The Koran (Al-Qur'an) Part 9

And when we accepted your covenant, saying, Ye shall not shed your brother's blood nor dispossess one another of your habitations; then ye confirmed it, and were witnesses thereto.

Afterwards ye were they who slew one another, and turned several of your brethren out of their houses, mutually a.s.sisting each other against them with injustice and enmity; but if they come captives unto you, ye redeem them: yet it is equally unlawful for you to dispossess them. Do ye therefore believe in part of the book of the law, and reject other part thereof? But whoso among you doth this, shall have no other reward than shame in this life, and on the day of resurrection they shall be sent to a most grievous punishment; for G.o.d is not regardless of that which ye do.

These are they who have purchased this present life, at the price of that which is to come; wherefore their punishment shall not be mitigated, neither shall they be helped.

We formerly delivered the book of the law unto Moses, and caused apostles to succeed him, and gave evident miracles to Jesus the son of Mary, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Do ye therefore, whenever an apostle cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, proudly reject him, and accuse some of imposture, and slay others?

The Jews say, Our hearts are uncirc.u.mcised: but G.o.d hath cursed them with their infidelity; therefore few shall believe.

And when a book came unto them from G.o.d, confirming the scriptures which were with them, although they had before prayed for a.s.sistance against those who believed not, yet when that came unto them which they knew to be from G.o.d, they would not believe therein: therefore the curse of G.o.d shall be on the infidels.

90 For a vile price have they sold their souls, that they should not believe in that which G.o.d hath sent down; out of envy, because G.o.d sendeth down his favors to such of his servants as he pleaseth: therefore they brought on themselves indignation on indignation; and the unbelievers shall suffer an ignominious punishment.

When one saith unto them, Believe in that which G.o.d hath sent down; they answer, We believe in that which hath been sent down unto us: and they reject what hath been revealed since, although it be the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say, Why therefore have ye slain the prophets of G.o.d in times past, if ye be true believers?

Moses formerly came unto you with evident signs, but ye afterwards took the calf for your G.o.d and did wickedly.

And when we accepted your covenant, and lifted the mountain of Sinai over you, saying Receive the law which we have given you, with a resolution to perform it, and hear; they said, We have heard, and have rebelled: and they were made to drink down the calf into their hearts for their unbelief. Say, A grievous thing hath your faith commanded you, if ye be true believers?

Say, if the future mansion with G.o.d be prepared peculariarly for you, exclusive of the rest of mankind, wish for death, if ye say truth; but they will never wish for it, because of that which their hands have sent before them; G.o.d knoweth the wicked-doers; and thou shalt surely find them of all men the most covetous of life, even more than the idolaters: one of them would desire his life to be prolonged a thousand years, but none shall reprieve himself from punishment, that his life may be prolonged: G.o.d seeth that which they do.

Say, Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel (for he hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart, by the permission of G.o.d, confirming that which was before revealed, a direction, and good tidings to the faithful); whosoever is an enemy to G.o.d, or his angels, or his apostles, or to Gabriel, or Michael, verily G.o.d is an enemy to the unbelievers.

And now we have sent down unto thee evident signs, and none will disbelieve them but the evil-doers.

100 Whenever they make a covenant, will some of them reject it? yea, the greater part of them do not believe.

And when there came unto them an apostle from G.o.d, confirming that scripture which was with them, some of those to whom the scriptures were given cast the book of G.o.d behind their backs, as if they knew it not: and they followed the device which the devils devised against the kingdom of Solomon; and Solomon was not an unbeliever; but the devils believed not, they taught men sorcery, and that which was sent down to the two angels at Babel, Harut and Marut: yet those two taught no man until they had said, Verily we are a temptation, therefore be not an unbeliever. So men learned from those two a charm by which they might cause division between a man and his wife; but they hurt none thereby, unless by G.o.d'S permission, and they learned that which would hurt them, and not profit them; and yet they knew that he who bought that art should have no part in the life to come, and woful is the price for which they have sold their souls, if they knew it.

But if they had believed, and feared G.o.d, verily the reward they would have had from G.o.d would have been better, if they had known it.

O true believers, say not to our apostle, Raina; but say Ondhorna; and hearken: the infidels shall suffer a grievous punishment.

It is not the desire of the unbelievers, either among those unto whom the scriptures have been given, or among the idolaters, that any good should be sent down unto you from your LORD: but G.o.d will appropriate his mercy unto whom he pleaseth; for G.o.d is exceeding beneficent.

Whatever verse we shall abrogate, or cause thee to forget, we will bring a better than it, or one like unto it. Dost thou not know that G.o.d is almighty?

Dost thou not know that unto G.o.d belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth? neither have ye any protector or helper except G.o.d.

Will ye require of your apostle according to that which was formerly required of Moses? but he that hath exchanged faith for infidelity, hath already erred from the straight way.

Many of those unto whom the scriptures have been given, desire to render you again unbelievers, after ye have believed; out of envy from their souls, even after the truth is become manifest unto them; but forgive them, and avoid them, till G.o.d shall send his command; for G.o.d is omnipotent.

110 Be constant in prayer, and give alms; and what good ye have sent before for your souls, ye shall find it with G.o.d; surely G.o.d seeth that which ye do.

They say, Verily none shall enter paradise, except they who are Jews or Christians: this is their wish. Say, Produce your proof of this, if ye speak truth.

Nay, but he who resigneth himself to G.o.d, and doth that which is right, he shall have his reward with his LORD: there shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be grieved.

The Jews say, The Christians are grounded on nothing; and the Christians say, The Jews are grounded on nothing; and the Christians say, The Jews are grounded on nothing; yet they both read the scriptures. So likewise say they who know not the scripture, according to their saying. But G.o.d shall judge between them on the day of the resurrection, concerning that about which they now disagree.

Who is more unjust than he who prohibiteth the temples of G.o.d, that his name should be remembered therein, and who hasteth to destroy them? Those men cannot enter therein, but with fear: they shall have shame in this world, and in the next a grievous punishment.

To G.o.d belongeth the east and the west; therefore whithersoever ye turn yourselves to pray, there is the face of G.o.d; for G.o.d is omnipresent and omniscient.

They say, G.o.d hath begotten children: G.o.d forbid! To him belongeth whatever is in heaven, and on earth; all is possessed by him, the Creator of heaven and earth; and when he decreeth a thing, he only saith unto it, Be, and it is.

And they who know not the scriptures say, Unless G.o.d speak unto us, or thou show us a sign, we will not believe. So said those before them, according to their saying: their hearts resemble each other. We have already shown manifest signs unto people who firmly believe; we have sent thee in truth, a bearer of good tidings and a preacher; and thou shalt not be questioned concerning the companions of h.e.l.l.

120 But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither the Christians, until thou follow their religion; say, The direction of G.o.d is the true direction.

And verily if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, thou shalt find no patron or protector against G.o.d.

They to whom we have given the book of the Koran, and who read it with its true reading, they believe therein; and whoever believeth not therein, they shall perish.

O children of Israel, remember my favor wherewith I have favored you, and that I have preferred you before all nations; and dread the day wherein one soul shall not make satisfaction for another soul, neither shall any compensation be accepted from them, nor shall any intercession avail, neither shall they be helped.

Remember when the LORD tried Abraham by certain words, which he fulfilled: G.o.d said, Verily I will const.i.tute thee a model of religion unto mankind; he answered, And also of my posterity; G.o.d said, My covenant doth not comprehend the unG.o.dly.

And when we appointed the holy house of Mecca to be a place of resort for mankind, and a place of security; and said, Take the station of Abraham for a place of prayer; and we covenanted with Abraham for a place of prayer; and we covenanted with Abraham and Ismael, that they should cleanse my house for those who should compa.s.s it, and those who should be devoutly a.s.siduous there, and those who should bow down and worship.

And when Abraham said, LORD make this a territory of security, and bounteously bestow fruits on its inhabitants, such of them as believe in G.o.d and the last day; G.o.d answered, And whoever believeth not, I will bestow on him little; after wards I will drive him to the punishment of h.e.l.l fire; an ill journey shall it be!

And when Abraham and Ismael raised the foundations of the house, saying, LORD, accept it from us, for thou art he who heareth and knoweth: LORD, make us also resigned unto thee, and of our posterity a people resigned unto thee, and show us our holy ceremonies, and be turned unto us, for thou art easy to be reconciled, and merciful: LORD, send them likewise an apostle from among them, who may declare thy signs unto them, and teach them the book of the Koran and wisdom, and may purify them; for thou art mighty and wise.

130 Who will be averse to the religion of Abraham, but he whose mind is infatuated? Surely we have chosen him in this world, and in that which is to come he shall be one of the righteous.

When his LORD said unto him, Resign thyself unto me; he answered, I have resigned myself unto the LORD of all creatures.

And Abraham bequeathed this religion to his children, and Jacob did the same, saying, My children, verily G.o.d hath chosen this religion for you, therefore die not, unless ye also be resigned.

Were ye present when Jacob was at the point of death? when he said to his sons, Whom will ye worship after me? They answered, We will worship thy G.o.d, and the G.o.d of thy fathers Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, one G.o.d, and to him will we be resigned.

That people are now pa.s.sed away, they have what they have gained, and ye shall have what ye gain; and ye shall not be questioned concerning that which they have done.

They say, Become Jews or Christians that ye may be directed. Say, Nay we follow the religion of Abraham the orthodox, who was no idolater.

Say, We believe in G.o.d, and that which hath been sent down unto us, and that which hath been sent down unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which was delivered unto Moses, and Jesus, and that which was delivered unto the prophets from their LORD: We make no distinction between any of them, and to G.o.d are we resigned.

Now if they believe according to what ye believe, they are surely directed, but if they turn back, they are in schism. G.o.d shall support thee against them, for he is in the hearer, the wise.

The baptism of G.o.d have we received, and who is better than G.o.d to baptize? him do we worship.

Say, Will ye dispute with us concerning G.o.d, who is our LORD, and your LORD? we have our works, and ye have your works, and unto him are we sincerely devoted.

140 Will ye say, truly Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say, are ye wiser, or G.o.d? And who is more unjust than he who hideth the testimony which he hath received from G.o.d? But G.o.d is not regardless of that which ye do.

That people are pa.s.sed away, they have what they have gained, and ye shall have what ye gain, nor shall ye be questioned concerning that which they have done.

The foolish men will say, What hath turned them from their Keblah, towards which they formerly prayed? Say unto G.o.d belongeth the east and the west: he directeth whom he pleaseth into the right way.

Thus have we placed you, O Arabians, an intermediate nation, that ye may be witness against the rest of mankind, and that the apostle may be a witness against you. We appointed the Keblah, towards which thou didst formerly pray, only that we might know him who followeth the apostle, from him who turneth back on the heels; though this change seem a great matter, unless unto those whom G.o.d hath directed. But G.o.d will not render your faith of none effect; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful unto man.

We have seen thee turn about thy face towards heaven with uncertainty, but we will cause thee to turn thyself towards a Keblah that will please thee.

Turn, therefore, thy face towards the holy temple of Mecca; and wherever ye be, turn your faces towards that place. They to whom the scripture hath been given, know this to be truth from their LORD. G.o.d is not regardless of that which ye do.

Verily although thou shouldest show unto those to whom the scripture hath been given all kinds of signs, yet they will not follow thy Keblah, neither shalt thou follow their Keblah; nor will one part of them follow the Keblah of the other. And if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, verily thou wilt become one of the unG.o.dly.

They to whom we have given the scripture know our apostle, even as they know their own children, but some of them hide the truth, against their own knowledge.

Truth is from thy LORD, therefore thou shalt not doubt.

Every sect hath a certain tract of heaven to which they turn themselves in prayer; but do ye strive to run after good things; wherever ye be, G.o.d will bring you all back at the resurrection, for G.o.d is almighty.

And from what place soever thou comest forth, turn thy face towards the holy temple, for this is truth from thy LORD; neither is G.o.d regardless of that which ye do.

150 From what place soever thou comest forth, turn thy face towards the holy temple; and wherever ye be, thitherward turn your faces, lest men have matter of dispute against you; but as for those among them who are unjust doers, fear them not, but fear me, that I may accomplish my grace upon you, and that ye may be directed.

As we have sent unto you an apostle from among you, to rehea.r.s.e our signs unto you, and to purify you, and to teach you the book of the Koran and wisdom, and to teach you that which ye knew not: therefore remember me, and I will remember you, and give thanks unto me, and be not unbelievers.

O true believers, beg a.s.sistance with patience and prayer, for G.o.d is with the patient.

And say not of those who are slain in fight for the religion of G.o.d, that they are dead; yea, they are living: but ye do not understand.

We will surely prove you by afflicting you in some measure with fear, and hunger, and decrease of wealth, and loss of lives, and scarcity of fruits: but bear good tidings unto the patient, who, when a misfortune befalleth them, say, We are G.o.d'S and unto him shall we surely return.

Upon them shall be blessings from their LORD and mercy, and they are the rightly directed.

Moreover Safa and Merwah are two of the monuments of G.o.d: whoever therefore goeth on pilgrimage to the temple of Mecca or visiteth it, it shall be no crime in him, if he compa.s.s them both. And as for him who voluntarily performeth a good work; verily G.o.d is grateful and knowing.

They who conceal any of the evident signs, or the direction which we have sent down, after what we have manifested unto men in the scripture, G.o.d shall curse them; and they who curse shall curse them.

160 But as for those who repent and amend, and make known what they concealed, I will be turned unto them, for I am easy to be reconciled and merciful.

Surely they who believe not, and die in their unbelief, upon them shall be the curse of G.o.d, and of the angels, and of all men; they shall remain under it forever, their punishment shall not be alleviated, neither shall they be regarded.

Your G.o.d is one G.o.d; there is no G.o.d but He, the most merciful.

Now in the creation of heaven and earth, and the vicissitude of night and day, and in the ship which saileth in the sea, loaden with what is profitable for mankind, and in the rain water which G.o.d sendeth from heaven, quickening thereby the dead earth, and replenishing the same with all sorts of cattle, and in the change of winds, and the clouds that are compelled to do service between heaven and earth, are signs to people of understanding: yet some men take idols beside G.o.d, and love them as with the love due to G.o.d; but the true believers are more fervent in love towards G.o.d. Oh that they who act unjustly did perceive, when they behold their punishment, that all power belongeth unto G.o.d, and that he is severe in punishing!

When those who have been followed shall separate themselves from their followers, and shall see the punishment, and the cords of relation between them shall be cut in sunder; the followers shall say, If we could return to life, we would separate ourselves from them, as they have now separated themselves from us. So G.o.d will show them their works; they shall sigh grievously, and shall not come forth from the fire of h.e.l.l.

O men, eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth; and tread not in the steps of the devil, for he is your open enemy.

Verily he commandeth you evil and wickedness, and that ye should say that of G.o.d which ye know not.

170 And when it is said unto them who believe not, Follow that which G.o.d hath sent down; they answer, Nay, but we will follow that which we found our fathers practise. What? though their fathers knew nothing, and were not rightly directed?

The unbelievers are like unto one who crieth aloud to that which heareth not so much as his calling, or the sound of his voice. They are deaf, dumb, and blind, therefore do they not understand.

O true believers, eat of the good things which we have bestowed on you for food, and return thanks unto G.o.d, if ye serve him.

Verily he hath forbidden you to eat that which dieth of itself, and blood and swine's flesh, and that on which any other name but G.o.d'S hath been invocated. But he who is forced by necessity, not l.u.s.ting, nor returning to transgress, it shall be no crime in him if he eat of those things, for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Moreover they who conceal any part of the scripture which G.o.d hath sent down unto them, and sell it for a small price, they shall swallow into their bellies nothing but fire; G.o.d shall not speak unto them on the day of resurrection, neither shall he purify them, and they shall suffer a grievous punishment.

These are they who have sold direction for error, and pardon for punishment: but how great will their suffering be in the fire!

This they shall endure, because G.o.d sent down the book of the Koran with truth, and they who disagree concerning that book are certainly in a wide mistake.

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces in prayer towards the east and the west, but righteousness is of him who believeth in G.o.d and the last day, and the angels, and the scriptures, and the prophets; who giveth money for G.o.d'S sake unto his kindred, and unto orphans, and the needy, and the stranger, and those who ask, and for redemption of captives; who is constant at prayer, and giveth alms; and of those who perform their covenant, when they have covenanted, and who behave themselves patiently in adversity, and hardships, and in time of violence; these are they who are true, and these are they who fear G.o.d.

O true believers, the law of retaliation is ordained you for the slain: the free shall die for the free, and the servant for the servant, and a woman for a woman: but he whom his brother shall forgive may be prosecuted, and obliged to make satisfaction according to what is just, and a fine shall be set on him with humanity. This is indulgence from your LORD, and mercy.

And he who shall transgress after this, by killing the murderer, shall suffer a grievous punishment.

And in this law or retaliation ye have life, O ye of understanding, that peradventure ye may fear.

180 It is ordained you, when any of you is at the point of death, if he leave any goods, that he bequeath a legacy to his parents, and kindred, according to what shall be reasonable. This is a duty inc.u.mbent on those who fear G.o.d.

But he who shall change the legacy, after he hath heard it bequeathed by the dying person, surely the sin thereof shall be on those who change it, for G.o.d is he who heareth and knoweth.

Howbeit he who apprehendeth from the testator any mistake or injustice, and shall compose the matter between them, that shall be no crime in him, for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

O true believers, a fast is ordained you, as it was ordained unto those before you, that ye may fear G.o.d.

A certain number of days shall ye fast: but he among you who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast an equal number of other days. And those who can keep it, and do not, must redeem their neglect by maintaining of a poor man. And he who voluntarily dealeth better with the poor man than he is obliged, this shall be better for him. But if ye fast, it will be better for you, if ye knew it.

The month of Ramadan shall ye fast, in which the Koran was sent down from heaven, a direction unto men, and declarations of direction, and the distinction between good and evil. Therefore, let him among you who shall be present in this month, fast the same month; but he who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast the like number of other days. G.o.d would make this an ease unto you, and would not make it a difficulty unto you; that ye may fulfil the number of days, and glorify G.o.d, for that he hath directed you, and that ye may give thanks.

When my servants ask thee concerning me, Verily I am near; I will hear the prayer of him that prayeth, when he prayeth unto me: but let them hearken unto me, and believe in me, that they may be rightly directed.

It is lawful for you, on the night of the fast, to go in unto your wives; they are a garment unto you, and ye are a garment unto them. G.o.d knoweth that ye defraud yourselves therein, wherefore he turneth unto you, and forgiveth you. Now, therefore, go in unto them; and earnestly desire that which G.o.d ordaineth you, and eat and drink, until ye can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daybreak: then keep the fast until night, and go not in unto them, but be constantly present in the places of worship. These are the prescribed bounds of G.o.d, therefore draw not near them to transgress them. Thus G.o.d declareth his signs unto men, that ye may fear him.

Consume not your wealth among yourselves in vain; nor present it unto judges, that ye may devour part of men's substance unjustly, against your own consciences.

They will ask thee concerning the phases of the moon: Answer, They are times appointed unto men, and to show the season of the pilgrimage to Mecca.

It is not righteousness that ye enter your houses by the back parts thereof, but righteousness is of him who feareth G.o.d. Therefore enter your houses by their doors; and fear G.o.d, that ye may be happy.

190 And fight for the religion of G.o.d against those who fight against you; but transgress not by attacking them first, for G.o.d loveth not the transgressors.

And kill them wherever ye find them, and turn them out of that whereof they have dispossessed you; for temptation to idolatry is more grievous than slaughter; yet fight not against them in the holy temple, until they attack you therein; but if they attack you, slay them there. This shall be the reward of infidels.

But if they desist, G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Fight therefore against them, until there be no temptation to idolatry, and the religion be G.o.d'S; but if they desist, then let there be no hostility, except against the unG.o.dly.