4. Women

O mankind! fear your Guardian Lord, Whocreated you from a single person, created out of it his mate, andfrom them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;-fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (beheedful) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

To orphans restore their property (when theyreach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their)good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) withyour own. For this is indeed a great sin.

If ye fear that ye shall not be able to dealjustly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three orfour; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (withthem), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess,that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.

And give the women (on marriage) their doweras a free gift; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit anypart of it to you, take it and enjoy it with right good cheer.

To those weak of understanding give not yourproperty which Allah has assigned to you to manage, but feed andclothe them therewith, and speak to them words of kindness andjustice.

Make trial of orphans until they reach theage of marriage; if then ye find sound judgment in them, releasetheir property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in hasteagainst their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, let him claimno remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what isjust and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, takewitnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is Allah in takingaccount.

From what is left by parents and thosenearest related there is a share for men and a share for women,whether the property be small or large,-a determinate share.

But if at the time of division otherrelatives, or orphans or poor, are present, give them out of the(property), and speak to them words of kindness and justice.

Let those (disposing of an estate) have thesame fear in their minds as they would have for their own if theyhad left a helpless family behind: Let them fear Allah, and speakwords of appropriate (comfort).

Those who unjustly eat up the property oforphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: They will soon beenduring a Blazing Fire!

Allah (thus) directs you as regards yourchildren’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that oftwo females: if only daughters, two or more, their share istwo-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. Forparents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceasedleft children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs,the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters)the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after thepayment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents oryour children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settledportions ordained by Allah: and Allah is All-Knowing, All-wise.

In what your wives leave, your share is ahalf, if they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get afourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, theirshare is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child,they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. If the manor woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neitherascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, eachone of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in athird; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss iscaused (to any one). Thus is it ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.

Those are limits set by Allah. those who obeyAllah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with riversflowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be thesupreme achievement.

But those who disobey Allah and His Messengerand transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abidetherein: And they shall have a humiliating punishment.

If any of your women are guilty of lewdness,take the evidence of four (reliable) witnesses from amongst youagainst them; and if they testify, confine them to houses untildeath do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way.

If two men among you are guilty of lewdness,punish them both. If they repent and amend, leave them alone; forAllah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

Allah accept the repentance of those who doevil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will Allahturn in mercy: For Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Of no effect is the repentance of those whocontinue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says,”Now have I repented indeed;” nor of those who die rejecting Faith:for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous.

O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inheritwomen against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness,that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them,-exceptwhere they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary livewith them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a disliketo them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings aboutthrough it a great deal of good.

But if ye decide to take one wife in place ofanother, even if ye had given the latter a whole treasure for dower,take not the least bit of it back: Would ye take it by slander andmanifest wrong?

And how could ye take it when ye have gone inunto each other, and they have Taken from you a solemn covenant?

And marry not women whom your fathersmarried,- except what is past: It was shameful and odious,- anabominable custom indeed.

Prohibited to you (for marriage) are:- yourmothers, daughters, sisters; father’s sisters, mother’s sisters;brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters; foster-mothers who gave yousuck, foster-sisters; your wives’ mothers; your step-daughters underyour guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- noprohibition if ye have not gone in;- (those who have been) wives ofyour sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock atone and the same time, except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;-

Also (prohibited are) women already married,except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained(prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful,provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,-desiring chastity, not fornication from them. Give them their dowers(at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agreeMutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah isAll-Knowing, All-wise.

If any of you have not the means wherewith towed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from amongthose whom your right hands possess: And Allah hath full knowledgeabout your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed them with the leaveof their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what isreasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor takingparamours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame,their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) isfor those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that yepractice self-restraint. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah doth wish to make clear to you and toshow you the ordinances of those before you; and (He doth wish to)turn to you (In Mercy): And Allah is All-Knowing, All-wise.

Allah doth wish to turn to you, but the wishof those who follow their lusts is that ye should turn away (fromHim),- far, far away.

Allah doth wish to lighten your(difficulties): For man was created weak (in resolution).

O ye who believe! Eat not up your propertyamong yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you trafficand trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: forverily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful!

If any do that in rancor and injustice,- soonshall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for Allah.

If ye (but) eschew the most heinous of thethings which ye are forbidden to do, We shall remit your evil deeds,and admit you to a Gate of great honor.

And in no wise covet those things in whichAllah Hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than onothers: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what theyearn: But ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge ofall things.

To (benefit) every one, We have appointedshares and heirs to property left by parents and relatives. Tothose, also, to whom your right hand was pledged, give their dueportion. For truly Allah is witness to all things.

Men are the protectors and maintainers ofwomen, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than theother, and because they support them from their means. Therefore therighteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s)absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whosepart ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first),(next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly);but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (ofannoyance): For Allah is Most High, Great (above you all).

If ye fear a breach between them twain,appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other fromhers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation:For Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.

Serve Allah, and join not any partners withHim; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need,neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companionby your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right handspossess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;-

(Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoinniggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which Allah hathbestowed on them; for We have prepared, for those who resist Faith,a punishment that steeps them in contempt;-

Not those who spend of their substance, to beseen of men, but have no faith in Allah and the Last Day: If anytake the Satan for their intimate, what a dreadful intimate he is!

And what burden were it on them if they hadfaith in Allah and in the Last Day, and they spent out of what Allahhath given them for sustenance? For Allah hath full knowledge ofthem.

Allah is never unjust in the least degree: Ifthere is any good (done), He doubleth it, and giveth from His ownself a great reward.

How then if We brought from each people awitness, and We brought thee as a witness against these people!

On that day those who reject Faith anddisobey the messenger will wish that the earth were made one withthem: But never will they hide a single fact from Allah.

O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with amind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in astate of ceremonial impurity except when you are passing by (throughthe mosque), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, oron a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or yehave been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take foryourselves clean sand (or earth), and rub therewith your faces andhands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.

Hast thou not turned thy thought to those whowere given a portion of the Book? they traffic in error, and wishthat ye should lose the right path.

But Allah hath full knowledge of yourenemies: Allah is enough for a protector, and Allah is enough for aHelper.

Of the Jews there are those who displacewords from their (right) places, and say: “We hear and we disobey”;and “Hear, may you not hear”; and “R��n�”; with a twist of theirtongues and a slander to Faith. If only they had said: “We hear andwe obey”; and “Do hear”; and “Do look at us”; it would have beenbetter for them, and more proper; but Allah hath cursed them fortheir Unbelief; and but few of them will believe.

O ye People of the Book! believe in what Wehave (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you, beforeWe change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond all recognition,and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed theSabbath-breakers, for the decision of Allah must be carried out.

Allah forgiveth not that partners should beset up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom Hepleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin mostheinous indeed.

Hast thou not turned thy though to those whoclaim sanctity for themselves? Nay-but Allah doth sanctify whom Hepleaseth. But never will they fail to receive justice in the leastlittle thing.

Behold! how they invent a lie against Allah.but that by itself is a manifest sin!

Hast thou not turned thy vision to those whowere given a portion of the Book? they believe in sorcery and Tagut(Evil), and say to the Unbelievers that they are better guided inthe (right) way than the believers!

They are (men) whom Allah hath cursed: Andthose whom Allah hath cursed, thou wilt find, have no one to help.

Have they a share in dominion or power?Behold, they give not a farthing to their fellow-men?

Or do they envy mankind for what Allah hathgiven them of his bounty? but We had already given the people ofAbraham the Book and Wisdom, and conferred upon them a greatkingdom.

Some of them believed, and some of themaverted their faces from him: And enough is Hell for a burning fire.

Those who reject our Signs, We shall sooncast into the Fire: As often as their skins are roasted through, Weshall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty:for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

But those who believe and do deeds ofrighteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowingbeneath,- their eternal home: Therein shall they have spousespurified: We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening.

Allah doth command you to render back yourtrusts to those to whom they are due; And when ye judge betweenpeople, that ye judge with justice: Verily how excellent is theteaching which He giveth you! For Allah is He Who heareth and seethall things.

O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey theMessenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differin anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger,if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and mostsuitable for final determination.

Hast thou not turned thy though to those whodeclare that they believe in the revelations that have come to theeand to those before thee? Their (real) wish is to resort togetherfor judgment (in their disputes) to the Tagut (Evil), though theywere ordered to reject him. But Satan’s wish is to lead them astrayfar away (from the right).

When it is said to them: “Come to what Allahhath revealed, and to the Messenger.”: Thou seest the hypocritesavert their faces from thee in disgust.

How then, when they are seized by misfortune,because of the deeds which there hands have sent forth? Then theycome to thee, swearing by Allah. “We meant no more than good-willand conciliation!”

Those men,-Allah knows what is in theirhearts; so keep clear of them, but admonish them, and speak to thema word to reach their very souls.

We sent not a messenger, but to be obeyed, inaccordance with the leave of Allah. If they had only, when they wereunjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah’s forgiveness,and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would havefound Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real)Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, andfind in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but acceptthem with the fullest conviction.

If We had ordered them to sacrifice theirlives or to leave their homes, very few of them would have done it:But if they had done what they were (actually) told, it would havebeen best for them, and would have gone farthest to strengthen their(faith);

And We should then have given them fromOurselves a great reward;

And We should have shown them the StraightWay.

All who obey Allah and the messenger are inthe company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,- of the prophets(who teach), the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the martyrs, and theRighteous (who do good): Ah! How beautiful is there fellowship!

Such is the bounty from Allah. And sufficientis it that Allah knoweth all.

O ye who believe! Take your precautions, andeither go forth in parties or go forth all together.

There are certainly among you men who wouldtarry behind: If a misfortune befalls you, they say: “Allah didfavor us in that we were not present among them.”

But if good fortune comes to you from Allah,they would be sure to say – as if there had never been ties ofaffection between you and them – “Oh! I wish I had been with them; afine thing should I then have made of it!”

Let those fight in the Cause of Allah whosell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fightethin the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory – soonshall We give him a reward of great (value).

And why should ye not fight in the cause ofAllah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (andoppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord!Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise forus from Thee one who will protect; and raise for us from Thee onewho will help!”

Those who believe fight in the cause ofAllah, and those who reject faith fight in the cause of Tagut(Evil): So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed isthe cunning of Satan.

Hast thou not turned thy though to those whowere told to hold back their hands (from fight) but establishregular prayers and spend in Zakat (regular charity)? When (atlength) the order for fighting was issued to them, behold! a sectionof them feared men as – or even more than – they should have fearedAllah. They said: “Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordered us to fight?Wouldst Thou not grant us respite to our (natural) term, near(enough)?” Say: “Short is the enjoyment of this world: the Hereafteris the best for those who do right: Never will ye be dealt withunjustly in the very least!

“Wherever ye are, death will find you out,even if ye are in towers built up strong and high!” If some goodbefalls them, they say, “This is from Allah”.; but if evil, theysay, “This is from thee” (O Prophet). Say: “All things are fromAllah.” But what hath come to these people, that they fail tounderstand a single fact?

Whatever good, (O man!) happens to thee, isfrom Allah. but whatever evil happens to thee, is from thy (own)soul. and We have sent thee as a messenger to (instruct) mankind.And enough is Allah for a witness.

He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah. Butif any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over them.

They have “Obedience” on their lips; but whenthey leave thee, a section of them meditate all night on things verydifferent from what thou tellest them. But Allah records theirnightly (plots): So keep clear of them, and put thy trust in Allah,and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.

Do they not consider the Quran (with care)?Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have foundtherein much discrepancy.

When there comes to them some matter touching(public) safety or fear, they divulge it. If they had only referredit to the Messenger, or to those charged with authority among them,the proper investigators would have known it from them (direct).Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of Allah unto you, all but a fewof you would have followed Satan.

Then fight in Allah’s Cause – Thou art heldresponsible only for thyself – and rouse the believers. It may bethat Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah isthe strongest in might and in punishment.

Whoever interceded in a good cause becomes apartner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause,shares in its burden: And Allah hath power over all things.

When a (courteous) greeting is offered you,meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equalcourtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.

Allah. There is no god but He: of a surety Hewill gather you together against the Day of Judgment, about whichthere is no doubt. And whose word can be truer than Allah’s?

Why should ye be divided into two partiesabout the Hypocrites? Allah hath cost them of their (evil) deeds.Would ye guide those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way? Forthose whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way, never shalt thou findthe Way.

They but wish that ye should reject Faith, asthey do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): So take notfriends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (fromwhat is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slaythem wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends orhelpers from their ranks;-

Except those who join a group between whomand you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you withhearts restraining them from fighting you or fighting their ownpeople. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power overyou, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw fromyou but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace,then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them).

Others you will find that wish to gain yourconfidence as well as that of their people: Every time they are sentback to temptation, they succumb thereto: if they withdraw not fromyou nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining theirhands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them: In their caseWe have provided you with a clear argument against them.

Never should a believer kill a believer,except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake, it isordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensationto the deceased’s family, unless they remit it freely. If thedeceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was abeliever, the freeing of a believing slave (is enough). If hebelonged to a people with whom ye have treaty of mutual alliance,compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave befreed. For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) afast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah. forAllah hath All knowledge and All wisdom.

If a man kills a believer intentionally, hisrecompense is Hell, to abide therein (for ever): And the wrath andthe curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is preparedfor him.

O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in thecause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to any one whooffers you a salutation: “Thou art none of a believer!” Coveting theperishable goods of this life: with Allah are profits and spoilsabundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before, till Allah conferredon you His favors: Therefore carefully investigate. For Allah iswell aware of all that ye do.

Not equal are those believers who sit, exceptthose who are disabled, and those who strive and fight in the causeof Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted agrade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods andpersons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in faith) HathAllah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath Hedistinguished above those who sit (at home) by a great reward,-

Ranks specially bestowed by Him, andForgiveness and Mercy. For Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

When angels take the souls of those who diein sin against their souls, they say: “In what (plight) were ye?”They reply: “Weak and oppressed were we in the earth.” They say:”Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to moveyourselves away (from evil)?” Such men will find their abode inHell,- What an evil refuge! –

Except those who are (really) weak andoppressed – men, women, and children – who have no means in theirpower, nor can they find a way (to escape).

For these, there is hope that Allah willforgive: For Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again.

He who forsakes his home in the cause ofAllah, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: Shouldhe die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Messenger, hisreward becomes due and sure with Allah. And Allah is Oft-forgiving,Most Merciful.

When ye travel through the earth, there is noblame on you if ye shorten your prayers, for fear the unbelieversmay attack you: For the unbelievers are unto you open enemies.

When thou (O Messenger) art with them, andstandest to lead them in prayer, let one party of them stand up (inprayer) with thee, taking their arms with them: When they finishtheir prostrations, let them take their position in the rear, andlet the other party come up which hath not yet prayed – and let thempray with thee, taking all precaution, and bearing arms: theunbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and yourbaggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame onyou if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain orbecause ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. Forthe unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.

When ye have performed the prayers, celebrateAllah’s praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on yoursides; but when ye are free from danger, set up regular prayers: Forsuch prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.

And slacken not in following up the enemy: Ifye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships;but you have hope from Allah, while they have not. And Allah is fullof knowledge and wisdom.

We have sent down to thee the Book in truth,that thou mightest judge between people by that which Allah hasshown thee; so be not an advocate by those who betray their trust;

But seek the forgiveness of Allah. for Allahis Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Contend not on behalf of such as betray theirown souls; for Allah loveth not one given to perfidy and sin:

They seek to hide them selves from people,but they cannot hide from Allah, while He is with them when theyplot by night, in words that He cannot approve: And Allah Dothcompass round all that they do.

Ah! These are the sort of men on whose behalfye may contend in this world; but who will contend with Allah ontheir behalf on the Day of Judgment, or who will carry their affairsthrough?

If any one does evil or wrongs his own soulbut afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find AllahOft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

And if anyone earns sin. he earns it againsthis own soul: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

But if any one earns a fault or a sin andthrows it on to one that is innocent, he carries (on himself) (both)a falsehood and a flagrant sin.

But for the Grace of Allah to thee and hisMercy, a party of them would certainly have plotted to lead theeastray. But (in fact) they will only lead their own souls astray,and to thee they can do no harm in the least. For Allah hath sentdown to thee the Book and wisdom and taught thee what thou knewestnot (before): And great is the Grace of Allah unto thee.

In most of their secret talks there is nogood: But if one exhorts to a deed of charity or goodness orconciliation between people, (secrecy is permissible): To him whodoes this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall soon give areward of the highest (value).

If anyone contends with the Messenger evenafter guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a pathother than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in thepath he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge!

Allah forgiveth not (the sin of) joiningother gods with Him; but He forgiveth whom He pleaseth other sinsthan this: one who joins other gods with Allah, hath strayed far,far away (from the right).

(The Pagans), leaving Him, call but uponfemale deities: They call but upon Satan the persistent rebel!

Allah did curse him, but he said: “I willtake of Thy servants a portion marked off;

“I will mislead them, and I will create inthem false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle,and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah.” Whoever,forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffereda loss that is manifest.

Satan makes them promises, and creates inthem false hopes; but Satan’s promises are nothing but deception.

They (his dupes) will have their dwelling inHell, and from it they will find no way of escape.

But those who believe and do deeds ofrighteousness,- We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with riversflowing beneath,-to dwell therein for ever. Allah’s promise is thetruth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?

Not your desires, nor those of the People ofthe Book (can prevail): whoever works evil, will be requitedaccordingly. Nor will he find, besides Allah, any protector orhelper.

If any do deeds of righteousness,- be theymale or female – and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not theleast injustice will be done to them.

Who can be better in religion than one whosubmits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way ofAbraham the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.

But to Allah belong all things in the heavensand on earth: And He it is that Encompasseth all things.

They ask thy instruction concerning thewomen: Say: Allah doth instruct you about them: And (remember) whathath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans ofwomen to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom yedesire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak andoppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not agood deed which ye do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith.

If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on herhusband’s part, there is no blame on them if they arrange anamicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best;even though men’s souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good andpractice self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that yedo.

Ye are never able to be fair and just asbetween women, even if it is your ardent desire: But turn not away(from a woman) altogether, so as to leave her (as it were) hanging(in the air). If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practiceself- restraint, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

But if they disagree (and must part), Allahwill provide abundance for each of them from His all-reachingbounty: for Allah is He that careth for all and is Wise.

To Allah belong all things in the heavens andon earth. Verily We have directed the People of the Book before you,and you (O Muslims) to fear Allah. But if ye deny Him, lo! untoAllah belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and Allah isfree of all wants, worthy of all praise.

Yea, unto Allah belong all things in theheavens and on earth, and enough is Allah to carry through allaffairs.

If it were His will, He could destroy you, Omankind, and create another race; for He hath power this to do.

If anyone desires a reward in this life, inAllah’s (gift) is the reward (both) of this life and of thehereafter: for Allah is He that heareth and seeth (all things).

O ye who believe! stand out firmly forjustice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or yourparents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: forAllah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts),lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to dojustice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do.

O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and HisMessenger, and the scripture which He hath sent to His Messenger andthe scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who deniethAllah, His angels, His Books, His Messenger, and the Day ofJudgment, hath gone far, far astray.

Those who believe, then reject faith, thenbelieve (again) and (again) reject faith, and go on increasing inunbelief,- Allah will not forgive them nor guide them on the Way.

To the hypocrites give the glad tidings thatthere is for them a grievous penalty;-

Those who take for friends unbelievers ratherthan believers: is it honor they seek among them? Nay,- All honor iswith Allah.

Already has He sent you in the Book, thatwhen ye hear the message of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, yeare not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: ifye did, ye would be like them. For Allah will collect the hypocritesand those who defy faith – all in Hell:-

(These are) the ones who wait and watch aboutyou: if ye do gain a victory from Allah, they say: “Were we not withyou?”- but if the unbelievers gain a success, they say (to them):”Did we not gain an advantage over you, and did we not guard youfrom the believers?” But Allah will judge betwixt you on the Day ofJudgment. And never will Allah grant to the unbelievers a way (totriumph) over the believers.

The Hypocrites – they think they areover-reaching Allah, but He will over- reach them: When they standup to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, butlittle do they hold Allah in remembrance;

(They are) distracted in mind even in themidst of it,- being (sincerely) for neither one group nor foranother whom Allah leaves straying,- never wilt thou find for himthe way.

O ye who believe! Take not for friendsunbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an openproof against yourselves?

The hypocrites will be in the lowest depthsof the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them;-

Except for those who repent, mend (theirlives) hold fast to Allah, and make their religious devotion sincereto Allah: if so they will be (numbered) with the believers. And soonwill Allah grant to the believers a reward of immense value.

What can Allah gain by your punishment, if yeare grateful and ye believe? Nay, it is Allah that recogniseth (allgood), and knoweth all things.

Allah loveth not that evil should be noisedabroad in public speech, except from one who had being treatedunjustly; for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth all things.

Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal itor cover evil with pardon, verily Allah doth blot out (sins) andhath power (in the judgment of values).

Those who deny Allah and His messengers, and(those who) wish to separate between Allah and His messengers,saying: “We believe in some but reject others”: And (those who) wishto take a course midway,-

They are in truth unbelievers; and We haveprepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment.

To those who believe in Allah and Hismessengers and make no distinction between any of the messengers, weshall soon give their (due) rewards: for Allah is Oft- forgiving,Most Merciful.

The people of the Book ask thee to cause abook to descend to them from heaven: Indeed they asked Moses for aneven greater (miracle), for they said: “Show us Allah in public!,”But they were seized for their presumption, by thunder andlightning. Yet they worshipped the calf even after clear signs hadcome to them; even so We forgave them; and gave Moses manifestproofs of authority.

And for their covenant We raised over themthe Mount (Sinai); and (on another occasion) we said: “Enter thegate with humility”; and (once again) we commanded them: “Transgressnot in the matter of the Sabbath.” And We took from them a solemncovenant.

(They have incurred divine displeasure): Inthat they broke their covenant; that they rejected the Signs ofAllah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that theysaid, “Our hearts are the Wrappings (which preserve Allah’s Word; Weneed no more)”;- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts fortheir blasphemy, and little is it they believe;-

That they rejected Faith; that they utteredagainst Mary a grave false charge;

That they said (in boast), “We killed ChristJesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.”;- But they killedhim not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them,and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain)knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety theykilled him not:-

Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; andAllah is Exalted in Power, Wise;-

And there is none of the People of the Bookbut must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgmenthe will be a witness against them;-

For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawfulfor them certain (foods) good and wholesome which had been lawfulfor them;- in that they hindered many from Allah’s Way;-

That they took usury, though they wereforbidden; and that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully;- Wehave prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievouspunishment.

But those among them who are well-grounded inknowledge, and the believers, believe in what hath been revealed tothee and what was revealed before thee: And (especially) those whoestablish regular prayer and pay Zakat (regular charity) and believein Allah and in the Last Day: To them shall We soon give a greatreward.

We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent itto Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration toAbraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah,Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.

Of some messengers We have already told theethe story; of others We have not;- and to Moses Allah spoke direct;-

Messengers who gave good news as well aswarning, that mankind, after (the coming) of the messengers, shouldhave no plea against Allah. For Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

But Allah beareth witness that what He hathsent unto thee He hath sent from His (own) knowledge, and the angelsbear witness: But enough is Allah for a witness.

Those who reject Faith and keep off (men)from the way of Allah, have verily strayed far, far away from thePath.

Those who reject Faith and do wrong,- Allahwill not forgive them nor guide them to any way-

Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever. And this to Allah is easy.

O Mankind! The Messenger hath come to you intruth from Allah. believe in him: It is best for you. But if yereject Faith, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and onearth: And Allah is All-Knowing, All- 8ff wise.

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses inyour religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesusthe son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and HisWord, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him:so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not “Three (Trinity)” :desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God. Glory be toHim: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong allthings in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as aDisposer of affairs.

Christ disdaineth not to serve and worshipAllah, nor do the angels, those nearest (to Allah): those whodisdain His worship and are arrogant,-He will gather them alltogether unto Himself to (answer).

But to those who believe and do deeds ofrighteousness, He will give their (due) rewards,- and more, out ofHis bounty: But those who are disdainful and arrogant, He willpunish with a grievous chastisement; Nor will they find, besidesAllah, any to protect or help them.

O mankind! Verily there hath come to you aconvincing proof from your Lord: For We have sent unto you a light(that is) manifest.

Then those who believe in Allah, and holdfast to Him,- soon will He admit them to Mercy and Grace fromHimself, and guide them to Himself by a straight way.

They ask thee for a legal decision. Say:Allah directs (thus) about those who leave no descendants orascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a sister butno child, she shall have half the inheritance: If (such a deceasedwas) a woman, who left no child, her brother takes her inheritance:If there are two sisters, they shall have two-thirds of theinheritance (between them): if there are brothers and sisters, (theyshare), the male having twice the share of the female. Thus dothAllah make clear to you (His law), lest ye err. And Allah hathknowledge of all things.