The Koran
CHAPTER VIII.
ENTITLED, THE SPOILS; REVEALED AT MEDINA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
They will ask thee concerning the spoils: Answer, The division of the spoils
belongeth unto God and the apostle. Therefore fear God, and compose the
matter amicably among you; and obey God and his apostle, if ye are true
believers. Verily the true believers are those whose hearts fear when God
is mentioned, and whose faith increaseth when his signs are rehearsed 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 honorable 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 God 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 God 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 assistance of your Lord, and he answered you, Verily I will
assist you with a thousand angels, following one another in order. And
this God designed only as good tidings for you, and that your hearts might
thereby rest secure: for victory is from God alone; and God is mighty and
wise. When asleep 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 angel,
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 God and his apostle: and whosoever shall oppose
God and his apostle, verily God will be severe in punishing him. This shall
be your punishment; taste it therefore; and the infidels shall also suffer
the torment of hell 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 on that day, unless he turneth aside
to fight, or retreateth to another party of the faithful, shall draw on
himself the indignation of God, and his abode shall be hell; an ill journey
shall it be thither! And ye slew not those who were slain at Bedr yourselves,
but God slew them. Neither didst thou, O Mohammed, cast the gravel into
their eyes, when thou didst seem to cast it; but God cast it, that he might
prove the true believers by a gracious trial from himself; for God heareth
and knoweth. This was done that God 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 assistance; and your forces shall not be of advantage unto
you at all, although they be numerous; for God is with the faithful. O
true believers, obey God 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
God, are the deaf and the dumb, who understand not. If God 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 God and his apostle, when he inviteth
you unto that which giveth you life; and know that God goeth between a
man and his heart, and that before him ye shall be assembled. Beware of
sedition; it will not affect those who are ungodly among you particularly,
but all of you in general; and know that God is severe in punishing. And
remember when ye were few, and reputed weak in the land; ye feared lest
men should snatch you away; but God provided you a place of refuge, and
he strengthened you with his assistance, and bestowed on you good things,
that ye might give thanks. O true believers, deceive not God 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 God
is a great reward. O true believers, if ye fear God, he will grant you
a distinction, and will expiate your sins from you, and will forgive you:
for God is endued with great liberality. And call to mind when the unbelievers
plotted against thee, that they might either detain thee in bonds, or put
thee to death, or expel thee the city; and they plotted against thee: but
God laid a plot against them; and God is the best layer of plots. And when
our signs are repeated unto them, they say, We have heard; if we pleased
we could certainly pronounce a composition like unto this: this is nothing
but fables of the ancients. And when hey said, O God, if this be the truth
from thee, rain down stones upon us from heaven, or inflict on us some
other grievous punishment. But God was not disposed to punish them, while
thou wast with them; nor was God disposed to punish them when they asked
pardon. But they have nothing to offer in excuse why God 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 God; but the greater part of them know it not. And
their prayer at the house of God 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 God: 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 hell; that God 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 hell. 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 God’s. If they desist, verily God seeth that which they do: but
if they turn back, know that God is your patron; he is the best patron,
and the best helper. (X.) And know that whenever ye gain any spoils, a
fifth part thereof belongeth unto God and to the apostle, and his kindred,
and the orphans, and the poor, and the traveller; if ye believe in God,
and that which we have sent down unto our servant on the day of distinction,
on the day whereon the two armies met: and God is almighty. When ye were
encamped on the hithermost side of the valley, and they were encamped on
the further 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 God 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; God 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 God preserved you from this; for he knoweth the innermost parts
of the breasts 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 God might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done: and unto
God shall all things return. O true believers, when ye meet a party of
the infidels, stand firm, and remember God frequently, that ye may prosper:
and obey God and his apostle, and be not refractory, lest ye be discouraged,
and your success depart from you; but persevere with patience, for God
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 God; for God 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 assist
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 God, for God 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 God
cannot be deceived; for God is mighty and wise. And if thou didst behold
when the angels cause 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 God
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 God: therefore God took them away in their iniquity; for God
is mighty, and severe in punishing. This hath come to pass because God
changeth not his grace, wherewith he hath favored any people, until they
change that which is in their souls; and for that God 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 God 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 God; 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
God loveth not the treacherous. And think not that the unbelievers have
escaped God’s vengeance, for they shall not weaken the power of God. Therefore
prepare against them what force ye are able, and troops of horse, whereby
ye may strike a terror into the enemy of God, and your enemy, and into
other infidels besides them, whom ye know not, but God knoweth them. And
whatsoever ye shall expend in the defense of the religion of God, 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 God,
for it is he who heareth and knoweth. But if they seek to deceive thee,
verily God will be thy support. It is he who hath strengthened thee with
his help, and with that of the faithful; and hath united their hearts.
If thou hadst expended whatever riches are in the earth, thou couldst not
have united their hearts, but God united them; for he is mighty and wise.
O prophet, God is thy support, and such of the true believers who followeth
thee. O prophet, stir up the faithful to war: if twenty of you persevere
with constancy, they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be one hundred
of you, they shall overcome a thousand of those who believe not; because
they are a people which do not understand. Now hath God eased you, for
he knew that ye were weak. If there be a hundred of you who persevere with
constancy, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be a thousand
of you, they shall overcome two thousand, by the permission of God; for
God is with those who persevere. It hath not been granted unto any prophet,
that he should possess captives, until he had made a great slaughter of
the infidels in the earth. Ye seek the accidental goods of this world,
but God regardeth the life to come; and God is mighty and wise. Unless
a revelation had been previously delivered from God, verily a severe punishment
had been inflicted on you, for the ransom which ye took from the captives
at Bedr. Eat therefore of what ye have acquired, that which is lawful and
good; for God is gracious and merciful. O prophet, say unto the captives
who are in your hands, If God shall know any good to be in your hearts,
he will give you better than what hath been taken from yon; and he will
forgive you, for God is gracious and merciful. But if they seek to deceive
thee, verily they have deceived God before; wherefore he hath given thee
power over them: and God is knowing and wise. Moreover they who have believed,
and have fled their country, and employed their substance and their persons
in fighting for the religion of God, and they who have given the prophet
a refuge among them, and have assisted him, these shall be deemed the one
nearest of kin to the other. But they who have believed, but have not fled
their country, shall have no right of kindred at all with you, until they
also fly. Yet if they ask assistance of you on account of religion, it
belongeth unto you to give them assistance; except against a people between
whom and yourselves there shall be a league subsisting: and God seeth that
which ye do. And as to the infidels, let them be deemed of kin the one
to the other. Unless ye do this, there will be a sedition in the earth,
and grievous corruption. But as for them who have believed, and left their
country, and have fought for God’s true religion, and who have allowed
the prophet a retreat among them, and have assisted him, these are really
believers, they shall receive mercy, and an honorable provision. And they
who have believed since, and have fled their country, and have fought with
you, these also are of you. And those who are related by consanguinity
shall be deemed the nearest of kin to each other, preferably to strangers,
according to the book of God; God knoweth all things.
CHAPTER IX.
ENTITLED, THE DECLARATION OF IMMUNITY; REVEALED AT
MEDINA.
A DECLARATION of immunity from God and his apostle, unto the idolaters
with whom ye have entered into league. Go to and fro in the earth securely
four months; and know that ye shall not weaken God, and that God will disgrace
the unbelievers. And a declaration from God and his apostle unto the people,
on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that God is clear of the idolaters,
and his apostle also. Wherefore if ye repent, this will be better for you;
but if ye turn back, know that ye shall not weaken God: and denounce unto
those who believe not, a painful punishment. Except such of the idolaters
with whom ye shall have entered into a league, and who afterwards shall
not fail you in any instance, nor assist any other against you. Wherefore
perform the covenant which ye shall have made with them, until their time
shall be elapsed; for God loveth those who fear him. And when the months
wherein ye are not allowed to attack them shall be past, kill the idolaters
wheresoever ye shall find them, and take them prisoners, and besiege them,
and lay wait for them in every convenient place. But if they shall repent,
and observe the appointed times of prayer, and pay the legal alms, dismiss
them freely; for God is gracious and merciful. And if any of the idolaters
shall demand protection of thee, grant him protection, that he may hear
the word of God; and afterwards let him reach the place of his security.
This shalt thou do, because they are people which know not the excellency
of the religion thou preachest. How shall the idolaters be admitted into
a league with God and with his apostle; except those with whom ye entered
into a league at the holy temple? So long as they behave with fidelity
towards you, do ye also behave with fidelity towards them; for God loveth
those who fear him. How can they be admitted into a league with you, since,
if they prevail against you, they will not regard in you either consanguinity
or faith? They will please you with their mouths, but their hearts will
be averse from you; for the greater part of them are wicked doers. They
sell the signs of God for a small price, and obstruct his way; it is certainly
evil which they do. They regard not in a believer either consanguinity
or faith; and these are the transgressors. Yet if they repent, and observe
the appointed times of prayer, and give alms, they shall be deemed your
brethren in religion. We distinctly propound our signs unto people who
understand. But if they violate their oaths, after their league, and revile
your religion, oppose the leaders of infidelity (for there is no trust
in them), that they may desist from their treachery. Will ye not fight
against people who have violated their oaths, and conspired to expel the
apostle of God; and who of their own accord assaulted you the first time?
Will ye fear them? But it is more just that ye should fear God, if ye are
true believers. Attack them therefore; God shall punish them by your hands,
and will cover them with shame, and will give you the victory over them;
and he will heal the breasts of the people who believe, and will take away
the indignation of their hearts; for God will be turned unto whom he pleaseth;
and God is knowing and wise. Did ye imagine that ye should be abandoned,
whereas God did not yet know those among you who sought for his religion,
and took not any besides God, and his apostle, and the faithful for their
friends? God is well acquainted with that which ye do. It is not fitting
that the idolaters should visit the temples of God, being witnesses against
their own souls of their infidelity. The works of these men are vain; and
they shall remain in hell fire for ever. But he only shall visit the temples
of God, who believeth in God and the last day, and is constant at prayer,
and payeth the legal alms, and feareth God alone. These perhaps may become
of the number of those who are rightly directed. Do ye reckon the giving
drink to the pilgrims, and the visiting of the holy temple, to be actions
as meritorious as those performed by him who believeth in God and the last
day, and fighteth for the religion of God? They shall not be held equal
with God: for God directeth not the unrighteous people. They who have believed,
and fled their country, and employed their substance and their persons
in the defense of God’s true religion, shall be in the highest degree of
honor with God; and these are they who shall be happy. Their Lord sendeth
them good tidings of mercy from him, and good will, and of gardens wherein
they shall enjoy lasting pleasure; they shall continue therein for ever:
for God is a great reward. O true believers, take not your fathers or your
brethren for friends, if they love infidelity above faith; and whosoever
among you shall take them for his friends, they will be unjust doers. Say,
If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and
your relations, and your substance which ye have acquired, and your merchandise
which ye apprehend may not be sold off, and your dwellings wherein ye delight,
be more dear unto you than God, and his apostle, and the advancement of
his religion; wait, until God shall send his command: for God directeth
not the ungodly people. Now hath God assisted you in many engagements,
and particularly at the battle of Honein; when ye pleased yourselves in
your multitude, but it was no manner of advantage unto you, and the earth
became too strait for you, notwithstanding it was spacious; then did ye
retreat and turn your backs. Afterwards God sent down his security upon
his apostle and upon the faithful, and sent down troops of angels which
ye saw not; and he punished those who disbelieved; and this was the reward
of the unbelievers. Nevertheless God will hereafter be turned unto whom
he pleaseth; for God is gracious and merciful. O true believers, verily
the idolaters are unclean; let them not therefore come near unto the holy
temple after this year. And if ye fear want, by the cutting off trade and
communication with them, God will enrich you of his abundance, if he pleaseth;
for God is knowing and wise. Fight against them who believe not in God,
nor in the last day, and forbid not that which God and his apostle have
forbidden, and profess not the true religion, of those unto whom the scriptures
have been delivered, until they pay tribute by right of subjection, and
they be reduced low. The Jews say, Ezra is the son of God, and the Christians
say, Christ is the son of God. This is their saying in their mouths: they
imitate the saying of those who were unbelievers in former times. May God
resist them. How are they infatuated! They take their priests and their
monks for their lords, besides God, and Christ the son of Mary; although
they are commanded to worship one God only; there is no God but he; far
be that from him, which they associate with him! They seek to extinguish
the light of God with their mouths; but God willeth no other than to perfect
his light, although the infidels be averse thereto. It is he who hath sent
his apostle with the direction, and true religion; that he may cause it
to appear superior to every other religion; although the idolaters be averse
thereto. O true believers, verily many of the priests and monks devour
the substance of men in vanity, and obstruct the way of God. But unto those
who treasure up gold and silver, and employ it not for the advancement
of God’s true religion, denounce a grievous punishment. On the day of judgment
their treasures shall be intensely heated in the fire of hell, and their
foreheads, and their sides, and their backs shall be stigmatized therewith;
and their tormentors shall say, This is what ye have treasured up for your
souls; taste therefore that which ye have treasured up. Moreover, the complete
number of months with God, is twelve months, which were ordained in the
book of God, on the day whereon he created the heavens and the earth: of
these, four are sacred. This is the right religion: therefore deal not
unjustly with yourselves therein. But attack the idolaters in all the months,
as they attack you in all; and know that God is with those who fear him.
Verily the transferring of a sacred month to another month, is an additional
infidelity. The unbelievers are led into an error thereby: they allow a
month to be violated one year, and declare it sacred another year, that
they may agree in the number of months which God hath commanded to be kept
sacred; and they allow that which God hath forbidden. The evil of their
actions hath been prepared for them: for God directeth not the unbelieving
people. O true believers, what ailed you, that, when it was said unto you,
Go forth to fight for the religion of God, ye inclined heavily towards
the earth? Do ye prefer the present life to that which is to come? But
the provision of this life, in respect of that which is to come, is but
slender. Unless ye go forth when ye are summoned to war, God will punish
you with a grievous punishment; and he will place another people in your
stead, and ye shall not hurt him at all; for God is almighty. If ye assist
not the prophet, verily God will assist him, as he assisted him formerly,
when the unbelievers drove him out of Mecca, the second of two: when they
were both in the cave; when he said unto his companion, Be not grieved,
for God is with us. And God sent down his security upon him, and strengthened
him with armies of angels, whom ye saw not. And he made the word of those
who believed not to be abased, and the word of God was exalted; for God
is mighty and wise. Go forth to battle, both light and heavy, and employ
your substance and your persons for the advancement of God’s religion.
This will be better for you, if ye know it. If it had been a near advantage
and a moderate journey, they had surely followed thee; but the way seemed
tedious unto them, and yet they will swear by God, saying, If we had been
able, we had surely gone forth with you. They destroy their own souls,
for God knoweth that they are liars. God forgive thee! why didst thou give
them leave to stay at home, until they who speak the truth, when they excuse
themselves, had become manifested unto thee, and thou hadst known the liars?
They who believe in God and the last day, will not ask leave of thee to
be excused from employing their substance and their persons for the advancement
of God’s true religion; and God knoweth those who fear him. Verily they
only will ask leave of thee to stay behind, who believe not in God and
the last day, and whose hearts doubt concerning the faith: wherefore they
are tossed to and fro in their doubting. If they had been willing to go
forth with thee, they had certainly prepared for that purpose a provision
of arms and necessaries: but God was averse to their going forth; wherefore
he rendered them slothful, and it was said unto them, Sit ye still with
those who sit still. If they had gone forth with you, they had only been
a burden unto you, and had run to and fro between you, stirring you up
to sedition; and there would have been some among you who would have given
ear unto them; and God knoweth the wicked. They formerly sought to raise
a sedition, and they disturbed thy affairs, until the truth came, and the
decree of God was made manifest; although they were averse thereto. There
is of them who saith unto thee; Give me leave to stay behind, and expose
me not to temptation. Have they not fallen into temptation at home? But
hell will surely encompass the unbelievers. If good happen unto thee, it
grieveth them: but if a misfortune befall thee, they say, We ordered our
business before; and they turn their backs, and rejoiced at thy mishap.
Say, Nothing shall befall us, but what God hath decreed for us: he is our
patron; and on God let the faithful trust. Say, Do ye expect any other
should befall us than one of the two most excellent things; either victory
or martyrdom? But we expect concerning you, that God inflict a punishment
on you, either from himself, or by our hands. Wait therefore to see what
will be the end of both; for we will wait with you. Say, Expend your money
in pious uses, either voluntarily or by constraint it shall not be accepted
of you, because ye are wicked people. And nothing hindereth their contributions
from being accepted of them, but that they believe not in God and his apostle,
and perform not the duty of prayer otherwise than sluggishly; and expend
not their money for God’s service, otherwise than unwillingly. Let not
therefore their riches or their children cause thee to marvel. Verily God
intendeth only to punish them by these things in this world: and that their
souls may depart while they are unbelievers. They swear by God that they
are of you; yet they are not of you, but are people who stand in fear.
If they find a place of refuge, or caves, or a retreating hole, they surely
turn towards the same, and in a headstrong manner haste thereto. There
is of them also who spreadeth ill reports of thee, in relation to thy distribution
of the alms: yet if they receive part thereof, they are well pleased; but
if they receive not a part thereof, behold, they are angry. But if they
had been pleased with that which God and his apostle had given them, and
had said, God is our support; God will give unto us of his abundance and
his prophet also; verily unto God do we make our supplications, it would
have been more decent. Alms are to be distributed only unto the poor and
the needy, and those who are employed in collecting and distributing the
same, and unto those whose hearts are reconciled, and for the redemption
of captives, and unto those who are in debt and insolvent, and for the
advancement of God’s religion, and unto the traveller. This is an ordinance
from God: and God is knowing and wise. There are some of them who injure
the prophet, and say, He is an ear. Answer, He is an ear of good unto you:
he believeth in God, and giveth credit to the faithful, and is a mercy
unto such of you who believe. But they who injure the apostle of God, shall
suffer a painful punishment. They swear unto you by God, that they may
please you; but it is more just that they should please God and his apostle,
if they are true believers. Do they not know that he who opposeth God and
his apostle, shall without doubt be punished with the fire of hell; and
shall remain therein for ever? This will be great ignominy. The hypocrites
are apprehensive lest a Sura should be revealed concerning them, to declare
unto them which is in their hearts. Say unto them, Scoff ye; but God will
surely bring to light that which ye fear should be discovered. And if thou
ask them the reason of this scoffing, they say, Verily we were only engaged
in discourse, and jesting among ourselves. Say, Do ye scoff at God and
his signs, and at his apostle? offer not an excuse; now are ye become infidels,
after your faith. If we forgive a part of you, we will punish a part, for
that they have been wicked doers. Hypocritical men and women are the one
of them or the other: they command that which is evil, and forbid that
which is just, and shut their hands from giving alms. They have forgotten
God; wherefore he hath forgotten them: verily the hypocrites are those
who act wickedly. God denounceth unto the hypocrites, both men and women
and to the unbelievers, the fire of hell; they shall remain therein for
ever; this will be their sufficient reward; God hath cursed them, and they
shall endure a lasting torment. As they who have been before you, so are
ye. They were superior to you in strength, and had more abundance of wealth
and of children; and they enjoyed their portion in this world; and ye also
enjoy your portion here, as they who have preceded you enjoyed their portion.
And ye engage yourselves in vain discourses, like unto those wherein they
engaged themselves. The works of these are vain both in this world and
that which is to come; and these are they who perish. Have they not been
acquainted with the history of those who have been before them? of the
people of Noah, and of Ad, and of Thamud, and of the people of Abraham,
and of the inhabitants of Madian, and of the cities which were overthrown?
Their apostles came unto them with evident demonstrations: and God was
not disposed to treat them unjustly; but they dealt unjustly with their
own souls. And the faithful men and the faithful women are friends one
to another: they command that which is just, and they forbid that which
is evil; and they are constant at prayer, and pay their appointed alms;
and they obey God and his apostle: unto these will God be merciful: for
he is mighty and wise. God promiseth unto the true believers, both men
and women, gardens through which rivers flow, wherein they shall remain
for ever; and delicious dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode: but goodwill
from God shall be their most excellent reward. This will be great felicity.
O prophet, wage war against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be
severe unto them: for their dwelling shall be hell; an unhappy journey
shall it be thither! They swear by God that they said not what they are
charged with: yet they spake the word of infidelity, and became unbelievers,
after they had embraced Islam. And they designed that which they could
not effect; and they did not disapprove the design for any other reason,
than because God and his apostle had enriched them, of his bounty. If they
repent, it will be better for them; but if they relapse, God will punish
them with a grievous torment, in this world and in the next; and they shall
have no patron on earth, nor any protector. There are some of them who
made a covenant with God, saying, Verily if he give us of his abundance,
we will give alms and become righteous people. Yet when he had given unto
them of his abundance, they become covetous thereof, and turned back, and
retired afar off. Wherefore he hath caused hypocrisy to succeed in their
hearts, until the day whereon they shall meet him for that they failed
to perform unto God that which they had promised him, and for that they
prevaricated. Do they not know that God knoweth whatever they conceal,
and their private discourses; and that God is the knower of secrets? They
who traduce such of the believers as are liberal in giving alms beyond
what they are obliged, and those who find nothing to give but what they
gain by their industry; and therefore scoff at them: God shall scoff at
them, and they shall suffer a grievous punishment. Ask forgiveness for
them, or do not ask forgiveness for them; it will be equal. If thou ask
forgiveness for them seventy times, God will by no means forgive them.
This is the divine pleasure, for that they believe not in God and his apostle;
and God directeth not the ungodly people. They who were left at home in
the expedition of Tabuc, were glad of their staying behind the apostle
of God, and were unwilling to employ their substance and their persons
for the advancement of God’s true religion; and they said, Go not forth
in the heat. Say, The fire of hell will be hotter; if they understood this.
Wherefore let them laugh little, and weep much, as a reward for that which
they have done. If God bring thee back unto some of them, and they ask
thee leave to go forth to war with thee, say, Ye shall not go forth with
me for the future, neither shall ye fight an enemy with me; ye were pleased
with sitting at home the first time; sit ye at home therefore with those
who stay behind. Neither do thou ever pray over any of them who shall die,
neither stand at his grave; for that they believed not in God or his apostle,
and die in their wickedness. Let not their riches or their children cause
thee to marvel: for God intendeth only to punish them therewith in this
world; and that their souls may depart while they are infidels. When a
Sura is sent down, wherein it is said, Believe in God, and go forth to
war with his apostle; those who are in plentiful circumstances among them
ask leave of thee to stay behind, and say, Suffer us to be of the number
of those who sit at home. They are well pleased to be with those who stay
behind, and their hearts are sealed up; wherefore they do not understand.
But the apostle, and those who have believed with him, expose their fortunes
and their lives for God’s service; they shall enjoy the good things of
either life, and they shall be happy. God hath prepared for them gardens
through which rivers flow; they shall remain therein for ever. This will
be great felicity. And certain Arabs of the desert came to excuse themselves,
praying that they might be permitted to stay behind; and they sat at home
who had renounced God and his apostle. But a painful punishment shall be
inflicted on such of them as believe not. In those who are weak, or are
afflicted with sickness, or in those who find not wherewith to contribute
to the war, it shall be no crime if they stay at home; provided they behave
themselves faithfully towards God and his apostle. There is no room to
lay blame on the righteous; for God is gracious and merciful: nor on those
unto whom, when they came unto thee, requesting that thou wouldest supply
them with necessaries for travelling, thou didst answer, I find not wherewith
to supply you, returned, their eyes shedding tears for grief, that they
found not wherewith to contribute to the expedition. But there is reason
to blame those who ask leave of thee to sit at home, when they are rich.
They are pleased to be with those who stay behind, and God hath sealed
up their hearts; wherefore they do not understand. (XI.) They will excuse
themselves unto you, when ye are returned unto them. Say, Excuse not yourselves;
we will by no means believe you: God hath acquainted us with your behavior;
and God will observe your actions, and his apostle also: and hereafter
shall ye be brought before him who knoweth that which is hidden and that
which is manifest; and he will declare unto you that which ye have done.
They will swear unto you by God, when ye are returned unto them, that ye
may let them alone. Let them alone therefore, for they are an abomination,
and their dwelling shall be hell, a reward for that which they have deserved.
They will swear unto you, that ye may be well pleased with them; but if
ye be well pleased with them, verily God will not be well pleased with
people who prevaricate. The Arabs of the desert are more obstinate in their
unbelief and hypocrisy; and it is easier for them to be ignorant of the
ordinances of that which God hath sent down unto his apostle: and God is
knowing and wise. Of the Arabs of the desert there is who reckoneth that
which he expendeth for the service of God, to be as tribute; and waiteth
that some change of fortune may befall you. A change for evil shall happen
unto them; for God both heareth and knoweth. And of the Arabs of the desert
there is who believeth in God and in the last day; and esteemeth that which
he layeth out for the service of God to be the means of bringing him near
unto God and the prayers of the apostle. Is it not unto them the means
of a near approach? God shall lead them into his mercy; for God is gracious
and merciful. As for the leaders and the first of the Mohajerin, and the
Ansars, and those who have followed them in well doing; God is well pleased
with them, and they are well pleased in him: and he hath prepared for them
gardens watered by rivers; they shall remain therein for ever. This shall
be great felicity. And of the Arabs of the desert who dwell round about
you, there are hypocritical persons: and of the inhabitants of Medina there
are some who are obstinate in hypocrisy. Thou knowest them not, O prophet,
but we know them: we will surely punish them twice; afterwards shall they
be sent to a grievous torment. And others have acknowledged their crimes.
They have mixed a good action with another which is bad: peradventure God
will be turned unto them; for God is gracious and merciful. Take alms of
their substance, that thou mayest cleanse them and purify them thereby;
and pray for them: for thy prayers shall be a security of mind unto them;
and God both heareth and knoweth. Do they not know that God accepteth repentance
from his servants, and accepteth alms; and that God is easy to be reconciled
and merciful? Say unto them, Work as ye will; but God will behold your
work, and his apostle also, and the true believers: and ye shall be brought
before him who knoweth that which is kept secret, and that which is made
public; and he will declare unto you whatever ye have done. And there are
others who wait with suspense the decree of God; whether he will punish
them, or whether he will be turned unto them: but God is knowing and wise.
There are some who have built a temple to hurt the faithful, and to propagate
infidelity, and to foment division among the true believers, and for a
lurking-place for him who hath fought against God and his apostle in time
past; and they swear, saying, Verily we intended no other than to do for
the best: but God is witness that they do certainly lie. Stand not up to
pray therein for ever. There is a temple founded on piety, from the first
day of its building. It is more just that thou stand up to pray therein:
therein are men who love to be purified, for God loveth the clean. Whether
therefore is he better, who hath founded his building on the fear of God
and his goodwill; or he who hath founded his building on the brink of a
bank of earth which is washed away by waters, so that it falleth with him
into the fire of hell? God directeth not the ungodly people. Their building
which they have built will not cease to be an occasion of doubting in their
hearts, until their hearts be cut in pieces; and God is knowing and wise.
Verily God hath purchased of the true believers their souls and their substance,
promising them the enjoyment of paradise; on condition that they fight
for the cause of God: whether they slay or be slain, the promise for the
same is assuredly due by the law, and the gospel, and the Koran. And who
performeth his contract more faithfully than God.? Rejoice therefore in
the contract which ye have made. This shall be great happiness. The penitent,
and those who serve God, and praise him, and who fast, and bow down, and
worship; and who command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil,
and keep the ordinances of God, shall likewise be rewarded with paradise;
wherefore, bear good tidings unto the faithful. It is not allowed unto
the prophet, nor those who are true believers, that they pray for idolaters,
although they be of kin, after it is become known unto them, that they
are inhabitants of hell. Neither did Abraham ask forgiveness for his father,
otherwise than in pursuance of a promise which he had promised unto him;
but when it became known unto him, that he was an enemy unto God, he declared
himself clear of him. Verily Abraham was pitiful and compassionate. Nor
is God disposed to lead people into error, after that he hath directed
them, until that which they ought to avoid is become known unto them; for
God knoweth all things. Verily unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven
and of earth; he giveth life, and he causeth to die; and ye have no patron
or helper besides God. God is reconciled unto the prophet, and unto the
Mohajerln, and the Ansars, who followed him in the hour of distress, after
that it had wanted little but that the hearts of a part of them had swerved
from their duty: afterwards was he turned unto them; for he was compassionate
and merciful towards them. And he is also reconciled unto the three who
were left behind, so that the earth became too strait for them, notwithstanding
its spaciousness, and their souls became straitened within them, and they
considered that there was no refuge from God, otherwise than by having
recourse unto him. Then was he turned unto them, that they might repent;
for God is easy to be reconciled and merciful. O true believers, fear God,
and be with the sincere. There was no reason why the inhabitants of Medina,
and the Arabs of the desert who dwell around them, should stay behind the
apostle of God, or should prefer themselves before him. This is unreasonable;
because they are not distressed either by thirst, or labor, or hunger,
for the defense of God’s true religion; neither do they stir a step, which
may irritate the unbelievers; neither do they receive from the enemy any
damage, but a good work is written down unto them for the same; for God
suffereth not the reward of the righteous to perish. And they contribute
not any sum either small or great, nor do they pass a valley, but it is
written down unto them, that God may reward them with a recompense exceeding
that which they have wrought. The believers are not obliged to go forth
to war all together: if a part of every band of them go not forth, it is
that they may diligently instruct themselves in their religion; and may
admonish their people, when they return unto them, that they may take heed
to themselves. O true believers, wage war against such of the infidels
as are near you; and let them find severity in you: and know that God is
with those who fear him. Whenever a Sura is sent down, there are some of
them who say, Which of you hath this caused to increase in faith? It will
increase the faith of those who believe, and they shall rejoice: but unto
those in whose hearts there is an infirmity, it will add further doubt
unto their present doubt; and they shall die in their infidelity. Do they
not see that they are tried every year once or twice? yet they repent not,
neither are they warned. And whenever a Sura is sent down, they look at
one another, saying, Doth any one see you? then do they turn aside. God
shall turn aside their hearts from the truth; because they are a people
who do not understand. Now hath an apostle come unto you of our own nation,
an excellent person: it is grievous unto him that ye commit wickedness;
he is careful over you, and compassionate and merciful towards the believers.
If they turn back, say, God is my support: there is no God but he. On him
do I trust; and he is the Lord of the magnificent throne.
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