About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       O you who believe! Fulfil your obligations. All beasts of cattle are lawful to you for food except some which are announced to you (in Verse #3 below). Hunting animals is unlawful for you while you are in Ihram. Indeed, Allah commands that which He wills.

       O you who believe! Don’t violate the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the animals with garlands around their necks (meant for sacrifice), nor the people visiting the Sacred House (in Makkah) seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Creator. But when you put off Ihram, you are allowed to hunt. And let not the hatred for the people who (once) stopped you visiting Masjid-al-Haram provoke you to transgress against them. You should cooperate with each other in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate with each other in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.

       Following are unlawful for you for food. The dead animals, blood, the meat of pig, and that which is dedicated to others than Allah (i.e. on which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughter-ing), and that which has been killed by strangling, or beaten to death, or died after falling from a height, or killed by the goring of horns, and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal, unless you are able to (Islamically) slaughter it (before its death), and that which is slaughtered at place of idols. It is also unlawful to seek luck or a decision using arrows or dices. All that is disobedience of Allah and sin. Today (i.e. now) the disbeliev-ers have lost all hopes (to overcome or suppress) your religion. (Since Islam has a good standing now). Hence, don’t fear the disbelievers (that they may suppress your re-ligion), rather fear Me (i.e. don’t disobey my regulations). Today I have perfected your religion for you (in every respect) and I have com-pleted My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. So if someone is forced by extreme hunger with no inclination to commit a sin, then surely, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) !] They ask you what is lawful for them (as food). Say: “(All) good things are made lawful for you. And the animals (e.g. hounds) and birds of prey which you have trained in the manner which Allah has taught you, so eat of that which they catch for you as long as you mention Allah’s Name upon it, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Swift to take account.

       This day (all) good things are made lawful for you, and the food of people of the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. The chaste women of the believers and the chaste women of the People of the Scripture are lawful for you (in marriage), when you give them their bridal-money, desiring legal marriage, not for seeking illegal sexual pleasure, nor for secret sexual relations. And whosoever disbelieves in Faith, all his deeds become null and void and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter.

       O you who believe! When you prepare yourself to offer Salat, wash your faces and your hands up to elbows and pass your wet hands over your head, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. And if you had a sexual discharge, purify yourselves (by taking a bath). But if you are ill or on a journey, or you have relieved yourself by visiting the toilet, or you had a sexual intercourse with women, and you do not find water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth. So gently rub clean earth on your face and hands. Allah does not want to cause you a hardship, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you so that you may be thankful.

       And remember Allah’s favours bestowed upon you, and the promise you made (with Allah) saying: “We hear and we obey.” And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Knower of (the secrets) in your breasts.

       O you who believe! You should take a firm stand for the truth, to please Allah and be honest witnesses to establish justice, and let not the enmity of others provoke you to do injustice. Be just since it is nearer to piety and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

       Allah has promised those who believe and do good deeds, forgive-ness and a tremendous reward (i.e. Paradise).

       And those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations will be the residents of Hell.

       O you who believe! Remember the Favour of Allah to you when some people intended to stretch out their hands against you (i.e. planned to finish you), so Allah withheld their hands from you. (Finally, you defeated them). So fear Allah. And believers should put their trust in Allah.

       And, indeed, Allah took the promise from the Children of Israel (Jews), and We appointed twelve leaders among them. And Allah said: “I am with you if you perform Salat, and give Zakat and believe in My messengers, and strengthen them, and lend a good loan to Allah, I will, indeed, remove your sins and admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers flow (in Paradise). But if any of you would disbelieve after this (agreement), he has, indeed, gone astray from the Straight Path.”

       Hence, because of their breach of their promise, We cursed them and hardened their hearts. They changed words from their context and they ignored a large part of the advice given to them. You will continously learn about their dishonesty, except for a few of them. Hence, forgive them and overlook (their mistakes). Indeed, Allah loves the good-doers.

       And from those who call themselves Christians, We took a promise and they (also) ignored a large part of the advice given to them. Hence, We have caused enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will soon inform them of what they used to do.

       And from those who call themselves Christians, We took a promise and they (also) ignored a large part of the advice given to them. Hence, We have caused enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will soon inform them of what they used to do.

       Allah guides with this (Book) all those who seek His Good Pleasure to the paths of peace, and, He brings them out of (all forms of) darkness (or ignorance) into light and guides them to the Straight Path.

       Indeed, those are the dis-believers who say that Allah is Messiah, son of Maryam. Say [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]: “Who has any power over Allah, if Allah were to destroy Messiah, son of Maryam, his mother, and all those on the earth?” It is Allah’s Sovereignty in the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. Allah creates what He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.

       And (both) the Jews and Christians say: “We are children of Allah and His loved ones.” Say: “Why then does He punish you for your sins?” In fact, you are human beings which Allah has created, He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. It is Allah’s Sovereignty in the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and all will return to Allah.

       O people of the Scripture! Our messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] has come to you after an interval in (the series of) messengers to describe things clearly, lest you say: “Nobody came to us with a glad tiding, nor with any warning.” Hence, now has come to you one who conveys to you the glad tidings and warnings. And Allah is Able to do all things.

       And (remember) when Musa () said to his people: “O my people! Remember the favours of Allah to you when He made Prophets among you and also made kings among you and gave you what He did not give to any other among the mankind and jinn (of your time).

       “O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) (with the intention of Jihad) which Allah has written for you. (Hence, by advancing towards it, you will definitely be victorious) and don’t turn your backs (i.e. don’t flee), for then you will be losers.” (i.e. deprived of kingdom in this world and will be sinful in the Hereafter for ignoring Jihad).

       They said “O Musa ()! There are extremely powerful people residing in it (in this land), and we shall never enter it till they leave, so when they leave, then we will enter.”

       Two men, who feared Allah and on whom Allah’s Grace was bes-towed (Yusha and Kalab ), said: “Attack them through the gate. When you enter the gate, victory will be yours; and put your trust in Allah if you are (true) believers.”

       They said: “O Musa ()! We shall never enter it as long as they remain there. So you go and your Creator and two of you fight with them, we are sitting right here.”

       Musa () said: “O my Creator! “I have no control except over myself and my brother. Hence, cause separation between us and the disobedient people.”

       Allah said: “So, indeed, this (holy land) is forbidden to them for forty years. They will keep wander-ing here and there in this land (dur-ing this time).” [Musa () expected only a small punishment for his people. Musa () became some-what sad] (Allah added:) “Don’t be sad about disobedient people.” (They deserve this punishment).

       And [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] recite to them the story of the two sons of Adam () (Habil and Qabil), when each offered a sacrifice (to Allah). The sacrifice of one was accepted but not from the other. One of them said to the other: “I will surely kill you.” The other answered: “Verily, Allah accepts (sacrifice) only from those who are pious.

       “Even if you try to kill me with your hand, I shall not raise my hand to kill you, since I fear the Creator of mankind, jinn and all that exists.

       “Verily, I intend to let you have my sin and your sin on your shoulders and then you will be one of the dwellers of Fire and that is the reward for the wrong-doers.”

       So his inner self made fair-seeming to him to kill his brother (whose sacrifice was accepted). Then he killed him and became one of the losers.

       Then Allah sent a crow which scratched the ground to show him how to hide the dead body of his brother. (The murderer) said: “Woe to me! Am I too weak to act like this crow and be able to hide dead body of my brother?” Then he became one of those who are full of regrets.

       For that reason, We com-manded for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not to take (equal) revenge of a murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And, indeed, there came to them the messengers with clear proofs, even after that many of them were those committing excesses in the land!

       Indeed, the punishment for those who fight against Allah and His messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and those who do their best to spread mischief in the land is that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or are  expelled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and they will have a greater torment in the Hereafter.

       Except for those who repent before you overpower them, and bear in mind that Allah is Very Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       O you who believe! Fear Allah. And seek means to achieve nearness to Him and strive hard in His Path, so that you may be successful.

       Verily, if the disbelievers had all that is in the earth, and additional same amount, to free themselves from the torment of the Day of Judgement, it will never be accepted from them and there will be a painful torment for them.

       The disbelievers will wish to get out of the Fire, but they will never be able to get out from that, and their torment will be permanent.

       And cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hands of the male thief and the female thief for the crimes they have committed. It is a punishment (by way of example) from Allah, and Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise.

       But whosoever repents after his crime and reforms himself, and then surely, Allah will accept his repentance. Indeed, Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       Don’t you know that Allah’s Sovereignty is in the heavens and earth? He punishes whom He wills and He forgives whom He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.

       O Prophet [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]! Don’t feel sad about those (hypocrites) who hurry to become disbelievers. They express verbally that we are believers but belief has not entered their hearts. And don’t feel sad about the Jews who listen eagerly to lies (from their phony scholars). They also listen to others who have not come to you personally (due to their arrogance and enmity). They change the words from their context and say: “If you receive this (the changed version), take it, if you are not given this, then beware!.” And whomsoever Allah puts in a trial, you cannot do anything for him against Allah. Allah does not want to purify the hearts of such people (from hypocrisy). There is a disgrace for them in this world and a greater torment in the Hereafter.

       Those (hypocrites and Jews) are always eager to listen to falsehood and to eat the forbidden things greedily. [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] So if they come to you, either judge between them, or turn away from them (as you like). If you turn away from them, they cannot harm you in any way. And if you judge, then judge between them with full justice. Verily, Allah loves those who act justly.

       And (it is so surprising that) they make you their judge while they have Taurat which contains the commands of Allah, then after that, they turn away (from the decision). In fact, they are not (really) believers.

       Indeed, We did send down Taurat [to Musa ()] in which was guidance (for true faith) and light (for the practice of this guidance). Many Prophets, who were totally submissive to Allah, and the rabbis, and the priests judged for the Jews with the commands in Taurat. They were entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witness of this responsibility. Hence (O Jews), don’t fear people, fear Me Alone, and don’t sell My Verses for petty gains. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has sent down, such are the (true) disbelievers.

       And We commanded (in Taurat): “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal.” However if a person forgives by way of charity, then the penalty will be satisfied. And whoever does not judge by that which Allah has sent down, such are the wrong-doers.

       And following their footsteps, We sent Isa (), son of Maryam, confirming Taurat that was revealed before him, and We gave him Injeel, which was full of guidance and light and it confirmed Taurat which was revealed before it, a guidance and advice for pious people.

       And the people of Injeel should judge by what Allah has sent down in Injeel, and whosoever does not judge by what Allah has sent down, and then such people are the evil-doers.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And We have sent down to you the Quran in truth confirming the Scriptures revealed before it. The Quran is a watcher over the earlier Scriptures. So judge among them by what Allah has sent down, and don’t follow their vain desires by turning away from the truth that has come to you. (These new laws should not surprise you. Even before you), We have prescribed a law (Shariat) and a clear way for every one among you. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but He intends to test you with what He has bestowed upon you, hence hasten and compete with each other in good deeds. (Finally) all of you have to return to Allah, and then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And judge among them by what Allah has sent down to you and don’t follow their vain desires. Beware of them lest they turn you away from part of what Allah has sent down to you. If they turn away (from your judgement), then know that Allah intends to punish them for some of their sins (in this world). And (don’t feel sad), indeed, most of the people have been disobedient (to Allah).

       Do they seek the judgement of (the days of) ignorance? And who is better in judgement and commands than Allah for the people who have firm Faith.

       O you who believe! Don’t make Jews and Christians your friends. They are friends of each other. And if anyone of you turns to them (for friendship); then surely he is one of them. Indeed, Allah does not guide those people who are wrong-doers.

       Hence, you will see that those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they rush to make friendship with them (the People of the Scripture), saying: “We fear lest an adversity may strike us.” It is very likely that Allah may grant a victory (to the believers), or bring an alternate thing from Him (e.g. impose a tax on the People of the Scripture). Then they will become regretful for what they have been hiding in themselves.

       And the believers will say: “Are these the people (hypocrites) who swore by Allah with the most binding oath, that they are with you (the believers?)” They have rendered their deeds null and void (because of their hypocrisy), so they have become the losers.

       O you who believe! Whoever from you reverts from Islam (to ignorance), Allah will bring a people whom Allah will love and they will love Him, humble towards the believers, severe towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Path of Allah, and they will never fear the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He grants whom He wills. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

       (O you who believe!), Indeed, your protector is Allah, His mes-senger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and the believers – those who perform Salat, and give Zakat and they bow down (to Allah in prayer).

       And whosoever makes Allah, and His messenger, and the believers as protectors, then, indeed, Allah’s group will be dominant.

       O you who believe! Do not take those who mock your religion and make fun of it, from the people of the Scripture and also from the disbelievers, as your friends, and fear Allah if you are true believers.

       And when the call for the prayer is made, they mock at it and make fun of it since they are people who don’t understand.

       Say: “O people of the Scrip-ture! Do you blame us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah, and in that which has been sent down to us and sent down before us, and also since most of you are disobedient (to Allah)?

       Say [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]: “Shall I inform you that who will receive worse punishment from Allah than that? Those (Jews) who earned the Curse of Allah and His Wrath, and He transformed (some of them) into monkeys and pigs. And those who worshipped false deities, they will have the worst place (in Hell), and they have gone far more astray from the Right Path (in this world). (They mock at the believers. In fact, their plight in this world and in the Hereafter shows that they deserve to be mocked at).

       And when they (the hypocrites) come to you, they say: “We be-lieve.” But in fact they enter with (an intention of) disbelief and they go out with (hidden) disbelief. And Allah knows all what they used to hide.

       And you will see many of them (Jews) competing strongly in sin and transgression and in receiving illegal financial gains. Indeed, it is evil that which they have been doing.

       Why don’t the rabbis and their religious scholars forbid them from uttering lies and from eating unlawful things? Indeed, they are engaged in a very evil activity.

       And the Jews say: “Allah’s Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not spend of His Bounties). (In fact) their hands are tied up and they are cursed for saying so. In fact, Allah’s both Hands are wide open. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. And, indeed, whatever is sent down to you from your Creator increases transgression and disbelief in most of them. And We have placed enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection. Every time they tried to initiate the fire of war, Allah extinguished it. And they strive hard to spread mischief in the land, and Allah does not like mischief-makers.

       And if only the people of the Scripture had believed [in Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and feared Allah, We would have forgiven their sins and would have admitted them to the Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise).

       And if only they had adhered to the guidance in Taurat and Injeel and (this guidance) which is sent down to them from their Creator (i.e. the Quran), Allah would have given them provision from above them and from beneath their feet. There is a moderate group among them, but many of them are of evil conduct. (since what could be worse than disbelief and jealousy). (Also see Surah Al-Araf:96)

       O messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]! Convey the message which has been sent down to you from your Creator. And if you don’t convey (even a part of it), then you have not fulfilled the responsibility of His Prophethood. (Don’t be afraid of disbelievers) Allah will protect you from mankind (so they cannot kill you). Indeed, Allah shall not guide the disbelievers (to kill you).

       Say: [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]: “O people of the Scripture! You have nothing till you act according to the Taurat, the Injeel, and what has now been sent to you from your Creator (i.e. the Quran).” And that which has been sent to you [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] from your Creator does increase in most of them mischief and disbelief. Hence, don’t be grieved about the disbelieving people. (Also see Surah Al-Isra:82)

       Surely, those who believe [in Allah and His messenger Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)], and those who are the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians – whosoever believed in Allah and the Last Day, and did good deeds, so they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.

       We, indeed, took a promise from the Children of Israel and sent messengers to them. Whenever a messenger came to them (with com-mands) which they did not desire, they denied a group of the messen-gers and killed the other group.

       And they thought there will be no punishment for it. Hence, they behaved like blind and deaf people. Then Allah accepted their repentance. Even after this most of them behaved as blind and deaf. And Allah is All-Seer of what they do.

       Indeed, those are disbelievers who say: “Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam.” But Messiah said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Creator and your Creator.” Indeed, whosoever makes partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, his residence will be Hell-Fire. And there are no helpers for the wrong-doers. (Also see Surah Aal-Imran:51)

       Indeed, those are also dis-believers who say: “Allah is the third of the three (in a trinity).” And (in fact) there is no god but one God (Allah). And if they don’t stop from what they say, then the disbelievers from them will have a painful punishment.

       Why don’t they turn to Allah with repentance and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       The Messiah, son of Maryam, was no more than a messenger. Many other messengers have passed away before him. And his mother (Maryam) was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. Look how We make the revelations clear for them, and then look how they are turned away (from the truth)!

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Do you worship besides Allah something which cannot harm you or benefit you (in any way)? And it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “O people of the Scripture! Don’t exceed the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and don’t follow the vain desires of the people who went astray before and who misguided many while they strayed (themselves) from the Right Path.”

       Disbelievers of Children of Israel were cursed by Dawud () and Isa (), son of Maryam (curse means deprived of Allah’s Mercy). That was because they disobeyed and were transgressors beyond limits.(Now they are cursed by the Quran).

       They (the disbelievers of Children of Israel) did not forbid one another from the sins which they committed. Indeed, it was evil what they used to do. 

       You see many of them making disbelievers as friends. Indeed, evil is that which they have sent forward before them to earn Allah’s Wrath and they will reside in a permanent torment.

       And if they had believed in Allah and His messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and in what has been sent down to him, they would not have made the disbelievers as friends, but many of them are disobedient (to Allah).

       Among the people you will surely find the strongest in enmity to the believers are Jews and idolaters, and you will find the nearest in affection to the believers those who say: “We are Christians.” It is because amongst them are priests and monks (those who have renounced the world) and they are not arrogant.

       And when they (the Christians) listen to what has been sent down to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) (i.e. the Quran) you see their eyes over flowing with tears due to the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Creator! We believe. Hence, write us down among the witnesses.

       “And why should we not believe in Allah and in the truth which has come to us? And we hope that our Creator will admit us (in Paradise) along with the pious people.” (Also see Surah Aal-Imran:199)

       So because of what they said, Allah granted them Gardens beneath which rivers flow (in Paradise) to reside there forever. And such is the reward of the good-doers.

       And those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, they shall be the residents of Hell-Fire.

       O you who believe! Don’t make the good permissible things unlawful which Allah has made lawful for you, and don’t transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like the transgressors.

       And eat the lawful things and your favourite ones from the lawful items which Allah has provided for you, and fear Allah in Whom you believe.

       Allah will not punish for your unintentional oaths, but He will punish you for your intentional oaths. As a punishment for the intentional oath, feed ten needy persons the meal which, on the average, you provide your family or clothe them or free a slave. Whosoever cannot afford that, then he should fast for three days. This is the penalty for your oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). In this way Allah makes His revelations clear to you so that you may be grateful (to Allah).

       O you who believe! Alcoholic drinks and gambling and animals slaughtered for idols and arrows for seeking luck are hateful satanic activities. Hence, keep away from these activities so that you may be successful.

       Indeed, Satan wants to create enmity and hatred between you with alcoholic drinks and gambling and stop you from the remembrance of Allah and Salat as well. So, will you not then abstain?

       And obey Allah and the messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and be careful (about satanic activities). Then if you turn away, bear in mind that the only duty of Our messenger is to convey (the message) in a very clear way.

       Those who believe and do good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate (in the past), if they fear Allah, and believe and do good deeds, and again fear Allah and believe, and once again fear Allah and do good deeds with perfection. And Allah loves the good-doers.

       O you who believe! Allah will certainly test you in the matter of hunting that is within the reach of your hands and your lances, so that Allah may find who fears Him unseen. Then whoever transgresses thereafter, there is a painful punish-ment for him.

       O you who believe! Don’t kill the (wild) animal while you are in state of Ihram, and whosoever kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to Kabah, of (lawful) animal similar to the one he killed, as judged by two just men among you, or, for penalty, he should feed needy persons or its equivalent fasting, so that he may taste the punishment of hunting in the state of Ihram. Allah has forgiven what has passed, but who reverts to it, Allah will take revenge from him. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able to take revenge. 

       Hunting in sea and use of it as a food, is made lawful for you, for your benefit and for the travellers. However, the hunting in the land is forbidden for you as long as you are in the state of Ihram. Fear Allah to Whom you will be gathered.

       Allah has made sacred the Kabah, the Sacred House, as a place of security and benefits for  mankind, and the Sacred Month and (also made sacred) the animals of offerings and animals marked with garlands (for offerings). This is to teach you that Allah knows what is in the heavens and in the earth. And, indeed, Allah is All-Knower of each and everything.

       Bear in mind that Allah is Severe in punishment and that Allah is Very Forgiving, Most Merciful.

       The responsibility of Our messenger, is to convey only (what is sent down to him). And Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “Impure things and pure things are not equal or same, even though the abundance of impure things may appear pleasing to you. Hence, fear Allah, O men of under-standing, in order that you may be successful.

       O you who believe! “Don’t ask about things, which if made known to you, you will dislike them. And if you ask about such things during the revelation of the Quran, these will be made apparent to you. Allah has forgiven the previous questioning. And Allah is Very-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

       People before you did ask such questions and, as a result of it, became disbelievers.

       Allah has not appointed things like Bahirah, or Saibah, or Wasilah, or a Ham. (These were camels set free for idols). But the disbelievers coin lies against Allah, and most of them have no understanding.

       And when it is said to them: “Follow what Allah has sent down and to the messenger [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)]”. They say: “It is sufficient for us what we saw our forefathers following,” even though their fore-fathers had no knowledge whatso-ever, nor guidance.

       O you who believe! Reform your own selves. No harm will come to you due to those who remain astray, as long as you adhere to the Right Path (and also convey Allah’s message to others). All of you will return to Allah, then He will inform you about that which you used to do.

       O you who believe! (the following is recom¬mended but it is not obligatory) You should appoint two just witnesses from among you for your will when death approaches you. They should be from your own folk or two others from outside while you are on journey and you confront death. Then if you are in doubt (about their truthfulness) hold them both after Salat, let them both swear by Allah (saying): “We do not wish to have any worldly benefit in this, even though (the beneficiary) be our relative. We shall not hide the testimony due to (fear of) Allah. (If we will hide), then we should be from the sinful people.”

       Then if it becomes known that they have committed sin then let two others stand in their places, nearest relatives from among those who claim a lawful right. Let them swear by Allah (saying): “We affirm that our testimony is truer than the testimony of both of them and if we violate the truth, then we should be from the wrong-doers.”

       In this way it is more likely that the testimony of later witnesses will be in its true shape, or they may fear that their oaths will be refuted (and it will harm them since other oaths will be admitted) after their oaths. And fear Allah and listen (with obedience to Allah). And Allah does not guide the disobedient people.

       On the Day when Allah will gather (His) messengers and will say to them: “What was the response of the people to you?” They will say: “We have no knowledge. Indeed, You have the knowledge of all unseen (things).”

       When Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): “O Isa ( ) son of Maryam! Remember My favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Jibrael ( ), when you spoke to the people in the cradle (like a mature person) and when you attained youth, when I taught you writing, the Wisdom, the Taurat and the Injeel, and when you made out of clay the likeness of  a bird, by My Permission, then you breathed into it, so it became a (live) bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought out the dead bodies by My Permission, and when I held back the Children of Israel against you (when they planned to kill you) though you came to them with clear proofs. Then the disbelievers among them said: “This is nothing but an obvious magic.”

       And when I (Allah) com-manded the disciples of Isa ( ) to believe in Me and My messenger, they said: “We believe, and bear witness that we are Muslims.”

       (Remember) when the dis-ciples said: “O Isa ( ), son of Maryam! Can your Creator send down to us a table spread (with food) from heaven?” Isa ( ) said: “Fear Allah, if you are believers.”

       They said: “We wish to eat from that and to satisfy our hearts (i.e. to strengthen our Faith), and to know that you have, indeed, told us the truth and so that we are among its witnesses.”

       Isa ( ), son of Maryam, said: “O our Creator! Send us from the heaven a table spread (with food) so that it becomes a matter of celebration for us, for the first and the last of us, and it may serve as a sign from You and grant us sustenance, for You are the Best sustainer.”

       Allah said: “I am going to send it (food) for you, and whoever will be ungrateful after this, I shall punish him with a torment such as I have not inflicted on anyone in the universe.”

       And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resur-rection): “O Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say to the people: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah.’” Isa ( ) will say: “Glorified You are! It is not proper for me to say anything which I have no right to say. Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You fully know what is in my inner-self though I don’t know what is in Yours. You, only You, know all that is unseen.

       “I did not say anything except that which You commanded me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Creator and your Creator.’ And I was a witness over them as long as I stayed with them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things.

       “If You punish them, then they are your slaves and if You forgive them, then indeed, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”

       Allah will say: “This is a Day in which the truthful will benefit from their truth. They will have Gardens beneath which rivers flow, they shall reside there forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah. That is the great success.”

       Allah is the Sovereign of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein, and He is Able to do all things.