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 h.e.l.l for ever.

The fire shall scorch their faces, and they shall writhe their mouths therein for anguish: and it shall be said unto them, Were not my signs rehea.r.s.ed unto you; and did ye not charge them with falsehood?

They shall answer, O LORD, our unhappiness prevailed over us, and we were people who sent astray.

O LORD, take us forth from this fire: if we return to our former wickedness, we shall surely be unjust.

G.o.d will say unto them, Be ye driven away with ignominy thereinto: and speak not unto me to deliver you.

Verily there were a party 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.

110 But ye received them with scoffs, so that they suffered you to forget my admonition, and ye laughed them to scorn.

I have this day rewarded them, for that they suffered the injuries ye offered them with patience: verily they enjoy great felicity.

G.o.d will say, What number of years have ye continued on earth?

They will answer, We have continued there a day, or part of a day: but ask those who keep account.

G.o.d will say, Ye have tarried but a while, if ye knew it.

Did ye think that we had created you in sport, and that ye should not be brought again before us?

Wherefore let G.o.d be exalted, the King, the Truth! There is no G.o.d besides him, the LORD of the honourable throne.

Whoever together with the true G.o.d shall invoke another G.o.d, concerning 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.

ENt.i.tLED, LIGHT; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

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

THIS Sura have we sent down from heaven; and have ratified the same; and we have revealed evident signs, that ye may be warned.

The wh.o.r.e, and the wh.o.r.emonger, shall ye scourge with a hundred stripes.

And let not compa.s.sion towards them prevent you from executing the judgment of G.o.d; if ye believe in G.o.d and the last day: and let some of the true believers be witnesses of their punishment.

The wh.o.r.emonger shall not marry any other than a harlot, or an idolatress. And a harlot shall no man take in marriage, except a wh.o.r.emonger, or an idolater. And this kind of marriage is forbidden the true believers.

But as to those who accuse women of reputation of wh.o.r.edom, and produce not four witnesses of the fact, scourge them with fourscore stripes, and receive not their testimony forever; for such are infamous prevaricators; excepting those who shall afterwards repent, and amend; for unto such will G.o.d be gracious and merciful.

They who shall accuse their wives of adultery, and shall have no witnesses thereof, besides themselves; the testimony which shall be required of one of them shall be, that he swear four times by G.o.d that he speaketh the truth: and the fifth time that he imprecate the curse of G.o.d on him if he be a liar.

And it shall avert the punishment from the wife, if she swear four times by G.o.d that he is a liar; and if the fifth time she imprecate the wrath of G.o.d on her, if he speaketh the truth.

10 If it were not for the indulgence of G.o.d towards you, and his mercy, and that G.o.d is easy to be reconciled, and wise, he would immediately discover your crimes.

As to the party among you who have published the falsehood 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 witnesses, they are surely liars in the sight of G.o.d.

Had it not been for the indulgence of G.o.d towards you, and his mercy, in this world and in that which is to come, verily a grievous punishment had been inflicted on you, for the calumny which ye have spread: when ye published 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 G.o.d.

When ye heard it, did ye say, It belongeth not unto us, that we should talk of this matter: G.o.d forbid! this is a grievous calumny.

G.o.d warneth you, that ye return not to the like crime forever; if ye be true believers.

And G.o.d declareth unto you his signs; for G.o.d 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. G.o.d knoweth, but ye know not.

20 Had it not been for the indulgence of G.o.d towards you and his mercy, and that G.o.d 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 them filthy crimes, and that which is unlawful. If it were not for the indulgence of G.o.d, and his mercy towards you, there had not been so much as one of you cleansed from his guilt forever: but G.o.d cleanseth whom he pleaseth; for G.o.d 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 G.o.d'S true religion: but let them forgive, and act with benevolence towards them. Do ye not desire that G.o.d should pardon you? And G.o.d 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 a severe punishment.

One day their own tongues shall bear witness against them, and their hands, and their feet, concerning that which they have done.

On that day shall G.o.d render unto them their just due; and they shall know that G.o.d 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 provision.

O true believers, enter not any houses, besides your own houses, until ye have asked leave, and have saluted the family thereof: 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 G.o.d knoweth that which ye do.

It shall be no crime in you, that ye enter uninhabited houses, wherein ye may meet with a convenience. G.o.d knoweth that which ye discover, and that which ye conceal.

30 Speak unto the true believers, that they restrain their eyes, and keep themselves from immodest actions: this will be more pure for them; for G.o.d 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 ornaments, 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 G.o.d, 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, G.o.d will enrich them of his abundance; for G.o.d is bounteous and wise.

And let those who find not a match, keep themselves from fornication, until G.o.d 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 G.o.d, which he hath given you. And compel not your maid-servants to prost.i.tute 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 G.o.d will be gracious and merciful unto such women after their compulsion.

And now 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.

G.o.d is the light of heaven 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 gla.s.s; the gla.s.s 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: G.o.d will direct unto his light whom he pleaseth. G.o.d propoundeth parables unto men; for G.o.d knoweth all things.

In the houses which G.o.d hath permitted to be raised, and that his name be commemorated therein! men celebrate his praise in the same, morning and evening, whom neither merchandising nor selling diverteth from the remembering of G.o.d, and the observance of prayer, and the giving of alms; fearing the day whereon men's hearts and eyes shall be troubled; that G.o.d may recompense them according to the utmost merit of what they shall have wrought, and may add unto them of his abundance a more excellent reward; for G.o.d bestoweth on whom he pleaseth without measure.

But as to the unbelievers, their works are like the vapor 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 G.o.d with him, and he will fully pay him his account; and G.o.d is swift in taking an account; 40 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 G.o.d shall not grant his light, he shall enjoy no light at all.

Dost thou not perceive that all creatures both in heaven and earth praise G.o.d: and the birds also, extending their wings? Every one knoweth his prayer, and his praise: and G.o.d knoweth that which they do.

Unto G.o.d belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth; and unto G.o.d shall be the return at the last day.

Dost thou not see that G.o.d 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 G.o.d sendeth down from heaven as it were mountains, wherein there is hail; he striketh therewith whom he pleaseth, and turneth the same away from whom he pleaseth: the brightness of his lightning wanteth but little of taking away the sight.

G.o.d shifteth the night, and the day: verily herein is an instruction unto those who have sight.

And G.o.d 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: G.o.d createth that which he pleaseth; for G.o.d is almighty.

Now have we sent down evident signs: and G.o.d directeth whom he pleaseth into the right way.

The hypocrites say, We believe in G.o.d, 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 G.o.d and his apostle, that he may judge between them; behold, a part of them retire: but if the right had been on their side, they would have come and submitted themselves unto him.

50 Is there an infirmity in their hearts? Do they doubt? Or do they fear lest G.o.d and his apostle act unjustly towards them? But themselves are the unjust doers.

The saying of the true believers, when they are summoned before G.o.d 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 G.o.d and his apostle, and shall fear G.o.d, and shall be devout towards him; these shall enjoy great felicity.

They swear by G.o.d, 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 G.o.d is well acquainted with that which ye do.

Say, Obey G.o.d, 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.

G.o.d 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 a.s.sociate any other with me. But whoever shall disbelieve after this, they will be the wicked doers.

Observe prayer, and give alms, and obey the apostle; that ye may obtain mercy.

Think not that the unbelievers shall frustrate the designs of G.o.d on earth: and their abode hereafter shall be h.e.l.l 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 p.u.b.erty, 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 after these times, while ye are in frequent attendance, the one of you on the other. Thus G.o.d declareth his signs unto you; for G.o.d is knowing and wise.

And when your children attain the age of p.u.b.erty, 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 G.o.d declareth his signs unto you; and G.o.d is knowing and wise.

60 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 ornaments; but if they abstain from this, it will be better for them. G.o.d both heareth and knoweth.

It shall be no crime in the blind, nor shall 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 houses of your fathers, or the houses of your mothers, or in the houses of your brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or the houses of your uncles 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, 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 G.o.d, with a blessed and a welcome salutation. Thus G.o.d declareth his signs unto you, that ye may understand.

Verily they only are true believers, who believe in G.o.d and his apostle, and when they are a.s.sembled 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 G.o.d and his apostle. When therefore they ask leave of thee to depart, on account of any business of their own, grant leave unto such of them as thou shalt think fit, and ask pardon for them of G.o.d; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Let not the calling of the apostle be esteemed among you, as your calling the one to the other. G.o.d knoweth such of you as privately withdraw themselves from the a.s.sembly, taking shelter behind one another. 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 unto G.o.d? He well knoweth what ye are about: and on a certain day they shall be a.s.sembled before him; and he shall declare unto them that which they have done; for G.o.d knoweth all things.

CHAPTER XXV.

ENt.i.tLED, AL FORKAN; REVEALED AT MECCA.

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

BLESSED be he who hath revealed the Forkan unto his servant, that he may be a preacher to 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 G.o.ds besides him; which have created nothing, but are themselves created: and are able neither to avert evil from, nor to procure good unto themselves; and have not the power of death, or of life, or of raising the dead.