4- WOMEN [AN-NISÂ]
Revealed at Al-Madînah, [176 verses]
An-Nisâ, “Women,” is so-called because it deals largely
with women’s rights. The period of revelation is the months
following the battle of Uhud, or, as Nöldeke, a careful critic,
puts it, “between the end of the third year and the end of
the fifth year” [1] of the Prophet’s reign at Al-Madînah. As
the Sûrah contains no reference to the siege of Al-Madînah
(“The War of the Trench”) by the allied tribes, which took
place in the fifth year, I should rather say, between the end of
the third year and the beginning of the fifth year.
Many Muslims were killed at the battle of Uhud, hence
the concern for orphans and widows in the opening verses
which lead on to a declaration of some rights of women
of which they were deprived among the pagan Arabs. The
defection of the Hypocrites– as the lukewarm or purely
time-serving adherents were called– had been the chief
cause of the reverse at Uhud; and after that reverse some
of the Jewish tribes, who had till then observed the letter
of their treaty with the Prophet, became avowed supporters
of the enemy, even going so far as to declare that the old
Arab idolatry was preferable to Al-Islâm as a religion, and
giving help and information to Qureysh, so that in the end
the Muslims were obliged to make war on them. Both the
Hypocrites and the rebellious Jews are dealt with incidentally
in this Sûrah, the former at some length. There is a reference
to Christian beliefs in vv. 171-2. The period of revelation is
the fourth year of the Hijrah.
[1] Nöldeke, Geschichte des Qoráns (2nd ed.), Part I, p. 195.
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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
1. O mankind! Fear your Lord Who created you from a single soul
and from it created its mate and from them both has spread
abroad a multitude of men and women. And fear Allah in
Whom you claim [your rights] of one another, and toward the
wombs [that bare you]. Lo! Allah has been a Watcher over you.
2. Give to orphans their properties. Exchange not the good for
the bad [in your management thereof] nor consume their
wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that would be a great sin.
3. And if you fear that you will not deal fairly by the orphans,
marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or
four; and if you fear that you cannot do justice [to so many]
then one [only] or [the captives] that your right hands possess.
Thus it is more likely that you will not do injustice.
4. And give to the women (whom you marry) free gift of their
marriage portions; but if they of their own accord remit to you
a part of it, then you are welcome to absorb it (in your wealth).
5. Give not to the weak-minded your wealth, which Allah has
made a means of sustenance for you; but feed and clothe
them from it, and speak kindly to them.
6. Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then,
if you find them of sound judgment, deliver over to them
their fortune; and devour it not squandering and in haste
lest they should grow up. Whoso [of the guardians] is rich,
let him abstain generously [from taking of the property
of orphans]; and whoso is poor let him take thereof in
reason [for his guardianship]. And when you deliver up
their fortune to them, have [the transaction] witnessed in
their presence. Allah suffices as a Reckoner.
7. To the men [of a family] belongs a share of that which
parents and near kindred leave, and to the women a share
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of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be
little or much a legal share.
8. And when kinsfolk and orphans and the needy are present
at the division [of the heritage], bestow on them therefrom
and speak kindly to them.
9. And let those [guardians] fear [in their behaviour toward
orphans] who if they left behind them weak offspring
would be afraid for them. So let them fear Allah, and
speak justly.
10. Lo! Those who devour the wealth of orphans wrongfully,
they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be
exposed to burning flame.
11. Allah instructs you concerning [the inheritance of] your
children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two
females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs
is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one [only]
then the half. And to his [the decreased] parents a sixth of
the inheritance, if he had a son; and if he had no son and
his parents are his heirs, then to his mother belongs the
third; and if he have brothers, then to his mother belongs
the sixth, after any legacy he may have bequeathed, or
debt [has been paid]. Your parents or your children: You
know not which of them is nearer to you in benefit. It is
an injunction from Allah. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.
12. And to you belongs a half of that which your wives leave,
if they have no child; but if they have a child then to you
the fourth of that which they leave, after any legacy they
may have bequeathed, or debt [they may have contracted,
has been paid]. And to them belongs the fourth of that
which you leave if you have no child, but if you have a
child then the eighth of that which you leave, after any
legacy you may have bequeathed, or debt [you may have
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contracted, has been paid]. And if a man or a woman
have a distant heir [having left neither parent nor child],
and he [or she] had a brother or a sister [only on the
mother’s side] then to each of them both [the brother
and the sister] the sixth, and if they be more than two,
then they shall be sharers in the third, after any legacy
that may have been bequeathed or debt [contracted] not
injuring [the heirs by willing away more than a third of
the heritage] has been paid. A commandment from Allah.
Allah is Knower, Forbearing.
13. These are the limits [imposed by] Allah. Whoso obeys
Allah and His messenger, He will make him enter
Gardens underneath which rivers flow, where such will
dwell eternally therein. That will be the great success.
14. And whoso disobeys Allah and His Messenger and
transgresses His limits, He will make him enter Fire, where
such will dwell eternally therein; his will be a humiliating
doom.
15. As for those of your women who commit unlawful sexual
intercourse, call to witness four of you against them. And
if they testify [to the truth of the allegation] then confine
them to the houses until death takes them or [until] Allah
ordains for them a way [through new legislation]. [1]
16. And as for the two [man and woman] of you who commit
it, punish them both. And if they repent and improve,
then let them be. Lo! Allah is ever Accepting repentance,
Merciful.
17. The repentance is only accepted by Allah toward those
who do evil in ignorance [and] then turn quickly [in
repentance] to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah
turns in forgiveness. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.
18. The repentance is not for those who do ill-deeds until,
when death attends upon one of them, he says: Lo!
[1] See Sûrah 24, 2-10.
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I repent now; nor yet for those who die while they are
disbelievers. For such We have prepared a painful doom.
19. O you who believe! It is not lawful for you forcibly to
inherit the women, nor [that] you should put constraint
upon them that you may take away a part of that which
you have given them, unless they be guilty of flagrant
lewdness. But live with them in kindness, for if you hate
them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein Allah
has placed much good.
20. And if you wish to exchange one wife for another and
you have given to one of them a sum of money [however
great], take nothing from it. Would you take it by the way
of calumny and open wrong?
21. How can you take it [back] after one of you has gone in
unto the other, and they have taken a strong pledge from
you?
22. And marry not those women whom your fathers married,
except what has already happened [of that nature] in the
past. Lo! it was ever lewdness and abomination, and an
evil way.
23. Forbidden to you are your mothers, and your daughters,
and your sisters, and your father’s sisters, and your
mother’s sisters, and your brother’s daughters and your
sister’s daughters, and your foster-mothers, and your
foster-sisters, and your mothers-in-law, and your stepdaughters
who are under your protection [born] of
your women to whom you have gone in but if you
have not gone in to them, then it is no sin for you [to
marry their daughters] and the wives of your sons who
[spring] from your own loins. And [it is forbidden to
you] that you should have two sisters together, except
what has already happened [of that nature] in the past.
Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
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۞. 24 And all married women [are forbidden to you] save
those [captives] whom your right hands possess. It is a
decree of Allah for you. Lawful to you are all beyond
those mentioned, so that you seek them with your wealth
in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those of whom
you seek content [by marrying them], give to them their
portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what you
do by mutual agreement after the duty [has been done].
Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise.
25. And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing
women, let them marry from the believing maids whom
your right hands possess. Allah knows best [concerning]
your faith. You [proceed] one from another; [1] so wed
them by permission of their folk, and give to them their
portions in kindness, they being honest, not debauched
nor of loose conduct. And if when they are honourably
married they commit unlawful intercourse they shall incur
the half of the punishment [prescribed] for free women
[in that case]. This is for him among you who fears to
commit sin. But to have patience would be better for you.
Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
26. Allah would explain to you and guide you by the examples
of those who were before you, and would turn to you in
repentance. Allah is Knower, Wise.
27. And Allah would turn to you in repentance; but those
who follow vain desires would have you go tremendously
astray.
28. Allah would make the burden light for you, for man was
created weak.
29. O you who believe! Consume not your wealth among
yourselves unjustly, except it be a trade by mutual consent,
[1] This expression, which recurs in the Koran, is a reminder to men that
women are of the same human status as themselves.
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and kill not yourself [or one another]. Lo! Allah is ever
Merciful to you.
30. And whoso does that through aggression and injustice,
We shall cast him into Fire, and that is ever easy for Allah.
31. If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We
will remit from you your misdeeds and make you enter at
a noble entrance [into Paradise].
32. And covet not the thing in which Allah has made some
of you excel others. To men a share from that which they
have earned, and to women a share from that which they
have earned. [Envy not one another] but ask Allah of His
bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things.
33. And to each We have made heirs of that which parents
and near kindred leave; and as for those with whom your
right hands have made a covenant, give them their due.
Lo! Allah is ever Witness over all things.
34. Men are in charge of women by [right of], what Allah has
made the one of them to excel the other, and because
they spend of their property [for the support of women].
So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that
which Allah has guarded. As for those [wives] from whom
you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to
beds apart, and beat them [lightly, if it is useful]. Then if
they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is
ever High Exalted, Great.
35. And if you fear a breach between them both [the man and
wife], send an arbiter from his folk and an arbiter from
her folk. If they desire reconciliation Allah will cause it
between them. Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Aware.
36. And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him.
[Show] kindness to parents, and to near kindred, and
orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbour who is of
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kin [to you] and the neighbour who is not of kin and the
fellow traveller and the wayfarer and [the slaves] whom
your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loves not such as are
proud and boastful,
37. Who hoard their wealth and enjoin avarice on others, and
hide that which Allah has bestowed upon them of His
bounty. For disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom;
38. And [also] those who spend their wealth in order to be
seen of people, and believe not in Allah nor the Last Day.
Whoso takes Satan for a companion, a bad companion
has he.
39. What have they [to lose] if they believe in Allah and the
Last Day and spend [aright] of that which Allah has
bestowed upon them, and Allah is ever, Aware of them,
[and all they do]?
40. Lo! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom; and
if there is a good deed, He will double it and will give [the
doer] from Himself a great reward.
41. But how [will it be with them] when we bring of every
nation a witness, and We bring you [O Muhammad] a
witness against these?
42. On that day those who disbelieved and disobeyed the
messenger will wish that they were levelled with the
ground, and they will hide no fact from Allah.
43. O you who believe! Draw not near to prayer when you are
drunk, till you know that which you utter, nor when you
are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till you
have bathed. And if you be ill, or on a journey, or one of
you comes from the closet, or you have touched women,
and you find not water, then perform Tayammum [dry
ablution] with clean earth and rub your faces and your
hands [therewith]. Lo! Allah is ever Pardoning, Forgiving.
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44. See you not those [the Jews] to whom a portion of the
Scripture has been given, how they purchase error, and
seek to make you [Muslims] go astray from the right way?
45. Allah knows best [who are] your enemies. Allah is sufficient
as a Guardian, and Allah is sufficient as a Supporter.
46. Some of those who are Jews change words from their
context and say: “We hear and disobey; hear you as one
who hears not” and “Listen to us!”[1] distorting with their
tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: “We
hear and we obey; hear you, and look at us” it had been
better for them, and more upright. But Allah has cursed
them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.
47. O you to whom the Scripture has been given [Jews and
Christians]! Believe in what We have sent down [to
Muhammad] confirming that which you possess, before
We obliterate faces so as to turn them towards their backs,
or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers [of old
time]. The commandment of Allah is always executed.
48. Lo! Allah forgives not that a partner should be associated
with Him. He forgives [all] save that to whom He wills.
And he who associates others with Allah, he has indeed
invented a tremendous sin.
49. Have you not seen those who praise themselves for purity?
Nay, Allah purifies whom He wills, and they will not be
wronged even the thread upon a date-stone.
50. See, how they invent lies about Allah! That of itself is
flagrant sin.
51. Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the
Scripture has been given, how they believe in idols and
[1] Devices of some of the Jews of Al-Madînah to annoy the Muslims
by distorting words of Scripture. Râ’îna (meaning “listen to us”), by
which the Muslims used to call the Prophet’s notice, they turned by
slight mispronunciation into a Hebrew word of insult (cf. S. II, v. 104,
footnote).
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false deities, and how they say of those [polytheists]
who disbelieve: “These are more rightly guided than
those who believe?”
52. Those are they whom Allah has cursed, and he whom
Allah has cursed, you [O Muhammad] will find for him
no helper.
53. Or have they even a share in the Sovereignty? Then in that
case, they would not give mankind even the speck on a
date-stone.
54. Or are they jealous of people because of that which Allah
of His bounty has bestowed upon them? For We bestowed
upon the house of Abraham [of old] the Scripture and
Wisdom, and We bestowed on them a great kingdom.
55. And of them were [some] who believed therein and
of them were [some] who disbelieved therein. Hell is
sufficient for [their] burning.
56. Lo! Those who disbelieve Our verses, We shall expose
them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We
shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste
the doom. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.
57. And as for those who believe and do good deeds, We shall
make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow to
dwell therein for ever; there for them are pure companions
and We shall make them enter plenteous shade.
58. Lo! Allah commands you that you restore deposits to their
owners, and if you judge between people, that you judge
justly. Lo! comely is this which Allah admonishes you. Lo!
Allah is ever Hearer, Seer.
59. O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger
and those of you [Muslims] who are in authority; and
if you have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it to
Allah and the messenger if you are [in truth] believers
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in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more
appropriate in the end.
60. Have you not seen those who pretend that they believe in
that which is revealed to you and that which was revealed
before you, how they would go for judgment [in their
disputes] to false deities when they have been ordered to
abjure them? Satan would mislead them far astray.
61. And when it is said to them: Come to that which Allah
has revealed and to the messenger, you see the hypocrites
turn from you with aversion.
62. How would it be if a misfortune smote them because
of that which their own hands have sent before [them]?
Then would they come to you, swearing by Allah that they
were seeking nothing but kindness and reconciliation.
63. Those are the ones whom Allah knows what is in their
hearts. So turn away from them and admonish them, and
address them in plain terms about their souls.
64. We sent no messenger save that he should be obeyed by
Allah’s leave. And if, when they had wronged themselves,
they had but come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah
and the messenger had asked forgiveness for them,
they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance,
Merciful.
65. But nay, by your Lord, they will not believe [in truth] until
they make you judge of what is in dispute between them
and find within themselves no dislike of that which you
decide, and submit with full submission.
66. And if We had decreed for them: kill yourselves or go out
from your dwellings, but few of them would have done it;
though if they did what they are exhorted to do it would
be better for them, and more strengthening;
67. And then We should bestow upon them from Us a great
reward,
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68. And should guide them to a straight path.
69. Whoso obeys Allah and the messenger, they are with
those to whom Allah has shown favour, of the Prophets
and the steadfast affirmers of truth and the martyrs and
the righteous. The best of company are they!
70. Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah suffices as
Knower.
71. O you who believe! Take your precautions, then advance
in parties, or advance all together.
72. Lo! among you there is he who loiters; and if disaster
overtook you, he would say: Allah has been gracious to
me since I was not present with them.
73. And if a bounty from Allah befell you, he would surely
say, as if there had been no affection between you and
him: Oh, would that I had been with them, then should I
have achieved a great success!
74. Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this
world for the other. Whoso fights in the way of Allah, be
he killed or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a
great reward.
75. How should you not fight for the cause of Allah and of
the feeble among men and of the women and the children
who are crying: Our Lord! Bring us out from this town
of which the people are oppressors! Oh, give us from
Yourself a protector! Oh, give us from Yourself a helper!
76. Those who believe do fight in the cause of Allah; and
those who disbelieve do fight in the cause of Taghut
[Satan, etc.]. So fight the allies of the Satan. Lo! the Satan’s
plot is ever weak.
77. Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold
your hands, establish prayer and pay the poor-due, but
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when fighting was prescribed for them behold! a party of
them fear men even as their fear of Allah or with greater
fear, and say: Our Lord! Why have you ordained fighting
for us? If only You would give us respite yet a while! Say
[to them, O Muhammad]: The comfort of this world is
little; the Hereafter will be better for him who fears Allah;
and you will not be wronged the down upon a date-stone.
78. Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you, even
though you were in lofty towers. Yet if some good
befalls them they say: This is from Allah; and if an
evil thing befalls them they say: This is of your doing
[O Muhammad]. Say [to them]: All is from Allah. What
is amiss with these people that they come not near to
understand a happening? [1]
79. Whatever of good befalls you [O man] it is from Allah,
and whatever of evil befalls you it is from yourself. We
have sent you [Muhammad] as a messenger to mankind
and Allah is sufficient as Witness.
80. Whoso obeys the Messenger obeys Allah, and whoso
turns away: We have not sent you as a guardian over them.
81. And they say: [It is] obedience; but when they have
gone forth from you a party of them spend the night in
planning other than what you say. Allah records what they
plan by night. So leave them alone and put your trust in
Allah. Allah is sufficient as Trustee.
82. Will they not then ponder on the Qur’ân? If it had been
from other than Allah they would have found therein
much contradiction.
83. And if any tidings, whether of safety or fear, come to
them, they noise it abroad, whereas if they had referred
[1] The reference is to the reverse which the Muslims suffered at Mt.
Uhud which was caused by their own disobedience to the Prophet’s
orders.
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it to the messenger and such of them as are in authority,
those among them who are able to think out the matter
would have known it. If it had not been for the grace of
Allah upon you and His mercy you would have followed
Satan, save a few [of you].
84. So fight [O Muhammad] in the way of Allah you are not
burdened [with the responsibility for anyone] except
yourself - and urge on the believers. Perhaps Allah will
restrain the might of those who disbelieve. Allah is
stronger in might and stronger in inflicting punishment.
85. Whoso intercedes in a good cause will have the reward
thereof, and whoso intercedes in an evil cause will bear
the consequence thereof. Allah oversees all things.
86. When you are greeted with a greeting, greet you with a
better than it or return it. Lo! Allah takes count of all
things.
87. Allah! There is no deity save Him. He gathers you all to a
Day of Resurrection whereof there is no doubt. Who is
more true in statement than Allah?
88. What ails you that you are become two parties regarding
the hypocrites,[1] when Allah cast them back [to disbelief]
because of what they earned? Seek you to guide him
whom Allah has sent astray? He whom Allah sends
astray, for him you [O Muhammad] will not find a way
[of guidance].
89. They long that you should disbelieve even as they
disbelieve, that you may be upon a level [with them]. So
take not allies from them till they emigrate for the cause
[1] According to Tradition, the reference here is not to the lukewarm
section of the Muslims of Al-Madînah, but to a particular group of
alleged converts from among the Arabs, who afterwards relapsed into
idolatry, and concerning whom there were two opinions among the
Muslims.
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of Allah; if they turn back [to enmity] then take them and
kill them wherever you find them, and choose no ally nor
helper from among them,
90. Except those who seek refuge with a people between
whom and you there is a covenant, or [those who] come
to you because their hearts forbid them to make war on
you or make war on their own folk. Had Allah willed He
could have given them power over you so that assuredly
they would have fought you. So, if they hold aloof from
you and wage not war against you and offer you peace,
Allah allows you no way against them.
91. You will find others who desire that they should have
security from you, and security from their own folk. So
often as they are returned to hostility they are plunged
therein. If they keep not aloof from you nor offer you
peace nor hold their hands, then take them and kill them
wherever you find them. Against such We have given you
clear authorisation.
92. It is not for a believer to kill a believer unless [it be] by
mistake. He who has killed a believer by mistake must set
free a believing slave, and pay the blood-money to the
family of the killed, unless they remit it as a charity. If
he [the victim] be of a people hostile to you, and he is a
believer, then [the penance is] to set free a believing slave.
And if he comes of a folk between whom and you there
is a covenant, then the blood-money must be paid to his
folk and [also] a believing slave must be set free. And
whoso has not the wherewithal must fast two consecutive
months. A penance from Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.
93. Whoso kills a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell
for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He has cursed
him and prepared for him a great doom.
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94. O you who believe! When you go forth [to fight] in the
cause of Allah, be careful to verify [the truth], and say not
to one who offers you peace: “You are not a believer;”
seeking the chance profits of this life [so that you may
despoil him]. With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus
[as he now is] were you before; but Allah has since then
been gracious to you. Therefore take care to discriminate.
Allah is ever informed of what you do.
95. Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who
have a [disabling] hurt, are not on an equality with those
who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and lives.
Allah has conferred on those who strive with their wealth
and lives a rank above those who remain behind. To each
Allah has promised good, but He has bestowed on those
who strive a great reward above those who remain behind;
96. Degrees of rank from Him, and forgiveness and mercy.
Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
97. Lo! as for those whom the angels take [in death] while
they wrong themselves, [the angels] will ask: In what were
you engaged? They will say: We were oppressed in the
land. [The angels] will say: Was not Allah’s earth spacious
that you could have migrated therein? As for such, their
abode will be Hell, an evil journey’s end;
98. Except the feeble among men, and the women, and the
children, who are unable to devise a plan and are not
shown a way.
99. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them. Allah
is ever Pardoning, Forgiving.
100. Whoso migrates for the cause of Allah will find much
refuge and abundance in the earth, and whoso forsakes
his home, as an emigrant to Allah and His messenger,
and death overtakes him, his reward is then incumbent
on Allah. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
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101. And when you go forth in the land, it is no sin for you
to shorten [your] prayer if you fear that those who
disbelieve may attack you. In truth the disbelievers are
an open enemy to you.
102. And when you [O Muhammad] are among them and
lead them in prayer, let only a party of them stand
with you [to pray] and let them take their arms. Then
when they have performed their prostrations let them
fall to the rear and let another party come that has not
prayed and let them pray with you, and let them take
their precaution and their arms. Those who disbelieve
long for you to neglect your arms and your baggage that
they may attack you once for all. It is no sin for you
to lay aside your arms, if rain impedes you or you are
sick. But take your precaution. Lo! Allah prepares for the
disbelievers shameful punishment.
103. When you have performed the act of prayer, remember
Allah, standing, sitting and reclining. And when you are
in safety, observe proper prayer. Prayer at fixed hours
has been enjoined on the believers.
104. Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If you are suffering,
lo! they suffer even as you suffer and you hope from
Allah that for which they do not hope. Allah is ever
Knower, Wise.
105. Lo! We reveal to you the Book with the truth, that you
may judge between people by that which Allah shows
you. And be not you a pleader for the treacherous;
106. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving,
Merciful.
107. And plead not on behalf of [people] who deceive
themselves. Lo! Allah loves not one who is treacherous
and sinful.
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108. They seek to hide from men and seek not to hide from
Allah. He is with them when by night they hold discourse
displeasing to Him. Allah ever surrounds what they do.
109. Ho! You are they who pleaded for them in the life of the
world. But who will plead with Allah for them on the
Day of Resurrection, or who will then be their defender?
110. Yet whoso does evil or wrongs his own soul, then seeks
forgiveness of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.
111. Whoso commits sin commits it only against himself.
Allah is ever Knower, Wise.
112. And whoso commits a delinquency or sin, then throws
[the blame] thereof upon an innocent, has burdened
himself with falsehood and a flagrant sin.
113. But for the grace of Allah upon you [Muhammad], and
His mercy, a party of them had resolved to mislead you,
but they will mislead only themselves and they will hurt
you not at all. Allah reveals to you the Book and wisdom,
and teaches you that which you knew not. The grace of
Allah toward you has been great.
114. There is no good in much of their secret conferences
save [in] him who enjoins alms-giving and kindness
and peace-making among the people. Whoso does that,
seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall bestow on
him a vast reward.
115. And whoso opposes the messenger after the guidance
[of Allah] has been manifested to him, and follows other
than the believer’s way, We appoint for him that to which
he himself has turned, and expose him to Hell a hapless
journey’s end!
116. Lo! Allah does not forgive association with Him. He
forgives all save that to whom He wills. Whoso associates
others with Allah has gone far astray.
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117. They invoke in His stead only females [deities];[1] they
pray to none else than Satan, a rebel.
118. Whom Allah cursed, and he said: Surely I will take of
Your bondmen an appointed portion,
119. And surely I will lead them astray, and surely I will
arouse desires in them, and surely I will command
them and they will cut the cattle’s ears, and surely I will
command them and they will change Allah’s creation.
Whoso takes Satan for an ally instead of Allah is verily
a loser and his loss is manifest.
120. He promises them and stirs up desires in them, and Satan
promises them only delusion.
121. For such, their abode will be Hell, and they will find no
escape therefrom.
122. But as for those who believe and do righteousness
deeds We shall bring them into Gardens underneath
which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. It
is a promise from Allah in truth; and who can be more
truthful than Allah in utterance?
123. It will not be in accordance with your desires, nor the
desires of the People of the Scripture.[2] He who does
wrong will have the recompense thereof, and will not
find against Allah any protector or helper.
124. And whoso does righteousness deeds, whether of male
or female, and he [or she] is a believer, such will enter
Paradise and they will not be wronged the speck on a
date-stone.
125. Who is better in religion than he who submits his face
[himself] to Allah while doing good [to men] and follows
the tradition of Abraham, the upright? Allah [Himself]
took Abraham as an intimate friend.
[1] The idols which the pagan Arabs worshipped were all female.
[2] Jews and Christians.
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126. To Allah belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever
is in the earth. Allah ever encompasses all things.
127. They consult you concerning women. Say: Allah gives to
you a ruling concerning them, and the Book which has
been recited to you [gives decree], concerning female
orphans to whom you give not that which is ordained for
them though you desire to marry them, and [concerning]
the weak among children, and that you should deal justly
with orphans. Whatever good you do, Lo! Allah is ever
Aware of it.
128. If a woman fears ill-treatment from her husband, or
desertion, it is no sin for them both if they make terms of
peace between themselves. Peace is better. But stinginess
has been made present in the souls [of men]. If you do
good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Acquainted of
what you do.
129. You will not be able to deal equally between [your]
wives, however much you wish [to do so]: But turn not
altogether away [from one], leaving her as in suspense. If
you amend [your affairs] and fear Allah, lo! Allah is ever
Forgiving, Merciful.
130. But if they separate, Allah will compensate each out
of His abundance. Allah is ever All-Encompassing,
All-Wise.
131. To Allah belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and
whatsoever is in the earth. And We charged those who
received the Scripture before you, and [We charge] you,
that you fear Allah. And if you disbelieve, lo! to Allah
belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever
is in the earth, and Allah is ever Self-Sufficient, and
Praiseworthy.
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132. To Allah belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and
whatsoever is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as a
Disposer of affairs.
133. If He wills, He can remove you, O people, and produce
others [in your stead]. Allah is Able to do that.
134. Whoso desires the reward of the world, [let him know
that] with Allah is the reward of the world and the
Hereafter. Allah is ever Hearer, Seer.
135. O you who believe! Be you steadfast in justice, witnesses
for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or [your]
parents or [your] kindred, whether [the case be of] a rich
man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer to both [than you
are]. So follow not [personal] inclination lest you not be
just and if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give
it], then lo! Allah is ever Acquainted of what you do.
136. O you who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger
and the Book which He has sent down to His messenger,
and the Scripture which He sent down previously. Whoso
disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His scriptures
and His messengers and the Last Day, he verily has
wandered far astray.
137. Lo! those who believe, then disbelieve and then [again]
believe, then disbelieve, and then increase in disbelief,
Allah will never forgive them, nor will He guide them
to a way.
138. Bear to the hypocrites the tidings that for them there is
a painful doom;
139. Those who take disbelievers for their allies instead of
believers! Do they look for power at their hands? Lo! all
power belongs to Allah.
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140. He has already revealed to you in the Book that, when
you hear the verses of Allah denied and ridiculed,
[you] sit not with them [who disbelieve and mock]
until they engage in some other conversation. Lo ! in
that case [if you stayed] you would be like to them.
Lo! Allah will gather hypocrites and disbelievers, all
together, into hell;
141. Those who wait upon occasion in regard to you and,
if a victory comes to you from Allah, say: Are we not
with you? and if the disbelievers meet with a success
say: Had we not the mastery of you, and did we
not protect you from the believers? Allah will judge
between you at the Day of Resurrection, and Allah
will not give the disbelievers any way [of success]
against the believers.
142. Lo! the hypocrites seek to beguile Allah, but it is He
who beguiles them. When they stand up for prayer
they perform it lazily and to be seen of people, and not
remembering Allah but little;
143. Wavering between this [and that], [belonging] neither to
these nor to those. He whom Allah causes to go astray,
you [O Muhammad] will not find a way for him:
144. O you who believe! Take not disbelievers for [your] allies
in place of believers. Would you give Allah a clear proof
against you?
145. Lo! the hypocrites [will be] in the lowest deep of the Fire,
and you will find no helper for them;
146. Save those who repent and amend and hold fast to Allah
and make their religion pure for Allah [only]. Those are
with the believers. And Allah will bestow on the believers
an immense reward.
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147. What concern has Allah for your punishment if you are
thankful [for His mercies] and believe [in Him]? Allah
was ever Appreciative, All Knowing.
۞ . 148 Allah loves not the utterance of evil speech to be
noised in public save by one who has been wronged.
Allah is ever Hearer, Knower.
149. If you do good openly or keep it secret, or forgive evil,
lo! Allah is Pardoning, Powerful.
150. Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers,
and seek to make distinction between Allah and His
messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve
in others, and seek to adopt a way in between;
151. Such are disbelievers in truth; and for disbelievers We
prepare a shameful doom.
152. But those who believe in Allah and His messengers and
make no distinction between any of them, to them Allah
will give their rewards; and Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
153. The People of the Scripture ask you that you should
cause an [actual] Book to descend upon them from
heaven. They asked a greater thing of Moses previously,
for they said: Show us Allah plainly. The storm of
lightning seized them for their wickedness. Then [even
after that] they took the calf [for worship] after clear
proofs [of Allah’s Sovereignty] had come to them. And
We forgave them that! And We bestowed on Moses
evident authority.
154. And We caused the Mount to tower above them at [the
taking of] their covenant: and We told them: Enter the
gate, prostrate! and we told them: Transgress not the
Sabbath! and We took from them a firm covenant.
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155. Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and
their disbelieving in the signs of Allah, and their killing
of the Prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts
are hardened - Nay, but Allah has set a seal upon them
for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few -
156. And because of their disbelief and of their speaking
against Mary a tremendous calumny;
157. And because of their saying: We killed the Messiah Jesus
son of Mary, Allah’s messenger– They killed him not nor
crucified him, but it appeared so to them; and lo! those
who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they
have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture;
they killed him not for certain,
158. But Allah raised him up to Himself. Allah was ever
Mighty, Wise.
159. There is not one of the People of the Scripture but
will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of
Resurrection he will be a witness against them–
160. Because of the wrong-doing of the Jews We forbade them
good things which were [before] made lawful to them,
and because of their much hindering from Allah’s way,
161. And of their taking usury when they were forbidden
it, and of their devouring people’s wealth unjustly.
We have prepared for those of them who disbelieve a
painful doom.
162. But those of them who are firm in knowledge and the
believers believe in that which is revealed to you, and
that which was revealed before you, and the establishers
of prayer and those who pay the poor-due, the believers
in Allah and the Last Day. Upon these We shall bestow
great reward.
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163. Lo! We have revealed to you as We revealed to Noah and
the prophets after him, as We revealed to Abraham and
Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus
and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as we
gave to David the Psalms;
164. And messengers We have mentioned to you before and
messengers We have not mentioned to you; and Allah
spoke to Moses with [direct] speech;
165. Messengers as bringers of good tidings and of warners,
in order that mankind might have no argument against
Allah after the messengers. Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.
166. But Allah [Himself] testifies concerning that which
He has sent down to you; He has sent down with His
knowledge; and the angels also testify. And Allah is
sufficient Witness.
167. Lo! those who disbelieve and hinder [others] from the
way of Allah, they verily have gone far astray.
168. Lo! those who disbelieve and commit wrong, Allah will
never forgive them, neither will He guide them to a path.
169. Except the path of Hell, wherein they will abide for ever.
And that is ever easy for Allah.
170. O mankind! The messenger has come to you with the
Truth from your Lord. Therefor believe; [it is] better for
you. But if you disbelieve, still, lo! unto Allah belongs
whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. Allah is ever
Knower, Wise.
171. O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your
religion nor utter anything concerning Allah save the
truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a
messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed
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to Mary, and a soul [created at a command] from Him.
So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not
“Three” - Cease! [it is] better for you! - Allah is only One
God. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty
that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens
and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as
Disposer of affairs.
172. The Messiah will never scorn to be a slave to Allah, nor
will the favoured angels. Whoso scorns His worship and
is proud, all such will He assemble to Him;
173. Then, as for those who believed and did good deeds, to
them will He pay their rewards in full, adding to them
of His bounty; and as for those who were scornful and
proud, them will He punish with a painful doom. And
they will not find for them, against Allah, any protector
or helper.
174. O mankind! Now has a proof from your Lord come to
you, and We have sent down to you a clear light;
175. As for those who believe in Allah, and hold fast to Him,
them He will cause to enter into His mercy and grace,
and will guide them to Him by a straight path.
176. They ask you for a [legal] ruling. Say: Allah has given
you a ruling concerning distant kindred. If a man dies
childless and he has a sister, hers is half the heritage,
and he would have inherited from her had she died
childless. And if there be two sisters, then theirs are
two-thirds of the heritage, and if they be brothers,
men and women, to the male is the equivalent of the
share of two females. Allah expounds to you, lest you
go astray. Allah is Knower of all things.