And remember when thy LORD declared that he would surely send against the Jews until the day of resurrection, some nation who should afflict them with a grievous oppression: for thy LORD is swift in punishing, and he is also ready to forgive, and merciful: and we dispersed them among the nations in the earth. Some of them are upright persons, and some of them are otherwise. And we proved them with prosperity and with adversity, that they might return from their disobedience; and a succession of their posterity hath succeeded after them, who have inherited the book of the law, who receive the temporal goods of this world, and say, It will surely be forgiven us: and if a temporal advantage like the former be offered them, they accept it also. Is it not the covenant of the book of the law established with them, that they should not speak of G.o.d aught but the truth? Yet they diligently read that which is therein. But the enjoyment of the next life will be better for those who fear G.o.d than the wicked gains of these people: (Do ye not therefore understand?) 170 and for those who hold fast the book of the law, and are constant at prayer: for we will by no means suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

And when we shook the mountain of Sinai over them, as though it had been a covering, and they imagined, that it was falling upon them; and we said, Receive the law which we have brought you with reverence; and remember that which is contained therein, that ye may take heed.

And when thy LORD drew forth their posterity from the loins of the sons of Adam, and took them to witness against themselves, saying, Am not I your LORD? They answered, Yea: we do bear witness. This was done lest ye should say, at the day of resurrection, Verily we were negligent as to this matter, because we were not apprised thereof: or lest ye should say, Verily our fathers were formerly guilty of idolatry, and we are their posterity who have succeeded them; wilt thou therefore destroy us for that which vain men have committed?

Thus do we explain our signs, that they may return from their vanities.

And relate unto the Jews the history of him unto whom we brought our signs, and the departed from them; wherefore Satan followed him, and he became one of those who were seduced.

And if we had pleased, we had surely raised him thereby unto wisdom; but he inclined unto the earth, and followed his own desire. Wherefore his likeness as the likeness of a dog, which, if thou drive him away, putteth forth his tongue, or, if thou let him alone, putteth forth his tongue also.

This is the likeness of the people, who accuse our signs of falsehood.

Rehea.r.s.e therefore this history unto them, that they may consider.

Evil is the similitude of those people who accuse our signs of falsehood, and injure their own souls.

Whomsoever G.o.d shall direct, he will be rightly directed; and whomsoever he shall lead astray, they shall perish.

Moreover we have created for h.e.l.l many of the genii and of men; they have hearts by which they understand not, and they have eyes by which they see not: and they have ears by which they hear not. These are like the brute beasts; yea they go more astray: these are the negligent.

180 G.o.d hath most excellent names; therefore call on him by the same; and withdraw from those who use his name perversely: they shall be rewarded for that which they shall have wrought.

And of those whom we have created there are a people who direct others with truth, and act justly according thereto.

But those who devise lies against our signs, we will suffer them to fall gradually into ruin, by a method which they knew not: and I will grant them to enjoy a long and prosperous life; for my stratagem is effectual.

Do they not consider that there is no devil in their companion? He is no other than a public preacher.

Or do they not contemplate the kingdom of heaven and earth, and the things which G.o.d hath created; and consider that peradventure it may be that their end draweth nigh? And in what new declaration will they believe, after this?

He whom G.o.d shall cause to err, shall have no director; and he shall leave them in their impiety, wandering in confusion.

They will ask thee concerning the last hour; at what time its coming is fixed? Answer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with my LORD; none shall declare the fixed time thereof, except he. The expectation thereof is grievous in heaven and on earth: it shall come upon you no otherwise than suddenly. They will ask thee, as though thou wast well acquainted therewith.

Answer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with G.o.d alone: but the greater part of men know it not.

Say, I am able neither to procure advantage unto myself, nor to avert mischief from me, but as G.o.d pleaseth. If I knew the secrets of G.o.d, I should surely enjoy abundance of good, neither should evil befall me. Verily I am no other than a denouncer of threats, and a messenger of good tidings unto people who believe.

It is he who hath created you from one person, and out of him produced his wife, that he might dwell with her: and when he had known her, she carried a light burden for a time, wherefore she walked easily therewith. But when it became more heavy, she called upon G.o.d their LORD, saying, If thou give us a child rightly shaped, we will surely be thankful.

190 Yet when he had given them a child rightly shaped, they attributed companions unto him, for that which he had given them. But far be that from G.o.d, which they a.s.sociated with him!

Will they a.s.sociate with him false G.o.ds which create nothing but are themselves created: and can neither give them a.s.sistance, nor help themselves?

And if ye invite them to the true direction, they will not follow you: it will be equal unto you, whether ye invite them, or whether ye hold your peace.

Verily the false deities whom ye invoke besides G.o.d are servants like unto you. Call therefore upon them, and let them give you an answer, if ye speak truth.

Have they feet, to walk with? Or have they hands, to lay hold with? Or have they eyes, to see with? Or have they ears, to hear with? Say, Call upon your companions, and then lay a snare for me, and defer it not; for G.o.d is my protector, who sent down the book of the Koran; and he protecteth the righteous.

But they whom ye invoke besides him cannot a.s.sist you, neither do they help themselves; and if ye call on them to direct you, they will not hear. Thou seest them look towards thee, but they see not.

Use indulgence, and command that which is just, and withdraw far from the ignorant.

200 And if an evil suggestion from Satan be suggested unto thee, to divert thee from thy duty, have recourse unto G.o.d: for he heareth and knoweth.

Verily they who fear G.o.d, when a temptation from Satan a.s.saileth them, remember the divine commands, and behold, they clearly see the danger of sin and the wiles of the devil.

But as for the brethren of the devils, they shall continue them in error; and afterwards they shall not preserve themselves therefrom.

And when thou bringest not a verse of the Koran unto them, they say, Hast thou not put it together? Answer, I follow that only which is revealed unto me from my LORD. This book containeth evident proofs from your LORD, and is a direction and mercy unto people who believe.

And when the Koran is read, attend thereto, and keep silence; that ye may obtain mercy.

And meditate on thy LORD in thine own mind, with humility and fear, and without loud speaking, evening and morning; and be not one of the negligent.

Moreover the angels who are with my LORD do not proudly disdain his service, but they celebrate his praise and worship him.

CHAPTER VIII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE SPOILS; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

THEY will ask thee concerning the spoils: Answer, The division of the spoils belongeth unto G.o.d and the apostle. Therefore fear G.o.d, and compose the matter amicably among you: and obey G.o.d and his apostle, if ye are true believers.

Verily the true believers are those whose hearts fear when G.o.d is mentioned, and whose faith increaseth when his signs are rehea.r.s.ed unto them, and who trust in their LORD; who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms out of that which we have bestowed on them.

These are really believers: they shall have superior degrees of felicity with their LORD, and forgiveness, and an honourable provision.

As thy LORD brought thee forth from thy house, with truth; and part of the believers were averse to thy directions: they disputed with thee concerning the truth, after it had been made known unto them; no otherwise than as if they had been led forth to death, and had seen it with their eyes.

And call to mind when G.o.d promised you one of the two parties, that it should be delivered unto you, and ye desired that the party which was not furnished with arms should be delivered unto you: but G.o.d purposed to make known the truth in his words, and to cut off the uttermost part of the unbelievers; that he might verify the truth, and destroy falsehood, although the wicked were averse thereto.

When ye asked a.s.sistance of your LORD, and he answered you, Verily I will a.s.sist you with a thousand angels, following one another in order.

10 And this G.o.d designed only as good tidings for you, and that your hearts might thereby rest secure: for victory is from G.o.d alone; and G.o.d is mighty and wise.

When a sleep fell on you as a security from him, and he sent down upon you water from heaven, that he might thereby purify you, and take from you the abomination of Satan, and that he might confirm your hearts, and establish your feet thereby.

Also when thy LORD spake unto the angels, saying, Verily I am with you; wherefore confirm those who believe. I will cast a dread into the hearts of the unbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads, and strike off all the ends of their fingers.

This shall they suffer, because they have resisted G.o.d and his apostle: and whosoever shall oppose G.o.d and his apostle, verily G.o.d will be severe in punishing him.

This shall be your punishment; taste it therefore: and the infidels shall also suffer the torment of h.e.l.l fire.

O true believers, when ye meet the unbelievers marching in great numbers against you, turn not your backs unto them: for whoso shall turn his back unto them in that day, unless he turneth aside to fight, or retreateth to another party of the faithful, shall draw on himself the indignation of G.o.d, and his abode shall be in h.e.l.l; an ill journey shall it be thither!

And ye slew not those who were slain at Bedr yourselves, but G.o.d slew them. Neither didst thou, O Mohammed cast the gravel into their eyes, when thou didst seem to cast it; but G.o.d cast it, that he might prove the true believers by a gracious trial from himself, for G.o.d heareth and knoweth.

This was done that G.o.d might also weaken the crafty devices of the unbelievers.

If ye desire a decision of the matter between us, now hath a decision come unto you: and if ye desist from opposing the apostle, it will be better for you. But if ye return to attack him, we will also return to his a.s.sistance; and your forces shall not be of advantage unto you at all, although they be numerous; for G.o.d is with the faithful.

20 O true believers, obey G.o.d and his apostle, and turn not back from him, since ye hear the admonitions of the Koran.

And be not as those who say, We hear, when they do not hear.

Verily the worst sort of beasts in the sight of G.o.d are the deaf and the dumb, who understand not.

If G.o.d had known any good in them, he would certainly have caused them to hear: and if he had caused them to hear, they would surely have turned back, and have retired afar off.

O true believers, answer G.o.d and his apostle, when he inviteth you unto that which giveth you life; and know that G.o.d goeth between a man and his heart, and that before him ye shall be a.s.sembled.

Beware of sedition; it will not affect those who are unG.o.dly among you particularly, but all of you in general; and know that G.o.d is severe in punishing.

And remember when ye were few, and reputed weak in the land; ye feared lest men should s.n.a.t.c.h you away: but G.o.d provided you a place of refuge, and he strengthened you with his a.s.sistance, and bestowed on you good things, that ye might give thanks.

O true believers, deceive not G.o.d and his apostle; neither violate your faith against your own knowledge.

And know that your wealth and your children are a temptation unto you; and that with G.o.d is a great reward.

O true believers, if ye fear G.o.d, he will grant you a distinction, and will expiate your sins from you, and will forgive you; for G.o.d is endued with great liberality.

30 And call to mind when the unbelievers plotted against thee, that they might either detain thee in bonds, or put to death, or expel thee the city; and they plotted against thee: but G.o.d laid a plot against them; and G.o.d is the best layer of plots.

And when our signs are repeated unto them, they say, We have heard; if we pleased we would certainly p.r.o.nounce a composition like unto this: this is nothing but fables of the ancients.

And when they said, O G.o.d, if this be the truth from thee, rain down stones upon us from heaven, or inflict on us some other grievous punishment.

But G.o.d was not disposed to punish them, while thou wast with them: nor was G.o.d disposed to punish them when they asked pardon.

But they have nothing to offer in excuse why G.o.d should not punish them, since they hindered the believers from visiting the holy temple, although they are not the guardians thereof. The guardians thereof are those only who fear G.o.d; but the greater part of them know it not.

And their prayer at the house of G.o.d is no other than whistling and clapping of the hands. Taste therefore the punishment, for that ye have been unbelievers.

They who believe not expend their wealth to obstruct the way of G.o.d: they shall expend it, but afterwards it shall become matter of sighing and regret unto them, and at length they shall be overcome; and the unbelievers shall be gathered together into h.e.l.l; that G.o.d may distinguish the wicked from the good, and may throw the wicked one upon the other, and may gather them all in a heap, and cast them into h.e.l.l. These are they who shall perish.

Say unto the unbelievers, that if they desist from opposing thee, what is already past shall be forgiven them; but if they return to attack thee, the exemplary punishment of the former opposers of the prophets is already past, and the like shall be inflicted on them.

Therefore fight against them until there be no opposition in favor of idolatry, and the religion be wholly G.o.d'S. If they desist, verily G.o.d seeth that which they do: 40 but if they turn back, know that G.o.d is your patron; he is the best patron, and the best helper.

And know that whenever ye gain any spoils, a fifth part thereof belongeth unto G.o.d, and to the apostle, and his kindred, and the orphans, and the poor, and the traveller; if ye believe in G.o.d, and that which we have sent down unto our servant on the day of distinction, on the day whereon the two armies met: and G.o.d is almighty.

When ye were encamped on the hithermost side of the valley, and they were encamped on the farther side, and the caravan was below you; and if ye had mutually appointed to come to a battle ye would certainly have declined the appointment; but ye were brought to an engagement without any previous appointment, that G.o.d might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done; that he who perisheth hereafter may perish after demonstrative evidence, and that he who liveth may live by the same evidence; G.o.d both heareth and knoweth.

When thy LORD caused the enemy to appear unto thee in thy sleep few in number; and if he had caused them to appear numerous unto thee, ye would have been disheartened, and would have disputed concerning the matter: but G.o.d preserved you from this; for he knoweth the innermost parts of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of men.

And when he caused them to appear unto you when ye met, to be few in your eyes; and diminished your numbers in their eyes; that G.o.d might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done; and unto G.o.d shall all things return.

O true believers, when ye meet a party of the infidels, stand firm, and remember G.o.d frequently, that ye may prosper: and obey G.o.d and his apostle, and be not refractory, lest ye be discouraged, and your success depart from you; but persevere with patience, for G.o.d is with those who persevere.

And be not as those who went out of their houses in an insolent manner, and to appear with ostentation unto men, and turned aside from the way of G.o.d; for G.o.d comprehendeth that which they do.

And remember when Satan prepared their works for them, and said, No man shall prevail against you to-day; and I will surely be near to a.s.sist you.

But when the two armies appeared in sight of each other, he turned back on his heels, and said, Verily I am clear of you: I certainly see that which ye see not; I fear G.o.d, for G.o.d is severe in punishing.

When the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts there was an infirmity, said, Their religion hath deceived these men: but whosoever confideth in G.o.d cannot be deceived; for G.o.d is mighty and wise.

50 And if thou didst behold when the angels caused the unbelievers to die: they strike their faces and their backs, and say unto them, Taste ye the pain of burning: this shall ye suffer for that which your hands have sent before you; and because G.o.d is not unjust towards his servants.

These have acted according to the wont of the people of Pharaoh, and of those before them, who disbelieved in the signs of G.o.d: therefore G.o.d took them away in their iniquity; for G.o.d is mighty and severe in punishing.

This hath come to pa.s.s because G.o.d changeth not his grace, wherewith he hath favored any people, until they change that which is in their souls; and for that G.o.d both heareth and seeth.

According to the wont of the people of Pharaoh, and of those before them, who charged the signs of their LORD with imposture, have they acted: wherefore we destroyed them in their sins, and we drowned the people of Pharaoh; for they were all unjust persons.

Verily the worst cattle in the sight of G.o.d are those who are obstinate infidels, and will not believe.

As to those who enter into a league with thee, and afterwards violate their league at every convenient opportunity, and fear not G.o.d; if thou take them in war, disperse, by making them an example, those who shall come after them, that they may be warned; or if thou apprehend treachery from any people, throw back their league unto them with like treatment; for G.o.d loveth not the treacherous.

And think not that the unbelievers have escaped G.o.d's vengeance, for they shall not weaken the power of G.o.d.

60 Therefore prepare against them what force ye are able, and troops of horse, whereby ye may strike a terror into the enemy of G.o.d, and your enemy, and into other infidels besides them, whom ye know not, but G.o.d knoweth them.

And whatsoever ye shall expend in the defence of the religion of G.o.d, it shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.

And if they incline unto peace, do thou also incline thereto; and put thy confidence in G.o.d, for it is he who heareth and knoweth.