CHAPTER III.

ENt.i.tLED, THE FAMILY OF IMRAN; REVEALED AT MEDINA

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

A.L.M.

There is no G.o.d but G.o.d, the living, the self-subsisting: he hath sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, confirming that which was revealed before it; for he had formerly sent down the law, and the gospel a direction unto men; and he had also sent down the distinction between good and evil. Verily those who believe not the signs of G.o.d shall suffer a grievous punishment; for G.o.d is mighty, able to revenge.

Surely nothing is hidden from G.o.d, of that which is on earth, or in heaven: it is he who formeth you in the wombs, as he pleaseth; there is no G.o.d 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 will follow that which is parabolical therein, out of love of schism, and a desire of the interpretation thereof; yet none knoweth the interpretation thereof, except G.o.d. But they who are well grounded in the knowledge say, We believe therein, the whole is from our LORD; and none will consider except the prudent.

O LORD, cause not our hearts to swerve from truth, after thou hast directed us: and give us from thee mercy, for thou art he who giveth.

O LORD, thou shalt surely gather mankind together, unto a day of resurrection: there is no doubt of it, for G.o.d will not be contrary to the promise.

10 As for the infidels, their wealth shall not profit them anything, nor their children, against G.o.d: they shall be the fuel of h.e.l.l fire.

According to the wont of the people of Pharaoh, and of those who went before them, they charged our signs with a lie; but G.o.d caught them in their wickedness, and G.o.d is severe in punishing.

Say unto those who believe not, Ye shall be overcome, and thrown together into h.e.l.l; and an unhappy couch shall it be.

Ye have already had a miracle shown you in two armies, which attacked each other: one army fought for G.o.d'S true religion, but the other were infidels; they saw the faithful twice as many as themselves in their eyesight; for G.o.d strengthened with his help whom he pleaseth. Surely herein was an example unto men of understanding.

The love and eager desire of wives, and children, and sums heaped up of gold and silver, and excellent horses, and cattle, and land, is prepared for men: this is the provision of the present life; but unto G.o.d shall be the most excellent return.

Say, Shall I declare unto you better things than this? For those who are devout are prepared with their LORD gardens through which rivers flow; therein shall they continue forever: and they shall enjoy wives free from impurity, and the favor of G.o.d; for G.o.d regardeth his servants who say, O LORD, we do sincerely believe; forgive us therefore our sins, and deliver us from the pain of h.e.l.l fire: the patient, and the lovers of truth, and the devout, and the almsgivers, and those who ask pardon early in the morning.

G.o.d hath borne witness that there is no G.o.d but he; and the angels, and those who are endowed with wisdom, profess the same; who executeth righteousness; there is no G.o.d but he; the mighty, the wise.

Verily the true religion in the sight of G.o.d is Islam; and they who had received the scriptures dissented not therefrom, until after the knowledge of G.o.d's unity had come unto them, out of envy among themselves; but whosoever believeth not in the signs of G.o.d, verily G.o.d will be swift in bringing him to account.

20 If they dispute with thee, say, I have resigned myself unto G.o.d, 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? now if they embrace Islam, they are surely directed; but if they turn their backs, verily unto thee belongeth preaching only; for G.o.d regardeth his servants.

And unto those who believe not in the signs of G.o.d, 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.

Hast thou not observed those unto whom part of the scripture was given?

They were called unto the book of G.o.d, 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 h.e.l.l 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 then 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, O G.o.d, who possessest the kingdom; thou givest the kingdom unto whom thou wilt, and thou takest away the kingdom from whom thou wilt: thou exaltest whom thou wilt, and thou humblest whom thou wilt: in thy hand is good, for thou art almighty.

Thou makest the night to succeed the day: thou bringest forth the living out of the dead, and thou bringest forth the dead out of the living; and providest food for whom thou wilt without measure.

Let not the faithful take the infidels for their protectors, rather than the faithful: he who doth this shall not be protected of G.o.d at all; unless ye fear any danger from them: but G.o.d warneth you to beware of himself; for unto G.o.d must ye return.

Say, Whether ye conceal that which is in your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, or whether ye declare it, G.o.d knoweth it; for he knoweth whatever is in heaven, and whatever is on earth: G.o.d is almighty.

30 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 G.o.d warneth you to beware of himself; for G.o.d is gracious unto his servants.

Say, If ye love G.o.d, follow me: then G.o.d shall love you, and forgive you your sins; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Say, Obey G.o.d, and his apostle; but if ye go back, verily G.o.d loveth not the unbelievers.

G.o.d hath surely chosen Adam, and Noah, and the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above the rest of the world; a race descending the one from the other: G.o.d is he who heareth and knoweth.

Remember when the wife of Imran 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 G.o.d 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 provisions with her: and he said, O Mary, whence hadst thou this? she answered, This is from G.o.d, for G.o.d 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 G.o.d promiseth thee a son named John, who shall bear witness to the Word which cometh from G.o.d; and honourable person, chaste, and one of the righteous prophets.

40 He answered, LORD, how shall I have a son, when old age hath overtaken me, and my wife is barren? The angel said, So G.o.d 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 the angels said, O Mary, verily G.o.d hath chosen thee, and hath purified thee and hath chosen thee 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 wast thou with them, when they strove among themselves.

When the angels said; O Mary, verily G.o.d sendeth thee 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 G.o.d; 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 G.o.d createth that which he pleaseth: when he decreeth a thing, he only saith unto it, Be, and it is: G.o.d 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 G.o.d; 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 G.o.d: 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.

50 And I come to confirm the law which was revealed before me and to allow unto you as lawful part of that which hath been forbidden you: and I come unto you with a sign from your LORD; therefore fear G.o.d, and obey me.

Verily G.o.d 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 G.o.d? The apostles answered, We will be the helpers of G.o.d; we believe in G.o.d, and do thou bear witness that we are true believers.

O LORD, we believe in that which thou 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 G.o.d devised a stratagem against them; and G.o.d is the best deviser of stratagems.

When G.o.d 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, as for the infidels, I will punish them with a grievous punishment in this 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 G.o.d loveth not the wicked doers.

These signs and this prudent admonition do we rehea.r.s.e unto thee.

Verily the likeness of Jesus in the sight of G.o.d is as the likeness of Adam; he created him out of the dust, and then said unto him, Be; and he was.

60 This is the truth from thy LORD; be not therefore one of those who doubt; and whoever shall dispute with thee, concerning him, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, say unto them, Come, let us call together our sons and your sons, and our wives and your wives, and ourselves and yourselves; then let us make imprecations, and lay the curse of G.o.d on those who lie.

Verily this is a true history: and there is no G.o.d, but G.o.d; and G.o.d is most mighty and wise.

If they turn back, G.o.d 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 G.o.d, and a.s.sociate no creature with him; and that the one of us take not the other for lords, beside G.o.d. 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 therefore understand?

Behold ye are they who dispute concerning that which ye have some knowledge in; why therefore do you dispute concerning that which ye have no knowledge of? G.o.d knoweth, but ye know not.

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; but he was of the true religion, one resigned unto G.o.d, and was not of the number of the idolaters.

Verily the men who are the nearest of kin unto Abraham are they who follow him; and this prophet, and they who believed on him: G.o.d 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.

70 O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye not believe in the signs of G.o.d, since ye are witnesses of them?

O ye who have received the scriptures, why do you 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, he giveth it unto whom he pleaseth; G.o.d is bounteous and wise: he will confer peculiar mercy on whom he pleaseth; for G.o.d 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 G.o.d, knowingly.

Yea, whoso keepeth his covenant, and feareth G.o.d, G.o.d surely loveth those who fear him.

But they who make merchandise of G.o.d'S covenant, and of their oaths, for a small price, shall have no portion in the next life, neither shall G.o.d 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 say, This is from G.o.d; but it is not from G.o.d: and they speak that which is false concerning G.o.d, against their own knowledge.

It is not fit for a man, that G.o.d should give him a book of revelations, and wisdom, and prophecy; and then he should say unto men, Be ye worshippers of me, besides G.o.d; but he ought to say, Be ye perfect in knowledge and in works, since ye know the scriptures, and exercise yourselves therein.

80 G.o.d hath not commanded you to take the angels and the prophets for your lords: Will he command you to become infidels, after ye have been true believers?

And remember when G.o.d accepted the covenant of the prophets, saying, This verily is the scripture and the wisdom which I have given you: hereafter shall an apostle come unto you, confirming the truth of that scripture which is with you; ye shall surely believe in him, and ye shall a.s.sist him. G.o.d said, Are ye firmly resolved, and do ye accept my covenant on this condition? They answered, We are firmly resolved: G.o.d 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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d directeth not the unG.o.dly people.

Their reward shall be, that on them shall fall the curse of G.o.d and of angels, and of all mankind: they shall remain under the same forever; their torment shall not be mitigated, neither shall they be regarded; except those who repent after this, and amend; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

90 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 nowise be accepted 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. Ye will never attain unto righteousness until ye give in alms of that which ye love: and whatever ye give, G.o.d 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 contriveth a lie against G.o.d after this, they will be evil doers.

Say, G.o.d is true: follow ye therefore the religion of Abraham the orthodox; for he was no idolater.

Verily the first house appointed unto men to worship in was that which was in Becca; blessed, and a direction to all creatures.

Therein are manifest signs: the place where Abraham stood; and whoever entereth therein, shall be safe. And it is a duty towards G.o.d, inc.u.mbent on those who are able to go thither, to visit this house; but whosoever disbelieveth, verily G.o.d needeth not the service of any creature.

Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye not believe in the signs of G.o.d?

Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye keep back from the way of G.o.d, him who believeth? Ye seek to make it crooked, and yet are witnesses that it is the right: but G.o.d will not be unmindful of what ye do.

100 O true believers, if ye obey some of those who have received the scripture, they will render you infidels, after ye have believed: and how can ye be infidels, when the signs of G.o.d are read unto you, and his apostle is among you? But he who cleaveth firmly unto G.o.d, is already directed in the right way.

O believers, fear G.o.d with his true fear, and die not unless ye also be true believers.

And cleave all of you unto the covenant of G.o.d, and depart not from it, and remember the favor of G.o.d towards you: since ye were enemies, and he reconciled your hearts, and ye became companions and brethren by his favor: and ye were on the brink of a pit of fire, and he delivered you thence. Thus G.o.d 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, G.o.d will say, Have ye returned unto your unbelief, after ye had believed? therefore taste the punishment, for that ye have been unbelievers: but they whose faces shall become white shall be in the mercy of G.o.d, therein shall they remain for ever.

These are the signs of G.o.d: we recite them unto thee with truth. G.o.d will not deal unjustly with his creatures.

And to G.o.d belongeth whatever is in heaven and on earth; and to G.o.d shall all things return.

110 Ye are the best nation that hath been raised up unto mankind: ye command that which is just, and ye forbid that which is unjust, and ye believe in G.o.d.