Part IX

88. The chiefs who considered themselves strong and great among his people said, `We will certainly turn you O Shu`aib! and also those who believe with you, out of our township or else you (all) shall have to revert to our creed.' He said, `What! (shall we be forced to accept your creed) even though we are unwilling (at heart)?

89. `We should indeed be forging a lie against Allâh, if we revert to your creed after Allâh has delivered us from it, and it is in no way possible for us to revert thereto unless Allâh, our Lord, should (so) will. Our Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge. In Allâh alone do we put our trust, (so Him do we beseech,) "O our Lord! decide between us and our people rightly for You are the Best of all Who open (the truth)".'

90. The chiefs who had disbelieved from among his people then said, `If you follow Shu`aib you shall then, truly be the losers.'

91. Then they were caught in an earthquake and the morning found them lying prostrate on the ground in their habitations.

92. Those who cried lies to Shu`aib became (so extinct) as though they had never dwelt therein. Those alone who had cried lies to Shu`aib were the losers.

93. So he turned away from them and said, `O my people! I did deliver to you the Messages of my Lord and I did offer you sincere advice; how can I lament over a disbelieving people.'

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94. And never did We send any Prophet to any township but We afflicted its people with destitution (from Our blessings) and with tribulations so that they might grow humble (before the Almighty).

95. Then We brought comfort (for them) in place of (their) distress until they grew in affluence, (number and excess) and said, `Surely, tribulations and prosperity visited our fathers (also, so it is a normal course of events).' So We seized them unawares while they perceived not (the peril they were in).

96. And if the people of the townships had believed and guarded against transgression, We would invariably have opened for them (the gates of) blessings of the heaven and the earth, but they cried lies (to the Prophets), so We punished them on account of what they used to accomplish.

97. Do the people of these townships feel secure against the coming of Our punishment upon them by night while they are asleep?

98. And do the people of these townships feel secure against the coming of Our punishment upon them in the early part of the forenoon while they are engaged in futile and frivolous (worldly) pursuits?

99. Do they feel secure from the design of Allâh? No one at all feels secure from Allâh's design, except the people who are (doomed to be) losers.

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100. Does it not serve as guidance to those who have inherited the earth from its (previous) occupants that, if We will, We can afflict them (with some punishment) for their sins and put a seal upon their hearts, so that they will not be able to listen (to some guiding advice).

101. Such were the (people of) townships, We have related to you some of their news. Their Messengers did indeed come to them with clear proofs but they would not believe because they had cried lies (to them) in the beginning. That is how Allâh seals up the hearts of the disbelievers.

102. We did not find in most of them any (regard for the observance of their) covenant; indeed, We found most of them disobedient (and transgressors).

103. Then after these (Messengers), We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they did injustice to these (signs by denying them), now see how (bad) was the end of the mischief-makers.

104. And Moses said, `O Pharaoh! truly, I am a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds;

105. `I stand upon it (-the prophethood), worthy to say nothing (in the name) of Allâh but the truth. I have indeed brought to you a clear proof (of my truthfulness) from your Lord, therefore let the Children of Israel go with me.'

106. (Pharaoh) said, `If you have indeed come with a sign, then bring it forth, if you are of the truthful.'

107. So he (- Moses) flung down his staff, and behold! it was a serpent, plainly visible.

108. And he drew forth his hand then lo! it was shining white (-blemishless) for the beholders.

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109. The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said (to each other), `This (fellow here) is most surely a skilled sorcerer,

110. `Who desires to turn you out from your land, now what do you advise?'

111. (After their deliberations) they said (to Pharaoh), `Put him and his brother off a while and send to the cities heralds,

112. `Who would (collect and) bring to you every skilled sorcerer.'

113. And the (most reputed) sorcerers came to Pharaoh. They said, `We shall indeed be richly rewarded if we be the prevailing ones?'

114. (Pharaoh) said, `Yes, and you shall also be even of those drawn near and close (to me).'

115. They said, `Moses! either you present (first what you have), or shall we be the (first) ones to present?'

116. (Moses) said, `You may present (first, what you have).' And when they presented (their devices) they cast a spell on the peoples' eyes and sought to strike awe into them and they came out with a mighty enchantment.

117. And We sent a revelation to Moses (saying), `Cast your staff (now).' Then it began to destroy (as he did it) all their lying show.

118. So was the truth established and all their efforts (to frustrate it) proved vain.

119. Thus they (-Pharaoh and his people) were vanquished then and there, and they went back humiliated.

120. And the sorcerer were impelled (by divine mercy) to fall down prostrate.

121. They (-the sorcerers) said, `We believe in the Lord of the Worlds;

122. `The Lord of Moses and Aaron.'

123. Pharaoh said, `Dared you believe in Him before I gave you permission? Surely, this is some secret device which you have devised in this (central) city that you may expel from it its inhabitants. You shall come to know then (the consequence of your doings) very soon.

124. `I will certainly have your hands and your feet cut off on alternate sides on account of (your) disobedience, then will I crucify you to death one and all making your death all the more painful.'

125. They, (however, remained firm and) said, `(Never mind) we have all to return to our Lord after all.

126. `And you find no fault in us but that we have believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us (and we pray to Him), "Our Lord! pour forth upon us patience and perseverance and grant that we die in a state of complete submission (to You)".'

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127. Then the chiefs of the people of Pharaoh said (to Pharaoh), `Will you leave Moses and his people (free) to create disorder in the land and to desert you and your gods?' He said, `We shall certainly go on gradually killing their sons and will let their women live, seeking to make them immodest. Surely, we are dominant over them.'

128. Moses said to his people, `Pray to Allâh imploring Him for help and be patiently persevering. Verily, the earth belongs to Allâh. He gives it as a heritage to such of His servants as He will, and the (happy) end is for those who become secure against evil and keep their duty (to Allâh).

129. They (- the persons of superficial thinking of the Children of Israel) said, `We were persecuted before you came to us and (are being persecuted) even after you have come to us.' (Moses) said, `It is well nigh that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you rulers in the (promised) land and then He will see how you act.'

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130. And We, surely, seized Pharaoh's followers with years of drought and scarcity of fruits and children so that they might take heed.

131. But when something good came their way, they said, `This is ours (as we deserved it),' and if something adverse befell them they would attribute their ill luck to Moses and his companions. Beware! surely, their deeds are (recorded) with Allâh but most of them do not know (this).

132. And they said (to Moses), `Whatsoever sign you may bring to us to cast a spell upon us with it, we will not be believers in you at all.'

133. Then We sent upon them widespread death and destruction (caused by storms, epidemics,) and the locusts, the lice, the frogs and the blood (-wars); signs (all) distinct and well defined, but they continued to behave arrogantly for they were a people who had cut off their ties (with God).

134. And whenever a punishment fell upon them they said, `O Moses! pray for us to your Lord invoking the promise He has made to you. If you avert the punishment from us we will certainly believe in you, and we will let the Children of Israel go with you.'

135. But no sooner did We avert that punishment from them upto a (scheduled) term which they were to reach (in all events) than they at once broke their promise.

136. We then inflicted (the last) punishment on them; We drowned them in the sea for they had cried lies to Our Messages and were heedless of them.

137. And We made the people who were deemed weak (and were oppressed) inherit the eastern and western parts of the (promised) land which We had blessed. Thus was fulfilled the most gracious word of your Lord in favour of the Children of Israel, for they had patiently persevered; and We annihilated all that Pharaoh and his people had wrought and what they had erected.

138. And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea. Then they came to a people who clung to some idols they had (for worship). They said, `O Moses! make for us a god like the gods they have.' He (-Moses) said, `You are a foolish people who act through lack of knowledge.

139. `Verily, as to these (idolaters) that (cult of idolatry) wherein they are engrossed is doomed to be shattered and utterly vain is all that they are doing.'

140. (Moses) added, `Am I to seek for you a god other than Allâh? Whereas He has made you excel the peoples of your time.

141. `And (recall the word of God) when (He said), "We rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who subjected you to the worst torment, they gradually went on killing your sons and let your women live and thus sought to make them immodest. And in this indeed was a great ordeal from your Lord".'

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142. And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights (and days to pray in solitude) which We supplemented with another ten (to rceive the Law) so that the period appointed by his Lord came to be full forty nights (and days). (When leaving) Moses said to his brother Aaron, `Act for me (taking my place) in my absence among my people and reform and manage (them) well and do not follow the way of those who create disorder.'

143. And when Moses came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, `My Lord! reveal Yourself to me that I may look at You.' He said, `You cannot stand My revelation. Yet look at the mountain, and if it stands firm in its place, (only) then you shall stand My revelation.' Then when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain, He sent it crashing down into pieces and Moses fell down unconscious, so that when he recovered he said, `Glory be to You! I turn towards You and I am the first to believe.'

144. He said, `O Moses! Verily, I have preferred you to all the people (of your time) by (entrusting you with) My Messages and by My discourse (with you), so take (firm hold of that) what I have given you and be of the grateful.'

145. And We preserved (in writing) for him on the Tablets all kinds of precepts and clear details of everything (which the Children of Israel needed). Then (We bade him), `Hold them fast and bid your people to carry out its best (teachings in its true significance). I will soon show you people the resort of the transgressors.' (- This nation will become corrupt and will meet an evil end.)

146. I shall soon turn away from My Messages those who behave haughtily in the land without any justification. Even if they witness every (possible) sign they will not believe therein and even if they see the path of rectitude they will not adopt it as (their) way; but if they see the way of error and falsehood they will adopt it as (their) way. This (state of theirs) is because they cried lies to Our Messages and they were heedless to them.

147. And those who cry lies to Our Messages and the meeting of the Hereafter, vain and void are their deeds. They shall only be recompensed according to (the nature of) their deeds.

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148. And the people of Moses in his absence, made out of their ornaments a calf; a mere frame (of saffron hue), with a lowing sound. Could they not see that it neither spoke to them, nor guided them to any way? Yet they took it (for god to worship) and became wrongdoers.

149. And when (the magic spell was broken) they were smitten with remorse and realised that they had indeed gone astray, they said, `Unless our Lord have mercy on us and protect us (against the consequences of our sins) we shall surely be of the losers.'

150. And when Moses returned to his people indignant and sorrowful he said, `How evil is that (course) which you adopted in my place in my absence! Did you seek to hasten on the command of your Lord (for punishment)?' And he put down the Tablets and caught hold of his brother (Aaron, who was entrusted to carry out Moses' mission in his absence) by the head, pulling him towards himself. He (- Aaron) said, `Son of my Mother! surely (I am not to be blamed for it), these people deemed me weak and were about to kill me. Therefore let not the enemies rejoice over my misery and count me not with these idolaters.'

151. He (- Moses) said, `My Lord! protect me and my brother and admit us to Your mercy. You are indeed the Most

Merciful of those who show mercy.'

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152. (The Lord said in answer to Moses' supplications,) `The displeasure of their Lord and disgrace in the present life shall surely overtake those who took the calf (for worship).' That is how do We repay the forgers of lies with punishment.

153. But those who do evil deeds and turn with repentance thereafter and believe truly (shall find that) your Lord, after this (change in them) is indeed Great Protector, Ever Merciful.

154. When the anger of Moses calmed down, he took up the Tablets. These inscriptions contained guidance and mercy for all those who hold their Lord in awe (with every care).

155. Now Moses selected from his people seventy men (to take with him) to Our appointed place and time, but when the earthquake seized them he said, `My Lord! if You so willed You could have destroyed them as well as me before (this). But would You destroy us on account of that which the foolish among us have done? This (matter of the calf) is nothing but (an ordeal from You) that You may distinguish the good from the bad (of us). You adjudge, by such means, to be astray whomsoever You will and You guide whomsoever You will. You are our Patron, protect us therefore, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of Protectors (against the consequence of our faults).

156. `And ordain for us what is good in this world and in the Hereafter for to You alone we turn (repenting).' He (the Almighty) said, `As for My punishment, I inflict on whom I will, but My mercy embraces all things. So I will ordain it for those who guard against evil and spend in charity, and for those who believe in Our Messages;

157. `Those who follow this perfect Messenger, the Arab Prophet whom they find described in the Torah and the Evangel which are with them, who enjoins upon them that which is right and forbids them that which is wrong, and who makes lawful for them all the pure and good things, and makes unlawful all the impure and bad things, and who relieves them of their heavy burden and shackles that weigh them down. Indeed those who believe in him and honour him and serve him and follow the light that has been sent down with him, it is these who will attain their goal.'

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158. Say, `O people! I am a Messenger to you all from Allâh to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, Who gives life and causes death, so believe in Allâh and in His Messenger, the Arab, the Prophet who believes in Allâh and in (all) His words, and follow him so that you may be rightly guided so as to reach the goal.'

159. There is a community among the people of Moses who guide (the people) to the truth and with it they dispense justice.

160. We divided them (- the people of Moses) into twelve tribes according to the ancestral lineage (to which they belonged). And We sent Our revelation to Moses when his people asked of him (something) to drink (saying), `Strike that rock with your staff.' Then (as he did), there gushed out from it twelve springs, so that all the people now knew their (respective) drinking place. And We outspread the rain clouds to be a shade over them and We sent down for them Manna and quails (saying), `Eat of the pure things wherewith We have provided you.' And they did Us no harm (when they went wrong) but it was to themselves that they had been doing harm.

161. And (recall the time) when it was said to them, `Dwell in this township (-Yathrib) and eat therefrom when you will and pray, "Relieve us of the burden of our sins," and enter its gate submissively. (If you do so) We will protect you against (the consequences of) your sins. We shall multiply the reward of the doers of excellent deeds.'

162. But those amongst them who were unjust changed the word to something different from that which they were told. So We sent down upon them unavoidable punishment from heaven because they had always been wrongdoers.

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163. And ask them as to (what happened to the people of) the township (- Eila) which was on the seashore (of the Red Sea) when they profaned the Sabbath. On the day of their Sabbath their fish appeared to them in shoals upon shoals on the surface (of the water), but on the day when they did not observe the Sabbath (and fishing was open), it did not appear to them. Thus did We go on making a distinction between the good and the evil ones of them by means of their acts of disobedience.

164. And (ask them what happened to those people) when a section from amongst them said (to another section), `Why do you admonish a people whom Allâh is going to destroy completely, or whom He is going to punish with a severe punishment?' They answered, `We do it so that it may serve as an excuse (to be absolved from blame) before your Lord

and that they may become secure (against the punishment).'

165. But when they disregarded the warning that had been given them, We saved those who forbade evil and We seized those who did wrong, with a serious punishment of extreme destitution because they were exceeding the bounds of obedience.

166. So when they insolently refused to keep away from that which they were forbidden, We condemned them to be (as) apes despised.

167. And (imagine the time) when your Lord proclaimed (to the Children of Israel) that He would certainly continue to subject them, till the Day of Resurrection, to the people who would afflict them with the worst torment. Verily, your Lord is Quick to punish the evil but He is (all the same) Great Protector, Ever Merciful.

168. And We broke them up into (separate) sections of peoples on the earth, of which some are the righteous and some otherwise, and We went on distinguishing the good among them from the evil ones, through prosperity and adversity (both) so that they might turn (to Us).

169. Then there succeeded them an evil generation who having inherited the Scripture (of Moses), go on taking the paltry goods of this base (life) and say, `We shall surely be protected.' And if the like of these goods (again) come their way, they will take them (and sin persistently). Were they not bound to the covenant mentioned in the Scripture that they would not say of Allâh anything but the truth? And they have read for themselves what it (- the Scripture) contains. And the abode of the Hereafter is better only for those who become secure against evil. Have you then no sense?

170. And (as to) those who hold fast to the Scripture and establish worship, (let them bear in mind that) We will not at all allow the reward of those who set things right to be lost.

171. And (make them recall the time) when We shook (due to the quake) the Mount (Sinai) above them, as though it were to be a shade above them (like a wall) and they thought it was about to fall on them. (We said,) `Hold fast to that which We have given you and remember its contents that you might become secure against evil.'

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172. Behold! when your Lord brings forth from Adam's children - from their loins, their offspring, and makes them bear witness to themselves when He says, `Am I not your Lord who sustains you?' They say (in evidence which human nature itself bears), `Yes we bear witness (to it and acknowledge it).' (Allâh does that) lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, `Surely, we were unaware of this (that you are our Lord).'

173. Or (lest) you should say, `It were only our forefathers who associated partners (with God) in the past and we only happened to be their children who came after them (to follow in their footsteps). Will You then destroy us for the vain doings of the perpetrators of falsehood?'

174. And in this manner do We explain the Messages in detail (in order that they may give up evil ways) and that they may turn (to Us).

175. And relate to them the news of him to whom We gave Our commandments but he withdrew himself therefrom, the satan followed him with the result that he became one of those led astray (and became a pervert).

176. Had We so willed We would have exalted him (in ranks) thereby (- by means of these Our commandments), but he remained inclined to (the material things of) this world and followed his low desires. His case therefore is like that of a dog, if you bear down upon it, it lolls its tongue out or if you leave it alone, it still lolls out its tongue. Such is the case with the people who cry lies to Our commandments; (they do not give up their evil ways whether you warn them or not). So narrate to them the account (of the people of old) that they may reflect.

177. Sad is the case of the people who cry lies to Our commandments and it is their own selves that they have wronged.

178. Those alone are rightly guided to whom Allâh shows guidance, but whom He adjudges to be astray and leaves them in error, it is these who are the losers.

179. And, verily, We have created many of the jinns and the ordinary people whose end is Gehenna. They have hearts wherewith they do not understand and they have eyes but they do not see with them (the truth), and they have ears but they do not hear (the Messages) with them. They are like cattle, nay, they are (even) worse. It is these who are utterly heedless (to the warnings).

180. And to Allâh alone belong all the fairest and most perfect attributes, so call on Him by these, and leave alone those who deviate from the right way with respect to His attributes (and violate their sanctity). They shall be repaid with punishment for their (evil) deeds.

181. And of those whom We have created are a community who give true guidance to the truth and who dispense justice therewith.

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182. And (as for) those who cry lies to Our Messages We shall lead them (to destruction) step by step, in a manner unknown to them.

183. And I give them respite, My device is very strong and sure.

184. Have they not reflected (so that they may see) that their comrade (Muhammad) has no vestige of insanity but is a plain Warner?

185. Have they not pondered over the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and every thing that Allâh has created? And (have they not looked into the fact) that it may be that their (own) term (of destruction) has already drawn nigh? In what announcement other than this (Prophet and the Qur'ân) will they believe?

186. Whomsoever Allâh adjudges to be astray and leaves in error, there can be no guide for him. And He leaves them (alone) in their transgression (blindly) wandering in distraction.

187. They ask you about the Hour, when it will come to pass. Say, `Surely, the knowledge thereof is with my Lord. He alone will reveal it at its proper time. It shall be heavy on the heavens and on the earth. It shall not come upon you but all of a sudden.' They ask you (about it) as if you were curiously solicitous about it (from Allâh). Say, `The knowledge of it is only with Allâh, but most people do not know (this fact).'

188. Say, `I have no power over (bringing) any gain or (avoiding) any harm to myself save to the extent that Allâh will. And had I known the unseen I would surely have secured a great deal of good (for myself) and no harm would ever have come to me. I am only a Warner (to the wicked) and a Bearer of good tidings (to the people who believe).

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189. It is He Who has created you from one living entity, and from the same stock (that He created a human being) He brought into being his mate that he might find comfort in her. When he covers her (in conjugal relationship) she conceives a light burden and carries it about, then when she grows heavy (with the child), they both pray to Allâh, their Lord, (saying) `If You give us a good one (- a child with a sound mind in a sound body), we shall surely be of the grateful (to You).'

190. But when He gives them a good (child), they both ascribe to Him associates in respect of (the birth of) that (child) which He has given them. Allâh is Highly Exalted far above the things they associate (with Him).

191. Do they associate (with Him as partners) those who create nothing but are themselves created.

192. And they (the associated gods) will have no power to give them (who associate partners with Allâh) any help, nor can they help themselves (but will themselves perish).

193. And if you (O Polytheists!) invite these (associated gods) for (your) guidance, they will not respond to you. It makes no difference to you whether you call them or you remain silent.

194. Verily, those whom you call on beside Allâh are (merely helpless maids or) servants like yourselves. (If it is not so then) call on them, they should then make a response to you if you are right.

195. Have these (false gods) feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say, `Call upon your associate gods, then contrive you all against me and give me no respite, (yet you will see that I am triumphant because)

196. `Verily, My Protecting-Friend is Allâh Who has revealed this perfect Book and He takes into (His) protection all the righteous.

197. `And those whom you call upon besides Him have no power to help you, nor can they help themselves.'

198. And if you call these (polytheists) to guidance they will not even be able to hear (you speak). And though you see them (as if they are) looking at you while (as a matter of fact) they do not see (anything being absent minded as they are).

199. Take to forgiveness and ever forbear and enjoin (the doing of) good and turn away from (those who intentionally want to remain) ignorant.

200. Should any imputation from satan (who spreads reports for sowing dissension) afflict you then seek refuge in Allâh. He is indeed All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

201. Verily, (as for) those who (really wish to) guard (against calamities) when some (enraging) suggestion from satan assails them, they remember (Allâh and His guidance), then behold, they begin to see (things in their true light).

202. And their brethren (the human associates of satan) draw them into error and they do not relax (in their evil designs).

203. And when you do not bring to them a (fresh) revelation they say, `Why do you not forge a verse (and invent it as a revelation)?' Say, `I only follow what is revealed to me by my Lord. These (Qur'ânic verses) are enlightening (and) proofs from your Lord and source of guidance and mercy (of Allâh) for a people who would believe,

204. Hence, when the Qur'ân is recited, give ear to it and keep silent (to remain attentive) so that you may be shown mercy.

205. Keep on remembering Your Lord in your mind with humility and awe and in a voice not loud, in the mornings

and the evenings, and do not be of the heedless.

206. Verily, those who are near to your Lord (and feel His presence with them) do not wax too proud to worship Him but they glorify Him and prostrate themselves in obedience to Him.

[Prostration]

Chapter

8

Al-Anfâl

(The Voluntary Gifts)

(Revealed after Hijrah)

With the name of Allâh,

the most Gracious, the Ever Merciful

(I commence to read Sûrah Al-Anfâl).

1. People ask you about the voluntary gifts (for the advancement of the cause of Allâh). Say, `The voluntary gifts are at the disposal of Allâh and His Messenger (to administer). So take Allâh as a shield and reconcile your mutual differences and obey Allâh and His Messenger if you are (true) believers.

2. Verily, the (true) believers are only those whose hearts tremble when the name of Allâh is mentioned before them, and when His Messages are recited to them, it increases them in faith and in their Lord only do they put their trust;

3. Who observe Prayer and go on spending from that which We have provided for them.

4. It is these who are the believers in truth. There awaits them with their Lord exalted degrees (of rank) as well as (His) protection and an honourable provision.

5. (This reward is) because your Lord brought you forth from your house (for the Battle of Badr) for a righteous purpose, even though a party of the believers considered it very difficult.

6. These (disbelievers) disputed with you concerning the truth (of Islam) after it had been made clear (by signs and proofs). (On being invited to accept Islam they were behaving) as though they were being driven towards death, but they will actually be facing death very soon.

7. And (O Companions of the Prophet! recall the time) when Allâh promised you (victory over) one of the two (enemy) parties; (the well-equipped Makkan army and the other ill-equipped caravan from Syria), that it should be yours (for fighting against), while you wanted the unarmed party to fall into your hands (to get an easy victory), but Allâh wanted to establish the truth by fulfilling His words (of prophecy) and to cut off the very root of the disbelievers;

8. So that He might establish the truth and wipe out the falsehood, though those who had cut their ties with Allâh considered it hard.

9. (Recall the time) when you (O Companions of the Prophet!) implored your Lord to aid you in distress, and He responded to you (saying), `I shall reinforce you with a thousand of the angels coming in continuous succession.'

10. And Allâh made this (coming of the angels) only as good tidings (of your victory) and (that was) so that your hearts might thereby be at rest, for (in any case) victory comes only by the help of Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

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11. (Recall the time) when He caused a sort of slumber to prevail upon you to give you a sense of peaceful security from Himself, and He sent down upon you water from the clouds that He might thereby purify you and remove from you the scourge of satan, that He might strengthen your hearts and thereby make your feet firm and strong.

12. (It was the time) when your Lord revealed to the angels (to convey to the believers), `I am with you;' (and He commanded the angels) to make those who believe stand firm and fast, and `(O believers!) I will indeed strike terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So smite on (your enemy's) necks and above these (- on their heads) and strike off all their finger-tips.'

13. This (punishment) is (given them) because they have cut themselves off from Allâh and His Messenger, and whosoever opposes Allâh and His Messenger, as its result Allâh (too) is Severe in punishment (to such).

14. That is (your punishment), so suffer some of it (in this life), and (know) that (in the Hereafter) there awaits the disbelievers the torment of the Fire.

15. O you who believe! when you meet those who disbelieve in battle array, do not show them your backs.

16. And he that shows his back to them at such a time, unless he is maneuvering in warfare or as a measure to rally to

another company, has truly incurred the displeasure of Allâh, and his refuge is Gehenna. What an evil destined end it is!

17. Therefore (in this war O Muslims!) you killed them not. (As a matter of fact) it was Allâh Who killed them. And (O Prophet!) it was not you who threw (a handful of small stones) when you did (apparently) throw them (towards the enemy) but it was Allâh Who threw (that He might vanquish your enemies) and that He might confer on the believers from Himself a bounteous favour. Verily, Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

18. That is (what happened at the Battle of Badr), and (know for the future too) that Allâh will always go on thwarting the (war) strategies of the disbelievers.

19. If you (O disbelievers!), sought a decision then such a decision (in the form of the results of the Battle of Badr) has of course come to you. And if you (now) desist (from persecuting the believers), it is better for you. And if you return (to hostilities), We too will return (to their help), and your hosts, though they may be numerous, will be of no avail to you; and (know) that Allâh is with the believers.

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20. O you who believe! obey Allâh and His Messenger and do not turn away from him whilst you hear (him speak).

21. And be not like those who say, `We listen' while they do not listen and do not accept .

22. Surely, the worst of animal that walk or crawl in the sight of Allâh are those that are deaf and dumb and who are devoid of understanding.

23. Had Allâh found any good in them, He would have certainly made them listen (to the Qur'ân). And if (in the present situation) He makes them listen, they will turn away and they are averse.

24. O you who believe! respond to Allâh and the Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life and know that Allâh intervenes between a person and (the inclinations of) his heart and that it is He to Whom you shall all be gathered (after having been raised to life).

25. And guard against an affliction which surely will not afflict only those of you in particular who have acted unjustly (but it will involve others also who are inclined towards them); and know that Allâh is Severe in requiting.

26. And (recall the time) when you were only a few and were looked upon as weak in the land, you were afraid lest the people should take you by storm, but He provided you refuge (in Madînah) and strengthened you with His help and provided you with good and pure things so that you might give thanks.

27. O you who believe! do not be dishonest to Allâh and His Messenger, nor betray your trusts knowingly.

28. And bear in mind that your possessions and your children are but an ordeal and it is Allâh alone with Whom there is a mighty reward.

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29. O you who believe! if you take Allâh as a shield He will grant you Discrimination (between right and wrong as is the Battle of Badr) and rid you of all your evil thoughts and deeds, and will protect you (against their adverse consequences), for Allâh is Possessor of great bounties.

30. And (O Prophet! recall the time) when those who disbelieved plotted (evil) against you, (and when so devised) they might confine you or kill you or turn you out. And even now they are devising (means and methods to harm you), and Allâh also devised (to counteract their evil designs); and Allâh is the Best of devisers.

31. And when Our verses are recited to them they say, `We have already heard (them before). If we so wish, we could certainly compose the like of this. These are nothing but fables of the former peoples.'

32. And (recall the time) when they said, `O Allâh! if this (faith of Islam) indeed be the truth revealed by You, then rain down upon us stones from heaven, or bring down upon us (some other) grievous punishment.'

33. Allâh was not going to punish them so long as you (O Prophet!) were among them, nor would He punish them while they were seeking His protection.

34. But what plea have they (now) that Allâh should not punish them when they keep (His worshippers) back from the Holy Mosque (at Makkah), whilst they are not (fit to be) its (true) trustees. Its (true) trustees are only those who have become secure against evil but most of these (disbelievers) know not (this fact).

35. (How can they be the trustees of the Holy Mosque as) their prayer at the House is nothing but (sacrilegious activities like) whistling and clapping of hands. (O disbelievers! you asked for punishment) therefore suffer the punishment (at the Battle of Badr) on account of your disbelief.

36. Those who disbelieve spend their possessions to hinder (the people) from the way of Allâh. They will surely continue to spend it thereafter. Then, in the long run, (this expenditure) will be to them a (source of) regret and after

that they shall be overcome. Such of them who persist in disbelief shall be gathered into Gehenna;

37. So that Allâh may distinguish and separate the impure from the pure and (in doing so) He will pile the impure one upon another, then He will huddle them all together, then He will consign them (-the huddled pile) to Gehenna. Such, in fact, are the very losers.

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38. Say to these who disbelieve that if they desist (now from persecuting the Muslims) they will be protected against the past (misdeeds), but if they revert (to their old ways of mischief), then the example of their predecessors has already gone before (and they will meet the same doom).

39. And (O Muslims!) fight them until there is no more persecution (in the name of religion) and adopting a (certain) religion is wholly for the sake of Allâh, but if they desist, then surely Allâh is Watchful of what they do (and they will not be done injustice to).

40. But if they turn back (and refuse all these terms and fight you) then know that Allâh is your Protecting Friend, what an excellent Protecting Friend! and what an Excellent Helper!