CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII      

PART XVIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  THOSE WHO BELIEVE MUST WIN THROUGH EVENTUALLY

2  THOSE WHO HUMBLE THEMSELVES IN THEIR PRAYERS REGULARLY

3  WHO AVOID TALKING VAINLY

4  WHO ARE ACTIVE IN DEEDS OF CHARITY

5  WHO ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITY

6  EXCEPT FOR WITH THOSE WHOM THEY MARRY

OR THE CAPTIVES WHOM THEIR RIGHT HANDS POSSESS 
FOR IN THEIR CASE THEY ARE  BLAMELESS

7  BUT THOSE WHOSE DESIRES 
EXCEED THOSE LIMITS ARE TRANSGRESSORS

8  THOSE FAITHFUL SERVANTS
WHO OBSERVE THEIR COVENANTS

9  AND WHO STRICTLY GUARD THEIR PRAYERS

10  THESE WILL BE THE HEIRS

11  WHO WILL INHERIT THE GARDEN
FOREVER THEY WILL DWELL THEREIN 

12  MAN WE DID CREATE 
FROM A QUINTESSENCE OF CLAY 

13  THEN HIM WE PLACED 
AS A DROP OF SPERM IN A RESTFUL PLACE
FIRMLY FIXED IN PLACE

14  THEN WE MADE THE SPERM INTO A BLOOD CLOT 
 THEN WE MADE A FETUS LUMP OUT OF THE CLOT 

THEN OUT OF THE LUMP WE MADE BONES 
AND WITH FLESH WE CLOTHED THE BONES 

THEN WE DEVELOPED OUT OF IT ANOTHER CREATURE 
SO BLESSED BE GOD, THE BEST CREATOR

15  AFTER THAT AT LENGTH YOU WILL DIE

16  THEN YOU WILL BE RAISED UP TO LIFE

17  AND WE HAVE MADE ABOVE YOU SEVEN HEAVENS
AND NEVER ARE WE UNMINDFUL OF OUR CREATION 

321
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                 SECTION 1 (CONT'D).  PART  XVIII  

18  FROM THE SKY WE SEND DOWN WATER 
ACCORDING TO DUE MEASURE 
WE CAUSE IT TO SOAK IN THE SOIL OF THE EARTH
AND WE ARE ABLE TO DRAIN IT OFF WITH EASE IN MANNER

19  WITH IT WE GROW DATE PALMS AND VINES IN GARDENS 
AND IN THEM YOU HAVE  FRUITS ABUNDANT 
AND OF THEM YOU EAT AND HAVE ENJOYMENT

20  ALSO A TREE SPRINGING OUT OF MOUNT SINAI WHICH PRODUCES 
FOR THOSE WHO USE IT FOR FOOD, OIL AND RELISHES 

21  AND IN CATTLE THERE IS AN INSTRUCTIVE EXAMPLE FOR YOU
FOR FROM WITHIN THEIR BODIES WE PRODUCE MILK FOR YOU 
THERE ARE IN THEM NUMEROUS OTHER BENEFITS FOR YOU 
AND OF THEIR MEAT IS FOOD FOR YOU

22  AND ON THEM 
AS ON SHIPS YOU RIDE THEM

322
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 2.  PART  XVIII    

23  FURTHER WE SENT A LONG LINE OF MESSENGERS
TO GIVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDANCE CLEAR

NOAH SAID TO HIS PEOPLE CLEARLY
SERVE GOD, BESIDES HIM THERE IS NO OTHER DIETY
WILL YOU NOT THEN TO YOUR LORD KEEP YOUR DUTY?

24  SAID THE CHIEFS OF THOSE WHO WERE DISBELIEVERS  
HE IS NO MORE THAN A MAN LIKE YOU WITH DESIRES
TO EXULT OVER YOU AND TO BE SUPERIOR 
IF GOD WISHED HE COULD HAVE SENT ANGELS AS MESSENGERS 
AND NEVER DID WE HEAR SUCH A THING FROM OUR ANCESTORS 

25  SOME SAID, HE IS A MAN POSSESSED WITH MADNESS IN HIM
SO WAIT AND HAVE PATIENCE WITH HIM 

26  NOAH SAID, OH MY LORD, HELP ME 
FOR THAT THEY ACCUSE ME OF FALSITY

27  WE INSPIRED HIM WITH THIS INSPIRATION
CONSTRUCT THE ARK UNDER OUR INSTRUCTION
THEN WHEN COMES OUR COMMAND AND THE FOUNTAINS 

GUSH FORTH FROM THE EARTH TAKE ON BOARD PAIRS OF ALL SPECIES 
MALE AND FEMALE AND YOUR FAMILY
EXCEPT THOSE AGAINST WHOM THE WORD HAS GONE FORTH ALREADY 

AND ADDRESS ME NOT IN FAVOR OF THE WRONG DOERS 
FOR THEY WILL BE DROWNED IN THE FLOOD ALL TOGETHER

28  AND WHEN YOU HAVE EMBARKED ON THE ARK SAFELY
YOU AND THOSE WHO ARE WITH YOU SAY, TO GOD PRAISES BE
WHO HAS SAVED US FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ACT UNRIGHTEOUSLY

29  SAY, MY LORD, WITH YOUR BLESSING ENABLE ME TO DISEMBARK 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST TO ENABLE US TO DISEMBARK

30  SURELY IN THIS THERE ARE SIGNS FOR MEN 
AND SURELY WE ARE EVER TRYING MEN

31  THEN WE RAISED ANOTHER GENERATION AFTER THEM

32  AND WE SENT TO THEM A MESSENGER FROM AMONG THEM 
SAYING, WORSHIP GOD YOU HAVE NO OTHER GOD BUT HIM 
WILL YOU NOT THEN KEEP YOUR DUTY TO HIM?

323
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 3.  PART  XVIII    

33  AND THE CHIEFS WHO WERE DISBELIEVERS 
AND DENIED THE MEETING IN THE HEREAFTER 
AND ON WHOM WE HAD BESTOWED FAVORS
TO ENJOY IN THIS WORLD'S LIFE UTTERED

THIS IS ONLY A MAN LIKE YOU
AND HE EATS LIKE YOU AND DRINKS LIKE YOU 

34  AND IF YOU OBEY A MAN LIKE YOU 
YOU WILL BE OF THOSE WHO LOSE

35  DOES HE PROMISE THAT WHEN YOU DIE
AND BECOME DUST AND BONES THAT AGAIN YOU WILL RISE?

36  THAT WHICH YOU ARE PROMISED ARE LIES

37  THERE IS NOTHING BUT OUR LIFE IN THIS WORLD OF THE PRESENT 
WE LIVE AND DIE AND WE WILL NOT BE RAISED UP AGAIN 

38  HE IS ONLY A MAN WHO LIES ABOUT THE CREATOR  
AND WE ARE NOT THE ONES TO IN HIM BE BELIEVERS

39  THE MESSENGER SAID, OH MY LORD, HELP ME 
FOR THAT THEY ACCUSE ME OF FALSITY

40  IN A LITTLE WHILE THEY ARE SURE TO BE SORRY

41  THEN THE BLAST OVERTOOK THEM IN A JUST WAY
AND WE MADE THEM AS RUBBISH FLOATING AWAY
ON THE STREAM OF TIME, SO SWEPT AWAY
WERE THE PEOPLE WHO WENT ASTRAY

42  THEN WE RAISED AFTER THEM 
OTHER GENERATIONS IN PLACE OF THEM

43  WHEN THEIR TERM BECOMES DUE NO PEOPLE CAN HASTEN IT 
NOR CAN THEY FOR ONE HOUR DELAY IT

44  THEN WE SENT OUR MESSENGERS ONE AFTER ANOTHER
WHENEVER THERE CAME TO PEOPLE A MESSENGER
THEY REJECTED HIM AND CALLED HIM A LIAR
SO WE MADE THEM FOLLOW ONE ANOTHER
AND WE MADE THEM AS STORIES TOLD TO ONE ANOTHER
SO AWAY WITH THE DISBELIEVERS

45  WE SENT MOSES AND HIS BROTHER AARON CLEARLY
WITH OUR MESSAGES AND MANIFEST AUTHORITY 

46  TO PHARAOH AND HIS CHIEFS BUT THEY BEHAVED INSOLENTLY 
AND THEY WERE PEOPLE WHO ACTED ARROGANTLY

47  THEY SAID, SHALL WE BELIEVE IN TWO MEN LIKE US
AND THEIR PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO US?

48  SO THEY ACCUSED THEM OF FALSITY 
AND BECAME OF THOSE WHO WERE DESTROYED UTTERLY

49  WE GAVE MOSES THE BOOK IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT 
BELIEVE IN IT AND BE GUIDED ARIGHT

50  AND WE MADE THE SON OF MARY AND HIS MOTHER 
AS A SIGN AND WE GAVE TO THEM BOTH SHELTER 
ON HIGH GROUND FURNISHED WITH WATERS

324
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 4.  PART  XVIII    

51  OH YOU MESSENGERS
ENJOY ALL THINGS GOOD AND PURE 
AND CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A RIGHTEOUS MANNER
FOR I AM WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS

52  THIS BROTHERHOOD OF YOURS 
IS A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD FOR SURE
AND I AM YOUR LORD AND SUSTAINER 
THEREFORE FEAR ME AND FEAR NO OTHER

53  BUT PEOPLE HAVE CUT OFF THEIR UNITY BETWEEN THEMSELVES  
AND DIVIDED THEMSELVES INTO SECTIONS AMONG THEMSELVES
EACH SECTION REJOICING IN THAT WHICH IS WITH THEMSELVES

54  BUT LEAVE THEM FOR A TIME
IN THEIR CONFUSED STATE OF MIND

55  DO THEY THINK THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN
TO THEM AN ABUNDANCE OF WEALTH AND CHILDREN

56  THAT WE WOULD HASTEN THEM ON IN EVERY GOOD? 
NO, THIS TO THEM IS NOT UNDERSTOOD 

57  THOSE WHO LIVE IN AWE FOR FEAR OF THEIR LORD 

58  AND WHO BELIEVE IN THE MESSAGES OF THEIR LORD

59  THOSE WHO JOIN NOT IN WORSHIP PARTNERS WITH THEIR LORD

60  THOSE WHO DISPENSE THEIR CHARITY 
WITH THEIR HEARTS HAPPILY AND CHEERFULLY 
BECAUSE THEY WILL RETURN TO GOD WITH CERTAINTY

61  IT IS THESE WHO HASTEN IN EVERY GOOD WORK
AND THESE WHO ARE FOREMOST IN THEIR GOOD WORK

62  ON NO SOUL DO WE PLACE A BURDEN GREATER THAN IT CAN BEAR 
BEFORE US IS A RECORD WHICH SHOWS THE TRUTH CLEAR
AND NEVER WILL THEY BE WRONGED EVER

63  BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE IN IGNORANCE AND CONFUSED  
AND THERE ARE  DEEDS WHICH THEY CONTINUE 

64  UNTIL WHEN WE SEIZE IN PUNISHMENT 
THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE GOOD THINGS FOR ENJOYMENT
AND THEN THEY WILL SOON GROAN IN SUPPLICATION AND TORMENT

65  IT WILL BE SAID, GROAN NOT IN SUPPLICATION THIS DAY TO US
FOR YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE HELPED BY US

66  MY MESSAGES TO YOU USE TO BE REVEALED
BUT YOU TURNED BACK IN ARROGANCE ON YOUR HEELS

67  TALKING NONSENSE ABOUT IT LIKE 
ONE TELLING FABLES BY NIGHT

325
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                   SECTION 4 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII    

68  OVER THE WORD OF GOD DO THEY NOT PONDER
OR HAS ANYTHING COME TO THEM OTHER
THAN WHAT CAME TO THEIR FATHERS?  

69  OR THEIR MESSENGER DO THEY NOT RECOGNIZE HIM
AND SO FOR THIS REASON THEY DENY HIM?

70  DO THEY SAY HE IS POSSESSED?  NO, HE BRINGS THE TRUTH
BUT MOST OF THEM ARE HATERS OF TRUTH

71  IF THE TRUTH HAD BEEN IN ACCORD WITH THEIR DESIRES
THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND ALL OF ITS CREATURES 

WOULD HAVE BEEN IN CONFUSION AND CORRUPTION
BUT WE HAVE SENT TO THEM THEIR ADMONITION 
AND THEY TURN AWAY FROM IT IN REJECTION

72  OR IS IT THAT YOU ASK THEM FOR SOME RECOMPENSE? 
BUT BEST FOR YOU IS YOUR LORD'S RECOMPENSE 
AND HE IS THE BEST TO GIVE SUSTENANCE 

73  AND YOU CALL THEM TO THE RIGHT WAY 

74  AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE NOT IN THE LAST DAY
THEY ARE DEVIATORS FROM THE RIGHT WAY

75  IF WE HAD MERCY ON THEM AND REMOVED THEIR DEPRESSION  
THEY WOULD  PERSIST IN THEIR TRANSGRESSION 
WANDERING TO AND FRO IN DISTRACTION

76  WE INFLICTED PUNISHMENT ON THEM
BUT EVEN THAT DID NOT HUMBLE THEM 
NOR IS THEIR LORD HONORED BY THEM

77  WHEN WE OPEN ON THEM A GATE TO A SEVERE PENALTY 
THEN THEY WILL BE PLUNGED INTO DISPARITY

326
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                    SECTION 5.  PART  XVIII    

78  HE HAS CREATED FOR YOU THE FACULTIES OF HEARING 
AND OF SIGHT AND FEELING AND UNDERSTANDING 
LITTLE ARE THE THANKS THAT YOU ARE GIVING

79  HE HAS MULTIPLIED YOU THROUGH THE EARTH 
AND TO HIM ALL OF YOU WILL BE GATHERED

80  HE GIVES LIFE AND DEATH AND CAUSES THE ALTERNATION 
OF NIGHT AND DAY, WILL YOU NOT GAIN COMPREHENSION?

81  ON THE CONTRARY THEY SAY THINGS SIMILAR 
TO WHAT THE ANCIENTS SAID PRIOR

82  THEY SAY, WHEN WE DIE 
AND BECOME DUST AND BONES ALL DRIED 
COULD WE THEN REALLY BE RAISED UP AGAIN TO LIFE?

83  SUCH THINGS HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO US 
AND WERE PROMISED TO OUR FATHERS BEFORE US 
THEY ARE NOTHING BUT TALES OF THE ANCIENTS TO US

84  SAY, TO WHOM BELONGS THE EARTH AND ALL BEINGS IN IT? 
SAY IF YOU TRUTHFULLY KNOW IT

85   THEY WILL SAY, THEY BELONG TO GOD 
SAY, WILL YOU NOT RECEIVE ADMONITION FROM GOD?

86  SAY, WHO IS THE LORD OF THE SEVEN HEAVENS EXCLUSIVELY
AND THE LORD OF THE THRONE OF SUPREME GLORY? 
 
87  THEY WILL SAY, THEY BELONG TO THE CREATOR
SAY, WILL YOU NOT THEN BE FILLED WITH FEAR?

88  SAY, TO WHOM BELONGS THE GOVERNING OF ALL THINGS
AND WHO IS NOT PROTECTED BUT PROTECTS ALL THINGS? 
SAY, IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE OR ANYTHING

89  IT BELONGS TO GOD, THEY WILL SAY 
HOW THEN ARE YOU DELUDED AWAY?

90  WE HAVE SENT THEM THE TRUTH BUT THEY 
INDEED PRACTICE FALSEHOOD ANYWAY

91 NO SON DID GOD BEGET NOR IS THERE ANOTHER
GOD BESIDES HIM IF THERE WERE ANY OTHERS   
EACH WOULD HAVE REMOVED THAT OF WHICH HE WAS THE CREATOR
AND SOME OF THEM WOULD HAVE RULED OVER OTHERS 
BUT PRAISE BE TO GOD THE LORD AND SUSTAINER
HE IS FREE FROM THE THINGS THEY ATTRIBUTE TO HIM AS PARTNERS

92  HE KNOWS WHAT IS HIDDEN 
AND HE KNOWS WHAT IS OPEN 

TOO HIGH IS HE AND NOT FIT FOR HIM
ARE THE PARTNERS THEY ATTRIBUTE TO HIM 

327
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                                        SECTION 6.  PART  XVIII    

93  SAY, OH MY LORD, IF YOU WILL SHOW ME IN MY LIFETIME FROM YOU
THAT WHICH THEY ARE WARNED AGAINST FROM YOU

94  THEN OH MY LORD, PUT ME NOT 
AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE NOT

95  WE ARE ABLE TO SHOW YOU IN FULFILLMENT 
THAT WHICH THEY ARE WARNED AGAINST

96  REPEL EVIL WITH THAT WHICH IS BETTER 
WE ARE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE THINGS THEY UTTER

97  AND SAY, OH LORD OF ALL CREATION
I SEEK REFUGE WITH YOU FROM THE SUGGESTIONS 
OF THE REJECTED EVIL ONES

98  AND I SEEK REFUGE WITH YOU SINCERELY
UNLESS THEY SHOULD COME NEAR ME

99  IN FALSEHOOD WILL THEY BE UNTIL WHEN
DEATH COMES TO ONE OF THEM AND THEN
HE WILL SAY, MY LORD SEND ME BACK TO LIFE AGAIN

100  IN ORDER THAT I MAY WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS 
IN THE THINGS THAT BEFORE I WAS HEEDLESS

BY NO MEANS IT IS BUT A WORD HE WILL SAY
BEFORE THEM IS A PARTITION UNTIL THE DAY THEY ARE RAISED 

101  THEN WHEN THE TRUMPET IS BLOWN THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER 
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THEM NOR WILL ONE OR THE OTHER
ASK AFTER ONE OR THE OTHER

102  THEN THOSE WHOSE BALANCE OF GOOD DEEDS ARE HEAVY ONES
THEY WILL ATTAIN THE SUPREME SALVATION

103  BUT THOSE WHOSE BALANCE IS LIGHT IN GOOD DEEDS
WILL BE THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SOULS INDEED
AND IN HELL THEY WILL DWELL ETERNALLY

104  EACH ONE THE FIRE WILL BURN HIS FACE 
AND THEY WILL GRIN WITH THEIR LIPS DISPLACED

105  WERE NOT MY MESSAGES RECITED TO YOU 
AND YOU TREATED THEM AS FALSEHOODS DID NOT YOU?

106  THEY WILL SAY, WE WERE OVERWHELMED WITH ADVERSITY
AND WE WENT ASTRAY MANIFESTLY 

107  OUR LORD BRING US OUT OF THIS AND IF WE EVER 
RETURN TO EVIL WE WILL INDEED BE WRONG DOERS 

108  HE WILL SAY, BE YOU DRIVEN INTO IT WITH IGNOMINY 
AND DO NOT SPEAK A WORD TO ME

109  SOME OF MY SERVANTS PRAYED, OUR LORD WE BELIEVE
SO THEREFORE FORGIVE US AND UPON US HAVE MERCY 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

328
CHAPTER 23.  THE BELIEVERS                                   SECTION 6 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII    

110  BUT YOU TREATED THEM
WITH RIDICULE SO MUCH THAT YOUR RIDICULE OF THEM 
MADE YOU FORGET MY MESSAGE WHILE LAUGHING AT THEM

111  I HAVE REWARDED THEM FOR THEIR CONSTANCY 
AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SUCCEED

112  HE WILL SAY, WHAT NUMBER OF YEARS ON EARTH DID YOU STAY?

113  THEY WILL SAY, WE STAYED A DAY OR PART OF A DAY 
BUT ASK THOSE WHO KEEP ACCOUNT OF THE DAYS

114  HE WILL SAY, ONLY A LITTLE WHILE DID YOU STAY
 BUT IT WAS NOT KNOWN TO YOU UNTIL TODAY

115  DID YOU THEN THINK THAT WE HAD CREATED YOU IN JEST                      
AND THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE BROUGHT BACK TO US TO ATTEST?

116  EXALTED BE GOD, THE KING, THE REALITY 
AND THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BUT HE
HE IS THE LORD OF THE THRONE OF GLORY

117  IF ANYONE INVOKES BESIDES GOD ANY OTHER DIETY 
HE HAS FOR IT NO AUTHORITY 
AND HIS RECKONING WILL BE WITH GOD ONLY
AND THE DISBELIEVERS WILL SURELY FAIL UTTERLY 

118  AND SAY, OH MY LORD, GRANT ME FORGIVENESS AND MERCY 
FOR YOU ARE THE BEST OF THOSE WHO SHOW MERCY

329
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII    

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  THIS IS A CHAPTER WHICH WE HAVE SENT DOWN BY INSPIRATION                                                                                                     
 WHICH WE HAVE MADE OBLIGATORY OF OUR REVELATIONS
AND IN IT WE HAVE SENT DOWN TO YOU CLEAR LESSONS
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE ADMONITION

2  THE WOMAN OR MAN WHO IS GUILTY OF ADULTERY OR FORNICATION 
FLOG THEM WITH A HUNDRED STRIPES AND LET NOT COMPASSION 
DETAIN YOU FROM OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS
IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD AND THE RESURRECTION
AND LET THE BELIEVERS WITNESS THEIR PENALIZATION
  
3  THE ADULTERER CAN ONLY MARRY AN ADULTERESS 
OR AN IDOLATRESS, AND THE ADULTERESS 

NONE CAN MARRY HER
BUT AN ADULTERER OR AN IDOLATER 
AND IT IS FORBIDDEN TO THE BELIEVERS

4  AND FOR THOSE OF YOU LAUNCH A CHARGE AGAINST CHASTE WOMEN 
AND PRODUCE NOT FOUR WITNESSES TO SUPPORT THEIR ALLEGATIONS 
FLOG THEM WITH EIGHTY STRIPES AND THE EVIDENCE OF SUCH ONES 
REJECT IT EVEN AFTER, FOR THEY ARE IN TRANSGRESSION

5  UNLESS THEY REPENT AND MEND THEIR ACTIVITY
FOR GOD IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

6  FOR THOSE WHO LAUNCH A CHARGE AGAINST THEIR SPOUSES 
AND WHO HAVE ONLY THEIR EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHARGES  

IT CAN BE RECEIVED IF THEY BEAR WITNESS FOUR TIMES CONSECUTIVELY 
WITH AN OATH BY GOD THAT THEY ARE ACTING TRUTHFULLY

7  AND THE FIFTH OATH SHOULD BE THAT THEY SOLEMNLY 
INVOKE GOD'S CURSE ON THEMSELVES IF THEY ACT FALSELY

8  IT WILL AVERT THE PENALTY FROM HER IF SHE TESTIFIES 
FOUR TIMES THAT HER HUSBAND IS TELLING A LIE

9  AND THE FIFTH OATH SHOULD BE THAT SHE SOLEMNLY SWEARS
TO INVOKE THE WRATH OF GOD ON HERSELF IF HER ACCUSER 
IS INDEED TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT HER

10  IF IT WERE NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY ON YOU
AND THAT GOD IS FULL OF WISDOM, HE WOULD DESTROY YOU 

330
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 2.  PART  XVIII 

11  THOSE WHO CONCOCTED THE LIE ARE A BODY AMONG YOU 
THINK NOT THAT IT SHOULD BE AN EVIL TO YOU 
ON THE CONTRARY IT IS GOOD FOR YOU 

TO EVERY MAN AMONG THEM WILL COME TO HIM THE PENALTY 
OF THE SIN THAT HE EARNED AND HE WHO TOOK ON THE LEAD 
FOR HIM WILL BE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY INDEED

12  WHY DID NOT THE BELIEVERS
MEN AND WOMEN WHEN YOU HEARD OF THE AFFAIR 
THINK GOOD OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE AND DECLARE
THAT THIS CHARGE IS AN OBVIOUS LIE FOR SURE? 

13  TO PROVE IT WHY DID THEY NOT BRING FOUR WITNESSES? 
AND WHEN THEY HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE WITNESSES 
SUCH MEN STAND BEFORE GOD AS FALSE WITNESSES

14  AND WERE IT NOT FOR YOUR LORD'S GRACE AND MERCY ON YOU 
IN THIS WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER A PENALTY WOULD SEIZE YOU
ON ACCOUNT OF THE TALK THAT WAS INDULGED IN BY YOU

15  FOR YOU RECEIVED IT ON YOUR TONGUES AND YOU UTTERED 
THINGS OF WHICH YOU HAD NO KNOWLEDGE WHATSOEVER
AND YOU THOUGHT OF IT TO BE JUST A LIGHT MATTER 
WHILE IN GOD'S SIGHT IT WAS A SERIOUS MATTER

16  AND WHY DID YOU NOT WHEN YOU HEARD THIS
SAY,  IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR US TO SPEAK OF THIS 
GLORY TO GOD A GREAT CALUMNY IS THIS

17  GOD DOES ADMONISH YOU THAT YOU MAY NEVER
REPEAT SUCH CONDUCT IF YOU ARE BELIEVERS

18  AND GOD GIVES THE MESSAGES TO YOU PLAINLY 
FOR FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM IS HE

19  THOSE WHO LOVE TO SEE SCANDAL PUBLISHED PUBLICLY
AMONG THE BELIEVERS WILL HAVE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY 

IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER TOO
FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT IS NOT KNOWN TO YOU 

20  AND WERE IT NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY 
AND THAT GOD IS FULL OF KINDNESS AND MERCY 
YOU WOULD BE RUINED MOST ASSUREDLY

331
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                               SECTION 3.  PART  XVIII 

21  FOLLOW NOT THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN  
IF ANY WILL FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN
HE WILL COMMAND YOU TO ACT WITH CORRUPTION
AND WERE IT NOT FOR GOD'S GRACE AND COMPASSION 
NOT ONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE RECEIVE SANCTIFICATION 
BUT TO WHOM HE PLEASES GOD GIVES SANCTIFICATION
GOD IS THE ALL HEARING AND ALL KNOWING ONE

22  LET NOT THOSE AMONG YOU WHO ARE ENDUED 
WITH GRACE AND MEANS OF AMPLITUDE 
RESOLVE AGAINST HELPING THOSE OF YOU WHO 
ARE THE KINSMEN OR ARE INDIGENT AND THOSE WHO 
HAVE LEFT THEIR HOMES IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH 
THEREFORE FORGIVE THEM, FOR DO NOT YOU 
WISH THAT GOD SHOULD FORGIVE YOU?  
FOR MOST FORGIVING IS GOD TO YOU

23  THOSE WHO SLANDER CHASTE WOMEN UNAWARE
ARE CURSED IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER 

24  ON THE DAY WHEN THEIR HANDS, FEET AND TONGUES 
WILL BEAR WITNESS AGAINST THEM AS TO THEIR ACTIONS 

25  ON THAT DAY GOD WILL PAY THEM THEIR DUES JUSTLY
AND THEY WILL REALIZE THAT GOD IS THE REALITY
THAT MAKES ALL THINGS MANIFEST CLEARLY

26  WOMEN IMPURE ARE FOR MEN IMPURE 
AND MEN IMPURE ARE FOR WOMEN IMPURE 

AND WOMEN OF PURITY ARE FOR MEN OF PURITY 
AND MEN OF PURITY ARE FOR WOMEN OF PURITY 

THESE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY WHAT PEOPLE SAY OF THEM 
THERE IS FORGIVENESS AND HONOR FOR THEM

332
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 4.  PART  XVIII 

27  AND THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVERS AMONG YOU
ENTER NOT HOUSES THAT BELONG NOT TO YOU 
UNTIL PERMISSION IS GIVEN TO YOU
AND UNTIL THOSE IN THEM HAVE BEEN SALUTED BY YOU   
SO IN ORDER THAT WHAT IS SEEMLY MAY BE HEEDED BY YOU 

28  IF YOU FIND NO ONE IN THE HOUSE ENTER NOT UNTIL YOU 
HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION AND IF YOU
ARE TOLD TO GO BACK TO GO BACK IS BETTER FOR YOU
AND GOD KNOWS WELL ALL THAT YOU DO

29  IT IS NO FAULT ON YOUR PART IF HOUSES YOU ENTER
ARE NOT USED FOR LIVING WHICH SERVE USES OTHER   
AND GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU COVER AND UNCOVER

30  SAY TO THE BELIEVING MEN THAT THEY SHOULD HUMBLY 
LOWER THEIR GAZE AND SHOULD GUARD THEIR MODESTY 
FOR THEM THAT WILL MAKE FOR GREATER PURITY 
AND GOD IS AWARE OF ALL THEY DO SURELY

31  SAY TO THE BELIEVING WOMEN THAT THEY SHOULD HUMBLY 
LOWER THEIR GAZE AND GUARD THEIR MODESTY 
AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT DISPLAY THEIR BEAUTY 
AND ORNAMENTS EXCEPT WHAT MUST APPEAR ORDINARILY 
AND THAT THEY SHOULD DRAW THEIR VEILS DISCREETLY
OVER THEIR BOSOMS AND NOT DISPLAY THEIR BEAUTY 

EXCEPT TO THEIR HUSBANDS OR THEIR FATHERS 
OR TO THEIR SONS OR THEIR HUSBAND'S FATHERS 
OR TO THEIR HUSBAND'S SONS OR THEIR BROTHERS
OR THEIR BROTHER'S SONS OR THEIR SONS OR THEIR SISTERS

OR THEIR WOMEN OR THEIR SLAVES  
OR MALE SERVANTS FREE OF PHYSICAL CRAVES

OR SMALL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT 
THE SENSE OF SEX AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT 

STRIKE THEIR FEET IN ORDER TO DRAW ATTENTION 
TO THEIR ORNAMENTS THAT ARE HIDDEN

AND OH YOU BELIEVERS 
TURN TOWARDS GOD ALL TOGETHER 
THAT YOU MAY ATTAIN BLISS AND PROSPER

32  MARRY THOSE WHO ARE SINGLE AMONG YOU  
OF THE VIRTUOUS SLAVES MALE OR FEMALE AMONG YOU

IF THEY ARE IN POVERTY 
GOD WILL GIVE THEM MEANS OUT OF HIS BOUNTY
FOR GOD ENCOMPASSES ALL ASSUREDLY

333
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                             SECTION 4 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII 

33  LET THOSE WHO HAVE NOT MEANS FOR MARRIAGE KEEP CHASTE 
UNTIL GOD BLESSES THEM OUT OF HIS GRACE

AND IF ANY OF YOUR SLAVES ASK FOR A DEED 
TO ENABLE THEM TO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE FREED
THEN FOR A CERTAIN SUM GIVE TO THEM SUCH A DEED 

IF YOU KNOW ANY GOOD IN THEM AND GIVE THEM TOO
SOMETHING OUT OF THE MEANS WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN YOU 

BUT FORCE NOT YOUR MAIDS INTO PROSTITUTION 
WHEN THEY DESIRE CHASTITY FOR YOUR OWN AGGREGATION

BUT IF ANYONE YET AFTER COMPELS THEM 
GOD IS FORGIVING AND MERCIFUL TO THEM

34  WE HAVE ALREADY SENT DOWN TO YOU 
VERSES THAT ARE CLEARLY ILLUSTRATING TO YOU 
FROM THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO PASSED AWAY BEFORE YOU 
AND AN ADMONITION FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THEIR LORD AMONG YOU

334
CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 5.  PART  XVIII 

35 OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, GOD IS THE LIGHT 
AND THE PARABLE OF HIS LIGHT 

IS AS IF THERE WERE A NICHE AND A LAMP WITHIN IT 
THE LAMP ENCLOSED IN GLASS, THE GLASS AS IF IT 
WERE A BRILLIANT STAR THAT IS LIT 

FROM A BLESSED OLIVE TREE
NEITHER OF THE WEST NOR THE EAST 

WHOSE OIL GIVES LIGHT
THOUGH SCARCELY TOUCHED BY FIRE, LIGHT UPON LIGHT 
GOD DOES GUIDE WHOM HE WILLS TO HIS LIGHT 

GOD DOES SET FORTH FOR MEN AN ALLEGORY
AND ALL KNOWING OF ALL THINGS IS HE

36  LIT IS SUCH A LIGHT IN HOUSES WHICH GOD HAS PERMITTED  
TO BE RAISED TO HONOR FOR HIS NAME TO BE CELEBRATED 
AND IN MORNINGS AND EVENINGS HE IS COMMEMORATED  

37  BY MEN WHOM NEITHER SELLING NOR INDUSTRY
DIVERTS FROM PRAYER OR CHARITY 
AND THEIR ONE FEAR IS ONLY 
FOR THE DAY WHEN HEARTS AND EYES WILL BE
TRANSFORMED INTO A NEW WORLD COMPLETELY

38  THAT GOD MAY REWARD THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS 
AND ADD EVEN MORE FOR THEM OUT OF HIS BOUNTY
FOR GOD IS SURELY THE PROVIDER AMPLY
FOR THOSE WHOM HE WILLS WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

39  BUT THE DISBELIEVERS 
THEIR DEEDS ARE LIKE A MIRAGE IN A SANDY DESERT 
WHICH THE MAN PARCHED WITH THIRST MISTAKES FOR WATER 

UNTIL WHEN HE COMES UP TO IT HE FINDS IT TO BE NOTHING 
BUT HE FINDS GOD WITH HIM AND GOD WILL PAY HIS ACCOUNTING 
AND GOD IS INDEED SWIFT IN ACCOUNTING

40  OR LIKE THE DEPTHS OF VAST DARKNESS 
IN A VAST DEEP OCEAN WITH WAVES OF DARKNESS
TOPPED BY DARK CLOUDS, DEPTHS OF DARKNESS 
SO IF HIS HAND OUT BEFORE HIM A MAN STRETCHES 

HE CAN HARDLY COMPASS IT IN HIS SIGHT
AND WHOM GOD GIVES NO LIGHT HAS NO LIGHT

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CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 6.  PART  XVIII 

41  SEE YOU NOT THAT IT IS GOD WHOSE PRAISES ALL BEINGS 
IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH ARE CELEBRATING?
THE BIRDS OF THE AIR WITH OUTSPREAD WINGS
AND EACH ONE KNOWS ITS MODE OF PRAYING 
AND GOD IS ALL KNOWING OF ALL THINGS

42  TO GOD BELONGS THE DOMINION 
OF ALL OF THE EARTH AND ALL OF THE HEAVENS 
AND TO GOD IS THE FINAL GOAL OF ALL IN THE END

43  SEE THE CLOUDS, HOW GENTLY GOD MOVES THEM 
AND INTO A HEAP TOGETHER HE JOINS THEM 
AND YOU SEE RAIN ISSUE FORTH FROM WITHIN THEM 
AND HE SENDS DOWN MASSES OF CLOUDS WITH HAIL IN THEM 

AND HE STRIKES WITH IT WHOM HE PLEASES 
AND HE TURNS IT AWAY FROM WHOM HE PLEASES 

THE VIVID FLASH OF HIS LIGHT 
ALMOST BLINDS THE SIGHT

44  IT IS GOD WHO ALTERNATES THE DAY AND THE NIGHT

IN THESE THINGS IS AN INSTRUCTION
FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE VISION

45  GOD HAS CREATED EVERY ANIMAL FROM WATER
SOME WALK ON TWO LEGS AND OTHERS 
WALK ON FOUR LEGS, FOR GOD IS THE CREATOR 
OF ALL THINGS AND OVER ALL THINGS HAS POWER 

46  WE HAVE SENT DOWN SIGNS THAT MAKE THINGS MANIFEST 
AND GOD GUIDES WHOM HE WILLS TO A WAY THAT IS BEST

47  THEY SAY, WE BELIEVE IN GOD AND THE MESSENGER AND WE OBEY 
BUT EVEN AFTER THAT SOME OF THEM TURN AWAY 
FOR NOT REAL BELIEVERS ARE THEY

48  WHEN THEY ARE SUMMONED TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER 
SO THAT HE MAY JUDGE BETWEEN THEM IN MATTERS
SOME OF THEM TURN AWAY AS REJECTORS

49  BUT IF THE RIGHT IS ON THEIR SIDE THEY HASTEN AS SUBMITTERS

50  IS THERE IS A DISEASE IN THEIR HEARTS OR DO THEY FEAR 
THAT THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH IN AN UNJUST MANNER
BY THEIR LORD AND BY THE MESSENGER?
IT IS THEY WHO ARE WRONG DOERS 

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CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 7.  PART  XVIII 

51  THE ANSWER OF THE BELIEVERS 
WHEN SUMMONED TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER
IN ORDER THAT HE MAY JUDGE BETWEEN THEM IS NO OTHER 
THAN THAT THEY SAY, WE HEAR AND WE OBEY YOUR ORDERS 
IT IS SUCH AS THESE THAT WILL SURELY PROSPER

52  IT IS THOSE THAT OBEY GOD AND HIS MESSENGER 
AND FEAR GOD AND ARE RIGHTEOUS DOERS
THAT IN THE END WILL BE THE WINNERS

53  THEY SWEAR THEIR OATHS BY GOD THAT IF YOU WOULD  
ONLY COMMAND THEM TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES THAT THEY WOULD 

SAY, SWEAR NOT, OBEDIENCE IS MORE  REASONABLE FOR YOU
GOD IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THAT YOU DO

54  SAY, OBEY GOD AND OBEY THE APOSTLE                                                        
BUT IF YOU TURN AWAY HE IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE 

FOR THE DUTY PLACED ON HIM AND YOU 
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WHICH IS PLACED ON YOU 

AND IF YOU OBEY HIM YOU WILL BE 
ON RIGHT GUIDANCE AND THE MESSENGERS DUTY 
IS ONLY TO PREACH THE MESSAGE OF GOD CLEARLY

55  TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE GOD HAS PROMISED THEM 
THAT HE WILL SURELY GRANT TO THEM 
INHERITANCE OF POWER IN THE LAND TO THEM
AS HE GRANTED IT TO THOSE WHO WERE BEFORE THEM

AND HE WILL ESTABLISH IN AUTHORITY THEIR RELIGION
THE ONE WHICH FOR THEM HE HAS CHOSEN 
AND THAT HE WILL CHANGE THEIR CONDITION

AFTER THE FEAR IN WHICH THEY LIVED TO ONE OF SECURITY 
AND THEY WILL WORSHIP ME AND ME ONLY 
AND NOT ASSOCIATE ANYTHING IN THEIR WORSHIP OF ME 
IF ANY DO REJECT FAITH AFTER THIS THEY WILL BE
AMONG THOSE WHO ACT REBELLIOUSLY 

56  SO ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYER AND GIVE REGULAR CHARITY 
AND OBEY THE MESSENGER THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE MERCY

57  DO NOT THINK THAT THE DISBELIEVERS ARE GOING TO EVER 
FRUSTRATE GOD'S PLAN ON EARTH, THEIR ABODE IS THE FIRE 
AND IT IS AN EVIL REFUGE FOR THE DWELLERS

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CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 8.  PART  XVIII 

58  OH YOU WHO BELIEVE, LET THOSE AMONG YOU 
WHOM YOUR RIGHT HANDS POSSESS AND THE CHILDREN AMONG YOU 

WHO HAVE NOT COME OF AGE, ASK YOU FOR PERMISSION 
BEFORE THEY COME TO YOU ON THREE OCCASIONS

BEFORE MORNING PRAYER 
AND AFTER THE LATE NIGHT PRAYER 

AND AT MIDDAY WHEN YOU UNDRESS
THESE ARE YOUR THREE TIMES OF UNDRESS

OUTSIDE THOSE TIMES IT IS NOT AN ERROR
FOR YOU OR FOR THEM TO ATTEND TO EACH OTHER 
THEREFORE DOES YOUR LORD MAKE THE MESSAGES CLEAR 
FOR YOUR LORD IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXALTED IN POWER

59  BUT WHEN THE CHILDREN AMONG YOU COME OF AGE
LET THEM ASK PERMISSION LIKE THOSE SENIOR TO THEM IN AGE 

SO TO YOU DOES GOD MAKE HIS MESSAGES CLEAR 
FOR HE IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXALTED IN POWER

60  AND THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE ELDERLY 
AND ARE PAST THE PROSPECT OF MATRIMONY

THERE IS NO BLAME ON THEM IF THEY LAY
ASIDE THEIR OUTER GARMENTS PROVIDED THAT THEY 
OF THEIR BEAUTY MAKE NOT A DISPLAY 
BUT IT IS BEST FOR THEM TO ACT IN A MODEST WAY

AND GOD IS ALL SEEING 
AND KNOWING OF ALL THINGS

61  ON THE BLIND THERE IS NO BLAME
NOR IS THERE BLAME ON ONE BORN LAME

NOR ON ONE AFFLICTED WITH ILLNESS
NOR ON YOURSELVES THAT YOU SHOULD EAT IN YOUR OWN HOUSES

OR THOSE OF YOUR FATHERS OR YOUR MOTHERS 
OR YOUR BROTHERS OR YOUR SISTERS
OR YOUR FATHER'S BROTHERS OR YOUR FATHER'S SISTERS
OR YOUR MOTHER'S BROTHERS OR YOUR MOTHER'S SISTERS

OR IN HOUSES OF WHICH THE KEYS ARE IN YOUR POSSESSION
OR IN THE HOUSES OF A SINCERE COMPANION

THERE IS NO BLAME ON YOU IF YOU EAT IN COMPANY OR SEPARATELY 
BUT THE HOUSES YOU ENTER, SALUTE EACH OTHER PEACEFULLY
WITH A GREETING OF BLESSING AND PURITY  

SO DOES GOD MAKE CLEAR TO YOU THE COMMANDS 
IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY UNDERSTAND

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CHAPTER 24.  THE LIGHT                                                              SECTION 9.  PART  XVIII 

62  ONLY THOSE ARE BELIEVERS 
WHO BELIEVE IN GOD AND HIS MESSENGER
AND WHEN THEY ARE WITH HIM ON A MATTER 

THEY DO NOT DEPART UNTIL THEY HAVE ASKED FOR HIS LEAVE 
AND THOSE WHO ASK FOR YOUR LEAVE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE 
IN GOD AND HIS MESSENGER SO WHEN THEY ASK FOR YOUR LEAVE 
FOR SOME BUSINESS OF THEIRS, GIVE THEM LEAVE 

TO THOSE WHOM YOU WILL OF THEM 
AND ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS FOR THEM
FOR GOD IS FORGIVING AND MERCIFUL TO THEM

63  DEEM NOT THE SUMMONS OF THE MESSENGER
TO BE LIKE THE SUMMONS OF ONE OF YOU TO ANOTHER 
AND GOD KNOWS THOSE OF YOU WHO SLIP AWAY UNDER 
SHELTER OF SOME EXCUSE, THEN LET THOSE BEWARE 
WHO WITHSTAND THE ORDER OF THE MESSENGER
OR ELSE THERE BEFALL THEM SOME DISASTER
OR BE INFLICTED ON THEM A PENALTY THAT IS SEVERE

64  TO GOD BELONGS WHATEVER IS IN EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
AND HE KNOWS WHATEVER ARE YOUR INTENTIONS

AND ONE DAY THEY WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO HIM
AND HE WILL TELL THEM WHAT WAS DONE BY THEM
FOR GOD IS FULL OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

339
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                                    SECTION 1.  PART  XVIII 

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  BLESSED IS HE WHO SENT DOWN TO HIS SERVANT THE CRITERION 
THAT IT MAY BE TO ALL CREATURES AN ADMONITION 

2  HE TO WHOM BELONGS THE DOMINION 
OF THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS 
NO SON HAS HE BEGOTTEN 
NOR HAS HE A PARTNER IN HIS DOMINION 
HE CREATED ALL THINGS IN DUE PROPORTIONS

3  HAVE THEY TAKEN GODS THAT HAVE CREATED NOTHING THEMSELVES 
BUT IN FACT THEY ARE CREATED THEMSELVES 
AND HAVE NO CONTROL OF HURT OR GOOD TO THEMSELVES
NOR CAN THEY CONTROL LIFE OR DEATH FOR THEMSELVES
NOR RESURRECTION AFTER DEATH FOR THEMSELVES?

4  BUT SAY THE DISBELIEVERS 
THIS IS A LIE OF WHICH HE IS A FORGER
AND AT IT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HIS HELPERS 

BUT TRUTHFULLY IT IS THEY WHO HAVE SURELY
PUT FORWARD AN INIQUITY AND A FALSITY

5  THEY SAY, TALES OF THE ANCIENTS  
WHICH HE HAS CAUSED TO BE WRITTEN
THEY ARE DICTATED NIGHT AND DAY BEFORE HIM 

6  SAY, THE QURAN WAS SENT BY HE WHO KNOWS THE MYSTERY 
THAT IS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH ADDITIONALLY
AND MOST FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL IS HE

7  AND THEY SAY WHAT SORT OF AN APOSTLE IS THIS WHO EATS 
PLAIN FOOD AND WALKS THROUGH THE STREETS?

WHY HAS NOT AN ANGEL BEEN SENT DOWN TO HIM 
IN ORDER TO GIVE ADMONITION WITH HIM?

8  OR WHY HAS NOT A TREASURE BEEN BESTOWED ON HIM 
OR WHY IS NOT A GARDEN FOR ENJOYMENT GIVEN TO HIM? 

THE WICKED SAY, YOU FOLLOW NONE 
OTHER THAN A BEWITCHED ONE 

9  SEE WHAT KINDS OF COMPARISONS THEY MAKE
BUT IT IS THEY WHO HAVE GONE ASTRAY
AND NEVER WILL THEY FIND THE WAY

10  BLESSED IS HE WHO COULD GIVE YOU THINGS BETTER 
GARDENS BENEATH WHICH FLOW PLEASANT RIVERS 
AND HE COULD GIVE YOU PALACES SECURE 

340
CHAPTER 25.  THE CRITERION                                  SECTION 1 (CONT'D). PART  XVIII 

11  THEY DENY THE JUDGEMENT HOUR 
BUT WE HAVE PREPARED A BLAZING FIRE 
FOR THOSE WHO DENY THE JUDGMENT HOUR

12  WHEN IT SEES THEM 
FROM A PLACE FAR OFF FROM THEM
ITS FURY AND ITS RAGING WILL BE HEARD BY THEM

13  WHEN THEY ARE CAST BOUND TOGETHER WITHIN
A CONSTRICTED PLACE THEREIN
THEY WILL PLEAD FOR DESTRUCTION THERE AND THEN     

14  PRAY NOT THIS DAY FOR A SINGLE DESTRUCTION
BUT PRAY AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR DESTRUCTION

15  SAY, IS THIS BETTER OR THE GARDEN OF PERPETUITY 
WHICH IS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO KEEP THEIR DUTY?
THAT IS A REWARD AND A RESORT FOR THEM INDEED

16  FOR THEM THEREIN WILL BE ALL THAT THEY WISH FOR
THEY WILL DWELL THERE FOREVER MORE
A PROMISE FROM YOUR LORD TO BE PRAYED FOR

17  ON THE DAY WHEN HE WILL GATHER THEM TOGETHER
AND THAT WHICH THEY SERVE BESIDES GOD ALL TOGETHER

HE WILL SAY, WAS IT YOU WHO LED MY SERVANTS ASTRAY? 
OR DID THEY LEAD THEIR OWN SELVES ASTRAY? 

18  THEY WILL SAY, GLORY TO YOU 
IT WAS NOT FOR US THAT WE SHOULD TAKE BESIDES YOU
OTHERS AS PROTECTORS OTHER THAN YOU 

BUT GOD DID BESTOW ON THEM AND THEIR FATHERS 
GOOD THINGS IN LIFE UNTIL THEY FORGOT THE REMINDER
FOR THEY WERE PEOPLE LOST AND COMPLETELY IN ERROR

19  GOD WILL SAY, NOW THEY PROVED YOU TO BE LIARS TRULY
SO YOU CANNOT GET HELP OR AVERT YOUR PENALTY 
AND WHOEVER AMONG YOU ACTS WRONGFULLY
HIM WILL WE CAUSE TO TASTE A GRIEVOUS PENALTY

20  THE APOSTLES WERE ALL MEN WHOM WE SENT BEFORE YOU 
WHO ATE FOOD AND WALKED THROUGH THE STREETS TOO
SOME OF YOU WE MADE AS A TRIAL FOR OTHERS OF YOU
SO BEAR PATIENTLY FOR GOD SEES ALL THAT YOU DO

341