The Koran
CHAPTER XLV.
ENTITLED, THE KNEELING; REVEALED AT MECCA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
H. M. The revelation of this book is from the mighty, the wise God. Verily
both in heaven and earth are signs of the divine power unto the true believers:
and in the creation of yourselves, and of the beasts which are scattered
over the face of the earth, are signs unto people of sound judgment; and
also in the vicissitude of night and day, and the rain which God sendeth
down from heaven, whereby he quickeneth the earth after it hath been dead:
in the change of the winds also are signs, unto people of understanding.
These are the signs of God; we rehearse them unto thee with truth. In what
revelation therefore will they believe, after they have rejected God and
his signs? Woe unto every lying and impious person; who heareth the signs
of God, which are read unto him, and afterwards proudly persisteth in infidelity,
as though he heard them not (denounce unto him a painful punishment): and
who, when he cometh to the knowledge of any of our signs, receiveth the
same with scorn. For these is prepared a shameful punishment: before them
lieth hell: and whatever they shall have gained shall not avail them at
all, neither shall the idols which they have taken for their patrons, besides
God: and they shall suffer a grievous punishment. This is a true direction:
and for those who disbelieve the signs of their Lord, is prepared the punishment
of a painful torment. It is God who hath subjected the sea unto you, that
the ships may sail therein, at his command; and that ye may seek advantage
unto yourselves by commerce, of his bounty; and that ye may give thanks:
and he obligeth whatever is in heaven and on earth to serve you; the whole
being from him. Verily herein are signs, unto people who consider. Speak
unto the true believers, that they forgive those who hope not for the days
of God, that he may reward people according to what they shall have wrought.
Whoso doth that which is right doth it to the advantage of his own soul;
and whoso doth evil, doth it against the same: hereafter shall ye return
unto your Lord. We gave unto the children of Israel the book of the law,
and wisdom, and prophecy; and we fed them with good things, and preferred
them above all nations; and we gave them plain ordinances concerning the
business of religion; neither did they fall to variance, except after that
knowledge had come unto them, through envy amongst themselves: but thy
Lord will decide the controversy between them on the day of resurrection,
concerning that wherein they disagree. Afterwards we appointed thee, O
Mohammed, to promulgate a law concerning the business of religion: wherefore
follow the same, and follow not the desires of those who are ignorant.
Verily they shall not avail thee against God at all: the unjust are the
patrons of one another; but God is the patron of the pious. This Koran
delivereth evident precepts unto mankind; and is a direction and a mercy,
unto people who judge aright. Do the workers of iniquity imagine that we
will deal with them as with those who believe and do good works; so that
their life and their death shall be equal? An ill judgment do they make.
God hath created the heavens and the earth in truth; that he may recompense
every soul according to that which it shall have wrought: and they shall
not be treated unjustly. What thinkest thou? He who taketh his own lust
for his God, and whom God causeth knowingly to err, and whose ears and
whose heart he hath sealed up, and over whose eyes he hath cast a veil;
who shall direct him, after God shall have forsaken him? Will ye not therefore
be admonished? They say, There is no other life, except our present life:
we die and we live; and nothing but time destroyeth us. But they have no
knowledge in this matter; they only follow a vain opinion. And when our
evident signs are rehearsed unto them, their argument which they offer
against the same is no other than that they say, Bring to life our fathers
who have been dead; if ye speak truth. Say, God giveth you life; and afterwards
causeth you to die: hereafter will he assemble you together on the day
of resurrection; there is no doubt thereof; but the greater part of men
do not understand. Unto God appertaineth the kingdom of heaven and earth;
and the day whereon the hour shall be fixed, on that day shall those who
charge the Koran with vanity perish. And thou shalt see every nation kneeling:
every nation shall be called unto its book of account; and it shall be
said unto them, This day shall ye be rewarded according to that which ye
have wrought. This our book will speak concerning you with truth; therein
have we written down whatever ye have done. As to those who shall have
believed and done good works, their Lord shall lead them into his mercy:
this shall be manifest felicity. But as to the infidels, it shall be said
unto them, Were not my signs rehearsed unto you? but ye proudly rejected
them, and became a wicked people? And when it was said unto you, Verily
the promise of God is true; and as to the hour of judgment, there is no
doubt thereof: ye answered, We know not what the hour of judgment is: we
hold an uncertain opinion only; and we are not well assured of this matter.
But on that day the evils of that which they have wrought shall appear
unto them; and that which they mocked at shall encompass them: and it shall
be said unto them, This day will we forget you, as ye did forget the meeting
of this your day: and your abode shall be hell fire; and ye shall have
none to deliver you. This shall ye suffer, because ye turned the signs
of God to ridicule; and the life of the world deceived you. On this day,
therefore, they shall not be taken forth from thence, neither shall they
be asked any more to render themselves well pleasing unto God. Wherefore
praise be unto God, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth;
the Lord of all creatures: and unto him be glory in heaven and earth; for
he is the mighty, the wise God!
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