محمّـد

1 Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, - their deeds will Allah render astray (from their mark).

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Those who disbelieve and turn (men) from the way of Allah, He rendereth their actions vain.

2 But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and believe in the (Revelation) sent down to Muhammad - for it is the Truth from their Lord, - He will remove from them their ills and improve their condition.

2 And those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He riddeth them of their ill - deeds and improveth their state.

3 This because those who reject Allah follow vanities, while those who believe follow the Truth from their Lord: Thus does Allah set forth for men their lessons by similitudes.

3 That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood and because those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus Allah coineth their similitudes for mankind.

4 Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah, - He will never let their deeds be lost.

4 Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain.

5 Soon will He guide them and improve their condition,

5 He will guide them and improve their state,

6 And admit them to the Garden which He has announced for them.

6 And bring them in unto the Garden which He hath made known to them.

7 O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.

7 O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm.

8 But those who reject (Allah), - for them is destruction, and (Allah) will render their deeds astray (from their mark).

8 And those who disbelieve, perdition is for them, and He will make their actions vain.

9 That is because they hate the Revelation of Allah; so He has made their deeds fruitless.

9 That is because they are averse to that which Allah hath revealed, therefor maketh He their actions fruitless.

10 Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them (who did evil)? Allah brought utter destruction on them, and similar (fates await) those who reject Allah.

10 Have they not travelled in the land to see the nature of the consequence for those who were before them ? Allah wiped them out. And for the disbelievers there will be the like thereof.

11 That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, but those who reject Allah have no protector.

11 That is because Allah is patron of those who believe, and because the disbelievers have no patron.

12 Verily Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; while those who reject Allah will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode.

12 Lo! Allah will cause those who believe and do good works to enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow; while those who disbelieve take their comfort in this life and eat even as the cattle eat, and the Fire is their habitation.

13 And how many cities, with more power than thy city which has driven thee out, have We destroyed (for their sins)? and there was none to aid them.

13 And how many a township stronger than thy township (O Muhammad) which hath cast thee out, have We destroyed, and they had no helper!

14 Is then one who is on a clear (Path) from his Lord, no better than one to whom the evil of his conduct seems pleasing, and such as follow their own lusts?

14 Is he who relieth on a clear proof from his Lord like those for whom the evil that they do is beautified while they follow their own lusts ?

15 (Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?

15 A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear - run honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord. (Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire and are given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels ?

16 And among them are men who listen to thee, but in the end, when they go out from thee, they say to those who have received Knowledge, "What is it he said just then?" Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and who follow their own lusts.

16 Among them are some who give ear unto thee (Muhammad) till, when they go forth from thy presence they say unto those who have been given knowledge: What was that he said just now ? Those are they whose hearts Allah hath sealed, and they follow their own lusts.

17 But to those who receive Guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint (from evil).

17 While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to their guidance, and giveth them their protection (against evil).

18 Do they then only wait for the Hour, - that it should come on them of a sudden? But already have come some tokens thereof, and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their admonition?

18 Await they aught save the Hour, that it should come upon them unawares ? And the beginnings thereof have already come. But how, when it hath come upon them, can they take their warning ?

19 Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes.

19 So know (O Muhammad) that there is no God save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women. Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest.

20 Those who believe say, "Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?" But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death. But more fitting for them -

20 And those who believe say: If only a surah were revealed! But when a decisive surah is revealed and war is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with the look of men fainting unto death. Therefor woe unto them!

21 Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.

21 Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them.

22 Then, is it to be expected of you, if ye were put in authority, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin?

22 Would ye then, if ye were given the command, work corruption in the land and sever your ties of kinship ?

23 Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.

23 Such are they whom Allah curseth so that He deafeneth them and maketh blind their eyes.

24 Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them?

24 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts ?

25 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them, - the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes.

25 Lo! those who turn back after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He giveth them the rein.

26 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets.

26 That is because they say unto those who hate what Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their secret talk.

27 But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs?

27 Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs!

28 This because they followed that which called forth the Wrath of Allah, and they hated Allah's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect.

28 That will be because they followed that which angereth Allah, and hated that which pleaseth Him. Therefor He hath made their actions vain.

29 Or do those in whose hearts is a disease, think that Allah will not bring to light all their rancour?

29 Or do those in whose hearts is a disease deem that Allah will not bring to light their (secret) hates ?

30 Had We so wiled, We could have shown them up to thee, and thou shouldst have known them by their marks: but surely thou wilt know them by the tone of their speech! And Allah knows all that ye do.

30 And if We would, We could show them unto thee (Muhammad) so that thou shouldst know them surely by their marks. And thou shalt know them by the burden of their talk. And Allah knoweth your deeds.

31 And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle).

31 And verily We shall try you till We know those of you who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and the steadfast, and till We test your record.

32 Those who reject Allah, hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and resist the Messenger, after Guidance has been clearly shown to them, will not injure Allah in the least, but He will make their deeds of no effect.

32 Lo! those who disbelieve and turn from the way of Allah and oppose the messenger after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, they hurt Allah not a jot, and He will make their actions fruitless.

33 O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and make not vain your deeds!

33 O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger, and render not your actions vain.

34 Those who reject Allah, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, then die rejecting Allah, - Allah will not forgive them.

34 Lo! those who disbelieve and turn from the way of Allah and then die disbelievers, Allah surely will not pardon them.

35 Be not weary and faint - hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost: for Allah is with you, and will never put you in loss for your (good) deeds.

35 So do not falter and cry out for peace when ye (will be) the uppermost, and Allah is with you, and He will not grudge (the reward of) your actions.

36 The life of this world is but play and amusement: and if ye believe and guard against Evil, He will grant you your recompense, and will not ask you (to give up) your possessions.

36 The life of the world is but a sport and a pastime. And if ye believe and ward off (evil). He will give you your wages, and will not ask of you your wordly wealth.

37 If He were to ask you for all of them, and press you, ye would covetously withhold, and He would bring out all your ill - feeling.

37 If He should ask it of you and importune you, ye would hoard it, and He would bring to light your (secret) hates.

38 Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of Allah: But among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!

38 Lo! ye are those who are called to spend in the way of Allah, yet among you there are some who hoard. And as for him who hoardeth, he hoardeth only from his soul. And Allah is the Rich, and ye are the poor. And if ye turn away He will exchange you for some other folk, and they will not be the likes of you.