Sura   2 - The Cow
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SURA II - THE COW  (2) (Medina - 286 Verses)                (XCI - 338)     
 
       Elif. Lam. Mim.  No doubt is there about this Book:  It is a guidance to
the God-fearing.
 
       Who believe in the unseen, who observe prayer, and out of what we have
bestowed on them, expend for God;
 
       And who believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath
been sent down before thee, and full faith have they in the life to come:
 
       These are guided by their Lord; and with these it shall be well.
 
       As to the infidels, alike is it to them whether thou warn them or warn
them not - they will not believe:
 
       Their hearts and their ears hath God sealed up; and over their eyes is a
covering.  For them, a severe chastisement!
 
       And some there are who say, "We believe in God, and in the latter day:"
Yet are they not believers!
 
       Fain would they deceive God and those who have believed; but they
deceive themselves only, and know it not.
 
       Diseased are their hearts!  And that disease hath God increased to them.
Their's a sore chastisement, for that they treated their prophet as a liar!
 
2:10   And when it is said to them, "Cause not disorders in the earth:" they
say, "Nay, rather do we set them right."
 
       Is it not that they are themselves the authors of disorder?  But they
perceive it not!
 
       And when it is said to them, "Believe as other men have believed;" they
say, "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?"  Is it not that they are
themselves the fools?  But they know it not!
 
       And when they meet the faithful they say, "We believe;" but when they
are apart with their Satans they say, "Verily we hold with you, and at them we
only mock."
 
       God shall mock at them, and keep them long in their rebellion, wandering
in perplexity.
 
       These are they who have purchased error at the price of guidance:  but
their traffic hath not been gainful, neither are they guided at all.
 
       They are like one who kindleth a fire, and when it hath thrown its light
on all around him. . . .  God taketh away their light and leaveth them in
darkness - they cannot see! -
 
       Deaf, dumb, blind:  therefore they shall not retrace their steps from
error!
 
       Or like those who, when there cometh a storm-cloud out of the Heaven,
big with darkness thunder and lightning, thrust their fingers into their ears
because of the thunder-clap, for fear of death!  God is round about the
infidels.
 
       The lightning almost snatcheth away their eyes!  So oft as it gleameth
on them they walk on in it, but when darkness closeth upon them, they stop!
And if God pealed, of their ears and of their eyes would he surely deprive
them:  - verily God is Almighty!  O men of Mecca adore your Lord, who hath
created you and those who were before you:  haply ye will fear Him
 
2:20   Who had made the earth a bed for you, and the heaven a covering, and
hath caused water to come down from heaven, and by it hath brought forth fruits
for your sustenance!  Do not then wittingly give peers to God.
 
       And if ye be in doubt as to that which we have sent down to our servant,
then produce a Sura like it, and summon your witnesses, beside God, if ye are
men of truth:
 
       But if ye do it not, and never shall ye do it, then fear the fire
prepared for the infidels, whose fuel is men and stones:
 
       But announce to those who believe and do the things that are right, that
for them are gardens 'neath which the rivers flow!  So oft as they are fed
therefrom with fruit for sustenance, they say say, "This same was our
sustenance of old:"  And they shall have its like given to them.  Therein shall
they have wives of perfect purity, and therein shall they abide for ever.
 
       Verily God is not ashamed to set forth as well the instance of a gnat as
of any nobler object: for as to those who have believed, they know it to be the
truth from their Lord; but as to the unbelievers, they will say, "What meaneth
God by this comparison?"  Many will He mislead by such parables and many guide:
but none will He mislead thereby except the wicked,
 
       Who, after its establishment, violate the covenant of God, and but in
sunder what God hath bidden to be joined, and act disorderly on the Earth.
These are they who shall suffer loss!
 
       How can ye withhold faith from God?  Ye were dead and He gave you life;
next He will cause you to die; next He will restore you to life: next shall ye
return to Him!
 
       He it is who created for you all that is on Earth, then proceeded to the
Heaven, and into seven Heavens did He fashion in: and He knoweth all things.
 
       When thy Lord said to the angels, "Verily, I am about to place one in my
stead on earth," they said, "Wilt thou place there one who will do ill therein
and shed blood, when we celebrate thy praise and extol thy holiness?"  God
said, "Verily, I know what ye know not."
 
       And he taught Adam the names of all things, and then set them before the
angels, and said, "Tell me the names of these, if ye are endued with wisdom."
 
2:30   They said, "Praise be to Thee!  We have no knowledge but what Thou hast
given us to know.  Thou!  Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.!
 
       He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names."  And when he had informed
them of their names, He said, "Did I not say to you that I know the hidden
things of the Heavens and of the Earth, and that I know what ye bring to light,
and what ye hide?"
 
       And when we said to the angels, "Bow down and worship Adam," then
worshipped they all, save Eblis.  He refused and swelled with pride, and became
one of the unbelievers.
 
       And we said, "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat ye
plentifully therefrom wherever ye list; but to this tree come not nigh, lest ye
become of the transgressors."
 
       But Satan made them slip from it, and caused their banishment from the
place in which they were.  And we said, "Get ye down, the one of you an enemy
to the other: and there shall be for you in the earth a dwelling-place, and a
provision for a time."
 
       And words of prayer learned Adam from his Lord: and God turned to him;
for He loveth to turn, the Merciful.
 
       We said, "Get ye down from it, all together: and if Guidance shall come
to you from me, whoso shall follow my guidance, on them shall come no fear,
neither shall they be grieved:
 
       But they who shall not believe, and treat our signs as falsehoods, these
shall be inmates of the fires; in it shall they remain for ever."
 
       O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I shewed favour upon
you, and be true to your covenant with me; I will be true to my covenant with
you; me therefore, revere me! and believe in what I have sent down confirming
your Scriptures, and be not the first to disbelieve it, neither for a mean
price barter my signs: me therefore, fear ye me!
 
       And clothe not the truth with falsehood, and hide not the truth when ye
know it:
 
2:40   And observe prayer and pay the legal impost, and bow down with those who
bow.
 
       Will ye enjoin what is right upon others, and forget yourselves?  Yet ye
read the Book: will ye not understand?
 
       And seek help with patience and prayer: a hard duty indeed is this, but
not to the humble,
 
       Who bear in mind that they shall meet their Lord, and that unto Him
shall they return.
 
       O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I shewed favour upon
you; for verily to you above all human beings have I been bounteous.
 
       And fear ye the day when soul shall not satisfy for soul at all, nor
shall any intercession be accepted from them, nor shall any ransom be taken,
neither shall they be helped.
 
       And remember when we rescued you for the people of Pharoah, who had laid
on you a cruel chastisement.  They slew your male children, and let only your
females live: and in this was a great trial from your Lord:
 
       And when we parted the sea for you, and saved you, and drowned the
people of Pharoah, while ye were looking on:
 
       And when we were in treaty with Moses forty nights: then during his
absence took ye the calf and acted wickedly:
 
       Yet after this we forgave you, that ye might be grateful:
 
2:50   And when we gave Moses the Book and the Illumination in order to your
guidance:
 
       And remember when Moses said to his people, "O my people! verily ye have
sinned to your own hurt, by your taking the calf to worship it:  Be turned then
to your creator, and slay the guilty among you; this will be best for you with
your creator:"  Then turned He unto you, for He is the one who turneth, the
Merciful:
 
       And when ye said, "O Moses! we will not believe thee until we see God
plainly;" the thunderbolt fell upon you while ye were looking on:
 
       Then we raised you to life after ye had been dead, that haply ye might
give thanks:
 
       And we caused the clouds to overshadow you, and we sent down manna and
quails upon you; - "Eat of the good things we have give you for sustenance;" -
and they injured not us but they injured themselves.
 
       And when we said, "Enter this city, and eat therefrom plentifully at
your will, and enter the gate with prostrations, and say, 'Forgiveness;' and we
will pardon you your sins, and give an increase to the doers of good:" -
 
       But the evil-doers changed that word into another than that spoken to
them, and we sent down upon those evil-doers wrath from heaven, for that they
had done amiss:
 
       And when Moses asked drink for his people, we said, "Strike the rock
with thy rod;" and from it there gushed twelve fountains" each tribe knew their
drinking-place; - "Eat and drink," said we, "of what God hath supplied, and do
no wrong on the earth by licentious deeds:"
 
       And when ye said, "O Moses! we will not put up with one sort of food:
pray, therefore, thy Lord for us, that He would bring forth for us of that
which the earth groweth, its herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its
lentils and its onions:"  He said, "What! will ye exchange that which is worse
for what is better?  Get ye down into Egypt; - for ye shall have what ye have
asked:"  Vileness and poverty were stamped upon them, and they returned with
wrath from God:  This, for that they disbelieved the signs of God, and slew the
Prophets unjustly: this, for that they rebelled and transgressed!
 
       Verily, they were believe (Muslims), and they who follow the Jewish
religion, and the Christians, and the Sabeites - whoever of these believeth in
God and the last day, and doeth that which is right, shall have their reward
with their Lord: fear shall not come upon them, neither shall they be grieved.
 
2:60   Call to mind also when we entered into a covenant with you, and lifted
up the mountain over you: - "Take hold," said we, "on what we have revealed to
you, with resolution, and remember what is therein, that ye may fear:"
 
       But after this ye turned back, and but for God's grace and mercy toward
you, ye had surely been of the lost!  Ye know too those of you who transgressed
on the Sabbath and to whom we said, "Be changed into scouted apes;"
 
       And we made them a warning to those of their day, and to those who came
after them, and a caution to the God-fearing:
 
       And when Moses said to his people, "Verily, God bids you sacrifice a
cow; they said, "Makest thou a jest of us?" He said, "God keep me from being
one of the foolish." They said, "Call on thy Lord for us that He would make
plain to us what she is." He said, "God saith, 'She is a cow neither old nor
young, but of the middle age - between the two:' do therefore what ye are
bidden."
 
       They said, "Call on your Lord for us, that he would make plain to us
what is her colour." He said, "God saith, 'She is a fawn-coloured cow; her
colour is very bright; she rejoiceth the beholders.'"
 
       They said, "Call on they [sic] Lord for us that He would make plain to
us what cow it is - for to us are cows alike, - and verily, if God please, we
shall be guided rightly;"
 
       He said, "God saith, 'She is a cow not worn by ploughing the earth or
watering the field, sound, no blemish in her.'"  They said, "Now hast thou
brought the truth:"  Then they sacrificed her; Yet nearly had they done it not:
 
       And when ye slew a man, and strove among yourselves about hiom, God
brought to light what he had hidden:
 
       For we said, "Strike the corpse with part of her."  So God giveth life
to the dead, and sheweth you his signs, that haply ye may understand.
 
       Then after that your hearts became hard like rocks, or harder still; for
verily, from rocks have rivers gushed; others, verily, have been cleft, and
water hath issued from them; and others, verily, have sunk down through fear of
God:  And God is not regardless of your actions.
 
2:70   Desire ye then that for your sakes the Jews should believe?  Yet a part
of them heard the word of God, and then, after they had understood it;
perverted, and knew that they did so.
 
       And when they fall in with the faithful, they say, "We believe;" but
when they are apart one with another, they say, "Will ye acquaint them with
what God hath revealed to you, that they may dispute with you about it in the
presence of your Lord?" Understand ye their aim?
 
       Know they not that God knoweth what they hide, as well as what they
bring to light?
 
       But there are illiterates among them who are unacquainted with the Book,
but with lies only, and have but vague fancies.  Woe to those who with their
own hands transcribe the Book corruptly, and then say, "This is from God," that
they may sell it for some mean price!  Woe then to them for that which their
hands have written! and, Woe to them for the gains which they have made!
 
       And they said, "Hell fire shall not touch us, but for a few days:"  Say:
Have ye received such a promise from God? for God will not revoke his promise:
or, Speak ye of God that which ye know not?
 
       But they whose only gains are evil works, and who are environed by their
sins, - they shall be inmates of the fire, therein to abide for ever:
 
       But they who have believed and done the things that be right, they shall
be the inmates of Paradise, - therein to abide for ever.
 
       And when we entered into covenant with the children of Israel, we said,
"Worship none but God, and be good to your parents and kindred, and to orphans,
and to the poor, and speak with men what is right, and observe prayer, and pay
the stated alms."  Then turned ye away, except a few of you, and withdrew afar
off.
 
       And when we made a covenant with you that ye should not shed your own
blood, nor expel one another from your abodes, then ye ratified it and
yourselves were witnesses.
 
       Then were ye the very persons who slew one another; and ye drove out a
part of your own people from their abodes; ye lent help against them with wrong
and hatred; but if they come captives to you, ye redeem them! - Yet it was
forbidden you to drive them out.  Believe ye then part of the Book, and deny
part?  But what shall be the meed of him among you who doth this, but shame in
this life?  And on the day of the Resurrection they shall be sent to the most
cruel of torments, for God is not regardless of what ye do.
 
2:80   These are they who purchase this present life at the price of that which
is to come; their torment shall not be lightened, neither shall they be helped.
 
       Moreover, to Moses gave we "the Book," and we raised up apostles after
him; and to Jesus, son of Mary, gave we clear proofs of his mission, and
strengthened him by the Holy Spirit.  So oft then as an apostle cometh to you
with that which your souls desire not, swell ye with pride, and treat some as
impostors, and slay others?
 
       And they say, "Uncircumcised are our hearts."  Nay! God hath cursed them
in their infideility: few are they who believe!
 
       And when a Book had come to them from God, confirming that which they
had received already - although they had before prayed for victory over those
who believed not - yet when that Koran come to them, of which they had
knowledge, they did not recognise it.  The curse of God on the infidels!
 
       For a vile price have they sold themselves, by not believing what God
hath sent down, envious of God's sending down his grace on such of his servants
as he pleaseth:  and they have brought on themselves wrath upon wrath.  And for
the unbelievers is a disgraceful chastisement.
 
       And when it is said to them, "Believe in what God hath sent down," they
say, "In that which hath been sent down to us we believe:" but what hath since
been sent down they disbelieve, although it be the truth confirmatory of their
own Scriptures.  Say:  Why then have ye of old slain God's prophets, if ye are
indeed believers?
 
       Moreover, Moses came unto you with proofs of his mission.  Then in his
absence ye took the calf for your God, and did wickedly.
 
       And when we accepted your covenant, and uplifted the mountain over you,
we said, "Take firm hold on what we have given you, and hearken." They said,
"We have hearkened and have rebelled:" then were they made to drink down the
calf into their hearts for their ingratitude. Say:  A bad thing hath your faith
commanded you, if ye be indeed believers.
 
       Say:  If the future dwelling place with God be specially for you, but
not for the rest of mankind, then wish for death, if ye are sincere:
 
       But never can they wish it, because of that which their own hands have
sent on before them!  And God knoweth the offenders.
 
2:90   And thou wilt surely find them of all men most covetous of life, beyond
even the polytheists.  To be kept alive a thousand years might one of them
desire: but that he may be preserved alive, shall no one reprieve himself from
the punishment!  And God seeth what they do.
 
       Say:  Whoso is the enemy of Gabriel - For he it is who by God's leave
hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart, the confirmation of previous
revelations, and guidance, and good tidings to the faithful -
 
       Whoso is an enemy to God or his angels, or to Gabriel, or to Michael,
shall have God as his enemy: for verily God is an enemy to the Infidels.
 
       Moreover, clear signs have we sent down to thee, and one will disbelieve
them but the perverse.
 
       Oft as they have formed an engagement with thee, will some of them set
it aside?  But most of them believe not.
 
       And when there came to them an apostle from God, affirming the previous
revelations made to them, some of those to whom the Scriptures were given,
threw the Book of God behind their backs as if they knew it not:
 
       And they followed what the Satans read in the reign of Solomon: not that
Solomon was unbelieving, but the Satans were unbelieving.  Sorcery did they
teach to men, and what had been revealed to the two angels, Harut and Marut, at
Babel.  Yet no man did these two teach until they had said "We are only a
temptation.  Be not then an unbeliever."  From these two did men learn how to
cause divisions between man and wife: but unless by leave of God, no man did
they harm thereby.  They learned, indeed, what would harm and not profit them;
and yet they knew that he who bought that art should have no part in the life
to come!  And vile the price for which they have sold themselves, - if they had
but known it!
 
       But had they believed and feared God, better surely would have been the
reward from God, - if they had but known it!
 
       O ye who believe! say not to our apostle, "Raina" (Look at us); but say,
"Ondhorna" (Regard us).  And attend to this; for, the Infidels shall suffer a
grievous chastisement.
 
       The unbelievers among the people of the Book, and among the dilators,
desire not that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord: but God
will shew His special mercy to whom He will, for He is of great bounty.
 
2:100  Whatever verses we cancel, or cause thee to forget, we bring a better or
its like.  Knowest thou not that God hath power over all things?
 
       Knowest thou not that the dominion of the Heavens and of the Earth is
God's? and that ye have neither patron nor helper, save God?
 
       Would ye ask of your apostle what of old was asked of Moses?  But he who
exchangeth faith for unbelief, hath already erred from the even way.
 
       Many of the people of the Book desire to bring you back to unbelief
after ye have believed, out of selfish envy, even after the truth hath been
clearly shown them.  But forgive them, and shun them till God shall come in
with His working.  Truly God hath power over all things.
 
       And observe prayers and pay the legal impost: and whatever good thing ye
have sent on before for your soul's sake, ye shall find it with God.  Verily
God seeth what ye do.
 
       And they say, "None but Jews or Christians shall enter Paradise:"  This
is their wish,.  Say:  Give your proofs if ye speak the truth.
 
       But they who set their race with resignation Godward, and do what is
right, - their reward is with their Lord; no fear shall come on them, neither
shall they be grieved.
 
       Moveover, the Jews say, "The Christians lean on nought:" "On nought lean
the Jews," say the Christians:  Yet both are readers of the Book. So with like
words say they who have no knowledge.  But on the resurrection day, God shall
judge between them as to that in which they differ.
 
       And who committeth a greater wrong than he who hindereth God's name from
being remember in his temples, and who hasteth to ruin them?  such men cannot
enter them but with fear.  Their's is shame in this world, and a severe torment
in the next.
 
       The East and the West is God's: therefore, whichever way ye turn, there
is the face of God:  Truly God is immense and knoweth all.
 
2:110  And they say, "God hath a son:"  No!  Praise be to Him!  But - His,
whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth!  All obeyeth Him,
 
       Sole maker of the Heavens and the Earth!  And when He decreeth a thing,
He only saith to it, "Be," and it is.
 
       And they who have no knowledge say, "Unless God speak to us, or thou
shew us a sign.  . .!" So, with like words, said those who were before them:
their hearts are alike:  Clear signs have we already shewn for those who have
firm faith:
 
       Verily, with the Truth have we sent thee, a bearer of good tidings and a
warner: and of the people of Hell thou shalt not be questioned.
 
       But until thou follow their religion, neither Jews nor Christians will
be satisfied with thee.  Say:  Verily, guidance of God, - that is the guidance!
And if, after "the Knowledge" which hath reached thee, thou follow their
desires, thou shalt find neither helper nor protector against God.
 
       They to whom we have given the Book, and who read it as it ought to be
read, - these believe therein: but whoso believeth not therein, shall meet with
perdition.
 
       O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I have favoured you,
and that high above all mankind have I raised you:
 
       And dread the day when not in aught shall soul satisfy for soul, nor
shall any ransom be taken from it, nor shall any intercession avail, and they
shall not be helped.
 
       When his Lord made trial of Abraham by commands which he fulfilled, He
said, "I am about to make thee an Imam to mankind:" he said, "Of my offspring
also:"  "My covenant," said God, "embraceth not the evil doers."
 
       And remember when we appointed the Holy House as man's resort and safe
retreat, and said, "Take ye the station of Abraham for a place of prayer:"  And
we commanded Abraham and Ismael, "Purify my house for those who shall go in
procession round it, and those who shall abide there for devotion, and those
who shall bow down and prostrate themselves."
120  And when Abraham said, "Lord! make this secure land, and supply its people
with fruits, such of them as believe in God and in the last day:"  He said,
"And whoso believeth not, for a little while will I bestow good things on him;
then will I drive him to the torment of the Fire!"  An ill passage!
 
       And when Abraham, with Ismael, raised the foundations of the House, they
said, "O our Lord! accept it from us; for thou art the Hearer, the Knower.
 
       O our Lord! make us also Muslims, and our posterity a Muslim people; and
teach us our holy rites, and be turned towards us, for thou art He who turneth,
the Merciful.
 
       O our Lord!  raise up among them an apostle who may rehearse thy signs
unto them, and teach them the 'Book,' and Wisdom, and purify them:  for thou
art the Mighty, the Wife."
 
       And who but he that hath debased his soul to folly will mislike the
faith of Abraham, when we have chosen him in this world, and in the the world
to come he shall be of the Just?
 
       When his Lord said to him, "Resign thyself to me," he said, "I resign
myself to the Lord of the Worlds."
 
       And this to this children did Abraham bequeath, and Jacob also, saying,
"O my children!  truly God hath chosen a religion for you; so die not unless ye
be also Muslims."
 
       Were ye present when Jacob was at the point of death?  when he said to
his sons, "Whom will ye worship when I am gone?" They said, "We will worship
thy God and the God of thy fathers Abraham and Ismael and Isaac, one God, and
to Him are we surrendered (Muslims)."
 
       That people have now passed away; they have the reward of their deeds,
and ye shall have the meed of yours: but of their doings ye shall not be
questioned.
 
       They say, moreover, "Become Jews or Christians that ye may have the true
guidance."  Say:  Nay! the religion of Abraham, the sound in faith, and not one
of those who join gods with God!
 
2:130  Say ye:  "We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down to us,
and that which hath been sent down to Abraham and Ismael and Isaac and Jacob
and the tribes:  and that which hath been given to Moses and to Jesus, and that
which was given to the prophets from their Lord.  No difference do we make
between any of them:  and to God are we resigned (Muslims)."
 
       If therefore they believe even as ye believe, then have they true
guidance; but if they turn back, then do they cut themselves off from you: and
God will suffice to protect thee against them, for He is the Hearer, the
Knower.
 
       Islam is the Baptism of God, and who is better to baptise than God?  And
Him do we serve.
 
       Say:  Will ye dispute with us about God? when He is our Lord and your
Lord!  We have our works and ye have your works; and we are sincerely His.
 
       Will ye say, "Verily Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the
tribes, were Jews or Christians?"  Say: Who knoweth best, ye, or God?  And who
is more in fault than he who concealeth the witness which he hath from God?
But God is not regardless of what ye do.
 
       That people have now passed away:  they have the reward of their deeds,
and for you is the meed of yours; but of their doings ye shall not be
questioned.
 
       The foolish ones will say, "What hath turned them from the kebla which
they used?"  Say:  The East and the West are God's  He guided whom he will into
the right path.
 
       Thus have we made you a central people, that ye may be witnesses in
regard to mankind, and that the apostle may be a witness in regard to you.
 
       We appointed the kebla which thou formerly hadst, only that we might
know him who followeth the apostle, from him who turneth on his heels:  The
change is a difficulty, but not to those whom God hath guided.  But God will
not let your faith be fruitless; for unto man is God Merciful, Gracious.
 
       We have seen thee turning thy face towards every part of Heaven; but we
will have thee turn to a kebla which shall please thee.  Turn then thy face
towards the sacred Mosque, and wherever ye be, turn your faces towards that
part.  They, verily, to whom "the Book" hath been given, know this to be the
truth from their Lord:  and God is not regardless of what ye do.
 
2:140  Even thou thou shouldst bring every kind of sign to those who have
received the Scriptures, yet thy kebla they will not adopt; nor shalt thou
adopt their kebla; nor will one part of them adopt the kebla of the other.  And
if, after the knowledge which hath come to thee, thou follow their wishes,
verily then will thou become of the unrighteous.
 
       They to whom we have given the Scriptures know him - the apostle - even
as they know their own children: but truly a part of them do conceal the truth,
though acquainted with it.
 
       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
ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye knew not:
 
       Therefore remember me:  I will remember you; and give me thanks and be
not ungrateful.
 
       O ye 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 ye 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 ye should aver of
God that which ye know not.
 
       And when it is said to them, "Follow ye 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 ye who believe! eat of the good things with which we have supplied
you, and give God thanks if ye 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 assoil 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 payetgh 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye are their garment.  God knoweth that ye 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 ye 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 ye may consume a part of other men's wealth unjustly, while ye
know the sun which ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye seek an increase from your Lord; and
when ye 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 ye have finished your holy rites, remember God as ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 Israel how many clear signs we have given them.  But
if any man shall alter the boon of God after it shall have reached him,
assuredly God will be vehement in punishing him.
 
       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 ye to enter Paradise, when no such things have come upon you, as
on those who flourish before you?  Ills and troubles tried them; and so tossed
were they by trials, that the Apostle and they who shared his faith, said,
"When will the help of God come?" - Is not the help of God nigh?
 
       They will ask thee what they shall bestow in alms.  Say:  Let the good
which ye bestow be for parents, and kindred, and orphans, and the poor, and the
wayfarer; and whatever good ye do, of a truth God knoweth.
 
       War is prescribed to you:  but from this ye are averse.
 
       Yet haply he are averse from a thing, though it be good for good, and
haply ye love a thing through it be ad for you:  And God knoweth; but ye, ye
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 ye can spare.  Thus God sheweth you his signs that ye 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 ye 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 Paradise, and to pardon, if
he so will, and maketh clear his signs to men that they may remember.
 
       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 ye will;
but do first some act for your souls' [sic] good:  and fear ye God, and know
that ye must meet Him; and bear these good tidings to the faithful.
 
       Swear not by God, when ye make oath, that ye 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.
 
       Ye 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 ye have given to them unless both fear that they cannot keep within the
bounds set up by God.  And if ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye choose to have a nurse for your
children, it shall be no fault in you, in case ye pay what ye promised her
according to that which is fair.  Fear God, and know that God seeth what ye 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 ye 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 ye
will not forget them.  But promise them not in secret, unless ye 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 ye divorce your wives so long as ye 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 ye divorce them before consummation, and have already settled a
dowry on them, ye shall give them half of what ye have settled, unless they
make a release, or he make a release in whose hand in the marriage tie.  But if
ye 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 ye 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 ye 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 ye
return.
 
       Hast thou not considered the assembly of the children of Israel after
the death of Moses, when they said to a prophet of theirs, "Set up for us a
king; we will do battle for the cause of God?" He said, "May it not be that if
to fight were ordained you, ye would not fight?" They said, "And why should we
not fight in the cause of God, since we and our children are driven forth from
our dwellings?" But when fighting was commanded them, they turned back, save a
few of them:  But God knew the offenders!
 
       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 ye 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.
 
       Such are the signs of God:  with truth do we rehearse them to thee, for
one of the Sent Ones art Thou.
 
       Some of the apostles we have endowed more highly than others:  Those to
whom God hath spoken, He hath raised to the loftiest grade, and to Jesus the
Son of Mary we gave manifest signs, and we strengthened him with the Holy
Spirit.  And if God had pleased, they who came after them would not have
wrangled, after the clear signs had reached them.  But into disputes they fell:
some of them believed, and some were infidels; yet if God had pleased, they
would not have thus wrangled:  but God doth what he will.
 
       O Believers!  give alms of that with which we have supplied you, before
the day cometh when there shall be no trafficking, nor friendship, nor
intercession.  And the infidels are the wrong-doers.
 
       God!  There is no God but He; the Living, the Eternal; Nor slumber
seizeth Him, nor sleep; His, whatsoever is in the Heavens and whatsoever is in
the Earth!  Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His own permission?
He knoweth what hath been before them and what shall be after them; yet nought
of His knowledge shall they grasp, save what He willeth,.  His Throne reacheth
over the Heavens and the Earth, and the upholding of both burdeneth Him not;
and He is the High, the Great!
 
       Let there be no compulsion in Religion.  Now is the right way made
distinct from error.  Whoever therefore shall deny Thagout and believe in God -
he will have taken hold on a strong handle that shall not be broken:  and God
is He who Heareth, Knoweth.
 
       God is the patron of believers:  he shall bring them out of darkness
into light.
 
       As to those who believe not, their patrons are Thagout:  they shall
bring them out of light into darkness:  they shall be given over to the fire:
they shall abide therein for ever.
 
2:260  Hast thou not thought on him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord,
because God had given him the kingdom?  When Abraham said, "My Lord is He who
maketh alive and causeth to die:"  He said, "It is I who make alive and cause
to die!"  Abraham said, "since God bringeth the sun from the East, do thou,
then, bring it from the West."  The infidel was confounded; for God guideth not
the evil doers.
 
       Or how he demeaned him who passed by a city which had been laid in
ruins.  "How," said he, "shall God give life to this city, after she hath been
dead?" And God caused him to die for an hundred years, and then raised him to
life.  And God said, "How long hast thou waited?" He said, "I have waited a day
or part of a day." He said, "Nay, thou hast waited an hundred years.  Look on
thy food and thy drink; they are not corrupted; and look on thine ass:  we
would make thee a sign unto men:  And look on the bones of thine ass, how we
will raise them, then clothe them with flesh." And when this was shewn to him,
he said, "I acknowledge that God hath power to do all things."
 
       When Abraham said, "O Lord, shew me how thou wilt give life to the
dead!:  He said, "Hast thou not believed?" He said, "Yes; but I have asked
thee, that my heart may be well assured." He said, "Take, then, four birds, and
draw them towards thee, and cut them in pieces; then place a part of them on
every mountain; then call them and they shall come swiftly to thee:  and know
thou that God is Mighty, Wise!"
 
       The likeness of those who expend their wealth for the cause of God, is
that of a grain of corn which produceth seven ears, and in each ear a hundred
grains; and God will multiply to whom He pleaseth:  God is Liberal, Knowing!
 
       They who expend their wealth for the cause of God, and never follow what
they have laid out with reproaches or harm, shall have their reward with their
Lord; no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they be put to grief.
 
       A kind speech and forgiveness is better than alms followed by injury.
God is Rich, Clement.
 
       O ye who believe!  make not your alms void by reproaches and injury,
like him who spendeth his substance to be seen of men, and believeth not in God
and in the latter day,.  The likeness of such an one is that of a rock with a
thin soil upon it, on which a heavy rain falleth but leaveth it hard:  No
profit from their works shall they be able to gain; for God guideth not the
unbelieving people.
 
       And the likeness of those who expend their substance from a desire to
please God, and for the stablishing of their souls, is as a garden on a hill,
on which the heavy rain falleth, and it yieldeth its fruits twofold; and even
if a heavy rain fall not on it, yet is there a dew:  God beholdeth your
actions.
 
       Desireth any one of you a garden of palms and vines through which rivers
flow, in which he may have every fruit, and that old age should surprise him
there, and that his offspring should be weakly, and that then a fiery violent
wind shall strike it so that it shall be burned?  Thus God maketh plain his
signs to you that ye may reflect.
 
       O ye who believe!  bestow alms of the good things which ye have
acquired, and of that which we have brought forth for you out of the earth, and
choose not the bad for almsgiving,
 
2:270  Such as ye would accept yourselves only by connivance:  and know that
God is Rich, Praiseworthy.
 
       Satan menaceth you with poverty, and enjoineth base actions:  but God
promiseth you pardon from himself and abundance:  God is All-bounteous,
Knowing.
 
       He giveth wisdom to whom He will:  and he to whom wisdom is given, hath
had much good given him; but none will bear it is mind, except the wise of
heart.
 
       And whatever alms ye shall give, or whatever vow ye shall vow, of a
truth God knoweth it:  but they who act unjustly shall have no helpers. Give ye
your alms openly?  it is well.  Do ye conceal them and give them to the poor?
This, too, will be of advantage to you, and will do away you sins:  and God is
cognisant of your actions.
 
       Their guidance is not thine affair, O Muhammad; but God guideth whom he
pleaseth.  And the good that ye shall give in alms shall redound unto
yourselves; and ye shall not give but as seeking the face of God; and whatever
good thing ye shall have given in alms, shall be repaid you, and ye shall not
be wronged.  There are among you the poor, who being shut up to fighting for
the cause of God, have it not in their power to strike out into the earth for
riches.  Those who know them not, think them rich because of their modesty.  By
this their token thou shalt know them - they ask not of men with importunity:
and of whatever good thing ye shall give them in alms, of a truth God will take
knowledge.
 
       They who give away their substance in alms, by night and day, in private
and in public, shall have their reward with their Lord:  no fear shall come on
them, neither shall they be put to grief.
 
       They who swallow down usury, shall arise in the resurrection only as he
ariseth whom Satan hath infected by his touch.  This, for that they say,
"Selling is only the like of usury:" and yet God hath allowed selling, and
forbidden usury.  He then who when this warning shall come to him from his
Lord, abstaineth, shall have pardon for the past, and his lot shall be with
God.  But they who return to usury, shall be given over to the fire; therein
shall they abide for ever.
 
       God will bring usury to nought, but will increase alms with usury, and
God loveth no infidel, or evil person.  But they who believe and do the things
that are right, and observe the prayers, and pay the legal impost, they shall
have their reward with their Lord:  no fear shall come on them, neither shall
they be put to grief.
 
       O believers!  fear God and abandon your remaining usury, if ye are
indeed believers.
 
       But if ye do it not, then hearken for war on the part of God and his
apostle:  yet if ye repent, ye shall have the principal of your money.  Wrong
not, and ye shall not be wronged.
 
2:280  If any one find difficulty in discharging a debt, then let there be a
delay until it be easy for him:  but if ye remit it as alms it will be better
for you, if ye knew it.
 
       Fear the day wherein ye shall return to God:  then shall every soul be
rewarded according to its desert, and none shall have injustice done to them.
 
       O ye who believe! when ye contract a debt (payable) at a fixed date,
write it down, and let the notary faithfully note between you:  and let not the
notary refuse to note, even as God hath taught him; but let him note it down,
and let him who oweth the debt dictate, and let him fear God his Lord, and not
diminish aught thereof.  But if he who oweth the debt be foolish or weak, or be
not able to dictate himself, let his friend dictate for him with fairness; and
call to witness two witnesses of your people:  but if there be not two men, let
there be a man, and two women of those whom ye shall judge fit for witnesses:
if the one of them should mistake, the other may cause her to recollect.  And
the witnesses shall not refuse, whenever they shall be summoned.  And disdain
not to put the debt in writing, be it large or small, with its time of payment:
this will be more just for you in the sight of God, better suited for
witnessing, and the best for avoiding doubt.  But if the goods be there
present, and ye pass them from hand to hand - then it shall be no fault in you
not to write it down.  And have witnesses when ye sell, and harm not writer or
witness:  it will be a crime in you to do this.  But fear God and God will give
you knowledge, for God hath knowledge of all things.
 
       And if ye be on a journey and shall find no notary, let pledges be
taken:  but if one of you trust the other, let him who is trusted, restore what
he is trusted with, and fear God his Lord.  And refuse not to give evidence.
He who refuseth is surely wicked at heart: and God knoweth your deeds.
 
       Whatever is in the Heavens and in the Earth is God's:  and whether ye
bring forth to light what is in your minds or conceal it, God will reckon with
you for it; and whom He pleaseth will He forgive, and whom He pleaseth will He
punish; for God is All-powerful.
 
       The apostle believeth in that which hath been sent down from his Lord,
as do the faithful also.  Each one believeth in God, and His Angels, and His
Books, and His Apostles:  we make no distinction between any of His Apostles.
And they say, "We have heard and we obey.  Thy mercy, Lord! for unto thee must
we return."
 
       God will not burden any soul beyond its power.  It shall enjoy the good
which it hath acquired, and shall bear the evil for the acquirement of which it
laboured.  O our Lord!  punish us not if we forget, or fall into sin; O our
Lord! and lay not on us a load like that which thou has laid on those who have
been before us; O our Lord! and lay not on us that for which we have not
strength: but blot out our sins and forgive us, and have pity on us.  Thou art
our protector: give us victory therefore over the infidel nations.
-- Sura   2 - The Cow