6. The Cattle

Praise be Allah, Who created the heavens andthe earth, and made the Darkness and the Light. Yet those who rejectFaith hold (others) as equal, with their Guardian-Lord.

He it is Who created you from clay, and thendecreed a stated term (for you). And there is with Him anotherdetermined term; yet ye doubt within yourselves!

And He is Allah in the heavens and on earth.He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal, and He knoweth the(recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).

But never did a single one of the Signs oftheir Lord reach them, but they turned away therefrom.

And now they reject the truth when it reachesthem: but soon shall come to them the news of what they used to mockat.

See they not how many of those before them Wedid destroy?- generations We had established on the earth, instrength such as We have not given to you – for whom We poured outrain from the skies in abundance, and gave (fertile) streams flowingbeneath their (feet): yet for their sins We destroyed them, andraised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).

If We had sent unto thee a written (message)on parchment, so that they could touch it with their hands, theUnbelievers would have been sure to say: “This is nothing butobvious magic!”

They say: “Why is not an angel sent down tohim?” If we did send down an angel, the matter would be settled atonce, and no respite would be granted them.

If We had made it an angel, We should havesent him as a man, and We should certainly have caused themconfusion in a matter which they have already covered withconfusion.

Mocked were (many) messengers before thee;but their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.

Say: “Travel through the earth and see whatwas the end of those who rejected Truth.”

Say: “To whom belongeth all that is in theheavens and on earth?” Say: “To Allah.” He hath inscribed forHimself (the rule of) Mercy. That He will gather you together forthe Day of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever. It is they who havelost their own souls, that will not believe.

To him belongeth all that dwelleth (orlurketh) in the night and the day. For He is the One who heareth andknoweth all things.”

Say: “Shall I take for my protector any otherthan Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? And He it isthat feedeth but is not fed.” Say: “Nay! but I am commanded to bethe first of those who bow to Allah (in Isl�m), and be not thou ofthe company of those who join gods with Allah.”

Say: “I would, if I disobeyed my Lord, indeedhave fear of the Chastisement of a Mighty Day.

“On that day, if the penalty is averted fromany, it is due to Allah’s Mercy; And that would be a Mighty Triumph.

“If Allah touch thee with affliction, nonecan remove it but He; if He touch thee with happiness, He hath powerover all things.

“He is the Irresistibly Supreme over Hisservants; and He is the Wise, acquainted with all things.”

Say: “What thing is most weighty inevidence?” Say: “Allah is witness between me and you; This Quranhath been revealed to me by inspiration, that I may warn you and allwhom it reaches. Can ye possibly bear witness that besides Allahthere are other gods?” Say: “Nay! I cannot bear witness!” Say: “Butin truth He is the One God, and I truly am innocent of (yourblasphemy of) joining others with Him.”

Those to whom We have given the Book knowthis as they know their own sons. Those who have lost their ownsouls refuse therefore to believe.

Who doth more wrong than he who inventeth alie against Allah or rejecteth His Sings? But verily the wrong-doersnever shall prosper.

One day shall We gather them all together: Weshall say to those who ascribed partners (to Us): “Where are thepartners whom ye (invented and) talked about?”

There will then be (left) no subterfuge forthem but to say: “By Allah our Lord, we were not those who joinedgods with Allah.”

Behold! how they lie against themselves! Butthe (lie) which they invented will leave them in the lurch.

Of them there are some who (pretend to)listen to thee; but We have thrown veils on their hearts, So theyunderstand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they saw every oneof the Signs, they will not believe in them; in so much that whenthey come to thee, they (but) dispute with thee; the Unbelieverssay: “These are nothing but tales of the ancients.”

Others they keep away from it, and themselvesthey keep away; but they only destroy themselves, and they perceiveit not.

If thou couldst but see when they shall bemade to stand by the Fire! They will say: “Would that we were butsent back! Then would we not reject the Signs of our Lord, but wouldbe amongst those who believe!”

Yea, in their own (eyes) will become manifestwhat before they concealed. But if they were returned, they wouldcertainly relapse to the things they were forbidden, for they areindeed liars.

And they (sometimes) say: “There is nothingexcept our life on this earth, and never shall we be raised upagain.”

If thou couldst but see when they shall bemade to stand before their Lord! He will say: “Is not this thetruth?” They will say: “Yea, by our Lord!” He will say: “Taste yethen the chastisement, because ye rejected Faith.”

Lost indeed are they who treat it as afalsehood that they must meet Allah,- until on a sudden the hour ison them, and they say: “Ah! woe unto us that we neglected”; for theybear their burdens on their backs, and evil indeed are the burdensthat they bear?

Nothing is the life of this world but playand amusement. But best is the Home in the Hereafter, for those whoare righteous. Will ye not then understand?

We know indeed the grief which their words docause thee: It is not thee they reject: it is the Signs of Allah,which the wicked deny.

Rejected were the messengers before thee:with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and theirpersecution, until Our aid did reach them: there is none that canalter the Words (and Decrees) of Allah. Already hast thou receivedsome account of those messengers.

If their spurning is hard on thee, yet ifthou wert able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladder to theskies and bring them a Sign,- (what good?). If it were Allah’s Will,He could gather them together unto true guidance: so be not thouamongst those who are swayed by ignorance (and impatience)!

Those who listen (in truth), be sure, willaccept: as to the dead, Allah will raise them up; then will they bereturned unto Him.

They say: “Why is not a Sign sent down to himfrom his Lord!” Say: “Allah hath certainly power to send down aSign: but most of them understand not.”

There is not an animal (that lives) on theearth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of)communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book, andthey (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.

Those who reject our Sings are deaf anddumb,- in the midst of darkness profound: whom Allah willeth, Heleaveth to wander: whom He willeth, He placeth on the Way that isStraight.

Say: “Think ye to yourselves, if there comeupon you the punishment of Allah, or the Hour (that ye dread), wouldye then call upon other than Allah? – (reply) if ye are truthful!

“Nay,- On Him would ye call, and if it be HisWill, He would remove (the distress) which occasioned your call uponHim, and ye would forget (the false gods) which ye join with Him!”

Before thee We sent (messengers) to manynations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity,that they might call (Allah) in humility.

When the suffering reached them from Us, whythen did they not call (Allah) in humility? On the contrary theirhearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seemalluring to them.

But when they forgot the warning they hadreceived, We opened to them the gates of all (good) things, until,in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, We calledthem to account, when lo! they were plunged in despair!

Of the wrong-doers the last remnant was cutoff. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.

Say: “Think ye, if Allah took away yourhearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who – a god otherthan Allah – could restore them to you?” See how We explain thesigns by various (symbols); yet they turn aside.

Say: “Think ye, if the punishment of Allahcomes to you, whether suddenly or openly, will any be destroyedexcept those who do wrong?

We send the messengers only to give good newsand to warn: so those who believe and mend (their lives),- upon themshall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

But those who reject Our Signs,- them shallpunishment touch, for that they ceased not from transgressing.

Say: “I tell you not that with me are theTreasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell youI am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me.” Say: “can theblind be held equal to the seeing?” Will ye then consider not?

Give this warning to those in whose (hearts)is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before theirLord: except for Him they will have no protector nor intercessor:that they may guard (against evil).

Send not away those who call on their Lordmorning and evening, seeking His face. In naught art thouaccountable for them, and in naught are they accountable for thee,that thou shouldst turn them away, and thus be (one) of the unjust.

Thus did We test some of them by others, thatthey should say: “Is it these then that Allah hath favored fromamongst us?” Doth not Allah know best those who are grateful?

When those come to thee who believe in OurSigns, say: “Peace be on you: Your Lord hath inscribed for Himself(the rule of) Mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance,and thereafter repented, and amended (his conduct), lo! He is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Thus do We explain the Signs in detail: thatthe way of the sinners may be shown up.

Say: “I am forbidden to worship those -others than Allah – whom ye call upon.” Say: “I will not follow yourvain desires: If I did, I would stray from the path, and be not ofthe company of those who receive guidance.”

Say: “For me, I am on a clear Sign from myLord, but ye reject Him. What ye would see hastened, is not in mypower. The command rests with none but Allah: He declares the truth,and He is the best of judges.”

Say: “If what ye would see hastened were inmy power, the matter would be settled at once between you and me.But Allah knoweth best those who do wrong.”

With Him are the keys of the Unseen, thetreasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is onthe earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with Hisknowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of theearth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is(inscribed) in a Record clear (to those who can read).

It is He who doth take your souls by night,and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day: by day doth Heraise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the endunto Him will be your return; then will He show you the truth of allthat ye did.

He is the Irresistibly Supreme over Hisservants, and He sets guardians over you. At length, when deathapproaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never failin their duty.

Then they are returned unto Allah, their TrueProtector, surely His is the Command, and He is the swiftest intaking account.

Say: “Who is it that delivereth you from thedark recesses of land and sea, when ye call upon Him in humility andin secret: ‘If He only delivers us from these (dangers), (we vow) weshall truly show our gratitude’.?”

Say: “It is Allah that delivereth you fromthese and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!”

Say: “He hath power to send calamities onyou, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in partystrife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance – each from theother.” See how We explain the signs in diverse ways; that they mayunderstand.

But thy people reject this, though it is theTruth. Say: “Not mine is the responsibility for arranging youraffairs;

For every Prophecy is a limit of time, andsoon shall ye know it.”

When thou seest men engaged in vain discourseabout Our Signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a differenttheme. If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sitnot thou in the company of those who do wrong.

On their account no responsibility falls onthe righteous, but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may(learn to) fear Allah.

Leave alone those who take their religion tobe mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of thisworld. But continue to admonish with it (the Quran) lest a soul iscaught in its own ruin by its own actions: it will find for itselfno protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered everyransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of)those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they willhave for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one mostgrievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.

Say: “Shall we call on others besides Allah,-things that can do us neither good nor harm,- and turn on our heelsafter receiving guidance from Allah? – like one whom the Satans havemade into a fool, wandering bewildered through the earth, hisfriends calling: ‘come to us’, (vainly) guiding him to the path.”Say: “Allah’s guidance is the (only) guidance, and we have beendirected to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;-

“To establish regular prayers and to fearAllah: for it is to Him that we shall be gathered together.”

It is He who created the heavens and theearth with true: the day He saith, “Be,” behold! it is. His Word isthe Truth. His will be the dominion the day the trumpet will beblown. He knoweth the Unseen as well as that which is Open. For Heis the Wise, well acquainted (with all things).

Lo! Abraham said to his father �zar: “Takestthou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifesterror.”

So also did We show Abraham the kingdom andthe laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (withunderstanding) have certitude.

When the night covered him over, He saw astar: He said: “This is my Lord.” But when it set, He said: “I lovenot those that set.”

When he saw the moon rising in splendor, hesaid: “This is my Lord.” But when the moon set, He said: “Unless myLord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.”

When he saw the sun rising in splendor, hesaid: “This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).” But when thesun set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt)of giving partners to Allah.

“For me, I have set my face, firmly andtruly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and nevershall I give partners to Allah.”

His people disputed with him. He said:”(Come) ye to dispute with me, about Allah, when He (Himself) hathguided me? I fear not (the beings) ye associate with Allah. Unlessmy Lord willeth, (nothing can happen). My Lord comprehendeth in Hisknowledge all things. Will ye not (yourselves) be admonished?

“How should I fear (the beings) ye associatewith Allah, when ye fear not to give partners to Allah without anywarrant having been given to you? Which of (us) two parties hathmore right to security? (tell me) if ye know.

“It is those who believe and mix not theirbeliefs with wrong – that are (truly) in security, for they are on(right) guidance.”

That was Our argument which We gave toAbraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degreeafter degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.

We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) Weguided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny,David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We rewardthose who do good:

And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias:all in the ranks of the Righteous:

And Ismail and Elisha, and Jonah, and Lot:and to all We gave favor above the nations:

(To them) and to their fathers, and progenyand brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight Way.

This is the Guidance of Allah. He giveth thatguidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers. If they were tojoin other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them.

These were the men to whom We gave the Book,and authority, and prophethood: if these (their descendants) rejectthem, Behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new People whoreject them not.

Those were the (prophets) who receivedAllah’s guidance. Follow the guidance they received; Say: “No rewardfor this do I ask of you: This is but a reminder to the nations.”

No just estimate of Allah do they make whenthey say: “Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way ofrevelation)” Say: “Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?-a light and guidance to man: But ye make it into (separate) sheetsfor show, while ye conceal much (of its contents): therein were yetaught that which ye knew not – neither ye nor your fathers.” Say:”Allah (sent it down)”, then leave them to plunge in vain discourseand trifling.

And this is a Book which We have sent down,bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which camebefore it: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities (Makkah) andall around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this(Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers.

Who can be more wicked than one who inventetha lie against Allah, or saith, “I have received inspiration,” whenhe hath received none, or (again) who saith, “I can reveal the likeof what Allah hath revealed”? If thou couldst but see how the wicked(do fare) in the agonies of death! – the angels stretch forth theirhands, (saying),”Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive yourreward,- a penalty of disgrace, for that ye used to tell liesagainst Allah, and scornfully to reject of His Signs!”

“And behold! ye come to us bare and alone asWe created you for the first time: Ye have left behind you all (thefavors) which We bestowed on you: We see not with you yourintercessors whom ye thought to be partners in your affairs: so nowall relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancieshave left you in the lurch!”

It is Allah Who causeth the seed-grain andthe date-stone to split and sprout. He causeth the living to issuefrom the dead, and He is the One to cause the dead to issue from theliving. That is Allah: then how are ye deluded away from the truth?

He it is that cleaveth the day-break (fromthe dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sunand moon for the reckoning (of time): Such is the judgment andordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient.

It is He Who maketh the stars (as beacons)for you, that ye may guide yourselves, with their help, through thedark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our Signs for people whoknow.

It is He Who hath produced you from a singlesoul: then there is a nesting place and a repository: We detail OurSigns for people who understand.

It is He Who sendeth down rain from theskies: with it We produce vegetation of all kinds: from some Weproduce green (crops), out of which We produce grain, heaped up (atharvest); out of the date-palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come)clusters of dates hanging low and near: and (then there are) gardensof grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yetdifferent (in variety): when they begin to bear fruit, feast youreyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! in thesethings there are Signs for people who believe.

Yet they make the Jinns equals with Allah,though Allah did create the Jinns; and they falsely, having noknowledge, attribute to Him sons and daughters. Praise and glory beto Him! (for He is) above what they attribute to Him!

Wonderful Originator of the heavens and theearth: How can He have a son when He hath no consort? He created allthings, and He hath full knowledge of all things.

That is Allah, your Lord! there is no god butHe, the Creator of all things: then worship ye Him: and He hathpower to dispose of all affairs.

No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp isover all vision: He is Subtle well-aware (of all things).

“Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs(to open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good of)his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (harm): Iam not (here) to watch over your doings.”

Thus do We explain the Signs by various(ways): that they may say, “Thou hast learnt this (from somebody),”and that We may make the matter clear to those who know.

Follow what thou art taught by inspirationfrom thy Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those whojoin gods with Allah.

If it had been Allah’s will, they would nothave taken false gods: but We made thee not one to watch over theirdoings, nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs.

Revile not ye those whom they call uponbesides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in theirignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings.In the end will they return to their Lord, and He shall then tellthem the truth of all that they did.

They swear their strongest oaths by Allah,that if a (special) sign came to them, by it they would believe.Say: “Certainly (all) Signs are in the power of Allah: but what willmake you (Muslims) realize that (even) if (special) signs came, theywill not believe.”?

We (too) shall turn to (confusion) theirhearts and their eyes, even as they refused to believe in this inthe first instance: We shall leave them in their trespasses, tostumble blindly.

Even if We did send unto them angels, and thedead did speak unto them, and We gathered together all things beforetheir very eyes, they are not the ones to believe, unless it is inAllah’s Plan. But most of them ignore (the truth).

Likewise did We make for every Messenger anenemy,- evil ones among men and Jinns, inspiring each other withflowery discourses by way of deception. If thy Lord had so willed,they would not have done it: so leave them and what they forge.

To such (deceit) let the hearts of thoseincline, who have no faith in the hereafter: let them delight in it,and let them earn from it what they may.

Say: “Shall I seek for judge other thanAllah? – when He it is Who hath sent unto you the Book, explained indetail.” They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, thatit hath been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Never be then ofthose who doubt.

The Word of thy Lord doth find itsfulfillment in truth and in justice: None can change His Words: forHe is the One who heareth and knoweth all.

Wert thou to follow the common run of thoseon earth, they will lead thee away from the way of Allah. Theyfollow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but lie.

Thy Lord knoweth best who strayeth from HisWay: He knoweth best those who are rightly guided.

So eat of (meats) on which Allah’s name hathbeen pronounced, if ye have faith in His Signs.

Why should ye not eat of (meats) on whichAllah’s name hath been pronounced, when He hath explained to you indetail what is forbidden to you – except under compulsion ofnecessity? But many do mislead (men) by their low desires withoutknowledge. Thy Lord knoweth best those who transgress.

Eschew all sin, open or secret: those whoearn sin will get due recompense for their “earnings.”

Eat not of (meats) on which Allah’s name hathnot been pronounced: That would be impiety. But the evil ones everinspire their friends to contend with you if ye were to obey them,ye would indeed be Pagans.

Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life,and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is inthe depths of darkness, from which he can never come out? Thus tothose without faith their own deeds seem pleasing.

Thus have We placed leaders in every town,its wicked men, to plot (and burrow) therein: but they only plotagainst their own souls, and they perceive it not.

When there comes to them a Sign (from Allah),they say: “We shall not believe until we receive one (exactly) likethose received by Allah’s messengers.” Allah knoweth best where (andhow) to carry out His mission. Soon will the wicked be overtaken byhumiliation before Allah, and a severe punishment, for all theirplots.

Those whom Allah willeth to guide,- Heopeneth their breast to Isl�m; those whom He willeth to leavestraying,- He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if theyhad to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah lay abomination onthose who refuse to believe.

This is the Way of thy Lord, leadingstraight: We have detailed the Signs for those who receiveadmonition.

For them will be a Home of Peace with theirLord: He will be their Friend, because they practiced(righteousness).

One day will He gather them all together,(and say): “O ye assembly of Jinns! Much (toll) did ye take of men.”Their friends amongst men will say: “Our Lord! we made profit fromeach other: but (alas!) we reached our term – which thou didstappoint for us.” He will say: “The Fire be your dwelling-place: youwill dwell therein for ever, except as Allah willeth.” for thy Lordis full of wisdom and knowledge.

Thus do we make the wrong-doers turn to eachother, because of what they earn.

“O ye assembly of Jinns and men! came therenot unto you messengers from amongst you, setting forth unto you MySigns, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” Theywill say: “We bear witness against ourselves.” It was the life ofthis world that deceived them. So against themselves will they bearwitness that they rejected Faith.

(The messengers were sent) thus, for thy Lordwould not destroy the towns unjustly whilst their occupants wereunwarned.

To all are degrees (or ranks) according totheir deeds: for thy Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do.

Thy Lord is Self-sufficient, full of Mercy:if it were His Will, He could destroy you, and in your place appointwhom He will as your successors, even as He raised you up from theposterity of other people.

All that hath been promised unto you willcome to pass: nor can ye frustrate it (in the least bit).

Say: “O my people! Do whatever ye can: I willdo (my part): soon will ye know who it is whose end will be (best)in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrong- doers will notprosper.”

Out of what Allah hath produced in abundancein tilth and in cattle, they assigned Him a share: they say,according to their fancies: “This is for Allah, and this” – for our”partners”! but the share of their “partners” reacheth not Allah,whilst the share of Allah reacheth their “partners” ! Evil (andunjust) is their assignment!

Even so, in the eyes of most of the pagans,their “partners” made alluring the slaughter of their children, inorder to lead them to their own destruction, and cause confusion intheir religion. If Allah had willed, they would not have done so:But leave alone them and what they forge.

And they say that such and such cattle andcrops are forbidden, and none should eat of them except those whom -so they say – We wish; further, there are cattle forbidden to yokeor burden, and cattle on which, (at slaughter), the name of Allah isnot pronounced; – forging a lie against Allah’s name: soon will Herequite them for they forged.

They say: “What is in the wombs of such andsuch cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men, andforbidden to our women; but if it is still-born, then all haveshares therein. For their (false) attribution (of superstitions toAllah), He will soon punish them: for He is full of wisdom andknowledge.

Lost are those who slay their children, fromfolly, without knowledge, and forbid food which Allah hath providedfor them, forging (lies) against Allah. They have indeed gone astrayand heeded no guidance.

It is He Who produceth gardens, withtrellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of allkinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different(in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render thedues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. Butwaste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters.

Of the cattle are some for burden and somefor meat: eat what Allah hath provided for you, and follow not thefootsteps of Satan: for he is to you and avowed enemy.

(Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four)pairs: of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair; say, hath He forbiddenthe two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs ofthe two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful:

Of camels a pair, and of oxen a pair; say,hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young)which the wombs of the two females enclose? – Were ye present whenAllah ordered you such a thing? But who doth more wrong than one whoinvents a lie against Allah, to lead astray men without knowledge?For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.

Say: “I find not in the Message received byme by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishesto eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or theflesh of swine,- for it is an abomination – or, what is impious,(meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah’s”. But(even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without willfuldisobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord isOft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

For those who followed the Jewish Law, Weforbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them thatfat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs ortheir entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this in recompense fortheir willful disobedience: for We are True (in Our ordinances).

If they accuse thee of falsehood, say: “YourLord is full of mercy all- embracing; but from people in guilt neverwill His wrath be turned back.”

Those who give partners (to Allah) will say:”If Allah had wished, we should not have given partners to Him norwould our fathers; nor should we have had any forbidden things.” Sodid their ancestors argue falsely, until they tasted of Our wrath.Say: “Have ye any (certain) knowledge? If so, produce it before us.Ye follow nothing but conjecture: ye do nothing but lie.”

Say: “With Allah is the argument that reacheshome: if it had been His Will, He could indeed have guided you all.”

Say: “Bring forward your witnesses to provethat Allah did forbid so and so.” If they bring such witnesses, benot thou amongst them: Nor follow thou the vain desires of such astreat Our Signs as falsehoods, and such as believe not in theHereafter: for they hold others as equal with their Guardian-Lord.

Say: “Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath(really) prohibited you from”: Join not anything with Him; be goodto your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- Weprovide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to indecentdeed f9b s. Whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hathmade sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He commandyou, that ye may learn wisdom.

And come not nigh to the orphan’s property,except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; givemeasure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place onany soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speakjustly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill theCovenant of Allah. thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

Verily, this is My Way, leading straight:follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you aboutfrom His Path: thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous.

Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing(Our favor) to those who would do right, and explaining all thingsin detail,- and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in themeeting with their Lord.

And this is a Book which We have revealed asa blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receivemercy:

Lest ye should say: “The Book was sent downto two Peoples before us, and for our part, we remained unacquaintedwith all that they learned by assiduous study:”

Or lest ye should say: “If the Book had onlybeen sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance betterthan they.” Now then hath come unto you a Clear (Sign) from yourLord,- and a guide and a mercy: then who could do more wrong thanone who rejecteth Allah’s Signs, and turneth away therefrom? In goodtime shall We requite those who turn away from Our Signs, with adreadful chastisement, for their turning away.

Are they waiting to see if the angels come tothem, or thy Lord (Himself), or certain of the Signs of thy Lord!the day that certain of the Signs of thy Lord do come, no good willit do to a soul to believe in them then if it believed not beforenor earned righteousness through its faith. Say: “Wait ye: we tooare waiting.”

As for those who divide their religion andbreak up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: theiraffair is with Allah. He will in the end tell them the truth of allthat they did.

He that doeth good shall have ten times asmuch to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensedaccording to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto them.

Say: “Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a Waythat is straight,- a religion of right,- the Path (trod) by Abrahamthe true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah.”

Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service ofsacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisherof the Worlds:

No partner hath He: this am I commanded, andI am the first of those who submit to His will.

Say: “Shall I seek for (my) Lord other thanAllah, when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)? Everysoul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer ofburdens can bear of burdens can bear the burden of another. Yourreturn in the end is towards Allah. He will tell you the truth ofthe things wherein ye disputed.”

It is He Who hath made you the inheritors ofthe earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that Hemay try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick inpunishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.