The Koran Part 84

This is "Guidance:" and for those who disbelieve the signs of their Lord is the punishment of an afflictive torment.

It is G.o.d who hath subjected the sea to you that the s.h.i.+ps may traverse it at his bidding, and that ye may go in quest of the gifts of his bounty, and that ye may be thankful.

And he hath subjected to you all that is in the Heavens and all that is on the Earth: all is from him. Verily, herein are signs for those who reflect.

Tell the believers to pardon those who hope not for the days of G.o.d4 in which He purposeth to reward men according to their deeds.

He who doth that which is right, doth it to his own behoof, and whoso doth evil, doth it to his own hurt. Hereafter, to your Lord shall ye be brought back.

To the children of Israel gave we of old the Book and the Wisdom, and the gift of Prophecy, and we supplied them with good things, and privileged them above all peoples:

And we gave them clear sanctions for our behests: neither did they differ, through mutual envy, till after they had become possessed of knowledge; but thy Lord will judge between them on the day of resurrection, as to the subject of their disputes.

Afterwards we set thee over our divine law:5 follow it then: and follow not the wishes of those who have no knowledge,

For against G.o.d shall they avail thee nothing. And in sooth, the doers of evil are one another's patrons; but the patron of them that fear Him is G.o.d himself.

This Book hath insight for mankind, and a Guidance and Mercy to a people who are firm in faith.

Deem they whose gettings are only evil, that we will deal with them as with those who believe and work righteousness, so that their lives and deaths shall be alike? Ill do they judge.

In all truth hath G.o.d created the Heavens and the Earth, that he may reward every one as he shall have wrought; and they shall not be wronged.

What thinkest thou? He who hath made a G.o.d of his pa.s.sions, and whom G.o.d causeth wilfully to err, and whose ears and whose heart he hath sealed up, and over whose sight he hath placed a veil-who, after his rejection by G.o.d, shall guide such a one? Will ye not then be warned?

And they say, "There is only this our present life: we die and we live, and nought but time destroyeth us." But in this they have no knowledge: it is merely their own conceit.

And when our clear signs are recited to them, their only argument is to say, "Bring back our fathers, if ye speak the truth."

Say: G.o.d giveth you life, then causeth you to die: then will He a.s.semble you on the day of resurrection: there is no doubt of it: but most men have not this knowledge.

And G.o.d's is the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth; and on the day when the Hour shall arrive, on that day shall the despisers6 perish.

And thou shalt see every nation KNEELING: to its own book shall every nation be summoned:-"This day shall ye be repaid as ye have wrought.

This our Book will speak of you with truth: therein have we written down whatever ye have done."

As to those who have believed and wrought righteously, into his mercy shall their Lord cause them to enter. This shall be undoubted bliss!

But as to the Infidels-"Were not my signs recited to you? but ye proudly scorned them, and became a sinful people."

And when it was said, "Verily the Promise of G.o.d is truth; and as to the Hour, there is no doubt of it;" ye said, "We know not what the hour is-we conceive it a mere conceit,-we have no a.s.surance of it."

And the evils they have wrought shall rise up into their view, and that at which they mocked shall hem them in on every side.

And it shall be said to them, "This day will we forget you as ye forgat your meeting with us this day, and your abode shall be the fire, and none shall there be to succour you:-

This, because ye received the signs of G.o.d with mockery, and this present life deceived you." On that day therefore they shall not come out from it; and they shall not be asked to win the favour of G.o.d.

Praise then be to G.o.d, Lord of the Heavens and Lord of the Earth; the Lord of the worlds!

And His be the greatness in the Heavens and on the Earth; for He is the Mighty, the Wise!

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1 See Sura lxviii. p. 32.

2 Lit. the sending down, i.e. the revelation of the Book.

3 Lit. after G.o.d.

4 That is, the days of victory. In Scripture phrase, "the days of the right hand of the Most High."

5 The Arabic amri may be rendered either command or business, i.e. of religion.

6 Lit. the makers vain, i.e. vanitatis arguentes alcoranum. Mar.

SURA XVI.-THE BEE [LXXIII.]

MECCA.-128 Verses

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

THE doom of G.o.d cometh to pa.s.s. Then hasten it not. Glory be to Him! High let Him be exalted above the G.o.ds whom they join with Him!

By his own behest will He cause the angels to descend with the Spirit on whom he pleaseth among his servants, bidding them, "Warn that there is no G.o.d but me; therefore fear me."

He hath created the Heavens and the Earth to set forth his truth;1 high let Him be exalted above the G.o.ds they join with Him!

Man hath He created from a moist germ;2 yet lo! man is an open caviller.

And the cattle! for you hath He created them: in them ye have warm garments and gainful uses; and of them ye eat:

And they beseem you well3 when ye fetch them home and when ye drive them forth to pasture:

And they carry your burdens to lands which ye could not else reach but with travail of soul: truly your Lord is full of goodness, and merciful:

And He hath given you horses, mules, and a.s.ses, that ye may ride them, and for your ornament: and things of which ye have no knowledge hath he created.

Of G.o.d it is to point out "the Way." Some turn aside from it: but had He pleased, He had guided you all aright.

It is He who sendeth down rain out of Heaven: from it is your drink; and from it are the plants by which ye pasture.

By it He causeth the corn, and the olives, and the palm-trees, and the grapes to spring forth for you, and all kinds of fruits: verily, in this are signs for those who ponder.

And He hath subjected to you the night and the day; the sun and the moon and the stars too are subjected to you by his behest; verily, in this are signs for those who understand: