Who is better in point of religion than he who resigneth himself unto G.o.d, and is a worker of righteousness, and followeth the law of Abraham the orthodox? since G.o.d took Abraham for his friend: and to G.o.d belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; G.o.d comprehendeth all things.

They will consult thee concerning women; Answer, G.o.d instructeth you concerning them, and that which is read unto 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, G.o.d knoweth it.

If a woman 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 reconciliation is better than a separation. Men's souls are naturally inclined to covetousness: but if ye be kind towards women, and fear to wrong them, G.o.d 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 wife with all manner of aversion, nor leave her like one in suspense: if ye agree, and fear to abuse your wives, G.o.d is gracious and merciful; 130 but if they separate, G.o.d will satisfy them both of his abundance; for G.o.d is extensive and wise, and unto G.o.d belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth. We have already commanded those unto whom the scriptures were given before you, and we command you also, saying, Fear G.o.d; but if ye disbelieve, unto G.o.d belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and G.o.d is self-sufficient, and to be praised; for unto G.o.d belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth, and G.o.d is a sufficient protector.

If he pleaseth he will take you away, O men, and will produce others in your stead; for G.o.d is able to do this.

Whoso desireth the reward of this world, verily with G.o.d is the reward of this world, and also of that which is to come; G.o.d both heareth and seeth.

O true believers, observe justice when ye bear witness before G.o.d, although it be against yourselves, or your parents, or relations; whether the party be rich, or whether he be poor; for G.o.d is more worthy than them both: therefore follow not your own l.u.s.t in bearing testimony so that ye swerve from justice. And whether ye wrest your evidence, or decline giving it, G.o.d is well acquainted with that which ye do.

O true believers, believe in G.o.d and his apostle, and the book which he hath caused to descend unto his apostle, and the book which he hath formerly sent down. And whosoever believeth not in G.o.d, and his angels, and his scriptures, and his apostles, and the last day, he surely erreth in a wide mistake.

Moreover they who believed, and afterwards became infidels, and then believed again, and after that disbelieved, and increased in infidelity, G.o.d will by no means forgive them, nor direct them into the right way.

Declare unto the unG.o.dly that they shall suffer a painful punishment.

They who take the unbelievers for their protectors, besides the faithful, do they seek for power with them? since all power belongeth unto G.o.d.

140 And he hath already revealed unto you, in the book of the Koran, the following pa.s.sage--When ye shall hear the signs of G.o.d, 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 certainly become like unto them. G.o.d will surely gather the unG.o.dly and the unbelievers together in h.e.l.l.

They who wait to observe what befalleth you, if victory be granted you from G.o.d, 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? G.o.d shall judge between you on the day of resurrection: and G.o.d will not grant the unbelievers means to prevail over the faithful.

The hypocrites act deceitfully with G.o.d, but he will deceive them; and when they stand up to pray, they stand carelessly, affecting to be seen of men, and remember not G.o.d, unless a little, wavering between faith and infidelity, and adhering neither unto these nor unto those: and for him whom G.o.d 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 G.o.d with an evident argument of impiety against you?

Moreover the hypocrites shall be in the lowest bottom of h.e.l.l fire, and thou shalt not find any to help them thence.

But they who repent and amend, and adhere firmly unto G.o.d, and approve the sincerity of their religion to G.o.d, they shall be numbered with the faithful; and G.o.d will surely give the faithful a great reward.

And how should G.o.d go about to punish you, if ye be thankful and believe?

for G.o.d is grateful and wise.

G.o.d loveth not the speaking ill of any one in public, unless he who is injured call for a.s.sistance; and G.o.d heareth and knoweth: whether ye publish a good action, or conceal it, or forgive evil, verily G.o.d is gracious and powerful.

150 They who believe not in G.o.d, and his apostles, and would make a distinction between G.o.d 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 G.o.d and his apostles, and make no distinction between any of them, unto those will we surely give their reward; and G.o.d 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 G.o.d visibly. Wherefore a storm of fire from heaven destroyed them, because of their iniquity. Then they took the calf for their G.o.d, 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 covenant; and said unto them, Enter the gate of the city worshipping.

We also said unto them, Transgress not on the Sabbath-day. And we received from them a firm covenant, that they would observe these things.

Therefore for that they have made void their covenant, and have not believed in the signs of G.o.d, and have slain the prophets unjustly, and have said, Our hearts are circ.u.mcised; (but G.o.d hath sealed them up, because of their unbelief; therefore they shall not believe, except a few of them:) and for that they have not believed in Jesus, and have spoken against Mary a grievous calumny; and have said, Verily we have slain Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of G.o.d; yet they slew him not, neither crucified him, but he was 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 an uncertain opinion. They did not really kill him; but G.o.d took him up unto himself: and G.o.d 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 witness against them.

160 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 G.o.d, and have taken usury, which was forbidden them by the law, and devoured men's substance vainly: we have prepared for such of them as are unbelievers a painful punishment.

But those among them who 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 G.o.d 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 we have formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee; and G.o.d spake unto Moses, discoursing with him; apostles declaring good tidings, and denouncing threats, lest men should have an argument of excuse against G.o.d, after the apostles had been sent unto them; G.o.d is mighty and wise.

G.o.d is witness of that revelation which he hath sent down unto thee; he sent it down with his special knowledge: the angels also are witnesses thereof; but G.o.d is a sufficient witness.

They who believe not, and turn aside others from the way of G.o.d, have erred in a wide mistake.

Verily those who believe not, and act unjustly, G.o.d will by no means forgive, neither will he direct them into any other way, than the way of h.e.l.l; they shall remain therein forever: and this is easy with G.o.d.

170 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 G.o.d belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and G.o.d is knowing and wise.

O ye who have received the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, neither say of G.o.d any other than the truth. Verily Christ Jesus the son of Mary is the apostle of G.o.d, and his Word, which he conveyed into Mary, and a spirit proceeding from him. Believe therefore in G.o.d, and his apostles, and say not, There are three G.o.ds; forbear this; it will be better for you. G.o.d is but one G.o.d. Far be it from him that he should have a son!

unto him belongeth whatever is in heaven and on earth; and G.o.d is a sufficient protector.

Christ doth not proudly disdain to be a servant unto G.o.d; neither the angels who approach near to his presence: and whoso disdaineth his service, and is puffed up with pride, G.o.d will gather them all to himself, on the last day.

Unto those who believe, and do that which is right, he shall give their rewards, and shall superabundantly add unto them of his liberality: but those who are disdainful and proud, he will punish with a grievous punishment; and they shall not find any to protect or to help them, besides G.o.d.

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 G.o.d 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 cases; say unto them, G.o.d giveth you these determinations, concerning the more remote degrees 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 case 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. G.o.d declareth unto you these precepts, lest ye err: and G.o.d knoweth all things.

CHAPTER V.

ENt.i.tLED, THE TABLE; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

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

O TRUE believers, perform your contracts. Ye are allowed to eat the brute cattle, other than what ye are commanded to abstain from; except the game which ye are allowed at other times, but not while ye are on pilgrimage to Mecca; G.o.d ordaineth that which he pleaseth.

O true believers, violate not the holy rites of G.o.d, nor the sacred month, nor the offering, nor the ornaments hung thereon, nor those who are travelling to the holy house, seeking favor from their LORD, and to please him. But when ye shall have finished your pilgrimage; then hunt. And let not the malice of some, in that they hindered you from entering the sacred temple, provoke you to transgress, by taking revenge on them in the sacred months. a.s.sist one another according to justice and piety, but a.s.sist not one another in injustice and malice: therefore fear G.o.d; for G.o.d is severe in punishing.

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 G.o.d hath been invocated; and that which hath been strangled, or killed 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 arrows. 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 mercy upon you; and I have chosen for you Islam, to be your religion. But whosoever shall be driven by necessity through hunger, to eat of what we have forbidden, not designing to sin, surely G.o.d 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 G.o.d hath taught you. Eat therefore of that which they shall catch for you; and commemorate the name of G.o.d thereon; and fear G.o.d, for G.o.d is swift in taking an account.

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 a.s.signed them their dower; living chastely with them, neither committing fornication, nor taking them for concubines. 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; G.o.d would not put a difficulty upon you; but he desireth to purify you, and to complete his favor upon you, that ye may give thanks.

Remember the favor of G.o.d towards you, and his covenant which he hath made with you, when ye said, We have heard, and will obey. Therefore fear G.o.d, for G.o.d knoweth the innermost parts of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of men.

O true believers, observe justice when ye appear as witnesses before G.o.d, and let not hatred towards any induce you to do wrong: but act justly; this will approach nearer unto piety; and fear G.o.d, for G.o.d is fully acquainted with what ye do.

G.o.d hath promised unto those who believe, and do that which is right, that they shall receive pardon and a great reward.

10 But they who believe not, and accuse our signs of falsehood, they shall be the companions of h.e.l.l.

O true believers, remember G.o.d's favor towards you, when certain men designed to stretch forth their hands against you, but he restrained their hands from hurting you; therefore fear G.o.d and in G.o.d let the faithful trust.

G.o.d formerly accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, and we appointed out of them twelve leaders: and G.o.d said, Verily I am with you: if ye observe prayer, and give alms, and believe in my apostles, and a.s.sist them, and lend unto G.o.d 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.

Wherefore because they have broken their covenant, we have cursed them, and hardened their hearts; they dislocate the words of the Pentateuch from their places, and have forgotten part of what they were admonished; and thou wilt not cease to discover deceitful practices among them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and pardon them, for G.o.d loveth the beneficent.

And from those who say, We are Christians, we have received their covenant; but they have forgotten part of what they were admonished; wherefore we have raised up enmity and hatred among them, till the day of resurrection; and G.o.d 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 pa.s.s over many things. Now is light and a perspicuous book of revelations come unto you from G.o.d.

Thereby will G.o.d direct him who shall follow his good pleasure, into the paths of peace; and shall lead them out of darkness into light, by his will, and shall direct them in the right way.

They are infidels, who say, Verily G.o.d is Christ the son of Mary. Say unto them, And who could obtain anything from G.o.d to the contrary, if he pleased to destroy Christ the son of Mary, and his mother, and all those who are on the earth? For unto G.o.d belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth, and whatsoever is contained between them; he createth what he pleaseth, and G.o.d is almighty.

The Jews and the Christians say, We are the children of G.o.d and his beloved. Answer, Why therefore 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 G.o.d 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 scriptures, now is our apostle come unto you, declaring unto you the true religion, during the cessation of apostles, lest 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; for G.o.d is almighty.

20 Call to mind when Moses said unto his people, O my people, remember the favor of G.o.d towards you, since he hath appointed prophets among you, and const.i.tuted you kings, and bestowed on you what he hath given to no other nation in the world.

O my people, enter the holy land, which G.o.d hath decreed you, and turn not your backs, lest ye be subverted and perish.

They answered, 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 G.o.d, unto whom G.o.d 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 G.o.d, 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 a distinction between us and the unG.o.dly people.

G.o.d answered, Verily the land shall be forbidden them forty years; during which time they shall wander like men astonished on the earth; therefore be not thou solicitous for the unG.o.dly people.

Relate unto them also 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. Abel answered, G.o.d 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 G.o.d, the LORD of all creatures.

I choose that thou shouldest bear my iniquity and thine own iniquity; and that thou become a companion of h.e.l.l fire; for that is the reward of the unjust.

30 But his soul suffered him to slay his brother, and he slew him; wherefore he became of the number of those who perish.

And G.o.d 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 miracles; then were many of them after this, transgressors on the earth.

But the recompense of those who fight against G.o.d and his apostle, 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 disgrace 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 G.o.d is inclined to forgive, and merciful.

O true believers, fear G.o.d, and earnestly desire a near conjunction with him, and fight for his religion, that ye may be happy.

Moreover they who believe not, although they had whatever is in the earth, and as much more withal, that they might therewith redeem themselves from punishment on the day of resurrection; it shall not be accepted from them, but they shall suffer a painful punishment.

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 G.o.d; and G.o.d is mighty and wise.

But whoever shall repent after his iniquity, and amend, verily G.o.d will be turned unto him, for G.o.d is inclined to forgive, and merciful.

40 Dost thou not know that the kingdom of heaven and earth is G.o.d'S? He punisheth whom he pleaseth, and he pardoneth whom he pleaseth; for G.o.d 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 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 receiving aught else; and in behalf of him whom G.o.d shall resolve to seduce, thou shalt not prevail with G.o.d at all. They whose hearts G.o.d 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 undertake to judge, judge between them with equity; for G.o.d loveth those who observe justice.

And how will they submit to thy decision, since they have the law, containing the judgment of G.o.d? 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 the true religion, judge those who judaized; and the doctors and priests also judged by the book of G.o.d, 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 price.

And whoso judgeth not according to what G.o.d hath revealed, they are infidels.

We have therein 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 G.o.d hath revealed, they are unjust.

We also caused Jesus 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; confirming also the law which was given before it, and a direction and admonition unto those who fear G.o.d: that they who have received the gospel might judge according to what G.o.d hath revealed therein: and whoso judgeth not according to what G.o.d hath revealed, they are transgressors.

We have also sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, confirming that scripture which was revealed before it; and preserving the same safe from corruption. Judge therefore between them according to that which G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d shall ye all return, and then will he declare unto you that concerning which ye have disagreed.