The Koran Part 124

But those who, after having contracted it, break their covenant with G.o.d, and cut asunder what G.o.d hath bidden to be united, and commit misdeeds on the earth, these, a curse awaiteth them, and an ill abode!

G.o.d is open-handed with supplies to whom he will, or is sparing. They rejoice in the life that now is, but this present life is but a pa.s.sing good, in respect of the life to come!3

And they who believe not say, "Unless a sign be sent down to him from his Lord... ." SAY: G.o.d truly will mislead whom he will; and He will guide to Himself him who turneth to Him,

Those who believe, and whose hearts rest securely on the thought of G.o.d.

What! Shall not men's hearts repose in the thought of G.o.d? They who believe and do the things that be right-blessedness awaiteth them, and a goodly home.

Thus have we sent thee to a people whom other peoples have preceded, that thou mightest rehea.r.s.e to them our revelations to thee. Yet they believe not on the G.o.d of Mercy.4 SAY: He is my Lord. There is no G.o.d but He. In Him do I put my trust. To Him must I return.

If there were a Koran by which the mountains could be set in motion, or the earth cleft, or the dead be made to speak ! But all sovereignty is in the hands of G.o.d. Do then believers doubt5 that had He pleased G.o.d would certainly have guided all men aright?

Misfortune shall not cease to light on the unbelievers for what they have done, or to take up its abode hard by their dwellings, until the threat of G.o.d come to pa.s.s. Verily, G.o.d will not fail his plighted word.

Before thee indeed have apostles been mocked at; but though I bore long with the unbelievers, at last I seized upon them;-and how severe was my punishment!

Who is it then that is standing over every soul to mark its actions? Yet have they set up a.s.sociates with G.o.d. SAY: Name them. What! Would ye inform G.o.d of that which He knoweth not on the Earth? Or are they not a mere empty name?

But prepared of old for the infidels was this fraud of theirs; and they are turned aside from the path; and whom G.o.d causeth to err, no guide shall there be for him!

Chastis.e.m.e.nt awaiteth them in this present life, and more grievous shall be the chastis.e.m.e.nt of the next: and none shall screen them from G.o.d.

A picture of the Paradise which G.o.d hath promised to them that fear Him. The rivers flow beneath its bowers: its food and its shades are perpetual. This is the reward of those who fear G.o.d; but the reward of the unbelievers is the Fire.

They to whom we have given the Book rejoice6 in what hath been sent down to thee; yet some are banded together who deny a part of it. SAY: I am commanded to worship G.o.d, and not to a.s.sociate any creature with Him. On Him do I call, and to Him shall I return.

Thus, then, as a code in the Arabic tongue have we sent down the Koran; and truly, if after the knowledge that hath reached thee thou follow their desires, thou shalt have no guardian nor protector against G.o.d.

Apostles truly have we already sent before thee, and wives and offspring have we given them. Yet no apostle had come with miracles unless by the leave of G.o.d. To each age its Book.

What He pleaseth will G.o.d abrogate or confirm: for with Him is the source of revelation.7

Moreover, whether we cause thee to see the fulfilment of part of our menaces, or whether we take thee hence, verily, thy work is preaching only, and ours to take account.

See they not that we come into their land and cut short its borders?8 G.o.d p.r.o.nounceth a doom, and there is none to reverse his doom. And swift is He to take account.

Those who lived before them made plots: but all plotting is controlled by G.o.d: He knoweth the works of every one, and the infidels shall know whose will be the recompense of the abode.

The infidels, moreover, will say; Thou art not sent of G.o.d. SAY: G.o.d is witness enough betwixt me and you, and, whoever hath knowledge of the Book.

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1 See Sura 1xviii. p. 32.

2 This is said by the traditionists and commentators generally, to refer to Amir and Arbad ben Kais, who in the year 9 or 10 conspired against Muhammad's life, and were struck dead by lightning. See the authorities in Nold. p. 120: Weil, 256; Caussin, iii. 295. But this explanation may have been suggested by the words of the text, which must, if the comment be correct, have been revealed at Medina.

3 Thus, "one hour of bliss in the world to come is better than all life in this world." Mischnah Aboth, iv. 17. Comp. Sura [cxiii.] ix. 38.

4 See Sura xvii. 109. This verse is said to have been occasioned by the refusal of the Meccans at Hudaibiya to adopt the formula prescribed by Muhammad-In the Name of the G.o.d of Mercy, the Merciful-declaring that they knew not who the G.o.d of Mercy (Arrahman) was. This was in Hej. 6. See n. p.

173.

5 Lit. despair.

6 That is, the Jews, who at this period of Muhammad's prophetic function, must have been highly gratified at the strong leaning towards, and respect for, their Scriptures and Histories, which shews itself increasingly in the later Meccan Suras.

7 Lit. Mother, or Prototype of the Book. Either G.o.d's knowledge or Prescience, or the fabled preserved tablet, on which is written the original of the Koran, and all G.o.d's decrees. The Jews have a tradition that the Law existed before the Creation. Midr. Jalkut, 7.

8 That is, the progressive conquests of the Muslims trench more and more on the territories of the idolatrous Arabians.

SURA II.-THE COW1 [XCI.]

MEDINA.-286 Verses

In the Name of G.o.d, the Compa.s.sionate, the Merciful

ELIF. LAM. MIM.2 No doubt is there about this Book: It is a guidance to the G.o.d-fearing,

Who believe in the unseen,3 who observe prayer, and out of what we have bestowed on them, expend for G.o.d;

And who believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath been sent down before thee, and full faith have they in the life to come:

These are guided by their Lord; and with these it shall be well.

As to the infidels, alike is it to them whether thou warn them or warn them not-they will not believe:

Their hearts and their ears hath G.o.d sealed up; and over their eyes is a covering. For them, a severe chastis.e.m.e.nt!

And some4 there are who say, "We believe in G.o.d, and in the latter day:" Yet are they not believers!

Fain would they deceive G.o.d and those who have believed; but they deceive themselves only, and know it not.

Diseased are their hearts! And that disease hath G.o.d increased creased to them. Their's a sore chastis.e.m.e.nt, for that they treated their prophet as a liar!

And when it is said to them, "Cause not disorders in the earth:" they say, "Nay, rather do we set them right."

Is it not that they are themselves the authors of disorder? But they perceive it not!

And when it is said to them, "Believe as other men have believed;" they say, "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?" Is it not that they are themselves the fools? But they know it not!

And when they meet the faithful they say, "We believe;" but when they are apart with their Satans5 they say, "Verily we hold with you, and at them we only mock."

G.o.d shall mock at them, and keep them long in their rebellion, wandering in perplexity.

These are they who have purchased error at the price of guidance: but their traffic hath not been gainful, neither are they guided at all.

They are like one6 who kindleth a fire, and when it hath thrown its light on all around him... . G.o.d taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness-they cannot see!-