are immoral: they have bought up God's signs for a paltry price, and obstructed His way. How evil is what they have been doing! They honor no pact nor any obligation with a believer; those are aggressors! Yet if they should repent, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax, then [they may be) your brethren in religion. We spell out signs for folk who know.
If they should violate their trust once they have sworn it, and insult your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief; they have no faith to make them stop. Will you not fight folk who have violated their trust and intended to exile the Messenger? They attacked you first! Are you afraid of them? You ought to be even more afraid of God if you are believers. Fight them, so God may punish them at your hands and disgrace them, and support you against them, and heal the breasts of believing folk, and remove the fury from their hearts. God turns to anyone He wishes; God is Aware, Wise. Or do you reckon you will be abandoned once God knows which of you have struggled, and did not adopt anyone as an ally besides God, His messenger and believers? God is Informed anything you do.
Associators must not frequent God's mosques since they act as witnesses for their own disbelief. Those [people will find] their actions will miscarry and they will remain for ever in the Fire. Only someone who believes in God and the Last Day, keeps up prayer, pays the welfare tax and dreads only God [Alone], shall frequent God's mosques. Perhaps those may be the ones who submit to guidance.
Have you made those giving pilgrims something to drink a care of the Hallowed Mosque just like someone who believes in God and the Last Day, and struggles on for God's sake? They are not equal before God; God does not guide such wrongdoing folk! Those who believe and migrate, and struggle for God's sake with their property and person stand much higher in rank with God. Those will be triumphant! Their Lord proclaims mercy and approval from Himself for them, and gardens where they will have lasting bliss to live in for ever and ever; with God there lies a splendid wage.
You who believe, do not take your fathers and your brothers on as sponsors if they prefer disbelief rather than faith. Anyone of you who enlists them as sponsors are wrongdoers. SAY: "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your spouses and your family ties, as well as the wealth you have acquired and the business you dread will fall off, plus the dwellings you are so fond of, are all dearer to you than God and His messenger, or striving for His sake, then wait around till God brings His command to pass. God does not guide such immoral folk!
God has supported you on many battlefields and the day of Hunayn when our own numbers amazed you; yet it did not spare you in any way and the earth seemed cramped for you, spacious as it is. Then you fell back in retreat. Next God sent His serenity down upon His messenger and on believers; He sent down armies you did not even see and punished those who disbelieved. Such is the reward for disbelievers.
Then later on God will turn towards anyone He wishes. God is Forgiving, Merciful. You who believe, associators are nothing but filthy, so they should not approach the Hallowed Mosque after this year that they still have. If you should fear destitution, God will enrich you out of His bounty if He so wishes. God is Aware, Wise. Fight the ones among those who were given the Book who do not believe in God nor the Last Day, nor forbid whatever God and His messenger have forbidden, nor profess the True Religion, until they pay the polltax of their own accord and act submissive.
Jews say: "Ezra was God's son," while Christians say: "Christ was God's son." That is what they say with their mouths, imitating what those have said who disbelieved before them. May God fight them off for what they have trumped up! They have adopted their scholars and monks as lords instead of God, plus Christ, the son of Mary. Yet they have been ordered to serve only God Alone; there is no deity except Him. Glory be to Him ahead of whatever they may associate [with Him]! They want to blow out God's light with their mouths while God refuses [everything] except that His light must be perfected, no matter how disbelievers may hate it. He is the One Who has sent His messenger with guidance and the True Religion so He may cause it to prevail over all [other] religion, no matter how associators may hate it.
You who believe, many [Jewish] scholars and [Christian] monks do consume people's wealth to no good purpose and they obstruct God's way. Announce painful torment to those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend them for God's sake. Some day [these metals] will be heated up in Hell fire, so their foreheads, sides and backs may be branded with it: "This is what you have hoarded up for yourselves, so taste what you have been hoarding!"
The number of months with God is twelve: [they were] in God's book on the day He created Heaven and Earth. Out of them, four are sacred; such is the established religion. Do not harm yourselves during them, yet fight associators to a finish, just as they fight you to a finish. Know that God stands by the heedful. Postponing it will only [lead to] an increase in [their] disbelief. those who disbelieve are led astray by it; they permit it one year and ban it another year so they make up for any number that God has forbidden and (even) permit something God has forbidden. Their evil actions seem attractive to them, although God does not guide disbelieving folk.
You who believe, what is wrong with you when you are told: 'March off in God's cause!"? Do you feel weighted down to the ground? Are you more satisfied with worldly life than with the [prospect of the] Hereafter? The comfort of worldly life will mean so little in the Hereafter. Unless you march away, He will punish you with painful torment and substitute you with some other folk. You will not harm Him in any way, for God is Capable of everything!
If you do not support him, well God did support him when those who disbelieved expelled him as the second of two, when they were both in the Cave, as he told his companion: "Do not worry; for God is with us." So God sent His serenity down on him and aided him with troops you did not see, and placed the word of those who disbelieved lowest, while God's word remained supreme. God is Powerful, Wise.
March forth light or heavy [-armed], and strive in God's cause with your property and persons. That will be best for you if you only realize it. If there had been some goods to be acquired closer by and on a shorter journey, they would have followed you; but the expedition seemed much too far for them. They will swear by God; "If we could have managed to, we would have left along with you (all)." They destroy their own souls while God knows what liars they are!
May God pardon you! Why did you permit them to do so before it was explained to you which ones were truthful so you might recognize the liars? Those who believe in God and the Last Day do not ask you to excuse them from striving with their property and persons. God is Aware as to who are heedful. Only those who do not believe in God and the Last Day ask you to excuse them. Their hearts are in such doubt that they even waver in their doubt!
If they had wanted to sally forth, they would have made some preparation for it; but God disliked their being delegated to do so, so He let them lag behind. They were told: "Sit around among the shirkers!" Even if they had left with you, they would only have meant more turmoil for you; they would have galloped in among you and stirred up dissension for you. Among you there were some who would listen to them. God is Aware of those who do wrong. They have already sown such dissension previously and upset matters for you until Truth came along and God's command prevailed no matter how they hated it.
Among them someone may say: "Leave me alone and do not stir me up." Have they not already fallen into dissension? Hell will engulf dis-believers! If some fine thing happens to you, it bothers them, while misfortune happens to you, they say: 'We already took our matter in had previously." They stalk away rejoicing. SAY: "Nothing will ever happen to us unless God has prescribed it." He is our Protector, and on God [Alone] should believers rely." SAY: "Are you expecting only one of out two fine things for us, while we are expecting you to have God afflict you with torment from His very presence or at our hands? So wait around we are waiting along with you."
SAY: "Spend either willingly or unwillingly, it will never be accepted from you, since you have been such immoral folk." The reason that prevents them from having their expenditures accepted from them is merely that they have disbelieved in God and His messenger and do not come to pray except when they are lazy, nor do they spend anything [on charity or taxes] unless they are reluctant. Do not let their wealth nor children astonish you; God only wants to punish them by means of them during worldly life and for their souls to perish while they are disbelievers.
They swear by God that they are with you while they do not stand with you, but are a folk who are easily scared off. If they should find some refuge or some caverns, or an entrance they could creep into, they would bolt away!
Some of them criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charity. If they are given some of it, they are pleased, while if they are not given any, why they act resentful. If they had only been pleased with what God and His messenger have given them, and said: 'God is our Reckoning. God and His messenger will give us something out of His bounty. We are beseeching fit] from God."
Charity is [meant] only for the poor, the needy, those working at [collecting and distributing] it, those [possible converts] whose hearts are being reconciled [to yours], for freeing captives and debtors, and in [striving along] God's way, and for the wayfarer, as a duty imposed by God. God is Aware, Wise.
There are some (people] who annoy the Prophet by saying: "He's (all) ears!" SAY: '[He's] an ear for good for you! He believes in God and believes for the believers' sake, and is a mercy for any of you who do believe.' Those who annoy God's messenger will have painful torment. They swear by God for you just to please you (all). It is more correct to please God and His messenger if they are [really] believers, Do they not know that anyone who places any limits on God and His messenger will have Hell fire to remain in for ever? That will be an awful disgrace!
Hypocrites act anxious lest a chapter be sent down for them to notify them as to what is in their hearts. SAY: 'Joke away: God will produce what you are so anxious about." If you question them, they say: 'We have only been toying (with words) and playing around." SAY: "Have you been joking about God, and His signs and His messengers
Make no excuses! You have disbelieved following your profession of faith. If We should pardon one faction of you, we will punish another faction since they have been such criminals.
Hypocrites, whether men or women, resemble one another: they command wickedness, forbid decency, and clench their fists. They have forgotten God, so He has forgotten them. Hypocrites are so immoral! God has promised hypocrites, whether they are men or women, as well as [outright] disbelievers, Hell fire to live in for ever: it will be their reckoning. God has cursed them, and they will have constant torment.
Just as those before them were firmer than you are in strength, and possessed more wealth and children, and they exploited their advantage, even so have you sought to enjoy your opportunity, just as those who came before you enjoyed their advantage. You have talked a lot just as they have talked on and on. Yet those [will find] their actions will miscarry in this world and the Hereafter; those will be the losers! Has not the story come to them about those who preceded them, Noah's folk, and Ad's and Thamiid's, and Abraham's folk and the inhabitants of Midian and the Overthrown [Towns]? Their messengers brought them clear explanations; it was not God Who injured them, but they themselves who inflicted the injury.
Believers, whether men or women, must [act as] friends to one another; they should command decency and forbid wickedness, keep up prayer, and pay the welfare tax as well as obey God and His messenger. Those God will grant mercy to; God is Powerful, Wise! God has promised believers, whether they are men or women, gardens through which rivers flow to live in for ever, and goodly dwellings in the gardens o Eden. Yet approval by God is test; that will be the supreme Achievement!
0 Prophet, struggle with disbelievers and hypocrites; deal harshly with them: their lodging will be Hell, and how awful is such a destination. They swear by God they have said nothing while they did pronounce the word of disbelief, they disbelieve after their commitment to [live in] peace; and worry over what they do not accomplish. How spitefully they act merely because God and His messenger have enriched them out of His bounty. If they should repent, it would be better for them; while if they turn back again, God will punish them with painful torment in this world and the Hereafter. They will have no sponsor nor any supporter on earth.
Some of them have pledged to God: "If He gives us some of His bounty, we will act charitably and be loyal." Yet whenever He has given them some of His bounty, they have acted miserably with it: they turn away and become evasive; so He planted hypocrisy in their hearts till the day when they will meet Him because they broke their word to God which they had promised Him and for how they had been lying.
Do they not realize that God knows their secrets and their intrigue, and that God is the Knower of Unseen things? May God scoff at those who criticize such believers as dedicate themselves to charitable works those who do not find anything [to offer] except their own effort, so they scoff at them too. They will have painful torment. Seek forgiveness for them or else do not seek forgiveness for them; even if you sought forgiveness for them seventy times over, God would never pardon them. That is because they disbelieve in God and His messenger. God does not guide immoral folk.
Those who were left behind are delighted to sit around inactive behind God's messenger, and they hate to struggle in God's way with their property and persons. They say: 'Don't march off in such heat!" SAY: 'Hell fire will be even hotter," if they could only understand.
Let them laugh a little and weep a lot as a reward for what they have been earning. If God should send you back to a faction of them, a they should ask you for permission to sally forth, SAY: "You will never march forth with me, nor fight any enemy alongside me! You were satisfied to sit around inactive in the first instance, so sit around [now] with the stay-behinds."
Never pray over any of them who dies nor stand at his graveside: they have disbelieved in God and His messenger, and died while they were rebellious. Do not let their wealth and children astonish you; God only wants to punish them by means of them during this world, and let their souls perish while they are disbelievers.
Whenever a chapter is sent down saying: "Believe in God and struggle alongside His messenger," influential persons among them ask you to exempt them and say [instead]: 'Let us stay with those who are just sitting around." They are so pleased to be among the stay-behinds. It is stamped on their hearts so they do not understand; but the Messenger and those who believe along with him, do struggle with their property and persons. Those will have even better things; such will be successful! God has prepared gardens through which rivers will flow for them to live in forever; that will be the supreme Achievement!
Excuse-makers have come from the desert Arabs to beg off for them. Those who tell lies before God and His messenger have merely sat around (at home). Painful torment will afflict those of them who disbelieve. Yet it will not be held against the helpless nor the sick, nor those who cannot find anything to spend [on God's cause], provided they act sincerely towards God and His messenger; there is no way [open] against those who act kindly since God is Forgiving, Merciful. Nor [will it be held] against those whom you told, when they came for you to transport them: "I do not find any means of transporting you." They turned away, and their eyes were welling up with tears from sadness since they could not find any way to provide for their expenses. A way is [open] only against those who beg you to exempt them while they are rich; they are satisfied to be [numbered] among those who stay behind. God has placed a stamp on their hearts while they do not realize it.
They will apologize to you when you (all) return to them. SAY: "Don't apologize; we will never believe you! God has already notified us concerning everything about you. God and His messenger will see how you act; then you will be sent back to the Knower of the Unseen and the visible, and he will notify you about whatever you have been doing."
They will swear [anything] to you by God when you go back home to them, provided you will overlook them. Overlook them anyhow: they are a blight and their lodging will be Hell as a compensation for what they have been earning. They swear to you so you will (all) feel satisfied with them. Even if you should approve of them, God is still not pleased with such immoral folk. Desert Arabs are quite stubborn when it comes to disbelief and hypocrisy, and the least inclined to acknowledge the limits that God has revealed to His messenger; yet God is Aware, Wise. Some desert tribesmen assume that anything they spend [in taxes] is a fine, and they try to catch you in some reverses. On them will fall the worst reversed. God is Alert, Aware.
Still other desert Arabs believe in God and the Last Day, and consider anything that is spent as a means of access to God and the Messengers prayers. Yet are they indeed not such an access for them? God will admit them into His mercy; God is Forgiving, Merciful!
Pioneers comprise the first Migrants and Supporters, as well as those who have adhered to them by showing any kindness. God is pleased with them, while they are pleased with Him; He has prepared gardens through which rivers flow for them to remain in for ever. That will mean the supreme Achievement!
Some desert Arabs around you are hypocrites as well as some of the people from Madina; they even persist in hypocrisy. You do not know them; however We know them. We shall punish them twice; then they will be handed over to terrible torment.
Others have acknowledged their offences. They have mixed upon honorable action with another evil one. Perhaps God will relent towards them; for God is Forgiving, Merciful. Accept charity out of their wealth you will cleanse and purify them by means of it. Pray for them; your prayers will mean relief for them. God is Alert, Aware. Do they not know that it is God Who receives Repentance from His servants and accepts such acts of charity, and that God is the Ever-Turning, the Merciful?
SAY: "Work away; God will see your labor, and so will His messenger and believers. You will be brought back to the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible, and He will notify you about how well you have been working." Others are still expecting [to receive] God's command, [and to see] whether He will punish them or relent towards them. God is Aware, Wise.
Those who adopt a mosque for [working] mischief and disbelief, as well as disunion among believers and as an outpost for anyone who has already warred on God and His messenger, will swear: "We only wanted to be kind!" God witnesses what sort of liars they are, Never stand in it! It is more fitting for you to stand in a mosque which has been founded on performing one's duty from the very first day in which there are men who love to be purified, God loves those who cleanse themselves.
Is someone who founds his building on heeding and pleasing God better, or someone who founds his building along the edge of a crumbling bluff, so it crumbles along with him into Hell fire? God does not guide such wrongful folk: the building which they have built is continually in doubt within their hearts, till their hearts are torn pieces. God is Aware, Wise!
God has bought up their persons and their property from believers, so they may have the Garden [instead). They fight for God's sake; they kill and are killed as a rightful promise from Him [to be found] in the Old Testament, the Gospel and the Quran. Who is more Trustworthy with His word than God? So rejoice in your bargain which you have reached with Him. That will be the supreme Achievement [for] those who repent, worship, praise [God], observe fasting, bow their heads and knees [in prayer], those who command decency, forbid wickedness, and keep within God's limits; spread such news to believers. It is not proper for the Prophet and those who believe to seek forgiveness for associators, even though they are close relatives, once it has been explained to them how they will become the inmates of Hades.
Abraham pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of his father only because of a promise he had made to him. When it became clear to him that he was God's enemy, he declared his innocence of him. Abraham was concerned, lenient. God is not apt to let any folk go astray once He has guided them to the point where He explains to them how they should do their duty. God is Aware of everything. God holds control over Heaven and Earth. He both grants life and brings death, while you (all) have no patron nor any supporter besides Him,
God has relented towards the Prophet, and the Refugees an porters who followed him in the hour of hardship, after the heart group of them had almost faltered; then He turned towards them, for He is Compassionate, Merciful, with them. As for the three who we behind, until the earth seemed too cramped for them, spacious thou and even their souls seemed to strangle them and they thought there be no refuge from God except through Himself-, then He relented towards them so they might repent. God is Ever-Turning, Merciful.
You who believe, heed God and stand by those who are truthful. It is not for the people of Madina nor any desert Arabs who (live) around them, to lag behind God's messenger nor to prefer themselves ahead of himself. That is so no thirst would afflict them, nor any stress nor starvation along God's way, nor would they adopt any stand which irritate disbelievers, nor gain any acquisition from an enemy, unless some honorable action were recorded for them because of it.
God does not waste the wages of those who act kindly, They could not provide for any outlay small or great, nor cut across a valley unless it were prescribed for them, so that God may reward them for the finest things they have been doing. Believers should not march forth in a body; if a squadron from each division of them should march forth, they should still instruct [others] in religion and warn their folk when they return to them so that they may take precautions.
You who believe, fight any disbelievers who hem you in so they may find out how tough you are. Know that God stands by the heedful. Whenever a chapter is sent down, some of them say: "Which of you has this increased in faith?" Well, it increases those who believe in faith and so they rejoice. As for those whose hearts contain malice, well it adds squalor to their own squalor. They will die while they are (still) disbelievers.
Do they not see how they are being tested once or twice each year? Yet they neither repent nor do they remember. Whenever a chapter is sent down, some of them look at one another [as if to say]: "Is anyone watching you?" Then they slip away. God has slipped their hearts away since they are a folk who do not comprehend.
A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves; he takes seriously how you have come to grief, is anxious about you, compassionate, merciful towards believers.
If they should turn away, then SAY:
"God is enough for me!
There is no deity except Him;
on Him do I
rely.
He is the Lord of the mighty Throne!"
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. R.
These are verses from the Wise Book. Does it seem astonishing to mankind that We should inspire a man from among themselves: "Warn mankind, and spread news to those who believe that they are on a sound footing with their Lord"? Disbelievers say: "This is an obvious magician."
Your Lord is God [Alone], Who created Heaven and Earth in six days. Then he ascended the Throne to regulate the matter. There is no intercessor until He gives permission [for it]. Such is God, your Lord, so worship Him. Will you not reflect? To Him will you all return. God's promise is true; He begins with creation then performs it all over again so He may reward those who believe and perform honorable deeds in (all) fairness. Those who disbelieve will have scalding water to drink and painful torment because they have been disbelieving.
He it is Who has placed the sun for radiance and the moon for (reflected) light, and measured it out in phases so you may know how to count out the years and [to make other such] reckoning. God did not create that except for the Truth. He spells out signs for folk who know.
In the alternation between night and daytime, and whatever God has created in Heaven and Earth, there are signs for folk who heed.
Those who do not expect to meet Us and are pleased with worldly life, and feel at ease about it, as well as those who are heedless of Our signs will find their lodging in the Fire because of what they have been earning. Their Lord guides those who believe and perform honorable deeds according to their faith: rivers will flow beneath them in gardens of delight; their cry in it will be:
"Glory be to You, 0 God!",
while their greeting in it will be:
" Peace!
"
and the close of their appeal:
Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe!"
If God were to hasten up evil for mankind just as they seek to hasten good, then their deadline would have been decreed for them. We leave those who do not hope to meet Us groping along in their arrogance. Whenever any trouble touches man, he appeals to Us while [lying] on his side, seated, or standing; yet when We remove his trouble from him, he walks away as if he had never appealed to Us (at all) because of the trouble which had afflicted him. Thus anything they have been doing seems attractive to the dissipated.
We have destroyed generations before you when they did wrong and their messengers had brought them explanations, and they would still not believe. Thus We reward criminal folk. Then We placed you as overlords on earth after them, so We might see how you would act.
When Our clear signs are recited to those who do not expect to meet Us, they say: "Bring some other Reading than this, or else change it!" SAY: "It is not up to me to change it of my own accord, because of whatever I may encounter in it on my own. I merely follow what is inspired in me. I fear torment on an awful day if I should disobey my Lord!"
SAY: "If God had so wished, I would not have recited it to you nor advised you about it. I lived for a lifetime among you before [receiving] it. So will you not use your reason?" Who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about God or rejects His signs? It is a fact that criminals will not succeed!
Instead of God they serve what neither harms nor benefits them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with God." SAY: "Do you [presume to] notify God about something in Heaven and on Earth that He already does not know? Glory be to Him; Exalted is He over whatever they associate [with Him]!"
Mankind was once just one nation; then they disagreed. If word had not come on ahead from your Lord, what they had been disagreeing over would have been settled for them. They say: "If a sign were only sent down by his Lord for him!"; SO SAY: "The Unseen belongs only to God, so wait: I am waiting alongside you."
Whenever We let mankind taste mercy after some adversity has afflicted them, why they cook up some scheme about Our signs! SAY: "God is much Swifter in scheming." Our messengers write down whatever they are plotting.
He is the One Who sends you travelling along on land and at sea until when you are on board a ship, and sailing along under a fair wind and they feel happy about it, a stormy wind comes upon them and waves reach at them from all sides and they think they are being surrounded by them. They appeal to God sincerely, (offering their] religion to Him: "If You will save us from this, we will be grateful!"
Yet once He has saved them, why they act willfully on earth without any right to [do so). Mankind, your willfulness falls only on yourselves to be enjoyed during worldly life; then to Us will be your return. and We will notify you (all) about whatever you have been doing!
Worldly life may be compared to water We send down from the sky. It mingles with the plants of the earth on which mankind and livestock feed until, when the earth takes on its trimmings and looks attractive, and its people think that they will be able to use them as they like, Our command comes along to it by night or daytime, and We mow it down ahead of time just as though it had not been so lush the day before. Thus We spell out signs for folk who will think things over.
God invites [us] to the Home of Peace, and guides anyone He wishes to, to a Straight Road. Those who act kindly will have kindness and even more besides, while neither soot nor any disgrace will fine their faces. Those will be inhabitants of the Garden; they will live in it for ever.
Those who have acquired evil deeds will have an evil reward similar to them. Disgrace will overshadow them; they will have no defender from God, just as if their faces had been covered with a strip of darkest night. Those will become inmates of the Fire; they will live there for ever.
Some day We will summon them all together; then We shall tell those who have associated [others in Our worship]; "[Keep to] your place, you and your associates!" We will sort them out, and their associates will say: 'You did not worship us! God suffices as a Witness between us and you. We were unaware that you were even worshipping us." There each soul will be tested for whatever it has sent on ahead in the past, and they will be handed over to God, their rightful Patron. Anything they have invented will leave them in the lurch.
SAY: 'Who provides for you out of Heaven and Earth? Who controls hearing and eyesight? Who brings the living forth from the dead, and brings the dead forth from the living? Who regulates the affair?"
They will say: "God [Alone]"; SO SAY: "Will you not then do your duty?" Such is God, your rightful Lord!
What exists except error after Truth, so why do you disregard it? Thus your Lord's word proves itself to be true with those who act immorally. They do not believe. SAY: "Has any of your associates ever attempted to create anything, then repeated it?" SAY: "God begins with creation, then performs it (all over again). How is it that you shrug it off?" SAY: "Does any of your partners guide one to Truth?" SAY: "God guides to Truth. So is someone who guides to Truth worthier to be followed than someone who does not guide unless he himself is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you decide things?"
Most of them merely follow conjecture. However guessing is no substitute for Truth. God is Aware of whatever they are doing.
This Reading was not invented by anyone except God; but [it exists] as a confirmation from the Lord of the Universe for what He already has and [serves] as an analysis of the Book which contains no doubt. Or do they say: "He has made it Up!"? SAY: "Produce a chapter like it, and appeal to anyone you can manage to besides God if you are so truthful."
Instead they reject what they cannot grasp any knowledge about, [especially] when its interpretation has never come to them. Likewise those before them rejected [it]; so watch how the outcome will be for wrongdoers! Some of them believe in it while others do not believe in it. Your Lord is quite Aware as to who are corrupt.
If they should reject you, then SAY: "My behavior is my own concern, while your behavior is your concern. You are innocent of anything I do, while I am innocent of what you are doing."
Some of them however do listen to you. Yet can you make the deaf hear, even though they do not use their reason? Others of them will look towards you. Yet will you guide the blind, no matter how they do not see? God does not harm mankind in any way, but men do harm themselves. Some day He will summon them; it will be as if they had merely been hanging around for an hour during daylight. They will recognize one another. Those who have denied they will meet God will lose out and never be guided. Whether We show you some of what We have promised them or let you pass away [instead], to Us is their return; moreover God will be a Witness for whatever they have been doing.
Every nation has a messenger. Once their messenger has come, judgment will be passed upon them in all fairness and they will not be wronged. They will say: "When will this promise be, if you have been so truthful?" SAY: "I control no harm nor any advantage by myself, except concerning whatever God may wish.
Each nation has a deadline: whenever their deadline comes, they will not postpone it for an hour nor will they advance it.
SAY: "Have you considered whether His torment will come to you (all) dead of night or by daylight? What part of it will criminals try to hurry up? Yet now when it is happening, will you believe in it? Still you were just trying to hurry it on!"
Then those who have done wrong will be told: "Taste the torment of eternity. Have you not been rewarded merely with something you have earned?" They will, inquire from you: "Is it true?" SAY: "Indeed, by my Lord. it is true! You cannot avert it."
Even though each person who has done something wrong had everything on earth, he would still try to ransom himself with it. They will conceal regret once they see the torment. Judgment will be passed upon them in all fairness, and they will not be wronged. Does God not possess whatever is in Heaven and Earth? Is not God's promise true? Yet most of them do not realize it. He gives life and brings about death, and to Him will you (all) return.
0 mankind, instruction has been given you by your Lord, and healing for whatever is in your breasts, plus guidance and mercy for believers. SAY: "In God's bounty and mercy, therein let them rejoice. It is better than what they are collecting." SAY: "Have you considered what sort of sustenance God has sent down to you, and what you have been forbidden and permitted?" SAY: "Has God allowed you it or are you inventing something about God?" What will be the thought of those who invent a lie about God, on Resurrection Day? God possesses bounty for mankind, yet most of them are not grateful."
No matter what business you may be engaged in as well as whatever you may quote from any reading, you (all) do not perform any action unless we act as Witness for you when you are occupied with it. No atom's weight escapes your Lord on Earth nor in Heaven, nor anything smaller than that nor larger, unless it is [recorded] in a plain Book. God's adherents should have no fear nor need they worry. Those who believe and have done their duty will have good news concerning worldly life as well as about the Hereafter. There is no way to alter God's words; that will be the supreme Achievement.
Do not let their talk sadden you; prestige rests entirely with God. He is the Alert, Aware. Does not anyone in Heaven and anyone on Earth belong to God? What do those follow, who appeal to associates instead of to God? They merely follow conjecture and they are only guessing. He is the One Who has granted you night to settle down in, and daylight to see your way around. In that are signs for folk who listen.
They say: "God has adopted a son." Glory be to Him! He is Transcendent. He holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth!
Do you have any authority for this? Are you saying something you do not know about God? SAY: "Those who invent such a lie about God will not prosper." Enjoyment is [meant] for this world; then to Us will be their return. Then We will let them taste severe torment because of how they have disbelieved.
Quote Noah's story to them when he told his people: 'My people, if my staying around here bothers you and my reminding you about God's signs, well I rely on God, so make your designs on me and those you have associated [with God]; then do not let your business seem so gloomy. Next decide about me, and do not put me off. So should you turn away, I have not asked you for any payment; my payment comes only from God, and I have been ordered to become a Muslim."
Yet they still rejected him, so We saved him and whoever was in the Ark along with him. We set them up as survivors and drowned those who had rejected Our signs. Watch how the outcome will be for those who were warned!
Then We dispatched messengers to their people later on, and they brought explanations with them. Still they were not going to believe in something they had already rejected; thus We seal off the hearts of the defiant.
Next We sent Moses and Aaron after them with Our signs for Pharaoh and his councilors. Yet they acted proudly and were criminal folk. When Truth came to them from Our very presence, they said: 'This is sheer magic!" Moses said: "Do you say about Truth when it has come to you: 'Is this magic?' Magicians never prosper." They said: 'Have you come to us to turn us away from what we found our forefathers doing? And so greatness on earth may belong to both of you? We do not believe in either of you." Pharaoh said: "Bring me every cunning magician!"
When the magicians came, Moses told them: "Cast whatever you are going to cast." When they cast [it], Moses said: "What you have produced is magic. God will cancel it out; God does not promote the work of mischief-makers. God verifies the Truth through His own words no matter how criminals may hate it."
Only some offspring among his own folk believed in Moses because of fear for Pharaoh and his councillors, lest he might put them to some test. Pharaoh was so haughty on earth and besides he was a dissipated man. Moses said: "My people, if you believe in God, then rely on Him if you are Muslims." They said: "On God do we rely. Our Lord, do not turn us into a trial for wrongdoing folk! Save us through Your mercy from such disbelieving folk!"
So We inspired Moses and his brother [as follows]: "Settle your people down in houses in Egypt and turn your houses into shrines; keep up prayer and announce good news to believers." Moses said: "Our Lord, You have given Pharaoh and his councillors splendor and wealth during worldly life. Our Lord, is it so they may lead [us] off from Your way? Our Lord, wipe out their wealth and firm up their hearts so they may not believe until they see painful torment." He said: "Your appeal has been answered, so act straightforward and do not follow along the way of those who do not know."
So We brought the Children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his armies had them followed in hot pursuit and fought [them] off until, as drowning overtook him, he said: 'I believe that there is no deity except the One Whom the Children of Israel believe in. I am [now] a Muslim."
Now, you had disobeyed before and been a mischief-maker! However today We will preserve you in your body so you may be a sign to anyone who comes after you. Yet many people are quite heedless of Our signs.
We settled the Children of Israel in a respectable dwelling and provided them with wholesome things. They did not disagree until knowledge came to them. Your Lord will decide among them on Resurrection Day concerning whatever they have been disagreeing about.
If you are in any doubt concerning what We have sent down to you, then question those who have read the Book before you: Truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be a waverer; do not be someone who rejects God's signs, so you [turn out to] be a loser. Those against whom your Lord's word has been confirmed will never believe until they see painful torment, even though every sign should be brought them. If only there had been a town which believed and whose faith had benefited it besides Jonah's people. Once they believed, We lifted the torment of shame from them during worldly life and let them enjoy things for a while. If your Lord had so wished, everyone on earth would have believed, all of them together!
So will you force mankind to become believers? *It is not up to any soul to believe unless it [happens] with God's permission; He places a blight on those who do not use their reason. SAY: "Look at whatever [exists] in Heaven and Earth. Signs and warning do not benefit any people who do not believe.
Do they expect anything except days like the ones which happened to those who passed away before them? SAY: "So wait; I am one of those waiting alongside you.' Then We will save Our messengers and those who believe; it is thus right for Us to save believers!
SAY: "Mankind, if you are in any doubt concerning my religion, well, I do not serve those whom you serve instead of God but rather I worship God [Alone], Who will gather you (all) in. I am commanded to be a believer: "Keep your face set towards religion, seeking [God] righteously and do not be an associator nor appeal to something that will neither benefit nor harm you, instead of to God [Alone]. If you should do so, you would then be a wrongdoer."If God should afflict you with any trouble, there is no one to remove it except Him, while if He wants some good for you, there is no one who can spurn His bounty; He strikes any of His servants He wants to with it. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful!"
SAY: "Mankind, Truth has come to you from your Lord! Anyone who accepts guidance is guided only for his own sake; while anyone who strays away, will only become lost at his own risk. I am no custodian set up over you."
Follow whatever has been inspired in you and be patient until God. judges, for He is the best Judge.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. R.
[This is] a Book whose verses are decisive, and have been set forth detail in the presence of Someone [Who is] Wise, Informed so that you will serve only God [Alone]: "I am a warner, a herald from Him to you;" and so you will seek forgiveness from your Lord; then turn towards Him [in repentance]. He will let you enjoy a handsome allotment for a specific period, and grant His bounty to everyone possessing bounty. If you should turn away, then I fear the torment of a great day for you. Unto God is your return; He is Capable of everything!
Indeed they wrap their breasts up to try to hide things from Him. Whenever they attempt to cover themselves up with their clothing, does He not know whatever they conceal and what they disclose? He is Aware of whatever [their] breasts contain.
No animal exists on earth unless God provides for it. He knows its lair and its burrow; everything is [to be found] in a clear Book. He is the One Who created Heaven and Earth in six days. His Throne rises over the water, so He may test which of you is finest in action. If you should say: "You will (all) be raised up after death," those who disbelieve would say: "This is just sheer magic!" If We postponed torment for them till a period to be counted out, they would say: "What is delaying it?" On the day when it comes to them, there will be no means them to dodge it, while whatever they had been sneering at will sweep around them.
If We ever let man taste any mercy from Us, then snatched it away from him, he would become despondent, ungrateful. Yet if We let him taste favor after some hardship has afflicted him, he says: "Evil things have departed from me!" He is so cheerful, boastful, except for the ones who act patiently and perform honorable deeds; those will have forgiveness a big wage. Perhaps you are abandoning something that has been inspired in you, and your breast is feeling cramped because of it, since they say: "Why has not a treasure been sent down to him, or some angel come along with him,: You are only a warner, while God is a Trustee for everything.
Or do they say: "He has made it all up!" SAY: 'Well then bring chapters made up like it! Appeal to anyone you can manage to instead of to God if you are so truthful. If they do not respond to you, then know it has only been sent down with God's knowledge. There is no deity except Him. Will you not become Muslims?"
We shall repay anyone who has been wanting worldly life and its attraction according to their actions in it; they will not be caught short there. Yet those will have only the Fire during the Hereafter anything they have been producing in it will collapse and whatever they have been doing will [prove to] be useless.
What about someone who has [received] an explanation from his Lord and to whom a witness from Him is reciting while Moses' book lies before him as a token and a mercy? Such persons believe in it. Anyone from the factions who disbelieve in it will have the Fire for his appointment, so do not be in any quandary about it; it is the Truth from your Lord, even though most men do not believe so.
Who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about God? Those will be turned over to their Lord and witnesses will say: "These are the ones who have lied about their Lord!" Does not God's curse rest on wrongdoers, those who obstruct God's way and attempt to make it crooked, and are disbelievers in the Hereafter? Those will not prevent anything from happening on earth nor will they have any patrons besides God. Torment will be doubled for them. They have not been enable to hear nor have they been observing [anything]. Such are the ones who have lost their own souls, while whatever they were inventing has led them astray. It is positive they will lose most in the Hereafter!
Those who believe, perform honorable deeds, and yield unto their Lord, will become inhabitants of the Garden; they will live in it for ever. Both groups can be compared to a blind and dumb man, alongside a sighted and hearing one. Are they alike for the purpose of comparison? Will you not bear this in mind?
We sent Noah to his folk: "I am a plain warner for you, so that you may worship nobody except God [Alone]. I fear the torment of a painful day for you!"
The notables from among his own people who disbelieved said: "We regard you only as a human being like ourselves. We do not see that anyone follows you except those who are the meanest among us, who are just beginning to form opinions. We do not consider that you (all) have any advantage over us; rather we think you are lying.
He said: "My people, have you considered whether I have [brought] any explanation from my Lord? He has sent me mercy from His presence, although it has been disguised so far as you are concerned. Shall we compel you to [accept] it while you dislike it? And my folk, I do not ask you for any money for it; my wages come only from God. Nor am I driving away those who believe: they will be meeting their Lord [anyhow]. Yet I do see you are a folk who act out of ignorance. My people, who will support me against God if I should drive them off? Will you not bear this in mind?
"I do not tell you that I hold God's treasures, nor do I know the Unseen nor say I am an angel, nor do I tell those whom you eye with contempt that God will not give them anything good. God is quite Aware of what lies in their souls. I should then be a wrongdoer."
They said: "Noah, you have pleaded with us, and kept on pleading with us. Bring us whatever you threaten us with if you are so truthful!" He said: "Only God will bring you it, if He so wishes. You will not prevent it. My advice will not benefit you no matter how sincerely I want to advise you, should God be wanting to let you wander off. He is your Lord and to Him will you (all) return."
Or do they say: 'He has invented it!"? SAY: "If I have invented it, then my crime rests on myself; while I am innocent of any crimes you may be committing."
It was revealed to Noah that: "None of your folk will ever believe except for someone who has already believed. Do not despair about what they have been doing. Build the Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Do not preach to me about those who have done wrong; they will be drowned."
As he was building the Ark, each time any gentlemen from his own people passed by him, they would sneer at him. He said: "If you ridicule us, then we'll ridicule you just the way you are sneering. You will come to know who will be given torment which will shame him, and have lasting torment settle down upon him."
So when Our command came and the bowels (of the earth) welled up, We said: 'Load her up with two apiece from every species, and your own family - except for anyone against whom the Sentence has already been pronounced-as well as anyone who believes." Yet only a few believed along with him.
He said: "Board her:
"in the name of God
is her sailing and her
mooring;
my Lord is so Forgiving, Merciful!"
She sailed on with them through waves that were like mountains. Noah called out to, his son who stood aloof by himself: "My dear son, sail away with us, and do not stay with the disbelievers." He said: "I'll take refuge on a mountain which will protect me from the water." He said: "Nothing is safe today from God's command except for someone who has been shown mercy." A wave swept in between them so he was one of those who were drowned.
It was said: "Earth, swallow your water!", and: "Sky, clear up!" So the water receded, the Command was accomplished, and she settled down on [Mt.] Judi
It was (also) said: "Away with such wrongdoing folk!" Noah called upon his Lord and said: 'My Lord, my son belonged to my own family, while Your promise is true, and You are the wisest Judge!" He said: "Noah, he no longer belongs to your family: his behavior was dishonorable. Do not ask Me about something you have no knowledge about; I so caution you lest you become ignorant." He said: "My Lord, I take refuge with You from asking You something I have no knowledge about. If You do not forgive me and show me mercy, I may become a loser." It was said: "Noah, land in peace from Us; blessings will [rest] on you and on some of the nations who [will spring] from you. We shall let some [other] communities enjoy themselves; then painful torment from Us will afflict them."
This is some of the news about the Unseen which We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people knew them before this, so be patient. The outcome belongs to those who do their duty.
To Ad [we sent] their brother Hud. He said: "My people, worship God [Alone]! You have no other deity except Him. Otherwise you are only making things up. My folk, I ask you for no payment for it: my wage comes only from the One Who fashioned me. Will you not reason [things out]? My folk, seek forgiveness from your Lord, then turn to Him [repentant]. He will send the heavens down upon you in torrents and add strength to you even beyond your own strength. Do not turn away like criminals.
They said: "Hud, you have not brought us any explanation, nor are we apt to leave our gods merely on your say-so. We are no believers in you; we only say: 'Some of our gods have stricken you with evil."' He said: "I take God as a witness, and bear witness yourselves that I am innocent of what you associate with instead of Him. Plot away all together against me; then do not keep me waiting! I have relied on God, [Who is both] my Lord and your Lord. There is no animal which He does not grasp by its forelock. My Lord is on a Straight Road. Even if you should turn away, I have still delivered to you what I have been sent to you with. My Lord will replace you with some other people than yourselves, while you will not harm Him in any way. My Lord acts as a Keeper over everything.
Once Our command came, We rescued Hud as well as those who believed along with him through mercy from Ourself -- , We saved them fro stern torment. Such [people] were Ad: they repudiated their Lord's signs, defied their messengers, and followed the command of every stubborn oppressor. They were followed by a curse in this world as well as on Resurrection Day. Did not Ad disown their Lord? Well, it meant: "Away with Ad, Hud's folk!"
To Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said: "My people worship God; you have no deity besides Him. He has produced you from the earth and let you settle down on it, so seek forgiveness from Him. Then turn to Him; my Lord is Near, Responsive." They said: "Salih, you have been a source of expectation among us until now. Do you prohibit us from serving what our fathers worshipped? We feel suspicious doubt about what you are appealing for us to do,"
He said: "My folk, have you considered whether I bring any explanation from my Lord? He has given me mercy from Himself. Who will support me against God if I were to disobey Him? You would only ma me lose even more.
"My people, this she-camel belonging to God is a sign for you. Let her pasture on God's earth and do not hurt her in any way test so torment should overtake you from near at hand." Still they mistreated her, so he said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days [more]! That is a promise which will never be repudiated."
Once Our command came along, We saved Salih and those who believed along with him from the disgrace of that day through mercy fro Ourself. Your Lord is the Strong, the Powerful. The Blast caught those who had been doing wrong, so one morning they lay cowering in the homes. It was just as if they had never prospered there. Had not Thamud disbelieved in their Lord? Was it not: "Away with Thamud!"?
Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said: "Peace!"; he said: 'Peace!", and immediately set about bringing in a roast calf. When he saw their hands did not reach out towards it, he felt uneasy with them and started to be afraid of them. They said: "Do not act afraid; we have been sent to Lot's folk."
His wife was standing by and she laughed, so We informed her about Isaac, and following Isaac, Jacob. She said: "It's too bad for me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman and this husband of mine is elderly? That would be an amazing thing!" They said: "Do you marvel at God's command? God's mercy and blessings are on all you people in [this] house. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious!"
So when his dismay left Abraham and the news came (home) to him, he pleaded with Us about Lot's folk; Abraham was so lenient, worried, concerned. "Abraham, avoid this! It is merely that your Lord's command has come, and torment which cannot be averted has been brought them."
When Our messengers came to Lot, he was uneasy concerning them and felt helpless about warding off anything they might do, He said: "This is a critical day!" His people came hurrying up to him; while just before they had been performing such evil deeds! He said: "My people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. Heed God and do not shame me through my guests. Is there not a normal man among you?" They said: "You know we have no right to your daughters. You know what we want!" He said: "If only I had some power over you or could seek safety at some firm support!"
They said: "Lot, we are your Lord's messengers. They will not overtake you, so travel with your family during part of the night and do not let anyone of you turn around except for your wife. Her fate is what will strike them [too]. Their appointment will be in the morning. Is not morning near?"'
When Our command came along, We turned them upside down and rained stones on them from tablets which had been sorted out, stamped by your Lord. They never lie far from wrongdoers!
To Midian [God sent] their brother Shuayb. He said: "My people, worship God [Alone]! You have no other deity except Him. Do not give n short measure and weight. I see you enjoy well-being while I fear the torment of an overpowering day for you. My people, give full measure and weight with all fairness, and do not cheat men of their belongings nor cause havoc on earth as mischief makers do. Anything God leaves over is best for you provided you believe. I am no guardian set up over you."
They said: "Shuayb, does your prayer command you that we must abandon what our forefathers worshipped, or that we should [not] do what we wish to with our property? Yet you are such a lenient, normal person!"
He said: "My people, have you considered whether I bear any explanation from my Lord? He has provided me with handsome sustenance from Himself. I do not want to oppose you in what I am forbidding you; I only want to improve matters so far as I can manage to. My success lies only with God; on Him have I relied and to Him do I refer. My people, let not disagreement with me involve you in any crime, so the same fate as struck Noah's folk, or Hud's folk or Salih's folk, will strike you. Lot's folk even lived not far away from you. Seek forgiveness from your Lord; then turn towards Him; my Lord is Merciful, Affectionate."
They said; "Shuayb, we do not understand most of what you say. We do see you are weak compared to us, and were it not for your immediate family, we'd expel you. You are not so dear to us."
He said: "My folk, are my family ties dearer to you than God is? You thrust Him behind you, turning your backs on Him! Yet my Lord embraces anything you do. My people, do anything that lies within your power; I am (likewise) acting. You will soon know who will be brought torment which will disgrace him, and who is lying. Watch out! I am watching along with you."
When Our command came, We saved Shuayb and those who believed with him through mercy from Ourself, while the Blast overtook those who had been doing wrong, so they lay cowering in their homes one morning just as if they had never prospered there. Was it not away with Midian, just as Thamud was also sent away?
We sent Moses with Our signs and clear authority to Pharaoh and his notables; so they followed Pharaoh's command, even though what Pharaoh commanded was not sensible. He will appear before his folk on Resurrection Day and lead them on to the Fire. How awful will be (their) arrival wherever they are led! They will be followed by a curse in this [world] and on Resurrection Day; how awful is the gift which will be presented [them]!
*That is some of the news from towns We are telling you about; some of them are still standing there while [others have been] mown down. We did no wrong to ' them but they had (already) wronged themselves; their (false) gods which they had been appealing to instead of to God [Alone] did not benefit them in any way once your Lord's command came along, and they increased them in nothing except destruction. Even so will your Lord seize things when He takes over any towns while they are doing wrong; His seizing will be painful, severe.
In that lies a sign for anyone who fears torment in the Hereafter; that will be a day on which mankind will be gathered, and such is a day when (every)one should be present. We will not postpone it except till a deadline which shall be counted out. The day it comes, no soul will speak up except with His permission. Some of them will feel miserable while [others] will be happy. Those who are miserable will be in the Fire; they shall (hear) moaning and groaning in it, remaining there so long as Heaven and Earth will last, except for whatever your Lord may wish. Your Lord is a Doer of whatever He wants!
Those who have found happiness will be in the Garden, living there so long as Heaven and Earth may endure, except for whatever your Lord may wish, as a gift that will never crumble away. Do not be in any quandary about what those [people] serve; they only worship as their forefathers worshipped previously. We will repay them their share without omitting anything.
We gave Moses the Book, yet disagreement arose concerning it. Had it not been for a statement which had previously gone forth from your Lord, it would have been decided among them. They are in such suspicious doubt about it! Your Lord will repay everyone for their actions, for He is Informed about whatever they are doing. Carry on just as you have been ordered to, as well as anyone who repents along with you. Do not act arrogantly: He is Observant of anything you do! Do not lean on those who do wrong lest the Fire should touch you. You have no patrons besides God; otherwise you will not be supported.
Keep up prayer at both ends of the day;
and at the approach of
night.
Good deeds remove evil deeds:
that is a Reminder for such
persons
as will be reminded.
Act patiently; God does not let the wages of those who act kindly be wasted. If there had only been a few persons with a little [sense] left to forbid corruption on earth out of those We saved among the generations before you! They followed those who did wrong in whatever they had been luxuriating in, and were criminals. Your Lord would never destroy any towns for doing wrong while their people were trying to reform.
If your Lord had wished, He would have made mankind into one community, but they will not stop disagreeing, except for those to whom your Lord has shown mercy.
For that reason did He create them, and your Lord's word was completed: "I shall fill Hell with sprites and mankind all together!" Everything We relate to you concerning the history of messengers is what We brace your vitals with; through this, Truth comes to you, as well as a lesson and Reminder for believers. Tell those who do not believe: "Do whatever lies within your capacity; we are [likewise] acting. Wait! We are waiting (too)."
God holds the Unseen in Heaven and Earth,
and unto Him does every matter
return;
so serve Him, and rely on Him.
Your Lord is not unmindful
of
what you (all) are doing.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A.L.R.
These are verses from the Clear Book. We have sent it down as an Arabic reading so that you may reason.
We relate the best stories to you, since We have revealed this Reading to you. You were someone quite unaware previously.
So Joseph told his father: "My father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun and moon; I saw them bowing down before me!" He said: "My dear son, do not relate your vision to your brothers lest they may lay some trap for you; Satan is an open enemy to man. Thus your Lord is choosing you and teaching you how to interpret events, and completing His favor towards you and Jacob's house, just as He has already completed it towards both your forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Your Lord is Aware, Wise!"
There were signs for inquirers in Joseph and his brothers when they said; "Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, even though we are a closed group. Our father is clearly mistaken. [Let's] kill Joseph or throw him into exile in some land so your father's attention will be absorbed in (all of) you, and later on you will be honorable folk," One among them spoke up and said: "Don't kill Joseph; toss him into the bottom of the cistern so some travellers may pick him up, if you must do something."
They said: "Our father, what's wrong with you that you do not trust us with Joseph? We are quite sincere about him. Send him along with us tomorrow to relax and play. We'll look after him." He said: "It would worry me for you to go off with him. I fear a wolf will eat him up while you are careless about him." They said: "How could a wolf eat him when we are a closed group? Then we would be losers!"
As they went away with him, they agreed on how to place him in the bottom of a cistern. We inspired him as follows: "You will inform them about this business of theirs while they will not catch on about it."
They came back weeping to their father in the evening. They said: "Our father, we went off racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf ate him up! You will not believe us even though we are telling the truth." They even came with false blood on his shirt. He said: "Rather you yourselves have been fooled in the matter. Patience is beautiful! God is the One to seek help from against what you describe."
Some travellers came along who sent their waterboy and he let do his own bucket. He said: "What a godsend! This is a boy!" So they hid him as a piece of merchandise; yet God was Aware of what they were doing.
They sold him for a trifling price, just a few coins which were counted out. They were quite indifferent about him.
The person from Egypt who [eventually] bought him told his wife: 'Let his stay here be dignified; perhaps he will benefit us or we'll adopt him as a son." Thus We established Joseph in the land and taught him how to interpret events. God was Dominant in his affair, even though most men do not realize it.
When he became of age, We gave him discretion and knowledge; thus We reward those who act kindly. However the woman in whose house he lived, wanted to seduce him. She bolted the doors and said: Come here, you!" He said: "God protect me! He is my Lord, the best shelter to hold on by. He does not let wrongdoers prosper.'
She kept him on her mind, while he would have had her on his, had it not been that he saw a proof from his Lord. Thus We warded off evil and sexual misconduct from him; he was one of Our sincere servants. They both raced for the door, and she ripped his shirt from behind; and they met her husband at the door! She said: "What is the penalty for someone who wants [to commit] evil with your wife except for him to be jailed or [suffer] painful torment?" He said: "She tried to seduce me."
A witness from her side of the family testified: "If his shirt has been ripped from in front, then she has told the truth and he is a liar; while if his shirt has been ripped from behind, then she has lied and he is truthful." When he saw his shirt was ripped from behind, he said: "It is one of your women's tricks. Your wiles are serious! Joseph, avoid this. [My wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. You're someone who has slipped up."
Some women in the city said: "The official's wife wants to seduce her houseboy. He's set her madly in love! We see she has gone clear astray."
When she heard about their remarks, she sent for them and prepared a party for them. To each of them she gave a knife. She told [him]: "Come out to [see] them!"
When they saw him, they praised him and cut their hands. They said: "God forbid! This is no human being; this is simply a noble angel!' She said: "Well this is the person whom you blamed me for. Yes, I wanted to seduce him, and he held himself back! If he doesn't do what I order him to, he'll be jailed, and taken down a notch or two."
He said: "My Lord, jail is more precious to me than what they are inviting me to do. Unless You ward off their tricks from me, I'll fall for them and act as if I do not know a thing." His Lord responded to his plea and warded off their tricks from him. He is the Alert, Aware. Then it occurred to them to jail him for a while even after they had seen the signs.
Two young men entered the prison along with him. One of the said: "I dreamed I was pressing wine." The other said: "I dreamed I was carrying bread on my head from which the birds were eating. Tell us about their interpretation; we see you are someone who acts kindly."
He said: "Food will not be brought either of you to sustain you, unless I will tell you their interpretation even before it reaches you. That is something my Lord has taught me. I have left the sect of folk who do not believe in God and are disbelievers in the Hereafter: I follow the sect my forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We may not associate anything in [our worship of] God [Alone]. That is part of God's bounty towards us and towards mankind; even though most men are not grateful.
"Both my jailmates, are separate lords better than God Alone, the Irresistible? Instead of Him you do not serve anything except some names which you and your forefathers have given them. God has not sent down any authority for them. Discretion belongs only to God. He has ordered you to serve Him Alone; such is the established religion, even though most men do not realize it.
"My two jailmates, one of you will pour wine for his lord, while the other will be crucified so birds will eat from his head. The case has been decided which you have been seeking my opinion about."
He told the one whom he thought would be released: "Mention me to your lord." However Satan made him forget to mention it to his lord, he languished in jail for several years.
The king said; "I [dreamed I] saw seven fat cows which seven lean ones were eating, and seven green ears plus some others all dried up. Councilmen, explain my dream to me if you know how to explain any vision." They said: "Jumbles of dreams; we do not know how to interpret dreams." The one from the pair who had been released said (for he recalled things after a lapse of time): "I'll inform you about it interpretation. Send me [after it]!"
"Joseph, you truthful man, explain to us about seven fat cows which seven lean ones were eating, and seven green ears and others all dried up, so that I may return to the people so they may know." He said: "You will farm for seven years as usual, and with anything you harvest, leave it in its ear except for a little which you may eat. The later on, seven severe ones will come which will eat up anything you have planned ahead for them, except for a little which you will store up. Then a year will come after that when people will receive showers, and in which they will press [grapes]."
The king said: "Bring him to me." When the messenger came to him, he said: "Return to your lord and ask him what [was on] the mind of the women who cut their hands. My Lord is Aware of their tricks.'
He said: "What were you after when you tried to seduce Joseph? The women said: "God forbid! We have not known about any evil concerning him." The official's wife said: "Now the Truth has prevailed! I tried to seduce him; he is someone who is telling the truth. That was so he may know that I have not betrayed him during his absence, and that God does not guide traitors.
'I do not claim to be innocent myself. one's soul is prone to [commit] evil, except for anything my Lord shows mercy for. My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful." The king said: "Bring him to me; I'll select him for my special service."When he spoke to him, he said: "Today you stand before us secure, trusted." He said: "Place me over the storehouses in the land. I will be a careful overseer."
Thus We established Joseph in the land, to budget for it in any way he wished. We confer Our mercy on anyone We wish to and never let the earnings of those who act kindly get lost. Earnings in the Hereafter will be even better for those who believe and have done their duty.
Joseph's brothers came, and they entered his office. He recognized them, while they remained ignorant as to who he was. When he had equipped them with their supplies, he said: "Bring me a brother of yours [who is] with your father. Dont you see that I give full measure and have been the best of hosts? If you do not bring me him, I'll have no [further] measure for you nor need you ever approach me [again]."
They said: "We'll try to coax his father to let him go, We [promise] to do so." He told his houseboys: "Place their trading goods back in their saddlebags, so they will recognize it when they return home to their family; thus they may come back." When they returned to their father, they said: "Our father [further] measure has been denied us, so send our brother [Benjamin] along with us so we may be treated as customers. We'll look after him." He said: "How dare I trust you with him except as I entrusted you with his brother long ago? God is the best Guardian and the most Merciful of Mercy-granters."
When they opened their baggage, they found their trading goods had been returned to them. They said: "Our father, what more do we desire than this? This merchandise of ours has been returned to us! We shall supply our family, look after our brother, and add a camel's load [to it] besides: that should be such an easy load!" He said: 'I will never send him with you until you give me some assurance before God that you will bring him back to me, unless you have been ambushed."
When they had given him their pledge, he said: "God is a Trustee for what we say." He said: "My sons, do not enter by a single gate; enter rather by separate gates. I cannot help you in any way against God; discretion rests only with God. On Him have I relied, and on Him should reliant persons rely."
When they had entered [the city] just as their father ordered them to, it did not help them in any way against God except as a need which He fulfilled in Jacob's soul. He possessed knowledge since We had taught him, although most men do not realize it.
As they entered Joseph's quarters, he took his brother [Benjamin] aside. He said: "I am your brother, so do not feel distressed about whatever they have been doing."
When he furnished them with their supplies, he placed a mug in his brother's saddlebag. Then a crier called out: "Caravaners, you are thieves!" They said as they approached them: "What have you lost?" They said: "We are missing the king's goblet. Whoever brings it back will have a camel's load; I can vouch for it." They said: "By God, you [ought to] know we have not come here to cause any trouble in the land. We are not thieves!" They said: "What will the penalty be for it if you are liars?" They said: "Its penalty? Whoever's saddlebag it is found in will [act as] his own penalty. Thus we penalize wrongdoers."
He began with their baggage before his brother's bag. Then he pulled it out of his brother [Benjamin]'s bag. Thus We contrived [things] for Joseph; he would never have taken his brother according to the king's code unless God had so wished it. We raise anyone We wish to in rank, while Someone Aware [stands] over everyone possessing knowledge.
They said: "If he has been [caught] stealing, then a brother of his stole something previously." Joseph kept his secret to himself and did not reveal it to them. He said: "You are in a worse plight! God is quite Aware of what you describe."
They said: "Sir, he has a father who is an elderly gentleman. Take one of us in his place; we see you are someone who acts kindly." He said: "God prevent us from taking anyone except the one whom we found our property with! We'd then be wrongdoers."
When they despaired of influencing him, they held counsel by themselves. The eldest of them said: "Dont you realize that your father took a pledge from you before God? You have already been remiss concerning Joseph so I shall never leave the land until my father permits me to, or God decides [things] for me. He is the best Judge! Return to your father and say: 'Our father, your son has stolen something! Yet we testify only about what we know and are not guardians of the Unseen. Ask the town[sfolk] where we have been and the caravan which we came back in; we are telling the truth!"'
He said: 'Rather you have fooled yourselves in the matter. Patience is a virtue! Perhaps God will bring them all back to me; He is the Aware, the Wise." He turned away from them and said: "How upset I feel over Joseph!" Both his eyes clouded over from sadness, so he choked back his grief. They said: 'By God, you keep on remembering Joseph until you will be exhausted or will be ready to die!" He said: "I complain only to God about my sorrow and my sadness. Through God I know something you do not know. My sons, go and search for Joseph and his brother; do not despair of [finding] God's comfort; only disbelieving folk despair of God's comfort."
When they entered his office, they said: "Sir, trouble has afflicted us and our family, and we have come with meager merchandise. Fill up the load for us and act charitably towards us. God rewards the charitable."
He said: "Do you know what you did to Joseph and his brother while you were acting out of ignorance?" They said: "Why, are you Joseph?" He said: "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has compensated us; with anyone who does his duty and perseveres, God does not lose track of the wages for those who act kindly." They said: "By God, God has preferred you ahead of us, while we have been mistaken." He said: "There is no [way for me to] find fault with you today. God will forgive you; He is the most Merciful of the Mercy-granting. Take this shirt of mine and throw it over my father's face; he will become sighted [again], Bring me all your family."
As the caravan set out, their father said: "I smell a breath from Joseph, even though you may think I am doting." They said: "By God, you are still in your old error!"
When an advance rider came, he threw it over his face, and his sight was restored. He said: "Did I not tell you that through God I know something that you do not know?" They said: "Our father, seek us forgiveness for our offences! We have been mistaken." He said: "I shall seek forgiveness for you from my Lord; He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
When they entered Joseph's office, he took both his parents aside and said: "Enter Egypt safely, if God wishes." He helped his parents up on to the platform, and they fell down on their knees before him. He said: "My father, this is the interpretation of my earlier vision. My Lord has made it come true! He was Kind to me when He let me out of jail, and brought you in from wandering on the desert after Satan had stirred up trouble between me and my brothers. My Lord is Gracious in whatever way He wishes; He is the Aware, the Wise.
"My lord, you have given me control and taught me how to interpret events. Originator of Heaven and Earth You are my Patron in this world and the Hereafter. Gather me in as a Muslim and unite me with honorable men!"
Such are some of the news from the Unseen We inspire you with. You were not in their presence when they agreed on their affair and were plotting. Yet most men will not become believers, no matter how eager you may be. You need not ask them for any payment for it; it [serves] only as a Reminder to [everybody in] the Universe.
How many a sign do they pass by in Heaven and Earth, and pay no attention to them? Most of them do not believe in God unless they associate [others with Him]. Do they feel confident that a sample of God's torment may not come to them, or the [final] Hour will come upon them suddenly, while they do not suspect it? SAY: "This is my way. I and anyone who follows me, appeal to God through insight. Glory be to God! I am no associator."
We have not sent anyone before you except men from among the townspeople whom We have inspired. Have they not travelled around t earth and seen what the outcome was for those who preceded them? A home in the Hereafter will be better for those who do their duty. Will they not use their reason - so that once messengers despair and think that they have been lied to, Our support will come to them and anyone We wish to will be saved? Our might is never averted from criminal folk.
There is a lesson in their stories for prudent persons. It is not some report which has been invented but confirmation of what has existed previously and an analysis of everything, as well as guidance and mercy for folk who believe.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. M. R.
These are verses from the Book; what has been sent down to you by your Lord is the Truth, even though most men do not believe so. God is the One Who has raised up the Heavens without any support you can see. Then He mounted on the Throne and regulated the sun and moon; each runs along on a specific course. He directs the matter; He manifests signs so that you may be convinced about meeting your Lord.
He is the One Who has spread the earth out and placed headlands and rivers on it, and has placed two pairs for every kind of fruit on it. He wraps daylight up in night. In that are signs for folk who meditate. On the earth are neighboring tracts, and vineyards, cultivated fields and datepalms, [growing] in clumps and all alone, watered from a single source. We make some of them excel others in food value. In that are signs for folk who use their reason.
If you should feel astonished, then how much more astonishing is their statement: "When we have become dust, shall we [end up] in some fresh creation?" Those are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord; such (persons) will have fetters [placed] around their necks and those will become inmates of the Fire, to live there for ever. They want to hasten you on to commit evil rather than [to perform] a fine deed.
Examples have already been set before them.
Your Lord possesses
forgiveness for mankind,
no matter how wrong they are; though
your Lord
still is Stern with punishment.
Those who disbelieve say: "If only a sign were sent down from his Lord!" Yet you are only a warner; each folk has a guide.
God knows what every female bears, and how some wombs may miscarry or else may wait too long. Everything has its measure with Him; Knowing the Unseen and the Visible, [He is] the Great, the Exalted! It is all the same for you whether one of you is secretive about what he says or speaks out about it, and whether one keeps to himself night and struts around by day: he has [angels] checking from both before him and behind him; they guard him at God's command.
God does not change what any people may have
until they change whatever
they themselves have.
Whenever God wants something bad [to happen] to any people, there is no way to avert it nor have they any patron except for Him. He is the 0ne Who shows you lightning to inspire both fear and expectation. He whips up the heavy clouds. Thunder hymns His praise while angels stand in awe of Him. He sends down thunderbolts and strikes anyone He wishes with them. Yet they argue on and on about God while He is Stern in strategy.
To Him should go the appeal for Truth; those they appeal to instead of Him will never respond to them in any way, except as someone does who stretches out his palms for water, so it may reach his mouth since he himself can never reach it. An appeal by disbelievers merely goes astray.
Whoever is in Heaven and Earth bows down on their knees before God obediently or grudgingly, just as their shadows do so in the morning and the evening. SAY: 'Who is Lord of Heaven and Earth?" SAY: "God [Alone]." SAY: "Yet have you adopted patrons besides Him who control no benefit nor any harm by themselves?" SAY: "Are the blind and the sighted person equal? Or is darkness equal to light? Or have they given God associates whom they have created just as He creates, so that all creation seems just the same to them?"
SAY: "God is the Creator of everything;
He exists Alone, the
Irresistible.
He sends down water from the sky so that river valleys flow according to how much there is. The torrent carries along swelling foam, foam just like what comes out of fire they have kindled to smelt jewelry or some equipment with.
Even so God knocks Truth and falsehood together [to compare them]. As for the foam, the scum will go away; while whatever benefits mankind lingers on in the earth, Thus God compares things with one another.
Those who respond to their Lord will have the finest [reward] while those who do not respond to Him, even if they had everything on earth and the like of it besides, would never redeem themselves with it. Those will have he worst reckoning; their refuge will be Hell and how awful a resting place it is!
Is someone who knows how whatever has been sent down to you from your Lord is the Truth, like someone who is blind?
Only prudent persons bear it in mind, those who fulfil God's agreement and do not break the covenant, who transmit anything God has ordered to be transmitted, and dread their Lord and fear the worst reckoning, who persevere in seeking their Lord's countenance and keep up prayer and spend whatever We have provided them with both secretly and publicly, and ward off evil with good; those will have the compensation of the [final] Home, gardens of Eden which they will enter, as well as anyone who has acted honorably among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Angels will come in on them by every gate: "Peace be upon you because you have acted so patiently!" How blissful will the compensation of the Home be!
Those who have broken God's agreement after having pledged it, and intercepted what God has commanded to be transmitted, and acted depraved on earth will have the Curse and theirs will be the worst home! God extends and measures out sustenance for anyone He wishes, while they are happy with worldly life. Yet what is worldly life compared with the Hereafter except as something to be enjoyed [as it passes]?
Those who disbelieve say: "If only a sign were sent down to him from his
Lord!" SAY:"God lets anyone He wishes go astray, and guides to Himself anyone
who feels concerned- the ones who believe and whose hearts feel tranquil through
remembering God-
"Surely hearts feel tranquil
whenever God is
mentioned!"
-- Those who believe and perform honorable deeds will find gladness and the finest journey's end.
Thus We have sent you to a nation-nations have passed away long before it-so you may recite to them what We have inspired you with even though they disbelieve in the Mercy-giving! SAY: "He is my Lord: there is no god except Him. On Him do I rely and towards Him [goes] my repentance."
If there were only some Quran by which the mountains would travel away or the earth would crack open, or the dead would speak out! Rather command is wholly God's. Do not those who believe despair, because God might have guided all mankind had He so wished? Disaster will continually afflict those who disbelieve because of what they produce, or it will settle down close to their home until God's promise comes true. God does not break any appointment.
Messengers have been ridiculed before you (came), and I have been indulgent with those who disbelieve; then I seized them. What was My punishment like? Who is there standing over every soul [checking up] on whatever it has earned, while they give God associates? SAY: "Name them! Or will you inform Him about something on earth He does not know, or is it just a display of words?" Rather those who disbelieve feel their scheme is attractive while they are diverted from the Path. Anyone whom God lets go astray will have no guide. Theirs will be torment during worldly life, while torment in the Hereafter will be even more heartrending. They will have no one to shield them from God.
[Here] is what the Garden which the heedful are promised will be like: rivers will flow through it; its food and its shade shall be perpetual. Such is the compensation for those who have done their duty, while the outcome for disbelievers will be the Fire.
Those whom We have given the Book to are happy with what has been sent down to you; yet among the factions there are some who disregard part Of it. SAY: "I am only ordered to serve God [Alone] and not associate anything with Him. To Him do I appeal and towards Him will be my retreat." Thus We have sent it down for Arab discretion. If you followed their whims after the sort of knowledge which has come to you, you would have no protector nor any shield against God.
We have sent messengers before you [came], and granted them spouses and offspring. No messenger would have brought any sign except with God's permission. For each period there is something written (down).
God erases and consolidates whatever He wishes; He retains the Mother of the Book. Whether We merely show you part of what We have promised them or cause you to pass away, you merely have to proclaim it, while We must reckon. Have they not seen how We come to clip the land off at its borders? God decides; there is no way to reverse His decision. He is Swift in reckoning!
Those before them have plotted, even though God [controls] all plotting; He knows what every soul is earning. Disbelievers shall know who has compensation in the Home. Those who disbelieve say: "You are no emissary." SAY: "God suffices as a Witness between me and you (all), as well as anyone who has knowledge about the Book."
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. R.
We have sent down a Book to you in order to bring men out of darkness into Light by their Lord's permission, towards the road of the Powerful, the Praiseworthy, God, Who holds whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth. Alas, because disbelievers will have harsh torment, those who would rather have worldly life in preference to the Hereafter and obstruct God's way, seeking to make it crooked; those stray far afield.
We have not sent any messenger unless he was to explain to them in his folk's own tongue. God lets anyone He wishes go astray, and guides anyone He wishes; He is the Powerful, the Wise. We sent Moses with Our signs: "Lead your people out of darkness into Light, and remind them of God's days. In that are signs for every patient, grateful person."
So Moses told his folk: 'Remember God's favor towards you when He saved you from Pharaoh's court, who had imposed the worst torment on you, and slaughtered your sons while letting your women live. That was a serious trial from your Lord."
So your Lord announced: 'If you act grateful, I shall give you even more, while if you are thankless, then My torment will be severe." Moses said: "Even if you and whoever is on earth should disregard it, God will still be Transcendent, Praiseworthy."
Has not news come to you concerning those who preceded you such as Noah's folk, and Ad's and Thamud's, as well as those who came after them? Only God knows who they were. Messengers brought them explanations yet they merely stuffed their hands into their mouths and said: "We disbelieve in what you have been sent with. We are in suspicious doubt about what you are inviting us to do." Their messengers said: "Is there any doubt about God, the Originator of Heaven and Earth? He invites you in order to forgive you some of your offences and to postpone things for you during a specific period." They said: "You are only human beings like ourselves! You want to divert us from what our forefathers have been worshipping, so bring us some clear authority."
Their messengers told them: "We are only human like yourselves, but God showers blessings on any of His servants whom He wishes. It is not for us to bring you any authority except with God's permission. On God should believers rely." Why should we not rely on God when He has guided us along our [several] ways? And so we may patiently endure how you persecute us? On God [Alone] should the reliant rely!
Those who disbelieved told their messengers: "We'll run you out of our land unless you return to our sect!" Their Lord [however] inspired them [as follows]: "We shall wipe out wrongdoers and settle you on the land to succeed them." That is [in store] for anyone who fears My position and fears My threat.
They sought to conquer, and every stubborn oppressor blundered. Beyond him there lies Hell where he will be given stagnant water to drink. He will gag on it and not quite swallow it. Death will come at him from everywhere, while he will not quite die. Beyond him lies harsh torment.
The works of those who disbelieve in their Lord may be compared to ashes which the wind whips around on a stormy day. They cannot do a thing with anything they have earned. That is going far afield!
Have you not seen how God has really created Heaven and Earth? If He so wished, He would remove you and bring on a fresh creation. That is not unfeasible for God [to do]. They will all march forth to [meet] God, and the weaklings will tell those who acted so proudly: "We formed a following for you; can you help us out now in any way against God's torment?" They will say: "If God had guided us, then we'd have guided you. It's all the same for us whether we panic or act patient; we'll have no escape."
Satan will say, once the matter has been settled: "God has given you a true promise, while I have both promised you and then broken my word with you. I have no authority over you except that I appealed to you, and you responded to me. Do not blame me but blame yourselves! I have no claim on you nor have you any claim on me. I disown how you have associated me [with God] up till now. Wrongdoers will have painful torment."
Those who believe and perform honorable deeds will be shown into gardens through which rivers flow, to live there with their Lord's permission. Their greeting in it will be: "Peace!"
Do you not consider how God makes up a parable? A good word may be compared to a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches soar up into the sky. It yields its food each season with its Lord's permission.
God composes parables for mankind so that they may be reminded. A bad word may be compared to a bad tree: it will be uprooted from the face of the earth; it has no foothold.
God braces those who believe with firm speech during worldly life and in the Hereafter; while God lets wrongdoers stray away. God does whatever He wishes!
Have you not seen those who pay back God's favor with disbelief and settle their folk in the home of Perdition- Hell! They will roast there, and how awful is such a plight! They place rivals alongside God to le others astray from His path.
SAY: "Enjoy yourselves even though your goal will be the Fire!" Tell My servants who believe to keep up prayer and spend what We have provided them with both secretly and openly before a day comes along when there will be no bartering nor any intimacy."
God is the One Who has created Heaven and Earth, and sends down water from the sky. He brings forth produce by means of it as sustenance for you. He has subjected ships to you so they may sail at sea by His command; and subjected rivers to you. He regulates the sun and moon for you, both journeying on and on, and regulates night and day for you. He gives you everything you ever ask Him for. If you counted up God's favor(s), you would never [be able to] number them; yet man is so unfair, ungrateful.
So Abraham said:
"My Lord, make this countryside safe and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols. My Lord, they have led so many men astray! Anyone who follows me belongs to me, just as anyone who disobeys me [will still find] You are Forgiving, Merciful.
"Our Lord, I have had some of my offspring reside in a valley without any crops alongside Your Hallowed House, our Lord, so that they may keep up prayer. Make men's vitals feel fond of them, and provide them with fruit so they may act grateful.
"Our Lord, You know whatever we hide and whatever We display, nothing on earth nor in the sky is hidden from God. Praise be to God Who has bestowed Ishmael and Isaac on me in my old age. My Lord is so Alert to anyone's appeal!
"My Lord, make me keep up prayer,
and have my offspring [do so too].
"Our Lord, accept my appeal!
Our Lord, forgive me, both my parents,
and believers on the Day
when the Reckoning will be set up!"
Do not reckon God is oblivious of what wrongdoers are doing; He is merely putting them off till a day when their eyesight will be glazed as they dash along with their heads tilted forward, their glances not checking back for them, and their vital organs gaping open. Warn mankind against a day when torment will come upon them. Those who have done wrong will say: "Our Lord, put us off for a short while; we will answer Your appeal and follow the messengers!"
(Did you not use to swear previously that you would never [face] extinction? You have inhabited the dwellings of those who wronged themselves; it was explained to you how We had dealt with them, and We made up parables for you.)
They hatched their plot while God held up their plot, even though their plan had been to transport the mountains by means of it! Do not reckon God will break His promise to His messengers; God is Powerful, the Wielder of Retribution.
Some day the earth wilf be changed into a different earth, and [so will] Heaven; they will emerge for God Alone, the Irresistible! You will see criminals linked together by means of fetters on that day; their garments will be [smeared] with tar while fire will cover their faces, so God may reward each soul according to whatever it has earned. God is Prompt at reckoning!
This is a proclamation for mankind;
let them feel they are warned through
it
and know that He is God Alone.
May prudent persons bear it in mind!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
A. L. R.
These are verses from the Book, and a clear Reading.
(I cont'd) Perhaps those who disbelieve would like to become Muslims. Leave them eating and enjoying themselves; let hope distract them, for they soon will know (anyhow). We have never wiped out any town unless it had [received] a known term; no nation can forestall its deadline, nor will they ever postpone it. Yet they say: "You to whom the Reminder has been sent down, why you're crazy! Why don't you bring us angels if you are so truthful?"'
We do not send down any angels except with the Truth, and even then they would not be allowed to wait. We Ourself have sent down the Reminder just as We are safeguarding it. Even before you, We sent [some] down among the sects of early people; yet no messenger ever came to them whom they did not sneer at.
Thus We slip it into criminals' hearts; they will not believe in it, even though the custom of early people has already preceded it. Even though We opened up a gate to Heaven for them so they might keep on climbing into it, they still would say: "Our eyesight has been dazzled-in fact, we are enchanted folk!"
We have placed constellations in the sky and embellished it for onlookers. We have safeguarded them against every outcast Satan except for such as may try to eavesdrop, so a blazing meteor follows him.
Earth have We spread out and cast headlands upon it, and planted a bit of everything to grow there (so it is) well balanced. We have placed various means of livelihood on it for (all of) you as well as anyone you do not have to provide for. There is nothing whose stores are not [controlled] by Us, and We send it down only according to a fixed quantity.
We send forth fertilizing winds and send down water from the sky and offer you something to drink from it. You are not the ones who store it up. We give life and bring death, and We are the Heirs [to every- thing]! We know which of you try to get ahead and We know those who hold back. Your Lord will summon them; He is Wise, Aware.
We created man from ringing clay, from moulded slime; while the sprites We had created earlier from smokeless fire.
So your Lord told the angels: "I am about to create a human being from ringing clay, from moulded slime. When I have finished with him and breathed some of My spirit into him, then drop down on your knees before him." The angels all bowed down together except for Diabolis; he refused to be one of those bowing down on their knees.
He said: "Diabolis, what is wrong with you that you are not among those who bow down on their knees?" He said: "I am no one to kneel before a human being You have created from ringing clay, from moulded slime."
He said: "Then get out of here, for you are an outcast! On you lies the Curse until the Day for Repayment!"
He said: 'My Lord, let me wait till the day when they are raised up again." He said: "You will be allowed to wait until a day in known time."
He said: "My Lord, since You have let me go astray, I shall make things on earth seem attractive to them; I'll mislead them all except for any of Your sincere servants who may be among them."
He said: "Here will be a Straight Road [leading] up to Me! You will not hold any authority over My servants except for someone who may follow you from among those who are misguided. Hell will [serve as] an appointment for all of them together. It has seven gates; each gate will have a portion assigned from them."
The heedful will be in gardens and by springs:
"Enter them safely, at
peace!"
We will strip away any rancor
that [lingers] in their breasts;
like brethren they will face
one another on couches.
Toil will not touch them there,
nor will they ever be expelled
from
it. Advise My servants
that I am the Forgiving, Merciful One,
although
My torment will be painful torment.
Advise them about Abraham's guests how, when they entered his presence and said: "Peace!", he said: "We feel wary of you." They said: 'Don't feel so wary; We bring you word about a clever boy."
He said: "Have you brought me word like this once old age has set in on me? What sort of word do you want to spread?" They said: "We have brought you word of the Truth, so do not act so discouraged." He said: "Who despairs of his Lord's mercy except those who are lost?"
He said: "Yet what is your errand, you emissaries?" They said: "We have been sent for some criminal folk, except for Lot's house; we will rescue them all except his wife. We have decreed that she will be one of those who will be left behind."
When the emissaries came to Lot's household, he said: "You are folk who should be ignored." They said: Rather we have come to you about something they have been puzzling over. We have brought you the Truth, for we are reliable. Travel with your family at dead of night; you should follow in their rear, and let none of you glance around! Keep on going wherever you are ordered to. We have passed judgment on that case for him so that those people's last remnant shall be cut off once morning dawns for them."
The people of the city came up gay with the news. He said: "These are my guests so do not disgrace me. Heed God, and do not shame me." They said: "Didnt we forbid you to have contact with [anyone in] the Universe [outside]?"' He said: "These are my daughters if you are going to do (something)."
Upon your life, they were groping along in their drunkenness so the Blast caught them at sunrise: We turned things upside down and rained down stones which had been stamped with their names on them. In that are signs for investigators; and it lies along a permanent highway.
In that is a sign for believers. The Companions in the Forest had been wrongdoers, so We avenged Ourself on them. Both are a clear indication.
The inhabitants of Stoneland rejected the emissaries. We gave them Our signs even though they had shunned them. They had confidently hewn houses out of the mountains. So the Blast caught them early one morning and what they had been earning did not help them out.
We have only created Heaven and Earth and whatever lies between them for the sake of Truth. The Hour is coming on, so examine [matters] with fine discrimination. Your Lord is the Clever Creator!
We have brought you seven Oft-Repeated (verses] plus the Mighty Qur`an. Do not strain your eyes towards what We let some types of them enjoy; do not feel saddened by them, and lower your [sheltering] wing over believers.
SAY:"I am the plain Warner," (such as We have sent down for the quibblers who have torn the Quran apart. By your Lord, We shall question them all about whatever they have been doing!) So proclaim whatever you are ordered to, and shun associators; We will suffice for you against such scoffers who place another deity alongside God [Alone], They soon will know!
We already know how cramped your breast feels because of what they say: so hymn your Lord's praise and be one of those who bow down on their knees (in worship).
Serve your Lord until conviction comes to you!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
God's command is coming, so do not seek to hasten its appearance.
Glory be to Him!
Exalted is He over anything
they may associate [with
Him]!
He sends down angels with the Breath of His command on any of His servants He may wish: "Warn [mankind] that there is no deity except Me; so heed Me!" He has created Heaven and Earth in all Truth; Exalted is He over anything they associate [with Him]!
He creates man from a drop of semen, yet he is an open opponent; **and livestock has He created for you in which are warmth and [other] advantages and some of which you use for food. You have beauty in them when you drive them home to rest, and whenever you lead them out to pasture. They transport your loads to lands you would not reach except through travail for yourselves-your Lord is so Gentle, Merciful*-- as well as horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride on and to show them off. He even creates something you do not know. On God rests the search for the Way, though sideroads may branch off from it. If He so wished, He would even guide you all.
He is the One Who sends down water from the sky. You have something to drink from it, and from it shrubs you use for forage. He grows you crops by means of it: olives, datepalms, grapevines and every sort of fruit. In that is a sign for folk who will think things over. He has regulated night and daylight for you, while the sun, moon and stars are subjected to His command. In that are signs for folk who use their minds; as well as in anything He has scattered over the earth for you with different colors. In that is a sign for folk who remember.
He is the One Who regulates the sea so you may eat fresh meat from it and extract jewelry you may wear from it. You see ships sailing along through it so you (all) may seek some of His bounty, in order that you may feel grateful. He has set up headlands on the earth lest it sway with you, and rivers and paths so that you may be guided, as well landmarks, and by stars are they guided [too].
Is Someone Who creates like someone who does not create anything? Will you not bear this in mind? If you counted up God's favor, you would never calculate it; God is Forgiving, Merciful. God knows anything you hide and anything you display. Those whom they invoke instead of God do not create a thing, while they themselves have be created; dead, lifeless, they do not even perceive the times when they will be raised up again.
Those who do not believe in the Hereafter have hearts which refuse to learn while they are overproud. God knows absolutely anything they hide and anything they disclose; yet He does not love the prideful.
Whenever someone tells them: "What has your Lord sent down?", they say: "Legends by primitive people!" Let them carry all their own burdens on Resurrection Day as well as some burdens for those whom they have misled without having any knowledge! Surely what they bear is evil!
Those before them schemed, and God reached for their buildings through its foundations, so the roof caved in on them and torment came at them from where they did not even suspect it. Then He will shame the on Resurrection Day and say: "Where are My associates through who you have fallen into disagreement?" Those who have been given knowledge will say: "Shame and evil [will fall] today on disbelievers, whom the angels will carry away while they are harming themselves."
They will offer to surrender: "We were not doing anything evil!" Nevertheless God is Aware of what you have been doing, so enter Hell's gates to remain there. How awful will the lodging of the prideful be.
Those who have done their duty will be told: "What has your Lord sent down?" They will say: "(The very) Best!" Those who have acted kind in this world will have a fine thing, while their Home in the Hereafter will be even better. How splendid will the Home for the heedful be: gardens of Eden will they enter where rivers will flow beneath them. They will have whatever they wish in it; thus God rewards those who do their duty,whom the angels carry off while they are good persons, saying: "Peace upon you! Enter the Garden because of what you have been doing." Are they merely waiting for the angels to come to them, or your Lord's command to come along? That is what those before them did, and God did not harm them but rather they harmed themselves. The evil deeds which they had been doing assailed them, and what they had been sneering at swept in around them!
Those who associate [others with God] say: 'If God so wished, neither we nor our forefathers would have served anything besides Him, nor would we have forbidden anything besides Him." Thus have those before them done!
Need messengers do anything except to proclaim things clearly.? We have dispatched a messenger to every nation [who said]: "Serve God [Alone] and turn aside from the Arrogant ones." Some of them God has guided, while others there are for whom error has been confirmed. Travel around the earth and see how the outcome was for those who deny [everything].
Even if you are eager to guide them, God still does not guide someone who misleads another and they will have no supporters. They have sworn by God with their most solemn oaths, God will not raise up anyone who dies. Nonetheless it is a promise truly binding on Him, even though most men do not realize it, so He may explain to them what they have been differing over, and so those who disbelieve may know that they have been lying. Our statement for anything We have willed, is only for Us to tell it: "Be!", and it exists.
We shall settle those who have migrated for God's sake after they were wronged, in something fine during this world, while the wages in the Hereafter will be even greater, did those who act patient and rely on their Lord only know. Before you We have only sent men whom We have inspired so ask people about the Reminder: "If you have not known about explanations and the Psalms, We still sent you down the Reminder so you may explain to mankind what was sent down to them, so that they may meditate."
Do those who plot evil deeds feel safe that God will not have the earth swallow them up, or torment come upon them from where they do not notice it? Or lest He should overtake them as they bustle around and they cannot prevent it, or catch them so they waste away.? Yet your Lord is Gentle, Merciful!
Have they not considered how everything God has created has its shadows move from right to left, bowing down to God so they themselves feel of lessened importance? Whatever is in Heaven and whatever is on Earth bows down before God, whether they are animals or angels, and they do not act proudly; they fear their Lord Above them, and do whatever they are ordered to.
God says: "Do not adopt two gods:
there exists only God Alone,
and I
am the One you should revere.
He owns whatever is in Heaven and Earth, while religion is His for ever and ever. Will you heed something besides God? You will receive no favor unless it comes from God. Yet whenever some harm touches you, you plead with Him; then when He removes the harm from you, why a group of you will associate (others) with your Lord, renouncing whatever We have given them! "So enjoy yourselves, for you soon shall know!"
They assign a portion of what We have provided them with, to something they do not know (by God, you shall be questioned about whatever you have been inventing)! They (even) assign daughters to God. Glory be to Him! They themselves have what they desire. Yet whenever one of them receives word he has had a daughter, his face becomes black with gloom and he feels like choking. He hides from folk because of the bad news that he has just received. Will he hold on to her and feel disgraced, or bury her in the dust?
Whatever they decide is evil! Those who do not believe in the Hereafter set an evil example. God sets the Highest Example, for He is the Powerful, the Wise.
If God were to take mankind to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave even an animal around; but He puts them off till an appointed deadline. Once their deadline comes, they will not postpone it for an hour nor may they advance it. They assign to God something they themselves dislike while their tongues mouth a lie: that the finest things will belong to them. The Fire will absolutely be theirs and they will be abandoned to it!
By God, We have sent for nations before you, and Satan has made their actions seem attractive to them! He is their patron today, while they shall have painful torment. We have merely sent the Book down to you so you may explain to them what they are differing over, and as a guidance and mercy for folk who believe. God sends water down from the sky and revives the earth with it following its death. In that is a sign for folk who will listen!
You have a lesson in livestock: We let you drink what comes from their bellies in between the cud and blood, pure refreshing milk for those who drink it. From the fruit of the datepalm and grapevine you derive intoxicants as well as fine nourishment; in that is a sign for folk who reason.
Your Lord has inspired the Bees: "Set up hives in the mountains, and in trees and on anything they may build. Then eat some of every kind of fruit and slip humbly along your Lord's byways."
From their bellies comes a drink with different colors which contains healing for mankind. In that is a sign for folk who will meditate!
God has created you; then He will gather you (all) in. Some of you will be sent on to the feeblest age of all, so that they will not know a thing after once having had knowledge. God is Aware, Capable.
God has favored some of you over others in providing [for them]. Yet those who have been so made to excel are not going to hand over their provision to those whom their right hands control, so they become equal [partners] in it. Would they thus disclaim God's favor? God has granted you spouses from among yourselves, and granted you children and grand- children by means of your spouses. He has provided you with wholesome things. So will they still believe in falsehood while they disbelieve in God's favor? Instead of God, they worship something that does not control any provision for them in any way in either Heaven or Earth, while they themselves can do nothing.
Do not make up any parables about God; God knows while you do not know!
God has made a comparison between a slave owned [by someone else] who cannot accomplish a thing, and someone whom We have provided for handsomely. He spends some of it privately and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to God! Rather most of them do not know. God offers another comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb and cannot do a thing, and is a nuisance to his master. Wherever he sends him on an errand, he brings [him] no good. Is he equal to someone who gives proper orders and is on a Straight Road?
To God belongs the Unseen of Heaven and Earth. What will the business of the [final] Hour be like, except the twinkling of an eye, or it may be even closer? God is Capable of everything!
God has brought you out of your mothers' wombs; you knew nothing then, while He has granted you hearing, eyesight and vital organs so that you may feel thankful. Do they not see how the birds are governed in mid air: only God holds them up! In that are signs for folk who believe.
God has granted you your houses as homes to live in, and granted you the skins of livestock [to make] houses which you find so light on the day you pack them up to move elsewhere and the day you come to a halt. From their wool, their fur and their hair come furnishings and commodities for a while. God has granted you shade out of what He has created, and granted you resorts in the mountains, and granted you garments with which to protect yourselves from the heat as well as garments to ward off your own violence.
Thus He completes His favor towards you so that you may commit yourselves to (live in) peace. Should they still turn away, you have only to announce matters clearly. They recognize God's favor; then they disregard it. Most of them are disbelievers.
Some day We shall raise up a witness from every nation; then permission will not be granted those who disbelieve nor will they be allowed to argue back. When those who do wrong see the torment, it will neither be lightened for them nor will they be granted any delay.
When those who have associated [others with God] see their associates [in such worship], they will say: "Our Lord, these are our associates whom we appealed to instead of to You."
They will toss the statement back at them: "You're lying!" They will proffer their surrender to God on that day, while anything they were inventing will leave them in the lurch. We shall inflict torment upon torment on those who have disbelieved and obstructed God's path, because of how abusive they have acted. Some day We shall raise up a witness from every nation against them from among themselves. We shall even bring you as a witness against such persons. We have sent the Book down to you to explain everything, and for guidance and mercy, and as good news for Muslims.
God commands justice, kindness and giving [their due] to near relatives, while He forbids sexual misconduct, debauchery and insolence. He so instructs you (all) so that you may draw attention to it.
Fulfil God's agreement once you have pledged to do so, and do not break any oaths once they have been sworn to. You have set God up as a Surety for yourselves; God knows whatever you do.
Do not be like a woman who unravels her yarn after its strands have been firmly spun. You use your oaths in order to snatch at advantages over one another, just because one nation may be more prosperous than another nation. God is only testing you by means of it; so He may explain to you on Resurrection Day what you have been disagreeing about.
If God had wished, He would have set you up as one community, but He lets anyone He wishes go astray, and guides anyone He wishes. You shall (all) be questioned about whatever you have been doing.
Do not use your oaths to take advantage of one another. Still one's foot may slip after it has felt secure, and you may taste evil for having blocked off God's way. You will have serious torment. Do not sell God's agreement for a paltry price; only what God has is best for you, if you only realized it. Anything you have is temporary; while whatever God has is everlasting.
We will reward those who have been patient with their earnings according to the finest deeds they have been doing. We shall let anyone who acts honorably, whether it is a man or a woman, provided he is a believer, live a happy life and reward them with their earnings for the finest deeds they have been doing.
Whenever you read the Quran, seek refuge with God from Satan the Outcast; he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord. *His authority rests only on those who enlist him as a patron, and who associate others with Him.
Whenever We shift a verse from its context in favor of another verse (God is quite Aware of what He sends down!), they say: "You are merely an impostor." Indeed most of them do not know anything! SAY: 'The Holy Spirit has brought it down as Truth from your Lord to brace those who believe, and as guidance and good news for Muslims."
We already know they are saying: "It is merely a human being who is teaching him!" The tongue of the person whom they hint at is foreign, while this is clear Arabic speech. God will never guide those who do not believe in God's signs, while they will have painful torment.
Those who do not believe in God's signs are merely inventing a lie; such men are liars. Anyone who disbelieves in God after having once made his profession of faith except for someone who is compelled to while his heart is unwavering in its faith-but anyone who lays (his) breast wide open to disbelief will have wrath from God [descend] on him. They have awful torment! That is because they cherish worldly life rather the Hereafter. God does not guide disbelieving folk.
Those are the ones whose hearts, hearing and eyesight God has sealed off. Those are the heedless. They will positively be the losers in the Hereafter. Even then your Lord-for those who have migrated after they were persecuted, then struggled and were patient-after such [trials] your Lord will be Forgiving, Merciful.
Some day each soul will come to plead for itself, and every soul be repaid according to whatever it has done, and they will not be wronged.
God has made up a parable about a town which had been safe, tranquil; its livelihood was brought to it comfortably from every quarter.
Yet it disbelieved in God's favors, and God let it experience a pall of hunger and fear because of what they had been producing. A messenger came to them from among themselves and they rejected him. Torment seized them while they were doing wrong.
So eat any lawful, wholesome thing God has provided you with, and be thankful for God's favor if you have been worshipping Him. He has only forbidden you carrion, blood, and pork, as well as anything that has been consecrated to something besides God. Yet anyone who is obliged to do so without desiring it nor going to excess (will find) God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Do not tell a lie about something your tongues describe (such as): "This is lawful, while this is forbidden!"; so that you fabricate a lie against God. Those who fabricate a lie about God will not prosper: (they will have] slight enjoyment, and they shall [then] have painful punishment.
We forbade those who became Jews what We have already told you about; We did not harm them, but they harmed themselves. Then your Lord-for those who had done evil out of ignorance, then repented later on and reformed-your Lord was afterward Forgiving, Merciful.
Abraham formed a community that was devoted to God since he was righteous and was no associator; grateful for His favors, He chose and guided him to a Straight Road. We gave him a fine thing in this world, and he will be among the honorable in the Hereafter. Then we inspired you: "Follow the sect of Abraham the Seeker; he was no associator [of others in his worship of God]."
The Sabbath was set up only for those who disagreed about it. Your Lord will pass judgment on them on Resurrection Day concerning what- ever they have been disagreeing about. Invite [people] to your Lord's way with discretion and kindly instruction, and discuss [things] with them in the politest manner. Your Lord is quite Aware as to who has strayed from His path, just as He is quite Aware of those who have consented to be guided.
If you (all) should punish them, then do your punishing to the same extent as you have been punished. Yet if you are patient, well [things go] better for the patient. Act patient; your patience comes only from God. Do not feel saddened because of them nor be in any anguish over how they plot. God stands alongside those who fulfil their duty and who act kindly!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Glory be to Him Who had His servant travel by night from the Hallowed Mosque to the Further Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so We might show him some of Our signs! He is the Alert, the Observant!
We gave Moses the Book and granted it as guidance for the Children of Israel: "Do not accept any defender except Me!" [They were] offspring [of those] whom We put on board with Noah; he was a grateful servant. We decreed in the Book concerning the Children of Israel: "You will create havoc on earth twice, and display great haughtiness."
When the first of both warnings came, we despatched servants of Ours to inflict severe violence upon you (all). They rampaged through [your] homes, and it served as a warning which was acted upon. Then We offered you another chance against them, and reinforced you with wealth and children, and granted you more manpower. If you have acted kindly, you acted kindly towards yourselves, while if you committed any evil, it was towards [yourselves] as well.
Thus the warning about the next one came along to trouble your persons, and so they would enter the Mosque just as they had entered it in the first place, so they might utterly annihilate anything they overcame. Perhaps your Lord may show mercy to you. If you should turn back, We will go back (too) and turn Hell into a confinement for disbelievers! This Quran guides one to something that is more straightforward and reassures believers who perform honorable actions; they shall have great earnings. Nevertheless We have reserved painful torment for those who do not believe in the Hereafter.
Man appeals for evil during his appeal for good; everyman has been so hasty!
We have granted night and daylight as twin signs. We blot out the sign of night, and grant the sign of daylight to see by so you may seek bounty from your Lord and know how to count the years and other such reckoning. Everything have We set forth in detail.
We have tied everyman's fate around his neck; and We shall produce a book for him on Resurrection Day that he will find spread open; "Read your book; today there will be none but yourself to call you to account!"
Anyone who submits to guidance will be guided only so far as he himself is concerned, while anyone who strays away, only strays by himself. No burdened soul shall bear another's burden.
We have never acted as punishers until We have despatched some messenger: yet whenever We want to wipe out some town, We order its high-livers so they act depraved in it; thus the Sentence about it is proven to be right and We utterly annihilate it. How many generations did We destroy since Noah? Sufficient is it for your Lord to be Informed, Observant of His servants' sins!
For anyone who wants the fleeting present, We let whatever We wish to flit past anyone We want it to. Then We set up Hell for him; he will roast in it, condemned, disgraced. Anyone who wants the Hereafter and makes a proper effort to achieve it while he is a believer, will have their effort gratified. Each We shall supply, these as well as those, with a gift from your Lord: your Lord's gift will never be withheld.
Watch how We have permitted some of them to get ahead of others. The Hereafter will be greater in [conferring] ranks and even greater in attainment.
Do not place any other deity alongside God, lest you sit back, condemned, forsaken.
Your Lord has decreed that you should worship nothing except Him, and [show] kindness to your parents; whether either of them or both of them should attain old age [while they are] still with you, never say to them: "Naughty!" nor scold either of them. Speak to them in a generous fashion. Protect them carefully from outsiders, and SAY: "My Lord, show them mercy, just as they cared for me [when I was] a little child!"
Your Lord is quite Aware of anything that is on your minds; if you behave honorably, then He will be Forgiving towards those who are attentive.
Render your close relative his due, as well as the pauper and the wayfarer. Yet do not squander [your money] extravagantly; spendthrifts are the devils' brethren, and Satan has always been ungrateful towards his Lord. Yet if you have to avoid them, seeking some mercy which you may expect from your Lord, still speak a courteous word to them. Do not keep your hand gripping at your throat nor stretch it out as far as it will reach, lest you sit back blameworthy, destitute. Your Lord extends sustenance to anyone He wishes, and measures it out; He is Informed, Observant about His servants.
Do not kill your children in dread of poverty; We shall provide for both them and you. Killing them is a serious blunder!
Do not commit adultery. It is shocking and an evil way [to behave].
Do not kill any soul whom God has forbidden you to, except through [due process of] law. We have given his nearest relatives authority for anyone who is killed unjustly-yet let him not overdo things in killing [the culprit], inasmuch as he has been so supported.
Do not approach an orphan's estate before he comes of age unless it is to improve it.
Fulfil your oaths; any promise will be checked into.
Give full measure whenever you measure out anything, and weigh with honest scales; that is better and the finest way of acting.
Do not worry over something you have no knowledge about: your hearing, eyesight and vital organs will all be questioned concerning it.
Do not prance saucily around the earth; you can never tunnel through the earth nor rival the mountains in height.
All that is evil with your Lord, to be hated. Such is some of the wisdom your Lord has revealed to you.
Do not place any other deity alongside God [Alone] lest you be tossed into Hell, blamed, rejected. Has your Lord singled you out to have sons, while He has accepted daughters from among the angels [for Himself]? You are uttering such a serious statement!
We have already spelled out matters in this Reading so they will notice it, even though it only adds to their disgust.
SAY: "If there were (other) gods along with Him as they say, then they would have sought a way to the Possessor of the Throne. Glory be to Him! How greatly Exalted is He over anything they may say! The Seven Heavens and Earth, as well as whoever is in them, glorify Him. Nothing exists unless it hymns His praise; yet you do not understand their glorification. Still He has been Lenient, Forgiving.
Whenever you read the Quran, We place a hidden curtain between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter. We place wrappers over their hearts lest they comprehend it, and dullness in their ears. When you mention your Lord Alone in the Quran they even turn their backs in disgust!
We are quite Aware as to what they are listening for when they listen to you, and whenever they conspire together, then wrongdoers will say: "You are only following a man who is bewitched!," Watch what sort of stories they make up about you. They have strayed away and are unable to find a way back. They say: "When we are bones and mortal remains, will we be raised up in some fresh creation?"
SAY: "Become stones or iron or any creation that seems important enough to fill your breasts;" so they will say: "Who will bring us back [to life]?" SAY: "The One Who originated you in the first place."
They will wag their heads at you and say: "When will it be?" SAY: "Perhaps it is near! Some day He will call on you, and you will respond in praise of Him. You will assume you have lingered for only a little while."
Tell My servants that they should say whatever is politest. Satan stirs up trouble among them; Satan is an open enemy to man!" Your Lord is quite Aware of you (all); if He wishes, He will show you mercy, while if He wishes,
He will punish you, We have not sent you as a trustee over them. Your Lord is quite Aware of whoever is in Heaven and Earth. We have made some prophets excel over others, and given David the Psalms.
SAY: "Invoke those whom you claim to have besides Him: they do control any means of removing harm from you, nor for changing Even those whom they appeal to, crave access to their Lord, vying to nearest. They hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Your Lo torment is something to beware of.'
No town exists but We shall act as its Destroyers before Resurrect Day, or as its Punishers by means of severe torment. That has recorded in the Book. Nothing has prevented Us from sending except that early men rejected them. We sent Thamud the she-camel to open their eyes, yet they mistreated her. We merely send signs in order to frighten [people]. Thus We told you: "Your Lord embraces [all] kind." We granted the vision which We showed you only as a test for mankind, as well as the Tree that is cursed in the Quran. We let them feel afraid; yet it only increases great arrogance in them.
When We told the angels: "Bow down on your knees before Adam," they (all) knelt down except Diabolis. He said: "Am I to bow down on my knees before someone You have created out of clay?" *He said [further] : "Have You considered this person Yourself whom You have honored more than me? If You will postpone things for m Resurrection Day, then I shall bring all but a few of his offspring un mastery."
He said: "Go away! Any of them who follows you will have your reward; it is such an ample reward! Entice any of them whom you can with your voice. Set upon them with your cavalry and your manpower. Share wealth and children with them, and promise them anything. (Yet Satan merely promises them illusion.) As for My servants, you will have no authority over them; your Lord suffices as a Trustee."
Your Lord is the One Who propels ships for you at sea, so you may seek some of His bounty. He has been so Merciful towards you! Whenever some adversity strikes you at sea, anyone you appeal to besides Him leaves [you] in the lurch; yet whenever We bring you safely to port, you (all) turn away evasively. Man has been so thankless!
Do you feel so safe that He will not let a slice of land cave in beneath you, or send a sandstorm down on you? Then you will find no agent to act on your behalf! Or do you feel so secure that He will send you another chance at it, and drive a smashing gale against you which will drown you because you have disbelieved? Then you will not find any follower in it to [help] you against Us. We have dignified the Children of Adam and transported them around on land and at sea. we have provided them with wholesome things and favored them especially over many of those whom We have created.
Some day We shall call forth all mankind along with whoever has led them, Those who are given their book in their right hand, will read their book and not be harmed one bit; while anyone who has been blind in this [life] will remain blind in the Hereafter, and go even further astray .
They almost lure you away from what We have revealed to you, in order to invent something else against Us; then they would adopt you as a bosom friend! If we had not braced you, you might have almost inclined a little bit towards them. Then We would have made you taste a double share of life and a double one of dying; then you would not have found any supporter for yourself against Us! They almost scare you off the earth, to exile you from it. Yet they would never survive you except for a short while.
[Such has been] the practice with any of Our messengers whom We have sent before you. You will never find any chance in Our course!
Keep up prayer from the decline of the sun, until twilight a night; and [observe] the Reading at daybreak, since reading [the Quran] at daybreak will be witnessed!
At night, wake up and pray during it[s reading] as an extra bonus for yourself; perhaps your Lord will raise you once again to a praiseworthy standing.
SAY: "My Lord, let me enter through a proper entrance and leave by an honest exit! Grant me supporting authority from Your presence."
And SAY (too):
"Truth has come and falsehood vanished;
falsehood is so perishable!
We send down something from the Quran [to serve] as healing and a mercy for believers, while wrongdoers are only increased in loss.
Whenever We show man some favor, he avoids it and drifts off to one side; while whenever evil touchcs him, he acts desperate. SAY: "Everyone acts according to his own disposition. Your Lord is quite Aware as to who is best guided along the Way.
They will ask you about the Spirit.
SAY: "The Spirit [operates] at my Lord's command, while you have been given only a smattering of knowledge." If We so wished, We would take away anything We have inspired you with; then you would not find anyone you could rely on against Us with it except for some mercy from your Lord, His bounty towards you has been great! SAY: "Even if men and sprites organized to produce something like this Reading, they would never bring anything like it no matter how much assistance they lent one another." We have set forth every [kind of] parable for mankind in this Reading; yet most men refuse to do anything except disbelieve.
They say: "We will never believe in you unless you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us, or have a garden full of datepalms and grapevines and make rivers gush forth plentifully through the midst of them, or you cause the sky to fall in pieces on us just as you claim, bring God and His angels to vouch for you, or you have a luxurious house built, or soar up into the sky; we will never believe in your climbing up there until you bring down a book for us to read."
SAY: 'Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a human messenger?"
Nothing prevents men from believing whenever guidance comes to them except that they say: "Has God despatched a mortal as a messenger?" SAY: "If there had been angels calmly walking around on earth, we would have sent an angel down from Heaven as a messenger for them."
SAY: "God suffices as a Witness between me and you (all). He is Informed, Observant about His servants." Anyone whom God guides, remains guided, while you will never find any sponsors besides Himself for those He lets go astray. We will summon them face down on Resurrection Day, blind, dumb and deaf; their lodging will be Hell. Every time it dies down, We will make it blaze up again for them. Such will be their reward for disbelieving in Our signs and saying: "Once we are bones and mortal remains, will we be raised up again in some fresh creation?"
Do they not consider that God, Who has created Heaven and Earth, is Able to create the like of them? He has set them a deadline there is no oubt about, yet wrongdoers refuse to do anything except disbelieve. *SAY: "Even if you controlled the treasures of my Lord's mercy, you would still hold them back in dread of overspending [them]. Man is so grudging!"
We gave Moses nine clear signs. Ask the Children of Israel about how, when he came to them and Pharaoh told him: "I think you areout of your mind, Moses!", he said: "You know that no one except them Lord of Heaven and Earth has sent these down as insights. I think you are doomed, Pharaoh!"
He wanted to scare them away from the land, so We drowned him and everyone who accompanied him. Later on, We told the Children of Israel: 'Settle down in the land. When the promise about the Hereafter comes along, We will bring you in as a rabble."
We have really sent it down, and it has come down for the Truth. We have sent you only as a newsbearer and warner; and for a Reading which We have divided up so you can read it to people in sittings. We have sent it down as a successive revelation.
SAY: "Believe in it, or do not believe in it;" those who have already been given knowledge fall down bowing with their faces [on the ground]whenever it is recited to them, while they say:
"Glory to our Lord!
Our Lord's promise has come true!
They fall down with their faces [on the ground], weeping and it increases them in reverence.
SAY: "Appeal to God, or appeal to the Mercy-giving: whichever [name] you may invoke, He still has the Finest Names. Do not shout in your prayer nor say it under your breath; seek a course in between.
SAY: "Praise be to God Who has adopted no son and has no partner in control." He needs no protector against pettiness. Magnify Him greatly!
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
Praise be to God, Who has sent down the Book for His servants and has placed no distortion in it; [it is] straightforward, so He may warn about serious violence from Himself and give good news to believers who perform honorable deeds. they will have a handsome wage, to bask in it for ever and ever.
He warns those who say: "God has adopted a son." They have no knowledge about it, nor did their forefathers have any either. It is too serious a statement to come out of their mouths: they are merely telling a lie! Perhaps you will fret yourself to death checking up on them, worrying lest they will not believe this report. We have placed whatever is on earth as an ornament for it so We may test them as to which one is best in action; and We shall turn anything on it into a barren wasteland.
Have you considered how the Companions in the Cave and with the Tablet were such marvellous signs of Ours? Thus the youths sought shelter in the Cave, and said: "Our Lord, grant us mercy from Your presence and furnish us with some direction in our affair." We struck them with drowsiness in the Cave for several years; then We awakened them again so We might know which of the two parties would best calculate how long a stretch they had remained [there].
We shall relate their story to you correctly:
They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We gave them extra guidance. We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and said: "Our Lord is Lord of Heaven and Earth. We will never appeal to any deity except Him; should we say [such a thing], then it would be an outrage. These people of ours have adopted other gods besides Him. If they would only bring some clear authority to support them!"
Who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about God? When you withdraw from them and whatever they serve instead of God, then seek shelter in the Cave. Your Lord will spread some of His mercy over you and make fitting arrangements for you in your affair.
You should have seen how the sun as it rose, swerved away from their Cave toward the right; and as it set, slanted off toward the left of them, while they lay in a space in between. That was one of God's signs. Anyone whom God guides, remains guided; while anyone He lets go astray will never find any patron to set him straight.
You would reckon they were awake, while they [really] lay there asleep. We turned them over on the right and on the left, while their dog lay stretched out with his forepaws over the threshold. If you had chanced upon them, you would have turned and fled from them; you would have been filled with awe of them!
Even so We raised them up again so they might question one another. One of them spoke up and said: "How long have you stayed [here]?" They said: "We have stayed a day, or part of a day." They said: "Your Lord is quite Aware of how long you have stayed [here], so send one of your men to the city with this coin of yours. Let him see which food is the most suitable and bring you [back] a supply of it. Let him act discreetly and not make anyone aware of you. If they should find out about you, they will stone you or make you turn back to their sect. You would never succeed then!" Thus We disclosed things to them so they might know that God's promise has come true and there is no doubt about the Hour.
So [people] debated their case among themselves, and they said: "Build a monument over them. Their Lord is quite Aware of them." Those who won out in the end said: "Let us erect a shrine for them," They will say: "[They were] three, the fourth of them being their dog;" while [others] will say: "Five, the sixth of them is their dog," guessing at the Unseen. [Still others] say: "Seven, and the eighth of them is their dog."
SAY: "My Lord is quite Aware as to how many they were. Only a few know about them." Do not discuss them except in a discussion that is obvious, nor seek anyone else's opinion about them.
(Do not say about anything: "I am doing that tomorrow," unless [you add]: "Should God so wish!" Remember your Lord whenever you might forget, and SAY: 'Perhaps my Lord will guide me even closer than this to proper behavior.")
And they stayed in their Cave for three hundred years plus nine more. SAY: "God is quite Aware as to how long they stayed [there]. He holds the Unseen in Heaven and Earth; He is quite Observant of it, quite Alert as well. They have no patron besides Him, nor does He let anyone else share in His discretion."
Quote whatever has been revealed to you from your Lord's book: there is no one who may change His words, nor will you ever find any sanctuary except in Him. Restrain yourself concerning those who appeal to their Lord in the morning and evening, wanting His presence; yet do not let your eyes wander too far from them, desiring the attraction of worldly life. Do not obey anyone whose heart We allow to neglect remembering Us, so he pursues his own whim. His case results in dissipation. *SAY: "Truth comes from your Lord. Let anyone who wishes to, believe, and anyone who wishes to, disbelieve."
We have reserved a fire for wrongdoers whose sheets will hem them in. If they should ask for some relief, then water like molten brass will be showered on them to scorch their faces. How awful such a drink will and how evil is such a couch! As for those who believe and perform honorable deeds, well We shall not waste the earnings of anyone whose action has been kind. Those shall have the gardens of Eden through which rivers will flow. They will be decked out with gold bracelets the and wear green silk clothing and brocade, as they lean back on sofas in it.
How superb will such a recompense be and how handsome is the couch!
Set forth a comparison between two men for them: We granted two vineyards to one of them, and bordered them with datepalms and planted field crops in between. Each garden produced its food and did not fail to yield its best; We even caused a river to spring forth in the midst of them.
One man had fruit and told his companion while he was discussing things with him: "I am wealthier than you are, and have a bigger following!" He entered his garden while he was thus harming his own soul. He said: "I do not think that this will ever disappear! I do no think the Hour is at hand; if I am ever sent back to my Lord, I shall find something better than it in exchange."
His companion told him while he was discussing things with him: "Have you disbelieved in the One Who created you from dust, then from a drop of semen; then fashioned you into a man? However so far as we are concerned, He is God my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord! Why, as you entered your garden, did you not say: "Whatever God may wish; there is no strength except through God [Alone]? Even if you see how I am less wealthy than you are and have fewer children, perhaps my Lord will still give me something better than your garden and send a reckoning down from Heaven on it, so it will eventually become a bald hilltop, or its water will sink down some morning and you will never manage to find it again."
He was caught short with his fruit, and one morning he began to wring his hands over what he had spent on it, since it had tumbled down from its trellisses. He kept saying: "It's too bad for me; I should never have associated anyone with my Lord!" He had no party to support him against God, so he was not supported. That is how patronage lies with the True God. He is Best as a recompense and Best in results.
Set forth an example for them about worldly life being like water We send down from the sky, The plants on the earth swell up with it; yet some morning they will become dry weeds which the winds will blow away. God is Competent to do everything!
Wealth and children are an attraction during worldly life. Yet honorable deeds that last for ever are better as a recompense from your Lord and even better to hope for.
Some day We shall set the mountains travelling along and you will see the earth lying exposed. We will summon them and not one of them shall We omit; I they will be marshalled in ranks before your Lord: "You have come to Us just as We created you in the first place even though you claimed We would never make any appointment for you."
The Book will be produced and you will see criminals apprehensive about its contents. They will say: "It's too late for us! What does this book mean for me? It omits nothing either small nor large unless it is accounted for." They will find whatever they have done presented there, even though your Lord will not harm anyone.
When We told the angels: "Bow down on your knees before Adam," they [all] knelt down except for Diabolis; he was a sprite and acted contrary to his Lord's command. Will you (all) adopt him and his offspring as patrons instead of Myself? They are enemies of yours! How wretched is such an alternative for wrongdoers.
I did not have them as witnesses at the creation of Heaven and Earth, nor even at their own creation. I am not about to adopt those who lead [others] astray as [My] attendants.
Some day He will say: "Call on My associates whom you claim to have, and appeal to them." They will not respond to them, while We shall place a chasm between them. Criminals will see the Fire and think they are falling into it. They will not find any way to avert it.
We have spelled out every sort of example for mankind in this Quran yet everyman uses it just for argument in most cases. What has prevented men from believing and seeking forgiveness from their Lord, once guidance has come to them, except [they may wish] that the practice of primitive people should come along with them, or that torment come face to face with them. We have sent emissaries merely as heralds and warners while those who disbelieve idly argue away so they may refute the Truth by means of it. They treat My signs and what they are warned of as a joke!
Who is more in the wrong than someone who has been reminded about his Lord's signs and then avoids them, and forgets anything his hands may have sent on ahead? We have placed wrappings over their hearts and dullness in their ears lest they understand it. Even if you called them to guidance, they still would never consent to be guided.
Your Lord is the Forgiving, the Possessor of Mercy. If He were to take them to task for what they have earned, He would hasten torment for them; instead they have their appointment from which they will never find any asylum. Such towns have We destroyed whenever they did wrong, and We fixed the time for their destruction.
And so Moses told his young man: "I shall not give up until I reach the place where both seas meet, even though I spend ages doing so." So when they reached the place where they had met, they forgot their fish, which took its way to the sea as if it went out through a drain.
When they had gone still further, he told his young man: 'Bring us our lunch; we have experienced so much strain along our journey." He said: "Did you see when we were resting by the rock, that I forgot the fish? Unless it was Satan who made me forget it so I did not remember it. It took its way through the sea like something marvellous!" He said: "That is just what we've been searching for."
So they retraced their steps the way they had come. They found one of Our servants to whom We had given mercy from Ourself and taught him knowledge from Our very presence. Moses said to him: "May I follow you so you may teach me some of the common sense you have been taught?" He said: "You will never have any patience with me! How can you show any patience with something that is beyond your experience?"
He said: "You will find me patient, if God so wishes, I will not disobey you in any matter." He said: "If you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I tell you something to remember it by."
So they both started out until, as they boarded the ship, he bored a hole in her. He said: "Have you scuttled her to drown her crew? You have done such a weird thing!"
He said: "Didnt I say that you would not manage to show any patience with me?" He said: "Do not take me to task for what I have forgotten, nor weigh me down by making my case too difficult for me."
They journeyed on until when they met a youth, he killed him. He said: "Have you killed an innocent soul without any previous murder [on his part]? You have committed such a horrible deed!"
He said: "Did I not tell you that you would never manage to have any patience with me?" He said: "If I ever ask you about anything after this, do not let me accompany you. You have found an excuse so far as I am concerned."
They both proceeded further till when they came to the people of a [certain] town, they asked its inhabitants for some food, and they refused to treat either of them hospitably. They found a wall there which was about to tumble down, so he set it straight. He said: "If you had wished, you might have accepted some payment for it."
He said: "This [means] a parting between you and me. Yet I shall inform you about the interpretation of what you had no patience for.
"As for the ship, it belonged to some poor men who worked at sea. I wanted to damage it because there was a king behind them seizing every ship by force. The young man's parents were believers, and we dreaded lest he would burden them with arrogation and disbelief. We wanted their Lord to replace him for them with someone better than him in purity and nearer to tenderness.
"The well belonged to two orphan boys [living] in the city, and a treasure of theirs lay underneath it. Their father had been honorable, so your Lord wanted them to come of age and claim their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. I did not do it of my own accord. That is the interpretation of what you showed no patience for."
They will ask you about Double Horns. SAY: "I shall render a account of him for you."
We established things on earth for him, and gave him access to everything; so he followed a [certain] course until when he reached the place where the sun sets, he found it setting in a mucky spring alongside which he (also) found some people. We said: "Double Horn either you will punish [them] or else act kindly towards them." He said: "Anyone who has done wrong we shall punish; then he will be sent back to his Lord, and He will punish him with horrible torment. Anyone who believes and acts honorably will have the finest reward and we will tell him gently about our command."
Then he followed [another] course until when he reached the place where the sun rises, he found it rising on a folk whom We had not granted any protection against it. That was how We controlled information about whatever lay before him.
Then he followed [still another] course until when he reached two barriers, he found a folk on the nearer side of them who scarcely understood any speech. They said: "Double Horns, Gog and Magog are ravaging the earth. Shall we pay you tribute on condition that you place a barrier between us and them?" He said: "Whatever my Lord has empowered me to do is even better, so help me with some [man] power: I'll place a rampart between you and them. Bring me blocks of iron. When he had levelled off [the space] between both cliffs, he said: "Blow on it!", until when he had built it up into a fire, he said: "Bring me molten brass so I may pour some over it." They neither managed to climb over nor were they able to tunnel through it. He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord. Whenever my Lord's promise comes, he will make it crumble. My Lord's promise is true!"
We will leave some of them surging over others on that day. The Trumpet shall be blown, and We will gather them all together. *On that day We will spread Hell out on display for disbelievers whose eyes have been under blinders against [seeing] My reminder. They have not even managed to hear!
Do those who disbelieve reckon they will adopt My servants as patrons instead of Me? We have reserved Hell as a lodging for disbelievers!
SAY: "Shall We announce to you those who have lost the most through [their] actions?" Those whose effort led them astray during worldly life, while they reckoned they were producing something fine, are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord's signs and about meeting Him; their actions will prove to be useless, and We shall set up no weighing-in for them on Resurrection Day. Such will be their reward - Hell, because of how they have disbelieved and taken My signs and My messengers for a laughingstock. Those who believe and perform honorable deeds will have the gardens of Paradise as a lodging to live in for ever; they will never seek any transfer from it.
The Words of the Lord
SAY: "If the sea were an inkwell
for the words
of my Lord,
the sea would be drained
before my Lord's words would be
spent
even though we brought the same
again to replenish it.
SAY: "I am only a human being like yourselves; it has been revealed to me that your deity is God Alone. Anyone who is expecting to meet his Lord should act honorably and not associate anyone in the worship due his Lord."
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
K.H.Y.E.S.
[This is] a Reminder of your Lord's mercy towards his servant Zachariah when he appealed to his Lord with a suppressed cry.
He said: "My Lord, my bones are tottering for me and my head is glistening with white hair, while I have never been grumbling in my appeal to You, my Lord! Yet I fear for my heirs after me from Your presence who may inherit from me, and inherit from Jacob's house. Make him someone we can approve of, my Lord!"
"Zachariah, We bring you news about a boy whose name will be John. We have not given such a name to anyone before." He said: "My Lord, how will I have a boy while my wife is barren and I have reached such extreme old age?" He said: "Just as your Lord has said: 'It is a trifling thing for me [to do]. I created you before while you were still nothing!"'
He said: "My Lord, grant me a sign!" He said: "Your sign will be that you will not speak to any people for three nights in a row." He came forth to his folk from the sanctuary and revealed to them how they should glorify [God] both morning and evening.
"John, hold firmly to the Book." We gave him discretion as a young boy plus compassion from Our presence and innocence. He was conscientious and considerate towards his parents, and was not demanding, rebellious.
Peace be upon him the day he was born,
and the day he will die,
and the day he is raised to life again!
Mention in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an Eastem place. She chose to be secluded from them. We sent her Our spirit, who presented himself to her as a full-grown human being. She said: "I take refuge with the Mercy-giving from you, unless you are someone who does his duty."
He said: 'I am only your Lord's messenger to bestow a clean-living boy on you," She said: "How shall I have a boy when no human being has ever touched me, nor am I a loose woman?" He said: "Thus your Lord has said: "It is a simple matter for Me [to do]. We will grant him as a sign for mankind and a mercy from Ourself." It is a matter that has been decided."
So she conceived him, and withdrew to a remote place to have him. Labor pains came over her by the trunk of a datepalm. She said: "If only I had died before this, and been forgotten, overlooked!"
Someone called out to her from below where she was: "Dont feel so sad! Your Lord has placed a brook at your feet. Shake the trunk of the datepalm towards you so it will drop some fresh dates on you. Eat and drink, and refresh yourself. Should you see even a single human being, then say: "I have vowed to keep a fast to the Mercy-giving whereby I'll never speak to any person today!"'
She carried him back to her family. They said: "Mary, you have brought something hard to believe! Kinswoman of Aaron, your father was no evil man, nor was your mother a loose woman." She pointed to him. They said: "How shall we talk to someone who is a child in the cradle?"
He said: "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and commissioned me to pray and [pay] the welfare tax so long as I live; and [to act] considerate towards my mother. He has not made me domineering, hard to get along with. Peace be on the day I was born, and the day I shall die and the day I am raised to life again!"
Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; [it is] a true statement which they are still puzzling over. It is not God's role to adopt a son. Glory be to Him! Whenever He determines upon some matter, He merely tells it: "Be!", and it is. God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him [Alone]. This is a Straight Road [to follow].
Factions have differed among themselves, yet how awful will it be for those who disbelieve when it comes to the spectacle on such a dreadful day! Listen to them and watch for the day when they will come to Us; though wrongdoers are in obvious error even today. Warn them of the Day of Regret when the matter will be decided; they act so heedless and still do not believe. It is We Who will inherit the earth plus anyone on it; to Us shall they return!
Mention Abraham in the Book. He was a truthful prophet when he told his father: "My father, why do you worship something that neither hears nor perceives [anything], and does not benefit you in anyway"? My father, I have been given some knowledge which has not come to you, so follow me: I'll guide you along a Level Road. My father, do not serve Satan! Satan was defiant towards the Mercygiving. My father, I fear lest some torment from the Mercy-giving should afflict you, and you become a partisan of Satan."
He said: "Do you dislike my gods, Abraham? If you do not stop, I'll cast you out. Leave me alone as soon as you can!"
He said: "Peace be upon you!
I'll seek forgiveness for you from my Lord;
He has been so Gracious towards me.
I'll move away from you (all)
and from anything you appeal to
instead of God. I shall appeal to my
Lord;
perhaps I'll not feel quite so miserable
with my Lord's appeal."
When he moved away from them and what they worshipped instead of God, We bestowed Isaac and Jacob on him. Each We made a prophet. We bestowed some of Our mercy on them and granted them a sublime tongue for telling truth.
Mention Moses in the Book. He was sincere, and was a messenger, a prophet. We called out to him from the right side of the Mountain, and brought him close to confide in. We bestowed his brother Aaron on him as a prophet through Our mercy.
Mention Ishmael in the Book. He kept true to the Promise, and was a messenger, a prophet. He used to order his people to pray and [pay] the welfare tax; he was approved by his Lord.
Mention Idifs in the Book. He was a truthful prophet; We raised him to a lofty place.
Those are some of the prophets from Adam's offspring whom God has favored, and some of those We transported along with Noah, and some of Abraham's and Ishmael's offspring, as well as some (others) We have guided and chosen. Whenever the Mercy-giving's signs are recited to them, they drop down on their knees and weep!
Descendants have replaced them who neglected prayer and followed [their own] passions. They shall meet with aimlessness except for anyone who turns around (in repentance) and believes, and acts honorably; those will enter the Garden and not be harmed in any way -- the gardens of Eden which the Mercy-giving has promised His servants even though [they are still] Unseen. So far as He is concerned, His promise has already been fulfilled. They will hear no nonsense in it, only: "Peace!" (as a greeting); they will have their provision there both morning and evening. Such is the Garden which We bequeath to those of Our servants who have been pious.
We never descend except at your Lord's command. He owns whatever is in front of us and whatever is behind us, and whatever lies in between. Your Lord is not forgetful, [for He is] the Lord of Heaven and Earth and whatever lies in between them! So serve Him and persevere in His worship. Do you know of any other title for Him?"
Everyman says: "When I die will I be brought forth alive [again]?" Does man not recall that We already created him once when he was nothing? By your Lord, We shall summon both them and the devils; then We shall parade them forth to crouch around Hell! Next We shall drag those away from every sect who have been the most insolent towards the Mercy-giving. Thus We are quite Aware as to who are the closest to roasting in it; there is not one of you but he will be led up to it. That is a decree determined by your Lord. Then We shall save those who have heeded and leave the wrongdoers crouching inside.
Whenever Our clear signs are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: 'Which group is better in status and a finer club to join?" How many generations have We wiped out before them who were even finer in equipment and appearance!
SAY: "May the Mercy-giving extend an opportunity to anyone who has been in error so that when they see what they are threatened with, whether it is torment or even the Hour, they will know who is in a worse plight and has the weakest following.
God increases guidance for those who have consented to be guide while honorable deeds that endure are best with your Lord as recompense and yield the best returns.
Have you seen someone who disowns Our signs and says: "I shall still be given wealth and children? Has he probed the Unseen or made a pled with the Mercy-giving? Not at all! We shall write down anything he says and extend a chance of torment to him; We will inherit anything he says, and he will come to Us as an individual. They have adopted other deities instead of God, so they will mean [more] influence for them. *Not at all! The [false gods] will reject their own worship and pit themselves against them.
Have you not seen how We send devils to disbelievers, to provoke them to fury? So do not act hasty towards them; We are only counting out so much [time] for them. Some day We shall summon the heedful in a delegation before the Mercy-giving, and drive criminals in a drove towards Hell. They will possess no power of intercession except for someone who has already accepted a pledge from the Mercy-giving.
God Needs No Son
They say: "The Mercy-giving has adopted a son!" You have brought up something monstrous! "Me heavens almost burst apart from it, while the earth splits open and the mountains fall down with a crash that anyone should ascribe a son to the Mercy-giving! It is not proper for the Mercy-giving to adopt a son.
Everyone who is in Heaven and Earth comes to the Mercy-giving merely as a servant; He numbers them and counts them up. Each of them is coming to Him on Resurrection Day as an individual. The Mercy-giving will grant affection to those who believe and perform honorable deeds.
We have made it easy for your tongue
so you may announce good news about
it
to those who do their duty,
and warn headstrong folk by means of it.
How many generations have We wiped out before them? Do you find any trace of even one of them, or hear a murmur from them?
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
T. H.
We have not sent the Quran down to you in order to upset you, but only as a Reminder for someone who acts cautiously; [it is] a revelation from the One Who