Part 14 (1/2)

55. Let not their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: in Let not their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: in reality Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this life, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah.

56. They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you; but they are not They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you; but they are not of you: yet they are afraid (to appear in their true colours).

57. If they could find a place to flee to, or caves, or a place of If they could find a place to flee to, or caves, or a place of concealment, they would turn straightaway thereto, with an obstinate rush.

58. And among them are men who slander thee in the matter of (the And among them are men who slander thee in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms: if they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if not, behold! they are indignant!

59. If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them, and had said, ”Sufficient unto us is Allah. Allah and His [image]

Messenger will soon give us of His bounty: to Allah do we turn our hopes!”

(that would have been the right course).

60. Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

61. Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, ”He is Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, ”He is (all) ear.” Say, ”He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah, has faith in the Believers, and is a Mercy to those of you who believe.” But those who molest the Messenger will have a grievous penalty.

62. To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: But it is more To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger, if they are Believers.

63. Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, is the Fire of h.e.l.l?-wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme disgrace.

64. The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about them, showing them what is (really pa.s.sing) in their hearts. Say: ”Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be revealed).

65. If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis): ”We If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis): ”We were only talking idly and in play.” Say: ”Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?”

66. Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you, for that they are in sin.

67. The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other: They enjoin evil, and forbid what is just, and are close with their hands. They have forgotten Allah. so He hath forgotten them. Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.

68. Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women, and the Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women, and the rejecters, of Faith, the fire of h.e.l.l: Therein shall they dwell: Sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,-69. As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than you As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than you in power, and more flouris.h.i.+ng in wealth and children. They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you; and ye indulge in idle talk as they did. They!-their work are fruitless in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will lose (all spiritual good).

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70. Hath not the story reached them of those before them?-the Hath not the story reached them of those before them?-the People of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of Midian, and the cities overthrown. To them came their apostles with clear signs. It is not Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls.

71. The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.

72. Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. that is the supreme felicity.

73. O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is h.e.l.l,-an evil refuge indeed.

74. They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them.

75. Amongst them are men who made a covenant with Allah, that if Amongst them are men who made a covenant with Allah, that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous.

76. But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous, But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous, and turned back (from their covenant), averse (from its fulfilment).

77. So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts, (to So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts, (to last) till the Day, whereon they shall meet Him: because they broke their covenant with Allah, and because they lied (again and again).

78. Know they not that Allah doth know their secret (thoughts) and Know they not that Allah doth know their secret (thoughts) and their secret counsels, and that Allah knoweth well all things unseen?

79. Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves freely Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves freely to (deeds of) charity, as well as such as can find nothing to give except the fruits of their labour,-and throw ridicule on them,-Allah will throw back their ridicule on them: and they shall have a grievous penalty.

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80. Whether thou ask for their forgiveness, or not, (their sin is Whether thou ask for their forgiveness, or not, (their sin is unforgivable): if thou ask seventy times for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them: because they have rejected Allah and His Messenger.

and Allah guideth not those who are perversely rebellious.

81. Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah. they hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of Allah.

they said, ”Go not forth in the heat.” Say, ”The fire of h.e.l.l is fiercer in heat.” If only they could understand!

82. Let them laugh a little: much will they weep: a recompense for Let them laugh a little: much will they weep: a recompense for the (evil) that they do.

83. If, then, Allah bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy If, then, Allah bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy permission to come out (with thee), say: ”Never shall ye come out with me, nor fight an enemy with me: for ye preferred to sit inactive on the first occasion: Then sit ye (now) with those who lag behind.”

84. Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion.

85. Nor let their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: Nor let their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah.

86. When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive and fight along with His Messenger, those with wealth and influence among them ask thee for exemption, and say: ”Leave us (behind): we would be with those who sit (at home).”

87. They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at home): their hearts are sealed and so they understand not.

88. But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper.

89. Allah hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to Allah hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein: that is the supreme felicity.

90. And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), men who made And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), men who made excuses and came to claim exemption; and those who were false to Allah and His Messenger (merely) sat inactive. Soon will a grievous penalty seize the Unbelievers among them.

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91. There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find no There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find no resources to spend (on the cause), if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger. no ground (of complaint) can there be against such as do right: and Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

92. Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mounts, and when thou saidst, ”I can find no mounts for you,” they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to provide the expenses.

93. The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption while they are rich. They prefer to stay with the (women) who remain behind: Allah hath sealed their hearts; so they know not (What they miss).

94. They will present their excuses to you when ye return to them. They will present their excuses to you when ye return to them.

Say thou: ”Present no excuses: we shall not believe you: Allah hath already informed us of the true state of matters concerning you: It is your actions that Allah and His Messenger will observe: in the end will ye be brought back to Him Who knoweth what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.”

95. They will swear to you by Allah, when ye return to them, that ye They will swear to you by Allah, when ye return to them, that ye may leave them alone. So leave them alone: For they are an abomination, and h.e.l.l is their dwelling-place,-a fitting recompense for the (evil) that they did.

96. They will swear unto you, that ye may be pleased with them but They will swear unto you, that ye may be pleased with them but if ye are pleased with them, Allah is not pleased with those who disobey.

97. The Arabs of the desert are the worst in Unbelief and hypocrisy, The Arabs of the desert are the worst in Unbelief and hypocrisy, and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath sent down to His Messenger. But Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise.