SURAH 2: AL BAQARAH (The Heifer)

SURAH 2: AL BAQARAH (The Heifer).

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

¹ Alif Lam Mim.

² There is no doubt that this book contains guidance for those who fear Allah;

³ Who believe in the unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what we have provided for them;

⁴ And who believe in the revelation sent to you, and sent before your time, and in their hearts have the assurance of the hereafter.

⁵ They are guided by their Lord, and they will prosper.

⁶ As to those who reject faith, it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

⁷ Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is their penalty.

⁸ Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not really believe.

⁹ In vain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realize it not!

¹⁰ In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease: and grievous is the penalty they incur, because they are false.

¹¹ When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "Why, we only want to make peace!"

¹² Surely they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize it not.

¹³ When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe," they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" No, surely they are the fools, but they do not know.

¹⁴ When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe;" but when they are alone with their demons, they say: "We are really with you; we were only jesting."

¹⁵ Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind men.

¹⁶ These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction.

¹⁷ Their comparison is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.

¹⁸ Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return to the path.

¹⁹ Or another comparison is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning: they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of faith!

²⁰ The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light helps them, they walk in it, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still, and if Allah willed, he could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah has power over all things.

²¹ O people! Adore your guardian Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that you may become righteous,

²² Who has made the earth your couch and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals to Allah when you know the truth.

²³ And if you are in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time to our servant, then produce a surah like it; and call your witnesses or helpers if there are any besides Allah, if your doubts are true.

²⁴ But if you cannot -- and surely you cannot -- then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones, which is prepared for those who reject faith.

²⁵ But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits from them, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in comparison; and there they have companions pure and holy; and they abide in it forever.

²⁶ Allah disdains not to use the comparison of things, lowest as well as highest. Those who believe know that it is truth from their Lord; but those who reject faith say: "What does Allah mean by this comparison?" By it he causes many to stray, and many he leads into the right path; but he causes not to stray, except those who forsake the path,

²⁷ Those who break Allah's covenant after it is ratified, and who break what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: these cause loss only to themselves.

²⁸ How can you reject faith in Allah seeing that you were without life, and he gave you life? Then will he cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to him will you return.

²⁹ It is he who has created for you all things that are on earth; then he turned to the heaven and made it into seven sections. And of all things he has perfect knowledge.

³⁰ Behold, your Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Will you place in it one who will make mischief in it and shed blood, while we celebrate your praises and glorify your holy name?" He said: "I know what you know not."

³¹ And he taught Adam the names of all things; then he placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell me the names of these if you are right."

³² They said: "Glory to you: of knowledge we have none, except what you have taught us: in truth it is you who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom."

³³ He said: "O Adam! Tell them their names." When he had told them, Allah said: "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?"

³⁴ And behold, we said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam:" and they bowed down. However, Iblis was haughty and refused to bow down. He was of those who reject faith.

³⁵ We said: "O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the garden; and eat of the bountiful things in it as you will; but do not approach this tree, or you will run into harm and transgression."

³⁶ Then Satan made them slip from the garden, and got them out of the state in which they had been. We said: "Get down, all of you, with enmity between you.[1] On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood, for a time."

³⁷ Then Adam learned from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned towards him; for he is oft-returning, most merciful.

³⁸ We said: "Go down all of you from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from me, whoever follows my guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

³⁹ "But those who reject faith and deny our signs, they shall be companions of the fire. They shall abide in it."

⁴⁰ O Bani-Israel! Call to mind the favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with me as I fulfil my covenant with you, and fear none but me.

⁴¹ And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you,[2] and be not the first to reject faith in it, nor sell my signs for a small price; and fear me, and me alone.

⁴² And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth when you know what it is.

⁴³ And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down in worship.

⁴⁴ Do you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget to practise it yourselves, and yet you study Al-Kitab?[3] Will you not understand?

⁴⁵ No, seek Allah's help with patient perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.

⁴⁶ They bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to him.

⁴⁷ O Bani-Israel! Call to mind the favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others.

⁴⁸ Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another, nor shall intercession be accepted for it, nor shall compensation be taken from it, nor shall anyone be helped from outside.

⁴⁹ And remember, we delivered you from the people of Firaun: they set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your womenfolk live; in it was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

⁵⁰ And remember we divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Firaun's people within your very sight.

⁵¹ And remember we appointed forty nights for Musa, and in his absence you took the calf for worship, and you did grievous wrong.

⁵² Even then we forgave you, there was a chance for you to be grateful.

⁵³ And remember we gave to Musa Al-Kitab and the Criterion.[4] There was a chance for you to be guided aright.

⁵⁴ And remember Musa said to his people: "O my people! You have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: so turn to your maker, and slay the wrongdoers; that will be better for you in the sight of your maker." Then he turned towards you in forgiveness: for he is oft-returning, most merciful.

⁵⁵ And remember you said: "O Musa! We shall never believe in you until we see Allah clearly," but you were dazed with thunder and lightning even as you looked on.

⁵⁶ Then we raised you up after your death: you had the chance to be grateful.

⁵⁷ And we gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, saying: "Eat of the good things we have provided for you:" but they rebelled: to us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.

⁵⁸ And remember we said: "Enter this town, and eat of its plenty as you wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and we shall forgive you your sins and prosper those who do good."

⁵⁹ But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so we sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, because they disobeyed repeatedly.

⁶⁰ And remember Musa prayed for water for his people. We said: "Strike the rock with your staff." Then twelve springs gushed forth from there. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the earth.

⁶¹ And remember you said: "O Musa! We cannot endure one kind of food always; so beseech your Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth grows -- its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, its garlic, lentils, and onions." He said: "Will you exchange the better for the worse? Go down to any town, and you shall find what you want!" They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This happened because they went on rejecting the signs of Allah and slaying his messengers without just cause. This happened because they rebelled and went on transgressing.

⁶² Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Nasara[5] and the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

⁶³ And remember we took your covenant and we raised above you Mount Sinai saying: "Hold firmly to what we have given you and bring to remembrance what is in it: perhaps you may fear Allah."

⁶⁴ But you turned back thereafter: had it not been for the grace and mercy of Allah to you, you would surely have been among the lost.

⁶⁵ And you knew well who among you transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath.[6] We said to them: "Be apes, despised and rejected."

⁶⁶ So we made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those who fear Allah.

⁶⁷ And remember Musa said to his people: "Allah commands that you sacrifice a heifer." They said: "Would you make a laughing-stock of us?" He said: "Allah save me from being an ignorant fool!"

⁶⁸ They said: "Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us what sort of heifer it is!" He said: "He says the heifer should be neither too old nor too young, but of middling age. Now do what you are commanded!"

⁶⁹ They said: "Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us her colour." He said: "He says a fawn-coloured heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of onlookers!"

⁷⁰ They said: "Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us what she is: to us are all heifers alike: we wish indeed for guidance, Insha Allah."

⁷¹ He said: "He says, a heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish." They said: "Now have you brought the truth." Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with goodwill.

⁷² Remember you slew a man and fell into a dispute among yourselves as to the crime: but Allah was to bring forth what you did hide.

⁷³ So we said: "Strike the body with a piece of the heifer." Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you his signs: perhaps you may understand.

⁷⁴ From that time on were your hearts hardened: they became like a rock and even worse in hardness. For among rocks there are some from which rivers gush forth; others there are which when split open send forth water; and others which sink for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unmindful of what you do.

⁷⁵ Can you entertain the hope that they will believe in you, seeing that a party of them heard the word of Allah, and perverted it knowingly[7] after they understood it?

⁷⁶ Behold! When they meet the men of faith, they say: "We believe." But when they meet each other in private, they say: Shall you tell them what Allah has revealed to you, that they may engage you in argument about it before your Lord? Do you not understand?

⁷⁷ Know they not that Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal?

⁷⁸ And there are among them illiterates, who do not know Al-Kitab, but just their desires, and they do nothing but conjecture.

⁷⁹ Then woe to those who write Al-Kitab with their own hands, and then say: "This is from Allah," to traffic with it for a miserable price![8] Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.

⁸⁰ And they say: "The fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days:" say: "Have you taken a promise from Allah, for he never breaks his promise? Or is it that you say of Allah what you do not know?"

⁸¹ No, those who seek gain in evil, and are bound by their sins, they are companions of the fire: in it shall they abide forever.

⁸² But those who have faith and work righteousness. They are companions of the garden: in it shall they abide forever.

⁸³ And remember we took a covenant from Bani-Israel to this effect: worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then you turned back, except a few among you, and you backslide even now.

⁸⁴ And remember we took your covenant to this effect: shed no blood among you, nor turn out your own people from your homes: and this you solemnly ratified, and to this you can bear witness.

⁸⁵ After this it is you, the same people, who slay among yourselves, and banish a party of you from their homes; assist their enemies against them, in guilt and rancour; and if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, though it was not lawful for you to banish them. Then is it only a part of Al-Kitab that you believe in, and do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the day of judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what you do.

⁸⁶ These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the hereafter: their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.

⁸⁷ We gave Musa Al-Kitab[9] and followed him up with a succession of messengers; we gave 'Isa Ibn Maryam clear signs[10] and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what you yourselves desire not, you are puffed up with pride? Some you called impostors, and others you slay!

⁸⁸ They say, "Our minds are made up." No, Allah's curse is on them for their blasphemy: little is it they believe.

⁸⁹ And when there comes to them a book from Allah, confirming[11] what is with them -- although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without faith -- when there comes to them that which they should have recognized. They refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those without faith.

⁹⁰ Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny the revelation which Allah has sent down, in insolent envy that Allah of his grace should send it to any of his servants he pleases: thus have they drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject faith.

⁹¹ When it is said to them, believe in what Allah has sent down, they say, we believe in what was sent down to us: yet they reject all besides, even if it be truth confirming what is with them. Say: Why then have you slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if you did indeed believe?

⁹² There came to you Musa with clear signs; yet you worshipped the calf even after that, and you behaved wrongly.

⁹³ And remember we took your covenant and we raised above you Mount Sinai, saying: "Hold firmly to what we have given you, and listen": they said: "We hear, and we disobey": and they had to drink the calf because of their faithlessness. Say: "Vile indeed are the requirements of your faith if you have any faith!"

⁹⁴ Say: "If the last home, with Allah, be for you specially, and not for anyone else, then seek for death, if you are sincere."

⁹⁵ But they will never seek for death, on account of the sins which their hands have sent on before them. And Allah is well acquainted with the wrongdoers.

⁹⁶ You will indeed find them, of all people, most greedy of life, even more than the idolaters: each one of them wishes he could be given a life of a thousand years: but the granting of such life will not save him from punishment. For Allah sees well all that they do.

⁹⁷ Say: Whoever is an enemy to Jibrail -- for he brings down the revelation to the heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before,[12] and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe --

⁹⁸ Whoever is an enemy to Allah and his angels and prophets, to Jibrail and Mikail, know that Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.

⁹⁹ We have sent down to you clear signs; and none reject them but those who are perverse.

¹⁰⁰ Is it not the case that every time they make a covenant, some of them throw it aside? Yes, most of them are faithless.

¹⁰¹ And when there came to them a messenger from Allah, confirming what was with them, some of those who received Al-Kitab threw away Allah's Book behind their backs. As if they did not know!

¹⁰² They followed what the demons gave out falsely against the power of Sulayman: the blasphemers were, not Sulayman, but the demons, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone such things without saying: "We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme." They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of magic would have no share in the happiness of the hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!

¹⁰³ If they had kept their faith and guarded themselves from evil, far better had been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!

¹⁰⁴ O you of faith! Do not say words with ambiguous import, but words of respect; and listen: a grievous punishment waits for those without faith.

¹⁰⁵ It is never the wish of those without faith among the people of Al-Kitab, nor of the pagans, that anything good should come down to you from your Lord. But Allah will choose for his special mercy whom he will, for Allah is Lord of grace abounding.

¹⁰⁶ None of our revelations do we abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but we substitute something better or similar: do you not know that Allah has power over all things?

¹⁰⁷ Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? And besides him you have neither patron nor helper.

¹⁰⁸ Would you question your messenger as Musa was questioned of old? But whoever changes from faith to unbelief, has strayed without doubt from the even way.

¹⁰⁹ Quite a number of the people of Al-Kitab wish they could turn you back to infidelity after you have believed. From selfish envy, after the truth has become clear to them: but forgive and overlook, until Allah accomplishes his purpose: for Allah has power over all things.

¹¹⁰ And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees well all that you do.

¹¹¹ And they say: "None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Nasrani." Those are their own desires. Say: "Produce your proof if you are truthful."

¹¹² No, whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good, he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

¹¹³ The Jews say: "The Nasara[13] have nothing to stand upon"; and the Nasara say: "The Jews have nothing to stand upon." Yet they both read Al-Kitab.[14] In the same way, others who know nothing say the same thing; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the day of judgment.

¹¹⁴ And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of Allah his name should be celebrated, whose zeal is in fact to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.

¹¹⁵ To Allah belong the east and the west: wherever you turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-embracing, all-knowing.

¹¹⁶ They say: "Allah has sired a son." Glory be to him, to him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: everything renders worship to him.

¹¹⁷ To him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: when he decrees a matter, he says to it: "Be", and it is.

¹¹⁸ Those without knowledge say: "Why does Allah not speak to us? Or why does no sign come to us?" So the people before them said similar words. Their hearts are alike. We have indeed made clear the signs to any people who hold firmly to faith.

¹¹⁹ Truly we have sent you in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: but no question shall be asked of you by the companions of the blazing fire.

¹²⁰ Never will the Jews or the Nasara[15] be satisfied with you unless you follow their creed. Say: "Allah's guidance is the only guidance." Were you to follow their desires after the knowledge which has reached you, then you would find neither protector nor helper against Allah.

¹²¹ Those to whom we have sent Al-Kitab study it as it should be studied: they are the ones who believe in it: those who reject faith in it, the loss is their own.

¹²² O Bani-Israel! Call to mind the special favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you above all others.

¹²³ Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another, nor shall compensation be accepted from it, nor shall intercession profit it, nor shall anyone be helped from outside.

¹²⁴ And remember that Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: he said: "I will make you an imam to the nations." He pleaded: "And also from my offspring!" He answered: "My promise is not within the reach of evildoers."

¹²⁵ Remember we made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer; and we covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismail, that they should sanctify my House for those who go around it, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves.

¹²⁶ And remember Ibrahim said: "My Lord, make this a city of peace, and feed its people with fruits -- such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "Yes, and such as reject faith, for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but soon drive them to the torment of fire. An evil destination indeed!"

¹²⁷ And remember Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the House with this prayer: "Our Lord! Accept this service from us: for you are the all-hearing, the all-knowing.

¹²⁸ "Our Lord! Make us ones who submit, and of our descendants a people who submit; and show us our places for the celebration of due rites; and turn to us; for you are the oft-returning, most merciful.

¹²⁹ "Our Lord! Send among them a messenger of their own, who shall rehearse your signs to them and instruct them in Al-Kitab and wisdom, and sanctify them: for you are the exalted in might, the wise."

¹³⁰ And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim but such as debase their souls with folly? Him we chose and rendered pure in this world: and he will be in the hereafter in the ranks of the righteous.

¹³¹ Behold! His Lord said to him: "Bow down:" he said: "I bow down to the Lord of the universe."

¹³² And this was the legacy that Ibrahim left to his sons, and so did Yaqub; "Oh my sons! Allah has chosen the faith for you; then die not except in a state of submission to Allah.

¹³³ Were you witnesses when death appeared before Yaqub? Behold, he said to his sons: "What will you worship after me?" They said: "We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, Ismail, and Ishaq, the one true God. To him we submit."

¹³⁴ That was a people that has passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and you of what you do! Of their merits there is no question in your case!

¹³⁵ They say: "Become Jews or Nasara[16] if you would be guided." Say: "No! My choice is the religion of Ibrahim, the true. He joined not gods with Allah."

¹³⁶ Say: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, and the tribes, and that given to Musa and 'Isa, and that given to the prophets[17] from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we submit to Allah.

¹³⁷ So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice you against them, and he is the all-hearing, the all-knowing.

¹³⁸ Such is Allah's design, and whose design is better than Allah's? And it is he whom we worship.

¹³⁹ Say: Will you dispute with us about Allah, seeing that he is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that we are sincere to him?

¹⁴⁰ Or do you say that Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub and the tribes were Jews or Nasara?[18] Say: Do you know better than Allah? Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what you do!

¹⁴¹ That was a people that has passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and you of what you do! Of their merits there is no question in your case:

¹⁴² The fools among the people will say: "What has turned them from the Qiblah to which they were used?" Say: "To Allah belong both east and west: He guides whom he will to a way that is straight."

¹⁴³ Thus have we made you a people justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the messenger a witness over yourselves; and we appointed the Qiblah to which you were accustomed, only to test those who followed the messenger from those who would turn on their heels. Indeed it was difficult, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness, most merciful.

¹⁴⁴ We see you turn your face to the heavens: now we shall turn you to a Qiblah that shall please you. Turn then your face in the direction of the sacred mosque: wherever you are, turn your faces in that direction. Those who received Al-Kitab know well that is the truth from their Lord, nor is Allah unmindful of what they do.

¹⁴⁵ Even if you were to bring to the people of Al-Kitab all the signs, they would not follow your Qiblah; nor are you going to follow their Qiblah; nor indeed will they follow each other's Qiblah. If after the knowledge has reached you, you were to follow their own desires, then you would indeed be in the wrong.

¹⁴⁶ The people of Al-Kitab know this as they know their own sons, but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know.

¹⁴⁷ The truth is from your Lord; so be not at all in doubt.

¹⁴⁸ To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together towards all that is good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah has power over all things.

¹⁴⁹ From wherever you start forth, turn your face in the direction of the sacred mosque; that is indeed the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what you do.

¹⁵⁰ So from wherever you start forth, turn your face in the direction of the sacred mosque; and wherever you are, turn your face there: that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear me; and that I may complete my favours on you, and you may be guided;

¹⁵¹ Similarly, we have sent among you a messenger of your own, rehearsing to you our signs; and purifying you, and instructing you in Al-Kitab and wisdom, and in new knowledge.

¹⁵² Remember me, and I will remember you. Be grateful to me, and reject not faith.

¹⁵³ You who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.

¹⁵⁴ And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: "They are dead." No, they are living, though you perceive it not.

¹⁵⁵ Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, or lives, or possessions, but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,

¹⁵⁶ Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong, and to him is our return."

¹⁵⁷ They are those in whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.

¹⁵⁸ Behold! Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if anyone obeys his own impulse to good, be sure that Allah is he who recognizes and knows.

¹⁵⁹ Those who conceal the clear signs we have sent down, and the guidance, after we have made it clear for the people in Al-Kitab, on them shall be Allah's curse, and the curse of those entitled to curse.

¹⁶⁰ Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare the truth: to them I turn; for I am oft-returning, most merciful.

¹⁶¹ Those who reject faith, and die rejecting, on them is Allah's curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind;

¹⁶² They will abide in it: their penalty will not be lightened, nor will respite be their lot.

¹⁶³ And your God is one God: there is no god but he, most gracious, most merciful.

¹⁶⁴ Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which he gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that he scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth, here indeed are signs for a people that are wise.

¹⁶⁵ Yet there are men who take others besides Allah, as equals: they love them as they should love Allah. But those of faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see, behold, they would see the punishment: that to Allah belongs all power, and Allah will strongly enforce the punishment.

¹⁶⁶ Then would those who are followed clear themselves of those who follow them: they would see the penalty, and all relations between them would be cut off.

¹⁶⁷ And those who followed would say: "If only we had one more chance, we would clear ourselves of them, as they have cleared themselves of us." Thus will Allah show them their deeds as regrets. Nor will there be a way for them out of the fire.

¹⁶⁸ O people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of Iblis, for he is to you an avowed enemy.

¹⁶⁹ For he commands you what is evil and shameful, and that you should say of Allah that of which you have no knowledge.

¹⁷⁰ When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has revealed:" They say: "No! We shall follow the ways of our fathers:" What! Even though their fathers were void of wisdom and guidance?

¹⁷¹ The parable of those who reject faith is as if one were to shout like a goat-herd, to things that listen to nothing but call and cries: deaf, dumb, and blind, they are void of wisdom.

¹⁷² O you who believe! Eat of the good things that we have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is him you worship.

¹⁷³ He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name has been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then is he guiltless. For Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

¹⁷⁴ Those who conceal any part of Al-Kitab which Allah revealed, and purchase for themselves a miserable profit by it, they swallow into themselves nothing but fire;[19] Allah will not address them on the day of resurrection, nor purify them: grievous will be their penalty.

¹⁷⁵ They are the ones who buy error in place of guidance and torment in place of forgiveness. Ah, what boldness for the fire!

¹⁷⁶ For Allah sent down Al-Kitab with truth, but those who look for reasons to dispute in Al-Kitab are ardent opponents.

¹⁷⁷ It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards east or west; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the angels, and Al-Kitab, and the messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.

¹⁷⁸ O you who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.

¹⁷⁹ In the law of equality there is life for you, o men of understanding; that you may restrain yourselves.

¹⁸⁰ It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leave any goods, that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the God-fearing.

¹⁸¹ If anyone changes the bequest after hearing it, the guilt shall be on those who make the change. For Allah hears and knows all things.

¹⁸² But if anyone fears partiality or wrong doing on the part of the testator, and makes peace between the parties concerned, there is no wrong in him: for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

¹⁸³ O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self restraint,

¹⁸⁴ Fasting for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number should be made up from days later. For those who can do it, there is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew.

¹⁸⁵ Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; he does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify him in that he has guided you; and perhaps you shall be grateful.

¹⁸⁶ When my servants ask you concerning me, I am indeed close to them: I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me: let them also, with a will, listen to my call, and believe in me: that they may walk in the right way.

¹⁸⁷ Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and you are their garments. Allah knows what you used to do secretly among yourselves; but he turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast until the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits set by Allah: do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear his signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

¹⁸⁸ And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that you may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of other people's property.

¹⁸⁹ They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in the affairs of men, and for pilgrimage. It is no virtue if you enter your houses from the back: it is virtue if you fear Allah. Enter houses through the proper doors: and fear Allah: that you may prosper.

¹⁹⁰ Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.

¹⁹¹ And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the sacred mosque, unless they first fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

¹⁹² But if they cease, Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

¹⁹³ And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.

¹⁹⁴ The prohibited month for the prohibited month -- and so for all things prohibited -- there is the law of equality. If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.

¹⁹⁵ And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction; but do good; for Allah loves those who do good.

¹⁹⁶ And complete the Hajj or Umrah in the service of Allah, but if you are prevented from completing it, send an offering for sacrifice, such as you may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice; and when you are in peaceful condition again, if anyone wishes to continue the Umrah on to the Hajj, he must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days in all. This is for those whose household is not in the precincts of the sacred mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah, is strict in punishment.

¹⁹⁷ For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it. And take a provision for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear me, O you that are wise.

¹⁹⁸ It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord during pilgrimage. Then when you pour down from Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the sacred monument, and celebrate his praises as he has directed you, even though, before this, you went astray.

¹⁹⁹ Then pass on at a quick pace from the place whence it is usual for the multitude so to do, and ask for Allah's forgiveness. For Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

²⁰⁰ So when you have accomplished your holy rites, celebrate the praises of Allah, as you used to celebrate the praises of your fathers -- yes, with far more heart and soul. There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us your bounties in this world!" But they will have no portion in the hereafter.

²⁰¹ And there are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the fire!"

²⁰² To these will be allotted what they have earned; and Allah is quick in account.

²⁰³ Celebrate the praises of Allah during the appointed days. But if anyone hastens to leave in two days, there is no blame on him, and if anyone stays on, there is no blame on him, if his aim is to do right. Then fear Allah, and know that you will surely be gathered to him.

²⁰⁴ There is the type of man whose speech about this world's life may dazzle you, and he calls Allah to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies.

²⁰⁵ When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and cattle. But Allah loves not mischief.

²⁰⁶ When it is said to him, fear Allah, he is led by arrogance to more crime. Enough for him is hell; an evil bed indeed to lie on!

²⁰⁷ And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is full of kindness to his devotees.

²⁰⁸ O you who believe! Embrace submission to Allah with all your heart; and follow not the footsteps of Iblis; for he is to you an avowed enemy.

²⁰⁹ If you backslide after the clear signs have come to you, then know that Allah is exalted in power, wise.

²¹⁰ Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds with angels and the question is settled? But do all questions go back to Allah.

²¹¹ Ask Bani-Israel how many clear signs we have sent them. But if anyone, after Allah's favour has come to him, substitutes something else, Allah is strict in punishment.

²¹² The life of this world is alluring to those who reject faith, and they scoff at those who believe. But the righteous will be above them on the day of resurrection; for Allah bestows his abundance without measure on whom he will.

²¹³ Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and therewith he sent Al-Kitab with the truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but after the clear signs came to them, the people differed among themselves because of jealousy. Allah by his grace guided the believers to the truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guides whom he will to a path that is straight.

²¹⁴ Or do you think that you shall enter the garden without such trials as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When will Allah help?" Ah, truly the help of Allah is near!

²¹⁵ They ask you what they should spend in charity. Say: Whatever you spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever you do that is good, Allah knows it well.

²¹⁶ Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you do not.

²¹⁷ They ask you concerning fighting in the prohibited month. Say: Fighting at that time is a grave offence; but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the sacred mosque, and drive out its members. Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the hereafter; they will be companion of the fire and will abide in it.

²¹⁸ Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the mercy of Allah: and Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

²¹⁹ They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say in them is great sin, and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than the profit they ask you how much they are to spend, say: what is beyond your needs. Thus Allah makes clear to you his signs: in order that you may consider

²²⁰ This life and the hereafter. They ask you concerning orphans. Say: The best thing to do is what is for their good; if you mix their affairs with yours, they are your brothers; but Allah knows the men who means mischief from the men who means good. And if Allah had wished. He could have put you into difficulties: he is indeed exalted in power, wise.

²²¹ Don't marry unbelieving women until they believe: a slave woman who believes is better than unbelieving woman. Even though she allure you. Nor marry your girls to unbelievers until they believe: a man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever even though he allure you. Unbelievers beckon you to the fire. But Allah beckons by his grace to the garden and forgiveness, and makes his signs clear to mankind: that they may receive admonition.

²²² They ask you concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution, so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, you may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to him constantly and he loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

²²³ Your wives are as a field for you to sow; so approach your field when or how you will; but do some good act for your souls beforehand and fear Allah, and know that you are to meet him, and give good tidings to those who believe.

²²⁴ And make not Allah's name and excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for Allah is one who hears and knows all things.

²²⁵ Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oath, but for the intention in your hearts; and he is oft-forgiving, most forbearing.

²²⁶ For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, awaiting for four month is ordained; if then they return, Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.

²²⁷ But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah hears and knows all things.

²²⁸ Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah has created in their wombs, if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have degree of advantage over them. And Allah is exalted in power wise.

²²⁹ A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, men, to take back any of your gift from your wives, except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. If you judges do indeed fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah. Such persons wrong themselves as well as others.

²³⁰ So if a husband divorces his wife irrevocably, he cannot, after that, remarry her until after she has married another husband and he has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they reunite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. Such are the limits ordained by Allah which he makes plain to those who understand.

²³¹ When you divorce women and they fulfil the term of their Iddat, either take them back on equitable terms or set them free on equitable terms; but don't take them back to injure them, or to take undue advantage; if anyone does that he wrongs his own soul. Do not treat Allah's signs as a jest, but solemnly rehearse Allah's favours on you, and the fact that he sent down to you Al-Kitab and wisdom, for your instruction. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is well acquainted with all things.

²³² When you divorce women, and they fulfil the term of their Iddat, do not prevent them from marrying their former husbands, if they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all among you, who believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the course making for most virtue and purity among you. Allah knows, and you do not.

²³³ The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If you decide on a foster mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided you pay the mother what you offered, on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what you do.

²³⁴ If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: when they have fulfilled their terms, there is no blame on you if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.

²³⁵ There is no blame on you if you make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that you cherish them in your hearts: but do not make a secret contract with them except that you speak to them in terms honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage until the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, and take heed of him: and know that Allah is oft-forgiving, most forbearing.

²³⁶ There is no blame on you if you divorce women before consummation or the fixation of their dower; but bestow on them a suitable gift, the wealthy according to his means, and the poor according to his means; a gift of a reasonable amount is due from those who wish to do the right things.

²³⁷ And if you divorce them before consummation but after the fixation of a dower for them, then half the dower is due to them, unless they remit it, or the man's half is remitted by him in whose hands is the marriage tie; and the remission of the man's half is the nearest to righteousness. And do not forget liberality between yourselves. Allah sees all that you do.

²³⁸ Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout frame of mind.

²³⁹ If you fear an enemy, pray on foot or riding, as may be most convenient, but when you are in security, celebrate Allah's praises in the manner he has taught you, that which you knew not.

²⁴⁰ Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year's maintenance and residence; but if they leave, there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves, provided it is reasonable. And Allah is exalted in power, wise.

²⁴¹ For divorced women maintenance should be provided on a reasonable scale. This is a duty on the righteous.

²⁴² Thus Allah makes clear his signs to you: in order that you may understand.

²⁴³ Did you not turn by vision to those who abandoned their homes, though they were thousands in number, for fear of death? Allah said to them: die: then he restored them to life. For Allah is full of bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.

²⁴⁴ Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah hears and knows all things.

²⁴⁵ Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double to his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that gives want or plenty, and to him shall be your return.

²⁴⁶ Have you not turned your vision to the chiefs of Bani-Israel after the time of Musa? They said to a prophet that was among them: appoint for us a king, that we may fight in the cause of Allah. He said: is it not possible, if you were commanded to fight, that you will not fight? They said: how could we refuse to fight in the cause of Allah, seeing that we were turned out of our homes and our families? But when they were commanded to fight; they turned back, except a small band among them. But Allah has full knowledge of those who do wrong.

²⁴⁷ Their prophet said to them: Allah has appointed Talut as king over you. How they said: how can he exercise authority over us when we are better fitted than he to exercise authority, and he is not even gifted, with wealth in abundance? He said: Allah has chosen him above you, and has gifted him abundantly with knowledge and bodily prowess: Allah grants his authority to whom he pleases. Allah cares for all, and he knows all things.

²⁴⁸ And their prophet said to them: a sign of his authority is that there shall come to you the ark of the covenant, with an assurance in it of security from your Lord, and the relics left by the family of Musa and the family of Harun, carried by angels. In this is a symbol for you if you indeed have faith.

²⁴⁹ When Talut set forth with the armies, he said: "Allah will test you at the stream: if any drinks of its water, he goes not with my army: only those who taste not of it go with me: a mere sip out of the hand is excused." But they all drank of it, except a few. When they crossed the river -- he and the faithful ones with him -- they said: "This day we cannot cope with Jalut and his forces." But those who were convinced that they must meet Allah, said: "How oft, by Allah's will, has a small force vanquished a big one? Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere."

²⁵⁰ When they advanced to meet Jalut and his forces, they prayed: "Our Lord! Pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm: help us against those that reject faith."

²⁵¹ By Allah's will, they routed them; and Dawud slew Jalut; and Allah gave him power and wisdom and taught him whatever else he willed. And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief: but Allah is full of bounty to all the universe.

²⁵² These are the signs of Allah: we rehearse them to you in truth: truly you are one of the messengers.

²⁵³ Those messengers we endowed with gifts, some above others: to one of them Allah spoke directly.[20] Others he raised to degrees of honour; to 'Isa Ibn Maryam we gave clear signs,[21] and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. If Allah had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear signs and come to them but they chose to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If Allah had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah fulfils his plan.

²⁵⁴ O you who believe! Spend out of what we have provided for you, before the day comes when no bargaining will avail, nor friendship, nor intercession. Those who reject faith they are the wrongdoers.

²⁵⁵ There is no god but Allah, the living, the self-subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize him nor heavens and on earth. Who is there who can intercede in his presence except as he permits?[22] He knows what is before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass any of his knowledge except as he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and he feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for he is the most high, the supreme.

²⁵⁶ Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most solid handhold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.

²⁵⁷ Allah is the protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness he will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the demons: from light they will lead them froth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell in it forever.

²⁵⁸ Have you not turned your vision to one who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Ibrahim said: my Lord is he who gives life and death. He said: I give life and death. Said Ibrahim: but it is Allah that causes the sun to rise from the east: you then, cause it to rise from the west. Thus he who rejected faith was confounded. Allah does not guide an unjust people.

²⁵⁹ Or take the comparison of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: How shall Allah bring it to life, after its death? But Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up again. He said: how long did you wait? He said: a day or part of a day. He said: no, you have waited a hundred years; but look at your food and your drink; they show no signs of age; and look at your donkey: and that we may make you a sign to the people, look further at the bones, how we bring them together and clothe them with flesh. When this was shown clearly to him, he said: I know that Allah has power over all things.

²⁶⁰ Behold! Ibrahim said: My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead. Allah said: Then, do you not believe? Ibrahim said: Yes, but I ask to satisfy my own understanding. Allah said: Take four birds; tame them to turn to you; put a portion of them on every hill, and call to them: they will come to you flying with speed. Then know that Allah is exalted in power, wise.

²⁶¹ The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom he pleases: and Allah cares for all and he knows all things.

²⁶² Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

²⁶³ Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and he is most forbearing.

²⁶⁴ O you who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it just a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with anything they have earned. And Allah guides not those who reject faith.

²⁶⁵ And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please Allah and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile; heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not heavy rain, light moisture suffices it. Allah sees well whatever you do.

²⁶⁶ Does any of you wish that he could have a garden with date palms and vines and streams flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruit, while he is stricken with old age, and his children are not strong enough to look after themselves -- that it should be caught in a whirlwind, with fire in it, and be burnt up? Thus does Allah make clear to you his signs; that you may consider.

²⁶⁷ O you who believe! Give of the good things which you have earned, and of the fruits of the earth which we have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad, in order that out of it you may give away something, when you yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is free of all wants, and worthy of all praise.

²⁶⁸ Iblis threatens you with poverty and bids you to improper conduct. Allah promises you his forgiveness and bounties. And Allah cares for all and he knows all things.

²⁶⁹ He grants wisdom to whom he pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the message but men of understanding.

²⁷⁰ And whatever you spend in charity or devotion, be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrongdoers have no helpers.

²⁷¹ If you disclose acts of charity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them, and make them reach those in need, that is best for you: it will remove from you some of your evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.

²⁷² It is not required of you, to set them on the right path, but Allah sets on the right path whom he pleases. Whatever good you give benefits your own souls, and you shall only do so seeking the face of Allah. Whatever good you give, shall be rendered back to you, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.

²⁷³ Charity is for those in need who, in Allah's cause are restricted from travel, and cannot move about in the land, seeking for trade or work: the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. You shall know them by their mark: they do beg not importunately from everyone and anyone. And whatever good you give, be assured Allah knows it well.

²⁷⁴ Those who give of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

²⁷⁵ Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom Iblis by his touch has driven to madness. That is because they say: trade is like usury, but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah to judge; but those who repeat the offence are companions of the fire: they will abide in it forever.

²⁷⁶ Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for he loves not creatures ungrateful and wicked.

²⁷⁷ Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

²⁷⁸ O you who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed believers.

²⁷⁹ If you do it not, take notice of war from Allah and his messenger: but if you turn back, you shall have your capital sums; deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.

²⁸⁰ If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him them until it is easy for him to repay. But if you remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if you only knew.

²⁸¹ And fear the day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.

²⁸² O you who believe! When you deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as Allah h as taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear his Lord Allah, and not diminish any of what he owes. If the party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, let his guardian dictate faithfully. And get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as you choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on for evidence. Disdain not to reduce to writing your contract for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is more just in the sight of Allah, more suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if you reduce it not to writing. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If you do such harm, it would be wickedness in you. So fear Allah; for it is Allah that teaches you. And Allah is well acquainted with all things.

²⁸³ If you are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession may serve the purpose. And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee discharge his trust, and let him fear his Lord. Conceal no evidence; for whoever conceals it, his heart is tainted with sin. And Allah knows all that you do.

²⁸⁴ To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah calls you to account for it. He forgives whom he pleases, and punishes whom he pleases. For Allah has power over all things.

²⁸⁵ The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one of them believes in Allah, his angels, his books, and his messengers. "We make no distinction between one and another of his messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: we seek your forgiveness, our Lord, and to you is the end of all journeys."

²⁸⁶ On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which you laid on those before us. Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our protector; help us against those who stand against faith.

[1] This "enmity" is explained in the Taurat's account of this event. In Genesis 3:15, Allah says to Satan, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." Satan is our avowed enemy, but one day he will be defeated by the "offspring of the woman," that is, the only man to be born of a woman without a human father, 'Isa Ibn Maryam. This theme of 'Isa al-Masih's victory over Satan is prominent in the holy Injil. He came so that "he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, Iblis" (Hebrews 2:14, see also 1 John 3:8).

[2] One of the main purposes of the Quran is to "confirm" the Taurat and Injil which came before it. That is, the Quran "affirms the truthfulness" of those previous books, and calls all men to believe and follow their message. To this day, people wrongly look for reasons to deny the truth and accuracy of the Taurat and Injil, sometimes even using the Quran to support such denial.

[3] The people being addressed in this verse were the Jews, also known as Bani-Israel (see verse 40 for context), and Al-Kitab here refers to the holy Taurat brought by Prophet Musa (pbuh). This is the book which the Jews were supposed to follow, but often did not. It is not enough to say, "I am a Jew, so everything will be alright for me in judgment day (or I am a Muslim, so everything will be alright for me...)." As the holy Injil says, "Do not be deceived. Allah is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7). Compare also Surah Al-Nisa' 4:123 "Not your desires, nor those of the people of Al-Kitab can prevail: whoever works evil, will be requited accordingly."

[4] That is, the Taurat. It is not only Al-Kitab (the Book), but "the Criterion" (Al-Furqan). The Taurat teaches what is right and wrong in the sight of Allah, which is why the Taurat is sometimes called "the Law". It contains many laws and rules, the most famous of which are the "Ten Commandments," found in Exodus 20. As Allah's Law, the Taurat tells us when we do wrong. As the holy Injil says, "through the Taurat comes the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20). It is important to read the Taurat, in order to learn what Allah says is "sin," so we can turn away from it.

[5] Arabic for Nazarenes, one of the early names given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih by the Jews (see Injil, Acts 24:5). 'Isa himself was called the Nasrani, or the Nazarene, possibly because he was raised in the city of Nazareth. The Injil says that 'Isa "came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he will be called a Nasrani." (Injil, Matthew 2:23). The name "Christian" was a nickname given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih later, by Greek-speaking disbelievers (Injil, Acts 11:26).

[6] The Sabbath is Saturday, and is observed by devout Jews as a day of rest and worship. As the holy Taurat says, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labour six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Allah your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Allah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Allah blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy." (Exodus 20:8-11).

[7] They perverted the words of Allah by twisting its meaning to suit their own desires.

[8] There have been many such books that claim to be the word of Allah, and yet are manifest forgeries. Some examples include the many Gnostic gospels still in circulation, and the Gospel of Barnabas written by a zealous but uninformed convert from Christianity to Islam. There seems to be no end of such books.

[10] The "clear signs" are the many remarkable miracles that 'Isa Ibn Maryam performed. He healed the sick, raised the dead, made the blind to see, fed the multitudes, and did many other signs which you can read about in the holy Injil. Before the martyrdom of Prophet Yahya (pbuh), while in prison, Yahya sent his followers to Prophet 'Isa to ask him if he truly was the chosen one sent by Allah or not. This is how 'Isa replied, "Go and tell Yahya the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Injil preached to them. Blessed is he who is not offended by me." (Injil, Luke 7:22,23).

[11] "Confirming" means "affirming the truth of." One of the main purposes of the Quran is to "confirm" the Taurat and Injil which came before it. The Quran affirms the truthfulness of those previous books, and calls all men to believe and follow their message. To this day, people wrongly look for reasons to deny the truth and accuracy of the Taurat and Injil, sometimes even using the Quran to support such denial.

[12] The Quran is "a confirmation of what went before." As such, it "affirms the truth of" those previous books, and calls all men to believe and follow their message. To this day, people wrongly look for reasons to deny the truth and accuracy of the Taurat and Injil, sometimes even using the Quran to support such denial.

[13] Arabic for Nazarenes, one of the early names given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih by the Jews (see Injil, Acts 24:5). 'Isa himself was called the Nasrani, or the Nazarene, possibly because he was raised in the city of Nazareth. The Injil says that 'Isa "came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he will be called a Nasrani." (Injil, Matthew 2:23). The name "Christian" was a nickname given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih later, by Greek-speaking disbelievers (Injil, Acts 11:26).

[14] It is not enough to read Al-Kitab. It must be obeyed, as the Injil says, "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." (James 1, verse 22). See "Allah's Eternal Word" study course, lesson two for more information.

[15] Arabic for Nazarenes, one of the early names given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih by the Jews (see Injil, Acts 24:5). 'Isa himself was called the Nasrani, or the Nazarene, possibly because he was raised in the city of Nazareth. The Injil says that 'Isa "came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he will be called a Nasrani." (Injil, Matthew 2:23). The name "Christian" was a nickname given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih later, by Greek-speaking disbelievers (Injil, Acts 11:26).

[16] Arabic for Nazarenes, one of the early names given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih by the Jews (see Injil, Acts 24:5). 'Isa himself was called the Nasrani, or the Nazarene, possibly because he was raised in the city of Nazareth. The Injil says that 'Isa "came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he will be called a Nasrani." (Injil, Matthew 2:23). The name "Christian" was a nickname given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih later, by Greek-speaking disbelievers (Injil, Acts 11:26).

[17] These unnamed prophets were given revelation from Allah and are mentioned by name in the Taurat and Injil. They include such notable prophets as Yusha, Samuel, Uzair, Dawud, Sulayman, Shaya, Armiya, Dhul-kifl, Daniel, Yunus, Zakariyya, and many others in the long line of Hebrew prophets. Their histories or prophecies can be read online here by looking in the table of contents of the Taurat, or by doing a search for their name.

[18] Arabic for Nazarenes, one of the early names given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih by the Jews (see Injil, Acts 24:5). 'Isa himself was called the Nasrani, or the Nazarene, possibly because he was raised in the city of Nazareth. The Injil says that 'Isa "came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he will be called a Nasrani." (Injil, Matthew 2:23). The name "Christian" was a nickname given to the followers of 'Isa al-Masih later, by Greek-speaking disbelievers (Injil, Acts 11:26).

[19] The charge is that there were those who publicly read Al-Kitab incorrectly and even ignored whole sections of it that they disagreed with. This may be why some choose not to read the Taurat or Injil. Compare with Surah al-Maida 5:13.

[20] The Taurat clearly identifies this messenger as Prophet Musa (pbuh). In Numbers, chapter 12, the Taurat relates the story of when Musa's brother and sister (Harun and Maryam), briefly rebelled against Prophet Musa's authority. In verses 4 to 8, Allah says to them, "Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Allah will make myself known to him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream. My servant Musa is not so; he is faithful in all my house: with him will I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; and the form of Allah shall he see: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Musa?"

[21] The "clear signs" are the many remarkable miracles that 'Isa Ibn Maryam performed. He healed the sick, raised the dead, made the blind to see, fed the multitudes, and did many other signs which you can read about in the holy Injil. Before the martyrdom of Prophet Yahya (pbuh), while in prison, Yahya sent his followers to Prophet 'Isa to ask him if he truly was the chosen one sent by Allah or not. This is how 'Isa replied, "Go and tell Yahya the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Injil preached to them. Blessed is he who is not offended by me." (Injil, Luke 7:22,23).

[22] Al-Kitab identifies only one person as having the power of intercession--Prophet 'Isa al-Masih. The Taurat says prophetically that 'Isa "bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Shaya 53:12). The Injil plainly teaches that 'Isa "is also able to save completely those who draw near to Allah through him, seeing he lives forever to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).