18. He only shall tend Allah’s sanctuaries who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due and feareth none save Allah, For such (only) is it possible that they can be of the rightly guided.
19. Count ye the slaking of a pilgrim’s thirst and tendance of the Inviolable Place of Worship as (equal to the worth of him) who believeth in Allah and the Last Day, and striveth o SIRRAH 194 THE GLORIOUS KORAN in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
20. Those who believe, and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s way are of much greater worth in Allah’s sight. These are they who are triumphant.
21. Their Lord giveth them good tidings of mercy from Him, and acceptance, and Gardens where enduring pleasure will be theirs; 22. There they will abide for ever. Lo! with Allah there is immense reward.
23. O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers. 24. Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe, and the wealth ye have acquired, and merchandise for which ye fear that there will be no sale,' and dwellings ye desire are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
25. Alkah hath given you victory on many fields and on the day of Huneyn," when ye exulted in your multitude but it availed you naught, and the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for you; then ye turned back in flight; 26. Then Allah sent His peace of reassurance down upon His messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts ye could not see, and punished those who disbelieved. Such is the reward of disbelievers.
I It was objected that, if idolaters were forbidden to make the pilgtimage, the trade of Mecca would decline.
* The Muslim army, ambushed at Huneyn, gained a great victory after being nearly routed.
REPENTANCE IX 27. Then afterward Allah will relent toward whom He will; for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 28. O ye who believe! The idolaters only are unclean. So let them not come near the Inviolable Place of Worship after this their year. If ye fear poverty (from the loss of their merchandise) Allah shall preserve you of His bounty if He will. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.
29. Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the religion of truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
50. And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say; The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fghteth against them. How perverse are they!
31. They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son ot Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no god save Him. Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!
32. Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse.
, 33. He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse.
34. O ye who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom.
THE GLORIOUS KORAN SURAH ig6 35. On the day whenic will (all) be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is that which ye hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what ye used to hoard.
36. Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).
37. Postponement (of a sacred month)^ is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it (another) year, that they may make up the number of the months which Allah hath hallowed, so that they allow that which Allah hath forbidden. The evil of their deeds is made fair-seeming unto them, Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
38. O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you; Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter, 39. If ye go not forth He will afflict you with a painful doom, and will choose instead of you a folk other than you. ^ Ye cannot harm Him at all. Allah is Able to do all things.
40. If ye help him not, still Allah helped him when those who disbelieve drove him forth, the second of two; when they two^ were in the cave, when he said unto his comrade: Grieve not. Lo! Allah is with us. Then Allah caused His ' The idolaters would postpone a sacred month in which war was forbidden, when they wanted to make war, and make up for it by hallowing another month.
“ The Prophet and Abu Bakr during the Flight from Mecca to Al-Madinah.
IX REPENTANCE peace of reassurance to descend upon him and supported him with hosts ye cannot see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the nethermost, while Allah’s word it was that became the uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
41. Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew.
42. Had it been a near adventure and an easy journey they had followed thee, but the distance seemed too far for them Yet will they swear by Allah (saying): If we had been able we would surely have set out with you. They destroy their souls, and Allah knoweth that they verily are liars.
43. Allah forgive thee (O Muhammad).' Wherefor didst thou grant them leave ere those who told the truth were manifest to thee and thou didst know the liars?
44. Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask no leave of thee lest they should strive with their wealth and their lives. Allah is Aware of those who keep their duty (unto Him).
45. They alone ask leave of thee who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver. 46. And if they had wished to go forth they would assuredly have made ready some equipment, hut Allah was averse to their being sent forth and held them back and (it was said unto them): Sit ye with the sedentary!
47. Had they gone forth among you they had added to you naught save trouble and had hurried to and fro among you, seeking to cause sedition among you; and among you there are some who would have listened to them. Allah is Aware of evil-doers.
48. Aforetime they sought to cause sedition and raised * The reference is to the Tabuk expedition. Tabuk is half-way between Al- Madtnah and Damascus, SURAH 198 THE GLORIOUS KORAN difficulcies for thee till the Truth came and the decree of Allah, was made manifest, though they were loth.
49. Of them is he who saith: Grant me leave (to stay at home) and tempt me not.I Surely it is into temptation that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! hell is all around the disbelievers.
50. If good befalleth thee (O Muhammad) it afflicteth them, and if calamity befalleth thee, they say: We took precaution, and they turn away well pleased.
51. Say; Naught befalleth us save that which Allah hath decreed for us. He is our Protecting Friend. In Allah let believers put their trust! 52. Say: Can ye await for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in Allah’s way)’ while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him or at our hands. Await then! Lo! we are awaiting with you.
53. Say: Pay (your contribution), willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Lo! ye were ever froward folk.
54. And naught preventeth that their contributions should be accepted from them save that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His messenger, and they come not to worship save as idlers, and pay not (their contribution) save reluctantly.
55. So let not their riches nor their children please thee (O Muhammad). Allah thereby intendeth but to punish them in the life of the world and that their souls shall pass away while they are disbelievers.
56. And they swear by Allah that they are in truth of you, when they are not of you, but they are folk who are afraid.
57. Had they but found a refuge, or caverns, or a place to enter, they surely had resorted thither swift as runaways.
‘ The temptation here referred to is generally explained as being the beauty of the women of Syria, the country against which the campaign was directed.
IX REPENTANCE 58. And of them is he who defameth thee in the matter of the alms. If they are given thereof they are content, and if they are not given thereof, behold! they are enraged.
59. (How much more seemly) had they been content with that which Allah and His messenger had given them and had said: Allah sufficeth us. Allah will give us of His bounty, and (also) His messenger. Unto Allah we are suppliants.
60. The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled,' and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.
61. And of them are those who vex the Prophet and say: He is only a hearer. Say: A hearer of good for you, who be- lieveth in Allah and is true to the believers, and a mercy for such of you as believe. Those who vex the messenger of Allah, for them there is a painful doom.
62. They swear by Allah to you (Muslims) to please you, but Allah, with His messenger, hath more right that they should please Him if they are believers. 63. Know they not that whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, his portion verily is hell, to abide therein? That is the extreme abasement.
64. The hypocrites fear lest a surah should be revealed concerning them, proclaiming what is in their hearts. Say: Scoff (your fill)! Lo! Allah is disclosing what ye fear.
65. And if thou ask them (O Muhammad) they will say: We did but talk and jest. Say: Was it at Allah and His revelations and His messenger that ye did scoff?
66. Make no excuse. Ye have disbelieved after your (con- ^ A special portion of the Alms was allotted to the people of Mecca, the former enemies of AUslam, who were converted en masse after the capture of the city, and whose "hearts were to be reconciled."
SURAH THE GLORIOUS KORAN fession of) belief. If We forgive a party of you, a party of you We shall punish because they have been guilty.
67. The hypocrites, both men and women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the right, and they withhold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah). They forget Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Lo! the hypocrites, they are the transgressors.
68. Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment. 69. Even as those before you who were mightier than you in strength, and more affluent than you in wealth and children. They enjoyed their lot awhile, so ye enjoy your lot awhile even as those before you did enjoy their lot awhile. And ye prate even as they prated. Such are they whose works have perished in the world and the Hereafter. Such are they who are the losers.
70. Hath not the fame of those before them reached them —the folk of Noah, A'ad, Thamud, the folk of Abraham, the dwellers of Midian and the disasters (which befell them)? Their messengers (from Allah) came unto them with proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty). So Allah surely wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.
71. And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.
72. Allah promiseth to the believers, men and women. Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide—blessed dwellings in Gardens of Eden. And—greater (far)!—acceptance from Allah. That is the supreme triumph.
IX REPENTANCE 73. O PropKet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites! Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless journey’s-cnd.
74. They swear by Allah that they said nothing (wrong), yet they did say the word of disbelief, and did disbelieve after their Surrender (to Allah). And they purposed that which they could not attain, and they sought revenge only that Allah by His messenger should enrich them of His bounty. If they repent it will be better for them; and if they turn away, Allah will afflict them with a painful doom in the world and the Hereafter, and they have no protecting friend nor helper in the earth.
75. And of them is he who made a covenant with Allah (saying): If He give us of His bounty We will give alms and become of the righteous.
76. Yet when He gave them of His bounty, they hoarded it and turned away, averse; 77. So He hath made the consequence (to be) hypocrisy in their hearts until the day when they shall meet Him, because they broke their word to Allah that they promised Him, and because they lied.
78. Know they not that Allah knoweth both their secret and the thought that they confide, and that Allah is the Knower of Things Hidden? 79. Those who point at such of the believers as give the alms willingly and such as can find naught to give but their endeavours, and deride them—Allah (Himself) derideth them. Theirs will be a painful doom.
80. Ask forgiveness for them (O Muhammad), or ask not forgiveness for them; though thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times Allah will not forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger, and Allah guiderh not wrongdoing folk.
202 THE GLORIOUS KORAN sOrah 8 1. Those who were left behind rejoiced at sitting still behind the messenger of Allah, and were averse to striving with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s way. And they said: Go not forth in the heat! Say: The heat of hell is more intense of heat, if they but understood.
82. Then let them laugh a little: they will weep much, as the reward of what they used to earn.
83. If Allah bring thee back (from the campaign) unto a party of them and they ask of thee leave to go out (to fight), then say unto them: Ye shall never more go out with me nor fight with me against a foe. Ye were content with sitting still the first time. So sit still, with the useless.
84. And never (O Muhammad) pray for one of them who dieth, nor stand by his grave. Lo! they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger, and they died while they were evil-doers. 85. Let not their wealth nor their children please thee! Allah purposeth only to punish them thereby in the worldi and that their souls shall pass away while they are disbelievers, 86. And when a surah is revealed (which saith): Believe in Allah and strive along with His messenger, the men of wealth among them still ask leave of thee and say: Suffer us to be with those who sit (at home).
87. They are content that they should be with the useless and their hearts are sealed, so that they apprehend not.
88. But the messenger and those who believe with him strive with their wealth and their lives. Such are they for whom are the good things. Such are they who are the successful.
89. Allah hath made ready for them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide. That is the supreme triumph.
90. And those among the wandering Arabs who had an excuse came in order that permission might be granted them.
IX REPENTANCE And those who lied to Allah and His messenger sat at home. A painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.
91. Not unto the weak nor unto the sick nor unto those who can find naught to spend is any fault (to be imputed though they stay at home) if they are true to Allah and His messenger. Not unto the good is there any road (of blame). Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 92. Nor unto those whom, when they came to thee (asking) that thou shouldest mount them, thou didst tell: I cannot find whereon to mount you. They turned back with eyes flowing with tears, for sorrow that they could not find the means to spend.
93. The road (of blame) is only against those who ask for leave of thee (to stay at home) when they are rich. They are content to be with the useless. Allah hath sealed their hearts so that they know not.
94. They will make excuse to you (Muslims) when ye return unto them. Say: Make no excuse, for we shall not believe you. Allah hath told us tidings of you. Allah and His messenger will see your conduct, and then ye will be brought back unto Him Who knoweth the invisible as well as the visible, and He will tell you what ye used to do, 95. They will swear by Allah unto you, when ye return unto them, that ye may let them be. Let them be, for lo! they are unclean, and their abode is hell as the reward for what they used to earn, 96. They swear unto you, that ye may accept them. Though ye accept them, Allah verily accepteth not wrongdoing folk. 97. The wandering Arabs are more hard in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be ignorant of the limits which Allah hath revealed unto His messenger. And Allah is Knower, Wise.
THE GLORIOUS KORAN SURAH 98. And of the wandering Arabs there is he who taketh that which he expendeth (for the cause of Allah) as a loss, and awaiteth (evil) turns of fortune for you (that he may be rid of it). The evil turn of fortune will be theirs. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
99. And of the wandering Arabs there is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day, and taketh that which he expendeth and also the prayers of the messenger as acceptable offerings in the sight of Allah. Lol verily it is an acceptable offering for them. Allah will bring them into His mercy. Lo? Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
too. And the first to lead the way, of the Muhajirin' and the Ansar,® and those who followed them in goodness— Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him, and He hath made ready for them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the supreme triumph.
101. And among those around you of the wandering Arabs there are hypocrites, and among the townspeople of Al-Madi- nah (there are some who) persist in hypocrisy whom thou (O Muhammad) knowest not. We, We know them, and We shall chastise them twice; then they will be relegated to a painful doom.
102. And (there are) others who have acknowledged their faults. They mixed a righteous action with another that was bad. It may be that Allah will relent toward them. Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.
103. Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
^ The fugitives from Mecca to Al-Madtnah.
® The Muslims of Al-Madinah who welcomed the fugitives from Mecca and helped the Prophet with their wealth and defended him with their lives.
IX REPENTANCE 104. Know they not that Allah is He Who accepreth repentance from His bondmen and taketh the alms, and that Allah is He Who is the Relenting, the Merciful.
105. And say (unto them): Act! Allah will behold your actions, and (so will) His messenger and the believers, and ye will be brought back to the Knower of the invisible and the visible, and He will tell you what ye used to do.
106. And. (there are) others who await Allah’s decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them. Allah is Knower, Wise. 107. And as for those who chose a place of worship out of opposition and disbelief, and in order to cause dissent among the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His messenger aforetime, they will surely swear: We purposed naught save good. Allah beareth witness that they verily are liars.
108. Never stand (to pray) there. A place of worship) which was founded upon duty (to Allah) from the first day is more worthy that thou shouldst stand (to pray) therein, wherein are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loveth the purifiers.
109. Is he who founded his building upon duty to Allah and His good pleasure better; or he who founded his building on the brink of a crumbling, overhanging precipice so that it toppled with him into the fire of hell? Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
no. The building which they built will never cease to be a misgiving in their hearts unless their hearts be torn to pieces. Allah is Knower, Wise.
Ill, Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the SURAH 206 THE GLORIOUS KORAN Gospel and the Qur’an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.
112. (Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah) those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah—And give glad tidings to believers!
113. It is not for the Prophet, and those who believe, to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hell-fire.
114. The prayer of Abraham for the forgiveness of his father was only because of a promise he had promised him, but when it had become clear unto him that he (his father) was an enemy to Allah he (Abraham) disowned him. Lo! Abraham was soft of heart, long-suffering.
115. It was never Allah’s (part) that he should send a folk astray after He had guided them until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid. Lol Allah is Aware of all things. n6. Lo! Allah! Unto Him belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He quickeneth and He giveth death. And ye have, instead of Allah, no protecting friend nor helper.
117. Allah hath turned in mercy to the Prophet, and to the Muhajirin and the Ansar' who followed him in the hour of hardship. After the hearts of a party of them had almost swerved aside, then turned He unto them in mercy. Lo! He is Full of Pity, Merciful for them.
118. And to the three also (did He turn in mercy) who IX REPENTANCE were left behind, when the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for them, and their own souls were straitened for them till they bethought them that there is no refuge from Allah save toward Him. Then turned He unto them in mercy that they (too) might turn (repentant unto Him).' Lo! Allah! He is the Relenting, the Merciful.
119. O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful. 120. It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefor. Lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the good.
121. Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do.
122. And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.
123. O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).
124. And whenever a surah is revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you hath thus increased in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).
' The reference is to three men of Al-Madinah who were ostracised on account of a misdeed, but afterwards repented and were forgiven. THE GLORIOUS KORAN sOrah ix 125. But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it only addeth wickedness to their wickedness, and they die while they are disbelievers.
126. See they not that they are tested once or twice in every year? Still they turn not in repentance, neither pay they heed.
127. And whenever a surah is revealed, they look one at another (as who should say): Doth anybody see you? Then they turn away. Allah turneth away their hearts because they arc a folk who understand not.
128. There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full ot concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.
129. Now, if they turn away (O Muhammad) say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no God save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
SURAH X Derives its title from v. 99. “If only there had been a community (of those that were) destroyed of old that believed and profited by its belief as did the folk of Jonah! ” As is the case with nearly all the Meccan Surahs, the date of revelation is uncertain, on account of the dearth of historical allusion. All that can with certainty be said is, that it belongs to the latest group of Meccan Surahs, and must therefore have been revealed at some time during the last four years before the Hijrah.
A late Meccan Stirah, with the exception of three verses revealed at Al-Madinah.
JONAH Revealed at Mecca In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful.
1. Alif. Urn. Ra.'
2. These are verses of the wise Scripture.
3. Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspired a man among them, saying: Warn mankind and bring unto those tvho believe the good tidings that they have a sure footing with their Lord? The disbelievers say: Lo! this is a mere wizard.
4. Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days,^ then He established Himself upon the Throne, directing all things. There is no intercessor (with Him) save after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Oh, will ye not remind?
^ See Sur. II, v. i, footnote. * See XXII, 47, XXXII, 5, and LXX, 4.
stfRAH THE GLORIOUS KORAN 5. Unto Him is the return of all of you; it is a promise of Allah in truth. Lo! He produceth creation, then reproduceth it, that He may reward those who believe and do good works with equity; while, as for those who disbelieve, theirs will be a boiling drink and painful doom because they disbelieved.
6. He it is who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge. 7. Lo! in the dilference of day and night and all that Allah hath created in the heavens and the earth are portents, verily, for folk who ward off (evil).
8. Lo! those who expect not the meeting with Us but desire the life of: the world and feel secure therein, and those who are neglectful of Our revelations, 9. Their home w’ill be the Fire because of what they used to earn, to, Lo! those who believe and do good works, their Lord guideth them by their faith. Rivers will flow beneath them in the Gardens of Delight, 11. Their prayer therein will be: Glory be to Thee, O Allah! and their greeting therein will be: Peace. And the conclusion of their prayer will be: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!
12. If Allah were to hasten on for men the ill (that they have earned) as they would hasten on the good, their respite would already have expired. But We suffer those who look not for the meeting with Us to wander blindly on in their contumacy.
13. And if misfortune touch a man he crieth unto Us, (while reclining) on his side, or sitting or standing, but when We have relieved him of the misfortune he goeth his way as X 2 II JONAH though he had not cried unto us because of a misfortune that afflicted him. Thus is what they do made (seeming) fair unto the prodigal.
14. We destroyed the generations before you when they did wrong; and their messengers (from Allah) came unto them with clear proofs (of His Sovereignty) but they would not believe. Thus do We reward the guilty folk.
15. Then We appointed you viceroys in the earth after them, that We might see how ye behave.
16. And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, they who look not for the meeting with Us say: Bring a Lecture' other than this, or change it. Say (O Muhammad): It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I only follow that which is inspired in me. Lo! if I disobey my Lord I fear the retribution of an awful Day.
17. Say: If Allah had so willed I should not have recited it to you nor would He have made it known to you, I dwelt among you a whole lifetime before it (came to me). Have ye then no sense?
18. Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah and denieth His revelations? Lo! the guilty never are successful. 19. They worship beside Allah that which neither hurteth them nor profiteth them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth? Praised be He and high exalted above all that ye associate (with Him)!
20. Mankind were but one community; then they differed; and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord it had been judged between them in respect of that wherein they differ.
* Ar. Qur'an.
SURAH THE GLORIOUS KORAN 21. And they will say: If only a portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Then say, (O Muhammad): The Unseen belongeth to Allah. So wait! Lo, I am waiting with you.
22. And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy after some adversity which had afflicted them, behold! they have some plot against Our revelations. Say: Allah is more swift in plotting. Lo! Our messengers write down that which ye plot. 23. He it is who maketh you to go on the land and the sea till, when ye are in the ships and they sail with them with a fair breeze and they are glad therein, a storm-wind reacheth them and the wave cometh unco them from every side and they deem that they are overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for Him only: If Thou deliver us from this, we truly will be of the thankful, 24. Yet when He hath delivered them, behold! they rebel in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion is only against yourselves. (Ye have) enjoyment of the life of the world; then unto Us is your return and We shall proclaim unto you what ye used to do.
25. The similitude of the life of the world is only as water which We send down from the sky, then the earth’s growth of that which men and cattle eat mingleth with it till, when the earth hath taken on her ornaments and is embellished, and her people deem that they are masters of her, Our commandment cometh by night or by day and we make it as reaped corn as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We expound the revelations for people who reflect.
26. And Allah summoneth to the abode of peace, and leadeth whom He will to a straight path. 27. For those who do good is the best (reward) and more (thereto). Neither dust nor ignominy cometh near their faces.
X JONAH 213 Such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein.
28. And those who earn ill deeds, (for them) requital of each ill deed by the like thereof; and ignominy overtaketh them—They have no protector from Allah—as if their faces had been covered with a cloak of darkest night. Such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein 29. On the day when We gather them all together, then We say unto those who ascribed partners (unto Us): Stand back, ye and your (pretended) partners (of Allah)! And We separate them, the one from the other, and their (pretended) partners say: It was not us ye worshipped.
30. Allah sufhceth as a witness between us and you, that we were unaware of your worship.
31. There doth every soul experience that which it did aforetime, and they are returned unto Allah, their rightful Lord, and that which they used to invent hath failed them.
32. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Who provideth for you from the sky and the earth, or Who owneth hearing and sight; and Who bringeth forth the living from the dead and bringeth forth the dead from rhe living; and Who directerh the course? They will say: Allah. Then say: Will ye not then keep your duty (unto Him)?
33. Such then is Allah, your rightful Lord. After the Truth what is there saving error? How then are ye rurned away!
34. Thus is the Word of thy Lord justified concerning those who do wrong: that they believe not.
35. Say: Is there of your partners (whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that produceth Creation and then reproduceth it? Say: Allah produceth Creation, then reproduceth it. How then, are ye misled!
36. Say: Is there of your partners (whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that leadeth to the Truth? Say: Allah leadeth to THE GLORIOUS KORAN sOrah the Truth. Is He Who leadeth to the Truth more deserving that He should he follovred, or he who findeth not the way unless he (himself) be guided. What aileth you? How judge ye?
37. Most of them follow naught but conjecture. Assuredly conjecture can by no nieans take the place of truth. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do.
38. And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be invented in despite of Allah; but it is a confirmation of that which was before it and an exposition of that which is decreed for mankind—Therein is no doubt—from the Lord of the Worlds.
39. Or say they: He hath invented it? Say: Then bring a surah like unto it, and call (for help) on all ye can besides Allah, if ye are truthful. 40. Nay, but they denied that, the knowledge whereof they could not compass, and whereof the interpretation (in events) hath not yet come unto them. Even so did those before them deny. Then see what was the consequence for the wrongdoers!
41. And of them is he who believeth therein, and of them is he who believeth not therein, and thy Lord is best aware of the corrupters.
42. And if they deny thee, say: Unto me my work, and unto you your work. Ye are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what ye do, 43. And of them are some who listen unto thee. But canst thou make the deaf to hear even though they apprehend not?
44. And of them is he who looketh toward thee. But canst thou guide the blind even though they see not?
45. Lo! Allah wrongeth not mankind in aught; but mankind wrong themselves.
X JONAH 215 46. And on the day when He shall gather them together, (when it will seem) as though they had tarried but an hour of the day, recognising one another, those will verily have perished who denied the meeting with Allah and were not guided.
47. Whether We let thee (O Muhammad) behold something of that which We promise them or (whether We) cause thee to die, still unto Us is their return, and Allah, moreover, is Witness over what they do.