Part 2
The truth
is from thy Lord. Be not then of those who doubt.
All
have a quarter of the Heavens to which they turn them; but wherever you be, hasten emulously after good:
God will one day bring you all together; verily, God is all-powerful.
And
from whatever place thou comest forth, turn thy face toward the sacred Mosque;
for this is the truth from thy Lord; and God is not inattentive to your doings.
And
from whatever place thou comest forth, turn thy face toward the sacred Mosque;
and wherever you be, to that part turn your faces, lest men have cause of
dispute against you: but as for the impious
among them, fear them not; but fear me, that I may perfect my favours on you,
and that you may be guided aright.
And we
sent to you an apostle from among yourselves to rehearse our signs unto you,
and to purify you, and to instruct you in "the Book," and in the
wisdom, and to teach you that which you knew not:
Therefore
remember me: I will remember you; and give me
thanks and be not ungrateful.
O you
who believe! seek help with patience and with prayer,
for God is with the patient.
And
say not of those who are slain on God's path that they are Dead; nay they are
Living! But you understand not.
2:150 With somewhat
of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, and lives, and fruits, will we surely
prove you: but bear good tidings to the
patient,
Who
when a mischance chanceth them, say, "Verily we are God's, and to Him
shall we return:"
On
them shall be blessings from their Lord, and mercy:
and these! -- they are rightly guided.
Verily,
Safe and Marwah are among the monuments of God:
whoever then maketh a pilgrimage to the temple, or visiteth it, shall not be to
blame if he go round about them both. And as for him
who of his own accord doeth what is good -- God is Grateful, Knowing.
They
who conceal aught that we have sent down, either of clear proof or of guidance,
after what we have so clearly shewn to men in the Book, God shall curse them,
and they who curse shall curse them.
But as
for those who turn to me, and amend and make known the truth, even unto them
will I turn me, for I am He who Turneth, the Merciful.
Verily,
they who are infidels and die infidels -- these! upon
them shall be the malison of God and of angels and of all men:
Under
it shall they remain for ever: their torment
shall not be lightened, and God will not even look upon them!
Your
God is one God: there is no God but He, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Assuredly
in the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth; and in the alternation of
night and day; and in the ships which pass through the sea with what is useful
to men; and in the rain which God sendeth down from Heaven, giving life by it
to the earth after its death, and by scattering over it all kinds of cattle;
and in the change of the winds, and in the clouds that are made to do serve
between the Heaven and the Earth; -- are signs for those who understand.
2:160 Yet there are
men who take to them idols along with God, and love them with the love of God: But stronger in the faithful is the love of God.
Oh! the impious will see, when they see their
chastisement, that all power is God's, and that God is severe in chastising.
When
those who have had followers shall declare themselves clear from their
followers after that they have seen the chastisement, and when the ties between
them shall be cut asunder;
The
followers shall say, "Could we but return to life we would keep ourselves
clear from them, as they have declared themselves clear of us." So will God
shew them their works! Sighing is upon them! but,
forth from the fire they come not.
Oh
men! eat of that which is lawful and good on the
earth, but follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your avowed enemy:
He
only enjoineth you evil and wickedness, and that you should aver of God that
which you know not.
And
when it is said to them, "Follow you that which God hath sent down:" they say, "Nay, we follow the usages
which we found with our fathers." What! though
their fathers were utterly ignorant and devoid of guidance?
The
infidels resemble him who shouteth aloud to one who heareth no more than a call
and cry! Deaf, dumb, blind: therefore they
have no understanding.
O you
who believe! eat of the good things with which we have
supplied you, and give God thanks if you are His worshippers.
But
that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that over which
any other name than that of God hath been invoked, is forbidden you. But he who
shall partake of them by constraint, without lust of wilfulness, no sin shall
be upon him. Verily God is Indulgent, Merciful.
They
truly who hide the Scriptures which God hath sent down, and barter them for a
mean price -- these shall swallow into their bellies nought by fire. God will
not speak to them, or assail them, on the day of the Resurrection: and theirs shall be a grievous torment.
2:170 These are
they who have bartered guidance for error, and pardon for torment; But how
great their endurance in fire!
This
shall be their doom, because God had sent down "the Book" with the
very truth. And verily they who dispute about that Book are in a far-gone severance from it.
There
is no piety in turning your faces toward the east or the west, but he is pious
who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the Scriptures, and
the prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred, and
to the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and for
ransoming; who observeth prayer, and payeth the legal alms, and who is of those
who are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them, and
patient under ills and hardships, and in time of trouble: these are they who are just, and these are they who fear the
Lord.
O
believers! retaliation for bloodshedding is prescribed to you: the free man for the free, and the slave for the
slave, and the woman for the woman: but he to
whom his brother shall make any remission, is to be dealt with equitably; and
to him should he pay a fine with liberality.
This
is a relaxation from your Lord and a mercy. For him who after this shall
transgress, a sore punishment!
But in
this law of retaliation is your security for life, O men of understanding! to the intent that you may fear God.
It is
prescribed to you, when any one of you is at the point of death, if he leave
goods, that he bequeath equitably to his parents and kindred. This is binding
on those who fear God. But as for him who after he hath heard the bequest shall
change it, surely the wrong of this shall be on those who change it: verily, God Heareth, Knoweth.
But he
who feareth from the testator any mistake or wrong, and shall make a settlement
between the parties -- that shall be no wrong in him:
verily, God is Lenient, Merciful.
O
believers! a Fast is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you, that you may fear God.
2:180 For certain
days. But he among you who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast that same
number of other days: and as for those who are
able to keep it and yet break it, the expiation of this shall be the
maintenance of a poor man. And he who of his own
accord performeth a good work, shall derive good from it: and good shall it be for you to fast -- if you knew it.
As to
the month Ramadhan in which the Koran was sent down to be man's guidance, and
an explanation of that guidance, and of that illumination, as soon as any one
of you observeth the moon, let him set about the fast; but he who is sick, or
upon a journey, shall fast a like number of other days. God wisheth you ease,
but wisheth not your discomfort, and that you fulfil the number of days, and
that you glorify God for his guidance, and that you be
thankful.
And
when my servants ask thee concerning me, then will I be nigh unto them. I will
answer the cry of him that crieth, when he crieth unto me: but let them hearken unto me, and believe in me,
that they may proceed aright.
You
are allowed on the night of the fast to approach your wives: they are your garment and you are their garment.
God knoweth that you defraud yourselves therein, so He turneth unto you and
forgiveth you! Now, therefore, go in unto them with full desire for that which
God hath ordained for you; and eat and drink until you can discern a white
thread from a black thread by the daybreak:
then fast strictly till night, and go not in unto them, but rather pass the
time in the Mosques. These are the bounds set up by God:
therefore come not near them. Thus God maketh his signs clear to men that they
may fear Him.
Consume
not your wealth among yourselves in vain things, nor present it to judges that
you may consume a part of other men's wealth unjustly, while you know the sun
which you commit.
They
will ask thee of the new moons. Say: They are
periods fixed for man's service and for the Pilgrimage. There is no piety in
entering your houses at the back, but piety consists in the fear of God. Enter
your houses then by their doors; and fear God that it may be well with you.
And
fight for the cause of God against those who fight against you: but commit not the injustice of attacking them
first: God loveth not such injustice:
And
kill them wherever you shall find them, and eject them from whatever place they
have ejected you; for civil discord is worse than carnage: yet attack them not at the sacred Mosque, unless
they attack you therein; but if they attack you, slay them. Such
the reward of the infidels.
But if
they desist, then verily God is Gracious, Merciful.
Fight
therefore against them until there be no more civil discord, and the only
worship be that of God: but if they desist,
then let there be no hostility, save against the wicked.
2:190 The sacred
month and the sacred precincts are under the safeguard of reprisals: whoever offereth violence to you, offer you the
like violence to him, and fear God, and know that God is with those who fear
Him.
Give
freely for the cause of God, and throw not yourselves with your own hands into
ruin; and do good, for God loveth those who do good.
Accomplish
the Pilgrimage and the Visitation of the holy places in honour of God: and if you be hemmed in by foes, send whatever
offering shall be the easiest: and shave not
your heads until the offering reach the place of sacrifice. But whoever among
you is sick, or hath an ailment of the head, must satisfy by fasting, or alms,
or an offering. And when you are safe from foes, he who contents himself with
the Visitation of the holy places, until the Pilgrimage, shall bring whatever
offering shall be the easiest. But he who findeth nothing to offer, shall fast
three days in the Pilgrimage itself, and seven days when you return: they shall be ten days in all. This is binding on
him whose family shall not be present at the sacred Mosque. And fear God, and
know that God is terrible in punishing.
Let
the Pilgrimage be made in the months already known:
whoever therefore undertaketh the Pilgrimage therein,
let him not know a woman, nor transgress, nor wrangle in the Pilgrimage. The
good which you do, God knoweth it. And provide for your journey; but the best
provision is the fear of God: fear me, then, O
men of understanding!
It
shall be no crime in you if you seek an increase from your Lord; and when you
pour swiftly on from Arafat, then remember God near the holy monument; and
remember Him, because He hath guided you who before this were of those who went
astray.
Then
pass on quickly where the people quickly pass, and ask pardon of God, for God
is Forgiving, Merciful.
And
when you have finished your holy rites, remember God as you remember your own
fathers, or with a yet more intense remembrance! some
men there are
who say,
"O our Lord! give us our portion in this world:" but such shall have no portion in the next
life:
And
some say, "O our Lord! give us good in this world
and good in the next, and keep us from the torment of the fire."
They
shall have the lot which they have merited:
and God is swift to reckon.
Bear
God in mind during the stated days: but if any
haste away in two days, it shall be no fault in him:
And if any tarry longer, it shall be no fault in him, if he fear God. Fear God,
then, and know that to Him shall you be gathered.
2:200 A man there
is who surpriseth thee by his discourse concerning this life present. He taketh
God to witness what is in his heart; yet is he the most zealous in opposing
thee:
And
when he turneth his back on thee, he runneth through the land to enact
disorders therein, and layeth waste the fields and
flocks: but God loveth not the disorder.
And
when it is said to him, "Fear God," the pride of sin seizeth him: but he shall have his fill of Hell; and right
wretched the couch!
A man,
too, there is who selleth his very self out of desire to please God: and God is good to his servants.
O
believers! enter completely into the true religion,
and follow not the steps of Satan, for he is your declared enemy.
But if
you lapse after that our clear signs have come to you, know that God is Mighty,
Wise.
What
can such expect but that God should come down to them overshadowed with clouds,
and the angels also, and their doom be sealed? And to God shall all things
return.
Ask
the children of
This
present life is prepared for those who believe not, and who mock at the
faithful. But they who fear God shall be above them on the day of resurrection;
and God is bounteous without measure to whom He will.
Mankind
was but one people; and God sent prophets to announce glad tidings and to warn;
and He sent down with them the Book of Truth, that it might decide the disputes
of men; and none disputed but those to whom the Book had been given, after the
clear tokens had reached them, -- being full of mutual jealousy. And God guided
those who believed to the truth of that about which, by his permission, they
had disputed; for God guideth whom he pleaseth into the straight path.
2:210 Think you to enter
They
will ask thee what they shall bestow in alms. Say:
Let the good which you bestow be for parents, and kindred, and orphans, and the
poor, and the wayfarer; and whatever good you do, of a truth God knoweth.
War is
prescribed to you: but from this you are
averse.
Yet haply
you are averse from a thing, though it be good for good, and haply you love a
thing through it be bad for you: And God
knoweth; but you, you know not.
They
will ask thee concerning war in the Sacred Month. Say:
To war therein is bad, but to turn aside from the cause of God, and to have no
faith in Him, and in the Sacred Temple, and to drive out its people, is worse
in the sight of God; and civil strive is worse than bloodshed. They will not
cease to war against you until they turn you from your religion, if they be
able: but whoever of you shall turn from his
religion and die an infidel, their works shall be fruitless in this world, and
in the next: they shall be consigned to the
fire; therein to abide for aye.
But
they who believe, and fly their country, and fight in the cause of God may hope
for God's mercy: and God is Gracious,
Merciful.
They
will ask thee concerning wine and games of chance. Say:
In both is great sin, and advantage also, to men; but their sin is greater than
their advantage. They will ask thee also what they shall bestow in alms.
Say: What you can spare. Thus God sheweth you his signs
that you may ponder
On
this present world, and on the next. They will also ask thee concerning
orphans. Say: Fair dealing with them is best;
But if
you mix yourselves up (in their affairs) they are your brethren: God knoweth the foul dealer from the fair; and, if
god pleased, he could indeed afflict you! Verily, God is Mighty, Wise.
2:220 Marry not idolatresses until their
believe; a slave who believeth is better than an idolatress, though she please
you more. And wed not your daughters to idolaters until they believe; for a
slave who is a believer, is than better [sic] an idolater, though he please
you.
They
invite to the Fire; but God inviteth to
They
will also question thee as to the courses of women. Say:
They are a pollution. Separate yourselves therefore from women and approach
them not, until they be cleansed. But when they are cleansed, go in unto them
as God hath ordained for you. Verily God loveth those who turn to Him, and
loveth those who seek to be clean.
Your
wives are your field: go in, therefore, to
your field as you will; but do first some act for your souls' [sic] good: and fear you God, and know that you must meet Him;
and bear these good tidings to the faithful.
Swear
not by God, when you make oath, that you will be virtuous and fear God, and
promote peace among men; for God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
God
will not punish you for a mistake in your oaths:
but He will punish you for that which your hearts have done. God is Gracious,
Merciful.
They
who intend to abstain from their wives shall wait four months; but if they go
back from their purpose, then verily God is Gracious, Merciful.
And if
they resolve on a divorce, then verily God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
The
divorced shall wait the result, until they have had their courses thrice, nor
ought they to conceal what God hath created in their wombs, if they believe in
God and the last day; and it will be more just in their husbands to bring them
back when in this state, if they desire what is right. And it is for the women
to act as they (the husbands) act by them, in all fairness; but the mean are a
step above them. God is Mighty, Wise.
You
may divorce your wives twice: Keep them
honourably, or put them away with kindness. But it is not allowed you to
appropriate to yourselves aught of what you have given to them unless both fear
that they cannot keep within the bounds set up by God. And if you fear that
they cannot observe the ordinances of God, no blame shall attach to either of
you for what the wife shall herself give for her redemption. These are the
bounds of God: therefore overstep them not;
for whoever oversteppeth the bounds of God, they are evil doers.
2:230 But if the husband divorce her a third
time, it is not lawful for him to take her again, until she shall have married
another husband; and if he also divorce her, then shall no blame attach to them
if they return to each other, thinking that they can keep within the bounds
fixed by God. And these are the bounds of God; He maketh them clear to those
who have knowledge.
But
when you divorce women, and the time for sending them away is come, either
retain them with generosity, or put them away with generosity: but retain them not by constraint so as to be
unjust towards them. He who doth so, doth in fact injure himself. And make not
the signs of God a jest; but remember God's favour toward you, and the Book and
the Wisdom which He hath sent down to you for your warning, and fear God, and
know that God's knowledge embraceth everything.
And
when you divorce your wives, and they have waited the prescribed time, hinder
them not from marrying their husbands when they have agreed among themselves in
an honourable way. This warning is for him among you who believeth in God and
in the last day. This is most pure for you, and most decent. God knoweth, but
you know not.
Mothers,
when divorced, shall give suck to their children two full years, if the father
desire that the suckling be completed; and such maintenance and clothing as is
fair for them, shall devolve on the father. No person shall be charged beyond
his means. A mother shall not be pressed unfairly for her child, nor a father
for his child: And the same with the father's
heir. But if they choose to wean the child by consent and by bargain, it shall
be no fault in them. And if you choose to have a nurse for your children, it
shall be no fault in you, in case you pay what you promised her according to
that which is fair. Fear God, and know that God seeth what you do.
If
those of you who die leave wives, they must await their state during four
months and ten days; and when this their term is expired, you shall not be
answerable for the way in which they shall dispose of themselves fairly. And
God is cognisant of what you do.
And
then shall no blame attach to you in making proposals of marriage to such
women, or in keeping such intention to yourselves? God knoweth that you will
not forget them. But promise them not in secret, unless you speak honourable
words;
And
resolve not on the marriage tie until the prescribed time be reached; and know
that God knoweth what is in your minds:
therefore, beware of Him; and know that God is Gracious, Mild!
It
shall be no crime in your if you divorce your wives so long as you have not
consummated the marriage, nor settled any dowry on them. And provide what is
needful for them -- he who is in ample circumstances according to his means,
and he who is straitened, according to his means -- with fairness: This is binding on those who do what is right.
But if
you divorce them before consummation, and have already settled a dowry on them,
you shall give them half of what you have settled, unless they make a release,
or he make a release in whose hand in the marriage tie. But if you make a
release, it will be nearer to piety. And forget not generosity in your
relations one towards another; for God beholdeth your doings.
Observe
strictly the prayers, and the middle prayer, and stand up full of devotion
towards God.
2:240 And if you have any alarm, then pray
on foot or riding: but when you are safe, then
remember God,how he hath made you to know what you knew not.
And
such of you as shall die and leave wives, shall bequeath their wives a year's
maintenance without causing them to quit their homes; but if they quit them of
their own accord, then no blame shall attach to you for any disposition they
may make of themselves in a fair way. And God is Mighty, Wise.
And
for the divorced let there be a fair provision. This a duty in those who fear
God.
Thus
God maketh his signs clear to you that you may understand.
Hast
thou not thought on those who quitted their dwellings -- and they were
thousands -- for fear of death? God said to them, "Die:" then He restored them to life, for full of
bounty towards man is God. But most men give not thanks!
Fight
for the cause of God; and know that God is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
Who is
he that will lend to God a goodly loan? He will double it to him again and
again: God is close, but open handed also: and to Him shall you return.
Hast
thou not considered the assembly of the children of
And
their prophet said to them, "Not hath God set (Talout) Saul king over
you." They said, 'How shall he reign over us, when we are more worthy of
the kingdom than he, and of wealth he hath no abundance?" He said,
"Verily God hath chosen him to be over you, and hath given him increase in
knowledge and stature; God giveth his kingdom to whom he pleaseth; and God is
Liberal, Knowing!"
And
their prophet said to them, "Verily, the sign of his kingship shall be
that the Ark shall come to you: in it is a
pledge of security from your Lord and the relics left by the family of Moses,
and the family of Aaron; the angels shall bear it:
Truly herein shall be a sign indeed to you if you are believers."
2:250 And when Saul marched forth with his
forces, he said, "God will test you by a river:
He who drinketh of it shall not be of my band; but he who shall not taste it,
drinking a drink out of the hand excepted, shall be of my band." And,
except a few of them, they drank of it. And when they had passed it, he and
those who believed with him, the former said, "We have no strength this
day against (Dajalout) Goliath and his forces:"
But they who held it as certain that they must meet God, said, "How oft,
by God's will, hath a small host vanquished a numerous host! and God is with
the steadfastly enduring."
And
when they went forth against Goliath and his forces, they said, "O our
Lord! pour out steadfastness upon us, and set our feet firm, and help us
against the infidels!"
And by
the will of God they routed them; and (Daood) David slew Goliath; and God gave
him kingship and wisdom, and taught him according to His will: and were it not for the restraint of one by means
of the other, imposed on men by God, verily the earth had been utterly
corrupted. But God is bounteous to his creatures.