The Koran (Al-Qur'an) Part 13

These are the statutes of G.o.d. And whoso obeyeth G.o.d and his apostle, G.o.d shall lead him into gardens wherein rivers flow, they shall continue therein forever; and this shall be great happiness.

But whoso disobeyeth G.o.d, and his apostle, and transgresseth his statutes, G.o.d shall cast him into h.e.l.l fire; he shall remain therein forever, and he shall suffer a shameful punishment.

If any of your women be guilty of wh.o.r.edom, produce four witnesses from among you against them, and if they bear witness against them, imprison them in separate apartments until death release them, or G.o.d affordeth them a way to escape.

And if two of you commit the like wickedness, punish them both: but if they repent and amend, let them both alone; for G.o.d is easy to be reconciled and merciful.

Verily repentance will be accepted with G.o.d, from those who do evil ignorantly, and then repent speedily; unto them will G.o.d be turned: for G.o.d is knowing and wise.

But no repentance shall be accepted from those who do evil until the time when death presenteth itself unto one of them, and he saith, Verily I repent now; nor unto those who die unbelievers; for them have we prepared a grievous punishment.

O true believers, it is not lawful for you to be heirs of women against their will, nor to hinder them from marrying others, that ye may take away part of what ye have given them in dowry; unless they have been guilty of a manifest crime: but converse kindly with them. And if ye hate them, it may happen that ye may hate a thing wherein G.o.d hath placed much good.

20 If ye be desirous to exchange a wife for another wife, and ye have already given one of them a talent, take not away anything therefrom: will ye take it by slandering her, and doing her manifest injustice?

And how can ye take it, since the one of you hath gone in unto the other, and they have received from you a firm covenant?

Marry not women whom your fathers have had to wife; (except what is already past:) for this is uncleanness, and an abomination, and an evil way.

Ye are forbidden to marry your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your aunts both on the father's and on the mother's side, and your brothers' daughters, and your sisters' daughters, and your mothers who have given you suck, and your foster-sisters, and your wives' mothers, and your daughters-in-law which are under your tuition, born of your wives unto whom ye have gone in, (but if ye have not gone in unto them, it shall be no sin in you to marry them, ) and the wives of your sons who proceed out of your loins; and ye are also forbidden to take to wife two sisters, except what is already past: for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Ye are also forbidden to take to wife free women who are married, except those women whom your right hands shall possess as slaves. This is ordained you from G.o.d. Whatever is beside this is allowed you; that ye may with your substance provide wives for yourselves, acting that which is right, and avoiding wh.o.r.edom. And for the advantage which ye receive from them, give them their reward, according to what is ordained: but it shall be no crime in you to make any other agreement among yourselves, after the ordinance shall be complied with; for G.o.d is knowing and wise.

Whoso among you hath not means sufficient that he may marry free women, who are believers, let him marry with such of your maid-servants whom your right hands possess, as are true believers; for G.o.d well knoweth your faith.

Ye are the one from the other: therefore marry them with the consent of their masters; and give them their dower according to justice; such as are modest, not guilty of wh.o.r.edom, nor entertaining lovers. And when they are married, if they be guilty of adultery, they shall suffer half the punishment which is appointed for the free women. This is allowed unto him among you, who feareth to sin by marrying free women; but if ye abstain from marrying slaves, it will be better for you; G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

G.o.d is willing to declare these things unto you, and to direct you according to the ordinances of those who have gone before you, and to be merciful unto you. G.o.d is knowing and wise.

G.o.d desireth to be gracious unto you; but they who follow their l.u.s.ts, desire that ye should turn aside from the truth with great deviation.

G.o.d is minded to make his religion light unto you: for man was created weak.

O true believers, consume not your wealth among yourselves in vanity; unless there be merchandising among you by mutual consent: neither slay yourselves; for G.o.d is merciful towards you: 30 and whoever doth this maliciously and wickedly, he will surely cast him to be broiled in h.e.l.l fire; and this is easy with G.o.d.

If ye turn aside from the grievous sins, of those which ye are forbidden to commit, we will cleanse you from your smaller faults; and will introduce you into paradise with an honourable entry.

Covet not that which G.o.d hath bestowed on some of you preferably to others. Unto the men shall be given a portion of what they shall have gained, and unto the women shall be given a portion of what they shall have gained: therefore ask G.o.d of his bounty; for G.o.d is omniscient.

We have appointed unto every one kindred, to inherit part of what their parents and relations shall leave at their deaths. And unto those with whom your right hands have made an alliance, give their part of the inheritance; for G.o.d is witness of all things.

Men shall have the preeminence above women, because of those advantages wherein G.o.d hath caused the one of them to excel the other, and for that which they expend of their substance in maintaining their wives. The honest women are obedient. careful in the absence of their husbands, for that G.o.d preserveth them, by committing them to the care and protection of the men.

But those, whose perverseness ye shall be apprehensive of, rebuke; and remove them into separate apartments, and chastise them. But if they shall be obedient unto you, seek not an occasion of quarrel against them: for G.o.d is high and great.

And if ye fear a breach between the husband and wife, send a judge out of his family, and a judge out of her family: if they shall desire a reconciliation, G.o.d will cause them to agree; for G.o.d is knowing and wise.

Serve G.o.d, and a.s.sociate no creature with him; and show kindness unto parents, and relations, and orphans, and the poor, and your neighbor who is of kin to you, and also your neighbor who is a stranger, and to your familiar companion, and the traveller, and the captives whom your right hands shall possess; for G.o.d loveth not the proud or vain-glorious, who are covetous, and recommend covetousness unto men, and conceal that which G.o.d of his bounty hath given them (we have prepared a shameful punishment for the unbelievers;) and who bestow their wealth in charity to be observed of men, and believe not in G.o.d, nor in the last day; and whoever hath Satan for a companion, an evil companion hath he!

And what harm would befall them if they should believe in G.o.d, and the last day, and give alms out of that which G.o.d hath bestowed on them? since G.o.d knoweth them who do this.

40 Verily G.o.d will not wrong any one even the weight of an ant: and if it be a good action, he will double it, and will recompense it in his sight with a great reward.

How will it be with the unbelievers when we shall bring a witness out of each nation against itself, and shall bring thee, O Mohammed, a witness against these people?

In that day they who have not believed, and have rebelled against the apostle of G.o.d, shall wish the earth was levelled with them; and they shall not be able to hide any matter from G.o.d.

O true believers, come not to prayers when ye are drunk, until ye understand what ye say; nor when ye are polluted by emission of seed, unless ye be travelling on the road, until ye wash yourselves. But if ye be sick or on a journey, or any of you come from easing nature, or have touched women, and find no water; take fine clean sand and rub your faces and your hands therewith; for G.o.d is merciful and inclined to forgive.

Hast thou not observed those unto whom part of the scripture was delivered? they sell error, and desire that ye may wander from the right way; but G.o.d well knoweth your enemies. G.o.d is a sufficient patron; and G.o.d is a sufficient helper.

Of the Jews there are some who pervert words from their places; and say, We have heard, and have disobeyed; and do thou hear without understanding our meaning, and look upon us: perplexing with their tongues, and reviling the true religion. But if they had said, We have heard, and do obey; and do thou hear, and regard us: certainly it were better for them, and more right. But G.o.d hath cursed them by reason of their infidelity; therefore a few of them only shall believe.

O ye to whom the scriptures have been given, believe in the revelation which we have sent down, confirming that which is with you; before we deface your countenances, and render them as the back parts thereof; or curse them, as we cursed those who transgressed on the sabbath day; and the command of G.o.d was fulfilled.

Surely G.o.d will not pardon the giving him an equal; but will pardon any other sin except that, to whom he pleaseth and whoso giveth a companion unto G.o.d, hath devised a great wickedness.

Hast thou not observed those who justify themselves? But G.o.d justifieth whomsoever he pleaseth, nor shall they be wronged a hair.

50 Behold, how they imagine a lie against G.o.d; and therein is iniquity sufficiently manifest.

Hast thou not considered those to whom part of the scripture hath been given? They believe in false G.o.ds and idols, and say of those who believe not, These are more rightly directed in the way of truth, than they who believe on Mohammed.

Those are the men whom G.o.d hath cursed and unto him whom G.o.d shall curse, thou shalt surely find no helper.

Shall they have a part of the kingdom, since even then they would not bestow the smallest matterr on men?

Do they envy other men that which G.o.d of his bounty hath given them? We formerly gave unto the family of Abraham a book of revelations and wisdom; and we gave them a great kingdom.

There is of them who believeth on him; and there is of them who turneth aside from him: but the raging fire of h.e.l.l is a sufficient punishment.

Verily those who disbelieve our signs, we will surely cast to be broiled in h.e.l.l fire; so often as their skins shall be well burned, we will give them other skins in exchange, that they may taste the sharper torment; for G.o.d is mighty and wise.

But those who believe and do that which is right, we will bring into gardens watered by rivers, therein shall they remain forever, and there shall they enjoy wives free from all impurity; and we will lead them into perpetual shades.

Moreover G.o.d commandeth you to restore what ye are trusted with, to the owners; and when ye judge between men, that ye judge according to equity: and surely an excellent virtue it is to which G.o.d exhorteth you; for G.o.d both heareth and seeth.

O true believers, obey G.o.d, and obey the apostle; and those who are in authority among you: and if ye differ, in anything, refer it unto G.o.d and the apostle, if ye believe in G.o.d, and the last day: this is better, and a fairer method of determination.

60 Hast thou not observed those who pretend they believe in what hath been revealed unto thee, and what hath been revealed before thee? They desire to go to judgment before Taghut, although they have been commanded not to believe in him; and Satan desireth to seduce them into a wide error.

And when it is said unto them, Come unto the book which G.o.d hath sent down, and to the apostle; thou seest the unG.o.dly turn aside from thee, with great aversion.

But how will they behave when a misfortune shall befall them, for that which their hands have sent before them? Then will they come unto thee, and swear by G.o.d, saying, If we intended any other than to do good, and to reconcile the parties.

G.o.d knoweth what is in the hearts of these men; therefore let them alone, and admonish them, and speak unto them a word which may affect their souls.

We have not sent any apostle, but that he might be obeyed by the permission of G.o.d: but if they, after they have injured their own souls, come unto thee, and ask pardon of G.o.d, and the apostle ask pardon for them, they shall surely find G.o.d easy to be reconciled and merciful.

And by thy LORD they will not perfectly believe, until they make thee judge of their controversies; and shall not afterwards find in their own minds any hards.h.i.+p in what thou shalt determine, but shall acquiesce therein with entire submission.

And if we had commanded them, saying, Slay yourselves, or depart from your houses; they would not have done it except a few of them. And if they had done what they were admonished, it would certainly have been better for them, and more efficacious for confirming their faith; and we should then have surely given them in our sight an exceeding great reward, and we should have directed them in the right way.

Whoever obeyeth G.o.d and the apostle, they shall be with those unto whom G.o.d hath been gracious, of the prophets, and the sincere, and the martyrs, and the righteous; and these are the most excellent company.

70 This is bounty from G.o.d; and G.o.d is sufficiently knowing.

O true believers, take your necessary precaution against your enemies, and either go forth to war in separate parties, or go forth all together in a body.

There is of you who tarrieth behind; and if a misfortune befall you, he saith, Verily G.o.d hath been gracious unto me, that I was not present with them: but if success attend you from G.o.d, he will say (as if there was no friends.h.i.+p between you and him), Would to G.o.d I had been with them, for I should have acquired great merit.

Let them therefore fight for the religion of G.o.d, who part with the present life in exchange for that which is to come; for whosoever fighteth for the religion of G.o.d, whether he be slain, or be victorious, we will surely give him a great reward.

And what ails you, that ye fight not for G.o.d'S true religion, and in defence of the weak among men, women, and children, who say, O LORD, bring us forth from this city, whose inhabitants are wicked; grant us from before thee a protector, and grant us from before thee a defender.

They who believe fight for the religion of G.o.d; but they who believe not fight for the religion of Taghut. Fight therefore against the friends of Satan, for the stratagem of Satan is weak.

Hast thou not observed those unto whom it was said, Withhold your hands from war, and be constant at prayers, and pay the legal alms? But when war is commanded them, behold a part of them fear men as they should fear G.o.d, or with a great fear, and say, O LORD, wherefore hast thou commanded us to go to war, and hast not suffered us to wait our approaching end? Say unto them, The provision of this life is but small; but the future shall be better for him who feareth G.o.d; and ye shall not be in the least injured at the day of judgment.

Wheresoever ye be, death will overtake you, although ye be in lofty towers. If good befall them, they say, This is from G.o.d; but if evil befall them, they say, This is from thee, O Mohammed: say, All is from G.o.d; and what aileth these people, that they are so far from understanding what is said unto them?

Whatever good befalleth thee, O man, it is from G.o.d; and whatever evil befalleth thee, it is from thyself. We have sent thee an apostle unto men, and G.o.d is a sufficient witness thereof.

80 Whoever obeyeth the apostle, obeyeth G.o.d; and whoever turneth back, we have not sent thee to be a keeper over them.

They say, Obedience: yet when they go forth from thee, part of them meditate by night a matter different from what thou speakest; but G.o.d shall write down what they meditate by night: therefore let them alone, and trust in G.o.d, for G.o.d is a sufficient protector.

Do they not attentively consider the Koran? if it had been from any besides G.o.d, they would certainly have found therein many contradictions.

When any news cometh unto them, either of security or fear, they immediately divulge it; but if they told it to the apostle and to those who are in authority among them, such of them would understand the truth of the matter, as inform themselves thereof from the apostle and his chiefs. And if the favor of G.o.d and his mercy had not been upon you, ye had followed the devil, except a few of you.

Fight therefore for the religion of G.o.d, and oblige not any to what is difficult, except thyself; however excite the faithful to war, perhaps G.o.d will restrain the courage of the unbelievers; for G.o.d is stronger than they, and more able to punish.

He who intercedeth between men with a good intercession shall have a portion thereof; and he who intercedeth with an evil intercession shall have a portion thereof; for G.o.d overlooketh all things.

When ye are saluted with a salutation, salute the person with a better salutation, or at least return the same; for G.o.d taketh an account of all things.

G.o.d! there is no G.o.d but he; he will surely gather you together on the day of resurrection; there is no doubt of it: and who is more true than G.o.d in what he saith?

Why are ye divided concerning the unG.o.dly into two parties; since G.o.d hath overturned them for what they have committed? Will ye direct him whom G.o.d hath led astray; since for him whom G.o.d shall lead astray, thou shalt find no true path?

They desire that ye should become infidels, as they are infidels, and that ye should be equally wicked with themselves. Therefore take not friends from among them, until they fly their country for the religion of G.o.d; and if they turn back from the faith, take them, and kill them wherever ye find them; and take no friend from among them, nor any helper, 90 except those who go unto a people who are in alliance with you, or those who come unto you, their hearts forbidding them either to fight against you, or to fight against their own people. And if G.o.d pleased he would have permitted them to have prevailed against you, and they would have fought against you. But if they depart from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, G.o.d doth not allow you to take or kill them.

Ye shall find others who are desirous to enter into confidence with you, and at the same time to preserve a confidence with their own people: so often as they return to sedition, they shall be subverted therein; and if they depart not from you, and offer you peace, and restrain their hands from warring against you, take them and kill them wheresoever ye find them; over these have we granted you a manifest power.

It is not lawful for a believer to kill a believer, unless it happen by mistake; and whoso killeth a believer by mistake, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer from slavery, and a fine to be paid to the family of the deceased, unless they remit it as alms: and if the slain person be of a people at enmity with you, and be a true believer, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer; but if he be of a people in confederacy with you, a fine to be paid to his family, and the freeing of a believer. And he who findeth not wherewith to do this shall fast two months consecutively as a penance enjoined from G.o.d; and G.o.d is knowing and wise.

But whoso killeth a believer designedly, his reward shall be h.e.l.l; he shall remain therein for ever; and G.o.d shall be angry with him, and shall curse him, and shall prepare for him a great punishment.

O true believers, when ye are on a march in defence of the true religion, justly discern such as ye shall happen to meet, and say not unto him who saluteth you, thou art not a true believer; seeking the accidental goods of the present life; for with G.o.d is much spoil. Such have ye formerly been; but G.o.d hath been gracious unto you; therefore make a just discernment, for G.o.d is well acquainted with that which ye do.

Those believers who sit still at home, not having any hurt, and those who employ their fortunes and their persons for the religion of G.o.d, shall not be held equal. G.o.d hath preferred those who employ their fortunes and their persons in that cause to a degree of honour above those who sit at home; G.o.d hath indeed promised every one paradise, but G.o.d hath preferred those who fight for the faith before those who sit still, by adding unto them a great reward, by degrees of honour conferred on them from him, and by granting them forgiveness and mercy; for G.o.d is indulgent and merciful.

Moreover unto those whom the angels put to death, having injured their own souls, the angels said, Of what religion were ye? they answered, We were weak in the earth. The angels replied, Was not G.o.d'S earth wide enough, that ye might fly therein to a place of refuge? Therefore their habitation shall be h.e.l.l; and an evil journey shall it be thither: except the weak among men, and women, and children, who were not able to find means, and were not directed in the way; these peradventure G.o.d will pardon, for G.o.d is ready to forgive, and gracious.

100 Whosoever flieth from his country for the sake of G.o.d'S true religion, shall find in the earth many forced to do the same, and plenty of provisions.

And whoever departeth from his house, and flieth unto G.o.d and his apostle, if death overtake him in the way, G.o.d will be obliged to reward him, for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

When ye march to war in the earth, it shall be no crime in you if ye shorten your prayers, in case ye fear the infidels may attack you; for the infidels are your open enemy.

But when thou, O prophet, shalt be among them, and shalt pray with them, let a party of them arise to prayer with thee, and let them take their arms; and when they shall have wors.h.i.+pped, let them stand behind you,o and let another party come that hath not prayed, and let them pray with thee, and let them be cautious and take their arms. The unbelievers would that ye should neglect your arms and your baggage while ye pray, that they might turn upon you at once. It shall be no crime in you, if ye be incommoded by rain, or be sick, that ye lay down your arms; but take your necessary precaution: G.o.d hath prepared for the unbelievers an ignominious punishment.

And when ye shall have ended your prayer, remember G.o.d, standing, and sitting, and lying on your sides. But when ye are secure from danger, complete your prayers: for prayer is commanded the faithful, and appointed to be said at the stated times.

Be not negligent in seeking out the unbelieving people, though ye suffer some inconvenience; for they also shall suffer as ye suffer, and ye hope for a reward from G.o.d which they cannot hope for; and G.o.d is knowing and wise.

We have sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, that thou mayest judge between men through that wisdom which G.o.d showeth thee therein; and be not an advocate for the fraudulent; but ask pardon of G.o.d for thy wrong intention, since G.o.d is indulgent and merciful.

Dispute not for those who deceive one another, for G.o.d loveth not him who is a deceiver or unjust.

Such conceal themselves from men, but they conceal not themselves from G.o.d; for he is with them when they imagine by night a saying which pleaseth him not, and G.o.d comprehendeth what they do.

Behold, ye are they who have disputed for them in this present life; but who shall dispute with G.o.d for them on the day of resurrection, or who will become their patron?

110 yet he who doth evil, or injureth his own soul, and afterwards asketh pardon of G.o.d, shall find G.o.d gracious and merciful.

Whoso committeth wickedness, committeth it against his own soul: G.o.d is knowing and wise.

And whoso committeth a sin or iniquity, and afterwards layeth it on the innocent, he shall surely bear the guilt of calumny and manifest injustice.

If the indulgence and mercy of G.o.d had not been upon thee, surely a part of them had studied to seduce thee; but they shall seduce themselves only, and shall not hurt thee at all. G.o.d hath sent down unto thee the book of the Koran and wisdom, and hath taught thee that which thou knewest not; for the favor of G.o.d hath been great towards thee.

There is no good in the mult.i.tude of their private discourses, unless in the discourse of him who recommendeth alms, or that which is right, or agreement amongst men: whoever doth this out of a desire to please G.o.d, we will surely give him a great reward.

But whoso separateth himself from the apostle, after true direction hath been manifested unto him, and followeth any other way than than of the true believers, we will cause him to obtain that to which he is inclined, and will cast him to be burned in h.e.l.l; and an unhappy journey shall it be thither.

Verily G.o.d will not pardon the giving him a companion, but he will pardon any crime besides that, unto whom he pleaseth: and he who giveth a companion unto G.o.d is surely led aside into a wide mistake; the infidels invoke beside him only female deities; and only invoke rebellious Satan.

G.o.d cursed him; and he said, Verily I will take of thy servants a part cut off from the rest, and I will seduce them, and will insinuate vain desires into them, and I will command them and they shall cut off the ears of cattle; and I will command them and they shall change G.o.d'S creature. But whoever taketh Satan for his patron, besides G.o.d, shall surely perish with a manifest destruction.

120 He maketh them promises, and insinuateth into them vain desires; yet Satan maketh them only deceitful promises.

The receptacle of these shall be h.e.l.l, they shall find no refuge from it.

But they who believe, and do good works, we will surely lead them into gardens, through which rivers flow, they shall continue therein forever, according to the true promise of G.o.d; and who is more true than G.o.d in what he saith?

It shall not be according to your desires, nor according to the desires of those who have received the scriptures. Whoso doth evil shall be rewarded for it; and shall not find any patron or helper, beside G.o.d; but whoso doth good works, whether he be male or female, and is a true believer, they shall be admitted into paradise, and shall not in the least be unjustly dealt with.