alif lām mīm

That is the Writ about which there is no doubt, a guidance to those of prudent fear:

Those who believe in the Unseen, and uphold the duty, and of what We have provided them they spend;

And those who believe in what was sent down to thee, and what was sent down before thee, and of the Hereafter they are certain:

Those are upon guidance from their Lord; and it is they who are the successful.

Those who ignore warning, it is the same to them whether thou hast warned them or thou hast not warned them; they do not believe:

God has sealed their hearts, and over their hearing and over their sight is a covering; and they have a great punishment.

And of men are some who say: “We believe in God and the Last Day,” but they are not believers.

They would deceive God and those who heed warning, but they deceive only themselves; and they perceive not.

In their hearts is disease, so God has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they have lied.

And when it is said to them: “Work not corruption in the land,” they say: “We are but those who do right.”

In truth, it is they who are the workers of corruption; but they perceive not.

And when it is said to them: “Believe as mankind has believed,” they say: “Shall we believe as the foolish have believed?” In truth, it is they who are the foolish; but they know not.

And when they meet those who heed warning, they say: “We believe.” But when they are alone with their satans, they say: “We are with you; we were only mocking!”

God mocks them, and increases them in wandering blindly in their inordinacy.

Those are they who bought error at the price of guidance, so their transaction profited not; and they were not guided.

Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire: — when it had illuminated what was round about him, God took away their light and left them in darkness; they do not see.

Deaf, dumb, blind; so they will not return.

Or like a thundercloud from the sky wherein is darkness, and thunder, and lightning: they put their fingers in their ears against the thunderbolts in fear of death; but God encompasses the false claimers of guidance.

The lightning nigh snatches away their sight; whenever it gives them light, they walk therein; and when it darkens over them, they stand still. And had God willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight; God is over all things powerful.

O mankind: serve your Lord who created you, and those before you, that you might be in prudent fear;

Who made the earth for you a couch, and the sky a structure, and sent down from the sky water, then brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you; so make not equals to God when you know.

And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our servant, then bring a sūrah the like thereof; and call your witnesses other than God, if you be truthful.

But if you do not — and you will not — then be in prudent fear of the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the false claimers of guidance.

And bear thou glad tidings to those who heed warning and do righteous deeds, that they have gardens beneath which rivers flow; whenever they are provided with the fruit thereof they say: “This is what we were provided with before”; and they are given thereby a likeness; and they have therein purified spouses; and they abide therein eternally.

God is not ashamed to strike a similitude, be it of a gnat or of what is above it. Then as for those who heed warning: they know that it is the truth from their Lord; and as for those who ignore warning: they say: “What means God by this similitude?” He leads astray many thereby, and He guides many thereby; and He leads astray thereby only the perfidious:

Those who break the covenant with God after its agreement, and sever what God commanded to be joined, and work corruption in the land; it is they who are the losers.

How can you deny God? When you were dead, He gave you life; then will He give you death; then will He give you life; then to Him will you be returned.

He it is that created for you all that is in the earth; then He directed Himself to the sky and fashioned them seven heavens; and He knows all things.

And when thy Lord said to the angels: “I am placing in the earth a successor,” they said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein, and shed blood, while we give glory with Thy praise and hallow Thee?” He said: “I know what you know not.”

And He taught Adam the names, all of them; then He presented them to the angels and said: “Inform Me of the names of these, if you be truthful.”

They said: “Glory be to Thee! We have no knowledge save what Thou hast taught us; Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.”

He said: “O Adam: inform thou them of their names.” And when he had informed them of their names, He said: “Said I not to you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal, and what you have concealed.”

And when We said to the angels: “Submit to Adam,” then they submitted. Not so Iblīs; he refused, and had waxed proud, and was of the false claimers of guidance.

And We said: “O Adam: dwell thou and thy wife in the garden, and eat thereof freely wheresoever you will; but approach not this tree lest you be of the wrongdoers.”

But the satan caused them to fall therefrom, and turned them out of what they were in; and We said: “Get you all down, an enemy to one another; and for you in the earth are a dwelling-place and provision for a time.”

Then received Adam words from his Lord, and He turned towards him; He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

We said: “Get you down from it all together. And if there comes to you guidance from Me, whoso follows My guidance: no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.

“But those who ignore warning and deny Our proofs: those are the companions of the Fire; therein they abide eternally.”

O children of Israel: remember My favour wherewith I favoured you; and fulfil the covenant with Me, and I will fulfil the covenant with you; and Me — be you in fear of Me.

And believe in what I have sent down confirming what is with you, and be not the first to deny it; and sell not My proofs at a cheap price; and Me — be you in prudent fear of Me.

And clothe not truth with vanity, nor conceal the truth when you know.

And uphold the duty, and render the purity, and be lowly with the lowly.

Enjoin you virtue upon mankind, and forget yourselves when you recite the Writ? Will you then not use reason!

And seek help in patience and duty; and it is hard save for the humble:

Those who consider that they will meet their Lord, and that to Him they are returning.

O children of Israel: remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and that I preferred you above all mankind.

And be in prudent fear of a day no soul will avail a soul anything, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it; nor will they be helped.

And when We delivered you from the house of Pharaoh: they were afflicting you with an evil punishment, slaughtering your sons and sparing your women; and in that was a great trial from your Lord.

And when We divided for you the sea, and delivered you, and drowned the house of Pharaoh — and you were looking on.

And when We appointed for Moses forty nights; then you took up the calf while he was away; and you were wrongdoers.

Then We pardoned you after that, that you might be grateful.

And when We gave Moses the Writ and the Division, that you might be guided.

And when Moses said to his people: “O my people: you have wronged your souls by your taking up the calf. So turn to your Creator and kill yourselves; that is best for you in the sight of your Creator.” Then He turned towards you; He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

And when you said: “O Moses: we will not believe thee until we see God openly”; and the thunderbolt took you — and you were looking on.

Then We raised you up after your death, that you might be grateful.

And We caused the cloud to overshadow you; and We sent down upon you manna and quails: “Eat of the good things that We have provided you.” And they wronged Us not, but they wronged their souls.

And when We said: “Enter this city, and eat freely of it wheresoever you will. And enter the gate in submission, and say: ‘A mitigation!’ We will forgive you your offences, and will increase the doers of good.”

Then those who did wrong changed the saying to other than what was said to them, so We sent down a scourge from the sky upon those who did wrong because they were perfidious.

And when Moses sought water for his people; so We said: “Strike thou with thy staff the rock,” then there gushed therefrom twelve springs; each people knew its drinking-place: “Eat and drink of the provision of God, and commit not evil in the earth, working corruption.”

And when you said: “O Moses: we will not endure one food, so call thou to thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of what the earth grows of its green herbs, and its cucumbers, and its garlic, and its lentils, and its onions.” He said: “Would you exchange for what is worse what is better? Get you down to Egypt, and you will have what you have asked.” And humiliation and wretchedness were pitched upon them; and they incurred wrath from God, for it is that they denied the proofs of God! And they killed the prophets without cause, for it is that they opposed and they exceeded all bounds!

(Those who heed warning, and those who hold to Judaism, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans — whoso believes in God and the Last Day and works righteousness — they have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.)

And when We took your agreement and raised the mount above you: “Hold fast what We have given you, and remember what is therein, that you might be in prudent fear.”

Then you turned away after that; and were it not for the bounty of God upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers.

And you had known those among you who transgressed the Sabbath; and We said to them: “Be despised apes!”

And We made it an exemplary lesson for their time, and that following it, and an admonition to those of prudent fear.

And when Moses said to his people: “God commands you that you sacrifice a heifer,” they said: “Dost thou take us in mockery?” He said: “I seek refuge in God lest I be of the ignorant.”

They said: “Call thou to thy Lord for us, that He make plain to us what she is.” He said: “He says: ‘She is a heifer neither old nor young, middling between that,’ so do what you are commanded.”

They said: “Call thou to thy Lord for us that He make plain to us what her hue is.” He said: “He says: ‘She is a yellow heifer; bright is her hue, making glad the beholders.’”

They said: “Call thou to thy Lord for us that He make plain to us what she is; heifers seem alike to us; and, if God wills, we will be guided.”

He said: “He says: ‘She is a heifer neither broken to plough the earth nor to water the tilth, perfect, no blemish on her.’” They said: “Now hast thou brought the truth.” Then they sacrificed her, but they had hardly done it.

And when you killed a soul: you disputed about it, but God was to bring forth what you concealed,

And We said: “Strike it in some of them.” Thus gives God life to the dead, and shows His proofs to you, that you might use reason.

Then your hearts became hardened after that; and they are like stones or harder. And among stones is that from which gush forth rivers, and among them are those that split and water issues forth, and among them are those that fall down from fear of God; and God is not unmindful of what you do.

Do you hope that they will believe you? And a faction among them had heard the word of God, then twisted it after they had understood it, when they knew.

And when they meet those who heed warning, they say: “We believe.” But when they are alone with one another, they say: “Do you recount to them what God has revealed to you, that they might argue against you before your Lord?” Will you then not use reason!

Or know they not that God knows what they keep secret and what they make known?

And among them are those unschooled: they know not the Writ save vain desires; and they are only assuming.

So woe to those who write the Writ with their hands, then say: “This is from God,” that they might sell it at a cheap price; so woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn.

And they say: “The Fire will not touch us save days numbered.” Say thou: “Have you taken a covenant with God — for God will not fail in His covenant — or do you ascribe to God what you know not?”

Verily, whoso earns evil, and his offences have encompassed him: those are the companions of the Fire; therein they abide eternally.

And those who heed warning and do righteous deeds: those are the companions of the Garden; therein they abide eternally.

And when We took an agreement of the children of Israel: “Serve not save God; and towards parents good conduct, and towards kin, and the fatherless, and the poor; and speak kindly to men; and uphold the duty, and render the purity,” then you turned away save a few among you; and you are averse.

And when We took your agreement: “Shed not your blood, and turn not your own out of your homes,” then you affirmed and bore witness;

Then are you those who kill your own, and turn a faction among you out of their homes, assisting one another against them in sin and enmity; and if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, but unlawful for you was their expulsion. Do you believe in part of the Writ and deny part? Then what is the reward of him among you who does that save disgrace in the life of this world? And on the Day of Resurrection they are sent back to the harshest punishment; and God is not unmindful of what you do.

Those are they who bought the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be helped.

And We gave Moses the Writ, and sent the messengers after him. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary the clear signs, and strengthened him with the Spirit of Holiness. Is it not that whenever there came to you a messenger with what your souls desired not you waxed proud, and a faction you denied and a faction you killed?

And they say: “Our hearts are covered.” Nay, God has cursed them for their denial, so little is it they believe.

And when there came to them a Writ from God, confirming what was with them — and they before sought victory over those who ignore warning — then when there came to them what they recognised, they denied it; but the curse of God is upon the false claimers of guidance.

Evil is that for which they sold themselves, denying what God sent down, through sectarian zealotry, that God should send down of His bounty upon whom He wills of His servants. So they incurred wrath upon wrath; and for the false claimers of guidance is a humiliating punishment.

And when it is said to them: “Believe in what God has sent down,” they say: “We believe in what was sent down to us,” and they deny what is beyond it, when it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say thou: “Why then killed you the prophets of God before, if you be believers?”

And Moses came to you with clear signs; then you took up the calf while he was away, and you were wrongdoers.

And when We took your agreement and raised the mount above you: “Hold fast what We give you, and listen,” they said: “We hear and we oppose”; and they were filled with drinking the calf in their hearts for their denial. Say thou: “Evil is what your faith enjoins upon you, if you be believers.”

Say thou: “If the abode of the Hereafter with God be for you to the exclusion of other men, then wish for death, if you be truthful.”

But never will they wish for it because of what their hands have sent ahead; and God knows the wrongdoers.

And thou wilt find them the greediest of men for life. And of those who ascribe a partnership: one of them wishes to be granted life of a thousand years, but it will not remove him from the punishment were he to be granted life; and God sees what they do.

(Say thou: “Whoso is an enemy to Gabriel:” — and he it is that brought it down upon thy heart, by the leave of God, confirming what was before it, and as guidance and glad tidings for the believers —

“Whoso is an enemy to God and His angels and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael: God is an enemy to the false claimers of guidance.”

And We have sent down to thee clear proofs, and none deny them save the perfidious.)

Whenever they made a covenant, did not a faction among them reject it? The truth is, most of them do not believe.

And when there came to them a messenger from God confirming what is with them, a faction among those given the Writ cast the Writ of God behind their backs as if they knew not

And they followed what the satans recited during the reign of Solomon; and Solomon denied not; but the satans denied, teaching men sorcery, and what was sent down upon the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. And they taught no one until they had said: “We are but a means of denial, so deny thou not.” Then from them they learn that by which they cause division between a man and his wife; but they harm no one thereby save by the leave of God. And they learn what harms them, and profits them not, knowing well that whoso buys it has in the Hereafter no share; and evil is that for which they sold their souls, had they but known.

And had they believed and been in prudent fear, recompense from God would have been better, had they but known.

O you who heed warning: say not: “Attend thou to us,” but say: “Look thou upon us,” and listen; and for the false claimers of guidance is a painful punishment.

Neither those who ignore warning among the doctors of the Law nor the idolaters wish that there be sent down upon you any good from your Lord, but God chooses for His mercy whom He wills; and God is possessor of tremendous bounty.

What proof We abolish or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or the like thereof; knowest thou not that God is over all things powerful?

Knowest thou not that God, to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? And you have, besides God, neither ally nor helper.

If you desire to ask your messenger as Moses was asked before: — and whoso exchanges faith for denial has strayed from the right path —

Many among the doctors of the Law wish to turn you back as atheists after your faith out of envy from their souls after the truth has become clear to them. But pardon and forbear until God brings His command; God is over all things powerful.

And uphold the duty, and render the purity; and what good you send ahead for your souls, you will find it with God; God sees what you do.

And they say: “None will enter the Garden save such as hold to Judaism, or are Christians.” Those are their vain desires. Say thou: “Bring your evidence, if you be truthful.”

Verily, whoso submits his face to God and is a doer of good, he has his reward with his Lord; and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.

And the Rabbinic Jews say: “The Christians have nothing to stand upon,” and the Christians say: “The Rabbinic Jews have nothing to stand upon,” when they read the Writ; thus say those who know not likewise. And God will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they differed.

And who is more unjust than he who hinders the places of worship of God, that His name be not mentioned therein, and strives to undermine them? Those: it was not for them to enter them save in fear; they have disgrace in the World, and they have in the Hereafter a great punishment.

And to God belong the East and the West: wheresoever you turn, there is the face of God; God is encompassing and knowing.

And they say: “God has taken a son.” Glory be to Him! The truth is, to Him belongs what is in the heavens and the earth; all are humbly obedient to Him.

The Originator of the Heavens and the Earth: when He decrees a matter, He but says to it: “Be thou,” and it is.

And those who know not say: “Oh, that God would but speak to us, or a proof but come to us!” Thus said those before them likewise; their hearts are similar. We have made plain the proofs for people who are certain.

We sent thee with the truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and thou wilt not be questioned about the companions of Hell.

And never will the Rabbinic Jews be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, until thou follow their creed; say thou: “The guidance of God, that is guidance”; and if thou follow their vain desires after the knowledge which has come to thee, thou wilt have against God neither ally nor helper.

Those to whom We gave the Writ recite it with the recital due it; they believe in it. And whoso denies it, it is they who are the losers.

O children of Israel: remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and that I preferred you over all mankind.

And be in prudent fear of a day no soul will avail a soul anything, nor will compensation be accepted from it, nor will intercession benefit it. And they will not be helped.

And when his Lord tried Abraham with words and he fulfilled them, He said: “I will make thee a leader for mankind.” Said he: “And of my progeny?” He said: “My covenant does not reach the wrongdoers.”

And when We made the house a meeting place for mankind, and a place of security — and make from the station of Abraham a place of duty — and We made a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael: “Purify My house for those who walk around, and those who remain, and the lowly and the submitting.”

And when Abraham said: “My Lord, make Thou this a secure land, and provide Thou its people with fruits, whoso among them believes in God and the Last Day,” He said: “And whoso denies, him will I let enjoy a little, then will I drive him to the punishment of the Fire; and evil is the journey’s end.”

And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the house: “Our Lord: be Thou accepting of us; Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.

“Our Lord: make Thou us submitting to Thee, and of our progeny a community submitting to Thee; and show Thou us our rites, and turn Thou towards us; Thou art the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

“Our Lord: raise Thou up among them a messenger from among them who will recite to them Thy proofs, and teach them the Writ and wisdom, and increase them in purity; Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”

And who is averse to the creed of Abraham save he who befools himself? And We chose him in the World; and in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.

When his Lord said to him: “Submit thou,” he said: “I have submitted to the Lord of All Creation.”

The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, as did Jacob: “O my sons: God has chosen the doctrine for you; so die not save when you are submitting.”

If you were witnesses when death was present with Jacob: — when he said to his sons: “What will you serve after me?” — they said: “We will serve thy God, and God of thy fathers Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and to Him are we submitting.”

That is a community which has passed away; it has what it earned, and you have what you earned; and you will not be questioned about what they did.

And they say: “Be such as hold to Judaism, or Christians — you will be guided.” Say thou: “Nay, the creed of Abraham, inclining to truth; and he was not of the idolaters.”

Say: “We believe in God, and what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, and Jacob and the Grandsons, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord; We make no division between any of them, and to Him are we submitting.”

Then if they believe in the like of that in which you believe, they have been guided; but if they turn away, they are only in schism. And God will suffice thee against them; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

“The immersion of God––” And who is better than God to immerse? And Him are we serving.

Say thou: “Dispute you with us concerning God when He is our Lord and your Lord? And we have our works, and you have your works; and to Him are we sincere.”

If you say that Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, and Jacob and the Grandsons were such as hold to Judaism or Christians, say thou: “Know you better, or does God?” And who is more unjust than he who conceals a witness he has from God? And God is not unmindful of what you do.

That is a community which has passed away. It has what it earned, and you have what you earned; and you will not be questioned about what they did.

The foolish among mankind will say: “What has turned them from their course which they were on?” Say thou: “To God belong the East and the West. He guides whom He wills to a straight path.”

And thus We made you an intermediary community that you might be witnesses to mankind, and that the Messenger might be a witness to you. And We made not the course which thou wast on save that We might know him who follows the Messenger from him who turns on his heels. And it is hard save for those whom God has guided. And God would not cause your faith to be lost; God is towards men kind and merciful.

We have seen the turning of thy face towards the sky, and We will turn thee towards a course that will satisfy thee. So direct thou thy face towards the inviolable place of worship. And wheresoever you be, direct your faces towards it; and those given the Writ know that it is the truth from their Lord, and God is not unmindful of what they do.

And if thou bring those given the Writ every proof they will not follow thy course; neither wilt thou follow their course; nor will they follow each other’s course. And if thou follow their vain desires after what has come to thee of knowledge, thou wilt then be of the wrongdoers.

Those to whom We gave the Writ recognise it as they recognise their sons, but a faction among them conceals the truth when they know.

The truth is from thy Lord, so be thou not of those who doubt.

And for each is a direction towards which he turns. So vie with one another in good deeds. Wherever you be, God will bring you all together; God is over all things powerful.

And from wheresoever thou goest out, direct thou thy face towards the inviolable place of worship; and it is the truth from thy Lord, and God is not unmindful of what you do.

And from wheresoever thou goest out, direct thou thy face towards the inviolable place of worship. And wheresoever you be, direct your faces towards it, that men might have no argument against you save those who do wrong among them — so fear them not, but fear Me — and that I might complete My favour upon you, and that you might be guided.

Like as I have sent to you a messenger from among you reciting to you Our proofs and increasing you in purity and teaching you the Writ and wisdom and teaching you what you knew not,

So remember Me, I will remember you; and be grateful to Me, and deny Me not.

O you who heed warning: seek help in patience and duty; God is with the patient.

And say not of those killed in the cause of God: “They are dead.” The truth is, they are living, but you perceive not.

And We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but bear thou glad tidings to the patient:

Who, when calamity befalls them, say: “We belong to God, and to Him are we returning.”

Upon those are duties and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are the guided.

Al-Ṣafā and Al-Marwa are among the tokens of God. So whoso made pilgrimage to the house or visited, he did no wrong to walk around between them; and whoso does good voluntarily, God is grateful and knowing.

Those who conceal what We sent down of clear signs and guidance after We made it plain to men in the Writ: those are cursed by God, and cursed by those who curse,

Save those who repent and make right and make plain: those are they towards whom I turn; and I am the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

Those who ignore warning and die as atheists: — those: upon them is the curse of God and of angels and of men all together,

They abiding eternally therein; the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be granted respite.

And your God is One God. There is no god save He, the Almighty, the Merciful.

In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ship which runs in the sea with what benefits men, and what God sent down of water from the sky then gave life thereby to the earth after its death, and spread therein every creature, and in the circulation of the winds and the clouds made subject between the heaven and the earth are proofs for people who reason.

And among men is he who takes as equals other than God, loving them with a love like the love for God. But those who heed warning are stronger in love for God. And had those who do wrong seen when they will see the punishment — that power belongs to God altogether, and that God is the Severe in Punishment —

When those who were followed will disown those who followed; and they will see the punishment, and the connections between them will be cut,

And those who followed will say: “Were we to return, we would disown them just as they have disowned us,”. Thus will God show them their deeds as regrets for them; and they will not come out of the Fire.

O mankind: eat of what is in the earth lawful and good, and follow not the footsteps of the satan; he is to you an open enemy.

He but enjoins upon you evil and sexual immorality, and that you ascribe to God what you know not.

And when it is said to them: “Follow what God has sent down,” they say: “Nay, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers,” — even though their fathers did not reason, nor were they guided?

And the likeness of those who ignore warning is as the likeness of one who yells to what hears not save a call and a shout: deaf, dumb, blind, so they do not reason.

O you who heed warning: eat of the good things that We have provided you; and be grateful to God if it be Him you serve.

He has only made unlawful to you carrion, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that dedicated to other than God. But whoso is forced, neither desiring nor transgressing, no sin is upon him; God is forgiving and merciful.

Those who conceal what God has sent down of the Writ and sell it at a cheap price, those eat into their bellies only fire. And God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He increase them in purity; and they have a painful punishment.

Those are they who bought error at the price of guidance, and punishment at the price of forgiveness — how they do strive for the Fire! —

For it is that God sent down the Writ with the truth, and those who differ concerning the Writ are in extreme schism!

It is not virtue that you turn your faces towards the East and the West. But virtue is: one who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and the Writ, and the prophets, and gives wealth in spite of love of it to relatives, and the fatherless, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and to manumit slaves; and who upholds the duty, and renders the purity; and those who keep their covenant when they make a covenant; and the patient in affliction and adversity, and during conflict: those are they who are sincere; and it is they who are those of prudent fear.

O you who heed warning: just requital is ordained for you concerning those killed: the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoso is pardoned anything by his brother, let the pursuance be according to what is fitting and the payment to him with good conduct; that is an alleviation and mercy from your Lord. And whoso transgresses after that, he has a painful punishment.

And there is life for you in just requital, O you men of understanding, that you might be in prudent fear.

Prescribed for you when death is present with one of you, if he leaves wealth: the bequest to parents and relatives according to what is fitting is binding upon those of prudent fear.

And whoso changes it after he hears it, the sin thereof is only upon those who change it; God is hearing and knowing.

But whoso fears from a testator partiality or sin and makes right between them, no sin is upon him; God is forgiving and merciful.

O you who heed warning: fasting is prescribed for you: — as it was prescribed for those before you, that you might be in prudent fear —

For days numbered. And whoso among you is sick or on a journey: then a number of other days. And for those who are able to do it is a redemption: feeding a needy person. And whoso does good voluntarily, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you, if you would know.

A moon of scorching heat was that in which the Qur’an was sent down, a guidance for mankind, and clear signs of the guidance and the Division. So whoso among you witnesses the moon, let him fast in it. And whoso of you is sick or on a journey: then a number of other days. God desires for you ease, and He desires not for you hardship; but that you complete the number; and that you magnify God for guiding you; and that you might be grateful.

And when My servants ask thee concerning Me: “I am near.” I respond to the call of the caller when he calls to Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them believe in Me, that they might be guided.

It is made lawful for you on the night of the fast to go in unto your women. They are a covering for you, and you are a covering for them. God knows that you deceived yourselves, so He turned towards you and pardoned you; so now lie with them and seek what God has prescribed for you. And eat and drink until clear to you be the white thread from the black thread of the dawn. Then complete the fast until night. And lie with them not when you remain in the places of worship. Those are the limits of God, so approach them not. Thus does God make plain His proofs to men, that they might be in prudent fear.

And consume not your wealth among yourselves in vanity, neither offer it to the authorities that you might consume part of the property of the people through sin, when you know.

They ask thee about the phases of the moon. Say thou: “They are measurements of time for the people and the pilgrimage.” And it is not virtue that you approach houses by the backs thereof — but virtue is one who is in prudent fear — but approach houses by the doors thereof; and be in prudent fear of God, that you might be successful.

And fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but transgress not; God loves not the transgressors.

And kill them wheresoever you find them, and turn them out from wheresoever they turned you out; and means of denial is worse than killing. And fight them not in the inviolable place of worship until they fight you therein. But if they fight you, then kill them; thus is the reward of the false claimers of guidance.

But if they desist, then God is forgiving and merciful.

And fight them until there is no more means of denial and the doctrine belongs to God; but if they desist, then is there no enmity save against the wrongdoers.

The inviolable month is for the inviolable month, and the inviolable deeds are just requital: whoso transgressed against you, transgress against him just as he transgressed against you. But be in prudent fear of God, and know that God is with those of prudent fear.

And spend in the cause of God, and give not yourselves over to destruction. And do good; God loves the doers of good.

And complete the pilgrimage and the attendance for God. But if you be straitened, then what is easy of the offering. And shave not your heads until the offering reaches its place of sacrifice. And whoso among you is sick or has a hindrance of the head: the redemption is by fast or charity or penance. And when you are secure, then whoso enjoys the attendance until the pilgrimage, then what is easy of the offering. And whoso has not the means: a fast of three days during the pilgrimage, and seven when you have returned. Those are ten complete. That is for him whose family is not present at the inviolable place of worship. And be in prudent fear of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.

The pilgrimage is in months appointed. And whoso undertakes the pilgrimage therein: no sexual approach, and no perfidy, or quarrelling during the pilgrimage. And whatever good you do, God knows it. And take provision. But the best provision is prudent fear. And be in prudent fear of Me, O you men of understanding.

You do no wrong to seek favour from your Lord. And when you pour forth from ʿArafāt, then remember God at Al-Mashʿar Al-Ḥarām. And remember Him, how He guided you, for indeed you were before it among those astray.

Then pour forth from where men have poured forth. And ask forgiveness of God; God is forgiving and merciful.

And when you have concluded your rites, remember God like your remembrance of your fathers, or with stronger remembrance. And among men is he who says: “Our Lord: give Thou to us in the World,” and he has no portion in the Hereafter.

And among them is he who says: “Our Lord: give Thou to us in the World good, and in the Hereafter good, and protect Thou us from the punishment of the Fire.”

Those have a portion from what they earned; and God is swift in reckoning.

And remember God during days numbered. And whoso makes haste in two days, no sin is upon him; and whoso tarries, no sin is upon him — for him who is in prudent fear; and be in prudent fear of God, and know that to Him you will be gathered.

And among men is he whose speech concerning the life of this world impresses thee, and he calls God as witness to what is in his heart; and he is the most contentious of debaters.

And when he turns away, he strives in the land working corruption therein and destroying tilth and progeny; and God loves not corruption.

And when it is said to him: “Be thou in prudent fear of God,” pride in his sin takes him. And sufficient for him is Gehenna; an evil resting-place.

And among men is he who sells himself, seeking the pleasure of God; and God is kind to His servants.

O you who heed warning: enter into surrender completely, and follow not the footsteps of the satan; he is to you an open enemy.

But if you slip after the clear signs have come to you, then know that God is exalted in might and wise.

Look they save for God to come to them in shadows of the clouds, and the angels? But the matter is concluded, and to God are matters returned.

Ask thou the children of Israel how many a clear proof We gave them. And whoso changes the favour of God after it has come to him: God is severe in retribution.

Made fair is the life of this world for those who ignore warning; and they deride those who heed warning. But those who are in prudent fear will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And God gives provision to whom He wills without reckoning.

Mankind was one community; then God raised up prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Writ with the truth, that He might judge between men concerning that wherein they differed. And there differed therein only those who were given it, after clear signs had come to them, through sectarian zealotry between them. But God guided those who heeded warning to that of the truth concerning which they differed, by His leave; and God guides whom He wills to a straight path.

If you think that you will enter the Garden when there has not come to you the like of those who passed away before you: affliction and adversity touched them, and they were shaken until the Messenger and those who heeded warning with him said: “When is the help of God?” In truth, the help of God is near.

They ask thee what they should spend. Say thou: “Whatever you spend of good for parents and relatives, and the fatherless, and the needy, and the wayfarer,. And whatever you do of good, God knows it.”

Fighting is prescribed for you, though it be hateful to you. And it may be that you hate a thing and it is good for you; and it may be that you love a thing and it is bad for you. And God knows, and you know not.

They ask thee about the inviolable month, fighting therein; say thou: “Fighting therein is grave, but turning away from the path of God, and denial of Him and the inviolable place of worship, and the expulsion of its people therefrom is graver in the sight of God; and means of denial is worse than killing.” And they will not cease to fight you until they turn you from your doctrine, if they are able; and whoso among you turns from his doctrine, and dies a false claimer of guidance: those, their works are vain in the World and in the Hereafter; and those are the companions of the Fire; therein they abide eternally.

Those who heed warning, and those who emigrate and strive in the cause of God: those hope for the mercy of God; and God is forgiving and merciful.

They ask thee about wine and games of chance. Say thou: “In both is great sin, and benefits for men; but their sin is greater than their benefit.” And they ask thee what they should spend. Say thou: “The surplus.” Thus does God make plain to you the proofs, that you might reflect

Upon the World and the Hereafter. And they ask thee about the fatherless. Say thou: “Improvement for them is best.” And if you associate with them, then are they your brothers. And God knows the worker of corruption from the doer of right. And had God willed, He would have caused distress for you; God is exalted in might and wise.

And marry not idolatresses until they believe. And a believing slave girl is better than an idolatress, though she impress you. And give not in marriage to idolaters until they believe. And a believing slave is better than an idolater, though he impress you. Those invite to the Fire; and God invites to the Garden and forgiveness, by His leave. And He makes plain His proofs to men, that they might take heed.

And they ask thee about menstruation. Say thou: “It is a hindrance; so keep away from women during menstruation, and approach them not until they are clean. And when they have purified themselves, then approach them in what manner God has commanded you; God loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves.

“Your women are a tilth for you; so come to your tilth as you will, and send ahead for your souls; and be in prudent fear of God, and know that you will meet Him.” And bear thou glad tidings to the believers.

And make not God a cover for your oaths, to keep you from virtue and prudent fear and making right between men. And God is hearing and knowing.

God will not take you to task for the vain speech in your oaths, but He will take you to task for what your hearts earned. And God is forgiving and clement.

For those who forswear their women is a wait of four months; but if they return, then God is forgiving and merciful.

And if they decide on divorce, then God is hearing and knowing.

And divorced women shall wait by themselves three menstrual courses; and it is not lawful for them to conceal what God has created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the Last Day. And their husbands are worthier to take them back during that if they desire right ordering. And due to women is the like of what is due from them, according to what is fitting, but men have a degree over them. And God is exalted in might and wise.

Divorce is twice. Then retaining according to what is fitting, or releasing with good conduct. And it is not lawful for you to take of what you have given women unless they fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God. Then if you fear that they cannot uphold the limits of God, they do no wrong concerning that whereby she ransoms herself. Those are the limits of God, so transgress them not. And whoso transgresses the limits of God, it is they who are the wrongdoers.

And if he has divorced her, she is not lawful to him thereafter until she marries a spouse other than him. Then if he divorces her, they do no wrong to return to each other, if they think that they can uphold the limits of God. And those are the limits of God; He makes them plain for people who know.

And when you divorce women, and they have reached their term, then retain them according to what is fitting or release them according to what is fitting. And retain them not through harm, to transgress; and whoso does that has wronged himself. And take not the proofs of God in mockery; and remember the favour of God upon you, and what He has sent down to you of the Writ and wisdom whereby He admonishes you. And be in prudent fear of God, and know that God knows all things.

And when you divorce women, and they have reached their term, then constrain them not from marrying their spouses when they have come to terms according to what is fitting. By that is admonished whoso among you believes in God and the Last Day; that is purer and cleaner for you; and God knows, and you know not.

And mothers shall suckle their children two complete years, for such as wish to complete the suckling. And upon the father is their provision and their clothing, according to what is fitting. No soul is burdened save to its capacity. A mother shall not be hurt by her child, nor a father by his child. And upon the heir is the like of that. And if they desire weaning by mutual consent and consultation between them, then they do no wrong. And if you desire to seek one to suckle your children, then you do no wrong when you deliver what you have brought according to what is fitting. And be in prudent fear of God, and know that God sees what you do.

And those of you who die and leave behind wives: they shall wait by themselves four months and ten. And when they have reached their term, then you do no wrong in what they do concerning themselves according to what is fitting. And God is aware of what you do.

And you do no wrong in what you intimate to women of proposal, or hide within yourselves; God knows that you will remember them. But make not nor take an oath with them secretly save that you speak a fitting word. And do not decide upon the knot of marriage until the writ reaches its term. And know that God knows what is within your souls, so fear Him. And know that God is forgiving and clement.

You do no wrong if you divorce women when you have neither touched them nor appointed for them an obligation. But make them a gift: the wealthy according to his means, and the straitened according to his means; a provision according to what is fitting is binding upon the doers of good.

And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have already appointed for them an obligation, then half of what you appointed unless they forgo it, or he in whose hand is the knot of marriage forgoes it; and that you forgo is nearer to prudent fear. And forget not bounty between you, God sees what you do.

Preserve the duties — and the median duty — and stand up for God, humbly obedient;

And if you fear, then walking or riding. But when you are secure, then remember God as He taught you what you knew not.

And those among you who die and leave wives is a bequest for their wives: provision for a year without expulsion. But if they go forth, you do no wrong in what they do concerning themselves according to what is fitting; and God is exalted in might and wise.

And for divorced women provision according to what is fitting is binding upon those of prudent fear.

Thus does God make plain to you His proofs, that you might use reason.

Hast thou not considered those who went forth from their habitations in their thousands, fearing death? And God said to them: “Die”; then gave He them life. God is bountiful to mankind, but most men are not grateful.

And fight in the cause of God, and know that God is hearing and knowing.

Who is it that will lend to God a goodly loan that He might multiply it by many multiples for him? And God constricts and expands; and to Him will you be returned.

Hast thou not considered the eminent ones of the children of Israel after Moses? When they said to a prophet of theirs: “Raise thou up for us a king; we will fight in the cause of God,” he said: “Would you, if fighting be prescribed for you, not fight?” They said: “And why should we not fight in the cause of God when we have been turned out of our homes, and our children?” But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away save a few of them. And God knows the wrongdoers.

And their prophet said to them: “God has raised up for you Saul as king.” They said: “How can he have dominion over us when we are worthier of dominion than he, when he has not been given abundance of wealth?” He said: “God has chosen him over you, and increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature.” And God gives His dominion to whom He wills; and God is encompassing and knowing.

And their prophet said to them: “A proof of his dominion is that there will come to you the chest wherein is tranquillity from your Lord, and a remnant of what the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left, borne by angels; in that is a proof for you, if you be believers.”

Then when Saul set out with the forces, he said: “God will try you with a river, so whoso drinks thereof is not of me; and whoso tastes it not is of me save he who scoops up a handful with his hand.” But they drank thereof save a few of them. Then when he had crossed it, he and those who heeded warning with him, they said: “We have not power this day against Goliath and his forces.” Said those who knew that they should meet God: “How many a small host has overcome a mighty host by the leave of God! And God is with the patient.”

And when they emerged against Goliath and his forces, they said: “Our Lord: pour Thou out patience upon us, and make Thou firm our feet; and help Thou us against the people of the false claimers of guidance.”

And they defeated them by the leave of God. And David killed Goliath, and God gave him dominion and wisdom, and taught him of what He willed. And were God not to repel some people by means of others, the earth should have become corrupt; but God is bountiful to all mankind.

Those are the proofs of God; We recite them to thee in truth; and thou art among the emissaries.

Those messengers: We gave preference to some of them over others; among them were those to whom God spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary the clear signs, and We strengthened him with the Spirit of Holiness. And had God willed, there would not have fought one another those after them after the clear signs had come to them; but they differed, and some of them believed, and some of them denied; and had God willed, they would not have fought one another; but God does what He wills.

O you who heed warning: spend of what We have provided you before there comes a day wherein is neither commerce, nor friendship, nor intercession; and the false claimers of guidance: they are the wrongdoers.

God, there is no god save He, the Living, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him; to Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth — who will intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is after them, and they encompass not anything of His knowledge save what He wills. His Throne overspreads the heavens and the earth, and the preservation thereof wearies Him not; and He is the Exalted, the Great.

There is no compulsion in doctrine; sound judgment has become clear from error. So whoso denies idols and believes in God, he has grasped the most firm handhold which has no break; and God is hearing and knowing.

God is the ally of those who heed warning; He brings them out of darkness into the light. And those who ignore warning: their allies are idols; they bring them out of the light into darkness. Those are the companions of the Fire; therein they abide eternally.

Hast thou not considered the one who disputed with Abraham concerning his Lord because God had given him dominion? When Abraham said: “My Lord is He who gives life, and gives death,” he said: “I give life, and I give death.” Abraham said: “God brings the sun from the East; so bring thou it from the West.” Then was the one who ignored warning lost for words; and God guides not the wrongdoing people.

Or like one passing by a town when it was desolate: he said: “How will God give life to this after its death?” So God caused him to die a hundred years; then He raised him up. He said: “How long hast thou tarried?” Said he: “I have tarried a day, or part of a day.” He said: “Nay, thou hast tarried a hundred years. Look thou at thy food and drink: they are not spoiled. And look thou at thy donkey — and We will make thee a proof for mankind — and look thou at the bones: how We restore them to life, then We clothe them with flesh.” And when it had become clear to him, said he: “I know that God is over all things powerful.”

And when Abraham said: “My Lord, show Thou me how Thou wilt give life to the dead,” He said: “Dost thou not believe?” Said he: “Verily, but that my heart should be at rest.” He said: “Take thou four birds, and cause thou them to incline to thee; then place thou a part of them upon each hill; then call thou to them — they will come to thee in haste. And know thou that God is exalted in might and wise.”

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the cause of God is as the likeness of a grain which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And God increases manifold to whom He wills; and God is encompassing and knowing.

Those who spend their wealth in the cause of God, then follow not what they have spent with condescension or hindrance, they have their reward with their Lord; and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.

Fitting speech and blindness to deficiency are better than charity followed by hindrance; and God is free from need and clement.

O you who heed warning: make not your charity vain through condescension and hindrance, like one who spends his wealth to be seen of men and believes not in God and the Last Day. And his likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust: a downpour fell upon it leaving it bare; they possess nothing from what they have earned; and God guides not the people of the false claimers of guidance.

And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking the pleasure of God and as a confirmation of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on high ground: a downpour fell upon it, and it yielded double fruit; and if a downpour falls not upon it, then fine rain; and God sees what you do.

Would one of you wish to have a garden of date-palms and grapevines, beneath which rivers flow, he having every fruit therein?. And old age befell him, and he had weak progeny, and a cyclone wherein was fire befell it, and it was burned up. Thus does God make plain to you the proofs, that you might give thought.

O you who heed warning: spend of the good things you have earned, and of what We have brought forth for you from the earth. And resort not to the bad thereof, to spend thereof, when you would not take it save you closed an eye to it; and know that God is free from need and praiseworthy.

The satan promises you poverty, and enjoins upon you sexual immorality, but God promises you forgiveness and bounty from Him; and God is encompassing and knowing.

He gives wisdom to whom He wills; and to whom wisdom is given, he has been given much good; but only those of insight take heed.

And what you spend of an expenditure or make of a pledge, God knows it. And there are for the wrongdoers no helpers.

If you reveal charity, excellent is it; but if you hide it, and give it to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your evil deeds; and God is aware of what you do.

(Not upon thee is their guidance; but God guides whom He wills.) And what you spend of good, it is for yourselves. And spend not save seeking the face of God (and what you spend of good will be paid in full to you; and you will not be wronged)

On the poor who are straitened in the cause of God, unable to make a way in the earth: the ignorant considers them free from need due to their reticence. Thou wilt know them by their mark: they do not ask of men importunately. And what you spend of good, God knows it.

Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, secretly and openly: they have their reward with their Lord; and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.

Those who consume usury will not stand save as stands he whom the satan buffets with his touch; for it is that they say: “Commerce is but the same as usury,” when God has made commerce lawful and forbidden usury! And he to whom came the admonition from his Lord, and desisted: he has what is past, and his case is with God. But whoso returns: those are the companions of the Fire; therein they abide eternally.

God eliminates usury, and increases charity; and God loves not every ingrate and sinner.

Those who heed warning and do righteous deeds, and uphold the duty, and render the purity: they have their reward with their Lord; and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.

O you who heed warning: be in prudent fear of God; and give up what remains of usury, if you be believers.

And if you do not, then be informed of war from God and His messenger. But if you repent, then to you are your principal sums; doing no wrong, you will not be wronged.

And if he be one in hardship, then deferment until ease; but that you forgive by way of charity is better for you, if you would know.

And be in prudent fear of a day wherein you will be returned to God; then every soul will be paid in full what it earned; and they will not be wronged.

O you who heed warning: when you contract a debt together to a stated term: write it down, and let a writer write it down between you justly; and let not a writer refuse to write it down as God has taught him; so let him write, and let the debtor dictate, and let him be in prudent fear of God, his Lord, and diminish nothing thereof. But if the debtor be incompetent, or weak, or unable to dictate himself, then his ally shall dictate justly. And call to witness two witnesses from among your men; but if there be not two men, then a man and two women among those you approve as witnesses, that should one of them err, one of them might remind the other; and let not the witnesses refuse when they are called. And be not weary of writing it, small or great, with its term (that is more just in the sight of God, and more upright for witness, and likelier that there will be no doubt between you) save if it be present trade that you transact among you; then you do no wrong that you write it not down. And take witnesses when you enter into contract. And let not a writer or witness be harmed. And if you do, then is it perfidy among you. And be in prudent fear of God. And God is teaching you; and God knows all things.

And if you are on a journey, and find not a writer, then: a pledge in hand. But if one of you trusts another, then let him who is trusted discharge his trust, and let him be in prudent fear of God, his Lord. And conceal not the witness; and he who conceals it, his heart is sinful; and God knows what you do.

To God belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth; whether you reveal what is within yourselves or hide it, God will call you to account for it. And He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills; and God is over all things powerful.

The Messenger believes in what is sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers; each believes in God and His angels, and His Writs and His messengers: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say: “We hear and we obey; Thy forgiveness our Lord. And to Thee is the journey’s end.”

God burdens not a soul save to its capacity; it has what it earned, and it answers for what it acquired. “Our Lord: take Thou us not to task if we forget or commit offence. Our Lord: lay Thou not upon us a burden as Thou didst lay upon those before us. Our Lord: give Thou us not to bear what we have not strength for. And excuse Thou us, and forgive Thou us, and have Thou mercy upon us; Thou art our protector. And help Thou us against the people of the false claimers of guidance.”