*

If

their prayer shall be, Praise be unto God, the LORD of all creatures! GOD should cause evil to hasten unto men, according to their desire of hastening good, verily their end had been decreed. Wherefore we suffer those who hope not to meet us at the resurrection, to wander amazedly in their error. When evil befalleth a man, he prayeth unto us lying on his side, or sitting, or standing: but when we deliver him from his affliction, he continueth his former course of life, as though he had not called upon us to defend him against the evil which had befallen him. Thus was that which the transgressors committed prepared for them. We have formerly destroyed the generations who were before you, O men of Mecca, when they had acted unjustly, and our apostles had come unto them with evident miracles and they would not believe. Thus do we reward the wicked people. Afterwards did we cause you to succeed them in the earth; that we might see how ye would act. When our evident signs are recited unto them, they who hope not to meet us at the resurrection, say, Bring a dif ferent Korân from this; or make some change therein. Answer, It is not fit for me, that I should change it at my pleasure: I follow that only which is revealed unto me. Verily I fear, if I should be disobedient unto my LORD, the punishment of the great day. Say, If God had so pleased, I had not read it unto you, neither had I taught you the same. I have already dwelt among you to the age of forty years, before I received it. Do ye not therefore understand? And who is more unjust than he who deviseth a lie against GOD, or accuseth his signs of falsehood? Surely the wicked shall not prosper. They worship besides GoD, that which can neither hurt them nor profit them, and they say, These are our intercessors with GOD. Answer, Will ye tell God that which he knoweth not, neither in heaven nor in earth? Praise be unto him! and far be that from him,† which they associate with him! Men were professors of one religion only, but they dissented therefrom; and if a decree had not previously issued from thy LoRD, deferring their punishment, verily the matter had been decided between them, concerning which they disagreed. They say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from his LORD, we will not believe. Answer, Verily that which is hidden is known only unto GOD: wait, therefore, the

i. e. In all postures, and at all times.

"Thus the ungodly man delighteth in his ingratitude."-Savary.

* For so old was Mohammed before he took upon him to be a prophet; during which time his fellow-citizens well knew that he had not applied himself to learning of any sort, nor frequented learned men, nor had ever exercised himself in composing verses or orations, whereby he might acquire the art of rhetoric, or elegance of speech. A flagrant proof,

says al Beidawi, that this book could be taught him by none but God.

See the Prelim. Disc. sect. i. p. 11, &c.

viz. That he hath equals or companions either in heaven, or on earth; since he ac knowledgeth none?

† Accursed be their chimerical deities."

That is to say, the true religion, or Islâm, which was generally professed, as some say till Abel was murdered, or, as others, till the days of Noah. Some suppose the first ages after the flood are here intended; others, the state of religion in Arabia, from the time of Abraham to that of Amru Ebn Lohai, the great introducer of idolatry into that country.

See the Prelim. Disc. p. 30. Abulfed. Vit. Moh. c 7. Disc. p. 19, &c.

See the Prelim.

pleasure of God; and I also will wait with you. And when we caused the men of Mecca to taste mercy, after an affliction which had befallen them, behold, they devised a stratagem against our signs.

c

d

Say unto them, GOD is more swift in executing a stratagem, than ye. Verily our messengers write down that which ye deceitfully devise. It is he who hath given you conveniences for travelling by land and by sea; so that ye be in ships, which sail with them, with a favourable wind, and they rejoice therein. And when a tempestuous wind overtaketh them, and waves come upon them from every side, and they think themselves to be encompassed with inevitable dangers; they call upon GoD, exhibiting the pure religion unto him, and saying, Verily, if thou deliver us from this peril, we will be of those who give thanks. But when he hath delivered them, behold, they behave themselves insolently in the earth, without justice. O men, verily the violence which ye commit against your own souls, is for the enjoyment of this present life only; afterwards unto us shall ye return, and we will declare unto you that which ye have done. Verily the likeness of this present life is no other than as water, which we send down from heaven, and wherewith the productions of the earth are mixed, of which men eat, and cattle also, until the earth receive its vesture, and be adorned with various plants: the inhabitants thereof imagine that they have power over the same; but our command cometh unto it by night, or by day, and we render it as though it had been mowen, as though it had not yesterday abounded with fruits. Thus do we explain our signs unto people who consider. GoD inviteth unto the dwelling of peace, and directeth whom he pleaseth into the right way. They who do right shall receive a most excellent reward, and a superabundant addition; neither blackness nor shame shall cover their faces. These shall be the inhabitants of paradise; they shall continue therein for ever. But they who commit evil shall receive the reward of evil, equal thereunto, and they shall be covered with shame, (for they shall have no protector against GoD); as though their faces were covered with the profound darkness of the night. These shall be the inhabitants of hell fire; they shall remain therein for ever. On the day of the resurrection we will gather them altogether; then will we say unto the idolaters, Get ye to your place, ye and your companions : and we will separate them from one another; and their companions will

For it is said that they were afflicted with a dearth for seven years, so that they were very near perishing; but no sooner relieved by God's sending them plenty, than they began again to charge Mohammed with imposture, and to ridicule his revelations.' i. e. The guardian angels.

That is, applying themselves to God only, and neglecting their idols; their fears directing them in such an extremity to ask help of him only who could give it.

• Viz. Paradise.

For their reward will vastly exceed the merit of their good works. Al Ghazâli supposes this additional recompense will be the beatific vision."

See the Prelim. Disc. p. 62, &c.

i. e. Though the blessed will be rewarded beyond their deserts, yet God will not pun ish any beyond their demerits, but treat them with the exactest justice.

That is, your idols, or the companions which ye attributed unto God.

1 Al Beidâwi.

• See the Prelim. Disc. p. 71.

1

say unto them, Ye do not worship us; and GOD is a sufficient witness between us and you; neither did we mind your worshipping of us. There snall every soul experience that which it shall have sent before it; and they shall be brought before God their true LORD; and the false deities which they vainly imagined, shall disappear from before them. Say, Who provideth you food from heaven and earth? or who hath the absolute power over the hearing and the sight? and who bringeth forth the living from the dead, and bringeth forth the dead from the living? and who governeth all things? They will surely answer, GOD. Say, Will ye not therefore fear him? This is therefore God, your true LORD: and what remaineth there after truth, except error? How therefore are ye turned aside from the truth? Thus is the word of thy LORD verified upon them who do wickedly; that they believe not. Say, Is there any of your companions who produceth a creature, and then causeth it to return unto himself? Say, GoD produceth a creature, and then causeth it to return unto himself. How therefore are ye turned aside from his worship? Say. Is there any of your companions who directeth unto the truth? Say, GoD directeth unto the truth. Whether is he, therefore, who directeth unto the truth, more worthy to be followed; or he who directeth not, unless he be directed? What aileth you therefore, that ye judge as ye do? And the greater part of them follow an uncertain opinion only; but a mere opinion attaineth not unto any truth.* Verily God knoweth that which they do. This Korân could not have been composed by any except God; but it is a confirmation of that which was revealed before it, and an explanation of the scripture; there is no doubt thereof; sent down from the LORD of all creatures. Will they say, Mohammed hath forged it? Answer, Bring therefore a chapter like unto it; and call whom you may to your assistance, besides God, if ye speak truth. But they have charged that with falsehood, the knowledge whereof they do not comprehend, neither hath the interpretation thereof come unto them. In the same manner did those who were before them accuse their prophets of imposture; but behold, what was the end of the unjust! There are some of them who believe therein; and there are some of them who believe not therein:" and thy LoRd well knoweth the corrupt doers. If they accuse thee of imposture, say, I have my work, and ye have your work; ye shall be clear of that which I do,

But ye really worshipped your own lusts, and were seduced to idolatry, not by us, but by your own superstitious fancies. It is pretended that God will, at the last day, enable the idols to speak, and that they will thus reproach their worshippers, instead of interceding for them, as they hoped. Some suppose the angels, who were also objects of the worship of the pagan Arabs, are particularly intended in this place.

Some copies, instead of tablu, read tatlu, i. e. shall follow, or meditate upon.
See chap. 2, p. 13, note r.

*Their only rule is their opinion, and it has no conformity with truth."-Savary.

i. e. There are some of them who are inwardly well satisfied of the truth of thy doctrine, though they are so wicked as to oppose it; and there are others of them who believe it not, through prejudice and want of consideration. Or the passage may be understood in the future tense, of some who should afterwards believe, and repent, and of others who should die infidels."

3 Al Beidâwi.

and I will be clear of that which ye do. There are some of them who hearken unto thee; but wilt thou make the deaf to hear, although they do not understand? And there are some of them who look at thee; but wilt Chou direct the blind, although they see not? Verily GoD will not deal unjustly with men in any respect: but men deal unjustly with their own souls. On a certain day he will gather them together, as though they had not tarried above an hour of a day: they shall know one another. Then shall they perish who have denied the meeting of GOD; and were not rightly directed. Whether we cause thee to see a part of the punishment wherewith we have threatened them, or whether we cause thee to die before thou see it ; unto us shall they return: then shall God be witness of that which they do. Unto every nation hath an apostle been sent; and when their apostle came, the matter was decided between them with equity ; * and they were not treated unjustly. The unbelievers say, When will this threatening be made good, if ye speak truth? Answer, I am able neither to procure advantage unto myself, nor to avert mischief from me, but as God pleaseth. Unto every nation is a fixed term decreed; when their term therefore is expired, they shall not have respite for an hour, neither shal. their punishment be anticipated. Say, Tell me, if the punishment of GoD overtake you by night, or by day, what part thereof will the ungodly wish to be hastened? When it falleth on you, do ye then believe it? Now do ye believe, and wish it far from you, when as ye formerly desired it should be hastened? Then shall it be said unto the wicked, Taste the punishment of eternity; would ye receive other than the reward of that which ye have wrought? They will desire to know of thee, whether this be true. Answer, Yea, by my LORD, it is certainly true; neither shall ye weaken God's power so as to escape it. Verily, if every soul which hath acted wickedly had whatever is on the earth, it would willingly redeem itself therewith at the last day. Yet they will conceal their repentance,* after they shall have seen the punishment; and the matter shall be decided between them with equity, and they shall not be unjustly treated. Doth not whatsoever is in heaven and on earth belong unto God? Is not the promise of GoD true? But the greater part of them know it not. He

These words were revealed on account of certain Meccans, who seemed to attend while Mohammed read the Korân to them, or instructed them in any point of religion, but yet were as far from being convinced or edified, as if they had not heard him at all. For God deprives them not of their senses, or understanding; but they corrupt and make an ill use of them.

Either in the world, or in the grave.

As if it were but a little while since they parted. But this will happen during the first moments only of the resurrection; for afterwards the terror of the day will disturb and take from them all knowledge of one another.'

By delivering the prophet and those who believed on him, and destroying the obstinate infidels.

"Should the divine vengeance fall on you unawares, either by day or by night, think you that it can have been hastened by the wicked?"-Savary.

To hide their shame and regret; or because their surprise and astonishment will deprive them of the use of speech." Some, however understand the verb which is here endered will conceal, in the contrary signification, which it sometimes bears; and then it must be translated, They will openly declare their repentance, &c.

Al Beidâwi. See chap. 6, p. 100. ' Idem. "Jallalo'ddin.

* Al Beidâwi.

giveth life, and he causeth to die: and unto him shall ye all return. O men, now hath an admonition come unto you from your LORD, and a remedy for the doubts which are in your breasts; and a direction, and mercy unto the true believers. Say, Through the grace of God, and his' mercy therein therefore let them rejoice; this will be better than what they heap together of worldly riches. Say, Tell me; of that which GoD hath sent down unto you for food, have ye declared part to be lawful, and other part to be unlawful?" Say, Hath GoD permitted you to make this distinction? or do ye devise a lie concerning GOD? But what will be the opinion of those who devise a lie concerning GoD,* on the day of the resurrection? Verily GoD is indued with beneficence towards mankind; but the greater part of them do not give thanks. Thou shalt be engaged in no business, neither shalt thou be employed in meditating on any passage of the Korân; nor shall ye do any action, but we will be witnesses over you, when ye are employed therein. Nor is so much as the weight of an ant hidden from thy LORD, in earth or in heaven: neither is there any thing lesser than that, or greater, but it is written in the perspicuous book. Are not the friends of GOD the persons on whom no fear shall come, and who shall not be grieved? They who believe and fear God shall receive good tidings in this life, and in that which is to come. There is no change in the words of GOD. This shall be great felicity. Let not their discourse grieve thee; for all might belongeth unto God: he both heareth and knoweth. Is not whoever dwelleth in heaven and on earth subject unto GOD? What therefore do they follow, who invoke idols, besides GOD? They follow nothing but a vain opinion; and they only utter lies. It is he who hath ordained the night for you, that ye may take your rest therein, and the clear day for labour: verily herein are signs unto people who hearken. They say, God hath begotten children: GOD forbid! He is self-sufficient. Unto him belongeth whatsoever is in heaven and on earth: ye have no demonstrative proof of this. Do ye speak of GOD that which ye know not? Say, Verily they who imagine a lie concerning GoD shall not prosper. They may enjoy a provision in this world; but afterwards unto us shall they return, and we will then cause them to taste a grievous punishment, for that they were unbelievers. Rehearse unto them the history of Noah: when he said unto his people, O my people, if my standing forth among you, and my warning you of the signs of GOD, be grievous unto you; in GoD do I put my trust. Therefore lay your design against me, and assemble your false gods; but let not your design be carried on by you in the dark then come forth against me, and delay not. And if ye turn aside from my admonitions, I ask not any reward of you for the same ;`

* See chap. 6, p. 113, &c.

"Of what does the blasphemer think who denies the resurrection ?"—Savary.

1 See chap. 4, p. 65, note x.

The preserved table; wherein God's decrees are recorded.

viz. The impious and rebellious talk of the infidels.

See chap. 7, p. 121, &c.

Therefore ye cannot excuse yourselves by saying that I am burdensome to you.