'-»<■
BL 1010 .S3
Koran.
The Qur an
V.9
THE
SACRED BOOKS OF THE EAST
TRANSLATED
BY VARIOUS ORIENTAL SCHOLARS
AND EDITED BY
F. MAX MULLER
VOL. IX
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1880
[All rights reserved']
THE QUR'AN
TRANSLATED BY
E. H. PALMER
PART II
CHAPTERS XVII TO CXIV
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1880
\AU rights reserved ]
CONTENTS,
XVII.
The Chapter
XVIII.
The Chapter
XIX.
The Chapter
XX.
The Chapter
XXI.
The Chapter
XXII.
The Chapter
XXIII.
The Chapter
XXIV.
The Chapter
XXV.
The Chapter
XXVI.
The Chapter
XXVII.
The Chapter
XX VIII.
The Chapter
XXIX.
The Chapter
XXX.
The Chapter
XXXI.
The Chapter
XXXII.
The Chapter
XXXIII.
The Chapter
XXXIV.
The Chapter
XXXV.
The Chapter
(Mecca)
XXXVI.
The Chapter
XXXVII.
The Chapter
XXXVIII
. The Chapter
XXXIX.
The Chapter
XL.
The Chapter
XLI.
The Chapter
XLII.
The Chapter
of the Night Journey (Mecca)
of the Cave (Mecca) .
of Mary (Mecca)
of T. H. (Mecca)
of the Prophets (Mecca)
of the Pilgrimage (IMecca) .
of Believers (Mecca) .
of Light (Medinah) .
of the Discrimination (IMecca)
of the Poets (Mecca) .
of the Ant (Mecca) .
of the Story (Mecca) .
of the Spider (Mecca)
of the Greeks (Mecca)
of Loqman (Mecca) .
of Adoration (Mecca)
of the Confederates (Medinah)
of Sheba (Mecca)
of the Angels, or, the Creator
• •••••
of Y. S. (IMecca)
of the Ranged (Mecca)
of S. (Mecca) .
of the Troops (Mecca)
of the Believer (IMecca)
'Detailed' (Mecca) .
of Counsel (Mecca) .
PAGE
I
13
27
34
46
56
65
73
83
90
99
107
117
124
131
135
138
150
157
162
168
175
182
190
199
205
Vlll
CONTENTS.
XLIII. The Chapter of Gilding (Mecca)
XLIV. The Chapter of Smoke (Mecca)
XLV. The Chapter of the Kneeling (^Nlecca)
XLVL The Chapter of El A'hqaf (Mecca) .
XLVII. The Chapter of Mohammed, also called ' Fight
(Medinah) ......
XLVIII. The Chapter of Victory (Medinah) .
XLIX. The Chapter of the Inner Chambers (Medinah)
L. The Chapter of Q. (Mecca)
LI. The Chapter of the Scatterers (Mecca)
LI I. The Chapter of the Mount (Mecca) .
LIII. The Chapter of the Star (xMecca)
LIV. The Chapter of the Moon (IMecca) .
LV. The Chapter of the Merciful (Mecca)
LVI. The Chapter of the Inevitable (Mecca)
LVII. The Chapter of Iron (Medinah)
LVIII. The Chapter of the Wrangler (Medinah) .
LIX. The Chapter of the Emigration (Medinah)
LX. The Chapter of the Tried (IMedinah)
LXI. The Chapter of the Ranks (Mecca) .
LXII. The Chapter of the Congregation (Medinah)
LXIII. The Chapter of the Hypocrites (Medinah)
LXIV. The Chapter of Cheating (place of origin doubtful)
LXV. The Chapter of Divorce (Medinah) .
LXVI. The Chapter of Prohibition (Medinah)
LXVII. The Chapter of the Kingdom (Mecca)
LXVIII. The Chapter of the Pen, also called NQn (Mecca)
LXIX. The Chapter of the Infallible (Mecca)
LXX. The Chapter of the Ascents (Mecca)
LXXI. The Chapter of Noah (IMecca) .
LXXII. The Chapter of the Ginn (Mecca) .
LXXIII. The Chapter of the Enwrapped (Mecca)
LXXIV. The Chapter of the Covered (Mecca)
LXXV. The Chapter of the Resurrection (Mecca)
CONTENTS.
IX
PAGE
LXXVI.
LXXVII.
LXXVIII.
LXXIX.
LXXX.
LXXXI.
LXXXII.
LXXXIII.
LXXXIV.
LXXXV.
LXXXVI.
LXXXVII.
LXXXVIII.
LXXXIX.
XC.
XCI.
XCII.
XCIII.
XCIV.
xcv.
XCVI.
XCVII.
XCVIII.
XCIX.
c.
CI.
CII.
[9]
The Chapter of Man (Mecca) . . .312
The Chapter of those Sent (Mecca) . . SM
The Chapter of the Information (Mecca) . 316
The Chapter of those who Tear Out (Mecca) 318
The Chapter 'He Frowned' (Mecca) . . 320
The Chapter of the Folding up (Mecca) . 321
The Chapter of the Cleaving asunder (Mecca) 323
The Chapter of those who give short Weight
(Mecca) 323
The Chapter of the Rending asunder (Mecca) 325
The Chapter of the Zodiacal Signs (Mecca) 326
The Chapter of the Night Star (Mecca) . 327
The Chapter of the Most High (Mecca) . 328
The Chapter of the Overwhelming (Mecca) . 329
The Chapter of the Dawn (Mecca) . -330
The Chapter of the Land (Mecca) . .332
The Chapter of the Sun (Mecca) . . -333
The Chapter of the Night (Mecca) . -333
The Chapter of the Forenoon (Mecca) . 334
The Chapter of 'Have we not expanded?'
(Mecca) 335
The Chapter of the Fig (place of origin
doubtful) 335
The Chapter of Congealed Blood (Mecca) . 336
The Chapter of ' Power ' (place of origin
doubtful) 337
The Chapter of the Manifest Sign (place of
origin doubtful) 337
The Chapter of the Earthquake (place of
origin doubtful) . . . . . -338
The Chapter of the Chargers (Mecca) . . 339
The Chapter of the Smiting (Mecca) . -339
The Chapter of the Contention about Numbers
(place of origin doubtful) . . . -340
b
CONTENTS.
origin
cm. The Chapter of the Afternoon (Mecca)
CIV. The Chapter of the Backbiter (Mecca)
CV. The Chapter of the Elephant (Mecca) .
CVI. The Chapter of the Quraij (INIecca) .
CVII. The Chapter of ' Necessaries ' (place of
doubtful) ......
CVIII. The Chapter of El KauTHar (Mecca) .
CIX. The Chapter of the Misbelievers (INIecca)
ex. The Chapter of Help (Mecca) .
CXI. The Chapter of Abu Laheb (INIecca) .
CXII. The Chapter of Unity (place of origin doubtful)
CXIII. The Chapter of the Daybreak (place of origi
doubtful) .......
CXIV. The Chapter of Men (place of origin doubtful)
Index
n
PAGE
341
342
342
342
343
343
343
344
344
345
347
Transliteration of Oriental Alphabets adopted for the Trans-
lations of the Sacred Books of the East . . . 359
PKXNCETOIT
REG. MAR 18b I )-
The Chapter of the Night Journey \
(XVII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Celebrated be the praises of Him who took His
servant a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque-
to the Remote Mosque ^ the precinct of which we
have blessed, to show him of our signs! verily, He
both hears and looks.
And we eave Moses the Book and made it a
guidance to the children of Israel : ' Take ye to no
guardian but me.'
Seed of those we bore with Noah (in the ark)!
verily, he was a thankful servant!
And we decreed to the children of Israel in the
Book, ' Ye shall verily do evil in the earth twice *,
and ye shall rise to a great height (of pride).'
1 Also called ' The Children of Israel.' The subject of Moham-
med's miraculous journey in one night from IMecca to Jerusalem, and
his ascent into heaven, will be found discussed in the Introduction.
2 The Kaabah at Mecca. ' The Temple at Jerusalem.
* The Mohammedan commentators interpret this as referring
the first to either Goliath, Sennacherib, or Nebuchadnezzar, and the
latter to a second Persian invasion. The two sins committed by
the Jews, and for which these punishments were threatened and
executed, were, first, the murder of Isaiah and the imprisonment of
Jeremiah, and the second, the murder of John the Baptist. Moham-
medan views of ancient history are, however, vague.
[9] B
^ V
THE QUR'aN. XVII, 5-14.
[5] And when the threat for the first (sin) of the
two came, we sent over them servants of ours,
endued with violence, and they searched inside your
houses ; and it was an accompHshed threat.
Then we ralhed you once more against them,
and aided you with wealth and sons, and made
you a numerous band.
' If ye do well, ye will do well to your own souls ;
and if ye do ill, it is against them !
' And when the threat for the last came ^ — to harm
your faces and to enter the mosque as they entered
it the first time, and to destroy what they had got
the upper-hand over with utter destruction.'
It may be that thy Lord will have mercy on
you; — but if ye return we will return, and we
have made hell a prison for the misbelievers.
Verily, this Quran guides to the straightest path,
and gives the glad tidings to the believers [10] who
do arieht that for them is a s;-reat hire ; and that
for those who believe not in the hereafter, we have
prepared a mighty woe.
Man prays for evil as he prays for good ; and man
was ever hasty.
We made the night and the day two signs ; and
we blot out the sicrn of the nicrht and make the sis^n
of the day visible, that ye may seek after plenty
from your Lord, and that ye may number the years
and the reckoning ; and we have detailed every-
thing in detail.
J-And every man's augury^ have we fastened on
^ Supply, ' we sent foes.'
2 I.e. 'fortune' or 'fate,' literally, ' bird ; ' the Arabs, like the
ancient Romans, having been used to practise divination from the
fl's^ht of birds.
XVII, 14-24- THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY. 3
his neck; and we will bring forth for him on the
resurrection day a book offered to him wide open.
[15] ' Read thy book, thou art accountant enough
against thyself to-day ! '
He who accepts guidance, accepts it only for his
own soul : and he who errs, errs only against it ; nor
shall one burdened soul bear the burden of another.
Nor would we punish until we had sent an apos-
tle. And when we desired to destroy a city we bade^
the opulent ones thereof; and they wrought abomina-
tion therein ; and its due sentence was pronounced ;
and we destroyed it with utter destruction.
How many generations have we destroyed after
Noah ! but thy Lord of the sins of his servant is
well aware, and sees enough.
Whoso is desirous of this life that hastens away,
we will hasten on for him therein what we please,
— for whom we please. Then we will make hell
for him to broil in — despised and outcast.
[20] But whoso desires the next life, and strives
for it and is a believer — these, their striving shall
be gratefully received.
To all — these and those — will we extend the
gifts of thy Lord ; for the gifts of thy Lord are
not restricted.
See how we have preferred some of them over
others, but in the next life are greater degrees
and greater preference.
Put not with God other gods, or thou wilt sit
despised and forsaken.
Thy Lord has decreed that ye shall not serve
other than Him ; and kindness to one's parents,
^ Bade them obey the Apostle.
B 2
THE QUr'aN. XVII, 24-35.
whether one or both of them reach old age with
thee; and say not to them, 'Fie!' and do not
grumble at them, but speak to them a generous
speech. [25] And lower to them the wing of
humility out of compassion, and say, ' O Lord !
have compassion on them as they brought me up
wdien I was little!' Your Lord knows best what is
in your souls if ye be righteous, and, verily, He is
forgiving unto those who come back penitent.
And give thy kinsman his due and the poor and
the son of the road ; and waste not w^astefully, for
the wasteful were ever the devil's brothers ; and the
devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.
[30] But if thou dost turn away from them to
seek after mercy from thy Lord^, which thou hopest
for, then ^peak to them an easy speech.
Make not thy hand fettered to thy neck, nor yet
spread it out quite open, lest thou shouldst have to
sit dowai blamed and straitened in means. Verily,
thy Lord spreads out provision to whomsoever He
will or He doles it out. Verily, He is ever well
aw^are of and sees his servants.
And slay not your children ^ for fear of poverty ;
we will provide for them ; beware ! for to slay
them is ever a great sin !
And draw not near to fornication ; verily, it is ever
an abomination, and evil is the way thereof.
[35] And slay not the soul that God has forbidden
you, except for just cause ; for he who is slain un-
justly we have given his next of kin authority ; yet
^ I. e. if you are compelled to leave them in order to seek your
livelihood ; or if your present means are insufficient to enable you
to relieve others.
^ See Part I, p. 256, note 2.
XVII, 35-46. TflE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY. 5
let him not exceed in slaying ; verily, he is ever
helped.
And draw not near to the wealth of the orphan,
save to improve it, until he reaches the age of
puberty, and fulfil your compacts ; verily, a compact
is ever enquired of.
And give full measure when ye measure out, and
weigh with a right balance ; that is better and a
fairer determination.
And do not pursue that of which thou hast no
knowledge ; verily, the hearing, the sight, and the
heart, all of these shall be enquired of.
And walk not on the earth proudly ; verily, thou
canst not cleave the earth, and thou shalt not reach
the mountains in height.
[40] All this is ever evil in the sight of your
Lord and abhorred.
That is something of what thy Lord has inspired
thee with of wisdom ; do not then put with God
other gods, or thou wilt be thrown into hell re-
proached and outcast. What ! has your Lord chosen
to give you sons, and shall He take for Himself
females from among the angels ? verily, ye are
speaking a mighty speech.
Now have we turned it in various ways in this
Quran, so let them bear in mind ; but it will only
increase them in aversion.
Say, 'Were there with Him other gods, as ye
say, then would they seek a way against the Lord
of the throne.'
[45] Celebrated be His praises, and exalted be He
above what they say with a great exaltation !
The seven heavens and the earth celebrate His
praises, and all who therein are ; nor is there aught
THE QUR AN. XVII, 46-56.
but what celebrates His praise : but ye cannot
understand their celebration; — verily, He is clement
and forgiving.
And when thou readest the Quran we place
between thee and those who believe not in the
hereafter a covering veil. And we place covers
upon their hearts, lest they should understand, and
dulness in their ears.
And when thou dost mention in the Quran thy
Lord by Himself they turn their backs in aversion.
[50] We know best for what they listen when
they Hsten to thee ; and when they whisper apart
— when the wrong-doers say, ' Ye only follow a man
enchanted.'
Behold, how they strike out for you parables,
and err, and cannot find the way !
They say, ' What ! when we have become bones
and rubbish are we to be raised up a new creature ? '
Say, ' Be ye stones, or iron, or a creature, the
greatest your breasts can conceive — !' Then they
shall say, 'Who is to restore us?' Say, 'He who
originated you at first;' and they will wag their
heads and say, ' When will that be ?' Say, ' It may,
perhaps, be nigh.'
The day when He shall call on you and ye shall
answer with praise to Him, and they wall think that
they have tarried but a little.
[55] And say to my servants that they speak in a
kind way ^; verily, Satan makes ill-will between them;
verily, Satan was ever unto man an open foe.
Your Lord knows you best ; if He please He
will have mercy upon you, or if He please He will
^ I. e. they are not to provoke the idolaters by speaking too
roughly to them so as to exasperate them.
XVII, 56-62. THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY. 7
torment you : but we have not sent thee to take
charge of them.
And thy Lord best knows who Is in the heavens and
the earth ; we did prefer some of the prophets over
the others, and to David did we give the Psalms.
Say, ' Call on those whom ye pretend other than
God ;' but they shall not have the power to remove
distress from you, nor to turn it off.
Those on whom they call \ seek themselves for
a means of approaching their Lord, (to see) which
of them is nearest : and they hope for His mercy
and they fear His torment; verily, the torment of
thy Lord is a thing to beware of.
[60] There is no city but we will destroy it
before the day of judgment, or torment it with
keen torment ; — that is in the Book inscribed.
Naught hindered us from sending thee with signs,
save that those of yore said they were lies ; so we
gave Thamud the visible she-camel, but they treated
her unjustly! for we do not send (any one) with
sipns save to make men fear.
And when we said to thee, ' Verily, thy Lord en-
compasses men!' and we made the vision which we
showed thee only a cause of sedition unto men, and
the cursed tree - as well ; for we will frighten them,
but it will only increase them in great rebellion.
^ Sale interprets this to mean 'the angels and prophets.' Rodwell
remarks that it is an ' obvious allusion to the saint worship of the
Christians.' As, however, precisely the same expression is used
elsewhere in the Qur'an for the false gods of the Arabs, and the
existence of those ^inns and angels whom they associated with God
is constantly recognised, their divinity only being denied, I prefer to
follow the Moslem commentators, and refer the passage to the gods
of the Arabian pantheon at Mecca; cf. Part I, p. 127, note 2.
2 The Zaqqiam; see Chapter XXXVII, verse 60. The vision
8 THE QURAN. XVII, 63-71.
And when we said to the angels, 'Adore Adam ;'
and they adored, save I bits, who said, ' Am I to
adore one whom Thou hast created out of clay ?'
Said he, ' Dost thou see now ? this one whom
Thou hast honoured above me, verily, if Thou
shouldst respite me until the resurrection day, I will
of a surety utterly destroy his seed except a few.'
[65] Said He, ' Begone ! and whoso of them fol-
lows thee — verily, hell is your recompense, an ample
recompense. Entice away whomsoever of them thou
canst with thy voice ; and bear down upon them
with thy horse and with thy foot ; and share with
them in their wealth and their children ; and promise
them, — but Satan promises them naught but deceit.
Verily, my servants, thou hast no authority over
them ; thy Lord is guardian enough over them !'
It is your Lord who drives the ships for you
in the sea that ye may seek after plenty from Him ;
verily. He is ever merciful to you. And when
distress touches you in the sea, those whom ye call
on, except Him, stray away from you ; but when He
has brought you safe to shore, ye turn away ; for
man is ever ungrateful.
[70] Are ye sure that He will not cleave with
you the side of the shore, or send against you a
heavy sand-storm ? then ye will find no guardian
for yourselves.
Or are ye sure that He will not send you back
therein another time, and send against you a vio-
lent wind, and drown you for your misbelief? then
ye will find for yourselves no protector against us.
referred to is the night journey to heaven, although those com-
mentators who believe this to have been an actual fact suppose
another vision to account for this passage.
XVII, 72-8o. THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY.
But we have been gracious to the children of
Adam, and we have borne them by land and sea,
and have provided them with good things, and have
preferred them over many that we have created.
The day when we will call all men by their high
priest; and he whose book is given in his right
hand — these shall read their book, nor shall they
be wroneed a straw. But he who in this life is
blind shall be blind in the next too, and err farther
from the way.
[75] They had well-nigh beguiled thee from what
we inspired thee with, that thou shouldst forge
against us something else, and then they would
have taken thee for a friend ; and had it not been
that we stablished thee, thou wouldst have well-nigh
leant towards them a little : then would we have
made thee taste of torment both of life and death, then
thou wouldst not have found against us any helper \
And they well-nigh enticed thee away from the
land, to turn thee out therefrom ; but then — they
should not have tarried after thee except a little.
[This is] the course of those of our prophets whom
we have sent before thee ; and thou shalt find no
change in our course.
[80] Be thou steadfast in prayer from the declin-
ing of the sun until the dusk of the night, and the
reading of the dawn ; verily, the reading of the
dawn is ever testified to.
* The commentators say that this refers to a treaty proposed by
the tribe of Tllaqii, who insisted, as a condition of their submission,
that they should be exempt from the more irksome duties of Mus-
lims, and should be allowed to retain their idol Allat for a certain
time, and that their territory should be considered sacred, like that
of Mecca.
lO THE QURAN. XVII, 81-91.
And for the night, watch thou therein as an extra
service. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee
to a laudable station.
And say, * O my Lord ! make me enter with a
just entry ; and make me come forth with a just
coming forth ; and grant me from Thee authority
to aid.'
And say, ' Truth has come, and falsehood has
vanished ! verily, falsehood is transient.'
And we will send down of the Our an that which
is a healing and a mercy to the believers, but it
will only increase the wrong-doers in loss.
[85] And when we favour man he turns away and
retires aside, but when evil touches him he is ever
in despair. Say, ' Every one acts after his own
manner, but your Lord knows best who is most
guided in the way.'
They will ask thee of the spirit \ Say, ' The
spirit comes at the bidding of my Lord, and ye are
given but a little knowledge thereof.'
If we had wished we would have taken away that
with which we have inspired thee ; then thou wouldst
have found no guardian against us, unless by a
mercy from thy Lord ; verily. His grace towards
thee is great !
[90] Say, ' If mankind and ^inns united together
to bring the like of this Our'an, they could not bring
the like, though they should back each other up!'
We have turned about for men in this Our'an
every parable ; but most men refuse to accept it,
save ungratefully.
* According to some, the soul generally; but according to others,
and more probably, the angel Gabriel as the agent of revelation.
XVII, 92-roi. THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY. I I
And they say, ' We will by no means believe in
thee, until there gush forth for thee a fountain from
the earth ; or there be made for thee a garden of
palms and grapes, and rivers come gushing out
amidst them ; or thou make the sky to fall down
upon us in pieces ; or thou bring us God and the
angels before us; [95] or there be made for
thee a house of gold ; or thou climb up into the
heaven; and even then we will not believe in thy
climbing there, until thou send down on us a book
that we may read !'
Say, ' Celebrated be the praises of my Lord ! was
I aught but a mortal apostle ?'
Naught prohibited men from believing when the
guidance came to them, save their saying, ' God has
sent a mortal for an apostle.'
Say, ' Were there angels on the earth walking
in quiet, we had surely sent them an angel as an
apostle.'
Say, ' God is witness enough between me and
you; verily, He is ever of His servants well aware,
and sees.'
He whom God guides, he is guided indeed ; and
he whom God leads astray, thou shalt never find
patrons for them beside Him ; and we will gather
them upon the resurrection day upon their faces,
blind, and dumb, and deaf ; their resort is hell ;
whenever it grows dull we will give them another
blaze !
[100] That is their reward for that they dis-
believed in our signs, and said, 'What! when we are
bones and rubbish, shall we then be raised up a
new creation ? '
Could they not see that God who created the
12 THE QUr'aN. XVII, 101-108.
heavens and the earth is able to create the like of
them, and to set for them an appointed time ; there
is no doubt therein, yet the wrong-doers refuse to
accept it, save ungratefully !
Say, ' Did ye control the treasuries of the mercy
of my Lord, then ye would hold them through fear
of expending ; for man is ever niggardly !'
And we did brino- Moses nine manifest sio;ns ; then
ask the children of Israel (about) when he came to
them, and Pharaoh said to him, 'Verily, I think thee,
O Moses ! enchanted.'
He said, ' Well didst thou know that none sent
down these save the Lord of the heavens and
the earth as visible signs ; and, verily, I think thee,
O Pharaoh ! ruined,'
[105] And he desired to drive them out of the
land ; but we drowned him and those with him, one
and all.
And after him we said to the children of Israel,
' Dwell ye in the land ; and when the promise of the
hereafter comes to pass, we will bring you in a
mixed crowd (to judgment).
* In truth have we sent it down, and in truth has
it come down ; and we have not sent thee as aught
but a herald of glad tidings and a warner.
' And a Our'an which we have divided, that thou
mayst read it to mankind leisurely, and we sent
it down, sending it down \'
Say, ' Believe ye therein, or believe not ; verily,
those who were given the knowledge before it, when
it is read to them fall down upon their beards
adoring ! and they say, " Celebrated be the praises
^ As occasion required.
XVII, loS-XVIII, 2. THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. I 3
.•)
of our Lord ! verily, the promise of our Lord is
ever fulfilled" — they fall down upon their beards
weeping, and it increases their humility.'
[no] Say, ' Call on God, or call on the Merciful
One, whichever ye may call on Him by ; for His are
the best of names ^.'
And do not say thy prayers openly, nor yet
murmur them, but seek a way between these.
And say, ' Praise belongs to God, who has not
taken to Himself a son, and has not had a partner
in His kingdom, nor had a patron against (such)
abasement.' And magnify Him greatly^!
The Chapter of the Cave.
(XVHL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Praise belongs to God, who sent down to His
servant the Book, and put no crookedness therein,
— straight, to give warning of keen violence from
Him ; and to give the glad tidings to the believers,
who do what is right, that for them is a goodly
reward wherein they shall abide for ever and for
^ The Arabs whom INIohammed addressed seem to have ima-
gined that he meant by Allah and Ar-ra'hman (the Merciful One)
two separate deities. The various epithets which are applied to
God in the Qur'an, such as 'kind,' 'seeing,' 'knowing,' &c., are called
by the Muslims al 'asma'u 'I'husna, 'the best of names,' and are
repeated in telHng the beads of their rosary.
- This command is obeyed by the Muslims frequently pro-
nouncing the phrase Allahu akbar, especially as an expression of
astonishment. It is the same expression as that used by the
Egyptian women concerning Joseph, in Chapter XII, verse 31.
14 THE QURAN. XVIII, 2-13.
aye ; and to give warning to those who say, ' God
hath taken to Himself a son.'
They have no knowledge thereof, nor their
fathers ; a serious word it is that comes forth from
their mouths ! verily, they only speak a lie !
[5] Haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death for
sorrow after them, if they believe not in this new
revelation. Verily, we have made what is on the
earth an ornament thereof, to try them, which of
them is best in works ; but, verily, we are going
to make what is thereon bare soil.
Hast thou reckoned that the Fellows of the Cave
and Er-raqim were a wonder amongst our signs ^ ?'
When the youths resorted to the cave and said,
' O our Lord ! bring us mercy from Thee, and
dispose for us our affair aright!'
[10] And we struck their ears (with deafness)
in the cave for a number of years. Then we raised
them up again, that we might know which of the
two crews ^ could best calculate the time of their
tarrying. We will narrate to thee their story in truth.
Verily, they were youths who believed in their Lord,
and we added to their guidance, and we braced up
their hearts, when they stood up and said, ' Our
Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth,
we will not call upon any god beside Him, for
then we should have said an extravagant thing.
^ This is the well-known story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus.
What is meant by Er-raqim no one knows. The most generally
accepted Mohammedan theory is that it was a dog- belonging to
the party; though some commentators take it to be the name of the
valley or mountain in which the cave was situated ; others again say
that it was a metal plate inscribed with the name of the Sleepers.
^ That is, the youths themselves or the people they met on their
awakening.
XVIII, I4-T9- THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 1 5
These people of ours have taken to other gods
beside Him. Though they do not bring any
manifest authority for them. And who is more
unjust than he who forges against God a He ?
[15] ' So when ye have gone apart from them and
what they serve other than God, then resort ye to
the cave. Our Lord will unfold His mercy to you,
and will dispose for you your affair advantageously.'
And thou mi^htst have seen the sun when it
rose decline from their cave towards the right hand,
and when it set leave them on the left hand, while
they were in the spacious part thereof. That is
one of the signs of God. Whom God guides he
is guided indeed, and whom He leads astray thou
shalt surely find for him no patron to guide aright.
Thou miorhtst have reckoned them wakino- thouo;h
they were sleeping, as we turned them towards
the right and towards the left ; and their dog
spreading out his fore-paws on the threshold,
Hadst thou come suddenly upon them thou wouldst
surely have turned and fled away from them, and
wouldst surely have been filled by them with dread.
Thus did we raise them up that they might
question each other. Spake a speaker amongst
them, ' How long have ye tarried ? ' They said,
' We have tarried a day or part of a day.' They
said, ' Your Lord knows best your tarrying ; so
send one of you with this coin of yours to the
city, and let him look which of them has purest
food, and let him bring you provision thereof;
and let him be subtle and not let any one perceive
you. Verily, they — should they perceive you —
would stone you, or would force you back again
unto their faith, and ye would never prosper then.'
1 6 THE QURAN. XVIII, 20-25.
[20] Thus did we make their people acquainted
with their story, that they might know that God's
promise is true; and that the Hour, there is no
doubt concerning it. When they disputed amongst
themselves concerning their affair, and said, ' Build
a building over them, their Lord knows best about
them;' and those who prevailed in their affair said,
' We will surely make a mosque over them.'
They will say, ' Three, and the fourth of them
was their dog : ' and they will say, ' Five, and the
sixth of them was their dog : ' guessing at the un-
seen : and they will say, ' Seven, and the eighth
of them was their dog.' Say, ' My Lord knows
best the number of them ; none knows them but
a few.'
Dispute not therefore concerning them save with
a plain disputation, and ask not any one of them'
concerning them.
And never say of anything, 'Verily, I am going
to do that to-morrow,' except ' if God please;' and
remember thy Lord when thou hast forgotten, and
say, ' It may be that my Lord will guide me to what
is nearer to the right than this -.'
They tarried in their cave three hundred years
and nine more. [25] Say, ' God knows best of their
tarrying. His are the unseen things of the heavens
and the earth — He can see! and hear-^!'
^ That is, the Christians.
^ Mohammed being asked by the Jews concerning the number
of the Seven Sleepers, had promised to bring them a revelation
upon the subject on the morrow : this verse is a rebuke for his
presumption.
^ This expression Sale takes to be ironical, and translates, ' make
thou him to see and hear;' Rodwell renders it, 'look thou and
hearken unto him : ' both translators having missed both the force
XVIII, 25-30. THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 1 7
They have no patron beside Him, nor does He
let any one share in His judgment. So, recite what
thou art inspired with of the Book of thy Lord ;
there is no changing His words; nor shalt thou
ever find a refuge beside Him; and keep thyself
patient, with those who call upon their Lord morning
and evening, desiring His face ; nor let thine eyes
be turned from them, desiring the adornment of
the life of this world ; and obey not him ^ whose
heart we have made heedless of remembrance of
us, and who follows his lusts, for his affair is ever
in advance (of the truth).
But say, ' The truth is from your Lord, so let
him who will, believe ; and let him who will, dis-
believe.' Verily, we have prepared for the evildoers
a fire, sheets of which shall encompass them ; and
if they cry for help, they shall be helped with water
like molten brass, which shall roast their faces : — an
ill drink and an evil couch !
Verily, those who believe and act aright, — verily,
we will not waste the hire of him who does good
works,
[30] These, for them are gardens of Eden ; be-
neath them rivers flow ; they shall be adorned
therein with bracelets of gold, and shall wear green
robes of silk, and of brocade ; reclining therein on
of the idiom and the explanation given by the commentators Al
Bai<f//avi and Jalalain, to whom Sale refers. The meaning is that
which I have given, and the idiom is equivalent to that which
occurs in a passage of Hariri, Maqamah 3 (p. 30, De Sacy's first
edition), akrim bihi, 'how noble it is!' abzar bihi being equi-
valent to ma abzarahu, 'how observant He is!'
^ Said to refer to Ommaiyet ibn 'Z^alf, who had requested Moham-
med to give up his poorer followers to please the Quraij ; see
Chapter VI, verse 52.
[9] c
1 8 THE QURAN. XVIII, 30-40.
thrones ; — pleasant is the reward, and goodly the
couch !
Strike out for them a parable : Two men, for one
of whom we made two gardens of grapes, and sur-
rounded them with palms, and put corn between
the two. Each of the two gardens brought forth
its food and did not fail in aught. And we caused a
river to gush forth amidst them ; and he had fruit,
and said unto his fellow, who was his next-door
neighbour, ' I am more wealthy than thee, and
mightier of household.'
And he went in unto his garden, having wronged
himself: said he, ' I do not think that this will ever
disappear ; and I do not think that the hour is
imminent ; and if even I be sent back unto my
Lord, I shall find a better one than it in exchange.'
[35] Said unto him his fellow, who was his next-
door neighbour, ' Thou hast disbelieved in Him
who created thee from earth, and then from a clot,
then fashioned thee a man ; but God, He is my
Lord ; nor will I associate any one with my Lord.
Why couldst thou not have said, when thou didst
go into thy garden, " What God pleases ^ ! there is
no power save in God," — to look at, I am less than
thee in wealth and children; but haply my Lord
will give me something better than thy garden, and
will send upon it thunder-claps from the sky, and it
shall be on the morrow bare slippery soil ; or on
the morrow its water may be deeply sunk, so that
thou canst not get thereat ! '
[40] And his fruits were encompassed, and on the
^ In the original Ma sa.' allah; this is the usual formula for
expressing admiration among Muslims.
XVIII, 40-48- THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 1 9
morrow he turned down the palms of his hands ^ for
what he had spent thereon, for it was fallen down
upon its trellises. And he said, ' Would that I had
never associated any one with my Lord!' And he
had not any party to help him beside God, nor was
he helped. In such a case the patronage is God's,
the true ; He is best at rewarding and best at
bringing to an issue.
Strike out for them, too, a parable of the life of
this world ; like water which we send down from
the sky, and the vegetation of the earth is mingled
therewith ; — and on the morrow it is dried up, and
the winds scatter it ; for God is powerful over all.
Wealth and children are an adornment of the life
of this world ; but enduring good works are better
with thy Lord, as a recompense, and better as a
hope.
[45] And the day when we will move the moun-
tains, and thou shalt see the (whole) earth stalking
forth ; and we will gather them, and will not leave
one of them behind. Then shall they be presented
to thy Lord in ranks. — Now have ye come to us as
we created you at first ! nay, but ye thought that we
would never make our promise good !
And the Book shall be placed 2, and thou shalt
see the sinners in fear of what is in it; and they
will say, ' Alas, for us ! what ails this Book, it leaves
neither small nor great things alone, without num-
bering them ? ' and they shall find present what
they have done ; and thy Lord will not wrong
any one.
And when we said to the angels, ' Adore Adam,'
^ I.e. wrung his hands. '^ In the hand of each.
C 2
20 THE QUR AN. XVIII, 48-55.
they adored him, save only Ibhs, who was of the
^uin, who revolted from the bidding of his Lord.
' What ! will ye then take him and his seed as
patrons, rather than me, when they are foes of
yours ? bad for the wrong-doers is the exchange !'
I did not make them witnesses of the creation
of the heavens and the earth, nor of the creation
of themselves, nor did I take those who lead astray
for my supporters.
[50] On the day when He shall say, ' Call ye my
partners whom ye pretend :' and they shall call on
them, but they shall not answer them ; and we will
set the vale of perdition between them; and the
sinners shall see the fire, and shall think that the>
are going to fall therein, and shall find no escape I
therefrom. We have turned about in this Our'an
for men every parable ; but man is ever at most
things a caviller.
Naught prevented men from believing when the '
guidance came to them, or from asking pardon of
their Lord, except the coming on them of the course
of those of yore, or the coming of the torment before
their eyes \
We sent not prophets save as heralds of glad
tidings and as warners ; but those who misbelieve
wrangle with vain speech to make void the truth
therewith ; and they take my signs and the warnings
given them as a jest.
[55] Who is more unjust than he who, being
' This passage is aimed at the Quraij. The ' course of those
of yore' is the punishment inflicted on the 'people of Noah,
Lot,' &c. for similar acts of misbelief, and ' the torment ' is said to
refer to their losses at the battle of Bedr.
XVIII, 55-63- 'THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 21
reminded of the signs of his Lord, turns away
therefrom, and forgets what his hands have done
before ? verily, we will place veils upon their hearts
lest they should understand, and dulness in their
ears !
And if thou shouldst call them to the guidance,
they will not be guided then for ever.
But thy Lord is forgiving, endowed with mercy ;
were He to punish them for what they have earned
He would have hastened for them the torment.
Nay rather, they have their appointed time, and
shall never find a refuge beside Him.
These cities, we destroyed them when they were
unjust; and for their destruction we set an appointed
time.
•And when Moses said to his servant, ' I will not
cease until I reach the confluence of the two seas,
or else I will go on for years ^'
[60] But when they reached the confluence of the
two ^ they forgot their fish, and it took its way in
the sea with a free course.
And when they had passed by, he said to his
servant, ' Bring us our dinners, for we have met
with toil from this journey of ours.' Said he, ' What
thinkest thou ? when we resorted to the rock, then,
verily, I forgot the fish, but it was only Satan who
made me forget it, lest I should remember it ; and
it took its way in the sea wondrously!'
Said he, 'This is what we were searching for^'
So they turned back upon their footsteps, following
them up.
^ The word used signifies a space of eighty years and upwards.
^ Literally, ' of their intermediate space.'
^ See Part II, note 3, p. 23.
2 2 THE QURAN. XVIII, 64-76.
Then they found a servant of our servants, to
whom we had given mercy from ourselves, and
had taught him knowledge from before us. [65]
Said Moses to him, ' Shall I follow thee, so that
thou mayest teach me, from what thou hast been
taught, the right way ? ' said he, ' Verily, thou canst
never have patience with me. How canst thou be
patient in what thou comprehendest no knowledge
of?' He said, 'Thou wilt find me, if God will,
patient ; nor will I rebel against thy bidding.' He
said, ' Then, if thou followest me, ask me not about
anything until I begin for them the mention of it.'
[70] So they set out until when they rode ^ in
the bark, he scuttled it.
Said he, ' Hast thou scuttled it to drown its crew ?
Thou hast produced a strange thing.'
Said he, ' Did I not tell thee, verily, thou canst
never have patience with me ?'
Said he, ' Rebuke me not for forgetting, and
impose not on me a difficult command.' So they
set out until they met a boy, and he killed him.
And he (Moses) said, ' Hast thou killed a pure
person without (his killing) a person ? thou hast
produced an unheard-of thing.'
Said he, ' Did I not tell thee, verily, thou canst
not have patience with me .-*'
[75] Said he, * If I ask thee about anything after
it, then do not accompany me. Now hast thou
arrived at my excuse.' So they set out until when
they came to the people of a city ; and they asked
^ That is, embarked. All nautical metaphors in Arabic being
taken from camel riding. The Arabs do not call the camel ' the
ship of the desert,' but they call a ship ' the riding camel of the
sea.'
XVIII, 76-81. THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 23
the people thereof for food ; but they refused to enter-
tain them. And they found therein a wall which
wanted^ to fall to pieces, and he set it upright.
Said (Moses), ' Hadst thou pleased thou mightst cer-
tainly have had a hire for this.'
Said he, 'This is the parting between me and thee.
I will give thee the interpretation of that with which
thou couldst not have patience. As for the bark
it belonged to poor people, who toiled on the sea,
and I wished to damage it, for behind it was a king
who seized on every bark ^ by force. And as for
the youth, his parents were believers, and we feared
lest he should impose upon them rebellion and mis-
belief. [80] So we desired that their Lord would
give them in exchange a better one than him in
purity, and nearer in filial affection. And as for the
wall, it belonged to two orphan youths in the city,
and beneath it was a treasure belonging to them
both, and their father was a righteous man, and their
Lord desired that they should reach puberty, and
then take out their treasure as a mercy from thy
Lord ; and I did it not on my own bidding. That
is the interpretation of what thou couldst not have
patience with ^.'
^ The expression wanted to fall is colloquial in Arabic as well
as in English. Bai<f/zavi says, ' the expression wanting to is in this
case figuratively used for being on the point of.'
^ That is, every whole or sound ship.
^ For this legend there appears to be no ancient authority what-
ever ; the Mohammedan commentators merely expand it, and say
that El 'Hxdhx (a mythical personage, who is identified with the
prophet Elias, St. George, and the prime minister of Alexander the
Great) had disappeared in search of the water of immortality.
Moses was inspired to search for him, and told that he would find
him by a rock where two seas met, and where he should lose a fish
24 THE QUR'aN. XVIII, 82-92
And they will ask thee about Dnu '1 Oarnahi \
say, * I will recite to you a mention of him ; verily,
we stablished for him in the earth, and we gave
him a way to everything ; and he followed a way
until when he reached the setting of the sun, he
found it setting in a black muddy spring ^ and he
found thereat a people,'
[85] We said, 'O Dhu '1 Oarnain ! thou mayest
either torment these people, or treat them well.'
Said he, ' As for him who does wrong, I will torment
him, then shall he be sent back to his Lord, and
He will torment him with an unheard-of torment ;
but as for him who believes and acts aright, for him
is an excellent reward, and we will tell him our easy
bidding.'
Then he followed a way until when he reached
the rising of the sun, he found it rise upon a people
to whom we had given no shelter therefrom.
[90] So ! And we comprehended the knowledge
of what (forces) he had with him.
Then he followed a way until when he reached
the point between the two mountains, he found
below them both a people who could scarcely under-
which he was directed to take with him. Moses' servant in the
legend is Joshua, and the mysterious young man who guided him
is generally supposed to be El 'H\d/n himself, rendered immortal
and supernaturally wise by having found and drunk of the water
of life.
^ Literally, 'the two horned;' this personage is generally sup-
posed to be Alexander the Great, who is so represented on his
coins. The Mohammedan histories of him, however, contain so
many gross anachronisms, making him, for instance, a contemporary
with Moses, Abraham, &c., that it is probable they may have con-
fused him with some much more ancient traditional conqueror.
^ Probably, as Baif///avi suggests, the ocean, which, with its dark
waters, would remind an Arab of such a pool.
XVIII, 92-99- THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE. 25
Stand speech. They said, ' O Dhu '1 Qarnain !
verily, Ya^uf and Ma^ii^^ are doing evil in the land.
Shall we then pay thee tribute, on condition that
thou set between us and them a rampart ?' He said,
' What my Lord hath established me in is better ;
so help me with strength, and I will set between
you and them a barrier.
[95] ' Bring me pigs of iron until they fill up the
space between the two mountain sides.' Said he,
' Blow until it makes it a fire.' Said he, ' Bring me,
that I may pour over it, molten brass I'
So they ^ could not scale it, and they could not
tunnel it.
Said he, ' This is a mercy from my Lord ; but
when the promise of my Lord comes to pass. He
will make it as dust, for the promise of my Lord
is true.'
And we left some of them to surge on that day''
over others, and the trumpet will be blown, and
we will gather them together.
^ Gog and Magog. The people referred to appear to be tribes
of the Turkomans, and the rampart itself has been identified with
some ancient fortifications extending from the west coast of the
Caspian to the Pontus Euxinus. The word translated mountains
is the same as that translated rampart a little further on. I have,
in rendering it mountains, followed the Mohammedan commen-
tators, whose view is borne out by the subsequent mention of
mountain sides.
^ The process here described for repressing the incursions of
Gog and Magog is the building of a wall of pig iron across the
opening between the two mountains, fusing this into a compact
mass of metal, and strengthening it by pouring molten brass over
the whole.
^ Gog and Magog.
* On the day of judgment, or, as some think, a little before it.
26 THE QURAN. XVIII, loo-r 10.
[lOo] And we will set forth hell on that clay be-
fore the misbelievers, whose eyes were veiled from
my Reminder, and who were unable to hear. What !
did those who misbelieve reckon that they could
take my servants for patrons beside me ? Verily,
we have prepared hell for the misbelievers to
alight in !
Say, ' Shall we inform you of those who lose most
by their works ? those who erred in their endeavours
after the life of this world, and who think they
are doing good deeds.'
[105] Those who misbelieve in the signs of their
Lord and in meeting Him, vain are their works;
and we will not give them right weight on the
resurrection day. That is their reward, — hell ! for
that they misbelieved and took my signs and my
apostles as a mockery.
Verily, those who believe and act aright, for
them are gardens of Paradise ^ to alight in, to dwell
therein for aye, and they shall crave no change
therefrom.
Say, ' Were the sea ink for the words of my
Lord, the sea would surely fail before the words
of my Lord fail ; aye, though we brought as much
ink again !'
[no] Say, ' I am only a mortal like yourselves ; I
am inspired that your God is only one God. Then
let him who hopes to meet his Lord act righteous
acts, and join none in the service of his Lord.'
' Here the Persian word Firdaus is used, which has supplied the
name to the abode of the blessed in so many languages.
XIX, I-I2. THE CHAPTER OF MARY. 27
The Chapter of Mary.
(XIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
K. H. Y. 'H. Z. The mention of thy Lord's mercy
to His servant Zachariah, when he called on his Lord
with a secret calling. Said he, ' My Lord ! verily,
my bones are weak, and my head flares with hoari-
ness ; — and I never was unfortunate in my prayers
to Thee, my Lord ! [5] But I fear my heirs after
me, and my wife is barren ; then grant me from
Thee a successor, to be my heir and the heir of
the family of Jacob, and make him, my Lord !
acceptable.'
' O Zachariah ! verily, we give thee glad tidings
of a son, whose name shall be John. We never
made a namesake of his before ^'
. Said he, ' My Lord ! how can I have a son, when
my wife is barren, and I have reached through old
age to decrepitude ?'
[10] He said, ' Thus says thy Lord, It is easy for
Me, for I created thee at first when yet thou wast
nothing.'
Said he, ' O my Lord ! make for me a sign.'
He said, ' Thy sign is that thou shalt not speak
to men for three nights (though) sound.'
Then he went forth unto his people from the
^ Cf. Luke i. 61, where, however, it is said that noneofZacha-
riah's kindred was ever before called by that name. Some com-
mentators avoid the difficulty by interpreting the word samiyyun
to mean ' deserving of the name.'
28 THE QUR'aN. XIX, 12-25.
chamber, and he made signs to them : ' Celebrate
(God's) praises morning and evening!'
' O John ! take the Book with strength ;' and we
gave him judgment when a boy, and grace from us,
and purity ; and he was pious and righteous to his
parents, and was not a rebelHous tyrant.
[15] So peace upon him the day he was born,
and the day he died, and the day he shall be raised
up alive.
And mention, in the Book, Mary ; when she re-
tired from her family into an eastern place ; and
she took a veil (to screen herself) from them ; and
we sent unto her our spirit ; and he took for her
the semblance of a well-made man. Said she,
' Verily, I take refuge in the Merciful One from
thee, if thou art pious.' Said he, ' I am only a mes-
senger of thy Lord to bestow on thee a pure boy.'
[20] Said she, ' How can I have a boy when no
man has touched me, and when I am no harlot ?'
He said, ' Thus says thy Lord, It is easy for Me !
and we will make him a sign unto man, and a mercy
from us ; for it is a decided matter.'
So she conceived him, and she retired with him
into a remote place. And the labour pains came upon
her at the trunk of a palm tree, and she said, 'O
that I had died before this, and been forgotten out
of mind ! ' and he called ^ to her from beneath her,
' Grieve not, for thy Lord has placed a stream beneath
thy feet ; [25] and shake towards thee the trunk of
the palm tree, it will drop upon thee fresh dates fit to
1 Either the infant himself or the angel Gabriel ; or the expres-
sion 'beneath her' maybe rendered 'beneath it,' and may refer
to the palm tree.
XIX, 25-40. THE CHAPTER OF MARY. 29
gather ; so eat, and drink, and cheer thine eye ; and
if thou shoiildst see any mortal say, "Verily, I have
vowed to the Merciful One a fast, and I will not
speak to-day with a human being." '
Then she brought it to her people, carrying it ;
said they, ' O Mary! thou hast done an extraordinary
thing ! O sister of Aaron ^ ! thy father w^as not a
bad man, nor was thy mother a harlot !'
[2,6] And she pointed to him, and they said, ' How
are we to speak with one who is in the cradle a
child?' He said, 'Verily, I am a servant of God;
He has brought me the Book, and He has made
me a prophet, and He has made me blessed wher-
ever I be ; and He has required of me prayer and
almsgiving so long as I live, and piety towards my
mother, and has not made me a miserable tyrant ;
and peace upon me the day I was born, and the
day I die, and the day I shall be raised up alive.'
[35] That is, Jesus the son of Mary, — by the
word of truth whereon ye do dispute !
God could not take to himself any son ! celebrated
be His praise ! when He decrees a matter He only
says to it, ' BE,' and it is ; and, verily, God is my
Lord and your Lord, so worship Him; this is the
right way.
And the parties have disagreed amongst them-
selves, but woe to those who disbelieve, from the
witnessing of the mighty day ! they can hear and
they can see ^, on the day when they shall come
to us ; but the evildoers are to-day in obvious
error !
[40] And warn them of the day of sighing, when
' See Part I, note i, p. 50. ^ See Part II, note 3, p. 16.
THE QUR AN. XIX, 40-53.
the matter is decreed while they are heedless, and
while they do not believe.
Verily, we will inherit the earth and all who are
upon it, and unto us shall they return !
And mention, in the Book, Abraham ; verily, he
was a confessor, — a prophet. When he said to his
father, ' O my sire ! why dost thou worship what
can neither hear nor see nor avail thee aught ? O
my sire! verily, to me has come knowledge which
has not come to thee ; then follow me, and I will
guide thee to a level way.
[45] ' O my sire ! serve not Satan ; verily, Satan
is ever a rebel against the Merciful. O my sire !
verily, I fear that there may touch thee torment
from the Merciful, and that thou mayest be a client
of Satan.'
Said he, ' What ! art thou averse from my gods,
0 Abraham ? verily, if thou dost not desist I will
certainly stone thee ; but get thee gone from me
for a time !'
Said he, * Peace be upon thee ! I will ask forgive-
ness for thee from my Lord ; verily, He is very
gracious to me : but I will part from you and what
ye call on beside God, and will pray my Lord that
1 be not unfortunate in my prayer to my Lord.'
[50] And when he had parted from them and
what they served beside God, we granted him Isaac
and Jacob, and each of them we made a prophet;
and we granted them of our mercy, and we made
the tongue of truth lofty for them \
And mention, in the Book, Moses ; verily, he was
sincere, and was an apostle, — a prophet. We called
' That is, ' gave them great renown.'
XIX, 53-65- THE CHAPTER OF MARY. 3 1
him from the right side of the mountain ; and we
made him draw nigh unto us to commune with him,
and we granted him, of our mercy, his brother
Aaron as a prophet.
' [55] And mention, in the Book, Ishmael ; verily,
he was true to his promise, and was an apostle, —
a prophet ; and he used to bid his people prayers
and almsgiving, and was acceptable in the sight
of his Lord.
And mention, in the Book, Idris^; verily, he. was
a confessor, — a prophet ; and we raised him to a
lofty place.
These are those to whom God has been gracious,
of the prophets of the seed of Adam, and of those
whom we bore with Noah, and of the seed of
Abraham and Israel, and of those we guided and
elected; when the signs of the Merciful are read
to them, they fall down adoring and weeping.
[60] And successors succeeded them, who lost
sight of prayer and followed lusts, but they shall
at length find themselves going wrong, except such
as repent and believe and act aright ; for these shall
enter Paradise, and shall not be wronged at all, —
gardens of Eden, which the Merciful has promised
to His servants in the unseen; verily. His promise
ever comes to pass !
They shall hear no empty talk therein, but only
' peace ; ' and they shall have their provision therein,
morning and evening ; that is Paradise which we
will give for an inheritance to those of our servants
who are pious !
[65] We do not descend ^ save at the bidding
* Generally identified with Enoch.
2 Amongst various conjectures the one most usually accepted
32 THE QURAN. XIX, 65-75.
of thy Lord; His is what is before us, and what
is behind us, and what is between those ; for thy
Lord is never forgetful, — the Lord of the heavens
and the earth, and of what is between the two ; then
serve Him and persevere in His service. Dost
thou know a namesake of His ?
Man will say, ' What ! when I have died shall
I then come forth alive ? Does not man then re-
member that we created him before when he was
naught ? '
And by thy Lord ! we will surely gather them
together, and the devils too ; then we will surely
bring them forward around hell, on their knees !
[70] Then we will drag off from every sect
whichever of them has been most bold against the
Merciful.
Then we know best which of them deserves most
to be broiled therein.
There is not one of you who will not go down
to it, — that is settled and decided by thy Lord ^
Then we will save those who fear us ; but we
will leave the evildoers therein on their knees.
And when our signs are recited to them manifest,
those who misbelieve say to those who believe,
' Which of the two parties is best placed and in the
best company ?'
[75] And how many generations before them
by the Mohammedan commentators is, that these are the words of
the angel Gabriel, in answer to Mohammed's complaint of long
intervals elapsing between the periods of revelation.
' This is inteipreted by some to mean that all souls, good and
bad, must pass through hell, but that the good will not be harmed.
Others think it merely refers to the passage of the bridge of
el Aaraf.
XIX, 75-89- 'T^E CHAPTER OF MARY. 33
have we destroyed who were better off in property
and appearance ?
Say, ' Whosoever is in error, let the Merciful ex-
tend to him length of days ! — until they see what
they are threatened with, whether it be the torment
or whether it be the Hour, then they shall know
who is worse placed and weakest in forces ! '
And those who are guided God will increase in
guidance.
And enduring good works are best with thy Lord
for a reward, and best for restoration.
[80] Hast thou seen him who disbelieves in our
signs, and says, ' I shall surely be given wealth and
children ^ ?'
Has he become acquainted with the unseen, or
has he taken a compact with the Merciful ? Not
so ! We will write down what he says, and we will
extend to him a length of torment, and we will make
him inherit what he says, and he shall come to us
alone. They take other gods besides God to be
their glory. [85] Not so! They^ shall deny their
worship and shall be opponents of theirs !
Dost thou not see that we have sent the devils
against the misbelievers, to drive them on to sin ?
but, be not thou hasty with them. Verily, we will
number them a number (of days), — the day when
we will gather the pious to the Merciful as ambassa-
dors, and we will drive the sinners to hell like
^ 'Hasty ibn Wail, being indebted to 'ZTabbab, refused to pay
him unless he renounced Mohammed. This 'i/abbab said he
would never do alive or dead, or when raised again at the last day.
El 'Hasiy told him to call for his money on the last day, as he
should have wealth and children then.
2 That is, the false gods.
[9] ^
THE QUR AN. XIX, 89-XX, 5.
(herds) to water ! [90] They shall not possess
intercession, save he who has taken a compact with
the Merciful.
They say, ' The Merciful has taken to Himself
a son :' — ye have brought a monstrous thing ! The
heavens well-nigh burst asunder thereat, and the
earth is riven, and the mountains fall down broken,
that they attribute to the Merciful a son! but it
becomes not the Merciful to take to Himself a son !
there is none in the heavens or the earth but comes
to the Merciful as a servant; He counts them and
numbers them by number, [95] and they are all
coming to Him on the resurrection day singly.
Verily, those who believe and act aright, to them
the Merciful will give love.
We have only made it easy for thy tongue that
thou mayest thereby give glad tidings to the pious,
and warn thereby a contentious people.
How many a generation before them have we
destroyed ? Canst thou find any one of them, or
hear a whisper of them ?
The Chapter of T. H.
(XX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
T. H. We have not sent down this Our'an to
thee that thou shouldst be wTetched ; only as a
reminder to him who fears — descending from Him
who created the earth and the high heavens, the
Merciful settled on the throne! [5] His are what
XX, 5-19- THE CHAPTER OF T. H. 35
is in the heavens, and what is in the earth, and
what is between the two, and what is beneath the
ground ! And if thou art pubHc in thy speech —
yet, verily, he knows the secret, and more hidden
still.
God, there is no god but He ! His are the ex-
cellent names.
Has the story of Moses come to thee ? When
he saw the fire and said to his family, * Tarry ye ;
verily, I perceive a fire ! [lo] Haply I may bring
you therefrom a brand, or may find guidance by the
fire ^' And when he came to it he was called to,
' O Moses ! verily, I am thy Lord, so take off thy
sandals ; verily, thou art in the holy valley Tuva,
and I have chosen thee. So listen to what is in-
spired thee; verily, I am God, there is no god
but Me ! then serve Me, and be steadfast in prayer
to remember Me.
[15] 'Verily, the hour is coming, I almost make
it appear 2, that every soul may be recompensed
for its efforts.
* Let not then him who believes not therein and
follows his lusts ever turn thee away therefrom, and
thou be ruined.
' What is that in thy right hand, O Moses ? '
Said he, ' It is my staff on which I lean, and
1 The Arabs used to light fires to guide travellers to shelter and
entertainment. These fires, ' the fire of hospitality,' ' the fire of
war,' &c. are constantly referred to in the ancient Arabic poetry.
No less than thirteen fires are enumerated by them.
2 This may be also rendered, 'I almost conceal it (from myself);'
i'/ifa'un having, like many words in Arabic, two meanings directly
opposite to each other. This probably arose from words being
adopted into the Quraij idiom from other dialects.
D 2
36 THE QUR AN. XX, 19-39.
wherewith I beat down leaves for my flocks, and
for which I have other uses.'
[20] Said He, 'Throw it down, O Moses!' and
he threw it down, and behold ! it was a snake that
moved about.
Said He, 'Take hold of it and fear not; we will
restore it to its first state.
' But press thy hand to thy side, it shall come
forth white without harm, — another sign! to show
thee of our great signs !
[25] 'Go unto Pharaoh, verily, he is outrageous!'
Said he, ' My Lord ! expand for me my breast ;
and make what I am bidden easy to me ; and loose
the knot from my tongue \ that they may under-
stand my speech ; [30] and make for me a minister ^
from my people, — Aaron my brother ; gird up my
loins through him ^ and join him with me in the
affair ; that we may celebrate Thy praises much
and remember Thee much.
[35] 'Verily, Thou dost ever behold us!'
He said, ' Thou art granted thy request, O Moses!
and we have already shown favours unto thee at
another time. When we inspired thy mother with
what we inspired her, " Hurl him into the ark,
and hurl him into the sea ; and the sea shall cast
him on the shore, and an enemy of mine and of
his shall take him ;" — for on thee have I cast my
^ The Muslim legend is that Moses burnt his tongue with a live
coal when a child. This incident is related at length, together with
other Mohammedan legends connected with Moses and the Exodus,
in my 'Desert of the Exodus,' Appendix C. p. 533. Transl.
"^ Literally, vizir, 'vizier,' 'one who bears the burden' of office.
' I.e. 'strengthen me.' The idiom is still in common use
amongst the desert Arabs.
I
XX, 39-54- THE CHArTER OF T. II. 37
love, [40] that thou mayest be formed under my
eye. When thy sister walked on and said, " Shall
I guide you to one who will take charge of him?"
And we restored thee to thy mother, that her eye
might be cheered and that she should not grieve. And
thou didst slay a person and we saved thee from
the trouble, and we tried thee with various trials.
And thou didst tarry for years amongst the people
of Midian ; then thou didst come (hither) at (our)
decree, O Moses! And I have chosen thee for
myself. Go, thou and thy brother, with my signs,
and be not remiss in remembering me. [45] Go
ye both to Pharaoh ; verily, he is outrageous ! and
speak to him a gentle speech, haply he may be
mindful or may fear.'
They two said, ' Our Lord ! verily, we fear that
he may trespass against us, or that he may be
outrageous.'
He said, ' Fear not ; verily, I am with you twain.
I hear and see !
' So come ye to him and say, " Verily, we are the
apostles of thy Lord ; send then the children of
Israel with us ; and do not torment them. We have
brought thee a sign from thy Lord, and peace be
upon him who follows the guidance !
[50] ' " Verily, we are inspired that the torment
will surely come upon him who calls us liars and
turns his back." '
Said he, 'And who is your Lord, O Moses ?'
He said, ' Our Lord is He who gave everything
its creation, then guided it.'
Said he, ' And what of the former generations ?'
He said, ' The knowledge of them is with my
Lord in a book ; my Lord misleads not, nor forgets !
38 THE QURAN. XX, 55-67.
[55] Who made for you the earth a bed; and has
traced for you paths therein ; and has sent down
from the sky water, — and we have brought forth
thereby divers sorts of different vegetables. Eat
and pasture your cattle therefrom ; verily, in that
are signs to those endued with intelligence. From
it have we created you and into it will we send you
back, and from it will we bring you forth another
time.'
We did show him our signs, all of them, but
he called them lies and did refuse.
Said he, * Hast thou come to us, to turn us out
of our land with thy magic, O Moses ? [60] Then
we will bring you magic like it ; and we will make
between us and thee an appointment; we will not
break it, nor do thou either; — a fair place.'
Said he, * Let your appointment be for the day
of adornment ^ and let the people assemble in the
forenoon -.'
But Pharaoh turned his back, and collected his
tricks, and then he came.
Said Moses to them, ' Woe to you ! do not forge
against God a lie ; lest He destroy you by torment ;
for disappointed has ever been he who has forged.'
[65] And they argued their matter among them-
selves ; and secretly talked it over.
Said they, ' These twain are certainly two ma-
gicians, who wish to turn you out of your land
by their magic, and to remove your most exemplary
doctrine ^. Collect therefore your tricks, and then
' I. e. the festival.
"^ In order that they might all see.
^ Or, ' your most eminent men,' as some commentators interpret
it, i.e. the children of Israel.
XX, 67-76. THE CHAPTER OF T. H. 39
form a row ; for he is prosperous to-day who has
the upper hand.'
Said they, ' O Moses ! either thou must throw, or
we must be the first to throw.'
He said, 'Nay, throw ye!' and lo ! their ropes
and their staves appeared to move along. [70] And
Moses felt a secret fear within his soul.
Said we, * Fear not ! thou shalt have the upper
hand. Throw down what is in thy right hand ;
and it shall devour what they have made. Verily,
what they have made is but a magician's trick ;
and no magician shall prosper wherever he comes.'
And the magicians were cast down in adoration ;
said they, ' We believe in the Lord of Aaron and of
Moses ! '
Said he ^ 'Do ye believe in Him before I eive
you leave ? Verily, he is your master who taught
you magic ! Therefore will I surely cut off your
hands and feet on alternate sides, and I will surely
crucify you on the trunks of palm trees ; and ye
shall surely know which of us is keenest at torment
and more lasting.'
[75] Said they, ' We will never prefer thee to what
has come to us of manifest signs, and to Him who
originated us. Decide then what thou canst decide ;
thou canst only decide in the life of this world !
Verily, we beheve in our Lord, that He may pardon
us our sins, and the magic thou hast forced us to
use ; and God is better and more lasting !'
Verily, he who comes to his Lord a sinner, —
verily, for him is hell ; he shall not die therein, and
shall not live.
^ Pharaoh.
40 THE QUR AN. XX, 77-88.
But he who comes to Him a believer who has
done aright — these, for them are the highest ranks,
— gardens of Eden beneath which rivers flow, to
dwell therein for aye ; for that is the reward of
him who keeps pure.
And we inspired Moses, 'Journey by night w^ith
my servants, and strike out for them a dry road in
the sea. [80] Fear not pursuit, nor be afraid!'
Then Pharaoh followed them with his armies, and
there overwhelmed them of the sea that which over-
whelmed them. And Pharaoh and his people went
astray and were not guided.
O children of Israel ! We have saved you from
your enemy ; and we made an appointment with
you on the right side of the mount ; and we sent
down upon you the manna and the quails. * Eat of
the good things we have provided you with, and do
not exceed therein, lest my wrath light upon you ;
for whomsoever my wrath lights upon he falls !
' Yet am I forgiving unto him who repents and
believes and does right, and then is guided.
[85] ' But what has hastened thee on away from
thy people, O Moses ? '
He said, ' They were here upon my track and I
hastened on to Thee, my Lord ! that thou mightest
be pleased.'
Said He, 'Verily, we have tried thy people, since
thou didst leave, and es Samariy^ has led them
astray.'
And Moses returned to his people, wrathful,
grieving !
* I. e. the Samaritan ; some take it to mean a proper name, in
order to avoid the anachronism.
XX, 89-96. THE CHAPTER OF T. H. 4 1
Said he, ' O my people ! did not your Lord pro-
mise you a good promise ? Has the time seemed
too long for you, or do you desire that wrath
should light on you from your Lord, that ye have
broken your promise to me ?'
[90] They said, ' We have not broken our promise
to thee of our own accord. But we were made to
carry loads of the ornaments of the people, and
we hurled them down, and so did es Samariy cast ;
and he brought forth for the people a corporeal
calf which lowed.' And they said, 'This is your
god and the god of Moses, but he has forgotten!'
What! do they not see that it does not return
them any speech, and cannot control for them harm
or profit? Aaron too told them before, 'O my
people ! ye are only being tried thereby ; and, verily,
your Lord is the Merciful, so follow me and obey
my bidding.'
They said, 'We will not cease to pay devotion
to it until Moses come back to us.'
Said he, ' O Aaron ! what prevented thee, when
thou didst see them go astray, from following me ?
Hast thou then rebelled against my bidding ?'
[95] Said he, 'O son of my mother! seize me
not by my beard, or my head! Verily, I feared
lest thou shouldst say, " Thou hast made a divi-
sion amongst the children of Israel, and hast not
observed my word." '
Said he, ' What was thy design, O Samariy ?'
Said he, ' I beheld what they beheld not, and I
grasped a handful from the footprint of the mes-
senger 1 and cast it ; for thus my soul induced me.'
A handful of dust from the footprint of the angel Gabriel's
42 THE QUR AN. XX, 97-105.
Said he, ' Then get thee gone ; verily, it shall be
thine in life to say, "Touch me notM" and, verily, for
thee there is a threat which thou shalt surely never
alter. But look at thy god to which thou wert just
now devout ; we will surely burn it, and then we
will scatter it in scattered pieces in the sea.
* Your God is only God who, — there is no god
but He, — He embraceth everything in His know-
ledge.'
Thus do we narrate to thee the history of what
has gone before, and we have brought thee a re-
minder from us.
[100] Whoso turns therefrom, verily, he shall
bear on the resurrection day a burden : — for them to
bear for aye, and evil for them on the resurrection
day will it be to bear.
On the day when the trumpet shall be blown,
and we will gather the sinners in that day blue-
eyed ^.
They shall whisper to each other, ' Ye have only
tarried ten days.' We know best what they say,
when the most exemplary of them in his way shall
say, * Ye have only tarried a day.'
[105] They will ask thee about the mountains;
horse, which, bemg cast into the calf, caused it to become animated
and to low.
' The idea conveyed seems to be that he should be regarded as
a leper, and obliged to warn people from coming near him. The
reference is no doubt to the light in which the Samaritans (see
Part II, p. 40, note r) were regarded by the Jews.
* Because ' blue eyes ' were especially detested by the Arabs as
being characteristic of their greatest enemies, the Greeks. So they
speak of an enemy as ' black-livered,' 'red-whiskered,' and 'blue-
eyed.' The word in the text may also mean 'blear-eyed,' or
' blind.'
XX, lO^-nS- THE CHAPTER OF T. H. 43
say, ' My Lord will scatter them in scattered
pieces, and He will leave them a level plain, thou
wilt see therein no crookedness or inequality.'
On that day they shall follow the caller in whom
is no crookedness ^ ; and the voices shall be hushed
before the Merciful, and thou shalt hear naught but
a shuffling.
On that day shall no intercession be of any avail,
save from such as the Merciful permits, and who is
acceptable to Him in speech.
He knows what is before them and what is be-
hind them, but they do not comprehend knowledge
of Him.
[no] Faces shall be humbled before the Living,
the Self-subsistent ; and he who bears injustice is
ever lost.
But he who does righteous acts and Is a believer,
he shall fear neither wrong nor diminution.
Thus have we sent it down an Arabic Our an ;
and we have turned about in it the threat, —
haply they may fear, or it may cause them to
remember.
Exalted then be God, the king, the truth!
Hasten not the Quran before its inspiration is
decided for thee ; but say, ' O Lord ! increase me
in knowledge ^'
We did make a covenant with Adam of yore,
but he forgot it, and we found no firm purpose
in him.
[115] And when we said to the angels, 'Adore
1 That is, the angel who is to summon them to judgment, and
from whom none can escape, or who marches straight on.
2 Cf. Part II, p. 16, note 2.
44 THE QURAN. XX, 115-128.
Adam,' they adored, save Iblis, who refused. And
we said, ' O Adam ! verily, this is a foe to thee
and to thy wife ; never then let him drive you twain
forth from the garden or thou wilt be wretched.
Verily, thou hast not to be hungry there, nor
naked ! and, verily, thou shalt not thirst therein,
nor feel the noonday heat !'
But the devil whispered to him. Said he, ' O
Adam ! shall I guide thee to the tree of immortality,
and a kingdom that shall not wane ?'
And they eat therefrom, and their shame became
apparent to them ; and they began to stitch upon
themselves some leaves of the garden ; and Adam
rebelled against his Lord, and went astray.
[120] Then his Lord chose him, and relented
towards him, and guided him. Said he, ' Go down,
ye twain, therefrom altogether, some of you foes
to the other. And if there should come to you
from me a guidance ; then whoso follows my guid-
ance shall neither err nor be wretched. But he
who turns away from my reminder, verily, for him
shall be a straitened livelihood ; and we will gather
him on the resurrection day blind!'
[125] He shall say, 'My Lord! wherefore hast
Thou gathered me blind when I used to see ?' He
shall say, ' Our signs came to thee, and thou didst
forget them ; thus to-day art thou forgotten I'
Thus do we recompense him who is extravagant
and believes not in the signs of his Lord ; and
the torment of the hereafter is keener and more
lasting !
Does it not occur to them^ how many generations
^ The Meccans.
XX, 128-135- THE CHAPTER OF T. H. 45
we have destroyed before them ? — they walk in
their very dwelHng-places ; verily, in that are signs
to those endued with intelligence.
And had it not been for thy Lord's word already
passed (the punishment) would have been inevitable
and (at) an appointed time.
[130] Bear patiently then what they say, and
celebrate the praises of thy Lord before the rising
of the sun, and before its setting, and at times in
the night celebrate them ; and at the ends of the
day ; haply thou mayest please (Him).
And do not strain after what we have provided
a few ^ of them with — the flourish of the life of this
world, to try them by ; but the provision of thy
Lord is better and more lasting.
Bid thy people prayer, and persevere in It ; we do
not ask thee to provide. We will provide, and the
issue shall be to piety.
They say, ' Unless he bring us a sign from his
Lord — What! has there not come to them the
manifest sign of what was in the pages of yore ?'
But had we destroyed them with torment before
it, they would have said, 'Unless Thou hadst sent to
us an apostle, that we might follow Thy signs be-
fore we were abased and put to shame.'
[135] Say, 'Each one has to wait, so wait ye!
but in the end ye shall know who are the fellows of
the level way, and who are guided!'
^ Literally, 'pairs/
'*,
46 THE QURAN. XXI, 1-13.
The Chapter of the Prophets.
(XXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Their reckoning draws nigh to men, yet in heed-
lessness they turn aside.
No reminder comes to them from their Lord of
late, but they listen while they mock, and their
hearts make sport thereof! And those who do
wrong discourse secretly (saying), ' Is this man aught
but a mortal like yourselves ? will ye accede to
magic, while ye can see ?'
Say, ' My Lord knows what is said in the heavens
and the earth, He hears and knows!'
[5] 'Nay!' they say, ' — a jumble of dreams;
nay ! he has forged it ; nay ! he is a poet ; but let
him bring us a sign as those of yore were sent'
No city before them which we destroyed be-
lieved— how will they believe ? Nor did we send
before them any but men whom we inspired ? Ask
ye the people of the Scriptures if ye do not know.
Nor did we make them bodies not to eat food, nor
were they immortal. Yet we made our promise
to them o;ood, and we saved them and whom we
pleased; but we destroyed those who committed
excesses.
[10] We have sent down to you a book in which
is a reminder for you ; have ye then no sense ?
How many a city which had done wrong have
w^e broken up, and raised up after it another people !
And when they perceived our violence they ran
away from it. ' Run not away, but return to what
XXI, 13-26. THE CHAPTER OF THE PROPHETS. 47
ye delighted in, and to your dwellings ! haply ye
will be questioned.' Said they, * O woe is us !
verily, we were wrong-doers.'
[15] And that ceased not to be their cry until we
made them mown down, — smouldering out!
We did not create the heaven and the earth and
what is between the two in play. Had we wished
to take to a sport, we would have taken to one from
before ourselves ; had we been bent on doing so.
Nay, we hurl the truth against falsehood and it
crashes into it, and lo ! it vanishes, but woe to you
for what ye attribute (to God) !
His are whosoever are in the heavens and the
earth, and those who are with Him are not too big
with pride for His service, nor do they weary.
[20] They celebrate His praises by night and day
without intermission. Or have they taken gods
from the earth who can raise up (the dead) ?
Were there in both (heaven and earth) gods
beside God, both would surely have been corrupted.
Celebrated then be the praise of God, the Lord of
the throne, above what they ascribe !
He shall not be questioned concerning what He
does, but they shall be questioned.
Have they taken gods beside Him ? Say, ' Bring
your proofs. This is the reminder of those who are
with me, and of those who were before me.' Nay,
most of them know not the truth, and they do
turn aside.
[25] We have not sent any prophet before thee,
but we inspired him that, 'There is no god but Me,
so serve ye Me.'
And they say, ' The Merciful has taken a son M
^ Or, child, since the passage refers both to the Christian
48 THE QURAN. XXI, 26-37.
celebrated be His praise!' — Nay, honoured servants ;
they do not speak until He speaks; but at His
bidding do they act. He knows what is before
them, and what is behind them, and they shall not
intercede except for him whom He is pleased with ;
and they shrink through fear.
[30] And whoso of them should say, 'Verily, I
am god instead of Him,' such a one we recom-
pense with hell ; thus do we recompense the
wTong-doers.
Do not those who misbelieve see that the heavens
and the earth were both solid, and we burst them
asunder ; and we made from water every living
thing — will they then not believe ?
And we placed on the earth firm mountains lest
it should move with them, and He made therein
open roads for paths, haply they may be guided !
and we made the heaven a guarded roof; yet from
our signs they turn aside !
He it is who created the night and the day, and
the sun and the moon, each floating in a sky.
[35] We never made for any mortal before thee
immortality; what, if thou shouldst die, will they live
on for aye ?
Every soul shall taste of death ! we will test
them with evil and with good, as a trial ; and unto
us shall they return !
And when those who misbelieve see thee ^ they
only take thee for a jest, ' Is this he who mentions
your gods ? ' Yet they at the mention of the Merci-
ful do disbelieve.
doctrine and to the Arab notion that the angels are daughters
of God.
^ Mohammed.
XXI, 3^-48- THE CHAPTER OF THE PROPHETS. 49
Man is created out of haste. I will show you
my signs ; but do not hurry Me.
And they say, ' When will this threat (come to
pass), if ye tell the truth ?'
[40] Did those who misbelieve but know when
the fire shall not be warded off from their faces
nor from their backs, and they shall not be helped !
Nay, it shall come on them suddenly, and shall
dumbfounder them, and they shall not be able to
repel it, nor shall they be respited.
Prophets before thee have been mocked at, but
that whereat they jested encompassed those who
mocked.
Say, ' Who shall guard you by night and by day
from the Merciful ?' Nay, but they from the men-
tion of their Lord do turn aside.
Have they gods to defend them against us ?
These cannot help themselves, nor shall they be
abetted against us.
[45] Nay, but we have granted enjoyment to
these men and to their fathers whilst life was pro-
longed. Do they not see that we come to the
land and shorten its borders ? Shall they then
prevail ?
Say, ' I only warn you by inspiration ; ' but the
deaf hear not the call when they are warned. But
if a blast of the torment of thy Lord touches them,
they will surely say, ' O, woe is us ! verily, we were
wrong-doers ! '
We will place just balances upon the resurrection
day, and no soul shall be wronged at all, even
though it be the weight of a grain of mustard seed,
we will bring it ; for we are good enough at
reckoning up.
[9] E
50 THE QUR AN. XXI, 49-66. |
We did give to Moses and Aaron the Discrimina-
tion, and a light and a reminder to those who
fear ; [50] who are afraid of their Lord in secret ;
and who at the Hour do shrink.
This is a blessed reminder which we have sent
down, will ye then deny it ?
And we gave Abraham a right direction before ;
for about him we knew. When he said to his
father and to his people, ' What are these images
to which ye pay devotion ?' Said they, ' We found
our fathers serving them.' [55] Said he, ' Both
you and your fathers have been in obvious error.'
They said, ' Dost thou come to us with the truth,
or art thou but of those who play ? '
He said, 'Nay, but your Lord is Lord of the
heavens and the earth, which He originated ; and I
am of those who testify to this ; and, by God !
I will plot against your idols after ye have turned
and shown me your backs !'
So he brake them all in pieces, except a large
one they had ; that haply they might refer it to
that.
[60] Said they, *Who has done this with our
gods ? verily, he is of the wrong-doers !' They said,
*We heard a youth mention them who is called
Abraham.'
Said they, ' Then bring him before the eyes of
men ; haply they will bear witness.'
Said they, 'Was it thou who did this to our
gods, O Abraham?' Said he, 'Nay, it was this
largest of them ; but ask them, if they can
speak.'
[65] Then they came to themselves and said,
' Verily, ye are the wrong-doers.' Then they turned
XXI, 66-76. THE CHAPTER OF THE PROPHETS. 5 1
upside down again ^ : ' Thou knewest that these
cannot speak.'
Said he, * Will ye then serve, beside God, what
cannot profit you at all, nor harm you ? fie upon
you, and what ye serve beside God ! have ye then
no sense ?*
Said they, ' Burn him, and help your gods, if ye
are going to do so ! '
We said, * O fire ! be thou cool and a safety for
Abraham!'
[70] They desired to plot against him, but we
made them the losers.
And we brought him and Lot safely to the land
which we have blessed for the world, and we be-
stowed upon him Isaac and Jacob as a fresh gift,
and each of them we made righteous persons ; and
we made them high priests ^ to guide (men) by our
bidding, and we inspired them to do good works,
and to be steadfast in prayer, and to give alms ; and
they did serve us.
And Lot, to him we gave judgment and know-
ledge, and we brought him safely out of the city
which had done vile acts ; verily, they were a
people who wrought abominations ! [75] And we
made him enter into our mercy ; verily, he was of
the righteous!
And Noah, when he cried aforetime, and we
answered him and saved him and his people from
the mighty trouble, and we helped him against
the people who said our signs were lies ; verily,
^ Literally, ' they turned upside down upon their heads,' the
metaphor implying that they suddenly changed their opinion and
relapsed into belief in their idols.
^ See Part I, p. 17, note i.
E 2
\
''^.
52 THE QURAN. XXI, 76-84
they were a bad people, so we drowned them
all together.
And David and Solomon, when they gave judg-
ment concerning the field, when some people's sheep
had strayed therein at night ; and we testified to
their judgment^; and this we gave Solomon to
understand. To each of them we gave judgment
and knowledge ; and to David we subjected the
mountains to celebrate our praises, and the birds
too, — it was we who did it ^.
[80] And we taught him the art of making coats
of mail for you, to shield you from each other's 1
violence ; are ye then grateful ?
And to Solomon (we subjected) the wind blowing
stormily, to run on at his bidding to the land ^ which {
we have blessed, — for all things did we know, — and
some devils to dive for him, and to do other works
beside that ; and we kept guard over them.
And Job, when he cried to his Lord, 'As for me,
harm has touched me, but Thou art the most
merciful of the merciful ones.' And we answered
^ This case, say the commentators, being brought before David
and Solomon, David said that the owner of the field should take
the sheep in compensation for the damage ; but Solomon, who
vi^as only eleven years old at the time, gave judgment that the
owner of the field should enjoy the produce of the sheep — that is,
their milk, wool, and lambs — until the shepherd had restored the
field to its former state of cultivation, and this judgment was ap-
proved by David.
2 This legend, adopted from the Talmud, arises from a too
literal interpretation of Psalm cxlviii.
' The legend of Solomon, his seal inscribed with the holy name
by which he could control all the powers of nature, his carpet or
throne that used to be transported with him on the wind wherever
he pleased, his power over the ^inns, and his knowledge of the lan-
guage of birds and beasts are commonplaces in Arabic writings.
XXI, 84-92. THE CHAPTER OF THE PROPHETS. 53
him, and removed from him the distress that was
upon him ; and we gave his family, and the Hke
of them with them, as a mercy from us, and a
remembrance to those who serve us.
[85] And Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu '1 Kifl \
all of these were of the patient : and we made them
enter into our mercy; verily, they were among the
righteous.
o
And Dhu 'nntin^, when he went away in wrath
and thought that we had no power over him ; and
he cried out in the darkness, * There is no god but
Thou, celebrated be Thy praise! Verily, I was of the
evildoers!' And we answered him, and saved him
from the trouble. Thus do we save believers !
And Zachariah, when he cried unto his Lord, * O
Lord ! leave me not alone ; for thou art the best of
heirs ^' [90] And we answered him, and bestowed
upon him John; and we made his wife right for
him ; verily, these vied in good works, and called
on us with longing and dread, and were humble
before us.
And she who guarded her private parts, and we
breathed into her of our Spirit, and we made her
and her son a sign unto the worlds. Verily, this
your nation * is one nation ; and I am your Lord,
so serve me.
1 That is, Elias, or, as some say, Joshua, and some say Zacha-
riah, so called because he had a portion from God Most High,
and guaranteed his people, or because he had double the work of
the prophets of his time and their reward; the word Kifl
being used in the various senses of ' portion,' ' sponsorship,' and
' double.' — Baia%avi.
2 Literally, ' he of the fish,' that is, Jonah.
3 See Part II, p. 27,
* The word 'ummatun' is here used in the sense rather of
» A.
54 THE QURAN. XXI, 93-103.
But they cut up their affair amongst themselves ;
they all shall return to us ; and he who acts aright,
and he who is a believer, there is no denial of his
efforts, for, verily, we will wTite them down for
him.
[95] There is a ban upon a city which we have
destroyed that they shall not return, until Ya^^
and Ma^^ are let out \ and they from every hum-
mock ~ shall glide forth.
And the true promise draws nigh, and lo ! they
are staring — the eyes of those who misbelieve ! O,
woe is us ! we were heedless of this, nay, we were
vvrrongf-doers !
Verily, ye, and what ye serve beside God, shall
be the pebbles of hell ^, to it shall ye go down !
Had these been God's they would not have gone
down thereto : but all shall dwell therein for aye ;
[100] for them therein is groaning, but they therein
shall not be heard.
Verily, those for whom the good (reward) from
us was fore-ordained, they from it shall be kept far
away; they shall not hear the slightest sound thereof,
and they in what their souls desire shall dwell for
aye. The greatest terror shall not grieve them ; and
the angels shall meet them, (saying), ' This is your
day which ye were promised ! '
' religion,' regarding the various nations and generations as each
professing and representing a particular faith, and means that the
religion preached to the Meccans was the same as that preached
to their followers by the various prophets who are mentioned in
this chapter.
^ See Part II, p. 25.
^ 'Hadab, some read^adath, 'grave.'
^ See Part I, p. 4, 1. i.
XXI, I04-II2. THE CHAPTER OF THE PROPHETS. 55
The day when we will roll up the heavens as
es-Si^ill rolls up the books ^ ; as we produced It
at Its first creation will we bring It back again —
a promise binding upon us ; verily, we are going
to do It. And already have we written in the
Psalms [105] after the reminder that 'the eardi
shall my righteous servants Inherit ^'
Verily, In this is preaching for a people who
serve me !
We have only sent thee as a mercy to the
worlds.
Say, * I am only Inspired that your God Is one
God ; are ye then resigned ?' ' But if they turn their
backs say, * I have proclaimed (war) against all alike,
but I know not if what ye are threatened with be
near or far!'
[no] Verily, He knows what is spoken openly,
and He knows what ye hide.
I know not, haply it is a trial for you and a
provision for a season.
Say, 'My Lord! judge thou with truth! and our
Lord is the Merciful whom we ask for aid against
what they ascribe ! '
^ Es-Si^ill is the name of the angel who has charge of the book
on which each human being's fate is written, which book he rolls
up at a person's death. The word, however, may mean a scroll or
register, and the passage may be rendered, 'like the rolling up of a
scroll for writings.'
^ Psalm xxxvii. 29.
56 THE QUR AN. XXII, i-6.
The Chapter of the Pilgrimage.
(XXII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O ye folk ! fear your Lord. Verily, the earth-
quake of the Hour is a mighty thing.
On the day ye shall see It, every suckling woman
shall be scared away from that to which she gave
suck ; and every pregnant woman shall lay down
her load ; and thou shalt see men drunken, though
they be not drunken : but the torment of God is
severe.
And amongst men is one who wrangles about
God without knowledge, and follows every rebellious
devil ; against whom it Is written down that whoso
takes him for a patron, verily, he will lead him
astray, and will guide him towards the torment of
the blaze !
[5] O ye folk ! If ye are In doubt about the raising
(of the dead), — verily, we created you from earth,
then from a clot, then from congealed blood, then
from a morsel, shaped or shapeless, that we may
explain to you. And we make what we please
rest In the womb until an appointed time ; then
we bring you forth babes ; then let you reach your
full age ; and of you are some who die ; and of you
are some who are kept back till the most decrepit
age, till he knows no longer aught of knowledge.
And ye see the earth parched, and when we send
down water on It, It stirs and swells, and brings
forth herbs of every beauteous kind.
That is because God, He is the truth, and because
XXII, 6-17- THE CHAPTER OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 57
He quickens the dead, and because He is mighty
over all ; and because the Hour is coming, there
is no doubt therein, and because God raises up
those who are in the tombs.
And amongst men is one who wrangles about
God without knowledge or guidance or an illu-
minating book; twisting his neck from the way
of God ; for him is disgrace in this world, and we
will make him taste, upon the resurrection day, the
torment of burning,
[10] That is for what thy hands have done before,
and for that God is not unjust unto His servants.
And amono-st men is one who serves God
o
(wavering) on a brink ; and if there befall him
ofood, he is comforted ; but if there befall him a trial,
he turns round again, and loses this world and the
next — that is an obvious loss. He calls, besides God,
on what can neither harm him nor profit him; — that
is a wide error.
He calls on him whose harm is nigher than his
profit, — a bad lord and a bad comrade.
Verily, God makes those who believe and do
arieht enter into grardens beneath which rivers flow ;
verily, God does what He will.
[15] He who thinks that God will never help him
in this world or the next — let him stretch a cord to
the roof^ and put an end to himself; and let him
cut it and see if his stratagem will remove what he
is enraged at.
Thus have we sent down manifest signs; for,
verily, God guides whom He will.
Verily, those who believe, and those who are
The word may also be rendered ' sky.'
58 THE QUr'aN. XXII, 17-26.
Jews, and the Sabceans, and the Christians, and
the Magians, and those who join other gods with
God, verily, God will decide between them on the
resurrection day ; verily, God is witness over all.
Do they not see that God, whosoever is in the
heavens adores Him, and whosoever is in the earth,
and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the
mountains, and the beasts, and many among men,
though many a one deserves the torments ?
Whomsoever God abases there is none to honour
him ; verily, God does what He pleases.
[20] These are two disputants^ who dispute about
their Lord, but those who misbelieve, for them are
cut out garments of fire, there shall be poured over
their heads boiling water, wherewith what is in their
bellies shall be dissolved and their skins too, and for
them are maces of iron. Whenever they desire to
come forth therefrom through pain, they are sent
back into it : * And taste ye the torment of the
burning !'
Verily, God will make those who believe and do
right enter into gardens beneath which rivers flow ;
they shall be bedecked therein with bracelets of gold
and with pearls, and their garments therein shall be
of silk, and they shall be guided to the goodly speech,
and they shall be guided to the laudable way.
[25] Verily, those who misbelieve and who turn
men away from God's path and the Sacred Mosque,
which we have made for all men alike, the dweller
therein, and the stranger, and he who desires therein
profanation with injustice, we will make him taste
grievous woe.
^ Namely, the believers and the misbelievers.
XXII, 27-33' THE CHAPTER OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 59
And when we established for Abraham the place
of the House, (saying), 'Associate naught with me,
but cleanse my House for those who make the
circuits, for those who stand to pray, for those who
bow, and for those too who adore.
' And proclaim amongst men the Pilgrimage ; let
them come to you on foot and on every slim camel,
from every deep pass, that they may witness advan-
tages for them, and may mention the name of God
for the stated days^ over what God has provided
them with of brute beasts, then eat thereof and feed
the badly off, the poor.
[30] ' Then let them finish the neglect of their
persons ^ and let them pay their vows and make the
circuit round the old House.
* That do. And whoso magnifies the sacred things
of God it is better for him with his Lord.
' Cattle are lawful for you, except what is recited to
you ; and avoid the abomination of idols, and avoid
speaking falsely, being 'Hanifs to God, not asso-
ciating aught with Him ; for he who associates aught
with God, it is as though he had fallen from heaven,
and the birds snatch him up, or the wind blows him
away into a far distant place.
' That — and he who makes grand the symbols ^ of
God, they come from piety of heart.
1 The first ten days of DhQ '1 'Hi^^eh, or the tenth day of that
month, when the sacrifices were offered in the vale of Mina, and
the three following days.
2 Such as not shaving their heads and other parts of their
bodies, or cutting their beards and nails, which are forbidden the
pilgrim from the moment he has put on the I'hram, or pilgrim
garb, until the off"ering of the sacrifice at Mina.
^ This means by presenting fine and comely offerings.
6o THE QUR'aN. XXII, 34-41.
' Therein have ye advantages for an appointed
time, then the place for sacrificing them is at the
old House.'
[35] To every nation have we appointed rites, .to
mention the name of God over what He has provided
them with of brute beasts ; and your God is one God,
to Him then be resigned, and give glad tidings to
the lowly, whose hearts when God is mentioned are
afraid, and to those who are patient of what befalls
them, and to those who are steadfast in prayer and
of what we have given them expend in alms.
The bulky (camels) we have made for you one of
the symbols of God, therein have ye good ; so men-
tion the name of God over them as they stand in a
row\ and when they fall down (dead) eat of them,
and feed the easily contented and him who begs.
Thus have we subjected them to you ; haply, ye
may give thanks !
Their meat will never reach to God, nor yet their
blood, but the piety from you will reach to Him.
Thus hath He subjected them to you that ye may
magnify God for guiding you : and give thou glad
tidings to those who do good.
Verily, God will defend those who believe ; verily,
God loves not any misbelieving traitor.
[40] Permission is given to those who fight be-
cause they have been wronged, — and, verily, God to
help them has the might, — who have been driven forth
from their homes undeservedly, only for that they
said, 'Our Lord is God ;' and were it not for God's re-
pelling some men with others, cloisters and churches
and synagogues and mosques, wherein God's name is
^ Waiting to be sacrificed.
XXII, 41-50- THE CHAPTER OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 6 1
mentioned much, would be destroyed. But God will
surely help him who helps Him; verily, God is
powerful, mighty.
Who, if we stablish them in the earth, are stead-
fast in prayer, and give alms, and bid what is right,
and forbid what is wrong ; and God's is the future
of affairs.
But if they call thee liar, the people of Noah called
him liar before them, as did 'Ad and Thamud, and
the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot, and
the fellows of Midian ; and Moses was called a liar
too : but I let the misbelievers range at large, and
then I seized on them, and how great was the
change !
And how many a city have we destroyed while it
yet did wrong, and it was turned over on its roofs,
and (how many) a deserted well and lofty palace !
[45] Have they not travelled on through the land ?
and have they not hearts to understand with, or ears
to hear with ? for it is not their eyes which are blind,
but blind are the hearts which are within their
breasts.
They will bid thee hasten on the torment, but
God will never fail in his promise ; for, verily, a day
with thy Lord is as a thousand years of what ye
number.
And to how many a city have I given full range
while it yet did wrong ! then I seized on it, and unto
me was the return.
Say, ' O ye folk ! I am naught but a plain warner
to you, but those who believe and do right, for them
is forgiveness and a generous provision ; [50] but
those who strive to discredit our signs, they are the
fellows of hell !'
62 THE QUr'An. XXII, 51-55.
We have not sent before thee any apostle or
prophet, but that when he wished, Satan threw not
something into his wish ^ ; but God annuls what
Satan throws ; then does God confirm his signs, and
God is knowing, wise — to make what Satan throws
a trial unto those in whose hearts is sickness, and
those whose hearts are hard ; and, verily, the wrong-
doers are in a wide schism — and that those who
have been given * the knowledge' may know that
it is the truth from thy Lord, and may believe
therein, and that their hearts may be lowly ; for,
verily, God surely will guide those who believe into
a right way.
But those who misbelieve will not cease to be in
doubt thereof until the Hour comes on them sud-
denly, or there comes on them the torment of the
barren day ^.
[55] The kingdom on that day shall be God's, He
shall judge between them ; and those who believe
^ Some say that the word tanianna means 'reading,' and the
passage should then be translated, ' but that when he read Satan
threw something into his reading;' the occasion on which the verse
was produced being that when Mohammed was reciting the words
of the Qur'an, Chapter LIII, verses 19, 20, 'Have ye considered
Allat and Al 'Huzza and Manat the other third?' Satan put it
into his mouth to add, * they are the two high-soaring cranes, and,
verily, their intercession may be hoped for;' at this praise of their
favourite idols the Quraij were much pleased, and at the end of
the recitation joined the prophet and his followers in adoration.
Mohammed, being informed by the angel Gabriel of the reason for
their doing so, was much concerned until this verse was revealed
for his consolation. The objectionable passage was of course
annulled, and the verse made to read as it now stands.
^ Either ' the day of resurrection,' as giving birth to no day after
it, or, ' a day of battle and defeat,' that makes mothers childless,
such as the infidels experienced at Bedr.
XXII, 55-65- THE CHAPTER OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 62>
and do aright shall be in gardens of pleasure, but
those who misbelieve and say our signs are lies,
these — for them is shameful woe.
And those who flee in God's way, and then are
slain or die, God will provide them with a goodly
provision ; for, verily, God is the best of providers.
He shall surely make them enter by an en-
trance that they like ; for, verily, God is knowing,
clement.
That (is so). Whoever punishes with the like
of what he has been injured with, and shall then be
outraged again, God shall surely help him ; verily,
God pardons, forgives.
[60] That for that God joins on the night to
the day, and joins on the day to the night, and
that God is hearing, seeing ; that is for that God
is the truth, and for that what ye call on beside
Him is falsehood, and that God is the high, the
great.
Hast thou not seen that God sends down from
the sky water, and on the morrow the earth is
green ? verily, God is kind and well aware.
His is what is in the heavens and what is in the
earth ; and, verily, God is rich and to be praised.
Hast thou not seen that God has subjected for
you what is in the earth, and the ship that runs on
in the sea at His bidding, and He holds back the
sky from falling on the earth save at His bidding ^ ?
verily, God to men is gracious, merciful.
[65] He it is who quickens you, then makes you
^ As it will do at the last day. The words of the text might
also be rendered 'withholds the rain,' though the commentators
do not seem to notice this sense.
64 THE QUR AN. XXII, 65-75.
die, then will He quicken you again — verily, man is
indeed ungrateful.
For every nation have we made rites which they
observe ; let them not then dispute about the matter,
but call upon thy Lord ; verily, thou art surely in a
right guidance !
But if they wrangle with thee, say, 'God best
knows what ye do.'
God shall judge between them on the resurrection
day concerning that whereon they disagreed.
Didst thou not know that God knows what is in
the heavens and the earth ? verily, that is in a
book ; verily, that for God is easy.
[70] And they serve beside God what He has
sent down no power for, and what they have no
knowledge of; but the wrong-doers shall have none
to help them.
When our signs are read to them manifest, thou
mayest recognise in the faces of those who mis-
believe disdain ; they well-nigh rush at those who
recite to them our signs. Say, * Shall I inform you
of something worse than that for you, the Fire
which God has promised to those who misbelieve ?
an evil journey shall it be !'
O ye folk ! a parable is struck out for you, so
listen to it. Verily, those on whom ye call beside
God could never create a fly if they all united toge-
ther to do it, and if the fly should despoil them of
aught they could not snatch it away from it — weak
is both the seeker and the souo^ht.
They do not value God at His true value ; verily,
God is powerful, mighty.
God chooses apostles of the angels and of men ;
verily, God hears and sees. [75] He knows what is
XXII,75-XXIII,i4- THE CHAPTER OF BELIEVERS. 65
before them and what is behind them ; and unto
God affairs return,
O ye who beheve ! bow down and adore, and
serve your Lord, and do well, haply ye may prosper ;
and fight strenuously for God, as is His due. He
has elected you, and has not put upon you any
hindrance by your religion, — the faith of your father
Abraham. He has named you Muslims before and
in this (book), that the Apostle may be a witness
against you, and that ye may be witnesses against
men.
Be ye then steadfast in prayer, and give alms, and
hold fast by God ; He is your sovereign, and an
excellent sovereign, and an excellent help !
The Chapter of Believers.
(XXni. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Prosperous are the believers who in their prayers
are humble, and who from vain talk turn aside, and
who in almsgiving are active. [5] And who guard
their private parts — except for their wives or what
their right hands possess for then, verily, they are
not to be blamed ; — but whoso craves aught beyond
that, they are the transgressors — and who observe
their trusts and covenants, and who guard well their
prayers : [10] these are the heirs who shall inherit
Paradise ; they shall dwell therein for aye !
We have created man from an extract of clay ;
then we made him a clot in a sure depository ; then
[9] F
66 THE QURAN. XXIII, 14-27.
we created the clot congealed blood, and we created
the congealed blood a morsel ; then we created the
morsel bone, and we clothed the bone with flesh ;
then we produced it another creation ; and blessed
be God, the best of creators ^ !
[15] Then shall ye after that surely die; then shall
ye on the day of resurrection be raised.
And we have created above you seven roads ^ ;
nor are we heedless of the creation.
And we send down from the heaven water by
measure, and we make it rest in the earth ; but,
verily, we are able to take it away ; and we produce
for you thereby gardens of palms and grapes wherein
ye have many fruits, and whence ye eat.
[20] And a tree growing out of Mount Sinai which
produces oil, and a condiment for those who eat.
And, verily, ye have a lesson in the cattle ; we
give you to drink of what is in their bellies ; and ye
have therein many advantages, and of them ye eat,
and on them and on ships ye are borne !
We sent Noah unto his people, and he said,
' O my people ! worship God, ye have no god but
Him ; do ye then not fear ?'
Said the chiefs of those who misbelieved among
his people, 'This is nothing but a mortal like your-
selves who wishes to have preference over you, and
had God pleased He would have sent angels ; we
have not heard of this amongst our fathers of yore :
[25] he is nothing but a man possessed; let him bide
then for a season.'
Said he, ' Help me, for they call me liar!'
And we inspired him, ' Make the ark under
^ See Part I, p. 126, note 2. ^ That is, 'seven heavens.'
XXIII, 27-43- THE CHAPTER OF BELIEVERS. 67
our eyes and inspiration ; and when the oven boils
over, conduct into it of every kind two, with thy
family, except him of them against whom the word
has passed ; and do not address me for those who
do wrong, verily, they are to be drowned !
' But when thou art settled, thou and those with
thee in the ark, say, " Praise belongs to God, who
saved us from the unjust people!"
[30] 'And say, "My Lord! make me to alight in
a blessed alighting-place, for Thou art the best of
those who cause men to alight ! " ' Verily, in that is
a sign, and, verily, we were trying them.
Then we raised up after them another generation ;
and we sent amongst them a prophet of themselves
(saying), ' Serve God, ye have no god but He ; will
ye then not fear ?'
Said the chiefs of his people who misbelieved,
and called the meeting of the last day a lie, and to
whom we gave enjoyment in the life of this world,
' This is only a mortal like yourselves, who eats
of what ye eat, [35] and drinks of what ye drink;
and if ye obey a mortal like yourselves, verily, ye
will then be surely losers ! Does he promise you
that when ye are dead, and have become dust and
bones, that then ye will be brought forth ?
'Away, away with what ye are threatened, — there
is only our life in the world ! We die and we live,
and we shall not be raised ! [40] He is only a man
who forces agfainst God a lie. And we believe not
in him I'
Said he, ' My Lord ! help me, for they call me
liar!' He said, 'Within a little they will surely
awake repenting !'
And the noise seized them deservedly ; and we
F 2
68 THE QURAN. XXIII, 43-55.
made them as rubbish borne by a torrent ; so, away
with the unjust people !
Then we raised up after them other generations.
[45] No nation can anticipate its appointed time,
nor keep it back.
Then we sent our apostles one after another.
Whenever its apostle came to any nation they called
him a liar ; and we made some to follow others ;
and we made them legends ; away then with a
people who do not believe !
Then we sent Moses and his brother Aaron with
our signs, and with plain authority to Pharaoh and
his chiefs, but they were too big with pride, and
were a haughty people.
And they said, ' Shall we believe two mortals
like ourselves, when their people are servants of
ours ?'
[50] So they called them liars, and were of those
who perished.
And we gave Moses the Book, that haply they
mi^ht be gruided.
And we made the son of Mary and his mother
a sign ; and we lodged them both on a high place,
furnished with security and a spring.
O ye apostles ! eat of the good things and do
right ; verily, what ye do I know !
And, verily, this nation ' of yours is one nation,
and I am your Lord ; so fear me.
[55] And they have become divided as to their
affair amongst themselves into sects ^, each party
^ Or, 'religion.'
2 Literally, 'into Scriptures,' i.e. into sects, each appealing to
a particular book.
XXIII, 55-73- THE CHAPTER OF BELIEVERS. 69
rejoicing in what they have themselves. So leave
them in their flood (of error) for a time.
Do they reckon that that of which we grant them
such an extent, of wealth and children, we hasten
to them as good things — nay, but they do not
perceive !
Verily, those who shrink with terror at their
Lord, [60] and those who in the signs of their Lord
believe, and those who with their Lord join none,
and those who give what they do give while their
hearts are afraid that they unto their Lord will
return, — these hasten to good things and are first
to gain the same. But we will not oblige a soul
beyond its capacity ; for with us is a book that
utters the truth, and they shall not be wronged.
[65] Nay, their hearts are in a flood (of error) at
this, and they have works beside this which they
do ^. Until we catch the affluent ones amongst them
with the torment ; then lo ! they cry for aid.
Cry not for aid to-day ! verily, against us ye will
not be helped. My signs were recited to you, but
upon your heels did ye turn back, big with pride at
it ^, in vain discourse by night.
[70] Is it that they did not ponder over the words,
whether that has come to them which came not to
their fathers of yore ? Or did they not know their
apostle, that they thus deny him ? Or do they say,
' He is possessed by a ^inn ?' Nay, he came to
them with the truth, and most of them are averse
from the truth.
But if the truth were to follow their lusts, the
' I.e. their works are far different to the good works just described.
■^ At their possession of the Kaabah. The Qurai^ are meant.
70 THE QUR AN. XXIII, 73-86.
heavens and the earth would be corrupted with all
who in them are ! — Nay, we brought them their
reminder, but they from their reminder turn aside.
Or dost thou ask them for a tribute ? but the
tribute of thy Lord is better, for He is the best of
those who provide.
[75] And, verily, thou dost call them to a right
way ; but, verily, those who believe not in the here-
after from the way do veer.
But if we had mercy on them, and removed the
distress ^ they have, they would persist in their
rebellion, blindly wandering on !
And we caught them with the torment -, but they
did not abase themselves before their Lord, nor
did they humble themselves ; until we opened for
them a door with grievous torment, then lo ! they
are in despair.
[80] He it is who produced for you hearing, and
sight, and minds, — little is it that ye thank. And
He it is who created you in the earth, and unto
Him shall ye be gathered. And He it is who gives
you life and death ; and His is the alternation of
the night and the day ; have ye then no sense?
Nay, but they said like that which those of yore
did say.
They said, ' What ! when we have become earth
and bones, are we then going to be raised ? [85]
We have been promised this, and our fathers too,
before; — this is naught but old folks' tales!'
Say, * Whose is the earth and those who are
therein, if ye but know ? '
' The famine which the INIeccans suffered; and which was attri-
buted to Mohammed's denunciations.
^ Their defeat at Bedr.
XXIII, 87-102. THE CHAPTER OF BELIEVERS. 7 1
They will say, 'God's.' Say, 'Do ye not then
mind ?'
Say, ' Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and
Lord of the mighty throne?'
They will say, ' God.' Say, ' Do ye not then
fear ?'
[90] Say, ' In whose hand is the dominion of every-
thing ; He succours but is not succoured, — if ye did
but know ?'
They will say, ' God's.' Say, ' Then how can ye
be so infatuated ?'
Nay, we have brought them the truth, but, verily,
they are liars !
God never took a son, nor was there ever any
god with Him; — then each god would have gone
off with what he had created, and some would have
exalted themselves over others, — celebrated be His
praises above what they attribute (to Him) !
He who knows the unseen and the visible, exalted
be He above what they join with Him !
[95] Say, ' My Lord ! if Thou shouldst show me
what they are threatened, — my Lord ! then place
me not amongst the unjust people.'
Repel evil by what is better \ We know best
what they attribute (to thee). And say, ' My Lord !
I seek refuge in Thee from the incitings of the
devils ; [lOo] and I seek refuge in Thee from their
presence !'
Until when death comes to any one of them he
says, ' My Lord ! send ye me back ^, haply I may
do right in that which I have left!'
^ I. e. by doing good for evil, provided that the cause of Islam
suffers nothing from it.
2 I. e. back to life. The plural is used ' by way of respect/ say
the commentators.
72 THE QURAN. XXIII, 102-116.
Not SO ! — a mere word he speaks ! — but behind
them is a bar until the day they shall be raised.
And when the trumpet shall be blown, and there
shall be no relation between them on that day, nor
shall they beg of each other then !
[105] And he whose scales are heavy, — they are
the prosperous. But he whose scales are light, —
these are they who lose themselves, in hell to dwell
for aye ! The fire shall scorch their faces, and they
shall curl their lips therein ! ' Were not my signs
recited to you ? and ye said that they were lies ! '
They say, * Our Lord ! our misery overcame us, and
we were a people who did err ! Our Lord ! take us
out therefrom, and if we return \ then shall we be
unjust.'
[iTo] He will say, ' Go ye away into it and speak
not to me ! '
Verily, there was a sect of my servants who said,
' Our Lord ! we believe, so pardon us, and have
mercy upon us, for Thou art the best of the mer-
ciful ones.'
And ye took them for a jest until ye forgat my
reminder and did laugh thereat. Verily, I have
recompensed them this day for their patience; verily,
they are happy now.
He will say, ' How long a number of years did
ye tarry on earth ?' [115] They will say, ' We tarried
a day or part of a day, but ask the Numberers ^.'
He will say, ' Ye have only tarried a little, were
ye but to know it. Did ye then reckon that we
created you for sport, and that to us ye would not
return ? ' But exalted be God, the true ; there is no
god but He, the Lord of the noble throne! and
^ To our evil ways. ^ That is, the recording angels.
XXIII, II6-XXIV, 6. THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT. 73
whoso calls upon another god with God has no
proof of it, but, verily, his account is with his Lord ;
verily, the misbelievers shall not prosper. And say,
' Lord, pardon and be merciful, for Thou art the best
of the merciful ones ! '
The Chapter of Light.
(XXIV. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A chapter which we have sent down and deter-
mined, and have sent down therein manifest signs ;
haply ye may be mindful.
The whore and the whoremonger. Scourge each
of them with a hundred stripes, and do not let pity
for them take hold of you in God's religion, If ye
believe in God and the last day ; and let a party
of the believers witness their torment. And the
whoremonger shall marry none but a whore or an
idolatress ; and the whore shall none marry but
an adulterer or an idolater ; God has prohibited
this to the believers ; but those who cast (imputa-
tions) on chaste women and then do not bring
four witnesses, scourge them with eighty stripes,^
and do not receive any testimony of theirs ever,
for these are the workers of abomination. [5] Ex-
cept such as repent after that and act aright, for,
verily, God is forgiving and compassionate.
And those who cast (imputation) on their wives
and have no witnesses except themselves, then the
testimony of one of them shall be to testify four
74 THE QUR AN. XXIV, 6-13.
times that, by God, he is of those who speak the
truth; and the fifth testimony shall be that the curse
of God shall be on him if he be of those who lie.
And it shall avert the punishment from her if she
bears testimony four times that, by God, he is of
those who lie ; and the fifth that the wrath of
God shall be on her if he be of those who speak
the truth.
[10] And were it not for God's grace upon you
and His mercy, and that God is relenting, wise . . ^
Verily, those who bring forward the lie, a band
of you, — reckon it not as an evil for you, nay, it is
good for you ; every man of them shall have what
he has earned of sin ; and he of them who managed
to aggravate it, for him is mighty woe ^.
Why did not, when ye heard it, the believing men
and believing women think good in themselves, and
say, 'This is an obvious lie?' Why did they not
bring four witnesses to it ? but since they did not
bring the witnesses, then they in God's eyes are
^ He would punish you.
^ This passage and what follows refers to the scandal about
Mohammed's favourite wife Ayesha, who, having been accidentally
left behind when the prophet and his followers were starting at
night on an expedition, in the sixth year of the Hi_i,>-rah, was brought
on to the camp in the morning by Zafwan ibn de JMu'ha/Zal : this
gave rise to rumours derogatory to Ayesha's character, which these
verses are intended to refute. Ayesha never forgave those who
credited the reports against her innocence, and 'Ali, who had
spoken in a disparaging manner of her on the occasion, so seriously
incurred her displeasure that she contrived to bring about the ruin
of his family, and the murder of his two sons Hasan and Husein;
the principal parties concerned in the actual spread of the calumny
were punished with the fourscore stripes above ordained, with
the exception of the ringleader, Abdallah ibn Ubbai, who was too
important a person to be so treated.
XXIV, 13-22. THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT. 75
the liars. And but for God's grace upon you, and
His mercy in this world and the next, there would
have touched you, for that which ye spread abroad,
mighty woe. When ye reported it with your
tongues, and spake with your mouths what ye
had no knowledge of, and reckoned it a light thing,
while in God's eyes it was grave.
[15] And why did ye not say when ye heard it,
* It is not for us to speak of this ? Celebrated be
His praises, this is a mighty calumny!'
God admonishes you that ye return not to the
like of it ever, if ye be believers ; and God manifests
to you the signs, for God is knowing, wise.
Verily, those who love that scandal should go
abroad amongst those who believe, for them is
grievous woe in this world and the next ; for God
knows, but ye do not know.
[20] And but for God's grace upon you, and His
mercy, and that God is kind and compassionate . . . !
O ye who believe! follow not the footsteps of
Satan, for he who follows the footsteps of Satan,
verily, he bids you sin and do wrong ; and but for
God's grace upon you and His mercy, not one
of you would be ever pure ; but God purifies whom
He will, for God both hears and knows. And
let not those amongst you who have plenty and
ample means swear that they will not give aught
to their kinsman and the poor^ and those who
have fled their homes in God's way, but let them
pardon and pass it over. Do ye not like God to
forgive you ? and God is forgiving, compassionate.
^ Abu bekr had sworn not to do anything more for a relation of
his, named Mis/a'h, who had taken part in spreading the reports
against Ayesha.
76 THE QUR AN. XXIV, 23-31.
Verily, those who cast imputations on chaste
women who are negligent but believing shall be
cursed in this world and the next ; and for them
is mighty woe. The day when their tongues and
hands and feet shall bear witness against them
of what they did, on [25] that day God will pay
them their just due ; and they shall know that
God, He is the plain truth.
The vile women to the vile men, and the vile
men to the vile women ; and the good women to
the good men, and the good men to the good
women : these are clear of what they say to them —
forgiveness and a noble provision !
O ye w^ho believe ! enter not into houses which
are not your own houses, until ye have asked leave
and saluted the people thereof, that is better for
you; haply ye may be mindful. And if ye find
no one therein, then do not enter them until per-
mission is given you, and if it be said to you, ' Go
back!' then go back, it is purer for you; for God
of what ye do doth know. It is no crime against
you that ye enter uninhabited houses, — a conve-
nience for you ; — and God knows what ye show
and what ye hide.
[30] Say to the believers that they cast down
their looks and guard their private parts; that is
purer for them ; verily, God is well aware of what
they do.
And say to the believing women that they cast
down their looks and guard their private parts,
and display not their ornaments, except those which
are outside ; and let them pull their kerchiefs over
their bosoms and not display their ornaments save
to their husbands and fathers, or the fathers of their
XXIV, 3T-34- THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT. 77
husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their hus-
bands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons,
or their sisters' sons, or their women, or what their
right hands possess, or their male attendants who
are incapable ^ or to children who do not note
women's nakedness ; and that they beat not with
their feet that their hidden ornaments may be
known ^ ; — but turn ye all repentant to God, O ye
believers ! haply ye may prosper.
And marry the single amongst you, and the
righteous among your servants and your hand-
maidens. If they be poor, God will enrich them
of His grace, for God both comprehends and knows.
And let those who cannot find a match, until God
enriches them of His grace, keep chaste.
And such of those whom your right hands
possess as crave a writing ^, write it for them,
if ye know any good in them, and give them of
the wealth of God which He has given you. And
do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if
they desire to keep continent, in order to crave
the goods of the life of this world ; but he who
does compel them, then, verily, God after they
are compelled is forgiving, compassionate 1
Now have we sent down to you manifest signs,
and the like of those who have passed away before
you ^, and as an admonition to those who fear.
^ Or, according to some, of deficient intellect.
2 I. e. they are not to tinkle their bangles or ankle-rings.
^ I. e. a document allowing them to redeem themselves on pay-
ment of a certain sum.
* Abdallah ibn Ubbai, mentioned in Part II, p. 74, note 2,
had six slave girls whom he compelled to live by prostitution.
One of them complained to Mohammed, whence this passage.
'^ I.e. like the stories of Joseph, Part I, p. 221, and the Virgin
78 THE QUR AN. XXIV, 35-40.
[35] Go^ is the light of the heavens and the
earth ; His hght is as a niche in which is a lamp,
and the lamp is in a glass, the glass is as though
it were a glittering star ; it is lit from a blessed
tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west,
the oil of which would well-nigh give light though
no fire touched it, — light upon light! — God guides
to His light whom He pleases; and God strikes
out parables for men, and God all things doth
know.
In the houses God has permitted to be reared
and His name to be mentioned therein — His praises
are celebrated therein morninofs and eveninofs.
Men whom neither merchandize nor selling divert
from the remembrance of God and steadfastness
in prayer and giving alms, who fear a day when
hearts and eyes shall be upset ; — that God may
recompense them for the best that they have done,
and give them increase of His grace; for God
provides whom He pleases without count.
But those who misbelieve, their works are like
the mirage in a plain, the thirsty coimts it water
till when he comes to it he finds nothing but he
finds that God is with him ; and He will pay him
his account, for God is quick to take account.
[40] Or like darkness on a deep sea, there covers
it a wave above which is a wave, above which is
a cloud, — darknesses one above the other, — when
one puts out his hand he can scarcely see it ; for
he to whom God has given no light, he has no
lidit.
Mary, Part II, p. 29, both of whom, Hke Ayesha, were accused of
incontinence, and miraculously proved innocent.
XXIV, 4T-49- THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT. 79
Hast thou not seen that God, — all who are in
the heavens and the earth celebrate His praises,
and the birds too spreading out their wings ; each
one knows its prayer and its praise, and God knows
what they do ?
Hast thou not seen that God drives the clouds,
and then re-unites them, and then accumulates them,
and thou mayest see the rain coming forth from
their midst ; and He sends down from the sky
mountains^ with hail therein, and He makes it fall
on whom He pleases, and He turns it from whom
He pleases ; the flashing of His lightning well-
nigh goes off with their sight ?
God interchanges the night and the day ; verily,
in that is a lesson to those endowed with sight.
And God created every beast from water, and of
them is one that walks upon its belly, and of them
one that walks upon two feet, and of them one that
walks upon four. God creates what He pleases ;
verily, God is mighty over all !
[45] Now have we sent down manifest signs, and
God guides whom He pleases unto the right way.
They will say, ' We believe in God and in the
Apostle, and we obey.' Then a sect of them turned
their backs after that, and they are not believers.
And when they are called to God and His
Apostle to judge between them, lo ! a sect of them
do turn aside. But had the right been on their
side they would have come to him submissively
enough.
Is there a sickness in their hearts, or do they
doubt, or do they fear lest God and His Apostle
^ I. e. masses of cloud as large as mountains.
8o THE QURAN. XXIV, 49-56.
should deal unfairly by them ? — Nay, it is they who
are unjust.
[50] The speech of the believers, when they are
called to God and His Apostle to judge between
them, is only to say, * We hear and we obey;' and
these it is who are the prosperous, for whoso obeys
God and His Apostle and dreads God and fears
Him, these it is who are the happy.
They swear by God with their most strenuous oath
that hadst Thou ordered them they would surely go
forth. Say, ' Do not swear — reasonable obedience ^ ;
verily, God knows what ye do.'
Say, ' Obey God and obey the Apostle ; but if ye
turn your backs he has only his burden to bear, and
ye have only your burden to bear. But if ye obey
him, ye are guided ; but the Apostle has only his
plain message to deliver.'
God promises those of you who believe and do
right that He will give them the succession in the
earth as He gave the succession to those before
them, and He will establish for them their religion
which He has chosen for them, and to give them,
after their fear, safety in exchange; — they shall wor-
ship me, they shall not associate aught with me :
but whoso disbelieves after that, those it is who
are the sinners.
[55] And be steadfast in prayer and give alms
and obey the Apostle, haply ye may obtain mercy.
Do not reckon that those who misbelieve can
' The construction of the original is vague, and the com- J
mentators themselves make but little of it. The most approved
rendering, however, seems to be either that obedience is the reason-
able course to pursue, and not the mere swearing to obey.
XXIV, 56-60. THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT. 8 1
frustrate (God) in the earth, for their resort is the
Fire, and an ill journey shall it be.
O ye who believe ! let those whom your right
hands possess, and those amongst you who have
not reached puberty, ask leave of you three times :
before the prayer of dawn, and when ye put off
your clothes at noon, and after the evening prayer ;
— three times of privacy for you ^ : there is no crime
on either you or them after these while ye are con-
tinually going one about the other. Thus does
God explain to you His signs, for God is knowing,
wise.
And when your children reach puberty let them
ask leave as those before them asked leave. Thus
does God explain to you His signs, for God is
knowing, wise.
And those women who have stopped (child-bear-
ing), who do not hope for a match, it is no crime on
them that they put off their clothes so as not to
display their ornaments ; but that they abstain is
better for them, for God both hears and knows.
[60] There is no hindrance to the blind, and
no hindrance to the lame, and no hindrance to the
sick, and none upon yourselves that you eat from
your houses, or the houses of your fathers, or the
houses of your mothers, or the houses of your
brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or the houses
of your paternal uncles, or the houses of your pa-
ternal aunts, or the houses of your maternal uncles,
^ I. e. at the times when persons are undressed, namely, to rise
in the morning, to sleep at noon, and to retire for the night, their
attendants and children must not come in without first asking
permission.
[9] G
82 THE QURAN. XXIV, 60-64.
or the houses of your maternal aunts, or what ye
possess the keys of, or of your friend, there is no
crime on you that ye eat all together or separately ^
And when ye enter houses then greet each other
with a salutation from God, blessed and eood.
Thus does God explain to you His signs, haply ye
may understand.
Only those are believers who believe in God
and His Apostle, and when they are with Him upon
public business go not away until they have asked
his leave ; verily, those who ask thy leave they it
is who believe in God and His Apostle.
But when they ask thy leave for any of their own
concerns, then give leave to whomsoever thou wilt
of them, and ask pardon for them of God ; verily,
God is forgiving and merciful.
Make not the calling of the Apostle amongst
yourselves like your calling one to the other - ; God
knows those of you who withdraw themselves co-
vertly. And let those who disobey his order beware
lest there befall them some trial or there befall them
grievous woe. Ay, God's is what is in the heavens
and the earth. He knows what ye are at; and the
day ye shall be sent back to Him then He will
inform you of what ye have done, for God all things
doth know.
' The Arabs in Mohammed's time were superstitiously scru-
pulous about eating in any one's house but their own.
^ That is, do not address the prophet without some respectful
litle.
xxv, l-p. the chapter of the discrimination. 83
The Chapter of the Discrimination ^
(XXV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Blessed be He who sent down the Discrimination
to His servant that he might be unto the world
a warner ; whose is the kingdom of the heavens
and the earth, and who has not taken to Himself
a son, and who has no partner in His kingdom, and
created everything, and then decreed it determinately !
And they take beside Him gods who create not aught,
but are themselves created, and cannot control for
themselves harm or profit, and cannot control death,
or life, or resurrection.
[5] And those who misbelieve say, 'This is nothing
but a lie which he has forged, and another people
hath helped him at it;' but they have wrought an
injustice and a falsehood.
And they say, ' Old folks' tales, which he has got
written down while they are dictated to him morning
and evening.'
Say, 'He sent it down who knows the secret in
the heavens and the earth ; verily, He is ever for-
giving, merciful !'
And they say, ' What ails this prophet that he
eats food and walks in the markets ?— unless there
be sent down to him an angel and be a warner with
him .... Or there be thrown to him a treasury,
1 In Arabic Al Furqan, which is one of the names of the
Qur'an.
G 2
84 THE QUR AN. XXV, 9-20.
or he have a garden to eat therefrom ....!' and the
unjust say, ' Ye only follow an infatuated man/
[lo] See how they strike out for thee parables,
and err, and cannot find a way.
Blessed be He who, if He please, can make for
thee better than that, gardens beneath which rivers
flow, and can make for thee castles!
Nay, but they call the Hour a lie ; but we have
prepared for those who call the Hour a lie a blaze :
when it seizes them from a far-off place they shall
hear its raging and roaring ; and when they are
thrown into a narrow place thereof, fastened toge-
ther, they shall call there for destruction.
[15] Call not to-day for one destruction, but call
for many destructions !
Say, ' Is that better or the garden of eternity
w^hich was promised to those who fear — which is
ever for them a recompense and a retreat?' They
shall have therein what they please, to dwell therein
for aye : that is of thy Lord a promise to be de-
manded.
And the day He shall gather them and what they
served beside God, and He shall say, 'Was it ye
who led my servants here astray, or did they err
from the way ? '
They shall say, ' Celebrated be Thy praise, it was
not befitting for us to take any patrons but Thee ;
but Thou didst give them and their fathers enjoy-
ment until they forgot the Reminder and were a
lost people !'
[20] And now have they proved you liars for
what ye say, and they ^ cannot ward off or help.
^ Another reading of the text is, 'ye cannot/
XXV, 21-30. THE CHAPTER OF THE DISCRIMINATION. 85
And he of you who does wrong we will make him
taste great torment.
We have not sent before thee any messengers
but that they ate food and walked in the markets ;
but we have made some of you a trial to others :
will ye be patient ? thy Lord doth ever look.
And those who do not hope to meet us say, ' Un-
less the angels be sent down to us, or we see our
Lord ....!' They are too big with pride in their
souls and they have exceeded with a great excess !
The day they shall see the angels, — no glad tidings
on that day for the sinners, and they shall say, ' It is
rigorously forbidden ^ !'
[25] And we will go on to the works which they
have done, and make them like motes in a sun-
beam scattered! The fellows of Paradise on that
day shall be in a better abiding-place and a better
noonday rest.
The day the heavens shall be cleft asunder
with the clouds, and the angels shall be sent down
descending.
The true kingdom on that day shall belong to
the Merciful, and it shall be a hard day for the
misbelievers.
And the day when the unjust shall bite his hands ^
and say, ' O, would that I had taken a way with the
Apostle ^ ! [30] O, woe is me ! would that I had
^ The ancient Arabs used this formula when they met an enemy
during a sacred month, and the person addressed would then
abstain from hostilities. The sinners in this passage are supposed
to use it to the angels, but without effect. Some commentators
take it to mean that the 'glad tidings' are 'rigorously forbidden,'
and that the angels are the speakers.
2 See Chapter III, verse 115. ^ That is, followed him.
> A
86 THE QUR AN. XXV, 30-40.
not taken such a one for a friend now, for he did
lead me astray from the Reminder after it had come
to me, for Satan leaves man in the lurch !'
The Apostle said, ' O my Lord ! verily, my people
have taken this Qur'an to be obsolete!'
Thus have we made for every prophet an enemy
from among the sinners ; but th)- Lord is good guide
and helper enough.
Those who misbelieve said, ' Unless the Qur'an
be sent down to him all at once \ . . . ! ' — thus — that
we may stablish thy heart therewith, did we reveal it
piecemeal^. [35] Nor shall they come to thee with
a parable without our bringing thee the truth and
the best interpretation.
They who shall be gathered upon their faces to
hell, — these are in the worst place, and err most
from the path.
And we did give to Moses the Book, and place
with him his brother Aaron as a minister ; and we
said, ' Go ye to the people who say our signs are lies,
for we will destroy them with utter destruction.'
And the people of Noah, when they said the
apostles were liars, we drowned them, and we made
them a sign for men ; and we prepared for the un-
just a grievous woe.
[40] And 'Ad and Thamud and the people of ar
Rass ^, and many generations between them.
^ Like the Pentateuch and Gospels, which were revealed all at
once, according to the jNIohammedan tradition.
- Or it may be rendered, 'slowly and distinctly;' the whole reve-
lation of the Qur'an extends over a period of twenty-three years.
^ The commentators do not know where to place ar Rass ;
some say it was a city in Yamamah, others that it was a well near
IMidian, and others again that it was in 'Ha«//^ramaut.
XXV. 41-52. THE CHAPTER OF THE DISCRIMINATION. 87
For each one have we struck out parables, and
each one have we ruined with utter ruin.
Why, they ^ have come past the cities which were
rained on with an evil rain ; have they not seen
them ? — nay, they do not hope to be raised up again.
And when they saw thee they only took thee for
a jest, ' Is this he whom God has sent as an apostle?
he well-nigh leads us astray from our gods, had we
not been patient about them.' But they shall know,
when they see the torment, who errs most from the
path. [45] Dost thou consider him who takes his
lusts for his god ? wilt thou then be in charge over
him ? or dost thou reckon that most of them will
hear or understand ? they are only like the cattle,
nay, they err more from the way.
Hast thou not looked to thy Lord how He pro-
lonos the shadow ? but had He willed He would
have made it stationary ; then we make the sun
a o-uide thereto, then we contract it towards us with
an easy contraction.
And He it is who made the night for a garment;
and sleep for repose, and made the day for men
to rise up again. [50] And He it is who sent the
winds with glad tidings before His mercy ; and we
send down from the heavens pure water, to quicken
therewith the dead country, and to give it for
drink to what we have created, — the cattle and
many folk.
We have turned it^ in various ways amongst
them that they may remember; though most men
1 That is, the idolatrous Meccans ; see Part I, p. 249, note 2.
2 That is, either the Qur'an, cf. Part II, p. 5, line 25; or the
words may be rendered, ' We distribute it' (the rain), &c.
88 . THE QUR AN. XXV, 52-63.
refuse aught but to misbelieve. But, had we pleased,
we would have sent in every city a warner. So obey
not the unbelievers and fight strenuously with them
in many a strenuous fight.
[55] He it is who has let loose the two seas, this
one sweet and fresh, that one bitter and pungent, and
has made between them a rigorous prohibition.
And He it is who has created man from water,
and has made for him blood relationship and mar-
riage relationship ; for thy Lord is mighty.
Yet they worship beside God what can neither
profit them nor harm them ; but he who misbeheves
in his Lord backs up (the devil).
We have only sent thee to give glad tidings and
to warn. Say, 'I ask you not for It a hire unless one
please to take unto his Lord away^' [60] And rely
thou upon the Living One who dies not ; and cele-
brate His praise, for He knows well enough about
the thoughts of His servants. He who created the
heavens and the earth, and what is between them,
in six days, and then made for the throne ; the
Merciful One, ask concerning Him of One who is
aware.
And when It is said, 'Adore ye the Merciful!'
they say, ' What is the Merciful ? shall we adore
what thou dost order us ?' and it only increases
their aversion.
Blessed be He who placed In the heavens zo-
diacal signs, and placed therein the lamp and an
illuminating moon !
And He it Is who made the night and the day
' That is, that if a man chose to expend anything for the cause
of God he can do so.
XXV, 63-75- THE CHAPTER OF THE DISCRIMINATION. 89
alternating for him who desires to remember or who
wishes to be thankful.
And the servants of the Merciful are those who
walk upon the earth lowly, and when the ignorant
address them, say, 'Peace!' [65] And those who
pass the night adoring their Lord and standing ^ ;
and those who say, ' O our Lord ! turn from us the
torment of hell ; verily, its torments are persistent ;
verily, they are evil as an abode and a station.'
And those who when they spend are neither
extravagant nor miserly, but who ever take their
stand between the two ; and who call not upon
another sfod with God ; and kill not the soul which
God has prohibited save deservedly ^ ; and do not
commit fornication : for he who does that shall meet
with a penalty ; doubled for him shall be the torment
on the resurrection day, and he shall be therein for
aye despised. [70] Save he who turns again and
believes and does a righteous work ; for, as to those,
God will change their evil deeds to good, for God is
ever forgiving, merciful.
And he who turns again and does right, verily, he
turns again to God repentant.
And those who do not testify falsely ; and when
they pass by frivolous discourse, pass by it honour-
ably ; and those who when they are reminded of the
siens of their Lord do not fall down thereat deaf
and blind ; and those who say, ' Our Lord ! grant us
from our wives and seed that which may cheer our
eyes, and make us models to the pious !'
[75] These shall be rewarded with a high place "
for that they w^ere patient : and they shall meet
^ For prayer. ^ See Part I, p. 1 35, note i. ^ In Paradise.
90 THE QUR AN. XXV, 75-XXVI, 12.
therein with sahitation and peace, — to dwell therein
for aye ; a good abode and station shall it be !
Say, ' My Lord cares not for you though you
should not call (on flim); and ye have called (the
Apostle) a liar, but it shall be (a punishment) which
ye cannot shake off.'
The Chapter of the Poets.
(XXVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
T. S. M. Those are the signs of the perspicuous
Book ; haply thou art vexing thyself to death that
they will not be believers !
If we please we will send down upon them from
the heaven a sign, and their necks shall be humbled
thereto. But th&re comes not to them any recent
Reminder from the Merciful One that they do not
turn away from. [5] They have called (thee) liar!
but there shall come to them a messao^e of that at
which they mocked.
Have they not looked to the earth, how we
caused to grow therein of every noble kind ? verily,
in that is a sign ; but most xDf them will never be
believers! but, verily, thy Lord He is mighty and
merciful.
And when thy Lord called Moses (saying), ' Come
to the unjust people, [10] to the people of Pharaoh,
will they not fear ? ' Said he, ' My Lord ! verily, I
fear that they will call me liar; and ni)- breast is
straitened, and m}- tongue is not lluent ; send then
XXVI, 12-29. THE CHAPTER OF THE POETS. 9 1
unto Aaron \ for they have a crime agahist me,
and I fear that they may kill me^.' Said He, ' Not
so ; but go with our signs, verily, we are with you
Hstening.
[15] 'And go to Pharaoh and say, " Verily, we are
the apostles of the Lord of the worlds (to tell thee
to) send with us the children of Israel." '
And he said, ' Did we not bring thee up amongst
us as a child ? and thou didst dwell amongst us for
years of thy life ; and thou didst do thy deed which
thou hast done, and thou art of the ungrateful ! '
Said he, ' I did commit this, and I was of those
who erred.
[20] ' And I fled from you when I feared you,
and my Lord granted me judgment, and made me
one of His messengers ; and this is the favour thou
hast obliged me with, that thou hast enslaved the
children of Israel !'
Said Pharaoh, ' Who is the Lord of the worlds ? '
Said he, ' The Lord of the heavens and the earth
and what is between the two, if ye are but sure.'
Said he to those about him, ' Do ye not listen ?'
[25] Said he, 'Your Lord and the Lord of your
fathers of yore !'
Said he, ' Verily, your apostle v/ho is sent to you
is surely mad ! '
Said he, ' The Lord of the east and of the west, and
of what is between the two, if ye had but sense!'
Said he, ' If thou dost take a god besides Me
I will surely make thee one of the imprisoned !'
Said he, ' What, if I come to thee with something
obvious ?'
^ That he may be my minister,
" The slaying of the Egyptian.
92 THE QUR AN. XXVI, 30-49.
[30] Said he, ' Bring it, if thou art of those who
tell the truth !'
And he threw down his rod, and, behold, it was an
obvious serpent ! and he plucked out his hand, and,
behold, it was white to the spectators !
He^ said to the chiefs around him, ' Verily, this is
a knowing sorcerer, he desires to turn you out
of your land ! what is it then ye bid ?'
[35] They said, 'Give him and his brother some
hope, and send into the cities to collect and bring
to thee every knowing sorcerer.'
And the sorcerers assembled at the appointed
time on a stated day, and it was said to the people,
' Are ye assembled ? haply we may follow the sor-
cerers if we gain the upper hand.'
[40] And when the sorcerers came they said to
Pharaoh, ' Shall we, verily, have a hire if we gain
the upper hand?' Said he, ' Yes ; and, verily, ye shall
then be of those who are nigh (my throne).' And
Moses said to them, ' Throw down what ye have to
throw down.' So they threw down their ropes and
their rods and said, ' By Pharaoh's might, verily, we
it is who shall gain the upper hand !'
And Moses threw down his rod, and, lo, it
swallowed up what they falsely devised!
[45] And the sorcerers threw themselves down,
adoring. Said they, 'We believe in the Lord of
the worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron!' Said
he, 'Do ye believe in Him ere I give you leave?
Verily, he is your chief who has taught you sorcery,
but soon ye shall know. I will surely cut off your
hands and your feet from opposite sides, and I will
crucify you all together!'
^ Pharaoh.
XXVI, 50-79- THE CHAPTER OF THE POETS. 93
[50] They said, ' No harm; verily, unto our Lord
do we return ! verily, we hope that our Lord will for-
give us our sins, for we are the hrst of believers!'
And we inspired Moses, 'Journey by night with
my servants ; verily, ye are pursued.'
And Pharaoh sent into the cities to collect ;
'Verily, these are a small company. [55] And,
verily, they are enraged with us ; but we are a
multitude, wary !
' Turn them out of gardens and springs, and
treasuries, and a noble station!' — thus, — and we
made the children of Israel to inherit them,
[60] And they followed them at dawn ; and when
the two hosts saw each other, Moses' companions
said, 'Verily, we are overtaken!' Said he, 'Not
so ; verily, with me is my Lord, He will guide me.'
And we inspired Moses, ' Strike with thy rod the
sea ;' and it was cleft asunder, and each part was
like a mighty mountain. And then we brought the
others. [65] And we saved Moses and those with
him all together ; then we drowned the others ; and
that is a sion : but most of them will never be be-
lievers! And, verily, thy Lord He is mighty,
merciful.
And recite to them the story of Abraham ; [yd]
when he said to his father and his people, ' What do
ye serve ?' They said, ' We serve idols, and we are
still devoted to them.' He said, ' Can they hear you
when ye call, or profit you, or harm ?'
They said, ' No ; but we found our fathers doing
thus.' [75] He said, ' Have ye considered what ye
have been serving, ye and your fathers before you ?
Verily, they are foes to me, save only the Lord of
the worlds, who created me and guides me, and who
94 THE QURAN. XXVI, 79-1 1 r.
gives me food and drink. [80] And when I am sick
He heals me ; He who will kill me, and then bring
me to life ; and who I hope will forgive me my sins
on the day of judgment ! Lord, grant me judgment,
and let me reach the righteous ; and give me a
tongue of good report amongst posterity; [85] and
make me of the heirs of the paradise of pleasure ;
and pardon my father, verily, he is of those who
err ; and disgrace me not on the day when they are
raised up again ; the day when wealth shall profit
not, nor sons, but only he who comes to God with
a sound heart. [90] And paradise shall be brought
near to the pious ; and hell shall be brought forth to
those who go astray, and it shall be said to them,
" Where is what ye used to worship beside God ?
can they help you, or get help themselves ? " And
they shall fall headlong into it, they and those who
have gone astray, [95] and the hosts of Iblis all
together !
' They shall say, while they quarrel therein, " By
God ! we were surely in an obvious error, when we
made you equal to the Lord of the worlds ! but it
was only sinners who led us astray. [100] But we
have no intercessors and no warm friend ; but had
we a turn we would be of the believers.'" — Verily,
in that is a sisfn, but most of them will never be
believers; and, verily, thy Lord He is mighty and
merciful.
[105] The people of Noah said the apostles were
liars, when their brother Noah said to them, ' Will
ye not fear ? verily, I am a faithful apostle to you ;
then fear God and obey me. I do not ask you for
it any hire ; my hire is only with the Lord of the
worlds, [no] So fear God and obey me.' They
XXVI, III-I39- THE CHAPTER OF THE POETS. 95
said, ' Shall we believe in thee, when the reprobates
follow thee ?' He said, ' I did not know what they
were doing ; their account is only with my Lord, if
ye but perceive. And I am not one to drive away
the believers, [115] I am only a plain warner.'
They said, ' Verily, if thou desist not, O Noah 1
thou shalt surely be of those who are stoned!'
Said he, ' My Lord ! verily, my people call me liar ;
open between me and between them an opening,
and save me and those of the believers who are
with me ! '
So we saved him and those with him in the laden
ark, [120] then we drowned the rest; verily, in
that is a sign, but most of them will never be
believers ; and, verily, thy Lord He is mighty and
merciful.
And 'Ad called the apostles liars ; when their
brother Hud said to them, 'Will ye not fear?
[125] Verily, I am to you a faithful apostle; then
fear God and obey me. I do not ask you for it
any hire ; my hire is only with the Lord of the
worlds. Do ye build on every height a landmark
in sport, and take to works that haply ye may
be immortal ?
[130] 'And when ye assault ye assault like tyrants;
but fear God and obey me ; and fear Him who hath
given you an extent of cattle and sons, and gardens
and springs. [135] Verily, I fear for you the tor-
ment of a mighty day ! '
They said, ' It is the same to us if thou admonish
or art not of those who do admonish ; this is nothing
but old folks' fictions, for we shall not be tormented ! '
And they called him liar ! but we destroyed them.
Verily, in that is a sign, but most of them will never
96 THE QURAN. XXVI, 139-166.
be believers. [140] And, verily, thy Lord is mighty,
merciful.
Thamud called the apostles liars ; when their
brother Zali'h said to them, ' Do ye not fear ? verily,
I am to )ou a faithful apostle ; so fear God and
obey me. [145] I do not ask you for it any hire ;
my hire is only with the Lord of the worlds. Shall
ye be left here in safety with gardens and springs,
and corn-fields and palms, the spathes whereof are
fine ? and ye hew out of the mountains houses
skilfully. [150] But fear God and obey me; and
obey not the bidding of the extravagant, who do
evil in the earth and do not act aright ! '
They said, ' Thou art only of the infatuated ; thou
art but mortal like ourselves ; so bring us a sign, if
thou be of those who speak the truth !'
[155] He said, 'This she-camel shall have her
drink and you your drink on a certain day ; but
touch her not with evil, or there will seize you the
torment of a mighty day ! '
But they hamstrung her, and on the morrow they
repented ; and the torment seized them ; verily,
in that is a sign ; but most of them will never be
believers : but verily, thy Lord He is mighty,
merciful.
[160] The people of Lot called the apostles liars ;
when their brother Lot said to them, ' Do ye not
fear ? verily, I am to you a faithful apostle ; then
fear God and obey me. I do not ask you for it any
hire ; my hire is only with the Lord of the worlds.
[165] Do ye approach males of all the world and
leave what God your Lord has created for you
of your wives ? nay, but ye are people who trans-
gress ! '
XXVI, 167-190. THE CHAPTER OF THE POETS. 97
They said, ' Surely, if thou dost not desist, O
Lot ! thou shalt be of those who are expelled ! '
Said he, ' Verily, I am of those who hate your
deed ; my Lord ! save me and my people from
what they do.'
[i 70] And we saved him and his people all together,
except an old woman amongst those who lingered.
Then we destroyed the others ; and we rained down
upon them a rain ; and evil was the rain of those
who were warned. Verily, in that is a sign ; but
most of them will never be believers. [175] And,
verily, thy Lord He is mighty, merciful, compas-
sionate.
The fellows of the Grove ^ called the apostles liars;
Sho'haib said to them, ' Will ye not fear ? verily,
I am to you a faithful apostle, then fear God and
obey me. [i 80] I do not ask you for it any hire ; my
hire is only with the Lord of the worlds. Give good
measure, and be not of those who diminish ; and
weigh with a fair balance, and do not cheat men of
their goods ; and waste not the land, despoiling it ;
and fear Him who created you and the races of
yore!' [185] Said they, 'Thou art only of the
infatuated ; and thou art only a mortal like our-
selves ; and, verily, we think that thou art surely
of the liars ; so make a portion of the heaven
to fall down upon us, if thou art of those who tell
the truth!'
Said he, ' My Lord knows best what ye do !' but
they called him liar, and the torment of the day of
the shadow seized them ; for it was the torment
of a mighty day: [190] verily, in that is a sign; but
^ See Part I, p. 249, note 3.
[9] H
98 THE QURAN. XXVI, 190-216.
most of them will never be believers ; but, verily,
thy Lord He is mighty, merciful !
And, verily, it ^ is a revelation from the Lord of
the worlds ; the Faithful Spirit came down with it ^
upon thy heart, that thou shouldst be of those who
warn; — [195] in plain Arabic language, and, verily,
it is (foretold) in the scriptures of yore '. Have they
not a sien, that the learned men of the children
of Israel recoc:nise it ^ ? Had we sent it down to
any barbarian, and he had read it to them, they
would not have believed therein. [200] Thus have
we made for it* a way into the hearts of the sinners;
they will not believe therein until they see the
erievous woe ! and it shall come to them suddenly
while they do not perceive ! They will say, ' Shall
we be respited ? — What ! do they wish to hasten
on our torment ?'
[205] What thinkest thou ? if we let them en-
joy themselves for years, and then there come to
them what they are threatened, that will not avail
them which they had to enjoy! But we do not
destroy any city without its having warners as a
reminder, for we are never unjust.
[210] The devils did not descend therewith; it
is not fit work for them ; nor are they able to do it.
Verily, they are deposed from listening^; call not
then with God upon other gods, or thou v/ilt be of
the tormented ; but warn thy clansmen who are
near of kin. [215] And lower^ thy wing to those
of the believers who follow thee ; but if they rebel
against thee, say, ' Verily, I am clear of what ye
^ The Qui- an. 2 The angel Gabriel.
=• The Qur'an. * Infidelity.
^ See Part I, p. 50. ^ See Pari I, p. 250, note 2.
XXVI, 2i6_XXVII, 4. THE CHAPTER OF THE ANT. 99
do,' and rely thou upon the mighty, merciful One,
who sees thee when thou dost stand up, and thy
posturing amongst those who adored [220] Verily,
He both hears and knows !
Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend ?
they descend upon every sinful liar, and impart what
they have heard ^ ; but most of them are liars.
And the poets do those follow who go astray !
[225] Dost thou not see that they wander distraught
in every vale ? and that they say that which they do
not do ? save those who believe, and do right, and
remember God much, and defend themselves after
they are wronged ; but those who do wrong shall
know with what a turn they shall be turned^.
The Chapter of the Ant.
(XXVII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
T. S. Those are the signs of the Qur'an and the
perspicuous Book ; a guidance and glad tidings to
the believers, who are steadfast at prayer, and give
alms, and of the hereafter are sure ; verily, those
who believe not in the hereafter we have made
seemly for them their works, and they shall wander
^ Or, it may be thy going to and fro amongst believers, as Mo-
hammed is reported to have done one night, to see what they were
about, and he found the whole setdement 'buzzing like a hornet's nest
with the sound of the recitation of the Qur'an and of their prayers.'
^ That is, by listening at the door of heaven ; see Part I, p. 50,
note 2.
^ That is, in what condition they shall be brought before God.
H 2
» A
lOO THE QURAN. XXVII, 4-16.
blindly on ! [5] These are they who shall have an
evil torment, and they in the hereafter shall be
those who most lose ! Verily, thou dost meet with
this Our'an from the wise, the knowing One !
When Moses said to his people, 'Verily, I per-
ceive a fire, I will bring you therefrom news ; or
I will bring you a burning brand ; haply ye may be
warmed.' But when he came to it he was called to,
' Blessed be He who is in the fire, and he who
is about it! and celebrated be the praises of God,
the Lord of the worlds ! O Moses ! verily, I am
God, the mighty, wise ; [10] throw down thy staff!'
and when he saw it quivering, as though it were a
snake, he turned back fleeing, and did not return.
' O Moses ! fear not ; verily, as for me — apostles fear
not with me ; save only those who have done wrong
and then substitute good for evil ; for, verily, I am
forgiving, merciful ! but put thy hand in thy bosom,
it shall come forth white without hurt ; — one of nine
signs to Pharaoh and his people ; verily, they are a
people who act abominably.'
And when our signs came to them visibly, the}-
said, 'This is obvious sorcery!' and they gainsaid
them — though their souls made sure of them —
unjustly, haughtily; but, behold what w^as the end
of the evildoers !
[15] And we gave David and Solomon knowledge ;
and they both said, ' Praise belongs to God, who
hath preferred us over many of His servants who
believe !'
And Solomon was David's heir ; and said, ' O
ye folk ! we have been taught the speech of birds,
and we have been given everything ; verily, this is
an obvious grace!'
XXVII, 17-28. THE CHAPTER OF THE ANT. lOI
And assembled for Solomon were his hosts of the
^inns, and men, and birds, and they were marshalled ;
until they came upon the valley of the ants. Said
an ant, ' O ye ants ! go into your dwellings, that
Solomon and his hosts crush you not while they do
not perceive.'
And he smiled, laughing at her speech, and said,
' O Lord ! excite me to be thankful for Thy favour,
wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents,
and to do righteousness which may please Thee ;
and make me enter into Thy mercy amongst Thy
righteous servants ! '
[20] And he reviewed the birds, and said, ' How
is it I see not the hoopoe ? is he then amongst the
absent ? I will surely torment him with a severe
torment ; or I will surely slaughter him ; or he shall
bring me obvious authority.'
And he tarried not long, and said, ' I have com-
passed what ye compassed not ; for I bring you
from Seba^ a sure information: verily, I found a
woman ruling over them, and she was given all
things, and she had a mighty throne ; and I found
her and her people adoring the sun instead of God,
for Satan had made seemly to them their works,
and turned them from the path, so that they are not
guided. [25] Will they not adore God who brings
forth the secrets in the heavens, and knows what
they hide and what they manifest ? — God, there is
no god but He, the Lord of the mighty throne !'
Said he, ' We will see whether thou hast told
the truth, or whether thou art of those who lie.
Go with this my letter and throw it before them,
^ The Sheba of the Bible, in the south of the Arabian peninsula.
I02 THE QURAN. XXVII, 28-40-
then turn back away from them, and see what they
return.'
Said she, ' O ye chiefs ! verily, a noble letter has
been thrown before me. [30] It is from Solomon,
and, verily, it is, "In the name of the merciful and
compassionate God. Do not rise up against me,
but come to me resigned!" ' She said, 'O ye chiefs!
pronounce sentence for me in my affair. I never
decide an affair until ye testify for me,'
They said, 'We are endowed with strength, and
endowed with keen violence ; but the bidding is
thine, see then what it is that thou wilt bid.'
She said, 'Verily, kings when they enter a city
despoil it, and make the mighty ones of its people
the meanest; thus it is they do! [35] So, verily,
I am going to send to them a gift, and will wait to
see with what the messengers return.'
And when he came to Solomon, he said, ' Do ye
proffer me wealth, when what God has given me is
better than what He has given you ? nay, ye in
your gifts rejoice! return to them, for we will surely
come to them with hosts which they cannot confront;
and we will surely drive them out therefrom mean
and made small ! '
Said he, ' O ye chiefs ! which of you will bring me
her throne before they come to me resigned ? '
Said a demon of the ^inns, ' I will bring thee it
before thou canst rise up from thy place, for I
therein am strong and faithful'
[40] He who had the knowledge of the Book ^
said, ' I will bring it to thee before thy glance can
A.
^ The commentators are uncertain as to whether this was 'Azaf,
Solomon's prime minister, or whether it was the prophet 'H'ldhv,
or the angel Gabriel, or, indeed, Solomon himself.
XXVII, 40-48- THE CHAPTER OF THE ANT, IO3
turn.' And when he saw it settled down beside
him, he said, ' This is of my Lord's grace, that He
may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful,
and he who is grateful is only grateful for his own
soul, and he who is ungrateful, — verily, my Lord
is rich and generous.'
Said he, ' Disguise for her her throne ; let us see
whether she is guided, or whether she is of those
who are not e^nded.' And when she came it was
said, ' Was thy throne like this ? ' She said, ' It
might be it ; ' and we were given knowledge before
her, but we were resigned ^
But that which she served beside God turned
her away ; verily, she was of the unbelieving people.
And it was said to her, ' Enter the court ;' and when
she saw it, she reckoned it to be an abyss of water,
and she uncovered her legs. Said he, ' Verily, it is
a court paved with glass!' [45] Said she, 'My
Lord! verily, I have wronged myself, but I am
resigned with Solomon to God the Lord of the
worlds 1 '
And we sent unto Thamud their brother Zali'h,
'Serve God;' but behold, they were two parties
who contended !
Said he, ' O my people ! why do ye hasten on
evil acts before good deeds ? why do ye not ask
forgiveness of God ? haply ye may obtain mercy.'
They said, 'We have taken an augury concerning
thee and those who are with thee.' Said he, ' Your
augury is in God's hands ; nay, but ye are a people
who are tried ! '
1 Commentators differ as to whether the last words are to be taken
as the conclusion of the Queen of Sheba's speech, or as Solomon's
comment upon it.
I04 THE QURAN. XXVII, 49-61.
And there were in the city nine persons who
despoiled the land and did not right. [50] Said
they, ' Swear to each other by God, we will surely
fall on him by night and on his people ; then we
will surely say unto his next of kin, "We witnessed
not the destruction of his people, and we do surely
tell the truth!'" And they plotted a plot, and we
plotted a plot, but they did not perceive. Behold,
how was the end of their plot, that we destroyed
them and their people all together !
Thus are their houses overturned, for that they
were unjust ; verily, in that is a sign to people who
do know !
But we saved those who believed and who did
fear.
[55] And Lot when he said to his people, ' Do
ye approach an abominable sin while ye can see ?
do ye indeed approach men lustfully rather than
women ? nay! ye are a people who are ignorant.'
But the answer of his people was only to say,
' Drive out Lot's family from your city ! verily,
they are a folk who would keep pure.'
But we saved > him and his family except his
wife, her we destined to be of those who lingered ;
and we rained down upon them rain, and evil was
the rain of those who were warned.
[60] Say, ' Praise belongs to God ; and peace be
upon His servants whom He has chosen! Is God
best, or what they associate with Him ?' He who
created the heavens and the earth ; and sends down
upon you from the heaven water ; and we cause
to grow therewith gardens fraught with beauty;
ye could not cause the trees thereof to grow I Is
there a god with God ? nay, but they are a people
XXVII, 6i-75- THE CHAPTER OF THE ANT. IO5
who make peers with Him! He who made the
earth, settled, and placed amongst it rivers ; and
placed upon it firm mountains ; and placed between
the two seas a barrier ; is there a god with God ?
nay, but most of them know not! He who answers
the distressed when he calls upon Him and removes
the evil ; and makes you successors in the earth ;
is there a god with God ? little is it that ye are
mindful. He who guides you in the darkness, of
the land and of the sea ; and who sends winds as
glad tidings before His mercy ; is there a god with
God ? exalted be God above what they associate
with Him ! [65] He who began the creation and
then will make it return again; and who provides
you from the heaven and the earth ; is there a god
with God ? so bring your proofs if ye do speak
the truth !
Say, ' None in the heavens or the earth know the
unseen save only God ; but they perceive not when
they shall be raised ! ' — nay, but their knowledge
attains to somewhat of the hereafter ; nay, but they
are in doubt concerning it ! nay, but they are blind !
And those who disbelieved said, 'What! when
we have become dust and our fathers too, shall we
indeed be brought forth ? [70] We were promised
this, we and our fathers before us, this is nothing
but old folks' tales ! '
Say, 'Journey on through the land and see how
was the end of the sinners ! and grieve not for
them, and be not straitened at what they plot'
They say, 'When shall this threat be if ye do
tell the truth?' Say, 'It may be that there is
pressing close behind you a part of what ye would
hasten on ! ' [75] But, verily, thy Lord is full of
I06 THE QUR AN. XXVII, 75-89.
grace to men, but most of them will not be thankful ;
and, verily, thy Lord knows what their breasts
conceal and what they manifest; and there is no
secret thing in the heaven or the earth, save that it
is in the perspicuous Book !
Verily, this Quran relates to the people of Israel
most of that whereon they do dispute ; and, verily,
it is a guidance and a mercy to the beHevers.
[80] Verily, thy Lord decides between them by
His judgment, for He is mighty, knowing. Rely
thou then upon God, verily, thou art standing on
obvious truth. Verily, thou canst not make the
dead to hear, and thou canst not make the deaf
to hear the call when they turn their backs on thee ;
nor art thou a guide to the blind, out of their error :
thou canst only make to hear such as believe in our
signs, and such as are resigned.
And when the sentence falls upon them we will
bring forth a beast out of the earth that shall speak
to them, (and say) that, ' Men of our signs would
not be sure.'
[85] And the day when we will gather from every
nation a troop of those who said our signs were lies;
and they shall be marshalled ; until they come, and
He will say, ' Did ye say my signs were lies, when
ye had compassed no knowledge thereof ? or what
is it that ye were doing ? ' and the sentence shall
fall upon them for that they did wrong, and they
shall not have speech.
Did they not see that we have made the night
for them to rest in, and the day to see by ? verily,
in that are signs to people who believe.
And the day when the trumpet shall be blown
and all who are in the heavens and the earth shall
XXVII, 89 -XXVIII, 3- THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY. I07
be startled, save whom God pleases ! and all shall
come abjectly to Him. [90] And thou shalt see
the mountains, which thou dost deem solid, pass
away like the passing of the clouds ; — the work of
God who orders all things; verily, He is well aware
of what ye do !
He who brings a good deed shall have better
than it ; and from the alarm of that day they shall
be safe : but those who bring an evil deed shall
be thrown down upon their faces in the fire. Shall
ye be rewarded save for what ye have done ?
I am bidden to serve the Lord of this country
who has made it sacred, and whose are all things ;
and I am bidden to be of those who are resigned,
and to recite the Our an ; and he who is guided
he is only guided for himself; and he who errs, —
say, ' I am only of those who warn ! '
[95] And say, ' Praise be to God, He will show
you His signs, and ye shall recognise them; for
thy Lord is not heedless of what ye do !'
The Chapter of the Story.
(XXVHL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
T. S. M. Those are the signs of the perspicuous
Book ; we recite to thee from the history of Moses
and Pharaoh in truth unto a people who believe.
Verily, Pharaoh was lofty in the land and made
the people thereof sects ; one party of them he
weakened, slaughtering their sons and letting their
women live. Verily, he was of the despoilers.
Io8 THE QURAN. XXVIII, 4-ir.
And we wished to be gracious to those who were
weakened in the earth, and to make them models,
and to make them the heirs; [5] and to estabhsh
for them in the earth ; and to show Pharaoh and
Haman ^ and their hosts what they had to beware
of from them.
And we inspired the mother of Moses, ' Suckle
him ; and when thou art afraid for him then throw
him into the river, and fear not and grieve not ;
verily, we are going to restore him to thee, and to
m.ake him of the apostles !'
And Pharaoh's family picked him up that he
might be for them a foe and a grief ; verily, Pharaoh
and Haman and their hosts were sinners.
And Pharaoh's wife said, 'He is a cheering of the
eye to me, and to thee. Kill him not ; it may be
that he will profit us, or that we may take him for a
son ; ' for they did not perceive.
And the heart of Moses' mother was void on the
morrow ^ ; she well-nigh disclosed him, had it not
been that we bound up her heart that she might be
of the believers.
[10] And she said to his sister, ' Follow him up.'
And she looked after him from afar, and they did
not perceive. And we made unlawful for him the
wet-nurses ^ And she said, 'Shall I guide you to
^ Haman, according to the Qur'an, is made out to be the prime
minister of Pharaoh.
^ Either devoid of patience, according to some, or of anxiety,
according to others, or it may be to everything but the thought of
Moses.
'■^ That is, Moses was made to refuse the breast of the Egyptian
woman before his sister came to offer her services, and point out a
nurse who would rear him.
XXVIII, I i-lp. THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY. IO9
the people of a house who will take care of him
for you, and who will be sincere respecting him ?'
So we restored him to his mother that her eye
might be cheered, and that she might not grieve,
and that she might know that the promise of God is
true, though most of them know not.
And when he reached puberty, and was settled,
we gave him judgment and knowledge ; for thus do
we reward those who do well. And he entered into
the city at the time the people thereof were heedless,
and he found therein two men fighting; the one
of his sect and the other of his foes. And he who
was of his sect asked his aid against him who was
of his foes ; and Moses smote him with his fist and
finished him. Said he, ' This is of the work of
Satan, verily, he is a misleading obvious foe.'
[15] Said he, 'My Lord! verily, I have wronged
my soul, but forgive me.' So He forgave him ;
for He is forgiving and merciful.
Said he, ' My Lord ! for that Thou hast been
gracious to me, I will surely not back up the
sinners.'
And on the morrow he was afraid in the city,
expectant. And behold, he whom he had helped
the day before cried (again) to him for aid. Said
Moses to him, ' Verily, thou art obviously quarrel-
some.' And when he wished to assault him who
was the enemy to them both, he said, ' O Moses !
dost thou desire to kill me as thou didst kill a person
yesterday ? thou dost only desire to be a tyrant in
the earth ; and thou dost not desire to be of those
who do rio-ht!' And a man came from the remote
parts of the city running, said he, ' O Moses ! verily,
the chiefs are deliberating concerning thee to kill
no THE QUR'aN. XXVIII, 19-28.
thee ; go then forth ; verily, I am to )0u a sincere
adviser ! '
[20] So he went forth therefrom, afraid and expect-
ant. Said he, ' Lord, save me from the unjust people ! '
And when he turned his face in the direction of
Midian, he said, 'It may be that my Lord will guide
me to a level path ! ' And when he went down to
the water of Midian he found thereat a nation of
people watering their flocks.
And he found beside them two women keeping
back their flocks. Said he, ' What is your design ?'
They said, 'We cannot water our flocks until the
herdsmen have finished ; for our father is a very old
man.' So he watered for them ; then he turned
back towards the shade and said, ' INIy Lord ! verily,
I stand in need of what Thou sendest down to me
of good.'
[25] And one of the two came to him walking
modesdy ; said she, ' Verily, my father calls thee,
to reward thee with hire for having watered our
flocks for us.' And when he came to him and
related to him the story, said he, ' Fear not, thou
art safe from the unjust people.' Said one of them,
' O my sire ! hire him ; verily, the best of those
whom thou canst hire is the strong and faithful.'
Said he, ' Verily, I desire to marry thee to one
of these daughters of mine, on condition that thou
dost serve me for hire eight years ; and if thou
shalt fulfil ten it is of thyself; for I do not v/ish
to make it wretched for thee ; thou wilt find me,
if it please God, of the righteous !'
Said he, ' That is between you and me ; which-
ever of the two terms I fulfil, let there be no enmity
against me, for God over what we say keeps guard.'
XXVIII, 29-36. THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY. I I i
And when Moses had fulfilled the appointed time,
and was journeying with his people, he perceived
from the side of the mountain a fire ; said he to his
people, ' Tarry ye here ; verily, I have perceived
a fire, haply I may bring you good news therefrom,
or a brand of fire that haply ye may be warmed ^'
[30] And when he came to it he was called to,
from the right side of the wady, in the blessed
valley, out of the tree, ' O Moses ! verily, I am
God the Lord of the worlds ; so throw down thy
rod;' and when he saw it quivering as though it
were a snake, he turned away and fled and did not
return. ' O Moses ! approach and fear not, verily,
thou art amongst the safe. Thrust thy hand into
thy bosom, it shall come out white, without hurt;
and then fold again thy wing, that thou dost now
stretch out through dread ; for those are two signs
from thy Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs ; verily,
they are a people who work abomination !'
Said he, ' My Lord ! verily, I have killed a person
amongst them, and I fear that they will kill
me : and my brother Aaron, he is more eloquent
of tongue than I ; send him then with me as a
support, to verify me ; verily, I fear that they will
call me liar 1 '
[35] Said He, 'We will strengthen thine arm
with thy brother ; and we will make for you both
authority, and they shall not reach you in our signs ;
ye two and those who follow you shall gain the
upper hand.'
And when Moses came to them with our mani-
fest signs, they said, ' This is only sorcery devised ;
^ See Part II, p. 35, note i.
112 THE QURAN. XXVIII, 36-46.
and we have not heard of this amongst our fathers
of yore.'
Moses said, ' My Lord knows best who comes
with o-uidance from Him, and whose shall be the
issue of the abode. Verily, the unjust shall not
prosper !'
And Pharaoh said, ' O ye chiefs ! I do not know
any god for you except me ; then set fire, O Haman !
to some clay and make for me a tower, haply I may
mount up to the God of Moses ; for, verily, I think
he is of those who lie!'
And he grew big with pride, he and his armies
in the land, without right; and they thought that
they to us should not return. [40] And we over-
took him and his army, and we flung them into the
sea ; behold, then, how was the end of the unjust !
But we made them models calling to the fire ;
and on the resurrection day they shall not be
helped ; and we followed them up in this world with
a curse ; and on the resurrection day they shall
be abhorred !
And we gave Moses the Book, after that we had
destroyed the former generations, as an insight to
men and a guidance and a mercy; haply they may
be mindful !
Thou wast not upon the western side when we
decided for Moses, but afar off; nor wast thou of
the witnesses. [45] But we raised up (other) genera-
tions, and life was prolonged for them ; and thou
wast not staying amidst the people of Midian, re-
citing to them our signs ; but we were sending
our apostles.
Nor wast thou by the side of the mountain when
we called ; but it is a mercy from thy Lord, that
XXVIII, 46-55- THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY. II3
thou mayest warn a people to whom no warner has
come before thee ; haply they may be mindful !
And lest there should befall them a mishap for
what their hands have sent before, and they should
say, ' Our Lord ! why didst thou not send to us an
apostle ? for we would have followed thy signs and
been of the believers.'
And when the truth comes to them from us they
say, ' We are given the like of what Moses was
given.' Did they not disbelieve in what Moses
was given before ? — they say, ' Two works of sor-
cery ^ back up each other ; ' and they say, ' Verily,
we do disbelieve in all.'
Say, ' Bring, then, a book from God which shall
be a better guide than both, and I will follow it, if
ye do tell the truth V
[50] And if they cannot answer thee, then know
that they follow their own lusts ; and who is more
In error than he who follows his own lust without
guidance from God ? verily, God guides not an
unjust people !
And we caused the word to reach them, haply
they may be mindful !
Those to whom we gave the Book before it,
they believe therein ; and when it is recited to them
they say, ' We believe in it as truth from our Lord ;
verily, we were resigned before it came ! ' These
shall be given their hire twice over, for that they
were patient, and repelled evil with good, and of
what we have bestowed upon them give alms.
[55] And when they hear vain talk, they turn
away from it and say, ' We have our works, and ye
^ That is, the Pentateuch and Qur'an.
[9] I
114 THE QURAN. XXVIII, 55-63.
have your works. Peace be upon you ! we do not
seek the iQ-norant!'
Verily, thou canst not guide whom thou dost Hke,
but God guides whom He pleases ; for He knows
best who are to be guided.
And they say, ' If we follow the guidance we shall
be snatched away from the land.' Have we not
established for them a safe sanctuary, to which are
imported the fruits of everything as a provision
from us ? but most of them do not know.
How many a city have we destroyed that exulted
in its means of subsistence ? These are their dwel-
lings, never dwelt in after them, except a little ; for
we were the heirs.
But thy Lord would never destroy cities until He
sent to the metropolis thereof an apostle, to recite
to them our signs ; nor would we destroy cities
unless their people were unjust. [60] Whatever
thing ye may be given, it is a provision for this
world's life and the adornment thereof; but what
is with God is better and more enduring ; have ye
then no sense ?
Is He to w^iom we have promised a goodly
promise, which he shall meet with, like him to
whom we have given the enjoyment of the life of
this world, and who upon the resurrection day shall
be of the arraigned ?
And on the day when He will call them and will
say, ' Where are those associates which ye did pre-
tend ?' And those against whom the sentence is
due shall say, ' Our Lord ! these are those whom we
have seduced ; we seduced them as we were seduced
ourselves : but we clear ourselves to thee ; — they
did not worship us !'
XXVIII, 64-75- THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY. II5
And it will be said, 'Call upon your partners;'
and they will call upon them, but they will not
answer them, and they shall see the torment ; would
that they had been guided.
[65] And the day when He shall call them and
shall say, ' What was it ye answered the apostles ? '
and the history shall be blindly confusing to them
on that day, and they shall not ask each other.
But, as for him who turns again and believes and
does right, it may be that he will be among the
prosperous. For thy Lord creates what He pleases
and chooses ; they have not the choice ! Celebrated
be the praise of God ! and exalted be He above
what they associate with Him !
Thy Lord knows what they conceal in their
breasts and what they manifest.
[70] He is God, there is no god but He ; to Him
belongs praise, in the first and the last; and His is
the judgment ; and unto Him shall ye return!
Have ye considered, if God were to make for you
the night endless until the resurrection day, who is
the god, but God, to bring you light ? can ye not
then hear ?
Say, ' Have ye considered, if God were to make
for you the day endless until the day of judgment,
who is the god, except God, to bring you the night
to rest therein ? can ye not then see ?' But of His
mercy He has made for you the night and the day,
that ye may rest therein, and crave of His grace,
haply ye may give thanks.
And the day when He shall call them and shall
say, 'Where are my partners whom ye did pretend ?'
[75] And we will pluck from every nation a witness ;
and we will say, ' Bring your proof and know that
12
Il6 THE QURAN. XXVIII, 75-82.
the truth is God's ;' and that which they had devised
shall stray away from them.
Verily, Korah ^ was of the people of Moses, and
he was outrageous against them ; and we gave him
treasuries of which the keys would bear down a band
of men endowed with strength. When his people
said to him, * Exult not ; verily, God loves not those
who exult ! but crave, through what God has given
thee, the future abode ; and forget not thy portion
in this world, and do good, as God has done good to
thee ; and seek not evil doing in the earth ; verily,
God loves not the evildoers ! '
Said he, ' I have only been given it for knowledge
which I have ! ' did he not know that God had
destroyed before him many generations of those
who were stronger than he, and had amassed more ?
But the sinners need not to be asked concerning
their crimes.
And he went out amongst the people in his orna-
ments ; those who desired the life of this world said,
' O would that we had the like of what Korah has
been given ! verily, he is endowed with mighty
fortune !'
[80] But those who had been given knowledge
said, ' Woe to you ! the reward of God is better for
him who believes and does right ; but none shall
meet with it except the patient. And we clave the
earth with him and with his house ; and he had no
troop to help him against God, nor was he of those
who were helped ! '
And on the morrow those who had yearned for
1 In Arabic Qariin. The legend based upon Talmudic tradition
of Korah's immense wealth appears to be also confused with that
of Croesus.
XXVIII, 82-XXIX, I. THE CHAPTER OF THE SPIDER. II 7
his place the day before said, 'Ah, ah ! God extends
provision to whom He pleases of His servants, or
He doles it out ; had not God been gracious to us,
the earth would have cleft open with us ! Ah, ah !
the unbelievers shall not prosper !'
That is the future abode ; we make it for those
who do not wish to be haughty in the earth, nor to
do evil, and the end is for the pious.
He who brinofs a s^ood deed shall have better
than it ; and he who brings an evil deed — those
who do evil deeds shall only be rewarded for that
which they have done. [85] Verily, He who hath
ordained the Qur'an for thee will restore thee to thy
returning place. Say, ' My Lord knows best who
brings guidance, and who is in obvious error ; nor
couldst thou hope that the Book would be thrown
to thee, save as a mercy from thy Lord ! be not
then a backer up of those who misbelieve ; and let
them not turn thee from the signs of God, after
they have been sent down to thee ; but call unto
thy Lord and be not of the idolaters ; and call not
with God upon any other god ; there is no god
but He ! everything is perishable, except His face ;
His is the judgment, and unto Him shall ye return !
The Chapter of the Spider.
(XXIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A. L. M. Do men then reckon that they will be
left alone to say, ' We believe,' and not be tried ?
Il8 THE QURAN. XXIX, 2-12.
we did try those who were before them, and God
will surely know those who are truthful, and He
will surely know the liars. Do those who do evil
reckon that they can outstrip us ? evil is it that they
judge.
He who hopes for the meeting of God, — verily,
God's appointed time will come ; and He both hears
and knows ! [5] And he who fights strenuously,
fights strenuously only for his own soul ; verily,
God is independent of the worlds.
Those who believe and do right, we will surely
cover for them their offences ; and we will surely
reward them with better than that which they have
done.
And we have enjoined on man kindness to his
parents ; and if they strive with thee that thou
mayest join with me, what thou hast no knowledge
of, then obey them not ; to me is your return, and I
will inform you of that which ye have done.
But those who believe and do right, we will make
them enter amongst the righteous.
And there are those among men who say, ' We
believe in God !' but when they are hurt in God's
cause, they deem the trials of men like the torment
of God ; but if help come from thy Lord they will
say, ' Verily, we were with you ! ' does not God
know best what is in the breasts of the worlds ?
[10] God will surely know those who believe, and
will surely know the hypocrites.
And those who misbelieved said to those who
believed, ' Follow our path, we will bear your sins ;'
but they could not bear their sins at all ; verily,
they are liars ! But they shall surely bear their
own burdens, and burdens with their burdens ; and
XXIX, 12-23. THE CHAPTER OF THE SPIDER. II9
they shall surely be asked upon the resurrection
day concerning what they did devise.
And we sent Noah to his people, and he dwelt
among them for a thousand years save fifty years ;
and the deluge overtook them while they were
unjust : but we saved him and the fellows of the
ark, and we made it a sign unto the worlds.
And Abraham when he said to his people, ' Serve
God and fear Him, that is better for you if ye did
but know. [15] Ye only serve beside God idols and
do create a lie ; verily, those whom ye serve beside
God cannot control for themselves provision ; then
crave provision with God, and serve Him, and give
thanks to Him ; unto Him shall ye return ! And
if ye say it is a lie, nations before you called (the
apostles) liars too ; but an apostle has only his plain
message to preach !'
Have they not seen how God produces the crea-
tion, and then turns it back ? verily, that to God is
easy.
Say, 'Journey ye on in the land, and behold how
the creation appeared ; then God produces another
production : verily, God is mighty over all !'
[20] He torments whom He will, and has mercy
on whom He will ; and unto Him shall ye be re-
turned.
Nor can ye make Him helpless in the earth,
nor in the heavens ; nor have ye beside God a
patron or a helper.
And those who disbelieve in God's signs and in
meeting with Him, these shall despair of my mercy;
and these, for them is grievous woe.
But the answer of his people was only to say,
' Kill him or burn him !' But God saved him from
I20 THE QURAN. XXTX, 23-33.
the fire ; verily, in that are signs unto a people who
believe.
He said, ' Verily, ye take beside God idols,
through mutual friendship in the life of this world ;
then on the day of judgment ye shall deny each
other, and shall curse each other, and your resort
shall be the fire, and ye shall have none to help.'
[25] And Lot believed him. And (Abraham)
said, 'Verily, I flee unto my Lord! Verily, He is
mighty, wise ! and we granted him Isaac and Jacob ;
and we placed in his seed prophecy and the Book ;
and we gave him his hire in this world ; and, verily,
he in the next shall be among the righteous.'
And Lot when he said to his people, ' Verily, ye
approach an abomination which no one in all the
world ever anticipated you in ! What ! do ye ap-
proach men ? and stop folks on the highway ? and
approach in your assembly sin ?' but the answer of
his people was only to say, ' Bring us God's torment,
if thou art of those who speak the truth !'
Said he, ' My Lord ! help me against a people
who do evil ! '
[30] And when our messengers came to Abraham
with the glad tidings, they said, ' We are about to
destroy the people of this city. Verily, the people
thereof are wrong-doers.'
Said he, 'Verily, in it is Lot ;' they said, ' We know
best who is therein ; we shall of a surety save him
and his people, except his wife, who is of those who
linoer.' And when our messenoers came to Lot,
he was vexed for them, and his arm was straitened
for them ; and they said, ' Fear not, neither grieve ;
we are about to save thee and thy people, except
thy wife, who is of those who linger. Verily, we
XXIX, 33-42. THE CHAPTER OF THE SPIDER. 121
are about to send down upon the people of this
city a horror from heaven, for that they have
sinned ; and we have left therefrom a manifest sign
unto a people who have sense.'
[35] And unto Midian we sent their brother
Sho'haib, and he said, * My people, serve God,
and hope for the last day ; and waste not the land,
despoiling it.'
But they called him liar ; and the convulsion
seized them, and on the morrow they lay in their
dwellings prone.
And 'Ad and Thamud — but it is plain to you
from their habitations ; for Satan made seemly to
them their works, and turned them from the way,
sagacious though they were !
And Korah and Pharaoh and Haman — Moses
did come to them with manifest signs, but they
were too big with pride in the earth, although
they could not outstrip us !
And each of them we seized in his sin ; and of
them were some against whom we sent a sand-
Storm ; and of them were some whom the noise
seized ; and of them were some with whom we
cleaved the earth open ; and of them were some
we drowned : God would not have wronged them,
but it was themselves they wronged.
[40] The likeness of those who take, beside
God, patrons is as the likeness of a spider, that
takes to himself a house ; and, verily, the weakest
of houses is a spider's house, if they did but
know !
Verily, God knows whatever thing they call upon
beside Him ; for He is the mighty, wise.
These are parables which we have struck out
122 THE QURAN. XXIX, 42-52.
for men ; but none will understand them, save
those who know.
God created the heavens and the earth In truth ;
verily, in this Is a sign unto believers.
Recite what has been revealed to thee of the
Book ; and be steadfast in prayer ; verily, prayer
forbids sin and wrong ; and surely the mention
of God Is greater ; for God knows what ye do.
[45] And do not wrangle with the people of the
Book, except for what is better ; save with those
who have been unjust amongst them and who say,
* We believe in what Is sent down to us, and what
has been sent down to you ; our God and your God
is one, and we are unto Him resigned.'
Thus did we send down to thee the Book ; and
every one to whom we have given the Book believes
therein. But these will not believe therein ; though
none gainsay our signs except the misbelievers.
Thou couldst not recite before this any book,
nor write It with thy right hand, for In that case
those who deem It vain would have doubted. Nay,
but it Is evident sltrns in the breasts of those who
are endued with knowledge, and none but the unjust
would gainsay our signs !
They say, ' Unless there be sent down upon him
signs from his Lord — ;' say, 'Verily, signs are with
God, and, verily, I am an obvious warner !'
[50] Is It not enough for them that we have sent
down to thee the Book which thou dost recite to
them ? verily, in that is a mercy and a reminder to
a people who believe.
Say, 'God is witness enough between me and you;
He knows what is In the heavens and what is In
the earth ; and those who believe in falsehood and
XXIX, 52-63. THE CHAPTER OF THE SPIDER. 1 23
misbelieve in God, they shall be the losers.' They
will wish thee to hasten on the torment ; but were
it not for a stated and appointed time, the torment
would have come upon them suddenly, while yet
they did not perceive.
They will wish thee to hurry on the torment, but,
verily, hell encompasses the misbelievers !
[55] On the day when the torment shall cover
them from above them and from beneath their feet,
and He shall say, 'Taste that which ye have done !'
O my servants who believe ! verily, my land is
spacious enough ^ ; me therefore do ye worship.
Every soul must taste of death, then unto us shall
ye return ; and those who believe and act aright,
we will surely inform them of upper chambers in
Paradise, beneath which rivers flow ; to dwell
therein for aye — pleasant is the hire of those who
work! those who are patient and rely upon their
Lord!
[60] How many a beast cannot carry its own
provision ! God provides for it and for you ; He
both hears and knows !
And if thou shouldst ask them, 'Who created the
heavens and the earth, and subjected the sun and
the moon ?' they will surely say, ' God !' how then
can they lie ?
God extends provision to whomsoever He will
of His servants, or doles it out to him ; verily, God
all thing's doth know.
And if thou shouldst ask them, 'Who sends down
from the heavens water and quickens therewith the
^ I. e. if you are pressed in Mecca, there are plenty of places
where you can take shelter, as Mohammed himself and a few of his
followers did at Medinah.
I 24 THE QUR AN. XXIX, 63-XXX, 2.
earth in its death ?' they will surely say, 'God!' say,
' And praise be to God ! ' nay, most of them have
no sense.
This life of the world is nothing but a sport and
a play; but, verily, the abode of the next world, that
is life, — if they did but know !
[65] And when they ride in the ship they call
upon God, making their religion seem sincere to
Him ; but when He saves them to the shore, be-
hold, they associate others with Him ; that they
may disbelieve in our signs ; and that they may
have some enjoyment : but soon they shall know.
Have they not seen that we have made a safe
sanctuary whilst people are being snatched away
around them ? is it then in falsehood that they
will believe, and for the favours of God be un-
grateful ?
But who is more unjust than he who devises
against God a lie, or calls the truth a lie when it
comes to him ? Is there not in hell a resort for the
misbelievers ? but those who fight strenuously for us
we will surely guide them into our way, for, verily,
God is with those who do well.
The Chapter of the Greeks ^
(XXX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The Greeks are overcome in the nighest parts
of the land ; but after being overcome they shall
^ In Arabic Riim, by which is meant the Byzantine or eastern
Roman empire.
XXX, 2-9- THE CHAPTER OF THE GREEKS. 1 25
overcome ^ In a few years ; to God belongs the
order before and after; and on that day the be-
Hevers shall rejoice in the help of God ; — God
helps whom He will, and He is mighty, merciful.
[5] — God's promise ! — God breaks not His promise,
but most men do not know !
They know the outside of this world's life, but
of the hereafter they are heedless. Have they not
reflected in themselves, that God created not the
heavens and the earth, and what is between the two
except in truth, and for a stated and appointed time ?
but, verily, many men in the meeting of their Lord
do disbelieve.
Have they not journeyed on in the land and seen
how was the end of those before them who were
stronger than they, and who turned up the ground
and cultivated it more than they do cultivate it ?
and there came to them their apostles with manifest
signs ; for God would never wrong them : it was
themselves they wronged I
Then evil was the end of those who did evil, in
that they said the signs of God were lies and mocked
thereat.
^ About the beginning of the sixth year before the Hi^rah the
Persians conquered Syria, and made themselves masters also of
Palestine, and took Jerusalem. The Greeks were so distressed by
their defeat that there appeared little likelihood of their being able
to retrieve their fortune, and in the following year the Persians pro-
ceeded to lay siege to Constantinople itself. In the year 625 a.d.,
however, the fourth year before the Hi^rah, the Greeks gained a
signal victory over the Persians, and not only drove them out of the
borders of the Byzantine empire, but carried the war into Persian
territory, and despoiled the city of Medayen. It is the defeat which
is alluded to in this passage, and the subsequent victory that is
prophesied, the date of the chapter being ascribed to the period
when the Persians took Jerusalem.
126 THE QURAN. XXX, 10-21.
[10] God produces a creation, then He makes it
go back again, then unto Him shall ye return.
And on the day when the Hour shall rise, the
sinners shall be confused ; and they shall not have
amongst their partners intercessors ; and their part-
ners shall they deny.
And on the day when the Hour shall rise, on that
day shall they be scattered apart ; and as for those
who believe and do right, they in the garden shall
be joyful; [15] and as for those who misbelieved
and said our signs and the meeting of the hereafter
were lies, they shall be in the torment arraigned.
Celebrated be the praises of God, when ye are in
the evening and when ye are in the morning ! for
to Him belongs praise in the heavens and the earth !
and at the evening, and when ye are at noon.
He brings forth the living from the dead, and
brinofs forth the dead from the livinor ; and He
quickens the earth after its death, and thus shall
ye too be brought forth.
And of His signs is this, that He hath created
you from dust; then, behold, ye are mortals who are
spread abroad.
[20] And of His signs is this, that He hath
created for you of yourselves wives with whom
ye may cohabit ; He has made between you affec-
tion and pity. Verily, in that are signs unto a people
who reflect.
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens
and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and
colours ; verily, in that are signs unto the worlds \
^ Or, according to another reading, ' unto those who know;' cf.
Part II, p. 122, line 2.
XXX, 22-29- THE CHAPTER OF THE GREEKS. 12 7
And of His signs is your sleep by night and by
day; and your craving after His grace. Verily, in
that are signs unto a people who do hear.
And of His signs is this, that He shows you
lightning for fear and hope ; and sends down from
the sky water, and quickens therewith the earth,
after its death ; verily, in that are signs unto a
people who have sense.
And of His signs is this, that the heavens and the
earth stand by His order; then when He calls you
from the earth, lo ! ye shall come forth. [25] His
are those who are in the heavens and the earth, and
all to Him are devoted. And He it is who pro-
duces a creation and then makes it to go back
again; for it is very easy to Him; and His are
the loftiest similitudes in the heavens and the earth;
and He is the mighty, wise !
He has struck out for you a parable from your-
selves ; have ye of what your right hand possess
partners in what we have bestowed upon you, so
that ye share alike therein ? do ye fear them as
ye fear each other ? — Thus do we detail the signs
unto a people who have sense ^
Nay, when those who are unjust follow their
lusts without knowledge, — and who shall guide
him whom God has led astray ? and they shall
have none to help.
Set thy face steadfast towards the religion as an
^ I. e. as they, the Meccans, do not consider their slaves their
equals, still less does God hold the false gods they associate with
Him to be His equals, it being always remembered that these part-
ners or false gods were not spoken of in the Qur'an as non-
existent, but as supernatural beings, to whom divinity has been
wrongly ascribed.
128 THE QURAN. XXX, 29-39.
'Hanif, according to the constitution whereon God
has constituted men ; there is no altering the crea-
tion of God, that is the standard rehgion, though
most men do not know.
[30] Turn repentant towards Him ; and fear
Him, and be steadfast in prayer; and be not of
the idolaters.
Of those who have divided their religion and be-
come sects, every party in what they have, rejoice.
And when distress touches men they call upon
their Lord, repentant towards Him ; then when He
has made them taste mercy from Himself, behold!
a party of them associate others with their Lord,
that they may disbelieve in what we have brought
them ; — but enjoy yourselves ; for hereafter ye shall
know !
Or have we sent down to them authority which
speaks of what they do associate with Him ?
[35] And when we have made men taste of
mercy, they rejoice therein ; and if there befall
them evil for what their hands have sent before,
behold ! they are in despair.
Have they not seen that God extends provision
to whom He pleases, or doles it out ? verily, In
that are signs unto a people who believe.
Then give to the kinsman his due, and to the
poor and to the wayfarer ; that is better for those
who desire the face of God, and these it is who are
prosperous.
And what ye put out to usury that it may in-
crease with the wealth of men, it shall not increase
with God ; but what ye put out in alms, desiring
the face of God — these it is who shall gain double.
It is God who created you and then provided for
XXX, 39-47- THE CHAPTER OF THE GREEKS. 1 29
you ; and then will make you die, and then will
quicken you again ; is there any of your partners
who can do aught of that ? Celebrated be His
praises, and exalted be He above what they asso-
ciate with Him !
[40] Trouble hath appeared in the land and the
sea, for what men's hands have gained ! to make
them taste a part of that which they have done, —
haply they may return !
Say, 'Journey on in the land, and behold what
was the end of those before you, — most of them
were idolaters!'
Set thy face steadfast to the standard religion,
before there come a day from God which there Is
no averting ; on that day shall they be parted into
two bands.
He who misbelieves, upon him is his misbelief;
but whoso does right, for themselves they are
spreading couches^ :
That He may reward those who believe and
do right of His grace; verily, He loves not the
misbelievers !
[45] And of His signs is this, that He sends forth
the winds with glad tidings, to make you taste of
His mercy, and to make the ships go on at His
bidding, and that ye may crave of His grace, and
haply ye may give thanks.
We have sent before thee apostles unto their
people, and they came to them with manifest signs :
and we took vengeance upon those who sinned, but
due from us it was to help the believers.
God it is who sends forth the winds to stir up
^ In Paradise.
[9] K
1 ^O THE QUR AN. XXX, 47-57.
clouds ; then He spreads them forth over the sky
as he pleases ; and He breaks them up and ye see
the rain come forth from amongst them ; and when
He causes it to fall upon whom He pleases of His
servants, behold they hail it w^ith joy, although
before it was sent down upon them they were
before then confused !
Look then to the vestiges of God's mercy, how He
quickens the earth after its death ; verily, that is the
quickener of the dead, and He is mighty over all !
[50] But if we should send a wind and they should
see it yellow \ they would after that become mis-
believers.
But, verily, thou canst not make the dead to hear,
nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call, when
they turn their backs and flee ; nor hast thou to
guide the blind out of their error ; thou canst only
make those to hear who believe in our signs and
who are resigned.
God it is who created you of weakness, then
made for you after weakness strength ; then made
for you after strength, weakness and grey hairs :
He creates what He pleases, for He is the know-
ing, the powerful !
And on the day when the Hour shall rise, the
sinners shall swear [55] that they have not tarried
save an hour ; thus were they wont to lie !
But those who are given knowledge and faith will
say, ' We have tarried according to the Book of
God, until the day of resurrection ; ' and this is the
day of resurrection, but ye — ye do not know.
And on that day their excuse shall profit not
^ I. e. see the young corn parched.
XXX,57-XXXI,5. THE CHAPTER OF LOQMAN. 1 31
those who did wrong ; nor shall they be asked to
please God again.
- We have struck out to men in this Qur an every
kind of parable ; but if thou shouldst bring them a
sign^ then those who misbelieve will surely say,
' Ye are but followers of vanity ; thus does God
set a stamp upon the hearts of those who do not
know.'
[60] Be thou patient then ; verily, God's promise
is true 1 and let them not flurry thee who are not
sure.
The Chapter of Loqman^.
(XXXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A. L. M. These are the signs of the wise Book,
a guidance and a mercy to those who do well, who
are steadfast in prayer and give alms and who of
the hereafter are sure ; these are in guidance from
their Lord, and these are the prosperous.
[5] And amongst men is one ^ who buys sportive
legends, to lead astray from God's path, without
knowledge, and to make a jest of it ; these, for
■* I. e. a verse.
^ This sage is generally identified with the Aesop of the Greeks.
The legends current in the East concerning him accord exactly
with those of the Greek fabulist.
^ An Nad/n ibn al 'Hareth had purchased in Persia some of the
old legends of Rustam and Isfendiar, which were afterwards em-
bodied in the Shah-nameh of Firdausi. These he read to the
Quraij as being more wonderful than the Qur'an.
K 2
132 THE QURAN. XXXI, 5-14.
them is shameful woe ! And when our signs are
recited to him, he turns his back, too big with pride,
as though he heard them not, — as if in his two ears
were dulness. But mve to him (jlad tidings of
grievous woe 1
Verily, those who believe and do right, for them
are gardens of pleasure, to dwell therein for aye ; —
God's promise in truth, and He is mighty, wise.
He created the heavens without pillars that ye
can see, and He threw upon the earth firm
mountains lest it should move with you ; and He
dispersed thereon every sort of beast ; and we send
down from the heavens water, and we caused to
grow therein of every noble kind.
[lo] This is God's creation ; show me what others
beside Him have created; — nay, the unjust are in
obvious error !
We did give unto Loqman wisdom, saying,
' Thank God ; for he who thanks God is only
thankful for his own soul ; and he who is ungrate-
ful— verily, God is independent, worthy of praise ! '
And when Loqman said to his son while ad-
monishing him, ' O my boy ! associate none with
God, for, verily, such association is a mighty
wrong.' —
For we have commended his parents to man ;
his mother bore him with weakness upon weakness ;
and his weaning is in two years ; — ' Be thankful to
me and to thy parents ; for unto me shall your
journey be. But if thc}^ strive with thee that thou
shouldst associate with me that which thou hast
no knowledge of, then obey them not. But asso-
ciate with them in the world with kindness, and
follow the way of him who turns repentant unto
XXXI, 14-23. THE CHAPTER OF LOQMAN. 1 33
me ; then unto me is your return, and I will inform
you of that which ye have done ! —
[15] ' O my son ! verily, if there were the weight
of a grain of mustard seed and it were (hidden) in
the rock, or in the heaven, or in the earth, God
would bring it (to light). Verily, God is subtle, well
aware !
' O my son ! be steadfast in prayer, and bid what
is reasonable and forbid what is wrong ; be patient
of what befalls thee, verily, that is one of the deter-
mined affairs.
' And twist not thy cheek proudly, nor walk in
the land haughtily ; verily, God loves not every
arrogant boaster : but be moderate in thy walk, and
lower thy voice; verily, the most disagreeable of
voices is the voice of asses ! '
Have ye not seen that God has subjected to you
what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and
has poured down upon you His favours, outwardly
and inwardly ? but amongst men are those who
wrangle about God, without knowledge, and without
guidance, and without an illuminating book !
[20] And when it is said to them, ' Follow what
God has sent down ;' they say, ' Nay! we will follow
what we found our fathers agreed upon ;' — what !
though Satan calls them to the torment of the blaze ?
But he who resigns his face unto God, and does
good, he has grasped the firm handle ; unto God is
the issue of affairs. But he who misbelieves, let
not his misbelief grieve thee ; to us is their return,
and we will inform them of what they do ; — for,
verily, God knows the nature of men's breasts !
We will let them enjoy themselves a little ; then
we will force them to rigorous woe !
134 THE QURAN. XXXI, 24-32.
And If thou shouldst ask them who created the
heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ' God.'
Say, ' Praise be to God !' but most of them do not
know.
[25] God's is what is in the heavens and what is
in the earth ; verily, God, He is the independent,
worthy of praise.
And were the trees that are in the earth pens,
and the sea (ink) with seven more seas to swell its
tide, the w^ords of God would not be spent ; verily,
God is mighty, wise !
Your creation and your rising again are but as
that of one soul ; verily, God both hears and sees !
Dost thou not see that God joins on the night
to the day, and joins on the day to the night, and
has subjected the sun and the moon, — each of them
runs on unto an appointed time ? and that God of
what ye do is well aware ?
That is because God, He is true, and because
what ye call on beside Him is falsehood, and be-
cause God, He is the high, the great!
[30] Dost thou not see that the ship rides on
in the sea by the favour of God, that He may show
you of His signs ? verily, in that are signs to every
grateful person.
And when a wave like shadows covers them, they
call on God, being sincere in their religion ; and
when He saves them to the shore, then amongst
them are some who halt between two opinions.
But none gainsays our signs save every perfidious
misbeliever.
O ye folk ! fear your Lord and dread the day
when the father shall not atone for his son, nor shall
the child atone aught for its parent.
XXXI,33-XXXII,5. THE CHAPTER OF ADORATION. 1 35
Verily, the promise of God is true ! Say, ' Let not
the Hfe of this world beguile you ; and let not the
beguiler beguile you concerning God.'
Verily, God, with Him is the knowledge of the
Hour ; and He sends down the rain ; and He
knows what is in the wombs ; and no soul knows
what it is that it shall earn to-morrow ; and no soul
knows in what land it shall die ; verily, God is know-
ing, well aware !
The Chapter of Adoration.
(XXXn, Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
A. L. M. The revelation of the Book, there is
no doubt therein, from the Lord of the worlds.
Do they say, ' He has forged it ?' Nay! it is the
truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest warn a
people, to whom no warner has come before thee,
haply they may be guided.
God it is who created the heavens and the earth
and what is between the two in six days ; then He
made for the throne ! ye have no patron beside
Him and no intercessor ; are ye not then mindful ?
He oroverns the affair from the heaven unto the
earth ; then shall it ascend to him in a day, the
measure of which is as a thousand years of what
ye number.
[5] That is He who knows the unseen and the
visible ; the mighty, the merciful, who has made the
best of the creation of everything, and produced the
136 THE QURAN. XXXII, 5-19.
creation of man from clay; then He made his stock
from an extract of despicable water ; then He
fashioned him and breathed into him of his spirit,
and made for you hearing and eyesight and hearts ; —
little is it that ye give thanks !
And they say, ' When we are lost in the earth,
shall we then become a new creation ?' [10] Nay!
in the meeting of their Lord they disbelieve.
Say, ' The angel of death shall take you away,
he who is given charge of you ; then unto your Lord
shall ye be returned.'
And couldst thou see when the sinners hang
down their heads before their Lord, ' O Lord ! we
have seen and we have heard ; send us back then
and we will do right. Verily, we are sure ! '
Had we pleased we would have given to every-
thing its guidance ; but the sentence was due from
me ; — I will surely fill hell with the ^inns and with
men all together : ' So taste ye, for that ye forgat
the meeting of this day of yours, — verily, we have
forgotten you ! and taste ye the torment of eternity
for that which ye have done ! '
[15] They only believe in our signs who when
they are reminded of them fall down adoring and
celebrate the praises of their Lord, and are not
too big with pride. As their sides forsake their
beds, they call upon their Lord with fear and hope ;
and of what we have bestowed upon them do they
give alms. No soul knows what is reserved for
them of cheerfulness for eye, as a reward for that
which they have done ! Is he who is a believer
like him who is a sinner ? they shall not be held
equal.
As for those who believe and do right, for them
XXXII, 19-26. THE CHAPTER OF ADORATION. I37
are the gardens of resort, an entertainment for that
which they have done !
[20] But as for those who commit abomination there
resort is the Fire. Every time that they desire to
go forth therefrom, we will send them back therein,
and it will be said to them, ' Taste ye the torment
of the fire which ye did call a lie!' and we will
surely make them taste of the torment of the
nearer torment beside the greater torment \ — haply
they may yet return.
Who is more unjust than he who is reminded of the
signs of his Lord, and then turns away from them ?
Verily, we will take vengeance on the sinners !
And we did o-ive Moses the Book ; be not then
in doubt concerning the meeting with him - ; and we
made it a guidance to the children of Israel.
And we made amongst them high priests who
guided by our bidding, since they were patient and
were sure of our signs.
[25] Verily, thy Lord, he shall decide between
them on the resurrection day concerning that
whereon they do dispute.
Is it not conspicuous to them how many genera-
tions we have destroyed before them ? they walk
^ I. e. the torment of this world as well as that of the next.
2 This may refer to the alleged meeting of Mohammed and
Moses in heaven during the 'night journey;' or it may be translated,
' the reception of it,' i. e. the Qur'an, the expression in Chapter
XXVII, 6, being derived from the same root in Arabic, which
means ' to meet.' The native commentators are divided in opinion
as to these two interpretations. It is quite possible, however, that
it may mean, ' be not in doubt as to a meeting with Him,' and be
a mere reiteration of the sentiment so often expressed, that Mus-
lims are to be certain of a meeting with their Lord.
138 THE QURAN. XXXII, 26-XXXIII, 4.
over their dwellings ! verily, in that are signs : do
they not then hear ?
Have they not seen that we drive the water to
the sterile land, and bring forth thereby corn from
which their cattle and themselves do eat ? do they
not then see ?
And they say, ' When shall this decision come if
ye do tell the truth?' Say, 'On the day of the
decision their faith shall not profit those who mis-
believed, nor shall they be respited ; ' [30] turn then
from them and wait ; verily, they are waiting too !
The Chapter of the Confederates ^
(XXXIII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O thou prophet ! fear God and obey not the
misbelievers and hypocrites ; verily, God is ever
knowinfr wise !
But follow what thou art inspired with from thy
Lord ; verily, God of what }'ou do is ever well aware.
And rely upon God, for God is guardian enough.
God has not made for any man two hearts in his
inside; nor has He made your wives, — whom you
back away from, — your real mothers^; nor has He
^ When this sfirah was written Medinah was besieged by a con-
federation of the Jewish tribes with the Arabs of Mecca, Ne^d
and Tehamah, at the instigation of the Jewish tribe of Na^//nr,
whom Mohammed had expelled from Mecca the year before.
The event took place in the fifth year of the Hi^rah.
^ The Arabs were in the habit of divorcing their wives on
certain occasions with the words, ' Thy back is to me as my
XXXIII, 4-9- THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. I 39
made your adopted sons your real sons. That is
what ye speak with your mouths ; but God speaks
the truth and He guides to the path !
[5] Call them by their fathers' names ; that is
more just in God's sight ; but if ye know not their
fathers, then they are your brothers in religion and
your clients. There is no crime against you for
what mistakes ye make therein ; but what your
hearts do purposely — but God is ever forgiving and
merciful.
The prophet is nearer of kin to the believers than
themselves, and his wives are their mothers. And
blood relations are nearer in kin to each other by
the Book of God than the believers and those who
fled^ only your doing kindness to your kindred,
that is traced in the Book.
And when we took of the prophets their compact^
from thee and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses,
and Jesus the son of Mary, and took of them a rigid
compact, that He might ask the truth-tellers of their
truth. But He has prepared for those who mis-
believe a grievous woe.
0 ye who believe ! remember God's favours to-
wards you when hosts came to you and we sent
against them a wind and hosts ^ that ye could not
see ; — and God knew what ye were doing.
mother's back,' after which they considered it as unnatural to ap-
proach them as though they were their real mothers. This practice
Mohammed here forbids. They used also to consider their
adopted children in the same light as real children of their body;
in forbidding this practice also, Mohammed legalised his mar-
riage with Zainab, the divorced wife of his freedman Zaid, who
was also his adopted son.
1 The Muha§-erin. ^ See Part I, p. 57, note i.
^ Of angels.
I40 THE QURAN. XXXIII, 10-14.
[10] When they came upon )'ou from above you
and from below' you, and when your eyesights were
distracted and your hearts came up into your throats,
and ye suspected God with certain suspicions.
There were the beHevers tried and were made to
quake with a severe quaking.
And when the hypocrites and those in whose
hearts was sickness said, ' God and His Apostle
have only promised us deceitfully.' And when a
party of them said, 'O people of Yathreb-; there
is no place for you (here) ^ return then (to the city).'
And a part of them asked leave of the prophet (to
return), saying, 'Verily, our houses are defenceless;'
but they were not defenceless, they only wished for
flio-ht.
But had they been entered upon from its environs
and then been asked to show treason they would
have done so ; but they would only have tarried
there a little while ^.
' On the approach of the confederate army, to the number of
12,000, JMohammed, by the advice of Selman the Persian^ ordered
a deep trench to be dug round INIedinah, and himself went out to
defend it with 3,000 men. The two forces remained for nearly a
month in their respective camps without coming to an actual con-
flict : until one night a piercing east wind blew so violently, and
made such disorder in the camp of the besiegers, that a panic
seized upon them, and they retired precipitately. Some of them had
been encamped on the heights to the east of the town, the others
in the lower part of the valley.
"^ The ancient name of the city; it was only called 'El Medinah,
'the city,' after it had become famous by giving shelter to Mo-
hammed.
•'' In the trenches.
* I. e. if the confederates had effected an entry, these half-hearted
persons would have listened to their proposals, and have deserted
the prophet.
XXXIII,i5-23. THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. I4I
[15] They had covenanted with God before, that
they would not turn their backs ; and God's cove-
nant shall be enquired of.
Say, ' Flight shall avail you naught ; if ye fly
from death or slaughter, even then ye shall be
granted enjoyment only for a little!'
Say, ' Who is it that can save you from God, if
He wish you evil, or wish you mercy?' but they
will not find beside God a patron or a helper.
Say, ' God knows the hinderers amongst you, and
those who say to their brethren, " Come along unto
us," and show but little valour ; — covetous towards
you^' When fear comes thou wilt see them looking
towards thee, their eyes rolling like one fainting with
death ; but when the fear has passed away they will
assail you with sharp tongues, covetous of the best '\
These have never believed, and God will make vain
their works, for that is easy with God.
[20] They reckoned that the confederates would
never go away ; and if the confederates should come
they would fain be in the desert with the Arabs,
asking for news of you ! and if they were amongst
you they would fight but little.
Ye had in the Aposde of God a good example
for him who hopes for God and the last day, and
who remembers God much.
And when the believers saw the confederates
they said, 'This is what God and His Apostle
promised us; God and His Apostle are true!' and
it only increased them In faith and resignation.
Amonsfst the believers are men who have been
1 I. e. chary of helping you, but greedy of the spoils.
2 I. e. the best share of the spoils.
142 THE QURAN. XXXIII, 23-29.
true to their covenant with God, and there are some
who have fulfilled their vow\ and some who wait
and have not changed ^ with fickleness.
That God might reward the truthful for their
truth, and punish the hypocrites if He please, or
turn again towards them ; — verily, God is forgiving,
merciful !
[25] And God drove back the misbelievers in
their rage ; they gat no advantage ; — God was
enouofh for the believers in the fit>"ht, for God is
strong, mighty!
And He drove down those of the people of the
Book who had helped them ^ from their fortresses *
and hurled dread into their hearts ; a part ye slew
and ye took captive a part : and He gave you their
land, and their dwellings, and their property for an
inheritance, and a land ye had not trodden, for God
is ever mighty over all.
O thou prophet! say to thy wives, ' If ye be de-
sirous of the life of this world and its adornments,
come, I will give you them to enjoy and I will let
you range handsomely at large ! But if }e be
desirous of God and His Apostle and of the abode
of the hereafter, verily, God has prepared for those
of you who do good a mighty hire ^ !'
^ I. e. their vow to fight till they obtained martyrdom.
^ I. e. changed their mind.
' I. e. who had helped the confederates.
* The Qurai//^ah Jews, whom IMohammed attacked after the
siege of Medinah had been raised, and punished for their treachery
in having joined the confederates although in league with him at
the time.
'^ Mohammed being annoyed by the demands made by his wives
for cosily dresses and the like, offered them the choice of divorce
or of being content with their usual mode of living. They chose
the latter.
XXXIII,30-35' THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. I43
[30] O ye women of the prophet! whosoever of
you commits manifest fornication, doubled shall be
her torment twice ; and that is easy unto God !
But that one of you who is devoted to God and
His Apostle and does right we will give her her
hire twice over, and we have prepared for her a
noble provision.
O ye women of the prophet ! ye are not like any
other women ; if ye fear God then be not too com-
plaisant in speech, or he in whose heart is sickness
will lust after you ; but speak a reasonable speech.
And stay still in your houses and show not your-
selves with the ostentation of the ignorance of yore ;
and be steadfast in prayer, and give alms, and obey
God and his Apostle ; — God only wishes to take
away from you ^ the horror as people of His House
and to purify you thoroughly.
And remember what is recited in your houses of
the signs of God and of wisdom ; verily, God is
subtle and aware !
[35] Verily, men resigned and women resigned ^,
and believing men and believing women, and devout
men and devout women, and truthful men and truth-
ful women, and patient men and patient women, and
humble men and humble women, and almsgiving
men and almsg^ivine women, and fasting men and
fasting women, and men who guard their private
parts and women who guard their private parts, and
^ Here the pronoun is changed from feminine to masculine, and
the passage is appealed to by the Shiahs as showing the intimate
relations that existed between Mohammed and 'All, for they say
that by 'his household' are particulai'ly meant Fa/imah and 'Ali.
In the next paragraph the feminine is again used.
^ I.e. Muslims; see Part I, p. 15, note i.
144 THE QURAN. X:X XIII, 35-39.
men who remember God much, and women who
remember Him, — God has prepared for them for-
giveness and a mighty hire.
It is not for a beHeving man or for a beHeving
woman, when God and His Apostle have decided
an affair, to have the choice in that affair ; and
whoso rebels against God and His Apostle has
erred with an obvious error.
And w^hen thou didst say to him God had shown
favour to and thou hadst shown favour to, ' Keep
thy wife to thyself and fear God ; ' and thou didst
conceal in thy soul what God was about to display;
and didst fear men, though God is more deserving
that thou shouldst fear Him ; and when Zaid had
fulfilled his desire of her ^ we did wed thee to her
that there should be no hindrance to the believers
in the matter of the wives of their adopted sons
wdien they have fulfilled their desire of them : and
so God's bidding to be done ^.
There is no hindrance to the prophet about what
God has ordained for him ; — (such was) the course
of God with those who have passed away before, —
and God's bidding is a decreed decree ! Those who
^ I. e. divorced her.
^ Zaid was Mohammed's freedman and adopted son. IMoham-
med had seen and admired Zaid's wife Zainab, and her husband at
once offered to divorce her : this Mohammed dissuaded him from
until the transaction was sanctioned by the verse. The relations of
the Arabs to their adopted children were, as has been remarked
before, p. 138, note 2, very strict ; and Mohammed's marriage with
Zainab occasioned much scandal among his contemporaries. This
passage and those at the commencement of the chapter abrogate
all these inconvenient restrictions. Zaid and Abu Laheb, Surah
CXI, are the only two persons of Mohammed's acquaintance who
are mentioned in the Qur'an by name.
i
XXXIII, 39-48. THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. 1 45
preach God's messages and fear Him and fear not
any one except God, — but God Is good enough at
reckoning up.
[40] Mohammed is not the father of any of your
men, but the Apostle of God, and the Seal of the
Prophets ; for God all things doth know !
O ye who believe ! remember God with frequent
remembrance, and celebrate His praises morning
and evening".
He it is who prays ^ for you and His angels too,
to bring you forth out of the darkness into the light,
for He is merciful to the believers.
Their salutation on the day they meet Him shall
be * Peace!' and He has prepared for them a noble
hire.
O thou prophet! verily, we have sent thee as a
witness and a herald of glad tidings and a warner,
[45] and to call (men) unto God by His permission,
and as an illuminating lamp.
Give glad tidings then to the believers, that for
them is great grace from God. And follow not the
unbelievers and the hypocrites ; but let alone their ill-
treatment ^, and rely upon God, for God is guardian
enough.
O ye who believe! when ye wed believing women,
and then divorce them before ye have touched them,
^ The same word is used as is rendered ' pray ' in all the other
passages in the Qur'an, though the commentators interpret it here
as meaning ' bless.' So, too, in the formula which is always used
after Mohammed's name, zalla 'llahu 'alaihi wa sallam, 'may
God bless and preserve him!' is literally, 'may God pray for him
and salute him ! '
2 Either, ' do not ill-treat them,' or, ' take no notice of their ill-
treating thee.'
[9] L ^
146 THE QUR'aN. XXXIII, 48-52.
ye have no term that ye need observe ; so make
them some provision, and let them go handsomely
at large.
O thou prophet ! verily, we make lawful for thee
thy wives to whom thou hast given their hire \ and
what thy right hand possesses ^ out of the booty
that God has granted thee, and the daughters of thy
paternal uncle and the daughters of thy paternal
aunts, and the daughters of thy maternal uncle and
the daughters of thy maternal aunts, provided they
have fled with thee, and any beHeving woman if she
give herself to the prophet, if the prophet desire to
marry her ; — a special privilege this for thee, above
the other believers.
[50] We knew what we ordained for them con-
cerninof their wives and what their right hands
possess, that there should be no hindrance to
thee ; and God is forgiving, merciful.
Put off '^ whomsoever thou wilt of them and take
to thyself whomsoever thou wilt, or whomsoever
thou cravest of those whom thou hast deposed^, and
it shall be no crime against thee. That is nigher to
cheering their eyes and that they should not grieve,
and should be satisfied with what thou dost bring
them all ; but God knows best what is in their
hearts ; and God is knowing, clement.
It is not lawful to thee to take women after (this),
nor to change them for (other) wives, even though
their beauty please thee ; except what thy right
hand possesses, for God is ever watchful over all.
^ I. e. dowry. ^ Slave girls.
^ I. c. from her turn of conjugal rights.
* I.e. divorced.
XXXIII, 53-55- THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. 1 47
O ye who believe ! do not enter the houses of the
prophet, unless leave be given you, for a meal, — nor
watching till it is cooked ! But when ye are invited,
then enter ; and when ye have fed, disperse, not en-
gaging in familiar discourse. Verily, that would
annoy the prophet and he would be ashamed for
your sake \ but God is not ashamed of the truth ^.
And when ye ask them ^ for an article, ask them
from behind a curtain^; that is purer for your hearts
and for theirs. It is not right for you to annoy the
prophet of God, nor to wed his wives after him
ever ; verily, that is with God a serious thing.
If ye display a thing or conceal it, verily, God all
things doth know.
[55] There is no crime against them^ (if they
^ He would be reluctantly obliged to ask you to leave.
^ The tent of an Arab chief is looked upon as a place of general
entertainment, and is always besieged by visitors. The advent of
a stranger, or indeed any occasion that demands the preparation of
food or any form of entertainment, is the signal for every adult
male of the encampment to sit round it, and wait for an invitation
to partake of the meal. This becomes a very serious tax upon the
sheikh, as the laws of Arab hospitality imperatively require every
person present to be invited to join in the repast. The translator
has often witnessed scenes — especially among the Arabs of Edom
and Moab — which gave a very living significance to these words of
the Qur'an. Mohammed's exceptionally prominent position ex-
posed him in a peculiar manner to these irruptions of unbidden
guests. Another saying bearing upon the point is traditionally
ascribed to him, zur ghihhzn tazdad 'hubban, 'visit seldom
and you will get more love.'
^ The prophet's wives.
* The women to the present day always remain behind a curtain
which screens off their part of the tent from the rest, but freely con-
verse with their husband and his guests, and hand over the dishes
and any other articles that may be required by the company.
° The prophet's wives.
L 2
148 THE QURAN. XXXIII, 55-63.
speak unveiled) to their fathers, or their sons, or
their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters'
sons, or their women, or what their right hands
possess ; but let them fear God, — verily, God is
witness over all.
Verily, God and His angels pray for the prophet.
O ye who believe ! pray for him and salute him
with a salutation ^ !
Verily, those who annoy God and His Apostle,
God will curse them in this world and the next, and
prepare for them shameful woe !
And those who annoy the believers for what they
have not earned, such have to bear (the guilt of)
calumny and obvious sin.
O thou prophet ! tell thy wives and thy daughters,
and the women of the believers, to let down over
them their outer wrappers ; that is nearer for them
to be known and that they should not be annoyed ;
but God is forgiving, merciful.
[60] Surely if the hypocrites and those in whose
hearts is a sickness and the insurrectionists in Me-
duiah do not desist, we will surely incite thee against
them. Then they shall not dwell near thee therein
save for a little while. Cursed wherever they are
found, — taken and slain with slaughter!
God's course with those who have passed away
before : and thou shalt never find in God's course
any alteration.
The folk will ask thee about the Hour ; say,
' The knowledge thereof is only with God, and what
is to make thee perceive that the Hour is haply
nigh ? '
^ See p. 145, note i.
XXXIII, 64-73- THE CHAPTER OF THE CONFEDERATES. 1 49
Verily, God has cursed the misbeHevers and has
prepared for them a blaze !
[65] To dwell therein for ever and for aye ; they
shall not find a patron or a helper!
On the day when their faces shall writhe in the
fire they shall say, * O, would that we had obeyed
God and obeyed the Apostle !'
And they shall say, ' Our Lord ! verily, we obeyed
our chiefs and our great men and they led us astray
from the path ! Our Lord ! give them double tor-
ment and curse them with a great curse ! '
O ye who believe ! be not like those who annoyed
Moses ; but God cleared him of what they said, and
he was regarded in the sight of God ^.
[70] O ye who believe ! fear God and speak a
straightforward speech. He will correct for you
your works, and pardon you your sins ; for he who
obeys God and His Apostle has attained a mighty
happiness.
Verily, we offered the trust - to the heavens and
the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear
it, and shrank from it ; but man bore it : verily, he
is ever unjust and ignorant. That God may tor-
ment the hypocritical men and hypocritical women,
and the idolaters and idolatresses ; and that God
may turn relenting towards the believing men and
believing women ; verily, God is ever forgiving,
merciful.
^ The occasion of the revelation of this verse is said to have
been that Mohammed being accused of unfairly dividing certain
spoils, said, ' God, have mercy on my brother Moses ; he was
wronged more than this, and bore it patiently.'
=^ That is, ' the faith.'
1 50 THE QUR'aN. XXXIV, 1-7.
The Chapter of Seba\
(XXXIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Praise belongs to God, whose is whatsoever is in
the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth ; His is
the praise in the next world, and He is the wise and
well aware !
He knows what goes into the earth, and what
comes forth therefrom, and what comes down from
the sky, and what ascends thereto; for He is the
merciful, forgiving.
Those who misbelieve say, 'The Hour shall not
come to us;' say, 'Yea, by my Lord it shall surely
come to you! by Him who knows the unseen! nor
shall there escape from it the weight of an atom, in
the heavens or in the earth, or even less than that,
or greater, save in the perspicuous Book;' and that
He may reward those who believe and do right ;
these, — for them is forgiveness and a noble provision.
[5] But those who strive concerning our signs to
frustrate them ; these, — for them is the torment of a
grievous plague.
And those to whom knowledge has been given
see that what is sent down to thee from thy Lord is
the truth, and guides unto the way of the mighty,
the praiseworthy.
And those who misbelieve say, ' Shall we guide
' A city of Yemen was also called Marab ; it was about three
days' journey from Sana'h. The bursting of the dyke of IMarab and
the destruction of the city by a flood are historical facts, and
happened in about the first or second century of our era.
XXXIV, 7-13- THE CHAPTER OF SEBA. I5I
you to a man who will inform you that when ye are
torn all to pieces, then ye shall be a new creation ?
he has forged against God a lie, or there is a ^inn
in him ;' — nay, those who believe not in the hereafter
are in the torment and in the remote error !
Have they not looked at what is before them and
what is behind them of the heaven and the earth ?
if we pleased we would cleave the earth open with
them, or we would make to fall upon them a portion
of the heaven ; verily, in that is a sign to every
repentant servant.
[10] And we did give David grace from us, ' O
ye mountains ! echo (God's praises) with him, and
ye birds!' and we softened for him iron: 'Make
thou coats of mail and adapt the rings thereof, and
do right ; verily, I at what ye do do look.' And to
Solomon the wind ; its morning journey was a
month, and its evening journey was a month ;
and we made to flow for him a fountain of
molten brass ; and of the ^inns some to work be-
fore him by the permission of his Lord ; and whoso
swerves amongst them from our bidding we will
give him to taste the torment and the blaze ; and
they made for him what he pleased of chambers,
and images, and dishes like troughs, and firm pots ;
— work, O ye family of David ! thankfully ; few is
it of my servants who are thankful.
And when we decreed for him death, naught
guided them to his death save a reptile of the earth
that ate his staff; and when he fell down it was
made manifest to the ^inns that, had they but
known the unseen, they need not have tarried in
the shameful torment \
The Mohammedan legend is that Solomon had employed the
152 THE QUr'aN. XXXIV, 14-19.
Seba had in their dwellings a sign; two gardens,
on the right hand and on the left, ' Eat from the
provision of your Lord ; and give thanks to Him ! a
good country and a forgiving Lord!' [15] but they
turned away, and we sent against them the flood
of the dyke ; and we changed for them their two
gardens into two gardens that grew bitter fruit and
tamarisk, and some few lote trees \
This did we reward them with, for that they mis-
believed ; and do we so reward any but misbe-
lievers ?
And we made between them and the cities which
we had blessed (other) cities which were evident ; and
we measured out the journey: 'Journey ye thereto
nights and days in safety !' And they said, 'Our Lord!
make a greater distance between our journeys;'
and they wronged themselves, and we made them
legends ; and we tore them all to pieces ; verily, in
that are signs to every patient, grateful person.
And Iblis verified his suspicion concerning them,
^inns to construct the temple of Jerusalem for him, and perceiving
that he must die before it was completed, he prayed God to conceal
his death from them lest they should relinquish the work when no
longer compelled to keep to it by fear of his presence. This
prayer was heard, and Solomon, w^ho died while resting on his
staff, remained in this position for a year without his death being
suspected, until a worm having eaten away his staff it broke, and
the corpse fell to the ground, thus revealing the fact of his death.
The shameful torment which the ^inns might have avoided is their
forced labour in building the temple.
^ The Rhamnus Nabeca of Forshal, the Rhamnus Nabeca
Spina Christi of Linnaeus, its fruit, which is called Nebuk, is a
small round berry, in taste something like the jargonelle pear,
and is a great favourite with the Bedawin. It grows freely in the
Sinaitic peninsula.
XXXIV, 19-26. THE CHAPTER OF SEBA. 1 53
and they followed him, save a party of the be-
lievers ^.
[20] Yet had he no authority over them, save
that we might know who it was that believed in
the hereafter from him who amono^st them was in
doubt ; for thy Lord guards everything.
Say, 'Call on those whom ye pretend beside God;'
they cannot control the weight of an atom in the
heavens or in the earth ; nor have they any partner-
ship in either ; nor has He amongst them any sup-
porter; nor is intercession of any avail with Him,
except for him whom He permits ; so that when
fright is removed from their hearts they say, 'What
is it that your Lord says ?' they say, ' The truth ;
for He is the high, the great.'
Say, ' Who provides from the heavens and the
earth ? ' Say, ' God.' And, verily, we or ye are
surely in guidance or in an obvious error.
Say, ' Ye shall not be asked about what we have
sent, nor shall we be asked about what ye do.
[25] 'Our Lord shall assemble us together; then
He shall open between us in truth, for He is the
opener who knows.'
Say, ' Show me those whom ye have added to
Him as partners; not so! nay, but He is God, the
mighty, the wise!*
^ A great trade used formerly to exist between Seba and Syria.
The Mohammedan commentators suppose that the cessation of
traflBc, which naturally caused the gradual ruin of the intermediate
towns, and the subsequent destruction of Seba or Mareb itself by
the flood, was a punishment for the covetous wish of the people of
the city, that the distances which traders had to pass over were
longer, so that they themselves might earn more money by pro-
viding them with camels and escorts.
154 THE QURAN. XXXIV, 27-36.
We have only sent thee to men generally as a
herald of glad tidings and a warner ; but most men
do not know.
And they say, ' When shall this promise be, if ye
do speak the truth ? ' say, ' For you is the appoint-
ment of a day of which ye shall not keep back an
hour, nor shall ye bring it on!'
[30] And those who misbelieve say, 'We will
never believe in this Our'an or in what is before
it;' but couldst thou see when the unjust are set
before their Lord, they shall rebut each other in
speech.
Those who were thought weak shall say to those
who were big with pride, ' Had it not been for you
we should have been believers.' Those who were
big with pride shall say to those who were thought
weak, ' Was it we who turned you away from the
guidance after it came to you ? nay, ye were sinners.'
And those who were thought weak shall say to
those who were big with pride, ' Nay, but it was the
plotting by night and day, when ye did bid us to
disbelieve in God, and to make peers for Him !' and
they shall display repentance when they see the
torment ; and we will put fetters on the necks of
those who misbelieved. Shall they be rewarded
except for that which they have done ?
We have not sent to any city a warner but the
opulent thereof said, ' We, in what ye are sent with,
disbelieve.'
And they say, 'We have more wealth and children,
and we shall not be tormented.'
[35] Say, 'Verily, my Lord extends provision to
whom He pleases or doles it out, but most men do
not know ; but neither your wealth nor your children
XXXiV, 36-44- THE CHAPTER OF SEBA. 1 55
is that which will bring you to a near approach to
us, save him who believes and does right ; these, for
them is a double reward for what they have done,
and they in upper rooms ^ shall be secure.'
And those who strive concerning our signs to
frustrate them, these in the torment shall be ar-
raigned. Verily, my Lord extends provision to
whomsoever He will of His servants, or doles it
out to him. And what ye expend in alms at all. He
will repay it ; for He is the best of providers.
And on the day He will gather them all together,
then He will say to the angels, 'Are these those
who used to worship you ? '
[40] They shall say, ' Celebrated be thy praises !
thou art our patron instead of them. Nay, they
used to worship the ^inns, most of them believe in
them 2. But to-day they cannot control for each
other, either profit or harm;' and we will say to
those who have done wrong, ' Taste ye the torment
of the fire wherein ye did disbelieve!'
And when our signs are recited to them^ they say,
' This is only a man who wishes to turn you from
what your fathers served;' and they say, 'This is
only a lie forged,' and those who misbelieve will
say of the truth when it comes to them, 'It is only
obvious sorcery ! '
But we have not brought them any book which
they may study, and we have not sent to them
before thee a warner.
Those before them said it was a He, and these ^
have not reached a tithe of what we had given them.
1 In Paradise. ^ See Part I, p. 127, note 2.
3 That is, the Meccans.
156 THE QUR'aN. XXXIV, 44-54.
And they said my apostles were liars, and how
great a change was then !
[45] Say, ' I only admonish you of one thing, that
ye should stand up before God in twos or singly,
and then that ye reflect that there is no ^^^inn in
your companion ^ He is only a warner to you
before the keen torment.'
Say, ' 1 do not ask you for it a hire ; that is for
yourselves ; my hire is only from God, and He is
witness over all.'
Say, ' Verily, my Lord hurls forth the truth ; and
He well knows the unseen.'
Say, ' The truth has come, and falsehood shall
vanish and shall not come back.'
Say, ' If I err I only err against myself; and if I
am guided it is all what my Lord inspires me ;
verily. He is the hearing, the nigh!'
[50] And couldst thou see when they are scared,
and there shall be no escape, and they shall be taken
from a place that is nigh. And they say, 'We
believe in it.' But how can they partake of it from
a distant place ? They misbelieved before, and con-
jectured about the unseen from a distant place. And
there shall be a barrier between them and that
which they lust after ; as we did with their fellow
sectaries before ; verily, they were in hesitating
doubt.
^ That he, Mohammed, is not possessed by a ^inn.
XXXV, 1-9- THE CHAPTER OF THE ANGELS. 1 57
The Chapter of the Angels ^
(XXXV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Praise belongs to God, the originator of the
heavens and the earth ; who makes the angels
His messengers, endued with wings in pairs, or
threes or fours ; He adds to creation what He
pleases ; verily, God is mighty over all !
What God opens to men of His mercy there is
none to withhold; and what He withholds, there is
none can send it forth after Him ; for He is the
mighty, the wise.
O ye folk ! remember the favours of God towards
you ; is there a creator beside God, who provides
you from the heavens and from the earth ? There
is no god but He ; how then can ye lie ?
And if they call thee liar, apostles were called
liars before thee, and unto God affairs return.
[5] O ye folk ! verily, God's promise is true; then
let not the life of this world beguile you, and let
not the beguiler beguile you concerning God.
Verily, the devil is to you a foe, so take him as
a foe ; he only calls his crew to be the fellows of
the blaze.
Those who misbelieve, for them is keen torment.
But those who believe and do right, for them is
forgiveness and a great hire.
What! is he whose evil act is made seemly for
him, so that he looks upon it as good, ?
^ Also called ' of the Originator.'
158 THE QURAN. XXXV, 9-15.
Verily, God leads astray whom He pleases and
guides whom He pleases ; let not thy soul then be
wasted in sighing for them ; verily, God knows
what they do !
[10] It is God who sends the winds, and they
stir up a cloud, and we irrigate therewith a dead
country, and we quicken therewith the earth after
its death ; so shall the resurrection be !
Whosoever desires honour — honour belono-s
wholely to God; to Him good words ascend, and
a righteous deed He takes up ; and those who plot
evil deeds, for them is keen torment, and their
plotting is in vain.
God created you from earth, then from a clot ;
then He made you pairs ; and no female bears or is
delivered, except by His knowledge; nor does he
who is aged reach old age, or is aught diminished
from his life, without it is in the Book ; verily, that
Is easy unto God.
The two seas are not equal : one is sweet and
fresh and pleasant to drink, and the other is salt
and pungent ; but from each do ye eat fresh flesh,
and bring forth ornaments which ye wear ; and thou
mayest see the ships cleave through it, that ye may
search after His grace, and haply ye may give
thanks.
He turns the night into day, and He turns the
day into night ; and He subjects the sun and the
moon, each of them runs on to an appointed goal ;
that is God, your Lord! His is the kingdom; but
those ye call on beside Him possess not a straw \
[15] If you call upon them they cannot hear your
XXXV, 15-25. THE CHAPTER OF THE ANGELS. 1 59
call, and if they hear they cannot answer you ; and
on the resurrection day they will deny your asso-
ciating them with God ; but none can inform thee
like the One who is aware.
O ye folk ! ye are in need of God ; but God, He
is independent, praiseworthy.
If He please He will take you off, and will bring
a fresh creation ; for that is no hard matter unto
God.
And no burdened soul shall bear the burden of
another ; and if a heavily laden one shall call for its
load (to be carried) it shall not be carried for it at
all, even though it be a kinsman ! — thou canst only
warn those who fear their Lord in the unseen and
who are steadfast in prayer ; and he who is pure is
only pure for himself; and unto God the journey is.
[20] The blind is not equal with him who sees,
nor the darkness with the night, nor the shade with
the hot blast ; nor are the living equal with the dead ;
verily, God causes whom He pleases to hear, and
thou canst not make those who are in their graves
hear ; thou art but a warner !
Verily, we have sent thee in truth a herald of
glad tidings and a warner ; and there is no nation
but its warner has passed away with it.
And if they called thee liar, those before thee
called their apostles liars too, who came to them
with manifest signs, and the Scriptures, and the
illuminating Book.
Then I seized those who misbelieved, and what a
change it was !
[25] Dost thou not see that God has sent down
from the heaven water, and has brought forth there-
with fruits varied in hue, and on the mountains
l60 THE QURAN. XXXV, 25-33.
dykes \ white and red, various in hue, and some
intensely black, and men and beasts and cattle,
various in hue ? thus ! none fear God but the wise
among His servants ; but, verily, God is mighty,
forgiving.
Verily, those who recite the Book of God, and are
steadfast in prayer, and give alms of what we have
bestowed in secret and in public, hope for the mer-
chandise that shall not come to naught ; that He
may pay them their hire, and give them increase of
His grace ; verily, He is forgiving, grateful.
What we have inspired thee with of the Book is
true, verifying what was before it ; verily, God of
His servants is well aware and sees.
Then w^e crave the Book for an inheritance to
those whom we chose of our servants, and of them
are some who wrong themselves, and of them are
some who take a middle course, and of them are
some who vie in good works by the permission of
their Lord ; that is great grace.
[30] Gardens of Eden shall they enter, adorned
therein with bracelets of gold and pearls ; and their
garments therein shall be silk ; and they shall say,
' Praise belongs to God, who has removed from us
our grief; verily, our Lord is forgiving, grateful!
w^ho has made us alight in an enduring abode of His
grace, w^herein no toil shall touch us, and there shall
touch us no fatigue.'
But those who misbelieve, for them is the fire of
^ The word is here used in its geological sense, and is applied to
the various coloured streaks which are so plainly to be seen in the
bare mountain sides of Arabia. The Arabs of the desert to this
day call them by the same name as is here used in the Qur an.
XXXV, 33-41- THE CHAPTER OF THE ANGELS. l6l
hell ; it shall not be decreed for them to die, nor
shall aught of the torment be lightened from them ;
thus do we reward every misbeliever ; and they shall
shriek therein, ' O our Lord ! bring us forth, and we
will do right, not what we used to do ! ' — ' Did we
not let you grow old enough for every one who
would be mindful to be mindful ? and there came to
you a Warner! — [35] So taste it, for the unjust shall
have none to help!' verily, God knows the unseen
things of the heavens and of the earth ; verily, He
knows the nature of men's breasts, He it is who
made you vicegerents in the earth, and he who mis-
believes, his misbelief is against himself; but their
misbelief shall only increase the misbelievers in
hatred with their Lord; and their misbelief shall
only increase the misbelievers in loss.
Say, ' Have ye considered your associates whom
ye call on beside God ?' show me what they created
of the earth ; have they a share in the heavens, or
have we given them a book that they rest on a
manifest sign ? nay, the unjust promise each other
naught but guile.
Verily, God holds back the heavens and the earth
lest they should decline ; and if they should decline
there is none to hold them back after Him ; verily.
He is clement, forgiving.
[40] They swore by God with their most strenuous
oath, verily, if there come to them a warner they
would be more guided than any one of the nations ;
but when a warner comes to them, it only increases
them in aversion, and in being big with pride in the
earth, and in plotting evil ; but the plotting of evil
only entangles those who practise it ; can they then
expect aught but the course of those of yore ? but
[9] M
1 62 THE QUR'aN. XXXV, 4 1 -XXXVI, 9.
thou shalt not find any alteration in the course of
God; and they shall not find any change in the
course of God.
Have they not journeyed on in the land and seen
what was the end of those before them who were
stronger than they ? but God, nothing can ever
make Him helpless in the heavens or in the earth;
verily, He is knowing, powerful.
Were God to catch men up for what they earn,
He would not leave upon the back of it^ a beast;
but He respites them until an appointed time. [45]
When their appointed time comes, verily, God looks
upon His servants.
The Chapter of Y. S.
(XXXVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Y. S. By the wise Our'an, verily, thou art of the
apostles upon a right way. The revelation of the
mighty, the merciful ! [5] That thou mayest warn
a people whose fathers were not warned, and who
themselves are heedless.
Now is the sentence due against most of them,
for they will not believe. Verily, we will place upon
their necks fetters, and they shall reach up to their
chins, and they shall have their heads forced back ;
and we will place before them a barrier, and behind
them a barrier ; and we will cover them and they
shall not see ; and it is all the same to them if thou
^ The earth.
XXXVI, 9-21- THE CHAPTER OF Y. S. 163
dost warn them or dost warn them not, they will not
believe. [lo] Thou canst only warn him who fol-
lows the reminder, and fears the Merciful in the
unseen ; but give him glad tidings of forgiveness and
a noble hire.
Verily, we quicken the dead, and write down what
they have done before, and what vestiges they leave
behind ; and everything have we counted in a plain
model ^.
Strike out for them a parable : the fellows of the
city when there came to it the apostles ; when we
sent those two and they called them both liars, and
we strengthened them with a third ; and they said,
' Verily, we are sent to you.'
They said, * Ye are only mortals like ourselves,
nor has the Merciful sent down aught ; ye are
nauorht but liars.'
[15] They said, 'Our Lord knows that we are
sent to you, and we have only our plain message to
preach.'
They said, ' Verily, we have augured concerning
you, and if ye do not desist we will surely stone you,
and there shall touch you from us a grievous woe.'
Said they, * Your augury is with you ; what ! if
ye are reminded — ? Nay, ye are an extravagant
people!'
And there came from the remote part of the city
a man hastening up. Said he, ' O my people ! fol-
low the apostles ; [20] follow those who do not ask
you a hire, and who are guided. What ails me that
I should not worship Him who originated me, and
unto whom I must return? Shall I take gods
1 The Umm al Kitab. See Part I, p. 2, note 2.
M 2
l64 THE QURAN. XXXVI, 21-36.
beside Him ? If the Merciful One desires harm
for me, their intercession cannot avail me at all,
nor can they rescue me. Verily, I should then be
in obvious error ; verily, I believe in your Lord,
then listen ye to me!'
[25] It was said, 'Enter thou into Paradise!'
said he, ' O, would that my people did but know I
for that my Lord has forgiven rne, and has made
me of the honoured.'
And we did send down upon his people no hosts
from heaven, nor yet what we were wont to send
down ; it was but a single noise, and lo ! they were
extinct ^
Alas for the servants! there comes to them no
apostle but they mock at him !
[30] Have they not seen how many generations
we have destroyed before them ? verily, they shall
not return to them ; but all of them shall surely
altogether be arraigned.
And a sio-n for them is the dead earth which we
have quickened and brought forth therefrom seed,
and from it do they eat ; and we made therein gar-
dens and palms and grapes, and we have caused
fountains to gush forth therein, [35] that they may
eat from the fruit thereof, and of what their hands
have made ; will they not then give thanks ?
Celebrated be the praises of Him who created
^ The legend is that Jesus sent two of His disciples to the city of
Antioch, none believing them but one 'Habib en Na.gga.T, that is,
''Habib the carpenter,' and all three were thrown into prison.
Simon Peter was subsequently sent to their rescue ; a great many
were converted, and the rest were destroyed by a shout from the
angel Gabriel. The shrine of 'Habib en Na^^ar at Antioch is still a
favourite place of pilgrimage for Mohammedans.
XXXVI, 36-50. THE CHAPTER OF Y. S. 165
all kinds, of what the earth brings forth, and of
themselves, and what they know not of!
And a sign to them is the night, from which
we strip off the day, and lo ! they are in the dark ;
and the sun runs on to a place of rest for it ^ ; that
is the ordinance of the mighty, the wise.
And the moon, we have ordered for it stations,
until it comes again to be like an old dry palm
branch.
[40] Neither is it proper for it to catch up the
moon, nor for the night to outstrip the day, but
each one floats on in its sky.
And a sign for them is that we bear their seed
in a laden ship '\ and we have created for them the
like thereof whereon to ride ; and if we please, we
drown them, and there is none for them to appeal
to ; nor are they rescued, save by mercy from us,
as a provision for a season.
[45] And when it is said to them, ' Fear what
is before you and what is behind you, haply ye may
obtain mercy 3;' and thou bringest them not any
one of the signs of their Lord, but they turn away
therefrom ; and when it is said to them, * Expend in
alms of what God has bestowed upon you,' those
who misbelieve say to those who believe, 'Shall
we feed him whom, if God pleased. He would feed ?
ye are only in an obvious error.'
They say, 'When shall this promise come to
pass, if ye do tell the truth?' They await but
a single noise, that shall seize them as they are
contending. [50] And they shall not be able to
^ There is a various reading here, ' and has no place of rest.'
2 Some take this to refer to Noah's ark.
3 That is, the punishment of this world and the next.
1 66 THE QURAN. XXXVI, 50-68.
make a bequest; nor to their people shall they
return ; but the trumpet shall be blown, and, behold,
from their graves unto their Lord shall they slip
out !
They shall say, ' O, woe is us! who has raised
us up from our sleeping-place ? this is what the
Merciful promised, and the apostles told the truth!'
It shall be but a single noise, and lo ! they are
all arraigned before us.
And on that day no soul shall be wronged at
all, nor shall ye be rewarded for aught but that
which ye have done.
[55] Verily, the fellows of Paradise upon that day
shall be employed in enjoyment; they and their
wives, in shade upon thrones, reclining; therein
shall they have fruits, and they shall have what they
may call for. 'Peace!' — a speech from the merciful
Lord !
' Separate yourselves to-day, O ye sinners ! [60]
Did I not covenant with you, O children of Adam !
that ye should not serve Satan ? verily, he is to you
an open foe ; but serve ye me, this is the right way.
But he led astray a numerous race of you ; what !
had ye then no sense ? this is hell, which ye were
threatened; broil therein to-day, for that ye mis-
believed !'
[65] On that day we will seal their mouths, and
their hands shall speak to us, and their feet shall
bear witness of what they earned. And if we
please we could put out their eyes, and they would
race along the road ; and then how could they see ?
And if we pleased we would transform them in their
places, and they should not be able to go on, nor
yet to return. And him to whom we grant old age,
XXXVI, 68-83. THE CHAPTER OF Y. S. 1 67
we bow him down in his form ; have they then no
sense ?
We have not taught him^ poetry, nor was it pro-
per for him ; it is but a reminder and a plain Quran,
[70] to warn him who is hving ; but the sentence is
due aofainst the misbeHevers.
Have they not seen that we have created for
them of what our hands have made for them,
cattle, and they are owners thereof ? and we have
tamed them for them, and of them are some to ride,
and of them are what they eat, and therein have
they advantages and beverages ; will they not then
cr'ive thanks ?
But they take, beside God, gods that haply they
may be helped. [75] They cannot help them; yet
are they a host ready for them ^.
But let not their speech grieve thee : verily, we
know what they conceal and what they display.
Has not man seen that we have created him from
a clot ? and lo ! he is an open opponent ; and he
strikes out for us a likeness ; and forgets his crea-
tion ; and says, ' Who shall quicken bones when
they are rotten?' Say, 'He shall quicken them
who produced them at first ; for every creation does
He know ; [80] who has made for you fire out of
a green tree, and lo ! ye kindle therewith.'
Is not He who created the heavens and the earth
able to create the like thereof? yea! He is the
knowing Creator; His bidding is only, when He
desires anything to say to it, ' BE,' and it is. Then
celebrated be the praises of Him in whose hands is
^ Mohammed.
2 1. e. they are ready to defend their false gods.
l68 THE QUR'aN. XXXVI, 83-XXXVII, 19.
the kingdom of everything ! arid unto Him shall ye
return.
The Chapter of the ' Ranged.'
(XXXVII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the (angels) ranged in ranks, and the drivers
driving \ and the reciters of the reminder, ' Verily,
your God is one, [5] the Lord of the heavens and
the earth and what is between the two, and the
Lord of the sunrises !'
Verily, we have adorned the lower heaven with
the adornment of the stars, and to preserve it from
every rebellious devil, that they may not listen to
the exalted chiefs ; for they are hurled at from every
side^ driven off, and for them is lasting woe; [10]
save such as snatches off a word, and there follows
him a darting flame !
Ask them ^ whether they are stronger by nature
or (the angels) whom we have created ? We have
created them of sticky clay.
Nay, thou dost wonder and they jest ! and when
they are reminded they will not remember ; and
when they see a sign they make a jest thereof,
[15] and say, 'This is naught but obvious sorcery.
What! when we are dead, and have become earth
and bones, shall we then be raised ? what ! and
our fathers of yore ? '
Say, ' Yes, and ye shall shrink up, and it shall only
^ Driving the clouds or ' scaring the devils.'
^ See Part I, p. 50, note 2. ^ The people of INIecca.
XXXVII, 19-46. THE CHAPTER OF THE RANGED. 1 69
be one scare, and, behold, they shall look on, [20] and
they shall say, ' O, woe is us ! this is the day of
judgment, this is the day of decision, which ye did
call a lie !' Gather ye together, ye who were unjust,
with their mates and what they used to serve beside
God, and guide them to the way of hell, and stop
them; verily, they shall be questioned. [25] 'Why
do ye not help each other ? ' nay, on that day they
shall resign themselves, and some shall draw near
to others, to question each other, and they shall say,
'Verily, ye came to us from the rights' They shall
say, * Nay, ye were not believers, nor had we any
authority over you ; nay, ye were an outrageous
people. [30] And the sentence of our Lord shall
be due for us; verily, we shall surely taste thereof;
we did seduce you — verily, we were erring too!'
therefore, verily, on that day they shall share the tor-
ment : thus it is that we will do with the sinners.
Verily, when it is said to them, ' There is no god
but God,' they get too big with pride, and say, [35]
'What! shall we leave our gods for an infatuated
poet?' Nay, he came with the truth, and verified
the apostles ; verily, ye are going to taste of grievous
woe, nor shall ye be rewarded save for that which
ye have done !
Except God's sincere servants, [40] these shall have
a stated provision of fruits, and they shall be honoured
in the gardens of pleasure, upon couches facing each
other 2; they shall be served all round with a cup
from a spring, [45] white and delicious to those who
drink, wherein is no insidious spirit, nor shall they
^ That is, with a good omen.
2 See Chapter XV, verse 47.
170 THE QURAN. XXXVII, 46-72.
be drunk therewith ; and with them damsels, re-
straining their looks, large eyed ; as though they
were a sheltered egg ; and some shall come forward
to ask others; and a speaker amongst them shall
say, * Verily, I had a mate, [50] who used to say,
" Art thou verily of those who credit ? What ! when
we are dead, and have become earth and bones,
shall we be surely judged ?'" He will say, * Are ye
looking down?' and he shall look down and see him
in the midst of hell. He shall say, ' By God, thou
didst nearly ruin me ! [55] And had it not been for
the favour of my Lord, I should have been among
the arraigned.'' — ' What ! shall we not die save our
first death ? and shall we not be tormented ? — Verily,
this is mighty bliss ! for the like of this then let the
workers work.'
[60] Is that better as an entertainment, or the
tree of Ez Zaqqum ^ ? Verily, we have made it a
trial to the unjust -. Verily, it is a tree that comes
forth from the bottom of hell ; its spathe is as it were
the heads of devils ; verily, they shall eat there-
from, and fill their bellies therefrom. [65] Then
shall they have upon it a mixture of boiling water ;
then, verily, their return shall be to hell.
Verily, they found their fathers erring, and they
hurried on in their tracks ; but there had erred
before them most of those of yore, [70] and we had
sent Warners amongst them. Behold, then, what was
the end of those who were warned, save God's sin-
cere servants !
^ Ez Zaqqum is a foreign tree with an exceedingly bitter fruit,
the name of which is here used for the infernal tree.
^ The unbelievers objected that the tree could not grow in hell,
where the very stones (see Part I, p. 4, note i) were fuel for the fire.
XXXVII, 73-98- THE CHAPTER OF THE RANGED. 171
Noah did call upon us, and a gracious answer did
we give ; and we saved him and his people from a
mighty trouble ; [75] and we made his seed to be the
survivors ; and we left for him amongst posterity
' peace upon Noah in the worlds ; verily, thus do
we reward those who do well ; verily, he was of
our believing servants.' [80] Then we drowned
the others.
And, verily, of his sect was Abraham ; when he
came to his Lord with a sound heart ; when he
said to his father and his people, ' What is it that
ye serve ? with a lie do ye desire gods beside
God ? [85] What then is your thought respecting
the Lord of the worlds ?'
And he looked a look at the stars and said,
'Verily, I am sick!' and they turned their backs
upon him fleeing ^. And he went aside unto their
gods and said, ' Will ye not eat ? [90] What ails
you that ye will not speak ? ' And he went aside
to them smitinor with the rio^ht hand.
And they - rushed towards him. Said he, ' Do
ye serve what ye hew out, when God has created
you, and what ye make ?'
[95] Said they, 'Build for him a pyre, and throw
him into the flaming hell!' They desired to plot
against him, but we made them inferior. Said he,
' Verily, I am going to my Lord, He will guide
me. My Lord ! grant me (a son), one of the
^ Mohammedan commentators say that he pretended to a know-
ledge of astrology and made as though he saw a presage of coming
sickness for himself in the stars, whereupon the others fled for fear
of contagion, and Abraham took the opportunity of absenting him-
self from the festival which was being held in honour of the idols.
^ The people of the city.
1^2 THE QUR'aN. XXXVII, 98-122.
righteous;' and we gave him glad tidings of a
clement boy.
[100] And when he reached the age to work with
him, he said, 'O my boy! verily, I have seen in
a dream that I should sacrifice thee \ look then
what thou seest right.'
Said he, ' O my sire ! do what thou art bidden ;
thou wilt find me, if it please God, one of the
patient !'
And when they were resigned, and Abraham had
thrown him down upon his forehead, we called to
him, 'O Abraham! [105] thou hast verified the
vision ; verily, thus do we reward those who do well.
This is surely an obvious trial.' And we ransomed
him with a mighty victim ; and we left for him
amongst posterity, ' Peace upon Abraham ; [no] thus
do we reward those who do well ; verily, he was of
our servants who believe ! ' And we gave him glad
tidings of Isaac, a prophet among the righteous ; and
we blessed him and Isaac ; — of their seed is one
who does well, and one who obviously wrongs
himself.
And we were gracious unto Moses and Aaron.
[115] We saved them and their people from mighty
trouble, and we helped them and they had the upper
hand ; and we gave them both the perspicuous
Book ; and we guided them to the right way; and we
left for them amongst posterity, [120] ' Peace upon
Moses and Aaron ; verily, thus do we reward those
who do well ; verily, they were both of our servants
who believe ! '
* The Mohammedan theory is that it was Ishmael and not
Isaac who was taken as a sacrifice.
XXXVII, 123-143- THE CHAPTER OF THE RANGED. I 73
And verily Elyas^ was of the apostles; when he
said to his people, 'Will ye not fear ? [125] do ye call
upon Baal and leave the best of Creators, God
your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore ?'
But they called him liar ; verily, they shall surely
be arraigned, save God's sincere servants. And we
left for him amongst posterity, [i 30] ' Peace upon
Elyasin- ; verily, thus do we reward those who do
well ; verily, he was of our servants who believe ! '
And, verily. Lot was surely among the apostles ;
when we saved him and his people altogether, [135]
except an old woman amongst those who lingered ;
then we destroyed the others ; verily, ye pass by
them in the morning and at night ; have ye then no
sense ?
And, verily, Jonah was amongst the apostles;
[140] when he ran away ^ into the laden ship; and
he cast lots and was of those who lost ; and a fish
swallowed him, for he was to be blamed ; and had
it not been that he was of those who celebrated
^ Supposed by the Mohammedans to be the same as AI 'H'ldhr
and Idris.
2 This is probably another form of the word Elyas, on the model
of many Hebrew words which have survived in the later Arabic
dialect. The Mohammedan commentators however conjecturally
interpret it in various ways, some consider it to be a plural form,
including Elias and his followers ; others divide the word and read
it Al-ya-sin, i.e. 'the family of Ya-sin,' namely, Elias and his father.
Others imagine it to mean Mohammed or the Qur'an. INIost
probably however the final syllable -in was nothing more than a
prolonged utterance of the case-ending, here improperly used in
order to preserve the rhyme or final cadence of the verse. The
modern Bedawin frequently do the same, and I have heard them
singing a song commencing ' Zaidun, Zaidun, Zaidun,' when they
should say, Zaidu, 'O Zaid!' &c. Trans.
2 The word used in the text is always applied to runaway slaves.
174 THE QURAN. XXXVII, 143-170.
God's praises he would surely have tarried in the
belly thereof to the day when men shall be raised.
[145] But we cast him on to the barren shore ;
and he was sick ; and we made to grow over him
a gourd tree ; and we sent him to a hundred
thousand or more, and they believed ; and we gave
them enjoyment for a season.
Ask them \ ' Has thy Lord daughters while they
have sons 2? [150] or have we created the angels
females while they were witnesses ? ' is it not of
their lie that they say, ' God has begotten ?' verily,
they are liars.
Has he preferred daughters to sons ? what ails
you? how ye judge! [155] will ye not be mindful,
or have ye obvious authority ? then bring your
Book if ye do speak the truth.
And they made him to be related to the ^inns,
while the ^inns know that they shall be arraigned ;
celebrated be God's praises from what they attri-
IfiitQ \ — [160] save God's sincere servants.
'Verily, ye and what ye worship shall not try
any one concerning him, save him who shall broil
in hell ; there is none amongst us but has his
appointed place, and, [165] verily, we are ranged,
and, verily, we celebrate His praises V
And yet they say, * Had we a reminder from
those of yore we should surely have been of God's
sincere servants.'
[170] But they misbelieved in it*; but soon shall
they know.
^ The INIeccans.
2 See Part I, p. 256, note 2.
' This speech is supposed to be the words of the angel Gabriel.
* I. e. in the Qur'an.
XXXVII, i7i-XXXVIII,3. THE CHAPTER OF S. I 75
But our word has been passed to our servants
who were sent that they should be helped ; that,
verily, our hosts should gain mastery for them.
Then turn thou thy back upon them for a time,
[175] and look upon them, for soon they too shall
look.
Would they hasten on our torment ? but when it
descends in their court, ill will the morning be of
those who have been warned !
But turn thy back upon them for a time ; and
look, for soon they too shall look.
[180] Celebrated be the praises of thy Lord, the
Lord of glory, above what they attribute ! and
peace be upon the apostles and praise be to God,
the Lord of the worlds !
The Chapter of S.^
(XXXVIIL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
S. By the Qur an with its reminder ! nay, but those
who misbelieve are in pride, schism !
How many a generation have we destroyed be-
fore them, and they cried out, but it was no time
to escape !
And they wonder that a warner has come from
amonorst themselves, and the misbelievers say, 'This
' The Arabic commentators say of this title, ' God only knows
what He means by it.' All the explanations given of it are purely
conjectural. See the Introduction for this and the other mysterious
letters used throughout the Qur'an.
176 THE QURAN. XXXVIII, 3-16.
is a magician, a liar ! ' What ! does he make the gods
to be one God ? verily, this is a wondrous thing.
[5] And the chiefs of them went away : ' Go on
and persevere in your gods; this is a thing designed ;
we never heard this in any other sect ; this is no-
thing but a fiction ! Has a reminder come down
upon him from amongst us ?' nay, they are in doubt
concerning my reminder ; nay, they have not yet
tasted of my torment !
Have they the treasures of the mercy of thy
mighty Lord, the giver ? or have they the kingdom
of the heavens and of the earth, and what is be-
tween the two ? — then let them chmb up the ropes
thereof.
[[o] Any host whatever of the confederates shall
there be routed.
Before them did Noah's people, and 'Ad, and
Pharaoh of the stakes ^ call the apostles liars ; and
Thamud and the people of Lot, and the fellows of
the Grove, they were the confederates too.
They all did naught but call the apostles liars,
and just was the punishment ! Do these ^ await
aught else but one noise for which there shall be
no pause ?
[15] But they say, 'O our Lord, hasten for us our
share before the day of reckoning !'
Be patient of what they say, and remember our
servant David endowed with might ; verily, he
^ Some say this refers to the punishment which Pharaoh used to
inflict upon those who had offended him, whom he used to tie to
four stakes and then torture. Others take the expression to refer
to the stability of Pharaoh's kingdom. The word in the original
is applied to the pegs with which Arabs fasten their tents.
' The INIeccans.
XXXVIII, l6-26. THE CHAPTER OF S. 1 77
turned frequently to us. Verily, we subjected the
mountains to celebrate with him our praises at the
evening and the dawn ; and the birds too gathered
together, each one would oft return to him ; and we
strengthened his kingdom, and we gave him wisdom
and decisive address.
[20] Has there come to thee the story of the
antagonists when they scaled the chamber wall ?
when they entered in unto David, and he was
startled at them, they said, ' Fear not, we are two
antagonists ; one of us has injured the other ; judge
then between us with the truth and be not partial,
but guide us to a level way. Verily, this is my
brother : he had ninety-nine ewes and I had one
ewe; and he said, "Give her over to my charge;"
and he overcame me in the discourse.' Said he,
* He wronged thee in asking for thy ewe in addition
to his own ewes. Verily, many associates do injure
one another, except those who believe and do what
is right, and very few are they!'
And he thought that we were trying him ; and he
asked pardon of his Lord and fell down bowing, and
did turn ; and we pardoned him ; for, verily, he has
a near approach to us and an excellent resort.
[25] O David ! verily, we have made thee a vice-
gerent, judge then between men with truth and
follow not lust, for it will lead thee astray from the
path of God. Verily, those who go astray from the
path of God, for them is keen torment, for that they
did forget the day of reckoning !
And we have not created the heavens and the
earth, and what is between the two, in vain. That
is what those who misbelieved did think, but woe
from the fire to those who misbelieve !
[9] N
178 THE QUR'An. XXXVIII, 27-34.
Shall we make those who believe and do right
like those who do evil in the earth ? or shall w^e
make the pious like the sinners ?
A blessed Book which we have sent down to
thee that they may consider its verses, and that
those endowed with minds may be mindful.
And we gave to David, Solomon, an excellent ser-
vant ; verily, he turned frequently to us. [30] When
there were set before him in the evening the steeds
that paw the ground \ and he said, 'Verily, I have
loved the love of gfood thinc:s better than the re-
membrance of my Lord, until (the sun) was hidden
behind the veil ; bring them back to me ;' and he
beran to sever their leo^s and necks.
And we did try Solomon, and we threw upon his
throne a form ; then he turned repentant 2. Said he,
^ The word in Arabic signifies a horse that stands on three legs
and just touches the ground with the fore part of the hoof of the
fourth. The story is that Solomon was so lost in the contempla-
tion of his horses one day that he forgot the time of evening prayer,
and was so smitten with remorse on discovering his negligence that
he sacrificed them all except a hundred of the best. God however
recompensed him by giving him dominion over the winds instead.
^ The Mohammedan legend, borrowed from the Talmud, is that
having conquered the king of Sidon and brought away his daughter
6^eradeh, he made her his favourite. She however so incessantly
mourned her father that Solomon commanded the devils to make
an image of him to console her, and to this she and her maids
used to pay divine honours. To punish him for encouraging this
idolatry, a devil named Sakhar one day obtained possession of his
ring, which he used to entrust to a concubine named Aminah when
he went out for any necessary purpose. As the whole secret of his
power lay in this ring, which was engraved with the Holy Name, the
devil was able to personate Solomon, who, being changed in form,
was not recognised by his subjects, and wandered about for the
space of forty days, the time during which the image had been
worshipped in his house. After this Sakhar flew away and threw
XXXVIII, 34-45- THE CHAPTER OF S. 1 79
' My Lord, pardon me and grant me a kingdom that
is not seemly for any one after me ; verily, thou art
He who grants !'
[35] And we subjected to him the wind to run on
at his bidding gently wherever he directed it ; and
the devils — every builder and diver, and others
bound in fetters — ' this is our gift, so be thou lavish
or withhold without account !'
And, verily, he had with us a near approach, and
a good resort.
[40] And remember our servant Job when he called
upon his Lord that ' the devil has touched me with
toil and torment !'
' Stamp with thy foot, this is a cool washing-place
and a drink.' And we granted him his family, and
the like of them with them, as a mercy from us
and a reminder to those endowed with minds, — ' and
take in thy hand a bundle, and strike therewith, and
break not thy oath ! ' Verily, we found him patient \ an
excellent servant ; verily, he turned frequently to us.
[45] And remember our servants Abraham and
the signet into the sea, where it was swallowed by a fish, which
was afterwards caught and brought to Solomon, who by this means
recovered his kingdom and power.
1 The Mohammedan legend is that when Job was undergoing
his trials, the devil appeared to his wife and promised, if she would
worship him, to restore their former prosperity; this she asked her
husband to allow her to do. Job was so enraged at her conduct that
he swore if he recovered to give her a hundred stripes. When Job
had uttered the prayer recorded on page 52, line 19, Gabriel ap-
peared and bade him in the words of the text to strike the ground
with his feet. A fountain at once gushed forth, in which he washed
and was healed, his wife also becoming young and beautiful again.
In order not to break his oath he was commanded to strike her
with a bundle of palm leaves, giving her a hundred painless blows
at once.
N 2
l8o THE QURAN. XXXVIII, 45-65.
Isaac and Jacob, endowed with might and sight ;
verily, we made them sincere by a sincere quaHty
— the remembrance of the abode ; and, verily, they
were with us of the elect, the best.
And remember Ishmael and Elisha and Diiu-1-
kifl, for each was of the righteous ^ This is a re-
minder ! verily, for the pious is there an excellent
resort, — [50] gardens of Eden with the doors open
to them ; — reclining therein; calling therein for much
fruit and drink ; and beside them maids of modest
glance, of their own age, — ' This is what ye were pro-
mised for the day of reckoning !' — 'This is surely our
provision, it is never spent !'
[55] This ! — and, verily, for the rebellious is there
an evil resort, — hell ; they shall broil therein, and an
ill couch shall it be ! This, — so let them taste it !
— hot water, and pus, and other kinds of the same
sort ! ' This is an army plunged in with you ! there
is no welcome for them ! verily, they are going to
broil in the fire ! '
[60] They shall say, ' Nay, for you too is there
no welcome ! it was ye who prepared it beforehand
for us, and an ill resting-place it is!'
They shall say, ' Our Lord ! whoso prepared this
beforehand for us, give him double torment in the
fire!' And they shall say, 'What ails us that we
do not see men whom we used to think amonest
the wicked ? whom we used to take for mockery ?
have our eyes escaped them ?'
Verily, that is the truth ; the contention of the
people of the fire.
[65] Say, ' I am only a warner ; and there is no
^ See page 53.
XXXVIII, 65-87. THE CHAPTER OF S. 181
god but God, the one, the victorious, the Lord of
the heavens and the earth, and v/hat is between the
two, the mighty, the forgiving!'
Say, 'It is a grand story, and yet ye turn from
it !' I had no knowledge of the exahed chiefs when
they contended.
[yo] I am only inspired that I am a plain warner.
When thy Lord said to the angels, 'Verily, I am
about to create a mortal out of clay; and when I
have fashioned him, and breathed into him of my
spirit, then fall ye down before him adoring.' And
the angels adored all of them, save Iblis, who was
too big with pride, and was of the misbelievers.
[75] Said He, ' O Iblis ! what prevents thee from
adoring what I have created with my two hands ? art
thou too big with pride ? or art thou amongst the
exalted?' Said he, 'I am better than he, Thou
hast created me from fire, and him Thou hast
created from clay.' Said He, 'Then go forth there-
from, for, verily, thou art pelted, and, verily, upon
thee is my curse unto the day of judgment.'
[80] Said he, ' My Lord ! then respite me until the
day when they are raised.' Said He, ' Then thou
art amongst the respited until the day of the stated
time.' Said he, ' Then, by Thy might ! I will surely
seduce them all together, except Thy servants
amongst them who are sincere!' [85] Said He, * It
is the truth, and the truth I speak ; I will surely
fill hell with thee and with those who follow thee
amongst them all together.'
Say, ' I do not ask thee for it any hire, nor am
I of those who take too much upon myself. It is but
a reminder to the servants, and ye shall surely know
its story after a time.'
l82 THE QURAN. XXXIX, 1-8.
The Chapter of the Troops.
(XXXIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The sending down of the Book from God, the
mighty, the wise.
Verily, we have sent down to thee the Book in
truth, then serve God, being sincere in religion unto
Him. Aye ! God's is the sincere religion: and those
who take beside Him patrons ' We do not serve
them save that they may bring us near to God '
Verily, God will judge between them concerning
that whereon they do dispute.
[5] Verily, God guides not him who is a mis-
believinor liar.
Had God wished to take to Himself a child,
He would have chosen what He pleased from
what He creates; — celebrated be His praises!
He is God, the one, the victorious. He created
the heavens and the earth in truth! It is
He who clothes the day with night ; and clothes
the night with day ; and subjects the sun and the
moon, each one runs on to an appointed time ; aye !
He is the mighty, the forgiving! He created you
from one soul ; then He made from it its mate ; and
He sent down upon you of the cattle four pairs' !
He creates you in the bellies of your mothers, —
creation after creation, in three darknesses ^ That
is God for you! His is the kingdom, there is no
god but He ; how then can ye be turned away ?
' Camel, oxen, sheep, and goats.
"^ I. e. the belly, the womb, and the placenta.
XXXIX, 9-17- THE CHAPTER OF THE TROOPS. 1 83
If ye be thankless, yet is God independent of you.
He is not pleased with ingratitude in His servants ;
but if ye give thanks, He is pleased with that in you.
But no burdened soul shall bear the burden of an-
other; then unto your Lord is your return, and He
will inform you of that which ye have done. [10]
Verily, He knows the natures of men's breasts!
And when distress touches a man he calls his
Lord, turning repentant to Him; then when He
confers on him a favour from Himself he foreets
what he had called upon Him for before, and makes
peers for God to lead astray from His way ! Say,
' Enjoy thyself in thy misbelief a little, verily, thou
art of the fellows of the Fire.'
Shall he who is devout throughout the night,
adoring and standing, cautious concerning the here-
after, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord . . , ?
Say, ' Shall those who know be deemed equal with
those who know not ? only those will remember,
who are endowed with minds ! '
Say, ' O my servants who believe ! fear your
Lord ! for those who do well in this world is good,
and God's earth is spacious ; verily, the patient
shall be paid their hire without count !'
Say, ' Verily, I am bidden to serve God, being-
sincere in religion to Him; and I am bidden that
I be the first of those resigned.'
[15] Say, 'Verily, I fear, if I rebel against my
Lord, the torment of a mighty day.' Say, ' God do
I serve, being sincere in my religion to Him; serve
then what ye will beside Him !' Say, 'Verily, the
losers are those who lose themselves and their
families on the resurrection day. Aye, that is the
obvious loss,'
1 84 THE QUr'aN. XXXIX, 18-24.
They shall have over them shades of fire, and
under them shades ; with that does God frighten
His servants : O my servants ! then fear me.
But those who avoid 7^a^//ut^ and serve them
not, but turn repentant unto God, for them shall be
glad tidings. Then give glad tidings to my servants
who listen to the word and follow the best thereof;
they it is whom God guides, and they it is who are
endowed with minds. [20] Him against whom the
word of torment is due, — canst thou rescue him
from the fire ?
But for those who fear their Lord for them are
upper chambers, and upper chambers above them
built, beneath which rivers flow ; God's promise !
God does not fail in His promise.
Hast thou not seen that God sends down from
the heaven water, and conducts it into springs in
the earth ? then He brings forth therewith corn
varied in kind, then it dries up, and ye see it grow
yellow; then He makes it grit; — verily, in that is
a reminder for those endowed with minds.
Is he whose breast God has expanded for Islam,
and who is in light from his Lord . . . . ? And woe
to those whose hearts are hardened against a remem-
brance of God ! those are in obvious error.
God has sent down the best of legends, a book
uniform and repeating ; whereat the skins of those
who fear their Lord do creep ! then their skins and
their hearts soften at the remembrance of God.
That is the guidance of God ! He guides therewith
whom He will. But he whom God leads astray
there is no guide for him.
^ See Part I, p. 40, note 2.
XXXIX, 25-37- THE CHAPTER OF THE TROOPS. 1 85
[25] Shall he who must screen himself with his
own face from the evil torment on the resurrection
day . . . . ? And it shall be said of those who do
wrong, taste what ye have earned.
Those before them called the (prophets) liars, and
the torment came to them from whence they per-
ceived it not ; and God made them taste disgrace in
the life of this world. But surely the torment of the
hereafter is greater, if they did but know. We have
struck out for men in this Our'an every sort of
parable, haply they may be mindful. An Arabic
Qur'an with no crookedness therein ; haply they
may fear !
[30] God has struck out a parable, a man who has
partners who oppose each other ; and a man who
is wholly given up to another ; shall they be deemed
equal in similitude ? praise be to God! nay, but most
of them know not !
Verily, thou shalt die, and, verily, they shall die ;
then, verily, on the resurrection day before your Lord
shall ye dispute.
And who is more unjust than he who lies against
God, and calls the truth a lie when it comes to him ?
Is there not in hell a resort for those who mis-
believe ? but whoso brings the truth and believes in
it, these are they who fear.
[35] For them is what they please with their Lord,
that is the reward of those who do well ; that God
may cover for them their offences which they have
done, and may reward them with their hire for the
best of that which they have done.
Is not God sufficient for His servants? and yet
they would frighten thee with those beside Him ^
^ By their idols.
1 86 THE QURAN. XXXIX, 37.45.
But he whom God leads astray there is no guide
for him ; and he whom God guides there is none to
lead him astray: is not God mighty, the Lord of
vengeance ?
And if thou shouldst ask them who created the
heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ' God !'
Say, * Have ye considered what ye call on beside
God ? If God wished me harm ^ could they remove
His harm ? or did He wish me mercy, could they
withhold His mercy?' Say, 'God is enough for
me, and on Him rely those who rely.'
[40] Say, ' O my people ! act according to your
power ; I too am going to act ; and ye shall
know.'
He to whom the torment comes it shall dis-
grace him, and there shall alight upon him lasting
torment.
Verily, we have sent down to thee the Book for
men in truth ; and whosoever is guided it is for his
own soul ; but whoso goes astray it is against them,
and thou art not a guardian for them.
God takes to Himself souls at the time of their
death ; and those which do not die (He takes) in
their sleep; and He holds back those on whom He
has decreed death, and sends others back till their
appointed time ; — verily, in that are signs unto a
people who reflect.
Do they take besides God intercessors ? Say,
' What ! though they have no control over anything
and have no sense.'
[45] Say, 'God's is the intercession, all of it ; His
* The pronoun in Arabic is feminine, and refers to the false
gods, especially to the fiivourite goddesses of the Quraij.
XXXIX, 45-54- THE CHAPTER OF THE TROOPS. 1 87
is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth ; then
unto Him shall ye be sent back.'
And when God alone is mentioned the hearts
of those who believe not in the hereafter quake, and
when those beside Him are mentioned, lo, they
are joyful !
Say, ' O God ! originator of the heavens and
the earth, who knowest the unseen and the visible,
thou wilt judge between thy servants concerning
that whereon they do dispute 1 '
And had those who do wrong all that is in the
earth, and the like thereof with it, they would
ransom themselves therewith from the evil of the
torment on the resurrection day! but there shall
appear to them from God that which they had
not reckoned on ; and the evils of what they have
earned shall appear to them ; but that shall close in
on them at which they mocked !
[50] And when harm touches man he calls
on us ; then, when we grant him favour from us,
he says, ' Verily, I am given it through know-
ledge !' nay, it is a trial, — but most of them do
not know !
Those before them said it too, but that availed
them not which they had earned, and there befel
them the evil deeds of what they had earned : and
those who do wrong of these (Meccans), there shall
befall them too the evil deeds of what they had
earned, nor shall they frustrate Him.
Have they not known that God extends His pro-
vision to whom He pleases, or doles it out ? verily,
in that are signs unto a people who believe.
Say, ' O my servants ! who have been extravagant
ao-ainst their own souls I' be not in despair of the
l88 THE QURAN. XXXIX, 54-65.
mercy of God ; verily, God forgives sins, all of diem ;
verily, He is forgiving, merciful.
[55] But turn repentant unto your Lord, and
resign yourselves to Him, before there comes on
you torment ! then ye shall not be helped : and
follow the best of what has been sent down to
you from your Lord, before there come on you
the torment suddenly, ere ye can perceive !
Lest a soul should say, ' O my sighing ! for what
I have neglected towards God ! for, verily, I was
amongst those who did jest ! ' or lest it should say.
If God had but guided me, I should surely have
been of those who fear!' or lest it should say, when
it sees the torment, ' Had I another turn I should be
of those who do well !'
[60] ' Yea ! there came to thee my signs and thou
didst call them lies, and wert too big with pride, and
wert of those who misbelieved!'
And on the resurrection day thou shalt see those
who lied against God, with their faces blackened. Is
there not in hell a resort for those who are too big
with pride ?
And God shall rescue those who fear Him, into
their safe place ; no evil shall touch them, nor shall
they be grieved.
God is the creator of everything, and He is
guardian over everything; His are the keys of
the heavens and the earth ; and those who mis-
believe in the signs of God, they it is who lose !
Say, ' What ! other than God would you bid me
serve, O ye ignorant ones ? [65] When He has
inspired thee and those before thee that, "If thou
dost associate aught with Him, thy work will surely
be in vain, and thou shalt surely be of those who
XXXIX, 65-73- THE CHAPTER OF THE TROOPS. 1 89
lose !" Nay, but God do thou serve, and be of those
who do give thanks !'
And they do not vahie God at His true value;
while the earth all of it is but a handful for Him on
the resurrection day, and the heavens shall be rolled
up in His right hand! Celebrated be His praise!
and exalted be He above what they associate with
Him! And the trumpet shall be blown, and those
who are in the heavens and in the earth shall swoon,
save whom God pleases. Then it shall be blown
again, and, lo! they shall stand up and look on. And
the earth shall beam with the light of its Lord, and
the Book shall be set forth, and the prophets and
martyrs^ shall be brought ; and it shall be decreed
between them in truth, and they shall not be
wronged! [70] And every soul shall be paid for
what it has done, and He knows best that which
they do ; and those who misbelieve shall be driven
to hell in troops ; and when they come there, its
doors shall be opened, and its keepers shall say to
them, ' Did not apostles from amongst yourselves
come to you to recite to you the signs of your Lord,
and to warn you of the meeting of this day of
yours ?' They shall say, ' Yea, but the sentence
of torment was due against the misbelievers !' It
shall be said, ' Enter ye the gates of hell, to dwell
therein for aye ! Hell is the resort of those who are
too big with pride ! '
But those who fear their Lord shall be driven
to Paradise in troops ; until they come there, its
doors shall be opened, and its keepers shall say
to them, ' Peace be upon you, ye have done well !
Or witnesses.
I go THE QURAN. XXXIX, 73-XL, 6.
SO enter in to dwell for aye ! ' and they shall say,
' Praise be to God, who hath made good His promise
to us, and hath given us the earth to inherit ! We
establish ourselves in Paradise wherever we please ;
and goodly is the reward of those who work !'
[75] And thou shalt see the angels circling round
about the throne, celebrating the praise of their
Lord ; and it shall be decided between them in
truth ; and it shall be said, ' Praise be to God, the
Lord of the worlds ! '
The Chapter of the Believer,
(XL. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. The sending down of the Book from God,
the mighty, the knowing, the forgiver of sin and
accepter of repentance, keen at punishment, long-
suffering! there is no god but He! to whom the
journey is !
None wrangle concerning the signs of God but
those who misbelieve; then let not their going to
and fro in the cities deceive thee.
[5] The people of Noah before them called the
prophets liars ; and the confederates after them ;
and every nation schemed against their Apostle
to catch him. And they wrangled with falsehood
that they might refute the truth thereby, but I
seized them, and how was my punishment !
Thus was the sentence of thy Lord due against
those who misbelieved, that they are the fellows of
the Fire !
XL, 7-15- THE CHAPTER OF THE BELIEVER. 191
Those who bear the throne and those around it
celebrate the praise of their Lord, and beheve in
Him, and ask pardon for those who believe : ' Our
Lord ! thou dost embrace all things in mercy and
knowledge, then pardon those who turn repentant
and follow thy way, and guard them from the
torment of hell ! Our Lord ! make them enter
into gardens of Eden which thou hast promised
to them, and to those who do well of their fathers,
and their wives, and their seed ; verily, thou art the
mighty, the wise ! and guard them from evil deeds,
for he whom thou shalt guard from evil deeds on
that day, thou wilt have had mercy on, and that is
mighty bliss !'
[10] Verily, those who misbelieve shall be cried
out to, ' Surely, God's hatred is greater than your
hatred of each other when ye were called unto the
faith and misbelieved !' They shall say, * Our Lord !
Thou hast killed us twice, and Thou hast quickened
us twice ^ ; and we do confess our sins : is there then
a way for getting out ?'
That is because when God alone was proclaimed
ye did disbelieve ; but when partners were joined to
Him ye did believe ; but judgment belongs to God,
the high, the great ! He it is who shows you His
signs, and sends down to you from heaven pro-
vision ; but none is mindful except him who
turns repentant ; then call on God, being sincere
in your religion to Him, averse although the mis-
believers be! [15] Exalted of degrees ! The Lord
^ Referring to the absence of life before birth and the deprivation
of it at death, and to the being quickened at birth and raised again
after death.
192 THE QURAN. XL, 15-26.
of the throne ! He throws the spirit by His bidding
upon whom He will of His servants, to give warning
of the day of meeting. The day when they shall
be issuing forth, naught concerning them shall be
hidden from God. Whose is the kingdom on that
day? — God's, the one, the dominant! to-day shall
every soul be recompensed for that which it has
earned. There is no wrong to-day ; verily, God is
quick at reckoning up !
And warn them of the day that approaches, when
hearts are choking in the gullets ; those who do
wrong shall have no warm friend, and no intercessor
who shall be obeyed. [20] He knows the deceitful
of eye and what men's breasts conceal, and God
decides with truth ; but those they call on beside
Him do not decide at all: verily, God, He both
hears and looks.
Have they not journeyed on in the earth and seen
how was the end of those who journeyed on before
them ? They were stronger than them in might,
and their vestiges are in the land; but God caught
them up in their sins, and they had none to guard
them against God.
That is for that their apostles did come to them
with manifest signs, and they misbelieved, and God
caught them up; verily, He is mighty, keen to
punish !
And we did send Moses with our signs, and with
obvious authority, [25] unto Pharaoh and Haman
and OarCm. They said, 'A lying sorcerer!' and when
they came to them with truth from us, they said,
' Kill the sons of those who believe with him, and
let their women live!' but the stratagem of the
misbelievers is only in error!
XL, 27-36. THE CHAPTER OF THE BELIEVER. I93
And Pharaoh said, * Let me kill Moses ; and then
let him call upon his Lord ! verily, I fear that he
will change your religion, or that he will cause
evil doing to appear in the land.'
And Moses said, 'Verily, I take refuge in my Lord
and your Lord from every one who is big with pride
and believes not on the day of reckoning.'
And a believing man of Pharaoh's people, who
concealed his faith, said, ' Will ye kill a man for
saying, My Lord is God, when he has come to you
with manifest signs from your Lord ? and if he be a
liar, against him is his lie; and if he be truthful, there
will befall you somewhat of that which he threatens
you ; verily, God guides not him who is an ex-
travagant liar. [30] O my people! yours is the
kingdom to-day, ye are eminent in the land, but who
will help us against the violence of God, if it comes
upon us ?'
Said Pharaoh, ' I will only show you what I see,
and I will only guide you into the way of right
direction.'
And he who believed said, ' O my people ! verily,
I fear for you the like of the day of the confederates,
the like of the wont of the people of Noah and 'Ad
and Haman, and of those after them ; for God desires
not injustice for His servants. O my people ! verily,
I fear for you the day of crying out, — [35] the day
when ye shall turn your backs, fleeing, with no
defender for you against God ; for he whom God
leads astray, for him there is no guide !
'And Joseph came to you before with manifest
signs, but ye ceased not to doubt concerning what
he brought you, until, when he perished, ye said,
" God will not send after him an apostle ;" thus
[9] o
194 I^HE QUR AN. XL, 36-46.
does God lead astray him who is extravagant, a
doubter.
' Those who wrangle concerning the signs of God
without authority having come to them are greatly
hated by God and by those who believe ; thus does
God set a stamp upon the heart of every tyrant
too big with pride ! '
And Pharaoh said, ' O Haman ! build for me a
tower, haply I may reach the tracts, — the tracts of
heaven, and may mount up to the God of Moses,
for, verily, I think him a liar.'
[40] And thus was his evil deed made seemly
to Pharaoh, and he was turned from the way; but
Pharaoh's stratagem ended only in ruin, and he who
believed said, ' O my people ! follow me, I will guide
you to th-e way of the right direction. O my people !
verily, the life of this world is but a provision, but,
verily, the hereafter, that is the abode of stability!
Whoso does evil, he shall only be recompensed with
the like thereof; and whoso does right, be it male
or female and a believer, these shall enter into
Paradise ; they shall be provided therein without
count. O my people ! why should I call you to
salvation, and you call me to the fire ? [45] Ye call
on me to disbelieve in God, and to join with Him
what I have no knowledge of; but I call you to
the mighty forgiving One ! no doubt that what ye
call me to, ought not to be called on in this world or
in the hereafter, and that we shall be sent back to
God, and that the extravagant, they are the fellows
of the Fire !
' But ye shall remember what I say to you ; and
I entrust my affair to God, verily, God looks upon
His servants ! ' . .
XL, 47-57- THE CHAPTER OF THE BELIEVER. I95
And God guarded him from the evils of what
they plotted, and there closed in upon Pharaoh
evil woe.
The fire — they shall be exposed to it morning
and evening; and 'on the day the Hour shall
arise,' enter, O people of Pharaoh ! into the keenest
torment.
[50] And when they argue together in the fire,
and the weak say to those who were big with pride,
'Verily, we were followers of yours, can ye then
avail us against a portion of the fire ?'
Those who were big with pride shall say, ' Verily,
we are all in it; verily, God has judged between His
servants.'
And those who are in the fire shall say unto the
keepers of hell, 'Call upon your Lord to lighten from
us one day of the torment.' They shall say, ' Did
not your apostles come to you with manifest signs ? '
They shall say, 'Yea!' They shall say, 'Then,
call!' — but the call of the misbelievers is only in
error.
Verily, we will help our apostles, and those
who believe, in the life of this world and on the
day when the witnesses shall stand up: [55] the
day when their excuse shall not avail the unjust ;
but for them is the curse, and for them is an
evil abode.
And we did give Moses the guidance ; and we
made the children of Israel to inherit the Book,
as a guidance and a reminder to those endowed
with minds.
Be thou patient, then; verily, God's promise Is
true : and ask thou forgiveness for thy sins, and
o 2
196 THE QUr'aN. XL, 57-66.
celebrate the praise of thy Lord in the evening
and in the morn.
Verily, those who wrangle concerning the signs of
God without authority having come to them, there
is naught in their breasts but pride ; but they shall
not attain it : do thou then seek refuge in God ;
verily. He both hears and looks!
Surely the creation of the heavens and the earth
is greater than the creation of man : but most men
know it not.
[60] The blind and the seeing shall not be deemed
alike, nor those who believe and do right and the
evildoer ; little is it that they remember.
Veril}', the Hour will surely come ; there is no
doubt therein ; but most men do not believe !
And your Lord said, 'Call upon me, I will answer
you ; verily, those who are too big with pride to
worship shall enter into hell, shrinking up.'
God it is who has made for you the night to
repose therein, and the day to see by; verily, God
is Lord of grace to men, but most men give no
thanks !
There is God for you ! your Lord ! the creator of
everything ! there is no god but He, how then can
ye lie^ ? [65] Thus did those lie who gainsaid the
si^rns of God.
God it is who has made for you the earth as
a resting-place, and a heaven as building, and has
formed you and made excellent your forms ; and
has provided you with good things ! there is God
for you ! — your Lord ! then blessed be God, the
Lord of the worlds !
^ Or ' turn away.'
XL, 67-76. THE CHAPTER OF THE BELIEVER. 1 97
He is the living One, there is no god but He !
then call on Him, being sincere in your religion to
Him ; praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds !
Say, ' Verily, I am forbidden to serve those whom
ye call on beside God, since there have come to me
manifest signs from my Lord, and I am bidden to
be resigned unto the Lord of the worlds.'
He it is who created you from the earth, then
from a clot, then from congealed blood, then He
brings you forth a child; then ye reach to puberty;
then do ye become old men, — though of you there
are some who are taken away before, — that ye
may reach an appointed time, and haply ye may
have some sense.
[70] He it is who quickens and kills, and when
He decrees a matter, then He only says to it, 'BE,'
and it is.
Hast thou not seen those who wrangle concerning
the signs of God how they are turned away ? Those
who call the Book, and what we have sent our
apostles with, a lie, soon shall they know — when
the fetters are on their necks and the chains, as
they are dragged into hell ! — then in the fire shall
they be baked.
Then it shall be said to them, * Where is what ye
did associate beside God?' They shall say, 'They
have strayed away from us ; nay, we did not call
before upon anything !' — thus does God lead the
misbelievers astray.
[75] There ! for that ye did rejoice in the land
without right ; and for that ye did exult ; enter
ye the gates of hell, to dwell therein for aye ; for
evil is the resort of those who are too big with
pride ! . ■
198 THE QURAN. XL, 77-85.
But be thou patient ; verily, the promise of God
is true ; and whether we show thee a part of what
we promised them, or whether we surely take thee
to ourself, unto us shall they be returned.
And we did send apostles before thee : of them
are some whose stories we have related to thee, and
of them are some whose stories we have not related
to thee ; and no apostle might ever bring a sign
except by the permission of God ; but when God's
bidding came it was decided with truth, and there
were those lost who deemed it vain !
God it is who has made for you cattle, that ye
may ride on some of them ; — and of them ye eat,
[80] and ye have in them advantages ; — and that ye
may attain thereon a want which is in your breasts ;
upon them and upon ships are ye borne.
He shows you His signs; which sign then of your
Lord do ye deny ?
Have they not journeyed on in the land and seen
how was the end of those before them, who were
more numerous than they and stronger in might, and
in their vestiees which are still in the land ? but of
no avail to them was that which they had earned.
And when there came to them their apostles with
manifest signs they rejoiced in what knowledge they
had ; but there closed in upon them that whereat
they had mocked.
And when they saw our violence they said, 'We
believe in God alone, and we disbelieve in what
we once associated with Him.'
[85] But their faith was of no avail to them when
they saw our violence — the course of God with His
servants in time past, and there the misbelievers
lose !
XLI, l-ll. THE CHAPTER 'DETAILED.' I99
The Chapter 'Detailed.'
(XLI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. A revelation from the merciful, the com-
passionate ; a book whose signs are detailed ; an
Arabic Qur'an for a people who do know; a herald
of glad tidings and a warning. But most of them
turn aside and do not hear, and say, ' Our hearts are
veiled from what thou dost call us to, and in our ears
is dulness, and between us and thee there is a veil.
Act thou; verily, we are acting too!' [5] Say,
' I am but a mortal like yourselves, I am inspired
that your God is one God ; then go straight to
Him, and ask forgiveness of Him ; and woe to the
idolaters, who give not alms, and in the hereafter
disbelieve !'
Verily, those who believe and do right, for them
is a hire that is not grudged.
Say, 'What ! do ye really misbelieve in Him who
created the earth in two days, and do ye make peers
for Him ? — that is the Lord of the worlds !'
And He placed thereon^ firm mountains above it
and blessed it, and apportioned therein its foods in
four days alike for those who ask. [10] Then He
made for the heaven and it was but smoke, and He
said to it and to the earth, 'Come, ye two, whether
ye will or no!' They said, 'We come willingly!'
And He decreed them seven heavens in two days,
and inspired every heaven with its bidding : and we
^ On the earth.
200, THE QURAN. XLT, 11-20.
adorned the lower heaven with lamps and guardian
angels ; that is the decree of the mighty, the know-
ing One.
But if they turn aside, then say, ' I have warned
you of a thunder-clap like the thunder-clap of 'Ad
and Thamud ; when their apostles came to them
from before them and from behind them (saying),
"Serve ye none but God/" They said, 'If our Lord
pleased He would send down angels ; so we in what
ye are sent with disbelieve.'
And as for 'Ad, they were big witb pride In the
land, without right, and said, 'Who is stronger than
us in might ?' Did they not see that God who
created them He was stronger than they in might ?
But they did gainsay our signs. [15] And we sent
upon them a cold blast in unfortunate days, that we
mio;ht make them taste the torment of disgrace in
the life of this world ; — bat the torment of the
hereafter is more disgraceful, and they shall not
be helped.
And as for Thamud we guided them ; but they
preferred blindness to guidance, and the thunder-
clap of the torment of abasement caught them for
what they had earned ; but we saved those who
believed and who did fear.
And the day when the enemies of God shall be
gathered together into, the fire, marshalled along ;
until when they come to it, their hearing and their'
eyesight and their skins shall bear witness against
them of that which they have done. [20] And they
shall say to their skins, 'Why have ye borne witness
against us?' they shall say, 'God gave us speech
who has given speech to everything ; He created
you at first, and unto Him shall ye be returned ;
XLI, 21-30. THE CHAPTER 'DETAILED.' 20I
and ye could not conceal yourselves that your hear-
ing and your eyesight should not be witness against
you, nor your skins ; but ye thought that God did
not know much of what ye do. And that thought
of yours which ye thought concerning your Lord
has destroyed you, and ye have now become of
those who lose ! '
And if they are patient, still the fire is a resort
for them ; and if they ask for favour again, they shall
not be taken into favour.
We will allot to them mates', for they have made
seemly to them what was before them and what was
behind them ; and due against them was the sentence
on the nations who passed away before them ; both of
^^inns and of mankind ; verily, they were the losers !
[25] Those who misbelieve say, ' Listen not to
this Quran, but talk foolishly about it, haply ye
may gain the upper hand "-! But we will make those
who misbelieve taste keen torment ; and we will re-
compense them with the worst of that which they have
done. That is, the recompence of the enemies of
God, — the fire ! for them is an eternal abode therein :
a recompence for that they did gainsay our signs.
And those who misbelieved say, 'Our Lord, show
us those who have led us astray amongst the ^inns
and mankind ; we will place them beneath our feet,
and they shall both be amongst those who are put
down!' [30] Verily, those who say, 'Our Lord is
God,' and then go straight, the angels descend upon
them—' fear not and be not grieved, but receive the
glad tidings of Paradise which ye were promised ;
^ Devils, opposed to the guardian angels of the believers.
2 I.e. interrupt the reading of the Qur'an by talking, in order to
overpower the voice of the reader.
202 THE QURAN. XLI, 31-4O.
we are your patrons in the life of this world and
in the next, and ye shall have therein what your
souls desire, and ye shall have therein what ye
call for, — an entertainment from the forgiving, the
merciful !'
And who speaks better than he who calls to
God and does right, and says, 'Verily, I am of those
resigned ? '
Good and evil shall not be deemed alike ; repel
(evil) with what is best, and lo ! He between whom
and thyself was enmity is as though he were a warm
patron. [35] But none shall meet with it save those
who are patient ; and none shall meet with it save
those who are endowed with mighty good fortune.
And if an incitement from the devil incites you,
then seek refuge in God ; verily, He both hears
and knows.
And of His signs are the night and the day, and
the sun and the moon. Adore ye not the sun,
neither the moon ; but adore God who created you,
if it be Him ye serve.
But if they be too big with pride — yet those who
are with thy Lord celebrate His praises by night
and day, and they are never weary.
And of His signs (is this), that thou mayest see
the earth drooping, and when we send down water
upon it it stirs and swells ; verily, He who quickens
it will surely quicken the dead ; verily, He is mighty
over all.
[40] Verily, those who are inclined to oppose our
signs are not hidden from us. Is he who is cast
into the fire better, or he who comes safe on the
resurrection day ? Do what ye will : verily. He on
what ye do doth look.
XLI, 41-47. THE CHAPTER ' DETAILED.'
',•)
Verily, those who misbelieve in the reminder when
it comes to them — and, verily, it is a glorious Book !
falsehood shall not come to it, from before It, nor
from behind it — a revelation from the wise, the praise-
worthy One. Naught is said to thee but what was
said to the apostles before thee, 'Verily, thy Lord is
Lord of forgiveness and Lord of grievous torment !'
And had we made it a foreign Qur'an, they would
have said, 'Unless its signs be detailed. . . . What!
foreign and Arabic^?' Say, 'It is, for those who
believe, a euidance and a healinQ^. But those who
believe not, in their ears is dulness, and it is blind-
ness to them ; these are called to from a far-off
place.'
[45] And we gave Moses the Book, and it was dis-
puted about ; but had it not been for thy Lord's word
already passed it would have been decided between
them, for, verily, they were in hesitating doubt
thereon.
Whoso does right it is for his soul, and whoso
does evil it is against it, for thy Lord is not unjust
towards His servants.
To Him is referred the knowledge of the Hour:
and no fruits come forth from their husks, and no
female conceives, or is delivered, save with His
knowledge.
And the day when He shall call to them, 'Where
1 I. e. they would have said, 'What ! is the revelation in a foreign
tongue, and we who are expected to read it Arabs ?' This is para-
phrased by Sale: 'If we had revealed the Qur'an in a foreign
language, they had surely said, " Unless the signs thereof be dis-
tinctly explained we will not receive the same: is the Book
to be written in a foreign tongue, and the person unto whom
it is directed an Arabian?"'
204 THE QURAN. XLI, 47-54.
are the partners ye did join with me ?' they shall
say, ' We do own to thee there is no witness amongst
us !' and that on which they used to call before shall
stray away from them, and they shall think there is
no escape for them. Man is never tired of praying
for good, but if evil touch him, then he is despairing
and hopeless.
[50] But if we make him taste mercy from us after
distress has touched him he will surely say, * This is
for me, and I do not think the Hour is imminent ;
and if I be brought back to my Lord, verily, I shall
surely have good with Him^;' but we will inform
those who misbelieve of what they have done, and
we will surely make them taste wretched torment.
And when we have been o-racious to man, he turns
away and goes aside; but when evil touches him he is
one of copious prayer.
Say, ' Let us see now ! if it be from God and ye
disbelieve in it, who is more in error than he who
is in a remote schism ? '
We will show them our signs in the regions and
in themselves, until it is plain to them that it is the
truth. Is it not enough for thy Lord that He is
witness over all } Ay, verily, they are in doubt
about the meeting of their Lord! Ay, verily. He
encompasses all !
^ Or the words may be rendered, ' There is good with him still
due to me.'
XLII, 1-9. THE CHAPTER OF COUNSEL. 205
The Chapter of Counsel.
(XLII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. 'H. S. Q. Thus does God, the mighty, the
wise, inspire thee and those before thee.
His is what is in the heavens and what is in the
earth, and He is the high, the mighty !
The heavens well-nigh cleave asunder from above
them ; and the angels celebrate the praises of their
Lord, and ask forgiveness for those who are on the
earth. Ay, verily, God, He is the forgiving and
merciful ! but those who take beside Him patrons,
God watches over them, and thou hast not charge
over them.
[5] Thus have we revealed an Arabic Quran,
that thou mayest warn the Mother of cities^ and all
around it ; and warn them of a day of gathering, there
is no doubt therein ; — a part in Paradise and a part
in the blaze.
But had God pleased He would have made them
one nation ; but He makes whom He will enter into
His mercy; and the unjust have neither patron nor
help. Do they take other patrons besides Him,
when God He is the patron, and He quickens the
dead and He is mighty over all ?
But whatsoever ye dispute about, the judgment
of it is God's. There is God for you! — my Lord!
upon Him do I rely, and unto Him I turn repentant.
The orioinator of the heavens and the earth. He
^ Mecca.
206 THE QURAN. XLII, 9-15.
has made for you from yourselves wives ; and of the
cattle mates ; producing you thereby. There is
naught like Him, for He both hears and sees.
[10] His are the keys of the heavens and the
earth, He extends provision to whom He will, or
doles it out; verily, He knows everything.
He has enjoined upon you for religion what He
prescribed to Noah and what we inspired thee with,
and what we inspired Abraham and Moses and
Jesus, — to be steadfast in religion, and not to part
into sects therein — a great thing to the idolaters is
that w^iich ye call them to! God elects for Himself
whom He pleases and guides unto Himself him who
turns repentant.
But they did not part into sects until after the
knowledge had come to them, through mutual envy;
and had it not been for thy Lord's word already
passed for an appointed time, it would surely have
been decided between them ; but, verily, those who
have been given the Book as an inheritance after
them, are in hesitating doubt concerning it.
Wherefore call thou, and go straight on as thou
art bidden, and follow not their lusts ; and say, ' I
believe in the Book which God has sent down ; and
I am bidden to judge justly between you. God is
our Lord and your Lord ; we have our works and
ye have your works ; there is no argument between
us and you. God will assemble us together and
unto Him the journey is.'
[15] But those who argue about God after it has
been assented to \ their arguments shall be rebutted
^ I. e. after the faith of Islam had been accepted by them, or
after God had assented to the prophet's prayer and supported the
XLII, 15-22. THE CHAPTER OF COUNSEL. 207
before their Lord ; and upon them shall be wrath,
and for them shall be keen torment.
God it is who has sent down the Book with truth,
and the balance ^ ; and what shall make thee know
whether haply the Hour be nigh ? Those who be-
lieve not would hurry it on ; and those who believe
shrink with terror at it and know that it is true.
Ay, verily, those who dispute concerning the Hour
are in remote error !
God is kind to His servants; He provides whom
He will, and He is the mighty, the glorious.
He who wishes for the tilth of the next world, we
will increase for him the tilth ; and he who desires
the tilth of this world, we will give him thereof : but
in the next he shall have no portion.
[20] Have they associates who have enjoined any
religion on them which God permits not ?^ — but were
it not for the word of decision ^ it would have been
decreed to them. Verily, the unjust, — for them is
grievous woe. Thou shalt see the unjust shrink
with terror from what they have gained as it falls
upon them ; and those who believe and do right, in
meads of Paradise, they shall have what they please
with their Lord ; — that is great grace !
That is what God gives glad tidings of to His
servants who believe and do righteous acts.
Say, ' I do not ask for it a hire — only the love of
my kinsfolk.' And he who gains a good action
faith, or after the Jews and Christians had assented to the teaching
of Mohammed, for the commentaries are uncertain as to the exact
meaning of the phrase.
^ I. e. the law contained in the Qur'an.
^ I. e. were it not that God has promised that those things shall
be decided at the day of judgment.
2o8 THE QURAN. XLII, 22-33.
we will increase good for him thereby; verily, God
is forgiving- and grateful !
Or will they say he has forged against God a lie ?
But if God pleased He could set a seal upon thy
heart ; but God will blot out falsehood and verify
truth by His word; verily, He knows the nature of
men's breasts !
He it is who accepts repentance from His ser-
vants and pardons their offences and knows that
which ye do. [25] And He answers the prayer
of those who believe and do right, and gives them
increase of His grace; but the misbelievers, — for
them is keen torment.
And if God were to extend provision to His ser-
vants they would be wanton in the earth. But He
sends down by measure what He pleases ; verily, of
His servants He is well aware and sees.
He it is who sends down the rain after they have
despaired; and disperses His mercy, for He is the
praiseworthy patron.
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens
and the earth, and what He hath spread abroad
therein of beasts ; and He is able to collect them
when He will.
And what misfortunes befall you it is for what your
hands have earned ; but He pardons much ; [30] yet
ye cannot make Him helpless in the earth, nor have
ye, besides God, either a patron or a helper.
And of His signs are the ships that sail like
mountains in the sea. If He will, He calms the
wind, and they become motionless on the back
thereof: verily, in that are signs to every patient,
grateful person : — or He makes them founder for
what they have earned ; but He pardons much.
XLII, 33-44. THE CHAPTER OF COUNSEL. 209
6ut let those who wrangle about our signs know
that they shall have no escape !
And whatever ye are given it is but a provision
of the life of this world ; but what is with God is
better and more lasting for those who believe and
who upon their Lord rely, [35] and those who
avoid great sins and abominations, and who when
they are wroth forgive, and who assent to their
Lord, and are steadfast in prayer, and whose affairs
go by counsel amongst themselves, and who of what
we have bestowed on them give alms, and who,
when wrong befalls them, help themselves.
For the recompence of evil is evil like unto it ; but
he who pardons and does well, then his reward is
with God ; verily. He loves not the unjust. And he
who helps himself after he has been wronged, for
these — there is no way against them. [40] The
way is only against those who wrong men and are
wanton in the earth without right ; these — for them
is grievous woe.
But surely he who is patient and forgives, — verily,
that is a determined affair ^
But whomsoever God leads astray he has no
patron after Him; and thou mayest see the unjust
when they see the torment say, ' Is there no way to
avert this^?' and thou mayest see them exposed to it,
humbled with abasement, looking with a stealthy
glance. And those who believe shall say, ' Verily,
the losers are they who have lost themselves and
their families too upon the resurrection day!' Ay,
verily, the unjust are in lasting torment!
^ I. e. it is a duty laid down by law.
2 Or ' to return (to the world),' Baia%avi.
[9] P
210 THE QURAN. XLII, 45-53-
[45] And they shall have no patrons to help them
beside God, and whomsoever God leads astray,
there is no way for him.
Assent to your Lord before the day comes of
w^hich there is no averting from God; there is no
refuge for you on that day; and for you there is
no denial.
But if they turn aside, we have not sent thee to
them as a guardian, thou hast only thy message
to preach.
And, verily, when we have made man taste of mercy
from us he rejoices therein ; but if there befall them
an evil for what their hands have done before —
then, verily, man is ungrateful !
God's is the kingdom of the heavens and the
earth, He creates what He pleases, He grants to
whom He pleases females, and He grants to whom
He pleases males, or He gives them in pairs, males
and females ; and He makes whom He pleases
barren ; verily, He is knowing, powerful !
[50] It is not for any mortal that God should
speak to him, except by inspiration, or from behind
a veil, or by sending an apostle and inspiring, by His
permission, what He pleases; verily, He is high and
wise !
And thus have we inspired thee by a spirit^ at our
bidding ; thou didst not know what the Book was,
nor the faith : but we made it a light whereby we
guide whom we will of our servants. And, verily,
thou shalt surely be guided into the right way, — the
way of God, whose is what is in the heavens and
what is in the earth. Ay, to God affairs do tend !
^ Gabriel.
XLIII, I-I3. THE CHArTER OF GILDING. 211
The Chapter of Gilding.
(XLIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. By the perspicuous Book, verily, we have
made it an Arabic Qur'an ; haply ye will have some
sense. And it is in the Mother of the Book with
us, — high and wise \ Shall w^e then push aside from
you the Reminder, because ye are a people who are
extravagant ?
[5] How many prophets have we sent amongst
those of yore ? and there never came to them a pro-
phet but they did mock at him ; then we destroyed
them — more valiant than these 2; and the example
of those of yore passed away.
And if thou shouldst ask them who created the
heavens and the earth, they will surely say, * The
mighty, the knowing One created them,' who made
for you the earth a couch and placed for you therein
roads, haply ye may be guided: [lo] and who sent
down from the heaven water in due measure ; and
we raised up thereby a dead country ; thus shall ye
too be brought forth; and who has created all
species; and has made for you the ships and the
cattle whereon to ride that ye may settle yourselves
on their backs ; then remember the favour of your
Lord when ye settled thereon, and say, ' Celebrated
be the praises of Him who hath subjected this to
us ! We could not have got this ourselves ; and,
verily, unto our Lord shall we return !'
^ See Part I, p. 2, note 2. ^ I. e. the r>Ieccans.
P 2
2 12 THE QURAN. XLIII, 14-23.
Yet they make for Him of His servants offspring ;
verily, man is surely obviously ungrateful.
[15] Has He taken of what He creates daughters,
and chosen sons for you ?
Yet when the tidings^ are given any one of that
which he strikes out as a similitude for the Merciful
One, his face grows black and he is choked. What !
one brought up amongst ornaments, and who is
always in contention without obvious cause ^ ?
And have they made the angels, who are the ser-
vants of the Merciful One, females ? Were they
witnesses of their creation ? their witness shall be
written down, and they shall be questioned ; and
they say, ' Had the Merciful pleased we should never
have worshipped them.' They have no knowledge
of that, they only conjecture.
[20] Have we given them a book^ before it to
which they might hold ?
Nay; they say, * We found our fathers (agreed)
upon a religion, and, verily, we are guided by their
traces.'
Thus, too, did we never send before thee to a
city any warner, but the affluent ones thereof said,
* Verily, we found our fathers (agreed) upon a reli-
gion, and, verily, we are led by their traces.'
Say, 'What ! if I come to you with what is a better
guide than what ye found your fathers agreed upon ?'
and they will say, 'Verily, we in what ye are sent
with disbelieve !'
' I. e. of the birth of a daughter, see Part I, p. 256, note 2,
^ I. e. what ! do they assign children of this kind, viz. daughters,
to God?
^ I. e. a scripture authorising the practice of their religion, such
as the worship of angels and the ascribing of daughters to God.
XLIII, 24-35- THE CHAPTER OF GILDING. 21-5
J
Then we took vengeance on them, and see how
was the end of those who called the (apostles)
liars.
[25] When Abraham said to his father and his
people, 'Verily, I am clear of all that ye serve,
except Him who created me; for, verily. He will
guide me :' and he made it a word remaining among
his posterity, that haply they might return.
Nay; but I let these (Meccans) and their fathers
have enjoyment until the truth came to them, and
an apostle. And when the truth came to them they
said, ' This is magic, and we therein do disbelieve !'
[30] And they say, 'Unless this Our'an were sent
down to a man great in the two cities. . . .^'
Is it they who distribute the mercy of thy Lord ?
We distribute amongst them their livelihood in the
life of this world, and we exalt some of them above
others in degrees, that some may take others into
subjection ; but the mercy of thy Lord is better than
that which they amass.
And but that men would then have been one
nation, we would have made for those who mis-
believe in the Merciful One roofs of silver for their
houses, and steps up thereto which they might
mount; and to their houses doors, and bedsteads
on which they might recline ; and gilding,— for,
verily, all that is a provision of the life of this
world, but the hereafter is better with thy Lord
for those who fear!
[35] And whosoever turns from the reminder of the
Merciful One, we will chain to him a devil, who shall
^ I. e. had it been sent down to some man of influence and im-
portance in INIecca and Ta'if we would have received it.
2T4 THE QURAN. XLIII, 35-48.
be his mate ; and, verily, these shall turn them from
the path while they reckon that they are guided ;
until when he comes to us he shall say, 'O, would
that between me and thee there were the distance
of the two orients \ for an evil mate (art thou) ! '
But it shall not avail you on that day, since ye were
unjust ; verily, in the torment shall ye share !
What ! canst thou make the deaf to hear, or guide
the blind, or him who is in obvious error ?
[40] Whether then we take thee off we will
surely take vengeance on them; or whether we
show thee that which we have promised them ;
for, verily, we have power over them.
Say, ' Dost thou hold to what is inspired thee ?'
verily, thou art in the right way, and, verily, it is
a reminder to thee and to thy people, but in the end
they shall be asked.
And ask those whom we have sent before thee
amongst the prophets, ' Did we make gods beside
the Merciful One for them to serve ? '
[45] We did send Moses with our signs to Pha-
raoh and his chiefs, and he said, * Verily, I am the
apostle of the Lord of the worlds ; but when he
came to them with our signs, lo, they laughed at
them !'
And we did not show them a sign, but it was
greater than its fellow ; and we seized them with
the torment, haply they might turn.
And they said, ' O thou magician ! pray for us to
thy Lord, as He has engaged with thee : verily, we
are guided.'
^ I. e, the east and west, though some understand it between the
two solstices.
XLIII, 49-6i- THE CHAPTER OF GILDING. 215
And when we removed from them the torment,
behold they broke their word.
[50] And Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people ;
said he, ' O my people ! is not the kingdom of Egypt
mine ? and these rivers that flow beneath me ?
What ! can ye then not see ? Am I better than
this fellow, who is contemptible, who can hardly
explain himself^ ? Unless then bracelets of gold be
cast upon him, or there come with him angels as
his mates . . . !'
And he taught his people levity; and they obeyed
him : verily, they were an abominable people.
[55] And when they had annoyed us we took
vengeance on them, and we drowned them all to-
gether, and we made them a precedent and an
example to those after them.
And when the son of Mary was set forth as a
parable, behold thy people turned away from him
and said, 'Are our gods better, or is he?' They
did not set it forth to thee save for wrangling. Nay,
but they are a contentious people ^.
He is but a servant whom we have been gracious
to, and we have made him an example for the chil-
dren of Israel. [60] And if we please we can make
of you angels in the earth to succeed you ^ And,
verily, he is a sign of the Hour ^. Doubt not then
^ See p. 36, note r.
2 The Arabs objected that Jesus was worshipped by Christians
as a God, and that when Mohammed cursed their false gods, the
ban must apply equally to him.
2 Just as Jesus was miraculously conceived, so can miraculously
conceived offspring be produced among the Meccans themselves.
* Some read, ' a sign,' which is perhaps better. The reference is
to the predicted second advent of the INIessiah, which is to precede
2i6 THE QURAN. XLIII, 61-75.
concerning it, but follow this right way ; and let not
the devil turn you away; verily, he is to you an
open foe !
And when Jesus came with manifest signs he
said, ' I am come to you with wisdom, and I will
explain to you something of that whereon ye did
dispute, then fear God, obey me; verily, God, He
is my Lord and your Lord, serve Him then, this
is the right way.'
[65] But the confederates disputed amongst them-
selves ; and woe to those w^ho are unjust from the
torment of a grievous day !
Do they expect aught but that the Hour will
come upon them suddenly while they do not per-
ceive ? Friends on that day shall be foes to each
other, save those who fear.
O my servants ! there is no fear for you on that
day; nor shall ye be grieved who believe in our
signs and who are resigned. [70] Enter ye into
Paradise, ye and your wives, happy !
Dishes of gold and pitchers shall be sent round to
them ; therein is what souls desire, and eyes shall
be delighted, and ye therein shall dwell for aye ; for
that is Paradise which ye are given as an inherit-
ance for that which ye have done. Therein shall
ye have much fruit whereof to eat.
Verily, the sinners are in the torment of hell to
dwell for aye. [75] It shall not be intermitted for
them, and they therein shall be confused. We have
not wronged them, but it was themselves they
wronged.
the end of the world. Some commentators, however, read 'it,'
instead of ' he,' referring to the Qur'an, instead of to Jesus.
XLIII, 76-86. THi; CHAPTER OF GILDING. 2 1 7
And they shall cry out, 'O Malik \l let thy lord
make an end of us;' he shall say, 'Verily, ye are to
tarry here.'
We have brought you the truth, but most of you
are averse from the truth. Have they arranged the
affair ? then will we arrange it too ^ !
[80] Or do they reckon that we did not hear their
secrets and their whispering ? Nay, but our mes-
sengers are with them writing down^
Say, ' If the Merciful One has a son then am I
the first to worship him. Celebrated be the praise
of the Lord of the heavens and the earth ! the Lord
of the throne, above all they attribute to Him !
But leave them to ponder and to play until they
meet that day of theirs which they are promised.
He it is who is in the heaven a God and in the
earth a God! and He is the wise, the knowing.
[85] And blessed be he whose is the kingdom of
the heavens and the earth, and what is between
both, and His is the knowledge of the Hour, and
unto Him shall ye be brought back !
And those they call on beside Him shall not
possess intercession except those only who bear
witness for the truth and who do know.
And if thou shouldst ask them who created
them they will surely say, 'God!' How then can
they lie ?
And what he * says, ' O Lord, verily, these are
^ Malik is the keeper of hell, and presides over the tortures of
the damned.
2 The word used signifies twisting up the strands of a rope.
^ I. e. the recording angel.
* Mohammed.
2l8 THE QURAN. XLIII, 86-XLIV, 17.
a people who do not believe ; shun them then and
say, "Peace !" for they at length shall know!'
The Chapter of Smoke.
(XLIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. By the perspicuous Book! verily, we have
sent it down on a blessed night; — verily, we had
given warning — wherein is decided every wise affair,
as an order from us. Verily, we were sending
(apostles) — [5] a mercy from thy Lord; verily. He
both hears and knows : from the Lord of the
heavens and the earth and what is between the
two, if ye were but sure. There is no god but
He, He quickens and He kills — your Lord and
the Lord of your fathers of yore ! Nay, they in
doubt do play !
But expect thou the day when the heaven shall
bring obvious smoke [lo] to cover men — this is
grievous torment !
Our Lord ! remove from us the torment ; verily,
we are believers.
How can they have the reminder (now), when
they have had a plain apostle, and when they turned
their backs away from him and said, 'Taught ! mad !'
Verily, we will remove the torment a little, (but) ye
will surely return !
[15] On the day when we will assault with the
great assault, verily, we will take vengeance.
And we already tried the people of Pharaoh when
there came to them a noble apostle : '.Send back to
XLIV, 17-39- THE CHAPTER OF SMOKE. 219
me God's servants ; verily, I am to you a faithful
apostle ; ' and, ' Exalt not yourselves above God ;
verily, I come to you with obvious authority. And,.
verily, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord,
that ye stone me not. [20] And if ye believe not in
me then let me alone !'
Then he called upon his Lord, 'Verily, these are
a sinful people.' So journey with my servants by
night — verily, ye will be pursued. But leave the sea
in quiet — verily, they are a host to be drowned !
How many gardens and springs have they left, [25]
and corn lands and a noble place, and comfort
wherein they did enjoy themselves !
Thus — and we gave them for an inheritance to
another people. And the heaven wept not for them,
nor the earth, nor were they respited.
But we saved the children of Israel from shame-
ful woe ! — [30] — from Pharaoh ; verily, he was
haughty, one of the extravagant ! And we did
choose them, wittingly, above the worlds ; and we
gave them signs wherein was an obvious trial !
Verily, these ^ say, ' It is but our first death ^, so
bring our fathers, if ye do speak the truth !'
[35] Are they better than the people of Tubba'h^,
and those before them ? We destroyed them —
verily, they were sinners !
Nor did we create the heavens and the earth,
and what is between the two in sport : we did but
create them in truth, though most of them know
it not !
^ The Meccans. ^ I. e. we shall only die once.
' The Himyarite Arabs, whose kings were called Tubbah, i. e.
successors.'
220 THE QURAN. XLIV, 40-XLV, 2
[40] Verily, the day of separation is their appointed
term ; the day when master shall not avail client
at all, nor shall they be helped ; save whomsoever
God shall have mercy on ; verily, He is the mighty,
the merciful !
Verily, the Zaqqum tree (shall be) the food of the
sinful : [45] as it were melting ', shall it boil in their
bellies like the boiling of hot water! — 'Take him
and hale him into the midst of hell ! then pour over
his head the torment of hot water ! — Taste ! verily,
thou art the mighty, the honourable ! [50] Verily,
this is that whereon ye did dispute!'
Veril)-, the pious shall be in a safe place ! in gar-
dens and springs, they shall be clad in satin and
stout silk face to face. Thus ! — and w^e will wed
them to bright and large-eyed maids ! [55] They shall
call therein for every fruit in safety. They shall not
taste therein of death save their first death, and we
will keep them from the torment of hell ! Grace
from thy Lord, that is the grand bliss !
And we have only made it easy for thy tongue,
that haply they may be mindful. Then watch thou ;
verily, they are watching too !
TiiK Chapter of the Kneeling.
(XLV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H.M. A revelation of the Book from God, the
mighty, the wise. Verily, in the heavens and the
^ Or * like the dregs of oil.'
XLV, 2-13. THE CHAPTER OF THE KNEELING. 221
earth are signs to those who beHeve ; and in your
creation and the beasts that are spread abroad are
signs to a people who are sure ; and in the alter-
nation of night and day, and the provision that God
has sent down from heaven and quickened thereby
the earth after Its death, and in the veering of the
winds are signs unto a people who have sense.
[5] These are the signs of God which we recite to
thee in truth ; and in what new story after God and
His signs will they believe ?
Woe to every sinful liar who hears God's signs
sent to him, then persists in being big with pride
as though he heard them not — so give him the
glad tidings of grievous woe — and when he knows
something of our signs takes them for a jest!
These, — for them is shameful woe, behind them is
hell, and what they have earned shall not avail them
aught, nor what they have taken besides God for
patrons ; and for them is mighty woe.
[10] This is a guidance, and those who misbelieve
in the signs of their Lord, for them is torment of a
grievous plague.
God it is who subjects to you the sea that the
ships may sail thereon at his bidding, and that ye
may crave of His grace, and that haply ye may give
thanks ; and He has subjected to you what is in the
heavens and what is in the earth, — all from Him ;
verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect
Say to those who believe that they pardon those
who hope not for God's days \ that He may reward
a people for that which they have earned.
^ That is, the successful battles against the infidels, 'battles'
being always spoken of by the ancient Arabs as ' days.'
' A.
222 THE QURAN. XLV, 14-22.
Whosoever acts aright it is for his own soul, and
whosoever does evil it is against it ; then unto your
Lord shall ye be returned.
[15] And we did bring the children of Israel the
Book and judgment and prophecy, and we provided
them with good things, and preferred them above
the worlds. And we brought them manifest proofs
of the affair, and they disputed not until after know-
ledge had come to them, through mutual envy.
Verily, thy Lord will decide between them on the
resurrection day concerning that whereon they did
dispute.
Then we did set thee ^ over a law concerning the
affair : follow it then, and follow not the lusts of
those who do not know. Verily, they shall not
avail thee against God at all ; and, verily, the wrong-
doers are patrons of each other, but God is the
patron of those who fear.
This is an insight for men and a guidance and a
mercy to a people who are sure.
[20] Do those who commit evil deeds count that
we will make them like those who believe and work
righteous deeds, equal in their life and their death ?
— ill it is they judge.
And God created the heavens and the earth in
truth ; and every soul shall be recompensed for that
which it has earned, and they shall not be wronged.
Hast thou considered him who takes his lusts for
his god, and God leads him astray wittingly, and has
set a seal upon his hearing and his heart, and has
placed upon his eyesight dimness ? who then shall
guide him after God ? Will they not then mind ?
Mohammed.
XLV, 23-33. THE CHAPTER OF THE KNEELING. 223
They say, ' It is only our life in this world, we
die and we live, and naught destroys us but time ! '
But they have no knowledge of this ; they do but
suspect.
And when our signs are rehearsed to them with
evidences their only argument is to say, ' Bring our
fathers, if ye speak the truth.'
[25] Say, 'God quickens you, then He kills you, then
He will gather you unto the resurrection day, there
is no doubt therein ; but most men do not know.'
God's is the kingdom of the heavens and the
earth, and on the day when the Hour shall arise
on that day shall those who call it ^ vain be losers !
And thou shalt see each nation kneeling, each nation
summoned to its book, 'To-day are ye rewarded for
that which ye have done.'
This is our Book that speaketh to you with truth ;
verily, we have written down what ye have done.
But as to those who believe and do righteous
deeds their Lord will make them enter into His
mercy: that is the obvious bliss.
[30] And as for those who misbelieve, — were not
my signs recited to you and ye were too big with pride
and ye were a sinful people ? And when it was said,
'Verily, the promise of God is true, and the Hour
there is no doubt therein;' ye said, 'We know not
what the Hour is, we only suspect, and we are not
sure.'
But there shall appear to them the evils of what
they have done, and that shall encompass them at
which they have been mocking. And it shall be
said, 'To-day will we forget you as ye forgat the
The Qur'an.
224 THE QURAN. XLV, 33-XLVl, 4.
meeting of this day of yours, and your resort shall
be the fire, and ye shall have no helpers. That is
because ye took the signs of God for a jest and the
life of this world deceived you ; wherefore to-day
ye shall not be brought forth therefrom, neither
shall ye be taken back into favour.'
[35] God's then is the praise, the Lord of the
heavens and the Lord of the earth, the Lord of the
worlds! His is the grandeur in the heavens and the
earth, and He is the mighty and the wise !
The Chapter of El A'hqaf^
(XLVL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
'H. M. The revelation of the Book from God the
mighty, the wise.
We have only created the heavens and the earth
and what is between the two in truth and for an
appointed time ; but those who misbelieve from
being warned do turn aside.
Say, ' Have ye considered what ye call on beside
God?' Show me what they have created of the
earth ? or have they share in the heavens ? Bring me
a book before this or a vestige of knowledge, if ye
do tell the truth !
But who is more in error than he who calls beside
God on what will never answer him until the resur-
rection day and who are heedless of their calling,
^ Name of a tract of land in .Si'hr in Yemen.
XLVI, 5-14. THE CHAPTER OF EL A HQAF. 225
[5] and when men are gathered together are enemies
of theirs and do deny their service ?
And when our evident signs are recited to them,
those who misbeHeve say of the truth when it comes
to them, ' This is obvious magic'
Or do they say, ' He has forged it ?' Say, ' If I
have forged ye cannot obtain for me aught from
God; He knows best what ye utter concerning it;
He is witness enough between me and you, and He
is the forgiving, the merciful.'
Say, ' I am not an innovator among the apostles ;
nor do I know what will be done with me or with
you if I follow aught but what I am inspired with ;
nor am I aught but a plain warner.'
Say, ' Have ye considered, if it is from God and
ye have disbelieved therein, and a witness from the
children of Israel testifies to the conformity of it,
and he believes while ye are too big with pride ?
Verily, God guides not the unjust people.'
[10] And those who misbelieve say of those who
believe, ' If it had been good, they would not have
been beforehand with us therein ;' and when they
are not guided thereby, then will they say, ' This is
an old-fashioned lie.'
But before it was the Book of Moses, a model
and a mercy; and this is a book confirming it in
Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong and
as glad tidings to those who do well.
Verily, those who say, 'Our Lord is God,' and then
keep straight, there is no fear for them, and they
shall not be grieved. These are the fellows of
Paradise to dwell therein for aye, a recompence for
that which they have done.
We have prescribed for man kindness towards his
[9] Q
2 26 THE QURAN. XLVI, 14-19.
parents. His mother bore him with trouble and
brought him forth with trouble ; and the bearing of
him and the weaning of him is thirty months ; until,
when he reaches puberty, and reaches forty years,
he says, ' Lord ! stir me up that I may be thankful
for thy favours wherewith thou hast favoured me and
my parents ; and that I may do right to please Thee ;
and make it right for me in my offspring ; verily, I
turn repentant unto Thee, and, verily, I am of those
resigned.'
[15] There are those from whom we accept the
best of what they have done, and we pass over their
offences — amongst the fellows of Paradise ; the pro-
mise of truth which they have been promised.
But he who says to his parents, ' Fie upon
you ! Do ye promise me that I shall be brought
forth ^ when generations have passed away before
me?' — then shall they both cry to God for help.
Woe to thee ! Believe ! Verily, the promise of
God is true. Then says he, ' This is but old folks'
tales.'
There are those against whom the sentence was
due amongst the nations who have passed away
before them of ^^inns and men ; verily, they have
been the losers ; and for all are degrees of what
they have done, so that He may repay them their
works, and they shall not be wronged.
And the day when those who misbelieve shall be
exposed to the fire : ' Ye made away with your good
things in your worldly life, and ye enjoyed them ;
wherefore to-day shall ye be rewarded with the
torment of disgrace, for that ye were big with
^ I. e. from the grave.
XLVI, 19-27- THE CHAPTER OF EL a'hQAF. 227
pride in the earth without the right, and for that
ye did abomination. '
[20] Remember too the brother of 'Ad ^ when he
warned his people at El A'hqaf, — though warners
have passed away before him and after him, — ' Serve
not other than God ; verily, I fear for you the
torment of a mighty day!'
They said, 'Hast thou come to us to turn us
from our gods ? then bring us what thou dost
threaten us with, if thou art of those who speak
the truth !' Said he, ' Knowledge is only with God :
but I will preach to you that which I am sent with,
though I see you are a people who are ignorant.'
And when they saw a traversing cloud approaching
their valleys they said, ' This is a cloud to give us
rain.' ' Nay, but it is what ye sought to hasten on
— a wind in which is grievous torment ; it will de-
stroy everything at the order of its Lord!' And in
the morning naught was seen save their dwellings.
Thus do we reward the sinful people !
[25] We had established them in what we have
established you 2, and we made for them hearing
and eyesight and hearts ; but neither their hearing
nor their eyesight nor their hearts availed them
aught, since they did gainsay the signs of God, and
that encompassed them whereat they had mocked.
And we destroyed the cities that are around
you : — and we turned about the signs that haply
they might return.
Why did not those help them, whom beside God
they took for gods that could draw nigh to Him ?
Nay ! they strayed away from them ; for that was
their lie and what they had forged.
1 The prophet Hud. ^ I. e. the Meccans.
Q 2
2 28 THE QURAN. XLVI, 28-35.
And when we turned towards thee some of the
^inn Hstening to the Qur'an^ and when they were
present at (the reading of) it, they said, ' Be silent!'
and when it was over they turned back to their
people, warning them.
Said they, ' O our people ! verily, we have heard
a book sent down after Moses, verifying what came
before it, guiding to the truth, and unto the right
way. [30] O our people ! respond to God's crier
and believe in Him, and He will pardon you your
sins and will deliver you from grievous woe.'
And whoso responds not to God's crier shall not
frustrate Him in the earth, and shall not have any
patrons beside Him : — these are in obvious error!
Did they not see that God who created the heavens
and the earth, and was not wearied with creatine
them, is able to quicken the dead ? — nay, verily, He
is mighty over all !
And the day when those who misbelieve shall be
exposed to the fire, — ' Is not this the truth ?' they
shall say, *Yea, by our Lord !' He shall say, 'Then
taste the torment for that ye did misbelieve !'
Then do thou^ be patient, as the apostles en-
dowed with a purpose were patient, and hasten not
on (their punishment). It shall be to them, on the
day they see what they are threatened with, as
though they [35] had tarried but an hour of the
day. A preaching this ! Shall any perish but the
people who work abomination ?
^ See Introduction, p. xxx.
^ Addressed to IMohammed.
XLVII, i-ii. THE CHAPTER OF MOHAMMED. 229
The Chapter of Mohammed, also called Fight.
(XLVII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Those who misbeHeve and turn folk from God's
way, He will make their works go wrong. But those
who believe and do right and believe in what is
revealed to Mohammed,^==»-and it is the truth from
their Lord, — He will cover for them their offences
and set right their mind.
That is because those who misbelieve follow
falsehood, and those who believe follow the truth
from their Lord. Thus does God set forth for men
their parables.
And when ye meet those who misbelieve — then
striking off heads until ye have massacred them, and
bind fast the bonds !
[5] Then either a free grant (of liberty) or a
ransom until the war shall have laid down its bur-
dens. That! — but if God please He would con-
quer them — but (it is) that He may try some of you
by the others. And those who are slain in God's
cause, their works shall not go wrong ; He will guide
them and set right their mind ; and will make them
enter into Paradise which He has told them of.
O ye who believe! if ye help God, He will help
you, and will make firm your footsteps.
But as for those who misbelieve — confound them !
and He will make their works go wrong.
[10] That is because they were averse from what
God has revealed ; but their works shall be void !
Have they not journeyed through the land and
230 THE QUR'aN. XLVII, 11-18.
seen how was the end of those before them ? God
destroyed them ; and for the misbehevers is the Hke
thereof.
That is because God is the patron of those who
believe, and because the misbehevers have no
patron.
Verily, God causes those who believe and do
right to enter into gardens beneath which rivers
flow ; but those who misbelieve enjoy themselves
and eat as the cattle eat ; but the fire is the resort
for them !
How many a city, stronger than thy city which
has driven thee out, have we destroyed, and there
was none to help them !
[15] Is he who rests upon a manifest sign from
his Lord like him, the evil of whose works is made
seemly to him, and who follow their lusts ?
The similitude of Paradise which is promised to
the pious, — in it are rivers of water without corrup-
tion, and rivers of milk, the taste whereof changes
not, and rivers of wine delicious to those who drink ;
and rivers of honey clarified ; and there shall they
have all kinds of fruit and forgiveness from their
Lord! (Is that) like him who dwells in the fire
for aye ? and who are given to drink boiling water
that shall rend their bowels asunder ?
Some of them there are who listen to thee, until
when they go forth from thee they say to those who
have been given the knowledge\ 'What is this which
he says now ? ' These are those on whose hearts
God has set a stamp and who follow their lusts.
* To the more learned amongst the prophet's companions, such
as Ibn 'Abbas.
XLVII, 19-28. THE CHAPTER OF MOHAMMED. 23 1
But those who are guided, He guides them the
more, and gives them the due of their piety.
[20] Do they wait for aught but the Hour, that
it should come to them suddenly ? The conditions
thereof have come already ; how, when it has come
on them, can they have their reminder ?
Know thou that there is no god but God ; and
ask pardon for thy sin and for the believers, men
and women ; for God knows your return and
your resort !
Those who misbelieve say, * Why has not a
stirah been revealed ?' but when a decisive surah
is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, thou
mayest see those in whose heart is sickness ^ look-
ing towards thee with the look of one faintinor in
death. Preferable for them were obedience and a
reasonable speech ! But when the matter is deter-
mined on, then if they believed God it were better
for them.
Would ye perhaps, if ye had turned back, have
done evil in the land and severed the bonds of
kinship ?
[25] It is these whom God has cursed, and has
made them deaf, and has blinded their eyesight !
Do they not peruse the Quran ? or are there locks
upon their hearts ?
Verily, those who turn their backs after the
guidance that has been manifested to them — Satan
induces them, but (God) lets them go on for a
time !
That is for that they say to those who are averse
from what God has revealed, 'We will obey you in
See Introduction, p. Ixiii.
232 THE QURAN. XLVII, 28-39.
part of the affair!' but God knows their secrets!
How will it be when the angels^ take their souls,
smiting their faces and their backs ?
[30] This is because they follow what angers God
and are averse from His goodwill ; and their works
are void.
Do those in whose hearts is sickness reckon that
God will not bring their malice forth ?
But did we please we would show thee them,
and thou shouldst know them by their cognisances.
But thou shalt known them by their distorting their
speech, and God knows their works !
But we will try you until we know those among
you who fight strenuously and the patient ; and we
will try the reports concerning you.
Verily, those who misbelieve and turn folks off
God's path, and break with the Apostle after
the guidance that has been manifested to them,
cannot harm God at all, and their works shall be
void !
[35] O ye who believe! obey God, and obey the
Apostle ; and make not your works vain.
Verily, those who misbelieve and turn folks off
God's path, and then die misbelievers, God will not
pardon them.
Then faint not, nor cry for peace while ye have
the upper hand ; for God is with you and will not
cheat you of your works !
The life of this world is but a play and a sport ;
but if ye believe and fear God, He will give you
your hire.
He does not ask you for (all) your property; if
^ Munkir and Nakip ; see Introduction, p. Ixix.
XLVII,39-XLVIII,6. THE CHAPTER OF VICTORY. 233
Jv)
He were to ask you for it and to press you, ye would
be niggardly, and he would bring your malice out.
[40] Here are ye called upon to expend in God's
cause, and among you are some who are niggardly;
and he who is niggardly is but niggardly against his
own soul : but God is rich and ye are poor, and if ye
turn your backs He will substitute another people
in your stead, then they will not be like you.
The Chapter of Victory.
(XLVHI. Medtnah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Verily, we have given thee an obvious victory !
that God may pardon thee thy former and later sin\
and may fulfil His favour upon thee, and guide thee
in a right way, and that God may help thee with a
mighty help.
It is He who sent down his shechina^ into the
hearts of the believers that they might have faith
added to their faith ; — and God's are the hosts of
the heavens and the earth, and God is knowing,
wise — [5] to make the believers, men and women,
enter into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to
dwell therein for aye ; and to cover for them their
oftences ; for that with God is a grand bliss : and
^ Some of the commentators take this to mean sins committed
by INIohammed before his call and after ; others refer the word to
the liaison with the Coptic handmaiden Mary, and to his marriage
with Zainab the wife of his adopted son Zaid. See Introduction,
pp. xxix and xl.
2 Or tranquillity; see Part I, p. 38, note 2.
234 THE QUR'aN. XLVIII, 6-12.
to torment the hypocrites, men and women, and the
idolaters, men and women, who think evil thoughts
of God ; — over them is a turn of evil fortune, and
God will be wrath with them and curse them, and
has prepared for them hell, and an evil journey
shall it be !
God's are the hosts of the heavens and the
earth, and God is mighty, wise !
Verily, we have sent thee as a witness, and a
herald of glad tidings, and a warner ; — that ye may
believe in God and His Apostle, and may aid
Him and revere Him and celebrate His praises
morninor and evening !
[lo] Verily, those who swear allegiance to thee
do but swear allegiance to God ; — God's hand is
above their hands ! and whoso perjures himself does
but perjure himself against himself; but he who
fulfils what he has covenanted with God, God shall
bring him mighty hire.
The desert Arabs who were left behind^ shall say,
' Our wealth and our people occupied us ; ask pardon
then for us!' — they speak with their tongues what
is not in their hearts !
Say, 'Who can control for you aught from God,
if He wish you harm or wish you advantage?'
Nay, God of what ye do is well aware !
Nay, ye thought that the Apostle and the believ-
ers would not ever return again to their families ;
that was made seemly in your hearts ! and ye
thought evil thoughts, and ye were a corrupt
people.
^ Alluding to certain tribes who held aloof from the expedition
of 'Hudt^ibiych.
XLVIII, 13-18. THE CHAPTER OF VICTORY. 235
Whoso believes not in God and His Apostle —
we have prepared for the unbelievers a blaze !
God's is the kingdom of the heavens and of the
earth. He pardons whom He pleases, and tor-
ments whom He pleases ; and God is forgiving,
merciful.
[15] Those who were left behind^ shall say when
ye have gone forth to spoils that ye may take, ' Let
us follow you ; ' they wish to change God's words.
Say, ' Ye shall by no means follow us ; thus did
God say before !'
They will say, ' Nay ! but ye envy us ! ' Nay ! they
did not understand save a little.
Say to those desert Arabs who were left behind,
' Ye shall be called out against a people endowed
with vehement valour ^ and shall fight them or
they shall become Muslims. And if ye obey, God
will give you a good hire ; but if ye turn your backs,
as ye turned your backs before, He will torment
you with grievous woe ! '
There is no compulsion on the blind, and no com-
pulsion on the lame, and no compulsion on the sick,
but whoso obeys God and His Apostle, He will
make him enter gardens beneath which rivers
flow; but whoso turns his back He will torment
with grievous woe.
God was well pleased with the believers when
1 In an expedition against the Jews of Khaibar, which Mo-
hammed undertools: shortly after his return from 'Hudaibiyeh, and
obtained considerable booty, which he shared only with those who
had accompanied him on the previous occasion.
2 The followers of Musailimah, Mohammed's rival, and the
tribes that had apostatized from Islam. Some think it refers to the
Greeks and Persians.
» A
236 THE QURAN. XLVIII, 18-25.
they did swear allegiance to thee beneath the tree^ ;
and He knew what was in their hearts, and He
sent down His shechina^ upon them and rewarded
them with a victory nigh at hand ^ and many spoils
for them to take ; for God is mighty, wise !
[20] God promised you many spoils and hastened
this on for you, and restrained men's hands from
you ; and it may be a sign for the believers and
guide you in a right way; — and other (spoils) which
ye could not gain ; but God has encompassed them ;
for God is mighty over all.
And had those who misbelieved fought you, they
would have turned their backs ; then they would
have found neither patron nor helper ! — God's
course which has been followed before, and thou
shalt find no change in the course of God !
He it was who restrained their hands from you,
and your hands from them in the mid-valley of
Mecca ^ after He had given you the victory over
them ; for God on what ye do doth look !
[25] Those who misbelieved and turned (you)
away from the Sacred Mosque, and (turned away)
the offering, kept from arriving at its destined
place ■'■' ; and had it not been for believing men and
believing women whom ye knew not, whom ye
might have trampled on, and so a crime might have
1 At 'Hudaibiyeh.
^ See Part I, p. 38, note 2.
^ Either the success at Khaibar or the takuig of Mecca,
* Alluding to the truce concluded at 'Hudaibiyeh.
^ Mohammed having only set out with the intention of peace-
ably performing the pilgrimage, carried cattle with him to sacrifice
in the valley of Mina, but was obliged by the Quraij to turn back.
See Introduction, pp. xxxix, xl.
XLVIII, 25-28. THE CHAPTER OF VICTORY. 237
occurred to you on their account without your
knowledge — that God may make whomsoever He
pleases enter into His mercy. Had they been dis-
tinct from one another, we would have tormented
those of them who misbelieved with grievous woe.
When those who misbelieved put in their hearts
pique — the pique of ignorance^ — and God sent
down His shechina upon His Apostle and upon
the believers, and obliged them to keep to the word
of piety ^ and they were most worthy of it and most
suited for it ; for God all things doth know.
God truly verified for His Apostle the vision^
that ye shall verily enter the Sacred Mosque, if
God please, in safety with shaven heads or cut
hair, ye shall not fear ; for He knows what ye know
not, and He has set for you, beside that, a victory
nigh at hand^
He it is who sent His Apostle with guidance
1 Suhail ibn 'Amr, who concluded the truce with IVIohammed at
'Hudaibiyeh, objected to the formula ' In the name of the mer-
ciful and compassionate God,' with which the prophet ordered 'Alt
to commence the document, and insisted on the heathen formula
'In Thy name, O God!' He also refused to admit the words
' Mohammed, the Apostle of God,' saying, that if they had granted
so much they would not have opposed him; the words ' Mohammed
the son of Abdallah ' were therefore substituted. These objections
were so annoying to the Muslims, that it was with difficulty that
Mohammed could restrain them from an immediate breach of the
peace.
2 The Mohammedan profession of faith, ' There is no god but
God, and Mohammed His servant is the Apostle.' Or it may be
the initial formula which the unbelieving Meccans rejected.
2 Mohammed dreamed that he would accomplish the pilgrimage
to Mecca with all its rites ; the affair at 'Hudaibiyeh disappointed
his followers, but in the following year it was fulfilled.
^ I. e. that of Khaibar.
238 THE QURAN. XLVIII, 28-XLlX, 2.
and the religion of truth to set it above all religion ;
for God is witness enough !
Mohammed is the Apostle of God, and those who
are with Him are vehement against the misbelievers,
— compassionate amongst themselves ; thou mayest
see them bowing down, adoring, craving grace from
God and His goodwill, — their marks are in their
faces from the effects of adoration ; — that is their
similitude in the law^ and their similitude in the
gospel ; as a seedling puts forth its sprouts and
strengthens it, and grows stout, and straightens
itself upon its stem, delighting the sower ! — that
the misbelievers may be angry at them; — God
has promised those of them who believe and do
right — forgiveness and a mighty hire.
The Chapter of the Inner Chambers.
(XLIX. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O ye who believe! do not anticipate God and
His Apostle, but fear God; verily, God both hears
and knows.
O ye who believe ! raise not your voices above
the voice of the prophet, and do not speak loud
to him as ye speak loud to one another ^ lest your
works become vain, while ye do not perceive.
' Or the Pentateuch.
2 Said to refer to a dispute between Abu Bekr and 'Omar, in the
course of which they came to high words in the presence of the
prophet.
XLIX, 3-9- CHAPTER OF THE INNER CHAMBERS. 239
Verily, those who lower their voice before the
Apostle of God, they are those whose hearts God
has proved for piety, for them is forgiveness and
a mighty hire.
Verily, those who cry out to thee from behind
the inner chambers ^, most of them have no sense ;
[5] but did they wait until thou come out to them,
it were better for them ; — but God is foreivingf,
merciful.
O ye who believe ! if there come to you a sinner
with an information, then discriminate, lest ye fall
upon a people in ignorance and on the morrow
repent of what ye have done ^.
And know that among you is the Apostle of God ;
if he should obey you in many a matter ye would
commit a sin^; God has made faith beloved by you,
and has made it seemly in your hearts, and has
made misbelief and iniquity and rebellion hateful
to you. — These are the rightly directed — grace from
God and favour ! and God is knowing, wise.
And if the two parties of the believers quarrel*,
^ Two of the Arabs wishing to speak with Mohammed when
he was sleeping at noon in his harim, cried out rudely to him,
'Mohammed, come out to us!' See p. 82.
2 Al Walid ibn 'Hugba was sent by Mohammed to collect the
zakat (see Introduction, p. Ixxiii) from the tribe of Mustaleq, with
whom he had had a feud in the time preceding Islam. Seeing
them coming out to meet him in large numbers, he grew appre-
hensive, and returned hastily with the information that the tribe
had refused the tribute. Mohammed thereupon sent 'Halid ibn
Walid to reduce them by force, when it was found that the former
messenger's fears had been quite groundless.
^ I. e. ye would mislead him.
* Alluding to one of the frequent disputes between the tribes of
Aus and 'Zfazra^ at Medinah. See Introduction, p. xxxiv.
240 THE QUR'aN. XLIX, 9-13.
then make peace between them ; and if one of the
twaui outrages the other, then fight the party that
has committed the outrage until it return to God's
biddino- ; and if it do return then make peace be-
tween them with equity, and be just; verily, God
loves the just.
[10] The believers are but brothers, so make
peace between your two brethren and fear God,
haply ye may obtain mercy!
O ye who believe! let not one class ridicule
another who are perchance better than they; nor
let women ridicule other women who are perchance
better than they; and do not defame each other,
nor call each other bad names — an ill name is ini-
quity after faith M
O ye who believe ! carefully avoid suspicion ;
verily, some suspicion is a sin. And do not play
the spy, nor backbite each other; would one of
you like to eat his dead brother's flesh ? — why !
ye would abhor it ! then fear God ; verily, God is
relentant, compassionate,
O ye folk ! verily, we have created you of male
and female, and made you races and tribes that ye
may know each other.
Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight
of God is the most pious of you; verily, God is
knowing, aware !
^ I. e. it is defamation to charge a person who has embraced the
faith with iniquity. The passage is said to have been revealed on
account of Zafiyah bint 'Huyai, one of the prophet's wives, who
complained to him that she had been taunted by the other women
with her Jewish origin. Mohammed answered her, ' Canst thou
not say, " Aaron is my father, Moses my uncle, and Mohammed
my husband ? " '
XLIX, I4-L, 4- THE CHAPTER OF Q. 241
The desert Arabs say, ' We believe.' Say, ' Ye
do not believe ; but say, " We have become Mus-
lims ;" for the faith has not entered into your hearts :
but if ye obey God and His Apostle He will not
defraud you of your works at all : verily, God is
forgiving, compassionate!'
[15] The believers are only those who believe
in God and His Apostle, and then doubt not, but
fight strenuously with their wealth and persons in
God's cause — these are the truth-tellers!
Say, 'Will ye teach God your religion?' when
God knows what is in the heavens and what is in
the earth, and God all things doth know !
They deem that they oblige thee by becoming
Muslims. Say, ' Nay ! deem not that ye oblige me
by your becoming Muslims ! God obliges you, by
directing you to the faith, if ye do speak the truth 1'
Verily, God knows the unseen things of the
heavens and the earth, and God on what ye do
doth look.
The Chapter of Q.
(L. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O. By the glorious Qur'an ! nay, they wonder
that there has come to them a warner from amongst
themselves ; and the misbelievers say, * This Is a
wondrous thing! What, when we are dead and
have become dust?— that Is a remote return !'
We well know what the earth consumes of them,
for with us is a book that keeps (account).
[9] R
242 THE QUR'aN. L, 5-15.
[5] Nay, they call the truth a lie when it comes
to them, and they are in a confused affair ^
Do not they behold the heaven above them, how
we have built it and adorned it, and how it has no
flaws ?
And the earth, we have stretched it out and
thrown thereon firm mountains, and caused to grow
thereon every beautiful kind.
An insight and a reminder to every servant who
repents !
And we sent down from the heaven water as a
blessing, and caused to grow therewith gardens and
the harvest grain !
[10] And the tall palm trees having piled up
spathes, for a provision to (our) servants ; and we
quickened thereby a dead land; thus shall the
resurrection be !
Before them the people of Noah and the fellows
of ar Rass^ and Thamud and 'Ad and Pharaoh
called the apostles liars ; and the brethren of Lot
and the fellows of the Grove ^ and the people of
Tubbah^ all called the prophets liars, and the
threat was duly executed.
Were we then fatigued with the first creation ?
nay ! but they are in obscurity concerning the new
creation.
[15] But we created man, and we know what his
^ Alluding to the various opinions expressed by the unbelievers
with reference to the Qur'an ; some calling it sorcery or divination,
others poetry, and some asserting it to be ' old folks' tales ' or
mere invention.
2 See Part II, p. 86, note 3.
' See Part I, p. 249, note 3.
* See Chapter XLIV, verse 35, p. 219, note 3.
L, 15-30. THE CHAPTER OF Q. 243
soul whispers ; for we are nigher to him than his
jugular vein !
When the two meeters meet\ sitting the one on
the right and the other on the left, not a word does
he utter, but a watcher is by him ready !
And the agony of death shall come in truth ! —
* that is what thou didst shun !'
And the trumpet shall be blown! — that is the
threatened day!
[20] And every soul shall come — with it a driver
and a witness!
' Thou wert heedless of this, and we withdrew
thy veil from thee, and to-day is thine eyesight
keen^!'
And his mate shall say, ' This is what is ready
for me (to attest).
'Throw into hell every stubborn misbeliever^! —
who forbids good, a transgressor, a doubter! [25]
who sets other gods with God — and throw him, ye
twain, into fierce torment!'
His mate shall say, 'Our Lord! I seduced him
not, but he was in a remote error.'
He shall say, ' Wrangle not before me ; for I sent
the threat to you before. The sentence is not
changed with me, nor am I unjust to my servants.'
On the day we will say to hell, 'Art thou full ?'
and it will say, 'Are there any more ?'
[30] And Paradise shall be brought near to the
pious, — not far off
1 The two recording angels, who accompany every man and
note down his every word and action.
2 These words are supposed to be addressed by the ' driver ' to
the unbelieving soul.
^ These words are spoken by God.
R 2
244 'THE qur'an. l, 31-43.
This is what ye are promised, to every one who
turns frequently (to God) and keeps His command-
ments : who fears the Merciful in secret and brings
a repentant heart.
' Enter into it in peace : this is the day of eternity !'
They shall have what they wish therein, and in-
crease from us !
[35] How many a generation have we destroyed
before them, mightier than they in prowess !
Pass through the land, is there any refuge^ ?
Verily, in that is a reminder to whomsoever has a
heart, or gives ear, and is a witness thereto.
We did create the heavens and the earth and
what is between the two in six days, and no weari-
ness touched us ^.
Be thou patient then of what they say, and cele-
brate the praises of thy Lord before the rising of
the sun and before the setting. And through (some)
of the night celebrate His praise and the additional
adorations ^.
[40] And listen for the day when the crier shall cry
from a near place* ; — the day when they shall hear
the shouf^ in truth — that is the day of coming forth !
Verily, w^e quicken and we kill, and unto us the
journey is !
On the day when the earth shall be cleft asunder
^ I. e. from the vengeance of God.
^ A protest against the assertion that God rested on the
seventh day.
' Two si^^dahs used at the evening prayers, but not incumbent
on the worshipper.
* I. e. a place from which all men may hear ; generally supposed
by Muslims to be the temple at Jerusalem.
° The sound of the last trumpet.
L,43-LT,l8. THE CHAPTER OF THE SCATTERERS. 245
from them swiftly; — that is a gathering together
which is easy to us !
We know what they say ; nor art thou over them
one to compel.
[45] Wherefore remind, by the Quran, him who
fears the threat.
The Chapter of the Scatterers.
(LI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the scatterers ^ who scatter! and by those
pregnant ^ with their burden ! and by those running
on 3 easily! and by the distributors* of affairs! — [5]
verily, what ye are threatened with is surely true !
And, verily, the judgment will surely take place !
By the heaven possessed of paths ! verily, ye are
at variance in what ye say !
He is turned from it who is turned.
[10] Slain be the liars, who are heedless in a flood
(of ignorance).
They will ask, * When is the day of judgment ?'
The day when at the fire they shall be tried.
— 'Taste your trial! this is what ye wished to
hasten on !'
[15] Verily, the pious are in gardens and springs,
taking what their Lord brings them. Verily, they
before that did well. But litde of the night they
slept; and at the dawn they asked forgiveness.
The winds. ^ The clouds. ^ The ships.
* Angels or winds.
) A
246 THE QURAN. 11,19-36.
And in their wealth was what was due to him who
asked, and him who was kept back from asking.
[20] And in the earth are signs to those who are
sure, and in yourselves, — what ! do ye not then see ?
And in the heaven is your provision and that
which ye are promised^.
But by the Lord of the heaven and the earth !
verily, it is the truth, — like that which ye do utter'^ !
Has the tale of Abraham's honoured guests
reached thee^? [25] When they entered in unto
him and said, ' Peace!' he said, ' Peace ! — a people
unrecognised.'
And he went aside unto his people and fetched a
fat calf, and brought it nigh unto them ; said he,
' Will ye then not eat ? '
And he felt a secret fear of them : said they,
* Fear not.' And they gave him glad tidings of a
knowing boy.
And his wdfe approached with a noise, and smote
her face, and said, 'An old woman, barren ! '
[30] Said they, * Thus says thy Lord, He is
knowing, wise.' Said he, ' And about what is your
errand, O ye messengers ?'
They said, ' Verily, we are sent unto a sinful
people, to send upon them stones of clay, marked
from thy Lord for the extravagant *.'
[35] And we sent out therefrom such as were in
it of the believers ; but w^e only found therein one
house of Muslims.
' I. e. rain, which produces material sustenance, and there too is
the promise of the future life.
^ I. e. unreserved and plain as ye yourselves affirm truths to each
other.
' See Part I, pp. 212-214. * See Part I, p. 214, note i.
LI, 37-49- THE CHAPTER OF THE SCATTERERS. 247
And we left therein a sign to those who fear the
grievous woe.
And in Moses ; when we sent him to Pharaoh
with obvious authority.
But he turned his back towards his cokimn \ and
said, 'A sorcerer or mad !'
[40] And we seized him and his hosts and hurled
them into the sea ; for he was to be blamed.
And in 'Ad, when we sent against them a deso-
lating wind, that left naught on which it came with-
out making it ashes !
And in Thamfid, when it was said to them,
* Enjoy yourselves for a season.' But they revolted
against the bidding of their Lord ; and the noise
caught them as they looked on. [45] And they
could not stand upright, and they were not
helped!
And the people of Noah of yore ; verily, they
were an abominable people.
And the heaven— we have built it with might,
and, verily, we do surely give it ample space !
And the earth— we have spread it out ; and how
well we lay it out!
And of everything have we created pairs, haply
ye may be mindful.
[50] Flee then to God; verily, I am a plain
Warner from Him to you!
And do not set with God another god ; verily, I
am a plain warner from Him to you !
Thus there came no apostle to those before them,
but they said, ' A sorcerer, mad ! '
1 Either Pharaoh's forces, or one of his nobles, or something
else on which he relied. See Part I, p. 214, first line, and note i.
248 THE QUR'aN. LI, 50-LlI, 9.
Do they bequeath it ^ to each other ?
Yea, they are an outrageous people !
So turn thy back upon them, so thou wilt not be
to blame,
[55] ^^^^ remind ; for, verily, the reminder shall
profit the believers.
And I have not created the ^inn and mankind
save that they may worship me.
I do not desire any provision from them, and I do
not wish them to feed me.
Verily, God, He is the provider, endowed with
steady might.
Verily, for those who injure (the Apostle) shall
be a portion like the portion of their fellows -, but
let them not hurry Me !
[60] Then woe to those who misbelieve from
their day which they are threatened.
The Chapter of the Mount.
(LII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the mount ! by the Book inscribed upon an
outstretched vellum ! by the frequented house ^ ! [5]
by the elevated roof "^ ! by the swelling sea ! verily,
the torment of thy Lord will come to pass ; — there
is none to avert it !
The day when the heavens shall reel about,
^ I. e. this taunt.
"^ I. e. like the fate of those who wronged the apostles of old.
•' 1. e. either the Kaabah itself or the model of it, said to exist in
the heavens and to be frequented by the angels.
* I. c. of heaven.
LII, 10^27. THE CHAPTER OF THE MOUNT. 249
[10] and the mountains shall move about, — then
woe upon that day to those who call (the apostles)
liars, who plunge into discussion for a sport !
On the day when they shall be thrust away into
the fire of hell, — ' This is the fire, the which ye used
to call a lie! — [15] Is it magic, this? or can ye not
see ? — broil ye therein, and be patient thereof or
be not patient, it is the same to you : ye are but
rewarded for that which ye did do ! '
Verily, the pious (shall be) in gardens and
pleasure, enjoying what their Lord has given
them ; for their Lord will save them from the
torment of hell.
' Eat and drink with good digestion, for that which
ye have done!'
[20] Reclining on couches in rows ; and we will
wed them to large-eyed maids.
And those who believe and whose seed follows
them in the faith, we will unite their seed with them ;
and we will not cheat them of their work at all ; —
every man is pledged for what he earns ^
And we will extend to them fruit and flesh such as
they like. They shall pass to and fro therein a cup
in which is neither folly nor sin.
And round them shall go boys of theirs, as
though they were hidden pearls.
[25] And they shall accost each other and ask
questions, and shall say, 'Verily, we were before
amidst our families shrinking with terror-, but
God has been gracious to us and saved us from
the torment of the hot blast.
1 Every man is pledged to God for his conduct, and, if he does
well, redeems himself.
2 At the thought of the next life.
250 THE QURAN. LII, 28-42.
'Verily, we used to call on Him before; verily,
He is the righteous, the compassionate!'
Wherefore do thou ^ remind them : for thou art,
by the favour of thy Lord, neither a soothsayer nor
mad !
Will they say, ' A poet ; we wait for hini the sad
accidents of fate ?'
[30] Say, ' Wait ye tlien ; for I too am of those
who wait ! '
Do their dreams bid them this ? or are they an
outrageous people ?
Or will they say, 'He has invented it?' — nay,
but they do not believe !
But let them bring a discourse like It, if they tell
the truth !
[35] Or were they created of nothing, or were they
the creators ? Or did they create the heavens and
the earth ? — nay, but they are not sure !
Or have they the treasures of thy Lord ? or are
they the governors supreme ?
Or have they a ladder whereon they can listen - ? —
then let their listener bring obvious authority.
Has He daughters, while ye have sons ?
[40] Or dost thou ask them a hire, while they are
borne down by debt ?
Or have they the unseen, so that they write it
clown ?
Or do they desire a plot? — but those who mis-
believe it is who are plotted against !
^ Addressed to Mohammed.
^ I. e. a ladder reaching to the gates of heaven, upon which they
may stand and listen to the angels discoursing, as the devils do.
See Part I, pp. 50, 51, note 2.
LII,43-Lin,6. THE CHAPTER OF THE STAR. 25 1
Or have they a god beside God ? celebrated be
God's praises above what they join with Him !
But if they should see a fragment of the sky falling
down, they would say, * Clouds in masses !'
[45] But leave them till they meet that day of
theirs whereon they shall swoon ^; the day when
their plotting shall avail them naught, and they shall
not be helped !
And, verily, there is a torment beside that^ for
those who do wrong ; but most of them do not
know !
But wait thou patiently for the judgment of thy
Lord, for thou art in our eyes. And celebrate the
praises of thy Lord what time thou risest, and in
the night, and at the fading of the stars !
The Chapter of the Star.
(LIIL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the star when it falls, your comrade errs not,
nor is he deluded ! nor speaks he out of lust ! It is
but an inspiration inspired! [5] One mighty in
power ^ taught him, endowed with sound under-
standing, and appeared, he being in the loftiest
tract.
1 At the sound of the last trumpet.
2 I.e. beside the torment of the judgment day they shall be
punished with defeat and loss here.
3 The angel Gabriel, who appeared twice to Mohammed in his
natural form, namely, on the occasion of the ' Night Journey,|^to
which this passage refers, and on the first revelation of the Qur'an.
(See Introduction, pp. xx and xxxii.)
' A .
252 THE QURAN. LIII, 7-30.
Then drew he near and hovered o'er! until he
was two bows' length off or nigher still ! [10] Then
he inspired his servant what he inspired him ; the
heart belies not what he saw ! What, will ye dispute
with him on what he saw ?
And he saw him another time, by the lote tree
none may pass ; [1 5] near which is the garden of the
Abode ! When there covered the lote tree what
did cover it ! The sight swerved not nor wandered.
He saw then the greatest of the signs of his Lord.
Have ye considered Allat and Al 'Huzza, [20]
and Manat the other third'? Shall there be male
offspring for Him and female for you ? That were
an unfair division ! They are but names which ye
have named, ye and your fathers ! God has sent
down no authority for them ! They do but follow
suspicion and what their souls lust after ! — And yet
there has come to them guidance from their Lord.
Shall man have what he desires ? [25] But God's
is the hereafter and the present !
How many an angel in the heaven ! — their inter-
cession avails not at all, save after God has given
permission to whomsoever He will and is pleased
with !
Verily, those who believe not in the hereafter do
surely name the angels with female names - ! — but
they have no knowledge thereof; they do but follow
suspicion, and, verily, suspicion shall not avail against
the truth at all !
[30] But turn aside from him who turns his back
upon our remembrance and desires naught but this
^ See Introduction, p. xxvii, and Part II, p. 62, note i.
^ See Introduction, pp. xii and xiii.
LIII, 30-4^. THE CHAPTER OF THE STAR. 253
world's life ! This is their sum of knowledge ;
verily, thy Lord knows best who has erred from
His way, and He knows best who is guided !
God's is what is in the heavens and what is in the
earth, that He may reward those who do evil for
what they have done ; and may reward those who
do good with good ! those who shun great sins and
iniquities, — all but venial faults, — verily, thy Lord
is of ample forgiveness ; He knows best about you,
when He produced you from the earth, and when ye
were embryos in the wombs of your mothers.
Make not yourselves out, then, to be pure ; He
knows best who it is that fears.
Hast thou considered him who turns his back ?
who gives but little [35] and then stops^? Has he
then the knowledge of the unseen, so that he can
see ?
Has he not been informed of what is in the pages
of Moses and Abraham who fulfilled his word ? —
that no burdened soul shall bear the burden of
another ? [40] and that man shall have only that
for which he strives ; and that his striving shall at
leno-th be seen ? Then shall he be rewarded for
it with the most full reward ; and that unto thy
Lord is the limit ; [45] and that it is He who makes
men laugh and weep ; and that it is He who kills
and makes alive ; and that He created pairs, male
1 This passage refers to one El Walid ibn Mu^//airah, who
being abused for following Mohammed and forsaking the religion
of the Quraii-, answered that he had done so to escape divine ven-
geance. Thereupon an idolater offered to take on himself El
Walid's sin for a certain sum of money. The offer was accepted,
and Walid apostatized from El Islam, paying down a portion of
the amount agreed upon at the time. Later on he refused to pay
the balance on the ground that he had already paid enough.
254 THE QURAN. LIII, 46-LIV, I.
and female, from a clot when it is emitted ; and that
for Him is the next production^ ; and that he en-
riches and gives possession ; [50] and that He is
the Lord of the Dog-star-, and that He it was who
destroyed 'Ad of yore, and Thamud, and left none
of them ; and the people of Noah before them, —
verily, they were most unjust and outrageous !
And the overthrown (cities)^ He threw down ; [55]
and there covered them what did cover them !
Which then of your Lord's benefits do ye dis-
pute ?
This is a warner, one of the warners of yore !
The approaching day approaches ; there is none
to discover it but God.
At this new discourse then do ye wonder ? [60]
and do ye laugh and not weep ? and ye divert your-
selves the while !
But adore God and serve (Him)*.
The Chapter of the Moon.
(LIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The Hour draws nigh, and the moon is split
^ I. e. the resurrection.
^ Sirius, or the Dog-star, was an object of worship amongst the
ancient Arabs.
^ Sodom, Gomorrah, &c.
* At this verse the Quraij, who were present at the first reading
of this chapter when their gods were spoken well of, fell down
adoring with Mohammed. See Introduction, p. xxxii.
LIV, i-li. THE CHAPTER OF THE MOON. 255
asunder ^ But if they see a sign they turn aside
and say, ' Magic, continuous^!'
And they call it a lie and follow their lusts ; but
every matter is settled!
There has come to them some information^ with
restraint in it — [5] wisdom far-reaching — but warners
avail not !
But turn thy back on them 1
The day when the caller* shall call to an awk-
ward thing ^.
Humbly casting down their looks shall they come
forth from their graves, as though they were locusts
scattered abroad !
Hurrying forwards to the caller ! the misbelievers
shall say, ' This is a difficult day !'
Noah's people before them called (the apostles)
liars ; they called our servant a liar ; and they said,
' Mad !' and he was rejected.
[10] And he called upon his Lord, 'Verily, I am
overcome, come then to my help !'
And we opened the gates of heaven with water
pouring down I
^ According: to a tradition this refers to a miracle : the un-
behevers having asked for a sign, the moon appeared to be cloven
in twain. The tradition is, however, supported by very doubtful
authority, and is directly opposed to the teaching of the Qur'an
elsewhere, for the power to comply with the demand for a sign is
always distinctly disclaimed. The more usual explanation is the
natural one, that the expression merely refers to one of the signs
of the day of judgment.
2 This word is interpreted by some to mean 'transient,' by
others ' powerful.'
* The Qur'an.
* The angel Israfil.
^ The last judgment.
256 THE QUR AN. LIV, 12-31,
And we made the eardi burst forth in springs,
and the waters met at a bidding already decreed.
But we bore him on the thing of planks and
nails ; sailing on beneath our eyes, a reward for him
who had been disbelieved !
[15] And we left it a sign; — but is there any one
who will mind ?
'Ad called the apostles liars, and how was my
punishment and my warning ?
Verily, we sent on them a cold storm wind on
a day of continuous ill-luck !
[20] It reft men away as though they had been
palm stumps torn up !
We have made the Our'an easy as a reminder —
but is there any one who will mind ?
Thamud called the w^arnings lies, and said, *A
mortal, one of us, alone, shall we follow him ? then
indeed were we in error and excitement^ !
[25] ' Is the warning cast on him alone among us ?
nay, he is an insolent liar !
' They shall know to-morrow about the insolent
liar !
'Verily, we are about to send the she-camel as a
trial for them, then watch them and have patience !
and inform them that the water is shared between
them (and her) ; each draught shall be sought by
turns.'
Then they called their companion, and he plied
(a knife) and hamstrung her.
[30] Then how was my punishment and my
warning ? Verily, we sent against them one noise,
and they were like the dry sticks of him who
builds a fold.
^ Or madness.
LIV, 32-50. THE CHAPTER OF THE MOON. 257
We have made the Qur'an easy as a reminder —
but is there any one who will mind ?
Lot's people called the apostles liars; verily, we sent
against them a heavy sand storm ; all, save Lot's
family, we saved them at the dawn. [35] As a favour
from us ; so do we reward him who gives thanks !
He indeed had warned them of our assault, but
they doubted of the warning.
And they desired his guest, and we put out their
eyes. —
' So taste ye my torment and warning!'
And there overtook them on the morning a set-
tled punishment! —
* So taste ye my torment and warning ! '
[40] We have made the Qur'an easy as a re-
minder— but is there any one who will mind ?
The warning came to Pharaoh's people ; they
called our signs all lies, and we seized on them with
the seizing of a mighty powerful one.
Are your misbelievers better than they ? or have
ye an exemption in the Scriptures ? Or do they
say we are a victorious company ?
[45] The whole shall be routed and shall turn
their backs in flight ^
Nay, the Hour is their promised time ! and the
Hour is most severe and bitter !
Verily, the sinners are in error and excitement.
On the day when they shall be dragged to the fire
upon their faces ! — ' Taste ye the touch of hell.'
Verily, everything have we created by decree,
[50] and our bidding is but one (word), like the
twinkling of an eye !
^ This is appealed to by Muslims as a prophecy fulfilled at the
battle of Bedr.
C9] S
258 THE QURAN. LIV, 51-LV, 17.
We have destroyed the Hke of you — but is there
any who will mind ?
And everything they do is in the books \ and
everything small and great is written down.
Verily, the pious shall be amid gardens and rivers,
[55] in the seat of truth, with the powerful king.
The Chapter of the Merciful.
(LV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
The Merciful taught the Quran ;
He created man, taught him plain speech.
The sun and the moon have their appointed time ;
[5] The herbs and the trees adore ;
And the heavens, He raised them and set the balance,
that ye should not be outrageous in the balance ;
But weigh ye aright, and stint not the balance.
And the earth He has set it for living creatures ;
[10] therein are fruits and palms, with sheaths;
and grain with chaff and frequent shoots ;
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
He created men of crackling clay like the potters.
And He created the^inn from smokeless fire.
[15] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
The Lord of the two easts'^ and the Lord of the
two wests !
^ The books kept by the recording angels.
"^ See p. 214, note i.
LV, 18-33. THE CHAPTER OF THE MERCIFUL. 259
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
He has let loose the two seas that meet together ;
[20] between them is a barrier they cannot pass !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
He brings forth from each pearls both large and
small !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
His are the ships which rear aloft in the sea like
mountains.
[25] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
Every one upon it ^ is transient, but the face of thy
Lord endowed with majesty and honour shall
endure.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Of Him whosoever is in the heaven and the earth
does beg; every day He is in (some fresh)
business !
[30] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
We shall be at leisure for you, O ye two weighty
ones^ !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny?
O assembly of ^inns and mankind ! if ye are able
to pass through the confines of heaven and earth
^ The earth.
2 I. e. mankind and the^inn ; the meaning is, that God will have
leisure to judge them both.
S 2
260 THE QURAN. LV, 33-50.
then pass through them ! — ye cannot pass through
save by authority !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
[35] There shall be sent against you a flash of fire,
and molten copper, and ye shall not be helped !
Then which of your Lords bounties will )-e twain
deny ?
And when the heaven is rent asunder and become
rosy red ^ — (melting) like grease !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
On that day neither man nor ^inn shall be asked
about his crime !
[40] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
The sinners shall be known by their marks, and
shall be seized by the forelock and the feet !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
* This is hell, which the sinners did call a lie ! they
shall circulate between it and water boiling quite !'
[45] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
But for him who fears the station of his Lord are
gardens twain !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Both furnished with branchino- trees.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
[50] In each are flowing springs.
^ The word is also said to mean red leather.
LV, 51-69. THE CHAPTER OF THE MERCIFUL. 26 1
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
In each are, of every fruit, two kinds.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Reclining on beds the linings of which are of
brocade, and the fruit of the two gardens within
reach to cull.
[55] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
Therein are maids of modest glances whom no man
nor^inn has deflowered before.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
As though they were rubies and pearls.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
[60] Is the reward of goodness aught but goodness ?
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
And besides these, are gardens twain i,
Then which of your Lord's bounties will be twain
deny ?
With dark green foliage.
[65] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
In each two gushing springs.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny .-*
In each fruit and palms and pomegranates.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
^ For the inferior inhabitants of Paradise.
262 THE QURAN. LV, 70-LVI, 9.
[70] In them maidens best and fairest !
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Bright and large-eyed maids kept in their tents.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Whom no man nor ^inn has deflowered before
them.
[75] Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye
twain deny ?
Reclining on green cushions and beautiful carpets.
Then which of your Lord's bounties will ye twain
deny ?
Blessed be the name of thy Lord possessed of
majesty and honour !
The Chapter of the Inevitable.
(LVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
When the inevitable ^ happens ; none shall call its
happening a lie ! — abasing — exalting !
When the earth shall quake, quaking ! [5] and the
mountains shall crumble, crumbling, and become
like motes dispersed !
And ye shall be three sorts ;
And the fellows of the right hand — what right lucky
fellows !
And the fellows of the left hand — what unlucky
fellows !
M. e. the day of judgment.
LVI, 10-37. THE CHAPTER OF THE INEVITABLE. 263
[10] And the foremost foremost^ !
These are they who are brought nigh,
In gardens of pleasure !
A crowd of those of yore,
And a few of those of the latter day !
[15] And gold-weft couches, reclining on them face
to face.
Around them shall go eternal youths, with goblets
and ewers and a cup of flowing wine ; no head-
ache shall they feel therefrom, nor shall their wits
be dimmed !
[20] And fruits such as they deem the best ;
And flesh of fowl as they desire ;
And bright and large-eyed maids like hidden pearls ;
A reward for that which they have done !
They shall hear no folly there and no sin ;
[25] Only the speech, ' Peace, Peace !'
And the fellows of the right — what right lucky
fellows !
Amid thornless lote trees.
And tal'h ^ trees with piles of fruit ;
And outspread shade,
[30] And water out-poured ;
And fruit in abundance, neither failing nor for-
bidden ;
And beds upraised !
Verily, we have produced them'^ a production.
[35] And made them virgins, darlings of equal age
(with their spouses) for the fellows of the right !
^ I. e. the foremost in professing the failh on earth shall be the
foremost then.
- The mimosa gummifera is generally so called in Arabia ; but
the banana is said to be meant in this passage.
^ The celestial damsels.
264 THE QURAN. LVI, 38-66.
A crowd of those of yore, and a crowd of those of
the latter day !
[40] And the fellows of the left — what unlucky
fellows !
In hot blasts and boiling water;
And a shade of pitchy smoke,
Neither cool nor generous !
Verily, they were affluent ere this, [45] and did persist
in mighty crime ; and used to say, 'What, when we
die and have become dust and bones, shall we
then indeed be raised ? or our fathers of yore ?'
Say, 'Verily, those of yore and those of the latter
day [50] shall surely be gathered together unto
the tryst of the well-known day.'
Then ye, O ye who err ! who say it is a lie ! shall
eat of the Zaqqum tree ! and fill your bellies with
it! and drink thereon of boiling water! [55] and
drink as drinks the thirsty camel.
This is their entertainment on the judgment day!
We created you, then why do ye not credit ?
Have ye considered what ye emit ?
Do we create it, or are we the creators ?
[60] We have decreed amongst )ou death ; but we
are not forestalled from making the likes of you
in exchange, or producing you as ye know not of.
Ye do know the first production — why then do ye
not mind ?
Have ye considered what ye till ?
Do ye make it bear seed, or do we make it bear seed ?
[65] If we pleased we could make it mere grit, so that
ye would pause to marvel :
'Verily,w^e have got into debt^ and we are excluded^.'
^ I, e. for seed and labour. ^ From reaping the fruits of it.
LVI, 67-90. THE CHAPTER OF THE INEVITABLE. 265
Have ye considered the water which ye drink ?
Do ye make it come down from the clouds, or do
we make it come down ?
If we pleased we could make it pungent — why then
do ye not give thanks ?
[70] Have ye considered the fire which ye strike ?
Do ye produce the tree that gives it\ or do we
produce it ?
We have made it a memorial and a chattel for the
traveller of the waste ?
Then celebrate the grand name of thy Lord !
So I will not swear by the positions of the stars ;
[75] and, verily, it is a grand oath if ye did but
know — that, verily, this is the honourable Qur'an
— in the laid-up Book !
Let none touch it but the purified !
A revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
[80] What ! this new discourse will ye despise ?
And make for your provision, that you call it a
lie.?
Why then — when it^ comes up to the throat, and ye
at that time look on, though we are nearer to him
than you are, but ye cannot see, — [85] why, if ye
are not to be judged, do ye not send it back, if
ye do tell the truth ?
But either, if he be of those brought nigh to
God, — then rest and fragrance and the garden
of pleasure !
Or, if he be of the fellows of the right ! [90] then
' Peace to thee !' from the fellows of the right !
^ The ancient Arabs produced fire by the friction of a stick in a
hollow piece of wood. Cf. p. 167, line 25.
^ The soul of a dying man.
266 THE QURAN. LVI, 91-LVII, 6.
Or, if he be of those who say it 'is a lie, — who err !
then an entertainment of boiling water ! and
broiling in hell !
[95] Verily, this is surely certain truth !
So celebrate the grand name of thy Lord !
The Chapter of Iron.
(LVII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Whatever is in the heavens and the earth cele-
brates the praises of God, for He is the mighty,
the wise !
His is the kingdom of the heavens and the
earth : He quickens and He kills, and He is mighty
over all !
He is the first and the last; and the outer and
the inner; and He all things doth know !
He it is who created the heavens and the earth
in six days, then He made for the throne ; and He
knows what goes into the earth and what goes forth
therefrom, and what comes down from the sky and
what goes up therein, and He is with you wheresoe'er
ye be : for God on what ye do doth look !
[5] His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth,
and unto God affairs return. He makes the nieht
succeed the day, and makes the day succeed the
night ; and He knows the nature of men's breasts.
Believe in God and His Apostle, and give alms of
what He has made you successors of. For those
amongst you who believe and give alms — for them
is mighty hire.
LVII, 7-13. THE CHAPTER OF IRON. 267
What ails you that ye do not believe in God and
His Apostle ? He calls on you to believe in your
Lord; and He has taken a compact from you, if ye
be believers.
He it is who sends down upon His servants mani-
fest signs, to bring you forth from the darkness
into the light; for, verily, God to you is kind,
compassionate !
[10] What ails you that ye give not alms in God's
cause ? for God's is the inheritance of the heavens
and the earth. Not alike amongst you is he who
gives alms before the victory and fights, — they are
grander in rank than those who give alms after-
wards and fight. But to all does God promise good;
and God of what ye do is well aware !
Who is there who will lend a good loan to God ?
for He will double it for him, and for him is a
generous reward.
On the day when thou shall see believers, men
and women, with their light running on before them
and on their right hand \ — ' Glad tidings for you to-
day.— Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell
therein for aye ; that is the grand bliss !'
On the day when the hypocrites, men and women,
shall say to those who believe, ' Wait for us that we
may kindle at your light' It will be said, ' Get ye
back, and beg a light.' And there shall be struck
out between them a wall with a door ; within it shall
be mercy, and outside before it torment. They shall
cry out to them, 'We were not with you!' they
shall say, ' Yea, but ye did tempt yourselves, and did
wait, and did doubt ; and your vain hopes beguiled
you ; and the beguiler beguiled you about God.
^ I. e. guiding them to Paradise.
268 THE QURAN. LVII, 14-21.
* Wherefore to-day there shall not be taken from
you a ransom, nor from those who misbelieved.
Your resort is the fire ; it is your sovereign, and an
ill journey will it be ! '
[15] Is the time come to those who believe, for
their hearts to be humbled at the remembrance of
God, and of what He has sent down in truth? and
for them not to be like those who were given the
Scriptures before, and over whom time was pro-
longed, but their hearts grew hard, and many of
them were workers of abomination ?
Know that God quickens the earth after its
death I — we have manifested to you the signs;
haply ye may have some sense!
Verily, those who give in charity, men and
women, who have lent to God a goodly loan, —
it shall be doubled for them, and for them is a
generous hire.
And those who believe in God and His Apostle,
they are the confessors and the martyrs with their
Lord ; for them is their hire and their light ! But
those who misbelieve and call our signs lies, they
are the fellows of hell !
Know that the life of this world is but a sport,
and a play, and an adornment, and something to
boast of amongst yourselves ; and the multiplying
of children is like a rain-growth, its vegetation
pleases the misbelievers ; then they wither away,
and thou mayest see them become yellow ; then they
become but grit.
But in the hereafter is a severe woe, [20] and for-
giveness from God and His goodwill; but the life of
this world is but a chattel of guile.
Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and
LVII, 21-27. THE CHAPTER OF IRON. 269
Paradise, whose breadth is as the breadth of the
heavens and the earth, prepared for those who
beheve in God and His apostles ! and God's grace,
He gives it to whom He pleases, for God is Lord
of mighty grace !
No accident befalls in the earth, or in yourselves,
but it was in the Book, before we created them ;
verily, that is easy unto God.
That ye may not vex yourselves for what ye
miss, nor be overjoyed at what He gives you ; for
God loves no arrogant boaster, who are niggardly
and bid men be niggardly : but whoso turns his
back ^, verily, God is rich, praiseworthy.
[25] We did send our apostles with manifest
signs ; and we did send down among you the Book
and the balance, that men might stand by justice ;
and we sent down iron in which is both keen
violence and advantages to men ; and that God
might know who helps Him and His apostles in
secret ; verily, God is strong and mighty!
And we sent Noah and Abraham ; and placed in
their seed prophecy and the Book ; and some of
them are guided, though many of them are workers
of abomination !
Then we followed up their footsteps with our
apostles; and we followed them up with Jesus
the son of Mary; and we gave him the gospel ;
and we placed in the hearts of those who followed
him kindness and compassion. — But monkery, they
invented it ; we only prescribed to them the craving
after the goodwill of God, and they observed it not
with due observance. But we gave to those who
^ I. e. from almsgiving.
270 THE QURAN. LVII, 27-LVIII, 4.
believe amongst them their hire ; though many
amongst them were workers of abomination !
O ye who beHeve! fear God, and beheve in His
Apostle: He will give you two portions of His
mercy, and will make for )ou a light for you to
walk in, and will forgive you ; for God is forgiving,
compassionate.
That the people of the Book may know that they
cannot control aught of God's grace ; and that grace
is in God's hands. He gives it to whom He will ; for
God is Lord of mighty grace !
The Chapter of the Wrangler.
(LVHI. Medinah.)
God has heard the speech of her who wrangled
with you about her husband \ and complained to
God ; and God hears your gossip ; verily, God both
hears and sees.
Those among you who back out of their wives ^
they are not their mothers : their mothers are only
those who gave them birth ; and, verily, they speak
a wrong speech and a false.
Verily, God both pardons and forgives. But those
who back out of their wives and then would recall
their speech, — then the manumission of a captive
before they touch each other ; that is what ye are
admonished, and God of what ye do is well aware !
^ Khaulah bint Tna'labah being divorced from her husband by
the formula mentioned below, and which was always considered to
be a final separation, appealed to Mohammed, who said he could not
alter the custom. Afterwards, on the woman praying to God, this
passage was revealed, abolishing the objectionable form of divorce.
^ I. e. divorce them by the formula ' Thou art to me as my
mother's back ! ' See Part I, p. 43, note 4.
LVIII, 5-9. THE CHAPTER OF THE WRANGLER. 27I
[5] But he who finds not (the means) : — then
a fast for two months consecutively, before they
touch each other ; and he who cannot endure
that : — then the feeding of sixty poor folk. That is
that ye may believe in God and His Apostle ; and
these are the bounds of God ; and for the mis-
believers is grievous woe !
Verily, those who oppose God and His Apostle
shall be upset, as those before them were upset.
We have sent down manifest signs : for the mis-
believers is shameful woe on the day when God
shall raise them all together, and shall inform them
of what they have done. God has taken account of
it, but they forget it ; for God is witness over all !
Dost thou not see that God knows what is in the
heavens and what is in the earth ? and that there
cannot be a privy discourse of three but He makes
the fourth ? nor of five but He makes the sixth ? nor
less than that nor more, but that He is with them
wheresoe'er they be ? then He will inform them of
what they have done upon the resurrection day ;
verily, God all things doth know !
Dost thou not look at those who were prohibited
from privy talk, and then returned to that they were
forbidden ? and they too discourse together with sin
and enmity and rebellion against the Apostle ; and
when they come to thee they greet thee with what
God greets thee not ^ ; and they say in themselves,
Why does not God torment us for what we say ?
Hell is enough for them ! they shall broil therein,
and an ill journey shall it be !
^ Instead of saying, Es salam 'halaika, 'peace be upon thee!'
they used to say, Es sam 'halaika, ' mischief be upon thee !'
272 THE QURAN. LVIII, 10-17.
[10] O ye who believe! when ye discourse to-
gether, then discourse not in sin and enmity and
rebelHon against the Apostle ; but discourse together
in righteousness and piety ; and fear God, for unto
Him ye shall be gathered !
Privy talk is only from the devil, that those who
do believe may grieve : it cannot hurt them at all,
except by the permission of God : and upon God let
the believers rely.
O ye who believe ! when it is said to you, ' Make
room in your assemblies,' then make room ; God
will make room for you ; and when it is said to you,
' Rise up,' then rise up ; God will raise all you who
believe, as well as those who are given knowledge,
in rank; for God of what ye do is well aware!
O ye who believe ! when ye address the Apostle,
then give in charity before addressing him ; that is
better for you, and more pure. But if ye find not
the means, — then God is forgiving, compassionate.
What ! do ye shrink from giving in charity before
addressing him ? then if ye do it not, and God
relents towards you, then be steadfast in prayer,
and give alms, and fear God and His Apostle ; for
God is well aware of what ye do !
[15] Dost thou not look at those who take for
patrons a people ^ God is wrath with ? they are
neither of you nor of them, and they swear to you a
lie the while they know ; for them God has prepared
severe torment ; verily, evil is it they have done !
They take their faith for a cloak ; and they turn
men aside from the path of God ; and for them is
shameful woe !
^ The Jews.
LVIII,i8-LIX,l. THE CHAPTER OF THE EMIGRATION. 273
Their wealth shall not avail them, nor their children
at all, against God ; they are the fellows of the Fire,
and they shall dwell therein for aye !
On the day when God raises them all together,
then will they swear to Him as they swore to you ;
and they will think that they rest on somewhat. —
Ay, verily, they are liars !
[20] Satan hath overridden them, and made them
forget the remembrance of God : they are the crew
of Satan ; ay, the crew of Satan, they are the
losers !
Verily, those who oppose God and His Apostle
are amongfst the most vile.
God has written, ' I will surely prevail, I and my
apostles;' verily, God Is strong and mighty!
Thou shalt not find a people who believe in God
and the last day loving him who opposes God and
His Apostle, even though it be their fathers, or
their sons, or their brethren, or their clansmen.
He has written faith in their hearts, and He aids
them with a spirit from Him; and will make them
enter into grardens beneath which rivers flow, to
dwell therein for aye ! God is well pleased with
them, and they well pleased with Him: they are
God's crew ; ay, God's crew, they shall prosper !
The Chapter of the Emigration.
(LIX. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
What is in the heavens and in the earth cele-
brates God's praises ; He is the mighty, the wise!
[9J T
2 74 THE QURAN. LIX, 2-6.
He it was who drove those of the people of the
Book who misbeHeved forth from their houses, at
the first emigration^ ; ye did not think that they
would go forth, and they thought that their for-
tresses would defend them against God ; but God
came upon them from whence they did not reckon,
and cast dread into their hearts ! They ruined their
houses with their own hands and the hands of the
believers ; wherefore take example, O ye who are
endowed with sight !
Had it not been that God had prescribed for
them banishment, He would have tormented them
in this world-; but for them in the next shall be
the torment of the Fire ! that is because they
opposed God and His Apostle: and whoso op-
poses God, verily, God is keen to punish !
[5] What palm trees ye did cut down or what
ye left standing upon their roots was by God's
permission, and to disgrace the workers of abomi-
nation ; and as for the spoils that God gave to His
Apostle from these (people) ye did not press forward
after them with horse or riding camel ; but God
gives His Apostle authority over whom He pleases,
for God is mighty over alP !
^ The Jews of en NartVnr, near Medinah, who at first promised to
stand neuter between him and the idolaters. After his success at
Bedr they came over to his side, but turned again after the defeat
of Ohod. For this offence they were forced to leave the country.
^ Like those of Qmau/kah, who were slaughtered. See Intro-
duction, p. xxxix.
' The Muslims did not use cavalry on the occasion, INIohammed
himself being the only mounted member of the expedition. For
this reason the spoils were assigned to the prophet alone, and not
divided in the usual manner as prescribed in Chapter VIII, verse
42, Part I, pp. 167, 168.
LIX, 7-II- THE CHAPTER OF THE EMIGRATION. 275
What God gave as spoils to His Apostle of the
people of the cities is God's, and the Apostle's, and
for kinsfolk, orphans, and the poor, and the way-
farer, so that it should not be circulated amongst
the rich men of you.
And what the Apostle gives you, take ; and what
he forbids you, desist from ; and fear God, verily,
God is keen to punish !
And (it is) for the poor who fled^ who were driven
forth from their houses and their wealth, who crave
grace from God and His goodwill, and help God and
the Apostle ; they are the truthful.
And those who were settled in the abode- and
the faith before them, love those who fled to them^ ;
and they do not find in their breasts a need of what
has been given to them ; preferring them to them-
selves, even though there be poverty amongst them ;
and whoso is preserved from his own coveteousness,
these are the prosperous !
[10] And those who came after them say, 'Our
Lord, forp-ive us and our brethren who were before-
hand with us in the faith, and place not in our
hearts ill-will towards those who believe — our Lord !
verily, thou art kind, compassionate!'
Dost thou not look on those who were hypo-
critical, saying to their brethren who misbelieved
amongst the people of the Book\ ' If ye be driven
forth we will go forth with you ; and we will never
obey any one concerning you ; and if ye be fought
1 The poorer Muha^erin were allowed to participate in the
spoil, but not the Ansars.
2 The Ansars at Medinah.
2 The Muha^erin.
* The Jews.
T 2
276 THE QUr'aN. LTX, 11-20-
against we will help you.' But God bears witness
that they are surely liars !
If they be driven forth, these will not go forth
with them ; and if they be fought against, these will
not help them ; or if they do help them, they will
turn their backs in flight ; — then shall they not be
helped !
Ye indeed are a keener source of fear in their
hearts than God ; that is because they are a people
who do not understand ! They will not fight against
you in a body save in fortified cities, or from behind
walls ; their valour is great amongst themselves ; —
thou dost reckon them as one body, but their hearts
are separated. That is because they are a people
who have no sense !
[15] Like unto those before them, recently^ ; they
tasted the evil result of their affair, and for them is
grievous woe.
Like unto the devil when he said to man, ' Dis-
believe.' But when he disbelieved, he said, 'Verily,
I am clear of thee ! Verily, I fear God the Lord of
the worlds ! ' And the end of them both shall be
that they shall both be in the Fire, to dwell therein
for aye ! for that is the reward of the unjust !
O ye who believe ! fear God ; and let each soul
look to w^hat it sends on for the morrow; and fear
God ; verily, God is well aware of what ye do !
And be ye not like those who forget God, and
He makes them forget themselves ; they are the
workers of abomination !
[20] Not deemed alike shall be the fellows of the
^ Either the idolaters slain at Bedr, or the Jews of Qainuqah, or
those of Nac///ir.
LIX,20-LX, I. THE CHAPTER OF THE TRIED. 277
Fire and the fellows of Paradise : die fellows of
Paradise they are the blissful !
Had we sent down this Quran upon a moun-
tain, thou wouldst have seen it humbling itself,
splitting asunder from the fear of God ! These
parables do we strike out for men ; haply they may
reflect !
He is God than whom there is no god ; who
knows the unseen and the visible ; He is the
merciful, the compassionate ! He is God than
whom there is no god ; the King, the Holy, the
Peace-Giver, the Faithful, the Protector, the Mighty,
the Repairer, the Great! — celebrated be the praises
of God above what they join with Him.
He is God, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner ;
His are the excellent names ^ ! His praises, whatever
are in the heavens and the earth do celebrate ; for
God is the mighty, the wise !
The Chapter of the Tried.
(LX. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O ye who believe ! take not my enemy and your
enemy for patrons, encountering them with love ;
for they misbelieve in the truth that is to come to
you ; they drive out the Apostle and you for that
ye believe in God your Lord^ !
^ See Introduction, p. Ixvii.
2 'Ha/ib ibn abi Balta'hah had given the Meccans warning of an
278 THE QURAN. LX, 1-6.
If ye go forth fighting strenuously In my cause
and craving my good pleasure, and secretly show
love for them, yet do I know best what ye con-
ceal and what ye display ! and he of you who does
so has erred from the level path.
If they find you they will be enemies to you, and
they will stretch forth against you their hands and
their tongues for evil, and would fain that ye should
disbelieve ; neither your kindred nor your children
shall profit you upon the resurrection day ; it will
separate you ! but God on what ye do doth look !
Ye had a good example in Abraham and those
with him, when they said to their people, 'Verily, we
are clear of you and of what ye serve beside God.
We disbelieve in you : and between us and you is
enmity and hatred begun for ever, until ye believe
in God alone ! '
But not^ the speech of Abraham to his father,
'Verily, I will ask forgiveness for thee, though I
cannot control aught from God !' O our Lord! on
thee do we rely ! and unto thee we turn ! and unto
thee the journey is !
[5] Our Lord ! make us not a trial for those who
misbelieve ; but forgive us ! Our Lord ! verily, thou
art mighty, wise !
Ye had in them a good example for him Avho
intended surprise by Mohammed, and on his letter being inter-
cepted, excused himself by saying that he had only done so in
order to make terms for his family, who were at Mecca, and that
he knew that the information would be of no avail. IMohammed
pardoned him, but the verse in the text prohibits such conduct for
the future.
^ I. e. they arc not to imitate Abraham's speech to his father,
and ask forgiveness for their infidel friends. Cp. Part I, p. 189,
verse 115.
LX, 6-II. THE CHAPTER OF THE TRIED. 2/9
would hope in God and the last day. But whoso
turns his back, verily, God, He is rich and to be
praised.
Mayhap that God will place love between you
and between those of them ye are hostile towards^:
for God is powerful, and God is forgiving, com-
passionate.
God forbids you not respecting tliose who have
not fought against you for religion's sake, and who
have not driven you forth from your homes, that
ye should act righteously and justly towards them ;
verily, God loves the just !
He only forbids you to make patrons of those
who have fought against you for religion's sake,
and driven you forth from your homes, or have
aided in your expulsion ; and whoever makes
patrons of them, they are the unjust!
[lo] O ye who believe ! when there come be-
lieving women who have fled, then try them :
God knows their faith. If ye know them to be
believers do not send them back to the mis-
believers ; — they are not lawful for them, nor are
the men lawful for these ; — but give them^ what
they have expended", and it shall be no crime
against you that ye marry them, when ye have given
them their hire. And do not ye retain a right
over misbelieving women ; but ask for what ye
have spent, and let them ask for what they have
spent. That is God's judgment : He judges be-
tween you, for God is knowing, wise !
And if any of your wives escape from you to the
^ I. e. by their becoming converted to Islam.
2 I. e. to their infidel husbands.
^ The dowries.
2 So THE QURAN. LX,ii-LXI, 3.
misbelievers, and your turn comes, then give to
those whose wives have gone away the hke of what
they have spent ; and fear God, in whom it is that
ye beHeve.
O thou prophet ! when beheving women come to
thee and engage with thee that they will not asso-
ciate aught with God, and will not steal, and will
not fornicate, and will not kill their children, and
will not bring a calumny which they have forged
between their hands and feet\ and that they will
not rebel against thee in what is reasonable, then
enaao-e with them and ask forgfiveness for them of
God ; — verily, God is forgiving, compassionate.
O ye who believe ! take not for patrons a people
whom God is wrath against ; they despair of the
hereafter, as the misbelievers despair of the fellows
of the tombs 2 !
The Chapter of the Ranks.
(LXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
What is in the heavens and what is in the earth
celebrates the praises of God, for He is the mighty,
the wise !
O ye who believe ! say not what ye do not.
It is most hateful to God that ye say wdiat ye
do not.
^ This is said by some commentators to mean foisting spurious
children on to their husbands,
^ I. e. of tlie resurrection of the dead.
LXI, 4-II. THE CHAPTER OF THE RANKS. 281
Verily, God loves those who fight in His cause in
ranks as though they were a compact building ^
[5] When Moses said to his people, 'O my people!
why do ye hurt me, when ye know that I am the
apostle of God to you?' and when they swerved,
God made their hearts to swerve ; for God euides
not the people who work abomination !
And when Jesus the son of Mary said, ' O children
of Israel ! verily, I am the apostle of God to you,
verifying the law that was before me and giving you
glad tidings of an apostle who shall come after me,
whose name shall be A'hmed'!' — but when he did
come to them with manifest signs, they said, ' This
is manifest sorcery !'
And who is more unjust than he who forges
against God a lie when called unto Islam ? but
God guides not the unjust people.
They desire to put out the light of God with
their mouths ; but God will perfect His light, averse
although the misbeliever be !
He it is who sent His Apostle with guidance and
the religion of truth to set it above all religion ;
averse although the idolaters may be.
[10] O ye who believe ! shall I lead you to a
merchandise which will save you from grievous
woe ?
To believe in God and His Apostle, and to fight
strenuously in God's cause with your property and
1 Who fight in close and unbroken lines.
"" A'hmed is equivalent in meaning to Mohammed, and means
'Praised,' 'Laudable.' The allusion is to the promise of the Paraclete
in John xvi. 7, the Muslims declaring that the word irapaKKryros has
been substituted in the Greek for nepiKXvros, which would mean the
same as A'hmed. See Introduction, p, xlix.
282 THE QUr'aN. LXI, ii-LXII,2.
your persons ; that is better for you if ye did but
know !
He will pardon you your sins, and bring you into
gardens beneath which rivers flow, and goodly
dwellings in gardens of Eden ; — that is the mighty
bliss !
And other things which ye love, — help from
God and victory nigh ! — so do thou give the glad
tidings unto the believers !
O ye who believe ! be ye the helpers ^ of God !
as Jesus son of Mary said to the apostles, 'Who
are my helpers for God ? ' Said the apostles, ' We
are God's helpers - ! '
And a party of the children of Israel believed,
and a party misbelieved. And we aided those who
believed against their enemies, and they were on the
morrow superior !
The Chapter of the Congregation.
(LXIL Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
What is in the heavens and what is in the earth
celebrates the praises of God the King, the holy, the
mighty, the wise !
He it is who sent unto the Gentiles^ a prophet
amongst themselves to recite to them His signs and
to purify them, and to teach them the Book and
' Ansar.
'^ See Part I, p. 53 (Chapter III, verse 45).
^ See Introduction, p. xlvii, and Part I, p. 156, note.
LXII, 2-II. THE CHAPTER OF THE CONGREGATION. 28
•I
the wisdom, although they were before In obvious
error.
And others of them have not yet overtaken
them^; but He Is the mighty, the wise!
That is God's grace. He gives It to whomsoever
He win ; for God is Lord of mighty grace.
[5] The Hkeness of those who were charged with
the law and then bore It not is as the likeness of an
ass bearing books : sorry Is the likeness of the
people who say God's signs are lies ! but God guides
not an unjust people.
Say, ' O ye who are Jews ! if ye pretend that ye
are the clients of God, beyond other people ; then
wish for death if ye do speak the truth ! '
But they never wish for It, through what their
hands have sent before ! but God knows the unjust.
Say, ' Verily, the death from which ye flee will
surely meet you ; then shall ye be sent back to Him
who knows the unseen and the visible, and He will
Inform you of that which ye have done !'
O ye who believe ! when the call to prayer Is made
upon the Congregation Day ^ then hasten to the
remembrance of God, and leave off traffic ; that is
better for you. If ye did but know !
[10] And when prayer is performed, then disperse
abroad in the land, and crave of God's grace ; and
remember God much ; haply ye may prosper !
But when they see merchandise or sport they
flock to it and leave thee standing M Say, 'What Is
^ I. e. by embracing Islam.
2 Friday, called before this 'Harubah. Tt was the day on which
Mohammed entered Medinah for the first time.
3 It is said that one Friday a caravan entered the town while
Mohammed was conducting the public prayers, and the congrega-
284 THE QURAN. LXII, ii-LXIII,4.
with God is better than sport and than merchandise,
for God is the best of providers !'
The Chapter of the Hypocrites ^
(LXIII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
When the hypocrites come to thee, they say, ' We
bear witness that thou art surely the Apostle of
God;' but God knows that thou art His Apostle:
and God bears witness that the hypocrites are liars !
They take their faith ^ for a cloak, and then they
turn folks from God's way : — evil is that which they
have done ! That is because they believed and then
disbelieved, wherefore is a stamp set on their hearts
so that they do not understand !
And when thou seest them, their persons please
thee 3; but if they speak, thou listenest to their
speech : they are like timber propped up-^ : they
reckon every noise against them ! They are the
foe, so beware of them ! — God fight against them,
how they lie !
tion hearing the drums beat rushed out to see the sight, with the
exception of about twelve of them.
^ The disaft'ected portion of the inhabitants of INIedinah. See
Introduction, p. xxxiv.
"^ Or, by a various reading, ' their oaths.'
' Abdallah ibn Ubai, the leader of the ' Hypocrites ' (see Intro-
duction, p. xxxv), was a man of fine presence and eloquent
address.
* I. e. though of tall and imposing presence, they are really like
mere logs.
LXIII, 5-II. THE CHAPTER OF THE HYPOCRITES. 285
[5] And when it is said to them, ' Come, and the
Apostle of God will ask forgiveness for you !' they
turn away their heads, and thou mayest see them
turning away since they are so big with pride !
It is the same to them whether thou dost ask
forgiveness for them, or whether thou dost not
ask forgiveness for them, — God will not forgive
them ; verily, God guides not a people who work
abomination !
They it is who say, ' Expend not in alms upon
those who are with the Apostle of God, in order that
they may desert him !' — but God's are the treasures
of the heavens and the earth ; but the hypocrites
have no sense !
They say, ' If we return to el Medinah, the
mightier will surely drive out the meaner there-
from;' but to God belongs the might, and to His
Apostle and to the believers ; but the hypocrites
do not know !
O ye who believe ! let not your property nor
your children divert you from the remembrance
of God, — for whosoever does that, they are those
who lose !
[10] But expend in alms of what we have
bestowed upon you before death come on any
one of you, and he says, 'My Lord! wouldst thou
but have respited me till an appointed time nigh at
hand, then would I surely give in charity and be
among the righteous !' But God will never respite a
soul when its appointed time has come : and God
of what ye do is well aware !
286 THE QUR'aN. LXIV. 1-9.
The Chapter of Cheating.
(LXIV. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
What is in the heavens and what is in the earth
celebrates God's praises ; His is the kingdom, and
His is the praise, and He is mighty over all !
He it is who created you, and of you is (one) a
misbeliever and (one) a believer ; and God on what
ye do does look.
He created the heavens and the earth in truth ;
and has formed you and made excellent your forms ;
and unto Him the journey is !
He knows what is in the heavens and the earth,
and knows what ye conceal and what ye display ; for
God knows the nature of men's breasts !
[5] Has there not come to you the story of those
who misbelieved before, and tasted the evil result of
their affair, and for them was grievous woe ?
That is because their apostles came to them with
manifest signs, and they said, ' Shall mortals guide
us ?' and they misbelieved and turned their backs.
But God was independent of them ; for God is rich
and to be praised !
Those who misbelieve pretend that they shall
surely not be raised : say, ' Yea ! by my Lord ! ye
shall surely be raised : then ye shall be informed
of that which ye have done;' for that is easy
unto God.
So believe in God and His Apostle and the light
which we have sent down ; for God of what ye do is
well aware !
On the day when he shall gather you to the day
I
LXIV, 9-17. THE CHAPTER OF CHEATING. 287
of gathering, that is the day of cheating^ ! but whoso
beheves in God and acts aright, He will cover for
him his offences, and will bring him into gardens
beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for aye !
that is the mighty bliss !
[10] But those who misbelieve and say our signs
are lies, they are the fellows of the Fire, to dwell
therein for aye ! and evil shall the journey be !
No calamity befalls but by the permission of God :
and whoso believes in God, He will mnde his heart ;
for God all things doth know !
So obey God and obey the Apostle ^ : but if ye
turn your backs — our Apostle has only his plain
message to preach !
God, there is no god but He ; and upon Him let
the believers rely !
O ye who believe ! verily, among your wives and
children are foes of yours : so beware of them ! But
if ye pardon, and overlook it, and forgive, — verily,
God is forgiving, compassionate !
[15] Your property and your children are but a
trial ; and God, with Him is mighty hire !
Then fear God as much as ye can ! and hear, and
obey, and expend in alms : it is better for yourselves.
But whosoever is saved from his own covetousness —
these are the prosperous !
If ye lend to God a goodly loan, He will double
it for you, and will forgive you ; for God is grateful,
clement !
' I.e. both ihe righteous and the wicked will disappoint each
other by reversing their positions, the wicked being punished
while the righteous are in bliss.
^ This expression seems to indicate that this verse at least was
revealed at Medinah.
288 THE QURAN. LXIV,i8-LXV,4.
He knows the unseen and the visible ; the mighty,
the wise !
The Chapter of Divorce.
(LXV. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O thou prophet ! when ye divorce women, then
divorce them at their term \ and calculate the term
and fear God your Lord. Do not drive them out of
their houses unless they have committed manifest
adultery. These are God's bounds, and whoso
transgresses God's bounds has wronged himself.
Thou knowest not whether haply God may cause
something fresh to happen after that ^.
And when they have reached their appointed
time, then retain them with kindness, or separate
from them with kindness ; and bring as witnesses men
of equity from among you ; and give upright testi-
mony to God. That is what He admonishes him
who believes in God and the last day; and whoso-
ever fears God, He will make for him a (happy)
issue, and will provide for him from whence he
reckoned not.
And whosoever relies on God, He is sufficient
for him : verily, God will attain His purpose : — God
has set for everything a period.
And such of your women as despair of menstrua-
^ When they have had three periods of menstruation ; or, if they
prove with child, after their deHvery. See Part I, p. 34.
^ I. e. whether God may not reconcile them again.
LXV, 4-1 1. THE CHAPTER OF DIVORCE. 289
tion, — if ye doubt, then their term is three months ;
and such as have not menstruated too.
And those who are heavy with child their ap-
pointed time is when they have laid down their
burden ; and whosoever fears God, He will make
for him an easy affair.
[5] That is God's command, He has sent it down
to you ; and whosoever fears God He will cover for
him his offences and will make grand for him his
hire.
Let them^ dwell where ye dwell, according to
your means, and do not harm them, to reduce them
to straits ; and if they be heavy with child, then
pay for them until they lay down their burdens;
and if they suckle (the child) for you, then give
them their hire, and consult among yourselves in
reason ; but if ye be in difficulties, and another
woman shall suckle the child for him, let him who
has plenty expend of his plenty; but he whose pro-
vision is doled out, let him expend of what God has
given him ; God will not compel any soul beyond
what He has given it; — God will make after diffi-
culty ease !
How many a city has turned away from the bid-
ding of its Lord and His apostles; and we called
them to a severe account, and we tormented them
with an unheard-of torment !
And they tasted the evil results of their conduct ;
and the end of their conduct was loss !
[10] God prepared for them severe torment;—
then fear God, ye who are endowed with minds !
Ye who believe ! God has sent down to you a
^ The divorced women.
[9] u
290 THE QUR AN. LXV, ii-LXVI, 2.
reminder ; — an apostle to recite to you God's mani-
fest signs ; — to bring forth those who beheve and
act aright from darkness into lieht ! and whoso
beheves in God and acts right He will bring him
into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell
therein for ever and for aye ! God has made goodly
for him his provision !
God it is who created seven heavens, and of the
/ earth the like thereof The bidding descends be-
tween them, that ye may know that God is mighty
over all, and that God has encompassed all things
with His knowledge!
The Chapter of Prohibition ^
(LXVI. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O thou prophet ! wherefore dost thou prohibit
what God has made lawful to thee, craving to please
thy wives ? but God is forgiving, compassionate !
God has allowed you to expiate your oaths ; for
* This chapter was occasioned by Mohammed's liaison with the
Coptic girl Mary (see Introduction, p. xl), with whom he lay on the
day due to'Ayeshah or'Hafsah. The latter was greatly enraged, and
Mohammed to pacify her swore never to touch the girl again, and
enjoined 'Hafsah to keep the matter secret from the rest of his
wives. She, however, revealed it in confidence to "Ayeshah ; when
Mohammed, annoyed at finding his confidence betrayed, not only
divorced her, but separated himself from his other wives for the
space of a month, which time he passed in Mary's apartment.
The chapter is intended to free him from his oath respecting
Mary, and to reprove his wives for their conduct.
LXVI, 2-8. THE CHAPTER OF PROHIBITION. 29 1
God is your sovereign, and He is the knowing, the
wise !
And when the prophet told as a secret to one of
his wives a recent event, and when she gave infor-
mation thereof and exposed it, he acquainted her with
some of it and avoided part of it. But when he in-
formed her of it, she said, 'Who told thee this ?' he
said, ' The wise one, the well-aware informed me.
' If ye both turn repentant unto God, — for your
hearts have swerved ! — but if ye back each other up
against him, — verily, God, He is the sovereign ; and
Gabriel and the righteous of the believers, and the
angels after that, will back him up.
' [5] It may be that his Lord if he divorce you will
give him in exchange wives better than you, Mus-
lims, believers, devout, repentant, worshipping, giving
to fasting — such as have known men and virgins too.'
O ye who believe ! save yourselves and your
families from the fire, whose fuel is men and stones ;
— over it are angels stout and stern ; they disobey
not God in what He bids them, but they do what
they are bidden !
O ye who disbelieve ! excuse not yourselves to-
day;— ye shall only be rewarded for that which ye
have done.
O ye who believe ! turn repentant to God with
sincere repentance ; it may be that thy Lord will
cover for you your offences and will bring you into
gardens beneath which rivers flow ! — the day God
will not disgrace the Prophet nor those who believe
with him ; their light shall run on before them, and
at their right hands ! they shall say, ' Our Lord !
perfect for us our light and forgive us ; verily, Thou
art mighty over all !'
u 2
292 THE QURAN. LXVI, 9-LXVII, 4.
O thou prophet ! fight strenuously against the
misbehevers and hypocrites and be stern towards
them ; for their resort is hell, and an evil journey
shall it be !
[10] God strikes out a parable to those who mis-
believe : the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot ;
they were under two of our righteous servants, but
they betrayed them : and they availed them nothing
against God ; and it was said, ' Enter the fire with
those who enter.'
And God strikes out a parable for those who
believe : the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, ' My
Lord, build for me a house with Thee in Paradise,
and save me from Pharaoh and his works, and save
me from the unjust people !'
And Mary, daughter of Imran, who guarded her
private parts, and we breathed therein of our spirit
and she verified the words of her Lord and His
books, and was of the devout.
The Chapter of the Kingdom.
(LXVn. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Blessed be He in whose hand is the kingdom,
for He is mighty over all !
Who created death and life, to try you, which of
you does best; for He is the mighty, the forgiving!
Who created seven heavens in stories ; thou canst
^ not see any discordance in the creation of the
Merciful !
Why, look again ! canst thou see a flaw ? Then
LXVII, 4-15- THE CHAPTER OF THE KINGDOM. 293
look again twice ! — thy look shall return to thee
driven back and dulled !
[5] And we have adorned the lower heaven
with lamps; and set them to pelt the devils with^;
and we have prepared for them the torment of the
blaze !
And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the
torment of hell, and an evil journey shall it be !
When they shall be cast therein they shall hear
its braying 2 as it boils — it will well-nigh burst
for rage !
Whenever a troop of them is thrown in, its
treasurers shall ask them, ' Did not a warner come
to you ?'
They shall say, ' Yea ! a warner came to us, and
we called him liar, and said, " God has not sent down
aught; ye are but in great error !" '
[10] And they shall say, ' Had we but listened or
had sense we had not been among-st the fellows of
the blaze ! '
And they will confess their sins; but 'A vaunt to
the fellows of the blaze ! ' ^^
Verily, those who fear their Lord ii> . secret, for
them is forgiveness and a great hire ! ^
Speak ye secretly or openly, verily, He knows the
nature of men's breasts !
Ay! He knows who created! for He is the
subtle, the well-aware !
[15] He it is who made the earth flat for*you ; so
walk in the spacious sides thereof and eat of His
provision; for unto Him the resurrection is!
^ See Part I, pp. 50, 51, note 2.
2 Cf. Chapters XXV, verse 12, and XXXI, verse 18.
» A
294 THE QURAN. LXVII, 16-28.
Are ye sure that He who is in the heaven will
not cleave the earth with you, and that it then
shall quake ?
Or are ye sure that He who is in the heaven
will not send against you a heavy sand storm, and
that ye then shall know how the warning was ?
But those before them did call the apostles liars,
and what a change it was !
Or have they not looked at the birds above them
expanding their wings or closing them ? — none holds
them in except the Merciful One ; for He on every-
thing doth look.
[20] Or who is this who will be a host for you, to
help you against the Merciful ? — the misbelievers
are only in delusion !
Or who is this who will provide you if He hold
back His provision? — Nay, but they persist in
perverseness and aversion !
Is he who walks prone upon his face more guided
than he who walks upright upon a straight path ?
Say, 'It is He who produced you and made for
you hearing and sight and hearts ' — little is it that
)e give thanks.
Say, 'It is He who sowed you in the earth, and
unto Him shall ye be gathered!'
[25] They say, 'When shall this threat be, if ye
do speak the truth ?'
Say, ' The knowledge is only with God ; and I am
but a plain warner ! '
And when they see it nigh, sorry shall be the
faces of those who misbelieve ; and it shall be said,
' This is that for which ye used to call !'
Say, ' Have ye considered, whether God destroy
me and those with me, or whether we obtain mercy,
LXVII, 28-LXVIII, II. THE CHAPTER OF THE PEN. 295
yet who will protect the misbelievers from grievous
torment ? '
Say, ' He is the Merciful ; we believe in Him, and
upon Him do we rely; and ye shall shortly know
who it is that is in obvious error !'
[30] Say, ' Have ye considered if your waters on
the morrow should have sunk, who is to bring you
flowing water ?'
The Chapter of the Pen.
(LXVHI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
N.^ By the pen, and what they write, thou art not,
by God's grace, mad 1 and, verily, thine is a hire that
is not grudged ! [5] and, verily, thou art of a grand
nature^ !
But thou shalt see and they shall see which of you
is the infatuated.
Verily, thy Lord He knows best who errs from His
way; and He knows best those who are guided.
Then obey not those who call thee liar ; they
would fain that thou shouldst be smooth with
them, then would they be smooth with thee !
[10] And obey not any mean swearer^, a back-
^ The Arabic name of the letter nun signifies both ' a fish ' and
'an inkstand;' the symbol is by some supposed to refer to Jonah,
mentioned in verse 48, and by others to writing on the eternal
tablets (see Part I, p. 2, note 2), to which the first words of the
chapter apply.
''■ For bearing so meekly the insults of the misbelievers.
^ The person meant is, probably, Walid ibn Mu_o--^airah, the
inveterate enemy of the prophet.
296 THE QURAN. LXVIII, 11-32.
biter, a walker about with slander ; a forbidder of
good, a transgressor, a sinner ; rude, and base-born
too ; though he have wealth and sons !
[15] When our signs are recited to him he says,
' Old folks' tales ! '
We will brand him on the snout !
Verily, we have tried them as we tried the fellows
of the garden when they swore, 'We will cut its
fruit at morn !'
But they made not the exception^ ; and there
came round about it an encompassing calamity
from thy Lord the while they slept ; [20] and on
the morrow it was as one the fruit of which is cut.
And they cried to each other in the morning,
' Go early to your tilth if ye would cut it !'
So they set off, saying privily to each other,
' There shall surely enter it to-day unto you no
poor person ! '
[25] And they went early deciding to be stingy ^
And when they saw it they said, ' Verily, we have
erred ! Nay, we are forbidden (its fruit) !'
Said the most moderate of them, ' Said I not to
you, " unless ye celebrate God's praises !" '
Said they, 'Celebrated be the praises of our Lord !
verily, we were unjust!'
[30] And they approached each other with mutual
blame.
Said they, ' O woe to us ! verily, we have been
outrageous ! Haply our Lord may give us instead a
better than it ; verily, we unto our Lord do yearn.'
' I. e. they did not add, ' If God please ! '
^ Or, according to another interpretation, 'with a determined
purpose.'
LXVIII, 33-48. THE CHAPTER OF THE PEN. 297
Thus is the torment, but, verily, the torment of
the hereafter is greater, if ye did but know \
Verily, for the pious with their Lord are gardens
of pleasure !
[35] Shall we then make the Muslims like the
sinners ? What ails you ? how ye judge !
Or have ye a book in which ye can study, that ye
are surely to have what ye may choose ?
Or have ye oaths binding on us until the judg-
ment day that ye are surely to have what ye may
judge ?
[40] Ask them, which of them will vouch for this ?
Or have they partners, then let them bring their
partners if they do speak the truth ?
On the day when the leg shall be bared i; and
they shall be called to adore and shall not be able !
Lowering their looks, abasement shall attack
them, for they were called to adore while yet they
were safe !
But let me alone with him who calls this new
discourse a lie. We will surely bring them down
by degrees from whence they do not know.
[45] And I will let them have their way ! for my
device is sure.
Or dost thou ask them a hire for it while they
are burdened with debts ?
Or have they the knowledge of the unseen, so
that they write ?
But wait patiently for the judgment of thy Lord,
and be not like the fellow of the fish ^ when he cried
out as he was choking with rage.
1 An expression signifying any great calamity or battle, because
the non-combatants gird up their loins to be ready for flight.
2 Jonah.
298 THE QURAN. LXVIII, 49-LXIX, il.
Had it not been that grace from his Lord reached
him, he wotdd have been cast out on the naked
(shore) and blamed the while !
[50] But his Lord elected him, and made him of
the pious.
The misbelievers well-nigh upset thee with their
looks when they hear the reminder, and they say,
' Surely he is mad !'
And yet it is but a reminder to the worlds !
The Chapter of the Infallible.
(LXIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The Infallible, what is the Infallible? and what
should make thee know what the Infallible is ?
Thamtid and 'Ad called the Striking^ Day a lie;
[5] but as for ThamCid they perished by the shock ;
and as for 'Ad they perished with the violent cold
blast of wind, which He subjected against them for
seven nights and eight days consecutively. Thou
mightest see the people therein prostrate as though
they were palm stumps thrown down, and canst
thou see any of them left ?
And Pharaoh and those before him of the over-
turned cities 2 committed sins, [lo] and they rebelled
against the apostle of their Lord, and He seized
them with an excessive punishment.
Verily, we, when the water surged, bore you on
' Cf. Chapter XIII, verse 31, Part I, p. 236.
2 Sodom and Gomorrah; cf. Part I, p. 183, note i.
LXIX, 11-39. THE CHAPTER OF THE INFALLIBLE. 299
it in a sailing ship, to make it a memorial for you,
and that the retentive ear might hold it.
And when the trumpet shall be blown with one
blast, and the earth shall be borne away, and the
mountains too, and both be crushed with one crush-
ing ; [15] on that day shall the inevitable happen;
and the heaven on that day shall be cleft asunder,
for on that day shall it wane ! and the angels upon
the sides thereof ; and above them on that day shall
eight bear the throne of thy Lord !
On the day when ye shall be set forth no hidden
thing of yours shall be concealed.
And as for him who is given his book in his right
hand, he shall say, * Here ! take and read my book.
[20] Verily, I thought that I should meet my reckon-
ing;' and he shall be in a pleasing life, in a lofty
garden, whose fruits are nigh to cull — ' Eat ye and
drink with good digestion, for what ye did aforetime
in the days that have gone by!'
[25] But as for him who is given his book in his
left hand he shall say, * O, would that I had not
received my book ! I did not know what my account
would be. O, would that it^ had been an end of
me ! my wealth availed me not ! my authority has
perished from me !' [30] ' Take him and fetter him,
then in hell broil him ! then into a chain whose length
is seventy cubits force him ! verily, he believed not
in the mighty God, nor was he particular to feed
the poor : [35] therefore he has not here to-day any
warm friend, nor any food except foul ichor, which
none save sinners shall eat ! '
I need not swear by what ye see or what ye do
1 I. e. death.
300 THE QUR AN. LXIX, 39-LXX, 4.
not see, [40] verily, it is the speech of a noble
apostle ; and it is not the speech of a poet : — little
is it ye believe !
And it is not the speech of a soothsayer, — little
is it that ye mind! — a revelation from the Lord of
the worlds.
Why if he had invented against us any sayings,
[45] we would have seized him by the right hand,
then we would have cut his jugular vein; nor could
any one of you have kept us off from him.
Verily, it is a memorial to the pious ; and, verily,
we know that there are amongst you those who say
it is a lie ; [50] and, verily, it is a source of sighing to
the misbelievers ; and, verily, it is certain truth !
Therefore celebrate the name of thy mighty Lord !
The Chapter of the Ascents.
(LXX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
An asker ^ asked for torment that must befall, for
the unbelievers ; there is no repelling it ; from God
the Lord of the ascents ^ whereby ascend the angels
^ The person referred to is said to have been either Abu Ga.h\,
who challenged Mohammed to cause a portion of the heaven to
fall on thern, see Chapter XXVI, verse 187, p. 97, or one Nsid/n
ibn el 'Hareth, who said of Islam, ' If this be the truth from Thee,
then rain down on us stones from heaven ! '
2 Either steps by which the prayers of the righteous or the angels
ascend to heaven ; or the word may refer to the various degrees of
the angels, or to the seven heavens themselves. See Introduction,
p. lx.x.
LXX, 4-35. THE CHAPTER OF THE ASCENTS. 3OI
and the Spirit unto Him in a day whose length is
fifty thousand years ^
[5] Wherefore be patient with fair patience; verily,
they see it as afar off, but we see it nigh !
The day when the heaven shall be as molten
brass, and the mountains shall be like flocks of
wool ; [10] when no warm friend shall question
friend ; they shall gaze on each other, and the sinner
would fain g^ive as a ransom from the torment of
that day his sons and his mate, and his brother
and his kin who stand by him, and all who are in
the earth, that yet it might rescue him !
[15] Nay, verily, it is a flame, — dragging by the
scalp ! it shall call those who retreated and turned
their backs and who amassed and hoarded !
Verily, man is by nature rash ^ ! [20] when evil
touches him, very impatient ; when good touches
him, niggardly; all save those who pray, who re-
main at their prayers, and in whose wealth is a
reasonable due (set aside) [25] for him who asks
and him who is kept from asking, and those who
believe in a day of judgment, and those who shrink
in terror from the torment of their Lord ; — verily,
the torment of their Lord is not safe ; — and those
who guard their private parts, [30] except for their
wives or the (slave girls) whom their right hands
possess, for they are not to be blamed ; but whoso
craves beyond this, they are the transgressors ; and
those who observe their trusts and their compacts,
and those who are upright in their testimonies, and
those who keep their prayers, [35] these shall dwell
in gardens honoured.
^ Cf. Chapter XXXII, verse 4, p. 135.
^ Cf. Chapter XVII, verse 12, p. 2.
302 THE QURAN. LXX, 36-LXXL 4.
What ails the mIsbeHevers that they hurry on
before thee, crowdincr tog^ether on the rieht and
on the left ^ ? Does every man of them wish to
enter the garden of pleasure ?
Nay, we created them of what they know !
[40] And I need not swear by the Lord of the
easts and the wests ^ ; verily, we are able to change
them for others better, nor are we prevented !
So leave them to plunge in discussion, and to
play until they meet that day of theirs which they
are threatened with, the day when they shall come
forth in haste from the graves, as though they
flock to a standard ! with their looks abashed ;
meanness shall cover them ! That is the day which
they were promised !
The Chapter of Noah.
(LXXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Verily, we sent Noah to his people, ' Warn thy
people before there come to them a grievous tor-
ment!'
Said he, ' O my people ! verily, I am to you an
obvious Warner, that ye serve God and fear Him
and obey me. He will pardon you your sins, and
will defer you unto an appointed time ; verily, God's
' Cf. pp. 262, 263.
^ I. e. of the east and the west ; or of the various points of the
horizon at which the sun rises and sets in the course of the year.
LXXI, 4-24. THE CHAPTER OF NOAH. 3O3
appointed time when it comes will not be deferred,
did ye but know ! '
[5] Said he, ' My Lord ! verily, I have called
my people by night and day, and my call did but
increase them in flight ; and, verily, every time
I called them, that Thou mightest pardon them,
they placed their fingers in their ears and tried to
cover themselves with their garments and persisted,
and were very big with pride. Then I called them
openly ; then I published to them and I spoke to
them in secret, and I said, "Ask forgiveness of your
Lord, verily. He is very forgiving. [lo] He will
send the rain upon you in torrents, and will extend
to you wealth and children, and will make for you
gardens, and will make for you rivers. What ails
you that ye hope not for something serious from
God, when He has created you by steps ^ } Do ye
not see how God has created the seven heavens in
stories, [15] and has set the moon therein for a light,
and set the sun for a lamp ? and God has made you
grow out of the earth, and then He will make you
return thereto, and will make you come forth there-
from ; and God has made for you the earth a carpet
that ye may walk therein in broad paths." '
[20] Said Noah, ' My Lord ! verily, they have
rebelled against me, and followed him whose wealth
and children have but added to his loss, and they
have plotted a great plot, and said, "Ye shall
surely not leave your gods : ye shall surely neither
leave Wadd, nor SuwaTi, nor Ya^/^uTH, nor Ya'uq,
nor Nasr^, and they led astray many.'" And thou
^ See Chapter XXII, verse 5, p. 56.
^ For these five idols, see Introduction, p. xiL
304 THE QURAN. LXXI, 24-LXXII, 5.
(Mohammed) wilt only increase the unjust in their
error — [25] because of their sins they were drowned
and made to enter into the fire, and they found no
helpers against God !
And Noah said, ' My Lord ! leave not upon the
earth one dweller of the misbelievers. Verily, Thou,
if Thou shouldst leave them, they will lead astray
Thy servants, and they will only bear for children
sinners and misbelievers. My Lord ! pardon me
and my two parents, and whomsoever enters my
house believing, and (pardon) the believers men
and women — but Thou shalt only increase the
unjust In loss.'
The Chapter of the 6^inn.
(LXXIL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Say, ' I have been inspired that there listened a
company of the ^inn\ and they said, " We have
heard a marvellous Our'an that sfuides to the ricrht
direction ; and we believe therein, and we join no
one with our Lord, for, verily. He — may the majesty
of our Lord be exalted ! — has taken to Himself
neither consort nor son,
' "And, verily, a fool among us spake against God
wide of the mark !
'" [5] And we thought that men and ^^inn would
never speak a lie against God.
* See Introduction, pp. xiii-xiv. The occasion of Mohammed's
preaching to the ,^inn was on his returning from his unsuccessful
errand to Ta'if; see Introduction, p. xxx.
LXXII, 6-17. THE CHAPTER OF THE GINN. 305
'"And there are persons amongst men who seek
for refuge with persons amongst the ^inn^ ; but
they increase them in their perverseness. And they
thought, as ye thought, that God would not raise up
any one from the dead.
' " But we touched the heavens and found them
filled with a mighty guard and shooting-stars ; and
we did sit in certain seats thereof to listen ; but
whoso of us listens now finds a shooting-star for
him on cruard.
' "[10] And, verily, we know not whether evil be
meant for those who are in the earth, or if their
Lord means right by them.
* "And of us are some who are pious, and of us are
some who are otherwise : we are in separate bands.
' "And we thought that we could not frustrate God
in the earth, and could not frustrate Him by flight.
' " But, verily, when we heard the guidance we
believed therein, and he who believes in his Lord
shall fear neither diminution nor loss.
' "And, verily, of us are some who are Muslims,
and of us some are trespassers ; but those of us who
are Muslims they strive after right direction; [15]
and as for the trespassers they are fuel for hell." '
And if they 2 will go right upon the way, we will
irrigate them with copious water to try them there-
by ; and whoso turns from the remembrance of his
Lord He will drive him to severe torment.
And (say) that the mosques are God's, and that ye
^ The pagan Arabs when they found themselves in a lonely
place, such as they supposed the ^inn to haunt, used to say, 'I
take refuge in the Lord of this valley from the foolish among his
people ! '
"^ The Meccans.
[9] X
306 THE QURAN. LXXII,i7-LXXIII, 4.
should not call on any one with God, and that when
God's servant^ stood up to pray they" called out to
him and well-nigh crowded upon him. [20] Say, ' I only
call upon my Lord, and I join no one with Him.'
Say, ' Verily, I cannot control for you either harm,
or rieht direction.'
Say, ' Verily, as for me none can protect me
against God, nor do I find any refuge beside Him, —
except delivering the message from God and His
errands : and whoso rebels against God and His
Apostle, verily, for him is the fire of hell for them
to dwell therein for ever and for aye!'
[25] Until when they see what they are threatened
with, then shall they surely know who is most weak
at helping and fewest in numbers !
Say, ' I know not if what ye are threatened with
be nigh, or if my Lord will set for it a term. He
knows the unseen, and He lets no one know His
unseen, save such apostle as He is well pleased
with : for, verily. He sends marching before him
and behind him a guard!'
That He may know that they have delivered the
errands of their Lord, for He compasses what they
have, and reckons everything by number.
The Chapter of the Enwrapped.
(LXXHL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O thou who art enwrapped! rise by night except
a little — the half, or deduct therefrom a litde, or
Mohammed. "^ The^inn.
LXXIII, 4-19. THE CHAPTER OF THE ENWRAPPED. 307
add thereto, and chant the Quran chanting. [5]
Verily, we will cast on thee a heavy speech.
Verily, the early part of the night is stronger in
impressions and more upright in speech !
Verily, thou hast by day a long employment ; but
mention the name of thy Lord and devote thyself
thoroughly to Him, the Lord of the east and the
west; there is no god but He ; then take Him for a
guardian !
[10] And endure patiently what they say, and flee
from them with a decorous flight.
And leave me and those who say it is a lie, who
are possessed of comfort ; and let them bide for a
while.
Verily, with us are heavy fetters and hell-fire, and
food that chokes, and mighty woe !
On the day when the earth and the mountains
shall tremble and the earth shall be as a crumbling
sand-hill !
[15] Verily, we have sent unto you an apostle
bearing witness against you, as we sent an apostle
unto Pharaoh.
But Pharaoh rebelled against the apostle, and we
seized him with an overpowering punishment.
Then how will ye shield yourselves if ye mis-
believe from the day which shall make children grey-
headed, whereon the heaven cleaves — its promise
shall be fulfilled!
Verily, this is a memorial, and whoso will, let him
take unto his Lord a way^
^ From verse 20 the rest of the surah seems from its style to
belong to the Medinah period ; and there is a tradition ascribed to
'Ayeshah that it was revealed a year later than the earlier part of
the chapter.
X 2
308 THE QUr'aN. LXXIII, 20-LXXIV, 9.
[20] Verily, thy Lord knows that thou dost stand
up to pray nearly two-thirds of the night, or the
half of it or the third of it, as do part of those who
are with thee ; for God measures the night and the
day; He knows that ye cannot calculate it, and He
turns relentant towards you.
So read what is easy of the Quran. He knows
that there will be of you some who are sick and
others who beat about in the earth craving the grace
of God, and others who are fighting in the cause of
God. Then read what is easy of it and be steadfast
in prayer, and give alms, and lend to God a goodly
loan, for what ye send forward for yourselves of good
ye will find it with God. It is better and a greater
hire ; and ask ye pardon of God : verily, God is for-
giving, merciful !
The Chapter of the ' Covered \'
(LXXIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
O thou who art covered ! rise up and warn !
And thy Lord magnify!
[5] And thy garments purify !
And abomination shun !
And ofrant not favours to orain increase!
And for thy Lord await !
And when the trump is blown, — for that day is a
' The first five verses of this chapter form the second revelation
by the angel Gabriel in person, and the first after the Fatrah, or
period of ' Intermission.' See Introduction, p. xxii.
LXXIV, 9-36. THE CHAPTER OF THE COVERED. 309
difficult day! [10] for the misbelievers aught but
easy !
Leave me alone with him I have created, and for
whom I have made extensive wealthy and sons that
he may look upon, and for whom I have smoothed
things down. [15] Then he desires that I should in-
crease ! nay, verily, he is hostile to our signs ! I will
drive him up a hill ! Then he reflected and planned!
May he be killed, — how he planned ! [20] Again, may
he be killed, — how he planned I Then he looked ;
then he frowned and scowled ; then he retreated and
was big with pride and said, ' This is only magic
exhibited! [25] this is only mortal speech!' — I will
broil him in hell-fire! and what shall make thee
know what hell-fire is ? It will not leave and will
not let alone. It scorches the flesh ; [30] over it are
nineteen (angels).
We have made only angels guardians of the fire,
and we have only made their number a trial to those
who misbelieve; that those who have been given the
Book may be certain, and that those who believe
may be increased in faith ; and that those who have
been given the Book and the believers may not
doubt ; and that those in whose hearts is sickness,
and the misbelievers may say, 'What does God mean
by this as a parable ?'
Thus God leads astray whom He pleases, and
guides him He pleases : and none knows the hosts of
thy Lord save Himself; and it is only a reminder to
mortals !
[35] Nay, by the moon !
And the night when it retires !
^ The person meant is generally supposed to be Walid ibn
Mu^^airah, one of the chiefs of the Quraij.
3IO THE QUR'aN. LXXIV, 37-L"XXV,i.
And the morning when it brightly dawns !
Verily, it is one of the greatest misfortunes ; a
warning to mortals ; [40] for him amongst you who
wishes to press forward or to tarry!
Every soul is pledged ^ for what it earns; except
the felloAvs of the right : in gardens shall they ask
each other about the sinners! — 'What drove you
into hell-fire?'
They shall say, 'We weren't ^ of those who prayed ;
[45] we didn't feed the poor ; but we did plunge into
discussion with those who plunged, and we called the
judgment day a lie until the certainty'^ did come
to us ! '
But there shall not profit them the intercession of
the intercessors.
[50] What ailed them that they turned away from
the memorial as though they were timid asses fleeing
from a lion ?
Nay, every man of them wished that he might
have given him books spread open !
Nay, but they .did not fear the hereafter !
Nay, it is a memorial ! and let him who will re-
member it ; [55] but none will remember it except
God please. He is most worthy of fear; and he is
most worthy to forgive !
The Chapter of the Resurrection.
(LXXV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
I need not swear by the resurrection day !
^ See Chapter LII, verse 21, p. 249, note i.
"^ See Part I, p. 78, note i.
^ I.e. death.
LXXV, 2-30. THE CHAPTER OF THE RESURRECTION.
Nor need I swear by the self-accusing soul !
Does man think that we shall not collect his
bones ? Able are we to arrange his finger tips !
[5] Nay, but man wishes to be wicked hence-
forward ! he asks, When is the resurrection day ?
But when the sight shall be dazed, and the moon
be eclipsed, and the sun and the moon be together,
[10] and man shall say upon that day, ' Where is a
place to flee to ?'■ — nay, no refuge ! and to thy Lord
that day is the sure settlement : He will inform man
on that day of what He has sent forward or delayed !
Nay, man is an evidence against himself, [15] and
even if he thrusts forward his excuses — .
Do not move thy tongue thereby to hasten it ^ It
is for us to collect it and to read it ; and when we
read it then follow its reading. And again it is for
us to explain it,
[20] Nay, indeed, but ye love the transient life,
and ye neglect the hereafter !
Faces on that day shall be bright, gazing on their
Lord!
And faces on that day shall be dismal !
[25] Thou wilt think that a back-breaking calamity
has happened to them !
Nay, but when the [soul] comes up Into the throat,
and it is said, ' W^ho will charm it back ? ' and he
will think that it is his parting [hour]. And leg
shall be pressed on leg ^ ; [30] unto thy Lord on that
day shall the driving be.
For he did not believe " and did not pray ; but
^ I.e. the revelation; see p. 16, note 2, and p. 43, note 2. The
words are addressed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
^ I. e. in the death struggle.
^ Or did not give in charity.
v)
1 2 THE QUR AN. LXXV, 30-LXXVI, 8.
he said it was a lie, and turned his back ! Then he
went to his people haughtily — woe to thee, and woe
to thee ! again woe to thee, and woe to thee !
Does man think that he shall be left to himself?
Wasn't' he a clot of emitted seed? Then he
was congealed blood, and (God) created him, and
fashioned him, and made of him pairs, male and
female.
[35] Is not He able to quicken the dead ?
The Chapter of Man.
(LXXVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Does there not come on man a portion of time
when he is nothing worth mentioning^ ?
Verily, we created man from a mingled clot, to try
him ; and we gave him hearing and sight. Verily,
we guided him in the way, whether he be grateful or
ungrateful.
Verily, we have prepared for those who misbelieve
chains and fetters and a blaze !
[5] Verily, the righteous shall drink of a cup tem-
pered with Kafur ^ a spring from which God's
servants shall drink and make it gush out as they
please !
They who fulfil their vows, and fear a day, the evil
which shall fly abroad, and who give food for His
^ See Part I, p. 78, note i.
"^ While in the womb.
^ Name of a river in Paradise, so called because it is white, cool,
and sweet-smelling, as camphor is.
LXXVI, 8-26. THE CHAPTER OF MAN. 313
love to the poor and the orphan and the captive.
' We only feed you for God's sake ; we desire not
from you either reward or thanks ; [10] we fear from
our Lord a frowning, calamitous day ! '
And God will guard them from the evil of that
day and will cast on them brightness and joy; and
their reward for their patience shall be Paradise and
silk ! reclining therein upon couches they shall
neither see therein sun nor piercing cold' ; and close
down upon them shall be its shadows ; and lowered
over them its fruits to cull; [15] and they shall be
served round with vessels of silver and goblets that
are as flagons — flagons of silver which they shall mete
out ! and they shall drink therein a cup tempered
with Zin^abiP, a spring therein named Silsabil !
and there shall go round about them eternal boys ;
when thou seest them thou wilt think them scat-
tered pearls ; [20] and when thou seest them thou
shalt see pleasure and a great estate ! On them
shall be garments of green embroidered satin and
brocade ; and they shall be adorned with bracelets of
silver ; and their Lord shall give them to drink pure
drink ! Verily, this is a reward for you, and your
efforts are thanked.
Verily, we have sent down upon thee the Our'an.
Wherefore wait patiently for the judgment of thy
Lord, and obey not any sinner or misbeliever
amongst them. [25] But remember the name of
thy Lord morning, and evening, and through the
^ Zamharir, the word here rendered ' piercing cold/ is by some
authorities interpreted to mean * the moon.'
^ Zin^g^abil signifies ' ginger.'
314 THE QURAN. LXXVI, 26-LXXVII, 11.
night, and adore Him, and celebrate His praises the
whole night long.
Verily, these love the transitory life, and leave
behind them a heavy day !
We created them and strengthened their joints ;
and if we please we can exchange for the likes of
them in their stead. Verily, this is a memorial, and
whoso will, let him take unto his Lord a way.
[30] But ye will not please except God please !
Verily, God is knowing, wise.
He makes whomsoever He pleases to enter into
His mercy ; but the unjust He has prepared for them
a grievous woe !
The Chapter of those Sent.
(LXXVH. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
By those sent in a series^ !
And by those who speed swiftly !
And by the dispensers abroad !
And by the separators apart!
[5] And by those who instil the reminder, as an
excuse or warn in or !
Verily, what ye are threatened with shall surely
happen !
And when the stars shall be erased !
And when the heaven shall be cleft !
[10] And when the mountains shall be winnowed!
And when the apostles shall have a time appointed
for them !
' Either angels or winds, or as some interpret the passage, the
verses of the Qur'an.
LXXVII, 12-41. THE CHAPTER OF THOSE SENT. 315
For what day is the appointment made ?
For the day of decision ! and what shall make thee
know what the decision is ?
[15] Woe on that day for those who say it is
a lie! ^'
Have we not destroyed those of yore, and then
followed them up with those of the latter day?
Thus do we with the sinners.
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
[20] Did we not create you from contemptible water,
and place it in a sure depository unto a certain
decreed term ? for we are able and well able too !
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
[25] Have we not made for them the earth to hold
the livinof and the dead ? and set thereon firm
mountains reared aloft ? and given you to drink
water in streams ?
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
Go off to that which ye did call a lie ! [30] Go off
to the shadow of three columns, that shall not
shade nor avail against the flame ! Verily, it
throws off sparks like towers, — as though they
were yellow camels !
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
[35] This is the day when they may not speak, —
when they are not permitted to excuse them-
selves !
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
This is the day of decision ! We have assembled
you with those of yore ; if ye have any stratagem
employ it now !
[40] Woe on that day for those who say it is
a lie !
Verily, the pious are amid shades and springs and
3l6 THE QUr'aN. LXXVTI, 41-LXXVIII, 15.
fruit such as they love. — ' Eat and drink with
good digestion, for that which ye have done!'
Verily, thus do we reward those who do well.
[45] Woe on that day for those who say it is
a lie !
' Eat and enjoy yourselves for a little ; verily, ye are
sinners ! '
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
And when it is said to them bow down, they bow
not down.
Woe on that day for those who say it is a lie !
[50] And in what new discourse after it will they
believe ?
The Chapter of the Information.
(LXXVIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Of what do they ask each other ? — Of the mighty
information whereon they do dispute^ ? nay, they
shall know too well ! [5] Again, nay, they shall
know too well !
Have we not set the earth as a couch, and the
mountains as stakes, and created you in pairs, and
made your sleep for rest, [10] and made the night
a garment, and made the day for livelihood, and
built above you seven solid (heavens) and set a
burning lamp, and sent down from the rain express-
ing clouds water pouring forth, [15] to bring out
' I. e. the news of the resurrection.
LXXVIII, 15-41- THE CHAPTER OF THE INFORMATION. 3T7
thereby the grain and herb and gardens thickly-
planted ?
Verily, the day of decision is an appointed time ;
and the day when the trumpet shall be blown, and
ye shall come in troops, and the heavens shall be
opened, and shall be all doors, [20] and the moun-
tains shall be moved, and shall be like a mirage !
Verily, hell is an ambuscade ; a reward for the
outrageous, to tarry therein for ages. They shall
not taste therein cool nor drink, [25] but only boiling
water and pus ; — a fit reward 1
Verily, they did not hope for the account ; but
they ever said our signs were lies.
Everything have we remembered in a book.
[30] 'Then taste, for we will only increase your
torment !'
Verily, for the pious is a blissful place, — gardens
and vineyards, and girls with swelling breasts of the
same age as themselves, and a brimming cup ; [35]
they shall hear therein no folly and no lie ; — a re-
ward from thy Lord, a sufficient gift ! The Lord of
the heavens and the earth, and what is between
them both, — the Merciful, — they cannot obtain
audience of Him !
The day when the Spirit and the angels shall stand
in ranks, they shall not speak save to whom the Mer-
ciful permits, and who speaks aright.
That is the true day ; and whoso pleases let him
take to a resort unto his Lord !
[40] Verily, we have warned you of a torment
that is nigh : on a day when man shall see what his
two hands have sent forward ; and the misbeliever
shall say, 'Would that I were dust!'
31 8 THE QUr'aN. LXXIX, I-2I
The Chapter of those who Tear Out.
(LXXIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By those who tear out violently !
And by those who gaily release^ !
And by those who float through the air !
And the preceders who preceded
[5] And those who manage the affair !
On the day when the quaking^ quakes which the
following one shall succeed ! Hearts on that day
shall tremble ; eyes thereon be humbled !
[10] They say, ' Shall we be sent back to our old
course ? — What 1 when we are rotten bones ? ' they
say, ' That then were a losing return ! '
But it will only be one scare, and lo ! they will be
on the surface !
[15] Has the story of Moses* come to you ? when
his Lord addressed him in the holy valley of Tuva,
' Go unto Pharaoh, verily , he is outrageous ; and
say, " Hast thou a wish to purify thyself, and that
I may guide thee to thy Lord, and thou mayest
fear ?" '
[20] So he showed him the greatest sign ; but
' Referring to the angel of death and his assistants, who tear
away the souls of the wicked violently, and gently release the souls
of the good.
"^ The angels who precede the souls of the righteous to Paradise.
^ The trumpet blast at the last day, which shall make the uni-
verse quake.
* See Chapter XX, verse 12, p. 35.
LXXIX, 21-45- THE CHAPTER OF THOSE WHO TEAR OUT. 319
he called him a liar and rebelled. Then he re-
treated hastily, and gathered, and proclaimed, and
said, 'I am your Lord most High!' [25] but God
seized him with the punishment of the future life
and of the former.
Verily, in that is a lesson to him who fears !
Are ye harder to create or the heaven that He
has built ? He raised its height and fashioned it ;
and made its night to cover it, and brought forth
its noonday light; [30] and the earth after that He
did stretch out. He brings forth from it its water
and its pasture.
And the mountains He did firmly set, a provision
for you and for your cattle.
And when the great predominant calamity shall
come, [35] on the day when man shall remember
what he strove after, and hell shall be brought out
for him who sees !
And as for him who was outrageous and pre-
ferred the life of this w^orld, verily, hell is the
resort !
[40] But as for him who feared the station of his
Lord, and prohibited his soul from lust, verily,
Paradise is the resort!
They shall ask thee about the Hour, for when it
is set. Whereby canst thou mention it ? Unto thy
Lord its period belongs.
[45] Thou art only a warner to him who fears it.
On the day they see it, it will be as though they
had only tarried an evening or the noon thereof.
320 THE QUR AN. LXXX, 1-22.
The Chapter ' He Frowned.'
(LXXX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
He frowned and turned his back, for that there
came to him a bHnd man^ !
But what should make thee know^ whether haply
he may be purified ? or may be mindful and the
reminder profit him ?
[5] But as for him who is wealthy, thou dost
attend to him ; and thou dost not care that he is not
purified ; but as for him who comes to thee earnestly
fearing the while, [10] from him thou art diverted !
Nay ! verily, it is a memorial ; and whoso pleases
will remember it.
In honoured pages exalted, purified, [15] in the
hands of noble, righteous scribes !
May man be killed ! how ungrateful he is !
Of what did He create him ? Of a clot. He
created him and fated him ; [20] then the path He
did make easy for him ; then He killed him, and
laid him in the tomb; then when He pleases will
He raise him up again.
' One Abdallah ibn Umm Maktum, a poor blind man, once
interrupted JMohammed while the latter was in conversation with
Walid ibn ]Mu^//airah and some others of the Qma'is chiefs. The
prophet taking no notice of him, the bHnd man raised his voice
and earnestly begged for religious instruction, but INIohammed,
annoyed at the interruption, frowned and turned away. This pas-
sage is a reprimand to the prophet for his conduct on the occasion.
Afterwards, whenever he saw the blind Abdallah, Mohammed used
to say, ' Welcome to him on w^hose account my Lord reproved
me ! ' and subsequently made him governor of Medinah.
LXXX, 23-LXXXI, 5- CHAPTER OF THE FOLDING UP. 32 I
Nay, he has not fulfilled his bidding !
But let man look unto his foods, [25] Verily, we
have poured the water out in torrents : then we have
cleft the earth asunder, and made to grow therefrom
the grain, and the grape, and the hay, and the olive,
and the palm, [30] and gardens closely planted, and
fruits, and grass, — a provision for you and for your
cattle !
But when the stunning noise shall come, on the
day when man shall flee from his brother [35] and
his mother and his father and his spouse and his
sons ! Every man among them on that day shall
have a business to employ him.
Faces on that day shall be bright, — laughing,
joyous ! [40] and faces shall have dust upon them, —
darkness shall cover them ! those are the wicked
misbelievers !
The Chapter of the Folding up.
(LXXXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
When the sun is folded up,
And when the stars do fall,
And when the mountains are moved.
And when the she-camels ten months' gone with
young shall be neglected \
[5] And when the beasts shall be crowded together^,
^ Such camels being among the most valuable of an Arab's pos-
sessions, neglect of them must imply some terribly engrossing
calamity.
^ The terrors of the judgment day will drive all the wild beasts
together for mutual shelter.
[9] Y
322 THE QURAN. LXXXI, 5-28.
And when the seas shall surge up,
And when souls shall be paired with bodies,
And when the child who was buried alive shall be
asked for what sin she was slain ^
[10] And when the pages shall be spread out,
And when the heaven shall be flayed,
And when hell shall be set ablaze,
And when Paradise shall be brought nigh.
The soul shall know what it has produced !
[15] I need not swear by the stars that slink back,
moving swiftly, slinking into their dens !
Nor by the night when darkness draws on !
Nor by the morn when it first breathes up 1
Verily, it is the speech of a noble apostle, [20]
mighty, standing sure with the Lord of the throne,
obeyed and trusty too !
Your comrade is not mad; he saw him- on the plain
horizon ^ nor does he grudge to communicate the
unseen*.
[25] Nor is it the speech of a pelted devils
Then whither do ye go ?
It is but a reminder to the worlds, to whomsoever
of you pleases to go straight : — but ye will not
please, except God, the Lord of the world, should
please.
* See Part I, p. 132, note 3, and p. 256, note 2. See also Intro-
duction, p. X.
^ Gabiicl.
' See Chapter LIII, verses 1-19, pp. 251, 252.
* Some copies have a various reading, ' suspicious of.'
^ See Part I, note 2, pp. 50, 51.
lxxxii,i-lxxxiii,2 chapter of cleaving asunder. 323
The Chapter of the Cleaving asunder.
(LXXXII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
When the heaven is cleft asunder,
And when the stars are scattered,
And when the seas gush together,
And when the tombs are turned upside down,
[5] The soul shall know what it has sent on or
kept back !
O man ! what has seduced thee concerning thy
generous Lord, who created thee, and fashioned thee,
and gave thee symmetry, and in what form He
pleased composed thee ?
Nay, but ye call the judgment a He! [to] but
over you are guardians set^ — noble, writing down !
they know what ye do !
Verily, the righteous are in pleasure, and, verily,
the wicked are in hell ; [15] they shall broil therein
upon the judgment day ; nor shall they be absent
therefrom !
And what shall make thee know what is the judg-
ment day ? Again, what shall make thee know what
is the judgment day ? a day when no soul shall control
aught for another ; and the bidding on that day be-
longs to God !
The Chapter of those who give short Weight.
(LXXXIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Woe to those who give short weight ! who when
* See p. 243, note i.
Y 2
324 THE QURAN. LXXXIII, 2-26.
they measure against others take full measure ; but
when they measure to them or weigh to them,
diminish !
Do not these think that they shall be raised again
[5] at the mighty day ? the day when men shall
stand before the Lord of the worlds !
Nay, verily, the book of the wicked is in Si^in^ ;
and what shall make thee know what Si^r^in is ? —
a book Inscribed !
[10] Woe on that day for those who say it is
a lie !
Who call the judgment day a lie ! but none shall
call it a lie except every sinful transgressor, who,
when our signs are read to him, says, ' Old folks'
tales !'
Nay, but that which they have gained has settled
upon their hearts.
Nay, verily, [15] from their Lord on that day
are they veiled ; and then, verily, they shall broil in
hell ; then it shall be said, ' This is what ye once did
call a lie !'
Nay, verily, the book of the righteous is in
'lUiyun-; and what shall make thee know what
Tlliyun is? — [20] a book inscribed! those nigh to
God shall witness it.
Verily, the righteous shall be in pleasure ; upon
couches shall they gaze ; thou mayest recognise in
their faces the brightness of pleasure; [25] they
shall be given to drink wine that is sealed, whose
seal is musk ; for that then let the aspirants aspire !
' Si^^in, the ' prison ' of hell, whence the register of the wicked
is named.
^ 'llliyun means ' high places.'
LXXXIII,27-LXXXIV,I2. CHAPTER OF RENDING ASUNDER. 325
— and it shall be tempered with Tasnim ^ — a spring
from which those nigh to God shall drink.
Verily, those who sin do laugh at those who
believe; [30] and when they pass by they wink
at one another, and when they return to their
family they return ridiculing them ; and when they
see them they say, 'Verily, these do go astray!' —
but they are not sent as guardians over them !
But to-day those who believe shall at the mis-
believers laugh ! [35] Upon couches shall they
gaze ; are the misbelievers rewarded for what they
have done ?
The Chapter of the Rending asunder.
(LXXXIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
When the heaven is rent asunder and gives ear
unto its Lord, and is dutiful !
And when the earth is stretched out and casts
forth what is in it, and is empty, [5] and gives ear
unto its Lord, and is dutiful !
O man ! verily, thou are toiling after thy Lord,
toiline ; wherefore shalt thou meet Him !
And as for him who is given his book in his right
hand, he shall be reckoned with by an easy reckon-
ing ; and he shall go back to his family joyfully.
[10] But as for him who is given his book behind
his back^ he shall call out for destruction, but he
^ Name of a fountain in Paradise, so called because it is con-
veyed to the highest apartments there.
2 I. e. in the left hand, which will be chained behind the back,
the right hand being fettered to the neck.
326 THE QURAN. LXXXIV, la-LXXXV,;.
shall broil in a blaze ! Verily, he was amongst his
family joyful. Verily, he thought that he should
never return to God.
[15] Yea, verily, his Lord on him did look !
I need not swear by the evening glow,
Or by the night, and what it drives together.
Or by the moon when it is at its full,
Ye shall be surely transferred from state to state ^!
[20] What ails them that they do not believe ?
and, when the Our'an is read to them, do not adore ?
Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie, but
God knows best the (malice) that they hide.
So ofive them the glad tidino^s of s^rievous woe !
[25] save those who believe and act aright, for them
is hire that is not grudged !
The Chapter of the Zodiacal Signs.
(LXXXV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
By the heaven with its zodiacal signs ^!
And the promised day !
And the witness and the witnessed^ !
The fellows of the pit were slain ;
[5] And the fire with its kindling,
When they sat over it
And witnessed the while what the)' were doing with
those who believed"*.
' From life to death, and from death to the future life.
^ Literally, ' towers.'
^ Various interpretations are given of these words, the most
probable perhaps being that ' the witness ' is Mohammed, and ' the
witnessed' the faith.
* Alluding to the persecution of the Christians at Ne^ran by
LXXXV,8-LXXXVI,2. CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT STAR. 327
And they took not vengeance on them save for
their beHef in God,
The mighty, the praiseworthy,
Whose is the kingdoms of the heavens and the
earth ;
For God is witness over all !
[10] Verily, those who make trial of the believers,
men and women, and then do not repent, for them
is the torment of hell, and for them is the torment
of the burning !
Verily, those who believe and act aright, for them
are gardens beneath which rivers flow, — that is the
great bliss !
Verily, the violence of thy Lord is keen !
Verily, He produces and returns, and He is the
forgiving, the loving, [15] the Lord of the glorious
throne ; the doer of what He will !
Has there come to thee the story of the hosts of
Pharaoh and Thamud ?
Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie ;
[20] but God is behind them — encompassing !
Nay, it is a glorious Qur an in a preserved tablet ^
The Chapter of the Night Star.
(LXXXVL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the heaven and by the night star ! And what
Dhu 'n Navvas, king of Yemen, who had embraced the Jewish
religion, and who commanded all his subjects who would not do
the same to be flung into a pit filled with fire, and burnt to death.
1 See Part I, p. 2, note 2.
328 THE QUR'aN. LXXXVI,2-LXXXVII,8.
shall make thee know what the night star is ? — -The
star of piercing brightness.
Verily, every soul has a guardian over it.
[5] Then let man look from what he is created : he
is created from water poured forth, that comes out
from between the loins and the breast bones \
Verily, He is able to send him back again, on the
day when the secrets shall be tried, [10] and he
shall have no strength nor helper.
By the heaven that sends back the rain !
And the earth with its sprouting !
Verily, it is indeed a distinguishing speech, and it
is no frivolity !
[15] Verily, they do plot a plot !
But I plot my plot too ! let the misbelievers bide ;
do thou then let them bide awhile !
The Chapter of the Most High.
(LXXXVn. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Celebrated the name of thy Lord most High, who
created and fashioned, and who decreed and guided,
and who brings forth the - pasture, [5] and then
makes it dusky stubble !
We will make thee recite, and thou shalt not
forget^, save what God pleases. Verily, He knows
the open and what is concealed ; and we will send
^ From the loins of the man and the breast bones of the
woman. — Al Baia^avi.
* See Chapter II, verse 100, Part I, p. 14.
LXXXVII,8-LXXXVIII,i6. CHAPTER OF OVERWHELMING. 329
thee easily to ease ; wherefore remind, for, verily,
the reminder is useful.
[10] But he who fears will be mindful; but the
wretch will avoid it ; he who will broil on the great
fire, and then therein shall neither die nor live !
Prosperous is he who purifies himself, [15] and
remembers the name of his Lord and prays !
Nay ! but ye prefer the life of this world, while
the hereafter is better and more lasting.
Verily, this was in the books of yore, — the books
of Abraham and Moses.
The Chapter of the Overwhelming ^
(LXXXVIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Has there come to thee the story of the over-
whelming ?
Faces on that day shall be humble, labouring,
toiling, — shall broil upon a burning fire ; [5] shall be
given to drink from a boiling spring ! no food shall
they have save from the foul thorn, which shall not
fatten nor avail against hunger !
Faces on that day shall be comfortable, content
with their past endeavours, — [10] in a lofty garden
wherein they shall hear no foolish word ; wherein
is a flowine fountain : wherein are couches raised on
high, and goblets set down, [15] and cushions ar-
ranged, and carpets spread !
^ Another name of the last day.
» A .
330 THE QURAN. LXXXVIII,i7-LXXXIX,7.
Do they not look then at the camel how she is
created' ?
And at the heaven how it is reared ?
And at the mountains how they are set up ?
[20] And at the earth how it is spread out ?
But remind : thou art only one to remind ; thou
art not in authority over them ; except such as turns
his back and misbelieves, for him will God torment
with the greatest torment.
[25] Verily, unto us is their return, and, verily, for
us is their account !
The Chapter of the Dawn.
(LXXXIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the dawn and ten nights- !
And the single and the double !
And the night when it travels on !
Is there in that an oath for a man of sense ?
[5] Hast thou not seen how thy Lord did with
'Ad ? — with Irani of the columns'' ? the like of which
has not been created in the land ?
^ So useful an animal as a camel being to an Arab a singular
instance of divine wisdom.
- The first ten nights of the sacred months of Dnu 'l He^i,';§'eh.
' Sheddad, the son of 'Ad, is related to have ordered the con-
struction of a terrestrial paradise in the desert of Aden, ostensibly
in rivalry of the celestial one, and to have called it Irem, after the
name of his great-grandfather Irem (Aram). On going to take
possession of it, he and all his people were struck dead by a noise
from heaven, and the paradise disappeared. Certain Arab travellers
are declared to have come across this mysterious garden.
LXXXIX, 8-30. THE CHAPTER OF THE DAWN. 33 1
And Thamud when they hewed the stones in the
valley ?
And Pharaoh of the stakes ^ ?
[10] Who were outrageous in the land, and did
multiply wickedness therein, and thy Lord poured
out upon them the scourge of torment.
Verily, thy Lord is on a watch tower ! and as for
man, whenever his Lord tries him and honours him
and grants him favour, then [15] he says, ' My Lord
has honoured me;' but whenever he tries him and
doles out to him his subsistence, then he says, ' My
Lord despises me !'
Nay, but ye do not honour the orphan, nor do
ye urge each other to feed the poor, [20] and ye
devour the inheritance (of the weak) with a general
devouring 2, and ye love wealth with a complete
love !
Nay, when the earth is crushed to pieces, and thy
Lord comes with the angels, rank on rank, and hell
is brought on that day, — on that day shall man be
reminded ! but how shall he have a reminder ?
[25] He will say, 'Would that I had sent some-
thing forward for my life !'
But on that day no one shall be tormented with
a torment like his, and none shall be bound with
bonds like his !
O thou comforted soul ! return unto thy Lord,
well pleased and well pleased with !
And enter amongst my servants, [30] and enter
my Paradise !
^ Cf. p. 176, note I.
2 Cf. Part I, p. 72, note i.
332 the quran. xc, 1-20.
The Chapter of the Land.
(XC. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
I need not swear by the Lord of this land^ and
thou a dweller in this land^ !
Nor by the begetter and what he begets !
We have surely created man in trouble.
[5] Does he think that none can do aught against
him ?
He says, ' I have wasted wealth in plenty;' does
he think that no one sees him ?
Have we not made for him two eyes and a
tongue, and two lips ? [10] and guided him in the
two highways ? but he will not attempt the steep !
And what shall make thee know what the steep
is ? It is freeing captives, or feeding on the day of
famine, [15] an orphan who is akin, or a poor man
who lies in the dust ; and again (it is) to be of these
who believe and encourage each other to patience,
and encourage each other to mercy, — these are the
fellows of the right ^ !
But those who disbelieve in our signs, they are
the fellows of the left, [20] for them is fire that
closes in !
M. e. the sacred territory of Mecca.
- Or, ' art at liberty to act as thou pleasest.'
^ See pp. 263, 264.
XCI, i-XCII, 4. THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT. 2>33
The Chapter of the Sun.
(XCI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
By the sun and its noonday brightness !
And the moon when it follows him !
And the day when it displays him !
And the night when it covers him !
[5] And the heaven and what built it !
And the earth and what spread it !
And the soul and what fashioned it, and taught it
its sin and its piety !
Prosperous is he who purifies it !
[10] And disappointed is he who corrupts it !
Thamud called the apostle a liar^ in their outrage,
when their wretch rose up and the apostle of God
said to them, ' God's she-camel ! so give her to
drink.'
But they called him a liar, and they ham-strung
her ; but their Lord destroyed them in their sins,
and served them all alike; [15] and He fears not
the result thereof!
The Chapter of the Night.
(XCII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
By the night when it veils !
And the day when it is displayed !
And by what created male and female !
Verily, your efforts are diverse !
^ See Part I, p. 147, note i.
334 THE QURAN. XCII, 5-XCIII, 6.
[5] But as for him who gives alms and fears God,
And beheves in the best,
We will send him easily to ease !
But as for him who is niggardly,
And longs for wealth,
And calls the good a lie,
[10] We will send him easily to difficulty!
And his wealth shall not avail him
When he falls down (into hell) !
Verily, it is for us to guide ;
And, verily, ours are the hereafter and the former
life !
And I have warned you of a fire that flames !
[15] None shall broil thereon, but the most
wretched, who says it is a lie and turns his back.
But the pious shall be kept away from it, he who
gives his wealth in alms, and who gives no favour
to any one for the sake of reward, [20] but only
craving the face of his Lord most High; in the
end he shall be well pleased !
The Chapter of the Forenoon.
(XCIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the forenoon !
And the night when it darkens !
Thy Lord has not forsaken thee, nor hated thee !
and surely the hereafter is better for thee than the
former ; [5] and in the end thy Lord will give thee,
and thou shalt be well pleased !
Did He not find thee an orphan, and give thee
XCIII, 6-XCV, I. THE CHAPTER OF THE FIG. 2>35
shelter ? and find thee erring, and guide thee ? and
find thee poor with a family, and nourish thee ?
But as for the orphan oppress him not ; [lo] and
as for the beggar drive him not away ; and as for
the favour of thy Lord discourse thereof.
The Chapter of ' Have we not expanded ?'
(XCIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Have we not expanded for thee thy breast^ ? and
set down from thee thy load which galled thy back ?
and exalted for thee thy renown ?
[5] Verily, with difficulty is ease ! verily, with
difficulty is ease !
And when thou art at leisure then toil, and for
thy Lord do thou yearn !
The Chapter of the Fig.
(XCV. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the fig !
And by the olive !
^ I. e. expanded it for the reception of the truth. Taking the
words literally some INIuslims have supposed it to refer to the
legend, that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohammed while he
was a child, and having cut open his breast took out his heart, and
cleansed it from the black drop of original sin. This explanation
is, however, rejected by the more sensible of the orthodox Muslim
divines.
336 THE QURAN. XCV, 2-XCVI, lo.
And by Mount Sinai !
And by this safe land^ !
We have indeed created man in the best of sym-
metry. [5] Then we will send him back the lowest
of the low; save those who believe and act aright ;
for theirs is a hire that is not sfrudeed.
But what shall make thee call the judgment after
this a lie ?
Is not God a most just of judges ?
The Chapter of Congealed Blood 2.
(XCVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Read, in the name of thy Lord !
Who created man from concealed blood !
Read, for thy Lord is most generous !
[5] Who taught the pen !
Taught man what he did not know !
Nay, verily, man is indeed outrageous at seeing
himself get rich !
Verily, unto thy Lord is the return !
Hast thou considered him who forbids [10] a ser-
vant^ when he prays* }
^ Alluding to the inviolable character of the sacred territory of
Mecca.
"^ The five opening verses of the chapter are generally allowed
to have been the first that were revealed. See Introduction, p. xx,
and note i, idem,
^ I.e. IMohammed.
* The allusion is to Abu G^ahl, who threatened to set his foot on
Mohammed's neck if he caught him in the act of adoration.
XCVI,ii-XCVIII, I. CHAPTER OF THE MANIFEST SIGN. 337
Hast thou considered if he were in guidance or
bade piety ?
Hast thou considered if he said it was a he, and
turned his back ?
Did he not know that God can see ?
[15] Nay, surely, if he do not desist we will drag
him by the forelock ! — the lying sinful forelock !
So let him call his counsel : we will call the guards
of hell !
Nay, obey him not, but adore and draw nigh !
The Chapter of Powers
(XCVH. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Verily, we sent it down on the Night of Power !
And what shall make thee know what the Night
of Power is ? — the Night of Power is better than a
thousand months !
The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the
permission of their Lord with every bidding.
[5] Peace it is until rising of the dawn !
The Chapter of the Manifest Sign.
(XCVIII. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Those of the people of the Book and the idolaters
^ The word el Qadr signifies ' power,' ' worth,' * measure,' and
' the divine decree.'
[9] Z
338 THE QUR AN. XCVIII, i-XCIX, 6.
who misbelieve did not fall off until there came to
them the manifest sign, —
An apostle from God reading pure pages wherein
are right scriptures :
Nor did those who were given the Book divide
into sects until after there came to them the mani-
fest sign.
But they were not bidden aught but to worship
God, being sincere in religion unto Him as 'Hanifs,
and to be steadfast in prayer, and to give alms : for
that is the standard religion.
[5] Verily, those who disbelieve amongst the
people of the Book and the idolaters shall be in the
fire of hell, to dwell therein for aye ; they are wretched
creatures !
Verily, those who believe and act aright, they are
the best of creatures ; their reward with their Lord
is gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow, to
dwell therein for aye; God shall be well pleased
with them, and they with Him ! that is for him
who fears his Lord !
The Chapter of the Earthquake.
(XCIX. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
When the earth shall quake with its quaking !
And the earth shall bring forth her burdens, and
man shall say, 'What ails her!'
On that day she shall tell her tidings, [5] because
thy Lord inspires her.
On the day when men shall come up in separate
XCIX, 6-CI, 4. THE CHAPTER OF THE SMITING. 339
bands to show their works : and he who does the
weight of an atom of good shall see it ! and he who
does the weight of an atom of evil shall see it !
The Chapter of the Chargers.
(C. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the snorting chargers !
And those who strike fire with their hoofs !
And those who make incursions in the morning,
And raise up dust therein,
[5] And cleave through a host therein !
Verily, man is to his Lord ungrateful ; and, verily,
he is a witness of that.
Verily, he is keen in his love of good.
Does he not know when the tombs are exposed,
[10] and what is in the breasts is brought to light ?
Verily, thy Lord upon that day indeed is well
aware.
The Chapter of the Smiting.
(CL Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The smiting !
What is the smiting ?
And what shall make thee know what the
smiting is ?
The day when men shall be like scattered moths ;
and the mountains shall be like flocks of carded
wool !
z 2
340 THE QUR AN. CI, 5-CIII, 3.
[5] And as for him whose balance is heavy, he
shall be in a well-pleasing life.
But as for him whose balance is light, his dwell-
ing shall be the pit of hell ^
And who shall make thee know what it is ? — a
burning fire !
The Chapter of the Contention about Numbers.
(CI I. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
The contention about numbers deludes you till
ye visit the tombs- !
Not so ! In the end ye shall know! And again
not so ! In the end ye shall know !
[5] Not so ! Did ye but know with certain
knowledge !
Ye shall surely see hell ! And again ye shall
surely see it with an eye of certainty.
Then ye shall surely be asked about pleasure"^ !
The Chapter of the Afternoon ^
(CIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
By the afternoon ! verily, man is in loss ! save
' El Hawiyeh, see Introduction, p. Ixx.
- The commentators say that in one of the frequent contentions
about the re-^pective nobility of the Arab tribes, that the Abu
Menaf clan disputed with that of Sahm, which was the most
numerous, and the latter, having lost many men in battle, declared
that their dead should be taken into account as well as the living.
•• That is, the pleasures of this life.
* Or, ' the age.'
cm, 3-CV, 5. THE CHAPTER OF THE ELEPHANT. 341
those who beheve and do right, and bid each other
be true, and bid each other be patient.
The Chapter of the Backbiter.
(CIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Woe to every slanderous backbiter, who collects
wealth and counts it.
He thinks that his wealth can immortalize him.
Not so! he shall be hurled into El 'Hu/amah !
[5] And what shall make thee understand what
El 'Hu/amahMs ? — the fire of God kindled; which
rises above the hearts. Verily, it is an archway over
them on long-drawn columns.
The Chapter of the Elephant.
(CV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Hast thou not seen what thy Lord did with the
fellows of the elephant - ?
Did He not make their stratagem lead them
astray, and send down on them birds in flocks, to
throw down on them stones of baked clay, [5] and
make them like blades of herbage eaten down ?
^ See Introduction, p. Ixx.
^ Abrahat el A^ram, an Abyssinian Christian, and viceroy of the
king of Sanaa in Yemen in the year in which Mohammed was born,
marched with a large army and some elephants upon Mecca, with
the intention of destroying the Kaabah. He was defeated and his
army destroyed in so sudden a manner as to have given rise to the
\
342 THE QUR'aN. CVI, i-CVIII, i.
The Chapter of the Quraij-.
(CVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
For the uniting of the Quraii"; uniting them for
the caravan of winter and summer.
So let them serve the Lord of this house who
feeds them against hunger and makes them safe
against fear\
The Chapter of ' Necessaries.'
(CVI I. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Hast thou considered him who calls the judg-
ment a lie ? He it is who pushes the orphan away ;
and urges not (others) to feed the poor.
But woe to those who pray [5] and who are care-
less in their prayers,
Who pretend and withhold necessaries ^.
The Chapter of El Kauthar.
(CVIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Verily, we have given thee El KauTHar ^ ;
legend embodied in the text. It is conjectured that small-pox
broke out amongst his men.
* See Introduction, p. xvi. Some connect the first sentence with
the last chapter.
^ Or, ' alms.' The word might be rendered ' resources.'
•' The word signifies ' abundance.' It is also the name of a river
in Paradise.
CVIII, 2-CXI, I. THE CHAPTER OF ABU LAHEB. 343
So pray to thy Lord and slaughter (victims).
Verily, he who hates thee shall be childless ^
The Chapter of Misbelievers.
(CIX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Say, ' O ye misbelievers ! I do not serve what ye
serve ; nor will ye serve what I serve ; nor will I
serve what ye serve ; [5] nor will ye serve what
I serve ; — ye have your religion, and I have my
religion ! '
The Chapter of Help.
(CX. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
When there comes God's help and victory,
And thou shalt see men enter into God's relisfion
by troops,
Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and ask
forgiveness of Him, verily. He is relentant !
The Chapter of Abu Laheb^.
(CXI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Abu Laheb's two hands shall perish, and he shall
perish !
A,
^ This is directed against As ibn Wail, who, when Mohammed's
son El Qasim died, called him abtar, which means ' docktailed,'
i.e. childless.
^ See Introduction, p. xxviii. Abu Laheb, 'the father of the flame,'
344 THE qur'an. CXI, 2-CXIII, 5-
His wealth shall not avail him, nor what he has
earned !
He shall broil in a fire that flames ^ and his wife
carrying faggots ! — [5] on her neck a cord of palm
fibres.
The Chapter of Unity ^.
(CXH. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Say, ' He is God alone !
God the Eternal !
He begets not and is not begotten !
Nor is there like unto Him any one !'
The Chapter of the Daybreak.
(CXH I. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Say, ' I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak,
from the evil of what He has created ; and from the
evil of the night when it cometh on^; and from
the evil of the blowers upon knots'*; [5] and from the
evil of the envious when he envies.'
was the nickname of 'Abd el 'Huzza, uncle of IMohammed, and
a bitter opponent of Islam.
^ A pun upon his name,
^ The chapter is generally known in Arabic by the name of El
17/las, ' clearing oneself,' i. e. of belief in any but one God.
' Or, according to a traditional explanation given by the pro-
phet to 'Ayeshah, ' the moon when it is eclipsed.'
* Witches who make knots in string and blow upon them, utter-
ing at the same time some magical formula and the name of the
persons they wish to injure.
cxiv, 1-6. the chapter of men. 345
The Chapter of Men.
(CXIV. Place of origin doubtful.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate
God.
Say, ' I seek refuge in the Lord of men, the King
of men, the God of men, from the evil of the
whisperer \ who slinks off, [5] who whispers into
the hearts of men ! — from ^inns and men !'
^ The devil.
INDEX.
(al) Aaraf, bridge of, Int. p. Ixix; Part
I, p. 143 ; Part II, p. 32 note i,
Aaron, I, 38, 94, 125, 152, 154, 201 ;
II, 29n, 36, 39, 41, 50, 51, 68,
86, 91, 92, up, 172, 240 n.
Abbas, xxxii, xli, xlii.
'Abd ad Dar, xvii, xviii.
'Abdallah ibn Sa'hd ibn Abi Sar'h,
Mohammed's secretary, Ivii ; I,
126 n.
'Abdallah ibn Ubai, xxxv.
'Abdallah ibn Ubbai, chief of the
'Hypocrites,' Ixiii ; II, 74 n 2,
77 n 4, 284 n.
Abdallah ibn Umm Maktum, II, 3 20 n.
'Abd al 'Hareth, one of Adam's sons,
I, 161 n I.
'Abd al Huzza, Ix ; II, 344 n,
'Abd al INIu^/alib, xvii, xviii.
'Abd ar Rahman ibn Auf, xxiii.
'Abd Rlenaf, xvii, xviii.
— clan of, II, 341 n.
'Abd Shems, xviii.
Abraham, xiii, xvi, xlvii, I, liii, Ixxiv;
I, 17, 18, 19, 40, 40 n 3, 41,
50, 50 n2, 54, 57, 58, 59, 80,
90, 94, 125, 133 n I, 137, 183,
189, 212, 213, 219, 223, 242,
247,263; 11,30,31,65,93,120,
124, 139, 179, 206, 246, 253,
269, 278, 329.
— is cast into the fiery furnace, II,
171, 172.
— station of, xvi, xvii, Ixxiv.
— surnamed, '/falila 'llah, the Friend
of God, Ixxi.
Abrahat al Ajram, II, 341 n.
— attacks the Kaabah, II, 341 n.
Abrogation of verses, Ivii.
Abu'l 'Abbas, I, 175.
Abu Bekr, xix, xxiii, xxiv, xxv,
xxxiii, xliv, xlvi ; I, 68 n i.
— hides with Mohammed in a cave,
Ivii; I, 179 n 1; 11,75 m.
Abu Gahl, xxxiii ; II, 300, 336 n,
— challenges INIohammed to cause
a portion of the heavens to fall
on the Quraij, II, 300 n.
Abu 'Hamir, I, 188 ni.
Abu Laheb, xxix, Ix; II, 144, 343.
Abu Sufiyan, xxxv, xxxvii; 1,164 n i.
Abu Talib, xviii, xxiv, xxv, xxviii,
xxix, xli, xlii.
Abyssinia, xxvi, xxvii, xl ; I, 2 14 n 3 ;
^^ II, 341 n.
'Ad, xlviii; I, 145, 146, 183, 210, 211,
239; II, 6^r, 86, 2i 1^, 176,
193) 222i 131' 242, 2^, 254,
256, 29£, 3J51.
Adam, I, 5 n, 50, 54, loi, 138, 139,
140; II, 8, 9, 19, 31, 43, 44.
— children of, I, 141, 159, 161 n i.
Adam, Zafiy allah, the Chosen of
God, Ixxi.
Adrian, persecution of, xv.
iEsop. See Loqman.
A'hmed, prophecy of, xlix ; II, 281.
A'>6nas ibn 5uraiq eXH THaqafi,
I, 29 n3.
(al) A'hqaf, II, 227.
— chapter of, II, 224.
Akabeh, xxxi.
— pledge given at, by a deputation
from the inhabitants of Medinah,
xxxii ; I, 9 n I, 98 n I.
Al 'asma'u I'husna, II, 13 n i.
Alexander the Great, his prime
minister, II, 23 n 3.
'Ali ibn Ali Talib, xxxiii ; II, 74 n 2,
. 143-
Allah, xii, xiii, xiv, xxiv, Ixv, Ixvi ;
I, 132 n 2 ; II, 13 ni,
— meaning of name, Ixvi.
Allah ta'alah, xii, Ixvi.
Allahu akbar, II, 13 n 2.
Allat, xii, xiii, xxvii, xliii ; I, 160 n i ;
II, 9 ni, 62 n I, 252.
Alms, Ixxi, Ixxiii ; I, 180, 181.
Amanuensis, employed by Moham-
med, Ivii.
Aminah, Mohammed's mother, xviii.
Aminah, one of Solomon's concu-
bines, II, 178 n.
'Amr, xli,
Amram, I, 50, n i,
'Amr ibn La'hy, xvii.
348
THE QURAN.
Angel of death, II, 136.
— fallen, xiv.
Angels, lii,lxviii, Ixx; I, 161 ni, 164,
169; II, 139, 145, 155, 168,
174, 181, 200, 205, 232, 245,
252, 300, 315, 317.
— chapter of, II, 157.
— 'daughters of God,' xiii, Ixi; I,
256 n 2.
— guardian, I, 233.
— recording, I, 195 ni.
Ant, chapter of, II, 99.
Antichrist, Ixxi ; I, 94 n 2.
Antioch, II, 164 n.
Antistes, I, 17 ni.
Apes, Sabbath-breakers turned into,
1,9.
Apostle of the Gentiles, I, 156 ni.
Apostles, the twelve, II, 282.
Arab orators, 1.
Arab writers, I, 257 ni.
Arabia, I, 191 ni; II, 263.
— boundaries of, ix,
Arabian prophets, I, 159 ni.
Arabs, I, 256 n 2 ; II, 13 n i.
— ancient, I, 27, 40 n, 48, 64 n, 79,
176 n I.
beacon fires, I, 106 n i.
character, x.
Christian tribes, xiv.
formula for avoiding the evil
influence of ^tfinns in lonely
places, II, 305 n.
formula of deprecation of hos-
tilities during the sacred
months, II, 85.
idols, xii.
Jewish tribes, xiv, xv.
manners, ix, x.
position of women amongst, xi.
pride of birth, x.
religion, xi, xiv, xv.
superstitions, xi, xii.
tribes of, I, 145 n i.
vices, X,
— battles, II, 221.
— desert, I, 216 n i, 259, n i ; II, 36
"3, 234, 235, 241.
— desert, ask to be excused from
fighting, I, 185, 187.
— desert and town, ix.
— dislike of female ofispring, II, 212,
— disregard of treaties it they are
themselves of superior strength
to their enemy, I, 260 n2.
— Himyarite, II, 219 n.
Arabs, hospitality, II, 147 n.
— hypocrisy, I, 186, 190.
— Jewish, XXX.
— pagan, burying female children
alive, I, 132 n.
mutilate the ears of cattle, I,
89 n I.
offerings to idols, I, 132 n.
superstitions, I, 132 n, 134 n.
superstitious customs respect-
ing cattle, I, 112, 115 ni.
— practise of divination amongst,
II, 2 n 2 .
— relations to their adopted chil-
dren, II, 144.
— sacred months not to be put off,
I, 178 n I.
— superstitious, II, 7 n i.
— superstitious about entering
houses by the doors on their
return from Mecca, I, 27 ni.
'Arafat, Ixxiv; I, 29.
Arafat, INIount, xliv.
Archangels, Ixix.
'Arish, I, 133 n 2.
Ark, I, 38 ; II, 164 n.
Ar Rahman, Ixi; II, 13 n i.
Ashram, Abraha, the, xviii ; II, 341 n.
Athar, I, 124.
Athar Nagat en Nebi, I, 147 n i.
Aus, XXX, xxxiv, xxxix; I, 59 n i ;
11,217,239,258.
Ayatu '1 Kursiy, I, 40 n i.
'Ayeshah, xliv;' II, 74 n 2, 75 n i, 77
n 5, 290, 307 n, 344 n,
Azar, I, 124.
Baal, priests of, I, 68 n 2.
Babel, tower of, I, 253.
Babylon, I, 14, 14 n 2.
Babylonia, ix.
Ba'hirah, I, 1 12, 112 n i.
Ba'Mnazr, I, 41 n i.
BaiJMvi, Ixxx; I, 33 n i, 177 n i ;
II, 328 n.
Bait aliah, xiii; I, 17 n 2.
Balaam, I, 159 n i.
Bcdawin, modern, xiv; I, 147 n i,
256 n 2.
Bedr, battle of, xxxvi, xxxvii ; I, 47
n I, 61, 66 n I, 86 n i, 165 n i,
i7ini; II, 2on I, 62 n2, 7on2,
257, 274 n, 276.
Bee, similitude of, I, 4 n 3.
Bekkah, xvi ; I, 58.
Benu Bakr, xvii.
INDEX.
349
Benu Ghanm, I, i88 n i, 189 n i.
Benu 'Huza'huh, xvii.
Benu Kenanah, xvii.
Bethel, xiii ; I, 17 n 2.
Bilal, the first Muezzin, xxiii.
Bismillah, Ixviii; I, 24 n 2, 172 n,
Byzantium, ix, xl.
Cain, I, 161 n i.
Calf, golden, I, 6, 7, 12, 13, 155.
Camels, II, 321.
Captives, ransom of, I, 171.
Carmel, Mount, I, 68 n 2.
Cave, fellows of the, II, 14.
Chaldea, xi.
Christianity, x, xiv, xv, li, lii, lix, Ixi.
Christians, I, 8, 15, 19, 54, 99, 105,
107, 109 ; II, 16 n I, 58.
— accused of perverting the Scrip-
tures, I, 250 n 3.
Christian traditions, xlvii.
Confederates the, siege of Medinah
by, xxxix ; II, 138, 138 n i, 140
n, 142 n.
Constantinople, II, 125 n.
Creator, the, I, 128.
(ed) Dagga], Ixxi.
Dan, xii n i; I, 13 n 2.
Dar al Qarar (Chapter xl, 42), the
Abode of Rest, Ixx.
Dar as Salam (Chapter vi, 127), the
Abode of Peace, Ixx.
David, I, 9 n I, 39, 52, 52 n, 94, 108,
125; II, 7, 100.
— taught to make coats of mail, II,
151.
— the parable of the ewe lamb, II,
177, 178.
Death, angel of, II, 136.
Deluge, Mohammedan account of
the, I, 209 n I.
Demons, lii.
Denarius, I, 55 n 2.
Deputations, year of, xliii.
Dervishes, I, 53 n 4.
Deuteronomy xxi. 1-9, I, 9 n 2.
Devil, the, I, 162.
— tempts man, II, 276.
Devils, n, 168 n, 179 n.
— appointed to watch unbelievers,
II, 201,
— are not allowed to listen at the
gate of heaven, II, 98, 99, 250 n.
— do not descend with the Qur'an,
11,98.
Devils, on whom they do descend,
11,98.
— pelted with shooting-stars, I, 5 1 n ;
II, 293, 305, 330 n.
Dhu '1 'He^^^eh, xxxix; II, 59 n i.
Dhu '1 Kifl, II, 53, 180.
Dhu '1 Qa'hdah, xxxix, xl; I, 27n4.
Dhu '1 Qarnain, II, 24, 24 n i, 25.
Dhu 'n Navvas, II, 327 n.
Dhu 'nnun, II, 53.
Dinar = denarius.
Diodorus, xvi,
Dioscuri, liv.
Discrimination, the, I, 7, 26, 46, 55,
55 n 2, 166, 168; II, 50, 83.
Divorce, II, 138, 146, 270 n, 288, 289.
— chapter of, II, 288.
Dog-star, II, 254.
Dolmens, I, 97 n 2.
Dualism, lii; I, 115 n 2.
Duwar, xiii.
Eden, gardens of, I, 183, 235, 253;
II, 160, 180, 191, 282, 338.
Edom, II, 147 n.
Egypt, ix, xl ; I, 8, 202, 220 n i, 221,
227 n I, 230.
Egyptian, II, 91.
Eidolon of Jesus crucified instead
of him, I, 53 n 3.
Elath, I, 9 n I.
Elephant, chapter of, 1, 2 14 n 3 ; 1 1,34 1.
— year of, xviii ; II, 341.
Elias, I, 4ini, 125, i47ni; II, 23
_ n3, 53 n I.
Elijah, I, 68 n 2.
Elisha, I, 125 ; II, 180.
Elyas, II, 172.
Enoch, xi ; II, 31 n.
Enquirer, the, xv.
Ephesus, Seven Sleepers of, II, 14 n i.
Esdras, I, 41 n i.
Eusebius, I, 124.
Eutychians, li.
Eve, I, 161 n I.
Exodus, II, 36 ni.
— ch. X. ver. 9, p. Ixxv.
— ch. xiv. ver. 30, I, 203 n 2.
— ch. xxxii. ver. 20, I, 13 n i.
— ch. xxxii. vers. 24, 26, 27, I, 7 n i;
— 'Desert of the,' I, 147 ni; II,
36 n I.
EzekieLjiision of, I, 37 n 2.
— ch.'locxvii. vers, i-io, I, 37 n 2.
Ezra, Mohammedan legend of, 1, 177,
177 n.
350
THE QURAN.
Farewell pilgrimage, xliv.
(al) Farqan, Ivii.
Fasting, Ixxi, Ixxiii.
Fa/iniah, II, 143 n i.
Fatnih, the, xxii ; II, 308.
Female children buried alive, I, 132
n 2 ; II, 212, 322.
Firdaus, II, 26 n i.
Firdausi, II, 131 n 3.
Fire, how produced, II, 167, 265 n.
Flight, the, I, 176 n i.
Friday, the day of public prayer,
Ixxii; II, 283.
(al) Furqan, II, 83 n i.
Future lile, belief in, xiv.
Gabriel, xxxvi, Ixv, Ixix ; I, 2 n 2, 1 3,
13 n 2, 99, 179 n, 203 n I, 221
n 2, 261 n 2 ; II, 10 n i, 28 n i,
4ini, 62ni, 98, 164 n, 174 n;
291, 308, 3ir, 322, 335.
— appears to Mohammed in natural
form, II, 251 n.
Gahim (Chapter ii, 113), the Fierce
Fire, Ixx.
Galut = Goliath, I, 39.
'Gannat al Firdaus (Chapter xviii,
107), the Garden of Paradise,
Ixx.
Gannat al 'Hilliyun (Chapter Ixxxiii,
18), the Garden of the Most
High, Ixx.
Gannat al 'Hu\d (Chapter xxv, 16),
the Garden of Paternity, Ixx.
Gannat al Ma'wa (Chapter xxxii, 19),
the Garden of Resort, Ixx.
Gannat an Na'him (Chapter vi, 70),
the Garden of Pleasure, Ixx.
Gannat 'Hadn (Chapter ix, 72), the
Garden of Eden, Ixx.
Gehennum (Chapter xix, 44), Ge-
henna, Ixx.
Genesis ch. i. ver. 2, I, 205.
— ch. vi. ver. 2, I, 14 n 2.
— ch. ix. vers. 20-25, I> 209 n 2.
— ch. xi. ver. 13, I, 147 n 1.
— ch. XV. ver. 9, I, 41 n 2.
— ch. xxviii. vers. 18-19, p. xiii.
Gentiles, 1, 48, 56 ; II, 282.
• — prophet of, xlvii.
George, St., II, 23 n 3.
Geradeh, one of Solomon's wives,
II, 178 n 2.
Ghassan, xiv.
(al) Ghazzali, Ixx.
Gibt, ancient Arab idol, I, 79.
Gideon, I, 38 n 4.
Gihad, I, 3202; II, 7ni.
Ginns, xii ; I, 127, 131, 142, 160,
i6on3; II, 7 n i, 69, 156, 259n,
260, 305 n, 306, 345.
— listen to Mohammed's preaching,
Ixx ; II, 304.
— serve Solomon, II, 102, 151.
— their creation, Ixix.
Giordi. See Gudi.
Gnat, similitude of, I, 4.
God, names of, Ixvii ; II, 277.
Goddesses of the Quraij, II, 186 n,
252.
Gog, Ixxi ; II, 25 n I, n 2, n 3.
Goliath, I, 39 n I : II, i n 4.
Gomorrah, I, 183 n i; II, 255, 298.
Gordysi. See Giordi.
Gospels, I, 254 n I ; II, 86 n i.
Goyim, I, 48 n I.
Greeks, II, 42 ni, 235 n.
— chapter of, II, 124.
— prophecy of the victory of, II,
125, 125 n.
Grove, the, I, 249; II, 67, 242.
Gudi, Mount, where the ark rested,
I, 210, 210 n 2.
Gulf of Oman, ix.
Gulf, Persian, ix.
//abbab, II, 33 n i.
'Hab'hab, xiii.
Habib, II, 164 n.
'Hadab, II, 54 n 2.
'Hadhramaut, II, 86 n 3.
'//adji^ah, xix, xxi, xxii, xxiii, xxiv,
xxix, xlix, Ixxvi.
Hadith, Ixvi.
'Hafsah, II, 290 n.
'Ha^?-^?-, xvii, liii, Ixxvi; I, 29 n i and 2.
— meaning of word, Ixxv.
— pilgrims, I, 50 n 2.
— rites of, xiii, Ixxiii, Ixxiv, Ixxv.
(al) 'Hagr, I, 244, 249.
— chapter of, I, 244.
— meaning of name, I, 244 n.
'HalidibnWalid, xxxviii,xli, xiii ; II,
239-
Haman, Pharaoh's vizier, II, 108, 108
n I, 112, 121 n.
'Hami, I, 112, 112 n r.
'Hamr, includes all intoxicating
drinks, 1, 32 n 3.
'Hamzah, Mohammed's uncle,
xxxviii ; I, 264 n i ; II, 192, 193,
194.
INDEX.
351
'Hanif, xv, xxiv, Hi; 1, 19, 54, 90, 124,
^133111,1^7,204,263; 11,59,338.
Hariri, IMaqamat of, Ivi ; II, 16 n 3.
'Harubah, II, 283 n.
Harut, xiv; I, 14.
'Hasan, II, 74 n 2.
Hashim, xvi, xviii, Ix.
'Has! ibn Wail, II, 33 n i.
'Hatih ibn abi Balta'hah, warns the
Meccans of an intended attacli
by Mohammed, II, 277 n 2,
'Havariyun, I, 53 n i.
Hawiyeh (Chapter cl, 8), the Abyss,
Ixx.
'Hazra^, tribe of, xxx, xxxi, xxxiv ;
I, 59 n I ; II, 239 n.
Heaven, names of, Ixx : —
_ Dar al Qarar (Chapter xl, 42), the
Abode of Rest, Ixx.
Dar as Salam (Chaptervi, 127), the
Abode of Peace, Ixx.
Gannat al 'Huld (Chapter xxv, 16),
the Garden of Eternity, Ixx,
Gannat al 'Hilliyiin (Chapter
Ixxxiii, 18), the Garden of the
Most High, Ixx.
Gannat al Firdaus (Chapter xviii,
107), the Garden of Paradise,
Ixx.
Gannat al Ma'wa (Chapter xxxii,
19), the Garden of Resort, Ixx.
Gannat an Na'him (Chapter vi, 70),
the Garden of Pleasure, Ixx.
Gannat 'Hadn (Chapterix, 72), the
Garden of Eden, Ixx.
Heifer, chapter of, xlii; I, 2.
Hell, I, 70, 80, 165, 182, 183, 184,
186; II, 293, 301,309, 317, 322,
329, 337,340.
Hell, names of, Ixx : —
Hawiyeh (Chapter cl, 8), the
Abyss, Ixx.
Hu/amah (Chapter civ, 4), the
Raging Fire that splits every-
thing to pieces, Ixx.
Gahim (Chapter ii, 1 1 3),the Fierce
Fire, Ixx.
Gehennum (Chapter xix, 44), Ge-
henna, Ixx.
Lit/ja. (Chapter Ixx, 15), the Flam-
ing Fire, Ixx.
Sa'hir (Chapter iv, 11), the Blaze,
Ixx.
Saqar (Chapter liv, 58), the Scorch-
ing Fire, Ixx.
'Hid al Az'ha, Ixxiv.
(al) 'H\dhr, I, 41; II, 23n3.
Hi^az, ix.
Hi^rah, the, xxxiv ; I, 16 n i, 20 n 2,
32 n I.
Hind, xxxvii.
Hira, Mount, xxii.
Hi^atun, I, 7, 7 n 4 ; II, 157.
Holy Ghost, 1, 113.
Holy Name, the, II, 178 n.
Homer, liv.
Homicide, I, 135.
Homoiousians, li.
Honein, xlii, xliii ; I, 176 n i.
Hour, the, I, 161, 249, 258; II, 16,
33, 56, 57, 62,84,126,130, 135,
148,150,195, 204, 215, 231, 254,
257, 319.
House, the, I, 17, 18, 58, in, 165,
243; II, 59, 60, 143.
Hubal, xii.
Hud, I, 145, 145 n2, 210, 211, 215;
11,^95, 227.
Hudaibiyeh, I, 97 n i ; II, 236, 237 n.
— expedition of, II, 234 n, 235 n.
— house of, xl, xli ; II, 237 n.
— oath of fealty at, xliii.
Hu?ein, II, 74 n 2.
'Hu/amah, II, 341.
'Hu/amah (Chapter civ, 4), the Rag-
ing Fire that splits everything
to pieces, Ixx.
'Hu/bah, Ixxii.
'Huzair ibn 5ara'hya, I, 41 n i.
(al) 'Huzza, xii, xiii, xxvii ; II, 62 n r,
252.
Hypocrites, xxxiv, xxxvii, Ixiii; I,
169, 182, 183, 184; II, 140, 142,
145, 148, 149, 234, 265, 284.
Iblis, Ixix ; I, 5, 50 n 2, 138, 246; II,
8, 20, 44, 94, 181.
Ibn Abbas, II, 230.
Idols of the Arabs, xii, xiii, xv ; I,
4 n I ; II, 185 n, 186 n.
Idris, II, 31, 53.
Idumaea, I, 146 n i.
Ifrit, Ixx.
I_g-ma'h, Ixvi.
I'hfa'un, meaning of word, II, 35 n 2.
(el) Vh\%s, chapter of, II, 344 n.
I'hram, II, 59 n 2.
Iliad, liv.
'lUiyun, II, 324.
Imam, I, 17 n i.
Imamam, meaning of word, I, 263 n2.
Immunity, chapter of, I, 172.
o;
THE QURAN.
Imran, I, 50.
Irani, terrestrial paradise of, II, 330.
Iron, chapter of, I, 266.
Isaac, Ixxiv ; 1, 18, 19, 50 n 2, 57,125,
213, 219, 223; II, 30,51, 180.
Isaf, xiii.
Isaiah, murder of, II, i n 4,
Isfendiiu-, II, 131 n.
Ishniael, xiii, xvii, Ixxiv; I, 17, i9>57,
94, 125; II, 31,53, 172, 180.
Islam, li; I, 15 n i, 19 n i, 30 n i,
55 n I) 57, 59 " 1,60 ni, 74 ni,
97, 131, 147" I, 175 n I, 181 ni,
183, 188 n I ; II, 184, 206.
— conquests of, I, 237 n 2.
— meaning of word, li, Ixv.
— position of women under, Ixxv.
— practical duties of, Ixxi.
Israel, I, 17, 3°, 37, 58, 100; II, 31.
— children of, I, 6, 37 n 2, 107, 108,
113, 153, 202, 203 n2 ; II, I, I
ni, 12, 37, 38 n3, 91, 106, 137,
195, 215, 219, 282.
Israfil shall sound the last trumpet,
II, 255.
Jacob, I, 18, 19, 57, 94, 125, 213,
219, 223, 226 n 2, 227 ; II, 27,
30, 51, 180.
Jacobites, li.
Jebel IMusa, I, 147 n i.
(al) Jelalain, commentary of, ixv.
Jeremiah, imprisonment of, II, i n 4.
Jericho, I, 7 n 2.
Jerusalem, I, 7 n 2, 20 n 2, 41^1;
II, 244 n.
— taken by Persians, liii ; II, 125 n.
— temple at, II, i n 4.
Jesus, xxvi, li: I, 12, 19, 39, 53,
53 "3, 57f'^4, 95, i04, 108, 113,
114, 125; II, 29, 139, 164 n,
206, 216 n, 269, 282.
— an eidolon crucified instead of,
I, 53" 3-
— Ru'ha 'llah,the Spirit of God, Ixxi.
Jethro, I, 149 n i, 249 n 3.
Jews, xiv, xlvii, 1, lix; I, 8, 10 n i
and 2, 15, 19, 20 n 2, 48 n i, 54,
55 ni, 103, 105, 106, 107, 134,
263; II, 42 n I, 58, 272 n, 275,
282.
— accused of perverting the Scrip-
tures, I, 125 n, 250 n 3.
— of Qurrii//^ah, II, 142.
— of YaTHrib, xxxi.
— sins of the, II, i 04.
Jewish tradition, xlvii.
Job, I, 94, 125; II, 52, 179, 179 n.
John, I, 51, 125 ; II, 28.
St. John ch. xvi. ver. 7, quoted II,
281 n.
— ch. XX. ver. 16, quoted I, 56 n.
John the Baptist,murder of, II, i n 4.
Jonas, I, 94, 125, 173, 202; II, 53,
295, 297- (V2>,
Jordan, I, 52 n i.
Jorhamites, xvii.
Joseph, xxi ; I, 219, 220, 220 n i,
221, 222, 224, 224 n, 225, 227,
227 n I, 228, 229; II, 13 n 2,
77 "5, 193.
Joshua, II, 53 n I.
Judaism, xiv, xv, xxxv, li.
Judges vi, I, 38 n 4.
Judgment day, II, 106, 107, 255, 262,
297, 298, 311, 314, 315, 318,
319, 321, 323, 325, 329, 338,
339-
— signs preceding, Ixxi.
Kaabah, xiii, xvi, xvii, xviii, xxvi,
xxviii, xxxix, xli, xiii, liii, Ixxiv,
Ixxv; I, 16 n 1, 17 n i, 2, and
3, 20 n 2, III, i65n 2, 243 ni ;
II, I n 2, 69 n 2, 248 n.
— model of the, in heaven, xvi; II,
248 n.
Kafur, II, 312.
Kalimu 'llah, I, 39 n 2.
KauTHar, II, 342,
Khaibar, Jews of, II, 2350, 2360,
237".
Khaulah bint Tna'labah, II, 270 n.
Khorassan, veiled prophet of, xiv.
Khosrou, xl.
Kifl, II, 53 n I.
Kindeh, xiv.
Korah, II, 116, 1 16 n, 121.
Lailat el Qadr, Ixxiii.
Land, the Holy, I, 100.
Lat/A (Chapter Ixx, 15), the Flaming
Fire, Ixx.
(al) Lau'h el Ma'hfu//?., Ixxv.
Loqman, II, 131, 132.
Lord's Prayer, liv.
Lot, xxv; I, 61, 125, 148, 213, 214,
2x5, 248 ; II, 20 ni, 27 ni, 51,
97, 104, 120, 173, 176, 242.
— wife of, II, 292.
Lote tree, the celestial, II, 252.
— trees, II, 152, 152 n.
INDEX.
-1 r- 1
Magicians, I, 151.
Magog, Ixxi; II, 25 ni, n 2, n 3.
Magug^, II, 25, 54.
(al) Maisar, games of chance, I, 32,
^ 32 n4, 52 ni, 97 n2, no.
Malik, the keeper of hell, Ixix ; 1 1,
217.
Manat, xii, xiii, xxvii ; II, 62 n i,
252.
Manichseans, lii.
Manna, I, 7.
iNIaqam Ibi-ahim, Ixxiv.
Maqauqas, xl.
Marab, bursting of the dyke of, II,
II,
61, 86 n 3, 109, 1 10,
151,
^Di
■ Marriage among the Arabs, xi.
— with whom lawful, II, 146.
— with women who have come out
from the infidel ranks, II, 279,
280.
Marfit, xiv ; I, 14.
Marwa, IMount, xiii.
Mary, Coptic slave, xl ; II, 290.
Mary, daughter of Imran, II, 292.
Mary, son of, li ; I, 12, 39, 51,52,93,
95, 100, 104, 108, 113, 114, 177 ;
II, 28, 29, 68, 215, 269, 282.
Mary, Virgin, I, 50 ni; II, 292.
Mecca, ix, xiii, xvi, xxiv, xxvi, xxx,
xxxi,xxxiii, xxxv,xxxvii,xli,xliii,
xliv, xlv, xlviii, xlix, liii, lix, Ixiii,
Ixxiii, Ixxiv; I, 16, 17 n 2, 20
n 2, 22 n 2, 27 ni, 30 ni, 58 n i,
82 ni, 97 ni, 126 ni, 164 ni,
i65n2, i76ni, i87ni,i88ni,
192 ni, 2i4n3, 242 ni, 2 6oni,
264 ni; II, 9 n I, 44 n I, 70
n 1,87,123, 168 n, 213,236,275,
332n, 336n, 341.
— invasion of, by the Abyssinians,
xviii.
Medayen, II, 125.
Medinah, ix, xviii, xxxi, xxxiv,xxxvii,
xxxix, xli, xliv, xlviii, lix, Ixiii,
Ixxv ; I, 20 n 2, 30 n I, 32 n i,
163, 183 n2,i87,i87n2,i88ni;
II, 123 n I, 140, 239, 284, 285,
287, 320.
— Jews of, XXXV.
Mehdi. coming of, Ixxi.
Merciful, II, 317.
Merwah, Mount, near Mecca, I, 22.
Messiah, xxx, li ; I, 52, 93, 95, 100,
108, 177.
Michael, xiii ; I, 13 n 2.
;Midian, I, 148, 183, 214, 216, 249
[9]
"4,
121.
IMina, Ixxiv ; I, 5oni; II, 236 n.
— vale of, II, 59 n I and 3.
Miracle, alleged at Bedr, I, 165 ni.
IMiriam, I, 50 n i.
Mista'h, a relation of Abu Bekr, who
had assisted in spreading the
scandal about 'Ayeshah, II, 75
n I.
Moab, II, 147 n.
Mohammed, Ixv; I, 13 n2, 15 ni,
r.
;2 n I, 50 n i.
J II ^, 13 II .,
97 n r, 126 n 2,
165 n 2, 175 n I, 183 n 2, 188
ni, 197 ni; 11,229, 236n, 238.
— accused of unfair division of the
spoils, II, 149.
— adopts JNIecca as his qiblah, I, 20
n 2.
— amour of, with the Coptic hand-
maiden Mary, II, 233, 290.
— ancestors, xvi, xvii.
— attempts the pilgrimage to Mecca,
xxxix; II, 236.
— bidden not to hasten the revela-
tion of the Qur'an, II, 311.
— bidden to pray by night, II, 308.
— birth, xviii.
— 'black drop' taken out of his
heart, II, 335 n.
— chapter of, II, 229.
— character of, xlvi.
— children of, xix.
— compromise with the idolatrous
Meccans, II, 62 n i.
— concludes truce at 'Hudaibiyeh,
II, 237 n.
— conspiracy to murder him, xxxiii.
— death of, xliv.
— death of his wife 'i/adi^ah, xxix.
— defeated at Ohod, xxxvii, xxxviii.
— destroys the idols, xiii.
— early life of, xix.
— expedition of, against the Jews
of Khaibar, I, 16 n i.
— first call of, XX.
— first collision of, with the Meccan
army, xxxv; I, 164 ni.
— first converts of, xxiii.
— flight of, to Medinah, xxxiii ;
I, 187 n I.
— hysterical symptoms of, xxi.
— inspired through Gabriel, I, 2 n2.
— invited to Medinah, xxxi.
— marriage of, with the divorced
wife of Zaid, II, 139 n.
A a
354
THE QURAN.
Mohammed marries 'Hadi^ah, xix.
— menial struggles, xxii.
— 'night journey' of, to heaven, II,
137 n 2.
— oath of fealty sworn by him at
'Akabah, I, 98 ni.
— pedigree, xviii.
■ — personal description of, xix.
— persons supposed to have helped
him in compiling the Qur'an,
I, 261, 261 n 4.
— prophecies concerning him, xlix ;
I, 21 ni, 99 n 2; 11, 281 ni.
— proscribed by the Quraij, xxvii,
xxviii.
— put out to nurse, xviii.
— receives a check at 'Honein, I,
176 n I.
— removal of the ban, xxviii.
— reproved for neglecting a poor
convert, II, 320.
— repulses a poor blind man, II,
320.
— 'seal of the prophets,' Ixxi.
— second revelation, xxii.
- — secret of his success, xlv.
— sent to both men and ^-inns, xix.
— takes Mecca, xlii.
— takes refuge with Abu Bekr in a
cave, xxxiii, xxxiv; I, 178 n.
— takes revenge on the Jews.xxxvii.
— tomb of, at Medinah, Ixxv.
— victorious at the battle of Bedr,
xxxvi.
— vindicated from the charge of
being a mere poet, II, 167.
— vision of the congregation of the
j^inns listening to the recitation
of the Qur'an, xxx.
— vision of the 'night journey,' xxxi,
xxxii.
-^- visits Ta'if, xxv.
— wives of, II, 142 n 5, 147.
— wounded at the battle of Ohod,
xxxviii; I, 61 n i.
Mohammed, Rusul allah, the Apostle
of God, Ixxi.
Mohammedan commentators, I, 121
n I.
Monophysites, li.
Monotheism, xv. xlix.
Monothelitcs. li.
Month, sacred, I, 27.
Moon, chapter of, II, 254.
— alleged miracle of its being cleft
a.sunder, II, 255 n.
Mosaic law, I, 9 n 2.
Moses, I, 6, 7j^8^i2, 15, 19, 37, 3^)
39 n 2, 57, 93j.94) L°°' ^-£5, 136,
147 n I, I5i,j[i2,_i54, 155, 156,
157, 201, 202, 205, 2I^"2i7,"238,
239; II, I, 12, 21, 22, 23, 30, 35,
36, 36 n I, 37, 38, 39j 40,41. 50,
61, 68, 86, 90, 92, 93, 100, 107,
108, 109, 112, 113, 121, 137, 139,
149 n, 172, 193, 194, 195, 203, .
206, 214, 225, 228, 240 n, 247, 1
253,281,318,329.
— mother of, II, 108.
Mosque, I, 16, 176; II, 306.
— meaning of word, Ixxii.
— ' Remote,' II, i.
— 'Sacred,' xxxi, Ixxiv; I, 20, 21, 27,
28, 31, 97, 167, 173, 175 ; II, I,
58, 237.
Mother of cities, II, 205.
Mother of the Book, the, see Umm
al Kitab, I, 211, 237.
Mu'cdbd/An, Ixxii.
(al) Mu^Mirah, Ixv.
Muha^^erin, xxxiv ; I, 172 n, 187 n i ;
11, 139, 275.
Mu'harram, I, 96.
(al) Mukanna', xlv.
Munafiqin, xxxiv, Ixiii.
Munkir, Ixix ; II, 232 n.
INIuqam Ibrahim, I, 17 n 3.
Musa allah, II, 18.
Musailimah, a false prophet, xlv ; II,
235 n.
Muslims, I, 14 n I, 18 n i, 24 n 2,
32 n I, no n 3, 127, 152 n i,
164 n 2, 176 n I ; II, 65.
— their flight to Abyssinia, xxvi. ^ ^
— they prepare for flight to Medi- i
nah, xxxiii.
MQta, xli.
Mutanebbi, xlv.
(al) Mu/Mlib, xviii.
Muz'hab, xxxii.
(an) Nad//^ir, Jews of, II, 274 n,
276 n.
(an) NacZ/jir ibn el Hareth, II, 300.
— prefers the Persian legends to the
Qur'an, II, 131 n.
Na^^asi, xxvi, xl.
Naj^ran, xiv.
— persecution of Christians at, II,
326 n.
NaV^a'h tribe, patois, I, 236 n 2.
Nakir, Ixix; 11, 232 n.
INDEX.
355
Names, the excellent, Ixvii.
Nasr, xii ; II, 303.
Naufel, xviii.
Nebi Saleh, I, 147 n i.
(an) Nebiy el' ummiy, xlvli.
Nebnchadnezzar, I, 41 n i ; II, i n 4.
Nebuk, II, 152 n.
Ne^d, ix.
Nehemiah ii. 13, I, 41 n i.
Night journey, xxi; II, i n i, 2510.
Nights, Arabian, I, 128 n i.
Nimrod, I, 40 n 3.
Noah, XXV ; I, 50, 94, 125, 144, 145,
183, 200, 201 n 2, 207, 208, 209,
210, 215, 239 ;
II,
I, 3, 20 ni.
31, 51, 61, 66, 86, 94, 119, 139,
164 n, 171, 176, 190, 193, 242,
247, 255, 269, 302.
— chapter of, II, 302, 303, 304.
— wife of, II, 292.
Noah, Nabiy allah, the Prophet of
God, Ixxi.
Noah's son, I, 209 n 2.
Noldeke, Ivi, Ix,
Numberers, the, II, 72.
Nun, meaning of word, II, 295 n i.
'Obed Adama, I, 161 n r.
Offspring, female, buried alive, 1, 132
n 3, 256 n 2.
Ohod, battle of, xxxvii, xli; I, 61 ni,
66 n I, 264 n i.
'Omaiyyat ibn Abi Zalt, I, 159 n i.
'Omar ibn el 'Ha/zab, xxiv, xlvi, Ivii.
Ommaiyat ibn 'Ha.\{, II, 17 n i.
Ommaiyeh, family of, xviii.
Orators, Arab, 1.
Osamer, xliv.
Othman, Caliph, xxiii, lix ; 1 , 1 7 2 n 3 .
Parables, liv.
Paradise, xlii, Ixx; I, 15, 31, 62, 63,
69, 89, 139, 140, 142, 143, 155,
207, 237, 253; II, 31, 65, 85,
123, 164, 166, 169, 205, 207,
216, 225, 226, 229, 230, 242,
243, 267, 277, 292, 299, 312,
316, 317, 322, 325n, 329, 331,
34211.
TrapafcAjjTof, xlix ; II, 281 n.
Paul, St., liv.
Pen, chapter of, II, 295.
Pentateuch, li ; I, 254ni; II, 86ni,
113 n.
nepiKXvTos, xlix; II, 281 n.
Persia, ix, xl, lii ; II, 125 n, 235 n.
Persian Gulf, ix.
Persian invasion, II, i n4.
Petra, I, 244 n i.
Pharaoh, xxv; I, 6, 47, 151, 152, 153,
154, 169, 170, 201, 202, 216,
226 n 2; II, 36, 37, 38, 39 nr, ^^^
40, 68, 90, 91, 92, 92 ni, 93,
100, 107, 108, no, 112, 121,
176, 192, 193, 194, 195, 214,
215, 218, 219, 242, 247, 247n,
257,298, 307,318, 327, 331.
— Mohammedan legend of, I, 203
n 2.
■ — surnamed ' of the stakes,' II, 176.
— wife of, II, 108, 292.
Phineas ibn Azura, I, 68 n i.
Pilgrimage, Ixxi; I, 28, 173 ; II, 59.
See "Ha^^.
— ceremonies of, liii.
— farewell, xliv.
Pit, fellows of, II, 326.
Poets, II, 98.
Power, night of, II, 337.
Prayer, Ixxi.
— call to, Ixxii.
— enjoined at night, II, 308.
— incumbent and supererogatory,
Ixxii.
— times of, Ixxii.
Prophet, 'The Righteous,' I, 147 n i.
Psalm xxxvii. 29, p. xlviii; 11,55 " 2.
— cxlviii, II, 52.
Psalms, the, I, 7, 94; II, 55.
Ptolemy, works of, I, 145 n 2.
Qadr, meaning of word, II, 337 n.
Qaf, Mount, Ixx.
Qainuqah, Jews of, xxxvii ; I, 68 n r ;
II, 276 n.
Qarun, II, 192. See Korah.
(al) Qasim, Mohammed's son, II,
343 n-
Qjblah, liii; I, 20, 202.
Qin^ar = talent, I, 55 n 2,
Qjyas, Ixvi.
Quails, I, 7.
Quba', Mosque of, I, 188 n.
Qurai^/6ah, Jewsof, xxxviii; II, 274 n.
— fall of the, xxxix.
Quraij, xvi, xxvi, xxviii, xxxiii, xlix,
liii, lix, Ixi; I, 97n, 165 n 1,254 n;
II, 17 n I, 62 n I, 69 n 2, 236,
254, 320 n, 342.
— compromise with, xxvii.
— idiom of, Ixxvi; II, 35 n 2.
— territory of, I, 249 n 2.
A a 2
56
THE QUR AN.
Qur'an, I, 147 n i ; II, 307, 308.
— abrupt changes of persons in, I,
195 n 2.
— Arabic, I, 219.
— chronological arrangement of, lix,
Ixiv.
— division into Mecca and Medinah, I.
— divisions of sGrahs, Ix, Ixv.
— English translations of, Ixxix.
— language of, Ixxvi.
— meaning of name, Ivii.
— names of, Ixv.
— on what written, Ivii.
— persons supposed to have assisted
in the composition of, xlviii.
— recensions of, lix.
— revelation of, not to be hurried,
11,311.
— style of, liv, Iv, Ixxvii.
— various dialects incorporated in,
lix.
— verses of, annulled, Ivii.
Quzai, xvii.
Rabbaniyin, I, 56 n i.
Rabbi, I, 177 n 2.
Rabbinic legends, li.
Rabbis, Jewish, I, 68 n i, 159 n i.
Rabboni, I, 56 n i.
Ramai-//.'an,lxxiii; I, 26, 26 n 2, 27 n 3.
(ar-)Raqim, II, 14, 14 n i.
(ar) Rass, II, 86, 86 n 3, 242.
Razwan, keeper of Paradise, Ixix.
Red Sea, ix, xxxv.
Reminder, the, I, 53, 245, 254, 255 ;
II, 26, 84, 86.
Remote Mosque, the, xxxiii.
Repetition, the seven of, I, 249, 249
n6.
Resignation. See Islam,
Retaliation, law of, 1,25.
Rodwell, I, 240 n i.
Romans, ancient, II, 2 n 2.
Rosary, Ixviii.
(ar-)Ru'h al Amin, Ixix.
(ar-)Ruh al Qiidus, Ixix.
Rukaiyah, xxiii.
Rum. See Greeks.
Rustam, II, 131 n.
Sa'ad ibn Waqqaz, xxiii.
Sabseans, I, 8, 107 ; II, 58.
' Sabbath, I, 263.
— breakers punished, I, 9 n i, 79.
— Israelites commanded to observe
the, I, 93.
Sabbath, legend of breakers of, I,
158.
Sabeanism, xi.
Sab'h al Mathani, I, 249 n.
Sacred Mosque, xxxiii.
Sacrifices, Ixxiv.
— human, I, i 32 n 2.
Sadaqah, Ixxiii.
Sa'hir (Chapter iv, 11), the Blaze,
Ixx.
Sahm, tribe of, II, 340 n,
Saibah, I, 112, 112 ni.
Sakhar, a ^inn, assumes Solomon's
likeness, II, 178 n.
Sale, I, 240 n I.
Salch, prophet, I, 147 n i.
Salman al Farsi, xlviii.
Samaritans, the, II, 40 n i.
(as) Samariy, II, 40, 41.
Samuel, I, 37 n 3.
I Samuel iv, v, vi, I, 38 n 3.
Sanaa, II, 341 n.
Saqar (Chapter liv, 58), the Scorch-
ing Fire, Ixx.
Saracen inhabitants of Sinai, I, 147
n I.
Satan, I, 23, 30, 50, 65, 67, 78, 81,
82, 83, no, 120, 134, 139, 140,
159, 161 n I, 164, 169, 223, 223
n2, 230, 241, 256, 261 ; 11,6, 8,
21, 30> 75, 86.
Saul, I, 38 n I and 4.
Saualiheh, I, 147 n i.
Scriptures, I, j6. ^
Seba, II, loi.
— chapter of, II, 150, 152, 153 n.
Seil al Arim, xlviii.
Sennacherib, II, i n 4.
Seth, xi.
Shah-nameh, II, 131 n.
Shfiiban Wail, 1.
Shacjq as Sadr, the, II, 335 n.
Sheba, queen of, II, 101, 102, 103,
103 n.
Shechina, I, 38, 38 n 2, 176, 179 ; II,
233, 237. ,
Sheddad ibn Ad, constructs a ter-
restrial Paradise, II, 330.
Shiahs, II, 143.
Sho'haib, I, 149, 150, 214, 215, 249
n 3; II, 97, 121.
Si^dah, Ixxii, Ixxii n.
Si^tr^in, II, 324.
(as-)Si^cri!l, II, 55, 55 " i-
Simon Peter, II, 164 n.
Sinai, inhabitants of, I, 147 n i.
INDEX.
357
Sinai, Mount, I, 57 n i ; II, 66, 336.
— Peninsula of, I, 147 n i.
Sinaitic Peninsula, II, 152 n i.
(as) Sira.i, Ixix.
Sirius, II, 254.
Slaves, II, 127.
Sleepers, Seven, II, 14 n i, 16 n 2.
Smoke, chapter of, II, 218.
Sodom, I, 183 n i, 249 n 4, 254; II,
298.
Solomon, I, 14, 14 n 1, 94, 125; II,
52, 52 n I and 3, loi, 102, 151.
— a devil assumes his likeness as
a punishment for his allowing
idolatry in his house, II, 178 n.
— ring of, II, 178 n.
— served by ^inns, Ixx.
— slays his horses, II, 178.
— taught the language of birds, 11,
100.
Soul, condition of, after death, Ixxi.
Spider, legend of, xxxiii.
— chapter of, II, 117.
— similitude of, I, 4 n 3 ; II, 121,
Spirit, H; II, 317.
— the Faithful, Ixix; II, 98.
— of God, II, 53.
— Holy, Ixix; I, 12, 39.
Spoils, II, 141 n, 145, 148, 274, 275.
— chapter of, I, 163.
— distribution of, I, 163.
Statues, I, no.
Stesichorus, liv.
Strabo, I, 244 n i.
Suhail ibn 'Amr concludes truce with
Mohammed at 'Hudaibiyeh, II,
237 n.
Sunnah, Ixvi.
Sunnis, I, no n 3.
Surah, I, 182, 197, 206, 231.
— meaning of word, Ivi.
Suvva'h, xii; II, 303.
Syria, ix, xli, xliv; I, 164 ni, 249
n 2 ; II, 125 n, 153 n.
Tabuk, xHii ; I, 184 ni, 190 n i.
T^gbut, ancient Arabs, idols, and
demons, I, 40, 79, 81, 82, 106,
254; IIj 184.
7a'if,xii,xlii, xliii, Ixx; 11,213, 304 n.
Tal'ha, xxiii, Ixv.
Tal'h trees, II, 263.
Talmud, liv; I, 5 n i, 57 n i, 116 n,
121 n I, 155 n; II, 52 n 2,
178 n.
Talut (Saul), I, 38.
Tamannah, meaning of word, II,
62, n I,
Tannur, meaning of word, I, 209 n i.
Tarah, I, 124 n.
Tarwi'h, Ixxiv.
Tasnim, II, 325.
Tawaf, ceremony of, Ixxv.
Terah, I, 124 n.
Thabir, Mount, xxii.
Thamud, xlviii; I, 86, 146, 147 n i,
183, 211, 212, 216, 239, 244 n I,
249 n 5; II, 7, 61, 103, 121, 176,
242, 247, 254, 256, 298, 327,
331, 333;
(eXH) THaqalan, Ixx; II, 9 n i.
Tnaqif, tribe of, xii, xlii.
THaur, Mount, xxxiii.
Tomb, examination of, Ixix.
Tribes, the, I, 19, 57.
Trinity, the, xiv, Hi.
Tubba'h, kings of the Himyarite
Arabs so called, II, 219, 242.
Tuva, the holy valley, I535; II, 318.
UmmalKitab, xlviii; r,2'n"2; II, 163.
Ummatun, II, 53 n 4.
— meaning of word, I, 263 n 2.
Umm Gemil, wife of Abu Laheb, Ix.
Ummiyun, xlvii ; 1,482.
Umm Salma, one of Mohammed's
wives, I, 70 n I.
Veiled prophet of Khorassan, xlv.
Venus, xii.
Vizir, meaning of word, II, 36 n 2,
Wadd, xii; II, 303.
Wady, bed of a torrent, I, 191.
Wady as Sheikh, I, 147 n i.
Walid ibn 'Hugba wrongly accuses
the tribe of Mustaleq of insub-
ordination, II, 239 n.
(al) Walid ibn Mu^Mirah, II, 295,
309 n, 320 n.
— bargains with an idolater to be
relieved of the sin of apostacy,
II, 253 n.
Waqf, Ixxiii.
Waraqah, xv, xx, xlix.
(al) Watiyeh, I, 147 n i.
Wazilah, I, 112, 112 n i.
Whisperer, the, II, 345.
Whistling reprimanded, I, 167.
Witches, II, 303.
Women, position of, Ixxv.
A a 3
158
THE QURAN.
Word, 1; 1,51.
Wuzu'h, Ixxii.
YcLgbuTH, xil; II, 303.
Ya^u^, 11,25, 54.
Yai'as, meaning of word, I, 236 n 2.
Yamaniah, II, 86 n 3.
Y'arishfin, meaning of word, 1, 153 n i.
Yasin, II, 173.
YaTHrib, xviii, xxx,xxxi,xxxii,xxxiii,
xxxiv, xlviii ; II, 140, 140 n i.
— Jews of, xxxi.
Ya'uq, xii ; II, 303.
Yefta'h'allah, new phrase, I, 1490 2.
Yemamah, Ivii.
Yemen, xiv; II, 150 n, 327 n, 34in.
Yul'hiduna, meaning of word, 1, 160
n I.
Zachariah, I, 51, 125 ; II, 27, 27 n i,
53, 53 ni-
Zafa, IMount, near Mecca, xiii; 1, 22.
Zafiyah bint 'Huyai, one of the
prophet's wives, II, 240.
Zafwan ibn al lMu'hu//al, causes
scandal concerning 'Ayesha, II,
74 n 2.
Zaid, INIohammed's adopted son,
xxix, xli, xlix ; II, 144, 233 n i.
Zaid ibn Amr, xv, xx, xxiii.
Zaid ibn Tnabit, INIoliammed's ama-
nuensis, Ivii, Iviii, lix.
Zainab, a widow, afterwards one of
Mohammed's wives, xxix.
— divorced wife of Zaid, xxix; II,
^139 n, 144 n, 233,
Zakat, Ixxiii.
Zali'h, I, 146, 147, 148 n i, 211, 212,
215; II, 96, 103.
Zamharir, II, 313.
Zaqqum, II, 7 n 2, 170, 220, 264.
Zemzem, xvii.
Zin^abil, II, 313.
Zobeir, xxiii, Ixv.
Zodiacal signs, II, 326.
Zoroastrianism, Ixviii.
Zuhaib ibn Sinaa cr Rumi, I, 30
n I.
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