al-Baqarah (The Cow) at IslamAwakened.com

2:2 That is the Book—there is no doubt ^in it^, a guidance for the ones who are Godfearing:

2:3 Those who believe in the unseen and perform the formal prayer and they spend from what We have provided the

2:4 and perform the formal prayer, and they spend out of what We provided them, and those who believe in what was caused to descend to thee, and what was caused to descend before thee, and they are certain of the world to come.

2:5 Those are on a guidance from their Lord and those, they are the ones who prosper.

2:6 Truly, as for those who were ungrateful, it is the same to them whether thou hadst warned them or thou hast warned them not. They believe not.

2:7 God sealed over their hearts and over their inner hearing and a blindfold over their inner sight. And there is a tremendous punishment for them.

2:8 And among humanity are some who say: We believed in God and in the Last Day, and yet they are not ones who believe.

2:9 They seek to trick God and those who believed while they deceive none but themselves, but they are not aware.

2:10 In their hearts is a sickness. Then, God increased them in sickness, and for them is a painful punishment because they had been lying against themselves.

2:11 And when it was said to them not to make corruption in and on the earth, they said: Truly, we are only ones who make things right.

2:12 No doubt they, they are the ones who make corruption except they are not aware.

2:13 And when it was said to them: Believe as humanity believed, they said: Will we believe as the fools believed? No! Truly, they, they are the fools, except they know not.

2:14 And when they met those who believed, they said: We believed. And when they went privately to their satans, they said: Truly, we are with you. We were only ones who ridicule.

2:15 God ridicules them and causes them to increase in their defiance, to wander unwilling to see.

2:16 Those are those who bought fallacy for guidance, so their trade was not bettered nor had they been ones who are truly guided.

2:17 Their parable is like a parable of those who started a fire. Then, when it illuminated what was around it, God took away their light and left them in shadows where they perceive not.

2:18 Unwilling to hear, unwilling to speak, unwilling to see, then, they will not return to the way.

2:19 Or as a cloudburst from heaven in which there are shadows and thunder and lightning. They lay their fingertips in their ears from the thunderbolt, being fearful of death. And God is One Who Encloses the ones who are ungrateful.

2:20 The lightning almost snatches their sight. When it illuminated for them, they walked in the light. And when it grew dark against them, they stood still. And if God willed, He would have taken away their having the ability to hear and their sight. Truly, God is Powerful over everything.

2:21 O humanity! Worship your Lord Who created you and those who were before you so that perhaps you will be Godfearing.

2:22 It is He Who assigned the earth for you as a place of restfulness and the heaven as a canopy. And He caused water to descend from heaven and from it drove out fruit of trees as provision for you. Then, assign not rivals to God while you, you know.

2:23 And if you had been in doubt about what We sent down to Our servant, then approach with a Chapter of the Quran —the like of it— and call to your witnesses other than God if you had been ones who are sincere.

2:24 And if you accomplish it not —and you will never accomplish it— then be Godfearing of the fire whose fuel is humanity and rocks, prepared for the ones who are ungrateful.

2:25 And give good tidings to those who believed and did as the ones in accord with morality, that for them will be Gardens beneath which rivers run. Whenever they were provided from there of its fruit as provision they would say: This is what we were provided before. And they will be brought it —ones that resemble one another— and in it for them will be purified spouses. And they are ones who will dwell in them forever!

2:26 Truly, God is not ashamed that He propound a parable, even of a gnat or whatever is above it. So as for those who believed, then, they know that it is The Truth from their Lord, but those who were ungrateful, then they will say: What did God mean by this parable? He causes many to go astray by it and He guides many by it. And He causes none to go astray by it, but the ones who disobey—

2:27 those who break the compact of God after a solemn promise and sever what God commanded that it be joined and make corruption in and on the earth. Those, they are the ones who are losers!

2:28 How is it you are ungrateful to God? You had been lifeless, then, He gave you life. again, He will cause you to die. Again, He will give you life. And, again, you are returned to Him.

2:29 It is He Who created for you all that is in and on the earth. Again, He turned His attention to the heaven. Then, He shaped them into seven heavens. And He is Knowing of everything.

2:30 And when thy Lord said to the angels: Truly, I am assigning on the earth a viceregent. They said: Wilt Thou be One Who Makes on it someone who makes corruption on it and sheds blood, while we glorify Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Truly, I know what you know not!

2:31 And He taught Adam the names, all of them. Again, He presented them to the angels and said: Communicate to Me the names of these if you had been ones who are sincere.

2:32 They said: Glory be to Thee! We have no knowledge but what Thou hadst taught us. Truly, Thou, Thou alone art The Knowing, The Wise.

2:33 He said: O Adam! Communicate to them their names. So then, when he communicated to them their names, He said: Did I not say to you: Truly, I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you show and what you had been keeping back.

2:34 And mention when We said to the angels: Prostrate yourselves to Adam! They, then, prostrated themselves but Iblis. He refused and grew arrogant. He had been among the ones who are ungrateful.

2:35 And We said: O Adam! Inhabit the Garden, thou and thy spouse: Eat freely from it both of you wherever you both willed, but come not near this, the tree or you both will be among the ones who are unjust.

2:36 Then, Satan caused both of them to slide back from there and drove both of them out from that in which they both had been. And We said: Get down some of you as an enemy to some other. And for you on the earth, a time appointed and sustenance for a while.

2:37 Adam, then, received words from his Lord for He turned to him in forgiveness. Truly, He, He is The Accepter of Repentance, The Compassionate.

2:38 We said: Get down altogether from it. And whenever guidance approaches you from Me, then, whoever heeded My guidance, then, there will be neither fear in them nor will they feel remorse.

2:39 But those who were ungrateful and denied Our signs, those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever!

2:40 O Children of Israel! Remember My divine blessing with which I was gracious to you and live up to the compact with Me. I will live up to the compact with you. And have reverence for Me alone.

2:41 And believe in what I caused to descend, that which establishes as true what is with you. And be not the first one who is ungrateful for it. And exchange not My signs for a little price. And fear Me, God, alone.

2:42 And confuse not The Truth with falsehood nor keep back The Truth while you know.

2:43 And perform the formal prayer, and give the purifying alms, and bow down with the ones who bow down.

2:44 You command humanity to virtuous conduct and forget yourselves while you relate the Book? Will you not, then, be reasonable?

2:45 And pray for help with patience and formal prayer. And, truly, it is arduous, but for the ones who are humble,

2:46 those who bear in mind that, truly, they, they will be ones who encounter their Lord and that to Him they will be ones who return.

2:47 O Children of Israel! Remember My divine blessing with which I was gracious to you, and that I gave advantage to you over the worlds.

2:48 And be Godfearing of a Day when no soul will give recompense for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it nor an equivalent be taken from it nor will they be helped.

2:49 And mention when We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh who cause an affliction to befall you of a dire punishment. They slaughter your children and save alive your women. And in that there is a tremendous trial from your Lord.

2:50 And mention when We separated the sea for you, and We rescued you, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh while you look on.

2:51 And mention when We appointed for Moses forty nights. Again, you took the calf to yourselves after him and you were ones who are unjust.

2:52 Again, We pardoned you after that, so that perhaps you will give thanks.

2:53 And mention when We gave Moses the Book, and the Criterion between right and wrong, so that perhaps you will be truly guided.

2:54 And mention when Moses said to his folk: O my folk! Truly, you did wrong to yourselves by your taking the calf to yourselves to worship, so repent to One Who is your Fashioner and kill yourselves. That would be better for you with One Who is your Fashioner. Then He will turn to you in forgiveness. Truly, He, He is The Accepter of Repentance, The Compassionate.

2:55 And mention when you said: O Moses! We will never believe thee until we see God publicly. So the thunderbolt took you while you look on.

2:56 Again, We will raise you up after your death so that perhaps you will give thanks.

2:57 And We shaded over you cloud shadows. We caused to descend to you the manna and the quails. Eat of what is good that We provided you. And they did not wrong Us. Rather, they had been doing wrong to themselves.

2:58 And mention when We said: Enter this town, then, eat freely from it whatever you willed, and enter the door as one who prostrates oneself and say: Unburden us of sin! We will forgive you your transgressions. And We will increase the ones who are doers of good.

2:59 Then, those who did wrong substituted another saying —other than what was said to them— so We caused to descend on those who did wrong wrath from heaven, because they had been disobeying.

2:60 And mention when Moses asked for water for his folk. Then, We said: Strike the rock with thy staff. Then, twelve springs ran out from it. Every clan knew their drinking place. Eat and drink from the provision of God, and do no mischief in and on the earth as ones who make corruption.

2:61 And mention when you said: O Moses! We will never endure patiently with one kind of food, so call to thy Lord for us to drive out for us of what the earth is bringing forth of its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions. Moses said: Would you have in exchange what is lesser for what is higher? Get down to a settled country. Then, truly for you is what you asked for. And stamped on them were abasement and wretchedness. And they drew the burden of anger from God. That was because they had been ungrateful for the signs of God, and kill the Prophets without right. That, because they rebelled, and they had been exceeding the limits.

2:62 Truly, those who believed, and those who became Jews, and the Christians and the Sabeans, whoever believed in God and the Last Day and did as one in accord with morality, then, for them, their compensation is with their Lord. And there will be neither fear in them nor will they feel remorse.

2:63 And when We took your solemn promise, and We exalted the mount above you: Take what We gave you with firmness, and remember what is in it, so that perhaps you will be Godfearing.

2:64 Again, after that you turned away, and if it were not for the grace of God on you, and His mercy certainly, you would have been among the ones who are losers.

2:65 And, certainly, you knew those who exceeded the limits among you on the Sabbath, to whom We said: Be you apes, ones who are driven away.

2:66 Then, We made this an exemplary punishment for the former of them, and of succeeding generations, and an admonishment for the ones who are Godfearing.

2:67 And mention when Moses said to his folk: Truly, God commands that you sacrifice a cow. They said: Hast thou taken us to thyself in mockery? He said: I take refuge with God that I be among the ones who are ignorant!

2:68 They said: Call to thy Lord for us to make manifest to us what she is! Moses said: Truly, He says: She should be a cow that is neither old nor virgin —middle-aged between them— so accomplish what you are commanded.

2:69 They said: Call to thy Lord for us to make manifest to us what hue she is. He said: Truly, He says: She is a saffron-colored cow —one that is bright in hue— that makes the ones who look on her joyous.

2:70 They said: Call to thy Lord for us to make manifest to us what she is. Truly, cows resembled one another to us, and, truly, if God willed we would be ones who are truly guided.

2:71 He said: Truly, He says she is a cow neither broken to plow the earth, nor to draw water for cultivation, that which is to be handed over without blemish on her. They said: Now thou hadst brought about The Truth. So they sacrificed her, and they almost accomplish it not.

2:72 And mention when you killed a soul, then, you put up an argument over it. And God was One Who Drives Out what you had been keeping back.

2:73 So We said: Turn him away with some of it! Thus, God gives life to the dead, and He causes you to see His signs, so that perhaps you will be reasonable.

2:74 Again, after that, your hearts became hard, so that they were as rocks or harder in hardness. And, truly, from the rocks there are some that the rivers gush forth from it. And, truly, there are some that split open so water goes forth from it. And, truly, some that from it get down from dreading God. And God is not One Who is Heedless of what you do.

2:75 Are you desirous that they believe in you? Surely, a group of people among them had been hearing the assertion of God. Yet again, they tamper with it after they were reasonable, and they know?

2:76 And when they met those who believed, they said: We believed. And when they went privately—some of them with some others—they said: Will you divulge to them what God opened to you, so that they argue with you about it before your Lord? Will you not, then, be reasonable?

2:77 Know they not that God knows what they keep secret, and what they speak openly.

2:78 And among them are the unlettered who know nothing of the Book but fantasy. And, truly, they but surmise.

2:79 And woe to those who write down the Book with their own hands. Again, they say: This is from God. Certainly, they exchange it for a little price. Then, woe to them for what their hands wrote down. And woe to them for what they earn!

2:80 And they said: The fire will never touch us, but for numbered days. Say: Took you to yourselves a compact from God? If so, God never breaks His compact; or say you about God what you know not?

2:81 Yea! Whoever earned an evil deed and is enclosed by his transgression, then those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever!

2:82 And those who believed and did as the ones in accord with morality, those will be the Companions of the Garden. They, ones who will dwell in it forever!

2:83 And mention when We took a solemn promise from the Children of Israel not to worship other than God, and goodness to the ones who are your parents and to the possessors of kinship and the orphans and the needy. And speak with kindness to humanity. And perform the formal prayer, and give the purifying alms. Again, you turned away but a few among you. You are ones who turn aside.

2:84 And mention when We took your solemn promise: You will not shed your blood, nor drive yourselves out from your abodes. Again, you were in accord and you, you bear witness.

2:85 Again, you are these—killing yourselves, and driving out a group of people among you from their abodes, to support one another against them in sin and deep seated dislike. And if they approach you as prisoners of war, you redeem them, although expelling them is that which is forbidden to you. Then, believe you in some of the Book, and are ungrateful for some? Then, what will be the recompense of whoever commits that among you, but degradation in this present life? And on the Day of Resurrection, they will be returned to the hardest punishment. And God is not One Who is Heedless of what you do.

2:86 Those are those who bought this present life for the world to come, so the punishment on them will not be lightened, nor will they be helped.

2:87 And, certainly, We gave Moses the Book and We sent Messengers following after him. And We gave Jesus son of Mary the clear portents, and confirmed him with the hallowed Spirit. Is it that whenever a Messenger drew near you with what you yourselves yearn not for, you grew arrogant, and you denied a group of people, and you kill a group of people?

2:88 And they said: Our hearts are encased! Nay! God cursed them for their ingratitude, so little is what they believe!

2:89 Mention when a Book from God drew near them, that which establishes as true what was with them—and before that they had been asking for victory over those who were ungrateful—so when drew near them what they recognized, they were ungrateful for it. Then, the curse of God is on the ones who are ungrateful!

2:90 Miserable was that for which they sold out themselves for it, that they are ungrateful for what God caused to descend, resenting that God sends down of His grace on whom He wills of His servants. They drew the burden of anger on anger. And for the ones who are ungrateful, there is a despised punishment.

2:91 And when it was said to them to believe in what God caused to descend, they said: We believe in what was caused to descend to us. And they are ungrateful for what is beyond it, while it is The Truth, that which establishes as true what is with them. Say: Why, then, kill you the Prophets of God before if you had been ones who believe?

2:92 And, certainly, Moses drew near you with the clear portents. Again, you took the calf to yourselves after him. And you are ones who are unjust.

2:93 And mention when We took your solemn promise, and We exalted the mount above you: Take what We gave you with firmness and hear. They said: We heard and we rebelled, and they were steeped with love for the calf in their hearts because of their ingratitude. Say: Miserable was what commands you to it of your belief if you had been ones who believe.

2:94 Say: If the Last Abode for you had been with God —that which is exclusively for you— excluding others of humanity— then, covet death if you had been ones who are sincere.

2:95 And they never covet it ever because of what their hands put forward, and God is Knowing of the ones who are unjust.

2:96 And, certainly, thou wilt find them to be eager among humanity for this life, even of those who ascribed partners with God. Each one of them wishes that he be given a long life of a thousand years, yet he still would not be one who is drawn away from the punishment, even if he be given a long life, and God is Seeing of what they do.

2:97 Say: Whoever had been an enemy of Gabriel knows, then, truly, it was sent down through him to thy heart with the permission of God, that which establishes as true what was before it, and as a guidance and good tidings for the ones who believe.

2:98 Whoever had been an enemy of God and His angels, and His Messengers and Gabriel and Michael, then, truly, God is an enemy of the ones who are ungrateful.

2:99 And, certainly, We caused to descend to thee signs, clear portents. And none are ungrateful for them, but the ones who disobey.

2:100 Is it not that whenever they made a contract—a compact— a group of people among them repudiated it? Nay! Most of them believe not.

2:101 And when a Messenger drew near them from God—one who establishes as true what was with them— a group of people repudiated among those who were given the Book, the Book of God—behind their backs as if they had not been knowing that it was God’s Book.

2:102 And they followed what the satans recount during the dominion of Solomon. And Solomon was not ungrateful, except the satans were ungrateful. They teach humanity sorcery, and what was caused to descend to the two angels at Babylon—Harut and Marut. But neither of these two teach anyone unless they say: We are only a test, so be not ungrateful. And they learn from these two that by it they separate and divide between a man and his spouse. And they were not ones who injured anyone with it, but by the permission of God. And they learn what hurts them and profits them not. And, certainly, they knew that whoever bought it, for him in the world to come was not any apportionment. And miserable was that for which they sold themselves. Would that they had been knowing!

2:103 And if they believed and were Godfearing, certainly, their place of spiritual reward from God was better. Would that they had been knowing!

2:104 O those who believed! Say not: Look at us, but say: Wait for us patiently and hear. And for the ones who are ungrateful, there is a painful punishment.

2:105 Neither wish those who were ungrateful from among the People of the Book, nor the ones who are polytheists that any good be sent down to you from your Lord. And God singles out for His mercy whom He wills. And God is Possessor of the Sublime Grace.

2:106 For whatever sign We nullify or cause it to be forgotten, We bring better than it, or similar to it. Hast thou not known that God is Powerful over everything?

2:107 Hast thou not known that God, to Him is the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and not for you other than God is there either a protector or a helper?

2:108 Or want you that you ask your Messenger as Moses was asked before? And whoever takes disbelief in exchange for belief, then, surely, he went astray from the right way.

2:109 Many of the People of the Book wished that after your belief they return you to being one who is ungrateful out of jealousy within themselves even after The Truth became clear to them. So pardon and overlook them until God brings His command. Truly, God is Powerful over everything.

2:110 And perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves, you will find it with God. Truly, God is Seeing of what you do.

2:111 And they said: None will enter the Garden, but ones who had been Jews or Christians. That is their own fantasies. Say: Prepare your proof if you had been ones who are sincere.

2:112 Yea! Whoever submitted his face to God, and he is one who is a doer of good, then, for him his compensation is with his Lord. And there will be neither fear in them, nor will they feel remorse.

2:113 And the Jews said: The Christians are not based on anything. And the Christians said: The Jews are not based on anything, although they both recount the Book. Thus, said those who know not a thing like their saying. So God will give judgment between them on the Day of Resurrection about what they had been at variance in it.

2:114 And who does greater wrong than those who prevented access to the places of prostration to God so that His Name not be remembered in them, and endeavored for their devastation? It had not been for those to enter them, but as ones who are fearful. For them is degradation in the present, and for them is a tremendous punishment in the world to come.

2:115 And to God belongs the East and the West. So wherever you turn to, then, again, there is the Countenance of God. Truly, God is One Who is Extensive, Knowing.

2:116 And they said: God took to Himself a son. Glory be to Him! Nay! To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are ones who are morally obligated to Him,

2:117 Beginner of the heavens and the earth and when He decreed a command, then, truly, He says to it: Be! Then, it is!

2:118 And those who know not said: Why does God not speak to us or a sign approach us? Thus, said those who were before them like their saying.• Their hearts resembled one another. Surely, We made manifest the signs for a folk who are certain.

2:119 Truly, We sent thee with The Truth as a bearer of good tidings and as a warner. And thou wilt not be asked about the Companions of Hellfire.

2:120 The Jews will never be well-pleased with thee, nor the Christians until thou hast followed their creed. Say: Truly, guidance of God. It is the guidance. And if thou hadst followed their desires after what drew near thee of the knowledge, there is not for thee from God either a protector or a helper.

2:121 Those to whom We gave the Book recount it with a true recounting. Those believe in it, and whoever is ungrateful for it, then, those, they are the ones who are losers.

2:122 O Children of Israel! Remember My divine blessing with which I was gracious to you, and that I gave you an advantage over the worlds.

2:123 And be Godfearing of a Day when no soul will give recompense for another soul at all, nor will the equivalent be accepted from it, nor will intercession profit it , nor will they be helped.

2:124 And mention when his Lord tested Abraham with words; then, he fulfilled them. God said: Truly, I am One Who Makes thee a leader for humanity. He said: And of my offspring? He said: Attain not My compact the ones who are unjust.

2:125 And mention when We made the House a place of spiritual reward for humanity and a place of sanctuary: And take the Station of Abraham to yourselves as a place of prayer. And We made a compact with Abraham, and Ishmael saying that: Purify My House for the ones who circumambulate it, and the ones who cleave to it, and the ones who bow down, and the ones who prostrate themselves.

2:126 And mention when Abraham said: My Lord! Make this a safe land, and provide its people with fruits, whomever of them believed in God and the Last Day. God said: And whoever is ungrateful, I will give him enjoyment for a while. Again, I will compel him to the punishment of the fire. And miserable will be the Homecoming!

2:127 And mention when Abraham elevates the foundations of the House with Ishmael saying: Our Lord! Receive it from us. Truly, Thou, Thou alone art The Hearing, The Knowing.

2:128 Our Lord! And make us ones who submit to Thee, and, of our offspring, a community of ones who submit to Thee. And cause us to see our devotional acts, and turn to us in forgiveness. Truly, Thou, Thou alone art The Accepter of Repentance, The Compassionate.

2:129 Our Lord! And raise Thou up, then, in the midst of them, a Messenger from among them who will recount to them Thy signs and teach them the Book, and wisdom and make them pure. Truly, Thou, Thou alone art The Almighty, The Wise.

2:130 And who shrinks from the creed of Abraham, but he who fooled himself? And, certainly, We favored him in the present. And, truly, in the world to come he will be among the ones in accord with morality.

2:131 When his Lord said to him: Submit! He said: I submitted to the Lord of the worlds.

2:132 And Abraham charged his children to it, and Jacob: O my children! Truly, God favored the way of life for you. Then, be not overtaken by death but you be ones who submit to the One God.

2:133 Or had you been witnesses when death attended Jacob when he said to his children: How will you worship after me? They said: We will worship thy God and the God of thy fathers—Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac—One God. And we are ones who submit to Him.

2:134 That was, surely, a community that passed away. For them is what they earned, and for you is what you earned and you will not be asked about what they had been doing.

2:135 And they said: Be you ones who are Jews or Christians, you will be truly guided. Say thou: Nay! We follow the creed of Abraham a monotheist. And he had not been of the ones who are polytheists.

2:136 Say: We believed in God and what was caused to descend to us, and what was caused to descend to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Tribes and whatever was given Moses and Jesus, and whatever was given to the Prophets from their Lord. We separate and divide not between anyone of them. And we are ones who submit to Him.

2:137 So if they believed the like of what you believed in it, then, surely, they were truly guided. And if they turned away, then, they are not but in breach. So God suffices for you against them. And He is The Hearing, The Knowing.

2:138 Life’s color is from God. And who is fairer at coloring than God? And we are ones who worship Him.

2:139 Say: Argue you with us about God? And He is our Lord and your Lord. And to us are our actions, and to you are your actions. And we are to Him ones who are sincere and devoted.

2:140 Or say you about Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Tribes had been ones who became Jews or were Christians? Say: Are you greater in knowledge or God? And who does greater wrong than he who had been keeping back testimony from God that is with him, and God is not One Who is Heedless of what you do.

2:141 That is a community that surely passed away; for it is what it earned and for you is what you earned and you will not be asked about what they had been doing.

2:142 The fools among humanity say: What turned them from their direction of formal prayer to which they had been towards? Say: To God belongs the East and the West. He guides whom He wills to a straight path.

2:143 And, thus, We made you a middle community that you be witnesses to humanity, and that the Messenger be a witness to you. And We made not the direction of the formal prayer which thou hadst been towards but that We make evident whoever follows the Messenger from him who turns about on his two heels. And, truly, it had been grave, but for those whom God guided. And God had not been wasting your belief. Truly, God is Gentle toward humanity, Compassionate.

2:144 Surely, We see the going to and fro of thy face toward heaven. Then, We will turn thee to a direction of formal prayer that thou wilt be well pleased with it. Then, turn thy face to the direction of the Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you had been, turn your faces to its direction. And, truly, those who were given the Book know that it is The Truth from their Lord, and God is not One Who is Heedless of what they do.

2:145 And even if thou wert to bring to those who were given the Book every sign, they would not heed thy direction of formal prayer. Nor art thou one who heeds their direction of formal prayer. Nor are some of them ones who heed the direction of the other’s formal prayer. And if thou hadst followed their desires after the knowledge brought about to thee, then, truly, thou wouldst be among the ones who are unjust.

2:146 Those to whom We gave the Book recognize it as they recognize their children, while, truly, a group of people among them keep back The Truth while they know

2:147 it is The Truth from thy Lord. So be thou not among the ones who contest.

2:148 And everyone has a direction to that which he turns. Be forward, then, in good deeds. Wherever you be, God will bring you altogether for the Judgment. Truly, God is Powerful over everything.

2:149 And from wherever thou hadst gone forth, then, turn thy face in the direction of the Masjid al-Haram. And, truly, this is The Truth from thy Lord, and God is not One Who is Heedless of what you do.

2:150 And from wherever thou hadst gone forth, then, turn thy face to the direction of the Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you had been, then, turn your faces to the direction of it so that there be no disputation from humanity against you, but from those of them who did wrong. Dread them not, then, but dread Me. And I fulfill My divine blessing on you—so that perhaps you will be truly guided—

2:151 as We sent to you a Messenger from among you who recounts Our signs to you, and makes you pure, and teaches you the Book and wisdom, and teaches you what you be knowing not.

2:152 So remember Me and I will remember you. And give thanks to Me, and be not ungrateful!

2:153 O those who believed! Pray for help with patience and formal prayer. Truly, God is with the ones who remain steadfast.

2:154 And say not about those who are slain in the way of God: They are lifeless. Nay! They are living, except you are not aware.

2:155 We will, certainly, try you with something of fear and hunger and diminution of wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the ones who remain steadfast,

2:156 those who, when an affliction lit on them, they said: Truly, we belong to God and, truly, we are ones who return to Him.

2:157 Those, blessings will be sent on them from their Lord and mercy. And those, they are the ones who are truly guided.

2:158 Truly, Safa and Marwa are among the Waymarks of God, so whoever made the pilgrimage to Makkah to the House or visited the Kabah, then, there is no blame on him that he circumambulates between the two. And whoever volunteered good, then, truly, God is One Who is Responsive, Knowing.

2:159 Truly, those who keep back what We caused to descend of the clear portents and the guidance, after We made it manifest to humanity in the Book—those, God curses them and the ones who curse, curse them.

2:160 But those who repented, and made things right, and made things manifest, then, those—I will turn to them in forgiveness. And I am The Accepter of Repentance, The Compassionate.

2:161 Truly, those who were ungrateful, and they died and they were ones who are ungrateful, those, on them is a curse of God, and the angels and humanity, one and all.

2:162 They are ones who will dwell in it forever. The punishment will not be lightened for them nor will they be given respite.

2:163 And your God is One God. There is no god but He, The Merciful, The Compassionate.

2:164 Truly, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alteration of the nighttime and the daytime and the boats that run on the sea with what profits humanity, and what God caused to descend from heaven of water, and gave life to the earth after its death, and disseminated on it all moving creatures, and diversified the winds and the clouds, ones caused to be subservient between heaven and earth, are the signs for a folk who are reasonable.

2:165 Yet there are among humanity some who take to themselves rivals besides God. They love them like they should cherish God. And those who believed are stauncher in cherishing God. And if only those who did wrong would consider when they will see the punishment that all strength belongs to God, and that God is Severe in punishment.

2:166 When they will clear themselves—those who were followed from those who followed them—and they will see the punishment, all cords will be cut asunder from them.

2:167 Those who were followed said: If there be a return again for us, then, we would clear ourselves from them as they cleared themselves from us. Thus, God will cause them to see their actions with regret for them, and they will never be ones who go forth from the fire.

2:168 O humanity! Eat of what is in and on the earth—lawful, wholesome—and follow not the steps of the Satan. Truly, he is a clear enemy to you.

2:169 Truly, he commands you to evil and depravity, and that you say about God what you know not.

2:170 And when it was said to them: Follow what God caused to descend. They said: Nay! We will follow whatever we discovered our fathers were following on it —even though their fathers had been not at all reasonable—nor are they truly guided.

2:171 And the parable of those who were ungrateful is like the parable of those who shout to what hears not, but a crying out and pleading yet those to which they call out to are deaf, dumb and blind, so they are not reasonable.

2:172 O those who believed! Eat of what is good that We provided you and give thanks to God if it had been He alone whom you worship.

2:173 Truly, He forbade carrion for you and blood and the flesh of swine and what was hallowed to any other than God, but whoever was driven by necessity, without being one who is willfully disobedient, and not one who turns away, then, it is not a sin for him. Truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:174 Truly, those who keep back what God caused of the Book to descend, and exchange it for a little price, those, they consume not into their bellies but fire. God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He make them pure. And for them will be a painful punishment.

2:175 Those are those who bought fallacy for guidance and punishment for forgiveness. So how they are ones who remain steadfast for the fire!

2:176 That is because God sent down the Book with The Truth and, truly, those who were at variance regarding the Book are in a wide breach.

2:177 It is not virtuous conduct that you turn your faces towards the East or the West. Rather, virtuous conduct consists of: Whoever believed in God and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets. And whoever gave wealth out of cherishing Him to the possessors of kinship and to the orphans and to the needy and to the traveler of the way and to the one who begs and the freeing of a bondsperson, and whoever performed the formal prayer, and gave the purifying alms, and the ones who live up to their compact when they made a contract, and the ones who remain steadfast in desolation and tribulation and at the time of danger, those are those who were sincere and those, they are the ones who are Godfearing!

2:178 O those who believed! Reciprocation was prescribed for you for the slain: the freeman for the freeman and the servant for the servant and the female for the female. But whoever was forgiven a thing by his brother, the pursuing be as one who is honorable, and the remuneration be with kindness. That is a lightening from your Lord, and a mercy. And he who exceeded the limits after that, then, for him is a painful punishment.

2:179 And for you in reciprocation there is the saving of life, O those imbued with intuition, so that perhaps you will be Godfearing.

2:180 It is prescribed for you when death attended anyone of you if one left goods, to bequeath to the ones who are your parents and the nearest kin as the one who is honorable, an obligation for the ones who are Godfearing.

2:181 Then, whoever substituted it after he heard it, truly, the sin of it is only on those who substitute it. Truly, God is Hearing, Knowing.

2:182 Then, whoever feared from one who makes a testament, a swerving from the right path or sin, and, then, made things right between them, there is no sin on him. Truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:183 O those who believed! Formal fasting was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you so that perhaps you will be Godfearing.

2:184 Fasting is prescribed for numbered days. Then, whoever among you had been sick or on a journey, then, a period of other days. And for those who cannot fast is a redemption of food for the needy. And whoever volunteered good, it is better for him. And that you formally fast is better for you if you had been knowing.

2:185 The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was caused to descend—a guidance for humanity—and clear portents of the guidance, and the Criterion between right and wrong. So whoever of you bore witness to the month, then, formal fasting, and whoever had been sick or on a journey, then, a period of other days. God wants ease for you, and wants not hardship for you, so that you perfect the period and that you magnify God because He guided you so that perhaps you will give thanks.

2:186 And when My servants asked thee about Me, then, truly, I am near. I answer the call of one who calls when he will call to Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, so that perhaps they will be on the right way.

2:187 It is permitted for you on the nights of formal fasting to have sexual intercourse with your wives. They (f) are a garment for you and you are a garment for them (f). God knew that you had been dishonest to yourselves so He turned to you in forgiveness and pardoned you. So now lie with them (f) and look for what God prescribed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread becomes clear to you from the black thread at dawn. Again, fulfill the formal fasting until night. And lie not with them (f) when you are ones who cleave to the places of prostration. These are the ordinances of God. Then, come not near them. Thus, God makes His signs manifest to humanity so that perhaps they will be Godfearing.

2:188 And consume not your wealth between yourselves in falsehood, nor let it down in bribes to the ones who judge so that you consume a group of people’s wealth among humanity in sin while you know.

2:189 They ask thee about the new moons. Say: They are appointed times for humanity, and the pilgrimage to Makkah. It is not virtuous conduct that you approach houses from the back. Rather, virtuous conduct was to be Godfearing, and approach houses from their front doors. And be Godfearing of God so that perhaps you will prosper.

2:190 And fight in the Way of God those who fight you, but exceed not the limits. Truly, God loves not the ones who exceed the limits.

2:191 And kill them wherever you came upon them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out. And persecution is more grave than killing. And fight them not near the Masjid al-Haram unless they fight you in it. But if they fought you, then kill them. Thus, this is the recompense for the ones who are ungrateful.

2:192 Then, if they refrained themselves, then, truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:193 And fight them until there be no persecution, and the way of life be for God. Then, if they refrained themselves, then, there is to be no deep seated dislike, but against the ones who are unjust. Fight aggression

2:194 committed in the Sacred Month, in the Sacred Month and so reciprocation for all sacred things. So whoever exceeded the limits against you, exceed you the limits against him likewise as he exceeded the limits against you? Be Godfearing of God and know that God is with the ones who are Godfearing.

2:195 And spend in the way of God, and cast not yourselves by your own hands into deprivation by fighting. ^And do good^. Truly, God loves the ones who are doers of good.

2:196 And fulfill the pilgrimage to Makkah, and the visit for God. And if you were restrained, then, whatever was feasible of sacrificial gifts. And shave not your heads until the sacrificial gift reaches its place of sacrifice. Then, whoever had been sick among you, or has an injury of his head, then, a redemption of formal fasting, or charity or a ritual sacrifice. And when you were safe, then, whoever took joy in the visit and the pilgrimage to Makkah then whatever was feasible of a sacrificial gift. Then, whoever finds not the means, then, formal fasting for three days during the pilgrimage to Makkah and seven when you returned, that is ten completely. That would be for he whose people are not ones who are present at the Masjid al-Haram. And be Godfearing of God and know that God is Severe in repayment.

2:197 The pilgrimage to Makkah is in known months. And whoever undertook the duty of pilgrimage to Makkah in them, then, there is no sexual intercourse nor disobedience nor dispute during the pilgrimage to Makkah. And whatever good you accomplish, God knows it. And take provision. Then, truly, the best ration is God-consciousness. So be Godfearing, O those imbued with intuition!

2:198 There is no blame on you that you be looking for grace from your Lord. And when you pressed on from Arafat, then remember God at the Sacred Monument. And remember Him as He guided you, although you had been before this, certainly, of the ones who go astray.

2:199 Again, press on from where humanity pressed on, and ask God for forgiveness. Truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:200 And when you satisfied your devotional acts, then, remember God like your remembrance of your fathers, or a stauncher remembrance. And among humanity are some who say: Our Lord! Give to us in the present! And for him, there is no apportionment in the world to come!

2:201 And among them are some who say: Our Lord! Give us benevolence in the present and benevolence in the world to come and protect us from the punishment of the fire!

2:202 Those, for them is a share of what they earned. And God is Swift at reckoning.

2:203 And remember God during numbered days. So whoever hastened on in two days, then, there is no sin on him. And whoever remained behind, then, there is no sin on him. And for whoever was Godfearing, be Godfearing of God. And know that to Him you will be assembled.

2:204 And among humanity is one whose sayings impress thee about this present life and he calls to God to witness what is in his heart while he is most stubborn in altercation.

2:205 And when he turned away, he hastened about the earth so that he makes corruption in and on it, and he causes the cultivation and stock to perish, but God loves not corruption.

2:206 And when it was said to him: Be Godfearing of God! Vainglory took him to sin. So hell is enough for him! And, certainly, it will be a miserable Final Place!

2:207 And among humanity is he who sells himself looking for the goodwill of God, and God is Gentle with His servants.

2:208 O those who believed! Enter into peacefulness collectively and follow not the steps of Satan. Truly, he is a clear enemy to you.

2:209 But if you slipped after drew near you the clear portents, then, know that God is Almighty, Wise.

2:210 So do they look on but that God approach them in the overshadowing of cloud shadows? And the angels? The command would be decided. And commands are returned to God.

2:211 Ask the Children of Israel how many a sign, a clear portent, We gave them. And whoever substitutes the divine blessing of God after it drew near him, then, truly, God is Severe in repayment.

2:212 Made to appear pleasing to those who were ungrateful I this present life, and they deride those who believed.• But those who were Godfearing will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And God provides for whomever He wills without reckoning.

2:213 Humanity had been of one community. Then, God raised up the Prophets, ones who give good tidings and ones who warn. And with them He caused the Book to descend with The Truth to give judgment among humanity about what they were at variance in it. None were at variance in it but those who were given it after the clear portents drew near them because of their insolence to one another. Then, God guided those who believed to The Truth—about what they were at variance in it— with His permission. And God guides whom He wills to a straight path.

2:214 Or assumed you that you would enter the Garden while approaches you not the likeness of those who passed away before you? Desolation and tribulation afflicted them. And they are so convulsed that even the Messenger says, and those who believed with him: When will there be help from God? No doubt, truly, the help of God is Near.

2:215 They ask thee what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spent for good is for the ones who are your parents and the nearest kin and the orphans and the needy and the traveler of the way. And whatever good you accomplish, then, truly, God is Knowing of it.

2:216 Fighting was prescribed for you although it is disliked by you. And perhaps you dislike a thing and it is good for you. And perhaps you love a thing, and it is worse for you. And God knows and, truly, you know not.

2:217 They ask thee about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is deplorable and barring from the way of God and ingratitude to Him. And to bar from the Masjid al-Haram, and expelling people from it are more deplorable with God. And persecution is more deplorable than killing. And they cease not to fight you until they repel you from your way of life, if they are able. And whoever of you goes back on his way of life, then, dies while he is one who is ungrateful, those, their actions were fruitless in the present and in the world to come. And those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever.

2:218 Truly, those who believed and those who emigrated and struggled in the way of God, those hope for the mercy of God. And God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:219 They ask thee about intoxicants and gambling. Say: In both of them there is deplorable sin and profits for humanity. And their sin is more deplorable than what is profitable. And they ask thee how much they should spend. Say: The extra. Thus, God makes manifest His signs to you so that perhaps you will reflect

2:220 on the present and the world to come. And they ask thee about orphans. Say: Making things right for them is better. And if you intermix with them, then they are your brothers/sisters. God knows the one who makes corruption from the one who makes things right. And if God willed, He would have overburdened you. Truly, God is Almighty, Wise.

2:221 Marry not ones who are female polytheists until they believe. The one who is a believing, female bond servant is better than the one who is a female polytheist even if she impressed you and wed not the ones who are male polytheists until they believe. And one who is a believing, male bond servant is better than the one who is a male polytheist even if he impressed you. Those call you to the fire while God calls you to the Garden and to forgiveness with His permission. And He makes manifest His signs to humanity so that perhaps they will recollect.

2:222 They ask thee about menstruation. Say: It is an impurity, so withdraw from your wives during menstruation. Come not near them (f) until they cleanse themselves. And then when they (f) cleansed themselves, approach them (f) as God commanded you. Truly, God loves the contrite and He loves the ones who cleanse themselves.

2:223 Your wives are a place of cultivation for you, so approach your cultivation whenever you willed and put forward for yourselves. And be Godfearing of God. And know that you will be one who encounters Him. And give thou good tidings to the ones who believe.

2:224 And make God not an obstacle with your sworn oaths to your being good, and being Godfearing, and making things right among humanity. And God is Hearing, Knowing.

2:225 God will not take you to task for idle talk in your sworn oaths. Rather, He will take you to task for what your hearts earned. And God is Forgiving, Forbearing.

2:226 For those who vow abstinence from their wives, await four months. Then, if they changed their minds, then, truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

2:227 And if they resolved on setting them (f) free, then, truly, God is Hearing, Knowing.

2:228 And the women who are to be divorced will await by themselves three menstrual periods. And it is not lawful for them (f) that they (f) keep back what God created in their (f) wombs, if they (f) had been believing in God, and the Last Day. Their husbands have better right to come back during that period if they (m) wanted to make things right. For the rights of them (f) in regard to their husbands is the like of rights of their (f) husbands in regard to them (f), as one who is honorable. And men have a degree over them (f). And God is Almighty, Wise.

2:229 Setting free is said two times: Then, hold fast to them (f) as one who is honorable or setting them (f) free with kindness. And it is not lawful for you that you take anything of what you gave them (f) unless they both fear that they both will not perform the ordinances of God. And if you feared that they both will not perform the ordinances of God, then, there is no blame on either of them in what she offered as redemption for that. These are the ordinances of God, so exceed not the limits. And whoever violates the ordinances of God, then, those, they are the ones who are unjust.

2:230 And if he divorced her finally, then, she is not lawful to him after that until she marries a spouse other than him. Then, if that husband divorced her irrevocably, there is no blame on either of them if they return to one another if both of them thought that they will perform within the ordinances of God, and these are the ordinances of God. He makes them manifest for a folk who know.

2:231 And when you divorced wives, and they (f) reached their (f) term, then, hold them (f) back as one who is honorable or set them (f) free as one who is honorable. But hold them (f) not back by injuring them so that you commit aggression. And whoever commits that, then, surely, he did wrong himself. And take not to yourselves the signs of God in mockery. Remember the divine blessing of God on you, and what He caused to descend to you from the Book and wisdom. He admonishes you with it. And be Godfearing of God and know that God is Knowing of everything.

2:232 And when you revocably divorced wives, and they reached their (f) term, then, place not difficulties for them (f) that they (f) re-marry their former spouses when they agreed among themselves as one who is honorable. This is admonished for him —whoever had been among you who believes in God and the Last Day— that is pure and purer for you. And God knows and you know not.

2:233 And the ones who are mothers will breast feed their (f) children for two years completely for whoever wanted to fulfill breast feeding. And on one to whom a child is born is their (f) provision and their clothing (f) as one who is honorable. No soul is placed with a burden, but to its capacity. Neither the one who is a mother be pressed for her child, nor the one to whom a child is born for his child. And on one who inherits is the like of that. While if they both wanted weaning by them agreeing together and after consultation, then, there is no blame on either of them. And if you wanted to seek wet-nursing for your children, then, there is no blame on you when you handed over what you gave as one who is honorable. And be Godfearing of God. And know that God is Seeing of what you do.

2:234 And those of you whom death will call to itself, forsaking spouses, they (f) will await by themselves (f) four months and ten days. And when they (f) reached their term, then, there is no blame on you in what they (f) accomplished for themselves (f), as one who is honorable. God is Aware of what you do.

2:235 And there is no blame on you in what you offered with it of a proposal to women, or for what you hid in yourselves. God knew that you will remember them (f), except appoint not with them (f) secretly, unless you say a saying as one who is honorable. And resolve not on the knot of marriage until she reaches her prescribed term. And know that God knows what is within yourselves. So be fearful of Him. And know that God is Forgiving, Forbearing.

2:236 There is no blame on you if you divorced wives whom you touch not, nor undertake a duty to them (f) of a dowry portion. And make provision for them (f). For the one who is wealthy—according to his means—and for the one who is needy —according to his means—with a sustenance, one that is honorable, an obligation on the ones who are doers of good.

2:237 And if you divorced them (f) before you touch them (f), and you undertook the duty of a dowry portion for them (f), then, half of what you undertook as a duty unless they (f) pardon it or they (m) pardon it in whose hand is the marriage knot. And that they (m) pardon is nearer to God-consciousness. Forget not grace among you. Truly, God is Seeing of what you do.

2:238 Be watchful of the formal prayers and the middle formal prayer. Stand up as ones who are morally obligated to God.

2:239 And if you feared, then, pray on foot or as one who is mounted. And when you were safe, then, remember God, for He taught you what you be not knowing.

2:240 And those whom death will call to itself forsaking spouses, will bequeath for their spouses sustenance for a year without expelling them (f). But if they (f) went forth themselves (f), then, there is no blame on you in what they (f) accomplished for themselves (f) as one who is honorable. And God is Almighty, Wise.

2:241 And for ones who are divorced females, sustenance, as one who is honorable. This is an obligation on the ones who are Godfearing.

2:242 Thus, God makes manifest His signs to you so that perhaps you will be reasonable.

2:243 Hast thou not considered those who went forth from their abodes while they were in the thousands being fearful of death? And God said to them: Die! Again, He gave them life. Truly, God is Possessor of Grace for humanity except most of humanity gives not thanks.

2:244 So fight in the Way of God, and know that God is Hearing, Knowing.

2:245 Who is he who will lend God a fairer loan that He will multiply it for him manifold times? And God seizes and extends and you are returned to Him.

2:246 Hast thou not considered the Council of the Children of Israel after Moses when they said to a Prophet of theirs: Raise up a king for us, and we will fight in the way of God. He said: Perhaps if fighting was prescribed for you, you would not fight. They said: Why should we not fight in the way of God when we were driven out of our abodes with our children. Then, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, but for a few of them. And God is Knowing of the ones who are unjust.

2:247 And their Prophet said to them: Truly, God raised up for you Saul, a king. They said: How would it be for him to have dominion over us when we have better right to dominion than he, as he is not given plenty of wealth? He said: Truly, God favored him over you, and increased him greatly in the knowledge and the physique. And God gives His dominion to whom He wills. And God is One Who is Extensive, Knowing.

2:248 And their Prophet said to them: Truly, a sign of his dominion is that there would approach you the Ark of the Covenant. In it is tranquility from your Lord, and abiding wisdom of what the people of Moses left, and the people of Aaron. And the angels will carry it. Truly, in that is a sign for you if you had been ones who believe.

2:249 So when Saul set forward with his army he said: Truly, God is One Who Tests you with a river. So whoever would drink of it, he is not of me, and whoever tastes it not, truly, he is of me, but he who scoops up with a scooping of his hand. So they drank of it, but a few of them. Then, when he crossed it, he and those who believed with him, they said: There is no energy for us today against Goliath and his armies. Said those who think they truly would be ones who encounter God: How often a faction of a few vanquished a faction of many with the permission of God! And God is with the ones who remain steadfast.

2:250 And so when they departed against Goliath and his armies they said: Our Lord! Pour out patience on us, and make our feet firm, and help us against the folk— the ones who are ungrateful.

2:251 So they put them to flight with the permission of God. And David killed Goliath. And God gave him the dominion and wisdom, and taught him of what He wills. And if not for God driving humanity back—some by some others—the earth would have, certainly, gone to ruin, except God is Possessor of Grace to the worlds.

2:252 These are the signs of God. We recount to thee The Truth. And, truly, thou art among the ones who are sent.

2:253 These are the Messengers. We gave advantage, some of them over some others.• Of them are those to whom God spoke and some of them He exalted in degree. And We gave Jesus son of Mary the clear portents and confirmed him with the hallowed Spirit. And if God willed, those who were after them have fought one another after the clear portents drew near them, except they were at variance. And some of them believed, while some of them were ones who are ungrateful. And if God willed, they would not have fought one another, except God accomplishes what He wants.

2:254 O those who believed! Spend of what We provided you, before a Day approaches when there is neither trading in it nor friendship nor intercession. And the ones who are ungrateful, they are the ones who are unjust.

2:255 God! There is no god but He, The Living, The Eternal. Neither slumber takes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in and on the earth. Who will intercede with Him but with His permission? He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them. And they will not comprehend anything of His knowledge, but what He willed. His Seat encompassed the heavens and the earth, and He is not hampered by their safe-keeping. And He is The Lofty, The Sublime.

2:256 There is no compulsion in the way of life. Surely, right judgment became clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then, surely, he held fast to the most firm handhold. It is not breakable. And God is Hearing, Knowing.

2:257 God is The Protector of those who believed. He brings them out from the shadows into the light. And those who were ungrateful, their protectors are false deities. They bring them out from the light into the shadows. Those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever.

2:258 Hast thou not considered him who argued with Abraham about his Lord because God gave him dominion? Mention when Abraham said: My Lord is He Who gives life and causes to die. He said: I give life and cause to die. Abraham said: Truly, God brings the sun from the East, so bring thou the sun from the West! Then, he who was ungrateful was dumfounded. And God guides not the unjust folk.

2:259 Or like the one who passed by a town and it was one that has fallen down into ruins. He said: How will God give life to this after its death? So God caused him to die for a hundred years. Again, He raised him up. He said: How long hadst thou lingered in expectation? He said: I lingered in expectation for a day or some part of a day. He said: Nay. Thou hadst lingered in expectation a hundred years. Then look on thy food and thy drink. They are not spoiled. And look on thy donkey. We made thee a sign for humanity. And look on the bones, how We set them up. Again, We will clothe them with flesh. So when it became clear to him, he said: I know that God is Powerful over everything.

2:260 And mention when Abraham said: My Lord! Cause me to see how Thou wilt give life to the dead. He said: Wilt thou not believe? He said: Yea, but so my heart be at rest. He said: Again, take four birds, and twist them to thyself. Again, lay a part of them on every mountain. Again, call to them. They will approach thee coming eagerly. And know thou that God is Almighty, Wise.

2:261 A parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a parable of a grain. It puts forth seven ears of wheat. In every ear of wheat, a hundred grains. And God multiplies for whom He wills. And God is One Who is Extensive, Knowing.

2:262 Those who spend their wealth in the way of God and, again, pursue not what they spent with reproachful reminders nor injury, the compensation for them is with their Lord. And there will be neither fear in them nor will they feel remorse.

2:263 An honorable saying and forgiveness are better than charity succeeded by injury. And God is Sufficient, Forbearing.

2:264 O those who believed! Render not untrue your charities with reproachful reminders nor injury like he who spends of his wealth to show off to humanity, and believes not in God and the Last Day. His parable is like the parable of a smooth rock. Over it is earth dust. A heavy downpour lit on it, and left it bare. They have no power over anything of what they earned and God guides not the ungrateful folk.

2:265 And the parable of those who spend their wealth looking for the goodwill of God and for confirming their souls is like the parable of a garden on a hillside. A heavy downpour lit on it. Then, it gave its harvest double. And even if lights not on it a heavy downpour, then a dew. And God is Seeing of what you do.

2:266 Would anyone of you wish that he have a garden of date palm trees and grapevines beneath which rivers run with all kinds of fruits in it for him? Then, old age lit on him, and he had weak offspring. Then, a whirlwind lit on it in which there is a fire. Then, it was consumed. Thus, God makes manifest His signs for you so that perhaps you will reflect.

2:267 O those who believed! Spend of what is good that you earned, and from what We brought out for you from the earth. And aim not at getting the bad of it to spend while you would not be ones who take it, but you would close an eye to it. And know that God is Sufficient, Worthy of Praise.

2:268 Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to depravity; whereas God promises you His forgiveness from Himself and His grace. And God is One Who is Extensive, Knowing.

2:269 He gives wisdom to whom He wills. And whomever is given wisdom, then, surely, was given much good and none recollects no doubt but those imbued with intuition.

2:270 And whatever of contributions you spent or vows that you vowed, then, truly, God knows it. And for the ones who are unjust there is no helper.

2:271 If you show your charity, then, how bountiful it is while if you conceal it and give it to the poor, that would be better for you. This absolves you of some of your evil deeds. And God is Aware of what you do.

2:272 Their guidance is not on thee. But God guides whomever He wills. And whatever of good you spend, it is for yourselves. And spend not but looking for the Countenance of God. And whatever of good you spend, your account will be paid to you in full and you will not be wronged.

2:273 Spend for the poor, those who were restrained in the way of God and are not able to travel on the earth. The one who is ignorant assumes them to be rich because of their having reserve. Thou wilt recognize them by their mark. They ask not persistently of humanity. And whatever of good you spend, then, truly, God is Knowing of that.

2:274 Those who spend their wealth by nighttime and daytime, secretly or in public, then, for them, their compensation is with their Lord. And there will be neither fear in them nor will they feel remorse.

2:275 Those who consume usury will not arise, but like he who arises whom Satan prostrated by touch. That is because they said: Trading is only like usury and yet God permitted trading and forbade usury. So whoever drew near an admonishment from his Lord and refrained himself, for him is what was past. And his command is with God. While whoever reverted, then, those will be the Companions of the Fire. They, ones who will dwell in it forever!

2:276 God eliminates usury, and He causes charity to increase. And God loves not any sinful ingrate.

2:277 Truly, those who believed and did as the ones in accord with morality and performed the formal prayer and gave the purifying alms, for them, their compensation is with their Lord. And there will be neither fear in them nor will they feel remorse.

2:278 O those who believed! Be Godfearing of God. And forsake what remained of usury, if you had been ones who believe.

2:279 But if you accomplish it not, then, give ear to war from God and His Messenger. And if you repented, you will have your principal capital, doing no wrong to others nor will you be wronged.

2:280 If a debtor had been possessing adversity, a respite until a time of ease and prosperity. And it is better for you that you be charitable, if you had been knowing.

2:281 And be Godfearing of a Day on which you are returned to God. Again, every soul will be paid its account in full for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

2:282 O those who believed! When you contracted a debt for a term—that which is determined—then, write it down. Let one who is a scribe write it down between you justly. One who is a scribe should not refuse to write it down as God taught him. So let him write down and let the debtor dictate. Let him be Godfearing of God, his Lord, and diminish not anything out of it. But if the debtor had been mentally deficient, or weak, or not able to dictate himself, then, let his protector dictate justly. And call two witnesses to bear witness from among your men. Or if there are not two men, then a man and two women, with whom you are well-pleased as witnesses, so that if one of them (f) goes astray, then, the other one of the two will remind her. And the witnesses will not refuse when they were called. And grow not weary that you write it down, be it small or great, with its term. That is more equitable with God and more upright for testimony, and likelier not to be in doubt unless it be a trade, that which is transferred at the time—to give and take among yourselves. Then, there is no blame on you if you not write it down. And call witnesses when you have a transaction. Let neither one who is a scribe nor witness be pressed. And if you accomplish that, then, it is, truly, disobedience on your part. So be Godfearing of God. And God teaches you. And God is Knowing of everything.

2:283 And if you had been on a journey and find no one who is a scribe, then, a guarantee of that which is held in hand. But if any of you entrusted to another, then, let who was trusted give back his trust and let him be Godfearing of God, his Lord, and keep not back testimony. And he who keeps back, he, then, truly, his heart is one that is perverted. And God is Knowing of what you do.

2:284 To God belongs what is in the heavens and in and on the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves, or conceal it, God will make a reckoning with you for it. And He will forgive whom He wills. And He will punish whom He wills. And God is Powerful over everything.

2:285 The Messenger believed in what was caused to descend to him from his Lord as do the ones who believe. All believed in God and His angels and His Books and His Messengers saying: We separate and divide not among anyone of His Messengers. And they said: We heard and we obeyed, so grant Thy forgiveness, Our Lord! And to Thee is the Homecoming.

2:286 God places not a burden on a soul beyond its capacity. For it is what it earned and against it is what it deserved. Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forgot or made a mistake. Our Lord! Burden us not with a severe test like that which Thou hadst burdened those who were before us. Our Lord! Load us not such that we have no energy for it and pardon us and forgive us and have mercy on us. Thou art our Defender so help us against the folk, the ones who are ungrateful.

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