Part III

253. We have made these Messengers excel one another. There are those of them to whom Allâh has spoken much, and some of them He has exalted by many degrees of rank. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear arguments, and We supported him with the blessed word (of God). Had Allâh (so) willed, people (who came) after them (- the Messengers) would not have fought one another (particularly) after clear arguments had come to them, but (as it was) they differed one from another; so that some of them believed while others disbelieved. Had Allâh (so) willed they would not have fought one another. Yet Allâh does whatever He intends.

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254. O you who believe! spend (for the cause of Allâh) out of that which We have provided you with, before there comes the Day wherein there shall be no buying and selling, nor friendship, nor intercession. Those who refuse to obey this (commandment) are the real wrongdoers (to themselves).

255. Allâh, there is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that will intercede with Him, save by His leave? He knows their future and their past; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge (of the things) except of such (things) as He (Himself) pleases (to tell). His knowledge and suzerainty extends over the heavens and the earth and the care of them both tires Him not. He is the Supreme, the Great.

256. There is no compulsion of any sort in religion (as) the right way does stand obviously distinguished from the way of error. Now he that shall reject the transgressor and accepts Allâh (let such know that he) has laid hold of a support firm and strong which knows no breaking. Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

257. Allâh is the Patron of those who believe, He brings them out of different kinds of darkness (leading them) into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are the transgressors, they bring them out of light (and lead them) into every kind of darkness. It is these who are the fellows of the Fire, therein shall they live for long.

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258. Have you not considered (the case of) him (- Nimrod, the then ruler of Babylon) who controversed with Abraham concerning his Lord, because Allâh had given him kingdom? When Abraham said, `My Lord is He Who fertilises (the earth) and causes desolation.' He (- Nimrod) replied, `I do bring about fertility and cause desolation.' Abraham said, `Allâh surely makes the sun rise from the east, so you should make it rise from the west.' Thereupon the one who had rejected the faith (- Nimrod) was completely confounded. Indeed, Allâh does not guide the unjust people.

259. Or consider the case of him (- Ezekiel) who passed by a town (- Jerusalem as it was left in desolation by Nebuchadnezzar) and it had fallen in upon its roofs. He said, `When will Allâh restore this (town) to life after its destruction?' So (in his vision) Allâh kept him in a state of death for a hundred years, then He raised him (to life). Then (God) said, `How long have you stayed (in this state of death)?' He replied, `I may have stayed a day or a part of a day (in this state).' (God) said, `(Yes this too is correct) but (as you have witnessed in your vision) you have stayed for a hundred years. Now look at your food and drink, they have escaped the action of time, and look at your donkey (too, years have not passed over it). And (We have made you visualise all this) that We may make you a sign to the people. And look at the (dead) bones how We set them together and then clothe them with flesh.' Thus when the fact of the matter became clear to him, he said, `I know that Allâh is the Possessor of full power to do all that He will.'

260. And (recall the time) when Abraham said, `My Lord! show me how You give life to the dead.' (The Lord) said, `Do you not believe (that I can)?' He said, `Yes I do, but (I ask this) that my mind may be at peace.' (The Lord) said, `Take four birds and make them attached to you, then put them each on a separate hill, then call them, they will come to you swiftly. And know that Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.'

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261. The attribute of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allâh is like the attribute of a grain (of corn) which sprouts seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains. And Allâh multiplies further for whomsoever He pleases, for Allâh is Bountiful, All-Knowing.

262. Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allâh, then follow not up what they have spent with a show of obligation, nor (with) injury, they shall have their reward with their Lord. They shall have no cause of fear, nor shall they ever grieve.

263. A fair word and forbearance are better than charity followed by injury. Indeed, Allâh is Self-Sufficient (having

no want), Ever Forbearing.

264. O you who believe! Do not render void your charities by (a show of) obligation and injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen by people and does not believe in Allâh and the Last Day. So his case is like the case of a smooth rock with some soil thereon, when heavy rain hits it leaves it bare and hard. They shall not be able to gain anything of what they accomplished. And Allâh does not guide such disbelieving people to the way of success.

265. But the case of (charity on the part of) those who spend their wealth seeking the good pleasure of Allâh and for their own consolidation and with firm faith, is like the case of a garden situated on a highly fertile land. It is hit by heavy rain so it yields its fruit manifold; but even if heavy rain does not hit it then a mere drizzle (is sufficient) for it. And Allâh sees well what you do.

266. Would anyone of you wish that while he has a garden of date-palm trees and vines served with running streams, he has therein each and every kind of fruit, while he is stricken by old age and has children who are (yet) feeble, a whirlwind carrying fire should smite it (- the garden) so that it is all burnt up? (No, not at all.) Thus does Allâh explain to you His Messages so that you may give thought.

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267. O you who believe! spend (for the cause of Allâh) a portion of good and pure things, that you have yourselves earned and out of that which We have produced for you from the earth. Do not intend (upon spending) the bad and inferior. You would spend that (bad and inferior for the cause of Allâh) which you would not accept at all (for yourselves) unless you connive at it. And know that Allâh is Self-Sufficient, Ever Praiseworthy.

268. Satan threatens you with poverty and incites you to niggardliness. But Allâh promises you forgiveness from Himself and affluence. And Allâh is Bountiful, All-Knowing.

269. He grants wisdom to whomsoever He will. Indeed, he who is granted wisdom has been granted an ample good. And none would take heed except those endowed with to you and you shall not be treated unjustly.

270. Whatever things worthy to be spent you spend and whatever vow for the performance of non obligatory act of goodness you take, Allah knows it well. As for the wrongdoer they shall have no helpers.

271. If you give (your) alms openly it is well and good (in itself). But if you keep them secret and give them to the needy it is better for your ownselves and He will (thereby) acquit you of some of your evil deeds. Allah is fully aware of what you do.

272. You are not responsible for their guidance to the right path but Allah guides (him) who wishes (to be guided). (Believers!) whatever wealth you spend (in doing good) will be fully credited to you and you shall not be treated unjustly.

273. (These charities are meant) for those needy who are (so) confined in the way of Allâh that they are unable to move about in the land (for providing their sustenance). The person ignorant (of their condition) thinks them free from want, because of (their) abstaining (from begging). But you shall know them by their appearance (that they are in need). They do not beg of people with importunity. And whatever good thing you spend (for their help) Allâh knows it surely well.

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274. Those who spend their wealth by night and by day (for the cause of Allâh) privately and publicly have their reward with their Lord, they shall have no cause of fear, nor shall they ever grieve.

275. Those who practice usury and interest, (their condition is such as) they will not be able to stand except like the standing of one who has lost his reason under the influence of satan. That is so because they say, `Trade is just like usury and interest.' Whereas Allah has made trade lawful and made interest unlawful. Then whosoever has received (this) admonition from his Lord and keeps away (from usury and interest) he may keep whatever (interest) he has taken in the past. His matter rests with Allâh. As for those who revert (to the practice of usury and interest) it is these who are the fellows of the Fire, therein shall they live for long.

276. Allâh annuls usury and interest and promotes charity. Allâh does not love any persistent and confirmed disbeliever and an arch-sinner.

277. Verily, those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and regularly observe the Prayer and go on presenting the Zakât shall have their reward from their Lord; they shall have no cause of fear, nor shall they ever grieve.

278. O you who believe! take Allâh as a shield and forgo all outstanding gains from usury and interest if you are indeed believers.

279. But if you do (it) not, then beware of war from Allâh and His Messenger. But if you turn away (from such an unlawful transaction) then you shall have your principal (without interest) back. (Thus) you shall neither deal unjustly nor be dealt with unjustly.

280. If any (debtor) be in straitened circumstances there shall be respite (for him) till (his circumstances) ease. But that if you remit (the debt) by way of charity (for the sake of God), it is better for you, if you only knew.

281. And guard yourself against (the evil of) the day when you shall be made to return to Allâh; then every soul shall be paid in full for what it has accomplished, and no injustice shall be done to them.

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282. O you who believe! when you transact a loan for a stipulated term, then write it down. Let a scribe write (it) in your presence in (term of) equity and fairness. The scribe shall not refuse to write down, since it is Allâh Who taught him (to write). Write he must. And let him upon whom be the liability, dictate and let him observe his duty to Allâh, his Lord, nor should he depreciate anything (what he owes) from it. But if the person upon whom the liability is, be of feeble mind or is infirm or he is incapable of dictating himself, then let some one who can watch his interests dictate in (term of) equity and fairness. And call in to witness (the transaction) two male witnesses from amongst your men. But if there be not two males (available) then let there be one male and two females such as you approve as witnesses (to bear witness), so that if either of the two women forgets then one may remind the other. And let the witnesses not refuse (to give evidence) whenever they are summoned. And never feel weary of writing it (- the transaction) down, whether it (- the debt) be small or large, along with the time of its (payment) being due. This (way) is more just in the sight of Allâh, and ensures a more upright evidence and is more likely to prevent your falling into doubts, (so write it down) except you carry ready trade and transfer the merchandise from hand to hand, in that case there shall be no blame on you that you do not write (the transaction). Yet have witnesses when you trade with one another. Let neither the scribe nor the witness be harmed, and if you do (any such thing) then that indeed, is disobedience on your part. Take Allâh as a shield (with the result that) Allâh will grant you knowledge, for Allâh has perfect knowledge of everything.

283. And if you be on a journey and do not find a scribe, then (let there be) a pledge with possession (of some article to secure your debt). If one of you entrusts something to another let him who is entrusted deliver his trust, and let him take Allâh, his Lord, as a shield. Do not conceal the evidence, for whoso conceals it, his heart is certainly sinful. Allâh is Well-Aware of all that you do.

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284. To Allâh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and whether you reveal that which is in your minds or conceal it Allâh will call you to account for it. Then He will protect whomsoever He will and will punish whomsoever He will. And Allâh is Possessor of full power to do all He will.

285. The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord and (so do) the faithful. Everyone believes in Allâh, His angels, His Books and His Messengers. (And the faithful declare,) `We make no distinction (in believing) between any of His Messengers.' They say, `(Lord!) we have heard (Your commandments) and we are obedient. (Grant us) Your protection, Our Lord! for to You is the returning.'

286. Allâh charges no soul but to its capacity. It (- the soul) shall be paid for that which it has done (of good) and against it who has incurred (evil deliberately). (Pray,) `Our Lord! take us not to task if we forget or (if) we make a mistake. Our Lord! lay not upon us the burden (of disobedience) as You laid upon those before us. Our Lord! charge us not with the responsibility which we have not the strength to bear; therefore overlook our faults and grant us protection and have mercy on us. You are our Master, therefore help us against the disbelieving people.'

Chapter

3

âl `Imrân

(Family of Amran)

(Revealed after Hijrah)

With the name of Allâh,

the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful

(I commence to read Sûrah âl `Imrân).

1. Alif Lâm Mîm - I am Allâh, the All- Knowing.

2. Allâh is He. There is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He. He is the Living, the Self-

Subsisting and All- Sustaining.

3. He has revealed to you gradually this perfect Book (- the Qur'ân) which meets all your requirements, fulfilling that (prophecies in the Scriptures) which preceded it and which still remain. He revealed the Torah and the Evangel,

4. Before this, as a guidance of the people. And He has revealed (the Qur'ân as) the Criterion of judgment (between truth and falsehood). Those who deny the revelations of Allâh there surely awaits them a severe punishment. Mighty is Allâh, the Lord of Retribution.

5. As to Allâh, verily nothing in this earth nor in the space above is hidden (from His view).

6. He it is Who fashions you in the wombs as He will. There is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

7. He it is Who has revealed to you this perfect Book, some of its verses are definite and decisive. They are the basic root (conveying the established meanings) of the Book (- Ummal Kitâb) and other (verses) are susceptible to various interpretations. As for those in whose hearts is perversity follow (verses) that are susceptible to different interpretations, seeking (to cause) dissension and seeking an interpretation (of their own choice). But no one knows its true interpretation except Allâh, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. They say, `We believe in it, it is all (- the basic and decisive verses as well as the allegorical ones) from our Lord.' And none takes heed except those endowed with pure and clear understanding.

8. `Our Lord!', (they pray,) `Let not our hearts become perverse after You have guided us, and grant us from Your Own Self special mercy, for You alone are the Most Liberal Bestower.

9. `Our Lord! You are invariably going to assemble all humankind on the Day about (the advent of) which there is no doubt. Surely, Allâh never breaks His word.'

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10. As to those who disbelieve, neither their possessions, nor their children shall avail them at all against (the punishment of) Allâh; and it is they that will be the fuel of the Fire.

11. (Their conduct is) like the conduct of the followers of Pharaoh and those before them. They cried lies to Our Messages, so that Allâh took them to task for their sins. Allâh is Severe in retribution.

12. Say to those who disbelieve, `You shall soon be overcome and gathered together to be driven towards Gehenna. What an evil abode it is!'

13. There has already been for you a remarkable sign in the two armies that encountered each other (- in the Battle of Badr). (Behold!) one army is fighting in the cause of Allâh and the other is (an army of) disbelievers, whom they (- the Muslims) saw with their naked eyes twice as many (and not thrice as the actual figure was so that the believers did not lose their hearts). And Allâh strengthens with His help whomsoever He will. Verily, in this is a lesson for those who have eyes.

14. It has been made fairseeming to the people the love of the desired things comprising women, sons, stored up heaps of gold and silver, well-bred horses, cattle and tilth. That is the provision of the present life. Whereas with Allâh is the fairest goal (of life).

15. Say, `Shall I inform you of something better than these? There are with their Lord Gardens served with running streams for those who become secure against evil. There they shall abide for ever, and (there will be the righteous) companions perfectly purified and (above all they will enjoy) the good pleasure of Allâh.' And Allâh is Mindful of (His) servants,

16. Who say, `Our Lord! we have certainly believed, therefore protect us against (the consequences of) our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire.'

17. (And those who are) the patiently persevering, the truthful and the obedient, and those who spend (liberally in the cause of Allâh) and the implorers of Divine protection in the latter part of the night (and from the core of their hearts).

18. Allâh bears witness that there is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of true knowledge, maintaining justice. There is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

19. Decidedly, the true Faith acceptable to Allâh is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture were not at variance except after the knowledge had come to them; (their differences were) due to mutual envy and to spite one another. And whoso denies the Messages of Allâh (should bear in mind that) then Allâh indeed is Quick at reckoning.

20. But if they dispute with you say, `I have completely submitted myself to (the will and guidance of) Allâh and (so have) those who follow me.' And say to those who had been given the Scripture and to the unlettered, `Have you also submitted yourselves?' Indeed, they will be following true guidance if they submit themselves (to the will of God). But if they turn back then your responsibility is only to convey (the message). Allâh is Ever Watchful of His servants.

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21. Surely, those who deny the Messages of Allâh and seek to kill the Prophets without a just cause and slay those among the people who enjoin equity and justice, announce to them a grievous punishment.

22. It is they whose deeds go in vain in this world and in the Hereafter, and they shall have none to help them.

23. Have you not considered (the case of) those who were given a portion of the Scripture? When they are called to the Book of Allâh (the Qur'ân) that it may judge between them, yet a party of them turn away in sheer aversion.

24. They do so because they say, `The Fire will not (even) brush us except for a limited number of days.' (Their own lies) that they used to forge have deluded them in the matter of their faith.

25. Then how (will they fare) when We gather them together for the Day about (the advent of) which there is no doubt, and (when) every soul shall be paid in full for what it has accomplished, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.

26. Say, `O Allâh! the Lord of all power, You grant power to whomsoever You will and take away power from whomsoever You please, and confer honour and dignity on whomsoever You will and disgrace whomsoever You will. All good lies in Your hand. Verily, You are the Possessor of full power to do all You will,

27. `You cause the night to merge into the day and cause the day to merge into the night, and bring forth the living from the dead and bring forth the dead from the living, and provide (all sorts of provisions) to whomsoever You will without measure.'

28. Let not the believers take the disbelievers for friends in preference to the believers unless you very carefully guard against evil from them. Indeed he who acts likewise (in a careless manner let him remember) he has nothing to do with Allâh. And Allâh cautions you against His punishment, for to Allâh is the eventual returning.

29. Say, `Whether you conceal that which is in your bosoms or whether you reveal it Allâh knows it, and He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Allâh is the Possessor of full power to do all that He will.'

30. (Beware of) the Day when every soul shall be confronted with what good it has done and (similarly) whatever it has done of evil. It (- the soul) will earnestly wish there would be a long distance between it and between that (evil). Allâh cautions you against His punishment. And Allâh is Most Compassionate to His servants.

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31. Say, `Follow me if you love Allâh, (if you do so) Allâh will love you and grant you protection from your sins. Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.'

32. Say, `Obey Allâh and this Perfect Messenger,' but if they turn away then (remember that) Allâh does not love the disbelievers.

33. Truly, Allâh chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Amran above all peoples of the time.

34. (They are) a lineage co-related with one another. Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

35. (Allâh listened) when a woman of (the family of) Amran said, `My Lord! I do hereby vow to You what is in my womb to be dedicated (to Your service); so do accept (it) of me. You alone are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.'

36. But when she gave birth to it she said, `My Lord! I have given birth to a female.' Allâh knew best what she had given birth to, and the male (she was thinking of) was not like this female (she had brought forth). `I have named her Mary and I do commend her to Your protection and (also) her offspring (to be saved) from satan, the accursed.'

37. So her Lord accepted her (- Mary) with a gracious acceptance and made her grow into an excellent form and assigned her to the care of Zachariah. Every time Zachariah visited her in the chamber he found with her provisions. He said, `From where do you get all this, O Mary?' She replied (with all conscientiousness), `It is from Allâh.' Verily, Allâh provides whomsoever He will without measure.

38. Then and there did Zachariah pray to his Lord saying, `My Lord! grant me, by Your Own grace, pure and pious descendant, You alone are indeed the Hearer of prayers.'

39. So the angels called to him as he stood praying in the Sanctuary, `Allâh bears you the glad tidings of John, who shall confirm the word of God and who shall be noble, utterly chaste, a Prophet from among the righteous.'

40. `Lord!' he said, `How shall I have a son now that old age has already come upon me and my wife is barren?' (The Lord) said, `Such are the ways of Allâh, He does what He will.'

41. He said, `My Lord! give me some instruction.' (The Lord) said, `The instruction for you is that you shall not speak to the people for three days (and nights) except by gestures, and remember your Lord a good deal and glorify (Him) in the evening and early (in the) morning.'

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42. (Recall the time) when the angels said, `O Mary! surely Allâh has chosen you and has rid you of all impurities and has preferred you to the women of all (contemporary) people.

43. `O Mary! be devout to your Lord and prostrate yourself and bow along with the congregation of the worshippers of God.'

44. These are some of the important accounts of the things unseen We have revealed to you. You were not present with them when they (- the priests) cast their quills (to decide) as to which of them should have Mary in his charge (to arrange her marriage); and you were not with them when they (- the exalted assembly of the angels) were engaged in a discussion (over the issue of Muhammad being entrusted with the Divine mission).

45. (Recall the time) when the angels said, `O Mary! Allâh gives you good tidings through a (prophetic) word from Him (about the birth of a son) whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, (he shall be) worthy of regard in this world and in the Hereafter and one of the nearest ones (to Him),

46. `And he will speak to the people when in the cradle (- as a child) and when of old age, and shall be of the righteous.'

47. She said, `My Lord! how can I and whence shall I have a child while no man has yet touched me (in conjugal relationship)?' (The Lord) said, `Such are the ways of Allâh, He creates what He will. When He decrees a thing He simply commands it, "Be" and it comes to be.'

48. (The angels continued), `And He will teach him the art of writing (and reading) and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Evangel.

49. `And (He will appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel (with the Message), "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. (I have come so that) I determine for your benefit from clay (a person) after the manner of a bird, then I shall breathe into him (a new spirit) so that he becomes a flier (- a spiritual person) by the authority of Allâh, and I absolve the blind and the leprous, and I quicken the (spiritually) dead by the authority of Allâh, and I inform you as to what you should eat and what you should store in your houses. Behold! these facts will surely serve you as a definite sign if you are believers.

50. "And (I come) confirming that which is before me, namely the Torah, and that I declare lawful for you some of the things that had been forbidden to you. I come to you with a sign from your Lord, so take Allâh as a shield and obey me.

51. "Surely, Allâh is my Lord as well as your Lord, therefore worship Him; this is the right path".'

52. But when Jesus felt disbelief on their part (and thought his people would renounce him,) he said, `Who are my helpers (in calling the people) towards Allâh?' The disciples said, `We are the helpers (in the cause) of Allâh. We have believed in Allâh. Bear witness that, we are the submitting ones (to His will).'

53. (The disciples then prayed,) `Our Lord! We believe in that which You have revealed and we follow this Messenger, so count us with the witnesses (of the truth).'

54. And they (- the persecutors of Jesus) planned (to crucify him) and Allâh planned (to save him) and Allâh is the best of the planners.

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55. (Recall the time) when Allâh said, `O Jesus! I will cause you to die a natural death, and will exalt you to Myself and I will clear you of the unchaste accusations of those who disbelieve. I am going to make your followers prevail over the disbelievers till the Day of Resurrection, then to Me (O people!) shall be your return, and I will judge all your differences.

56. `Then as for those who disbelieve I will punish them sternly in this world and in the Hereafter and they shall have no helpers.

57. `As for those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, He will pay them their rewards in full. Allâh loves not the unjust.'

58. That is what We recite to you; the Messages and the Reminder full of wisdom.

59. Verily, the case of Jesus is as the case of Adam in the sight of Allâh. He fashioned him out of dust, then He said to him,`Be', and he came to be.

60. (O reader!) this is the real truth from your Lord, hence do not be of the disputers at all (of the facts).

61. Now whoso disputes with you in this matter (of Jesus) after there has come to you true knowledge, then say (to him), `Come let us summon our sons and your sons, our women and your women, and our people and your people, then let us pray fervently one against the other and invoke the disapproval of Allâh upon the liars.'

62. Verily, this (which We have told) is certainly the true account. There is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but Allâh; and surely it is Allâh Who is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

63. But if they turn away, then (remember that) Allâh, of course, knows the mischief-makers.

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64. Say, `O people of the Scripture! let us agree to a proposition common to us both that we worship none but Allâh and that we associate no partner with Him and that some of us shall not hold others as lords besides Allâh.' But if they turn away (refusing) say, `Bear witness that we are the only submitting ones (to one God).'

65. O people of the Scripture! why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Evangel were not revealed till after him? Have you no sense?

66. Behold! you are such as have argued about that whereof you had a little knowledge, now, why do you argue about that whereof you have no knowledge at all? Indeed, Allâh knows the truth while you do not.

67. Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was upright who had submitted (to the will of God), and he was not one of the polytheists.

68. The people nearest to Abraham are surely those who followed him (in the days of his prophethood) and this Prophet and those who believe (in him). Indeed, Allâh is the Patron of the believers.

69. (Believers!) a section of the people of the Scripture would fain lead you astray, but it is only the people like themselves that they lead astray, only they perceive not.

70. O people of the Scripture! Why do you deny the revelations of Allâh while you are witnessing (their truth)?

71. O people of the Scripture! Why do you confound the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth and that (too) deliberately?

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72. A section of the people of the Scripture said (to their companions in confidence), `Avow belief in that (- the Qur'ân) which has been revealed to the believers, in the early hours of the day and deny (it) in the latter part of it, so that they (- the newly converted Muslims) may return (to disbelief),

73. `Yet avow this belief only for the sake of those who follow your creed.' Say, `Surely, the true guidance is Allâh's guidance', (and they also said, `Do not believe,) that anyone will ever be given the like of that (gift of prophethood) which you have been given, or that they will ever be able to prevail upon you in argument before your Lord.' Say, `Eminence (of prophethood and sovereignty) is entirely in the hands of Allâh. He confers it to whomsoever He will.' And Allâh is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

74. Allâh has singled out for His grace (of the bestowal of Divine revelation) one whom He has pleased, for Allâh is the Lord of great eminence.

75. And among the people of the Scripture there is he if you trust him with a huge treasure he will surrender it to you; yet there is another among them that if you entrust him with a single dinâr he will not surrender it to you unless you keep on pressing him. They do that because they say, `We are not liable to be called to account in the matter of the unlettered (- not of Jewish race),' and they tell a lie in the name of Allâh deliberately.

76. Nay (they will indeed be called to account). Yet whoso discharges his obligations and guards against evil, (he will find that) Allâh, infact, loves those who guard against evil.

77. (On the contrary) those who take paltry gains for (shaking off their) covenant with Allâh and their oaths, it is these for whom there shall be no big share in the Hereafter, Allâh will never speak to them (lovingly) nor look at them (with affection) on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He treat them as pure; there awaits them a woeful punishment.

78. There are some among them who twist their tongues while reciting their Scripture that you may think that (what they recite) is a part of the Scripture, whilst it is no part of the Scripture and they say, `This is from Allâh,' whereas it is not from Allâh. They tell a lie in the name of Allâh deliberately.

79. It is not given to a human being that Allâh should give him the Book, the sovereignty and the prophethood and then he should say to the people, `Be servants to me beside Allâh.' He would rather say, `Be you the sole devotees of (Allâh) the Lord, for you teach the Book and because you study (it).'

80. Nor would (it be possible for him that) he bid you take the angels and Prophets as your lords. Would he bid you disbelieve after you have submitted yourselves (to the will of God)?

SECTION 9

81. (Recall the time) when Allâh bound (the people) to a covenant through the Prophets (saying), `Indeed, whatever I have vouchsafed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, and then there comes to you a Messenger fulfilling that which is with you, you shall surely believe in him and have to help him.' (The Lord further) said, `Do you agree and do you undertake the heavy responsibility of My covenant on these (terms)?' They said, `We do agree.' (God) said, `Bear witness to it and I am with you among the witnesses.'

82. Now those who turn away (and break their pledge) after this, will be the real transgressors.

83. Do they then seek a creed other than Allâh's while all those that are in the heavens and on the earth submit to Him willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they shall be made to return?

84. Say, `We believe in Allâh and in that which has been revealed to us and in that which was revealed to Abraham and Ismâîl and Isaac and Jacob and his children and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to all other Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between anyone of them (in believing them) and to Him alone do we submit.'

85. And whosoever seeks a faith other than Islam (- complete submission to the will of God,) it will never be accepted from him, and he shall be of the losers in the Hereafter.

86. How is Allâh to guide a people who renounce their faith after having accepted it and after testifying to the truth of the Messenger and after clear and sound proofs had come to them? And Allâh never guides a people who cannot discriminate between right and wrong.

87. It is these whose recompense is that the disapproval of Allâh shall be upon them, and that of the angels and of people, all together.

88. They shall abide there for long, their punishment shall not be reduced, nor shall they be reprieved;

89. Except those who repent after this and make amends, (such will find that) surely Allâh is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.

90. Verily, those who chose disbelief after they

had believed and then go on increasing in disbelief, their repentance shall not be accepted and these are the people who are completely lost.

91. Verily, as to those who have disbelieved and die while they are disbelievers, there shall not be accepted from anyone of them (even) an earthful of gold if he would ransom himself thereby. There awaits them a woeful punishment, they shall have no helpers (either).