The Koran Part 64

18 Jewish and Christian sects.

19 Malec is one of the keepers of h.e.l.l, who specially presides over the torments of the d.a.m.ned.

20 Lit. if they have twisted tight or set firmly the affair, i.e. their plots against thee and the truth.

21 Or, and they (the Infidels). The Commentators say that Jesus, Ezra, and the angels, will be allowed to intercede.

22 Muhammad.

SURA LXXII.-DJINN [LXII.]

MECCA.-28 Verses

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

SAY: It hath been revealed to me that a company of

DJINN1 listened, and said,-"Verily, we have heard a marvellous discourse (Koran);

It guideth to the truth; wherefore we believed in it, and we will not henceforth join any being with our Lord;

And He,-may the majesty of our Lord be exalted!-hath taken no spouse neither hath he any offspring.

But the foolish among us hath spoken of G.o.d that which is unjust:

And we verily thought that no one amongst men or Djinn would have uttered a lie against G.o.d.

There are indeed people among men, who have sought for refuge unto people among Djinn: but they only increased their folly:

And they thought, as ye think, that G.o.d would not raise any from the dead.

And the Heavens did we essay, but found them filled with a mighty garrison, and with flaming darts;

And we sat on some of the seats to listen, but whoever listeneth findeth an ambush ready for him of flaming darts.

And truly we know not whether evil be meant for them that are on earth, or whether their Lord meaneth guidance for them.

And there are among us good, and others among us of another kind;-we are of various sorts:

And verily we thought that no one could weaken G.o.d on earth, neither could we escape from him by flight:

Wherefore as soon as we had heard 'the guidance' we believed in it; and whoever believeth in his Lord, need not fear either loss or wrong.

There are some among us who have resigned themselves to G.o.d (the Muslims); and there are others of us who have gone astray. And whoso resigneth himself to G.o.d pursueth the way of truth;

But they who go astray from it shall be fuel for h.e.l.l."

Moreover, if they (the Meccans) keep straight on in that way, we will surely give them to drink of abundant waters,

That we may prove them thereby: but whoso withdraweth from the remembrance of his Lord, him will He send into a severe torment.

It is unto G.o.d that the temples are set apart: call not then on any other therein with G.o.d.

When the servant of G.o.d stood up to call upon Him, the djinn almost jostled him by their crowds.

SAY: I call only upon my Lord, and I join no other being with Him.

SAY: No control have I over what may hurt or benefit you.

SAY: Verily none can protect me against G.o.d;

Neither shall I find any refuge beside Him.

My sole work is preaching from G.o.d, and His message: and for such as shall rebel against G.o.d and his apostle is the fire of h.e.l.l! they shall remain therein alway,-for ever!

Until they see their threatened vengeance they will be perverse! but then shall they know which side was the weakest in a protector and the fewest in number.

SAY: I know not whether that with which ye are threatened be nigh, or whether my Lord hath a.s.signed it to a distant day: He knoweth the secret, nor doth He divulge his secret to any,

Except to that Apostle who pleaseth Him; and before him and behind him He maketh a guard to march:

That He may know if his Apostles have verily delivered the messages of their Lord: and He embraceth in his knowledge all their ways, and taketh count of all that concerneth them.

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1 This interview with the Djinn took place at Nakhla, probably the "Wady Mohram" of Burckhardt, midway between Mecca and Taef, when Muhammad was driven from Mecca. A.D. 620.

SURA LXVII.-THE KINGDOM [LXIII.]

MECCA.- 30 Verses

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

BLESSED be He is whose hand is the KINGDOM! and over all things is He potent:

Who hath created death and life to prove which of you will be most righteous in deed; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving!

Who hath created seven Heavens one above another: No defect canst thou see in the creation of the G.o.d of Mercy: Repeat the gaze: seest thou a single flaw?

Then twice more repeat the gaze: thy gaze shall return to thee dulled and weary.

Moreover we have decked the lowest heaven with lights, and have placed them there to be hurled at the Satans, for whom we have prepared the torment of the flaming fire.

And for those who believe not in their Lord is the torment of h.e.l.l; and horrid the journey thither!

When they shall be thrown into it, they shall hear it braying:1 and it shall boil-