The Koran Part 155

So oft as they, for very anguish, would fain come forth thence, back shall they be turned into it: and-"Taste ye the torment of the burning."

But G.o.d will bring in those who shall have believed, and done the things that are right, into gardens 'neath which the rivers flow. Adorned shall they be therein with golden bracelets and with pearls, and their raiment therein shall be of silk;

For they were guided to the best of words; guided to the glorious path!

But those who believe not, and seduce others from the way of G.o.d, and from the Holy Mosque which we have appointed to all men, alike for those who abide therein, and for the stranger;

And those who seek impiously to profane it, we will cause to taste a grievous punishment.

And call to mind when we a.s.signed the site of the House6 to Abraham and said: "Unite not aught with Me in wors.h.i.+p, and cleanse My House for those who go in procession round it, and who stand or bow in wors.h.i.+p:"-

And proclaim to the peoples a PILGRIMAGE: Let them come to thee on foot and on every fleet7 camel, arriving by every deep defile:

That they may bear witness of its benefits to them, and may make mention of G.o.d's name on the appointed days,8 over the brute beasts with which He hath supplied them for sustenance: Therefore eat thereof yourselves, and feed the needy, the poor:

Then let them bring the neglect of their persons to a close,9 and let them pay their vows, and circuit the ancient House.

This do. And he that respecteth the sacred ordinances of G.o.d, this will be best for him with his Lord. The flesh of cattle is allowed you, save of those already specified to you. Shun ye, therefore, the pollutions of idols; and shun ye the word of falsehood;

Sound in faith G.o.dward, uniting no G.o.d with Him; for whoever uniteth G.o.ds with G.o.d, is like that which falleth from on high, and the birds s.n.a.t.c.h it away, or the wind wafteth it to a distant place.

This do. And they who respect the rites of G.o.d, perform an action which proceedeth from piety of heart.

Ye may obtain advantages from the cattle up to the set time for slaying them: then, the place for sacrificing them is at the ancient House.

And to every people have we appointed rites, that they may commemorate the name of G.o.d over the brute beasts which He hath provided for them. And your G.o.d is the one G.o.d. To Him, therefore, surrender yourselves: and bear thou good tidings to those who humble them,-

Whose hearts, when mention is made of G.o.d, thrill with awe; and to those who remain steadfast under all that be-falleth them, and observe prayer, and give alms of that with which we have supplied them.

And the camels have we appointed you for the sacrifice to G.o.d: much good have ye in them. Make mention, therefore, of the name of G.o.d over them when ye slay them, as they stand in a row; and when they are fallen over on their sides, eat of them, and feed him who is content and asketh not, and him who asketh. Thus have We subjected them to you, to the intent ye should be thankful.10

By no means can their flesh reach unto G.o.d, neither their blood; but piety on your part reacheth Him. Thus hath He subjected them to you, that ye might magnify G.o.d for His guidance: moreover, announce to those who do good deeds-

That G.o.d will ward off mischief from believers: for G.o.d loveth not the false, the Infidel.

A sanction is given to those who, because they have suffered outrages, have taken up arms; and verily, G.o.d is well able to succour them:

Those who have been driven forth from their homes wrongfully, only because they say "Our Lord is the G.o.d." And if G.o.d had not repelled some men by others, cloisters, and churches, and oratories, and mosques, wherein the name of G.o.d is ever commemorated, would surely have been destroyed. And him who helpeth G.o.d will G.o.d surely help:11 for G.o.d is right Strong, Mighty:-

Those who, if we establish them in this land, will observe prayer, and pay the alms of obligation, and enjoin what is right, and forbid what is evil.

And the final issue of all things is unto G.o.d.

Moreover, if they charge thee with imposture, then already, before them, the people of Noah, and Ad and Themoud, and the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers in Madian, have charged their prophets with imposture! Moses, too, was charged with imposture! And I bore long with the unbelievers; then seize on them: and how great was the change I wrought!

And how many cities which had been unG.o.dly, and whose roofs are now laid low in ruin, have We destroyed! And wells have been abandoned and lofty castles!

Have they not journeyed through the land? Have they not hearts to understand with, or ears to hear with? It is not that to these sights their eyes are blind, but the hearts in their b.r.e.a.s.t.s are blind!

And they will bid thee to hasten the chastis.e.m.e.nt. But G.o.d cannot fail His threat. And verily, a day with thy Lord is as a thousand years,12 as ye reckon them!

How many cities have I long borne with, wicked though they were, yet then laid hold on them to chastise them! Unto Me shall all return.

SAY: O men! I am only your open warner:

And they who believe and do the things that are right, shall have forgiveness and an honourable provision;

But those who strive to invalidate our signs shall be inmates of h.e.l.l.

We have not sent any apostle or prophet before thee, among whose desires Satan injected not some wrong desire, but G.o.d shall bring to nought that which Satan had suggested. Thus shall G.o.d affirm His revelations13 for G.o.d is Knowing, Wise!

That He may make that which Satan hath injected, a trial to those in whose hearts is a disease, and whose hearts are hardened.-Verily, the wicked are in a far-gone severance from the truth!-

And that they to whom "the Knowledge" hath been given, may know that the Koran is the truth from thy Lord, and may believe in it, and their hearts may acquiesce in it: for G.o.d is surely the guider of those who believe, into the straight path.

But the Infidels will not cease to doubt concerning it, until "the Hour" come suddenly upon them, or until the chastis.e.m.e.nt of the day of desolation come upon them.

On that day the Kingdom shall be G.o.d's: He shall judge between them: and they who shall have believed and done the things that are right, shall be in gardens of delight:

But they who were Infidels and treated our signs as lies-these then-their's a shameful chastis.e.m.e.nt!

And as to those who fled their country for the cause of G.o.d, and were afterwards slain, or died, surely with goodly provision will G.o.d provide for them! for verily, G.o.d! He, surely, is the best of providers!

He will a.s.suredly bring them in with an in-bringing that shall please them well: for verily, G.o.d is right Knowing, Gracious.

So shall it be. And whoever in making exact reprisal for injury done him, shall again be wronged, G.o.d will a.s.suredly aid him: for G.o.d is most Merciful, Gracious.

So shall it be; for that G.o.d causeth the night to enter in upon the day, and He causeth the day to enter in upon the night: and for that G.o.d Heareth, Seeth.

So shall it be, for that G.o.d is the truth; and because what they call on beside Him is vanity: and because G.o.d is the Lofty, the Mighty!

Seest thou not that G.o.d sendeth down water from Heaven, and that on the morrow the earth is clad with verdure? for G.o.d is benignant, cognisant of all.

His, all in the Heavens and all on Earth: and verily, G.o.d! He a.s.suredly is the Rich, the Praiseworthy!

Seest thou not that G.o.d hath put under you whatever is in the earth; and the s.h.i.+ps which traverse the sea at His bidding? And He holdeth back the heaven that it fall not on the earth, unless He permit it! for G.o.d is right Gracious to mankind, Merciful.

And He it is who hath given you life, then will cause you to die, then will give you life-of a truth man is all ungrateful.

To every people have we appointed observances which they observe. Therefore, let them not dispute this matter with thee, but bid them to thy Lord, for thou art on the right way:

But if they debate with thee, then Say: G.o.d best knoweth what ye do!

G.o.d will judge between you on the day of resurrection, as to the matters wherein ye differ.

Knowest thou not that G.o.d knoweth whatever is in the Heaven and on the Earth?

This truly is written in the Book: this truly is easy for G.o.d.

They wors.h.i.+p beside G.o.d, that for which He hath sent down no warranty, and that of which they have no knowledge: but for those who commit this wrong, no helper!