2:1  Alif Lam Mim

2:2  That is the Book, without any doubt. It contains guidance for those who have taqwa:

2:3  those who have iman in the Unseen and establish salat and spend from what We have provided for them;

2:4  those who have iman in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you, and are certain about the Next World.

2:5  They are the people guided by their Lord. They are the ones who have success.

2:6  As for those who are kafir, it makes no difference to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not have iman.

2:7  Allah has sealed up their hearts and hearing and over their eyes is a blindfold. They will have a terrible punishment.

2:8  Among the people there are some who say, ´We have iman in Allah and the Last Day,´ when they are not muminun.

2:9  They think they deceive Allah and those who have iman. They deceive no one but themselves but they are not aware of it.

2:10  There is a sickness in their hearts and Allah has increased their sickness. They will have a painful punishment on account of their denial.

2:11  When they are told, ´Do not cause corruption on the earth,´ they say, ´We are only putting things right.´

2:12  No indeed! They are the corrupters, but they are not aware of it.

2:13  When they are told, ´Have iman in the way that the people have iman,´ they say, ´What! Are we to have iman in the way that fools have iman?´ No indeed! They are the fools, but they do not know it.

2:14  When they meet those who have iman, they say, ´We have iman.´ But then when they go apart with their shaytans, they say, ´We are really with you. We were only mocking.´

2:15  But Allah is mocking them, and drawing them on, as they wander blindly in their excessive insolence.

2:16  Those are the people who have sold guidance for misguidance. Their trade has brought no profit; they are not guided.

2:17  Their likeness is that of people who light a fire, and then when it has lit up all around them, Allah removes their light and leaves them in darkness, unable to see.

2:18  Deaf, dumb, blind. They will not return.

2:19  Or that of a storm-cloud in the sky, full of darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, fearful of death. Allah encompasses the kafirun.

2:20  The lightning all but takes away their sight. Whenever they have light, they walk in it but whenever darkness covers them, they halt. If Allah wished, He could take away their hearing and their sight. Allah has power over all things.

2:21  Mankind! worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that hopefully you will have taqwa.

2:22  It is He who made the earth a couch for you, and the sky a dome. He sends down water from the sky and by it brings forth fruits for your provision. Do not, then, knowingly make others equal to Allah.

2:23  If you have doubts about what We have sent down to Our slave, produce another sura equal to it, and call your witnesses, besides Allah, if you are telling the truth.

2:24  If you do not do that — and you will not do it — then fear the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, made ready for the kafirun.

2:25  Give the good news to those who have iman and do right actions that they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say, ´This is what we were given before.´ But they were only given a simulation of it. They will have there spouses of perfect purity and will remain there timelessly, for ever.

2:26  Allah is not ashamed to make an example of a gnat or of an even smaller thing. As for those who have iman, they know it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who are kafir, they say, ´What does Allah mean by this example?´ He misguides many by it and guides many by it. But He only misguides the deviators.

2:27  Those who break Allah´s contract after it has been agreed, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption on the earth, it is they who are the lost.

2:28  How can you reject Allah, when you were dead and then He gave you life, then He will make you die and then give you life again, then you will be returned to Him?

2:29  It is He who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things.

2:30  When your Lord said to the angels, ´I am putting a khalif on the earth,´ they said, ´Why put on it one who will cause corruption on it and shed blood when we glorify You with praise and proclaim Your purity?´ He said, ´I know what you do not know.´

2:31  He taught Adam the names of all things. Then He arrayed them before the angels and said, ´Tell me the names of these if you are telling the truth.´

2:32  They said, ´Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.´

2:33  He said, ´Adam, tell them their names.´ When he had told them their names, He said, ´Did I not tell you that I know the Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you make known and what you hide?´

2:34  We said to the angels, ´Prostrate to Adam!´ and they prostrated, with the exception of Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and was one of the kafirun.

2:35  We said, ´Adam, live in the Garden, you and your wife, and eat freely from it wherever you will. But do not approach this tree and so become wrongdoers.´

2:36  But Shaytan made them slip up by means of it, expelling them from where they were. We said, ´Go down from here as enemies to each other! You will have residence on the earth and enjoyment for a time.´

2:37  Then Adam received some words from his Lord and He turned towards him. He is the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful.

2:38  We said, ´Go down from it, every one of you! Then when guidance comes to you from Me, those who follow My guidance will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.´

2:39  But those who are kafir and deny Our Signs are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever.

2:40  Tribe of Israel! remember the blessing I conferred on you. Honour My contract and I will honour your contract. Have dread of Me alone.

2:41  Have iman in what I have sent down, confirming what is with you. Do not be the first to reject it and do not sell My Signs for a paltry price. Have taqwa of Me alone.

2:42  Do not mix up truth with falsehood and knowingly hide the truth.

2:43  Establish salat and pay zakat and bow with those who bow.

2:44  Do you order people to devoutness and forget yourselves, when you recite the Book? Will you not use your intellect?

2:45  Seek help in steadfastness and salat. But that is a very hard thing, except for the humble:

2:46  those who are aware that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.

2:47  Tribe of Israel! remember the blessing I conferred on you and that I preferred you over all other beings.

2:48  Have fear of a Day when no self will be able to compensate for another in any way. No intercession will be taken from it, no ransom taken from it, and none will be helped.

2:49  Remember when We rescued you from the people of Pharaoh. They were inflicting an evil punishment on you — slaughtering your sons and letting your women live. In that there was a terrible trial for you from your Lord.

2:50  And when We parted the sea for you and rescued you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you watched.

2:51  And when We allotted to Musa forty nights. Then you adopted the Calf when he had gone and you were wrongdoers.

2:52  Then We pardoned you after that so that perhaps you would show thanks.

2:53  Remember when We gave Musa the Book and discrimination so that perhaps you would be guided.

2:54  And when Musa said to his people, ´My people, You wronged yourselves by adopting the Calf so turn towards your Maker and kill yourselves. That is the best thing for you in your Maker´s sight.´ And He turned towards you. He is the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful.

2:55  And when you said, ´Musa, we will not believe in you until we see Allah with our own eyes.´ So the thunder-bolt struck you dead while you were looking.

2:56  Then We brought you back to life after your death, so that perhaps you would show thanks.

2:57  And We shaded you with clouds and sent down manna and quails to you: ´Eat of the good things We have provided for you.´ They did not wrong Us; rather it was themselves they were wronging.

2:58  Remember when We said, ´Go into this town. and eat from it wherever you like, freely. Enter the gate prostrating and say, "Relieve us of our burdens!" Your mistakes will be forgiven. We will grant increase to all good-doers.´

2:59  But those who did wrong substituted words other than those they had been given. So We sent down a plague from heaven on those who did wrong because they were deviators.

2:60  And when Musa was looking for water for his people, We said, ´Strike the rock with your staff.´ Then twelve fountains gushed out from it and all the people knew their drinking place. ´Eat and drink of Allah´s provision and do not go about the earth corrupting it.´

2:61  And when you said, ´Musa, we will not put up with just one kind of food so ask your Lord to supply to us some of what the earth produces — its green vegetables, cucumbers, grains, lentils and onions,´ he said, ´Do you want to replace what is better with what is inferior? Go back to Egypt, then you will have what you are asking for.´ Abasement and destitution were stamped upon them. They brought down anger from Allah upon themselves. That was because they rejected Allah´s Signs and killed the Prophets without any right to do so. That was because they rebelled and went beyond the limits.

2:62  Those with iman, those who are Jews, and the Christians and Sabaeans, all who have iman in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

2:63  Remember when We made the covenant with you and lifted up the Mount above your heads: ´Take hold vigorously of what We have given you and pay heed to what is in it, so that hopefully you will have taqwa.´

2:64  Then after that you turned away, and were it not for Allah´s favour to you and His mercy, you would have been among the lost.

2:65  You are well aware of those of you who broke the Sabbath. We said to them, ´Be apes, despised, cast out.´

2:66  We made it an exemplary punishment for those there then, and those coming afterwards, and a warning to those who have taqwa.

2:67  And when Musa said to his people, ´Allah commands you to sacrifice a cow,´ they said, ´What! Are you making a mockery of us?´ He said, ´I seek refuge with Allah from being one of the ignorant!´

2:68  They said, ´Ask your Lord to make it clear to us what it should be like.´ He said, ´He says it should be a cow, not old or virgin, but somewhere between the two. So do as you have been told.´

2:69  They said, ´Ask your Lord to make it clear to us what colour it should be.´ He said, ´He says it should be a red cow, the colour of sorrel, a pleasure to all who look.´

2:70  They said, ´Ask your Lord to make it clear to us what it should be like. Cows are all much the same to us. Then, if Allah wills, we will be guided.´

2:71  He said, ´He says it should be a cow not trained to plough or irrigate the fields — completely sound, without a blemish on it.´ They said, ´Now you have brought the truth.´ So they sacrificed it — but they almost did not do it.

2:72  Remember when you killed someone and violently accused each other of it, and Allah brought out what you were hiding.

2:73  We said, ´Hit him with part of it!´ In that way Allah gives life to the dead and He shows you His Signs so that hopefully you will understand.

2:74  Then your hearts became hardened after that, so they were like rocks or even harder still. There are some rocks from which rivers gush out, and others which split open and water pours out, and others which crash down from fear of Allah. Allah is not unaware of what you do.

2:75  Do you really hope they will follow you in iman when a group of them heard Allah´s Word and then, after grasping it, knowingly distorted it?

2:76  When they meet those who have iman, they say, ´We have iman.´ But when they go apart with one another, they say, ´Why do you speak to them about what Allah has disclosed to you, so they can use it as an argument against you before your Lord? Will you not use your intellect?´

2:77  Do they not know that Allah knows what they keep secret and what they make public?

2:78  Some of them are illiterate, knowing nothing of the Book but wishful thinking. They only speculate.

2:79  Woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say ´This is from Allah´ to sell it for a paltry price. Woe to them for what their hands have written! Woe to them for what they earn!

2:80  They say, ´The Fire will only touch us for a number of days.´ Say, ´Have you made a contract with Allah — then Allah will not break His contract — or are you rather saying about Allah what you do not know?´

2:81  No indeed! Those who accumulate bad actions and are surrounded by their mistakes, such people are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever;

2:82  whereas those who have iman and do right actions, such people are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever.

2:83  Remember when We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel: ´Worship none but Allah and be good to your parents and to relatives and orphans and the very poor. And speak good words to people. And establish salat and pay zakat.´ But then you turned away — except a few of you — you turned aside.

2:84  And when We made a covenant with you not to shed your blood and not to expel one another from your homes, you agreed and were all witnesses.

2:85  Then you are the people who are killing one another and expelling a group among you from their homes, ganging up against them in wrongdoing and enmity. Yet if they are brought to you as captives, you ransom them, when it was forbidden for you to expel them in the first place! Do you, then, believe in one part of the Book and reject the other? What repayment will there be for any of you who do that except disgrace in this world? And on the Day of Rising, they will be returned to the harshest of punishments. Allah is not unaware of what ytheyou do.

2:86  Those are the people who trade the Next World for this world. The punishment will not be lightened for them. They will not be helped.

2:87  We gave Musa the Book and sent a succession of Messengers after him. We gave ´Isa, son of Maryam, the Clear Signs and reinforced him with the Purest Ruh. Why then, whenever a Messenger came to you with something your lower selves did not desire, did you grow arrogant, and deny some of them and murder others?

2:88  They say, ´Our hearts are uncircumcised.´ Rather, Allah has cursed them for their kufr. What little iman they have!

2:89  When a Book does come to them from Allah, confirming what is with them — even though before that they were praying for victory over the kafirun — yet when what they recognise does come to them, they reject it. Allah´s curse is on the kafirun.

2:90  What an evil thing they have sold themselves for in rejecting what Allah has sent down, outraged that Allah should send down His favour on whichever of His slaves He wills. They have brought down anger upon anger on themselves. The kafirun will have a humiliating punishment.

2:91  When they are told, ´Have iman in what Allah has sent down,´ they say, ´Our iman is in what was sent down to us,´ and they reject anything beyond that, even though it is the truth, confirming what they have. Say, ´Why then, if you are muminun, did you previously kill the Prophets of Allah?´

2:92  Musa brought you the Clear Signs; then, after he left, you adopted the Calf and were wrongdoers.

2:93  Remember when We made a covenant with you and lifted up the Mount above your heads: ´Take hold vigorously of what We have given you and listen.´ They said, ´We hear and disobey.´ They were made to drink the Calf into their hearts because of their kufr. Say, ´If you are muminun, what an evil thing your iman has made you do.´

2:94  Say, ´If the abode of the akhira with Allah is for you alone, to the exclusion of all others, then long for death if you are telling the truth.´

2:95  But they will never ever long for it because of what they have done. Allah knows the wrongdoers.

2:96  Rather you will find them the people greediest for life, along with the idolaters. Any of them would love to be allowed to live a thousand years. But being allowed to live would not save him from the punishment. Allah sees what they do.

2:97  Say, ´Anyone who is the enemy of Jibril should know that it was he who brought it down upon your heart, by Allah´s authority, confirming what came before, and as guidance and good news for the muminun.

2:98  Anyone who is the enemy of Allah and of His angels, and of His Messengers and of Jibril and Mika´il, should know that Allah is the enemy of the kafirun.´

2:99  We have sent down Clear Signs to you and no one rejects them except the deviators.

2:100  Why is it that, whenever they make a contract, a group of them disdainfully tosses it aside? No indeed! Most of them have no iman.

2:101  When a Messenger comes to them from Allah confirming what is with them, a group of those who have been given the Book disdainfully toss the Book of Allah behind their backs, just as if they did not know.

2:102  They follow what the shaytans recited in the reign of Sulayman. Sulayman did not become kafir, but the shaytans did, teaching people sorcery and what had been sent down to Harut and Marut, the two angels in Babylon, who taught no one without first saying to him, ´We are merely a trial and temptation, so do not become kafir.´ People learned from them how to separate a man and his wife but they cannot harm anyone by it, except with Allah´s permission. They have learned what will harm them and will not benefit them. They know that any who deal in it will have no share in Next World. What an evil thing they have sold themselves for if they only knew!

2:103  If only they had had iman and shown taqwa! A reward from Allah is better, if they only knew.

2:104  You who have iman! do not say, ´Ra´ina,´* say, ´Undhurna,´* and listen well. The kafirun will have a painful punishment.

2:105  Those of the People of the Book who are kafir and the idolaters do not like anything good to be sent down to you from your Lord. But Allah selects for His mercy whomever He wills. Allah´s favour is truly vast.

2:106  Whenever We abrogate an ayat or cause it to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or equal to it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?

2:107  Do you not know that Allah is He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs and that, besides Allah, you have no protector and no helper?

2:108  Or do you want to question your Messenger as Musa was questioned before? Anyone who exchanges iman for kufr has definitely gone astray from the level way.

2:109  Many of the People of the Book would love it if they could make you revert to being kuffar after you have become muminun, showing their innate envy now that the truth is clear to them. But you should pardon and overlook until Allah gives His command. Truly Allah has power over all things.

2:110  Establish salat and pay zakat. Any good you send ahead for yourselves, you will find with Allah. Certainly Allah sees what you do.

2:111  They say, ´No one will enter the Garden except for Jews and Christians.´ Such is their vain hope. Say, ´Produce your evidence if you are telling the truth.´

2:112  Not so! All who submit themselves completely to Allah and are good-doers will find their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

2:113  The Jews say, ´The Christians have nothing to stand on,´ and the Christians say, ´The Jews have nothing to stand on,´ yet they both recite the Book. Those who do not know say the same as they say. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Rising regarding the things about which they differ.

2:114  Who could do greater wrong than someone who bars access to the mosques of Allah, preventing His name from being remembered in them, and goes about destroying them? Such people will never be able to enter them — except in fear. They will have disgrace in the dunya and in the akhira they will have a terrible punishment.

2:115  Both East and West belong to Allah, so wherever you turn, the Face of Allah is there. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

2:116  They say, ´Allah has a son.´ Glory be to Him! No, everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him. Everything is obedient to Him,

2:117  the Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, ´Be!´ and it is.

2:118  Those who do not know say, ´If only Allah would speak to us, or some sign come to us!´ just like those before them who said the same as they say. Their hearts are much the same. We have made the Signs clear for people who have certainty.

2:119  We have sent you with the Truth, bringing good news and giving warning. Do not ask about the inhabitants of the Blazing Fire.

2:120  The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their religion. Say, ´Allah´s guidance is the true guidance.´ If you were to follow their whims and desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you would find no protector or helper against Allah.

2:121  Those to whom We have given the Book, who recite it in the way it should be recited, such people have iman in it. As for those who reject it, they are the losers.

2:122  Tribe of Israel! remember the blessing I conferred on you, and that I preferred you over all other beings.

2:123  Have fear of a Day when no self will be able to compensate for another in any way, and no ransom will be accepted from it, and no intercession benefit it, and they will not be helped.

2:124  Remember when Ibrahim was tested by his Lord with certain words which he carried out completely. He said, ´I will make you a model for mankind.´ He asked, ´And what of my descendants?´ He said, ´My contract does not include the wrongdoers.´

2:125  And when We made the House* a place of return, a sanctuary for mankind: They took the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer. We contracted with Ibrahim and Isma´il: ´Purify My House for those who circle it, and those who stay there, and those who bow and who prostrate.´

2:126  And when Ibrahim said, ´My Lord, make this a place of safety and provide its inhabitants with fruits — all of them who have iman in Allah and the Last Day,´ He said, ´I will let anyone who becomes a kafir enjoy himself a little but then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!´

2:127  And when Ibrahim built the foundations of the House with Isma´il: ´Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

2:128  Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted to You, and our descendants a Muslim community submitted to You. Show us our rites of worship and turn towards us. You are the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful.

2:129  Our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from them to recite Your Signs to them and teach them the Book and Wisdom and purify them. You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.´

2:130  Who would deliberately renounce the religion of Ibrahim except someone who reveals himself to be a fool? We chose him in this world and in the Next World he will be one of the righteous.

2:131  When his Lord said to him, ´Become a Muslim!´ he said, ´I am a Muslim who has submitted to the Lord of all the worlds.´

2:132  Ibrahim directed his sons to this, as did Ya´qub: ´My sons! Allah has chosen this deen for you, so do not die except as Muslims.´

2:133  Or were you present when death came to Ya´qub and he said to his sons, ´What will you worship when I have gone?´ They said, ´We will worship your God, the God of your forefathers, Ibrahim, Isma´il and Ishaq — one God. We are Muslims submitted to Him.´

2:134  That was a community which has long since passed away. It has what it earned. You have what you have earned. You will not be questioned about what they did.

2:135  They say, ´Be Jews or Christians and you will be guided.´ Say, ´Rather adopt the religion of Ibrahim, a man of natural pure belief. He was not one of the idolaters.´

2:136  Say, ´We have iman in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahim and Isma´il and Ishaq and Ya´qub and the Tribes, and what Musa and ´Isa were given, and what all the Prophets were given by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him.´

2:137  If their iman is the same as yours then they are guided. But if they turn away, they are entrenched in hostility. Allah will be enough for you against them. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

2:138  The colouring of Allah — and what colouring could be better than Allah´s? It is Him we worship.

2:139  Say, ´Do you argue with us about Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? We have our actions and you have your actions. We act for Him alone.´

2:140  Or do they say that Ibrahim and Isma´il and Ishaq and Ya´qub and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say, ´Do you know better or does Allah?´ Who could do greater wrong than someone who hides the evidence he has been given by Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do.

2:141  That was a community which has long since passed away. It has what it earned. You have what you have earned. You will not be questioned about what they did.

2:142  The fools among the people will ask, ´What has made them turn round from the direction they used to face?´* Say, ´Both East and West belong to Allah. He guides whoever He wills to a straight path.´

2:143  In this way We have made you a middlemost community, so that you may act as witnesses against mankind and the Messenger as a witness against you. We only appointed the direction you used to face in order to distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn round on their heels. Though in truth it is a very hard thing — except for those Allah has guided. Allah would never let your iman go to waste. Allah is All-Gentle, Most Merciful to mankind.

2:144  We have seen you looking up into heaven, turning this way and that, so We will turn you towards a direction which will please you. Turn your face, therefore, towards the Masjid al-Haram. Wherever you all are, turn your faces towards it. Those given the Book know it is the truth from their Lord. Allah is not unaware of what they do.

2:145  If you were to bring every Sign to those given the Book, they still would not follow your direction. You do not follow their direction. They do not follow each other´s direction. If you followed their whims and desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you would then be one of the wrongdoers.

2:146  Those We have given the Book recognise it as they recognise their own sons. Yet a group of them knowingly conceal the truth.

2:147  The truth is from your Lord, so on no account be among the doubters.

2:148  Each person faces a particular direction so race each other to the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Truly Allah has power over all things.

2:149  Wherever you come from, turn your face to the Masjid al-Haram. This is certainly the truth from your Lord. Allah is not unaware of what you do.

2:150  Wherever you come from, turn your face to the Masjid al-Haram. Wherever you are, turn your faces towards it so that people will have no argument against you — except for those among them who do wrong and then you should not fear them but rather fear Me — and so that I may complete My blessing upon you so that hopefully you will be guided.

2:151  For this We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our Signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before.

2:152  Remember Me — I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful.

2:153  You who have iman! seek help in steadfastness and salat. Allah is with the steadfast.

2:154  Do not say that those who are killed in the Way of Allah are dead. On the contrary, they are alive but you are not aware of it.

2:155  We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast:

2:156  Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, ´We belong to Allah and to Him we will return.´

2:157  Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided.

2:158  Safa and Marwa are among the Landmarks of Allah, so anyone who goes on hajj to the House or does ´umra incurs no wrong in going back and forth between them. If anyone spontaneously does good, Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing.

2:159  Those who hide the Clear Signs and Guidance We have sent down, after We have made it clear to people in the Book, Allah curses them, and the cursers curse them —

2:160  except for those who make tawba and put things right and make things clear. I turn towards them. I am the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful.

2:161  But as for those who are kafir and die kuffar, the curse of Allah is upon them and that of the angels and all mankind.

2:162  They will be under it for ever. The punishment will not be lightened for them. They will be granted no reprieve.

2:163  Your God is One God. There is no god but Him, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.

2:164  In the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to people´s benefit, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky — by which He brings the earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind — and the varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between heaven and earth, there are Signs for people who use their intellect.

2:165  Some people set up equals to Allah, loving them as they should love Allah. But those who have iman have greater love for Allah. If only you could see those who do wrong at the time when they see the punishment, and that truly all strength belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment.

2:166  When those who were followed disown those who followed them, and they see the punishment, and the connection between them is cut,

2:167  those who followed will say, ´If only we could have another chance, we would disown them just as they have disowned us.´ In that way Allah will show them their actions as a cause of anguish and remorse for them. They will never emerge from the Fire.

2:168  Mankind! eat what is good and lawful on the earth. And do not follow in the footsteps of Shaytan. He truly is an outright enemy to you.

2:169  He only commands you to do evil and indecent acts and to say about Allah what you do not know.

2:170  When they are told, ´Follow what Allah has sent down to you,´ They say, ´We are following what we found our fathers doing.´ What, even though their fathers did not understand a thing and were not guided!

2:171  The likeness of those who are kafir is that of someone who yells out to something which cannot hear — it is nothing but a cry and a call. Deaf — dumb — blind. They do not use their intellect.

2:172  You who have iman! eat of the good things We have provided for you and give thanks to Allah if you worship Him alone.

2:173  He has only forbidden you carrion, blood and pork and what has been consecrated to other than Allah. But anyone who is forced to eat it — without desiring it or going to excess in it — commits no crime. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:174  Those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and sell it cheap, take nothing into their bellies but the Fire. On the Day of Rising Allah will not speak to them or purify them. They will have a painful punishment.

2:175  Those are the ones who have sold guidance for misguidance and forgiveness for punishment. How steadfastly they will endure the Fire!

2:176  That is because Allah has sent down the Book with truth and those who differ from the Book are entrenched in hostility.

2:177  Goodness does not lie in turning your faces to the East or to the West. Rather, those with true devoutness are those who have iman in Allah and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets, and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars and to set slaves free, and who establish salat and pay zakat; those who honour their contracts when they make them, and are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true. They are the people who have taqwa.

2:178  You who have iman! retaliation is prescribed for you in the case of people killed: free man for free man, slave for slave, female for female. But if someone is absolved by his brother, blood-money should be claimed with correctness and paid with good will. That is an easement and a mercy from your Lord. Anyone who goes beyond the limits after this will receive a painful punishment.

2:179  There is life for you in retaliation, people of intelligence, so that hopefully you will have taqwa.

2:180  It is prescribed for you, when death approaches one of you and if he has some goods to leave, to make a will in favour of his parents and relatives, correctly and fairly: a duty for all those who have taqwa.

2:181  Then if anyone alters it after hearing it, the crime is on the part of those who alter it. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

2:182  But if someone fears bias or wrongdoing on the part of the person making the will, and puts things right between the people involved, in that case he has not committed any crime. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:183  You who have iman! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you — so that hopefully you will have taqwa —

2:184  for a specified number of days. But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days. For those who are able to fast, their fidya is to feed the poor. And if someone does good of his own accord, it is better for him. But that you should fast is better for you, if you only knew.

2:185  The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur´an was sent down as guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance and discrimination. Any of you who are resident for the month should fast it. But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days. Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you. You should complete the number of days and proclaim Allah´s greatness for the guidance He has given you so that hopefully you will be thankful.

2:186  If My slaves ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that hopefully they will be rightly guided.

2:187  On the night of the fast it is lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives. They are clothing for you and you for them. Allah knows that you have been betraying yourselves and He has turned towards you and excused you. Now you may have sexual intercourse with them and seek what Allah has written for you. Eat and drink until you can clearly discern the white thread from the black thread of the dawn, then fulfil the fast until the night appears. But do not have sexual intercourse with them while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are Allah´s limits, so do not go near them. In this way does Allah make His Signs clear to people so that hopefully they will have taqwa.

2:188  Do not devour one another´s property by false means nor offer it to the judges as a bribe, trying through crime to knowingly usurp a portion of other people´s property.

2:189  They will ask you about the crescent moons. Say, ´They are set times for mankind and for the hajj.´ It is not devoutness for you to enter houses by the back. Rather devoutness is possessed by those who have taqwa. So come to houses by their doors and have taqwa of Allah, so that hopefully you will be successful.

2:190  Fight in the Way of Allah against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. Allah does not love those who go beyond the limits.

2:191  Kill them wherever you come across them and expel them from where they expelled you. Fitna is worse than killing. Do not fight them in the Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they do fight you, then kill them. That is how the kuffar should be repaid.

2:192  But if they cease, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:193  Fight them until there is no more fitna and the deen belongs to Allah alone. If they cease, there should be no enmity towards any but wrongdoers.

2:194  Sacred month in return for sacred month — sacred things are subject to retaliation. So if anyone oversteps the limits against you, overstep against him the same as he did to you. But have taqwa of Allah. Know that Allah is with those who have taqwa.

2:195  Spend in the Way of Allah. Do not cast yourselves into destruction. And do good: Allah loves good-doers.

2:196  Perform the hajj and ´umra for Allah. If you are forcibly prevented, make whatever sacrifice is feasible. But do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you are ill or have a head injury, the expiation is fasting or sadaqa or sacrifice when you are safe and well again. Anyone who comes out of ihram between ´umra and hajj should make whatever sacrifice is feasible. For any one who cannot, there are three days´ fast on hajj and seven on your return — that is ten in all. That is for anyone whose family does not live near the Masjid al-Haram. Have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah is severe in retribution.

2:197  The hajj takes place during certain well-known months. If anyone undertakes the obligation of hajj in them, there must be no sexual intercourse, no wrongdoing, nor any quarrelling during hajj. Whatever good you do, Allah knows it. Take provision; but the best provision is taqwa of Allah. So have taqwa of Me, people of intelligence!

2:198  There is nothing wrong in seeking bounty from your Lord. When you pour down from Arafat, remember Allah at the Sacred Landmark.* Remember Him because He has guided you, even though before this you were astray.

2:199  Then press on from where the people press on and ask Allah´s forgiveness. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:200  When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers — or even more. There are some people who say, ´Our Lord, give us good in this world.´ They will have no share in the Next World.

2:201  And there are others who say, ´Our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the Next World, and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.´

2:202  They will have a good share from what they have earned. Allah is swift at reckoning.

2:203  Remember Allah on the designated days. Those who hurry on in two days have done no wrong, and those who stay another day have done no wrong — those of them who have taqwa. So have taqwa of Allah. And know that you will be gathered back to Him.

2:204  Among the people there is someone whose words about the life of this world excite your admiration, and he calls Allah to witness what is in his heart, while he is in fact the most hostile of adversaries.

2:205  When he leaves you, he goes about the earth corrupting it, destroying crops and animals. Allah does not love corruption.

2:206  When he is told to have taqwa of Allah, he is seized by pride which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell will be enough for him! What an evil resting-place!

2:207  And among the people there are some who give up everything, desiring the good pleasure of Allah. Allah is Ever-Gentle with His slaves.

2:208  You who have iman! enter Islam totally. Do not follow in the footsteps of Shaytan. He is an outright enemy to you.

2:209  If you backslide after the Clear Signs have come to you, know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

2:210  What are they waiting for but for Allah to come to them in the shadows of the clouds, together with the angels, in which case the matter will have been settled? All matters return to Allah.

2:211  Ask the tribe of Israel how many Clear Signs We gave to them. If anyone alters Allah´s blessing after it has come to him, Allah is fierce in retribution.

2:212  To those who are kafir, the life of this world is painted in glowing colours and they laugh at those who have iman. But on the Day of Rising those who fear Allah will be over them. Allah provides for whomever He wills without any reckoning.

2:213  Mankind was a single community. Then Allah sent out Prophets bringing good news and giving warning, and with them He sent down the Book with truth to decide between people regarding their differences. Only those who were given it differed about it, after the Clear Signs had come to them, envying one another. Then, by His permission, Allah guided those who had iman to the truth of that about which they had differed. Allah guides whomever He wills to a straight path.

2:214  Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without facing the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted them and they were shaken to the point that the Messenger and those who had iman with him said, ´When is Allah´s help coming?´ Be assured that Allah´s help is very near.

2:215  They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ´Any wealth you give away should go to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor and travellers.´ Whatever good you do, Allah knows it.

2:216  Fighting is prescribed for you even if it is hateful to you. It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.

2:217  They will ask you about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say, ´Fighting in it is a serious matter; but barring access to the Way of Allah and rejecting Him and barring access to the Masjid al-Haram and expelling its people from it are far more serious in the sight of Allah. Fitna is worse than killing.´ They will not stop fighting you until they make you revert from your deen, if they are able. As for any of you who revert from their deen and die kafir, their actions will come to nothing in this world and the Next World. They are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever.

2:218  Those who have iman and make hijra and do jihad in the Way of Allah can expect Allah´s mercy. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:219  They will ask you about alcoholic drinks and gambling. Say, ´There is great wrong in both of them and also certain benefits for mankind. But the wrong in them is greater than the benefit.´ They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ´Whatever is surplus to your needs.´ In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect

2:220  on this world and the Next World. They will ask you about the property of orphans. Say, ´Managing it in their best interests is best.´ If you mix your property with theirs, they are your brothers. Allah knows a squanderer from a good manager. If Allah had wanted, He could have been hard on you. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

2:221  Do not marry women of the idolaters until they have iman. A slavegirl who is one of the muminun is better for you than a woman of the idolaters, even though she may attract you. And do not give (your women) in marriage to men of the mushrikun until they have iman. A slave who is one of the muminun is better for you than a man of the idolaters, even though he may attract you. Such people call you to the Fire whereas Allah calls you, with His permission, to the Garden and forgiveness. He makes His Signs clear to people so that hopefully they will pay heed.

2:222  They will ask you about menstruation. Say, ´It is an impurity, so keep apart from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they have purified themselves. But once they have purified themselves, then go to them in the way that Allah has enjoined on you.´ Allah loves those who turn back from wrongdoing and He loves those who purify themselves.

2:223  Your women are fertile fields for you, so come to your fertile fields however you like. Send good ahead for yourselves and have taqwa of Allah. Know that you are going to meet Him. And give good news to the muminun.

2:224  Do not, by your oaths, make Allah a pretext to avoid good action and having taqwa and putting things right between people. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

2:225  Allah will not take you to task for inadvertent statements in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the intention your hearts have made. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.

2:226  Those who swear to abstain from sexual relations with their wives can wait for a period of up to four months. If they then retract their oath, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

2:227  If they are determined to divorce, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

2:228  Divorced women should wait by themselves for three menstrual cycles; and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they have iman in Allah and the Last Day. Their husbands have the right to take them back within that time, if they desire to be reconciled. Women possess rights similar to those held over them to be honoured with fairness; but men have a degree above them. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

2:229  Divorce can be pronounced two times; in which case wives may be retained with correctness and courtesy or released with good will. It is not lawful for you to keep anything you have given them unless a couple fear that they will not remain within Allah´s limits. If you fear that they will not remain within Allah´s limits, there is nothing wrong in the wife ransoming herself with some of what she received. These are Allah´s limits, so do not overstep them. Those who overstep Allah´s limits are wrongdoers.

2:230  But if a man divorces his wife a third time, she is not halal for him after that until she has married another husband. Then if he divorces her, there is nothing wrong in the original couple getting back together provided they think they will remain within Allah´s limits. These are Allah´s limits which He has made clear to people who know.

2:231  When you divorce women and they are near the end of their ´idda, then either retain them with correctness and courtesy or release them with correctness and courtesy. Do not retain them by force, thus overstepping the limits. Anyone who does that has wronged himself. Do not make a mockery of Allah´s Signs. Remember Allah´s blessing upon you and the Book and Wisdom He has sent down to you to admonish you. Have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah has knowledge of all things.

2:232  When you divorce women and they are near the end of their ´idda, do not prevent them from marrying their first husbands if they have mutually agreed to it with correctness and courtesy. This is an admonition for those of you who have iman in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and purer for you. Allah knows and you do not know.

2:233  Mothers should nurse their children for two full years — for those who wish to complete the full term of nursing. It is the duty of the fathers to feed and clothe them with correctness and courtesy — no self is charged with more than it can bear. No mother should be put under pressure in respect of her child nor any father in respect of his child. The same duty is incumbent on the heir. If the couple both wish weaning to take place after mutual agreement and consultation, there is nothing wrong in their doing so. If you wish to find wet-nurses for your children, there is nothing wrong in your doing so provided you hand over to them what you have agreed to give with correctness and courtesy. Have taqwa of Allah and know that Allah sees what you do.

2:234  Those of you who die leaving wives behind: they should wait by themselves for four months and ten nights. When their ´idda comes to an end, you are not to blame for anything they do with themselves with correctness and courtesy. Allah is aware of what you do.

2:235  Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say things to them. But do not make secret arrangements with them, rather only speak with correctness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the marriage contract until the prescribed period has come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing.

2:236  There is nothing wrong in your divorcing women before you have touched them or allotted a dowry to them. But give them a gift — he who is wealthy according to his means and he who is less well off according to his means — a gift to be given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for all good-doers.

2:237  If you divorce them before you have touched them but have already allotted them a dowry, they should have half the amount which you allotted, unless they forgo it or the one in charge of the marriage contract forgoes it. To forgo it is closer to taqwa. Do not forget to show generosity to one another. Allah sees what you do.

2:238  Safeguard the salat — especially the middle one. Stand in obedience to Allah.

2:239  If you are afraid, then do salat on foot or mounted. But when you are safe, remember Allah in the way He taught you when previously you did not know.

2:240  Those of you who die leaving wives behind should make a bequest to their wives of maintenance for a year without them having to leave their homes. But if they do leave you are not to blame for anything they do with themselves with correctness and courtesy. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

2:241  Divorced women should receive maintenance given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for all who have taqwa.

2:242  In this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will use your intellect.

2:243  What do you think about those who left their homes in thousands in fear of death? Allah said to them, ´Die!´ and then brought them back to life. Allah shows great favour to mankind, but most people are not grateful.

2:244  Fight in the Way of Allah. Know that Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

2:245  Is there anyone who will make Allah a generous loan so that He can multiply it for him many times over? Allah both restricts and expands. And you will be returned to Him.

2:246  What do you think about the council of the tribe of Israel after Musa´s time when they said to one of their Prophets, ´Give us a king and we will fight in the Way of Allah!´? He said, ´Is it not possible that if fighting were prescribed for you, you would not fight?´ They said, ´How could we not fight in the way of Allah when we have been driven from our homes and children?´ But then when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned their backs — except for a few of them. Allah knows the wrongdoers.

2:247  Their Prophet said to them, ´Allah has appointed Saul to be your king.´ They said, ´How can he have kingship over us when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even much wealth!´ He said, ´Allah has chosen him over you and increased him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives kingship to anyone He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.´

2:248  Their Prophet said to them, ´The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, containing serenity from your Lord and certain relics left by the families of Musa and Harun. It will be borne by angels. There is a sign for you in that if you are muminun.´

2:249  When Talut marched out with the army, he said, ´Allah will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me — except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand.´ But they drank from it — except for a few of them. Then when he and those who had iman with him had crossed it, they said, ´We do not have the strength to face Goliath and his troops today.´ But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, ´How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah´s permission! Allah is with the steadfast.

2:250  When they came out against Saul and his troops, they said, ´Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us, and make our feet firm, and help us against this kafir people.´

2:251  And with Allah´s permission they routed them. Dawud killed Saul and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah´s driving some people back by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favour to all the worlds.

2:252  Those are Allah´s Signs which We recite to you with truth. You are indeed one of the Messengers.

2:253  These Messengers: We favoured some of them over others. Allah spoke directly to some of them and raised up some of them in rank. We gave Clear Signs to ´Isa, son of Maryam, and reinforced him with the Purest Ruh. If Allah had willed, those who came after them would not have fought each other after the Clear Signs came to them, but they differed. Among them there are those who have iman and among them there are those who are kafir. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other. But Allah does whatever He desires.

2:254  You who have iman! give away some of what We have provided for you before a Day arrives on which there is no trading, no close friendship and no intercession. It is the kafirun who are the wrongdoers.

2:255  Allah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent.

2:256  There is no compulsion where the deen is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and has iman in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

2:257  Allah is the Protector of those who have iman. He brings them out of the darkness into the light. But those who are kafir have false gods as protectors. They take them from the light into the darkness. Those are the Companions of the Fire remaining in it timelessly, for ever.

2:258  What about the one who argued with Ibrahim about his Lord, on the basis that Allah had given him sovereignty? Ibrahim said, ´My Lord is He who gives life and causes to die.´ He said, ´I too give life and cause to die.´ Ibrahim said, ´Allah makes the sun come from the East. Make it come from the West.´ And the one who was a kafir was dumbfounded. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people.

2:259  Or the one who passed by a town which had fallen into ruin? He asked, ´How can Allah restore this to life when it has died?´ Allah caused him to die a hundred years then brought him back to life. Then He asked, ´How long have you been here?´ He replied, ´I have been here a day or part of a day.´ He said, ´Not so! You have been here a hundred years. Look at your food and drink — it has not gone bad — and look at your donkey so We can make you a Sign for all mankind. Look at the bones — how We raise them up and clothe them in flesh.´ When it had become clear to him, he said, ´Now I know that Allah has power over all things.´

2:260  When Ibrahim said, ´My Lord, show me how You bring the dead to life.´ He asked, ´Do you not then have iman?´ He replied, ´Indeed I do! But so that my heart may be at peace.´ He said, ´Take four birds and train them to yourself. Then put a part of them on each mountain and call to them; they will come rushing to you. Know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.´

2:261  The metaphor of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah is that of a grain which produces seven ears; in every ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives such multiplied increase to whomever He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

2:262  Those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, and then do not follow what they have spent by demands for gratitude or insulting words will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

2:263  Correct and courteous words accompanied by forgiveness are better than sadaqa followed by insulting words. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, All-Forbearing.

2:264  You who have iman! do not nullify your sadaqa by demands for gratitude or insulting words, like him who spends his wealth, showing off to people and not having iman in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock coated with soil, which, when heavy rain falls on it, is left stripped bare. They have no power over anything they have earned. Allah does not guide kafir people.

2:265  The metaphor of those who spend their wealth, desiring the pleasure of Allah and firmness for themselves, is that of a garden on a hillside. When heavy rain falls on it, it doubles its produce; and if heavy rain does not fall, there is dew. Allah sees what you do.

2:266  Would any of you like to have a garden of dates and grapes, with rivers flowing underneath and containing all kinds of fruits, then to be stricken with old age and have children who are weak, and then for a fierce whirlwind containing fire to come and strike it so that it goes up in flames? In this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect.

2:267  You who have iman! give away some of the good things you have earned and some of what We have produved for you from the earth. Do not have recourse to bad things when you give, things you would only take with your eyes tight shut! Know that Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy.

2:268  Shaytan promises you poverty and commands you to self-gratification. Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and abundance. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

2:269  He gives wisdom to whoever He wills and he who has been given wisdom has been given great good. But no one pays heed but people of intelligence.

2:270  Whatever amount you spend or vow you make, Allah knows it. The wrongdoers have no helpers.

2:271  If you make your sadaqa public, that is good. But if you conceal it and give it to the poor, that is better for you, and We will erase some of your bad actions from you. Allah is aware of what you do.

2:272  You are not responsible for their guidance, but Allah guides whomever He wills. Whatever good you give away is to your own benefit, when you give desiring only the Face of Allah. Whatever good you give away will be repaid to you in full. You will not be wronged.

2:273  It is for the poor who are held back in the Way of Allah, unable to travel in the land. The ignorant consider them rich because of their reticence. You will know them by their mark. They do not ask from people insistently. Whatever good you give away, Allah knows it.

2:274  Those who give away their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

2:275  Those who practise usury will not rise from the grave except as someone driven mad by Shaytan´s touch. That is because they say, ´Trade is the same as usury.´ But Allah has permitted trade and He has forbidden usury. Whoever is given a warning by his Lord and then desists, may keep what he received in the past and his affair is Allah´s concern. But all who return to it will be the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever.

2:276  Allah obliterates usury but makes sadaqa grow in value! Allah does not love any persistently ungrateful wrongdoer.

2:277  Those who have iman and do right actions and establish salat and pay zakat, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.

2:278  You who have iman! have taqwa of Allah and forgo any remaining usury if you are muminun.

2:279  If you do not, know that it means war from Allah and His Messenger. But if you make tawba you may have your capital, without wronging and without being wronged.

2:280  If someone is in difficult circumstances, there should be a deferral until things are easier. But making a free gift of it would be better for you if you only knew.

2:281  Have fear of a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every self will be paid in full for what it earned. They will not be wronged.

2:282  You who have iman! when you take on a debt for a specified period, write it down. A writer should write it down between you justly. No writer should refuse to write; as Allah has taught him, so he should write. The one incurring the debt should dictate and should have taqwa of Allah his Lord and not reduce it in any way. If the person incurring the debt is incompetent or weak or unable to dictate, then his guardian should dictate for him justly. Two men among you should act as witnesses. But if there are not two men, then a man and two women with whom you are satisfied as witnesses; then if one of them forgets, the other can remind her. Witnesses should not refuse when they are called upon. Do not think it too trivial to write down, whether small or large, with the date that it falls due. Doing that is more just in Allah´s sight and more helpful when bearing witness and more likely to eliminate any doubt — unless it is an immediate transaction hand to hand, taken and given without delay. There is nothing wrong in your not writing that down. Call witnesses when you trade. Neither writer nor witness should be put under pressure. If you do that, it is deviancy on your part. Have taqwa of Allah and Allah will give you knowledge. Allah has knowledge of all things.

2:283  If you are on a journey and cannot find a writer, something can be left as a security. If you leave things on trust with one another the one who is trusted must deliver up his trust and have taqwa of Allah his Lord. Do not conceal testimony. If someone does conceal it, his heart commits a crime. Allah knows what you do.

2:284  Everything in the heavens and everything in the earth belongs to Allah. Whether you divulge what is in yourselves or keep it hidden, Allah will still call you to account for it. He forgives whomever He wills and He punishes whoever He wills. Allah has power over all things.

2:285  The Messenger has iman in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the muminun. Each one has iman in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers. We do not differentiate between any of His Messengers. They say, ´We hear and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord! You are our journey´s end.´

2:286  Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can stand. For it is what it has earned; against it, what it has merited. Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake! Our Lord, do not place on us a load like the one You placed on those before us! Our Lord, do not place on us a load we have not the strength to bear! And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy on us. You are our Master, so help us against the people of the kafirun.