Distributed by Mohammad Jamil Sawar sawar@cbl.leeds.ac.uk CBLU, Leeds University, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. For: THE ISLAMIC COMPUTING CENTRE, 73 St. Thomas's Road, London N4 2QJ U.K. Tel:(071) 359 6233 Fax:(071) 226 2024 (Please acknowledge the source ÔThe Islamic Computing Centre, LondonÕ when quoting from this text) This file was made freely available to M.J. Sawar by the Islamic Computing Cent re to be ported to the Macintosh operating system and distribute free of charge. T he file is not in Public domain, and the copy rights of the file still remain with The Islamic Computing Centre. It is not permitted to distribute the file for commercial pur poses. A commercial product for the PCs with searching facilities is already available from the Islamic Computing Centre. The Arabic text and other translations of the Qur an by Yousuf Ali are also freely available for all platforms. See the submissions of ASCII and other text files to the archives. ************************************ ************************************ ASCII TEXT THE MEANING OF THE Glorious Quran BY Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall *********************************************************** 001.001 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 001.002 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, 001.003 The Beneficent, the Merciful. 001.004 Master of the Day of Judgment, 001.005 Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. 001.006 Show us the straight path, 001.007 The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. 002.001 Alif. Lam. Mim. 002.002 This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil). 002.003 Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them; 002.004 And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter. 002.005 These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful. 002.006 As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not i t is all one for them; they believe not. 002.007 Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes the re is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom. 002.008 And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not. 002.009 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile non e save themselves; but they perceive not. 002.010 In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A pai nful doom is theirs because they lie. 002.011 And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say : We are peacemakers only. 002.012 Are not they indeed the mischief-makers ? But they perceive not. 002.013 And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe ? are not they indeed the foolish ? But they know not. 002.014 And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock. 002.015 Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in th eir contumacy. 002.016 These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided. 002.017 Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see, 002.018 Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not. 002.019 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder- claps, for fear of death, Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance, His omnisc ience and His omnipotence). 002.020 The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them t hey stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. L o! Allah is able to do all things. 002.021 O mankind! worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you , so that ye may ward off (evil). 002.022 Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a can opy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food f or you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better). 002.023 And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness bes ide Allah if ye are truthful. 002.024 And if ye do it not - and ye can never do it - then guard yourselves ag ainst the Fire prepared for disbelievers, whose fuel is of men and stones. 002.025 And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) unto those who believe and do good works; that theirs are Gardens underneath which rivers flow; as often as they a re regaled with food of the fruit thereof, they say: this is what was given us afo retime; and it is given to them in resemblance. There for them are pure companions; the re for ever they abide. 002.026 Lo! Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude even of a gnat. Those w ho believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say : What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude ? He misleadeth many thereby, a nd He guideth many thereby; and He misleadeth thereby only miscreants; 002.027 Those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and sever tha t which Allah ordered to be joined, and (who) make mischief in the earth: Those a re they who are the losers. 002.028 How disbelieve ye in Allah when ye were dead and He gave life to you! Then He will give you death, then life again, and then unto Him ye will return. 002.029 He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He t o the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is knower of all things. 002.030 And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a vicer oy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee ? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not. 002.031 And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, sayin g: Inform Me of the names of these, if ye are truthful. 002.032 They said: Be glorified! We have no knowledge saving that which Thou ha st taught us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower, the Wise. 002.033 He said: O Adam! Inform them of their names, and when he had informed them of their names, He said: Did I not tell you that I know the secret of the heavens and the earth ? And I know that which ye disclose and which ye hide. 002.034 And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, the y fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disb eliever. 002.035 And We said: O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat ye freely (of the fruits) thereof where ye will; but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers. 002.036 But Satan caused them to deflect therefrom and expelled them from the (happy) state in which they were; and We said: Fall down, one of you a foe unto the other! There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time. 002.037 Then Adam received from his Lord words (of revelation), and He relented toward him. Lo! He is the relenting, the Merciful. 002.038 We said: Go down, all of you, from hence; but verily there cometh unto you from Me a guidance; and whoso followeth My guidance, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 002.039 But they who disbelieve, and deny Our revelations, such are rightful Pe oples of the Fire. They will abide therein. 002.040 O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant, a nd fear Me. 002.041 And believe in that which I reveal, confirming that which ye possess al ready (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and part not with M y revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me. 002.042 Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth. 002.043 Establish worship, pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship). 002.044 Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practise it) ? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense ? 002.045 Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the hum ble- minded, 002.046 Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are returning. 002.047 O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. 002.048 And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail ano ther, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received fr om it, nor will they be helped. 002.049 And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh's folk, who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women: that was a tremendous trial from your Lord. 002.050 And when We brought you through the sea and rescued you, and drowned the folk of Pharaoh in your sight. 002.051 And when We did appoint for Moses forty nights (of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and were wrong-doers. 002.052 Then, even after that, We pardoned you in order that ye might give than ks. 002.053 And when We gave unto Moses the Scripture and the criterion (of right a nd wrong), that ye might be led aright. 002.054 And when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Ye have wronged yourselves by your choosing of the calf (for worship) so turn in penitence to y our Creator, and kill (the guilty) yourselves. That will be best for you with your Creator and He will relent toward you. Lo! He is the Relenting, the Merciful. 002.055 And when ye said: O Moses! We will not believe in thee till we see Alla h plainly; and even while ye gazed the lightning seized you. 002.056 Then We revived you after your extinction, that ye might give thanks. 002.057 And We caused the white cloud to overshadow you and sent down on you the manna and the quails, (saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you - they wronged Us not, but they did wrong themselves. 002.058 And when We said: Go into this township and eat freely of that which is therein, and enter the gate prostrate, and say: "Repentance." We will forgive y ou your sins and will increase (reward) for the right-doers. 002.059 But those who did wrong changed the word which had been told them for another saying, and We sent down upon the evil-doers wrath from heaven for thei r evil-doing. 002.060 And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. And there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tr ibe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth. 002.061 And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call up on thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would y e exchange that which is higher for that which is lower ? Go down to settled coun try, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression. 002.062 Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in All ah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 002.063 And (remember, O Children of Israel) when We made a covenant with you and caused the mount to tower above you, (saying): Hold fast that which We have given you, and remember that which is therein, that ye may ward off (evil). 002.064 Then, even after that, ye turned away, and if it had not been for the g race of Allah and His mercy ye had been among the losers. 002.065 And ye know of those of you who broke the Sabbath, how We said unto them: Be ye apes, despised and hated! 002.066 And We made it an example to their own and to succeeding generations, a nd an admonition to the God-fearing. 002.067 And when Moses said unto his people: Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye sacrifice a cow, they said: Dost thou make game of us ? He answered: Allah forb id that I should be among the foolish! 002.068 They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us what (cow ) she is. (Moses) answered: Lo! He saith, Verily she is a cow neither with calf nor immature; (she is) between the two conditions; so do that which ye are commande d. 002.069 They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us of what c olour she is. (Moses) answered: Lo! He saith: Verily she is a yellow cow. Bright is h er colour, gladdening beholders. 002.070 They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us what (cow ) she is. Lo! cows are much alike to us; and Lo! if Allah wills, we may be led aright . 002.071 (Moses) answered: Lo! He saith: Verily she is a cow unyoked; she plough eth not the soil nor watereth the tilth; whole and without mark. They said: Now tho u bringest the truth. So they sacrificed her, though almost they did not. 002.072 And (remember) when ye slew a man and disagreed concerning it and Allah brought forth that which ye were hiding. 002.073 And We said: Smite him with some of it. Thus Allah bringeth the dead to life and showeth you His portents so that ye may understand. 002.074 Then, even after that, your hearts were hardened and became as rocks, o r worse than rocks, for hardness. For indeed there are rocks from out which river s gush, and indeed there are rocks which split asunder so that water floweth from them. And indeed there are rocks which fall down for the fear of Allah. Allah is not unaw are of what ye do. 002.075 Have ye any hope that they will be true to you when a party of them use d to listen to the word of Allah, then used to change it, after they had understood it, knowingly ? 002.076 And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe. But when they go apart one with another they say: Prate ye to them of that which Al lah hath disclosed to you that they may contend with you before your Lord concernin g it ? Have ye then no sense ? 002.077 Are they then unaware that Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden an d that which they proclaim ? 002.078 Among them are unlettered folk who know the Scripture not except from hearsay. They but guess. 002.079 Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands an d then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they ea rn thereby. 002.080 And they say: The Fire (of punishment) will not touch us save for a ce rtain number of days. Say: Have ye received a covenant from Allah - truly Allah will not break His covenant - or tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not ? 002.081 Nay, but whosoever hath done evil and his sin surroundeth him; such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein. 002.082 And those who believe and do good works: such are rightful owners of th e Garden. They will abide therein. 002.083 And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship an d pay the poor-due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being aver se. 002.084 And when We made with you a covenant (saying): Shed not the blood of your people nor turn (a party of) your people out of your dwellings. Then ye ra tified (Our covenant) and ye were witnesses (thereto). 002.085 Yet ye it is who slay each other and drive out a party of your people f rom their homes, supporting one another against them by sin and transgression ? - a nd if they came to you as captives ye would ransom them, whereas their expulsion was itself unlawful for you - Believe ye in part of the Scripture and disbelieve ye in part thereof ? And what is the reward of those who do so save ignominy in the life o f the world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be consigned to the most grievo us doom. For Allah is not unaware of what ye do. 002.086 Such are those who buy the life of the world at the price of the Hereaf ter. Their punishment will not be lightened, neither will they have support. 002.087 And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proo fs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the Holy spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselv es desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay ? 002.088 And they say: Our hearts are hardened. Nay, but Allah hath cursed them for their unbelief. Little is that which they believe. 002.089 And when there cometh unto them a scripture from Allah, confirming that in their possession - though before that they were asking for a signal triumph ove r those who disbelieved - and when there cometh unto them that which they know (to be t he truth) they disbelieve therein. The curse of Allah is on disbelievers. 002.090 Evil is that for which they sell their souls: that they should disbelie ve in that which Allah hath revealed, grudging that Allah should reveal of His bounty unto whom He will of His slaves. They have incurred anger upon anger. For disbelie vers is a shameful doom. 002.091 And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath reveale d, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they posses s. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the prophets of Allah aforetime, if y e are (indeed) believers ? 002.092 And Moses came unto you with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), yet , while he was away, ye chose the calf (for worship) and ye were wrong-doers. 002.093 And when We made with you a covenant and caused the Mount to tower above you, (saying): Hold fast by that which We have given you, and hear (Our Word), they said: We hear and we rebel. And (worship of) the calf was made to s ink into their hearts because of their rejection (of the covenant). Say (unto them) : Evil is that which your belief enjoineth on you, if ye are believers. 002.094 Say (unto them): If the abode of the Hereafter in the providence of All ah is indeed for you alone and not for others of mankind (as ye pretend), then long f or death (for ye must long for death) if ye are truthful. 002.095 But they will never long for it, because of that which their own hands have sent before them. Allah is aware of evil-doers. 002.096 And thou wilt find them greediest of mankind for life and (greedier) th an the idolaters. (Each) one of them would like to be allowed to live a thousand years . And to live (a thousand years) would be no means remove him from the doom. Allah is Seer of what they do. 002.097 Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming th at which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers; 002.098 Who is an enemy to Allah, and His angels and His messengers, and Gabrie l and Michael! Then, lo! Allah (Himself) is an enemy to the disbelievers. 002.099 Verily We have revealed unto thee clear tokens, and only miscreants wil l disbelieve in them. 002.100 Is it ever so that when they make a covenant a party of them set it asi de ? The truth is, most of them believe not. 002.101 And when there cometh unto them a messenger from Allah, confirming that which they possess, a party of those who have received the Scripture fling the Scripture of Allah behind their backs as if they knew not, 002.102 And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; b ut they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which har meth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh th erein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew. 002.103 And if they had believed and kept from evil, a recompense from Allah wo uld be better, if they only knew. 002.104 O ye who believe, say not (unto the Prophet): "Listen to us" but say "L ook upon us," and be ye listeners. For disbelievers is a painful doom. 002.105 Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture nor the idolaters love that there should be sent down unto you any good thing from your Lord. But Allah chooseth for His mercy whom He will, and Allah is of Infinite Bounty. 002.106 Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things ? 002.107 Knowest thou not that it is Allah unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty o f the heavens and the earth; and ye have not, beside Allah, any guardian or helpe r ? 002.108 Or would ye question your messenger as Moses was questioned aforetime ? He who chooseth disbelief instead of faith, verily he hath gone astray from a p lain road. 002.109 Many of the people of the Scripture long to make you disbelievers after your belief, through envy on their own account, after the truth hath become manifest unto them. Forgive and be indulgent (toward them) until Allah give command. Lo! Alla h is Able to do all things. 002.110 Establish worship, and pay the poor-due; and whatever of good ye send before (you) for your souls, ye will find it with Allah. Lo! Allah is Seer of w hat ye do. 002.111 And they say: None entereth paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian. These are their own desires. Say: Bring your proof (of what ye state) if ye are truthful. 002.112 Nay, but whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, his reward is with his Lord; and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall t hey grieve. 002.113 And the Jews say the Christians follow nothing (true), and the Christia ns say the Jews follow nothing (true); yet both are readers of the Scripture. Even thu s speak those who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they differ. 002.114 And who doth greater wrong than he who forbiddeth the approach to the sanctuaries of Allah lest His name should be mentioned therein, and striveth fo r their ruin. As for such, it was never meant that they should enter them except in fea r. Theirs in the world is ignominy and theirs in the Hereafter is an awful doom. 002.115 Unto Allah belong the East and the West, and whithersoever ye turn, the re is Allah's Countenance. Lo! Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. 002.116 And they say: Allah hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He glorified! Nay , but whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth is His. All are subservient unto Him . 002.117 The Originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 002.118 And those who have no knowledge say: Why doth not Allah speak unto us, or some sign come unto us ? Even thus, as they now speak, spake those (who were ) before them. Their hearts are all alike. We have made clear the revelations for people who are sure. 002.119 Lo! We have sent thee (O Muhammad) with the truth, a bringer of glad tidings and a warner. And thou wilt not be asked about the owners of hell-fire. 002.120 And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, ti ll thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And i f thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, th en wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting guardian nor helper. 002.121 Those unto whom We have given the Scripture, who read it with the right reading, those believe in it. And whoso disbelieveth in it, those are they who are the losers. 002.122 O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. 002.123 And guard (yourselves) against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will compensation be accepted from it, nor will intercession be of use to it; nor will they be helped. 002.124 And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abrah am) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders) ? He said: My covenant includ eth not wrong-doers. 002.125 And when We made the House (at Makka) a resort for mankind and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stoo d (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship). 002.126 And when Abraham prayed: My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Da y, He answered: As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a w hile, then I shall compel him to the doom of Fire - a hapless journey's end! 002.127 And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, ar t the Hearer, the Knower. 002.128 Our Lord! And make us submissive unto Thee and of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us. Lo ! Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful. 002.129 Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scriptur e and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise. 002.130 And who forsaketh the religion of Abraham save him who befooleth himsel f ? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. 002.131 When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! he said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds. 002.132 The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him). 002.133 Or were ye present when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons : What will ye worship after me ? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered. 002.134 Those are a people who have passed away. Theirs is that which they earn ed, and yours is that which ye earn. And ye will not be asked of what they used to do. 002.135 And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Sa y (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. 002.136 Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and th e tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets re ceived from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we ha ve surrendered. 002.137 And if they believe in the like of that which ye believe, then are they rightly guided. But if they turn away, then are they in schism, and Allah will suffice thee (for defence) against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower. 002.138 (We take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah at colour ing. We are His worshippers. 002.139 Say (unto the People of the Scripture): Dispute ye with us concerning A llah when He is our Lord and your Lord ? Ours are our works and yours your works. We look to Him alone. 002.140 Or say ye that Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the trib es were Jews or Christians ? Say: Do ye know best, or doth Allah ? And who is more unjust than he who hideth a testimony which he hath received from Allah ? Allah is not unaware of what ye do. 002.141 Those are a people who have passed away; theirs is that which they earn ed and yours that which ye earn. And ye will not be asked of what they used to do. 002.142 The foolish of the people will say: What hath turned them from the qibl ah which they formerly observed ? Say: Unto Allah belong the East and the West. He guideth whom He will unto a straight path. 002.143 Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you. And We appointed the qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the messenger, from him who turneth on his heels. In truth it was a h ard (test) save for those whom Allah guided. But it was not Allah's purpose that yo ur faith should be in vain, for Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful toward mankind. 002.144 We have seen the turning of thy face to heaven (for guidance, O Muhammad). And now verily We shall make thee turn (in prayer) toward a qiblah which is dear to thee. So turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces (when ye pray) toward it. L o! Those who have received the Scripture know that (this revelation) is the Truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do. 002.145 And even if thou broughtest unto those who have received the Scripture all kinds of portents, they would not follow thy qiblah, nor canst thou be a follow er of their qiblah; nor are some of them followers of the qiblah of others. And if th ou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, th en surely wert thou of the evil-doers. 002.146 Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognise (this revelation) as th ey recognise their sons. But lo! a party of them knowingly conceal the truth. 002.147 It is the Truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver. 002.148 And each one hath a goal toward which he turneth; so vie with one anoth er in good works. Wheresoever ye may be, Allah will bring you all together. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. 002.149 And whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Muhammad) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord. Allah is not unaware of what ye do. 002.150 Whencesoever thou comest forth turn thy face toward the Inviolable Plac e of Worship; and wheresoever ye may be (O Muslims) turn your faces toward it (when ye pray) so that men may have no argument against you, save such of them as do injustice - Fear them not, but fear Me! - and so that I may complete My grace u pon you, and that ye may be guided. 002.151 Even as We have sent unto you a messenger from among you, who reciteth unto you Our revelations and causeth you to grow, and teacheth you the Scriptur e and wisdom, and teacheth you that which ye knew not. 002.152 Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me, and reje ct not Me. 002.153 O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is w ith the steadfast. 002.154 And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not. 002.155 And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the steadfast, 002.156 Who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Lo! we are Allah's and lo! un to Him we are returning. 002.157 Such are they on whom are blessings from their Lord, and mercy. Such ar e the rightly guided. 002.158 Lo! (the mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the indications of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who is on pilgrimage to the House (of God ) or visiteth it, to go around them (as the pagan custom is). And he who doeth good of his own accord, (for him) lo! Allah is Responsive, Aware. 002.159 Lo! Those who hide the proofs and the guidance which We revealed, after We had made it clear to mankind in the Scripture: such are accursed of Allah an d accursed of those who have the power to curse. 002.160 Except those who repent and amend and make manifest (the truth). These it is toward whom I relent. I am the Relenting, the Merciful. 002.161 Lo! Those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers; on them is the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined. 002.162 They ever dwell therein. The doom will not be lightened for them, neith er will they be reprieved. 002.163 Your God is One God; there is no God save Him, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 002.164 Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth aft er its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance of th e winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of Allah's Soverei gnty) for people who have sense. 002.165 Yet of mankind are some who take unto themselves (objects of worship which they set as) rivals to Allah, loving them with a love like (that which is the due) of Allah (only) - those who believe are stauncher in their love for Allah - Oh, that those who do evil had but known, (on the day) when they behold the doom, that power belongeth wholly to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment! 002.166 (On the day) when those who were followed disown those who followed (them), and they behold the doom, and all their aims collapse with them. 002.167 And those who were but followers will say: If a return were possible fo r us, we would disown them even as they have disowned us. Thus will Allah show them their own deeds as anguish for them, and they will not emerge from the Fire. 002.168 O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you. 002.169 He enjoineth upon you only the evil and the foul, and that ye should te ll concerning Allah that which ye know not. 002.170 And when it is said unto them: Follow that which Allah hath revealed, t hey say: We follow that wherein we found our fathers. What! Even though their fathe rs were wholly unintelligent and had no guidance ? 002.171 The likeness of those who disbelieve (in relation to the messenger) is as the likeness of one who calleth unto that which heareth naught except a shout and c ry. Deaf, dumb, blind, therefore they have no sense. 002.172 O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you , and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom ye worship. 002.173 He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swineflesh, and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah. But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. L o! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 002.174 Lo! those who hide aught of the Scripture which Allah hath revealed an d purchase a small gain therewith, they eat into their bellies nothing else than fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He make them grow. Theirs will be a painful doom. 002.175 Those are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, and torment at the price of pardon. How constant are they in their strife to reach the Fire! 002.176 That is because Allah hath revealed the Scripture with the truth. Lo! t hose who find (a cause of) disagreement in the Scripture are in open schism. 002.177 It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the Wes t; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets; and giveth wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and tim e of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the God-fearing. 002.178 O ye who believe! Retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of th e murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the fem ale for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will ha ve a painful doom. 002.179 And there is life for you in retaliation, O men of understanding, that ye may ward off (evil). 002.180 It is prescribed for you, when death approacheth one of you, if he leav e wealth, that he bequeath unto parents and near relatives in kindness. (This is) a duty for all those who ward off (evil). 002.181 And whoso changeth (the will) after he hath heard it - the sin thereof is only upon those who change it. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Knower. 002.182 But he who feareth from a testator some unjust or sinful clause, and ma keth peace between the parties, (it shall be) no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving , Merciful. 002.183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescri bed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); 002.184 (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, o r on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it the re is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know - 002.185 The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wron g). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you i s sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desir eth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should co mplete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. 002.186 And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh . I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright. 002.187 It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are raiment for you and ye are raiment for them. Allah is Aware that ye we re deceiving yourselves in this respect and He hath turned in mercy toward you and relieved you. So hold intercourse with them and seek that which Allah hath orda ined for you, and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and tou ch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques. These are the limits imposed by A llah, so approach them not. Thus Allah expoundeth His revelation to mankind that they may ward off (evil). 002.188 And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that ye may knowingly devour a portion of the pr operty of others wrongfully. 002.189 They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to house s by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man i s he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful. 002.190 Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begi n not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. 002.191 And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight n ot with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. 002.192 But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 002.193 And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers. 002.194 The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacke d you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evi l). 002.195 Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own h ands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent. 002.196 Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye ar e prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not you r heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or of fering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for t he pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever canno t find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven w hen ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment. 002.197 The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewd ness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding. 002.198 It is no sin for you that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when ye press on in the multitude from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray. 002.199 Then hasten onward from the place whence the multitude hasteneth onward , and ask forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 002.200 And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance. But of mankind is he w ho saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world," and he hath no portion in the Her eafter. 002.201 And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the worl d that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the do om of Fire." 002.202 For them there is in store a goodly portion out of that which they have earned. Allah is swift at reckoning. 002.203 Remember Allah through the appointed days. Then whoso hasteneth (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoso delayeth, it is no sin for him; that is for him who wardeth off (evil). Be careful of your duty to Allah, and k now that unto Him ye will be gathered. 002.204 And of mankind there is he whoso conversation on the life of this world pleaseth thee (Muhammad), and he calleth Allah to witness as to that which is i n his heart; yet he is the most rigid of opponents. 002.205 And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief. 002.206 And when it is said unto him: Be careful of thy duty to Allah, pride ta keth him to sin. Hell will settle his account, an evil resting-place. 002.207 And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Al lah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen. 002.208 O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and fol low not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you. 002.209 And if ye slide back after the clear proofs have come unto you, then kn ow that Allah is Mighty, Wise. 002.210 Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels ? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment). 002.211 Ask of the Children of Israel how many a clear revelation We gave them! He who altereth the grace of Allah after it hath come unto him (for him), lo! Alla h is severe in punishment. 002.212 Beautified is the life of the world for those who disbelieve; they make a jest of the believers. But those who keep their duty to Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will. 002.213 Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture wi th the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed . And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after cl ear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path. 002.214 Or think ye that ye will enter paradise while yet there hath not come u nto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you ? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When cometh Allah's help ? N ow surely Allah's help is nigh. 002.215 They ask thee, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: that which ye spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatsoever good ye do, lo! Allah is Aware of it. 002.216 Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a th ing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not. 002.217 They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you reneg ades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Here after. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein. 002.218 Lo! those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape the persecutio n) and strive in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy. Allah is Forg iving, Merciful. 002.219 They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than thei r usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye ma y reflect. 002.220 Upon the world and the Hereafter. And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best. And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth. Had Allah willed He could have overburdened you. Allah is Mighty, Wise. 002.221 Wed not idolatresses till they believe; for lo! a believing bondwoman i s better than an idolatress though she please you; and give not your daughters in marriage to idolaters till they believe, for lo! a believing slave is better th an an idolater though he please you. These invite unto the Fire, and Allah inviteth u nto the Garden, and unto forgiveness by His grace, and expoundeth His revelations to mankind that haply they may remember. 002.222 They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness. 002.223 Your women are a tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (O Muhammad). 002.224 And make not Allah, by your oaths, a hindrance to your being righteous and observing your duty unto Him and making peace among mankind. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 002.225 Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in you r oaths. But He will take you to task for that which your hearts have garnered. Allah is Forgiving, Clement. 002.226 Those who forswear their wives must wait four months; then, if they cha nge their mind, lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 002.227 And if they decide upon divorce (let them remember that) Allah is Heare r, Knower. 002.228 Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart, three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last D ay. And their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire a reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over the m in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise. 002.229 Divorce must be pronounced twice and then (a woman) must be retained in honour or released in kindness. And it is not lawful for you that ye take from women aught of that which ye have given them; except (in the case) when both fear tha t they may not be able to keep within the limits (imposed by) Allah. And if ye fear th at they may not be able to keep the limits of Allah, in that case it is no sin for eith er of them if the woman ransom herself. These are the limits (imposed by) Allah. Transgres s them not. For whoso transgresseth Allah's limits: such are wrong-doers. 002.230 And if he hath divorced her (the third time), then she is not lawful un to him thereafter until she hath wedded another husband. Then if he (the other husband ) divorce her it is no sin for both of them that they come together again if they consider that they are able to observe the limits of Allah. These are the limits of Alla h. He manifesteth them for people who have knowledge. 002.231 When ye have divorced women, and they have reached their term, then ret ain them in kindness or release them in kindness. Retain them not to their hurt so that ye transgress (the limits). He who doeth that hath wronged his soul. Make not the revelations of Allah a laughing-stock (by your behaviour), but remember Allah's grace upon you and that which He hath revealed unto you of the Scripture and of wisdom, whereby He doth exhort you. Observe your duty to Allah and know that Allah is Aware of all things. 002.232 And when ye have divorced women and they reach their term, place not difficulties in the way of their marrying their husbands if it is agreed betwee n them in kindness. This is an admonition for him among you who believeth in Allah and th e Last Day. That is more virtuous for you, and cleaner. Allah knoweth; ye know no t. 002.233 Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mot hers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No-one should be charged be yond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor s hould he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on t he (father's) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the fathe r). If they desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if ye wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for y ou, provide that ye pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and k now that Allah is Seer of what ye do. 002.234 Such of you as die and leave behind them wives, they (the wives) shall wait, keeping themselves apart, four months and ten days. And when they reach the ter m (prescribed for them) then there is no sin for you in aught that they may do wi th themselves in decency. Allah is informed of what ye do. 002.235 There is no sin for you in that which ye proclaim or hide in your minds concerning your troth with women. Allah knoweth that ye will remember them. But plight not your troth with women except by uttering a recognised form of words. And do not consummate the marriage until (the term) prescribed is run. Know that Al lah knoweth what is in your minds, so beware of Him; and know that Allah is Forgivi ng, Clement. 002.236 It is no sin for you if ye divorce women while yet ye have not touched them, nor appointed unto them a portion. Provide for them, the rich according to his means, and the straitened according to his means, a fair provision. (This is) a bounde n duty for those who do good. 002.237 If ye divorce them before ye have touched them and ye have appointed un to them a portion, then (pay the) half of that which ye appointed, unless they (th e women) agree to forgo it, or he agreeth to forgo it in whose hand is the marria ge tie. To forgo is nearer to piety. And forget not kindness among yourselves. Allah is Seer of what ye do. 002.238 Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost prayer, and stand up w ith devotion to Allah. 002.239 And if ye go in fear, then (pray) standing or on horseback. And when ye are again in safety, remember Allah, as He hath taught you that which (heretofore) ye knew not. 002.240 (In the case of) those of you who are about to die and leave behind the m wives, they should bequeath unto their wives a provision for the year without t urning them out, but if they go out (of their own accord) there is no sin for you in t hat which they do of themselves within their rights. Allah is Mighty, Wise. 002.241 For divorced women a provision in kindness: a duty for those who ward o ff (evil). 002.242 Thus Allah expoundeth unto you His revelations so that ye may understan d. 002.243 Bethink thee (O Muhammad) of those of old, who went forth from their habitations in their thousands, fearing death, and Allah said unto them: Die; a nd then He brought them back to life. Lo! Allah is a Lord of Kindness to mankind, but m ost of mankind give not thanks. 002.244 Fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearer, Knower. 002.245 Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold ? Allah straiteneth and enlargeth. Unto Him ye will return. 002.246 Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Al lah's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed f or you ? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah's way when we have been driven fr om our dwellings with our children ? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, t hey turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is aware of evil-doers. 002.247 Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a kin g for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough ? He said: L o! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom an d stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracin g, All-Knowing. 002.248 And their Prophet said unto them: Lo! the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, th e angels bearing it. Lo! herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) ye are bel ievers. 002.249 And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the holl ow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had cros sed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this da y against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast. 002.250 And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they sa id: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help agai nst the disbelieving folk. 002.251 So they routed them by Allah's leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if All ah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Al lah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures. 002.252 These are the portents of Allah which We recite unto thee (Muhammad) wi th truth, and lo! thou art of the number of (Our) messengers; 002.253 Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and o f whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so wil ed it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one wit h another; but Allah doeth what He will. 002.254 O ye who believe! spend of that wherewith We have provided you ere a da y come when there will be no trafficking, nor friendship, nor intercession. The disbelievers, they are the wrong-doers. 002.255 Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumbe r nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His lea ve ? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Subl ime, the Tremendous. 002.256 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth d istinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath gras ped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 002.257 Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe. He bringeth them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false de ities. They bring them out of light into darkness. Such are rightful owners of the Fir e. They will abide therein. 002.258 Bethink thee of him who had an argument with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom; how, when Abraham said: My Lord is He Who giveth life and causeth death, he answered: I give life and cause death. Ab raham said: Lo! Allah causeth the sun to rise in the East, so do thou cause it to com e up from the West. Thus was the disbeliever abashed. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing fo lk. 002.259 Or (bethink thee of) the like of him who, passing by a township which h ad fallen into utter ruin, exclaimed: How shall Allah give this township life afte r its death ? And Allah made him die a hundred years, then brought him back to life. He said: How long hast thou tarried ? (The man) said: I have tarried a day or part of a day. (He) said: Nay, but thou hast tarried for a hundred years. Just look at th y food and drink which have not rotted! Look at thine ass! And, that We may make thee a token unto mankind, look at the bones, how We adjust them and then cover them w ith flesh! And when (the matter) became clear unto him, he said: I know now that Al lah is Able to do all things. 002.260 And when Abraham said (unto his Lord): My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead, He said: Dost thou not believe ? Abraham said: Yea, bu t (I ask) in order that my heart may be at ease. (His Lord) said: Take four of the birds and cause them to incline unto thee, then place a part of them on each hill, then c all them, they will come to thee in haste, and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise. 002.261 The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the l ikeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah givet h increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. 002.262 Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve. 002.263 A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by inju ry. Allah is Absolute, Clement. 002.264 O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injur y, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Al lah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk. 002.265 And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah's pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a gar den on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And i f the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do. 002.266 Would any of you like to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, with ri vers flowing underneath it, with all kinds of fruit for him therein; and old age hat h stricken him and he hath feeble offspring; and a fiery whirlwind striketh it and it is ( all) consumed by fire. Thus Allah maketh plain His revelations unto you, in order th at ye may give thought. 002.267 O ye who believe! Spend of the good things which ye have earned, and of that which We bring forth from the earth for you, and seek not the bad (with in tent) to spend thereof (in charity) when ye would not take it for yourselves save with d isdain; and know that Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise. 002.268 The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracin g, All-knowing. 002.269 He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding. 002.270 Whatever alms ye spend or vow ye vow, lo! Allah knoweth it. Wrong-doers have no helpers. 002.271 If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give i t to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. All ah is Informed of what ye do. 002.272 The guiding of them is not thy duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guideth whom He will. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, it is for yourselves, when ye spend not save in search of Allah's Countenance; and whatsoever good thing ye spend, it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged. 002.273 (Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy beca use of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men wit h importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it. 002.274 Those who spend their wealth by night and day, by stealth and openly, v erily their reward is with their Lord, and their shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 002.275 Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devi l hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like us ury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admoniti on from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As f or him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide th erein. 002.276 Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth no t the impious and guilty. 002.277 Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay t he poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon the m neither shall they grieve. 002.278 O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remainet h (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers. 002.279 And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and Hi s messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wr ong not, and ye shall not be wronged. 002.280 And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving wo uld be better for you if ye did but know. 002.281 And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged. 002.282 002.283 If ye be on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand ( shall suffice). And if one of you entrusteth to another let him who is trusted delive r up that which is entrusted to him (according to the pact between them) and let him obse rve his duty to Allah his Lord. Hide not testimony. He who hideth it, verily his he art is sinful. Allah is Aware of what ye do. 002.284 Unto Allah (belongeth) whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is i n the earth; and whether ye make known what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will b ring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and He will punish whom He will. Allah is Able to do all things. 002.285 The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, ou r Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying. 002.286 Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope. For it (is only) that which it hath earned, and against it (only) that which it hath deserved. Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as thou dids t lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the stren gth to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us, Thou, our Protector, and g ive us victory over the disbelieving folk. 003.001 Alim. Lam. Mim. 003.002 Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. 003.003 He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirm ing that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gosp el. 003.004 Aforetime, for a guidance to mankind; and hath revealed the Criterion ( of right and wrong). Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, theirs wil l be a heavy doom. Allah is Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong). 003.005 Lo! nothing in the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah. 003.006 He it is Who fashioneth you in the wombs as pleaseth Him. There is no G od save Him, the Almighty, the Wise. 003.007 He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein a re clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knowet h its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed. 003.008 Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Bestower. 003.009 Our Lord! Lo! it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together to a Day of whi ch there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst. 003.010 (On that Day) neither the riches nor the progeny of those who disbeliev e will aught avail them with Allah. They will be fuel for Fire. 003.011 Like Pharaoh's folk and those who were before them, they disbelieved Ou r revelations and so Allah seized them for their sins. And Allah is severe in punishment. 003.012 Say (O Muhammad) unto those who disbelieve: Ye shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell, an evil resting-place. 003.013 There was a token for you in two hosts which met: one army fighting in the way of Allah, and another disbelieving, whom they saw as twice their number, clearly, with their very eyes. Thus Allah strengtheneth with His succour whom H e will. Lo! herein verily is a lesson for those who have eyes. 003.014 Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with the ir mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! Wi th Him is a more excellent abode. 003.015 Say: Shall I inform you of something better than that ? For those who k eep from evil, with their Lord, are Gardens underneath which rivers flow wherein th ey will abide, and pure companions, and contentment from Allah. Allah is Seer of H is bondmen, 003.016 Those who say: Our Lord! Lo! we believe. So forgive us our sins and gua rd us from the punishment of Fire; 003.017 The steadfast, and the truthful, and the obedient, those who spend (and hoard not), those who pray for pardon in the watches of the night. 003.018 Allah (Himself) is Witness that there is no God save Him. And the angel s and the men of learning (too are witness). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no God save Him the Almighty, the Wise. 003.019 Lo! religion with Allah (is) the Surrender (to His Will and Guidance). Those who (formerly) received the Scripture differed only after knowledge came unto t hem, through transgression among themselves. Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of A llah (will find that) lo! Allah is swift at reckoning. 003.020 And if they argue with thee, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrendered my purpose to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those who have received the Scripture and those who read not: Have ye (too) surrendered ? If t hey surrender, then truly they are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it i s thy duty only to convey the message (unto them). Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen. 003.021 Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slay the prophet s wrongfully, and slay those of mankind who enjoin equity: promise them a painful doom. 003.022 Those are they whose works have failed in the world and the Hereafter; and they have no helpers. 003.023 Hast thou not seen how those who have received a portion of the Scriptu re invoke the Scripture of Allah (in their disputes) that it may judge between the m; then a faction of them turn away, being opposed (to it) ? 003.024 That is because they say: The Fire will not touch us save for a certain number of days. That which they used to invent hath deceived them regarding their reli gion. 003.025 How (will it be with them) when We have brought them all together to a Day of which there is no doubt, when every soul will be paid in full what it hath e arned, and they will not be wronged. 003.026 Say: O Allah! Owner of Sovereignty! Thou givest sovereignty unto whom Thou wilt, and Thou withdrawest sovereignty from whom Thou wilt. Thou exaltest whom Thou wilt, and Thou abasest whom Thou wilt. In Thy hand is the good. Lo! Thou art Able to do all things. 003.027 Thou causest the night to pass into the day, and Thou causest the day t o pass into the night. And Thou bringest forth the living from the dead, and Thou brin gest forth the dead from the living. And Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou chooses t, without stint. 003.028 Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that y e but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying. 003.029 Say, (O Muhammad): Whether ye hide that which is in your breasts or rev eal it, Allah knoweth it. He knoweth that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth, and Allah is Able to do all things. 003.030 On the Day when every soul will find itself confronted with all that it hath done of good and all that it hath done of evil (every soul) will long that ther e might be a mighty space of distance between it and that (evil). Allah biddeth you beware of Him. And Allah is Full of Pity for (His) bondmen. 003.031 Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 003.032 Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah lov eth not the disbelievers (in His guidance). 003.033 Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the Family of Abraham and the Family of 'Imran above (all His) creatures. 003.034 They were descendants one of another. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 003.035 (Remember) when the wife of 'Imran said: My Lord! I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering). Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower! 003.036 And when she was delivered she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female - Allah knew best of what she was delivered - the male is not as the fem ale; and lo! I have named her Mary, and lo! I crave Thy protection for her and for h er offspring from Satan the outcast. 003.037 And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into th e sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food) ? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth wit hout stint to whom He will. 003.038 Then Zachariah prayed unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me o f Thy bounty goodly offspring. Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer. 003.039 And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: Alla h giveth thee glad tidings of (a son whose name is) John, (who cometh) to confirm a word from Allah lordly, chaste, a prophet of the righteous. 003.040 He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when age hath overtaken me already and my wife is barren ? (The angel) answered: So (it will be). Allah do eth what He will. 003.041 He said: My Lord! Appoint a token for me. (The angel) said: The token u nto thee (shall be) that thou shalt not speak unto mankind three days except by sig ns. Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and mornin g. 003.042 And when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee and made thee pure, and hath preferred thee above (all) the women of creation. 003.043 O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord, prostrate thyself and bow with those w ho bow (in worship). 003.044 This is of the tidings of things hidden. We reveal it unto thee (Muhamm ad). Thou wast not present with them when they threw their pens (to know) which of t hem should be the guardian of Mary, nor wast thou present with them when they quarrelled (thereupon). 003.045 (And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). 003.046 He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. 003.047 She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched m e ? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing , He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 003.048 And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel, 003.049 And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel, (saying): Lo ! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein v erily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers. 003.050 And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a s ign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. 003.051 Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path. 003.052 But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah ? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpe rs. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). 003.053 Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enrol us among those who witness (to the truth). 003.054 And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers. 003.055 (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve a nd am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ. 003.056 As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastise ment in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers. 003.057 And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers. 003.058 This (which) We recite unto thee is a revelation and a wise reminder. 003.059 Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He cre ated him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is. 003.060 (This is) the truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver. 003.061 And whoso disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (unto him): Come! We will summon our sons and your son s, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who li e. 003.062 Lo! This verily is the true narrative. There is no God save Allah, and lo! Allah, He verily is, is the Mighty, the Wise. 003.063 And if they turn away, then lo! Allah is Aware of (who are) the corrupt ers. 003.064 Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you : that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). 003.065 O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him ? Have ye then no sense ? 003.066 Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge ? Allah knoweth. Ye know not. 003.067 Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man w ho had surrendered (to Allah), and he was not of the idolaters. 003.068 Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is t he Protecting Guardian of the believers. 003.069 A party of the People of the Scripture long to make you go astray; and they make none to go astray except themselves, but they perceive not. 003.070 O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Alla h, when ye (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth) ? 003.071 O People of the Scripture! Why confound ye truth with falsehood and knowingly conceal the truth ? 003.072 And a party of the People of the Scripture say: Believe in that which h ath been revealed unto those who believe at the opening of the day, and disbelieve at the end thereof, in order that they may return; 003.073 And believe not save in one who followeth your religion - Say (O Muhammad): Lo! the guidance is Allah's Guidance - that anyone is given the like of that which was given unto you or that they may argue with you in the presence o f their Lord. Say (O Muhammad): Lo! the bounty is in Allah's hand. He bestoweth i t on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. 003.074 He selecteth for His mercy whom He will. Allah is of Infinite Bounty. 003.075 Among the People of the Scripture there is he who, if thou trust him wi th a weight of treasure, will return it to thee. And among them there is he who, if thou trust him with a piece of gold, will not return it to thee unless thou keep sta nding over him. That is because they say: We have no duty to the Gentiles. They speak a li e concerning Allah knowingly. 003.076 Nay, but (the chosen of Allah is) he who fulfilleth his pledge and ward eth off (evil); for lo! Allah loveth those who ward off (evil). 003.077 Lo! those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenant and their oaths, they have no portion in the Hereafter. Allah will neither speak to them nor look upon them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He make them grow. Theirs will b e a painful doom. 003.078 And lo! there is a party of them who distort the Scripture with their t ongues, that ye may think that what they say is from the Scripture, when it is not from the Scripture. And they say: It is from Allah, when it is not from Allah; and they speak a lie concerning Allah knowingly. 003.079 It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the prophethood that he should afterwards have said un to mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah; but (what he said was): Be ye faithf ul servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and o f your constant study thereof. 003.080 And he commanded you not that ye should take the angels and the prophet s for lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after ye had surrendered (to Alla h) ? 003.081 When Allah made (His) covenant with the prophets, (He said): Behold tha t which I have given you of the Scripture and knowledge. And afterward there will come unto you a messenger, confirming that which ye possess. Ye shall believe i n him and ye shall help him. He said: Do ye agree, and will ye take up My burden (which I lay upon you) in this (matter) ? They answered: We agree. He said: The n bear ye witness. I will be a witness with you. 003.082 Then whosoever after this shall turn away: they will be miscreants. 003.083 Seek they other than the religion of Allah, when unto Him submitteth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and unto H im they will be returned. 003.084 Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto u s and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and th e tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets fro m their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. 003.085 And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it wi ll not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter. 003.086 How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and ( after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. 003.087 As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined. 003.088 They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved; 003.089 Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 003.090 Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterw ard grow violent in disbelief: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray. 003.091 Lo! those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief, the (whole) earth full of gold would not be accepted from such an one if it were offered as a ransom (for his soul). Theirs will be a painful doom and they will have no helpers. 003.092 Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend, Allah is Aware thereof. 003.093 All food was lawful unto the Children of Israel, save that which Israel forbade himself, (in days) before the Torah was revealed. Say: Produce the Tora h and read it (unto us) if ye are truthful. 003.094 And whoever shall invent a falsehood after that concerning Allah, such will be wrong-doers. 003.095 Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, the uprig ht. He was not of the idolaters. 003.096 Lo! the first Sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Becca, a bles sed place, a guidance to the peoples; 003.097 Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) lo! Allah is Independent of (all) cre atures. 003.098 Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do ? 003.099 Say: O People of the Scripture! Why drive ye back believers from the wa y of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, when ye are witnesses (to Allah's guidance) ? Allah is not unaware of what ye do. 003.100 O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief. 003.101 How can ye disbelieve, when it is ye unto whom Allah's revelations are recited, and His messenger is in your midst ? He who holdeth fast to Allah, he indeed is guided unto a right path. 003.102 O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him) 003.103 And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, and do not s eparate. And remember Allah's favour unto you: How ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus A llah maketh clear His revelations unto you, that haply ye may be guided, 003.104 And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjo in right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful. 003.105 And be ye not as those who separated and disputed after the clear proof s had come unto them. For such there is an awful doom, 003.106 On the Day when (some) faces will be whitened and (some) faces will be blackened; and as for those whose faces have been blackened, it will be said un to them: Disbelieved ye after your (profession of) belief ? Then taste the punishm ent for that ye disbelieved. 003.107 And as for those whose faces have been whitened, in the mercy of Allah they dwell for ever. 003.108 These are revelations of Allah. We recite them unto thee in truth. Alla h willeth no injustice to (His) creatures. 003.109 Unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and unto Allah all things are returned. 003.110 Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjo in right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-livers. 003.111 They will not harm you save a trifling hurt, and if they fight against you they will turn and flee. And afterward they will not be helped. 003.112 Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save (where they grasp) a rope from Allah and a rope from men. They have incurred anger from the ir Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them. That is because they used to disbelie ve the revelations of Allah, and slew the prophets wrongfully. That is because they we re rebellious and used to transgress. 003.113 They are not all alike. Of the People of the Scripture there is a staun ch community who recite the revelations of Allah in the night season, falling pros trate (before Him). 003.114 They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin right conduct and fo rbid indecency, and vie one with another in good works. These are of the righteous. 003.115 And whatever good they do, they will not be denied the meed thereof. Al lah is Aware of those who ward off (evil). 003.116 Lo! the riches and the progeny of those who disbelieve will not avail t hem aught against Allah; and such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein. 003.117 The likeness of that which they spend in this life of the world is as t he likeness of a biting, icy wind which smiteth the harvest of a people who have wronged themselves, and devastateth it. Allah wronged them not, but they do wro ng themselves. 003.118 O ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk, who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you. Hatred is revealed b y (the utterance of) their mouths, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We ha ve made plain for you the revelations if ye will understand. 003.119 Lo! ye are those who love them though they love you not, and ye believe in all the Scripture. When they fall in with you they say: We believe; but when th ey go apart they bite their finger-tips at you, for rage. Say: Perish in your rage! L o! Allah is Aware of what is hidden in (your) breasts. 003.120 If a lucky chance befall you, it is evil unto them, and if disaster str ike you they rejoice thereat. But if ye persevere and keep from evil their guile will n ever harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding what they do. 003.121 And when thou settedst forth at daybreak from thy housefolk to assign t o the believers their positions for the battle, Allah was Hearer, Knower. 003.122 When two parties of you almost fell away, and Allah was their Protectin g Friend. In Allah let believers put their trust. 003.123 Allah had already given you the victory at Badr, when ye were contempti ble. So observe your duty to Allah in order that ye may be thankful. 003.124 When thou didst say unto the believers: Is it not sufficient for you th at your Lord should support you with three thousand angels sent down (to your help) ? 003.125 Nay, but if ye persevere, and keep from evil, and (the enemy) attack yo u suddenly, your Lord will help you with five thousand angels sweeping on. 003.126 Allah ordained this only as a message of good cheer for you, and that t hereby your hearts might be at rest - Victory cometh only from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise - 003.127 That He may cut off a part of those who disbelieve, or overwhelm them s o that they retire, frustrated. 003.128 It is no concern at all of thee (Muhammad) whether He relent toward the m or punish them; for they are evil-doers. 003.129 Unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. He forgiveth whom He will, and punisheth whom He will. Allah is Forgivin g, Merciful. 003.130 O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubling and quadrupling (the sum lent). Observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful. 003.131 And ward off (from yourselves) the Fire prepared for disbelievers. 003.132 And obey Allah and the messenger, that ye may find mercy. 003.133 And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a para dise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who ward off (evil ); 003.134 Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Alla h loveth the good; 003.135 And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - Who forgiveth sins save Allah on ly ? - and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. 003.136 The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever - a bountiful re ward for workers! 003.137 Systems have passed away before you. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for those who did deny (the messengers). 003.138 This is a declaration for mankind, a guidance and an admonition unto th ose who ward off (evil) 003.139 Faint not nor grieve, for ye will overcome them if ye are (indeed) beli evers. 003.140 If ye have received a blow, the (disbelieving) people have received a b low the like thereof. These are (only) the vicissitudes which We cause to follow on e another for mankind, to the end that Allah may know those who believe and may choose witnesses from among you; and Allah loveth not wrong-doers. 003.141 And that Allah may prove those who believe, and may blight the disbelievers. 003.142 Or deemed ye that ye would enter paradise while yet Allah knoweth not those of you who really strive, nor knoweth those (of you) who are steadfast ? 003.143 And verily ye used to wish for death before ye met it (in the field). N ow ye have seen it with your eyes! 003.144 Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels ? He who turneth back on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful. 003.145 No soul can ever die except by Allah's leave and at a term appointed. W hoso desireth the reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof; and whoso desireth the reward of the Hereafter, We bestow on him thereof. We shall reward the thankful . 003.146 And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfa st. 003.147 Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! forgive us for our sins an d wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelievi ng folk. 003.148 So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good. 003.149 O ye who believe! if ye obey those who disbelieve, they will make you t urn back on your heels, and ye turn back as losers. 003.150 But Allah is your Protector, and He is the Best of Helpers. 003.151 We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because th ey ascribe unto Allah partners, for which no warrant hath been revealed. Their hab itation is the Fire, and hapless the abode of the wrong-doers. 003.152 Allah verily made good His promise unto you when ye routed them by His leave, until (the moment) when your courage failed you, and ye disagreed about the order and ye disobeyed, after He had shown you that for which ye long. Some of you desired the world, and some of you desired the Hereafter. Therefore He made you flee from them, that He might try you. Yet now He hath forgiven you. Allah is a Lord of Kindness to believers. 003.153 When ye climbed (the hill) and paid no heed to anyone, while the messen ger, in your rear, was calling you (to fight). Therefor He rewarded you grief for (h is) grief, that (He might teach) you not to sorrow either for that which ye missed or for that which befell you. Allah is Informed of what ye do. 003.154 Then, after grief, He sent down security for you. As slumber did it ove rcome a party of you, while (the other) party, who were anxious on their own account, thought wrongly of Allah, the thought of ignorance. They said: Have we any part in the cause ? Say (O Muhammad): The cause belongeth wholly to Allah. They hide within themselves (a thought) which they reveal not unto thee, saying: Had we h ad any part in the cause we should not have been slain here. Say: Even though ye h ad been in your houses, those appointed to be slain would have gone forth to the p laces where they were to lie. (All this hath been) in order that Allah might try what is in your breasts and prove what is in your hearts. Allah is Aware of what is hidden in the breasts (of men). 003.155 Lo! those of you who turned back on the day when the two hosts met, Sat an alone it was who caused them to backslide, because of some of that which they h ave earned. Now Allah hath forgiven them. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Clement. 003.156 O ye who believe! Be not as those who disbelieved and said of their bre thren who went abroad in the land or were fighting in the field: If they had been (he re) with us they would not have died or been killed: that Allah may make it anguish in t heir hearts. Allah giveth life and causeth death; and Allah is Seer of what ye do. 003.157 And what though ye be slain in Allah's way or die therein ? Surely pard on from Allah and mercy are better than all that they amass. 003.158 What though ye be slain or die, when unto Allah ye are gathered ? 003.159 It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them an d consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him). 003.160 If Allah is your helper none can overcome you, and if He withdraw His h elp from you, who is there who can help you after Him ? In Allah let believers put their trust. 003.161 It is not for any prophet to embezzle. Whoso embezzleth will bring what he embezzled with him on the Day of Resurrection. Then every soul will be paid in full what it hath earned; and they will not be wronged. 003.162 Is one who followeth the pleasure of Allah as one who hath earned condemnation from Allah, whose habitation is the Fire, a hapless journey's end ? 003.163 There are degrees (of grace and reprobation) with Allah, and Allah is S eer of what they do. 003.164 Allah verily hath shown grace to the believers by sending unto them a messenger of their own who reciteth unto them His revelations, and causeth them to grow, and teacheth them the Scripture and wisdom; although before (he came to them) they were in flagrant error. 003.165 And was it so, when a disaster smote you, though ye had smitten (them w ith a disaster) twice (as great), that ye said: How is this ? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): It is from yourselves. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. 003.166 That which befell you, on the day when the two armies met, was by permission of Allah; that He might know the true believers; 003.167 And that He might know the hypocrites, unto whom it was said: Come, fig ht in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves. They answered: If we knew aught of fighting we would follow you. On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith . They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts. Allah is Best Aw are of what they hide. 003.168 Those who, while they sat at home, said of their brethren (who were fig hting for the cause of Allah): If they had been guided by us they would not have been slain. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Then avert death from yourselves if ye are truthfu l. 003.169 Think not of those, who are slain in the way of Allah, as dead. Nay, th ey are living. With their Lord they have provision. 003.170 Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not joined them but are le ft behind: That there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 003.171 They rejoice because of favour from Allah and kindness, and that Allah wasteth not the wage of the believers. 003.172 As for those who heard the call of Allah and His messenger after the ha rm befell them (in the fight); for such of them as do right and ward off (evil), t here is great reward. 003.173 Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefor fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust! 003.174 So they returned with grace and favour from Allah, and no harm touched them. They followed the good pleasure of Allah, and Allah is of Infinite Bounty . 003.175 It is only the devil who would make (men) fear his partisans. Fear them not; fear Me, if ye are true believers. 003.176 Let not their conduct grieve thee, who run easily to disbelief, for lo! they injure Allah not at all. It is Allah's Will to assign them no portion in the He reafter, and theirs will be an awful doom. 003.177 Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith harm Allah not at al l, but theirs will be a painful doom. 003.178 And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bod eth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom. 003.179 It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state til l He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and w ard off (evil), yours will be a vast reward. 003.180 And let not those who hoard up that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty think that it is better for them. Nay, it is worse for them. That which they hoard will be their collar on the Day of Resurrection. Allah's is the heri tage of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Informed of what ye do. 003.181 Verily Allah heard the saying of those who said, (when asked for contributions to the war): "Allah, forsooth, is poor, and we are rich!" We shal l record their saying with their slaying of the prophets wrongfully and We shall say: Ta ste ye the punishment of burning! 003.182 This is on account of that which your own hands have sent before (you t o the judgment). Allah is no oppressor of (His) bondmen. 003.183 (The same are) those who say: Lo! Allah hath charged us that we believe not in any messenger until he bring us an offering which fire (from heaven) shall d evour. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Messengers came unto you before me with miracles, and with that (very miracle) which ye describe. Why then did ye slay them ? (An swer that) if ye are truthful! 003.184 And if they deny thee, even so did they deny messengers who were before thee, who came with miracles and with the Psalms and with the Scripture giving light. 003.185 Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the F ire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion. 003.186 Assuredly ye will be tried in your property and in your persons, and ye will hear much wrong from those who were given the Scripture before you, and from th e idolaters. But if ye persevere and ward off (evil), then that is of the steadfa st heart of things. 003.187 And (remember) when Allah laid a charge on those who had received the Scripture (He said): Ye are to expound it to mankind and not to hide it. But th ey flung it behind their backs and bought thereby a little gain. Verily evil is that whi ch they have gained thereby. 003.188 Think not that those who exult in what they have given, and love to be praised for what they have not done - Think not, they are in safety from the do om. A painful doom is theirs. 003.189 Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. Alla h is Able to do all things. 003.190 Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the differenc e of night and day are tokens (of His Sovereignty) for men of understanding, 003.191 Such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! Thou createdst not this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire. 003.192 Our Lord! Whom Thou causest to enter the Fire: him indeed Thou hast confounded. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. 003.193 Our Lord! Lo! we have heard a crier calling unto Faith: "Believe ye in your Lord!" So we believed. Our Lord! Therefor forgive us our sins, and remit from u s our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous. 003.194 Our Lord! And give us that which Thou hast promised to us by Thy messengers. Confound us not upon the Day of Resurrection. Lo! Thou breakest not the tryst. 003.195 And their Lord hath heard them (and He saith): Lo! I suffer not the wor k of any worker, male or female, to be lost. Ye proceed one from another. So those w ho fled and were driven forth from their homes and suffered damage for My cause, a nd fought and were slain, verily I shall remit their evil deeds from them and veri ly I shall bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers flow - A reward from Allah. And with Allah is the fairest of rewards. 003.196 Let not the vicissitude (of the success) of those who disbelieve, in th e land, deceive thee (O Muhammad). 003.197 It is but a brief comfort. And afterward their habitation will be hell, an ill abode. 003.198 But those who keep their duty to their Lord, for them are Gardens under neath which rivers flow, wherein they will be safe for ever. A gift of welcome from t heir Lord. That which Allah hath in store is better for the righteous. 003.199 And lo! of the People of the Scripture there are some who believe in Al lah and that which is revealed unto you and that which was revealed unto them, humb ling themselves before Allah. They purchase not a trifling gain at the price of the revelations of Allah. Verily their reward is with their Lord. Lo! Allah is swif t to take account. 003.200 O ye who believe! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that ye may succeed. 004.001 O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! A llah hath been a watcher over you. 004.002 Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in y our management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that woul d be a great sin. 004.003 And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of th e women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye canno t do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands po ssess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice. 004.004 And give unto the women (whom ye marry) free gift of their marriage portions; but if they of their own accord remit unto you a part thereof, then y e are welcome to absorb it (in your wealth). 004.005 Give not unto the foolish (what is in) your (keeping of their) wealth, which Allah hath given you to maintain; but feed and clothe them from it, and speak k indly unto them. 004.006 Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find th em of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up Whoso (of the guardians) is r ich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence. Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner. 004.007 Unto the men (of a family) belongeth a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the women a share of that which parents and near kindre d leave, whether it be little or much - a legal share. 004.008 And when kinsfolk and orphans and the needy are present at the division (of the heritage), bestow on them therefrom and speak kindly unto them. 004.009 And let those fear (in their behaviour toward orphans) who if they left behind them weak offspring would be afraid for them. So let them mind their duty to Al lah, and speak justly. 004.010 Lo! Those who devour the wealth of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be exposed to burning flame. 004.011 Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than t wo, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then t he half. And to each of his parents a sixth of the inheritance, if he have a son; and if he have no son and his parents are his heirs, then to his mother appertaineth the third ; and if he have brethren, then to his mother appertaineth the sixth, after any legacy h e may have bequeathed, or debt (hath been paid). Your parents and your children: Ye k now not which of them is nearer unto you in usefulness. It is an injunction from Al lah. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise. 004.012 And unto you belongeth a half of that which your wives leave, if they h ave no child; but if they have a child then unto you the fourth of that which they leave, afte r any legacy they may have bequeathed, or debt (they ma y have contracted, hath been paid). And unto them belon geth the fourth of that which ye leave if ye ha ve no ch ild, but if ye have a child then the eighth of that whi ch ye leave, after a ny legacy ye may have bequeathed, o r debt (ye may have contracted, hath been paid). And if a man or a woman have a distant heir (having left neit her parent nor child), and he (or she) have a brother o r a sister (only on the mother's side) then to each of th em twain (the brother and the sister) the sixth, and if they be more than two, then they shall be sharers in the third, after any legacy that may have been bequeat hed or debt (contracted) not injuring (the heirs by wil ling away more than a third of the heritage) hath been 004.013 These are the limits (imposed by) Allah. Whoso obeyeth Allah and His messenger, He will make him enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow, where such will dwell for ever. That will be the great success. 004.014 And whoso disobeyeth Allah and His messenger and transgresseth His limi ts, He will make him enter Fire, where he will dwell for ever; his will be a shamef ul doom. 004.015 As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until death take them or (until) Allah appoint for them a wa y (through new legislation). 004.016 And as for the two of you who are guilty thereof, punish them both. And if they repent and improve, then let them be. Lo! Allah is ever relenting, Mercifu l. 004.017 Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they towa rd whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise. 004.018 The forgiveness is not for those who do ill-deeds until, when death att endeth upon one of them, he saith: Lo! I repent now; nor yet for those who die while t hey are disbelievers. For such We have prepared a painful doom. 004.019 O ye who believe! It is not lawful for you forcibly to inherit the wome n (of your deceased kinsmen), nor (that) ye should put constraint upon them that ye m ay take away a part of that which ye have given them, unless they be guilty of fla grant lewdness. But consort with them in kindness, for if ye hate them it may happen that ye hate a thing wherein Allah hath placed much good. 004.020 And if ye wish to exchange one wife for another and ye have given unto one of them a sum of money (however great), take nothing from it. Would ye take it by the way of calumny and open wrong ? 004.021 How can ye take it (back) after one of you hath gone in unto the other, and they have taken a strong pledge from you ? 004.022 And marry not those women whom your fathers married, except what hath already happened (of that nature) in the past. Lo! it was ever lewdness and abomination, and an evil way. 004.023 Forbidden unto you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your siste rs, and your father's sisters, and your mother's sisters, and your brother's daught ers and your sister's daughters, and your foster-mothers, and your foster-sisters, and your mothers-in-law, and your step-daughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in - but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is no sin for you (to marry their daughters) - and the wives of your sons who (spr ing) from your own loins. And (it is forbidden unto you) that ye should have two sis ters together, except what hath already happened (of that nature) in the past. Lo! A llah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. 004.024 And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) wh om your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond those mentioned, so that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock , not debauchery. And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mut ual agreement after the duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise. 004.025 And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let the m marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. Allah knoweth bes t (concerning) your faith. Ye (proceed) one from another; so wed them by permissi on of their folk, and give unto them their portions in kindness, they being honest , not debauched nor of loose conduct. And if when they are honourably married they commit lewdness they shall incur the half of the punishment (prescribed) for fr ee women (in that case). This is for him among you who feareth to commit sin. But to have patience would be better for you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 004.026 Allah would explain to you and guide you by the examples of those who were before you, and would turn to you in mercy. Allah is Knower, Wise. 004.027 And Allah would turn to you in mercy; but those who follow vain desires would have you go tremendously astray. 004.028 Allah would make the burden light for you, for man was created weak. 004.029 O ye who believe! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity, except it be a trade by mutual consent, and kill not one another. Lo! Allah is ever Merciful unto you. 004.030 Whoso doeth that through aggression and injustice, we shall cast him in to Fire, and that is ever easy for Allah. 004.031 If ye avoid the great (things) which ye are forbidden, We will remit fr om you your evil deeds and make you enter at a noble gate. 004.032 And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel othe rs. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allah of His bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things. 004.033 And unto each We have appointed heirs of that which parents and near kindred leave; and as for those with whom your right hands have made a covenant , give them their due. Lo! Allah is ever Witness over all things. 004.034 Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of w omen). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarde d. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo ! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great. 004.035 And if ye fear a breach between them twain (the man and wife), appoint an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter from her folk. If they desire amendment Al lah will make them of one mind. Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Aware. 004.036 And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands posses s. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful, 004.037 Who hoard their wealth and enjoin avarice on others, and hide that whic h Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty. For disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom; 004.038 And (also) those who spend their wealth in order to be seen of men, and believe not in Allah nor the Last Day. Whoso taketh Satan for a comrade, a bad comrade hath he. 004.039 What have they (to fear) if they believe in Allah and the Last Day and spend (aright) of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them, when Allah is ever Aware of them (and all they do) ? 004.040 Lo! Allah wrongeth not even of the weight of an ant; and if there is a good deed, He will double it and will give (the doer) from His presence an immense reward. 004.041 But how (will it be with them) when We bring of every people a witness, and We bring thee (O Muhammad) a witness against these ? 004.042 On that day those who disbelieved and disobeyed the messenger will wish that they were level with the ground, and they can hide no fact from Allah. 004.043 O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till y e know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon t he road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you com eth from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high cl ean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiv ing. 004.044 Seest thou not those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been giv en, how they purchase error, and seek to make you (Muslims) err from the right way ? 004.045 Allah knoweth best (who are) your enemies. Allah is sufficient as a Guardian, and Allah is sufficient as a Supporter. 004.046 Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distort ing with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But A llah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few. 004.047 O ye unto whom the Scripture hath been given! Believe in what We have revealed confirming that which ye possess, before We destroy countenances so as to confound them, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers (of old time). T he commandment of Allah is always executed. 004.048 Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, h e hath indeed invented a tremendous sin. 004.049 Hast thou not seen those who praise themselves for purity ? Nay, Allah purifieth whom He will, and they will not be wronged even the hair upon a date- stone. 004.050 See, how they invent lies about Allah! That of itself is flagrant sin. 004.051 Hast thou not seen those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given, how they believe in idols and false deities, and how they say of those (idolaters) who disbelieve: "These are more rightly guided than those who belie ve" ? 004.052 Those are they whom Allah hath cursed, and he whom Allah hath cursed, thou (O Muhammad) wilt find for him no helper. 004.053 Or have they even a share in the Sovereignty ? Then in that case, they would not give mankind even the speck on a date-stone. 004.054 Or are they jealous of mankind because of that which Allah of His bount y hath bestowed upon them ? For We bestowed upon the house of Abraham (of old) th e Scripture and wisdom, and We bestowed on them a mighty kingdom. 004.055 And of them were (some) who believed therein and of them were (some) who turned away from it. Hell is sufficient for (their) burning. 004.056 Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the F ire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins tha t they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise. 004.057 And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them ente r Gardens underneath which rivers flow - to dwell therein for ever; there for the m are pure companions - and We shall make them enter plenteous shade. 004.058 Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye restore deposits to their owners, and, if ye judge between mankind, that ye judge justly. Lo! comely is this which Allah admonisheth you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer, Seer. 004.059 O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger and those of you who are in authority; and if ye have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it to Allah and the messenger if ye are (in truth) believers in Allah and the Last Day. Tha t is better and more seemly in the end. 004.060 Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go f or judgment (in their disputes) to false deities when they have been ordered to ab jure them ? Satan would mislead them far astray. 004.061 And when it is said unto them: Come unto that which Allah hath revealed and unto the messenger, thou seest the hypocrites turn from thee with aversion. 004.062 How would it be if a misfortune smote them because of that which their own hands have sent before (them) ? Then would they come unto thee, swearing by All ah that they were seeking naught but harmony and kindness. 004.063 Those are they, the secrets of whose hearts Allah knoweth. So oppose th em and admonish them, and address them in plain terms about their souls. 004.064 We sent no messenger save that he should be obeyed by Allah's leave. An d if, when they had wronged themselves, they had but come unto thee and asked forgiveness of Allah, and asked forgiveness of the messenger, they would have f ound Allah Forgiving, Merciful. 004.065 But nay, by thy Lord, they will not believe (in truth) until they make thee judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no dislike of that which thou decidest, and submit with full submission. 004.066 And if We had decreed for them: Lay down your lives or go forth from yo ur dwellings, but few of them would have done it; though if they did what they are exhorted to do it would be better for them, and more strengthening; 004.067 And then We should bestow upon them from Our presence an immense reward, 004.068 And should guide them unto a straight path. 004.069 Whoso obeyeth Allah and the messenger, they are with those unto whom Allah hath shown favour, of the prophets and the saints and the martyrs and the righteous. The best of company are they! 004.070 That is bounty from Allah, and Allah sufficeth as Knower. 004.071 O ye who believe! Take your precautions, then advance the proven ones, or advance all together. 004.072 Lo! among you there is he who loitereth; and if disaster overtook you, he would say: Allah hath been gracious unto me since I was not present with them. 004.073 And if a bounty from Allah befell you, he would surely cry, as if there had been no love between you and him: Oh, would that I had been with them, then sho uld I have achieved a great success! 004.074 Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward. 004.075 How should ye not fight for the cause of Allah and of the feeble among men and of the women and the children who are crying: Our Lord! Bring us forth from out this town of which the people are oppressors! Oh, give us from thy presence som e protecting friend! Oh, give us from Thy presence some defender! 004.076 Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbe lieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil. Lo! the de vil's strategy is ever weak. 004.077 Hast thou not seen those unto whom it was said: Withhold your hands, establish worship and pay the poordue, but when fighting was prescribed for the m behold! a party of them fear mankind even as their fear of Allah or with greate r fear, and say: Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordained fighting for us ? If only Thou wou