Women Revealed At Medina

Books: Sacred Books Of The East

O men, fear your Lord, who hath created you out of one man, and out of

him created his wife, and from them two hath multiplied many men and

women: and fear God by whom ye beseech one another; and respect women

who have borne you, for God is watching over you. And give the orphans

when they come to age their substance; and render them not in exchange

bad for good: and devour not their substance, by adding it to your

sub tance; for this is a great sin. And if ye fear that ye shall not act

with equity towards orphans of the female sex, take in marriage of such

other women as please you, two, or three, or four, and not more. But if

ye fear that ye cannot act equitably towards so many, marry one only, or

the slaves which ye shall have acquired. This will be easier, that ye

swerve not from righteousness. And give women their dowry freely; but if

they voluntarily remit unto you any part of it, enjoy it with

satisfaction and advantage. And give not unto those who are weak of

understanding, the substance which God hath appointed you to preserve

for them; but maintain them thereout, and clothe them, and speak kindly

unto them. And examine the orphans until they attain the age of

marriage: but if ye perceive they are able to manage their affairs well,

deliver their substance unto them; and waste it not extravagantly, or

hastily, because they grow up. Let him who is rich abstain entirely from

the orphan's estates; and let him who is poor take thereof according to

what shall be reasonable. And when ye deliver their substance unto them,

call witnesses thereof in their presence: God taketh sufficient account

of your actions. Men ought to have a part of what their parents and

kindred leave behind them when they die: and women also ought to have a

part of what their parents and kindred leave, whether it be little, or

whether it be much; a determinate part is due to them. And when they who

are of kin are present at the dividing of what is left, and also the

orphans, and the poor; distribute unto them some part thereof; and if

the estate be too small, at least speak comfortably unto them. And let

those fear to abuse orphans, who if they leave behind them a weak

offspring, are solicitous for them: let them therefore fear God, and

speak that which is convenient. Surely they who devour the possessions

of orphans unjustly, shall swallow down nothing but fire into their

bellies, and shall broil in raging flames. God hath thus commanded you

concerning your children. A male shall have as much as the share of two

females: but if they be females only, and above two in number, they

shall have two third-parts of what the deceased shall leave; and if

there be but one, she shall have the half. And the parents of the

deceased shall have each of them a sixth part of what he shall leave, if

he have a child: but if he have no child, and his parents be his heirs,

then his mother shall have the third part. And if he have brethren, his

mother shall have a sixth part, after the legacies[64] which he shall

bequeath, and his debts be paid. Ye know not whether your parents or

your children be of greater use unto you. This is an ordinance from God,

and God is knowing and wise. Moreover, ye may claim half of what your

wives shall leave, if they have no issue; but if they have issue, then

ye shall have the fourth part of what they shall leave, after the

legacies which they shall bequeath, and the debts be paid. They also

shall have the fourth part of what ye shall leave, in case ye have no

issue; but if ye have issue, then they shall have the eighth part of

what ye shall leave, after the legacies which ye shall bequeath and your

debts be paid. And if a man or woman's substance be inherited by a

distant relation, and he or she have a brother or sister; each of them

two shall have a sixth part of the estate. But if there be more than

this number, they shall be equal sharers in a third part, after payment

of the legacies which shall be bequeathed, and the debts, without

prejudice to the heirs. This is an ordinance from God: and God is

knowing and gracious. These are the statutes of God. And whoso obeyeth

God and his apostle, God shall lead him into gardens wherein rivers

flow, they shall continue therein forever; and this shall be great

happiness. But whoso disobeyeth God, and his apostle, and transgresseth

his statutes, God shall cast him into hell fire; he shall remain therein

forever, and he shall suffer a shameful punishment. If any of your women

be guilty of whoredom, produce four witnesses from among you against

them, and if they bear witness against them, imprison them in separate

apartments until death release them, or God affordeth them a way to

escape.[65] And if two of you commit the like wickedness, punish them

both: but if they repent and amend, let them both alone; for God is easy

to be reconciled and merciful. Verily repentance will be accepted with

God, from those who do evil ignorantly, and then repent speedily; unto

them will God be turned: for God is knowing and wise. But no repentance

shall be accepted from those who do evil until the time when death

presenteth itself unto one of them, and he saith, Verily, I repent now;

nor unto those who die unbelievers: for them have we prepared a grievous

punishment. O true believers, it is not lawful for you to be heirs of

women against their will, nor to hinder them from marrying others, that

ye may take away part of what ye have given them in dowry; unless they

have been guilty of a manifest crime: but converse kindly with them. And

if ye hate them, it may happen that ye may hate a thing wherein God hath

placed much good. If ye be desirous to exchange a wife for another wife,

and ye have already given one of them a talent; take not away anything

therefrom: will ye take it by slandering her, and doing her manifest

injustice? And how can ye take it, since the one of you hath gone in

unto the other, and they have received from you a firm covenant? Marry

not women whom your fathers have had to wife (except what is already

past): for this is uncleanness, and an abomination, and an evil way. Ye

are forbidden to marry your mothers, and your daughters, and your

sisters, and your aunts both on the father's and on the mother's side,

and your brother's daughters, and your sister's daughters, and your

mothers who have given you suck, and your foster-sisters, and your

wives' mothers, and your daughters-in-law which are under your tuition,

born of your wives unto whom ye have gone in (but if ye have not gone in

unto them, it shall be no sin in you to marry them), and the wives of

your sons who proceed out of your loins; and ye are also forbidden to

take to wife two sisters; except what is already past: for God is

gracious and merciful. Ye are also forbidden to take to wife free women

who are married, except those women whom your right hands shall possess

as slaves.[66] This is ordained you from God. Whatever is beside this,

is allowed you; that ye may with your substance provide wives for

yourselves, acting that which is right, and avoiding whoredom. And for

the advantage which ye receive from them, give them their reward,

according to what is ordained: but it shall be no crime in you to make

any other agreement among yourselves, after the ordinance shall be

complied with; for God is knowing and wise. Whoso among you hath not

means sufficient that he may marry free women, who are believers, let

him marry with such of your maid-servants whom your right hands possess,

as are true believers; for God well knoweth your faith. Ye are the one

from the other; therefore marry them with the consent of their masters;

and give them their dower according to justice; such as are modest, not

guilty of whoredom, nor entertaining lovers. And when they are married,

if they be guilty of adultery, they shall suffer half the punishment

which is appointed for the free women.[67] This is allowed unto him

among you, who feareth to sin by marrying free women; but if ye abstain

from marrying slaves, it will be better for you; God is gracious and

merciful. God is willing to declare these things unto you, and to direct

you according to the ordinances of those who have gone before you, and

to be merciful unto you. God is knowing and wise. God desireth to be

gracious unto you; but they who follow their lusts, desire that ye

should turn aside from the truth with great deviation. God is minded to

make his religion light unto you: for man was created weak. O true

believers, consume not your wealth among yourselves in vanity; unless

there be merchandising among you by mutual consent: neither slay

yourselves; for God is merciful towards you: and whoever doth this

maliciously and wickedly, he will surely cast him to be broiled in hell

fire; and this is easy with God. If ye turn aside from the grievous

sins,[68] of those which ye are forbidden to commit, we will cleanse you

from your smaller faults; and will introduce you into paradise with an

honorable entry. Covet not that which God hath bestowed on some of you

preferably to others.[69] Unto the men shall be given a portion of what

they shall have gained, and unto the women shall be given a portion of

what they shall have gained: therefore ask God of his bounty; for God is

omniscient. We have appointed unto everyone kindred, to inherit part of

what their parents and relations shall leave at their deaths. And unto

those with whom your right hands have made an alliance, give their part

of the inheritance; for God is witness of all things. Men shall have the

preeminence above women, because of those advantages wherein God hath

caused the one of them to excel the other, and for that which they

expend of their substance in maintaining their wives. The honest women

are obedient, careful in the absence of their husbands, for that God

preserveth them, by committing them to the care and protection of the

men. But those, whose perverseness ye shall be apprehensive of, rebuke;

and remove them into separate apartments, and chastise them.[70] But if

they shall be obedient unto you, seek not an occasion of quarrel against

them; for God is high and great. And if ye fear a breach between the

husband and wife, send a judge out of his family, and a judge out of her

family: if they shall desire a reconciliation, God will cause them to

agree; for God is knowing and wise. Serve God, and associate no creature

with him; and show kindness unto parents, and relations, and orphans,

and the poor, and your neighbor who is of kin to you, and also your

neighbor who is a stranger, and to your familiar companion, and the

traveller, and the captives whom your right hands shall possess; for God

loveth not the proud or vain-glorious, who are covetous, and recommend

covetousness unto men, and conceal that which God of his bounty hath

given them (we have prepared a shameful punishment for the unbelievers);

and who bestow their wealth in charity to be observed of men, and

believe not in God, nor in the last day; and whoever hath Satan for a

companion, an evil companion hath he! And what harm would befall them if

they should believe in God and the last day, and give alms out of that

which God hath bestowed on them? since God knoweth them who do this.

Verily God will not wrong anyone even the weight of an ant: and if it be

a good action, he will double it, and will recompense it in his sight

with a great reward. How will it be with the unbelievers when we shall

bring a witness out of each nation against itself, and shall bring thee,

O Mohammed, a witness against these people? In that day they who have

not believed, and have rebelled against the apostle of God, shall wish

the earth was levelled with them; and they shall not be able to hide any

matter from God. O true believers, come not to prayers when ye are

drunk, until ye understand what ye say; nor when ye are polluted by

emission of seed, unless ye be travelling on the road, until ye wash

yourselves. But if ye be sick, or on a journey, or any of you come from

easing nature, or have touched women, and find no water; take fine clean

sand and rub your faces and your hands therewith; for God is merciful

and inclined to forgive. Hast thou not observed those unto whom part of

the scriptures was delivered? they sell error, and desire that ye may

wander from the right way; but God well knoweth your enemies. God is a

sufficient patron, and God is a sufficient helper. Of the Jews there are

some who pervert words from their places; and say, We have heard, and

have disobeyed; and do thou hear without understanding our meaning, and

look upon us: perplexing with their tongues, and reviling the true

religion. But if they had said, We have heard, and do obey; and do thou

hear, and regard us: certainly it were better for them, and more right.

But God hath cursed them by reason of their infidelity; therefore a few

of them only shall believe. O ye to whom the scriptures have been given,

believe in the revelation which we have sent down, confirming that which

is with you; before we deface your countenances, and render them as the

back parts thereof; or curse them, as we cursed those who transgressed

on the Sabbath day; and the command of God was fulfilled. Surely God

will not pardon the giving him an equal; but will pardon any other sin,

except that, to whom he pleaseth; and whoso giveth a companion unto God,

hath devised a great wickedness. Hast thou not observed those who

justify themselves? But God justifieth whomsoever he pleaseth, nor shall

they be wronged a hair. Behold, how they imagine a lie against God; and

therein is iniquity sufficiently manifest. Hast thou not considered

those to whom part of the scripture hath been given? They believe in

false gods and idols,[71] and say of those who believe not, These are

more rightly directed in the way of truth than they who believe on

Mohammed. Those are the men whom God hath cursed; and unto him whom God

shall curse, thou shalt surely find no helper. Shall they have a part of

the kingdom, since even then they would not bestow the smallest matter

on men? Do they envy other men that which God of his bounty hath given

them? We formerly gave unto the family of Abraham a book of revelations

and wisdom; and we gave them a great kingdom. There is of them who

believeth on him; and there is of them who turneth aside from him: but

the raging fire of hell is a sufficient punishment. Verily, those who

disbelieve our signs, we will surely cast to be broiled in hell fire; so

often as their skins shall be well burned, we will give them other skins

in exchange, that they may taste the sharper torment; for God is mighty

and wise. But those who believe and do that which is right, we will

bring into gardens watered by rivers: therein shall they remain forever,

and there shall they enjoy wives free from all impurity; and we will

lead them into perpetual shades. Moreover, God commandeth you to restore

what ye are trusted with, to the owners; and when ye judge between men,

that ye judge according to equity: and surely an excellent virtue it is

to which God exhorteth you; for God both heareth and seeth. O true

believers, obey God, and obey the apostle, and those who are in

authority among you: and if ye differ in anything, refer it unto God[72]

and the apostle, if ye believe in God and the last day: this is better,

and a fairer method of determination. Hast thou not observed those who

pretend they believe in what hath been revealed unto thee, and what hath

been revealed before thee? They desire to go to judgment before Taghut,

although they have been commanded not to believe in him; and Satan

desireth to seduce them into a wide error. And when it is said unto

them, Come unto the book which God hath sent down, and to the apostle;

thou seest the ungodly turn aside from thee, with great aversion. But

how will they behave when a misfortune shall befall them, for that which

their hands have sent before them? Then will they come unto thee, and

swear by God, saying, We intended no other than to do good, and to

reconcile the parties. God knoweth what is in the hearts of these men;

therefore let them alone, and admonish them, and speak unto them a word

which may affect their souls. We have not sent any apostle, but that he

might be obeyed by the permission of God: but if they, after they have

injured their own souls, come unto thee, and ask pardon of God, and the

apostle ask pardon for them, they shall surely find God easy to be

reconciled and merciful. And by thy Lord they will not perfectly

believe, until they make thee judge of their controversies; and shall

not afterwards find in their own minds any hardship in what thou shalt

determine, but shall acquiesce therein with entire submission. And if we

had commanded them, saying, Slay yourselves, or depart from your houses,

they would not have done it, except a few of them. And if they had done

what they were admonished, it would certainly have been better for them,

and more efficacious for confirming their faith; and we should then have

surely given them in our sight an exceeding great reward, and we should

have directed them in the right way. Whoever obeyeth God and the

apostle, they shall be with those unto whom God hath been gracious, of

the prophets, and the sincere, and the martyrs, and the righteous; and

these are the most excellent company. This is bounty from God; and God

is sufficiently knowing. O true believers, take your necessary

precaution against your enemies, and either go forth to war in separate

parties, or go forth all together in a body. There is of you who

tarrieth behind; and if a misfortune befall you, he saith, Verily God

hath been gracious unto me, that I was not present with them: but if

success attend you from God, he will say (as if there was no friendship

between you and him), Would to God I had been with them, for I should

have acquired great merit. Let them therefore fight for the religion of

God, who part with the present life in exchange for that which is to

come; for whosoever fighteth for the religion of God, whether he be

slain, or be victorious, we will surely give him a great reward. And

what ails you, that ye fight not for God's true religion, and in defence

of the weak among men, women, and children, who say, O Lord, bring us

forth from this city, whose inhabitants are wicked; grant us from before

thee a protector, and grant us from thee a defender. They who believe

fight for the religion of God; but they who believe not fight for the

religion of Taghut. Fight therefore against the friends of Satan, for

the stratagem of Satan is weak. Hast thou not observed those unto whom

it was said, Withhold your hands from war, and be constant at prayers,

and pay the legal alms? But when war is commanded them, behold, a part

of them fear men as they should fear God, or with a greater fear, and

say, O Lord, wherefore hast thou commanded us to go to war, and hast not

suffered us to wait our approaching end? Say unto them, The provision of

this life is but small; but the future shall be better for him who

feareth God; and ye shall not be in the least injured at the day of

judgment. Wheresoever ye be, death will overtake you, although ye be in

lofty towers. If good befall them, they say, This is from God; but if

evil befall them, they say, This is from thee, O Mohammed: say, All is

from God; and what aileth these people, that they are so far from

understanding what is said unto them? Whatever good befalleth thee, O

man, it is from God; and whatever evil befalleth thee, it is from

thyself.[73] We have sent thee an apostle unto men, and God is a

sufficient witness thereof. Whoever obeyeth the apostle, obeyeth God;

and whoever turneth back, we have not sent thee to be a keeper over

them. They say, Obedience: yet when they go forth from thee, part of

them meditate by night a matter different from what thou speakest; but

God shall write down what they meditate by night: therefore let them

alone, and trust in God, for God is a sufficient protector. Do they not

attentively consider the Koran? If it had been from any besides God,

they would certainly have found therein many contradictions. When any

news cometh unto them, either of security or fear, they immediately

divulge it; but if they told it to the apostle and to those who are in

authority among them, such of them would understand the truth of the

matter, as inform themselves thereof from the apostle and his chiefs.

And if the favor of God and his mercy had not been upon you, ye had

followed the devil, except a few of you. Fight therefore for the

religion of God, and oblige not any to what is difficult, except

thyself; however, excite the faithful to war, perhaps God will restrain

the courage of the unbelievers; for God is stronger than they, and more

able to punish. He who intercedeth between men with a good intercession

shall have a portion thereof; and he who intercedeth with an evil

intercession shall have a portion thereof; for God overlooketh all

things. When ye are saluted with a salutation, salute the person with a

better salutation, or at least return the same; for God taketh an

account of all things. God! there is no God but he; he will surely

gather you together on the day of resurrection; there is no doubt of it:

and who is more true than God in what he saith? Why are ye divided

concerning the ungodly into two parties; since God hath overturned them

for what they have committed? Will ye direct him whom God hath led

astray; since for him whom God shall lead astray, thou shalt find no

true path? They desire that ye should become infidels, as they are

infidels, and that ye should be equally wicked with themselves.

Therefore take not friends from among them, until they fly their country

for the religion of God; and if they turn back from the faith, take

them, and kill them wherever ye find them; and take no friend from among

them, nor any helper, except those who go unto a people who are in

alliance with you, for those who come unto you, their hearts forbidding

them either to fight against you, or to fight against their own people.

And if God pleased he would have permitted them to have prevailed

against you, and they would have fought against you. But if they depart

from you, and fight not against you and offer you peace, God doth not

allow you to take or kill them. Ye shall find others who are desirous to

enter into a confidence with you, and at the same time to preserve a

confidence with their own people: so often as they return to sedition,

they shall be subverted therein; and if they depart not from you, and

offer you peace, and restrain their hands from warring against you, take

them and kill them wheresoever ye find them; over these have we granted

you a manifest power. It is not lawful for a believer to kill a

believer, unless it happen by mistake; and whoso killeth a believer by

mistake, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer from slavery,

and a fine to be paid to the family of the deceased,[74] unless they

remit it as alms: and if the slain person be of a people at enmity with

you, and be a true believer, the penalty shall be the freeing of a

believer; but if he be of a people in confederacy with you, a fine to be

paid to his family, and the freeing of a believer. And he who findeth

not wherewith to do this, shall fast two months consecutively, as a

penance enjoined from God; and God is knowing and wise. But whoso

killeth a believer designedly, his reward shall be hell; he shall remain

therein forever; and God shall be angry with him, and shall curse him,

and shall prepare for him a great punishment. O true believers, when ye

are on a march in defence of the true religion, justly discern such as

ye shall happen to meet, and say not unto him who saluteth you, Thou art

not a true believer; seeking the accidental goods of the present life;

for with God is much spoil. Such have ye formerly been, but God hath

been gracious unto you; therefore make a just discernment, for God is

well acquainted with that which ye do. Those believers who sit still at

home, not having any hurt, and those who employ their fortunes and their

persons for the religion of God, shall not be held equal. God hath

preferred those who employ their fortunes and their persons in that

cause, to a degree of honor above those who sit at home: God hath indeed

promised everyone paradise, but God hath preferred those who fight for

the faith before those who sit still, by adding unto them a great

reward, by degrees of honor conferred on them from him, and by granting

them forgiveness and mercy; for God is indulgent and merciful. Moreover,

unto those whom the angels put to death, having injured their own

souls,[75] the angels said, Of what religion were ye? they answered, We

were weak in the earth. The angels replied, Was not God's earth wide

enough, that ye might fly therein to a place of refuge? Therefore their

habitation shall be hell; and an evil journey shall it be thither:

except the weak among men, and women, and children, who were not able to

find means, and were not directed in the way; these peradventure God

will pardon, for God is ready to forgive and gracious. Whosoever flieth

from his country for the sake of God's true religion, shall find in the

earth many forced to do the same, and plenty of provisions. And whoever

departeth from his house, and flieth unto God and his apostle, if death

overtake him in the way, God will be obliged to reward him, for God is

gracious and merciful. When ye march to war in the earth, it shall be no

crime in you if ye shorten your prayers, in case ye fear the infidels

may attack you; for the infidels are your open enemy. But when thou, O

prophet, shalt be among them, and shalt pray with them, let a party of

them arise to prayer with thee, and let them take their arms; and when

they shall have worshipped, let them stand behind you, and let another

party come that hath not prayed, and let them pray with thee, and let

them be cautious and take their arms. The unbelievers would that ye

should neglect your arms and your baggage while ye pray, that they might

turn upon you at once. It shall be no crime in you, if ye be incommoded

by rain, or be sick, that ye lay down your arms; but take your necessary

precaution. God hath prepared for the unbelievers an ignominious

punishment. And when ye shall have ended your prayer, remember God,

standing, and sitting, and lying on your sides. But when ye are secure

from danger, complete your prayers; for prayer is commanded the

faithful, and appointed to be said at the stated times. Be not negligent

in seeking out the unbelieving people, though ye suffer some

inconvenience; for they also shall suffer, as ye suffer, and ye hope for

a reward from God which they cannot hope for; and God is knowing and

wise. We have sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, that

thou mayest judge between men through that wisdom which God showeth thee

therein; and be not an advocate for the fraudulent; but ask pardon of

God for thy wrong intention, since God is indulgent and merciful.

Dispute not for those who deceive one another, for God loveth not him

who is a deceiver or unjust. Such conceal themselves from men, but they

conceal not themselves from God; for he is with them when they imagine

by night a saying which pleaseth him not, and God comprehendeth what

they do. Behold, ye are they who have disputed for them in this present

life; but who shall dispute with God for them on the day of

resurrection, or who will become their patron? yet he who doth evil, or

injureth his own soul, and afterwards asketh pardon of God, shall find

God gracious and merciful. Whoso committeth wickedness, committeth it

against his own soul: God is knowing and wise. And whoso committeth a

sin or iniquity, and afterwards layeth it on the innocent, he shall

surely bear the guilt of calumny and manifest injustice. If the

indulgence and mercy of God had not been upon thee, surely a part of

them had studied to seduce thee; but they shall seduce themselves only,

and shall not hurt thee at all. God hath sent down unto thee the book of

the Koran and wisdom, and hath taught thee that which thou knewest not;

for the favor of God hath been great towards thee. There is no good in

the multitude of their private discourses, unless in the discourse of

him who recommendeth alms, or that which is right, or agreement amongst

men; whoever doth this out of a desire to please God we will surely give

him a great reward. But whoso separateth himself from the apostle, after

true direction hath been manifested unto him, and followeth any other

way than that of the true believers, we will cause him to obtain that to

which he is inclined, and will cast him to be burned in hell; and an

unhappy journey shall it be thither. Verily God will not pardon the

giving him a companion, but he will pardon any crime besides that, unto

whom he pleaseth: and he who giveth a companion unto God, is surely led

aside into a wide mistake: the infidels invoke beside him only female

deities, and only invoke rebellious Satan. God cursed him; and he said,

Verily I will take of thy servants a part cut off from the rest, and I

will seduce them, and will insinuate vain desires into them, and I will

command them, and they shall cut off the ears of cattle; and I will

command them, and they shall change God's creature. But whoever taketh

Satan for his patron, besides God, shall surely perish with a manifest

destruction. He maketh them promises, and insinuateth into them vain

desires; yet Satan maketh them only deceitful promises. The receptacle

of these shall be hell, they shall find no refuge from it. But they who

believe, and do good works, we will surely lead them into gardens,

through which rivers flow; they shall continue therein forever,

according to the true promise of God; and who is more true than God in

what he saith? It shall not be according to your desires, nor according

to the desires of those who have received the scriptures. Whoso doeth

evil, shall be rewarded for it; and shall not find any patron or helper,

beside God; but whoso doeth good works, whether he be male or female,

and is a true believer, they shall be admitted into paradise, and shall

not in the least be unjustly dealt with. Who is better in point of

religion than he who resigneth himself unto God, and is a worker of

righteousness, and followeth the law of Abraham the orthodox? since God

took Abraham for his friend: and to God belongeth whatsoever is in

heaven and on earth; God comprehendeth all things. They will consult

thee concerning women; Answer, God instructeth you concerning them, and

that which is read unto you in the book of the Koran concerning female

orphans, to whom ye give not that which is ordained them, neither will

ye marry them, and concerning weak infants, and that ye observe justice

towards orphans: whatever good ye do, God knoweth it. If a woman fear

ill usage, or aversion, from her husband, it shall be no crime in them

if they agree the matter amicably between themselves; for a

reconciliation is better than a separation. Men's souls are naturally

inclined to covetousness: but if ye be kind towards women, and fear to

wrong them, God is well acquainted with what ye do. Ye can by no means

carry yourselves equally between women in all respects, although ye

study to do it; therefore turn not from a wife with all manner of

aversion, nor leave her like one in suspense: if ye agree, and fear to

abuse your wives, God is gracious and merciful; but if they separate,

God will satisfy them both of his abundance; for God is extensive and

wise, and unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth. We

have already commanded those unto whom the scriptures were given before

you, and we command you also, saying, Fear God; but if ye disbelieve,

unto God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and God is

self-sufficient, and to be praised; for unto God belongeth whatsoever is

in heaven and on earth, and God is a sufficient protector. If he

pleaseth he will take you away, O men, and will produce others in your

stead; for God is able to do this. Whoso desireth the reward of this

world, verily with God is the reward of this world, and also of that

which is to come; God both heareth and seeth. O true believers, observe

justice when ye bear witness before God, although it be against

yourselves, or your parents, or relations; whether the party be rich, or

whether he be poor; for God is more worthy than them both: therefore

follow not your own lust in bearing testimony, so that ye swerve from

justice. And whether ye wrest your evidence, or decline giving it, God

is well acquainted with that which ye do. O true believers, believe in

God and his apostle, and the book which he hath caused to descend unto

his apostle, and the book which he hath formerly sent down. And

whosoever believeth not in God, and his angels, and his scriptures, and

his apostles, and the last day, he surely erreth in a wide mistake.

Moreover, they who believed, and afterwards became infidels, and then

believed again, and after that disbelieved, and increased in infidelity,

God will by no means forgive them, nor direct them into the right way.

Declare unto the ungodly that they shall suffer a painful punishment.

They who take the unbelievers for their protectors, besides the

faithful, do they seek for power with them? since all power belongeth

unto God. And he hath already revealed unto you, in the book of the

Koran, the following passage: When ye shall hear the signs of God, they

shall not be believed, but they shall be laughed to scorn. Therefore sit

not with them who believe not, until they engage in different discourse;

for if ye do, ye will certainly become like unto them. God will surely

gather the ungodly and the unbelievers together in hell. They who wait

to observe what befalleth you, if victory be granted you from God, say,

Were we not with you? But if any advantage happen to the infidels, they

say unto them, Were we not superior to you, and have we not defended you

against the believers? God shall judge between you on the day of

resurrection; and God will not grant the unbelievers means to prevail

over the faithful. The hypocrites act deceitfully with God, but he will

deceive them; and when they stand up to pray, they stand carelessly,

affecting to be seen of men, and remember not God, unless a little,

wavering between faith and infidelity, and adhering neither unto these

nor unto those: and for him whom God shall lead astray, thou shalt find

no true path. O true believers, take not the unbelievers for your

protectors, besides the faithful. Will ye furnish God with an evident

argument of impiety against you? Moreover, the hypocrites shall be in

the lowest bottom of hell fire, and thou shalt not find any to help them

thence. But they who repent and amend, and adhere firmly unto God, and

approve the sincerity of their religion to God, they shall be numbered

with the faithful; and God will surely give the faithful a great reward.

And how should God go about to punish you, if ye be thankful and

believe? for God is grateful and wise. God loveth not the speaking ill

of anyone in public, unless he who is injured call for assistance; and

God heareth and knoweth: whether ye publish a good action, or conceal

it, or forgive evil, verily God is gracious and powerful. They who

believe not in God and his apostles, and would make a distinction

between God and his apostles, and say, We believe in some of the

prophets, and reject others of them, and seek to take a middle way in

this matter; these are really unbelievers, and we have prepared for the

unbelievers an ignominious punishment. But they who believe in God and

his apostles, and make no distinction between any of them, unto those

will we surely give their reward; and God is gracious and merciful. They

who have received the scriptures will demand of thee, that thou cause a

book to descend unto them from heaven: they formerly asked of Moses a

greater thing than this; for they said, Show us God visibly. Wherefore a

storm of fire from heaven destroyed them, because of their iniquity.

Then they took the calf for their God: after that evident proofs of the

divine unity had come unto them; but we forgave them that, and gave

Moses a manifest power to punish them. And we lifted the mountain of

Sinai over them, when we exacted from them their covenant; and said unto

them, Enter the gate of the city worshipping. We also said unto them,

Transgress not on the Sabbath day. And we received from them a firm

covenant, that they would observe these things. Therefore for that[76]

they have made void their covenant, and have not believed in the signs

of God, and have slain the prophets unjustly, and have said, Our hearts

are uncircumcised (but God hath sealed them up, because of their

unbelief; therefore they shall not believe, except a few of them): and

for that they have not believed on Jesus, and have spoken against Mary a

grievous calumny; and have said, Verily we have slain Christ Jesus the

son of Mary, the apostle of God; yet they slew him not, neither

crucified him, but he was represented by one in his likeness; and verily

they who disagreed concerning him,[77] were in a doubt as to this

matter, and had no sure knowledge thereof, but followed only an

uncertain opinion. They did not really kill him; but God took him up

unto himself: and God is mighty and wise. And there shall not be one of

those who have received the scriptures, who shall not believe in him,

before his death;[78] and on the day of resurrection he shall be a

witness against them. Because of the iniquity of those who Judaize, we

have forbidden them good things, which had been formerly allowed them;

and because they shut out many from the way of God, and have taken

usury, which was forbidden them by the law, and devoured men's substance

vainly: we have prepared for such of them as are unbelievers a painful

punishment. But those among them who are well grounded in knowledge, and

the faithful, who believe in that which hath been sent down unto thee,

and that which hath been sent down unto the prophets before thee, and

who observe the stated times of prayer, and give alms, and believe in

God and the last day; unto these will we give a great reward. Verily we

have revealed our will unto thee, as we have revealed it unto Noah and

the prophets who succeeded him; and as we revealed it unto Abraham, and

Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and unto Jesus, and Job,

and Jonas, and Aaron, and Solomon; and we have given thee the Koran, as

we gave the Psalms unto David: some apostles have we sent, whom we have

formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we

have not mentioned unto thee; and God spake unto Moses, discoursing with

him; apostles declaring good tidings, and denouncing threats, lest men

should have an argument of excuse against God, after the apostles had

been sent unto them; God is mighty and wise. God is witness of that

revelation which he hath sent down unto thee; he sent it down with his

special knowledge: the angels also are witnesses thereof; but God is a

sufficient witness. They who believe not, and turn aside others from the

way of God, have erred in a wide mistake. Verily those who believe not,

and act unjustly, God will by no means forgive, neither will he direct

them into any other way than the way of hell; they shall remain therein

forever: and this is easy with God. O men, now is the apostle come unto

you, with truth from your Lord; believe therefore, it will be better for

you. But if ye disbelieve, verily unto God belongeth whatsoever is in

heaven and on earth; and God is knowing and wise. O ye who have received

the scriptures, exceed not the just bounds in your religion, neither say

of God any other than the truth. Verily Christ Jesus the son of Mary is

the apostle of God, and his Word, which he conveyed into Mary, and a

spirit proceeding from him. Believe, therefore, in God, and his

apostles, and say not, There are three Gods;[79] forbear this; it will

be better for you. God is but one God. Far be it from him that he should

have a son! unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth; and

God is a sufficient protector. Christ doth not proudly disdain to be a

servant unto God; neither the angels who approach near to his presence:

and whoso disdaineth his service, and is puffed up with pride, God will

gather them all to himself, on the last day. Unto those who believe, and

do that which is right, he shall give their rewards, and shall

superabundantly add unto them of his liberality: but those who are

disdainful and proud, he will punish with a grievous punishment; and

they shall not find any to protect or to help them, besides God. O men,

now is an evident proof come unto you from your Lord, and we have sent

down unto you manifest light. They who believe in God and firmly adhere

to him, he will lead them into mercy from him, and abundance; and he

will direct them in the right way to himself. They will consult thee for

thy decision in certain cases; say unto them, God giveth you these

determinations, concerning the more remote degrees of kindred. If a man

die without issue, and have a sister, she shall have the half of what he

shall leave:[80] and he shall be heir to her,[81] in case she have no

issue. But if there be two sisters, they shall have between them two

third-parts of what he shall leave; and if there be several, both

brothers and sisters, a male shall have as much as the portion of two

females. God declareth unto you these precepts, lest ye err: and God

knoweth all things.