The infidels say to the true believers, When will this decision be made between us, if ye speak truth?

Answer, On the day of that decision, the faith of those who shall have disbelieved shall not avail them; neither shall they be respited any longer.

30 Wherefore avoid them, and expect the issue: verily they expect to obtain some advantage over thee.

CHAPTER x.x.xIII.

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

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

O PROPHET, fear G.o.d, and obey not the unbelievers and the hypocrites: verily G.o.d is knowing and wise.

But follow that which is revealed unto thee from thy LORD; for G.o.d is well acquainted with that which ye do; and put thy trust in G.o.d; for G.o.d is a sufficient protector.

G.o.d hath not given a man two hearts within him; neither hath he made your wives (some of whom ye divorce, regarding them thereafter as your mothers) your true mothers; not hath he made your adopted sons your true sons. This is your saying in your mouths: but G.o.d speaketh the truth; and he directed the right way.

Call such as are adopted, the sons of their natural fathers: this will be more just in the sight of G.o.d. And if ye know not their fathers, let them be as your brethren in religion, and your companions: and it shall be no crime in you, that ye err in this matter; but that shall be criminal which your hearts purposely design; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

The prophet is nigher unto the true believers than their own souls; and his wives are their mothers. Those who are related by consanguinity are nigher of kin the one of them unto the others, according to the book of G.o.d, than the other true believers, and the Mohajerun: unless that ye do what is fitting and reasonable to your relations in general. This is written in the book of G.o.d.

Remember when we accepted their covenant from the prophets, and from thee, O Mohammed, and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary, and received from them a firm covenant; that G.o.d may examine the speakers of truth concerning their veracity: and he hath prepared a painful torment for the unbelievers.

O true believers, remember the favor of G.o.d towards you, when armies of infidels came against you, and we sent against them a wind, and hosts of angels which ye saw not: and G.o.d beheld that which ye did.

10 When they came against you from above you, and from below you, and when your sight became troubled, and your hearts came even to your throats for fear, and ye imagined of G.o.d various imaginations.

There were the faithful tried, and made to tremble with a violent trembling.

And when the hypocrites, and those in whose heart was an infirmity, said, G.o.d and his apostle have made you no other than a fallacious promise.

And when a party of them said, O inhabitants of Yathreb, there is no place of security for you here; wherefore return home. And a part of them asked leave of the prophet to depart, saying, Verily our houses are defenceless and exposed to the enemy: but they were not defenceless; and their intention was no other than to fly.

If the city had been entered upon them by the enemy from the parts adjacent, and they had been asked to desert the true believers, and to fight against them; they had surely consented thereto: but they had not, in such case, remained in the same but a little while.

They had before made a covenant with G.o.d, that they would not turn their backs: and the performance of their covenant with G.o.d shall be examined into hereafter.

Say, Flight shall not profit you, if ye fly from death or from slaughter: and if it would, yet shall ye not enjoy this world but a little.

Say, Who is he who shall defend you against G.o.d, if he is pleased to bring evil on you, or is pleased to show mercy towards you? They shall find none to patronize or protect them, besides G.o.d.

G.o.d already knoweth those among you who hinder others from following his apostle, and who say unto their brethren, Come hither unto us; and who come not to battle, except a little: being covetous towards you: but when fear cometh on them, thou seest them look unto thee for a.s.sistance, their eyes rolling about like the eyes of him who fainteth by reason of the agonies of death: yet when their fear is past they inveigh against you with sharp tongues; being covetous of the best and most valuable part of the spoils. These believe not sincerely; wherefore G.o.d hath rendered their works of no avail; and this is easy with G.o.d.

20 They imagined that the confederates would not depart and raise the siege: and if the confederates should come another time, they would wish to live in the deserts among the Arabs who dwell in tents, and there to inquire after news concerning you; and although they were with you this time, yet they fought not, except a little.

Ye have in the apostle of G.o.d an excellent example, unto him who hopeth in G.o.d, and the last day, and remembereth G.o.d frequently.

When the true believers saw the confederates, they said, This is what G.o.d and his apostle have foretold us; and G.o.d and his apostle have spoken the truth: and it only increased their faith and resignation.

Of the true believers some men justly performed what they had promised unto G.o.d; and some of them have finished their course, and some of them wait the same advantage; and they changed not their promise by deviating therefrom in the least: that G.o.d may reward the just performers of their covenant for their fidelity; and may punish the hypocritical, if he pleaseth, or may be turned unto them; for G.o.d is ready to forgive, and merciful.

G.o.d hath driven back the infidels in their wrath: they obtained no advantage; and G.o.d was a sufficient protector unto the faithful in battle; for G.o.d is strong and mighty.

And he hath caused such of those who have received the scriptures, as a.s.sisted the confederates, to come down out of their fortresses, and he cast into their hearts terror and dismay: a part of them ye slew, and a part ye made captives; and G.o.d hath caused you to inherit their land, and their houses, and their wealth, and a land on which ye have not trodden; for G.o.d is almighty.

O prophet, say unto thy wives, If ye seek this present life, and the pomp thereof, come, I will make a handsome provision for you, and I will dismiss you with an honourable dismission; but if ye seek G.o.d and his apostle, and the life to come, verily G.o.d hath prepared for such of you as work righteousness a great reward.

30 O wives of the prophet, whosoever of you shall commit a manifest wickedness, the punishment thereof shall be doubled unto her twofold; and this is easy with G.o.d: but whosoever of you shall be obedient unto G.o.d and his apostle, and shall do that which is right, we will give her her reward twice, and we have prepared for her an honourable provision in paradise.

O wives of the prophet, ye are not as other women: if ye fear G.o.d, be not too complaisant in speech, lest he should covet, in whose heart is a disease of incontinence; but speak the speech which is convenient.

And sit still in your houses; and set not out yourselves with the ostentation of the former time of ignorance: and observe the appointed times of prayer, and give alms; and obey G.o.d, and his apostle; for G.o.d desireth only to remove from you the abomination of vanity, since ye are the household of the prophet, and to purify you by a perfect purification.

And remember that which is read in your houses, of the signs of G.o.d, and of the wisdom revealed in the Koran; for G.o.d is clear-sighted, and well acquainted with your actions.

Verily the Moslems of either s.e.x, and the true believers of either s.e.x, and the devout men, and the devout women, and the men of veracity, and the women of veracity, and the patient men, and the patient women, and the humble men, and the humble women, and the alms-givers of either s.e.x, and the men who fast, and the women who fast, and the chaste men, and the chaste women, and those of either s.e.x who remember G.o.d frequently; for them hath G.o.d prepared forgiveness, and a great reward.

It is not fit for a true believer of either s.e.x, when G.o.d and his apostle have decreed a thing, that they should have the liberty of choosing a different matter of their own: and whoever is disobedient unto G.o.d and his apostle surely erreth with a manifest error.

And remember when thou saidst to him unto whom G.o.d had been gracious, and on whom thou also hadst conferred favours, Keep thy wife to thyself, and fear G.o.d: and thou didst conceal that in thy mind which G.o.d had determined to discover, and didst fear men; whereas it was more just that thou shouldest fear G.o.d. But when Zeid had determined the matter concerning her, and had resolved to divorce her, we joined her in marriage unto thee; lest a crime should be charged on the true believers, in marrying the wives of their adopted sons, when they have determined the matter concerning them; and the command of G.o.d is to be performed.

No crime is to be charged on the prophet, as to what G.o.d hath allowed him, conformable to the ordinance of G.o.d with regard to those who preceded him (for the command of G.o.d is a determinate decree), who brought the messages of G.o.d, and feared him, and feared none besides G.o.d: and G.o.d is a sufficient accountant.

40 Mohammed is not the father of any man among you; but the apostle of G.o.d, and the seal of the prophets: and G.o.d knoweth all things.

O true believers, remember G.o.d with a frequent remembrance, and celebrate his praise morning and evening.

It is he who is gracious unto you, and his angels intercede for you, that he may lead you forth from darkness into light; and he is merciful towards the true believers.

Their salutation, on the day whereon they shall meet him, shall be, Peace! and he hath prepared for them an honourable recompense.

O prophet, verily we have sent thee to be a witness, and a bearer of good tidings, and a denouncer of threats, and an inviter unto G.o.d, through his good pleasure, and a shining light.

Bear good tidings therefore unto the true believers, that they shall receive great abundance from G.o.d.

And obey not the unbelievers, and the hypocrites, and mind not their evil treatment: but trust in G.o.d; and G.o.d is a sufficient protector.

O true believers, when ye marry women who are believers, and afterwards put them away, before ye have touched them, there is no term prescribed you to fulfil towards them after their divorce: but make them a present, and dismiss them freely with an honourable dismission.

50 O prophet, we have allowed thee thy wives unto whom thou hast given their dower, and also the slaves which thy right hand possesseth, of the booty which G.o.d hath granted thee; and the daughters of thy uncle, and the daughters of thy aunts, both on thy father's side, and on thy mother's side, who have fled with thee from Mecca, and any other believing woman, if she give herself unto the prophet; in case the prophet desireth to take her to wife. This is a peculiar privilege granted unto thee above the rest of the true believers. We know what we have ordained them concerning their wives, and the slaves which their right hands possess: lest it should be deemed a crime in thee to make use of the privilege granted thee; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

Thou mayest postpone the turn of such of thy wives as thou shalt please, in being called to thy bed; and thou mayest take unto thee her whom thou shalt please, and her whom thou shalt desire of those whom thou shalt have before rejected: and it shall be no crime in thee. This will be more easy, that they may be entirely content, and may not be grieved, but may be well pleased with what thou shalt give every of them: G.o.d knoweth whatever is in your hearts; and G.o.d is knowing and gracious.

It shall not be lawful for thee to take other women to wife hereafter, nor to exchange any of thy wives for them, although their beauty please thee; except the slaves whom thy right hand shall possess: and G.o.d observeth all things.

O true believer, enter not the houses of the prophet, unless it be permitted you to eat meat with him, without waiting his convenient time; but when ye are invited, then enter. And when ye shall have eaten, disperse yourselves; and stay not to enter into familiar discourse: for this incommodeth the prophet. He is ashamed to bid you depart; but G.o.d is not ashamed of the truth. And when ye ask of the prophet's wives what ye may have occasion for, ask it of them from behind a curtain. This will be more pure for your hearts and their hearts. Neither is it fit for you to give any uneasiness to the apostle of G.o.d, or to marry his wives after him for ever: for this would be a grievous thing in the sight of G.o.d.

Whether ye divulge a thing or conceal it, verily G.o.d knoweth all things.

It shall be no crime in them, as to their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves which their right hands possess, if they speak to them unveiled: and fear ye G.o.d; for G.o.d is witness of all things.

Verily G.o.d and his angels bless the prophet. O true believers, do ye also bless him, and salute him with a respectful salutation.

As to those who offend G.o.d and his apostle, G.o.d shall curse them in this world and in the next; and he hath prepared for them a shameful punishment.

And they who shall injure the true believers of either s.e.x, without their deserving it, shall surely bear the guilt of calumny and a manifest injustice.

O prophet, speak unto thy wives, and thy daughters, and the wives of the true believers, that they cast their outer garments over them when they walk abroad; this will be more proper, that they may be known to be matrons of reputation, and may not be affronted by unseemly words or actions. G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

60 Verily if the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is an infirmity, and they who raise disturbances in Medina, do not desist, we will surely stir thee up against them, to chastise them: henceforth they shall not be suffered to dwell near thee therein, except for a little time, and being accursed; wherever they are found they shall be taken, and killed with a general slaughter, according to the sentence of G.o.d concerning those who have been before; and thou shalt not find any change in the sentence of G.o.d.

Men will ask thee concerning the approach of the last hour; answer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with G.o.d alone; and he will not inform thee: peradventure the hour is nigh at hand.

Verily G.o.d hath cursed the infidels, and hath prepared for them a fierce fire, wherein they shall remain forever: they shall find no patron or defender.

On the day whereon their faces shall be rolled in h.e.l.l fire, they shall say, Oh that we had obeyed G.o.d, and had obeyed his apostle!

And they shall say, O LORD, verily we have obeyed our lords, and our great men; and they have seduced us from the right way.

O LORD, give them the double of our punishment; and curse them with a heavy curse!

O true believers, be not as those who injured Moses; but G.o.d cleared him from the scandal which they had spoken concerning him; and he was of great consideration in the sight of G.o.d.

70 O true believers, fear G.o.d, and speak words well directed: that G.o.d may correct your works for you, and may forgive you your sins: and whoever shall obey G.o.d and his apostle shall enjoy great felicity.

We proposed the faith unto the heavens, and the earth, and the mountains: and they refused to undertake the same, and were afraid thereof; but man undertook it: verily he was unjust to himself, and foolish; that G.o.d may punish the hypocritical men, and the hypocritical women, and the idolaters, and the idolatresses; and that G.o.d may be turned unto the true believers, both men and women; for G.o.d is gracious and merciful.

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

ENt.i.tLED, SABA; REVEALED AT MECCA.

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

PRAISE be unto G.o.d, unto whom belongeth whatever is in the heavens and on earth: and unto him be praise in the world to come; for he is wise and intelligent.

He knoweth whatsoever entereth into the earth, and whatsoever cometh out of the same, and whatsoever descendeth from heaven, and whatsoever ascendeth thereto: and he is merciful and ready to forgive.

The unbelievers say, The hour of judgment will not come unto us. Answer, Yea, by my LORD, it will surely come unto you; it is he who knoweth the hidden secret: the weight of an ant, either in heaven or in earth, is not absent from him, nor anything lesser than this or greater, but the same is written in the perspicuous book of his decrees; that he may recompense those who shall have believed, and wrought righteousness: they shall receive pardon, and an honourable provision.

But they who endeavour to render our signs of none effect shall receive a punishment of painful torment.

Those unto whom knowledge hath been given, see that the book which hath been revealed unto thee from thy LORD is the truth, and directeth into the glorious and laudable way.

The unbelievers say to one another, Shall we show you a man who shall prophesy unto you, that when ye shall have been dispersed with a total dispersion, ye shall be raised a new creature?

He hath forged a lie concerning G.o.d, or rather he is distracted. But they who believe not in the life to come shall fall into punishment and a wide error.

Have they not therefore considered what is before them, and what is behind them, of the heaven and the earth? If we please, we will cause the earth to open and swallow them up, or will cause a piece of the heaven to fall upon them: verily herein is a sign unto every servant, who turneth unto G.o.d.

10 We heretofore bestowed on David excellence from us: and we said, O mountains, sing alternate praises with him; and we obliged the birds also to join therein. And we softened the iron for him, saying, Make thereof complete coats of mail, and rightly dispose the small plates which compose the same: and work ye righteousness, O family of David; for I see that which ye do.

And we made the wind subject unto Solomon: it blew in the morning for a month, and in the evening for a month. And we made a fountain of molten bra.s.s to flow for him. And some of the genii were obliged to work in his presence, by the will of his LORD; and whoever of them turned aside from our command, we will cause him to taste the pain of h.e.l.l fire.

They made for him whatever he pleased of palaces, and statues, and large dishes like fishponds, and caldrons standing firm on their trevets; and we said, Work righteousness, O family of David, with thanksgiving; for few of my servants are thankful.

And when we had decreed that Solomon should die, nothing discovered his death unto them, except the creeping thing of the earth, which gnawed his staff. And when his body fell down, the genii plainly perceived that if they had known that which is secret, they had not continued in a vile punishment.

The descendants of Saba had heretofore a sign in their dwelling; namely, two gardens on the right hand and on the left, and it was said unto them, Eat ye of the provision of your LORD, and give thanks unto him; ye have a good country, and a gracious LORD.

But they turned aside from what we had commanded them; wherefore we sent against them the inundation of al Arem, and we changed their two gardens for them into two gardens producing bitter fruit, and tamarisks, and some little fruit of the lote-tree.

This we gave them in reward, because they were ungrateful: is any thus rewarded except the ungrateful?