The Koran Part 136

20 Authorising the ransom of captives.

21 That is, a disposition to become Muslims.

22 That is, on account of their infidelity.

23 See Weil. Life of M. p. 84, n.

SURA1 XLVII.-MUHAMMAD [XCVI.]

MEDINA.-40 Verses

In the Name of G.o.d, the Compa.s.sionate, the Merciful

WHOSO believe not, and prevent others from the way of G.o.d-their works will He cause to miscarry;2

But whoso believe, and do things that are right, and believe in what hath been sent down to MUHAMMAD-for it is the truth from their Lord-their sins will He cancel, and dispose their hearts aright.

This-because the infidels followed vanity, while those who believe, followed the truth from their Lord. Thus to men doth G.o.d set forth their likenesses.

When ye encounter the infidels,3 strike off their heads till ye have made a great slaughter among them, and of the rest make fast the fetters.

And afterwards let there either be free dismissals or ransomings, till the war hath laid down its burdens. Thus do. Were such the pleasure of G.o.d, he could himself take vengeance upon them: but He would rather prove the one of you by the other. And whoso fight for the cause of G.o.d, their works he will not suffer to miscarry;

He will vouchsafe them guidance, and dispose their hearts aright;

And he will bring them into the Paradise, of which he hath told them.

Believers! if ye help G.o.d, G.o.d will help you, and will set your feet firm:

But as for the infidels, let them perish: and their works shall G.o.d bring to nought:

This-because they were averse from the command which G.o.d sent down; Fruitless, therefore, shall their works become!

Have they not journeyed through the land, and seen what hath been the end of those who flourished before them? G.o.d brought destruction on them: and the like of this doth await the infidels.

This-because G.o.d is the protector of those who believe, and because the infidels have no protector.

Verily G.o.d will bring those who believe, and do the things that are right, into the Gardens, beneath whose shades the rivers flow: but they who believe not, take their fill, and eat as the beasts eat! And their dwelling-place the fire!

And how many cities were mightier in strength than thy city, which hath thrust thee forth!4 We destroyed them, and there was none to help them.

Shall he who followeth the clear teaching of his Lord be as he, the evil of whose doings hath been made to seem good to him, or like those who follow their own l.u.s.ts?

A picture of the Paradise which is promised to the G.o.d-fearing! Therein are rivers of water, which corrupt not: rivers of milk, whose taste changeth not: and rivers of wine, delicious to those who quaff it;

And rivers of honey clarified: and therein are all kinds of fruit for them from their Lord! Is this like the lot of those who must dwell for ever in the fire? and shall have draughts of boiling water forced on them which will rend their bowels asunder?

Some of them indeed hearken to thee, until when they go out from thee, they say with sneers to those to whom "the knowledge" hath been given, "What is this he said?" These are they whose hearts G.o.d hath sealed up, and who follow their own l.u.s.ts.

But as to those who have the guidance, He will increase their guidance, and He will teach them what to fear.

For what do the infidels wait, but that the Hour come suddenly on them?

Already are its signs come,5 and when it hath come on them indeed, how can they be warned then?

Know, then, that there is no G.o.d but G.o.d: and ask pardon for thy sin, and for believers, both men and women. G.o.d knoweth your busy movements, and your final resting-places.

The believers say, "Oh, would that a Sura were sent down!"6 but when a peremptory Sura is revealed, whose burden is war, thou mayest see the diseased of heart look toward thee, with a look of one on whom the shadows of death have fallen! But better in them would be obedience and becoming language.

And if, when the command for war is issued, they are true to G.o.d, it will be a.s.suredly best for them.

Were ye not ready, if ye had turned back from Him, to spread disorder in the land, and violate the ties of blood?

These are they whom G.o.d hath cursed, and made deaf, and blinded their eyes!

Will they not then meditate on the Koran? Are locks upon their hearts?

But as to those who return to their errors after "the guidance" hath been made plain to them, Satan shall beguile them, and fill them with his suggestions.

This-because they say to those who abhor what G.o.d hath sent down, "We will comply with you in part of what ye enjoin." But G.o.d knoweth their secret reservations.

But how? When the angels, in causing them to die, shall smite them on the face and back!

This because they follow that which angereth G.o.d, and abhor what pleaseth Him: therefore will He make their works fruitless.

Think these men of diseased hearts, that G.o.d will not bring out their malice to light?

If such were our pleasure, we could point them out to thee, and thou surely know them by their tokens: and know them thou shalt, by the strangeness of their words.7 G.o.d knoweth your doings.

And we will surely test you, until we know the valiant and the steadfast among you: and we will test the reports of your conduct.

Verily they who believe not, and turn others from the way of G.o.d, and separate from the Apostle after that "the guidance" hath been clearly shewn them, shall in no way injure G.o.d: but their works shall he bring to nought.

Believers! obey G.o.d and the Apostle: and render not your works vain.

Verily those who believe not, and who pervert others from the way of G.o.d, and then die in unbelief, G.o.d will not forgive.

Be not fainthearted then; and invite not the infidels to peace when ye have the upper hand: for G.o.d is with you, and will not defraud you of the recompense of your works.

Surely this present life is only a play, and pastime! but if ye believe, fear G.o.d; He will give you your rewards: but He will not ask all your riches of you.

Should He ask them of you, and urge you, ye would shew yourself n.i.g.g.ards: and He would bring your grudges to light.

Lo! ye are they, who are called to expend for the cause of G.o.d: and some of you are n.i.g.g.ards: but whoso is n.i.g.g.ardly shall be n.i.g.g.ard only to his own loss; for G.o.d is the Rich, and ye are the poor: and if ye turn back, He will change you for another people,8 and they shall not be your like!

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