CHAPTER LXI.

ENt.i.tLED, BATTLE-ARRAY; REVEALED AT MECCA.

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

WHATEVER is in heaven and in earth celebrateth the praise of G.o.d; for he is mighty and wise.

O true believers, why do ye say that which ye do not?

It is most odious in the sight of G.o.d, that ye say that which ye do not.

Verily G.o.d loveth those who fight for his religion in battle-array, as though they were a well-compacted building.

Remember when Moses said unto his people, O my people, why do ye injure me; since ye know that I am the apostle of G.o.d sent unto you? And when they had deviated from the truth, G.o.d made their hearts to deviate from the right way; for G.o.d directeth not wicked people.

And when Jesus the Son of Mary said, O children of Israel, verily I am the apostle of G.o.d sent unto you, confirming the law which was delivered before me, and bringing good tidings of an apostle who shall come after me, and whose name shall be Ahmed. And when he produced unto them evident miracles, they said, This is manifest sorcery.

But who is more unjust than he who forgeth a lie against G.o.d, when he is invited unto Islam? And G.o.d directeth not the unjust people.

They seek to extinguish G.o.d'S light with their mouths: but G.o.d will perfect his light, though the infidels be averse thereto.

It is he who hath sent his apostle with the direction, and the religion of truth, that he may exalt the same above every religion, although the idolaters be averse thereto.

10 O true believers, shall I show you a merchandise which will deliver you from a painful torment hereafter?

Believe in G.o.d and his apostle; and defend G.o.d'S true religion with your substance, and in your own persons. This will be better for you, if ye knew it.

He will forgive you your sins, and will introduce you into gardens through which rivers flow, and agreeable habitations in gardens of perpetual abode. This will be great felicity.

And ye shall obtain other things which ye desire, namely, a.s.sistance from G.o.d, and a speedy victory. And do thou bear good tidings to the true believers.

O true believers, be ye a.s.sistants of G.o.d; as Jesus the son of Mary said to the apostles, Who will be my a.s.sistants with respect to G.o.d? The apostles answered, We will be the a.s.sistants of G.o.d. So a part of the children of Israel believed, and a part believed not: but we strengthened those who believed, above their enemy; wherefore they became victorious over them.

CHAPTER LXII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE a.s.sEMBLY; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

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

WHATEVER is in heaven and earth praiseth G.o.d; the King, the Holy, the Mighty, the Wise.

It is he who hath raised up amidst the illiterate Arabians an apostle from among themselves, to rehea.r.s.e his signs unto them, and to purify them, and to teach them the scriptures and wisdom; whereas before they were certainly in a manifest error; and others of them have not yet attained unto them, by embracing the faith; though they also shall be converted in G.o.d's good time; for he is mighty and wise.

This is the free grace of G.o.d: he bestoweth the same on whom he pleaseth: and G.o.d is endued with great beneficence.

The likeness of those who were charged with the observance of the law, and then observed it not, is as the likeness of an a.s.s laden with books. How wretched is the likeness of the people who charge the signs of G.o.d with falsehood! and G.o.d directeth not the unjust people.

Say, O ye who follow the Jewish religion, if ye say that ye are the friends of G.o.d above other men, wish for death, if ye speak truth.

But they will never wish for it, because of that which their hands have sent before them: and G.o.d well knoweth the unjust.

Say, Verily death, from which ye fly, will surely meet you: then shall ye be brought before him who knoweth as well what is concealed as what is discovered; and he will declare unto you that which ye have done.

O true believers, when ye are called to prayer on the day of a.s.sembly, hasten to the commemoration of G.o.d and leave merchandising. This will be better for you, if you knew it.

10 And when prayer is ended, then disperse yourselves through the land as ye list, and seek gain of the liberality of G.o.d: and remember G.o.d frequently, that ye may prosper.

But when they see any merchandising, or sport, they flock thereto, and leave thee standing up in the pulpit. Say, The reward which is with G.o.d is better than any sport or merchandise: and G.o.d is the best provider.

CHAPTER LXIII.

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

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

WHEN the hypocrites come unto thee, they say, We bear witness that thou art indeed the apostle of G.o.d. And G.o.d knoweth that thou art indeed his apostle: but G.o.d beareth witness that the hypocrites are certainly liars.

They have taken their oaths for a protection, and they turn others aside from the way of G.o.d: it is surely evil which they do.

This is testified of them, because they believed, and afterwards became unbelievers: wherefore a seal is set on their hearts, and they shall not understand.

When thou beholdest them, their persons please thee: and if they speak, thou hearest their discourse with delight. They resemble pieces of timber set up against a wall. They imagine every shout to be against them. They are enemies: wherefore beware of them. G.o.d curse them: how are they turned aside from the truth!

And when it is said unto them, Come, that the apostle of G.o.d may ask pardon for you; they turn away their heads, and thou seest them retire big with disdain.

It shall be equal unto them, whether thou ask pardon for them, or do not ask pardon for them: G.o.d will by no means forgive them; for G.o.d directeth not the prevaricating people.

These are the men who say to the inhabitants of Medina, Do not bestow anything on the refugees who are with the apostle of G.o.d, that they may be obliged to separate from him. Whereas unto G.o.d belong the stores of heaven and earth: but the hypocrites do not understand.

They say, Verily, if we return to Medina, the worthier shall expel thence the meaner. Whereas superior worth belongeth unto G.o.d and his apostle, and the true believers: but the hypocrites know it not.

O true believers, let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of G.o.d: for whosoever doth this, they will surely be losers.

10 And give alms out of that which we have bestowed on you; before death come unto one of you, and he say, O LORD, wilt thou not grant me respite for a short term: that I may give alms, and become one of the righteous?

For G.o.d will by no means grant further respite to a soul, when its determined time is come: and G.o.d is fully apprised of that which ye do.

CHAPTER LXIV.

ENt.i.tLED, MUTUAL DECEIT; REVEALED AT MECCA.

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

WHATEVER is in heaven and earth celebrateth the praises of G.o.d: his is the kingdom, and unto him is the praise due; for he is almighty.

It is he who hath created you; and one of you is predestined to be an unbeliever, and another of you is predestined to be a believer: and G.o.d beholdeth that which ye do.

He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth; and he hath fashioned you, and given you beautiful forms: and unto him must ye all go.

He knoweth whatever is in heaven and earth: and he knoweth that which ye conceal, and that which ye discover; for G.o.d knoweth the innermost part of men's b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Have ye not been acquainted with the story of those who disbelieved heretofore, and tasted the evil consequence of their behavior? And for them is prepared in the life to come a tormenting punishment.

This shall they suffer, because their apostles came unto them with evident proofs of their mission, and they said, Shall men direct us?

Wherefore they believed not, and turned their backs. But G.o.d standeth in need of no person: for G.o.d is self-sufficient, and worthy to be praised.

The unbelievers imagine that they shall not be raised again. Say, Yea, by my LORD, ye shall surely be raised again; then shall ye be told that which ye have wrought; and this is easy with G.o.d.

Wherefore believe in G.o.d and his apostle, and the light which we have sent down: for G.o.d is well acquainted with that which ye do.

On a certain day he shall a.s.semble you, at the day of the general a.s.sembly: that will be the day of mutual deceit. And whoso shall believe in G.o.d, and shall do that which is right, from him will he expiate his evil deeds, and he will lead him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to remain therein forever. This will be great felicity.

10 But they who shall not believe, and shall accuse our signs of falsehood, those shall be the inhabitants of h.e.l.l fire, wherein they shall remain forever; and a wretched journey shall it be thither!

No misfortune happeneth but by the permission of G.o.d; and whoso believeth in G.o.d, he will direct his heart: and G.o.d knoweth all things.

Wherefore obey G.o.d, and obey the apostle: but if ye turn back, verily the duty inc.u.mbent on our apostle is only public preaching.

G.o.d! there is no G.o.d but he: wherefore in G.o.d let the faithful put their trust.

O true believers, verily of your wives and your children ye have an enemy: wherefore beware of them. But if ye pa.s.s over their offences, and pardon, and forgive them; G.o.d is likewise inclined to forgive, and merciful.

Your wealth and your children are only a temptation; but with G.o.d is a great reward.

Wherefore fear G.o.d, as much as ye are able; and hear, and obey: and give alms, for the good of your souls; for whoso is preserved from the covetousness of his own soul, they shall prosper.

If ye lend unto G.o.d an acceptable loan, he will double the same unto you, and will forgive you: for G.o.d is grateful, and long-suffering, knowing both what is hidden, and what is divulged; the Mighty, the Wise.