{Private jCibrary y Wm. G. BOEAMELS. s^ THE KORAN: COMMONLY CALLED THE ALKORAN OF MOHAMMED. Translated into English from the Original Arabic, BY GEORGE SALE. NEW YORK HITRST & COMPANY. PUBLISHERS A TABLE OF THE CHAPTEKtf OP THE KORAK CHAPTER PAE 1. Entitled, The Preface, or Introduction 13 2. Entitled, The Cow 13 3. Entitled, The Family of Imran 35 4. Entitled, Women 48 5. Entitled, The Table 61 6. Entitled, Cattle 72 7. Entitled, Al Araf 84 8. Entitled, The Spoils 97 9. Entitled, The Declaration of Immunity 103 10. Entitled, Jonas !I3 11. Entitled, Hud J19 12. Entitled, Joseph 146 13. Entitled, Thunder 134 14. Entitled, Abraham 137 15. Entitled, Al Hejr 141 16. Entitled, The Bee 144 37. Entitled, The Night Journey 151 18. Entitled, The Cave 158 19. Entitled, Mary TU 20. Entitled, T. H 169 21. Entitled, The Prophets 175 22. Entitled, The Pilgrimage 180 23. Entitled, The True Believers 185 24. Entitled, Light . 189 25. Entitled, Al Forkan . . 194 26. Entitled, The Poets 198 27 Entitled, The Ant 203 28. Entitled, The Story 208 a < = 3iy 77. Entitled, TJ se which are Sent 3li> CONTENTS. v CHAPTER PAGE 78. Entitled, The News 320 79. Entitled, Those who Tear Forth 321 80.- Entitled, He Frowned 322 81. Entitled, The Folding up 323 82. Entitled, The Cleaving in Sunder 3.3 83. Entitled, Those who give Short Measure or Weight 324 &!. Entitled, The Rending in Sunder '. 325 85. Entitled, The Celestial Signs 325 86. Entitled, The Star which appeareth by Night 320 87. Entitled, The Most High .' 326 88. Entitled. The Overwhelming 327 89. Entitled, The Daybreak 327 90. Entitled, The Territory 328 91. Entitled, The Sun 329 92. Entitled, The Night 329 93. Entitled, The Brightness 330 94. Entitled. Have we not Opened 330 95. Entitled, The Fig 330 9C. -Entitled, Congealed Blood 331 07. Entitled, Al Kadr 331 98. Entitled, The Evidence 331 99. Entitled, The Earthquake 332 100. Entitled, The War-Horses which Run Swiftly 332 101. Entitled, The Striking 333 102. Entitled, The Emulous Desire of Multiplying 333 103. Entitled, The Afternoon 333 104. Entitled, The Slanderer 334 105. Entitled, The Elephant.. . 334 106. Entitled, Koreish 334 107. Entitled, Necessaries 334 108. Entitled, Al Cawthar 335 109. Entitled, The Unbelievers 335 110. Entitled, Assistance 335 111. Entitled, Abu Laheb 335 112. Entitled, The Declaration of God's Unity 336 li:}. Entitled. The Daybreak 336 114. Entitled, Men 836 TO THE READER. I QIA.GINE it almost needless either to make an apology for pub- Ushing the following translation, or to go about to prove it a work of use as well as curiosity. They must have a mean opinion of the Christian religion, or be but ill grounded therein, who can apprehend any danger from so manifest a forgery : and if the religious and civil institutions of foreign nations are worth our knowledge, those of Mohammed, the lawgiver of the Arabians, and founder of an empire which in less than a century spread itself over a greater part of the world than the Romans were ever masters of, must needs be so; whether we consider their extensive obtaining, or our frequent inter- course with those who are governed thereby. I shall not here inquire into the reasons why the law of Mohammed has met with so unex- ampled a reception in the world (for they are greatly deceived who imagine it to have been propagated by the sword alone), or by what means it came to be embraced by nations which never felt the force of the Mohammedan arms, and even by those which stripped the Ara- bians of their conquests, and put an end to the sovereignty and very being of their Khallfs: yet it seems as if there was something more than what is vulgarly imagined in a religion which has made so sur- prising a progress, But whatever use an impartial version of the KorSn may be of in other respects, it is absolutely necessary to unde- ceive those who, from the ignorant or unfair translations which have appeared, have entertained to favourable an opinion of the original, and also to enable us effectually to expose the imposture; none of those who have hitherto undertaken that province, not excepting Dr. Pridcaux himself, having succeeded to the satisfaction of the judicious, for want of being complete masters of the controversy. The writers of the Romish communion, in particular, are so far from having done any service in their refutations of Mohammedism, that by endeavour- ing to defend their idolatry and other superstitions, they have rather contributed to the increase of that aversion which the Mohammedans in general have to the Christian religion, and given them great ad- vantages in the dispute. The Protestants alone are able to attack thje via TO THE READER Koran with success; and for them, I trust, Providence has reserved the glory of its overthrow. In the meantime, if I might presume to lay down rules to be observed by those who attempt the conversion of the Mohammedans, they should be the same which the learned and worthy Bishop Kidder has prescribed for the conversion of the Jews, and which may, mutatis mutandis, be equally applied to the former, notwithstanding the despicable opinion that writer, for want of being better acquainted with them, entertained of those people, judging them scarce fit to be argued with. The first of these rules is, To avoid compulsion ; which, though it be not in our power to employ at present, I hope will not be made use of when it is. The second is, To avoid teaching doctrines against common sense; the Mohamme- dans not being such fools (whatever we may think of them) as to be gained over in this case. The worshipping of images and the doctrine of transubstantiation are great stumbling-blocks to the Mohamme- dans, and the Church which teacheth them is very unfit to bring those people over. The third is, To avoid weak arguments: for the Mo- hammedans are not to be converted with these, or hard words. AVe must use them with humanity, and dispute against them with argu- ments that are proper and cogent. It is certain that many Chris- tians, who have written against them, have been very defective this way: many have used arguments that have no force, and advanced propositions that are void of truth. This method is so far from con- vincing, that it rather serves to harden them. The Mohammedans will be apt to conclude we have little to say, when we urge them with arguments that are trifling or untrue. We do but lose ground when we do this; and instead of gaining them, we expose our- selves and our cause also. We must not give them ill words neither; but must avoid all reproachful language, all that is sar castical and biting: this never did good from pulpit or press. The softest words will make the deepest impression; and if we think it a fault in them to give ill language, we cannot be excused when we imitate them. The fourth rule is, Not to quit any article of the Christian faith to gain the Mohammedans. It is a fond con- ceit of the Socinians, that we shall upon their principles be most like to prevail upon the Mohammedans: it is not true in matter of fact. We must not give up any article to gain them ; but then the Church of Rome ought to part with many practices and some doctrines. AVe are not to design to gain UW .Aioliammedans over to a system of TO THE READER. ix dogma, but to the ancient and primitive faith. I believe nobody will deny but that the rules here laid down are just: the latter part of the third, which alone my design has given me occasion to practise, I think so reasonable, that I have not, in speaking of Mohammed or his Koran, allowed myself to use those opprobrious appellations, and unmannerly expressions, which seem to be the strongest arguments of several who have written against them. On the contrary, I have thought myself obliged to treat both with common decency, and even to approve such particulars as seemed to me to deserve approbation: for how criminal soever Mohammed may have been in imposing a false religion on mankind, the praises due to his real virtues ought not to be denied him; nor can I do otherwise than applaud the candour of the pious and learned Spanhemius, who, though he owned him to have been a wicked impostor, yet acknowledged him to have been richly furnished with natural endowments, beautiful in his person, of a subtle wit, agreeable behaviour, showing liberality to the poor, courtesy to every one, fortitude against his enemies, and above all a high reverence for the name of God; severe against the perjured, adulterers, murderers, slanderers, prodigals, covetous, false witnesses, ;i great preacher of patience, charity, mercy, beneficence, gratitude, honouring of parents and superiors, and a frequent celebrator of the divine praises. Of the several translations of the Koran now extant, there is but one which tolerably represents the sense of the original; and that be- iiiLT ia Latin, a new version became necessary, at least to an English reader. What Bibliander published for a Latin translation of that hook deserves not the name of a translation; the unaccountable liberties therein taken, and the numberless faults, both of omission and commission, leaving scarce any resemblance of the original. It was made near six hundred years ago, being finished in 1143, by us Hetenensis, an Englishman, with the assistance of Herman- nus Dalmata, at the request of Peter, Abbot of Clugny, who paid them well for their pains. From this Latin ' ersion was taken the Italian of Andrea Arriva- bene, notwithstanding the pretences in his dedication of its being done immediately from the Arabic; wherefore it is no wonder if the transcript be yet more faulty and absurd than the copy. About the end of the fifteenth century. Johannes Andreas, a native of Xativa in the kingdom of Valencia, who from a Moham- x TO THE READER. Indian doctor became a Christian priest, translated not only the Koriin, but also its glosses, and the seven books of the Sonna, out of Arabic into the Arragonian tongue, at the command of Martin Garcia, Bishop of Barcelona and Inquisitor of Arragon. Whether this trans- lation were ever published or not I am wholly ignorant: but it may be presumed to have been the better done for being the work of ono bred up in the Mohammedan religion and learning; though hir refutation of that religion, which has had several editions, gives no great idea of his abilities Some years within the last century, Andrew du Ryer, who had been consul of the. French nation in Egypt, and was tolerably skilled in the Turkish and Arabic languages, took the pains to translate the Koran into his own tongue: Jbut his performance, though it be beyond comparison preferable to that of Retenensis, is far from being a just translation; there being mistakes in every page, besides frequent transpositions, omissions, and additions, faults unpardon- able in a work of this nature. And what renders it still more incom- plete is, the want of Notes to explain a vast number of passages, some of which are difficult, and others impossible to be understood, without proper explications, were they translated ever so exactly; which the author is so sensible of that he often refers his reader to the Arabic commentators. The English version is no other than a translation of Du Ryer's, and that a very bad one ; for Alexander Ross, who did it, being utterly unacquainted with the Arabic, and no great master of the French, has added a number of fresh mistakes of his own to those of Du Ryer; not to mention the meanness of his language, which would toake a better book ridiculous. In 1698, a Latin translation of the Koran, made by Father Lewis Marracci, who had been confessor to Pope Innocent XL, was published at Padua, together with the original text, accompanied by explanatory notes and a refutation. This translation of Marracci's, generally speaking, is very exact: but adheres to the Arabic idiom too literally to be easily understood, unless I am much deceived, by those who are not versed in the Mohammedan learning. The notes he haa added are indeed of great use; but his refutations, which swell the work to a large volume, are of little or none at all, being often un- satisfactory, and sometimes impertinent The wcrk, however, with, all its faults, is very valuable, and I should be guilty of ingratitude, TO THE READER. 3d did I not acknowledge myself much obliged thereto ; but still, being nv Latin, it can be of no use to those who understand not that tongue. Having therefore undertaken a new translation, I have endeavoured to do the original impartial justice; not having, to the best of my Knowledge, represented it, in any one instance, either better or worse than it really is. I have thought myself obliged, indeed, in a piece which pretends to be the AVord of God, to keep somewhat scrupulous- ly close to the text; by which means the language may, in some places, eeem to express the Arabic a little too literally to be elegant English: but this, I hope, has not happened often; and I natter myself that the style I have made use of will not only give a more genuine idea of the original than if I had taken more liberty (which would have been much more for my ease), but will soon become familiar: for we must not expect o read a version of so extraordinary a book with the same ease and pleasure as a modern composition. As I have had no opportunity of consulting public libraries, the manuscripts of which I have made use throughout the whole work have been such as I had in my own study, except only the Commen- tary of al Beidawi and the Gospel of St. Barnabas. The first belongs to the library of the Dutch church in Austin Friars, and for the use of it I have been chiefly indebted to the Reverend Dr. Bolten, one of the ministers of that church: the other was very obligingly lent me by the Reverend Dr. Holme, Rector of Hedley in Hampshire; and I take this opportunity of returning both those gentlemen my thanks for their favours. The merit of al Beidawi's commentary will appear from the frequent quotations I have made thence; but of the Gospel of St. Barnabas (which I had not seen when the little I have said of it in the Preliminary Discourse, and the extract 1 had borrowed from M. de la Monnoye and M. Toland, were printed off), I must bet' leave to give some further account. The book is a moderate quarto, in Spanish, written in a very legi- ble hand, but a little damaged towards the latter end. It contains two hundred and twenty-two chapters of unequal length, and four hundred and twenty pages; and is said, in the front, to be translated from the Italian, by an Arragouian Moslem, nameci Mostafa de Aranda. There is a preface prefixed to it, wherein the discoverer of the original MS., who was a Christian monk, called Fra Marino, tells us that having accidentally met with a writing of Ireuaeus (among others), wherein he speaks against fiU Paul, alleging, for his authority. xfl TO THE READER the Gospel of St. Barnabas, he became exceeding desirous to find this gospel ; and that God, of His mercy, having made him very in- timate with Pope Sixtus V., one day, as they were together in that Pope's library, his Holiness fell asleep, and he, to employ himsell, reaching down a book to read, the first he laid his hand on proved to be the very gospel he wanted : overjoyed at the discovery, he scru- pled not to hide his prize in his sleeve, and on the Pope's awaking, took leave of him, carrying with him that celestial treasure, by read ing of which he became a convert to Mohammedism. This Gospel of Barnabas contains a complete history of Jesus Christ from His birth to His ascension ; and most of the circumstances in the four real Gospels are to be found therein, but many of them turned, and some artfully enough, to favour the Mohammedan system. From the design of the whole, and the frequent interpola- tions of stories and passages wherein Mohammed is spoken of and foretold by name, as the messenger of God, and the great prophet who was to perfect the dispensation of Jesus, it appears to be a most barefaced forgery. One particular I observe therein induces me to believe it to have been dressed up by a renegade Christian, slightly instructed in his new religion, and not educated a Mohammedan (unless the fault be imputed to the Spanish, or perhaps the Italian translator, and not to the original compiler); I mean the giving to Mohammed the title of Messiah, and that not once or twice only, but in several places; whereas the title of the Messiah, or, as the Arabs write it, al Masih, i.e., Christ, is appropriated to Jesus in the Koran, and is constantly applied by the Mohammedans to Him. and never to their own prophet. The passages produced from the Italian MS. by M. de la Monnoye are to be seen in this Spanish version almost word for woul. But to return to the following work. Though I have freely censurec the former translations of the Koran, I would not therefore be sus pected of a design to make my own pass as free from faults: I air very sensible it is not; and I make ho doubt that the few who ar able to discern them, and know the difficulty of the undertaking, will give me fair quarter. I likewise flatter myself that they, ana all considerate persons, will excuse the delay which has happened In the publication of this work, when they are informed that it was carried on at leisure times only, and amidst the necessary avocations of a troublesome profession. / AL KORAN. CHAPTER I. ENTITLED, THE PREFACE, OB INTRODUCTION ; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. PRAISE be to God, the Lord of all creatures; the most merciful, the king of the day of judgment. Thee do we worship, and of thee do we beg assistance. Direct us in the right way, in the way of those to whom thou hast been gracious; not of those against whom thou art incensed, nor those who go astray. CHAPTER IL ENTITLED, THE COW; REVEALED PARTLY AT MECCA, AND PARTLY AT MEDINA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. M. There is no doubt in this book; it is a direction to the pious, who believe in the mysteries of faith, who observe the ap- pointed times of prayer, and distribute alms out of what we have bestowed on them; and who believe in that revelation, which hath been sent down unto thee, and that which hath been sent down unto the prophets before thee, and have rirm assurance in the life to come: these are directed by their Lord, and they shall prosper. As for the unbelievers, it will be equal to them whether thou admonish them, or do not admonish them; they will not believe. God hath sealed up their hearts and their hearing; a dimness covereth their sight, and they shall suH'er a giievous punishment. There are some who say, "\\ e believe in God and the last day, but are not really believers; they seek to deceive God, and those who do believe, but they de- ceive themselves only, and are not sensible thereof. There is an infirmity in their hearts, and God hath increased that infirmity ; and thev shall suiter a most painful punishment because they have dis- believed. When one saith unto them, Act not corruptly in the earth, they reply, Verily, we are men of integrity. Are not they them- selves corrupt doers? but they are not sensible thereof. And when 14 AL KORAN. one saith unto them, Believe ye as others believe ; they answer, Shaft we believe as fools believe? Are not they themselves fools? but they know it not. When they meet those who believe, they say, We believe: but when they retire privately to their devils, they say, We really hold with you, and only mock at those people: God shall mock at them, and continue them in their impiety; they shall waiider in con- fusion. These are the men who have purchased error at the pi ice of true direction : but their traffic hath not been gainful, neither have they been rightly directed. They are like unto one who kinclleth a fire, and when it hath enlightened all around him, God taketh away fheir light and leaveth them in darkness, they shall not see; they are fleaf, dumb, and blind, therefore will they not repent. Or like a stormy cloud from heaven, fraught with darkness, thunder, and light- ning, they put their fingers in their ears, because of the noise of the thunder, for fear of death; God encompasseth the infidels: the light- ning wanteth but little of taking away their sight; so often as it enlighteneth them, they walk therein, but when darkness comet h on them, they stand still; and if God so pleased, He would certainly deprive them of their hearing and their sight, for God is almighty. O men of Mecca ! serve your Lord who hath created you, and those who have been before you: peradventure ye will fear him; who hath spread the earth as a bed for you, and the heaven as a covering, and hath caused water to descend from heaven, and thereby produced fruits for your sustenance. Set notiip therefore any equals unto God, against your own knowledge. TT ye be in doubt concerning that revelation which we have sentdown unto our servant, produce a chapter like unto it, and call upon your witnesses, besides God, if ye say truth. But if ye do it not, nor shall ever be able to do it, justly fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the unbe- lievers. But bear good tidings unto those who believe, and do good works, that they shall have gardens watered by rivers; so often as they eat of the fruit thereof for sustenance, they shall say. This is what we have formerly eaten of; and they shall be supplied with several sorts of fruit having a mutual resemblance to one another. There shall they enjoy wives subject to no impurity, and there shall they continue for ever. Moreover God will not be ashamed to propound in a parable a gnat, or even a more despicable thing: for they whc believe will know it to be the truth from their Lord; but the un- believers will say, What meaneth God by this parable? he will there- by mislead many, and will direct many thereby: but he will not mis- lead any thereby, except the transgressors, who make void the cove- nant of God after the establishing thereof, and cut in sunder that which God hath commanded to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth: they shall perish. How is it that ye believe not in God? Since ye were dead, and he gave you life; he will hereafter cause you to die, and will again restore you to life; then shall ye return unto him. It is he who hath created for you whatsoever is on earth, and AL KORAN. W, then set his mind to the creation of heaven, and formed it into seven heavens; he knoweth all things. When thy Lord said unto the angels, I am going to place a substitute on earth, they said. Wilt thou place there one who will do evil therein, and shed blood? but we celebrate thy praise, and sanctify thee. God answered, Verily I know that which ye know not; and he taught Adam the names of all things, and then proposed them to the angels, and said, Declaie unto me the names of these things if ye say truth. They answered, Praise lie unto thee, we have no knowledge but what thou teachest as, for thou art knowing and wise. God said, O Adam, tell them their names. And when he had told them their names, God said, Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and know that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal? And when we said unto the angels, Worship Adam, they all worshipped him except Eblis, who refused, and was puffed up with pride, and became of the number of unbelievers. And we said, O Adam, dwell thou and thy wife in the garden, and eat of the fruit thereof plenti- fully wherever ye will; but approach not this tree, lest ye become of the number of the transgressors. But Satan caused them to for- feit paradise, and turned them out of the state of happiness wherein they had been ; whereupon we said, Get ye down, the one of you an enemy unto the other; and there shall be a dwelling-place for you on earth, and a provision for a season. And Adam learned words of prayer from his Lord, and God turned unto him, for he is easy to be reconciled and merciful. We said, Get ye all down from hence; hereafter shall there come unto you a direction from me, and who- ever shall follow my direction, on them shall no fear come, neither shall they be grieved; but they who shall be unbelievers, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they shall be the companions of hell tire, therein shall they remain for ever. O children of Israel, remember my favour wherewith I have favoured you; and perform your cove- nant with me, and I will perform my covenant with you; and revere me: and believe in the revelation which I have sent down, confirming that which is with you, and be not the first who believe not therein, nri'her exchange my signs for a small price; and fear me. Clothe not the truth with vanity, neither conceal the truth against your own knowledge; observe the stated times of praj'er, and pay your Jegal alms, and bow r down yourselves with those who bow down. "Will ye command men to do justice, and forget your own souls? y' ye read the book of the law: do ye not therefore understand? Ask help with perseverance and prayer; this indeed is grievous, unless to the humble, w r ho seriously think they shall meet their Lord, and that to him they shall return. O children of Israel, remember my favour wherewith I have favoured you, and that 1 have preferred you above all nations: dread the day wherein one soul shall not make sat- isfaction for another soul, neither shall any intercession be accepted from them. "^ r shall any compensation "be received, neither shah 1 M AITKORAR - ^ they be helped. Remember when we delivered yon from the people ^ of Pharaoh, who grievously oppressed you, they slew your male ) children, and let your females live: therein was a great trial from . your Lord. And when we divided the sea for you and delivered you and drowned Pharaoh's people while ye looked on. And when we treated with Moses forty nights; then ye took the calf for your God, and did evil; yet afterwards we forgave you, that peradventure ye might give thanks. And when we gave Moses the book of the law, and the distinction between good and evil, that peradventure ye might be directed. And when Moses said unto his people, O my people, verily ye have injured your own souls, by your taking the calf for yoiu God; therefore be turned unto your Creator, and slay those anio g you who have been guilty of that crime; this will be better for you in the sight of your Creator: and thereupon he turned unto you, for lie i.s easy to be reconciled, and merciful. And when ye said, O Mo>cs, we will not believe thee, until we see God manifestly; therefore a pun- ishment came upon you, while ye looked on ; then we raised you to life after ye had been dead, that peradventure ye might give thanks. And we caused clouds to overshadow you, and manna and quails to de- scend upon vou, saying, Eat of the good things which we have given you for food: and they injured not us, but injured their own souls. And when we said, Enter into this city, and eat of the provisions thereof plentifully as ye vrill; and enter the gate worshipping, and say, Forgiveness! we will pardon you your sins, and give increase unto the well-doers. But the ungodly changed the expression into another, different from what had been spoken unto them ; and we sent down upon the ungodly indignation from heaven, because they had transgressed. And when Moses asked drink for his people, we said, Strike the rock with thy rod; and there gushed thereout twelve fountains according to the number of the tribes, and all men knew their respective drinking-place. Eat and drink of the bounty of God, and commit not evil in the earth, acting unjustly. And when ye said, O Moses, we will by no means be satisfied with one kind of food; pray unto thy Lord therefore for us, that he would produce for us of that which the earth bringeth forth, herbs, and cucumbers, and garlic, and lentils, and onions; Moses answered, Will ye exchange that which is better, for that which is worse ? Get ye down into Egypt, for there shall ye find what ye desire : and they were smitten with vileness and misery, and drew on themselves indignation from God. This they suffered, because they believed not in the signs of God, and killed the prophets unjustly; this, because they rebelled and transgressed. Surely those who believe, and those who Judaize, and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believeth in God, and the last day, and doth that which is right, they shall have their rowan 1 with their Lord; there shall come no fear on them, neither sh;ili they be grieved. Call to mind also when we accepted your covenant. and. lifted up the mountain of Sinai over you, saying, Receive the !:i\\ AL KORAN. 17 which we have given you, with a resolution to keep it, and remember that which is contained therein, that ye may beware. After this ye again turned back, so that if it had not been for God's indulgence and mercy towards you, ye had certainly been destroyed. Moreover ye know what befell those of your nation who transgressed on the sabbath day; We said unto them, Be ye changed into apes, driven away from the society of men. And we made them an example unto those who were contemporary with them, and unto those who came after them, and a warning to the pious. And when Moses said unto his people, Verily God commandeth you to sacrifice a cow; they answered, Dost thou make a jest of us? Moses said, God forbid that I should be one of the foolish. They said, Pray for us unto thy Lord, that he would show us what cow it is. Moses answered, He saith, She is neither an old cow, nor a young heifer, but of a middle age between both: do ye therefore that which ye are com- manded. They said, Pray for us unto thy Lord, that he would gho\v us what eolour she is of. Moses answered, He saith, She is a red cow, intensely red, her colour rejoiceth the beholders. They said, Pray for us unto thy Lord, that he would further show us what cow it is, for several cows with us are like one another, and we, if God please, will be directed. Moses answered, He saith, She is a cow not broken to plough the earth, or water the field, a sound one, there is no blemish in her. They said, Now hast thou brought the truth. Then they sacrificed her; yet they wanted little of leaving it undone. And when ye slew a man, and contended among yourselves concerning him. God brought forth to light that which ye concealed. For we said, Strike the dead body with part of the sacrificed cow: so God raiseth the dead to life, and' showeth you his signs, that perad- venture ye may understand. Then were your hearts hardened after this, even as stones, or exceeding them in hardness: for from some stones have rivers bursted forth, others have been rent in sunder, and water hath issued from them, and others have fallen down for fear of God. But God is not regardless of that which ye do. Do ye therefore desire that the Jews sliould believe you? yet a part of them heard the word of God, and then perverted it, after they had under- stood it, against their own conscience. And when they meet the true believers, they say. We believe: but when they are privately as- sembled together, they say, Will ye acquaint them with what God hath revealed unto you, that they may dispute with you concerning it in the presence of your Lord? Do ye not therefore understand? Do not they know that Gc-d knoweth that which they conceal as well as that which they publish? But there are illiterate men among them, who know not the book of the law, but only lying stories, al- though they think otherwise. And woe unto them who transcribe corruptly the book of the law with their hands, and then say, This is from God : that they may sell it for a small price. Therefore woe unto them because of that which their .hands have written ; and woe 18 AL KORAN. unto them for that which they have gained. They say, The fire of hell shall not touch us but for a certain number of days. Answer, Have ye received any promise from God to that purpose? for God will not act contrary to his promise : or do ye speak concerning God that which ye know not? Verily whoso doth evil, and is cncom passed by his iniquity, they shall be the companions of hell fire, they shall remain therein for ever: but they who believe and do good works, they shall be the companions of paradise, they shall continue therein for ever. Remember also, when we accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall not worship any other except God, and ye shall show kindness to your parents and kindred, and to orphans, and to the poor, and speak that which is good unto men, and be constant at prayer, and give alms. Afterwards ye turned back, except a few of you, and retired afar off. And when we ac- cepted 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 assisting 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 who- so 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 God is not regardless of that which ye do. These are they who have purchased tins present life, at the price of that which is to come; wherefore their punishment shall not be miti- gated, 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 uncircumcised : but God hath cursed them with their in- fidelity, therefore few shall believe. And when a book came unto them from God, confirming the scriptures which were with them, al- though they had before prayed for assistance against those who be- lieved not, yet when that came unto them which they knew to be from God, they would not believe therein: therefore the curse of God shall be on the infidels. For a vile price have they sold their souls, that they should not believe in that which God hath sent down; out of envy, because God sendeth down his favours to such of his servants s he pleaseth: therefore they brought on themselves indignation on indiirnation; and the unbelievers shall suffer an ignominious punish- ment. When one saith unto them, Believe in that which God hath sent down: they answer, We believe in that which hath been sent down unto us: and they reject what hath been revealed since, al- AL KORAN. 19 though it be the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say, Why therefore have ye slain the prophets of God in times past, if ye be true believers? Moses formerly came unto you with evident signs, but ye afterwards took the calf for your god 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 God be prepared peculiarly 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: God knoweth the wicked doers; and thou shall 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 : God seeth that which they do. Say, Whoever is an en- emy to Gabriel (for he hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart, by the permission of God, confirming that which was before revealed, a direction, and good tidings to the faithful): whosoever is an enemy to God, or his angels, or his apostles, or to Gabriel, or Michael, verily God is an enemy to the unbelievers. And now we have sent down imto thee evident signs, and nciie will disbelieve them but the evil-doers. 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 God, confirming that scripture which was with them, some of those to whom the scriptures were given, cast the book of God 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 God'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 woeful is the price for which they have sold their souls, if they knew it. But if they had believed and feared God, verily the reward they would have had from God would have been heft IT, if they had known it. O true believers, say not to our apostle, Rain a; but say, Omlhorna; and hearken: the infidels shal' Miller a grievous punishment. It is not the desire of the unbelievers, cither among those unto whom the scriptures have been given, or among the idolaters, that any good should be sent down unto you 20 AL KORAN. from your Lord: out God will appropriate his mercy unto whom he pleaseth; for God 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 God is almighty? Dost thou not know that unto God belougeth the kingdom of heaven and earth? neither have ye any protector or helper except God. Will ye require of your apos'tle Recording 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 nave believed; out of envy from their souls, even after the truth is become manifest unto them; but forgive them, and avoid them, till God >hall send his command; for God is omnipotent. Be constant in prayer, and give alms; and what good ye have sent before for your souls, ye shall find it with God; surely God seeth that which ye do. They >ay, Verily none shall enter paradise, except they who are Jews or Chris- tian -: this is their wish. Say, Produce your proof of this, if ye speak truth. Nay, but he who resigneth himself to God, 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 -ay, The Christians 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 say- ing. But God shall judge between them on the day of the resurrec- tion, concerning that about which they now disagree. Who is more unjust than he who prohibiteth the temples of God, 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 God be- longeth the east and the west; therefore, whithersoever ye turn your- selves to pray, there is the face of God ; for God is omnipresent and omniscient. They say, God hath begotten children: God forbid! To him belougeth 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 God speak unto us, or thou show us a sign, we will not believe. Bo said those before them, according to their say- ing: 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 shall not lie questioned concerning the companions of hell. But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither the Christians, until thou follow their religion; say, The direction of God is the true direction. And verily if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which bath been given thee, thou shall find no patron or protector against God They to whom we have given the book of the Koran, and who read it with its true reading, they believe therein; and whoever believe! 1) AL KORAN. 21 HOT therein, they shall perish. O children of Israel, remember my favour wherewith 1 have favoured 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 a.-cepted from them, nor shall any intercession avail, neither shall they be helped. Kenieinl>er when the Lord tried Abraham by certain words, which he fulfilled: God said, Verily I will constitute thee a model of religion unto mankind; he answered. And also of my posterity: God said, My covenant doth not comprehend the ungodly. And when we appointed the holy house of Mecca to be the 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 and Ismael, that they should cleanse my house for those who should compass it, and those who should be devoutly assiduous 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 God and the last day; God answered, And whoever believeth not, I will bestow on him little, afterwards I will drive him to the punishment of hell fire ; an ill journey shall it be! And when Abraham and Ismael raised the foun- dations of the house, saying, Lord, accept it from us, for thou art he who heareth and kuoweth: 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 rec- onciled, and merciful: Lord, send them likewise an apostle from among them, who may declare thy signs unto them; and teach them the book of theKorfin and wisdom, and may purify them; for thou art mighty and wise. 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, say- ing. My children, verily God hath chosen this religion for you, there- fore 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 God, and the God of thy fathers," Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, one God, and to him will we be resigned. That people are now passed 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 or- thodox, who was no idolater. Say, We believe in God, 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, aad that which was delivered unto Moses, and Jesus, aiid that 23 AL KORAN. which was delivered unto the prophets from their Lord: "We make no distinction between any of them, and to God are we resigned. Now r if they believe according to what ye believe, they are surely directed, but if they turn back, they are in schism. God shall sup- port thee against them, for he is the hearer, the wise. The baptism of God have we received, and who is better than God to baptize? him do we worship. Say, Will ye dispute with us concerning God, who is our Lord, and your Lord ? we have our works, and ye have your works, and unto him are we sincerely devoted. "Will ye say, Truly Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say, Are ye wiser, or God? And who is more unjust than he who hideth the testimony which he hath received from God? But God is not regardless of that which ye do. That people air passed 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. (II.) The foolish men will say, What hath turned them from their Keblah, towards which they formerly prayed? Say. Unto God belongeth the east and the west: he directeth whom he please th into the right way. Thus have we placed you, O Arabians, an inter- mediate nation, that ye may be witnesses 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 f olloweth the apostle, from him who turneth back on his heels; though this change seem a great matter, unless unto those whom God hath directed. But God will not render your faith of none effect ; for God 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. God 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 un- godly. 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, there- fore thou shalt not doubt. Every >-ct 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, God will bring you all back at the resurrection, for God is almighty. And from whalt place soever thou comest fcrth, turn thy face towards the holy k'lnple: for this is truth from thy Lord; neither is God regardless of that which ye do. From what place soever thou comest forth, turn thy 1'ace towards the holy AL KORAN. 33 temple; and wherever ye be, thitherward turn your faces, lest men have matter of dispute against you ; but as for those among them who lire 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 uiito you an apostle from among you, to rehearse our signs unto you, and to purify you, and to teach you the book of the KorSn and wisdom, and to teach you that which ye knew not: therefore re- member me, and I will remember you, and give thanks unto me, and be not unbelievers. O true believers, beg assistance with patience and prayer, for God is with the patient. And say not of those who are slain in fight for the religion of God, 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 bef alleth them, say, We are God'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 God: who- ever therefore goeth on pilgrimage to the temple of Mecca or visiteth it, it shall be no crime in him if he compass them both. And as for him who voluntarily performeth a good work; verily God 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, God shall curse them; and they who curse ehal! curse them. 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 God, 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 God is one God, there is no God 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 God 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 God, and love them as with the love due to God; but the true be- lievers are more fervent in love towards God. Oh that they who act mjustly did perceive, when they behold their punishment, that all power belongeth unto God, aiid that he is severe in punishing! iVhen those who have been followed, shall separate themselves from their followers, and shall see the punishment, and the cords of rela- tion between them shall be cut in sunder; the followers shall say, If we could return to life, we would separate ourselves from them, as \heyhave now separated, tlieuiselves_from us. So God will show 24 AL KORAN. them their works; they shall sigh grievously, and shall not come forth from the fire of hell. 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 God which ye know not. And when it is said unto them who believe not, Follow that which God hath sent down; they answer, Nay, but we will follow that which we found our fathers practise. What? though their fathers knew noth- ing, and were not rightly directed? The unbelievers are like unto one who crieth aloud to 'that which heareth not so much as his call- ing, or the sound of his voice. They are deaf, dumb, and blind, therefore they do not understand. O true believers, eat of the good ^nings which we have bestowed on you for food, and return thanks unto God, if ye serve him. Verily lie hath forbidden you to eat that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that on which any other name but God's hath been invocated. But he who is forced by" necessity, not lusting, nor returning to transgress, it shall be no crime in him if he eat of those things, for God is gracious and merci- ful. Moreover they who conceal any part of the scripture which God hath sent down unto them, and sell it for a small price, they shall swallow into their bellies nothing but fire; God 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 God sent down the book of the Koran with truth, and they who disagree concerning that book, are certainly in a wide mis- take. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces in prayer to- wards the east and the west, but righteousness is of him who believcth in God and the last day, and the angels, and the scriptures, and the prophets; who giveth money for God'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 God. O true believers, the law of re- taliation 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, mav 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 of retaliation ye have life, O ye of understanding, that peradventure ye may fear. 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 AL KORAN. 25 tc what shall be reasonable. This is a duty incumbent on those who fear God But he who shall change the legacy, after he hath heard it i bequeathed by the dying person, surely the sin thereof shall be on thos" ' who change it, for God is he who heareth and knoweth. Howbeit hv who apprehendeth from the testator any mistake or injustice, and shah compose the matter between them, that shall be no crime in him, for God is gracious and merciful. O true believers, a fast is ordained you, as it was ordained unto those before you, that ye may fear God. 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 Ra- madttn shall ye fast, in which the Koran was sent down from heaven, a direction unto men, and declarations of direction, and the distinc- tion between good and evil. Therefore let him among you who shall be present in this month, fast the same month; but ne who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast the like number of other days. God would make this an* ease unto you, and would not make it a difficulty uutoyou; that ye may fulfil the number of days, and glorify God, 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 vou. and ye are a garment unto them. God knoweth that ye defraud yourselves therein, wherefore he turneth unto you, and forgiveth you. Is'ow therefore go in unto them; and earnestly desire that which God ordameth 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 God, therefore draw not near them to transgress them Thus God deciareth his signs unto men, :hat ye may fear him. Consume not your wealth among yourselves -ii vain; nor present it unto judges, that ye may devour part of men's substance unjustly, against your own consciences. They will askthee concerning the phases of the moon. Answ.-r They are limes ap- pointed unto men, and to show the season of the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is not righteousness that ye enter your houses by the back part thereof, but righteousness is oi him who feareth God. Therefore enter your houses by their doors ; - and lear God, that ye may 1><; happy. And fight for the religion of God against those who light against you, but transgress not ;n attacking them tirst, for God lovetli not the transgressors. And kill them wherever ye find them, and turn them out of that whereof they have dispossessed you; f a temp- 26 AL KORAX. tatipn 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 the infidels. But if they desist, God is gracious and merciful. Fight therefore against them, until there be no temptation to idolatry, and the religion be God's: but if they desist, then let there be no hos- tility, except against the ungodly. A sacred month for a sacred month, and the holy limits of Mecca, if they attack you therein, do ye also attack them therein in retaliation; and whoever transgresseth against you by so doing, do ye transgress against him in like manner as he hath transgressed against you" and fear God, and know that God is with those who fear him. Contribute out of your substance towards the defence of the religion of God, and throw not yourselves with your own hands into perdition; and do good, for God loveth those who do good. Perform the pilgrimage of Mecca, and the visi- tation of God; and if ye be besieged, send that offering which shall be the easiest; and shave not your heads, until your offering reach- eth the place of sacrifice. But whoever among you is sick, or is troubled with any distemper of the head, must redeem the shaving his head by fasting, or alms, or some offering. When ye are secure from enemies, he who tcrrieth in- the visitation of the temple of Mecca until the pilgrimage, shall bring that offering which shall be the easiest. But he who findeth not anything to offer, shall fast three days in the pilgrimage, and seven when ye are returned : they shall be ten days complete. This is incumbent on him whose family shall not be present at the holy temple. And fear God, and know that God is severe in punishing. The pilgrimage must be performed in the known months; "whosoever therefore purposeth to go on pilgrim- age therein, let him not know a woman, nor transgress, nor quarrel in the pilgrimage. The good which ye do, God knoweth it. Make provision for your journey; but the best provision is piety: and fear me, O ye of understanding. It shall be no crime in you, if ye seek an increase from your Lord, by trading during the pilgrimage. And when ye go in procession from Arafat, remember God near the holy monument; and remember him for that he hath directed you, although ye were before this of the number of those who go astray. Therefore go in procession from whence the people go in procession, and ask pardon of God, for God is gracious and merciful. And A T hen ye have finished your holy ceremonies, remember God, ac- cording as ye remember your fathers, or with a more reverent eom- .Tiemoration. There are some men who say, O Lord, give us our portion in this world; but such shall have no portion in the next life: and there are others who say, O Lord, give us good in this world, and also good in the next world, and deliver us from the torment of hell fire They shall have a portion of that which they have gained: God is swift in taking an account. Remember God the appointed number of days; but if any hasle to depart from the valley of Mina in. AL KORAN. & two days, it shall be no crime in him. And if any tarry longer, it shall be no crime in him, in him who feareth God. Therefore fear God, and know that unto him ye shall be gathered. There is a man who causeth thee to marvel by his speech concerning this present life, and calleth God to witness that which is in his heart, yet he is most intent in opposing thee; and when he turneth away from thee, he hasteth to act corruptly iu the earth, and to destroy that which is sown, and springeth up: but God loveth not corrupt doing. And if one say unto him, Fear God; pride seizeth him, together with wick- edness; but hell shall be his reward, and an unhappy couch shall it be. There is also a man who selleth his soul for the sake of those things which are pleasing unto God; and God is gracious unto his servants. O true believers, enter into the true religion wholly, and follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your open enemy. If ye have slipped after the declarations of our will have come unto you, know that God is mighty and wise. Do the infidels expect less than that God should come down to them overshadowed with clouds, and the angels also'? but the thing is decreed, and to God shall all things return. Ask the children of Israel how many evident signs we have showed them; and whoever shall change the grace of God, after it shall have come unto him, verily God will be severe in punishing him. The present life was ordained for those who believe not. and they laugh the faithful to scorn ; but they who fear God shall be above them, and the day of the resurrection: for God is bountiful unto whom he pleaseth without measure. Mankind was of one faith, and God sent prophets bearing good tidings, and denouncing threats, and sent down with them the scripture in truth, that it might judle: but whoever among you shall turn back from his religion, and die an in ridel, their works shall be vain in this world and the next; they shall be the companions of hell fire, they shall remain therein for ever. But the}' who believe, and who fly for the sake of religion, and fight in God's cause, they sha 1 ! hope for the mercy of God"; for God is gracious and merciful. They will ask thee concerning wins and lots: Answer, In both there is great sin, and also some things of use unto men; but their sinfulness is greater than their use. They will ask thee also what they shall bestow in alms: Answer, What ye have to spare. Thus God showeth his signs unto you, that peradventure ye might seriously think of this present world, and of the next. They will also ask thee concerning orphans: Answer, To deal righteously with them is best; and if ye intermeddle with the management of what belongs to them, do them no wrong; they are your brethren: God knoweth the corrupt dealer from the righteous; and if God please, he will surely distress you, for God is mighty and wise. Marry not women who are idolaters, until they believe: verily a maid-servant who believeth is better than an idointress, although she please you more. And give not women who believe in marriage to the idolaters, until they believe; for verily a servant \\l\o is a true believer, is better than an idolater, though he please you more. They invite unto hell fire, but God inviteth unto paradise and pardon through his will, and declareth his signs unto men, that they may remember. They will ask thee also concerning the courses of women : Answer, They are a pol- lution: therefore separate yourselves from women in their courses, and go not near them until they be cleansed. But when they are cleansed, go in unto them as God hath commanded you, for God lov< th those who repent, and loveth those who are clean. Your wives are your tillage; go in therefore unto your tillage hi what manner soever ye will: and do first some act that may be profitable unto your souls; and fear God, and know that ye must meet him; and hear good tidings unto the faithful. Make not God the object of your oaths, that ye will deal justly, and be devout, and make peace among men; t'ot God is he who heareth and knoweth. God will not punish you for an inconsiderate word in your oaths; but he w.'ll punish you for that which your hearts have assented unto: God is merciful and gracious. They who vow to abstain from their wives, are allowed to wait four months; but if they go back from their vow, verily God is gracious and merciful; and if they resolve on a divorce, God is he who heareth and knoweth. The women who are divorced ?hall wait concerning themselves until they have their courses thrice, an:l it shall not IK- law ful for them to conceal that which God hath created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the last day; and their husbands will act AL KORAN. 29 more justly to living them back at this time, if they desire a recon- ciliation. Tin- women ought also to behave ti >wards (heir husbands in like manner as their husbands should behave towards them, accord- ing to what is just: but the men ought to have a superiority over them. God is mighty and wise. Ye may divorce your wives twice; and then either retain them with humanity, rr dismiss them with kind ness. But it is not lawful for you to take away anything of what ye have given them, unless both tear that they cannot oli.-erve the or- dinances of God. And if ye fear that they cannot observe the ordi- nances of God, it shall be no crime in either of them on account :>f that for which the wife shall redeem herself. These are the or dinauces of God; therefore transgress them not; for whoever trans- grevseth the ordinances of God, they are unjust doers. But if the husband divorce her a third ti:u , >.ie shall not be lawful for him again, until she marry a Dtlu-r husband. But if he also divorce her, it shall be no crime in t!i;-:n it' they return to each other, if they think they can observe the ordinances of God; and these are the ordinances of (Jo 1. in- declaretii them to people of understanding. But when ye divorce women, and they have fulfilled their pre scribed time, eith.T retain th -in with humanity, or dismiss them with kindness; and retain them not by violence, so that ye traus- gre>s; for he who doth this surely injureth his own soul. And make not the signs of God a jest: but remember God's favour towards you, and that he hath sent down unto you the book of the Koran, and wisdom, admonishing you thereby, and fear God, and know that God is omniscient. But when ye have divorced your wives, and they have fulfilled their prescribed time, hinder them not from marrying their husbands, when they have r.greed among them. selves according to what is honourable. This is given in admonition unto him among you who believetli in God, and the last day. This is most righteous for you, and most pure. God knoweth, but yo know not. Mothers after they are divorced shall give suck unto their children two full years, to him who desireth the time of giving suck to be completed; and the father shall be obliged to maintain them and clothe them in the mean time, according to that which shall be reasonable. Xo person shall be obliged beyond his ability. A mother -hall not be compelled to what is unreasonable on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child. And the heir of the father shall be obliged to do in like manner. But if they choose to wean the child before the end of two years, by common consent and on mutual consideration, it shall be no crime in them. And if ye have a mind to provide a nurse for your children, it shall be no crime in you, in case ye fully pay what ye offer her, according to that which is just. And fear God, and know that God seeth whatever ye do. Such of you as die, and leave wives, their wives must wait concern- ing themselves four months and ten days, and when they shall have fulfilled their term, it shall be no crime in you, for that which thef 8C AL KORAN. shall do with themselves, according to what is reasonable. God well Knoweth that which ye do. And it shall be no crime in you, whether ye make public overtures of marriage unto such women, within the said four months and ten days, or whether ye conceal such your designs in yours minds: God knoweth that ye will remember them. But make no promise unto them privately, unless ye speak honourable words; and resolve not on the knot of marriage, until the proscribed time be accomplished; and know that God knoweth that which is in your minds, therefore beware of him, and know ;hat God is gracious and merciful. It shall be no crime in you, if ye divorce your wives, so long as 3-6 have not touched them, nor settled any dowry on them. And provide for them (he who is at his ease must provide according to his circumstances, and he who is straitened according to his circumstances) necessaries, according to what shall be reasonable. This is a duty incumbent on the righteous. But if ve divorce them before ye have touched them, and have already settled a dowry on them, ye shall give them half of what ye have settled, unless they release any part, or he release part in whose hand the knot of marriage is; and if ye release the whole, it will approach nearer unto piety. And forget not liberality among you, for God seeth that which ye do. Carefully observe the appointed prayers, and the middle prayer, and be assiduous therein, with devotion towards God. But if ye fear any danger, pray on foot or on horse- back; and when ye are safe, remember God, how he hath taught you what as yet ye knew not. And such of you as shall die and leave wives, ought to bequeath O'^ii 1 wives a year's maintenance, without putting them out of theii nouses: but if they gc out voluntarily, it shall be no crime in you, for that which they shall do with them- selves, according to what shall be reasonable; God is mighty ar.d wise. And unto those who are dive reed, a reasonable provision is also due; this is a duty incumbent on those who fear God. Thus God declare th his signs unto you, that ye may understand. Hast thou not considered those who left their habitations (and they wire thousands) for fear of death? And God said unto them. Die; then he restored them to life, for God is gracious towards mankind ; but the greater part of men do not give thanks. Fight for the religion of God, and know that God is he who heareth and knoweth. AY ho is he that will lend unto God on good usury? verily he will double it unto him manifold; for God contracteth and exteudeth his hand as he pleaseth, and to him shall ye return. Hast thou not considered the assembly of the children of Israel, after the time of Moses; when they said unto their prophet Samuel, Set a king over us, that we may tight for the religion of God? The prophet answered, If ye are enjoined to go to war, will ye be near refusing to fight ? They answered, And what should ail vis that we should not fight for the religion of God, seeing we are dispossessed of our habitations, and, deprived of our children? But when they were enjoined to go to AL KORAN. 3\ war, they turned back, except a few of them: and God knew the ungodly. And their prophet said unto them, Verily God hath set Talut king over you: they answered, How shall he reign over us, seeing we are more worthy of the kingdom than he, neither is he possessed of great riches? Samuel said. Verily God hath chosen him before you, and hath caused him to increase in knowledge and stature, for God giveth his kingdom unto whom he pleaseth; God is bounteous and wise. And their prophet said unto them, Verily the jign of his kingdom shall be, that the ark shall come unto you: therein shall be tranquillity from your Lord, and the relics which have been left by the family of Moses, and the family of Aaron; the angels shall bring it. Verily this shall be a sign unto you, if ye believe. And when Talut departed with his soldiers, he said, Verily God will prove you by the river: for he who driuketh thereof, shall noi be on my side (but he who shall not taste thereof he shall be on my side) except he who drinketh a draught out of his hand. And they drank thereof, except a few of them. And when they had passed the river, he and those who believed with him, they raid, We have no strength to-day against Jalut and his forces. But they who considered that they should meet God at the resurrection, said, How often hath a small army discomfited a great army, by the will of God? and God is with those who patiently persevere. And when they went forth to battle against Jalut and his forces, they said, O Lord, pour on us patience, and confirm our feet, and help us against the unbelieving people. Therefore they discomfited them, by the will of God, and David slew Jalut. And God gave him the king- dom and wisdom, and taught him his will; and if God had not prevented men, the one by the other, verily the earth had been corrupted: but God is beneficent towards his creatures. These are the signs of God: we rehearse them unto thee with truth, and thou art surely one of those who have been sent by Gcd. (III.) These are the apostles; we have preferred some of them before others: some of them hath God spoken unto, and hath exalted the degree of others of them. And we gave unto Jesus the son of Mary manifest signs, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. And if God had pleased, they who came after those apostles would not have con- tended among themselves, after manifest signs had been shown unto them. But they fell to variance ; therefore some of them believed, and some of them believed not; and if God had so pleased, they would not have contended among themselves, but God doth what he will. O true believers, give alms of that which we have bestowed on you, before the day cometh wherein there shall be no merchan- dizing, nor friendship, nor intercession. The infidels are unjust doers. God! there is no God but he; the living, the self-subsisting: neither slumber nor sleep seizeth him; to him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven, and on earth. Who is he that can intercede with him, but through his good pleasure? He knoweth that which is past, and 32 AL KORAX that which is to come unto them, and they shall not comprehend anything of his knowledge, but so far as he pleaseth. His throne is extended over heaven and earth, and the preservation of both is no burden unto him. He is the high, the mighty. Let there be no violence in religion. Xow is right direction manifestly distinguished from deceit: whoever therefore shall deny Tagut, and believe in God, he shall surely take hold on a strong handle, which .-hail not be broken; God is he who heareth and seeth. God is the patrcn of those who believe; he shall lead them out of darkness into light: but as to those who believe not, their patrons are Tagut; they shall ieaf th3m from the light into darkness; they shall be the companions o hell fire, they shall remain therein for ever. Hast thou not con sidered him who disputed with Abraham concerning his Lord. because God had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said. My Lord is he who giveth life, and killeth: he answered, I give life. and I kill. Abraham said, Verily God bringeth the sun from the east, now do thou bring it from the west. Whereupon the infidel was confounded; for God directeth not the ungodly people. Or hast thou not considered how he behaved who passed by a city which had been destroyed, even to her foundations? He said, How shall God quicken this city, after she hath been dead? And God caused him to die for an hundred years, and afterwards raised him to iii-3. And God said, How long hast thou tarried here? He answered, A day, or part of a day. God said. Nay, thou has tarried here an hundred years. Now look on thy food" and thy drink, they are not yet cor- rupted- and look on thine ass: and this have we dore that we might make thee a sign unto men. And look on the bones of thine ass, how we raise them, and afterwards clothe them with flesh. And when this was shown unto him, he said, I know that God is able to do all things. And when Abraham said. (.) Lord, show me how thou wilt raise the dead; God said. Dost thou not yet believe? He answered, Yea; but I ask this that my heart may rest at ease. God said, take therefore four birds, and divide them; then lay a part of them on every mountain; then call them, and they shall come swiftly unto thee: and know that God is mighty and wise. The similitude of those who lay out their substance for advancing the religion of God, is as a grain of corn which produceth seven ears, and in every ear an hundred grains; for God giveth twofold unto whom he please th. God is bounteous and wise. They who lay out their substance for the religion of God, and afterwards follow not what they have so laid out by reproaches or mischief, they shall have their reward with their Lord; upon them shall no fear come, neither shall they be gneved. A fair speech, and to forgive, is better than alms followed by mischief. God is rich and merciful. O true believers, make not your alms of none effect by reproaching, or mischief, as he wh< layeth out what he hath to appear unto men to give alms, and believ- etii not in God and the last day. The likeness of such a cue '. AL KORAN. 33 flint covered with earth, on which a violent rain falleih, and leaveth it hard. They cannot prosper in anything which they have gained, for God directeth not the unbelieving people. And the likeness of those who lay out their substance from a desire to please God. and tor an establishment for their souls, is as a garden OR a hill, on which i violent rain falleth, and it bringeth forth its fruits twofold; and if H violent rain falleth not on it, yet the dew falleth rhereon: and God' seeth that which ye do. Doth any of you desire to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, through which rivers flow, wherein he may have all kinds of fruits, and that he ma}' attain to old age. and have a weak offspring? then a violent fiery wind shall strike it. so that it shall be burned. Thus God declareth his signs unto you, that ye may consider. O true believers, bestow alms of the uuud things which ye have gained, and of that which we have produced for you out of the earth, and choose not the bad thereof, to give it in alms, such as ye would not accept yourselves, otherwise than by conniv- ance: and know that God is rich and worthy to be praised. The devil threateneth you with poverty, and commandeth you filthy covetousness; but God promiseth you pardon from himself and abundance: God is bounteous and wise. He giveth wisdom unto whom he pleaseth; and he unto whom wisdom is given, hath received much good: but none will consider, except the wise of heart. And whatever alms ye shall give, or whatever vow ye shall vow, verily God knoweth it; but the ungodly shall have none to help them. If ye make your alms to appear, it is well ; out if ye conceal them, and give them unto the poor, this wiii be oetter for you, and will atone for your sins: and God is well informed of that which ye do. The direction of them belongeth not unto thee; but God directeth whom he pleaseth. The good that ye shall give in alms shall redound unto yourselves; and ye shall not give unless out of desire of seeing the face of God. And what good thing ye shall give in alms, it shall be repaid you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly; unto the poor who are wholly employed in lighting for the religion of God, and cannot go to and fro in the earth; whom the ignorant man thinketh rich, because of their modesty: thou shall know them by this mark, they ask not men with importunity; and what good ye shall give in alms, verily God knoweth it. They who distribute alms of their substance night and day, in private and in public, shall have their reward with the Lord ; on them snail no fear come, neither shall they be grieved. They who devour usury shall not arise from the dead, but as he ariseth whom Satau hath infected by a touch: this shall happen to them because they say, Truly se'ling is but as usury: and yet God hath permitted selling'ana forbidden usury. He therefore who when there cometh unto him an admoni- tion from his Lord, abstaineth from usury for the future, shall have what is past forgiven him, and his affair belongeth unto God. But whoever returneth to usury, they shall be the companies of hell 84 AL KORAN. fire, they shall continue therein for ever. God shall take his blessing from usury, and shall increase alms: for God loveth no infidel, or ungodly person. But they who believe and do that which is right, and observe the stated times of prayer, and pay their legal alms, they shall have their reward with their Lord : there shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be grieved. O true believers, fear God, and remit that which remaineth of usury, if ye really believe; but if ye do it not, hearken unto war, which is declared against you from God and his apostle: yet if ye repent, ye shall have the capital of your money. Deal not unjustly with others, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly. If there be any debtor under a difficulty of paying his debt, let his creditor wait till it be easy for him to do it ; but if ye remit it as alms, it will be better for you, if ye knew it. And fear the day wherein ye shall return unto God; then shall every soul be paid what it hath gained, and they shall not be treated unjustly. O true believers, when yt bind yourselves one to the other in a debt for a certain time, write it down"; and let a writer write between you according to justice, and let not the writer refuse writing according to what God hath taught him; but let him write, and let him who oweth the debt dictate, and let him fear God his Lord, and not diminish aught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt be foolish, or weak, or be not able to dictate himself, let his agent dictate according to equity; and call to witness two witnesses of your neighbouring men ; but if there be not two men, let there be a man and two women of those whom ye shall choose for witnesses: if one of those women should mistake, the other of them will cause her to recollect. And the witnesses shall not refuse, whensoever they shall be called. And disdain not to write it down, be it a large debt, or be it a small one, until its time of payment: this will be more just in the sight of God, and more right for bearing witness, and more easy, that ye may not doubt. But if it be a pres- ent bargain which ye transact between yourselves, it shall be no crime in you, if ye Avrite it not down. And take witnesses when ye sell one to the other, and let no harm be done to the writer, nor to the witness; which if ye do, it will surely be injustice In you: and fear God, and God will instruct you, for God kuoweth all things. And if ye be on a journey, and find no writer, let pledges be taken : but if one of you trust the other, let him who is trusted return what he is trusted with, and fear God his Lord. And conceal not the testimony, for he who concealeth it hath surety a wicked heart: God knoweth that which ye do. Whatever is in heaven and on earth is God's; and whether ye manifest that which is in your minds, or con- ceal it, God will call you to account for it, and will forgive whom he pleaseth, and will punish whom he pleaseth; for God is almighty. The apostle believeth in that which hath been sent down unto him from his Lord, and the faithful also. Every one of them believeth in God, and his angels, and his scriptures, and his apostles: we make no distinction at an between his apostles. And they say, We hav AL KORAN. 35 heard, and do obey: we implore thy mercy, O Lord, for unto thee must we return. God will not force any soul beyond its capacity. it shall have the good which it gaineth, ard it shall suffer the evil which it gaineth. O Lord, punish us not, if we forget, or act sin- fully: O Lord, lay not on us a burden like that which thou hast laid on those who have been before us; neither make us, O Lord, to bear what we have not strength to bear, but be favourable unto us, and spare us, and be merciful unto us. Thou art our patron, help U3 therefore against the unbelieving nations. CHAPTER III. ENTITLED, THE FAMILY OF IMRAN ; REVEALED AT MEDINA. IN THE NAME OP THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. .V L. M. There is no God but God. the living, the self-subsisting: He hath sei^ down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, continuing that which was revealed before it; for he had formerly sent down the law and the gospel, a direction unto men; and lie had also sent down the distinction between good and evil. Verily those who believe not the signs of God, shall suffer a grievous punishment; for God is mighty, able to revenge. Surely nothing is hidden from God, of thai which is on earth, or in heaven: it is he who formethyou in the wombs, as he pleaseth ; there is no God but he, the mighty, the wise. It is he who hath sent down unto thee the book, wherein are some verses clear to be understood, they are the foundation of the book; and others are parabolical. But they whose hearts are perverse wil! follow that which is parabolical therein, out of love of schism, an(J a desire of the interpretation thereof; yet none knoweth the interpre- tation thereof, except God. But they who are well grounded in knowledge say, We believe therein, the whole is from our Lord; and none will consider except the prudent. O Lord, eaue swift in bringing him to account. If they dispute with thec, say, I have resigned myself unto God, and he who followeth me doth the same: and say unto them who have received the scriptures, and to the ignorant, Do ye profess the religion of Islam ? ^sow if they embrace IslAm. they are surely directed: but if they turn their hack-, verily unto thee belongeth preaching only; for God regardeth h vants And unto those who believe not in the signs of God, and slay the prophets without a cause, and put those men to death who teach justice; denounce unto them a painful punishment. These are they whose works perish in this world, and in that which is to come-; and they shall have none to help them. I last thou not observed those unto whom part of the scripture was given ? They were called unto the book of God, that it might judge between them; then some of them turned their backs, and retired afar off. This they did because they said, The fire of hell shall by no means touch us, but for a certain number of days: and that which they had falsely devised, hath deceived them in their religion. How thi-n will it be with them, when we shall gather them together at the day of judgment, of which there is no doubt; and every soul shall be paid that which it hath gained, neither shall they be treated unjustly? Say, () God, wh. the kingdom; thou givest the kingdom unto whom thou wilt, and thou tafcest away the kingdom from whom thou wilt: thou e>.al<< -t whom thou wilt "and thou humblest whom thou wilt: in thy hand i> good, for thou art almighty. Thou makest the night to succeed the da} - : thou bringest forth the living out of the 'lead, and thou brinnc-t forth the dead out of the living; and provides! food for whom Hum wilt without measure. Let not the faithful take the infidels for then" AL KORAN. 37 protectors, rather than the faithful : he who doth this shall not be protected of God at all; unless ye fear any danger from them: but God warncth you to beware of himself; for unto God must ye return. Say, \Vhetherye conceal that which is in your breasts, or whether ye declare it, God knoweth it: for he knoweth whatever is in heaven, and whatever is on earth: God is almighty. On the last day every soul shall find the good which it hath wrought, present; and the evil which it hath wrought, it shall wish that between itself and that were a wide distance: but God warneth you to beware of himself; for God is gracious unto his servants. Say, If ye love God, follow me: then God shall love you, and forgive you your sins; for God is gracious and merciful. Say. Obey God, and his apostle: but if ye go back, verily God loveth not the unbelievers. God hath surely chosen Adam, and 'Noah, and the family of Abraham, and the family of Inn-fin above the rest of the world'; a race descending the one from the other: God is he who heareth and knoweth. Remember when the wife of linran said, Lord, verily I have vowed unto thee that which is in my womb, to be dedicated to thy service: accept it therefore of me; for thou art he who heareth and knoweth And when she was delivered of it, she said. Lord, verily I have brought forth a female (and God well knew what she had brought forth), and a male is not as a female: I have called her Mary; and I commend her to thy protection, and also her issue, against Satan driven away with stones. Therefore the Lord accepted her with a gracious acceptance, and caused her to bear an excellent offspring. And Zacharias took care of the child; whenever Zacharias went into the chamber to her, he found pro- visions with her: and he said, O Mary, whence hadst thou this ? she answered. This is from God: f or God provideth for whom he pleaseth without measure. There Zacharias called on his Lord, and said, Lord, give me from thee a good offspring, for thou art the hearer of prayer." And the angels called to him, while he stood praying in the chamber, saying. Verily God promiseth thee a son named John, who shall bear witness to the Word which come th from God; an honorable person, chaste, and one of the righteous prophets. He answered. Lord, how shall I have a son, when old age hath overtaken me, and my wife is barren ? The angel said, So God doth that which he pleaseth. Zacharias answered, Lord, give me a sign. The angel said, Thy sign shall be, that thou shalt speak unto no man for three days, otherwise than by gesture: remember thy Lord often, and praise him evening and morning. And when Ihe angels said, O Mary, verily God hath chosen thee, and hath purified thee, and hath Chosen t'.iee" above all the women of the world: O Mary, be devout towards thy Lord, and worship, and bow down with those who bow down. This is a secret history: we reveal it unto thee, although thou wast not present with them when they threw in their rods to cast lots which of them should have the education of Mary: neither -(vast thou with them, when they strove among themselves. When the angels 38 AL KORAN. said, O Mary, verily God sendeth thce good tidings, that thou shalt bear the Word, proceeding from himself; his name shall be Christ Jesus the son of Mary, honourable in this world and in the world to come, and one of those who approach near to the presence of God ; and he shall speak unto men in the cradle, and when he is grown up ; and he shall be one of the righteous : she answered, Lord, how shall I have a son, since a man hath not touched me ? the angel said, So God createth that which he pleaseth: when he decreeth a thing, he only saith mi to it. Be, and it is: God shall teach him the scripture, and wisdom, and the law, and the gospel; and shall appoint him his apostle to the children of Israel; and he shall say, Verily I come unto you with a sign from your Lord; for I will make before you, of clay, as it were the figure of a bird; then I will breathe thereon, and it shall become a bird, by the permission of God : and I will heal him that hath been blind from his birth, and the leper: and I will raise the dead by the permission of God: and I will prophesy unto you what ye eat, and what ye lay up for store in your houses. Verily herein will be a sign unto you, if ye believe. And I come to confirm the Law which was revealed before me, and to allow unto you as law- ful, part of that which hath been forbidden you: and I come unto you with a sign from your Lord ; therefore fear God, and obey me. Verily God is my Lord, and your Lord : therefore serve him. This is the right way. But when Jesus perceived their unbelief, he said, Who will be my helpers towards God? The apostles answered, We will be the helpers of God; we believe in God, and do thou bear witness that we are true believers. O Lord, we believe in that which Hum hast sent down, and we have followed thy apostle-, write us down therefore with those who bear witness of him. And the Jews devised a stratagem against him; but God devised a stratagem against them; and God is the best deviser of stratagems. When God said, O Jesus, verily I will cause thee to die, and I will take thee up unto me, and I will deliver thee from the unbelievers; and I will place those who follow thee above the unbelievers, until the day of resurrection: then unto me shall ye return, and I will judge between you of that concerning which ye disagree. Moreover, MS for the infidels, I will punish them with a grievous punishment in 11. is world, and in that which is to come; and there shall be none to help them. But they who believe, and do that which is right, he shall give them their reward; for God loveth not the wicked doers. These signs and this prudent admonition do we rehearse unto thee. Verily the likeness of Jesiis in the sight of God is as the likeness of Ad::m: he created him out of the du.st, and then said unto him, Be: and he was. This is the truth from thy Lord; be not therefore one of those who doubt: and whoever shall dispute with thee coiiceni'm.-.: him, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, say unto them, Come, let us call together our sous, and your sous, and our wives, and your wives, and our selves, and your selves; then let us make AL KORAN. 89 imprecations, and lay the curse of God on those who lie. Verily this is a true history: and there is no God but one God; and God is most mighty, and wise. If they turn back, God well knoweth the evil- doers. Say, O ye who have received the scripture, come to a just determination between us and you; that we worship not any except God, and associate no creature with him; and that the one of us take not the other for lords, beside God. But if they turn back, say, Bear witness that we are true believers. O ye to whom the scriptures have been given, why do ye dispute concerning Abraham, since the Law and the Gospel were not sent down until after him? Do ye not there- fore understand? Behold ye are they who dispute concerning that which ye have some knowledge in; why therefore do ye dispute con- cerning that which ye have no knowledge of? God knoweth, but ye know not. Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian ; but he was of the true religion, one resigned unto God, and was not of the number of the idolaters. Verily the men who are the nearest of kin unto Abra- ham, are they who follow him; and this prophet, and they who be- lieve on him: God is the patron of the faithful. Some of those who have received the scriptures desire to seduce you ; but they seduce themselves only, and they perceive it not. O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye not believe in the signs of God, since ye are witnesses of them? O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye clothe truth with vanity, and knowingly hide the truth? And some of those to whom the scriptures were given, say, Believe in that which hath been sent down unto those who believe, in the beginning of the day, and deny it in the end thereof; that they may go back from their faith: and believe him only who followeth your religion. Say, Verily the true direction is the direction of God, that there may be given unto some other a revelation like unto what hath been given unto you. Will they dispute with you before your Lord? Say. Surely excellence is in the hand of God, he giveth it unto whom he pleaseth; God is bounteous and wise : he will confer peculiar mercy on whom he pleaseth ; for God is endued with great beneficence. There is of those who have received the scriptures, unto whom if thou trust a talent, he will restore it unto thee; and there is also of them, unto whom if thou trust a dinar, he will not restore it unto thee, unless thou stand over him continually with great urgency. This they do because they say, We are not obliged to observe justice with the heathen: but they utter a lie against God, knowingly. Yea; whoso keepeth his covenant, and feareth God, God surely loveth those who fear him. But they who make merchandise of God's cove- nant, and of their oaths, for a small price, shall have no portion in the next life, neither shall God speak to them or regard them on the day of resurrection, nor shall he cleanse them; but they shall suffer a grievous punishment. And there are certainly some of them, who read the scriptures perversely, that ye may think what they read to be really in the scriptures, yet it is not in the scripture; and they sp", 40 AL KORAN. This is from God; but it is not from God: and they speak that which is false concerning God, against their own knowledge. It is not lit for a man, that God should give him a book of revelations, and wis- dom, and prophecy; and then he should say unto men, Be ye wor- shippers of me, besides God ; but he ought to say, Be ye perfect in knowledge and in works, since ye know the scriptures, and exercise yourselves therein. God hath not commanded you to take the angels and the prophets for your Lords: AVill he command you to become infidels, after ye have been true believers? And remember when God accepted the covenant of the prophets, saying, This verily is the scrip- ture and the wisdom which 1 have given you: hereafter shall an apostle come unto you, confirming the truth of that scripture which is with you; ye shall surely believe on him, and ye shall assist him. God said, Are ye firmly resolved, and do ye accept my covenant on this condition? They answered, We are firmly resolved : God said, Be ye therefore witnesses; and I also bear witness with you: and whosoever turneth back after this, they are surely the transgressors. Do they therefore seek any other religion but God's? since to him is resigned whosoever is in heaven or on earth, voluntarily, or of force : and to him shall they return. Say, We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down unto us, and that which was sent down unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which was delivered to Moses, and Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord ; we make no distinction between any of them ; and to him are we resigned. Whoever followeth any other religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him : and in the next life he shall be of those who perish. How shall God direct men who have become infidels after they had believed, and borne witness that the apostle was true, and manifest declarations of the divine will had come unto them? for God directeth not the ungodly people. Their reward shall be, that on them shall fall the curse of God, and of angels, and of 'all mankind: they shall remain under the same for ever; their torment shall not be mitigated, neither shall they be regarded; except those who repent after this, and amend; for God is gracious and merciful. Moreover they who become infidels after they have believed, and yet increase in infidelity, their repentance shall in no wise be accepted, and they are those who go astray. Verily they who believe not, and die in their unbelief, the world full of gold shall in no wise be ac- cepted from any of them, even though he should give it for his ransom; they shall suffer a grievous punishment, and they shall have none to help them. (IV.) Ye will never attain unto righteousness until ye give in alms of that which ye love: and whatever ye give, God knoweth it. All food was permitted unto the children of Israel, except what Israel forbade unto himself before the Pentateuch was sent down. Say unto the Jews, Bring hither the Pentateuch and read it, if ye speak truth. Whoever therefore coutriveth a lie against God after this, they will be evil-doers. Say, God is true : follow ye there- AL KORAN. 41 i'ore the religion of Abraham the orthodox; for he was no idolater. Verily the first house appointed unto men to worship in was that which i.s in Becca; blessed, and a direction to all creatures. Therein are nanifest signs: the place where Abraham stood; and whoever enter- cih therein, shall be safe. And it is a duty towards God, incumbent on those who are able to go thither, to visit this house; but whosoever disbelieveth, verily God needeth not the service of any creature. Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye not believe in the signs of God? Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye keep back from the way of God him who believeth? Ye seek to make it crooked, and yet are witnesses that it is the right: but God will not be unmindful of what ye do. O true believers, if ye obey some of those who have received the scripture, they will render you in- fidels, after ye have believed: and how can ye be infidels, when the signs of God are read unto you, and his apostle is among you? But he who cleaveth firmly unto God, is already directed into* the right way. O believers, fear God with his true fear; and die not unless'ye also be true believers. And cleave all of you unto the covenant of God. and depart not from it, and remember the favour of God to- wards you: since ye were enemies, and he reconciled your hearts, and ye became companions and brethren by his favour: and ye were on the brink of a pit of fire, and he delivered you thence. Thus God declareth unto you his signs, that ye may be directed. Let there be people among you, who invite to the best religion; and command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil; and they shall be happy. And be not as they who are divided, and disagree in matters of religion, after manifest proofs have been brought unto them: they shall suffer a great torment. On the day of resurrection some faces shall become white, and other faces shall become black. And unto them whose faces shall become black, God will say, Have ye returned unto your unbelief, after ye had believed? therefore taste the punish- ment. for that ye have been unbelievers: but they whose faces shall become white shall be in the mercy of God, therein shall they remain for ever. These are the signs of God; we recite them unto thee with truth. God will not deal unjustly with his creatures. And to God beloimx'th whatever is in heaven and on earth; and to God shall all tilings return. Ye are the best nation that hath been raised up untq mankind: ye command that which is just, and ye forbid that which is unjust, and ye believe in God. And if they w'ho have received the scripture- had believed, it had surely been the better for them: there are believers among them, but the greater part of them are trans- gressors. They shall not hurt you, unless with a slight hurt; and if they right against you, they shall turn their backs to you, and they shall not be helped. They are smitten with vileness wheresoever they are found; unless they obtain security by entering into a treaty with God, and a treaty with men: and they draw on themselves in- dignation from God, and they are afflicted with poverty. This 42 AL KORAN. suffer, because they disbelieved the signs of God. and slew the prophets unjustly; this, because they were rebellious, and trans- gressed. Yet they are not all alike: there are of those -who have re- ceived the scriptures, upright people; they meditate on the signs of God in the night season, and worship; they believe in God and the last day; and command that which is just, and forbid that which in unjust, and zealously strive to excel in good works: these are of the righteous. And ye shall not be denied the reward of the good which ye do; for God knoweth the pious. As for the unbelievers, their wealth shall not profit them at all, neither their children, against God: they shall be the companions of hell fire; they shall continue therein for ever. The likeness of that which they lay out in this present life, is as a wind wherein there is a scorching cold: it falleth on the stand- ing corn of those men who have injured their own souls, and destroy- eth it. And God dealeth not unjustly with them, but they injure their own souls. O true believers, contract not an intimate friend ship with any besides yourselves: they will not fail to corrupt you. They wish for that which may cause you to perish: their hatred hath already appeared from out of their mouths, but what their br-.-asts conceal is yet more inveterate. We have already shown you signs of their ill will towards you, if ye understand. Behold, ye love them, and they do not love you : ye believe in all the scriptures, and when they meet you, they say, We believe; but when they assemble privately together, they bite their fingers' ends out of wrath against you. Say unto them, "Die in your wrath: verily God knoweth the innermost part of your breasts. If good happen unto you, it grieveth them; and if evil befall you, they rejoice at it. But if ye be path-nt, and fear God, their subtlety shall not hurt you at all ; for God com- prehendeth whatever they do. Call to mind when thou wenU-st forth early from thy family, that thou mightest prepare the faithful a camp for war; and God heard and knew it; when two companies of you were anxiously thoughtful, so that ye became faint-hearted ; but God was the supporter of them both; and in God let the faithful trust. And God had already given you the victory at Bedr, \\hen ye were inferior in number; therefore fear God, that ye may l,e thankful. When thou saidst unto the faithful, Is it not enough foi you, that your Lord should assist you with three thousand ai sent down from heaven? Verily if ye persevere, and fear God, and your enemies come upon you suddenly, your Lord will assist you with five thousand angels, distinguished "by their horses and attire. And this God designed only as good tidings for you that your hearts might rest secure . for victory is from God alone, the mighty, the wise. That he should cut off the uttermost part of the unbelievers, or cast them down, or that they should be overthrown and unsuccess- ful, is nothing to thee. It is no business of thine; whether God be turned unto them, or whether he punish them; they are surely unjust doers. To God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth : lx AL KORAN. 43 wftom he pleaseth, and he punisheth whom he pleaseth; for GuJ i \jierciful. O true believers, devour not usury, doubling it t\\vl'oic; ~iMi fear God, that ye may prosper: and fear the fire which is p.-epa.'cd for the unbelievers; and obey God, and his apostle, that ye nay obtain mercy. And run with emulation to obtain remission from your Loi-cl, and paradise, whose breath equalleth the heavens and the earth which is prepared for the godly; who give alms in pros- perity and adveisity; who bridle their anger and forgive men: for God loveth the beneficent, And who, after they have committed a crime, or dealt unjustly with their own souls, remember God, and ask pardon for their eins (for who forgiveth sins except God?)sand persevere not in wha! they have done knowingly: their reward shall be pardon from their Lord, and gardens wherein rivers flow, they shall remain therein iorever: and how excellent is the reward of those who labour! Time have already been before you examples of punishment of infidels, iherefore go through the earth, and behold H,-hat hath been the end of those who accuse God's apostles of imposture. This book is a declaration anto men. and a direction, and an admoni- tion to the pious. And be not dismayed, neither be ye grieved; for ye shall be superior to the u.ibdievers if ye believe. If a wound hath happened unto you in war, a like wound hath already happened unto the unbelieving people: and we cause these days of different success interchangeably to succeed each other among men; that God may know those who believe, and i.iay have martyrs from among you (God loveth not the workers cf iniquity); and that God might prove those who believe, and destroy the infidels. Did ye imagine that ye should enter paradise, when as jet God knew not those among you who fought strenuously in his cause; nor knew those who persevered with patience ? Moreover ye did sometime wish for death before that ye met it; but ye have now seea it, and ye looked on, but retreat- ed from it. Mohammed is no more than an apostle ; the other apostles have already deceased before him: if he die therefore.or be slain, will ye turn back on your heels? but he ul.o turneth back on his heels, will not hurt God at all: and God will surely reward the thankful. Xo soul can die unless by the permission of God, according to what is written in the book containing the determinations of things. And whoso chooseth the reward of this world, Ave will give him thereof: but whoso chooseth the reward of the world to come, we will give him thereof; and we will surely reward tne thankful. How many prophets have encountered those who had many myriads of troops: and yet they desponded not in their mind for what had befallen them in fighting for the religion of God, and were not weakened, neither behaved themselves in an abject manner? God loveth those who per- severe patiently. And their speech was no other than that they said, Our Lord forgive us our offences, and our transgressions in our busi- ness; and confirm our feet, and help us against the unbelieving peo- ple. And God gave them the reward f this world, and a glorious 44 AL KORAN. reward in the life to come ; for God loveth the well-doers. ye who believe, if ye obey the infidels, they will cause you to turn back on your heels, and ye will be turned back and perish: but God is your Lord; and he is the best helper. AVe will surely cast a dn-ad into the hearts of the unl)elievers, because they have associated with God that concerning which he sent them down no power: their dwelling shall be the fire of hell; and the receptacle of the wicked shall be mis- erable. God had already made good unto you his promise, when ye destroyed them by his permission, until ye became faint-hearted, and disputed concerning the command of the apostle, and were rebellious; after God had shown you what ye desired. Some of you chose this present world, and others of you chose the world to come. Then he turned you to fight from before them, that he might make trial of you (but he hath now pardoned you; for God is endued with beneficence toward the faithful); when ye went up as ye tied, and looked not back on any; while the apostle called you, in the uttermost part of you. Therefore God rewarded you with affliction on affliction, that ye be not grieved hereafter for the spoils which ye fail of, nor for that which be- falleth you; for God is well acquainted witli whatever ye do. Then he sent down upon you after affliction security ; a soft sleep which fell on some part of you; but other part were troubled by their own souls; falsely thinking of God a foolish imagination, saying. Will anything of the matter happen unto us? Say. Verily the matter belongeth wholly unto God. They concealed in their minds what they declared not unto thee; saying, If anything of the matter had happened unto us, we had not been slain here. Answer, If ye had been in your hou>es, verily they would have gone forth to fight, who.se slaughter was tie- creed, to the places where they died, and this came to pas* that <;ts. and might discern what was in your hearts; for God knoweth the innermost parts of the brea>i> of men. Verily they among you who turned their Lacks on the day whereon the two armies met each other at Ohod. Satan caused them to slip, for some crime which they had committed: but now hath God forgiven them; for God is gracious and merciful. () true believers. be not as they who believe not, and said of their brethren, when they had journeyed in the land or had been at war, If they had been with uSj those had not died, nor had these l>een slain: whereas what befell them was so ordained that God might make it matter of sighing in their hearts. God giveth life, and causeth to die: and God *eeth that which ye do. Moreover if ye be slain, or -lie in defence of the re- ligion of God; verily pardon from God, and mercy. i> better than what they heap together of worldly riches. And if ye die, or be slain, verily unto God shall ye be gathered. And as to the mercy granted unto the disobedient from God. them, () Mohammed, hast been mild to- wards them; but if thou hadst been severe and hard-hearted, they had surely separated themselves from about thee. Therefore forgive them. and ask pardon for them: and consult them in the affair of war: and AL KORAN. 45 after them hast deliberated, trust in God ; for God loveth those who trust in him. If God help you, none shall conquer you; bui if he desert you, who is it that will help you after him? Therefore in God let the faithful trust. It is not the part of a prophet to defraud, for lie who defraudeth, shall bring with him what he hath defrauded any one of, on the day of the resurrection. Then shall every soul be paid what he hath gained; and they shall not be treated un- ju-tly. Shall he therefore who followeth that which is well pleasing unto God. be as he who briugeth on himself wrath from God, and whose receptacle is hell? an evil journey sha 11 it be thither. There shall be degrees of rewards and punishments with God, for God seetb what they do. Now hath God been gracious unto the believers when he raised up among them an apostle of their own nation, who should recite his signs unto them, and purify them, and teach them the book of the Koran and wisdom: whereas they were before in manifest error. After :i misfortune hath befallen you at Ohod (ye had already obtained two euiial advantages), do ye say, Whence cometh this? Answer. This is from yourselves: for God is almighty. And what happened unto you, on the day whereon the two armies met, was certainly by the permission of God; and that he might know the faith- ful, and that he might know the ungodly. It was said unto them, Come, tight for the religion of God, or drive back the enemy: they answered, If we had known ye want out to fight, we had certainly fol- lowe you. They were on that day nearer unto unbelief than"they were to faith; they spake with their mouths what was not in the'" hearts: but God perfectly knew what they concealed; who said of their brethren, while Uu nisei ves stayed at home, if they had obeyed us, they liitd not been slain. Say, Then keep back death from yourselves, if ye say truth. Thou shall in no wise reckon those who have been slain at Onod in the cause of God, dead; nay, they are sustained alive with their Lord, rejoicing for what God of his favour hath granted them; and being glad for those who, coming after them, have not as yet overtaken them : be.'.ause there shall no fear come on them, neither shall they be grieved. They are filled with joy for the favour vhich they have received frum God, and his bounty; and for that God ouffereth not the reward of Cie faithful to perish* They who heark- ened unto God and his apostle, after a wound had befallen them at Ohod. such of them as do good works, and fear God, shall have a great reward; unto whom certain men said, Verily the men of Mecca have already gathered forces against you, be ye therefore afraid of them: but this increaseth their luith, and they said, God is our sup- port, and the most excellent patron. Wherefore they returned with favour from God. and advantage; no evil befell them: and they fol- lowed what was well pleasing unto God; for God is endowed with great liberality. Verily that devil would cause you to fear his friends: but be ye not afraid of them; but feat me, if ye be true believers. They shall not grieve thee, who emakmsly hasten unto infidelity; for 46 AL KORAK they shall never hurt God at all. God will not give them a part in the next life, and they shall suffer a great punishment. Surelj those who purchase infidelity with faith, shall by no means hurt God at all, but they shall suffer a grievous punishment. And let not the unbelievers think, because w T e grant them lives long and prosper- ous, that it is better for their souls : we grant them long and prosper- ous lives only that their iniquity may be increased; and they shall suffer an ignominious punishment. God is not disposed to leave the faithful in the condition which ye are now in, until he sever the wicked from the good; nor is God disposed to make you acquainted with what is a hidden >ecret, but God chooseth such of his apostle? a-^ he pleaseth, to reveal his mind unto: believe therefore in God, and his apostles; and if ye believe, and fear God, ye shall receive a great reward. And let not those who are covetous of what God of his bounty hath granted them, imagine that their avarice is better for them : nay, rather it is worse for them. That which thev have covet- ously reserved shall be bound as a collar about their neck, on the day of the resurrection : unto God belongeth the inheritance of heaven and earth; and God is well acquainted with what ye do. God hath a ready heard the saying of those who said, Verily God is poor, and w are rich: we will surely write down what they have said, and the slaughter which they have made of the prophets without a cause and we will say unto them, Taste ye the pain of burning. This shal they suffer for the evil which their hands have sent before them, and because God is not unjust towards mankind; who also say, Sureh God hath commanded us, that we should not give credit to any apostle, until one should come unto us with a sacrifice, which should be consumed by fire. Say, Apostles have already come unto you be fore me, with plain proofs, and with the miracle which ye mention: why therefore have ye slain them, if ye speak truth? If they accuse thee of imposture, the apostles before thee have also been accounted impostors, who brought evident demonstrations, ~nd the scriptures, and the book which enlightened the understanding. Every soul shall taste of death, and ye shall have your rewards on the day of resur- rection; and he who shall be far removed from hell fire, and shall be admitted into paradise, shall be happy: but the present life is only a deceitful provision. Ye shall surely be proved in your possessions, and in your persons; and ye shall bear from those unto whom the scripture was delivered before you, and from the idolaters, much hurt : but if ye be patient, and fear God, this is a matter that is abso- lutely determined. And when God accepted the covenant of those to whom the book of the law was given, saying, Ye shall surely pub- Jish it unto mankind, ye shall not hide it; yet they threw it behind their backs, and sold it for a small price; but woeful is the price for which they have sold it. Think not that they who rejoice at what they have" done, and expect- to be praised for what they have not done; think not, O prophet, that they shall escape from punishment^ AL KORAN. 47 for they shall suffer a -painful punishment : and unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth ; God is almighty. Now in the creation of heaven and earth, and the vicissitude of night and day, are signs unto those who are endued with understanding; who i* 1 - member God standing, and sitting, and lying on their sides; aui meditate on the creation of heaven and earth, saying, O Lord, tho'n hast not created this in vain; far be it from thee: therefore deliver us from the torment of hell tire: O Lord, surely whom thou shalt throw into the fire, thou wilt also cover with shame; nor shall the ungodly have any to help them. O Lord, we have heard a preacher inviting us to the faith, and saying, Believe in your Lord: and we believed. O Lord, forgive us therefore our sins, and expiate our evil deeds from us, and make us to die with the righteous. O Lord, give us also the reward which thou hast promised by thy apostles; and cover us not with shame on the day of resurrection; for thou art not contrary to the promise. Their Lord therefore answereth them, saying, I will not suffer the work of him among you who worketh to be lost, whether he be male or female: the one of you is from the other. They therefore who have left their country, and have been turned out of their houses, and have suffered for my sake, and have been slain in battle; verily I will'expiate their evil deeds from them, and I will surely bring them into gardens watered by rivers; a reward from God : and with God is the most excellent reward. Let not the pros- perous dealing of the unbelievers in the land deceive thee : it is but a slender provision ; and then their receptacle shall be hell ; an un- happy couch shall it be. But they who fear their Lord shall have gardens through which rivers flow, they shall continue therein for ever: this is the gift of God; for what is with God shall be better for the righteous than short-lived worldly prosperity. There are some of those who have received the scriptures, who believe in God, and that which hath been sent down unto you, and that which hath been sent down to them, submitting themselves unto God; they tell not the signs of God for a small price : these shall have their reward with their Lord; for God is swift in taking an account. O true believers, be patient, and strive to excel in patience, and be constant-minded. and fear God, that ye may be happy. CHAPTER IV. UJN TITLED, WOMEN; REVEALED AT MEDINA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. O MEX, fear your Lord, who hath created you out of one man, and out of him created his wife, and from them two hath multiplieu many men and women: and fear God by whom ye beseech one another; and respect women who have borne you, for God is watchii.g over you. And give the orphans when they come to age their sub- stance; and render them not in exchange bad for good: and devour not their substance, by adding it to your substance; for this is a great sin. And if ye fear that ye shall not act with equity towards orphans of the female sex, lake in marriage of such other women as please you, two, or three, or four, and not more. But if ye fear that ye cannot act equitably towards so many, marry one only, or the slaves which ye shall have acquired. This will be easier, that ye swerve not from righteousness. And give women their dowry freely; but if they voluntarily remit unto you an}- part of it, enjoy it with satisfac- tion and advantage. And give not unto those who are weak of un- derstanding, the substance which God hath appointed you to preserve for them; but maintain them thereout, and clot He them, and speak kindly unto them. And examine the orphans until they attain the age of marriage: but if ye perceive they are able to manage their affairs well, deliver their substance unto them; and waste it not ex- travagantly, or hastily, because they grow up. Let him who is rich abstain entirely from the orphan's estates; and let him who is poor take thereof according to what shall be reasonable. And when ye deliver their substance unto them, call witnesses thereof in their presence : God taketh sufficient account of your actions. Men ought to have a part of what their parents and kindred leave behind them when they die: and women also ought to have a part of what their parents and kindred leave, whether it be little, or whether it be much; a deter- minate part is due to them. And when they who are of kin are present at the dividing of what is left, and also the oprhans, and the poor; distribute unto them some part thereof ; and if the estate be too small, at least speak comfortably unto them. And let those fear to abuse orphans, who if they leave behind them a weak offspring, are solicitous for them: let them therefore fear God, and speak that which is convenient. Surely they who devour the possessions of orphans unjustly, shall swallow down nothing but fire into their bellies, and shall broil in raging flames. God hath thus commanded you con- cerning your children. A male shall have as much as the share of two females: but if they be females only, and above two in number, AL KORAN. 49 they shall have two third parts of what the deceased shall leave; ind if there be but one, she shall have the half. And the parents of thw deceased shall have each of them a sixth part of what he shall leave, if he have a child: but if he have no child, and his parents be his heirs, then his mother shall have the third part. And if he have brethren, his mother shall have a sixth part, after the legacies which he shall bequeath, and his debts be paid. Ye know not whether your parents or your children be of greater use unto you. This is an ordinance from God, and God is knowing and wise. Moreover ye may claim half of what your wives shall leave, if they have no issue; but" if they have issue, then ye shall have the fourth part of what they shall leave, after the legacies which they shall bequeath, and the del its be paid. They also shall have the fourth part of what ye shall leave, in case ye have no issue; but if ye have issue, then they shall have the eighth part of what ye shall leave, after the legacies which ye shall bequeath and vour debts be paid. And if a man or woman's .MIS istance be inherited by a distant relation, and he or she have a brother or sister; each of them two shall have a sixth part of the es- tate. But if there be more than this number, they shall be equal sharers in a third part, after payment of the legacies which shall be bequeathed, and the debts, without prejudice to the heirs. This is an ordinance from God: and God is knowing and gracious. These are the statutes of God. And whoso obeyeth God and his apostle, God shall lead him into gardens wherein rivers flow, they shall continue therein for ever; and this shall be great happiness. But whoso dis- obeyeth God and his apostle, and transgresseth his statutes, God shall cast him into hell fire; he shall remain therein for ever, and he thall suffer a shameful punishment. If any of your women be guilty of whoredom, produce four witnesses from among you against them, and if they bear witness against them, imprison them in separate apartments until death release them, or God affordeth them a way in r-rape. And if two of you commit the like wickedness, punish them both: but if they repent and amend, let them both alone; for God is easy to be reconciled and merciful. Verily repentance will be acepted with God, from those who do evil ignorantly, and then re- pent speedily; unto them will God be turned: for God is knowing and wise. But no repentance shall be accepted from those who do evil until the time when death presenteth itself unto one of them, and he saith, Verily, I repent now; nor unto those who die unbelievers; for them have we prepared a grievous punishment. O true believers, it is not lawful for you to be heirs of women against their will, nor to hinder them from marrying others, that ye may take away part of what ye have given them in dowry; unless they have been guilty of a manifest, crime: but converse kindly with them. And if ye hate them, it may happen that ye may hate a thing wherein God hath placed much good. If ye be desirous to exchange a wife for anothr wife, and ye have already given one of them a talent; take not awav. 50 AL KORAN. anything therefrom: will ye take it by slandering her, and doing her manifest injustice? And how can ye take it, since the one of you hath gone in unto the other, and the}' have received from you a firm covenant? Marry not women whom you fathers have had to wife (except what is already past): for this is uucleanness, and an abomi- nation, and an evil way. Ye are forbidden to marry your mother*, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your aunts both on the father's and on the mother's side, and your brother's daughters, and your sister's daughters, and your mothers who have given YOU suck, and your foster-sisters, and your wives' mothers, and your daughters- in-law which are under your tuition, born of your wives unto "whom ye have gone in (but if ye nave not gone in unto them, it shall be no sin in you to marry them), and the wives of your sons who proceed out of your loins; and ye are also forbidden to take to wife two sis- ters; except what is already past: for God is gracious and merciful. (V.) Ye are also forbidden to take to wife free women who are married, except those women whom your right hands shall possess as slaves. This is ordained you from God. "Whatever is beside this, is allowed you; that ye may with your substance provide wives for yourselves, acting that which is right, and avoiding whoredom. And for the advantage which ye receive from them, give them their reward, ac- cording to what is ordained: but it shall be no crime in you to make any other agreement among yourselves, after the ordinance shall be complied with; for God is knowing and wise. "Whoso among you hath not means sufficient that he may marry free women, who are believers, let him marry with such of your maid-servants whom your right hands possess, as are true believers; for God well knoweth your faith. Ye are the one from the other : therefore marry them with the consent of their masters; and give them their dower according to justice; such as are modest, not guilty of whoredom, nor entertaining lovers. And when they are married, if the}' be guilty of adultery, they shall suffer half the punishment which is appointed for the free women. This is allowed unto him among you, who feareth to sin by marrying free women; but if ye abstain from marrying slaves, it will be better for you; God is gracious and merciful. God is willing to de- clare these things unto you, and to direct you according to the ordi- nances of those who have gone before you, and to be merciful unto you. God is knowing and wise. God desireth to be gracious unto you ; but they who follow their lusts, desire that ye should turn aside from the truth with great deviation. God is minded to make his religion light unto you: for man was created weak. O true believ- ers, consume not your wealth among yourselves in vanity: unless there be merchandizing among you by mutual consent: neither slay yourselves; for God is merciful to wards you: and whoever doth this maliciously and wickedly, he will surely cast him to be* broiled in hell fire; and this is easy with God. If ye turn aside from the grievous sins, of those which ye are forbidden to commit, we will AL KORAN. 51 cleanse you from your smaller faults; and will introduce you into paradise with an honourable entry. Covet not that which God hath bestowed on some of you preferably to others. Unto the men shall be given a portion of what (hey shall have gained, and unto the women shall be given a portion of what they shall have gained: therefore ask God of his bounty; for God is omniscient. AVe have appointed unto every one kindred, to inherit part of what their parents and relations shall leave at their deaths. And unto those with whom your right hands have made an alliance, give their part of the inheritance; for God is witness of all things. Men shall have the pre-eminence above women, because of those advantages wherein God hath caused the one of them to excel the other, and for that which they expend of their substance in maintaining their wives. The honest women are obedient, careful in the absence of their hus- bands, for that God preserveth them, by committing them to the cure and protection of the men. But those, whose perverseness ve shall be apprehensive of, rebuke; and remove them into separate apartments, and chastise them. But if they shall be obedient unto you seek not an occasion of quarrel against them ; for God is hiirh and great. And if ye fear a breach between the husband and wife, send a judge out of his family, and a judge out of her family: if they shall desire a reconciliation, God will cause them to agree; for God is knowing and wise. Serve God, and associate no creature with him: and show kindness unto parents, and relations, and orphans, and the poor, and your neighbour who is of kin to you, and also your neighbour who is a stranger, and to your familiar compan- ion, and the traveller, and the captives whom your right hands shall possess; for God loveth not the proud or vainglorious, who are cov- etous, and recommend covetpusness unto men, and conceal that which God of his bounty hath given them (we have prepared a shamful punishment for the unbelievers); and who bestow their wealth in charity to be observed of men, and believe not in God, nor in the last day ; and whoever hath Satan for a companion, an evil companion hath he ! And what harm would befall them if they should believe in God and the last day and give alms out of that which God hath bestowed on them? since God knoweth them who do this. Verily God will not wrong any one, even the weight of an ant; and if it be a good action, he will double it, and will recompense it in his sight with a great reward. How will it be with the unbelievers when we shall bring a witness out of each nation against itself, and shall bring thee, () Mohammed, a witness against these people ? In that day they who have not believed, and have rebelled against the apostle of God, shall wish the earth was levelled with them; and they shall not be able to hide any matter from God. O true believers, come not to prayers when ye are drunk, until ye understand what ye say; nor when ye are polluted by emission of seed, unless ye be travelling on the road, uutii ye wash 'yourselves. But if ye be sick, or on a journey, or any 52 AL KORAX. of you come from easing nature, or have touched women, and find no water ; take fine clean sand and rub your faces and your hands therewith; for God is merciful and inclined to forgive. Hast thou not observed those unto whom part of the scripture A\as delivered ? they sell error, and desire that ye may wander from the right way ; but God well knoweth your enemies. God is a sufficient patron, and God is a sufficient helper. Of the Jews there are some who pervert words from their places; and .say, We have heard, and have disobeyed; and do thou hear without understanding our meaning, and look upon us: perplexing with their tongues, and reviling the true religion. But if they had said, We have heard, and do obe\ and do thou hear, and regard us: certainly it were better for them, and more right. But God hath cursed them by reason of their in- fidelity; therefore a few of them only >hall believe. O ye to whom the scriptures have been given, believe in the revelation which we have sent down, confirming that which is with you: before we de- face your countenances, and render them as the back parts thereof; or curse them, as we cursed those who transgressed on the sabbath day; and the command of God was fulfilled. Surely God will not pardon the giving him an equal ; but will pardon any other sin, ex- cept that, to whom he pleaseth: and whoso giveth a companion unto God, hath devised a great wickedness. Ha-t thou not observed those who justify themselves ? But God justifieth whomsoever he pleaseth, nor shall they be wronged a hair. Behold, how they im- agine a lie against God: and therein is iniquity sufficiently manifest. Ha>t thou not considered those to whom part of the scripture hath been given ? They believe in false gods and idols, and say of those who believe not, These are mere rightly directed in the way of truth than they who believe on Mohammed. Those are the men whom God hath cursed; and unto him whom God shall curse, thou shall surely find no helper. Shall they have part of the kingdom, since even then they would not bestow the smallest matter on men ? Do they envy other men that which God of his bounty hath given them ? We formerly gave unto the family of Abraham a book of revelations and wisdom ; and we gave them a great kingdom. There is of them who believeth on him; and there is of them who turneth aside from him : but the raging fire of hell is a sufficient punishment. Verily, those who disbelieve our signs, we will surely cast to be broiled in hell fire; so often as their skins shall be well burned, we will give them other skins in exchange, that they may taste the sharper tor ment; for God is mighty and wise. But those who believe and do that which is right, we will bring into gardens watered by rivers, therein shall they remain for ever', and there shall they enjoy wivo free from all impurity: and we will lead them into perpetual .-hades. Moreover God commamleth you to re>tore what ye are trusted with, to t lie owners: and when ye judge Ijetween men. that ye judire ac- cord in equity: and surely an excellent virtue it is to which God At exhorteth you; for God both heareth and seeth. true believers, obey God, and obey the apostle, and those who are in authority among you: and if ye differ in anything, refer it unto God and tlu apostle, if ye believe in God and the last day: this is better, and a fairer method of determination. Hast thou not observed those who pretend they believe in what hath been revealed unto thee. and what hath been revealed before thee ? They desire to go to judgment before Taghiit, although they have been com- manded not to believe in him; and Satan desireth to seduce them into a wide error. And when it is said unto them, Come unto the book which God hath sent down, and to the apostle; thou seest the ungodly turn aside from thee, with great aversion. But how will they behave when a misfortune shall befall them, for that which their hands have sent before them ? Then will they come unto thee, and swear by God, saying, If we intended any other than to do good, and to reconcile the parties. God kuoweth what is in the hearts of these men; therefore let them alone, and admonish them, and speak unto them a word which may affect their souls. We have not sent any apostle, but that he might be obeyed by the permission of God: but if they, after they have injured their own souls, come unto thee, and ask pardon of God, and the apostle ask pardon for them, they shall surely find God easy to be reconciled and merciful. And by thy Lord they will not perfectly believe, until they make thee judge of their controversies: and shall not afterwards find in their own minds any hardship in what thou shalt determine, but shall acquiesce therein with entire submission. And if we had com- manded them, siying. Slay yourselves, or depart from your houses; they would not have done it. except a few of them. And if they had done what they were admonished, it would certainly have been better for them, and more efficacious for confirming their faith; and we should then have surely given them in our sight an exceeding great reward, and we should have directed them in the right way. Whoever obeyeth God and the apostle, they shall be with those unto whom God hath been gracious, of the prophets, and the sincere, and the martyrs, and the righteous; and these are the most excellent company! This is bounty from God; and God is sufficiently know- ing. O true believers, take your necessary precaution against your enemies, and either go forth to war in separau: parties, or go forth all together in a bod}". There is of you who turrieth behind; and if a misfortune befall you. he saith. Verily God hath been gracious unto me, that I was not present with them: but if success attend you from God, he will say (as if there was no friendship between you and him), Would to God I had been with them, for I should have acquired great merit. Let them therefore fight for the religion of God, who part with the present life in exchange for that which is to come; for whosoever tighteth for the religion of God, whether he be slain, or be victorious, we will surely give him a great reward 54 AL KORAN. And what ails you, that ye fight not for God's true religion, and in defence of the weak among men, women, and children, who say, O Lord, bring us forth from this city, whose inhabitants are wicked; grant us from before thee a protector, and grant us from thee a de- fender. They who believe fight for the religion of God; but they who believe not fight for the religion of Taghiit. Fight therefore against the friends of Satan, for the stratagem of Satan is weak. Hast tliou not observed those unto whom it was said, Withhold your hands from war, and be constant at prayers, and pay the legal alms ? But when war is commanded them, behold, a part of them fear men as they should fear God, or with a greater fear, and say, O Lord, wherefore hast thou commanded us to go to war, and hast not suffered us to wait our approaching end ? Say unto them, The provision of this life is but small; but the future shall be better for them who feareth God; and ye shall not be in the least injured at the day of judgment. Wheresoever ye be. death will overtake you, although ye be in lofty towers. If good befall them, they say. This is from God; but if evil befall them, they say, This is from thee, O Mo- bammed: say, All is from God; and what aileth these people, that they are so far from understanding w r hat is said unto them ': Whatever good befalleth thee, O man, it is from God; and whatever evil befall- eth thee, it is from thyself. We have sent thee an apostle unto men, and God is a sufficient witness thereof. Whoever obeyeth the apos- tle, obeyeth God; and whoever turneth back, we have not sent thee to be a keeper over them. They say, Obedience: yet when they go forth from thee, part of them meditate by night a matter different from what thou speakest; but God shall write down what they med- itate by uight: therefore let them alone, and trust in God, for God is a sufficient protector. Do they not attentively consider the Koran? If it4iad been from any besides God, they would certainly have found therein many contradictions. When any news cometh unto them, either of security or fear, they immediately divulge it; but if they told it to the apostle and to those who are in authority among them, such of them would understand the truth of the matter, as inform them- selves thereof from the apostles and his chiefs. And if the favour of God and his mercy had not been upon you, ye had followed the devil except a few of you. Fight therefore for the religion of God, and oblL> notanyto what is difficult, except thyself: however, excite the faithful to war, perhaps God will restrain the courage of the unbelievers: for God is stronger than they, and more able to \ unish. lie who iiiter- cedeth between men with a good interccs.-ion shall have a portion thereof; and he who Interceded! with an evil inteice.-s-ion shall have a portion thereof; for God overlooketh ail things. When ye are saluted with a salutation, salute the person with a Letter salutation, >r at least return the same; for God taketh an account of all things; God! there is no God but he; he will surely gather you together on he day of resurrection; there is no doubt of it: and who is more true AL KORAN. 55 than God in what he saith? Why are ye divided concerning the un- godly into two parties; since God hath overturned them for what they have committed? Will ye direct him whcji God hath led astray ; since for him whom God shall lead astray, thou shall find no true path? They desire that ye should become infidels, as they are intidels, and that ye should be equally wicked with themselves. Therefore take not friends from among them, until they fly their country for the religion of God ; and if they turn back from the faith, take them, and kill them wherever ye find them; and take no friend from among them, nor any helper, except those who go unto a people who are in alliance with you, or those who come unto you, their hearts forbidding them either to fight against you, or to fight against their own people. And if God pleased he would have permitted them to have prevailed against you, and they would have fought against you. But if they depart from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, God doth not allow you to take or kill them. Ye shall find others who are desirous to enter into a confidence with you, and at the same time to preserve a confidence with their own people : so often as they return to sedition, they shall be subverted therein ; and if they depart not from you, and offer you peace, and restrain their hands from warring against you, take them and kill them wheresoever ye find them ; over these have we granted you a manifest power. It is not lawful for a believer to kill a believer, unless it happen by mistake; and whoso killeth a believer by mis- take, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer from slavery, and a fine to be paid to the family of the deceased, unless they remit it us alms: and if the slain person be of a people at enmity with you, and be a true believer, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer; but if lie be of a people in confederacy with you, a fine to be paid to his family, and the freeing of a believer. And he who findeth not wherewith to do this, shall fast two months consecutively, as a pen- ance enjoined from God; and God is knowing and wise. But whoso killeth a believer designedly, his reward shall be hell; he shall remain therein for ever; and God shall be angry with him, and shall curse him. and shall prepare for him a great punishment. O true believers, when ye are on a march in defence of the true religion, justly discern such as ye shall happen to meet, and say not unto him who saluteth you, Thou art not a true believer; seeking the accidental goods of the present life ; for with God is much spoil. Such have ye formerly been; but God hath been gracious unto you; therefore make a just discernment, for God is well acquainted with that which ye do. Those believers who sit still at home, not having any hurt, and those who employ their fortunes and their persons for the religion of God, shall not be held equal. God hath preferred those who employ their fortunes and their persons in that cause, to a degree of honour above those who sit at home : God hath indeed promised everyone para- dise, but God hath preferred those who fight for the laith before otf AL KORAN. those "who sit still, by adding unto them a great reward, by degrees of honour conferred on them from him, and by granting them for- giveness and mercy; for God is indulgent and merciful. Moreover unto those whom the angels put to death, having injured their own souls, the angels said, Of what religion were ye? they answered, We were weak in the earth. The angels replied, Was not God's earth wide enough, that ye might fly therein to a place of refuge? There- fore their habitation shall be hell ; and an evil journey shall it be thither: except the weak among men, and women, and children, who were not able to find means, and were not directed in the way; these peradventure God will pardon, for God is ready to forgive and gra- cious. Whosoever flieth from his country for the sake of God's true religion, shall find in the earth many forced to do the same, and plenty of provisions. And whoever departeth from his house, and flieth unto God and his apostle, if death overtake him in the way, God will be obliged to reward him, for God is gracious and merciful. When ye march to war in the earth, it shall be no crime in you if ye shorten your prayers, in case ye fear the infidels may attack you: for the infidels are your open enemy. But when thou, O prophet, shall be among them, and shall pray with them, let a party of them arise to prayer with thee, and let them take their arms; and when they shall have worshipped, let them stand behind you, and let another party come that hath not prayed, and Jet them pray with thee, and let them be cautious and take their arms. The unbelievers would that ye should neglect your arms and your beggage while ye pray, thai they might turn upon you at once. It shall be no crime in you, if ye be incommoded by rain, or be sick, thai ye lay down your arms ; but take your necessary precaution : God hath prepared for the unbelievers an ignominious punishment And when ye shall have ended your prayer, remember God, standing, and sitting, and lying on your sides. But when ye are secure from danger, complete your prayers; for prayer is commanded the faithful, and appointed to be said at the slated limes. Be not negligent in seeking out the unbe- lieving people, though ye suffer some inconvenience; for they also shall suffer, as ye suffer, and ye hope for a reward from God which they cannot hope for; and God is knowing and wise. We have sent down unlo Ihee the book of the KorSn with truth, that thou mayest fudge between men through that wisdom which God showeth thee therein; and be not an advocate for the fraudulent: but ask pardon of God for thy wrong intention, since God is indulgent and merci- ful. Dispute nol for those who deceive one another, for God loveth not him who is a deceiver or unjust. Such conceal themselves from men, but they conceal not themselves from God; for he is with them when they imagine by night a saying which pleaseth him not, and God comprehendeth what Ihey do. Behold, ye arc the}' vln hive disputed for them in Ihis present life; but who shall dispute with God for them on Ihe d$y of resurrection, or who wil] become the:r AL KORAN*. S? patron? yet he who doth evil, or injureth his own soul, and after- wards asketh pardon of God, shall find God gracious and merciful. | Whoso committeth wickedness, committeth it against his own soul: God is knowing and wise. And whoso committeth a sin or iniquity, and afterwards layeth it on the innocent, he shall surely bear the guilt of calumny and manifest injustice. If the indulgence and mercy of God had not been upon thee, surely a part of them had studied to seduce thee; but they shall seduce themselves only, and shall not hurt thee at all. God hath sent down unto thee the book of the Koran and wisdom, and hath taught thee that which thou knewest not; for the favour of God hath been great towards thee. There is no good in the multitude of their private discourses, unless in the dis- course of him who recommendeth alms, or that which is right, or agree- ment amongst men ; whoever doth this out of a desire to please God, we will surely give him a great reward. But whoso separateth him- self from the apostle, after true direction hath been manifested unto him, and followeth any other way than that of the true believers, we will cause him to obtain that to which he is inclined, and will cast him to be burned in hell : and an unhappy journey shall it be thither. Verily God will not pardon the giving him a companion, but he will pardon any crime besides that, unto whom he pleaseth: and he who giveth a companion unto God, is surely led aside into a wide mistake: the infidels invoke beside him only female deities, and only invoke rebellious Satan. God cursed him; and he said, Verily I will take of thy servants a part out off from the rest, and I will seduce them, and will insinuate vain desires into them, and I will command them, and they shall cut off the ears of cattle; and I will command them, and they shall change God's creature. But whosoever taketh Satan for his patron, besides God, shall surely perish with a manifest destruc- tion. He maketh them promises, and insinuateth into them vain de- sires; yet Satan maketh them only deceitful promises. The recepta- cle of these shall be hell, they shall find no refuge from it. But they who believe, and do good works, we will surely lead them into gar- dens, through which rivers flow; they shall continue therein for ever, according to the true promise of God; and who is more true than God in what he saith? It shall not be according to your desires, nor according to the desires of those who have received the scripturea Whoso doth evil, shall be rewarded for it; and shall not find any pat- ron or helper, beside God; but whoso doth good works, whether he be male or female, and is a true believer, they shall be admitted into paradise, and shall not in- the least be unjustly dealt with. Who is better in point of religion than lie who resiirneth himself unto God, and is a worker of righteousness, and followeth the law of Abraham the orthodox? since God took Abraham for his friend: and to God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; God comprehendeth all things. They will consult thee corncerning women; Answer, God instructeth you concerning them, and that which is read unto 58 AL KORAK. you in the book of the Koran concerning female orphans, to whom ye give not that which is ordained them, neither will ye marry them, and concerning weak infants, and that ye observe justice towards orphans : whatever good ye do, God knoweth it. If a w T oman fear ill usage, or aversion, from her husband, it shall be no crime in them if they agree the matter amicably between themselves; for a recon- ciliation is better than a separation. Men's souls are naturally inclin ed to covetousness : but if ye be kind towards women, and fear to wrong them, God is well acquainted with what ye do. Ye can by no means carry yourselves equally between women in all respects, although ye study to do it; therefore turn not from a w 7 ife with all manner of aversion, nor leave her like one in suspense : if ye agree, and fear to abuse your wives, God is gracious and merciful ; but if they separate, God will satisfy them both of his abundance; for God is extensive and wise, and unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heav- en and on earth. We have already commanded those unto whom the scriptures were given before you, and we command you also, saying, Fear God ; but if ye disbelieve, unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and God is self-sufficient, and to be praised; for unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and God is a sufficient protector. If he pleaseth he will take you away, O men, and will produce others in your stead ; for God is able to do this. Whoso desireth the reward of this world, verily with God is the reward of this world, and also of that which is to come ; God both heareth and seeth. O true believers, observe justice when ye bear witness before God, although it be against yourselves, or your parents, or relations ; whether the party be rich, or whether he be poor ; for God is more worthy than them both : therefore follow not your own lust in bearing testimony, so that ye swerve from justice. And whether ye wrest your evidence, or decline giving it, God is well acquainted with that which ye do. O true believers, believe in God, and his apostle, and the book which he hath caused to descend unto his apos- tle, and the book which he hath formerly sent down. And whoso ever believeth not in God, and his angels, and his scriptures, and hi a apostles, and the last day, he surely erreth in a wide mistake. ^lore- over, they who believed, and afterwards became intidels, and then believed again, and after that disbelieved, and increased in infidelity, God will by no means forgive them, nor direct them into the rigLt way. Declare unto the ungodly that l\\cj shall suffer a painful punishment. They who take the unbelievers for their protectors, besides the faithful, do they seek lor power with them '! since all power belongeth unto God. And he hath already revealed unto you, in the book of the Koran, the following passage: When ye shall hear the signs of God, they shall not be believed, but they shall be laughed to scorn. Therefore sit not with them who believe not, until they engage in different discourse ; for if ye do, ye will cer* tainly become like unto them. God will surely gather the ungodly AL KORAN. 59 and the unbelievers together in hell. They who wait to observe what befalleth you, if victon" be granted you from God, say, Were we not with you ? But if any advantage happen to the infidels, they say unto them, Were we not superior to you, and have we not defended you against the believers ? God shall judge between you on the day of resurrection ; and God will not grant the unbelievers means to prevail over the faithful. The hypocrites act deceitfully with God, but he will deceive them ; and when they stand up to pray, they stand carelessly, affecting to be seen of men, and remember not God, unless a little, wavering between faith and infidelity, and adhering neither unto these nor unto those: and for him whom God shall lead astray, thou shalt find no true path. O true believers, take not the unbelievers for your protectors, besides the faithful. "Will ye furnish God with an evident argument of impiety against you ? Moreover the hypocrites shall be in the lowest bottom of hell fire, and thou shalt not find any to help them thence. But they who repent and amend, and adhere firmly unto God, and approve the sin- cerity of their religion to God, they shall be numbered with the faith- lul ;"and God will surely give the faithful a great reward. And how should God go about to punish you, if ye be thankful and believe? for God is grateful and wise. (Vl.) God loveth not the speaking ill of any one in public, unless he who is injured call for assistance; and God heareth and knoweth : whether ye publish a good action, or conceal it, or forgive evil, verily God is gracious and powerful. They who believe not in God and his apostles, and would make a distinction between God and his apostles, and say, We believe in some of the prophets, and reject others of them, and seek to take a middle way in this matter; these are really unbelievers, and we have prepared for the unbelievers an ignominious punishment. But they who believe in God and his apostles, and make no distinction between any of them, unto those will we surely give their reward ; and God is gracious and merciful. They who have received the scriptures will demand of thee, that thou cause a book to descend unto them from heaven : they formerly asked of Moses a greater thing than this ; for they said, Show us God visibly. Wherefore a storm of fire from heaven destroyed them, because of their iniquity. Then they took the calf for their God after that evident proofs of the divine unity had come unto them: but we forgave them that, and gave Moses "a manifest power to punish them. And we lifted the mountain of Sinai over them, when we exacted from them their cove- nant ; and said unto them, Enter ihc gate of the city worshipping. We also said unto them, Transgress not on the sabbath day. And we received from them a linn convenant that they would observe these things. Therefore for that they have made void their cove- nant, and have not believed in the signs of God, and have slain the prophets unjustly, and have said. Our hearts are uncir- cumcised (but God hath sealed them up, because of their unbelief; 60 AL KORAN. therefore they shall not believe, except a few of them): and for that they have not believed on Jesus, and have spoken against Mary a griev- ious calumny; and have said, Verily we have slain Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of God ; yet they slew him not, neither crucified him, but he WHS represented by one in his likeness ; and verily they who disagreed concerning him, were in a doubt as to this matter, and had no sure knowledge thereof, but followed only on uncertain opinion. They did not really kill him; but God took him up unto himself: and God is mighty and wise. And there shall not be one of those who have received the scriptures, who shall not believe in him, before his death; and on the day of resurrection he shall be a wiiness against them. Because of the iniquity of those who Judaize, we have forbidden them good things, which had been formerly allowed them; and because they shut out many from the way of God, and have given usury, which was forbidden them by the law, and devoured men's substance vainly : we have prepared for such of them as are unbe- lievers a painful punishment. But those among them wiio are well grounded in knowledge, and the faithful, who believe in that which hath been sent down unto thee, and that which hath been sent down unto the prophets before thee, and who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms, and believe in God and the last day; unto these will we give a great reward. Verily we have revealed our will unto thee, as we have revealed it unto Noah and the prophets who succeeded him; and as we revealed it unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and unto Jesus, and Job, and Jonas, and Aaron and Solomon; and we have given thee the Koran, as we gave the Psalms unto David; some apostles have we sent, whom Avt have formerly mentioned unto thee: and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee; and God spake unto Moses, discoursing with him; apostles declaring good tidings, and denounc- ing threats, lest men should have an argument of excuse against God, after the apostles had been sent unto them; God is mighty and wise. God is witness of that revelation which he hath sent down unto thee; he sent it down with his special knowledge: the angels also are wit- nesses thereof ; but God is a sufficient witness. They who believe not. and turn aside others from the way of God, have erred in a wide mistake. Verily those who believe not, and act unjustly. God will by no means forgive, neither will he direct them into any other way than the way of hell; they shall remain therein for ever: and this is easy with God. O men, now is the apostle come unto you, with truth from your Lord ; believe therefore, it will be better for you. But if ye disbelieve, verily unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth ; and God is knowing and wise. O ye who have received the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, neither say of God any other than the truth. Verily Christ Jesus the son of Mary is the apostle of God, and his Word, which he conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit proceeding from him. Believe therefore in God, and his AL KORAN. 61 apostles, and say not, There are three Gods; forbear this; it will be better for you. God is but one God. Far be it from him that he should have a son! unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and God is a sufficient protector. Christ doth not proudly disdain to be a servant unto God; neither the angels who approach near to his presence; and whoso disdaineth his service, and is puffed up with pride, God will gather them all to himself, on the last day. Unto those who believe, and do thai \viiicli is right, he shall give their rewards, and shall superabundantly add unto them of his liberality; but those who are disdainful and proud, he \viil punish w : th a grievous punishment; and they shall not find any to protect or to help them, besides God. O men, now is an evident proof come unto you from your Lord, and we have sent down unto you manifest light. They who believe in God and firmly adhere to him, he will lead them into mercy from him, and abundance; and he will direct them in the right way 'to himself. They will consult thee for thy decision in certain eases; say unto them, God giveth you these determinations, concern- ing the more remote decrees of kindred. If a man die without issue, and have a sister, she shall have the half of what he shall leave: and he shall be heir to her, in cast; she have no issue. But if there be two sisters, they shall have between them two third parts of what he shall leave; and if there be several, both brothers and sisters, a male shall have as much as the portion of two females. God declareth unto you these precepts, lest ye err : and God kuoweth all things. CHAPTER V. ENTITLED, THE TABLE; REVEALED AT MEDINA. IJJ THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL, GOD. O TRUE believers, perform youi contracts. Ye are allowed to eat the brute cattle, other than what yc are commanded to abstain from; except the game which ye are allowed at other times, but not while ye are on pilgrimage to Mecca; God ordaineth that which he pleaseth. O true believers, violate not the holy rites of God, nor the sacred month, nor the offering, nor the ornaments hung thereon, nor those who are travelling to the holy house, seeking favour from their Lord, and to please him. But when ye shall have finished your pil- grimage, then hunt. And let not the malice of some, in that they hindered you from entering the sacred temple, provoke you to trans- gress, by taking revenge on them in the sacred months. Assist OIK; another according to justice and piety, but assist not one another in injustice and malice: therefore fear God; for God is severe in punish- ing. Ye are forbidden to eat that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that on which the name of any besides God hath been iuvocated; and that which hath been strangled, or killed 62 AL KORAN. by a blow, or by a fall, or by the horns of another beast, and that which hath been eaten by a wild beast, except what ye shall kill yourselves; and that which hath been sacrificed unto idols. It is likewise unlawful for you to make division by casting lots with ar- rows. This is an impiety. On this day, woe be unto those who have apostatized from their religion; therefore fear not them, but fear me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, and have completed my mere}' upon you ; and I have chosen for you Islam, to be your re- ligion. But whosoever shall be driven by necessity through hungei to eat of what we have forbidden, not designing to sin, surely God will be indulgent and merciful unto him. They will ask thee what is allowed them as lawful to eat? Answer, Such things as are good are allowed you; and what ye shall teach animals of prey to catch, training them up for hunting after the manner of dogs, and teaching them according to the skill which God hath taught you. Eat there fore of that which they shall catch for you; and commemorate the name of God thereon ; and fear God, for God is swift in taking an ac- count. This day are ye allowed to eat such things as are good, and the food of those to whom the scriptures were given is also allowed as lawful unto you; and your food is allowed as lawful unto them. And ye are also allowed to marry free women that are believers, and also free women of those who have received the scriptures before you, when ye shall have assigned them their dower; living chastely with them, neither committing fornication, nor taking them for con- cubines. Whoever shall renounce the faith, his work shall be vain, and in the next life he shall be of those who perish. O true believers, when ye prepare yourselves to pray, wash your faces, and your hands unto the elbows; and rub your heads, and your feet unto the ankles; and if ye be polluted by having lain with a woman, wash yourselves all over. But if ye be sick, or on a journey, or any of you cometh from the privy, or if ye have touched women, and ye find no water, take fine clean sand, and rub your faces and your hands therewith; God would not put a difficulty upon you; but he desireth to purify you, and to complete his favour upon you, that ye may give thanks. Remember the favour of God towards you. and his covenant which he hath made with you, when ye said, "We have heard, and will obey. Therefore fear God, for God knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men. O true believers, observe justice when ye appear as witnesses before God, and let not hatred towards any induce you to do wrong: but act justly; this will approach nearer unto piety; and fear God, for God is fully acquainted with what ye do. God hath promised unto those who believe, and do that which is right, that they shall receive par- don and a great reward. But they who believe not, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they shall be "the companions of hell. O true believers, remember God's favour towards you, when certain men designed to stretch forth their hands againp* you, but he re- AL KORAN. 63 strained their hands from hurting you; therefore fear God, and in God let the faithful trust. God formerly accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, and we appointed out of them twelve leaders: and God said, Verily, I am with you: if ye observe prayer, and give alms, and believe in my apostles, and assist them, and lend unto God on good usury, I will surely expiate your evil deeds from you, and I will lead you into gardens, wherein rivers flow : but he among you who disbelieveth after this, erreth from the straight path. Where- fore because they have broken their covenant, we have cursed them, and hardened their hearts; they dislocate the words of the Penta- teuch from their places, and have forgotten part of what they were admonished; and thou wilt not cease~to discover deceitful practises among them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and pardon them, for God loveth the beneficent. And from those who say, We are Christians, we have received their covenant; but they have for- gotten part of what they were admonished; wherefore we have raised up enmity and hatred among them, till the day of resurrection ; and God will then surely declare unto them what they have been doing. O ye who have received the scriptures, now is our apostle come unto you, to make manifest unto you many things which ye concealed in the scriptures; and to pass over many things. Now is light and a perspicuous book of revelations come unto you from God. Thereby will God direct him who shall follow his good pleasure, into the paths of peace; and shall lead them out of darkness into light, by hia will, and shall direct them in the right way. They are infidels, who say, Verily God is Christ the son of Mary. * Say unto them, And who could obtain anything from God to the contrary, if he pleased to de- stroy Christ the son of Mary, and his mother, and all those who are on the earth? For unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth, and whatsoever is contained between them ; he createth what he pleaseth, and God is almighty. The Jews and the Christians say, We are the children of God, and his beloved. Answer, Why there- fore doth he punish you for your sins? Nay. but ye are men, of those whom he hath created. He forgiveth whom he pleaseth, and punisheth whom he pleaseth ; and unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth, and of what is contained between them both; and unto him shall all things return. O ye who have received the scrip- tures, now is our apostle come unto you, declaring unto you the true religion, during the cessation of apostles, lot ye" should say, There came unto us no bearer of good tidings, nor any Warner: but now is a bearer of good tidings and a warner come unto you; and God is almighty. Call to mind when Moses said unto his people, O my people, remember the favour of God towards you, since he hath appointed prophets among you, and constituted you kings, and be- stowed on you what he hath given to no other nation in the world. O my people, enter the holy land, which God hath decreed vou, and turn not your backs, lest ye be subverted and perish. They an- 64 AL KORAN. swered, O Moses, verily there are a gigantic people in the land; and we will by no means enter it, until they depart thence; but if they depart thence, then will we enter therein. And two men of those who feared God, unto whom God had been gracious, said, Enter ye upon them suddenly by the gate of the city; and when ye shall have entered the same, ye shall surely be victorious: therefore trust in God, if ye are true believers. They replied, O Moses, we will never enter the land, while they remain therein: go therefore thou, and thy Lord, and fight; for we will sit here. Moses said, O Lord, surely I am not master of any except myself, and my brother; therefore make n distinction betwee'n us and the ungodly* people. God answered, Verily the land shall be forbidden them forty years : during which time they shall wander like men astonished in the earth ; therefore l>e not thou solicitous for the ungodly people. Relate also unto them the history of the two sons of Adam, with truth. When they offered their offering, and it was accepted from one of them, and was not accepted from the other, Cain said to his brother, I will certainly kill thee. Abe? answered, God only accepteth the offering of the pious ; if thou stretchest forth thy hand against me, to slay me, I will not stretch forth my hand against thee, to slay thee ; for I fear God the Lord of all creatures. I choose that thou shouldest bear my iniquity and thine own iniquity ; and that thou become a companion of hell fire; for that is the reward of the unjust. But his soul suffered him to slay his brother, and he slew him ; w herefore he became of the num- ber of those who perish. And God sent a raven, which scratched the earth, to show him how he should hide the shame of his brother, and he said, Woe is me ! am I unable to be like this raven, that I may hide my brother's shame ? and he became one of those who repent. Wherefore we commanded the children of Israel, that he who slayeth a soul, without having slain a soul, or committed wickedness in the earth, shall be as if he had slain all mankind : but he who saveth a soul alive, shall be as if he had saved the lives of all mankind. Our apostles formerly came unto them with evident mira- cles ; then were many of them, after this, transgressors on the earth. But the recompense of those who fight against God and his apostles, and study to act corruptly in the earth, shall be that they shall be slain, or crucified, or have their hands and their feet cut off on the opposite sides, or be banished the land. This shall be their dis- grace in this world, and in the next world they shall suffer a grievous punishment; except those who shall repent, before ye prevail against them; for know that God is inclined to forgive, and merciful. O true believers, fear God, and earnestly desire a near conjunction with him, and fight for his religion, that ye may be happy. Moreover they who believe not, although the}' had whatever is in the earth, and as much more withal, that they might therewith redeem them- selves from punishment on the day of resurrection : it shall not Ix.- accepted from them, but they shall suffer a painful punishment. AL KORAN. 65 They shall desire to go forth from the fire, but they shall not go forth from it, and their punishment shall be permanent. If a man or a woman steal, cut off their hands, in retribution for that which they have committed; this is an exemplary punishment appointed by God; and God is mighty and wise. But whoever shall repent after his iniquity, and amend, verily God will be turned unto him, for God is inclined to forgive and merciful. Dost thou not know that the kingdom of heaven and earth is God's ? He punisheth whom he pleaseth, and he pardoneth whom he pleaseth ; for God is almighty. O apostle, let not them grieve thee, who hasten to infidelity, either of those who say, We believe, with their mouths, but whose hearts believe not; or of the Jews, who hearken to a lie, and hearken to other people ; who come not unto thee : they pervert the words of the law from their true places, and say, If this be brought unto you, receive it; but if it be not brought unto you, beware of re- ceiving aught else; and in behalf of him whom God shall resolve to reduce, thou shalt not prevail with God at all. They whose hearts God shall not please to cleanse, shall suffer shame in this world, and a grievous punishment in the next: who hearken to a lie, and eat that which is forbidden. But if they come unto thee for judgment, either judge between them, or leave them; and if thou leave them, they shall not hurt thee at all. But if thou un- dertake to judge, judge between them with equity: for God loveth those who observe justice. And how will they submit to thy de- cision, since they have the law, containing the judgment of God? Then will they turn their backs, after this; but those are not true believers. We have surely sent down the law, containing direction, and light: thereby did the prophets, who professed true religion, judge these who.Iudaized; and the doctors and priests also judged by the book of God, which had been committed to their custody; and they were witnesses thereof. Therefore fear not men, but fear me; neither sell my signs for a small prijc. And whoso judgeth not ac- cording to what God hatfl revealed, they are infidels. We have there- in commanded them, that they should give life for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth; and that wounds should also be punished by retaliation : but whoever should remit it as alms, it should be accepted as an atonement for him. And whoso judgeth not according to what God hath revealed, they are unjust. We also caused J^sus the son of Mary to follow the footsteps of the prophets, confirming the law which was sent down before him : and we gave him the gospel, containing direction and light ; con- firming also the law which was given before it, and a direction and admonition unto those who fear God: that they who have received the gospel might judge according to what God hath revealed therein: and whoso judgeth not according to what God hath revealed, thev are transgressora "We have also sent down unto thee the book of the Koran vlth truth, confirming that scripture which was revealed be- 66 AL KORAN. fore it; and preserving the same safe from corruption. Judge there- fore between them according to that which God hath revealed; and follow not their desires, by swerving from the truth which hath come unto thee. Unto every of you have we given a law, and an open path; and if God had pleased, he had surely made you one people; but he hath thought fit to give you different laws, that he might try you in that which he hath given you respectively. Therefore strive to excel each other in good works: unto God shall ye all return, and then will he declare unto you that concerning which ye have dis agreed. Wherefore do thou. O prophet, judge between them accord- ing to that which God hath revealed, and follow not their desires; but beware of them, lest they cause thee to err from part of those pre- cepts which God hath sent down unto thee; and if they turn back, know that God is pleased to punish them for some of their crimes; for a great number of men are transgressors. Do they therefore desire the judgment of the time of ignorance? but who is better than God, to judge between people who reason aright? O true believers, take not the Jews or Christians for your friends; they are friends the one to the other; but whoso among you taketh them for his friends, he is surely one of them: verily God directeth not unjust people. Thou shalt see those in whose hearts there is an infirmity, to hasten unto them, saying, We fear lest some adversity befall us; but it is easy for God to give victory, or a command from him, that they may repent of that which they concealed in their minds. And they who believe will say, Are these the men who have sworn by God, with a most firm oath, that they surely held with you? their works are become vain, and they are of those who perish. O true believers, whoever of you apostatizeth from his religion, God will certainly bring other people to supply his place, whom he will love, and who will love him; who shall be humble towards the believers, but severe to the unbelievers; they shall fight for the religion of God, and shall not fear the obloquy of the detractor. This is the bounty of God, he bestoweth it on whom he pleaseth : God is extensive and wise. Verily your protector is God, and his apostle, and those who believe, who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms, and who bow down to worship. And whose taketh God, and his apostle, and the believers for his friends, they are the party of God, and they shall be victorious. O true be- lievers, take not such of those to whom the scriptures were de- livered before you, or of the infidels, for your friends, who make a laughing-stock and a jest of your religion ; but fear God, if ye be true believers; nor those who, "when ye call to prayer, make a laugh- ing-stock and a jest of it; this they do because they are people who do not understand. Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, do ye reject us for any other reason than because we believe in God, and that revelation which hath been sent down unto us, and that which was formerly sent down, and for that the greater part of you are transgressors? Say, Shall I denounce unto you a worse thing than AL KORAN. 7 this, as to the reward which ye are to expect with God? He whom God hath cursed, and with whom he hath been angry, having changed some of them into apes and swine, and who worship Tag- hut, they are in the worse condition, and err more widely from the gtraightness of the path. When they came unto you. they said, We believe: yet they entered into your company with infidelity, and went forth from you with the same; hut God well knew what they con- cealed. Thou shalt see many of them hastening unto inquity and malice, and to eat things forbidden; and woe unto them for what they have done. Unless their doctors and priests forbid them utter- ing wickedness, and eating things forbidden; woe unto them for what they shall have committed. The Jews say. the hand of God is tied up. Their hands shall be tied up, and they shall be cursed for that which they have said. Xay, his hands are both stretched forth; lie bestoweth as he pleaseth: that which hath been sent down unto thee from thy Lord, shall increase the transgression and infidelity of many of them"; and we have put enmity and hatred between theni, until the day of resurrection. So often as they shall kindle a fire for war, God shall extinguish it; and they shall set their minds to act corruptly in the earth, but God loveth not the corrupt doers. Moreover, if they who have received the scriptures believe, and fear God, we will surely expiate their sins from them, and we will lead them into gar- dens of pleasure; and if the}' observe the law, and the gospel, and the other scriptures which have been sent down unto them from their Lord, they shall surely eat of good things both from above them and from under their feet. Among them there are peeple who act up- rightly; but how evil is that which many of them do work! O apostle, publish the whole of that which hath been sent down unto thee from thy Lord: for if thou do not, thou dost not in effect publish any part thereof; and God will defend thee against wicked men; for God directeth not the unbelieving people. Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, ye are not grounded on anything, until ye observe the law and the gospel,, and that which hath been sent down unto you from your Lord. That which hath been sent down unto thee from thy Lord shall surely increase the transgression and infidelity of many of them: but be not thou solicitous for the unbe- lieving people. Verily they who believe, and those who Judaize, and the Sabians. and the Christians, whoever of them believeth in God and the last day, and doth that which is right, there shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be grieved. We formerly ac- cepted the covenant of the children of Israel, and sent apostles unto them. So often as an apostle came unto them with that which their souls desired not, they accused some of them of imposture, and some of them they killed: and they imagined that there should be no punishment for those crimes, and they became blind and deaf. Then was God turned unto them; afterwards many of them again became blind and deaf; but God saw what they did. They arc surely 68 AL KORAN. infidels, who say, Verily God is Christ the son of Mary; since Christ said, O children of Israel, serve God, my Lord and your Lord; who- ever shall give a companion unto God, God shall exclude him from paradise, and his habitation shall be hell fire; and the ungodly shall have none to help them. They are certainly infidels, who say, God is the third of three: for there is" no God besides one God; ana if they refrain not from what they say, a painful torment shall surely be inflicted on such of them as are unbelievers. Will they not therefore be turned unto God, and ask pardon of him? since God is gracious and merciful. Christ the son of Mary is no more than an apostle;, other apostles have preceded him; and his mother was a woman oi veracity: they both ate food. Behold, how we declare unto them the signs of God's unity; and then behold, how they turn aside from the truth. Say unto them, Will ye worship, besides God, that which can cause you neither harm nor profit? God is he who heareth and seeth. Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, by speaking beside the truth: neither follow the desires of people who have heretofore erred, and who have seduced many, and have gone astray from the strait path. Those among the children of Israel who believed not, were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus the son of Mary. This befell them because they were rebellious and transgressed: they forbade not one another the wickedness which they committed; and woe unto them for what they committed. Thou shall see many of them take for their friends those who believe not. Woe unto them for what their eouls have sent before them, for that God is incensed against them. and they shall remain in torment for ever. But, if they had believed in God. and the prophet, and that which hath been 'revealed unto him, they hail not taken them for their friends: but many of them are evil-doers. Thou shall surely find the most violent of all men in enmity against the true believers, lo be the Jews and the idolaters: and thou shalt surely find those among them to be the most inclina- ble to entertain friendship for the true believers, who say, We are Christians. This cometh to pass, because there are priests and monks among them ; and because they are not elated with pride. (VII.) And when they hear that which hath been sent down to the apostle read unto them, thou shall see their eyes overflow with tears, because of the truth which Ihey perceive therein, saying. () Lord, we believe: write us down therefore with those who bear witness to the truth: and what should hinder us from believing in God, and the truth which hath come unto us, and from earnestly desiring that our Lord would in- troduce us into paradise with the righteous people. Therefore hath God rewarded them, for what they have said, witli gardens through which rivers flow; they shall continue therein for ever; and this is the reward of the righteous. But they who believe not, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they shall be the companions of hell. O true believers, forbid not the good Ihings which God hath AL KORAK 69 allowed you; but transgress not, for God loveth not the trans- gressors. And eat of what God hath given you for food that which is lawful and good: and fear God, in whom ye believe. God will not punish you for an inconsiderate word in your oaths; but he will punish you for what ye solemnly swear with deliberation. And the expiation of such an oath shall be the feeding of ten poor men with such moderate food as ye feed your own families withal; or to clothe them; or to free the neck of a true believer from captivity: but he who shall not find wherewith to perform one of these three things, shall fast three days. This is the expiation of your oaths, .when ye swear inadvertently. Therefore keep your oaths. Thus God declareth unto you his signs, that ye may give thanks. O true believers, surely wine, and lots, and images, and divining arrows, are an abomination of the work of Satan; therefore avoid them, that ye may prosper. Satan seeketh to sow dissension and hatred among you, by means of wine and lots, and to divert you from remembering God, and from prayer; will ye not therefore abstain from them? OV.'v God. and obey the apostle, and take heed to yourselves; but if y<- turn back, know that the duty of our apostle is only to preach pub- iidy. In those who believe and do good works, it is no sin that they have tasted wine or gaming before they were forbidden; if they fear God, and believe, and do good works, and shall for the future fear God. and believe, and shall persevere to fear him, and to do good; for God loveth those who do good. O true believers, God will surely prove you in offering you plenty of game, which ye may take with your hands or your lances, that God may know who feareth him in secret, but whoever trausgresseth after this, shall suffer a grievous punishment. O true believers, kill no game while ye are on pilgrimage; whoso- ever among you shall kill any designedly, shall restore the like of what ye shall have killed, in domestic animals, according to the determination of two just persons among you, to be brought as an oil ''ring to the Caaba; or in atonement thereof shall feed the poor; or instead thereof shall fast, that he may taste the heinousness of his el vd. God hath forgiven what is past, but whoever returneth to transgress. God will take vengeance on him; for God is mighty and a!) i- to avenge. It is lawful for you to fish in the sea, and to eat what ye shall catch, as a provision for you and for those who travel; but it is unlawful for you to hunt by laud, while ye are performing the rites of pilgrimage; therefore fear God, before whom ye shall be assembled at the last day. God hath appointed the Caaba, the holy house, an establishment for mankind; and hath ordained the sacred mouth, and the offering, and the ornaments hung thereon. This hath he done that ye might kno\v that God knoweth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and that God is omniscient. Know that God is severe in punishing, and that God is also ready to forgive and merciful. The duty of our apostle is to preach only; and God knoweth that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal. Say, TO AL KORAN. Evil and good shall not be equally esteemed of, though the abun- dance of evil pleaseth thee ; therefore fear God, O ye of understanding, that ye may be happy. O true believers, inquire not concerning things which, if they be declared unto you, may give you pain : but if ye ask concerning them when the Koran is sent down, they will be declared unto you: God pardoneth you as to these matters; for God is ready to forgive and gracious. People who have been before you formerly inquired concerning them; and afterwards dis- believed therein. God hath not ordained anything concerning Bahira, nor Sa'fba, nor Wasila, nor Kami ; but the unbelievers have invented a lie against God: and the greater part of them do not understand. And when it was said unto them, Come unto that which God hath revealed, and to the apostle ; they answered, That religion which we found our fathers to follow is sufficient for us. What though their fathers knew nothing, and were not rightly direct- ed? O true believers, take care of your souls. He who erreth shall not hurt you, while ye are rightly directed: unto God shall ye all return, and he will tell you that which ye have done. O true believ- ers, let witnesses be taken between you, when death approaches any of you, at the time of making the testament; let there be two wit- nesses, just men, from among you : or two others of a different tribe or faith from yourselves, if ye be journeying in the earth, and the accident of death befall you. Ye shall shut them both up, after the afternoon prayer, and they shall swear by God, if ye doubt them, and they shall say. We will not sell our evidence for a bribe, although the person concerned be one who is related to us, neither will we conceal the testimony of God, for then should we certainly be of the number of the wicked. But if it appear that both have been guilty of iniquity, two others shall stand up in their place, of those who have convicted them of falsehood, the two nearest in blood, and they shall swear by God, saying, Verily our testimony is more true than the testimony of these two, neither have 'we prevaricated; for then should we become of the number of the unjust. This will be easier, that men may give testimony according to the plain intention thereof, or fear lest a different oath be given, after their oath. Therefore fear God, and hearken ; for God directeth not the unjust people. On a certain day shall God assemble the apostles, and shall s-ay unto them, What answer was returned you, when ye preached unto the people to whom ye were sent? They shall "answer, We have no knowledge but thou art the knowerof secrets. When God shall say, O Jesus son of Mary, remember my favour towards thee, and towards thy mother; when 1 strengthened thee with the holy spirit, that thou shouldest speak unto men in the cradle, and when thou wast giown up; and when I taught thee the scripture, and wisdom, and the law and the gospel; and when thou didst create of clay as it were the figure of a bird, by my permission, and didst breathe thereon, and it became a bird by my permission; and thou didst heal one blind from AL KORAN. 71 his birth and the leper, by my permission ; and when thou didst bring forth the dead from their graves, by my permission ; and when I withheld the children of Israel from killing thee, when thou hadst come unto them with evident miracles, and such of them as believed not, said, This is nothing but manifest sorcery. And when I com- manded the apostles of Jesus, saying, Believe in me and in my mes- senger; they answered, We do believe; and do thou bear witness that we are resigned unto thee. Remember when the apostles said, O Jesus, son of Mary, is thy Lord able to cause a table to descend unto us from heaven? He answered. Fear God, if ye be true believers. They said, We desire to eat thereof, and that our hearts may rest at ease, and that we may know that thou hast told us the truth, and that we may be witnesses thereof. Jesus, the son of Mary, said, O God our Lord, cause a table to descend unto us from heaven, that the day of its descent may become a festival day unto us, unto the first of us, and unto the last of us, and a sign from thee; and do thou provide food for us, for thou art the best provider. God said, Verily I will cause it to descend unto you; but whoever among you shall disbelieve hereafter, I will surely punish him with a punishment wh"rewith I will not punish any other creature. And when God sh ill say unto Jesus, at the last day, O Jesus, son of Mary, hast thou said unto men, Take me and my mother for two gods beside God? He shall answer, Praise be unto thee ! it is not for me to say that which I ought not; if I had said so, thou wouldst surely have known it: thou knowest what is in me, but I know not what is in thee; for thou art the knower of secrets. I have not spoken to them any other than what thou didst command me ; namely, Worship God, my Lord and your Lord : and I was a witness of their actions while I stayed among them ; but since thou hast taken me to thyself, thou hast been the watcher over them; for thou art witness of all things. If thou punish them, they are surely thy servants; and if thou for- give them, thou art mighty and wise. God will say, This day shall their veracity be of advantage unto those who speak truth; they shall have gardens wherein rivers flow, they shall remain therein forever: God hath been well pleased in them, and they have been well pleased in him. This shall be great felicity. Unto God belongeth the king- dom of heaven and of earth, and of whatever therein is; and he is almighty. CHAPTER VI. ENTITLED, CATTLE; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. PRAISE be unto God, who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath ordained the darkness and the light; nevertheless they who believe not in the Lord, equalize other gods with him. It is he who hath created you of clay; and then decreed the term of jour lives; and the prefixed term is with him : yet- do we doubt thereof. He is God in heaven and inearth; he knoweth what ye keep secret, and what ye publish, and knoweth what ye deserve. There came not unto them any sign, of the signs of their Lord, but they retired from the same; and they have gainsaid the truth, after that it hath come unto them: but a message shall come unto them, concerning that which they have mocked at. Do they not consider how mam* genera- tions we have destroyed before them ? We had established them in the earth in a manner wherein we have not established you ; we sent the heaven to rain abundantly upon them, and we gave them rivers which flowed under their feet: yet we destroyed them in their sins, and raised up other generations after them. Although we had caused to descend unto thee a book written on paper, and they had handled it with their hands, the unbelievers had surely said, This is no other than manifest sorcery. They said, Unless an angel be sent down unto him, -ire will not believe. But if we had sent down an angel, verily the matter had been decreed, ?nd they should not have been borne with, by having time granted thcin to repent. And if we had appointed an angel for our messenger, we should have sent him in the form of a man, and have clothed him before them, as they are clothed. Other apostles have been laughed to scorn before thee; but the judg- ment which they made a jest of, encompassed those who laughed them to scorn. Say, Go through, tne earth, and behold what bath bcon the sr A of those who accused our prophets of imposture. Say, Unto wnom oeiongeth whatsoever is in heaven and earth ? Say, Unto God, He hath prescribed unto himself mercy. He will surely gather you together on the day of resurrection ; there is no doubt of it. They who destrov their own souis are those who will not believe. Unto him is owing whatsoever happeneth by night or by day; it is he who neareth and knoweth. Say, Shall I take any other protector than God, the creator of heaven and earth, who feedeth all and is not fed by any? Say, Verily I am commanded to be the first who pro- fesseth Islam and it was said unto me, Thou shalt by no means be one of the idolater*. Say, Verily I fear, if I should rebel against my AL KORAN. 78 Lord, the punishment of the great day : from whomsoever it shall be averted on that day, God will have been merciful unto him; this will be manifest salvation. If God afflict thee with any hurt, there is none who can take it off from thee, except himself; "but if he cause good to befall thee, he is almighty; he is the supreme Lord over his servants; and he is wise and knowing. Say, What thing is the strongest in bearing testimony? Say, God; he is witness between me and you. And this Koran was revealed unto me, that I should admonish you thereby, and also those unto whom it shall reach. Do you really profess that there are other gods together with God? Say, I do not profess this. Say, Verily he is one God; and I am guiltless of what ye associate with him. They unto whom we have given the scripture know our apostle, even as'they know their own children; but they who destroy their own souls, will not believe. Who is more unjust than he who inventeth a lie against God, or chargeth his signs with imposture ? Surely the unjust shall not prosper. And on the day of resurrection we will assemble them all; then will we say unto those who associated others with God, Where are your companions, whom ye imagined to be those of God ? But they shall have no other excuse, than that they shall say, By Gcd our Lord, we have not been idolaters. Behold, how thev lie against themselves, and what they have blasphemously imagined to be the companion of God flieth from them. There is of them who hearkeueth unto thee when thou readest the Koran ; but we have cast veils over their hearts, that they should not understand it, and a deafness in their ears: and though they should see all kinds of signs, they will not believe therein ; and their infidelity will arrive to that height that they will even come unto thee, to dispute with thee. The unbelievers will say, This is nothing but silly fables of ancient times. And they will forbid others from believing therein, and will retire afar off from it; but they will destroy their own souls only, and they are not sensible thereof. If thou didst see, when they shall be set over the fire of hell ! and they shall say, Would to God* we might be sent back into the world : we would not charge the signs of our Lord with impos- ture, and we would become true believers: nay, but that is become manifest unto them, which they formerly concealed ; and though they should be sent back into the world, they would surely return to that which was forbidden them; and they are surely liars. And they said, There is no other life than our present life; neither shall we be raised again. But if thou couldst see, when they shall be set before their Lord! He shall say unto them, Is not this in truth come to pass? They shall answer, Yea, by our Lord. God shall say. Taste therefore the punishment due unto you, for that ye have disbelieved. They are lost who reject as falsehood the meeting of God in the next life, until the hour cometh suddenly upon them. Then will they say, Alas! for that we have behaved ourselves negligently in our lifetime; and they shall carry their burdens on their backs; will it not be evil 74 AL KORAN. which they shall be loaden with? TLis present life is no other than a play and a vain amusement; but sia-eiv the future mansion shall be better for those who fear God: will tj-oy not therefore understand? Now we know that what they speak grioveth thee: yet they do not accuse thee of falsehood; but the. ungodly contradict the signs of God. And apostles before thee have beer, accounted liars: but they patiently bore their being accounted liars, and their being vexed, un- til our 'help came unto them ; for there is none who can change the words of God: and thou hast received some information concerning those who have been formerly sent from him. If their aversion to thy admonitions be grievous unto thee, if thou canst seek out a den whereby thou mayest penetrate into the inward parts of the earth, or a ladder by which thou mayest ascend into heaven, that thou mayest show them a sign, do so, but thy search will be fruitless; for if God pleased he would bring them all to the true direction : be not there- fore one of the ignorant. He will give a favourable answer unto those only who shall hearken with attention: and God will raise the dead; then unto him shall they return. The infidols say, Unless some sign be sent down unto him from his Lord, we will not believe: an- swer, Verily God is able to send down a sign: but the greater part of them know it not. There is no kind of beast oil earth, nor fowl which flieth with its wings, but the same is a pecp-e like unto you; we have not omitted anything in the book of our dec-'ees: then unto their Lord shall they return. They who accuse our aigns of false- hood, are deaf and dumb, walking in darkness: God. will lead into error whom he pleaseth, and whom he pleaseth he wi;l put in the right way. Say, What think ye? if the punishment ot God come upon you, or the hour of the resurrection come upon you, will ye call upon any other than God, if ye speak truth? yea, him shall ye call upon, and he shall free you from that which ye shall ask him to deliver you from, if he pleaseth; and ye shall forget th?t which ye associated with him. We have already sent messengers ?mto sundry nations before thee, and we afflicted them with trouble and adversity that they might humble themselves: yet when the ai : "'.c tion which we sent came upon them, they did not humble theiii- pelves: but their hearts became hardened, and Satan prepared foi them that which they committed. And when they had forgot- ten that concerning which they had been admonished, we opened unto them the gates of all thkigs; until, while they were rejoicing foi that which had been given them, we suddenly laid hold on them, and behold, they were seized with despair; and the utmost part of the people which had acted wickedly, was cut off: praise be unto God, the Lord of all creatures! Say, What think ye? if God should tak away your hearing and your sight, and should seal up your hearts ; wfiat god besides God will restore them unto you? See how variously we show forth the signs of God's unity ; yet do they turn aside from them. Say unto them, What think ye? if the punishment of God AL KOHA.N. 75 come up^'j you suddenly, or in open view; will any perish, ex- cept the ungodly people? We send not our messengers otherwise ihan bearing good tidings and denouncing threats. Whoso there fore shall believe and amend, on them shall no fear come, neither shall they be grieved : but whoso shall accuse our signs of falsehood, a punishment shall fall on them, because they have done wickedly. Bay, I say not unto you, The treasures of God are in my power: neither do I say, I know the secrets of God: neither do I say unto you, Verily I am an angel: I follow only that which is revealed unto me. Say, Shall the blind and the seeing be held equal ? do ye not therefore consider ? Preach it unto those who fear that they shall be assembled before their Lord: they shall have no patron nor inter- cessor, except him; that peradventure they may take heed to them- selves. Drive not away those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, desiring to see his face; it belongeth not unto thee to pass any judgment on them, nor doth it belong unto them to pass any judgment on thee: therefore if thou drive them away, thou wilt become one of the unjust. Thus have we proved some part of them by other part, that they may say. Are these the people among us unto whom God hath been gracious '! Doth net God most truly know those who are thankful ? And when they who believe in our signs shall come unto thee, say, Peace be upon you. Your Lord hath pre- scribed unto himself mercy; so that whoever among you worketh evil through ignorance, and afterwards repenteth and amendeth, unto him will he surely be gracious and merciful. Thus have we distinctly propounded our signs, that the path of the wicked might be inade known. Say, Verily I am forbidden to worship the" false deities which ye invoke, besides God. Say, I will not follow your desires; for then should I err, neither should I be one of those who are rightly directed. Say, I behave according to the plain declaration which I have received from my Lord; but ye have forged lies concerning him. That which ye desire should be hastened, is not in my power: judg- ment belongeth only unto God; he will determine the truth: and he is the best discernef. Say, If what ye desire should be hastened were in my power, the matter had been determined between me and you: but God well knoweth the unjust. With him are the keys of the ii'cn-t things; none knoweth them besides himself: he knoweth that which is on the dry land and in the sea; there falleth no leaf, but he krmveth it; neither is there a single grain in the dark parts of the er.>. th, neither a green thing, nor a dry thing, but it is written in the perspicuous book. It is he who causeth you to sleep by night, and knoweth what ye merit by day: he also awaketh you therein, that the prefixed term of your lives may be fulfilled; then unto him shall Sj return, and he shall declare unto you that which ye have wrought, e is supreme over his servants, and sendeth the guardian angels to watch over you, until, when death overtaketh one of you, our mes- engers cause him to die ; and they will not neglect our commands. 7 AL KORAN. Afterwards shall they return unto God, their true Lord: doth not judgment belong unto him ? he is the most quick in taking an account. Say, Who delivereth you from the darkness of the land, and of the sea, when ye call upon him humbly and in private, sayin.tr. Verily if thou deliver us from thes. dangers, we will surely be thank- ful ? Say, God delivereth you from them, and from every grief of mind; yet afterwards ye give him companions. Say, He is ab!e to send on you a punishment from above you, or from under your feet, or to engage you in dissension, and to make some of you taste the violence of others. Observe how variously we show forth our igns, that peradventure they may understand. This people hath accused the revelation which thou hast brought of falsehood, although it be the truth. Say, I am not a guardian over you : every prophecy hath its fixed time of accomplishment; and ye will hereafter know it. When thou seest those who are engaged in cavilling at or ridiculing our signs; depart from them, until they be engaged in some other discourse: and if Satan cause thee to forget this precept, do not sit with the ungodly people, after recollection. They who fear God are not at all accountable for them, but their duty is to remember, that they may take heed to themselves. Abandon those who make- their religion a sport and a jest; and whom the present life hath deceived: and admonish them by the Koran, that a soul becometh liable to destruction for that wh'ich it committeth : it shall have no patron nor intercessor besides God; and if it could pay the utmost price of redemption, it would not be accepted from it. They who are deliv- ered over to perdition for that which they have committed, shall have boiling water to drink, and shall suffer a grievous punishment, because they have disbelieved. Say, Shall we call upon iliat, be.-ides God, which can neither profit us nor hurt us '! and shall we turn back on our heels, after that God hath directed us; like him whom the devils have infatuated, wandering ama/.edly in the earth, and yd having companions who call him to the true direction, saying. Come unto us? Bay, The direction of God is the true direction: A\ea:e commanded to resign ouri^lves unto the Lord of all creatures; and it is also commanded us, saying, Observe the stated times of prayer, and fear him; for it is he before whom ye shall be assembled. It is he who hath created the heavens and the earth in truth; and whenever he saith unto a thing, Be, it is. His word is the truth; and bis will be the kingdom on the day whereon the trumpet shall be sounded: he knoweth whatever is secret, and whatever is public: he is the wise, the knowing. Call to mind when Abraham said unto his father Azer, Dost thou take images for gods? Verily 1 perceive that thou and thy people are in a manifest error. And thus did we show unto Abraham the kingdom of heaven and earth, that he might become one of those who firmly believe. And when the night overshadowed him, he saw a star, and he said, This is my Lord; but when it set, he said, I like not gods which set. And when he saw the moon rising, AL KORAN. 77 he said, This is my Lord; but when he saw it set, he said, Verily if my Lord direct me not, I shall become one of the people who go astray. And when he saw the sun rising, he said, This is my Lord, this is the greatest ; but when it set, he said, O my people, verily I am clear of that which ye associate with God: I direct my face unto him who hath created" the heavens and the earth; I am orthodox, and am not one of the idolaters. And his people disputed with him: and he said, Will ye dispute with me concerning God ? since he hath now directed me, and I fear not that which he associate with him, unless that my Lord willeth a thing; for my Lord comprehendeth all things by his knowledge: will ye not therefore consider ? And how should f fear that which ye associate with God, since ye fear not to have associated with God that concerning which he hath sent down unto you no authority ? which therefore of the two parties is the more safe, if ye understand aright ? They who believe, and clothe not their faith with injustice, they shall enjoy security, and they are rightly directed. And this is our argument wherewith we furnished Abraham that lie might make use of it against his people: we exalt unto degrees of wisdom and knowledge whom we please; for thy Lord is wise and knowing. And we gave unto him Isaac and Jacob; we directed them both: and Xoah had we before directed,. and of his posterity David and Solomon ; and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron: thus do we reward the righteous: and Zacharias, and John, and Jesus, andElias; all of them were upright men: and Ismael, and Elisha, and Jonas, and Lot ; all these have we favoured above the rest of the world ; and also divers of their fathers, and their issue, and their brethren ; and we chose them , and directed them into the right way. This is the direction of God, he directeth thereby such of his servants as he pleaseth; but if they have been guilty of idolatry, that which they wrought would have become utterly fruitless unto them. Those were the persons unto whom we gave the scripture, and wisdom, and prophecy; but if these believe not therein, we will commit the care of them to a people who shall not disbelieve the same. Those were the persons whom God hath directed, therefore follow their direction. Say unto the inhabitants of Mecca, I ask of you no recompense for preaching the Koran ; it is no other than an admonition unto all crea- tures. They make not a due estimation of God, when they say, God hath not sent down unto man anything at all. Say, Who sent down the book which Moses brought, a light and a direction unto men; which ye transcribe on papers, whereof ye publish some part, and great part whereof ye conceal? and ye have been taught by Moham- med what ye know "not, neither your fathers. Say, God sent it down: then leave them to amuse themselves with their vain discourse. This book which we have sent down is blessed; confirming that which was revealed before it; and is delivered unto thee that thou ma vest preach it unto the metropolis of Mecca and to those who are round about it. And they who believe in the next life will believe therein, t8 AL KORAN. and they will diligently observe their times of prayer. Who is more wicked than he who forgeth a lie concerning God? or saitli, This was revealed unto me, when nothing hath been revealed unto him? and who saith, I will produce a revelation like unto that which God hath sent down? If thou didst see when the ungodly are in the pangs of death, and the angels reach out their hands, saying, Cast forth your souls; this day shall ye receive an ignominious punishment for that which ye have falsely spoken concerning God ; and because ye have proudly rejected his signs. And now are ye come unto us alone, as we created you at first, and ye have left that which we had bestowed on you, behind your back; neither do we see with you your interces- sors, whom ye thought to have been partners with God among you . now is the relation between you cut off, and what ye imagined hath deceived you. God causeth the grain and the date-stone to put forth: he bringeth forth the living from the dead, and he bringeth forth the dead from the living. This is God. Why therefore are ye turned away from him? He causeth the morning to appear; and hath or- dained the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for the comput- ing of time. This is the disposition of the mighty, the wise God. It is he who hath ordained the stars for you, that ye may be directed thereby in the darkness of the land and of the sea. We have clearly shown forth our signs, unto people who understand. It is he who hath produced you from one soul ; and hath provided for you a sure receptacle and a repository. We have clearly shown forth our signs, unto people who are wise. It is he who sendeth down water from heaven, and we have thereby produced the springing buds of all things, and have thereout produced the green thing, from which we produce the grain growing in rows, and palm-trees from whose branches proceed clusters of dates hanging close together; and gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, both like and un- like to one another. Look on their fruits, when they bear fruit, and their growing to maturity. Verily herein are signs, unto people who believe. Yet they have set up the genii as partners with God, al- though he created them: and they have falsely attributed unto him sons and daughters, without knowledge. Praise be unto him; and far be that from him which they attribute unto him! He is the maker of heaven and earth : how should he have issue, since he hath no consort ? he hath created all things, and he is omniscient. This is God your Lord ; there is no God but he, the creator of all things: therefore serve him; for he taketh care of all things. The sight comprehendeth him not, but he compre- hendeth the sight; he is the gracious, the wise. Xow have evi- dent demonstrations come unto you from your Lord; whoso seeth them, the advantage thereof will redound to his own soul: and whoso is wilfully blind, the consequence will be to himself. I am not a keeper over you. Thus do we variously explain our signs; that they may say, Thou hast studied diligently; and that we may d- AL KORAN. 79 clare them unto people of understanding. Follow that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord; there is no God but he: retire therefore from the idolaters. If God had so pleased, they had not been guilty of idolatry. We have not appointed thee a keeper over them; neither art thuu a guardian over them. Revile not the ido.'s which they invoke besides God, lest they maliciously revile Goc,, without knowledge. Thus have we prepared fur every nation their works: hereafter unto God shall they return, and he 'shall declare unto them that which the}' have done. They have sworn by God, by the most solemn oath, that if a sign came unto them, they would certainly believe therein: Say, Verily signs are in the power of God . n Jone; and he permitteth you not to understand that when they come, they will not believe. And we will turn aside their hearts and their sight from the truth, as they believed not therein the first time; jud we will leave them to wander in their error. (VIII.) And i hough we had sent down angels unto them, and the dead had s'/okeu unto them, and we had gathered together before them all things in one view; they would not have believed, unless God had so pleased: but the greater part of them know it not. Thus have we appointed unto every prophet an enemy; the devils of men, and of genii, who privately suggest the one to the other specious discourses to deceive: but if thy Lord pleased, they would not have done it. Therefore leave them, and that which they have falsely imagined; and let thf hearts of those be inclined thereto, who believe not in the life to come; and let them please themselves therein, and let them gain that \vl ich they are gaining. Shall I seek after any other judge be- sides G< Ito judge between us? It is he who hath sent down unto you the book of the Koran, distinguishing between good and evil; and they to whom we gave the scripture know that it is sent down from thy Lord, with truth. Be not therefore one of those who doubt thereof. The words of thy Lord are perfect in truth and justice; there is none who can change his words: he both heareth and know- eth. But if thou obey the greater part of them who are in the earth, they will lead thee "aside from the path of God: they follow an uncertain opinion only, and speak nothing but lies,; verily thy Lord well knoweth those who go astray from his path, -uid well knoweth those who are rightly directed. Eat of that whereon the name of God hath been commemorated, if ye believe in his signs: and why do ye not eat of that whereon the name of God hath been commemo- rated? since he hath plainly declared unto you what he hath forbid- den you; except that which ye be compelled to eat of by necessity: many lead others into error, because of their appetites, being void of knowledge; but thy Lord well knoweth who are the transgressors. Leave both the outside of iniquity, and the inside thereof: for they who commit iniquity shall receive the reward o* that which they shall have gained. Eat not therefore of that whereon the name of God hath not been commemorated; for this is certainly wickedness 80 AL KORAN. but the devils will suggest unto their friends, that they dispute with you concerning this precept; but if ye obey them, ye are surely idol- aters. Shall he who hath been dead, and whom we have restored uuto life, and unto whom we have ordained a light, whereby he may walk among men, be as he whose similitude is in darkness, from whence he shall not come forth? Thus was that which the infidels are doing, prepared for them. And thus have we placed in every city chief leaders of the wicked men thereof, that they may act de- ceitfully therein; but they shall act deceitfully against their own souls only; and they know it not. And when a sign cometh unto them, they say, We will by no means believe until a revelation be brought unto us, like unto that which hath been delivered unto the messengers of God. God best knowetli whom he will appoint for his messenger. Vileness in the sight of God shall fall upon those who deal wickedly, and a grievous punishment, for that they have dealt deceitfully. And whomsoever God shall please to direct, he will open his breast to receive the faith of Islam : but whomsoever he shall please to lead into error, he will render his breast straight and narrow, as though he were climbing up to heaven. Thus doth God inflict a terrible punishment on those who believe not. This is the right way of thy Lord. Now have we plainly declared our signs unto those people who will consider. They shall have a dwelling of peace with their Lord, and he shall be their patron, because of that which they have wrought. Think on the day whereon God shall gather them all together, and shall say, O company of genii, ye have been much concerned with mankind; and their friends from among mankind shall say, O Lord, the one of us hath received advantage from the other, and we are arrived at our limited term which thou hast appointed us. God will say. Hell fire shall be your habita- tion, therein shall ye remain for ever; unless as God shall please to mitigate your pains, for thy Lord is wise and knowing. Thus do we set some of the unjust over others of them, because of that which they have deserved. O company of genii and men, did not messen- gers from among yourselves come unto you, rehearsing my signs unto you, and forewarning you of the meeting of this your day? They shall answer, We bear witness against ourselves: the present life deceived them: and they shall bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers. This hath been the method of God's dealing with his creatures, because thy Lord would not destroy the cities in their iniquity, while their inhabitants were careless. Every one shall have degrees of recompense of that which they shall do ; for thy Lord is not regardless of that which they do. and thy Lord is self-sufficient and endued with mercy. If he pleaseth he can destroy you, and cause such as he pleaseth to succeed you, in like manner ;is he produced you from the posterity of other people. Verily tliiit which is threatened you shall surely come to pass; neither shall \e cause it to fail. Say unto those of Mecca, O my people, act accord- AL KORAN. 81 ing to your power; verily I will act according to my duty: and hereafter shall ye know whose will be the reward of paradise. The ungodly shall not prosper. Those of Mecca set apart unto God a portion of that which he hath produced of the fruits of the earth, and of cattle; and say, This belongeth unto God (according to their imagination), and this unto our companions. And that which is destined for their companions cometh not unto God; yet that which is set apart unto God cometh unto their companions. How ill do they judge ! In like manner have their companions induced many of the idolaters to slay their children, that they might bring them to perdition, and that they might render their religion obscure and con- fused unto them. But if God had pleased, they had not done this- therefore leave them, and that which they falsely imagine. They also say, These cattle and fruits of the earth are sacred ; none shall eat thereof, but who we please (according to their imagination); and there are cattle whose backs are forbidden to be rode on, or laden with burdens ; and there are cattle on which they commemorate not the name of God when they slay them, devising a lie against him: God shall reward them for that which they falsely devise. And they say, That which is in the bellies of these cattle, is allowed our males to eat, and is forbidden to our wives: but if it prove abortive, then they are both partakers thereof. God shall give them the reward of their attributing these things to him : he is knowing and wise. They are utterly lost who have slain their children foolishly, without know- lei lir<- ; and have forbidden that which God hath given them for food, devising a lie against God. They have erred, and were not rightly directed. He it is who prcduceth gardens of vines, both those which are supported on trails of wood, and those which are not supported, and palm trees, and the corn affording various food, and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike unto one another. Eat of their fruit, when they bear fruit, and pay the due thereof on the day whereon ye shall gather it ; but be not profuse, for God loveth not those who are too profuse. And God hath given you some cattle tit for bearing of burdens, and some fit for slaughter only. Eat of what God hath given you for food; and follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your declared enemy. Four pair of cattle hath God given you; of sheep one pair, and of goats one pair. Say unto them, Hatli God forbidden the two males, of sheep and of goats, or the two females; or that which the wombs of the two females con- tain? Tell me with certainty, if ye speak truth. And of camels hath God given you one pair, and of oxen one pair. Say, Hath he forbidden the two males of these, or the two females; or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Were ye present when God commanded you this? And who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against God, that he may seduce men with- out understanding? Verily God directeth not unjust people. Say, I find not in that which hath been revealed uuto me, anything 83 AL KORAN. forbidden unto the eater, that he eat it not, except it be that which dieth of itself, or blood poured forth, or swine's flesh: lor this is an abomination: or that which is profane, having been slain in the name of some other than of God. But whoso shall be com- pelled by necessity to eat of these things, not lusting, nor wilfully transgressing, verily thy Lord will be gracious unto him and merci- ful. Unto the Jews did we forbid every beast having an undivided hoof; and of bullocks and sheep, we forbade them having the fat of both; except that which should be on their backs, or their inwards, or which should be intermixed with the bone. This have we re- warded them with, because of their iniquity: and we are surely speakers of truth. If they accuse thee of imposture, say, Your Lord is endued with extensive mercy: but his severity shall not be averted from wicked people. The idolaters will say, If God had pleased, we had not been guilty of idolatry, neither our fathers; and pretend that we have not forbidden them anything. Thus did they who were be- fore them accuse the prophets of imposture, until they tasted our severe punishment. Say, Is there with you any certain knowledge of what ye allege, that ye may produce it unto us? Ye follow only a false imagination: and ye only utter lies. Say, Therefore unto God belongeth the most evident demonstration; for if he had pleased, he had directed you all. Say, Produce your witnesses, who can bear testimony that God hath forbidden this. But if they bear testimony of this, do not thou bear testimony with them, nor do thou follow the desires of those who accuse our signs of falsehood, and who be- lieve not in the life to come, and equalize idols -with their Lord. Say, Come; I will rehearse that which your Lord hath forbidden you; that is to say, that ye be not guilty of idolatry, and that ye show kindness to your parents, and that ye murder not your children for fear lest ye be reduced to poverty: we will provide for you and them: and draw not near unto heinous crimes, neither openly nor in secret; and slay not the soul which God hath forbidden you to slay, un'ess for a just cause. This hath he enjoined you that ye may understand. And meddle not with the substance of the orphan, otherwise than for the improving thereof, until he attain his age of strength; and use a full measure and a ju-t balance. We will not impose a ta>k on any soul, beyond its ability. And when ye pronounce judgment observe jus- tice, although it be j'or or against one who is near of kin, and fulfil the covenant of God. This hath God commanded you, that ye may be admonished; and , L hat ye may know that this is my ri-rht way: therefore follow it, and follow not the paths of others, lest ye be scattered from the path cf God. This hath he commanded you, that ye may take heed. We gave also unto Moses the book of the Law ; a perfect rule unto him "who should do right, and a determination con- cerning all things needful, and a direction, and mercy; that the chil- o T ?r\ of Israel might believe the meeting of their Lord. And this loci: vhich we have now sent down, is blessed; therefore follow it AL KORAN. 83 and fear God, that ye may obtain mercy: lest ye should say, The scriptures were only sent down unto two people before us; and we neglected to peruse them with attention : or lest ye should say, If a book of divine revelations had been sent down unto us, we would surely have been better directed than they. And now hath a mani- fest declaration come unto you from your Lord, and a direction and mercy: and who is more unjust than he who deviseth lies against the signs of God, and turneth asid;,' from them? We will reward those who turn aside from our signs with a grievous punishment, be- came they have turned aside. Do they wait for any other than that the angels should come unto them, to part their souls from I'icir bodies"; or that thy Lord should come to punish them; or 111! some of the signs of thy Lord should come to pass, showing the day of judgment to be at hand? On the day whereon some of thy Lord's signs shall come to pass, its faith shall not profit a soul which believed not before, or wrought not good in its faith. Say, Wait ye for this day; we surely do wait for it. They who make a division in their religion, and become sectaries, have thou nothing to do with them ; their affair belongeth only unto God. Hereafter shall he declare unto them that which they have done. He who shall appear with good works shall receive a tenfold recompense for the same; but ne who shall appear with evil works, shall re- ceive only an equal punishment for the same ; and they shall not be treated unjustly. Say, Verily my Lord hath directed me into a right way, a true religion, the sect of Abraham the orthodox; and he was no 'idolater. Say, Verily my prayers, and my worship, and my life, and my death are dedicated unto God, the Lord of all crea- tures: he hath no companion. This have I been commanded: I am the first Moslem. Say, Shall I desire any other Lord besides God? since he is the Lord of all things; and no soul shall acquire any merits or demerits but for itself; and no burdened soul shall bear the burden of another. Moreover unto your Lord shall ye return ; and he shall declare unto you that concerning which ye now dispute. It is he who hath appointed you to succeed your predecessors in the earth, and hath raised some of you above others by various degrees of worldly advantages, that he might prove you by that which he hath bestowed on you. Thy Lord is swift in punishing ; and ho i" also gracious and merciful. CHAPTER VII. ENTITLED, AL ARAF; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OP THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A L. M. S. A book hath been sent down unto thee: and therefore let there be nodoubt in thy breast concerning it; thatthou inaycst pi each the same, and that it may be an admonition unto the faithful. Follow that which hath been sent down unto you from your Lord ; and fol- low no guide besides him: how little will ye be warned! How many cities have we destroyed; which our vengeance overtook by night, or while they were reposing themselves at noonday! And their suppli- cation, when our punishment came upon them, was no other than that they said, Verily we have been unjust. We will surely call those to an account, unto whom a prophet hath been sent; and we will also call those to account who have been sent unto them. And we will de- clare their actions unto them with knowledge; for we are not absent from them. The weighing of men's actions on that day shall be just; and they whose balances laden with their good works shall be heavy, are those who shall be happy; but they whose balances shall be light, are those who have lost their souls, because they injured our signs. And now have we placed you on the earth, and have provided you food therein; but bow little are ye thankful! We created you, and afterwards formed you; and then said unto the angels. Worship Adam; and they aM worshipped him, except Eblis, who was not one of those who worshipped. God said unto him, What hindered thee from worshipping Adam, since I had commanded thee? He answered, I am more excellent than he ; thou hast created me of fire, and hast created him of clay. God said, Get thee down therefore from para- dise ; for it is not fit that thou behave thyself proudly therein : get thee hence; thou shalt be one of the contemptible. He answered, Give me respite until the day of resurrection. God said, Verily thou shalt be one of those who are respited. The devil said, Because thou hast depraved me, I will' lay wait for men in thy strait way; then will I come upon them from before, and from behind, and from their right hands, and from their left; and thou shalt not find the greater part of them thankful. God said unto him, Get thee hence, despised, and driven faraway: verily whoever of thorn shall follow thee, I will surely fill hell with you all : but as for thee, < ) Adam, dwell thou and Ihy wife in paradise; and eat of the fruit thereof wherever ye will; but approach not this tree, lestye become of the number of the unjust. And Satan suggested to them both, that he would discover unto them their naked- ness, which was hidden from them; and he said, Your Lord hath not AL KORAN. & forbidden you this tree, for any other reason but lest ye should be- come angels, or lot ye become immortal. And he swareunto them, saying. Verily I am one of those who counsel you aright. And he caused them to fall through deceit. And when they had tasted of the tree, their nakedness appeared unto them; and they began to join together the leaves of paradise, to cover themselves. And their Lord called to them, saying, Did I not forbid you this tree; and did I not say unto you. Verily Satan is your declared enemy? They answered, O Lord, we have dealt unjustly with our own souls; and if thou forgive us not, and be not merciful unto us, we shall surely be of those who perish. God said. Get ye down, the one of you an enemy unto the other; and ye shall have a dwelling-place upon earth, and a provision for a season. He said, Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die, and from thence shall ye be taken forth at the resurrection. O children of Adajn, we have sent down unto you apparel, to conceal your naked- ness, and fair garments ; 1 tut the clothing of piety is better. This is one of the signs of God ; that peradventure ye may consider. O chil- dren of Adam, let not Satan seduce you, as he expelled your parents out of paradise, by stripping them of their clothing, that he might show them their nakedness: verily he seeth you, both he and his companions, whereas ye see not them. We have appointed the devils to be the patrons of those w r ho believe not: and when they commit a filthy action, they say, \Ve found our fathers practising the same: and God hath commanded us to do it. Say, Verily Godcommandeth not filthy actions. Do ye speak concerning God that which ye know not? Say, My Lord hath commandeth me to observe justice; there- fore.' set your faces to pray at every place of worship, and call upon him, approving unto him the sincerity of your religion. As he pro- duced you at first, so unto him shall ye return. A part of mankind hath he directed: and a part hath been justly led into error, because they have taken the devils for their patrons besides God, and imagine that they are rightly directed. O children of Adam, take your de- cent apparel at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not guilty of excess; for he loveth not those who are guilty of excess. Say, \\'ho hath forbidden the decent apparel of God, which he hath produced for his servants, and the good things which he hath pro- vided for food? Say, These things are for those who believe, in this present life, but peculiarly on the day of resurrection. Thus do we distinctly explain our signs unto people who understand. Say, Verily my Lord hath forbidden til thy actions, both that which is dis- covered thereof, and that which is concealed, and also iniquity, and unjust violence; and hath forbidden you to associate with GcJ thai concernini: which he hath sent you down no authority, or to speak of God that which ye know not. Unto every nation there is a pre- fixed term; therefore when their term is expired, they shall not have respite for an hour, neither shall they be anticipated. O children of A*iaiu, verily apostles from among you shall come unto you, who 88 AL KORAtf. shall expound my signs unto you: whosoever therefore shall fear God and amend, there shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be grieved. But they who shall accuse our signs of falsehood, and shall proudly reject them, they shall he the companions of hell lire-. they shall remain therein for ever. And who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie concerning God, or accuseth his signs of impos- ture? Unto these shall be given their portion of worldly happiness, according to what is written in the book of God's decrees, until our messengers come unto them, and shall cause them to die; saying, Where are the idols which ye called upon, besides God? They shall answer, They have disappeared mm us. And they shall bear wit- ness against, themselves, that they were unbelievers. God shall say unto them at the resurrection, Enter ye with the nations which have preceded you, of genii and of men, into hell fire; so often as one na- tion shall enter, it shall curse its sister, until they shall all have suc- cessively entered therein. The latter of them shall say of the former of them, O Lord, these have seduced us; therefore inflict on them a double punishment of the fire of hell. God shall answer, It shall be doubled unto all; but ye know it not. And the former of them .-hall say unto the latter of them, Ye have not therefore any favour above us; taste the punishment for that which ye have gained. Verily they who shall charge our signs with falsehood, and shall proudly reject them, the gates of heaven shall not be opened unto them, neither shall they enter into paradise, until a camel pass through the eye of a needle; and thus will we reward the wicked doers. Their couch shall be in hell, and over them shall be coveringsof fire-, and thus will we reward the unjust. But they who believe and do that which is right (we will not load any soul but according to its ability), they shall be the companions of paradise; they shall remain therein for e XT. And we will remove all grudges from their minds; rivers shall run at t heir- feet, and they shall say, Praised be God, who hath directed us unto this felicity! for we should not have been rightly directed, if God had not directed us: now are we convinced by demonstration t'utt the apostles of our Lord came unto us with truth. And it shall 1 e pro- claimed unto them, This is paradise, whereof ye are made heirr, as a reward for that which ye have wrought, And the inhabitants of paradise shall call out to the inhabitants of hell fire, saying, A"OW have we found that which our Lord promised us to be true; have ye also found that which your Lord promised to be true? They shall answer, Yea. And a crier shall proclaim be- tween them. The curse of God shall be on the wicked; who turn men aside from the way of God, and seek to render it crooked, and who leny the life to come. Ai.d between the- blessed and the damned here shall be a veil; and men shall stand on al Aral", who shall know :very one of them by their marks; and shall call unto the inhabitants if paradise, saying, Peace be upon you: yet they >ha;l not enter herein, although they earnestly desire* it. And when the} hall turn AL KORAN. 8? their eyes towards the companions of hell fire, they shall say, O Lord, place us not with the ungodly people! And those who stand on al Araf shall call unto certain men, whom they sha.l know by their marks, and shall say, What hath your gathering of riches availed you, and that ye were puffed up with pride? Are these the men on whom ye sware that God would not bestow mercy? Enter ye into paradise ; there shall come no fear on you, neither shall ye be grieved. And the inhabitants of hell nre shall call unto the inhabitants of paradise, saying, Pour upon us some water, or of those refreshments which God hath bestowed on you. They shall answer, Verily God hath forbidden them unto the unbelievers; who made a laughing-stock and a sport of their religion, and whom the life of the world hath de- ceived: therefore this day will we forget them, as they did forget the meeting of this day, and for that they denied our signs to be from God. And now we have brought unto those of Mecca a book of divine revelations: we have explained it with knowledge; a direction and mercy unto people who shall believe. Do they wait for any other than the interpretation thereof? On the day whereon the inter pretation thereof shall come, they who had forgotten the same before, shall say, Now are we convinced by demonstration that the mes- sengers of our Lord came unto us with truth: shall we therefore have; any intercessors, who will intercede for us? or shall we be sent bacK into the world, that we may do other works than what we did in our lifetime'." But now have they lost their souls; and that which they impiously imagined, hath fled from them. Verily your Lord is Goa, who created the heavens and the earth in six days; and then ascended his throne: he causeth the night to cover the day; it succeedeth the same swiftly: lie also created the sun and the moon, and the stars, which are absolutely subject unto his command. Is not the whole creation, and the empire thereof, his? Blessed be God, the Lord of all creatures! Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret: for lie loveth not those who transgress. And act not corruptly in the earth, after its reformation, and call upon him with fear and desire: for the piercy of God is near unto the righteous. It 's he who sendeth the winds, spread abroad before his mercy, until they bring a cloud heavy with rain, which we drive unto a dead country; and we cause water to descend thereon, by which we cause all sorts of fruits to spring forth. Thus will we" bring forth the dead from their graves; that peradventure ye may consider. From a good country shall its fruit spring forth abundantly, by the permission of its Lord; but from the land which is had, it shall 'not spring forth otherwise than scarcely. Thus do we explain the signs of divine providence unto people who are thankful. '\Ve formerly sent Noah unto his people: and he said, my people, worship God*: ye have no otlier God than him. Verily 1 fear for the punishment of "the great day, The chiefs of his people answered him, We surely perceive thee to be in a manifest error. He replied, O my people, there is no error in me ; but I am a messenger aa AL KORAN. from the Lord of all creatures. I bring unto you the messaged of my Lord; and I counsel you aright: for I know from God that which ye know not. Do ye wonder that an admonition hath come unto you from your Lord by a man from among you, to warn you, that ye may take heed to yourselves, and that per- ad venture ye may obtain mercy? And they accused him of im- posture: but we delivered him and those who were with him in the ark, and we drowned those who charged our signs with falsehood; for they were a blind pt ople. And unto the tribe of Ad we sent their brother Hud. He said, O my people worship God: ye have no other God than him: will ye not fear him? The chiefs of those among his people who believed not, answered, Verily we perceive that thou art guided by folly : and we certainly esteem thee to be one of the liars. He replied, O my people, I am not guided by folly; but I am a messenger unto you from the Lord of all creatures: I bring unto you the messages of my Lord; and I am a faithful coun- sellor unto you. Do ye wonder that an admonition hath come unto you from your Lord, by a man from among you, that he may W;UM you? Call to mind how he hath appointed you successors unto tl e people of Noah, and hath added unto you in stature largely. Re- member the benefits of God, that ye may prosper. They said, Ail thou come unto us, that we should worship God alone, and leave the deities which our fathers worshipped? Now bring down that ju.lg- ment upon us, with which thou threatenest us, if thou speaxest truth. Hud answered, Now shall there suddenly fall upon you from your Lord vengeance and indignation. Will ye dispute with me concerning the names which ye have named, and your fathers; as to which God hath not revealed unto you any authority? Do ye wait therefore, and I will be one of those who wait with you. And we delivered him, and them who believed with him, by our mercy; ai.d we cut off the uttermost part of those who charged our signs with falsehood, and were not believers. And unto the tribe of Thamf d we sent their brother Saleh. He said, O my people, worship God : ye have no God besides him. Now hath a manifest proof come un;o you from your Lord. This she-camel of God is a sign unto you: therefore dismiss her freely, that she may feed in God's earth; and do her no hurt, lest a painful punishment seize you. And call tc mind how he hath appointed you successors unto the tribe of Ad, and hath given you a habitation on earth; ye build yourselves castles ou the plains thereof, and cut ou.; the mountains into houses. Remem- ber therefore the benefits of God, commit not violence in the earth, acting corruptly. The chiefs among his people who were puffed up with pride, said unto those who were esteemed weak, namely, unto those who believed among them, Do ve know that Saleh hath been sent from his Lord? They answered", We do surely believe in that wherewith he hath been sent. Those who were elated with pride replied, Verily we believe not in that wherein ye believe. And they AL KORAK. 89 cut off the feet of the camel, and insolently transgressed the com- mand of their Lord, and said, O Saleh, cause that to come upon us, with which thou hast threatened us, if thou art one of those who have been sent by God. Whereupon a terrible noise from heaven assailed them; and in the morning they were found in their dwellings prostrate on their breasts and dead. And Saleh departed from them, and said, O my people, now have I delivered unto you the message of my Lord; and I advised you well, but ye love not those who ad- vise you well. And remember Lot, when he said unto his people, Do ye commit a wickedness, wherein no creature hath set you an example? Do ye approach lustfully unto men, leaving the women? Certainly ye are" people who transgress all modesty. But the answer of his people was no other than that they said the one to the other. Expel them your city; for they are men who preserve themselves pure from the crimes which ye commit. Therefore we delivered him and his family, except his wife; she was one of those who stayed behind : and we rained a shower of stones upon them. Behold therefore what wa< the end of the wicked. And unto Madian we sent their brother Shoaib. He said unto them, O my people, worship God; ye have no God besides him. Now hath an evident demonstra- tion come unto you from your Lord. Therefore give full measure and just weight, and diminish not unto men ought of their matters; neither act corruptly in the earth, after its reformation. This will be better for you, if ye Delieve. And beset not every way, threatening the passenger: and turning aside from the path of God him who be- lieveth in him, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember, when ye were few, ard God multiplied you: and behold, what hath been the end of those who acted corruptly. And if part of you believeth that wherewith I am sent, and part believe not, wait patiently until God judge between us; for he is the best judge. (IX.) The chiefs of his people, who were elated with pride, answered, We will sureiy cast tiiee, O Shoaib, and those w r ho believe with thee, out of our city; or else thou shall certainly return unto our religion. He siM. What, though we be averse thereto? We shall surely im- agine a iie against God. if we return unto your religion, after that God ha'h delivered us from the same: and we have no reason to return uu',0 it, unless God our Lord shall please to abandon us. Our Lord Comprehendeth everything by his knowledge. In God do we put our trust. O Lord, do thou judge between us and our nation with, truth, for thou art the best judge. And the chiefs of his people, who beiieved not. said. If ye. follow Shoaib, ye shall surely perish. Therefore a storm from heaven assailed them, and in the morning they were found in their dwellings dead and prostrate. They who accused Shoaib of imposture became as though they had never dwelt therein; they who accused Shoaib of imposture perished them- selves. And he departed from them, and said, O my people, now have I performed unto you the messages of my Lord; and I ad- 90 AL KORAN. vised you aright: but why should I be grieved for an unbelieving people? We have never sent any prophet unto a city, but we attlic- ted the inhabitants thereof with calamity and adversity, that they might humble themselves. Then Ave gave them in exchange good in lieu of evil, until they abounded, and said, Adversity and prosperity formerly happened unto our fathers, as unto us. Therefore we took vengeance on them suddenly, and they perceived it not beforehand. But if the inhabitants of those cities had believed and feared God, we would surely have opened to them blessings both from heaven and earth. But they charged our apostles with falsehood; wherefore we took vengeance on them, for that which they had been guilty of. Were the inhabitants therefore of those cities secure that our punish- ment should not fall on them by night, while they slept? Or were the inhabitants of those cities secure that our punishment should not fall on them by day, while they sported? Were they therefore se- cure from the stratagem of God? But none will think himself secure from the stratagem of God, except the people who perish. And hath it not manifestly appeared unto those who have inherited the earth after the former inhabitants thereof, that, if we please, we can afflict them for their sins? But we willjseal up their hearts: and they shall not hearken. We will relate unto thee some stories of these cities. Their apostles had come unto them with evident mira- cles, but they were not disposed to believe in that which they had before gainsaid. Thus will God seal up the hearts of the unbelievers. And we found not in the greater part of them any observance of their covenant; but we found the greater part of them wicked doers. Then we sent, after the above-named apostles, Moses with our signs unto Pharaoh and his princes; who treated them unjustly: but be- hold what was the end of the corrupt doers. And Mosc> said, O Pharaoh, verily I am an apostle sent from the Lord of all creatures. It is just that 1 should not speak of God other than the truth. Now am I come unto you with an evident sign from your Lord: ser.d therefore the children of Israel away with me. Pharaoh answered, If thou comest with a sign, produce it, if thou speakcst truth. Wherefore he cast down his rod; and behold, it became a visible ser- pent. And he drew forth his hand out of bis bosom; and behold, it appeared white unto the spectators. The chiefs of the people of Pharaoh said, This man is certainly an expert magician: he secketh to dispossess you of your land; what therefore do ye direct? They answered, Put off him and his brother by fair promises for some time, and in the meanwhile .-end unto the cities persons who may :I-M inble and bring unto thee every -.-Xpert magician, So the magi- cians came unto Pharaoh: and they said. Shall we surely receive a reward, if we do overcome': I-e answered, Yta; and ye shall cer- tainly be of those who approach near unto my throne. They said, O Moses, either do thou cast down thy rod first, or we will cast down ours. Moses answered, Do ye cast down your rods first. And when AL KORAN. 91 they had cast them down, they enchanted the eyes of the men who were present, and terrified them; and they performed a great "ii- 2hantment. And we spake by revelation unto Moses, saying, Throw down thy rod. And behold, it swallowed up the rods which they had caused falsely to appear changed into serpents. Wherefore the truth was continued, and that which they had wrought vanished. And Pharaoh and his man: ::ians were overcome there, and 1 were ren- dered contemptible. And the mairici.ans prostrated themselves, wor- shipping: and they -aid. We believe in the Lord of all creatures, the Lord of M'-ses and Aaron. Pharaoh said. Have ye believed on him, before I have given you permission'.' Verily this is a plot which ye have contrived in the city, that ye might cast forth from thence the inhabitants thereof. But ye shall surely know that I am your mas- ter; for I will cause your hands and your feet to be cut off on the opposite sides, then will I cause you ail to be crucified. The magi- cians answered, We shall certainly return unto our Lord, in the next life ; for thou takest vengeance on us only because we have believed in the signs of our Lord, when they have come unto us. O Lord pour on us patience, and cause us to die Moslems. And the chiefs of Pharaoh's people said, Wilt thou let Moses and his people go, that they may act corruptly in the earth, and leave thee and thy gods? Pharaoh answered, We will cause their male children to be slain and we will suffer their females to live; and by that means we shall pre- vail over them. Moses said unto his people, Ask assistance of God, and suffer patiently; for the earth, is God's, he giveth it for an inher- itance unto such of his servants as he pleaseth: and the prosperous end shall be unto those who fear him. They answered. We have been afflicted by having our male children slain, before thou earnest unto us, and also since thou hast come unto us. Moses said, Perad- venture it may happen that your Lord will destroy your enemy, and will cause you to succeed him in the earth, that he may see how ye will act therein. And we formerly punished the people of Pharaoh with dearth and scarcity of fruits, that they might be warned. Yet when good happened unto them, they said, This is owing unto us: but if evil befell them, they attributed the same to the ill luck of Moses, and those who were with him. Was not their ill luck with God? but most of them knew it not. And they said unto Moses, Whatever sign thou show unto us, to enchant us therewith, we will not believe on thee. Wherefore we sent upon them a flood, and locusts, and lice, and frogs, and blood; distinct miracles: but they behaved proudlv. and became a wicked people. And when the pla.uue fell on them. the\ -aid. () Moses, entreat thy Lord for us, ac- cording to thai which he hath covenanted with thee: verily if thou take the plague from off us, we will surely believe thee, and we will let the children of Israel go with thee. But when we had taken the plague from off them, until the term which God had granted them was expired, behold, they broke their promise. Wherefore we took te AL KORAN. vengeance on them, and drowned them in the Red Sea; because they charged our signs with falsehood, and neglected them. And we caused the people who had been rendered weak, to inherit the eastern parts of the earth and the western parts thereof, which we blessed .vith fertility; and the gracious word of thy Lord was fulfilled on the children of Israel, for that they had endured with patience: and we destroyed the structures which Pharaoh and his people had made, and that which they had erected. And we caused the children of Israel to pass through the sea, and they came unto a people who gave themselves up to the worship of their idols: and the}' said, O Moses, make us a god in like manner as these people have gods. Moses answered, Verily ye are an ignorant people: for the religion which these follow will be destroyed, and that which they do is vain. He said, Shall I seek for you any other god than God*: since he hath preferred you to the rest of the world? And remember when we delivered you 'from the people of Pharaoh, who grievously op- pressed you; they slew your male children, and let your females live: therein was a great trial from your Lord. And we appointed unto Moses a fast of thirty nights before we gave him the law. and we completed them by adding of ten more; and the stated time of his Lord was fulfilled in forty nights. And Moses said unto his brother Aaron, Be thou my deputy among my people during my absence; and behave uprightly, and follow not the way of the corrupt doers. And when Moses came at our appointed time, and his Lord spake unto him, he said, O Lord, Show me thy glory, that I may behold thee. God answered, Thou shalt in no wise behold me; but look towards the mountain, and if it stand firm in its place, then shalt thou see me. But when his Lord appeared with glory in the mount, he reduced it to dust. And Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he came to himself, he said, Praise be unto thee! I turn unto thee with repentance, and I am the first of true believers. God said unto him, O Moses, I have chosen thee above all men. liy honour- ing thee with my commissions, and by my speaking unto thee: receive therefore that which I have brought thee. and be one of those \\ lio uivc thanks. And we wrote for him on the tables an admonition concern- ing even' matter, and a decision in every cae which are bad; and he will ease them of their heavy burden, and of the yokes which were upon them. And those who believe- on him, and honour him, and assist him, and follow the light which hath been sent down with him, shall be happy. Say, O men, Verily I am the messenger of God unto you all: unto him belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth; there is no God 94 AL KORAX. but he; he giveth life, and he causeth to die. Believe there fore in God and his apostle, the illiterate prophet, who believeth in God and his word; and follow him, that ye may be rightly directed. Of the people of Moses there is a party who direct others with truth, and act justly according to the same. And we divided them into twelve tribes, as into so many nations. And we spake by revelation unto Moses, when his people asked drink of him, and we said, Strike the rock with thy rod; and there gushed thereout twelve fountains, and men knew their respective driuking-place. And we caused clouds to overshadow them, and manna and quails to descend upon them, saying. Eat of the good things which we have given you for food: and they injured not us, but they injured their own souls And call to mind when it was said unto them. Dwell in this city, and eat of the provisions thereof wherever ye will, and say, Forgiv and enter the gate worshipping: we will pardon you* your sins, and will give increase unto the well-doers. But they 'who were ungodly among them changed the expression into another* which had not been spoken unto them. Wherefore we sent down upon them indignation from heaven, because they had transgressed. And ask them concern- ing the city, which was situate on the sea, when they transgre-M-d on the sabbath day: when their fish came unto them on their sabbath day, appearing openly on the water; but on the day whereon they celebrated no sabbath, they came not unto them. Thus did we prove them, because they were wicked doers. And when a party of them said unto the others, "Why do ye warn a people whom God will de- stroy, or will punish with a grievous punishment? They answered. This is an excuse for us unto your Lord; and peradventure they will beware. But when they had" forgotten the admonitions which had been given them, we delivered those who forbade them to do evil ; a r .d we inflicted on those who had transgre^ed. a severe punishment, because they had acted wickedly. And when they proudly r. to desist from what had been forbidden them, we said unto them. Be ye transformed into apes, driven away from the society of men. Ai.-i remember when thy Lord declared that he would surely send again>t the Jews, until the day of resurrection, some nation who should afflict them with a grievous oppression; for thy Lord is swift in pun- ishing, and he is also ready to forgive and merciful : and we di>; them among the nations in the earth. Some of them are upright per sons, and some of them are otherwise. And we proved them with prosperity and with adversity, that they might return from their dis- obedience: and a succession of their posterity hath succeeded after them, who have inherited the book of the law, who receive the tem- poral goods of this world, and say, It will surely be forgiven us: aud if a temporal advantage like the former be offe'red them, they accept it also. Is not the covenant of the book of the law established with them, that they should not speak of God ought but the truth? Yet they diligently read that which is therein. But the enjoyment of the AL KORAN. 95 next life will be better for those who fear God than the wicked gains of these people (Dove not therefore understand?) and for those who hold fast the book of the law, and are constant at prayer: for we will by no means suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. And when we shook the mountain of Sinai over them, as though it had been a covering, and they imagined that it was falling upon them ; and we said, Receive the law which we have brought you, with reverence; and remember that which is contained therein, that ye may take heed. And when thy Lord drew forth their posterity from the loins of tho sons of Adam, and took them to witness against themselves, sayi:ig, Am not I your Lord? They answered, Yea: we do bear witness. This was done lest ye should say, at the day of resurrection, Verily we were negligent as to this matter, because w r e were not apprised thereof; or lest ye should say, Verily our fathers were formerly guilty of idolatry, and we are their posterity who have succeeded them; wilt thou therefore destroy us for that which vain men have committed? Thus do we explain our signs, that they may return from their vanities. And relate unto the Jews the history of him unto whom we brought our signs, and he departed from them; wherefore Satan followed him, and lie became one of those who were seduced. And if we bad pleased, we had surely raised him thereby unto wisdom; but he in- clined unto the earth, and followed his own desire. Wherefore his likeness is as the likeness of a dog, which, if thou drive him away, put teth forth his tongue, or, if thou let him alone, putteth forth his tongue also. This is the likeness of the people who accuse our .sign?, of falsehood. Rehearse therefore this history unto them, that they may consider. Evil is the similitude of those people who accuse our signs of falsehood and injure their own souls. Whomsoever God shall direct, lie will be rightly directed; and whomsoever he sht.il 1 lead astray, they shall perish. Moreover we have created for hell many of the genii and of men; they have hearts by which they un- derstand not, and they have eyes by which they see not, and they have ears by which they hear not. These are like the brute beasts; yea, they go more astray: these are the negligent. God hath most excellent names: therefore call on him by the same ; and withdraw from those who use his names perversely: they shall be rewarded for that which they shall have wrought. And of those whom we have created there are a people who direct others with truth, and act justly according thereto. But those who devise lies against our signs, we will suffer them to fall gradually into ruin, by a method which they know not: and I will grant them to enjoy a long and prosperous life; for my stratagem is effectual. Do they not consider that there is no devil in their companion? He is no other than a public preacher. Or do they not contemplate the kingdom of heaven and earth, and the things which God hath created; and consider that pcradventure it may be that their end draweth nigh? And in what uc\v declaration will they believe, after this? He whom God shall 96 AL KORAN. cause to err, shall have no director; and he shall leave them in their impiety, wandering in confusion. They will ask thee concerning the last hour; at what time its coming is fixed? Answer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with my Lord; none shall declare the fixed time thereof, except he. The expectation thereof is grievous in h.?aven and on earth: it shall come upon you no otherwise than suddenly. They will ask thee, as though thou wast well acquainted therewith. An- swer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with God alone: hut the greater part of men know it not. Say, I am able neither to procure advan- tage unto myself, nor to avert mischief from me, hut as God pleaseth. If I knew the secrets of God, I should surely enjoy abundance of good, neither should evil befall me. Verily I am no other than a de- nouncer of threats, and a messenger of good tidings unto people who believe. It is he who hath created you from one person, and out of him produced his wife, that he might dwell with her; and when he had known her, she carried a light burden for a time, wherefore she \va!ked easily therewith. But when it became more heavy, they called upon God, their Lord, saying, If thou give us a child rightly shaped, we will surely be thankful. Yet when he had given them a child rightly shaped, they attributed companions unto him, for that which he had given them. But far be that from God, which they associated with him! Will they associate with him false gods which create nothing, but are themselves created; and can neither give them assistance, nor help themselves? And if ye invite them to the true direction, they will not follow you: it will be equal unto you, whether ye invite them, or whether ye hold your peace. Verily the false deities whom ye invoke besides God, are servants like unto you. Call therefore upon them, and let them give you an answer, if ye speak truth. Have they feet, to walk with? Or have they hands, to lay hold with? Or have they eyes, to see with? Or have they ears, to hear with? Say, Call upon your com- panions, and then lay a snare for me. and defer it not; for God is my protector.who sent down the book of the Koran; and he protecteth the righteous. But they whom ye invoke besides him, cannot assist you, neither do they help themselves; and if ye call on them to direct you, they will not" hear. Thou seest them look towards thee, but they see not. Use indulgence, and command that which is just, and withdraw far from the ignorant. And if an evil suggestion from Satan be suggested unto thee, to divert thee from thy duty, have re- course unto God; for he heareth and knoweth. Verily they who fear God, when a temptation from Satan assailcth iheni. remember the divine commands, and behold, they clearly see the danger of sin. and the wiles cf the devil. But as for the brethren of the devils, they shall continue them in error; and afterwards they shall not pre- serve themselves therefrom. And when thou bringest not a ver-e of !!)(_ Koran unto them, they say, Hast thou not put it together? Answer. 1 follow thit only which is revealed unto me from iny Lord. This AL KORAN. 97 containeth. evident proofs from your Lord, and is a direction 8L.J mercy unto people who believe. And when the Koran is read, attend thereto, and keep silence ; that ye may obtain mercy. And meditate on thy Lord in thine own mind, with humility and fear, and without loud speaking, evening and morning; and be not one of the negligent. Moreover the angels who are with my Lord, do not proudly disdain his service, but they celebrate his praise and wor- ship him. CHAPTER VIII. ENTITLED, THE SPOILS; REVEALED AT MEDINA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. THEY will ask thee concerning the spoils: Answer, The division of the spoils belongeth unto God and the apostle. Therefore fear God, and compose the matter amicably among you; and obey God and his apostle, if ye are true believers. Verily the true believers are those whose hearts fear when God is mentioned, and whose faith in- creasetb when his signs are rehearsed unto them, and w r ho trust in their Lord; who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms out of that which we have bestowed on them. These are really believers: they shall have superior degrees of felicity with their Lord, and for- giveness, and an honourable provision. As thy Lord brought thee forth from thy house, with truth; and part of the believers were averse to thy directions: they disputed with thee concerning the truth, after it had been made known unto them; no otherwise than as if they had been led forth to death, and had seen it with their eyes. And cail to mind when God promised you one of the two parties, that it should be delivered unto you; and ye desired that the party which was not furnished with arms should be delivered unto you: but God purposed to make known the truth in his words, and to cut off the uttermost part of the unbelievers; that he might verify the truth, and destroy falsehood, although the wicked were averse there- to. When ye asked assistance of your Lord, and he answered you, Verily I will assist you with a thousand angels, following one another in order. And this God designed only as good tidings for you, and that your hearts might thereby rest secure: for victory is from God alone ; and God is mighty and wise. When a sleep fell on you as a security from him, and he sent down upon you water from heaven, that he might thereby purify you, and take from you the abomination of Satan, and that he might confirm your hearts, and establish your feet thereby. Also when thy Lord spake unto the angel, saying. Verily I am with you; wherefore confirm those who believe. 1 will cast a dread into the hearts of the unbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads, and strike off all the ends of their fingers. This shall 98 AL KORAK they suffer, because they have resisted God and his apostle : and who- soever shall oppose God and his apostle, verily God will be severe in punishing him. This shall be your punishment; taste it therefore; and the infidels shall also suffer the torment of hell fire. O true be- lievers, when ye meet the unbelievers marching in great numbers against you, turn not your backs unto them : for whoso shall turn his back unto them on that day, unless he turneth aside to fight, or re- treateth to another party of the faithful, shall draw on himself the indignation of God, and his abode shall be hell; an ill journey shall it be thither! And ye slew not those who were slain at Bedr your- selves, but God slew them. Neither didst thou, O Mohammed, casl the gravel into their eyes, when thou didst seem to cast it; but God cast it, that he might prove the true believers by a gracious trial from himself; for God heareth and knoweth. This was done that God might also weaken the crafty devices of the unbelievers. If ye desire a decision of the matter between us, now hath a decision come unto you : and if ye desist from opposing the apostle, it will be better for you. But if ye return to attack him, we will also return to his assist- ance ; and your forces shall not be of advantage unto you at all, al- though they be numerous; for God is with the faithful. O true be- lievers, obey God and his apostle, and turn not b;u k from him, since ye hear the admonitions of the Koran. And be i.ot as those who say, We hear, when they do not hear. Verily the worst sort of beasts in the sight of God, are the deaf and the dumb, who understand not. If God had known any good in them, he would certainly have caused them to hear: and if he had caused them to hear, they would surety have turned back, and have retired afar off. O true believers, answer God and his apostle, when he inviteth you unto that which giveth you life; and know that God goeth between a man and his heart, and that before him ye shall be assembled. Beware of sedi- tion; it will not affect those who are ungodly among you particularly, but all of you in general ; and know that God is severe in punishing. And remember when ye were few, and reputed weak in the land; ye feared lest men should snatch you away; but God provided you a place of refuge, and he strengthened you with his assistance, and bestowed on you good things, that ye might give thanks. O true believers, deceive not God and his apostle; neither violate your faith, against your own knowledge. And know that your wealth, and your children are a temptation unto you; and that with God is a great reward. O-true believers, if ye fear God, he will grant you a distinction, and will expiate your sins from you, and will forgive you : for God is endued with great liberality. And call to mind when the unbelievers plotted against thee, that they might either detain thee in bonds, or put thee to death, or expel thee the city; and they plotted against thee: but God laid a plot against them; and God is the best layer of plots. And when our signs are repeated unto them, they say, We have heard; if we pleased we could certainly pronounce a com AL KORAX. 99 position like unto this: this is nothing but fables of the ancients. And when they said, O God, if this be the truth from thee, rain down stones upon us from heaven, or inflict on us some other grievous punishment But God was not disposed to punish thorn, while thou wast with them; nor was God disposed to punish them when they asked pardon. But they have nothing to offer in excuse why God should not punish them, since they hindered the believers from visiting the holy temple, although they are not the guardians thereof. The guardians thereof are those only who fear God ; but the greater part of them know it not. And their prayer at the house of God is no other than whistling and clapping of the hands. Taste therefore the punishment, for that ye have been unbelievers. They who believe not, expend their wealth to obstruct the way of God: they shall expend it, but afterwards it shall become matter of sighing and regret unto them, and at length they shall be overcome: and the unbelievers shall be gathered together into hell; that God may distinguish the wicked from the good, and may throw the wicked one upon the other, and may gather them all in a heap, and cast them into hell. These are they who shall perish. Say unto the unbelievers, that if they desist from opposing thee, what is already past shall be forgiven them ; but if they return to attack thee, the exem- plary punishment of the former opposers of the prophets is already past, and the like shall be inflicted on them. Therefore figlit against them until there be no opposition in favour of idolatry, and the religion be wholly God's. If they desist, verily God seeth that which the} 7 do : but if they turn back, know that God is your patron; he is the best patron, and the best helper. (X.) And know that whenever ye gain any spoils, a fifth part thereof belongeth unto God and to the apostle, and his kindred, and the orphans, and the poor, and the traveller; if ye believe in God, and that which we have sent down unto our servant on the day of distinction, on the day whereon the two armies met: and God is almighty. When ye were encamped on the hithermost side of the valley, and they were encamped on the further side, and the caravan was below you; and if ye had mutually appointed to come to a battle, ye would certainly have declined the appointment: but ye were brought to an engagement without any previous appointment, that God might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done, that he who perisheth hereafter may perish after demonstrative evidence, and that he wholivethmay live by the same evidence; God bothheareth and knoweth. When thy Lord caused the enemy to appear unto tliee in thy sleep, fw in number; and if he had caused them to appear numerous unto thee, ye would have been disheartened and wonld have disputed concerning the matter: but God preserved you from this; for he knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men. And when he caused them to appear unto you, when ye met, to be few in your e\c<; and diminished your numbers in their eyes; that God might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done: and unto God shall all things return. O true believers, when ye meet a party of the infidels, stand 100 AL KORAN. firm, and lemember God frequently, that ye may prosper: and obey God and 1m apostle, and be not refractory, lest ye be discouraged, and your success depart from you; but persevere with patience, for God is with those who persevere. And be not as those whc went out of their houses In an insolent manner, and to appear with ostentation unto men, and turned aside from the way of God; for God comprehendeth that which they do. And remember when Satan prepared their works for them, and said, No man shall prevail against you to-day; and I will surely be near to assist you. But when the two : mies appeared in sight of each other, he turnc-d back on his heels, and said, Verily I am clear of you: I certainly see that which ye see not: I fear God, for God is severe in punishing. When the hypocrites, and those in whusc hearts there was an infirmity said, Their religion hath deceived these men: but whosoever confideth in God cannot be deceived; for God is mighty and wise. And if thou didst behold when the angels cause the unbelievers to die: they strike their faces and their backs, and say unto them, Taste ye the pain of burning: this shall ye suffer for that which your hands have sent before you"; and because God is not unjust towards his servants. Those have acted according to the wont. of the people of Pharaoh, and of those before them, who disbelieved in the signs of God: therefore God took them away in their iniquity for God is mighty, and severe in punishing. This hath come topa.-s because God changeth not his grace, wherewith he hath favoured any people, until they change that which is in their souls; and for that God both heareth and seeth. According to the wont of the people of Pharaoh, and of those before them, who charged the signs of their Lord with imposture, have they acted: wherefore we de>troyed them In their sins, and we drowned the people of Pharaoh; for they were all unjust persons. Verily the worst cattle in the sight of G*od are those who are obstinate infidels, and will not believe. As to those who enter into a league with thee, and afterwards violate their league at every convenient opportunity, and fear, not God; if thou take them in war, disperse, by making them an example, those who shall come after them, that they may be warned; or if thou apprehend treachery from any people, throw back their league unto them, with like treat- ment; for God loveth not the treacherous. And think nol that the unbelievers have escaped God's vengeance, for they shall not weaken the power of God. Therefore prepare against them what force ye are able, and troops of horse, whereby ye may strike a terror into the enemy of God, and your enemy, and into other infidels besides them, whom ye know not, but God knoweth them. And whatsoever ye shall expend in the defence of the religion of God, it shall be n paid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. And if they incline unto peace, do thou also incline thereto; and put thy confi- dence in God, for it is he who heareth and knoweth. But if they seek to deceive thee, verily God will be thy support. It is he who hath strengthened thee with his help, and with that of the faithful; AL KORAN. 101 and hath united their hearts. If thou hadst expended whatever riches are in the earth, thou couldst not have united their hearts, but God united them; for he is mighty and wise. O prophet, God is thy support, and such of the true believers who follovveth thee. O prophet, stir up the faithful to war: if twenty of you persevere with constancy, they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be one hundred of you, they shall overcome a thousand of those who believe not; because they are a people which do not understand. Now hath God eased you, for he knew that ye were weak. If there be a hundred of you who persevere with constancy, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be a thousand of you, they shall overcome two thousand, by the permission of God; for God is with those who persevere. It h; th n it been granted unto any prophet, that he should possess captive-, unti he had made a great slaughter of the infidels in the earth. Ye ^eek i i - accidental goods of this world, but God re- gardeth the lite 10 come; and God is mighty and wise. Unless a revelation had been previously delivered from God, verily a severe punishment had beer, inflicted on you, for the ransom which ye took from the captives at Bedr. Eat therefore of what ye have acquired, that which is lawful and good: for God is gracious and merciful. O prophet, say unto the captives who are in your hands, If God shall know any good to be in your hearts, he will give you better than what hath been taken from you; and he will forgive you, for God is gra- cious and merciful. But if they seek to deceive thee, verily they have deceived God before; wherefore he hath given thee power over them : and God is knowing and wise. Moreover they who have be- lieved, and have fled their country, and employed their substance and their persons in fighting for the religion of God, and they who have given the prophet a refuge among them, and have assisted him, these shall be deemed the one nearest of kin to the other. But they who have believed, but have not fled their country, shall have no right of kindred at all with you, until they also fly. Yet if they ask assisr- ance of you on account of religion, it belongeth unto you to give them assistance; except against a people between whom and your- selves there shall be a league subsisting: and God seeth that which ye Jo. And as to the infidels, let them be deemed of kin the one to the other. Unless ye do this, there will be a sedition in the earth, and griev iu.< corruption. But as for them who have believed, and left their country, and have fought for God's true religion, and who have allowed the prophet a retreat among them, and have assisted him, these are really believers, they shall receive mercy, and an honourable provision. And they who have believed since, and have fled their country, and have fought with you, these also are of you. And those who are related by consanguinity shall be deemed the nearest of kin to each other, preferably to strangers, according tc the oi God; God knoweth all things. CHAPTER IX. ENTITLED, THE DECLARATION OP IMMUNITY; RETS AXED AT KBDIHA. A DECLARATION of immunity from God and his apostle, unto the Idolaters with whom ye have entered into league. Go to and fro in the earth securely four mouths; and know that ye shall not weaken God, and that God will disgrace the unbelievers. And a declaration from God and his apostle unto the people, on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that God is clear of the idolaters, and his apostle also. Wherefore if ye repent, this will be better for you; but if ye turn back, know that ye shall not weaken God : and denounce unto those who believe not, a painful punishment. Except such of the idolaters with whom ye shall have entered into a league, and who afterwards shall not fail you in any instance, nor assist any other against you. Wherefore perform the covenant which ye shall have made witli them, until their time shall be elapsed; for God loveth those who fear him. And when the months whe rein ye are not allowed to attack them shall be past, kill the idolaters wheresoever ye shall find them, and take them prisoners, and besiege them, and lay wait for them in every convenient place. But if they shall repent, and observe the ap- pointed times of prayer, and pay the legal alms, dismiss them f reely ; for God is gracious and merciful. And if any of the idolaters shall demand protection of thee, grant him protection, that he may hear the word of God; and afterwards let him reach the place of his security. This shalt thou do, because they are people which know not the ex- cellency of the religion thou preachest. How shall the idolaters be admitted into a league with God and with his apostle; except those with whom ye entered into a league at the holy temple? So long as they behave with fidelity towards you, do ye also behave with fidelity towards them; for God loveth those who fear him. How can they be admitted into a league with you, since, if they prevail against you, ihey will not regard in you either consanguinity or faith? They will please you with their mouths, but their hearts will be averse from you; for the greater part of them are wicked doers. They sell the signs of God for a small price, and obstruct his way; it is certainly evil which they do. They regard not in a believer either consanguin- ity or faith; and these are the transgressors. Yet if they repent, and observe the r.ppointed times of prayer, and give alms, they shall be deemed your brethren in religion. We distinctly propound our signs unto peoplo who understand. But if they violate their oaths, alter their league, and revile your religion, oppose the leaders of infidelity AL KORAN. 108 (for there is no trust in them), that they may desist from their treach- ery. Will ye not fight against people who have violated their oaths, and conspired to expel the apostle of God; and who of their own ac- cord assaulted you the first time? Will ye fear them? But it is more just that ye should fear God, if ye are true believers. Attack them therefore; God shall punish them by your hands, and will cover them with shame, and will give you the victory over them; and he will heal the breasts of the people who believe, and will take away the indigna- tion of their hearts; for God will be turned unto whom he pleasetii; and God is knowing and wise. Did ye imagine that ye should be abandoned, whereas God did not yet know those among you who sought for his religion, and took not any besides God, and his apostle, and the faithful for their friends? God is well acquainted with that which ye do. It is not fitting that the idolaters should visit the tem- ples of God, being wit nesses against their own souls of their infidelity. The works of these men are vain; and they shall remain in hell fire for ever. But he only shall visit the temples of God, who believeth in God and the last day, and is constant at prayer, and payeth the le- gal alms, and feareth God alone. The^e perhaps may become of the number of those who are rightly directed. Do ye reckon the giving drink to the pilgrims, and the visiting of the holy temple, to bo actions as meritorious as those performed by him who believeth in God and the last day, and fighteth for the religion of God? They shall not be held equal with God: for God directeth not the unrighteous people. They who have believed, and fled their country, and employed their substance and their persons in the defence of God's true religion, shall be in the highest degree of honour with God; and these are they who shall be happy. Their Lord sendeth them good tidings of mercy from him, and good will, and of gardens wherein they shall enjoy lasting pleasure; they shall continue therein for ever: for God is a great re- ward. O true believers, take not your fathers or your brethren for friends, if they love infidelity above faith; and whosoever among you shall take them for his friends, they will be unjust doers. Say, If your fathers, and your sous, and your brethren, and your wives, and your relations, and your substance which ye have acquired, and your mer- chandise which ye apprehend may not be sold off, and your dwell- ings wherein yc delight, be more dear unto you than God, and his apostle, and the advancement of his religion; wait, until God shall send his command: for God directeth not the ungodly people. Now hath God assisted you in many engagements, and particularly at the battle of Honein; when ye pleased yourselves in your multitude, but it was no manner of advantage unto you, and the earth became too strait for you, notwithstanding it was spacious; then did ye re- treat and turn your backs. Afterwards God sent down his security upon his apostle and upon the faithful, and sent down troops of angels which ye saw not; and he punished those who disbelieved; and this was the reward of the unbelievers. Nevertheless God will 104 AL KORAN. hereafter be turned unto whom he pleaseth; for God is gracious and merciful. O true believers, verily the idolaters are unclean; let thtm not therefore come near unto the holy temple after this year. And if ye fear want, by the cutting off trade and communication with them, God will enrich you of his abundance, if he pleaseth ; for God is knowing and wise. Fight against them who believe not in God, nor in the last day, and forbid not that which God and his apostle have forbidden, and profess not the true religion, of those unto whom the scriptures have been delivered, until they pay tribute by right of sul>- jection, and they be reduced low. The Jews say, Ezra is the son of God, and the Christians say, Christ is the son of "God. This is their saying in their mouths: they imitate the saying of those who wei e unbelievers in former times. May God resist them. How are they infatuated! They take their priests and their monks for their lords, besides God, and Christ the son of Mary; although they are com- manded to worship one God only; there is no God but he; far la; that from him, which they associate with him! They seek to extin- guish the light of God with their mouths; but God willeth no other than to perfect his light, although the infidels be averse thereto. It is he who hath sent his apostle with the direction, and true religion ; that he may cause it to appear superior to every other religion; although the idolaters be averse thereto. O true believers, verily many of the priests and monks devour the substance of men in vanity, and obstruct the way of God. But unto those who treasure up gold and silver, and employ it not for the advancement of God's true religion, denounce a grievous punishment. On the day of judgment their treasures shall be intensely heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads, and their sides, and their backs shall be stigmatized therewith ; and their tormentors shall say, This is what ye have treasured up for your souls ; taste there- fore that which ye have treasured up. Moreover, the complete number of months with God, is twelve months, which were ordained in the book of God, on the day whereon he created the heavens and the earth : of these, four are sacred. This is the right religion : therefore deal not unjustly with yourselves therein. But attack the idolaters in all the months, as they attack you in all; and know that God is with jthose who fear him. Verily the transferring of a sacred month to puother month, is an additional infidelity. The unbelievers are led into an error thereby: they allow a month to be violated one year, and declare it sacred another year, that they may agree in the number of months which God hath commanded to be kept sacred ; and they allow that which God hath forbidden. The evil of their actions hath been prepared for them : for God directeth not the unbelieving people. O true believers,, what ailed you, that, when it was said unto you, Go forth to fight for the religion of God, ye inclined heavily towards the earth? Do ye prefer the present life to that which is to come? But the provision of this life, 15 respect of that which is to come, is but slender Unless ye go forth when ye s summoned to war, God will punish AL KORAK 105 pu with a grievous punishment; and he will place another people in your stead, and ye shall not hurt him at all ; for God is almighty. If ye assist not the prophet, verily God will assist him, as he assisted him formerly, when the unbelievers drove him out of Mecca, the second of two: when they were both in the cave- when he said unto his com- panion. Be not grieved, for God is with us. And God sent down his security upon him, anc strengthened him with armies of angels, whom ye saw rot. And he made the word of those who believed not to bo abased, and the word of God was exalted ; for God is mighty and wise. Go forth to battle, both light and heavy, and employ your substance and your persons for the advancement of God's religion. This will be better for you, if ye know it. If it had been a near advantage and a moderate journey, they had surely followed thee; but the way seemed tedious unto them and yet they will swear by God, saying, If we had been able, we had surely gone forth with you. They destroy their own souls, for God knoweth that they are liars. God forgive thee! why didst thou give them leave to stay at home, until they who speak the truth, when they excuse themselves, had become manifested unto thee, and thou hadst known the liars? They who believe in God and the las", day, will not ask leave of thee to be excused from employ ing their sub- stance and their persons for the advancement of God's true religion; and God knoweth those who fear him. Verily they only will ask leave of thee to stay behind, who believe not in God and the last day, and whose hearts doubt concerning the faith: wherefore they are tossed to and fro in their doubting. If they had been willing to go forth with thee, they had certainly prepared for that purpose a provision of arms and necessaries : but God was averse to their going forth; wherefore he rendered them slothful, and it was said unto them, Sit ye still with those who sit still. If they had gone forth with you, they had only bc'i-n a burden unto you, and had run to and fro between you, stirring you up to sedition; and there would have been some among you who would have given ear unto them ; and God knoweth the wicked. They Formerly sought to raise a sedition, and they disturbed thy affairs, until the truth came, and the decree of God was made manifest; although 'Key were averse thereto. There is of them who saith unto thee, Give me leave to st:iy behind, and expose me not to temptation. Have they not fallen into temptation at home? But hell will surely encom- pass the unbelievers. If good happen unto thee, it grieveth them: bat if a misfortune befall thee, they say, We ordered our business be- fore ; and they turn their backs, and rejoiced at thy mishap. Say, Nothing shall befall us, but what God hath decreed for us. he is our patron; and on God let the faithful trust. Say, Do ye expect any other should befall us than one of the two most excellent things; either victory or martyrdom ? But we expect concerning you, that God inflict a punishment on you, either from himself, or by our hands. "Wait therefore to see what will he the end of both ; for we will wait with you. Say, Expend your money in pious uses, either voluntarily 106 AL KORAN. or by constraint it shall not be accepted of you, becau? ye are irk-feed people. And nothing hindereth their contributions from be-in"- ac- cepted of them, but that they believe not in God and his apostle, ;u,d perform not the duty of prayer otherwise than sluggishly ; arid expend not their money for CJod's service, otherwise th;in unwillingly Let not therefore their riches or their children cause thee to marvel. Verily God intendeth only to punish them by these things in this world : and that their souls may depart while they are unbelievers. They swear by God that they are of you ; yet they are not of you, but are people who stand in fear. If they find a place of refuge, or caves, or a retreating hole, they surely turn towards the same, and in a headstrong manner haste thereto. There is of them also who spreadeth ill reports of thee, in relation to thy distribution of the alms: yet if they receive part thereof, they are well pleased ; but if they receive not a part thereof, behold, they are angry. But if they had been pleased with that which God and his apostle had given them, and had said, God is our support; God will give unto us of his abundance and his prophet also verily unto God do we make our supplications it would have been more decent Alms are to be distributed only unto the poor and the needy, and those who are employed in collecting and distributing the same.and unto those whose hearts are reconciled, and for the redemption of captives, and unto those who are in debt and insolvent, and for the advancement of God's religion, and unto the traveller. This is an ordinance from God: and God is knowing and wise. There are some of them who injure the prophet, and say, He is an ear Answer, H< is an ear of good unto you: he believeth in God, and giveth credit to the faithful, and is a mercy unto such of you who believe. But they who injure the apostle of God. shall suffer a painful punishment. They swear unto you by God, that they may please you . but it is more just that they should please God and his apostle, if they are true believers. Do they not know that he who opposeth God and his apostle, shall without doubt be punished with the fire of hell ; and shall remain therein for ever ': This \\ill be great ignominy. The hypocrites are apprehensive lest a Sura should be revealed concerning them, to declare unto them which is in their hearts. Say unto them, Scoff ye ; but God will surely bring to light that which ye fear should be discovered. And if thou ask them the reason of this scoffing, they say, Verily we were only en- gaged in discourse, and jesting among ourselves. Say, Do ye scoff at God and his signs, and at his apostle? offer not an excuse' now are ye become infidels, after your faith. If we forgive a part of you, we will punish a part, for that they have been wicked doers. Hypocritical men and women are the one of them or the other : they command tha* which is evil, and forbid that which is just, and shut their hands from giving alms. They have forgotten God : wherefore he hath for- gotten them : verily the hypocrites are those who act wickedly. God denounceth untr the hypocrites, both rnei and women and to the unbe AL KORAN. 107 Slavers, the fire of hell ; they shall remain therein for ever this will be their sufficient reward ;" God hath cursed them, and they shall endure a lasting torment. As they who have been before you, so are ye. They were superior to you iu strength, and had more abun- dance of wealth and of children ; and they enjoyed their portion In this world ; and ye also enjoy your portion here, as they who have preceded you enjoyed their portion. And ye engage yourselves in Vain discourses, like unio those wherein they engaged themselves. The works of these are vain both in this world and that which is to come; and these are they who perish. Have they not been acquainted with the history of those who have been before them ? of the people of Noah, and of Ad, and of Thamud, and of the people of Abraham, and of the inhabitants of Madian, and of the cities which were over- thrown? Their apostles came unto them with evident demonstra- tions: and God was not disposed to treat them unjustly; but they dealt unjustly with their own souls. And the faithful men and the faithful women are friends one to another : they command that which is just, and they forbid that which is evil ; and they are constant at prayer, and pay their appointed alms , and they obey God and his apostle: unto these will God be merciful : for he is mighty and wise. God promiseth unto the true believers, both men and women, gardens through which rivers flow, wherein they shall remain for ever ; and delicious dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode: but goodwill from God shall be their most excellent reward. This will be great felicity. O prophet, wage war against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be severe unto them : for their dwelling shall be hell ; an unhappy journey shall it be thither 1 They swear by God that they said not what they are charged with : yet they spake the word of infidelity, and became unbelievers, after they had embraced Islam. And they designed that which they could not effect ; and they did not disap- prove the design for any other reason, than because God and his apostle had 'enriched them, of his bounty. If the}* repent, it will be better for them ; but if they relapse, God will punish them with a grievous torment, in this world and in the next , and they shall have no patron on earth, nor any protector. There are some of them who made a covenant with God, saying, Verily if he give us of his abundance, we will give alms and become righteous people. Yet when he had given unto them of his abundance, they become covetous thereof, and turned back, and retired afar off. Wherefore he hath caused hypocrisy to succeed in their hearts, until the day whereon they shall meet him . for that they failed to perform unto God that which they had promised him. and for that they prevaricated. De they not know that God knoweth whatever they conceal, and their private discourses ; and that God is the knower of secrets ? They who traduce such of the believers as are liberal in giving alms beyond what they are obliged, and those who find nothing to give but what they gain by their industry ; and therefore scoff at them : God shall 108 . AL KORAN. scoff at them, and they shall suffer a grievous punishment. Ask for- giveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them ; it will be equal. If thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times, God will by no meang forgive them. This is the divine pleasure, for that they believe not in God and his apostle ; and God directeth not the ungodly people. They who were left at home in the expedition of 1'abiic, were glad of their staying behind the apostle of God, and were unwilling to employ their substance and their persons for the advancement of God's true religion ; and they said, Go not forth in the heat. Say, The fire of hell will be hotter ; if they understood this. Wherefore let them laugh little, and weep much, as a reward for tha 1 wLich they have done. If God bring thee back unto some of them, and they ask thee leave to go forth to war with thee, say, Ye shall not go forth with me for the future, neither shall ye figh. an enemy with me ; ye were pleased with sitting at borne the first time , sit ye at home therefore with those who stay behind. Xeitner do thou ever pray over any of them who shall die, neither stand at his grave ; for that they believed not in God or his apostle, and die in their wicked- ness. Let not their riches or their children cause thee to marvel: for God intendeth only to punish them therewith in this world: and that their souls may depart while they are infidels. When a Sura is sent down, wherein it is said, Believe in God, and go forth to war with his apostle ; those who are in plentiful circumstances among them ask leave of thee to stay behind, and say, Suffer us to be of the number of those who sit at home. They are well pleased to be with those who stay behind, and their hearts are sealed up ; wherefore they do not understand. But the apostle, and those who have believed with him, expose their fortunes and their lives for God's service; they shall enjoy the good things of either life, and they shall be happy. God hath prepared for them gardens through which rivers flow; they shall remain therein for ever. This will be great felicity. And certain Aiabs of the desert-came to ex- cuse themselves, praying that they might be permitted to stay 1 thind; and they sat at home who had renounced God and his apo>t!e. -I'ut a painful punishment shall be inflicted on such of them as l.eheve not. In those who are w r eak, or are afflicted with sickness, or in those who find not wherewith to contribute to the war, it stall lie r. > crime if they stay at home; provided they behave themselves faith- fully towards God and liis apostle. There is no room to lay blame on the righteous ; for God is gracious and merciful : nor on those unto whom, when they came unto thee, requesting that thou wouldest supply them with necessaries for travelling, thou didst answer, I find not wherewith to supply you, returned, their eyes shedding tears for grief, that they found not wherewith to contribute to the expedition. But there is reason to blame those who ask leave of thee to sit at home, when they are rich. They are pleased to be with those who stay behind, and" God hath sealed up their hearts; wherefore they do AL KORAN. 109 not understand. (XI.) They will excuse themselves unto you, when ye are returned unto them. Say, Excuse not yourselves; we will by no means believe you: God hath acquainted us with your behaviour; and God will observe your actions, and his apostle also: and here- after shall ye be brought before him who knoweth that which is hid- den and that which Is manifest : and he will declare unto you that which ye have done. They will s\\car unto you by God, when ye are returned unto them, thai ye may let them alone. * Let them alone therefore, for they are an abomination, and their dwelling shall be hell, a reward for that which they have deserved. They will swear unto you, that ye may be well pleased with them; but if ye be well pleased with them, verily God will not be well pleased with people who prevaricate. The Arabs of the desert are more obstinate in their unbelief and hypocrisy; and it is easier for them to be ignorant of the ordinances of that which God hath sent down unto his apostle: and God is knowing and wise. Of the Arabs of the desert there is who reckoneth that which he expendeth for the service of God, to be ns tribute; and waiteth that some change of fortune may befall you. A change for evil shall happen unto them; for God both heareth and knoweth. And of the Arab- of the desert there is who believeth in God and in the last day; and esteemeth that which he layeth out for the service of God to be the means of bringing him near unto God and the prayers of the apostle. Is it not unto them the means of a near approach? God shall lead them into his mercy; for God is gra- cious and merciful. As for the leaders and the first of theMohajerin, and the An sirs, and those who have followed them in well doing; God is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased in him: and he hath prepared for them gardens watered by rivers; they shall re- main therein for ever. This shall be great felicity. And of the Arabs of the desert who dwell round about you, there are hypocritical persons: and of the inhabitants of Medina there are some who are obstinate in hypocrisy. Thou knowest them not, O prophet, but we know them: we will surely punish them twice; afterwards shall they be sent to a grievous torment. And others have acknowledged their 'rimes. They have mixed a good action with another which is bad: peradventure God will he turned unto them; for God is gracious and merciful. Take alms of their substance, that thou mayest cleanse them and purify them thereby: and pray for them: for thy prayers shall be a security of mind unto them; and God both heareth and kn.weth. Do they not know that God accepteth repentance from hi? -ervants. and accepteth alms; and that God is easy to be recon- cileu and merciful? Say unto them, Work as ye will; but God will behold your work, and his apostle also, and the true believers: and ye shal' 'he brought before him who knoweth that which is kept secret, and that which is made public; and he will declare untoyou whatever ye have done. And there are others who wait with suspense the decree of God ; whether he will punish them, or whether he will be turned unto 110 AL KORAN. them: but God is knowing and wise. There are some who have built a temple to hurt the faithful, and to propagate infidelity, and to fo- ment division among the true believers, and for a lurking-place for him who hath fought against God and his apostle in time past; and they swear, saying, Verily we intended no other than to do for the best: but God is witness that they do certainly lie. Stand not up to pray therein for ever. There is a temple founded on piety, from the first day of its building. It is more just that thou stand up to pray therein: therein are men who love to be purified for God loveth the clean. "Whether therefore is he better, who hath founded his build- ing on the fear of God and his goodwill; or he who hath founded hi^ building on the brink of a bank of earth which is washed away by waters, so that it falleth with him into the fire of hell? God directetli not the ungodly people. Their building whici they have built will not cease to be an occasion of doubting in their hearts, until their hearts be cut in pieces; and God is knowing and wise. Verily God hath purchased of the true believers their souls and their substance. promising them the enjoyment of paradise; on condition that they fight for the cause of God; whether they slay or be slain, the promi-c for the same is assuredly due by the law, and the gospel, and the Koran. And who perfonneth his contract more faithfully than God? Rejoice therefore in the contract which ye have made. This shall be great happiness. The penitent, and those who serve God, and praise him, and who fast, and bow down, and worship; and who command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil, and keep the ordin- ances of God, shall likewise be rewarded with paradise wherefore bear good tidings unto the faithful. It is not allowed unto the pro- phet, nor those who are true believers, that they pray for idolaters, although they be of kin, after it is become known unto them, that they are inhabitants of hell. Neither did Abrahar ask forgiveness for'his father, otherwise than in pursuance of a promise which he had promised unto him; but when it became known unto him, that he was an enemy unto God, he declared himself clear of him. Verily Abraham was pitiful and compassionate. Nor is God disposed to lead people into error, after that he hath directed them, until that which they ought to avoid is become known unto them; for God knoweth all things. Verily unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and of earth ; he giveth life, and he causeth to die ; and ye have nc patron or helper besides God . God is reconciled unto the prophet, and unto the Mohajerin, and the Ansars, who followed him in the hour of dis- tress, after that it had wanted little but that the hearts of a part of them had swerved from their duty: afterwards was he turned unto them ; for he was compassionate and merciful towards them. And he is also reconciled unto the three who were left behind, so that iho earth became too strait for them, notwithstanding its spaciousness, and their souls became straitened within them, and they considered that there was no refuge from God, otherwise than by having recourse AL KORAX. Ill unto him. Then was he turned unto them, that they might repent; for God is easy to be reconciled and merciful. O tme believers, fear God, and be with the sincere. There was no reason why the inhabi- tants of Medina, and the Arab-; of the desert who dwell around them, should stay behind the apostle of God, or should prefer themselves before him. This is unreasonable; because they are not distressed either by thirst, or labour, or hunger, for the defence of God's true religion; neither do they stir a step, which may irritate the unbeliev- ers; neither do they receive from the enemy any damage, but a good work is written down unto them for the same; for God suffereth not the reward of the righteous to perish. And they contribute not any sum either small or great, nor do they pass a valley, but it is written down unto them, that God may reward them with a recompense ex- ceeding that which they have wrought. The believers are not obliged to go forth to war all together: if a part of ever}' band of them go not forth, it is that they may diligently instruct themselves in their relig- ion ; and may admonish their people, when they return unto them, that they may take heed to themselves. O true believers, wage war against such of the infidels as are near you; and let them find severity in you and know that God is with those who fear him. Whenever a Sura is sent down, there are some of them who say, Which of you hath this caused to increase in faith? It will increase the faith of those who believe, and they shall rejoice: but unto those in whose hearts there is an infirmity, it will add further doubt unto their present doubt; and they shall die in their infidelity. Do they not see that the\" are tried every year once or twice? yet they repent not, neither are they warned. And whenever a Sura is sent down, they look at one another, saying. Doth any one see you? then do they turn aside. God shall turn aside their hearts from the truth; be- cause they are a people who do not understand. Now hath an apos- tle come unto you of our own nation, an excellent person : it is grievous unto him that ye commit wickedness: he is careful over you, and compassionate and merciful towards the believers. If they turn back, say, God is my support : there is no God but he. On him do 1 trust; and he is the Lord of the magnificent throne. CHAPTER X. ENTITLED, JONAS; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFTL GOD. A. L. R. These are the signs of the wise book. It is a strange thing unto the men of Mecca, that we have revealed our will unto a man from among them, saying, Denounce threats unto men if they believe not ; and bear good tidings unto those who believe, that on the merit of their sincerity they have an interest with their Lord? The unbelievers say, This is manifest sorcery. Verily your Lord is God, who hath created the heavens and the earth in six days; and then ascended his throne, to take on himself the government of all things. There is no intercessor, but by his permission. This is God, your Lord; therefore serve him. "Will ye not consider? Unto him shall ye all return, according to the certain promise of God : for he produceth a creature, and then causeth it to return again : that he may reward those who believe and do that which is right, with equity. But as for the unbelievers, they shall drink boiling water, and they shall suffer a grievous punishment, for that they have disbelieved. It is he who hath ordained the sun to shine by day, and the moon for a light by night; and hath appointed her stations, that ye might know the number of years, and the computation of time. God hath rot created this, but with truth. He explaineth his signs unto people who understand. Moreover in the vicissitude of night and day. and whatever God hath created in heaven and earth, are surely signs unto men who fear him. Verily they who hope not to meet us at the last day, and delight in this present life, and rest securely in the same, and who are negligent of our signs; their dwelling shall be hell fire, for that which they have deserved. But as to those who believe, and work righteous- ness, their Lord will direct them because of their faith ; they shall have rivers flowing through gardens of pleasure. Their prayer therein shall be, Praise be unto thee, O God! and their salutation therein shall be, Peace! and the end of their prayer shall be. Praise be unto God, the Lord of all creatures! If God should cause evil to hasten unto men, according to their desire of hastening good, verily their end had been decreed. Wherefore we suffer those who hope not to meet us at the resurrection, to wander amazedly in their error. When evil befalleth a man; he prayeth unto us lying'ou his side, or sittir.: . or standing: but when we deliver him from his affliction, he ccr.- tinueth his former course of life, as though he had not railed upon vs to defend him against the evil which had befallen him. Thus was that which the transgressors committed prepared for them. We AL KORAN. 113 have formerly destroyed the generations who were before you, O men of Mecca, when they had acted unjustly, and our apostles had come unto them with evident miracles, and they would not believe. Thus do we reward the wicked people. Afterwards did we cause you to succeed them in the earth : that we might see how ye would act. When our evident signs are recited unto them, they who hope not to meet us at the resurrection, say. Bring a different Koran from tliis; or make some change therein" Answer, It is not fit forme, that I should change it at my pleasure: I follow that only which is revealed unto me. Verily I fear, if I should be disobedient unto my Lord, the punishment of the great day. Say, If God had so pleased, I had not read it unto you, neither had I taught you the s une. I have already dwelt among you to the age of forty years, before I received it. Do ye not therefore understand? And who is more unjust than he who 'deviseth a lie against God, or accuseth his signs of falsehood? Surely the wicked shall not prosper. Tuey worship besides God. that which can neither hurt them nor profit them, and they say. These are our intercessors with God. Aui,wer, Will ye tell God that which he knoweth not, neither in heaven florin earth? Praise be unto him! and far be that from him, whic?\ they associate with him! Men were professors of one religion only, but they dissented therefrom; and if a decree had not previously is- sued from thy Lord, deferring their punishment, verily the matter had been decided between them, concerning which they disagreed. They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his Lord, we will not believe. Answer, Verily that which is hidden is known only unto God: wait therefore the pleasure of God; and I also will wait with you. And when we caused the men of Mecca to taste mercy, after an affliction which had befallen them, behold, they devised a stratagem against our signs. Say unto them, God is more swift in executing a stratagem than ye. Verily our messengers write down that which ye deceitfully devise. It is he who hath given you conven- iences for travelling by land and by sea; so that ye be in ships, which sail with them with a favourable wind, and they rejoice therein. And when a tempestuous wind overtaketh them, and waves come upon them from every side, and they think themselves to be encom- passed with inevitable dangers; they call upon God, exhibiting the pure religion unto him, and saying, Verily, if thoti deliver us from this peril, we will be of those who give thanks. But when he hath delivered them, behold, they behave themselves insolently in the earth, without justice. O men, Verily the violence which ye commit against your own souls, is for the enjoyment of this present life only; afterwards unto us shall ye return, and we will declare unto ? 'ii that which ye have done. Verily the likeness of this--, present itV is no other than as water, which we send down from heaven, and wherewith the productions of the earth are mixed, of which men eat, and cattle also, until the earth receive its vesture, and bf 114 AL KORAN. adorned with various plants: the inhabitants thereof imagine that they have power over the same; but our command cometh unto it by night or by day, and we render it as though it had been mown, as though it had not yesterday abounded with fruits. Thus do we ex- plain our signs unto people who consider. God inviteth unto the dwelling of peace, and directeth whom he pleaseth into the right way. They who do right shall receive a most excellent reward, and a superabundant addition ; neither blackness nor shame shall cover their faces. These shall be the inhabitants of paradise; they shall continue therein for ever. But they who commit evil shall receive the reward of evil, equal thereunto, 'and they shall be covered with shame (for they shall have no protector against God); as though their faces were covered with the profound darkness of the night. These shall be the inhabitants of hell fire; they shall remain therein for ever. On the day of the resurrection we will gather them all together; then will we say unto the idolaters, Get ye to your place, ye and your companions; and we will separate them from one another; and their companions shall say unto them, Ye did not wor- ship us; and God is a sufficient witness between us and you; neither did we mind your worshipping of us. There shall every soul experi- ence that which it shall have sent before it; and they shall be brought before God, their true Lord; and the false deities which they vainly imagined, shall disappear from before them. Say, Who provided) you food from heaven and earth? or who hath the absolute power over the hearing and the sight ? and who bringeth forth the living from the dead, and bringeth forth the dead from the living? and who governeth all things? They will surely answer, God. Say, Will ye not therefore fear him? This is there fore* God, your true Lord . and what remaineth there after truth, except error? How therefore are ye turned aside from the truth? Thus is the word of thy Lord verified upon them who do wickedly; that they believe not. Sa}', Is there any of your companions who produceth a creature, and then causeth it to return unto himself? Say, God produceth a creature, and then cau>cth it to return unto himself. How therefore are ye turned aside from his worship? Say, Is there any of your companions who directeth unto the truth? Say, God directeth unto the truth. Whether is he therefore, who directeth unto the truth, more worthy to be followed; or he who directeth not, unless he be directed? What aileth you, therefore; that ye judge as ye do? And the greater part of them fol- low an uncertain opinion only; but a mere opinion attaineth not unto any truth. Verily God kuoweth that which they do. This Koran could not have been composed by any except God ; but it is a confirma tion of that which was revealed before it, and an explanation of the scripture; there is no doubt thereof; sent down from the Lord of all creatures. Will they say, Mohammed hath forged it? Answer, Bring therefore a chapter like unto it ; and call whom ye may to your assistance, besides God, if ye speak truth. But thev have charged AL KORAX. 115 that with falsehood, the knowledge whereof they do not comprehend, neither hath the interpretation thereof come unto them. In the same manner did those who were before them, accuse their prophets of im- posture; but behold what was the end of the unjust. There are some of them who believe therein: and then- are some of them who believe not therein: and thy Lord well knoweth the corrupt doers. If they accuse thee of imposture, say. I have my work, and ye have your work; ye shall be clear of that which I do, and I will be clear of that which ye do. There are some of them who hearken unto thee; but wilt thou make the deaf to hear, although they do not understand? And there are some of them who look at thee; but wilt thou direct the blind, although they see not? Verily God will not deal unjustly with men in any respect : but men deal unjustly with their own souls. On a certain day he will gather them together, as though they had not tarried above an hour of a day: they shall know one another. Then shall they perish who have denied the meeting of God. and were not rightly directed. Whether we cause thee to see a part of the punishment wherewith we have threatened them, or whether we cause thee to die before thou see it; unto us shall they return: then shall God be witness of that which they do. Unto every nation hath an apostle been sent: and when their apostle came, the matter was decided between them with equity; and they were not treated un- justly. The unbelievers say, When will this threatening be made good, if ye speak truth? Answer, I am able neither to procure ad- vantage unto myself, nor to avert mischief from me, but as God pleasetb. Unto every nation is a fixed term decreed; when their term therefore is expired, they shall not have respite for an hour, neither shall their punishment be anticipated. Say, Tell me; if the punish- ment of God overtake you by night, or by day. what part thereof will the ungodly wish to be hastened? When it falleth on you, do ye then believe* it? Now do ye believe, and wish it far from you, when as ye formerly desired it should be hastened? Then shall it be said unto the wicked, Taste ye the punishment of eternity: would ye receive other than the reward of that which ye have wrought? They will desire to know of thee whether this be true. Answer, Yea, by my Lord, it is certainly true; neither shall ye weaken God's power, so as to escape it. Verily, if every soul which hath acted wickedly had whatever is on the earth, it would willingly redeem itself therewith at the last day. Yet they will conceal their repentance, after they shall have seen the punishment: and the matter shall be decided between them with equity; and they shall not be unjustly treated. Doth not whatsoever is in heaven and on earth belong unto God? Is not the promise of God true? But the greater part of them know it not. He giveth life, and he causeth to die; and unto him shall ye all return. O men, now hath an admonition come unto you from your Lord, and a remedy for the doubts which are in your breasts; and a direction, and mercy unto the true believers. Say, Through the grace of (Jod, and 116 AL KORAN. his mercy: therein therefore let them rejoice; this will be bettor than what they heap together of worldly riches. Say, Tell me; of that which God hath sent down unto you for food, have ye declared part to be lawful, and other part to be unlawful? Bay, Hath God per- mitted you to make this distinction? or do ye devise a lie concerning God? I5ut what will be the opinion of those who devise a lie con- cerning God, on the day of the resurrection? Verily God is endued with beneficence towards mankind; but the greater part of Mem do not give thanks. Thou shall be engaged in no business, neither >lialt thou be employed in meditating on any passage of the Koran; nor shall ye do an}' action, but we will be witnesses over you, when ye are employed therein. Nor is so much as the weight of suit hidden from thy Lord, in earth or in heaven: neither is there anything lesser than that, or greater, but it is written in the perspicuous book. Are not the friends of God the persons, on whom no fear shall come, and who shall not be grieved? They who believe and fear God, shall re-, ceive good tidings in this life. and in that which is to come. There is no change in the words of God. This shall be great felicity. Let not their discourse grieve thee; for all might belongeth unto God- he both heareth and knoweth. Is not whoever dwelleth in heaven and on earth, subject unto God? What therefore do they follow, who invoke idols, besides God? They follow nothing but a vain opinion; and they only utter lies. It is he who hath ordained the night for you, that ye may take your rest therein, and the clear day for labour verily herein are signs unto people who hearken. They ssiy, God hath begotten children: God forbid! He is self-sufficient. Unto him belongeth whatsoever is in hesiven and on earth: ye have no demon- strative proof of this. Do ye speak of God that which ye know not ? Say, Verily they who imagine a lie concerning God, shall not pros- per. They may enjoy a provision in this world; but afterwards unto us shall they return, and we will then cause them to taste a grievous punishment, for that they were unbelievers. Rehearse unto them the history of Xoah : when he said unto his people, O my people, if my standing forth among you, and my warning you of the signs of God, be grievous unto you; in God do I put my trust. Therefore lay your design against me, and assemble your false gods; but let not your design be carried on by you in the dark: then come forth agains/ me, and delay not. And it' ye turn aside from my admonitions, lash not any reward of you for the same; I expect my reward from God alone, and I am commanded to be one of those who are resigned unto him. But they accused him of imposture: wherefore we delivered him, and those who were with him in tin ark, and we caused them to survive the flood, but we drowned those who charged our signs with falsehood. Behold, therefore, what was the end of those who were warned by Noah. Then did we send, after him, apostles unlo their respective people, and they came unto them with evident de- monstrations: yet they were not disposed to believe in that which they AL KORAtf. Ill had before rejected as false. Thus do we seal up the hearts of the transgressors. Then did we send, after them, Moses and Aaron unto Pharaoh and his princes with our signs: but they behaved proudly, and were a wicked people. And when the truth from us had come unto them, they said, Verily this is manifest sorcery. Moses said unto them, Do ye speak this" of the truth, after it hath come unto you? Is this sorcery?' but sorcerers shall not prosper. They said, Art thou come unto us to turn us aside from that religion which we found our fathers practice, and f'.iat ye *\vo may have the command in the land? But we do not believe you. And Pharaoh said, Bring unto me every expert magician. And when the magicians were come, Moses said unto them, Cast down that which ye are about to cast down. And when they had cast down their rods and cords. Moses said unto them, The enchantment which ye have performed, shall God surely render vain ; fur God prosperethVioi the work of the wicked doers. And God will verify the truth of his words, although the wicked be averse thereto. And there believed not any on Moses, except a generation of his people, for fear of Pharaoh and of his priuces, lest he should afflict them. And Pharaoh was lifted up with pride in the earth, and was surely one of the transgressors. And Moses said, O my people, if ye believe in God, put your trust in him, if ye be resigned to his will. They answered, We put our trust in God: O Lord, suffer us not to be afflicted by unjust people; but deliver us, through thy inercy. from the unbelieving people. And we spake by inspira- tion unto Moses and his brother, saying, Provide habitations for your people in Egypt, ami make your houses a place of worship, and be constant at prayer; and bear good news unto the true believers. And Moses said. O 'Lord, verily thou hast given unto Pharaoh and his people pompous ornaments, and riches in this present life, O Lord, that they may be seduced from thy way; O Lord, bring their riches to nought, and harden their hearts; that they may not believe, until they see their grievous punishment. God said, Your petition is heard: be ye upright therefore, and follow not in the way of those who are ignorant. And we caused the children of Israel to pat thou believe, when thou hast been hitherto rebellious, and one of the wicked doers? This day will we raise thy body from the bottom of the sea, that thou niaye-t be a sign unto those who shall be after thee; and verily a great number of men are negligent of our sLms. And we prepared for the children of Israel an established dwelling in the land of Canaan, and we provided good things for their sustenance; and they differed not in point of religion, until knowledge had come unto them; verily thy Lord will judge between them on the day of resurrection, concerning that wherein they disagreed. If thou "art in doubt concerning any 118 AL KORAN. part of that which we have sent down unto thee, ask them who have read the book of the law before thee. Now hath the truth come unto thee from thy Lord; be not. therefore, one of those who doubt neither be thou one of those who charge the signs of God with false- hood, lest thou become one of those who perish. Verily those against whom the word of thy Lord is decreed, shall not believe, although there come unto them every kind of miracle; until they see the griev- ous punishment prepared for them. And if it were not so, some city, among the many which have been destroyed, would have believed; and the faith of its inhabitants would have been of advantage unto them: but none of them believed before the execution of their sen- tence, except the people of Jonas. When they believed, we deliv- ered them from the punishment of shame in this world, and suffered them to enjoy their lives and possessions for a time. But if thy Lord had pleased, verily all who are in the earth would have believed in general. Wilt thou therefore forcibly compel men to be true believ- ers? No soul can believe but by the j permission of God: and he shall pour out his indignation on those who will not understand. Say, Consider, whatever is in heaven and on earth: but signs are of no avail, neither preachers, unto people who will not believe. Do they therefore expect any other than some terrible judgment, like unto the judgments which have fallen on those who have gone before them? Say, Wait ye the issue ; and I also will wait with you : then will we deliver 'our apostles and those who believe. Thus is it a justice due from us, that we should deliver the tiue believers. Say, O men of Mecca, if ye be in doubt concerning my religion, verily J worship not the idols which ye worship, besides God; but I worship God, who will cause you to die: and lam commanded to be one of the tiue believers. And it was said unto me, Set thy face towards the true re- ligion, and be orthodox ; and by i.o means be one of those who attribute companions unto God; neither invoke, besides God, lhat which can neither profit thee nor hurt thee: for if thou do, thou wilt then cer- tainly become one of the unjust. If God afflict thee with hurt, there is none who can relieve thee from it, except lie; and if he v.illeth thee any good, there is none who can keep back his bounty: he \\i\] confer ft on such of his servants as he pkaseth ; and he is gracirus and merciful. Say, O men, now hath the truth come unto you from your Lord. He therefore who shall be directed, will be directed to the advantage of his own soul: but he who .--hall err, will err only against the same. I am no guardian over you. Do thou, O prophet, follow that which is revealed unto thee: and persevere with patience, until God shall judge; for he is the best judge. CHAPTER XL ENTITLED, HTJD; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MO.5T MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. R. This book, the verses whereof are guarded against corrup* tion, arid are also distinctly explained, is a revelation from the wise, the knowing God : that ye serve not any other than God (verily I am a denouncer of threats, and a bearer of good tidings unto you from him); an'd that ye ask pardon of your Lord, and then be turned unto him. I Ie will cause you to enjoy a plentiful provision, until a prefixed time : and unto every one that hath merit by good works, will he give his abundant reward. But if ye turn back, verily I fear for you the punishment of the great day: "unto God shall ye return; and he is almighty. Do they not double the folds of their breasts, that they may conceal their designs from him? When they cover themselves with their garments, doth not he know that which they conceal, and that which they discover? For he knoweth the innermost parts of the breasts of men. (XII.) There is no creature which creepeth on the earth, but God provideth its food ; and he knoweth the place of its retreat, and where it is laid up. The whole is written in the perspicuous book of his decrees. It is he who hath created the heavens and the earth in six days (but his throne was above the waters before the creation there- of), that he might prove you, and see which of you would excel in works. If thou say, Ye shall surely be raised again, after death; the unbelievers will say, This is nothing but manifest sorcery. And verily if we defer their punishment unto a determined season, they will say, What hindereth it from falling on us? Will it not come upon them on a day wherein there shall be none to avert it from them; and that which they scoffed at shall encompass them? Verily, if we cause man to taste mercy from us, and afterwards take it away from him, he will surely become desperate, and ungrateful. And if we cause him to taste favour, after an affliction hath befallen him, he will surely say, The ( vils which I suffered are passed from me; and he will become joyful and insolent: except those who persevere with patience, and do that which is right: they shall receive pardon and a .great reward. Perad- venture thou wilt omit to publish part of that which hath been reveal- ed unto thee, and thy breast will become straitened, lest they say, Unless a treasure be sent down unto him, or an angel come with him, to bear witness unto him, we will not believe. Verily thou art a preacher only; and God is the governor of all things, Will they say, He hath forged the Koran? Answer, Bring therefore ten chapters like unto it, forged by y-ourselves ; and call on whomsoever ye may to assist you, except God. if 120 AL KORAN. ye speak truth. But if they whom ye call to your assistance hear You not, know that this book hath been revealed by the knowledge of God only, and that there is no God but he. Will ye therefore become }Io=- IrmV.' Whoso chooseth the present life, and the pomp thereof.unto tlu m will we give the recompense of their works therein, and the same shall not be diminished unto them. These are they for whom no other reward is prepared in the next life, except the fire of hell : that which they have done in this life shall perish; and that which they have wrought shall l>e vain. Shall he therefore be compared with them, who followeth the ^evident declaration of his Lord, and whom a witness from him at tendeth, preceded by the book of Moses, which was revealed for a guide, and out of mercy to mankind? These believe in the Koran: but whosoever of the confederate infidels believeth not therein, is threatened with the fire of hell, which threat shall certainly be executed : be not therefore in a doubt concerning it; for it is the truth from thy Lord: but the greater part of men will not believe. Who is more unjust than he who imagineth a lie concerning God? They shall be set before their Lord, at the day of judgment, and the witnesses shall say, These are they who devised lies against their Lord. Shall not the curse of God fall on the unjust; who turn men aside from the way of God, and seek to render it crooked, and who believe not in the life to come? These were not able to prevail against God on earth, so as to escape punishment; neither had they any protectors besides God: their punishment shall be doubled unto them. They could not ht-ar, neither did they see. These are they who have lost their souls; and the idols which they falsely imagined have abandoned them. There is no doubt but they shall be most miserable in the world to come. But as for those who "believe, and do good works, and humble themselves before their Lord, they shall be the inhabitants of paradise; they shall remain therein for ever. The similitude of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf, and as he who seeth and heareth : shall they be compared as equal? Will ye not therefore consider? We formerly sent Noah unto his people; 'and he said, Verily I am a public preacher unto you; that ye worship God alone: verily I fear for you the punishment of the terrible day. But the chiefs of his people, who believed not, answered, We see thee to be no other than a man, like unto us; and we do not see that any follow thee, except those who are the most abject among us, who have believed on thee by a rash judg- ment; neither do we perceive any excellence in you above us: but we esteem you to be liars. Xoah said, O my people, tell me ; if I have- received an evident declaration from my Lord, and he hathbesto\v< <1 on me mercj r from himself, which is hidden from you, do we compel you to receive the same, in case ye be averse thereto? O my people. I ask not of you any riches, for my preaching unto you: my reward is with God alone. I will not drive away those who have believed, verily they shall meet their Lord, at the resurrection; but I perceive that ye are ignorant men. O my people, who shall assist me against AL KORAX. 121 God, if I drive them away? Will ye not therefore consider? I say not unto you, The treasures of God are in my power ; neither do I say, I know the secrets of God ; neither do I say, Verily I am an angel ; neither do I say of those whom your eyes do contemn, God will by no means bestow good on them (God best knoweth that which is in their souls); for then should I certainly be one of the unjust. They answered, O Noah, thou hast already disputed with us, and hast multiplied dis- putes with us; now therefore do thou bring that punishment upon us wherewith thou hae my daughters are more law- ful for you : therefore fear God, and put me not to shame by wrong- ing m y guests- Is there not a man of prudence among you? They 124 AL KORAK. answered, Thou knowest that we have no need of thy daughters ; and thou well knowest what we would have. He said, If I had strength sufficient to oppose you, or I could have recourse unto a powerful sup- port, I would certainly do it. The angels said, O Lot, verily we are the messengers of thy Lord ; they shall by no means come in unto thee. Go forth therefore with thy family, in some part of the night, and let not any of you turn hack; hut a.s for thy wife, that shall happen unto her, which shall happen unto them. Verily the prediction of their punishment shall be fulfilled in the morning: is not the morning near? And when our command came, we turned those cities upside down, and we rained upon them stones of baked clay, one following another, and being marked, from thy Lord; and they are not far distant from those who act unjustly. And unto Madiau we sent their brother Shoaib: he said, O my people, worship God :"yc have no God but him: and diminish not measure and weight. Verily I see you to be in a happy condition: hut I fear for you the punishment of the day which will encompass the ungodly. O my people, give full measure and just weight; and diminish not unto men ought of their matters; neither commit injustice in the earth, acting corruptly. The residue which shall remain unto you as the gift of God, after ye shall have done justice to others, will be better for you than wealth gotten bj* fraud ; if ye be true believers. I am no guardian over you. They an>wered, O Shoaib, do thy prayers enjoin thee, that we should leave the gods which our fathers worshipped; or that we should not do what we please with our substance? Thou only, it seems, art the wise per- son, and fit to direct. He said, O my people, tell me ; if I have re- ceived an evident declaration from my Lord, and he hath bestowed on me an excellent provision, and I will not consent unto you in that which I forbid you: do I seek any other than your reformation, to the utmost of my power? My sup'port is from God alone; on him do I trust, and unto him do I turn me. O my people, let not your op- posing of me draw on you a vengeance like unto that which fell on the people of Noah, of the people of Ilud, or the people of Saleh; neither was the people of Lot far distant from you. A>k ] union therefore of your Lord; and be turned unto him: for my Lord is merciful and loving. They answered. O Shoaib, we understand not much of what thou sayest; and we see thee to be a man of no power among us: if it had 'not been for the sake of tin- family, we had surely stoned thee, neither couldst thou have prevailed against us. Shoaib said, O my people, is my family more worthy in your opinion than God? and do ye cast him behind you with neglect? Verily my Lord comprehendeth that which ye do. O my people, do ye work according to your condition; I will surely work according to my duty. And ye shall certainly know on whom will be inflicted a pun- ishment which shall cover him with shame, and who is a liar. "Wait therefore the event; for I also will wait it with you. "\Vherefore when our decree came to be executed, we delivered Shoaib and those AL KORAN. - 125 who believed with him, through our mercy: and a terrible noise from heaven assailed those who had acted unjustly; and in the morning they were found in their houses lying dead and prostrate, as though they had never dwelt therein. Was not Madian removed from off the earth, as Thamud had been removed? And \ve formerly sent Moses with our signs, and manifest power, unto Pharaoh and his princes- but they followed the command of Phanio'.i; although the command of Pharaoh did not direct them aright. Pharaoh shall precede his people on the day of resurrection, and lie shall lead them into hell tire; an unhappy way shall it be whicii they shall be led. They were followed in this life by a curse, and on the day of resurrection mise:- able shall be the gift which shall be given them. This is a part of the histories of the cities, which we rehearse unto thee. Of them there are some standing; and others which are utterly demolished. And we treated them not unjustly, hut they dealt unjustly with their own souls: 'and their go Is whi, h they invoked, besides God, were of no advantage u:ito them at all, when the decree of thy Lord came to lw executed on them, neither were they any other than a detri- ment unto them. And thus was the punishment of thy Lord in- flicted, when he punished the cities which were unjust; for his pun- ishment is grievous and severe. Verily herein is a sign unto him who feareth the punishment of the last day: that, shall be a day whereon all men shall be assembled, and that shall be a day whereon witness shall be borne; we defer it not, but to a determined time. When that day shall come, no soul shall speak to excuse itself, or to intercede for another, but by the permission of God. Of them one shall be miserable, and another shall be happy. And they who shall be miserable, shall be thrown into hell tire; there shall they wail and bemoan themselves: they shall remain therein so long as the heavens and the earth shall endure; except what thy Lord shall please to remit of their sentence; for thy Lord effecteth 'that which he pleaseth. But they who shall be happy, shall be admitted into paradise; they shall remain therein so long as the heavens and the earth endure; besides what thy Lord shall please to add unto their bliss; a bounty which shall not be interrupted. Be not therefore in doubt concern- ing that which these men worship; they worship no other than what their lathers worshipped lief ore them; and we will surely give them their full portion, not in the least diminished. We formerly gave :mto Moses the book of the law; and di.-putes. arose among his people concerning it: and unless a previous decree had proceeded from thy Lord, to bear with them during this life, the matter had been surely decided between them. And thy people are also jealous and in doubt concerning the Koran. But unto every one of them will thy Lord render the reward of their works; for he well knoweth thaf which they do. Be thou steadfast, therefore, as thou hast been commanded; and let him also be steadfast who shall be converted with thee; and transgress not: for he seeth that which ye do. And incline not unto 126 AL KORAN. those who act unjustly, lest the fire of hell touch you: for ye have no protectors, except God; neither shall ye be assisted against him. Pray regularly morning and evening: and in the former part of the night, for good works drive away evils. This is an admonition unto those who consider: wherefore persevere with patience: for God suffereth not the reward of the righteous to perish. Were such of the generations before you, endued with understanding and virtue, who forbade the acting corruptly in the earth, any more than a few only of those whom we delivered? But they who were unjust fol- lowed the delights which they enjoyed in this world, and were wicked doers: and thy Lord was not of such a disposition as to destroy the cities unjustly, while their inhabitants behaved themselves uprightly. And if thy Lord pleased, he would have made all men of one re- ligion: but they shall not cease to differ among themselves, unless those on whom thy Lord shall have mercy: and unto this hath he created them; for the word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled, when he said, Verily I will fill hell altogether with genii and men. The whole which we have related of the histories of our apostles do we relate unto thee, that we may confirm thy heart thereby; and herein is tl.c truth come unto thee, and an admonition, and a warning unto the true believers. Say unto those who believe not, Act ye according to your condition; we surely will act according to our "duty: and wait the issue; for we certainly wait it also. Unto God is known that which is secret in heaven and earth; and unto him shall the whole matter be referred. Therefore worship him, and put thy trust in him ; for thy Lord is not regardless of that which ye do. CHAPTER XII. ENTITLED, JOSEPH; REVEALED AT MECCA. IX THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. R. These are the signs of the perspicuous book; which we have sent down in the Arabic tongue, that peradventure ye might understand. We relate unto thee a most excellent history, by reveal- ing unto thee this Koran, whereas thou wast before one of the negli- gent. When Joseph said unto his father, O my father, verily I saw in my dream eleven stars, and the sun and the moon; I saw them make obeisance unto me. Jacob said, O my child, tell not thy vision to thy brethren, lest they devise some plot against thee; for the devil is a professed enemy unto man : and thus, according to thy dream, shall thy Lord choose thee. and teach thee the interpretation of dark sayings, and he shall accomplish his favour upon thee and upon the family of Jacob, as he hath formerly accomplished it upon thy fathers Abraham and Isaac; for thy Lord is knowing and wise. Surely in vtie history of Joseph and his brethren there are signs of God's provi- AL KORAN. 127 dence to the inquisitive ; when they said to one another, Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we, who are the greater number; our father certainly maketh a wrong judgment. Where- fore slay Joseph, or drive him into some distant or desert part of the earth, and the face of your father shall be cleared towards you ; and ye shall afterwards be people of integrity. One of them spoke and said, Slay not Joseph, but throw him to the bottom of the well ; and some travellers will take him up, if ye do this. They said unto Jacob, O father, why dost thou not entrust Jcseph with us, since we are sincere well-wishers unto him ? Send him with us to-morrow, >nto the field, that he may divert himself, and sport, and we will be his guardians. Jacob answered, It grieveth me that ye take him away; and I fear lest the wolf devour him, while ye are negligent of him. They said, Surely if the wolf devour him when there are so many of us, we shall be weak indeed. And when they had carried him with them, and agreed to set him at the bottom of the well, they executed their design : and we sent a revelation unto him, saying, Thou shall hereafter declare this their action unto them; and they shall not perceive thee to be Joseph. And they came to their father at even, weeping, and said, Father, we went and ran races with one another, and we left Joseph with our baggage, and the wolf hath devoured him; but thou wilt not believe us, although we speak the truth. And they produced his inner garment stained with false blood. Jacob answered, Nay, but ye yourselves have contrived the thing for your own sakes; however, patience is most becoming, and God's assistance is to be implored to enable me to support the misfortune which ye relate. And certain travellers came, and sent one to draw water for them : and he let down his bucket, and said, Good news! this is a youth. Ami they concealed him, that they might sell him as a piece of merchandise : but God knew that which they did. And they sold him for a mean price, for a few pence, and valued him lightly. And the Egyptian who bought him said to his wife, Use him honourably ; peradventure he may be serviceable to us, or we may adopt him for our son. Thus did we prepare an establishment for Joseph in the earth, and we taught him the interpretation of dark sayings: for God is well able to effect his purpose; but the greater part of men do not understand. And when he had attained his age of strength, we bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge; for thus do we recompense the righteous. And she, in whose house he was, desired him to lie with her; and she shut the doors and said, Come hither. He answered, God forbid! verily my lord hath made my dwelling with him easy; and the ungrateful shall not prosper. But she resolved within herself to enjoy him, and he would have re- solved to enjoy her, had he not seen the evident demonstration of his Lord. So we turned away evil and fllthiness from him, be- cause he was one of our sincere servants. And they ran to get one before the other to the door; and she rent his inner garment be- 128 AL KORAN. hind. And they met her lord at the door. She said, "What shall be the reward of him who seeketh to commit evil in thy family, but imprisonment, and a painful punishment? And Joseph said, She asked me to lie with her. And a witness of her family bore witness, saying, If his garment be rent before, she speaketh truth, and he is a liar: but if his garment be rent behind, she lieth. and he is a speaker of truth. And when her husband saw that his garment was torn behind, he said, This is a cunning contrivance of your sex ; for surely your cunning is great. O Joseph, take no farther notice of this affair: and thou, O woman, ask pardon for thy crime, for thou art a guilty person. And certain women said publicly in the city, The noble- man's wife asked her servant to lie with her: he hath inflamed her breast with his love; and we perceive her to be in a manifest error. And when she heard of their subtle behaviour, she sent unto them, and prepared a banquet for them, and she gave to each of them a knife; and she said unto Joseph, Come forth unto them. And when they saw him they praised him greatly; and they cut their own hands, and said, O God! this is not a mortal; he is no other than an angel, deserving the highest respect. And his mistress said, This is he for whose sake ye blamed me: I asked him to lie with me, but he hath constantly refused. But if he do not perform that which I command him, he shall surely be cast into prison, and he shall be made one of the contemptible. Joseph said, O Lord, a prison is more eligible unto me than the crime to which they invite me; but unless thou turn aside their snares from me, I shall youthfully incline unto them, and I shall become one of the foolish. Wherefore his Lord heard him, and turned aside their snare from him; for he both heareth and knoweth. And it seemed good unto them, even after they had seen the signs of his innocency, to imprison him for a time. And there entered into the prison with him two of the king's ser- vants. One of them said, It seemed to me in my dream that I press- ed wine out of grapes. And the other said, It seemed unto me in my dream that I carried bread on my head, whereof the birds did eat. Declare unto us the interpretation of our dreams, for we per- ceive that thou art a beneficent person. Joseph answered, No food, wherewith ye may be nourished, shall come unto you, but I will declare unto you the interpretation thereof before it come unto you. This knowledge is a part of that which my Lord hath taught me: for I have left the religion of people who believe not in God, and who deny the life to come; and I follow the religion of my fathers, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. It is not lawful for us to associate anything with God. This knowledge of the divine unity hath been given us of the bounty of God towards us, and towards mankind; but the greater part of men are not thankful. O my fellow-prisoners, are sundry lords better, or the only true and mighty God? Ye worship not, besides him, other than the names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, concerning which God AL KORAN. 129 hath sent down no authoritative proof: yet judgment btuvjugeth unto God alone ; who hath commanded that ye worship none besides him. This is the right religion ; but the greater part of men know it not. my fellow -prisoners, verily the one of you shall serve wine unto 3: is lord, as formerly; but the other shall be crucified, and the birds shall eat from off his head. The matter is decreed concerning which ye seek to be informed. And Joseph said uiite him whom he judged t ) be the person who should escape of the two, Remember me in the presence of thy lord. But the devil caused him to forget to make mention of Joseph unto his lord; wherefore he remained in the prison .some years. And the king of Egypt said, Verily I saw in my dream s 'ven fat kine, which seven lean kine devoured, and seven green ears of corn, and other seven withered ears. O nobles, expound my vision unto me, if ye be able to interpret a vision. They answered. They : re confused dreams; neither are we skilled in the interpretation of - u-li kind of dreams. And Joseph's fellow-prisoner, who had been delivered, said (for be remembered Joseph after a certain space of time), I will declare unto you the interpretation thereof; wherefore let me go unto the person who will interpret it unto me. And he went to the prison, and said, O Joseph, thou man of veracity, teach us tlic interpretation of seven fat kine, which seven lean kiue devoured, and of seven green ears of corn; and other seven withered ears, which 1 he king saw in his dream; that I may return unto the men who have sent me, that peradventure they may understand the same. Joseph answered, Ye shall sow seven years as usual: and the eJ'-u which ye shall reap, do ye leave in its ear, except a little whereof ye may eat. Then shall there come, after this, seven grievous y jars of famine, which shall consume what ye shall have laid up as a provision for the same, except a little which ye shall have kept. Then shall there come after this, a year wherein men shall have plenty of rain, and wherein they shall press wine and oil. And when the chief but- ler had reported this, the king said, Bring him unto me. And when the messenger came unto Joseph, he said, Return unto thy lord, and ask of him, what was the intent of the women, who cut their hands; for my Lord well knoweth the snare which they laid for me. And when the women were assembled before the king, he said unto them, What was your design when ye solicited Joseph to unlawful love? Theyj answered, God be praised! we know not any ill of him. The noble- man's wife said, Now is the truth become manifest: I solicited him to lie with me : and he is one of those who speak truth. And when Joseph was acquainted therewith, he said, This discovery hath been made, that my lord might know that I was not unfaithful unto him in his absence, and that God directeth not the plot of the deceivers. (XIII.) Neither do I absolutely justify myself: .since every soul is prone unto evil, except those on whom my Lord shall show mercy; for my Lord is gracious and merciful. And the king said, Bring him unto me : I will take him into my own peculiar service. And 130 AL KORAN. when Joseph was brought unto the king, and he had discoursed with him, he said, Thou art this day firmly established with us, and shalt be entrusted with our affairs. Joseph answered, Set me over the store-houses of the land; for I will be a skilful keeper thereof. Thus did we establish Joseph in the land, that he might provide himself a dwelling therein, where he pleased. We bestow our mercy on whom we please, and we suffer not the reward of the righteous to perish: and certainly the reward of the next life is better, for tho.-e who believe and fear God. Moreover Joseph's brethren came, and went in unto him ; and he knew them, but they knew not him. And when he had furnished them with their provisions, he said, Bring unto me your brother, the son of your father: do ye not see that I give full measure, and that I am the most hospitable receiver of guests? But if ye bring him not unto me, there shall be no corn measured unto you from me, neither shall ye approach my presence. They answered, We will endeavour to obtain him of his father, and we will certainly per- form what thou requirest. And Joseph said to his servants, Put their money which they have paid for their corn, into their sacks, that they may percieve it; when they shall be returned to their family: peracl- venture they will come back unto us. And when they were* returned unto their father, they said, O father, it is forbidden to measure out corn unto us anymore, unless we carry our brother Benjamin with us: wherefore send our brother with us, and we shall have corn measured unto us: and we will certainly guard him from any mischance. Jacob answered, Shall I trust him with you with any better success than I trusted your brother Joseph with you heretofore? But God is the best guardian; and he is the most merciful of those who show mercy. And when they opened their provisions, they found their money had been returned unto them ; and they said, O father, what do we desire fart her? this our money hath been returned unto us: we will therefore return, and provide corn for our family: we will take care of our brother; and we shall receive a camel : s burden more than we did the last time. This is a small quantity. Jacob said, I will by no means send him with you, until ye give me a solemn promise, and swear by God that ye will certainly bring him back unto me, unless ye be encompassed by ; some inevitable impediment. And when they had given him their \K>lemn promise, he said God is witness of what we say. And he said, My sons, enter not into the city by one and the same gate; but enter by different gates. But this precaution will be of no advantage unto you against the decree of God ; for judgment belongeth unto God alone : in him do I put my trust, and in him let those confide who seek in whom to put their trust. And when they entered the city, as their father had commanded them, it was of no advantage unto them against the decree of God ; and the same served only to satisfy the desire of Jacob's soul, which he had charged them to perform for ne was endued with knowledge of that which we had taught him; but the greater part of men do not understand. And when they AL RORAK. i:-,J entered into the presence of Joseph, lie received his brother Benjamin as his guest, and said Vurily I am thy brother: be not therefore afflicted for that which they have committed against us. And when he had furnished them with their provisions, he put his cup in his bro- ther Benjamin's sack. Then v crier cried after them, saying, O com- pany of travellers, ye are surety thieves. They said (and turned back unto them), What is it that ye miss ? They answered, We miss the prince's cup : and unto him who shall produce it, shall be given a camel's load of corn; and I will be surety for the same. Josephs brethren replied, By God, ye do well know that we come not to act 3orruptly in the laud, neither are we thieves. The Egyptians said, What shall be the reward of Him who shall appear to have stolen the cup, if ye be found liars '! Joseph's brethren answered, As to the re- ward of him in whose sack it shall be found, let him become a bondman in satisfaction for the barne : thus do we reward the unjust, who are guilty of theft. Then he began by their sacks, before he searched the sack of his brother ; and he drew out the cup from his brother's sack. Thus did we furnish Joseph with a stratagem. It was not lawful for him to take his brother for a bondman, by the law of the king of Egypt, had not God pleased to allow it, according to the offer of his brethren. We exalt to degrees of knowledge and honour whom we please and there is one who is knowing above all those who are endued with knowledge. His brethren said, If Benjamin be guilty of theft, his brother Joseph hath been also guilty of theft heretofore. But Joseph concealed these things in his mind, and did not discover them unto them ; and he said within himself. Ye are in a worse condition than us two ; and God best kuoweth what ye discourse about. They said unto Joseph, Xoble lord, Verily this lad hath an aged father; wherefore take one of us in his stead ; for we perceive that thou art a beneficent person. Joseph answered, God forbid that we should take any other than him with whom we found our goods; for then should we certainly be unjust. And when they despaired of obtaining Benjamin, they retired to confer privately together. And the elder of them said, Do ye not know that your father hath received a solemn promise from you, in the name of God ; and how perfidiously ye behaved heretofore towards Joseph ? Wherefore I will by no means depart the land of Egypt, until my father give me leave to return unto him, or God maketh known his will to me ; for he is the best, judge. Return ye to your father, and say, O father, verily thy son hath committed theft; we beai witness of no more than what we know, and we could not guard against wh;>t we did not foresee: and do thou inquiie in the city where we have been, and of the company of merchants with whom we are arrived, and thou wilt find that we speak the truth. And whrn they were returned and had thus spoken to their father, he said. Nay. but rather ye your- selves have contrived the thing for your own sakes : but patience is most proper for me ; perad venture tfod will restore them all unto me; 132 AL KORAN. for he is knowing and wise. And he turned from them and said, Oh, how am I grieved for Joseph ! And his eyes became white with mourning, he being oppressed with deep sorrow. His sons said, By God, thou wilt not cease to remember Joseph, until thou be brought to death's door, or thou be actually destroyed by excessive affliction. lie answered, I only represent my grief, which I am not able to contain, and my sorrow unto God ; but I know by revela- tion from God that which ye know not. O my sons, go and make inquiry after Joseph and his brother ; and despair not of the mer- cy of God; for none despaireth of God's mercy, except the unbeliev ing people. Wherefore Joseph's brethren returned into Egypt and when they came into his presence they said, Xoble lord, the famine is felt by us and our family, and we are conic with a small sum of money : yet give unto us full measure, and bestow corn upon us as alms; for God rewanleth the almsgivers. Joseph said unto them, Do ye know what ye did unto Joseph and his brother, when ye were ignorant of the consequences thereof? They answered, Art thou really Joseph? He replied, 1 am Joseph; and this is my brother. Now* hath God been gracious unto us. For whoso feareth God. and persevereth with patience, shall at length tind relief; since God will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. They said. By God, now hath God chosen thee above us; and we have surely been sinners. Joseph answered, Let there be no reproach cast on you this day. God forgiveth you; for he is the most merciful of those who show mercv. Depart ye with this my inner garment, and throw it on my father s face; and he shall recover his sight : and then come unto me with all your family. Ami when the company of travellers was departed from Egypt on their journey towards Canaan, their father said unto those who were about him, Verily I perceive the smell of Joseph: although ye think that I dote. They answered, By God, thou art in thy old mistake. But when the messenger of good tidings was come with Joseph's inner garment, he threw it over his face; and he recovered his eyesight. And Jacob said, Did I not tell you that I knew from God that which ye knew not? They answered, father, ask pardon of our sins for us, for we have surely been sin- ners. He replied, I will surely ask pardon for you of my Lord; for he is graciousand merciful. And when Jacob and Ins family arrived in Egypt, and were introduced unto Joseph, he received his parents unto him, and said, Enter ye into Egypt, by God's favour, in full se- curity. And he raised his parents to the seat of state, and they, to- gether with his brethren, fell down and did obeisance unto him. And he said, O my father, this is the interpretation of my vision, which 1 saw heretofore: now hath my Lord rendered it true.' And he hath surely been gracious unto me. since he took me forth from the pn.-on. and hath brought me hither from the desert; after that the devil had sown discord between me and my brethren: for- my Lord is uraciou.s unto whom he pleaseth; and he ie the knowing, the wise God. O AL KORAN. 133 Lor.-!, thou hast given me a part of the kingdom, and hast taught me the interpretation of dark savings. The Creator of heaven and earth! thou art my protector in this world, and in that which is to come: make me to die a Moslem, and join me with the righteous. This is a secret history, which we reveal unto thee, O Mohammed, although thou wast not present with the brethren of Joseph, when they con- certed their design, and contrived a plot against him. But the greater part of men, although thou earnestly desire it, will not believe. Thou shalt not demand of them any reward for thy publishing the Koran; it is no other than an admonition unto all creatures. And how many signs soever there be of the being, unity, and providence of God, in the heavens and the earth; they will pass by them, and will retire afar off from them. And the greater part of them believe not in God, without being also guilty of idolatry. Do they not be- lieve that some overwhelming affliction shall fall on them, as a pun- ishment from God; or that the hour of judgment shall overtake them suddenly, while they consider not its approach? Say unto those of Mecca, This i^ my way: I invite you unto God, by an evident de- monstration; both I and he who followeth me ; and, praise be unto God! I am not an idolater. We sent not any apostles before thee, ex- cepi men unto whom we revealed our will, 'and whom we chose out of those who dwelt in cities. Will they not go through the earth, and see what hath been the end of those who have preceded them? But the dwelling of the next life shall surely be better for those who fear God. Will they i?ot therefore understand? Their predecessors were borne with for a time, until, when our apostles despaired of their conversion, and they thought that they were liars, our help came unto them, and we delivered whom we pleased; but our ven- gi-ance was not turned away from the wicked people. Verily in the histories of the prophets and their people there is an instructive ex- ample unto those who are endued with understanding. The Koran is not a new invented fiction; but a confirmation of those scriptures which have been revealed before it, and a distinct explication of ever;, thing necessary, in respect either to faith or practice, and a dv section and mercy unto people who believe. CHAPTER XIII. ENTITLED, THUNDER; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. M R. These are the signs of the book of the KorSn: and that which hath been sent down untothee from thy Lord is the truth; but the greater part of men will not believe. It is God who hath raised the heavens without visible pillars; and then ascended his throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to perform their ser- ^ices: every of the heavenly bodies runneth an appointed course. He ordereth all things. He showeth his signs distinctly, that ye may be assured ye must meet your Lord at the last day. It is he who hath stretched forth the earth, and placed therein steadfast moun- tains, and rivers; and hath ordained therein of every fruit two differ- ent kinds. He causeth the night to cover the day. Herein are certain signs unto people who consider. And in the earth are tracts of land of different natures, though bordering on each other; and also vineyards, and seeds, and palm-trees springing several from the same root, and singly from distinct roots. They are watered with the same water, yet we render some of them more excellent than others to eat. Herein are surely signs unto people who understand. If thou dost wonder at the infidels denying the resurrection, surely wonderful is their saying, After we shall have been reduced to dust, *hall we be restored in a new creature? These are they who believe not in their Lord; these shall have collars on their necks, and these shall be the inhabitants of hell fire, therein shall they abide forever. They will ask of thee to hasten evil rather than good: although there have already been examples of the divine vengeance before them. Thy Lord is surely endued with indulgence towards men, notwith- standing their iniquity; but thy Lord is also severe in punishing. The infidels say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his Lord, we will not believe. Thou art commissioned to be a preacher only, and not a worker of miracles: and unto every people hath a director been appointed. God knoweth what every female beareth in her womb; and what the wombs want or exceed of their due time, or number of young. With him is everything regulated according to a determined measure. He knoweth that which is hidden, and that which is revealed. He is the great, the most high. He among you who con- cealeth his words, and he who proclaimed! them in public; he also who secketh to hide himself in the night, and he who goeth forth openly in the day, is equal in respect to the knowledge of God. Each of them hath angels mutually succeeding each ;>ther, before him, and behind him-- AL KORAN. 135 they watch him by the command of God. Verily God will not change his grace which is in men, until they change the disposition in their souls by sin. When God willeth evil on a people, there shall be none to avert it; neither shall they have any protector beside him. It is he who causeth the lightning to appear unto you, to strike fear, and to raise hope, and who formeth the pregnant clouds. The thunder cele- brateth his praise, and the angels also, for fear of him. He sendeth his thunderbolts, and striketh therewith whom he pleaseth, while they dispute concerning God ; for he is mighty in power. It is he who ought of right to be invoked ; and the idols which they invoke besides him, shall not hear them at all ; otherwise than as he is heard, who stretcheth forth his hand to the water that it may ascend to his mouth, when it cannot ascend thither: the supplication of the unbelievers is utterly erroneous. Whatsoever is in heaven and on earth worshippeth God, voluntarily or of force; and their shadows also, morning and evening. Say, Who is the Lord of heaven and earth? Answer, God. Say, Have ye therefore taken unto yourselves protectors beside him, who are unable either to help, or to defend themselves from hurt? Say, Shall the blind and the seeing be esteemed equal? or shall dark- ness and light be accounted the same? or have they attributed com- panions unto God, who have created as he hath created, so that their creation l>ear any resemblance unto his? Say, God is the creator of all things; he >s the one, the victorious God. He causeth water to de-ccnd from heaven, and the brooks flow according to their respec- tive measure, and the floods bear the floating froth: and from the metals which they melt in the fire, seeking to cast ornaments or ves- sels for use, there ariseth a scum like unto it. Thus God setteth forth truth and vanity. But the scum is thrown off, and that which is use- ful to mankind remaineth on the earth. Thus doth God put forth parable". Unto those who obey their Lord shall be given the most excellent reward : but those who obey him not, although they were -sed of whatever is in the whole earth and as much more, they would give it all for their ransom. These will be brought to a terrible account: their abode shall be hell; an unhappy couch shall it be! Shall he, therefore, who knoweth that what hath been sent down un- to thee from thy Lord, is truth, be rewarded as he who is blind? The prudent only will consider; who fulfil the covenant of God, and break not their contract; and who join that which God hath com- manded to be joined, and who fear their Lord, and dread an ill ac- count; and who persevere out of a sincere desire to please their Lord, and observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms out of what we have bestowed on them, in secret and openly, and who turn away evil with good: the reward of these shall be paradise, gardens of eternal abode, which they shall enter, and also whoever shall have acted uprightly, of their fathers, and their wives, and their posterity; and the angels shall go in unto them by every gate, saying, Peace be upon you, because ye have endured with patience; how excellent a 136 AL KORAN. reward is paradise! But as for those who violate the covenant of God, after the establishment thereof, and who cut in sunder that which God hath commanded to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth, on them shall a curse fall, and they shall have a miserable dwelling in hell. God giveth provision in abundance unto whom he pleaseth, and is sparing unto whom he pleaseth. Those of Mecca re- joice in the present life ; although the present life, in respect of the future, is but a precarious provision. The infidels say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his Lord, we will not believe. Answer, Verily God will lead into error whom he pleaseth, and will direct unto himself him who repenteth, and those who believe, and whose hearts rest securely in the meditation of God; shall not men's hearts rest securely in the meditation of God? They who believe and do that which is right shall enjoy blessedness, and partake of a happy resurrection. Thns have we sent thee to a nation which other nations hav e preceded, unto whom prophets have likewise been sent, that thou mayest rehearse unto them that which we have revealed unto thee, even while they believe not in the merciful God. Say unto them, He is my Lord; there is no God but he: in him do I trust, and unto him must I return. Though a Korfin were revealed by which mountains should be removed, or the earth cleaved in sunder, or the dead be caused to speak, it would be in vain. But the matter be- longeth wholly unto God. Do not therefore the believers know, that if God pleased, he would certainly direct all men? Adversity shall not cease to afflict the unbelievers for that which they have com- mitted, or to sit down near their habitations, until God's promise come: for God is not contrary to the promise. Apostles before thee have been laughed to scorn; and 1 permitted the iutidels to enjoy a long and happy life : but afterwards I punished them ; and how severe was the punishment which I inflicted on them! Who is it therefore that standeth over every soul, to observe that which it com- mitteth? They attribute companions unto God. Say, Name them : will ye declare unto him that which he knoweth not in the earth? or will ye name them in outward speech only? But the deceitful pro- cedure of the infidels was prepared for them ; and they are turned aside from the right path : for he whom God shall cause to err, shall have no director. They shall suffer a punishment in this life; but the punishment of the next shall be more grievous: and there .shall be none to protect them against God. This is the description of paradise, which is promised to the pious. It is watered by rivers; its food is perpetual, and its shade also : this shall be the reward of those who fear God. But the reward of the infidels shall be hell fire. Those to whom we have given the scriptures, rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee. Yet there are some of the confederates who deny part thereof. Say unto them, Verily I am commanded to wor- ship God alone; and to give him no companion: upon him do I call, and unto him shall I return. To this purpose have we sent down the AL KORAN. 137 Koran, a rule of judgment, in the Arabic language. And verily if tiiou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, then- shall be none to defend or protect thee against God. We have formerly sent apostles before thee, and bestowed on them wives and children ; and no apostle had the powei to come with a sign, un- less by the permission of God. Every age hath its book of revela- tion: God shall abolish and shall confirm what he pleaseth. With him is the original of the book. Moreover, whether we cause thee to see any part of that punishment wherewith we have threatened them, or whether we cause thee to die before it be inflicted on them, verily unto thee belongeth preaching only, but unto us inquisition. Do they not see that we come into their land, and straiten the borders thereof, by the conquests of the true believers? When God judgeth, there is none to reverse his judgment; and he will be swift in taking an account. Their predecessors formerly devised subtle plots against their prophets; but God is master of every subtle device. He knoweth that which every soul deserveth : and the infidels shall surely know, whose will be the reward of paradise. The unbelievers will say, Thou art not sent of God. Answer, God is a sufficient witness between me and you, and he who understandeth the scriptures. CHAPTER XIV. ENTITLED, ABRAHAM; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. R. This book have we sent down unto thee, that thou mayest lead men forth from darkness into light, by the permission of their Lord, into the glorious and laudable way. God is he unto whom belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth: and woe be to the infidels, because a grievous punishment waiteth them; who love the present life above that which is to come, and turn men aside from the way of God, and seek to render it crooked: these are in an error far distant from the truth. We have sent no apostle but with the ianiruagc of his people, that he might declare their duty plainly unto them: for God causeth to err whom he pleaseth, and directeth whom he pleaseth,- and he is the mighty, the wise. We fovmerly sent Moses with our signs, and commanded him saying, Lead forth thy people from darkness into light, and remind them of the favours of God: verily therein are signs unto every patient and grateful per- son. And call to mind when Moses said unto his people, Remember the favour of God towards you, when he delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they grievously oppressed you ; and they slew your male children, but let your females live: therein was a great trial from your Lord. And when your Lord declared by the mouth of Moses, saying, If ye be thankful, I will surely increase my favours 138 AL KORAN. towards you; but if ye be ungrateful, verily my punishment shall l>e severe. And Moses said, if ye be ungrateful, and all who are in the earth likewise; verily God needeth not your thanks, though he deserv- eth the highest praise. Hath not the history of the nations your pre- decessors reached you; namely, of the people of Noah, and of Ad, and of Thamud, and of those who succeeded them; whose number none knoweth except God? Their apostles came unto them with evident miracles; but they clapped their hands to their mouths out of indignation, and said, We do not believe the message with which ye pretend to be sent ; and we are in a doubt concerning the religion to w y hich ye invite us, as justly to be suspected. Their apostles an- swered, Is there any doubt concerning God, the creator of heaven and earth? He inviteth you to the true faith that he may forgive you part of your sins, and may respite your punishment, by granting you space to repent, until an appointed time. They answered, Ye are but men, like unto us: ye seek to turn us aside from the gods which our fathers worshipped: wherefore bring us an evident demonstration by some miracle, that ye speak truth. Their apostles replied unto them, We are no other than men like unto you; but God is bountiful unto such of his servants as he pleaseth : and it is not in our power to give you a miraculous demonstration of our mission, unless by the permission of God; in God therefore let the faithful trust. And what excuse have we to allege, that we should not put our trust in God; since he hath directed us our paths? Wherefore we will cer taiuly suffer with patience the persecution wherewith ye shall afflict us: in God therefore let those put their confidence who seek in whom to put their trust. And those who believed not, said unto their apostles, We will surely expel you out of our land; or ye shall return, unto our religion. And their Lord spake unto them by revelation, saying, We will surely destroy the wicked doers; and we will cause you to dwell in the earth, after them. This shall be granted unto him who shall dread the appearance at my tribunal, and shall fear my threatening. And they asked assistance of God, and every rebellious perverse person failed of success. Hell lieth unseen before him, and he shall have filthy water given him to drink: he shall sup it up by little and little, and he shaTl not easily let it pass his throat, because of its nauseousness; death also shall come upon him from every quar- ter, yet he shall not die; and before him shall there stand prepared a grievous torment. This is the likeness of those who believe not in their Lord. Their works are as ashes, which the wind violently scattereth in a stormy day: they shall not be able to obtain any solid advantage from that which they have wrought. This is an error most distant from truth. Dost thou not see that God hath created the heavens and the earth in wisdom. If he please, he can destroy you, and produce a new creature in your stead : neither will this be difficult with God. And they shall all come forth into the presence of God at the last day: and the weak among them shall say unto those AL KORAN. 139 who behaved themselves arrogantly, Verily we were your followers on earth; will ye not therefore avert from us some part of the divine vengeance ? They shall answer, If God had directed us aright, we 'iad certainly directed you. It is equal unto us whether \ve bear our tormenis impatiently, or whether we endure them with patience: for we have no way to escape. And Statan shall say, after judg- ment shall have been given, Verily God promised you a promise of truth: and I also made you a promise; but I deceived you. Yet I had not any power over you to compel you ; but I called you only, and ye answered me: wherefore accuse not me, but accuse your- selves. I cannot assist you; neither can ye assist me. Verily I do now renounce your having associated me with God heretofore. A grievous punishment is prepared for the unjust. But they who shall have believed and wrought righteousness, shall be introduced into gardens, wherein rivers flow; they shall remain therein for ever, by the permission of their Lord; and their salutation therein shall be, Peace! Dost tUounot see how God putteth forth a parable; repre- senting a good word, as a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed in the earth, and whose branches reach unto heaven ; which bringeth forth its fruit in all seasons, by the will of its Lord? God pro- poundeth parables unto men. that they may be instructed. And the likeness of an evil world is as an evil tree; which is torn up from the face of the eaith, and hath no stability. God shall confirm them who believe, by the steadfast word of faith, both in this life and iu that which is to come: but God shall lead the wicked into error; for Gcd doth that which he pleaseth. Hast thou not considered those who have changed the grace of God to infidelity, and cause their people to descend into the house of perdition, namely, into hell? They shall be thrown to burn therein; and an unhappy dwelling shall it be. They also set up idols as copartners with God, that they might cause men to stray from his path. Say unto them, Enjoy the pleasures of this life for a time; but your departure hence shall be into hell fire. Speak unto my servants who have believed, that they be assiduous at prayer, and give alms out of that which we have bestowed on them, both privately and in public; before the day cometh, wherein there shall be no buying nor selling, neithef any friendship, [t is God who hath created the heavens and the earth; and causeth *ater to descend from heaven, and by means thereof produceth iruits for your sustenance: and by his command he obligeth the ships to sail in the sea for your service ; and he also forceth the rivers to supply your uses : he likewise compelleth the sun and the moon, A"hich diligently perform their courses, to serve you; and hath sub- jected the day and the night to your service. He giveth you of everything which ye ask him; and if ye attempt to reckon up the favours of God, ye shall not be able to compute the same. Surely man is unjust and ungrateful. Remember when Abraham said, O Lord, make this land a place of security; and grant that I and my 140 AL KORAN. children may avoid the worship of idols-, for they, O Lord, have seduced a great number of men. Whoever therefore shall follow me, he shall be of me; and whosoever shall disobey me; verily tliou wilt be gracious and merciful. O Lord, I have caused >oir,e 'of my offspring to settle in an unfruitful valley, near thy holy hou>e, () Lord, that they maybe constant at prayer. Grant, therefore, that the hearts of some men may be affected with kindness toward them; and do thou bestow on them all sorts of fruits; that they may give thanks. O Lord, thou knowest whatsoever we conceal, and what- soever we publish; for nothing is hidden from God, either on earth, or in heaven. Praise be unto God. who hath given me, in my old age, Ismael and Isaac: for my Lord is the hearer of supplication. O Lord, grant that I may be an observer of prayer, and a part of my posterity also, O Lord; and receive my supplication. O Lord, for- give me, and my parents, and the faithful, on the day whereon an account shall be taken. Think not, O prophet, that God is regard- less of what the ungodly do. He only deierreth their punishment unto the day whereon men's eyes shall be fixed: they shall hasten for- ward, at the voice of the angel calling to judgment, and shall lift up their heads; they shall not be able to turn their sight from the object whereon it shall be fixed, and their hearts shall be void of sense, through excessive terror. Wherefore do thou threaten men with the day, whereon their punishment shall be inflicted on them, and whereon those who have acted unjustly shall say, O Lord, give us respite unto a term near at hand; and we will obey thy call, and we will fol- low thy apostles. But it shall be answered unto them, Did ye not swear heretofore, that no reverse should befall you? yei ye dwelt in the dwellings of those who had treated their own souls unjustly; and it appeared plainly unto you how we had dwelt with them; and we propounded their destruction as examples unto you. They employ their utmost subtlety to oppose the truth; but their subtlety is appa- rent unto God, who is able to frustrate their designs; although their subtlety were so great, that the mountains might be moved thereby. Think not therefore, O prophet, that God will be contrary to his promise of assistance, made unto hisapostlesj for God is mighty, able to avenge. The day will come, when the earth shall be changed into another earth, and the heavens into other heavens; and men shall come forth from their graves to appear before the only, the mighty God. And thou shalt see the wicked on that day bound together in fetters: their inner garments shall be of pitch, and fire shall cover their faces; that God may reward every soul, according to what it shall have deserved; for God is swift in taking an account. This is a sufficient admonition unto men, that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that there is but one Godj and that those} who are endued with understanding may consider. CHAPTER XV. ENTITLED, AL HEJR; REVEALED AT MECCA. IX THE NAME OP THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. R. These are the signs of the book, and of the (XIV.) per- snicuous Koran. The time may come when the unbelievers shall wish that they had been Moslems. Suffer them to eat and to enjoy theni- M-1 ves in this world : and let hope entertain them, but they shall hereafter know their folly. We have not destroyed any city, but a fixed term of repentance was appointed them. No nation shall be punished before their time shall be come; neither shall they be respited after. The Mcccans say, () thou to whom the admonition hath been sent down, thou ait certainly possessed with a devil: wouldest thou not have come unto us with an attendance of angels, if thou hadst spoken truth? Answer, we send not down the angels, unless on a just oc- casion, nor should they be then respited any longer. We have surely sent down the Koran; and we will certainly preserve the same from corruption. We have heretofore sent apostles before thee, among the ancient sects: and there came no apostle unto them, but they laughed him to scorn In the same manner will we put it into the hearts of the wicked Meccans to scoff at their prophet: they shall not believe on him; and the sentence of the nations of old hath been executed heretofore. If we should open a gate in the heaven above them, and they should ascend thereto all t he day long, they would surely say, Our eyes are only da/./led- or rather we are a people deluded by en- chantments. We have placed the twelve signs in the heaven, and h.-.ve set them out in various figures, for the observation of spectators- and we guard them from every devil, driven away with stones; except him who listeiieth by >tealth, at whom a visible 'name is darted. We have also spread forth the earth, and thrown thereon stable moun- tains; and we have caused every kind of vegetables to spring forth in tne same, according to a determinate weight: and we have pro- vided therein neces>aries of Site for you, and for him whom ye do not sustain. There is no on:: ilium but the storehouses thereof are .n our hands; and we distribute :iot the same otherwise than in a d' :tei miii.-ite measure. We also send tne winds driving the pregnant clouds, and we send down from heaven water, whereof we give you to arink. and which ye keep not in store. Verily we give life, and we put to death; and we are the heirs of all things. We know those union:,' you who go before; and we know those wln> behind. And thy I. old "shall gather them vogether at the last day ; lor he is knowing and wise. We created man of dried clay, of 143 AL KORAN. black mud, formed into shape: and we had before created the devil of subtle fire. And remember when thy Lord said before the angels, Verily I am about to create man of dried clay, of black mud, wrought into shape; when therefore I shall have completely formed him, and shall have breathed of my spirit into him; do ye fall down and worship him. And all the angels worshipped Ada'iii together, except Eblis, who refused to be with those who wor- shipped him. And God said unto him, O Eblis, what hindered thee from being with those who worshipped Adam? He answered, It is not fit that I should worship man, whom thou hast created of dried clay, of black mud, wrought into shape. God said, Get thee therefore hence; for thou shall be driven away with stones: and a curse shall be on thee, until the day of judgment. The devil said, O Lord, give me respite until the day of resurrection. God answered, Verily thou shall be one of those who are respited until the day of the appointed time. The devil replied, O Lord, be- cause Ihou hast seduced me, I will surely tempt them to disobe- dience in the earth; and I will seduce them all, except such of them as shall be thy chosen servants. God said, This is the right waj with me. Verily as to my servants, thou shall have no power over them; bul over those only who shall be seduced, and who shall follow Ihee. And hell is surely denounced unto them all: it hath seven gales; unlo every gate a dislincl company of them shall 1 it- assigned. But those who fear God shall dwell in gardens, amidst fountains. The angels shall say unto them, Enter ye therein in peace and security. And we will remove all grudges from their breasts; they shall be as brethren, sitting over against one another on couches: weariness shall not affect them therein, neither shall they be cast out thence for ever. Declare unto my servants that I am the gracious, the merciful God; and that my punishment is a grievous punishment. And relate unto them the history of Abraham's guests. When they went in unto him, and said, Peace be unto thee, he an- swered, Verily we are afraid of you : and they replied, Fear not ; we bring thee the promise of a wise sou. He said, Do ye bring me the promise of a son now old age hath overtaken me? what is it there- fore that ye tell me? They said, We have told thee the truth; be not therefore one of those who despair. He answered, And who de- spaireth of the mercy of God, except Ihose who err? And he said. Whal is your errand therefore, O messengers of God? They an- swered, Verily we are sent to destroy a wicked people: but as for the family of Lol, we will save them all, except his wife; we have de- creed that she shall be one of those who remain behind to be de- stroyed with the infidels. And when the messengers came to the family of Lot, he said unto them, Verily ye are people who are un- known to me. They answered, But we are come unto thee to exe- cute that sentence, concerning which your fellow-citizens doubted-- NFC tell thee a certain trulh; and we are messengers of veracily. AL KORAX. 143 Therefore lead forth thy family, in some time of the night; and do thou follow behind them, and let none of you turn back; but go whether ye are commanded. And we gave him this command; be- cause the utmost remnant of those people was to be cut off in the morning. And the inhabitants of the city came unto Lot, rejoicing at the news of the arrival of some strangers. And he said unto them, Verily these are my guests, wherefore do not disgrace me by abusing them; but fear God, and put me not to shame. They answered, Have we not forbidden thee from entertaining or protecting any man? Lot replied, These are my daughters; therefore rather make use of them, if ye be resolved to do what ye purpose. As thou livest they wander in their folly. Wherefore a terrible storm from heaven as sailed them at sunrise: and we turned the city upside down; and we rained on them stones of baked clay. Verily herein are signs unto men of sagacity : and those cities were punished, to point out a right way for men to walk in. Verily herein is a sign unto the true be- lievers. The inhabitants of the wood near Midian were also ungodly, wherefore we took vengeance on them. And both of them were de- stroyed, to serve as a manifest rule for men to direct their actions by, And the inhabitants of Al Hejr likewise heretofore accused the mes sengers of God of imposture : and we produced our sigis unto them, but they retired afar off from the same. ' And they hewed houses out of the mountains, to secure themselves. But a terrible noise from heaven assailed them in the morning: neither was what they had wrought of any advantage unto them. We have not created tho heavens and the earth, and whatever is contained between them, otherwise than in justice: and the hour of judgment shall surely come. Wherefore, O Mohammed, forgive thy people with a gracious forgiveness. Verily thy Lord is the creator of thee and of them, and knoweth what is most expedient. We have already brought unto thee seven verses which are frequently to be repeated, and the glorious Koran. Cast not thine eyes on the good things which we nave bestowed on several of the unbelievers, so as to covet the same; neither be thou grieved on their account. Behave thyself with meek- nsss towards the true believers; and say, I am a public preacher. If they believe not, we will inflict a like punishment on them, as we have inflicted on the dividers, who distinguished the Koran into dif ferect parts; for by thy Lord, we will demand an account from them all, of that which they "have wrought. Wherefore publish that which thou hast been commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters. We will surely take thy part against the scoffers, who associate with God another god; they shall surely know their folly. And now we well know that thou art deeply concerned on account of that which they say: but do thou celebrate the praise of thy Lord; and be one of those who worship, and serve thy Lord, until death shall overtake thee. CHAPTEK XVI. ENTITLED, THE BEE; REVEALED AT MECCA. II THE NAMK OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. THE sentence of God will surely come to be executed: wherefore do not hasten it. Praise be unto him ! and far be that from him which they associate with him! He shall cause the angels to descend with a revelation by his command, unto such of his servants us lie pleaseth, saying, Preach that there is no God, except myself; therefore fear me. He hath created the heavens and the earth to manifest his justice: far be that from him which they associate with him! He hath created man of seed; and yet behold, he is a professed disputer against the resurrection. He hath likewise created the cattle for you : from them ye have wherewith to keep yourselves warm, and other advantages; and of them do ye also eat. And they are likewise a credit unto you, when ye drive them home in the evening, and when ye lead them forth to feed in the morning: and they carry your bur- thens to a distant country, at which ye could not otherwise arrive, un- less with great difficulty to yourselves; for your Lord is compassion- ate and merciful. And he hath also created horses, and mules, and asses, that ye may ride thereon, and for an ornament unto you ; and he likewise createth other things which ye know not. It appertained! unto God to instruct men in the right way; and there is who turncth aside from the same: but if he had pleased, he would certainly have directed you all. It is he who sendeth down from heaven rain water, whereof ye have to drink, and from which plants, whereon ye feed your cattle, receive their nourishment. And by means thereof he causeth corn, and olives, and palmtrees, and grapes, and all kinds of fruits to spring forth for you. Surely herein is a sign of the divine power and wisdom unto people who consider. And he hath sub- jected the night and the day to your service ; and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, which are compelled to serve by his command. Verily herein are signs unto people of understanding. And he hath also given you dominion over whatever he hath created for you in the earth, distinguished by its different colour. Surely herein is a sign unto people who reflect. It is he who hath subjected the sea unto you, that ye might eat fish thereout, and take from thence ornaments for you tow r ear: and thou seest the ships ploughing the waves thereof, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves of his abnnd a nee, by commerce; and that ye might give thanks. And he h.-itli thrown upon the earth mountains firmly rooted, lest it should n.< \ With you, and also rivers, and paths, that ye might be directed, ai.d AL KORAN. 145 he hath likewise ordained marks whereby men may know their way ; and they are directed by the stars. Shall God therefore who createth, be as he who createth not? Do ye not therefore consider? If ye attempt to reckon up the favours of God, ye shall not be abl to compute their number: God is surely gracious, and merciful: and God knoweth that which ye conceal and that which ye publish. But the idols which ye invoke" besides God, create nothing, but are them- selves created. They are dead, and not living; neither do they un- derstand when they shall be raised. Your God is one God. As to those who believe not in the life to come, their hearts deny the plain- est evidence, and they proudly reject the truth. There Is no doubt but God knoweth that which they conceal and that which they dis cover ; verily he loveth not the proud. And when it is said unto them, What hath your Lord sent clown unto Mohammed? they answer, Fables of ancient times. Thus are they given up to error, that they may bear their own burthens without diminution on the day of resur- rection, and also a part of the burthens of those whom they caused to err, without knowledge. Will it not be an evil burthen which they shall bear? Their predecessors devised plots heretofore ; but God came unto their building, to overthrow it from the foundations: and the roof fell on them from above, and a punishment came upon them, from whence they did not expect. Also on the day of resurrection he will cover them with shame; and will say, AVhere are my companions, concerning whom ye disputed? Those unto whom knowledge shall have been given, shall answer, This day shall shame and misery fall upon the unbelievers. They whom the angels shall cause to die, having dealt unjustly with their own souls, shall offer to make their peace in the article of death, saying We have done no evil. But the angels shall reply, Yea; verily God well knoweth that which ye have wrought: wherefore enter the gates of hell, therein to remain for ever; and miserable shall be the abode of the proud. And it shall be said unto those who shall fear God, What hath your Lord sent down? They shall answer, Good: unto those who do right shall be given an excellent reward in this world; but the dwelling of the next life shall be better; and happy shall be the dwelling of the pious! namely, gardens of eternal abode, into which they shall enter; rivers shall flow beneath the same; therein shall they enjoy whatever they wish. Thus will God recompense the pious. Unto the righteous whom the angels shall cause to die, they shall say, Peace be upon you; enter ye into paradise, as a reward for thr.t which ye have wrought. Do the unbelievers expect any otiier than that the angels come unto them, to part their souls from their hoilies; or that the sentence of thy Lord come to be executed on them? So did they act who were before them; and God was not unjust towards them in that he destroyed them; but they dealt un- justly with their own souls: the evils of that which they committed, reached them, and the divine judgment which they scoffed at, fell 146 AL KORAN. upon them. The idolaters say, If God had pleased, we had not wor shipped anything besides him, neither had our fathers: neither had we forbidden anything, without him. So did they who were before them. But is the duty of the apostles any other, than puV'ic preaching? We have heretofore raised up in every nation an apostle to admonish them, saying, Worship God, and avoid Taghut. Auc of them there were some whom God directed, and there were other; of them who were decreed to go astray. Wherefore go through t>>< earth, O tribe of Koreish. and see what hath been the end of tho v who accused their apostles of imposture. If thou, O prophet, dc '. earnestly wish for their direction; verily God will not direct hi n whom he hath resolved to lead into error; neither shall they ha 5 any helpers. And they swear most solemnly by God, saying, G( } will not raise the dead." Yea; the promise thereof is true: but tl e greater part of men know it not. He will raise them that he mt. y clearly show them the truth concerning which they now disagree, and that the unbelievers may know that they are liars. Verily our speech unto anything, when we will the same, is, that we only say unto it, Be; and it is. As for those who have fled their country foi the sake of God, after they had been unjustly persecuted ; we veil) surely provide them an excellent habitation in this world, but the reward of the next life shall be greater; if they knew it. They \\lio persevere patiently, and put their trust in their Lord, shall not fail of happiness in this life and in that which is to come. We have not sent any before thee, as our apostles, other than men, unto whom we spake by revelation. Inquire therefore of those who have the custody of the scriptures, if ye know not this to be truth. We sent them with evident miracles, and written revelations: and we have sent down unto thee this Koran, that thou mayest declare unto man- kind that which hath been sent down unto them, and that they may consider. Are they who have plotted evil against their prophet secure, that God will not cause the earth to cleave under them, or that a punishment will not come upon them, from whence they do not expect; or that he will not chastise them while they arc busied in travelling from one place to another, and in traffic? (for they shall not be able to elude the power of God,) or that he will not chastise them by a gradual destruction? But your Lord is truly gracious and mefcifufin granting you respite. I)o they not consider the things which God hath createth; whose shadows are cast on the right hand and on the left, worshipping God, and become con- tracted? Whatever movcth both in heaven and on earth, \vor- shippeth God, and the angels also; and they are not exalted with pride, so as to disdain his service: they fear their Lord, who is ex- alted above them, and perform that which they are commanded. God said, Take not unto yourselves two gods; for there is but one God; and revere me. Unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and unto him is obedience eternally due. Will yc AL KORAX. 147 therefore fear any besides God? Whatever favours ye have re- ceived, are certainly from God; and when evil afflicteth you, unto him do ye make your supplication; yet when he taketh the evil from off you, behold, a part of you give a companion unto their Lord, to show their ingratitude for the favours we have bestowed on them. Delight yourselves in the enjoyments of this life: but hereafter shall ye know that ye cannot escape the divine vengeance. And they set apart unto idols which have no knowledge, a part of the food which we have provided for them. By God, ye shall surely be called to account for that which ye have falsely devised. They utriimfe daughters unto God; (far be it from him!) but unto them- selves children of the sex which they desire. And when any of them is (old tin- news of the birth of a female, his face becometh black, and he is deeply afflicted: he hideth himself from the people, because of the ill tidings which have been told him; considering within him- self whether he shall keep it with disgrace, or whether he shall bury it in the dust. Do they not make an ill judgment? Unto those who believe not in the next life, the similitude of evil ought to be applied, and ucto God the most sublime similitude; for he is mighty and wise. If God should punish men for their iniquity he would not leave on the earth any moving thing: but he giveth them respite unto an ap- pointed time; and when their time shall come, they shall not be re- spited an hour, neither shall their punishment be anticipated. They attribute unto God that which they dislike themselves, and their tongues utter a lie; namely, that the reward of paradise is for them. There is no doubt but that the fire of hell is prepared for them, and that they shall be sent thither before the rest of the wicked. By God, we have heretofore sent messengers unto the nations before thee: but Satan prepared their works for them; he was their patron in this world, and in that which is to come they shall suffer a grievous tor- ment. We have not sent down the book of the Kontn unto thee, for any other purpose, than that thou shouldest declare unto them that truth concerning which they disagree: and for a direction and mercy unto people who believe. God sendeth down water from heaven, and causeth the earth to revive after it hath been dead. Verily here- in is a sign of the resurrection unto people who hearken. Ye have also in cattle an example of instruction: we give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, a liquor between digested dregs, and blood: namely pure milk, which is swallowed with pleasure by those who drink it. And of the fruits of palm-trees, and of grapes, ye obtain an inebriating liquor, and also good nourishment. Verily herein is a sign unto people who understand. T\iy Lord spake by inspiration unto the bee, saying, provide thee houses in the mountains, and in the trees, and of those materials wherewith men build hives for thee: then eat of every kind of fruit, and walk in the beaten paths of thy Lord. There prooeedeth from their bellies a liquor of various color-'. wherein is a medicine for men. Verily herein is a sign unto people 148 AL KORAN. who consider God hath created you, and he -will hereafter cause you to die : and some of you shall have his life prolonged to a de- crepit age, so that he shall forget whatever he knew; foi Goci is wise and powerful. God causeth some of you to excel others in worldly possessions: yet they who are caused to excel, do not give their wealth unto the slaves whom heir right hands possess, that they may become equal sharers therein. Do they therefore deny the bene- ficence of God? God hath ordained you wives from among your- selves, and of your wives hath granted you children and grandchil- dren; and hath bestowed on you good things for food. Will they therefore believe in that which is vain, and ungratefully ik-ny the goodness of God? They worship, besides God, idols v/iiich po.-sos nothing wherewith to sustain them, either in heaven, or on earth; and have no power. Wherefore liken not anything unto God. for God knoweth, but ye know not. God propoundeth as a parable a possessed slave, who hath power over nothing, and him on whom we have bestowed a good provision from us, and who giveth aims thereout both secretly and openly: shall these two be esteemed equal? God forbid! But the greater part of them know it not. God also propounded] as a parable two men; one of them born dumb, who is unable to do or understand anything, but is a burthen unto his master; whithersoever he shall send him, he shall not return with any good success: shall this man, and he who hath his speech and understanding, and who commandeth that which is just, and followeth the right way, be esteemed equal? Unto God alone is the secret of heaven and earth known. And the business of the last hour shall be only as the twinkling of an eye, or even more quick: for God is almighty. God hath brought you forth from the womb* of your mothers; ye knew nothing, and he gave you the senses of hearing and seeing, and understandings, that ye might give thanks. Do they not behold the fowls which are enabled to fly in the open firmament of heaven? none supporteth them except God. Verily herein are signs unto people who believe. God hath also provided your houses for habitations for you; and hath also provided von tents of the skins of cattle, which ye "find light to be removed on the clay of your departure to new quarters, and easy to be pitched on the day of your sitting down therein : and of their wool, and their fur, and their hair hath he supplied you with furniture and household- stuff for a season. And God hath provided for you, of that which he hath created, conveniences to shade you from the sun, and he hath also provided you places of retreat in the mountains, and he hath given you garments to defend you from the heat, and coats of mail to defend you in your wars. Thus doth he accomplish his favour towards you, that ye may resign yourselves unto him. But if they turn back; verily thy duty is public preaching only. They acknowl- edge the goodness of God, and afterwards they deny the same; but tlie greater part of them are unbelievers. On a certain day we will AL KOftAK 149 raise t a witness out of every nation : then they who shall have been unbelievers shall not be suffered to excuse themselves, neither shall they be received into favour. And when they who shall have acted unjustly shall see the torment prepared for them; (it shall not be mitigated unto them, neither shall they be respited;) and when those who shall have been guilty of idolatry shall see their false gods, they shall say, O Lord, these are our idols which we invoked, besides thee. But they shall return an answer unto them, saying, Verily ye are liars. And on that day shall the wicked offer submission unto God; and the false deities which they imagined shall abandon them. As for those who shall have been infidels, and shall have turned aside others from the way of God, we will add unto them punishment upon punishment, because they have corrupted others. On a certain day we will raise up in every nation a witness against them, from among themselves; and we will bring thee, O Mohammed, as a witness against these Arabians. We have sent down unto thee the book of the Koran, for an explication of every thing necessary both as to faith and practice, and a direction, and mercy, and good tidings unto the Moslems. Verily God commandeth justice, and the doing of good, and the giving unto kindred what shall be necessary; and he for- biddeth wickedness, and iniquity, and oppression: he admonisheth you that ye may remember. Perform your covenant with God, when ye enter into covenant with him ; and violate not your oaths, after the ratification thereof; since ye have made God a witness over you. Verily God knoweth that which ye do. And be not like unto her who undoeth that which she hath spun, untwisting it after she hath twisted it strongly; taking your oaths between you deceitfully, because one party is more numerous than another party. Verily God only templet h you therein; and he will make that manifest unto you, on the day of resurrection, concerning which ye now disagree. If God had pleased, he would surely have made you one people: hut he will lead into error whom he pleaseth, and he will direct whom lie pleaselh; and ye shall surely give an account of that which ye have done. Therefore; take not your oaths between you deceitfully, lest your foot slip, after it hath been steadfastly fixed, and ye laste evil ii; this life, for that ye have turned aside from the way of God; and ye suffer a grievous punishment in the life to come. And sell not tiie covenant of God for a small price; for with God is a better recompense prepared for you, if ye be men of understanding. That which is with you will fail; but that which is with God is permanent: and we will surely reward those who shall persevere, according to the ul most merit of their actions. Whoso worketh righteousness, whether he be male or female, and is a true believer, we will surely raN" him to a happy life; and we will give them their reward, ac- cording to the utmost merit of their actions, When thou readest the Koran, have recourse unto God, that he may preserve thee from Satan driven away with stones: he hath no power over those who be- 150 AL KORAN. lieve, and who put their confidence in their Lord ; but his power Is over those only, who take him for their patron, and who give com- panions unto God. When we substitute in the Koran an abrogating verse in lieu of a verse abrogated, (and God best knoweth the fitness of that which he revealeth,) the infidels say, Thou art only a forger of these verses: but the greater part of them know not truth from false- hood. Say, The holy spirit hath brought the same down from thy Lord with truth; that he may confirm those who believe, and for a direction and good tidings unto the Moslems. We also know that they say, Verily, a certain man teacheth him to compose the Koran. The tongue of the person unto whom they incline, is a foreign tongue; but this, wherein the Koran is written, is the perspicuous Arabic tongue. Moreover as for those who believe not in the signs of God, God will not direct them, and they shall suffer a painful tor- ment: verily they imagine a falsehood who believe not in the signs of God, and they are really the liars. Whoever denieth God, after ho hath believed," except him who shall be compelled against his will, and whose heart continueth steadfast in the faith, shall be severely chastised: but whoever shall voluntarily profess infidelity, on those shall the indignation of God fall, and they shall suffer a griev- ous punishment. This shall be their sentence, because they have loved the present life above that which is to come, and for that God directeth not the unbelieving people. These are they whose hearts, and hearing, and sight God hath sealed up; and these are the negligent: there is no doubt but that in the next life they shall perish. Moreover thy Lord will be favourable unto those who have fled their country, after having suffered persecu- tion, and been compelled to deny the faith by violence, and who have since sought in defence of the true religion, and have persevered with patience; verily unto these will thy Lord be gracious aud merciful, after they shall have shown their sincerity. On a certain day shall every soul come to plead for itself, and every soul shall be repaid that which it shall have wrought; and they shall not be treated unjustly. God propoundeth as a parable a city which was secure and quiet, unto which her provisions came in abundance from every side : but she ungratefully denied the favours of God: wherefore God caused her to taste the extreme famine, and fear, because of that which they had done. And now is an apostle come unto the inhabitants of Mecca from among themselves; and they accuse him of imposture: where- fore a punishment shall be inflicted on them, while they are acting unjustly. Eat of what God hath given you for food, that which is lawful and good; and be thankful for the favours of God, it ye serve him. He hath only forbidden you that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that' which hath been slain in the name of any, besides God. But unto him who shall be compelled by neces- sity to eat of these things, not lusting nor wilfully transgressing, God will surely be gracious and merciful. And say not that \\ herein you* AL KORAN. 151 tongues utter a lie; This is lawful, and this is unlawful; that ye may devise a lie concerning God: for they who devise a lie concerning God, shall not prosper. They shall have small enjoyment in this world, and in that which is to" come they shall suffer a grievous tor- ment. Unto the Jews did we forbid that which we have told tliee formally: and we did them no injury in that respect; but they in- jured their own souls. Moreover thy Lord will be favourable unto those who do evil through ignorance; and afterwards repent and amend : verily unto these will thy Lord be gracious and merciful, after their repentance. Abraham was a model of true religion, obe- dient unto God, orthodox, and was not an idolater: he was also grate- ful for his benefits: wherefore God chose him, and directed him into the right way. And we bestowed on him good in this world; and in the next he shall surely be one of the righteous. We have also spoken unto thee, O Mohammed, by revelation, saying, Follow the religion of Abraham, who was orthodox, and was no idolater. The sabbath was only appointed unto those who differed with their pro- phet concerning it; and thy Lord will surely judge between them, on the day of resurrection, as to that concerning which they differed. Invite men unto the way of thy Lord, by wisdom, and mild exhorta- tion; and dispute with them in the most condescending manner: for thy Lord well knoweth him who strayeth from his path, and he well knoweth those who are rightly directed. If ye take vengeance on any, take a vengeance proportionable to the wrong which hath been dene you ; but if ye suffer wrong patiently, verily this will be better for the patient. Wherefore do thou bear opposition with patience; but thy patience shall not be practicable, unless with God's assist- ance. And be not thou grieved on account of the unbelievers ; neither be thou troubled for that which they subtilely devise ; for God is with those who fear him, and are upright. CHAPTER XVII. ENTITLED, THE NIGHT- JOrRXEY ; REVEALED AT KECCA. IN THE NAME OP THE MOST MERCIFUL QOD (XV.) PRAISE be unto him, who transported his servant by night, from the sacred temple of Mecca to the father temple of Jerusalem, the circuit of which we have blessed, that we might show him some of our signs; for God is he who heareth, and seeth. And we gave unto Moses the book of the law. and appointed the same to be a direction unto the children of Israel, commanding them, saying, Beware that ye take not any other patron besides me. O posterity of those whom we carried in the ark with Noah: verily he was a grateful servant. And we expressly declared unto the children of Israel in the book of the law, saying, Ye will surely commit evil in 152 AL KORAN. the earth twice, and ye will be elated with great insolence. And when the punishment threatened for the first of those transgressions came to be executed, we sent against you our servants, endued with exceeding strength in war, and they searched the inner apartments of your houses; and the prediction became accomplished. Afterwards we gave you the victory over them, in your turn, and we granted you increase of wealth and children, and we made you a more numer- ous people, saying, If ye do well, ye will do well to your own souls; and if ye do evil, ye will do it unto the same. And when the punish- ment threatened for your latter transgression come to be executed, we we sent enemies against you, to afflict you, and to enter the temple, as they entered it the first time, and utterly to destroy that which they had conquered. Peradventure your Lord will have mercy on you hereafter: but if ye return to transgress a third time, we also will re- turn to chastise you; and we have appointed hell to be the prison of the unbelievers. Verily this Koran directeth unto the way which is most right, and declareth unto the faithful, who do good works, that they shall receive a great reward; and that for those who believe not in the life to come, we have prepared a grievous punishment. Man prayeth for evil, as he prayeth for good ; for man is hasty. We have ordained the night and the day for two signs of our power: after- wards we blot out the sign of the night, and we cause the sign of the day to shine forth, that ye may endeavour to obtain plenty from your Lord by doing your business therein, and that ye may know the number of years, and the computation of time; and every- thing necessary have we explained by a perspicuous explication. The fate of every man have we bound about his neck; and we will produce unto him, on the day of resurrection, a book where in his actions shall be recorded : it shall be offered him open, and- the angels shall say unto him, Read thy book; thine own soul will be a sufficient accountant against thee, this day. He who shall be rightly directed, shall be directed to the advantage only of his own soui; and he who shall err, shall err only against the same: neither shall any laden soul be charged with the burthen of an- other. We did not punish any people, until we had first sent an apostle to warn them. And when we resolved to destroy a city, we commanded the inhabitants thereof, who lived in affluence, to obey our apostle; but they acted corruptly therein: wherefore the sentence was justly pronounced against that city; and we destroyed it with an utter destruction. And how many generations have we consumed since Noah? for thy Lord sufficiently knoweth and seeth the sins of his servants. Whosoever chooseth this transitory life, we will bestow on him therein beforehand that which we please; on him, namely, whom we please: afterwards will we ^appoint him hell for his abode; he shall be thrown into the same to be scorched, covered with ignominy, and utterly rejected from mercy. But whosoever chooseth the life to come, and directeth his AL KORAN. 153 endeavour towards the same, being also a true believer; the endeav- our of these shall be acceptable unto God. On all will we bestow the j blessings of this life, both on these and on those, of the gift of thy Lord ; for the gift of thy Lord shall not be denied unto any. Be- hold, how we have caused some of them to surpass others in wealth and dignity: but the next life shall be more considerable in degrees of honour, and greater in excellence. Set not up another God with the true God, lest thou sit down in disgrace, and destitute. Thy Lord hath commanded that ye worship none, besides him; and that ye show kindness unto your parents, whether the one of them, or both of them attain to old age with thee. Wherefore say not unto them, Fie on you! neither reproach them, but speak respectfully unto them; and submit to behave humbly towards them, out of tender affection, and say, O Lord, have mercy on them both, as they nursed me when I was little. Your Lord well knowcth that which is in your souls; whether ye be men of integrity: and he will be gracious unto those who sincerely return unto him. And give unto him who is of kin to you his due, and also unto the poor, and the traveller. And waste not thy substance profusely : for the profuse are brethren of the devils : and the devil was ungrateful unto his Lord. But if thou turn from them, in expectation of the mercy which thou hopest from thy Lord ; at least, speak kindly unto them. And let not thy hand be tied up to thy neck; neither open it with an unbounded expansion, lest thou become worthy of reprehension, and be reduced to poverty. Verity thy Lord v ill enlarge the store of whom he pleaseth; and will be sparing unto whom he pleaseth ; for he knoweth and regardeth his servants. Kill not your children for fear of being brought to want; we will provide for them and for you: verily the killing them is a great sin. Draw not near unto fornication; for it is wickedness, and an evil way. Neither slay the soul which God hath forbidden you to slay, unless for a just cause; and whosoever shall be slain unjustly, we have given his heir power to demand satisfaction ; but let him not exceed the bounds of moderation in putting to death the murderer in too cruel a mannsr, or by revenging his friend's blood on any other than the person who killed him; since he is assisted by tliis law. And meddle not with the substance of the orphan, unless it be to improve it, until he attain his age of strength: and perform your covenant; for the performance of your covenant shall be inquired into hereafter. And give full measure, when you measure ought; and weigh with a just balance. This will be better, and more easy for determining ever}' man's due. And follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge; for the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, every of these shall be examined at the last day. Walk not proudly in the land, for thou canst not cleave the earth, neither shalt thou equal the mountains in stature. All this is evil, and abominable in the sight of thy Lord. These precepts are a part of the wisdom which thy Lord hath revealed unto thee. Set not up any other god 154 AL KORAN. as equal unto God, lest thou be cast into hell, reproved and rejected. Hath your Lord preferably granted unto you sons, and taken for himself daughters from among the angels? Verily in asserting this ye utter a grievous saying. And now have we used various argu- ments and repetitions in this Koran, that they may be warned; yet it only rendereth them more disposed to fly from the truth. Say'unto thc'idolaters, If there were other gods with him, as ye say they would surely seek an occasion of making some attempt against the possessor of the throne: God forbid ! and far, very far, be that from him which they utter! The seven heavens praise him, and the earth, and all who are therein : neither is there anything which doth not cele- brate his praise; but ye understand not their celebration thereof: he is gracious and merciful. When thou readest the Koran, we place between thee and those who believe not in the life to come, a dark veil ; and we put coverings over their hearts, lest they should under- stand it, and in their ears thickness of hearing. And when thou makest mention, in repeating the Koran, of thy Lord only, they turn ther backs, flying the doctrine of his unity. We well know with what design they hearken, when they hearken unto thee, and when they privately discourse together: when the ungodly say, Ye follow no other than a madman. Behold ! what epithets they bestow on thee. But they are deceived; neither can they find any just occasion to reproach thee. They also say, After we shall have become bones and dust, shall we surely be raised a new creature? Answer, Be ye stones, or iron, or some creature more improbable in your opinions to be raised to life* But they will say. Who shall restore us to life? Answer, He who created you the first time- and they will wag their heads at thee, saying, When shall this be? Answer, Peradventure it is nigh. On that day shall God call you forth from your sepulchres, and ye shall obey, with celebration of his praise; and ye shall think that ye tarried but a little while. Speak unto my servants, that they speak mildly unto the unbelievers, lest ye exasperate them; for Satan soweth discord among them, and Satan is a declared enemy unto man. Your Lord well knoweth you; if he pleaseth, he will have mercy on you, or, if he pleaseth, he will punish you- and 1 we have, not sent thee to be a steward over them. Thy Lord well knoweth all persons in heaven and on earth. We have bestowed peculiar favours on some of the prophets, preferably to others; and we gave unto David the psalms. Say, Call upon those whom ye imagine to be gods besides him ; yet they will not be able to free you from harm, or to turn it on others. Those whom ye invoke, do themselves desire to be admitted to a near conjunction with their Lord; striving which of them shall approach nearest unto him : they also hope for his mercy, and dread his punishment; for the punishment of thy Lord is terrible. There is no city but we will destroy the same before the day of resur- rection, or we will punish it with a grievous punishment. This is written in the book of our eternal decrees. Nothing hindered us from AL KORAN. 155 sending thee with miracles, except that the former nations have charged them with imposture. We gave unto the tribe of Thamud, at their demand, the she-camel visible to their sight; yet they dealt unjustly with her: and we send not a prophet with miracles, but to strike terror. Remember when we said unto thee, Verily thy Lord encompasseth men by his knowledge and power. We have appointed the vision which we showed thee, and also the tree cursed in the Koran, only for an occasion of dispute unto men, and to strike them with terror; but it shall cause them to transgress only the more enor- mously. And remember when we said unto the angels, Worship Adam": and they all worshipped him except Eblis, who'said, Shall I worship him whom thou hast created of day? And he said, What thiukest thou, as to this man whom thou hast honoured above me? verily, if thou grant me respite until the day of resurrection, I will extirpate his offspring, except a few. God answered, Begone, I grant thee respite : but whosoever of them shall follow thee, hell shall surely be your reward; an ample reward for your demerits! And entice to vanity such of them as thou canst, by thy voice ; and assault them on all sides with thy horsemen and thy footmen; and partake with them in their riches, and their children; and make them promises; (but th ! devil shall make them no other than deceitful promises:) as to my servants, thou shall have no power over them; for thy Lord is a sufLoient protector of those who trust in him. It is your Lord who driveth forward the ships for you in the sea, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves of his abundance by commerce ; for he is merciful towards you. When a misfortuns befalleth you at sea, the false deities whom ye invoke are forgotten by you, except him alone: yet when le bringeth you safe to dry land, ye retire afar off from him, and i turn to you idols; for man is ungrateful. Are ye therefore secun that he will not cause the dry land to swallow you up, or that lie wi I not send against you a whirlwind driving the sands to over- whelm you? then shall ye find none to protect you. Or are ye secure r hat he will not cause you again to commit yourselves to the sea an- other time, and send against you a tempestuous wind, and drown vou for that ye have been ungrateful? then shall ye find none to defend you against us, in that distress. And now have we honoured the children of Adam by sundry peculiar privileges and endowments; and we have given them conveniences of carnage by land and by sea and have provided food for them of good things; and we have preferred them before many of our creatures which we have created, by granting them great prerogatives. On a certain day we will call all men to judgment with their respective leader: and whoso- ever shall have his book given him into his right hand, they shall read their book with joy and satisfaction; and they shall not be wronged a hair. And whoever hath been blind in this life, shall be also blind in the next, and shall wander more widely from the path of salvation. It wanted little but the unbelievers had tempted thee to 156 AL KORAN. swerve from the instructions which we had revealed unto thee, that thou shouldest devise concerning us a different thing: and then would they have taken thee for their friend: and unless we had confirmed tliee, thou hadst certainly been very near inclining unto them a little. Then would we surely have caused thee to taste the punishment of life, and the punishment of death; and thou shouldest not have found am* to protect thee against us. The unbelievers had likewise almost caused thee to depart the land, that they might have expelled thee thence; but then should they not have tarried therein after thee, except a little while. This is the method of dealing which \ve have prescribed ourselves in respect to our apostles, whom we have already sent before thee: and thou shalt not find any change in pur prescribed method. Regularly perform thy prayer at the declension of the sun, at the first darkness of the night, and the prayer of daybreak ; for the prayer of daybreak is borne witness unto by the angels. And watch some part of the night in the same exercise, as a work of supererogation for thee; peradventure thy Lord will raise thee to an honourable station. And say, O Lord, cause me to enter with a favourable entry, and cause me to come forth with a favourable com- ing forth; and grant me from thee an assisting power. And say, Truth is come, and falsehood is vanished : for falsehood is of short continuance. We send down of the Koran that which is a medicine and a mercy unto the true believers, but it shall only increase the per- dition of the unjust. When we bestow favours on man, he retireth and withdraweth himself ungratefully from us : but when evil toucheth him, he despaireth of our mercy. Say, Every one acteth after his own manner: but your Lord best knoweth who is most truly directed in his w r ay. They will ask thee concerning the spirit: answer, The spirit was created at the command of my Lord: but ye have no knowledge given unto you, except a little. If we pleased, we should certainly take away that which we have revealed unto thee; in such case thou couldest not find any to assist thee there- in against us, unless through mercy from thy Lord; for his favour towards thee hath been great. Say, Verily if men and genii were purposely assembled, that they might produce a book like this Koran, they could not produce one like unto it, although the one of them assisted the other. And we have variously propounded unto men in this KorSn, every kind of figurative argument; but the greater part of men refuse to receive it, merely out of infidelity. And they say, We will by no means believe on thee, until thou cause a spring of water to gush forth for us out of the earth ; or thou have a garden of palm-trees and vines, and thou cause rivers to spring forth from the midst thereof in abundance ; or thou cause the heaven to fall down upon us, as thou hast given out, in pieces : or thou bring down God and the angels to vouch for thee ; or thou have a house of gold ; or thou ascend by a ladder to heaven : neither will we believe thy ascending thither alone, until thou cause a book to descend unto AL KORAN. 15? us, bearing witness of thee, which we may rearf Answer, My Lord be praised! , Am I other than a man, sent as an apostle? And nothing hindereth men from believing, wlien a direction is come unto them, except that they say, Hath God sent a man for his apostle? Answer, If the angels had walked on earth as familiar inhabitants thereof, we had surely sent down unto thc:n from heaven an angel fof our apostle. Say, God is a sufficient witness between me and you for he knoweth and regardeth his servants Whom God shall direct, he shall be the rightty directed, and whom he -shall cause to err, taou sha.lt find none to assist, besides him. And we will gather then* together on the day of resurrection, creeping on their faces, blind, and dumb, and deaf- their abode shall be hell so often as the tire there of shall be extinguished, we will rekindle a burning flame to torment them. This shall be their reward, because they disbelieve in oui signs, and say, When we shall have been reduced to bones and dust, shall we surely be raised new creaiuies? Do they not perceive that God, wh<; crested the heavens and the earth, is able to create other bodies, like then present.-.- And he hath appointed them a limited term, then- is no doubt thereof: but the ungodly reject the truth, merely ouf of unbelief Say. If ye possessed the treasures of the mercy of my Lord, ye would surely refrain from using them, for fear of spending tliem. for man is covetous. We heretofore gave unto Moses th:: power of working nine evident signs. And do thou ask the children of Israel as to the story of Moses; when he came unto them, and Pharaoh said unto him. Verily I esteem thee, O Moses, to be deluded by sorcery. Moses answered, Thou well knowest that none hath sent down these evident signs except the Lord of heaven and earth; and I surely esteem thee, O Pharaoh, a lost man. Where- fore Pharaoh sought to drive them out of the land, but we drowned him, and all those who were with him. And we said unto the chil- dren of Israel, after his destruction, Dwell ye in the land: and when the promise of the next life shall come to be fulfilled, we will bring you both promiscuously to judgment. We have sent down the Koran with truth, and it hath descended with truth: and we have not sent thee otherwise than to be a bearer of good tidings, and a denouncer of threats. And we have divided the Koran, revealing it byparcels, that thou mightest read it unto men with deliberation; and we have sent it down, causing it to descend as occasion required. Say, Whether ye believe therein, or do not believe, verily those who have been favoured with the knowledge of the scriptures which were revealed before it, when the same is rehearsed unto them, fall down on their faces, worshipping, and say, Our Lord be praised, for that the pro mise of our Lord is surely fulfilled! And they fall down on their faces, weeping; and the hearing thereof increaseth their humility >ay, ('ail upon God, or call on the Merciful: by whichsoever of the two names ye invoke him, it is equal; for he hath most excellent, uames. Pronounce not thy prayer aloud, neither pronounce it vvltb 158 AL KORAN. too low a voice, but follow a middle way between these : and say, Praise be unto God, who hath not begotten any child ; who hath no partner in the kingdom, nor hath any to protect hinilroui contempt; and magnify him by proclaiming his greatness. CHAPTER XVIIL ENTITLED, THE CAVE; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF TBK MOST MERCIFUL GOD. PRAISE be unto God, who hath sent down unto his servant the book of the Koran, and hath not. Inserted therein any crookedness, but hath made it a straight rule that he should threaten a griev- ous punishment unto the unbelievers, from his presence; and should bear good tidings unto the faithful, who work righteousness, that they shall receive an excellent reward, namely, paradise, wherein they shall remain for ever and that he should warn those who say God hath begotten issue; of which matter they have no knowledge neither had their fathers. A grievous saying it is, which proceed eth from their mouths they speak no other than a lie. Peradventure thou wilt kill thyself >vifh grief after them, out of thy earnest zeal for their conversion, if they believe not in this new revelation of the Koran. Verily we have ordained whatsoever is on the earth for the ornament thereof, that we might make rial of men, and see which of them excelleth in works: and we will surely reduce whatever is thereon, to dry dust. Dost thou consider that the companions of the cave, and Al Rakim, were one of our signs, and a great miracle? When the young men took refuge in the cave, they said, O Lord, grant us mercy from before thee, and dispose our business for us to a right issue. Wherefore we struck their ears with deafness, so that they slept without disturbance in the cave for a great number of years then we awakened them, that we might know which of the twc parties was more exact in computing the space which they had r*- mained there. We will relate unto thee their history with truth Verily they were young men who had believed in their Lord; and we had abundantly directed them and we fortified their hearts with constancy when they stood before the tyrant : and they said, Oui Lord is the Lord of Heaven and earth we will by no means call on any god besides him, for then should we surely utter an extravagance. These our fellow people have taken other gods, besides him: although '.hey bring no demonstrative argument for them: and who is mora unjust than he who deviseth a lie concerning God? And they said the one to the other, When ye shall separate yourselves from "them, and from the deities which they worship, except God, fly into th cave, your Lord will pour his mercy on you abundantly, any a couch! And propound unto them as a" parable two men- on the one of whom we had bestowed two vineyards, and had surrounded them with palm-trees, and had caused corn to grow U-tween them. Each of the gardens brought forth its fruit every sea.-on, and failed not at all; and we caused a river to flow in the midst thereof and he had great abundance. And he said unto his com panion by way of debate, I am superior to thee in wealth, and have a more powerful family. And he went into his garden, being guilty of injustice against his own soul, and said, I do not think that this garden will decay for ever, neither do I think that the las* hour will come: and although I should return unto my Lord, verily I shall find a better garden than this in exchange. And Ms companion said unto him, by way of debate. Dost thou not be lieve in him who created thee of the dust, and afterwards of seed; and then fashioned thee into a perfect man 9 But as for me, God is my Lord; and I will not associate any other deity with my Lord. And when thou enterest thy garden, wilt thou rot say. What God pleaseth shall come to pass; there is no power but in God alone? Although thou seest me to be inferior to thee in wealth and number of children, my Lord is well able to bestow on me a better gift than thy irarden and to shoot his arrows against the same from heaven, so that it shall become barren dust, or its water may sink deep into the earth, that thou canst not draw thereof. And his possessions were encompassed with destruction, as his companion had forewarned him- wherefore he began to turndown the palms of his hands out of sorrow and regret for that which he had expended thereon : for the vines thereof were fallen down on their trails: and he said, Would to God that I had not associated any other deity with my Lord! And he had no party to assist him besides God, neither was he able to AL KORAN. 161 defend himself against his vengeance. In such case protection be- iongeth of right unto God alone ; he is the best rewarder, and the best giver of success. And propound to them a similitude of the present life. It is like water which we send down from heaven; and the herb of the earth is mixed therewith, and after it hath been green and flourishing, in the morning it becometh dry stubble, which the winds scatter abroad: and God is able to do all things. Wealth and children are the ornament of this present life : but good works, which are permanent, are better in the sight of thy Lord, with respect to the reward, and better with respect to hope. On a certain day we will cause the mountains to pass away, and thou shall see the earth appear- ing plain and even; and we will gather mankind together, and we will not leave any one of them behind. And they shall be set before thy Lord in distinct order, and he shall say unto them, Now are ye come unto us naked, as we created you the first time: but ye thought that we should not perform our promise unto you. And the book wherein every one's actions are recorded shall be put into his hand; and thou shall see the wicked in great terror, because of that which is written therein, and they shall say, Alas for us! what meaneth this book? it omitteth neither a small action nor a great one, but it com- priseth the same; and they shall find that which they have wrought, present before their eyes: and thy Lord will not deal unjustly with any one. Remember when we said unto the angels, Worship ye Adam : and they all worshipped him, except Eblis, who was one of the genii, and departed from the command of his Lord. Will ye therefore take him and his offspring for your patrons besides me, not- withstanding they are your enemies? Miserable shall such a change be to the ungodly) I called not them to be present at the creation of the heavens and of the earth, nor at the creation of themselves, neither did I take those seducers for my assistants. On a certain day, God shall say unto the idolaters, Call those whom ye imagined to be my companions, to protect you: and they shall call them, but they shall not answer them : and we will place a valley of destruction between them : and the wicked shall see hell fire ; and they shall know that they shall be thrown into the same, and they shall find no way to avoid it. And now have we variously propounded unto men, in this Koran, a parable of every kind ; but man cavilleth at most things therein. Yet nothing hindereth men from believing, now a direction is come unto them, and from asking pardon of their Lord, excepting that they wait until the punishment of their predecessors come to be inflicted on them, or that the chastisement of the next life come upon them publicly. We send not our messengers, but to bear good tidings, and to denounce threats. Those who believe not, dispute with vain arguments, that they may thereby render the truth of no effect: and they hold my signs, and the admonitions which have been made them, in derision. And who is more unjust than he who Lath been acquainted with the signs of his Lord, and retireth afar 162 AL KORAN. off from the same, and f orgetteth that which his hands have formerly committed? Verily we have cast veils over their hearts, lest they should understand the Koran, and into their ears thickness of hear- ing: if thou invite them to the true direction, yet will they not therefore be directed for ever. Thy Lord is gracious, endued with mercy; if he would have punished them for that which they have committed, he would doubtless have hastened their punishment: but a threat hath been denounced against them, and they shall rind no refuge, besides him. And those former cities did we destroy, when they acted unjustly; and we gave them previous warning of their destruction. And remember when Moses said unto his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, I will not cease to go forward, until I come to the place where the two seas meet; or I will travel for a long space of time. But when they were arrived at the meeting of the two seas, they forgot their fish which they had taken with them; and the fish took its way freely in the sea. And when they had passed beyond that place, Moses said unto his servant, Bring us our dinner: for now are we fatigued with this our journey. His servant answered, Dost thou know what has befallen me? When we took up our lodging at the rock, verily I forgot the fish : and none made me to forget it, except Satan, that I should not remind thee of it. And the fish took its way in the sea, in a wonderful manner. Moses said, This is what we sought after. And they both went back, re- turning by the way they came. And coming to the rock they found one of our servants, unto whom we had granted mercy from us, and whom we had taught wisdom from before us. And Moses said unto him, Shall I follow thee, that thou mayest teach me part of that which thou hast been taught, for a direction unto me? He answered, Verily thou canst not bear with me : for how canst thou patiently suffer those things, the knowledge whereof thou dost not comprehend? Moses replied, Thou shalt find me patient, if God please ; neither will I be disobedient unto thee in anything. He said, If thou follow me there' fore, ask me net concerning anything, until I shall declare the mean- ing thereof unto thee. So they both went on by the sea-shore, until they went up into a ship; and he made a hole therein. And MOSCH said unto him, Hast thou made a hole therein, that thou mightest drown those who are on board? now hast thou done a strange thing. He answered, Did I not tell thee that thou couldest not bear with me? Moses said, Rebuke me not, because I did forget; and impose not on me a difficulty in what I am commanded. Wherefore they left the ship and proceeded, until they met with a youth; and he slew him. Moses said, Hast thou slain an innocent person, without his having killed another? Now hast thou committed an unjust action. (XVI.) He answered, Did I not tell thee that thou couldest not bear with me? Moses said, If I ask thee concerning anything hereafter, suffer me not to accompany thee: now hast thou received an excuse from me. They went forwards therefore^ until they came to the inhabitants of AL KORAN. 163 a certain city: and they asked food of the inhabitants thereof; but they refused to receive them. And they found therein a wall, which was ready to fall down; and he set it upright. Whereupon Moses said unto him, If thou wouldest thou mightest doubtless have received a reward for it. He answered, This shall be a separation between me and thee: but I will first declare unto thee the signification of that which thou couldest not bear with patience. The vessel belonged to certain poor men. who did their business in the sea: and 1 was minded to render it unserviceable, because there was a king behind them, who took every sound ship by force. As to the youth, his parents were true believers, and we feared lest he, being an unbeliever, should oblige them to suffer his perverseuess and ingratitude: wherefore we desired that their Lord might give them a more righteous child in ex- change for him, and one more affectionate towards them. And the wall belonged to two orphan youths in the city, and under it was a treasure hidden which belonged to them, and their father was a righteous man: and thy Lord was pleased that they should attain their full age, and take forth their treasure, through the mercy of thy Lord, And I did not what thou hast seen of mine own will, but by God's direction. This is the interpretation of that which thou couldest not bear with patience. The Jews will ask thee concerning Dhu'l- karhein. Answer, I will rehearse unto you an account of him. We made him powerful in the earth, and we gave him means to accom- plish everything he pleased. And he followed his way, until he came to the place where the sun sctteth ; and he found it to set in a spring of black mud, and he found near the same a certain people. And we said, O Dhu'lkarnein, either punish this people, or use gentleness towards them. He answered, Whosoever of them shall commit injustice, we will surely punish him in this world; after wards shall he return unto his Lord, and lie shall punish him with a severe punishment. But whosoever believeth, and doth that which is right, shall receive the most excellent reward, and we will give him in command that which is easy. Then he continued his way, until he came to the place where the sun riseth; and he found it to rise on certain people, unto whom we had not given anything wherewith to shelter themselves therefrom. Thus it was; and we compre- hended with our knowledge the forces which were with him. And he prosecuted his journey from south to north, until he came between the two mountains; beneath which he found certain people, who could scarce understand what was said. And they said, O Dhu'lkar nein, verily Gog and Magog waste the land; shall we therefore pay the tribute, on condition that thou build a rampart between us and them ? He answered, The power wherewith my Lord hath strengthened me, is better than your tribute: but assist me strenu- ously, and I will set a strong wall between you and them. Bring me iron in large pieces, until it fill up the space between the two sides of these mountains. And he said to the workmen, Blow with 164 AL KORAN. your bellows, until it make the iron red hot as fire. And he said further, Bring me molten brass, that I may pour upon it. Where- fore, when this wall was finished, Gog and Magog could not scale it, neither could they dig through it. And Dhu'lkarnein said, This is a mercy from my Lord: but when the prediction of my Lord shall come to be fulfilled, he shall reduce the wall to dust; and the prediction of my Lord is true. On that day we will suffer some of them to press tumultuously like waves on others; and the trumpet shall be sounded, and we will gather them in a body together. And we will set hell, on that day, before the unbelievers; whose eyes have been veiled from my remembrance, and who could not hear my words. Do the unbelievers think that I will not punish them, for that they take my servants for their protectors besides me? Verily we have prepared hell for the abode of the infidels. Say, Shall we de- clare unto you those whose works are vain, whose endeavour in the present life hath been wrongly directed, and who think they do the work which is right? These are they who believe not in the signs of their Lord, or that they shall be assembled before him; wherefore their works are vain, and he will not allow them any weight on the day of resurrection. This shall be their reward, namely, hell : for that they have disbelieved, and have held my signs and my apostles in derision. But as for those who believe and do good works, they shall have the gardens of paradise for their abode, they shall remain therein for ever, they shall wish for no change therein. Say, If the sea wen- ink to write the words of my Lord, verily the sea would fail, before the w r ords of my Lord would fail, although we added another sea like unto it as a further supply. Say, Verily I am only a man as ye are. It is revealed unto me that your God is one only God; let him therefore who hopeth to meet his Lord, work a righteous work: and let him not make any other to partake in the worship of his Lord- JHAPTER XIX. ENTITLED, MARY, REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. C. H. y. A. S. A commemoration of the mercy of thy Lord to- wards his servant Zacharias. When he called upon his Lord, invok- ing him in secret, and said, O Lord, verily my bones are weakened, and my head is become white with hoariness, and I have never been unsuccessful in my prayers to thee, O Lord. But now I fear my nephews, who are to succeed after me, for my wife is barren, where- fore give me a successor of my own body from before thee ; who may be my heir, and may be an heir of the family of Jacob; and grant, O Lord, that he may be acceptable unto thee. And the angel answered AL KORAN". 165 him, Zacharias, verily we bring thee tidings'of a son, whose name shall be John ; we have not caused any to bear the same name before him. Zacharias said, Lord, how shall I have a son, seeing my wife is barren, acd I am now arrived at a great age, and am decrepit? The angel said, So sharll it be: thy Lord saith, This is easy with me; since I created thee heretofore, when thou wast nothing. Zachariaa answered, O Lord, give me a sign. The angel replied, Thy sign shall be, that thou shall not speak to men for three nights, although thou be in perfect health. And he went forth unto his people, from the chamber, and he made signs unto them, as if he should say, Praise ye God in the morning and in the evening. And we said unto his son, O John, receive tlie book of the law, with a resolution to study and observe it. And we bestowed on him wisdom, when he was yet a child, and mercy from us, and purity of life; and he was a devout person, and dutiful towards hi* parents, and was not proud or re- bellious. Peace be on him the day whereon he was born, and the day whereon he shall die, and the day whereon he shall be raised to life. And remember in the book of the Kor&n the story of Mary ; when she retired from her family to a place towards the east, and took a veil to conceal herself from them; and we sent our spirit Gabriel unto her, and he appeared unto her in the shape of a perfect man. She said, I fly for refuge unto the merciful God, that he may defend me from thee : if thou fearest him, thou wilt not approach me He answered, Verily I am the messenger of thy Lord, and am Bent to give thee a holy son She said, how shall I have a son, see- ing a man hath not touched me, and I am no harlot? Gabriel re- plied, So shall it be : thy Lord saith, This is easy with me ; and we will perform it, that we may ordain him for a sign unto men, and a mercy i'r.iin us. for it is a thing which is decreed. Wherefore she conceived him. and she retired aside with him in her womb to a dis- tant place, and the pains of childbirth came upon her near the trunk of a palm-tree. She said. Would to God I had died before this, and !iad become a thing forgotten, and lost in oblivion! And he who was beneath her called to her, saying, Be not grieved- now hath GkxJ provided a rivulet under thee; and do thou shake the body of lie palm-tree, and it shall let fall ripe dates upon thee, ready iratlu.-red. And eat, and drink, and calm thy mind. Moreover if thou see any man, and he question thee, say, Verily I have vowed a fast unto the Merciful ; wherefore I will by no means speak to a man rfiis day. So she brought the child to her people, carrying him in her arms. And they said unto her, O Mary, now hast thou done a strange thing O sister of Aaron, thy father was not a bad man, neither was thy mother a harlot. But she made signs unto the child to answer them and they said, Hew shall we speak to him, who is an infant in the cradle? Wherei pon the child said, Verily I am the servant of God, he hath given me the book of the gospel, and hath appointed me a prophet. And he hath made me blessed, wheresoever 166 TT KORAN. I shall be; and hath commanded me to observe prayer, and to give alms, so long as I shall live ; and he hath made me dutiful towards my mother, and hath not made me proud, or unhappy. And peace be on me the day whereon i was born, and the day whereon I shall die, and the day w r hereon I shall be raised to life. This was Jesus, the son of Mary; the Word of truth, concerning whom they doubt. It is not meet for God, that he should have any son: God forbid! When he decreeth a thing, he only saith unto it, Be; and it is. And verily God is my Lord, and your Lord : wherefore serve him : this is tke right way. Yet the sectaries differ among themselves concerning Jesus ; but woe be unto those who are unbelievers, because of their appearance at the great day. Do thou cause them to hear, and do thou cause them to see, on the day whereon they shall come unto ua to be judged: but the ungodly are this day in a manifest error. And do thou forewarn them of the day of sighing, when the m?tter shall be determined, while they are now sunk in negligence and do not believe. Verily we will inherit the earth, and whatever creatures are therein; and unto us shall they all return. And remember Abraham in the book of the Koran : for he was one of great veracity, and a prophet. When he said unto his father, O my father, why dost thou worship that which heareth not, neither seeth, nor profiteth thee at all? O my father, verily a degree of knowledge hath been bestowed on me, which hath jot been bestowed on thee: wherefore follow me; I will lead thee into an even way. O my father, serve not Satan; for Satan was rebellious unto the Merciful. O my father, verily I fear lest a punishment be inflicted on thee from the Merciful, and thou be- come a companion of Satan. His father answered, Dost thou reject my gpds, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will surely stone thee: wherefore leave me for a long time. Abraham replied, Peace be on thee: I will ask pardon for thee of my Lord; for he is gracious unto me. And I will separate myself from you, and from the idols which ye invoke besides God; and I will call upon my Lord : it may be that 1 shall not be unsuccessful in calling on my Lord, as ye are in calling upon them. And when he had separated himself from them, and from the idols which they worshipped besides God, we gave him Isaac and Jacob; and we made each of them a prophet; and we be- stowed on them, through our mercy, the gift of prophecy, and cliil dren, and wealth; and we caused them to deserve the. highest com- mendations. And remember Mooes in the book of the Koran; for he was sincerely upright, and was an apostle and a prophet. And we called unto him from the right side of mount Sinai, and caused him to draw near, and to discourse privately with us. And we gave him, through our in rcy, his brother Aaron, a proph et, for his assistant. Remember also Ismacl in the same book for he was true to his promise; and was an apostle, and a proph et And he commanded his family to observe prayer, and to give alms, and he was acceptable unto liis Lord. And remember AL KORAN. 167 Edrls in the same book; for he was a just person, and a prophet: and we exalted him to a high place. These are they unto whom God hath been bounteous, of the prophets of the posterity of Adam, and of those whom we carried in the ark with Noah; and of the posterity of Abraham, and of Israel, and of those whom we have directed and chosen. When the signs of the Merciful were read unto them, they fell down, worshipping, and wept: but a succeeding generation have come after them, who neglect prayer, and follow their lusts: and they shall surely fall into evil, except him who re- penteth and beheveth, and doth that which is right; these shall enter paradise, and they shall not in the least be wronged; gardens of per- petual abode shall be their reward, which the Merciful hath promised unto his servants, as an object of faith; for his promise will surely come to be fulfilled. Therein shall they hear no vain discourse, but peace; and their provision shall be prepared lor them therein morning and evening. This is paradise, which we will give for an inherit^ ance unto such of our servants as shall lie pious. We descend not from heaven, unless by the command of thy Lord unto him belong- eth whatsoever is before us, and whatsoever is behind us, and what- soever is in the intermediate space; neither is thy Lord forgetful of thee. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, and of whatsoever is between them: wherefore worship him, and be constant m his wor- ship Dost thou know any named like him? Man saith, After I shall have been dead, shall I really be brought forth alive from the grave? Doth not man remember that we created him heretofore, when he was nothing? But by thy Lord we will surely assemble them and the devils to judgment; then will we set them round about hell on their knees: afterwards we will draw forth from every sect such of them as shall have been a more obstinate rebel against the Merciful ; and we best know which of them are more worthy to be burned therein There shall be none of you but shall approach near the same' this is an established decree with thy Lord. Afterwards we will deliver those who shall have been pious, but we will leave the ungodly therein on their knees. When our manifest signs are read unto them, the infidels say unto the true believers, Which oi the two parties is in the more eligible condition, and formeth the more excellent assembly? But how many generations have we do stroyed before them, which excelled them in wealth, and in outward appearance? Say, Whesoeyer is in error, the Merciful will grant liim a long and prosperous life; until they see that with which they are threatened, whether it be the punishment of this life, or that of the last hour, and hereafter they shall know who is in the worse con- dition, and the weaker in forces. God shall more fully direct those who receive direction ; and the good works which remain for ever, are better in the sight of thy Lord than worldly possessions, in respect to the reward, and more eligible in respect to the future rec- ompense. Hast thou seen him who believeth not in our signs and 168 AL KORAN. faith, I shall surely have riches and children bestowed on me? Is he acquainted with the secrets of futurity; or hath he received a cove- nant from the Merciful that it shall be so? By no means. We will surely write down that which he saith; and increasing we will increase his punishment : and we will be his heir as to that which he speaketh of , and on the last day he shall appear before us alone and naked. They have taken other gods, besides God, that they may be a glory unto them. By no means. Hereafter shall they deny their worship ; and they shall become adversaries unto them. Dost thou not see that we send the devils against the infidels, to incite them to sin by their in- stigations? Wherefore be not in haste to call down destruction upon them; for we number unto them a determined number of days of respite. On a certain day we will assemble the pious before the Merci- ful in an honourable manner, as ambassadors come into the presence of a prince; but we will drive the wicked into hell, as cattle are driven to water they shall obtain no intercession, except he only who hath received a covenant from the Merciful. They say, The Merciful hath begotten issue. Now have ye uttered an impious tiling- it wanteth little but that on occasion thereof the heavens be rent, and the earth cleave in sunder, and the mountains be overthrown and fall, for that they attribute children unto the Merciful; whereas it becometh not God to beget children. Verily there is none in heaven or on earth, but shall approach the Merciful as his servant. He encompasseth them by his knowledge and power, and numbereth them with an exact computation- and they shall all come unto him on the day of resurrection, destitute both of helpers and followers. But as for those w r ho believe and do good works, the Merciful will bestow on them love. Verily we have rendered the Koran easy for thy tongue, that thou mayest thereby declare our promises unto the pious, and mayest thereby denounce threats unto contentious people. And how many generations have we destroyed before them? Dost thou find one of them remaining? Oi dost thou hear so much as a whisper concerning them? CHAPTER XX. JfiN TITLED. T. H. ; REVEALED AT MECCA. TN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFfL GOD. T H. "We have not sent down the Koran unto thee, that thou shouldest be unhappy; but for an admonition unto him who fearetk God being sent down from him who created the earth, and the lofty heavens. The Merciful sitteth on his throne unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and whatsoever is between them, and whatsoever is under the earth. If thou pronounce thy prayers with a ioud voice, know that it is not necessary in respect to God ; for he knoweth that which is secret, and what is yet more hidden. God! there is no god but he he hath most excellent names. Ha Moses, to receive the law? He answered, These follow 'close on my footsteps, but I have hastened unto thee, O Lord, tnat thou might e>t be well pleased with me God said, We have already made a trial of thy people, since thy departure; and al Sameri hath seduced them to idolatry. Wherefore Moses returned unto his people in great w T rath, and exceedingly afflicted. And he said, O my people, had not your Lord promised you a most excellent promise? Did the time of my absence seem long unto you? Or did ye desire that indigna- tion from your Lord should fall on you, and 'therefore fail to keep the promise which ye made me? They answered, We have not failed in what we promised thee of our own authority: but we were made to carry in several loads of gold and silver, of the ornaments of the people, and we cast them into the lire; and in like manner al Sameri also cast in what he had collected, and he produced unto them a cor- poreal calf, which lowed. And al Sameri and his companions said, This is your god, and the god of Moses; but he hath forgotten him, and is gone to seek some other. Did they not therefore see that their idol returned them no answer, and was not able to cause them either hurt or profit? And Aaron had said unto them before, O my people, verily ye are only proved by this calf; fervour Lord is the Merciful: therefore follow me, and obey my command. They answered, We will by no means cease to be devoted to its worship, until Moses re- turn unto us. And when Moses was returned, he said, O Aaron, what hindered thee, when thou sawest that they went astray, that thou didst not follow me? Hast thou therefore been disobedient to my command? Aaron answered, O son of my mother, drag me not by my beard, nor by the hair of my head. Verily I feared lest thou shoul d- est say, Thou hast made a division among the children of Israel, and thou hast not observed my saying. Moses said unto al Sameri, What was thy design, O Sameri? He answered, I saw that which they saw not; wherefore I took a handful of dust from the footsteps of the messenger of God. and I cast it into the moiten calf; for so did my mind direct me. Moses said, Get thee gone; for thy punishment in this life shall be, that thou shalt say unto those who shall meet thee, Touch me not; and a threat is denounced against thee of more terrible pains, in the life to come, which thou shall by no means escape. And behold now thy god, to whose worship thou hast continued assiduously devotech AL KORAN. - 173 verily we will burn i\; and we will reduce it to powder, and scatter it in "the sea. You/ God is the true God, besides whom there is no other god : he compTt'hendeth all things by his knowledge. Thus do we recite i"uto thee, O Mohammed, relations of what hath passed heretofore; and we Lave given theeau admonition from us. He who shall turn aside from it, shall surely carry a load of guilt on the day of re^unvotion: they shall continue thereunder for ever; and a grievous burthen shall it be unto them on the day of resurrection; On that day tlit trumpet shall be sounded; and we will gather the wicked together on that day. having grey eyes. They shall speak witli a low- voice to one another, saying, Ye have not tarried above ten days. We well know what they will say; when the most con- spicuous among them for behaviour shall say. Ye have not tarried above one day." Thfty will ask thee concerning the mountains: An- swer, My Lord will reduce them to dust, and scatter them abroad; and lie will leave them a plain equally extended: thou shall see no part of them higher or lower than another. On that day mankind shall follow the angel who will call them to judgment, none shall have power to turn aside from him; and their voices shall be low before the Merciful, nei.'her shall thou hear any more than the hollow sound of their feet. Ou that day the intercession of none shall be of advantage unto another, except the intercession of him to whom the Merciful shall grant permission, and who shall be acceptable unto him in what he saith. God knoweth that which is before Ihem, and that which is behind them ; but they comprehend not the same by their knowledge: and Iht.-ir faces shall be humbled before Ihe living, the self-subsisting God: ;uid he shall be wretched who shall bear his iniquity. But whosoever shall do good works, being a true believer, shall not fear any injustice, or any diminution of his reward from God. And thus have wi- sent down this book, being a Kontn in the Arabic tongue; and we have inserted various threats and promises therein, that men may fear God, or that it may awaken some con- sideration in them : wherefore let God be highly exalted, the King, the Truth! Be not overhasty in receiving or repeating the Koran, before the revelation thereof be completed unto thee; and say, Lord, increase my knowledge. We heretofore gave a command unto Adam: but he forgot the same, and eat of the forbidden fruil; and we found not in him a firm resolution. And remember when we said unto the angels, Worship ye Adam; and they worshipped him: but Eblis refused. And we said, O Adam, verily this is an enemy unto thee, and thy wife: wherefore beware lest he turn you out o'f paradise; for then shall thou be miserable, Verily we have made a provision for thee, that thou shall nol hunger therein, neither shall thou be naked: and there is also a provision made for thee, that thou shall not thirst therein, neither shall thou be incommoded by heat. But Satan whispered evil suggestions unlo him, saying. O Adam, shall I guide Ihee to the tree of eternity, and a kingdom which 174 AL faileth not? And they both ate thereof : and their nakedness appeared unto them; and they began to sew together the leaves of paradise, to cover themselves. And thus Adam became disobedient unto his Lord, and was seduced. Afterwards his Lord accepted him, on his repentance, and was turned unto him, and directed him. And God said, Get ye down hence, all of you: the one of you shall be an enemy unto the other. But hereafter shall a direction come unto you from me ; and whosoever shall follow my direc- tion, shall not err, neither shall he be unhappy; but whosoever shall turn aside from my admonition, verily he shall lead a miserable life, and we will cause him to appear before us on the day of resur- rection, blind. And he shall say, O Lord, why hast thou brought me before thee blind, whereas before I saw clearly? God shall answer, Thus have we done, because our signs came unto thee, and thou didst forget them ; and in the same manner shalt thou be for- gotten this day. And thus will we reward him who shall be negli- gent, and shall not believe in the signs of his Lord : and the punish- ment of the life to come shall be more severe, and more lasting, than the punishment of this life. Are not the Meccans therefore acquainted how many generations we have destroyed before them; in whose dwellings they walk? Verily herein are signs unto those who are endued with understanding. And unless a decree had previously gone forth from thy Lord for their respite, verily their destruction had necessarily followed: but there is a certain time determined by God for their punishment. Wherefore do thou, O Mohammed, pa- tiently bear that which they say; and celebrate the praise of thy Lord before the rising of the sun, and before the setting thereof, and praise him in the hours of the night, and in the extremities of the day, that thou mayest be well-pleased with the prospect of receiving favour from God. And cast not thine eyes on that which we have granted divers of the unbelievers to enjoy, namely, the splendour of this present life, that we may prove them thereby: for the provision of thy Lord is better, and more permanent. Command thy family to observe prayer; and do thou persevere therein. We require not of .thee that thou labour to gain necessary provisions for thyself and family: we will provide for thee; for the prosperous issue shall at- itend on piety. The unbelievers say, Unless he come unto us with a sign from his Lord, we will not believe on him. Hath not a plain declaration come unto them, of that which is contained in the former volumes of scripture, by the revelation of the Koran? If we had de- stroyed them by a judgment before the same had been revealed, they would have said, at the resurrection, O Lord, how could we believe since thou didst not send unto us an apostle, that we might follow thy signs, before we were humbled and covered with shame? Say, Each of us wait the issue: wait therefore ; for ye shall surely know hereafter who have been the followers of the even way, and who have been rightly directed. CHAPTER XXI. ENTITLED, THE PROPIIETS; REVEALED AT MECC4. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. (XVII.) THE time of giving up their account draweth nigh unta the people of Mecca; while they are sunk in negligence, turning aside from the consideration thereof. No admonition cometh unto them from their lord, being lately revealed in the Koran, but when they hear it. they turn it to sport: *heir hearts are taken up with delights. And they who act unjustly discourse privately together, saying, Ig this Mohammed any more than a man like yourselves? Will ye therefore come to hear a piece of sorcery, when ye plainly perceive it to be so? Say, My Lord knoweth whatever is spoken in heaven and on earth : it is lie who heareth and knoweth But they say, The Koran is a confused heap of dreams: nay, he hath forged it; nay, he is a poet: let him come onto us therefore with some miracle, in like manner as the former prophets were sent. None of the cities which wo have destroyed, believed the miracles which they saw performed, before them: will these therefore believe, if they see a miracle? We sent none as our apostles before thee, other than men, unto whom we revealed our will. Ask those who are acquainted with the scripture, if ye know not this. We gave them not a body which couM be supported without their eating food ; neither were they immortal. But we made good our promise unto them- wherefore we delivered them, and those whom *ve pleased; but we destroyed the exorbitant trans- gressors. Now have we sent down unto you, O Koreish, the book of the Koran; wherein there is honourable mention of you. will ye not therefore understand? And how many cities have we overthrown, which were ungodly; and caused other nations to rise up after them? And when they felt our severe vengeance, behold, they fled swiftly from those cities. And the angels said, scofiingly, unto them, Do not fly; but return to that wherein ye delighted, and to your habitations peradventure ye will be asked. They an- swered, Alas for us! verily we have been unjust. And this their lamentation ceased not, until we had rendered them like corn which is mowed down, and utterly extinct. We created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them by way of sport. If we had pleased to take diversion, verily we had taken it with that which beseemeth us; if we had resolved to have done this. But we will oppose truth to vanity, and it shall confound the same; and behold, it shall vanish away. Woe be unto you, for that which ye impiously utter concerning God ! since whoever is in heaven and 176 AL KORAN. on earth is subject unto him; and the angels who are in his presence do not insolently disdain his service, neither are they tired therewith. They praise him night and day: they faint not. Have they taken gods from the earth? Shall they raise the dead to life? If there were either in heaven or on earth gods besides God, verily both would be corrupted. But far be that which they utter, from God, the Lord of the throne! No account shall be demanded of him for what he shall do; but an account shall be demanded of them. Have they taken other gods besides him? Say, Produce your proof thereof. This is the admonition of those who are contemporary with me, and the admonition of those who have been before me: but the greater part of them know not the truth, and turn aside from the same. We have sent no apostle before thee, but we revealed unto him that there is no god besides myself, wherefore serve me. They say, The Merciful hath begotten issue; and the angels are his daughters. God forbid! They are his honoured servants: they prevent him not in anything which they say; and they execute his command. He knoweth that which is before them, and that which is behind them: they shall not intercede for any, except for whom it shall please him; and they tremble for fear of him. Whoever of them shall say, I am a god besides him; that angel will we reward with hell; for so will we reward the unjust. Do not the unbelievers therefore know, that the heavens and the earth were solid, and we clave the same in sunder: and made every living thing of water? Will they not there- fore believe? And we placed stable mountains on the earth, lest it should move with them; and we made broad passages between them for paths, that they might be directed in their journeys, and we made the heaven a roof well supported. Yet they turn aside from the signs thereof, not considering that they are the workmanship of God. It is he who hath created the night, and the day, and the sun, and the moon; all the celestial bodies move swiftly, each in its respective orb. We have not granted unto any man before thee, eternal permanency in this world, if thou die therefore, will they lie immortal? Every soul shall taste of death- and we will prove you with evil, and with good, for a trial of you; and unto us shall ye return. When the un- believers see thee, they receive thee only with scoffing, saying, Is this he who mentioneth your gods with contempt? Yet themselves believe not what is mentioned to them of the Merciful. Man is created of precipitation. Hereafter will I show 1 you my signs so that ye shall not wish them to be hastened. They say, When will this threat be accomplished, if ye speak truth? If they who believe not, knew that the time will surely come, when they shall not be able to drive back the fire of hell from their faces, nor from their l>arks. neither shall they be helped, they would not hasten it. But Hie day of vengeance shall come upon them suddenly, and shall strike them with astonishment: they shall not be able to avert it; neither shall Uiey be respited. Other ajx>stles have been mocked before thee , AL KORAX. 171 but the punishment -which they scoffed at, fell upon such of them as mocked. Say unto the scoffers, Who shall save you by night and by their Lord. Have they gods who will defend them, besides us? They are not able to help themselves; neither shall they be assisted against us by their companions. But we have permitted these men and their fathers to enjoy worldly prosperity, so long as life was con- tinued unto them. Do thev not perceive that we come unto the land of the unbelievers, and straiten the borders thereof? Shall they there- fore be the conquerors? Say, I only preach unto you the revelation of God: but the deaf will not hear thy call, whenever they are preached unto. Yet if the least breath of the punishment of thy Lord touch them, they will surely say, Alas for us! verily we have been unjust. We will appoint just balances for the day of resurrec tion; neither shall any soul be injured at all: although the merit or guilt of an action be of the weight of a grain of mustard-seed only, we will produce it publicly; and there will be sufficient accountants with us. We formerly gave unto Moses and Aaron the Law, being a distinction between good and evil, and a light admonition unto the pious; who fear their Lord in secret, and who dread the hour of judgment. And this book also is a blessed admonition; which we have sent down from heaven: will ye therefore deny it? And we gave unto Abraham his direction heretofore, and we knew him to be worthy of the revelations wherewith he was favoured. Remember when he said unto his father, and his people, What are these images, to which ye are so entirely devoted? They answered, We found our fathers worshipping them. He said, Verily both ye and your fathers have been in a manifest error. They said, Dost thou seriously tell us the truth, or art thou one who jestest with us? He replied, Verily your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth ; it is he who hath created them: and I am one of those who bear witness thereof By God, I will surely devise a plot against your idols, after ye shall have vetired from them, and shall have turned your backs. And in the people's absence he went into the temple where the idols stood, ancj he brake them all in pieces, except the biggest of them ; that they might lay the blame upon that. And when they were returned, and saw the havoc which had been made, they said, \Vlio hath done this to our gods? He is certainly an impious person. And certain of them answered, We heard a young man speak reproachfully of them: he is named Abraham. They said, Bring him therefore before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness against him. And when he was brought before the assembly, they said unto him, Hast thou done this unto our gods, O Abraham ? He answered, Isay, that biggest of them hath done it: but ask them, if they can speak. And they returned unto themselves, and said the one to the other, Verily ye are the impious persons. Afterwards they relapsed into their former obstinacy, and said, Verity thou knowest that these speak not. Abraham answered, Do ye therefore worship, besides God, that which 178 AL KORAK cannot profit you at all, neither can it hurt you? Fie on yen; and upon that which ye worship besides God! Do ye not underslju.d'r They said, Burn him, and avenge your ^ods; if yz do this it will be well, And when Abraham was cast into the burning pile, we said, O fire, be thou cold, and a preservation unto Abrahajo. And they sought to lay a plot against him; but we caused them to be the sufferer .... And we delivered him, and Lot, by bringing them into the land wherein we have blessed all creatures. And we bestowed on him Isaac, and Jacob, as an additional gift, and we made al! of them righteous persons. We also made them models of religion, that they might direct others by our command: and we inspired iutc them the dcrng of good works, and the observance of prayer, and the giving of alms; and they served us. And unto Lot we gave wisdom and knowledge, and we delivered him out of the city which committed filthy crimes; for they were a wicked and insolent people: and we l^d nim into our mercy; for he wa an upright per- son. Ana remember Noah, when he called for destruction on his people-, before the prophets above mentioned, and we heard him, and Delivered him and his family from a great strait: and we protected him from the people who accused our signs of falsehood; for they were a wicked people, wherefore we drowned them all. And remem her David, and Solomon, when they pronounced judgment concerning a field, when the sheep of certain people had fed therein by night, having no shepherd; and we were 1 winesses of their judgment; and we gave the understanding thereof unto Solomon. And on'all of them we bestowed wisdom, and knowledge. And we compelled the moun- tains to praise us with David; and the birds also: and we did this And we taught him the art of making coats of mail for you, that they may defend you in your wars: will ye therefore be thankful? And unto Solcmon we subjected a strong wind; it ran at his com ma fid to the land whereon we had bestowed our blessing: and we knew all things. And we also subjected unto his command divers of the devils, who \night dive to get pearls for nim, and perfornt other work oesides this: and we watched over them. And remem ber Job; when he cried unto his Lord, saying, Verily, evil hath af* flicted me; but thou art the most merciful of those who show mercy. Wherefore we heard him, and relieved him from the evil which was upon him; and we restored unto him his family, and as many more with them through our mercy, and for an admonition unto those who serve God. And remember Ismael, and Kdris. and Dhu'lkefl. All these were patient persons: wherefore we led them into our mercy: for they were righteous doers. And remember Dhu'lnun, when he departed in wrath, and thought that we could not exercise our powei over him. And he cried out in the darkness, sayiug, There is no God, besides thee: praise be unto thee! Verily I have been one of the unjust. Wherefore we heard him, and delivered him from afflic- tion: for so do we deliver the true believers. And remember Zacba- AL KORAN. 179 rias, when he called upon his Lord, saying, O Lord, leave me not childless: yet thou art the best heir. Wherefore we heard him, and we gave him John; and we rendered his wife tit for bearing a child unto him. These strove to excel in good works, and called upon us with love, and with fear; and humbled themselves before us. And remember her who preserved her virginity, and into whom we breathed of our spirit; ordaining her and her son for a sign unto all creatures. Verily this your religion is one religion ; and I am your Lord; wherefore serve me. But the Jews and Christians have made scliims in the affair of their religion among themselves; but all of them shall appear before us. Whosoever shall do good works, being a true believer, there shall be no denial of the reward due to his endeavours; and we will surely write it down unto him. An inviolable prohibition is laid on every city which we shall have destroyed; for that they shall not return any more into the world: until Gog and Magog shall have a passage opened for them, and they shall hasten from every high hill; and the certain promise shall draw near to be fulfilled: and behold, the eyes of the infidels shall be lixed with astonishment, and they shall say, Alas for us! we were formerly regardless of this day; yea, we were wicked doers. Verily both ye, O men of Mecca, and the idols which ye worship besides God, shall be cast as fuel into hell tire: ye shall go down into the same. If these were really gods, they would not go down into the same: and all of them shall remain therein for ever. In that place shall they groan for anguish; and they shall not hear ought therein. As for those unto whom the most excellent reward of paradise hath been predestinated by us, they shall be transported far off from the same; they shall not hear the least sound thereof: and they shall continue for ever in the felicity which their souls desire. The greatest terror shall not trouble them; and the angels shall meet them to congratulate them, saying, This is your day which ye were promised. On that day we will roll up the heavens, as the angel al Sijil rolleth up the book wherein every man's actions are recorded. As we made the first creature out of nothing, so we will also reproduce it at the resurrection. This is a promise which 'it lieth on us to fulfil: we will surely perform it. And now have we written in the psalms, after the promulgation of the law, tbat my servants the righteous shall inherit the earth. Verily in this book are con- tained sufficient means of salvation, unto people who serve God. We have not sent thee, O Mohammed, but as a mercy unto all creatures Say, No other hath been revealed unto me, than that your God is one God: will ye therefore be resigned unto him? But if they turn their backs to the confession of God's unity, say, I proclaim war against you all equally: but I know not whether that which ye arc threatened with be nigh, or whether it be far distant. Verily, God knoweth the discourse which is spoken in public; and he also knoweth that which ye hold in private. I know not but penidventure 180 AL KORAN. the respite granted you is for a trial of you; and that he may enjoy the prosperity of this world for a time, Say, Lord, judge between me and my adversaries with truth. Our Lord is the merciful; whose assistance is to be implored against the blasphemies and calumnies which ye utter. CHAPTER XXII. ENTITLED, THE PILGRIMAGE; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. O MEN of Mecca, fear your Lord. Verily the shock of the last hour will be a terrible thing. On the day whereon ye shall see it, every woman who giveth suck shall forget the infant which she suck- leth, and every female that is with young shall cast her burthen; and thou shall see men seemingly drunk, yet they shall not be really drunk: but the punishment of God will be severe. There is a man who clisputeth concerning God without knowledge, and followetli every rebellious devil: against whom it is written, that whoever shall take him for his patron, he shall surely seduce him, and shall lead him into the torment of hell. O men, if ye be in doubt concerning the resurrection, consider that we nrst created you of the dust of the ground; afterwards, of seed; afterwards, of a little coagulated blood; afterwards, of a piece of flesh, perfectly formed in part, and in part, ii. (perfectly formed: that we might make our power manifest unto you: and we cause that which we please to rest in the wombs, until the appointed time of delivery. Then we bring you forth infants; and afterwards we permit you to attain your age of full strength: and one of you dieth in his youth, and another of you is postponed to a decrepit age, so that he forgetteth whatever he knew. Thou seest the earth sometimes dried up and barren: but when AVC send down rain thereon, it is put in motion, and swelleth, and produceth every kind of luxuriant vegetables. This showeth that God is the truth, and that he raiseth the dead to life, and that he is almighty; and that the hour of judgment will surely come (there is no doubt thereof), and that God will raise again those who are in the graves. There is a man who disputcth concerning God without either knowl- edge, or a direction, or an enlightening book; proudly turning his side, that he may seduce men from the way of God. Ignominy shall attend him in this world; and on the day of resurrection we will nake him take the torment of burning, when it shall be said unto him, This thou sull'erest because of that which thy hands have for- merly committed; for God is not unjust towards mankind. There are some men who serve God in a wavering manner, standing, as it were, on the verge of the true religion. If good befall one of them, he restetb satisfied therein; but if any tribulation befall him, he AL KOEAtf. 181 turneth himself round, with the loss both of this world, and of the life to come. This is manifest perdition. He will call upon that besides God, which can neither hurt him, or profit him. This is an error remote.' 1'rom truth. He will invoke him who will sooner be of hurt to his worshipper than of advantage. Such is surely a miserable patron, and a miserable companion. But God will introduce those who shall believe, and do righteous work, into gardens through which rivers flow, for Goc unjustly treated; verily God will assist him: for God is *vrciful and ready to forgive. This shall be done, for that God jat seili die night to succeed the day, and he causeth the day to suc- ceed the night; and for that God both heareth and seeth. This, be- cai se God is truth, and because what they invoke besides him is vauity ; and for that God is the high, the mighty. Dost thou not see that God sendeth down water from heaven, and the earth become th green? for God is gracious and wise. Unto him belongeth whatso- ever is in heaven and on earth : and God is self-sufficient, worthy to be praised. Dost thou not see that God hath subjected whatever is in the earth to your service, and also the ships which sail in the sea, by his command? And he withholdeth the heaven that it fall not on the earth, unless by his permission: for God is gracious unto man- kind, and merciful. It is he who hath given you life, and will here- after cause you to die; afterwards he will again raise you to life, at the resurrection: but man is surely ungrateful. Unto the professors of every religion have we appointed certain rites, which they observe. Let them not therefore dispute with thee concerning this matter; but invite them unto thy Lord: for thou followest the right direction. But if they enter into debate with thee, answer, God well knoweth that which ye do: God will judge between you, on the day of resur- rection, concerning that wherein ye now disagree. Dost thou not know that God knoweth whatever is in heaven and on earth? Verily this is written in the book of his decrees: this is easy with God. They worship, besides God, that concerning which he hath sent down no convincing proof, and concerning which they have no knowledge: but the unjust doers shall have none to assist them. And when c.i-.r evident signs are rehearsed unto them, thou mayest perceive, in the countenances of the unbelievers, a disdain thereof: it wanteth little but that they rush with violence on those who rehearse our signs un- to them. Say, Shall I declare unto you a worse thing than this? The fire of hell, which God hath threatened unto those who believe i.ot, is worse; and an unhappy journey shall it be thither. O ir.cn, a parable is propounded unto you; wherefore hearken unto it. Verily the idols which ye invoke, besides God, can never create a single fly, although they were all assembled for that purpose: and if the \\\ snatch anything from them, they cannot recover the same from it. Weak is the petitioner, and the petitioned. They judge not of God according to his due estimation: for God is powerful and mitihiy. God chooseth messengers from among the angels, and from among- men: for God is he who heareth and seeth. He knoweth that which is before them, and that which is behind them: and unto God si.: 11 all things return. O true believers, bow down, and prostrate your- selves, and worship your Lord; and work righteousness, that ye may be happy; and fight in defence of God's true religion, as it behove. a AL KORAN. 185 you to fight for the same. He hath chosen you, and bath not im- posed on you any difficulty in the religion which he hath given you, the religion of your father Abraham: he hath named you Moslems heretofore, and in this book; that our apostle may be a witness against you at the day of judgment, and that ye may be witnesses against the rest of mankind. Wherefore be ye constant at prayer; and give alms: and adhere firmly unto God. He is your master; and he is the best master; and the best protector. CHAPTER XXIII. ENTITLED, THE TRUE BELIEVERS; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE XAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. (XVIII.) Now are the true believers happy : who humble themselves in their prayer, and who eschew all vain discourse, and who are doers of alms-deeds; and who keep themselves from carnal knowl- edge of any women except their wives, or the captives which their right hands possess; (for as to them they shall be blameless: but who- ever coveteth any woman beyond these, they are transgressors and who acquit themselves faithfully of their trust, and justly perform their covenant; and who observe their appointed times of prayer:) these shall be the heirs, who shall inherit paradise , they shall continue therein for ever. We formerly created man of a finer sort of clay ; afterwards we placed him in the form of seed in a sure receptacle: afterwards we made the seed coagulated blood , and we formed the coagulated blood into a piece of flesh : then we formed the piece of flesh into bones; and we clothed those bones w r ith flesh: then we pro- duced the same by another creation. Wherefore blessed be God, the most excellent Creator! After this shall ye die: and afterwards shall ye be restored to life, on the day of resurrection. And we have created over you seven heavens: and we are not negligent of what we have created. And we send down rain from heaven, by measure ; and \ve cause it to remain on the earth ; and we are also certainly able to deprive you of the same. And we cause gardens of palm-trees, and vineyards, to spring forth for you by means thereof; wherein ye have many fruits, and whereof ye eat. And we also raise for you a tree springing from Mount Sinai ; which produceth oil, and a sauce for those who eat. Ye have likewise an instruction in the cattle: we give you to drink of the milk which is in their bellies, and ye receive many ads-antages from them; and of them do ye eat; and on them, and on ships, are ye carried. We sent Xoah heretofore unto his people, and he said, O my people, serve God: ye have no God besides him; will j-e not therefore fear the consequence of your worshipping other gods? And the chiefs of his people, who believed not, said, no other than a man, as ye are ; lie seeketh to raise himself to 186 AL KORAN. a superiority orer you. If God had pleased to have sent a messenger unto you, he would surely have sent angels: we have not heard this of our forefathers. Verily he is no other than a man disturbed with frenzy: wherefore wait concerning him for a time. Noah said, O Lord, do thou protect me ; for that they accuse me of falsehood. And we revealed our orders unto him, saying, Make the ark in our sight ; and according to our revelation. And when our decree cometh to be executed, and the oven shall boil and pour forth water, carry into it of every species of animals one pair; and also thy family, except such of them on whom a previous sentence of destruction hath passed : and speak not unto me in behalf of those who have been unjust; for they shall be drowned. And when thou and they who shall be with thee, shall go up into the ark, say, Praise be unto God, who hath delivered us from the ungodly people ! And say, O Lord, cause me to come down from this ark with a blessed descent; for thou art best able to bring me down from the same with safety. Verily herein were signs of our omnipotence; and we proved mankind thereby. Afterwards we raised up another generation after them ; and we sent unto them an apostle from among them, who said, Worship God : ye have no God besides him; will ye not therefore fear his vengeance? And the chiefs of his people, who believed not, and who denied the meeting of the life to come, and on whom we had bestowed affluence in this present life, said, This is no other than a man, as ye are; he eateth of that whereof ye eat, and he drinketh of that whereof ye drink: and if ye obey a man like unto yourselves, ye will surely be sufferers. Doth he threaten you that after ye shall be dead, and shall become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth alive from your graves? Away, away with that ye are threatened with! There is no other life besides our present life: we die and we live; and we shall not be raised again. This is no other than a man, who deviseth a lie concerning God: but we will not believe him. Their apostles said, O Lord, defend me; for that they have accused me of imposture. God answered, After a little while they shal' surely repent their obstinacy. Wherefore a severe punishment was justly inflicted on them, and we rendered them like the refuse which is carried down by a stream. Away therefore with tho ungodly people! Afterwards we raised up other generations after them. No nation shall be punished before their determined time: neither shall they be respited after. Afterwards we sent our apostles, one after another. So often as their apostle came unto any nation, they charged him with imposture : and we caused them successively to follow one another to destruction ; and we made them only subjects of traditional stories. Away therefore with the unbelieving nations 1 Afterwards we sent Moses, and Aaron his brother, with our signs and manifest power, unto Pharaoh and his princes: but they proudly refused to believe on him ; for the}' were a haughty people. And they said, Shall we believe on (women like unto ourselves, whose AL KORAN. 18? 1 people are our servants ? And they accused them of imposture, wherefore they became of the number of those who were destroyed. \nd we heretofore gave the book of the law unto Moses, that the children of Israel might be directed thereby. And we appointed the son of Mary, and his mother, for a sign : and we prepared an abode for them in an elevated part of the earth, being a place of quiet and security, and watered with running springs. O apostles, eat of those things which are good, and work righteousness: for I well know that which ye do. This your religion is one religion; and I am your Lord: wherefore fear me. But men have rent the affair of their religion into various sects: every party rejoiceth in that which they follow. Wherefore leave them in their'confusiou, until a certain time. Do they think that we hasten unto them the wealth and children which we have abundantly bestowed on them, for their good? But they do not understand. Verily they who stand in awe, for fear of their Lord, and who believe in the signs of their Lord, and who attribute not companions unto their Lord; and who give that which they give in alms, their hearts being struck with dread, for that they must return unto their Lord , these hasten unto good, and are fore- most to obtain the same. We will not impose any difficulty on a soul, except according to its ability; with us is a book, which speaketh the truth; and they shall not be injured. But their hearts are drowned in negligence, as to this matter ; and they have works different from those we have mentioned ; which they will continue to do, until, when we chastise such of them as enjoy an affluence of fortune, by a severe punishmemt, behold they cry aloud for help: but it shall be answered them, Cry not for help to-day: for ye shall not be assisted by us. My signs were read unto you, but ye turned back on your heels : proudly elating yourselves because of your possessing the holy temple ; discoursing together by night, and talking foolishly. Do they not therefore attentively consider that which is spoken unto them; whether a revelation is come unto them which came not unto their forefathers? Or do they not know their apostle; and therefore reject him ? Or do they say, He is a madman ? Kay, he hath come unto them with the truth; but the greater part of them detest the truth. If the truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth, and whoever therein is, had been corrupted, But we have brought them their admonition : and they turn aside from their ad- monition. Dostt hou ask of them any maintenance for thy preaching? since the maintenance of thy Lord is better; for he is the most bounteous provider. Thou certainly invitest them to the right way: and they who believe not in the life to come, do surely deviate from that way. If we had had compassion on them, and had taken off from them the calamity which had befallen them, they would surely have more obstinately persisted in their error, wandering in confusion. We formerly chastised them with a punishment: yet they did not humble themselves before their Lord, neither did they make suppli- m AL KORAX. cations unto him; until, when we have opened upon them a door, from which a severe punishment hath issued, behold, they are driven io despair thereat. It is God who hath crea.ed in you the sen-es of hearing and of sight, that ye may perceive our judgments, and hearts, that ye may seriously consider them yet how few of you give thanks! It is he who hath produced you iu the earth; and before him shall ye be assembled. It is he who giveth life, and putteth to death; and to him is to be attributed the vicissitude of night and day: do \e not iherefore understand? But the unbelieving Meccans say as their predecessors said they say, When we shall be dead, and shall have become dust and bones, shall we really be raised to life? We have already been threatened with this, and our fathers also heretofore: this is nothing but fables of the ancients. Say, Whose is the earth, and whoever therein is; if ye know? They will answer, God's. Say, Will ye not therefore consider? Say, Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the magnificent throne? They will answer, They are God's. Say, Will ye not therefore fearhim? Say, In whose hand is the kingdom of all things; who protecteth whom he pleaseth, but is himself protected of none; if ye know? They will answer, In God's. Say, How therefore are ye bewitched? Yea, we have brought them the truth; and they are certainly liars in deny- ing the same. God hath not begotten issue; neither is there any other god with him: otherwise every god had surely taken away that which he had created; and some of them had exalted themselves above the others. Far be that from God, which they affirm of him! He knoweth that which is concealed, and that which fe made public: wherefore far be it from him to have those sharers in his honour, which they attribute to him! Say, O Lord, if thou wilt surely cause me to see the vengeance with which they have been threatened; O Lord, set me not among the ungodly people: for we are surely able to make thee to see that with which we have threatened them. Turn aside evil with that which is better: we well know the calumnies wnich they utter against thee. And say, O Lord, I fly unto thee for refuge, against the suggestions of the devils: and 1 have mourse unto thee, O Lord, to drive them away, that they be not present with me. The gainsaying of the unbelievers ceaseth not until, when death overtaketh any of them, he saith, O Lord, suffer me to return to life, that I may do that which is right; in professing the true faith which I have neglected By no means. Verily these are the words which he shall speak: but behind them there shall be bar, until the day of resurrection. When therefore the trumpet shall be sounded, there shall be no relation between them which shall be regarded on that day; neither shall they ask assistance of each other. They whose balances shall be heavy with good works, shall be happy: but they whose balances shall be light, are those who shall lose their souls, and shall remain in hell for ever. The fire shall scorch their faces, and they shall writhe their mouths therein for anguish: and it shall AL KORAN. 189 be said unto them, Were not my signs rehearsed unto you; and did ye not charge them with falsehood? The}" shall answer, O Lord, our unhappiness prevailed over us, and we were people who went astray. O Lord, take us forth from this ire: if we return to our former wickedness, we shall surely be unjust. God will say unto them, Be ye driven away with ignominy thereinto: and speak not unto me to deliver you. Verily tin-re were a parly of my servants, who said, O Lord, we believe: wherefore forgive us, and be merciful unto us; for thou art the best of those who show mercy But ye received them with scoffs, so that they suffered you to forget my admonition, and ye laughed them to scorn. 1 have this day rewarded them, for that they suffered the in juries ye offered them with patience: verily they enjoy great felicity. God will say, What number of years have ye continued on earth? They will answer, We have continued there a day. or part of ;i day: but ask those who keep account. God will say. Ye have tarried but a little, if ye knew it. Did ye th/k that we had created you in sport, and that ye should not be brought again before us? Whereiore iet God be exalted, the King, the Truth! There is no God besides him, the Lord of the honourable throne. Whoever together with the true God shall invoke another god, con- cerning whom he hath no demonstrative proof, shall surely be brought to an account for the same before his Lord. Verily the infidels shall not prosper. Say. O Lord, pardon, and show mercy; for thou art the best of those who show mercy. CHAPTER XXIV. ENTITLED, LIGHT; REVEALED AT MEDINA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. THIS Sura have we sent down from heaven; and have ratified the same; and we have revealed therein evident signs, that ye may be warned. The whore, and the whoremonger, shall ye scourge with an hundred stripes. And let not compassion towards them prevent you from executing the judgment of God; if you believe in God and the last day: and let some of the true believers be witnesses of their punishment. The whoremonger shall not marry any other than a harlot, or an idolatress. And a harlot shall no man take in mar- riage, except a whoremonger, or an idolater. And this kind of marriage is forbidden the true believers. But as to those who art use women of reputation of whoredom, and produce not four wit- a of the fact, scourge them with fourscore stripes, and receive not their testimony for ever; for such are infamous prevaricators: ex- cepting those who shall afterwards repent, and amend; for unto such will God be gracious and merciful. They who shall accuse their "Wives of adultery, and shall have no witnesses thereof besides them- 190 AL KORAX. selves ; the testimony which shall be required of one of them shall be, that he swear four times by God that he speaketh the truth : and the fifth time that he imprecate the curse of God on him, if he be a liar. And it shall avert the punishment from the wife, if she swear four times by God that he is a liar; and if the fifth time she imprecate the wrath of God on her, if he speaketh the truth. If it were not for the indulgence of God towards you, and his mercy, and that God is easy to be reconciled, and wise; he would immediately discover your crimes. As to the party among you who have published the false- hood concerning Ayesha, think it not to be an evil unto you : on the contrary, it is better for you. Every man of them shall be punished according to the injustice of which he hath been guilty; and he among them who hath undertaken to aggravate the same, shall suffer a grievous punishment. Did not the faithful men, and the faithful women, when ye heard this, judge in their own minds for the best; and say, This is a manifest falsehood? Have they produced four witnesses thereof? wherefore since they have not produced the wit- nesses, they are surely liars in the sight of God. Had it not been for the indulgence of God towards you, and his mercy, in this world and in that which is to come, verily a grievous punishment had been in- flicted on you, for the calumny which ye have spread: when ye pub- lished that with your tongues, and spoke that with your mouths, of which ye had no knowledge ; and esteemed it to be light, whereas it was a matter of importance in the sight of God. When ye heard it, did ye say, It belongeth not unto us, that we should talk of this matter: God forbid! this is a grievous calumny? God warneth you, that ye return not to the like crime for ever; if ye be true believers. And God declareth unto you his signs; for God is knowing and wise. Verily they who love that scandal be published of those who believe, shall receive a severe punishment both in this world, and in the next. God knoweth, but ye know not. Had it not been for the indulgence of God towards you, and his mercy, and that God is gracious and merciful, ye had felt his vengeance. O true believers, follow not the steps of the devil : for whosoever shall follow the steps of the devil, he will command him filthy crimes, and that which is unlawful. It it were not for the indulgence of God, and his mercy towards you, there had not been so much as one of you cleansed from his guilt for ever: but God cleanseth whom he pleaseth ; for God both heareth and knoweth. Let not those among you who possess abundance of wealth, and have ability, swear that they will not give unto their kindred, and the poor, and those who have fled their country for the sake of God's true religion: but let them forgive, and act with benevolence towards them. Do ye not desire that God should pardon you? And God is gracious and merciful. Moreover they who falsely accuse modest women, who behave in a negligent manner, and are true believers, shall be cursed in this world, and in the^ world to come; and they shall suffer ** AL KORAN. 191 eevere punishment. One day cheir own tongues shall bear witness against them, and their hands, and their feet, concerning that which they have done. On that day shall God render unto them their just due and they shall know that God is the evident truth. The wicked women should be joined to the wicked men, and the wicked men to the wicked women ; but the good women should be married to the good men, and the good men to the good women. These shall be cleared from the calumnies which slanderers speak of them: they shall obtain pardon, and an honourable position. O true believers, enter not any houses, besides your own houses, until ye have asked leave, and have saluted the family thsreof: this is better for you; peradventure ye will be admonished. And if ye shall find no person in the houses, yet do not enter them, until leave be granted you: and if it be said unto you, Return back; do ye return back. This will be more decent for you ; and God knoweth that which ye do. It shall be no crime in you, and ye enter uninhabited houses, wherein ye may meet with a convenience. God kuoweth that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal. Speak unto the true believers, that they restrain their eyes, and keep themselves from immodest actions: this will be more pure for them ; for God is well acquainted with that which they do. And speak unto the believing women, that they restrain their eyes, and preserve their modesty, and discover not their ornaments, except what necessarily appeareth thereof: and let them throw their veils over their bosoms, and not show their orna- ments, unless to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the captives which their right hands shall possess, or unto such men as attend them, and have no need of women, or unto children, who distinguish not the nakedness of women. And let them not make a noise with their feet, that their ornaments which they hide may thereby be discovered. And be ye all turned unto God, O true believers, that ye may be happy. Marry those who are single among you, and such as are honest of your men-servants, and your maid-servants: if they be poor, God will enrich them of his abundance; for God is bounteous and wise. And let those who find not a match, keep themselves from fornication, until God shall enrich them of his abundance. And unto such of your slaves as desire a written instrument allowing them to redeem themselves on paying a certain sum, write one, if ye know good in them : and give them of the riches of God, which he hath given you. And compel not your maid-servants to prostitute themselves, if they be willing to live chastely; that ye may seek the casual advantage of this present life: but whoever shall compel them thereto, verily God will be gracious and merciful unto such women after their compul- sion. And now r have we revealed unto you evident signs, and a history like unto some of the histories of those who have gone before you, and an admonition unto the pious. God is the light of heaven 192 AL KORAN. and earth : the similitude of his light is as a niche in a wall, wherein a lamp is placed, and the lamp enclosed in a case of glass; the glass appears as it were a shining star. It is lighted with the oil of a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east, nor of the west; it wanteth little but that the oil thereof would give light, although no fire touched it. This is light added unto light: God will direct unto his light whom he pleasetlT. God propoundeth parables unto men; for God knoweth all things. In the houses which God hath permitted to be raised, and that his name be commemorated therein : men celebrate his praise in the same morning and evening, whom neither merchan- di/.ing, nor selling diverteth from the remembering of God. and the observance of prayer, and the giving of alms; fearing the da\ where- on men's hearts and eyes shall be troubled; that God may recom- pense them according to the utmost merit of what they shall hav; wrought, and may add unto them of his abundance a more excellent reward; for God* bestoweth on whom he pleaseth without measure. But as to the unbelievers, their works are like the vapour in a plain, which the thirsty traveller thinketh to be water, until, when he cometh thereto, he findeth it to be nothing; but he findeth God with him, and he will fully pay him his account; and God is swift in taking an account : or, as the darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves riding on waves, above which are clouds, being additions of darkness one over the other; when one stretcheth forth his hand, he is far from seeing it, And unto whomsoever God shall not grant his light, he shall enjoy no light at all. Dost thou not perceive that all crea- tures both in heaven and earth praise God; and the birds also, ex- tending their wings? Every one knoweth his prayer, and his praise: and God knoweth that which they do. Unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth ; and imto God shall be the return af the last day. Dost thou not see that God gently driveth forward the clouds, and gathereth them together, and then layeth them on heaps? Thou also seest the rain, which falleth from the midst thereof; and God sendeth down from heaven as it were mountains, v herein there is hail; he striketh therewith whom he pleaseth, and turnetb the same away from whom he pleaseth: the brightness of his light- ning wanteth but little of taking away the sight. God shifteth the night, and the day : verily herein is an instruction unto those who have sight. And God hath created every animal of water; one of them goeth on his belly, and another of them walketh upon two feet, and another of them walketh upon four feet : God createth that which he pleaseth; for God is almighty. Now have we sent down evident signs: and God directeth whom he pleaseth into the right way. The hypocrites say, We believe in God, and on his apostle; and we obey them: yet a part of them turneth back, after this; but these are not really believers. And when they are summoned before God and his apostle, that he may judge between them; behold, a part of them reti*- but if the right had been on their side, they AL KORAN. 193 would have come and submitted themselves unto him. Is there an infirmity in their hearts? Do the y doubt? Or do they fear lest God and his apostle act unjustly towards them? But themselves are the unjust doers. The saying of the true believers, when they are sum- moned before God and his apostle, that he may judge between them, is no other than that they say, We have heard, and do obey: and these are they who shall prosper. Whoever shall obey God and his apostle, and shall fear God, and shall be devout toward him ; the?e shall enjoy great felicity. They swear by God, with a most solemn oath, that "if thou commandest them, they will go forth from their houses and possessions. Say, Swear not to a falsehood : obedience is more requisite: and God is well acquainted with that which ye do. Say, Obey God, and obey the apostle: but if ye turn back, verily it is expected of him that he perform his duty; and of you that ye perform your duty; and if ye obey him, ye shall be directed: but the duty of our apostle is only public preaching. God promiseth unto such of you as believe, and do good works, that he will cause them to succeed the unbelievers in the earth, as he caused those who were before you to succeed the infidels of their time; and that he will establish for them their religion which pleaseth them, and will change their fear into security. They shall worship me; and shall not associate any other with me. But whoever shall disbelieve after this; they will be the wicked doers. Observe prayer, and give alms, and obey the apos- tle : that ye may obtain mercy. Think not that the unbelievers shall frustrate; the designs of God on earth: and their abode hereafter shall be hell fire; a miserable journey shall it be thither! O true believers, let your slaves and those among you who shall not have attained the age of puberty, ask leave of you, before they come into your presence, three times in the day ; namely, before the morning prayer, and when ye lay aside your garments at noon, and after the evening prayer. These are the three times for you to be private: it shall be no crime in you, or in them, if they go in to you without asking permission af- ter these tines, while ye are in frequent attendance, the one of you on the other. Thus God declareth his signs unto you; for God is know- ing and wise. And when your children attain the age of puberty, let them ask leave to come into your presence at all times, in the same manner as those who have attained that age before them, ask leave. Thus God declareth his signs unto you; and God is knowing and wise. As to such women as are past child-bearing, who hope not to marry again, because of their advanced age ; it shall be no crime in them, if they lay aside their outer garments, not showing their orna- ments; but if they abstain from this, it will be better for them. God both heareth and knowetl It shall be no crime in the blind, nor snail it be any crime in the lame, neither shall it be any crime in the sick, or in yourselves, that ye eat in your houses, or in the house of your fathers, or in the houses of your mothers, or in the houses of your brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or the houses of your uncles 194 AT, KORAN. on the father's side, or the houses of your aunts on the father's side' or the houses of your uncles on the mother's side, or the houses of your aunts on the mother's side, or in those houses the keys whereof ye have in your possession, or in the house of your friend. It shall not be any crime in you whether ye eat together, or separately. And when ye enter any houses, salute one another on the part of God, with a blessed and a welcome salutation. Thus God declareth his signs unto you, that ye may understand. Verily they only are true believ ers, who believe in God and his apostle, and when they are assembled with him on any affair, depart not, until they have obtained leave of him. Verily they who ask leave of thee, are those who believe in God and his apostle. When therefore the}' ask leave of thee to depart, on account of any business of their own, grant leave unto such oi them as thou shall think fit, and ask pardon for them of God; for God is gracious and merciful. Let not the calling of the apostle be es- teemed among you, as your calling the one to the other. God know- eth such of you as privately withdraw themselves from the assembly, taking shelter behind one mother. But let those who withstand his command, take heed; lest some calamity befall them in this world, or a grievous punishment be inflicted on them in the life to come. Doth not whatever is in heaven and on earth belong to God? He we!', kuoweth what ye are about- and on a certain day they shall be assem- bled betore him ; and he shall declare unto them that which they have done; for God knoweth all things. CHAPTER XXV. ENTITLED, AL FORKAX; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. BLESSED be he who hath revealed the Forkan unto his servant, that he may be a preacher unto all creatures: unto whom belongeth the kingdom of heaven and of earth: who hath begotten no issue; and hath no partner in his kingdom: who hath created all things; and disposed the same according to his determinate will. Yet have they taken other gods besides him; which have created nothing, but ar-. themselves created, and are able neither to avert evil from, nor In procure good unto themselves; and have not the power of death, or of life, or of raising the dead. And the unbelievers say, This Korau is no other than a forgery which he hath contrived; and other peop'i have assisted him therein: but they utter an unjust thing, and a false- hood. They also say, These are fables of the ancients, which he hath caused to be written down ; and they are dictated unto him morning and evening. Say, He hath revealed it, who knoweth the secrets in heaven and earth: verily he is gracious and merciful. And they say. What kind of apostle is this? He eateth food, and walketh in the AL KORm 195 streets, as we do : un^ss an angel be st-nt dew n unto him, and become a fellow preacher with him; or unless a treasure be cast down unto him; or lie have a garden, of the fruit whereof hr he both heareth and knoweth. Shall I declare unto you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every lying and wicked person: they learn what is heard; but the greater part of them are liars. And those who err follow the v steps of the poets: dost thou not see that they rove as bereft of their senses through every valley, and that they say that which they do not? except those who believe, and do good works, and remember God frequently ; and who defend themselves, after they have been unjustly treated. And they who act unjustly shall know hereafter, with what treatment they shall be treated. CHAPTER XXVH. ENTITLED, THE AXT; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. T. S. TJiese are the signs of the Koran, and of the perspicuous book-, a direction, and good tidings unto the true believers; who regularly perform their prayer, and give alms, and firmly believe in the life to come. As to those who believe not in the life to come, we have prepared their works for them ; and they shall be struck with astonishment at their disappointment, when they shall be raised again; these are they whom an evil punishment awaiteth in this life; and in that which is to come they shall be the greatest losers. Thou hast certainly received the Koran from the presence of a wise, a knowing God. Remember when Moses said unto his family, Verily I perceive fire: I will bring you tidings thereof, or I will bring you a lighted brand, that ye may be warmed. And when he was come near unto it, a voice cried unto him, saying, Blessed be he who is in 204 AL KORAN. the fire, and whoever is about it ; and praise be unto God, the Lord of all creatures! O Moses, verily I am God, the might}-, the wise: cast down now thy rod. And when he saw it, that it moved, as though it had been a serpent, he retreated and fled, aad returned not. And God said, O Moses, fear not; for my messengers are not dis- turbed with fear in my sight: except he who shall have done amiss, and shall have afterwards substituted good in lieu of evil; for I am gracious and merciful. Moreover put thy hand into thy bosom; it shall come forth white, without hurt: this shall be one among the nine signs unto Pharaoh and his people; for they are a wicked peo-. pie. And when our visible signs had come unto them, they said, This is manifest sorcery. And they denied them, although their souls certainly knew them to be from God, out of iniquity and pride: but behold what was the end of the corrupt doers. We heretofore bestowed knowledge on David and Solomon; and they said. Prai-cbc unto God, who hath made us more excellent than many of his faith- ful servants! And Solomon was David's heir; and he said, O men, we have been taught the speech of birds, and have had all things bestowed on us; this is manifest excellence. And his armies were gathered together unto Solomon, consisting of genii, and men, and birds; and they were led in distinct bands, until they came unto the valley of ants. And an ant, feeing the hosts ap- E reaching, said, O ants, enter ye into your habitations, lest olomon and his army tread you underfoot, and perceive it not. And Solomon smiled, laughing at her words, and said, O Lord, excite me that I may be thankful for thy favour, wherewith thou hast favoured me, and my parents; and that I may do that which is right, and well-pleasing unto thee: and introduce me, through thy mercy, into paradise, among thy servants, the righteous. And he viewed the birds, and said, What is the reason that I see not -the lapwing? Is she absent? Verily I will chastise her with a M.-VC re- chastisement, or I will put her to death, unless she bring me a just excuse. And she tarried not long before she presented herself unto Solomon, and said, I have viewed a country which thou hast not viewed; and I come unto thee from Saba, with a certain piece of news. I found a woman to reign over them, who is provided with everything requisite for a prince, and hath a magnificent throne. I found her and her people to worship the sun, besides God: and Satan hath prepared their works for them, and hath turned them aside from the way of truth (wherefore they are not rightly directed), lest they should worship God, who bringeth to light that which is hidden in heaven and earth, and knoweth whatever they conceal and whatever they discover. God! there is no God but he; the Lord of the magnificent throne. Solomon saul, We shall see whether thou hast spoken the truth, or whether thou art a liar. Go with this my letter, and cast it down unto them ; then turn aside from them, and wait to know what answer they will return. And when the queen of AL KORAU. 205 Saba had received the letter, she said, O nobies, verily an honourable letter hath been delivered unto me; it is from Solomon, and this is the tenour thereof: In the name of the most merciful God, Rise not up against me : but come, an d surrender yourselves unto me. She said, O nobles, advise me in my business: I will not resolve on any- thing, until ye be witnesses and approve thereof. The nobles answer- ed, We are endued with strength, and are endued with great prowess in war; but the command appertaineth unto thee: see therefore what thou wilt command. She said, Verily kings, when they enter a city oy force, waste the same, and abase the most powerful of the inhabi- tants hereof: and so will these do with us. But I will send gifts unto them; and will wait for what farther information those who shall be sent shall bring back. And when the queen's ambassador came unto Solomon, that prince said, Will ye present me with riches? Verily, that which God hath given me, is better than what he hath given you: but ye do glory in your gifts. Return unto the people of Saba. We will surely come unto them with forces, which they shall not be able to withstand; and we will drive them out from their city, humbled; and they shall become contemptible. And Solomon said, O nobles, which of you will bring unto roe her throne, before they come and surrender themselvee unto me? A terrible genius answered, I will bring it unto thee, before thou arise from thy place: for I am able to perform it, and may be trusted. And one with whom was the knowledge of the scriptures said, I will bring it unto thee, in thf twinkling of an eye. And when Solomon saw the throne placed before him, he said, This is a favour of my Lord, that he may make trial of me, whether I will be grateful, or whether I will be ungrateful : and he who is grateful, is grateful to his own advantage, but if any shall l;e ungrate ful, verily my Loi'd is self-sufficient and munificent. And Solomon said unto his servants, Alter her throne, that she may not know it, to the end we may see whether she be rightly directed, or whether she be one of those who are not rightly directed. An^ when she was come unto Solomon, it was said unto her, Is thy throne like this? She answered, As though it were the same. And we have had knowledge bestowed on us before this, and have been resigned unto God. But that which she worshipped, besides God, had turned iier aside from the truth; for she was of an unbelieving people. It was said unto her, Enter the palace. And when she saw it, she im- agined it to be a great water; and she discovered her legs, by lifting up her robe to pass through it. Whereupon Solomon said unto her, Verily this is a palace evenly floored with glass. Then said the queen, O Lord, verily I have dealt unjustly with my own soul; and I resign myself, together with Solomon, unto God, the Lord of all creatures. Also we heretofore sent unto the tribe of Thamud their brother Saleh; who said unto them, Serve ye God. And behold they were divided into two parties, who disputed among themselves. Saleh said, O my people, why do you hasten evil rather than good? Unless ye ask 206 AL KORAN. pardon of God, that ye may obtain mercy, ye are lost. They answered We presage evil from thee, and from those who are with thee. Saleh replied, The evil which ye presage is with God: but ye are a people who are proved by a vicissitude of prosperity and adversity. And diere were nine men in the city, who acted corruptly in the earth, and behaved not with integrity. And they said unto one another, Swear ye reciprocally by God, that we will fall upon Saleh and his family by night : and afterwards we will say unto him who hath right jto avenge his biood, We were not so much as present at the destruc- tion of his family; a"d we certainly speak the truth. And they de- vised a plot against him : but we devised a plot against them ; and they perceived it not. And see what was the issue of their plot: we utterly destroyed them and their whole people; and these their habi- tations remain empty, because of the injustice which they committed Verily herein is a sign, unto people who understand. And we de- livered those who believed and feared God. And remember Lot, when he said unto his people, Do ye commit a wickedness, though ye see the heinousness thereof? Do ye approach lustfully unto men, leaving the women? Ye are surely an ignorant people. (XX.) But the answer of his people was no other than that they said. Cast the family of Lot out of your city : for they are men who preserve them- selves pure from the crimes of which ye are guilty. Wherefore we delivered him and his family, except his wife, whom we decreed to be one of those who remained behind to be destroyed. And we rained on them a shower of stones: and dread fu 7 was the shower which fell on those who had been warned in vain. Say, Praise be unto God; and peace be upon his servants whom he hath chosen! Is God more worthy, or the false gods which they associate with him? Is not he to be preferred, who hath created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down rain for you from heaven, whereby we cause delicious groves to spring up? It is not in your power to cause the trees thereof to shoot forth. Is there any other god partner with the true God? Verily these are a people who deviate from the truth. Is not he more worthy to be adored who hath established the earth, and hath caused rivers to flow through the midst thereof, and placed thereon immovable mountains, and set a bar between the two seas? Is there any other god equal with the true God? Yet the greater part of them know it not. Is not he more worthy who heareth the afflicted, when he calleth upon him, and taketli off ih^ evil which distressed him; and who hath made you the successors of your forefathers in the earth? Is there any other god who can be equalled with the true God? How i.^w consider these things! Is not he more worthy who directeth you in the dark paths of the land and of the sea; and who sendeth the winds driving abroad the clouds as the forerunners of his mercy? Is there any other god who can be equalled with the true God? Far be God from having those partners in his power, which ye associate with him! Is not he more worthy, who pro- AL KORAN. 207 ducetli a creature, and after it hath been dead restoreth it to life, and who giveth you food from heaven and earth? Is there any other god with the true God, who doth this? Say, Produce yuui proof thereof, if ye speak truth. Say, None cither in heaven or earth knoweth that which is hidden, hesides God: neither do they understand when they shall be raised. However their knowledge attaiueth some notion of the life to come: yet they are in an uncer tainty concerning the same; yea, they are blind as to the real circum- stances thereof. And the unbelievers say, When we and our fathers shall have been reduced to dust, shall we be taken forth from the irrav,-? Verily we have been threatened with this, both we and our fathers, heretofore. This is no other than fables of the ancients. Say unto them. Pass through the earth, and see what hath been the end of the wicked. And be not thou grieved for them; neither be thoti in any concern on account of the plots which they are contriving against thee. And they say, When will this threat be accomplished, if ye speak true? Answer, Peradveuture some part of that punish ment, which ye desire to be hastened, may follow close behind you; verily thy Lord is endued with indulgence towards mankind; but the greater part of them are not thankful. Verily thy Lord knowetli what their breasts conceal, and what they discover and there is noth ing hidden in heaven or on earth, but it is written in a clear book. Verily this Koran declareth unto the children of Israel most of those points concerning which they disagree- and it is certainly a direction, and a mercy unto the true believers. Thy Lord will decide the con troversy between them, by his definitive sentence and he is the mighty' the wise. Therefore put thy trust in God; for thou art in the manifest truth. Verily thou shall not make the dead to hear, neither shall thou make the deaf to hear thy call to the true faith, when they retire and turn their backs- neither shall thou direct the blind to extricate themselves out of their error. Thou shall make none to hear thee, except him who shall believe in our signs: and they are wholly resigned unto us. When the sentence shall be ready to fall upon them, we will cause a beast to come forth unto then? from out of the earth, which shall speak unto them: verily men do not firmly believe in our signs. On the day of resurrection we wih assemble, out of every nalion, a company of Ihose who shall have charged our signs with falsehood; and they shall be prevented from mixing together, until they shall arrive at the*place of judgment. And God shall say unto them. Have ye charged my signs with false- hood, although ye comprehended them not with your knowledge? Or what is it that ye were doing? And the sentence of damnation shall fall on them, for lhat they have acted unjustly and they shall not speak in their own excuse. Do they not see that we have ordained the night, that they may rest therein, and the day giving open light? Verily herein are signs unto people who believe. On that day the trumpet shall be sounded ; and whoever are in heaven 208 AL KORAN. and on earth shall be struck with terror, except those whom God shalt please to exempt therefrom- and all shall come before him, in humble guise. And thou shalt see the mountains, and shalt think them firmly fixed; but they shall pass away, even as the clouds pass away. This will be the work of God, who hath rightly disposed all things: and he is well acquainted with that which ye do. Whcever shalfhave wrought righteou-iic^s. shall receive a reward beyond the di-sert thereof; and they shall be secure from the terror of that day; but whoever shall have wrought evil, shall be thrown on their faces into hell fire. Shall ye receive the reward of any other than of that which ye shall have wrought? Verily I am commanded to worsh-p the Lord of this territory of Mecca, who hath sanctified the san. /; unto him belong all things. And I am commanded to be a Moslem, and to rehearse the Koran: he who shall be directed thereby, will l>e directed to his own advantage; and to him who shall go astray, say. Verily I am a warner only. And say, Praise be unto God ! he will show you his signs, and ye shall know them : and thy Lord is not regardless of that which they do. CHAPTER XXVIII. ENTITLED, THE STORY; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. T. S. M. These are the signs of the perspicuous book "We will dictate unto thee, O Mohammed, some parts of the history of Moses and Pharaoh, with truth; for the sake of people who believe. Xo\v Pharaoh lifted himself up in the land of Egypt; and he caused his subjects to be divded into parties: he weakened one party of them, hv slaying their male children, and preserving their females alive; for he was an oppressor. And we were minded to be gracious unto those who were weakened in the land, and to make them models of religion; and to make them the heirs of the wealth of Pharaoh and his people, and to establish a place for them in the earth; and to show Pharaoh, and Haman, and their forces, that destruction of their kingdom and nation by them, which they sought to avoid. And we directed the mother of Moses by revelation, saying, Give him suck: and if thou fearest for him, cast him into the river; and fear not. neither be afflicted; for we will restore him unto thee; and we will appoint him one of our apostles. And when she had put the child in the ark, and had cast it into the river, the family of Pharaoh took him up; provi- dence designing that he should become an enemy and a sorrow unto them. Verily Pharaoh, and Haman, and their forces were sinners And the wife of Pharaoh said, This child is a delight of the eye to me and to thee: kill him not; peradventure it may happen that he uu.v be serviceable unto us; or we may adopt him for our sou. And AL KORAN. 209 they perceived not the consequence of what they were doing. And the heart of the mother of Moses became oppressed with fear; and she had almost discovered him, had we not armed her heart with con- stancy, that she might be one of those who believe the promises of God. And she said unto his sister, Follow him. And she watched him at a distance; and they perceived it not. And we suffered him not to take the breasts of the nurses who were provided before his sister came up . and she said, Shall I direct you unto some of his nation, who may nurse him for you, and win be careful of him? And, at their desire, she brought his mother to them. So we restored him to his mother, that her mind might be set at ease, and that she might not be afflicted; and that she might know that the promise of God was true: but the greater part of mankind know not the truth. And vhen Moses had attained his age of full strength, and was be- come a perfect man, we bestowed on him wisdom and knowledges and thus do we reward the upright. And he went into the city, at a time when the inhabitants thereof observed not what passed in the streets: and he found therein two men fighting; the one being of his own party, and the other of his enemies. And he who was of his party, begged his assistance against him who was of the contrary party ; and Moses struck him with his fist, and slew him : but being sorry for what had happened, he said, This is of the work of the devil ; for he is a seducing and an open enemy. And he said, O Lord, verily I have injured my own soul : wherefore forgive me. So God forgave him ; for he is ready to forgive, and merciful. He said, O Lord, by the favours with which thou hast favoured me, I will not be an assistant to the wicked for the future. And the next morning he was afraid in the city, and looked about him, as one apprehensive of danger: and behold, he whom he had assisted the day before, cried out unto him for help a second time. But Moses said unto him, Thou art plainly a quarrelsome fellow. And when he sought to lay hold on him who was an enemy unto them both, he said, O Moses, dost thou intend to kill me, as thou killedst a man yesterday? Thou seekest only to be an oppressor in the earth, and seekest not to be a reconciler of quarrels. And a certain man came from the farther part of the city, running hastily, and said, O Moses, verily the magis- trates are deliberating concerning thee, to put thee to death: depart therefore; I certainly advise thee well. Wherefore he departed out Df the city in great fear, looking this way and that, lest he should be pursued. And he said, O Lord, deliver me from the unjust people. And when he was journeying towards Madian, he said, Peradventure my Lord will direct me in the right way. And when he arrived at the water of Madian, he found about the well a company of men, who were watering their flocks. And he found, besides them, two women, who kept off their sheep at a distance. And he said unto them, What is the matter with you? They answered, We shall not water our flock, until the shepherds shall have driven away theirs; 210 for our father is an Old man, stricken in years. So Moses watered their sheep for them ; and afterwards retired to the shade. saying, Lord, verily I stand in need of the good which thou shalt send down unto me. And one of the damsels came unto him, walking bashfully, and said, My father calleth thee, that he may recompense thee for the trouble which thou hast taken in watering our sheep for us. And when he was come unto Shoaib, and had told him the story of his adventures, he said unto him, Fear not ; thou hast escaped from un- just people. And one of the damsels said. My father, hire him for certain wages: the best servant thou canst hire, is an able and trusty person. And Shoaib said unto Moses, Verily I will give thee one of these my two daughters in marriage, on condition that thou serve me for hire eight years: and if thou fulfil ten years, it is in thine own breast; for I seek not to impose a hardship on thee: and thou shalt find me, if God please, a man of probity. Moses answered, Let this be the covenant between me and thee: whichsoever of the two terms I shall fulfil, let it be no crime in me if I then quit thy service; and God is witness of that which we say. And when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was journeying with his family towards Egypt, he saw fire on the side of Mount Sinai. And he said unto his family, Tarry ye here; for I see fire; peradventure I may bring you thence some tidings of the way, or at least a brand out of the fire, that ye may be warmed. And when he was come thereto, a voice cried unto him from the right side of the valley, in the sacred bottom, from the tree, say- ing, O Moses, verily I am God. the Lord of all creatures: cast down now thy rod. And when he saw it that it moved, as though it had been a serpent, he retreated and fled, and returned not. And God said unto him, O Moses, draw near, and fear not ; for thou art safe. Put thy hand into thy bosom, and it shall come forth white, without any hurt : and draw back thy hand unto thee which thou stretchest forth for fear. These shall be two evident signs from thy Lord, unto Pharaoh and his princes; for they are a wicked people. Moses said, O Lord, verily I have slain one of them; and I fear they will put me to death: but my brother Aaron is of a more eloquent tongue than I am ; wherefore send him with me for an assistant, that he may gain me credit; for I fear lest they accuse me of imposture. God said, We will strengthen thine arm by thy brother, and we will give each of you extraordinary power, so that they shall not come up to you, in our signs. Ye two, and whoever shall follow you, shall be the conquerors. And when Moses came unto them with our evident signs, they said. This is no other than a deceitful piece of sorcery: neither have we heard of anything like this among our forefathers. And Moses said, My Lord best knoweth who cometh with a direction from him ; and who shall have success in this life, as well as the next : but the unjust shall not prosper. And Pharaoh said, O princes, I did not know that ye had any other god besides me. Wherefore do thou, O Haman, burn me clay into bricks; and build me a high tower, that I may ascend unto AL KORAN. 211 the God of Moses: for I verily believe him to be a liar. And both he and his forces behaved themselves insolently and unjustly in the earth; and imagined that they should not be brought before us to be judged. Wherefore we took him and nis forces, and cast them into the sea. Behold, therefore, what was the end of the unjust. And we made them deceitful guides, inviting their followers to hell fire; and on the day of resurrection they shall not be screened from punish- ment. We pursued them with a curse in this life, and on the day of insurrection they shall be shamefully rejected. And we gave the book of the law unto Moses, after we had destroyed the former gener- ations, to enlighten the minds of men, and for a direction and a mercy .; that peradventure they might consider. Thou, O prophet, was not on the west side of Mount Sinai, when AVC delivered Moses his com- mission: neither wast thou one of those who were present at his re- ceiving it: but we raised up several generations after Moses: and life was prolonged unto them. Neither didst thou dwell among the in- habitants of Madiau, rehearsing unto them our signs; but we have sent thee fully instructed in every particular. Nor wast thou present on the side of the mount, when we called unto Moses: but thou art sent as a mercy from thy Lord; that thou mightest preach unto a people to whom no preacher hath come before thee, that peradventure they may be warned; and lest, if a calamity had befallen them, for that which their hands had previously committed, they ,->bould have said, O Lord, since thou hast not sent an apostle unto us, that we might follow thy signs, and become true believers, are we not excus- able? Yet when the truth is come unto them from before us, they say. Unless he receive the same power to work miracles as Moses received, we will not believe. Have they not likewise rejected the revelation which was heretofore given unto Moses? They say, Two cunning impostures have mutually assisted one another: and they say, Verily we reject them both. Say, Produce therefore a book from God, which is more right than these two, that I may follow it; if ye speak truth. But if they return thee no answer, know that they only follow their own desires: and who erreth more widely from the truth than he who followeth his own desire, without a direction from God? verily God directeth not the unjust people. And now have we caused our word to come unto them, that they may be admonished. They unto whom we have given the s riplures which were revealed before it, believe in the same; and when it is read unto them, say, We believe therein; it is certainly the truth from our Lord: verily we were Moslems before this. These shall receive their reward twice, because they have persevered, and repel evil by good, and distribute alms out of that which we have bestowed on them; and when they hear vain discourse, avoid the same, saying. We have our works, and ye have your works: peace be on you; we covet not the acquaintance of the ignorant. Verily thou canst not direct whom thou wilt: but God directeth whom he pleaseth; and he best knoweth those who will 212 AL KORAN. submit to be directed. The Meccans say. If we follow the same direc- tion with thee, we shall be forcibly expelled our land. Have we not established for them a secure asylum ; to which fruits of every sort are brought, as a provision of our bounty? but the greater part of them do not understand. How many cities have we destroyed, whose inhabitants lived in ease and plenty? and these their dwellings are not inhabited after them, unless for a little while; and we were the inheritors of their wealth. But thy Lord did not destroy those cities, until be had sent unto their capital an apostle, to rebear.se our signs unto them: neither did we destroy those cities, unless their inhabitants were injurious to their apostle. The things which are given you, are the provisions of this present life, and the pomp thereof ; hut that which is with God, is better and more durable: will ye not therefore under- stand? Shall he then, unto whom we have promised an excellent promise of future happiness, and who shall attain the same, be as lie on whom we have bestowed the provision of this present life, and who, on the day of resurrection, shall be one of those who are delivered up to eternal punishment? On that day God shall call unto them, and shall say,AVhere are my partners, which ye imagined to be so? And they upon whom the sentence of damnation shall be justly pronounced shall answer, These, O Lord, are those whom we seduced; we seduced them as we also had been seduced: but now we clearly quit them, and turn unto thee. They did not worship us, but their own lusts. And it shall be said unto the idolaters. Call now upon those whom ye as- sociated with God: and they shall call upon them, but they shall not answer them; and they shall see the punishment prepared" for them, and shall wish that they had submitted to be directed. On that day God shall call unto them, and shall say, What answer did ye return to our messengers? But they shall not be able to give an account thereof on that day; neither shall they ask one another for informa- tion. Howbeit whoso shall repent and believe, and shall do that which is right, may expect to be happy. Thy Lord createth what he pleaseth; and chooseth freely: but they have no free choice. Praise be unto God ; and far be he removed from the idols which they as- sociate with him! Thy Lord knoweth both the secret malice which their breasts conceal, and the open hatred which they discover. He is God; there is no God but he. Unto him is the praise due, both in this life and in that which is to come: unto him doth judgment be long, and before him shall ye be assembled at the last day. Say, What think ye? If God should cover you with perpetual night, until the day of resurrection; what god, besides God, would brimr you light? Will ye not therefore hearken? Say, What think ye? ft God should give you continual day, until the day of resurrection: what god. besides God, would bring you night, that ye might rest therein? Will ye not therefore consider? Of his mercy he hath made for yon the night and the day, that ye may rest in the one, and may seek to Obtain provision for }-ourselves of his abundance by your industry, AL KORAN. 213 in the other: and that ye may give thanks. On a certain dr. y God shall call unto them, and .shall say, Where are my partners, which yo imagined to share the divine power with me? And we will produce a witness out of every nation, and will say, Bring hither your proof of what ye have asserted. And they shall know that the right is God's alone; and the deities which they have devised shall abandon them. Karuu was of the people of Moses; but he behaved insolently towards them ; for we had given him so much treasure, that his keys would have loaded several strong men. When his people said unto him, Rejoice not immoderately; forGodloveth not those who rejoice in their riches immoderately: but seek to attain, by means of the wealth which God hath given thee, the future mansion of paradise. And forget not thy portion in this world ; but be thou bounteous unto others, as God hath been bounteous unto thee: and seek not to act corruptly in the earth ; for God loveth not the corrupt doers. He answered, I have received these riches, only because of the knowledge which is with me. Did he not know that God had already destroyed, before him, several generations, who were mightier than he in strength, and had amassed more abundance of riches:? And the wicked shall not be asked to discover their crimes. And Karun went forth unto his people, in his pump. And they who lo\ed this present life, said, Oh that we had the like wealth as hath been given unto Karun ! verity he is master of a great fortune. But those on whom knowledge had been bestowed, answered, Alas for you! the reward of God in the next life, will be better unto him who shall believe and do good works: but none shall attain the same, except those who persevere w;th constancy. And we caused the ground to cleave in sunder, and tc swallow up him and his palace: a .id he had no forces to defend him, besides God ; neither was he rescue d from punishment. And the next morning, those who had coveted his condition the day before, said, Alia! verily God bestoweth abundant provision on such of his servants as Le pleaseth; and he is sparing unto whom he plea>eth. Unless God had been gracious unto us, certainly the earth pad -wallowed us up also. Aha! the unbelievers shall not prosper. As to ihis future mansion of paradise, we will give it unto them who seek not to exalt themselves in the earth, or t;> do wrong; for the happy is>ue shall attend the pious. Whoso doih good, shall receive a reward which shall exceed the merit thereof: bat as to him who doth evil, they who work evil shall be rewarded according to the merit only of that which they shall have wrought. Verily he who hath give'n thee the Koran for a rule of faith and practice, will ce-- tainly bring thee hack home unto Mecca Say. My Lord best knoweth who eometh with a true direrii.-m. and who is in a manifest error. Thou didst not expect iliat the book of the Koran should be delivered unto thee: but thou hast received it through the mercy of thy Lord. Be not therefore assisting to tit thoi: write it with thy right hand: then had the gainsayers justly doubted of the divine original thereof. But the same is evident signs in the breasts of those who have received understanding: for none reject our signs, except the unjust. They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his Lord, we will not believe. Answer, Signs are in the power of God alone; and I am no more than a public preacher. Is it not sufficient for them that we have sent down unto thee the book of the Koran, to be read unto them? Verily herein is a mercy, AL KORAN. 217 ami an admonition unto people who believe. Say, God is a sufficient witness between me and you: he knoweth whatever is in heaven and I jarth; and those who believe in vain idols, and deny God, they shall perish. They will urge thee to hasten the punishment which they defy thee to bring down upon them : if there had not been a deter- mined time for their respite, the punishment had come upon them before this; but it shall surely overtake them suddenly, and they shall not foresee it. The}' urge thee to bring down vengeance swiftly upon them: but hell shall surely encompass the unbelievers. On a certain day their punishment shall suddenly assail them, both from above them, and from under their feet; and God shall say, Taste ye the reward of that which ye have wrought. O my servants who have believed, verily my earth* is spacious; wherefore serve me. Every soul shall taste death: afterwards shall ye return unto us; and as for those who shall have believed, and wrought righteousness, we will surely lodge them in a higher apartment of paradise; rivers shall flow beneath them, and they shall continue therein for ever. How excellent will be the reward of the workers of righteousness; who persevere with patience, and put their trust in their Lord! How many beasts are there, which provide not their food? It is God who provideth food for them and for you; and he both heareth and knoweth. Verily, if thou ask the Meccans, who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath obliged the sun and the moon to serve in their courses; they will answer, God. How therefore do they lie, in acknowledging of other gods? God makelh abundant provision for such of his servants as he pleaseth; and ia sparing unto him, if he pleaseth: for God knoweth all things. Verily if thou ask them, who sendeth rain from heaven, and thereby qcickeneth the earth, after it hath been dead; they will answer, God. Say, God be praised! But the greater part of them do not understand. This present life is no other than a toy and a plaything; but the future mansion of paradise is life indeed: if they knew this, they would not prefer the former to the latter. When they sail in. a ship, they call upon God, sincerely exhi oiling unto him the true religion: but when he bringeth them safe tc land, behold, they return to their idolatry; to show themselves ungrateful for that which we have bestowed on hem. and that they may enjoy the delights of this life: but they shall hereafter know the issue. Do they not see tint we have made the territory of Mecca an inviolable and secure asylum, when men are spoiled in the countries round about them? Do they therefore believe in that which is vain, and acknowledge not the goodness of God? But who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against God, or denieth the truth, when it hath come unto him? Is then: not in hell an abode for the unbelievers? Whoever do their utmost endeavour to promote our true religion, we will direct them into our ways; for God is with the CHAPTER XXX. ENTITLED, THE GREEKS; REVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L M. The Greeks have been overcome by the Persians, in the nearest part of the land; but after their defeat, they shall overcome the others in their turn, within a few years. Unto God belongeth the disposal of this matter, both for what is past, and for what is to come: and on that day shall the believers rejoice in the success granted by God ; for he granteth success unto whom he pleaseth, and he is the mighty, the merciful. This is the promise of God: God will not act contrary to his promise; but the greater part of men know not the veracity of God. They know the outward appearance of this present life ; but they are careless as to the life to come. Do they not consider within themselves that God hath not created the heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them, otherwise than in truth, and hath set them a determined period ? Verily a great number of men reject the belief of their future meeting their Lord at the resurrection. Do they not pass through the earth, and see what hath been the end of those who were before them? They excelled the Meccans in strength, and broke up the earth, and inhabited it in greater affluence and prosperity than they inhabit the same : and their apostles came unto them with evident miracles ; and God was not disposed to treat them unjustly, but they injured their own souls by their obstinate infidelity; and the end of those who had done evil, was evil, because they charged the signs of God with falsehood, and laughed the same to scorn. God produceth creatures, and will hereafter restore them to life: then shall ye return unto him. And on the day whereon the hour shall conic, the wicked shall be struck dumb for despair: and they shall have no inter- cessors from among the idols which they associated with God; and they shall deny the false gods which they associated with him. On the day whereon the hour shall come, on that day shall the true believers and the infidels be separated: and they who shall have believed, and wrought righteousness, shall take their pleasure in a delightful meadow ; but as for those who shall have disbelieved, and rejected our signs, and the meeting of the next life, they sluill be delivered up to punishment. Wherefore glorify God, when the evening overtaketh you, and when ye rise in the morning: and unto him be praise in heaven and earth; and at sunset, and when ye rest at noon He bringeth forth the living out of the dead, and he bringeth forth the dead out of the living; and he quickeneth the earth after it hath been dead : and in like manner shall ye be brought forth from your graves. Of his signs one is, that AL KORAN. 219 he hath created you of dust ; and behold, ye are become men, spread over the face of the earth. And of his signs another is, that lie hath created for you, out of yourselves, wives, that ye may cohabit with them; and hath put love and compassion between you: verily heroin are signs unto people who consider. And of his signs are also the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variety of your languages, and of your complexions: verily herein are signs unto men of under- standing. And of his signs are your sleeping by night and by day, and your seeking to pro vide for yourselves of his abundance: verily herein are signs unto people who hearken. Of his signs others are, that he showeth you the lightning, to strike terror, and to give hope of rain, and that he sendeth down water from heaven, and quickeneth thereby the earth, after it hath been dead: verily herein are signs unto people who understand. And of his signs this also is one, namely, that the heaven and the earth stand firm at his command : hereafter, when he shall call you out of the earth at 6ne summons, behold, ye shall come forth. Unto him are subject whosoever are in the heavens and on earth: all are obedient unto him. It is he who originally produceth a creature, and afterwards restoreth the same to life: and this is most easy with him. He justly challengeth the most exalted com- parison, in heaven and earth ; and he is the mighty, the wise. He propoundeth unto you a comparison taken from yourselves. Have ye, among the slaves whom your right hands possess, any partner in the substance which we have bestowed on you, so that ye become equal sharers therein with them, or that ye fear them as ye fear one another? Thus do we distinctly explain our signs, unto people who understand. But those who act unjustly by attributing companions unto God, follow their own lusts, without knowledge: and who shall direct him whom God shall cause to err? They shall have none to help them. Wherefore be thou orthodox, and set thy face towards the true religion, the institution of God, to which he hath created man- kind disposed: there is no change in what God hath created. This is the right religion; but the greater part of men know it not. And be ye turned unto him, and fear him, and be constant at prayer, and be not idolaters. Of those who have made a schism in their religion and are divided into various sects; every sect rejoice in their own opinion. When adversity befalleth men they call upon their Lord, turning unto him. afterwards, when he hath caused them to taste of his mercy, behold, a part of them associate other deities with their Lord; to show themselves ungrateful for the favours which we have bestowed on them. Enjoy therefore the vain pleasures of this life; but hereafter shall ye know the consequence. Have we sent down unto them any authority, which speakcthnf the false gods which they tte with him'.' When wo cause men to taste mercy, they rejoice therein; but if evil hefalleth them for that which their hands have before committed, behold, they despair. Do they not see that God bestoweth provision abundantly on whom he pleaseth, and is sparing 220 AL KORAH. unto whom he pleaseth? Verily herein are signs unto people who believe. Give unto him who is of kin to thee his reasonable due; and also to the poor and the stranger: this is better for those who seek the face of God; and they shall prosper. TVhatever ye shall give in usury, to be an increase of men's substance, shall not be increased by the blessing of God: but whatever ye shall give in aims, for God's sake, they shall receive a twofold reward. It is God who hath creat- ed you, and hath provided food for you: hereafter will he cause \ <;ii to die: and after that will he raise you again to life. Is there any of your false gods, who is able to do the least of these things? Praise be unto him ; and far be he removed from what they associate wuh him! Corruption hath appeared by land and by sea, for the crimes which men's hands have committed; that it might make them to taste a part of the fruits of that which they hud wrought, that perad- venture they might turn from their evil ways. Say, Go through the earth, and s'ee what hath been the end of those w ho have been before you: the greater part of them were idolaters. Set thy face therefore towards the right religion, before the day cometh, whicli none can put back from God. On that clay shall they be separated into two companies: whoever shall have been an unbeliever, on him shall his unbelief be charged; and whoever shall have done that wiiich is right, shall spread themselves couches of repose in paradise: that he may reward those who shall believe and work righteousness, of his abundant liberality; for he loveth not the unbelievers. Of his signs one is, that he sendeth the winds, bearing welcome tidings of rain, that he may cause you to taste of his mercy: and that ships may sail at his command, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves of his abun- dance by commerce; and that ye may give thanks. "NVe sent aj before thee, unto their respective people, and they came unto them with evident proofs: and we took vengeance on those who did wick- edly; and it was incumbent on us to assist the true believers. It is God who sendeth the winds, and raiseth Ihe clouds, and sprcadeth the same in the heaven, as he pleaseth; and afterwaids di.-pcrsclh the same: and thoti mayest see the rain issuing from the midst thereof; and when he pouretii the same down on such of his servants as he pleaseth, behold, they are rilled with joy; although before it w,- down unto them, before such relief, they were despaiiing. Consider therefore the traces of God's mercy: how he quickeneth the earth, after its state of death: verily the same will raise the dead: for he is almighty. Yet if we should send a blasting wind, and they should see their corn yellow and burnt up. they would surely become un- grateful, after our former favours. Thou canst not make the dead to hear, neither canst thou make the deaf to hear thy call, when they retire and turn their backs: neither canst thou direct the blind out of their error: thou shalt make none to hear, except him who shall believe in our signs; for they are resigned unto us. It is God who created you in weakness, and aitw weakness hath given you strength; AL KORAN. 221 and after strength, he will again reduce you to weakness, and grey hairs he createth that which he pleaseth; and he is the wise, the powerful. On the day whereon the last hour shall come, the wicked will swear that they have not tarried above an hour: in like manner did they utter lies in their lifetime. But those on whom knowledge hath been bestowed, and faith, will say. Ye have tarried, according to the book of God, until the day of resurrection: for this is the day of resurrection; but ye knew it not. On that day their excuse shall not avail those who have acted unjustly; neither shall they be invited any more to make themselves acceptable unto God. And now have we propounded unto men, in this Koran, parables of every kind: yet if thou bring them a verse thereof, the unbelievers will surely say, Ye are no other than publishers of vain falsehoods. Tims hath God sealed up the hearts (if those who believe not. But do thou, O Mohammed, persevere with constancy, for the promise of God is true; and let not those induce thee to waver, who have no certain knowledge. CHAPTER XXXI. ENTITLED, LOKMAX ; KEVEALED AT MECCA. IN THE NAME OP THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. A. L. M. These are the signs of the wise book, a direction, and a mercy unto the righteous; who observe the appointed times of prayer, and give alms, and have firm assurance in the life to come: these are directed by their Lord, and they shall prosper. There is a man who purchase! h a ludicrous story, that he may seduce men from the way of God, without knowledge, and may laugh the same to scorn: these shall suffer a shameful punishment. And when our signs are rehearsed unto him, he disdainfully turneth his back, as though he heard them not, as though there were a deafness in his ears: where- fore denounce unto him a grievous punishment. But they who shall believe and work righteousness, shall enjoy gardens of pleasure; they shall continue therein for ever: this is the certain promise of God; and he is the mighty, the wise. He hath created the heavens without visible pillars to sustain them, and hath thrown on the earth mountains firmly rooted, lest it should move with you; and he hath replenished the same with all kinds of beasts: and we send down rain from heaven, and cause every kind of noble vegetable to spring forth therein. This is the creation of God: show me now what they have created, who a re worshipped besides him? verily the ungodly are in a manifest error. We heretofore bestowed wisdom on Lokman, and commanded him, saying, Be thou thankful unto God: for whoever is thankful, shall be thankful to the advantage of his own soul ; and if any shall be unthankful* verily God is self-sufficient, and worthy to be praised. 202 AL KORAN. And remember when Lokmfin said unto his son, as he admonished him, O my son, Give not a partner unto God ; for polytheism is a great impiety. We have commanded mac. concerning his parents, (his mother carrieth him in her womb with weakness and faintness, and he is weaned in two 3 r ears), saying, Be grateful unto me and to thy parents. Unto me shall all come to be judged. But if thy parents endeavour to prevail on thee to associate with me that concerning which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not : bear them company in this world in what shall be reasonable; but follow the way of him who sincerely turneth unto me. Hereafter unto me shall ye return, and then will I declare unto you that which ye have clone. O my son, verily every matter, whether good or bad, though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and be hidden in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring the same to light ; for God is clear- sighted and knowing. O my son, be constant at prayer, and command, that which is just, and forbid that which is evil : and be patient under the afflictions which shall befall tht-e;for this is a duty absolutely in- cumbent on all men. Distort not thy face out of contempt to men, neither walk in the earth with insolence; for God loveth no arrogant, vainglorious person. And be moderate in thy pace: and lower thy voice; for the most ungrateful of all voices surely is the voice of asses. Do you not see that God hath subjected whatever is in heaven and on earth to your service, and hath abundantly poured on you his favours, both outwardly and inwardly ? There are some men who dispute con- cerning God without knowledge, and without a direction, and without an enlightening book. And when it is said unto them, Follow that which God hath revealed ; they answer, Nay, we will follow that which we found our fathers to practise. What, though the devil invite them to the torment of hell ? Whoever resij,ueth himself unto God, being a worker of righteousness, taketh hold on a strong handle; and unto God belongeth the issue of all things. But whoever shall be an un- believer, let not his unbelief grieve tl/ee: unto us shall they return; then will we declare unto them that which they have done, for God knoweth the innermost parts of the bn.asts of men. We will suffer them to enjoy this world for a little while: afterwards we will drive them to a severe punishment. If thou Ksk them who hath created the heavens and the earth, they will surely answer,