البَقَرَة

Alif Lām Mīm1.

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous2,

those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer3, and spend out of what We4 have provided for them,

and those who believe in what has been sent down to you [O Prophet] and in what was sent down before you5, and in the Hereafter they believe with certainty.

It is they who are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who are successful.

Those who persist in disbelief, it is the same whether you warn them or not, they will not believe.

Allah has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and their sight is covered6; and for them there will be a great punishment.

There are some people7 who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” whereas they are not believers.

They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, while they deceive none but themselves, but they do not realize.

In their hearts is a sickness8, and Allah increased their sickness, and they will have a painful punishment for their persistent lying.

When it is said to them, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they say, “We are only reformers.”

Indeed, it is they who spread corruption, but they do not realize.

When it is said to them, “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Shall we believe as the fools9 have believed?” Indeed, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know.

When they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe.” But when they are alone with their evil ones10, they say, “We are certainly with you; we were only mocking.”

Allah will mock them11 and prolong them to wander blindly in their transgression.

They are those who purchased misguidance for guidance, but their trade was profitless, and they were not guided.

Their likeness is that of someone who kindles a fire. When it illuminates all around him, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in utter darkness, unable to see12.

Deaf, dumb, and blind; they will not return [to the straight path].

Or like a downpour from the sky accompanied by darkness, thunder, and lightning. They put their fingers into their ears out of thunderclaps, for fear of death. But Allah encompasses the disbelievers.

The lightning almost snatches away their eyesight. Every time lightning13 strikes, they walk in its light, but when it becomes dark, they stand still. If Allah had willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight; for Allah is Most Capable of all things.

O people, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous;

He Who made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, and brings forth fruits thereby as a provision for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah while you know14.

If you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down upon Our slave15, then produce a chapter like it and call upon your helpers other than Allah, if you are truthful.

But if you did not do it, and you can never do it; then beware of the Fire whose fuel will be people and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers.

And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens under which rivers flow. Every time they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before,” for they will be given fruit that resemble one another. They will have purified spouses, and they will abide therein forever.

Allah is not ashamed to give a similitude of a mosquito or even something less [significant]16. As for those who believe, they know that this is the truth from their Lord; but those who disbelieve say, “What does Allah mean by this similitude?” He causes many to go astray thereby and guides many thereby, but He causes none to go astray except the evildoers –

those who break the covenant of Allah after it has been ratified, sever bonds that Allah has commanded to be maintained17, and spread corruption in the land. It is they who are the losers.

How can you disbelieve in Allah, when you were lifeless then He gave you life, then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life again, then to Him you will be returned?

It is He Who created for you all that is in the earth, then He turned towards the heaven and made them seven heavens, and He is All-Knowing of everything.

And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth.” They said, “Will You appoint on it someone who will spread corruption therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” He said, “I know that which you do not know.”

And He taught Adam the names of everything; then He presented them to the angels, and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?”

They said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You Who are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

He said, “O Adam, inform them of their names.” When he informed them of their names, Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?”

And when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam18,” and they prostrated except Iblīs19; he refused and was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers.

We said, “O Adam, dwell in Paradise, you and your wife; and eat pleasantly from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or else you will both become the wrongdoers.”

Then Satan tempted them and drove them out of the state they were in, and We said, “Go down [to the earth], as enemies to one another. You will have abode on earth and provision for an appointed time20.”

Then Adam received some words21 from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. He is the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful.

We said, “Go down all of you from here22! Then when My guidance comes to you; whoever follows My guidance, will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

But those who disbelieve and reject Our signs, they are the people of the Fire; they will abide therein forever.”

O Children of Israel23, remember My favor that I bestowed upon you, and fulfill My covenant; I will fulfill your covenant24, and fear none but Me.

And believe in what I have sent down25 which confirms that [Scripture] which is with you, and do not be the first to disbelieve in it, nor trade my verses for a small price, and fear Me alone.

And do not mix the truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth knowingly26.

And establish prayer, give zakah, and bow [to Allah] with those who bow27.

Do you enjoin righteousness upon people while you forget yourselves, even though you recite the Scripture28? Do you not understand?

Seek help through patience and prayer. It is strenuous except for the humble,

those who are sure that they are going to meet their Lord, and that they will return to Him.

O Children of Israel, remember My blessing which I bestowed upon you and that I favored you over all other people29.

And fear a Day when no soul will avail another anything, nor intercession will be accepted, nor compensation taken, nor will they be helped.

And [remember] when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who were inflicting dreadful torment upon you: slaughtering your sons and sparing your women. That was a great trial from your Lord.

And [remember] when We parted the sea for you and saved you, while We drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.

And [remember] when We appointed for Moses forty nights. Then you took the calf [for worship] in his absence, while you were wrongdoers.

Yet We pardoned you after that, so that you may be grateful.

And [remember] when We gave Moses the Scripture and the criterion30, so that you may be guided.

And [remember] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged yourselves by taking the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Creator and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]; that is best for you with your Creator.” Then He accepted your repentance, for He is the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful.

And [remember] when you said, “O Moses, we will never believe you until we see Allah openly,” so a thunderbolt struck you while you were looking on.

Then We raised you back to life after your death, so that you may be grateful.

And We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails31, [saying], “Eat of the good things We have provided for you.” They did not wrong Us, but they wronged themselves.

And [remember] when We said, “Enter this town [of Jerusalem] and eat freely from wherever you wish, and enter the gate bowing down humbly and say, ‘Absolve us32.’ We will forgive you your sins and increase [the reward of] those who do good.”

But the wrongdoers changed the words to other than what they were told33; so We sent down upon the wrongdoers a torment from the heaven for their rebelliousness.

And [remember] when Moses asked for water for his people, and We said, “Strike the rock with your staff,” Then twelve springs gushed forth from it; each tribe knew its drinking place34. “Eat and drink from Allah’s provision, and do not spread corruption in the land.”

And [remember] when you said, “O Moses, we cannot bear the same meal. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from what the earth produces – its herbs, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions.” Moses said, “Would you exchange what is better for what is inferior? Go down to any town and you will have what you have asked for.” They were struck with humiliation and destitution, and incurred the wrath of Allah. That was because they used to reject the signs of Allah and kill the prophets unjustly. That was because they disobeyed and were transgressors.

The believers and those who were Jews, Christians, and the Sabians [before Prophet Muhammad] – whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deed, they will have their reward with their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

And [remember] when We took your covenant [O Children of Israel] and raised above you the mountain [saying], “Hold firmly to what We have given you and observe its teachings, so that you may become righteous.”

But then you turned away after that. If it had not been for the grace and mercy of Allah upon you, you would have surely been among the losers.

And you know about those among you who broke the Sabbath, whereupon We said to them, “Be apes, despised.”

So We made it a deterrent punishment for those alive and for those who succeeded them, and an admonition for the righteous.

And [remember] when Moses said to his people, “Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.” They said, “Are you mocking us?” Moses said, “I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant!”

They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what [type of cow] it is.” He said, “Allah says, ‘It is a cow that is neither too old nor too young, but somewhere in between. So do as you are commanded!’”

They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us its color.” He said, “Allah says, ‘It is a yellow cow, bright in color – pleasing to the beholders.’”

They again said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. All cows look alike to us. If Allah wills, we will surely be guided.”

He said, “Allah says, ‘It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor water the field; sound, without blemish.’” They said, “Now you have come with the truth.” Then they slaughtered it, although they were almost not doing it.

And [remember] when you [Israelites] slew a man and disputed as to who the killer was, but Allah exposed what you were concealing.

We said, “Strike the slain with a piece of it.” This is how Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His signs, so that you may understand.

Then your hearts became hardened after that, like rocks or even harder. There are rocks from which rivers gush forth, and there are others that split open from which water comes out, while others fall down out of humility to Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

Do you [O believers] hope that they would respond to your call to believe, while a party of them used to hear the word of Allah35 then distort it knowingly after understanding it?

And when they meet the believers they say, “We believe.” But when they36 meet one another in private they say, “Are you telling them what Allah has revealed to you [about Mohammad], so that they may argue against you before your Lord? Have you no sense?”

Do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal?

And among them, there are illiterate people, who know nothing of the Scripture except wishful thinking, and they do nothing but guesswork.

So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, and then say, “This is from Allah,” in order to trade it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn.

And they say, “The Fire will never touch us except for a few days.” Say, “Have you taken a covenant from Allah; for Allah will never break His covenant, or are you saying about Allah what you do not know?”

No indeed! Those who do evil and are surrounded by their sins – they are the people of the Fire; they will abide therein forever.

But those who believe and do righteous deeds – they are the people of Paradise; they will abide therein forever.

And [remember] when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, “Do not worship except Allah; be kind to parents and kindred, and to orphans and those in need; speak good words to people; establish prayer; and give Zakah.” But then you turned away paying no heed, except a few of you.

And [remember] when We took a covenant from you that you should neither shed blood of one another, nor expel one another from your homes. Then you acknowledged it, while bearing witness to it.

Then here you are, killing one another and expelling a group of your people from their homes, aiding one another against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their expulsion was forbidden to you37. Do you then believe in part of the Scripture and deny another part? Then what is the recompense for those who do so among you except disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be subjected to the severest torment? For Allah is not unaware of what you do.

These are the people who have purchased the life of this world for the Hereafter; their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be helped.

We gave Moses the Scripture and sent a succession of messengers after him. We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit38. Is it that every time a messenger comes to you [O Israelites] with something against your desires, you become arrogant; some of them you rejected, and others you killed?

They say, “Our hearts are wrapped.” Nay, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, little is it that they believe.

Now that there has come to them a Book from Allah39, confirming that which is with them40 – although they used to pray for victory over the disbelievers in the past. But when there came to them what they recognize [to be true], they rejected it. May the curse of Allah be upon the disbelievers!

How miserable is the price for which they sold their souls – disbelieving in Allah’s revelation out of jealous hatred that Allah would send down His grace to whom He wills of His slaves! Thus they have incurred wrath upon wrath41, and for the disbelievers, there will be a disgracing punishment.

When it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down42,” they say, “We only believe in what was sent down to us43,” and they deny what came afterwards, although it is the truth confirming that which is with them. Say, “Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you were truly believers?”

Moses came to you with clear signs, yet you took the calf [for worship] in his absence, while you were wrongdoers.

And [remember] when We took a covenant from you and We raised above you the mountain [saying], “Hold firmly to what We have given you and obey,” they said, “We hear and disobey.” The love of [worshiping] the calf was engraved in their hearts because of their disbelief. Say, “How wretched is what your faith enjoins you, if you are believers!”

Say, “If the Home of the Hereafter with Allah is only for you [O Israelites] among all humans, then wish for death, if you are truthful.”

But they will never wish for that because of what their hands have sent forth. And Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers.

And you will surely find them the most greedy people for life, even more than the polytheists. Each one of them wishes to have a life of a thousand years. Even if they were granted such a long life, it would not save them from the punishment; for Allah is All-Seeing of what they do.

Say [O Prophet], “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is he who brings down this [Qur’an] to your heart by Allah’s permission, confirming what came before it, and a guidance and glad tidings for the believers.”

Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and messengers, and to Gabriel and Michael – then Allah is indeed an enemy to the disbelievers.

We have sent down to you clear proofs, and none will reject them except the evildoers.

Is it that every time they ratify a covenant, a party of them cast it aside? In fact, most of them do not believe.

And when a messenger44 from Allah came to them – confirming what was with them, a party of the People of the Book cast Allah’s Scripture behind their backs as if they did not know.

They followed what was recited by the devils during the kingdom of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels Hārūt and Mārūt in Babylon. But these two angels did not teach anyone without telling them, “We are only a test, so do not disbelieve.” Yet they would learn from them what would cause separation between a man and his wife. But they could not harm anyone except by Allah’s permission. They would learn what harmed them and did not benefit them, although they already knew that whoever gets into it would not have any share in the Hereafter. How terrible was the price for which they sold themselves, if only they knew!

If only they had believed and feared Allah, they would have had a better reward from Allah, if only they knew!

O you who believe, do not say, “Rā‘inā,” [i.e., consider our situation!] But say, “Unzhurnā,” [i.e., wait for us!] and listen. And for the disbelievers there will be a painful torment.

Neither those who disbelieved from the People of the Book nor the polytheists wish that your Lord sends down any good to you [O Muslims]. But Allah chooses for His mercy whom He wills, for Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring a better one or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is Most Capable of all things?

Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth, and that you have no protector or supporter besides Allah?

Or would you like to question your Messenger as Moses was questioned before? Whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has indeed strayed from the sound path.

Many of the people of the Book wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of the envy in their hearts, after the truth has become evident to them. But pardon and overlook until Allah passes His decree45, for Allah is Most Capable of all things.

And establish prayer and give zakah. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, for Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

And they say, “None will enter Paradise except a Jew or a Christian.” That is their wishful thinking. Say, “Produce your proof, if you are truthful.”

On the contrary, whoever submits himself to Allah and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. They will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

The Jews say, “The Christians have nothing to stand on” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on46,” although they both recite the Scripture. And those [pagans] who have no knowledge say something similar. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

Who does greater wrong than the one who prevents Allah’s name to be mentioned in His mosques and strives for their destruction? Such people do not deserve to enter them except in fear47. There is a disgrace for them in this world and a great punishment in the Hereafter.

To Allah belong the east and the west; wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah48. For Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

They say, “Allah has taken a son49”. Glory be to Him! Rather, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth – all are devoutly obedient to Him.

The Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.

Those who have no knowledge50 say, “If only Allah would speak to us or a sign be given to us.” Those who came before them said similar words. Their hearts are all alike. We have made the signs clear to people who have sure faith.

We have sent you with the truth [O Prophet] as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, and you will not be questioned about the people of the Blazing Fire.

The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their religion. Say, “The guidance of Allah is the [true] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, then you would have no protector or helper against Allah.

Those to whom We have given the Book recite it as it should be recited, it is they who believe in it. As for those who disbelieve in it, it is they who are the losers.

O Children of Israel, remember My blessings that I bestowed upon you, and that I favored you over all other people.

And beware of the Day when no one will avail another in any way; no compensation will be accepted, and no intercession will benefit it, nor will they be helped.

And [remember] when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain words, which he fulfilled51. Allah said, “I will make you a leader for mankind.” He said, “And from among my descendants?” Allah said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”

And [remember] when We made the House [i.e., Ka‘bah] a focal point and a sanctuary for the people. “[O believers], take the Station of Abraham as a place for prayer.” We charged Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who perform circumambulation52 or stay for worship, or those who bow down and prostrate.

And [remember] when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city [of Makkah] a sanctuary and provide its people with fruits – those among them who believe in Allah and the Last Day.” [Allah] said, “As for those who disbelieve, I will grant them enjoyment for a short while, then I will force them into the punishment of the Fire. What a terrible destination!”

And [remember] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and Ishmael, [saying], “Our Lord, accept this from us, for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

Our Lord, make us both submitted to You and from our descendants a nation submitted to You; and show us our rituals53 and accept our repentance. You are the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.

Our Lord, send among them a messenger54 to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”

Who would forsake the religion of Abraham55 except a fool! We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

When his Lord said to him, “Submit56,” he said, “I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.”

This was enjoined by Abraham and Jacob to their offspring, “O my children, Allah has chosen for you this religion; so do not die except as Muslims.”

Or were you present when death approached Jacob, when he said to his children, “What will you worship after me”? They said, “We will worship your God and the God of your fathers – Abraham, Ishmael57, and Isaac – the One God. And to Him we submit.”

That was a nation that has passed on; they will have what they earned and you will have what you earned, and you will not be questioned concerning what they used to do.

They say, “Be Jews or Christians to be guided.” Say, “Rather [we follow] the religion of Abraham, the monotheist, and he was not one of the polytheists58.”

Say [O believers], “We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us; and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants [of Jacob]59; and what was given to Moses and Jesus; and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted.”

If they believe as you have believed, then they are guided. But if they turn away, then they are in plain dissension. Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

This is the natural religion60 of Allah. Who is better than Allah in [enjoining a] religion? And it is He Whom we worship.

Say, “Do you [People of the Book] argue with us concerning Allah, when He is our Lord and your Lord? We are responsible for our deeds and you for yours, and we are sincerely devoted to Him.

Or do you say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants [of Jacob] were Jews or Christians?” Say, “Are you more knowledgeable or Allah?” Who does greater wrong than the one who hides a testimony he has from Allah? But Allah is not unaware of what you do.

That was a nation that has passed on; they will have what they earned and you will have what you earned, and you will not be questioned concerning what they used to do.

The foolish among the people will say: “What has turned them away from their prayer direction they used to face61?” Say: “To Allah belong the east and west: He guides whom He wills to a straight path.”

Thus We made you a balanced nation, so that you may be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger a witness over you. We did not change your former direction of prayer [to the Ka‘bah] except to distinguish those who would follow the Messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was surely burdensome except for those whom Allah guided. Allah would never let your [acts of] faith go to waste, for Allah is Most Gracious and Most Merciful to all people.

We see the turning of your face [O Prophet] towards heaven62; We will surely make you turn towards a prayer direction that will please you. So turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah], and wherever you are, turn your faces towards it. Those who were given the Scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord, and Allah is not unaware of what they do.

Even if you were to bring every proof to those who have been given the Scripture, they would not follow your prayer direction, nor would you follow their prayer direction; nor would any of them follow the prayer direction of the other. However, if you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, then you would surely be among the wrongdoers.

Those whom We gave the Scripture recognize him [i.e., the Prophet] as they recognize their own sons, yet a group of them conceals the truth knowingly63.

It is the truth from your Lord; so never be among those who doubt.

Every nation has a direction to which it turns, so compete with one another in good deeds. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together, for Allah is Most Capable of all things.

From wherever you set out, turn your face to the direction of the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah]. This is surely the truth from your Lord, and Allah is not unaware of what you do.

From wherever you set out, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque [i.e., Ka‘bah]. Wherever you are, turn your faces towards it, so that the people should not have any proof against you64, except for the wrongdoers among them. So do not fear them but fear Me, so that I may complete My favor upon you [all] and that you may be guided.

Just as We have sent you a messenger from among you, reciting to you Our verses, purifying you, and teaching you the Book and Wisdom65, and teaching you what you did not know.

Therefore remember Me; I will remember you66. Be grateful to Me, and do not be ungrateful.

O you who believe, seek help in patience and prayer, for Allah is with those who are patient67.

And do not say that those martyred in Allah’s way are dead. Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive it.

We will surely test you with something of fear and famine, and loss of property, lives and fruits. But give glad tidings68 to those who are patient.

Those when afflicted with a disaster, say, “We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.”

They are those upon whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are guided.

Indeed, Safa and Marwah [mounts] are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs the pilgrimage or ‘Umra, there is no blame upon him to go between them69. And whoever does good voluntarily, then Allah is All-Appreciative, All-Knowing.

Those who conceal the clear proofs and guidance that We have sent down – after We explained it clearly to people in the Scripture – it is they who are cursed by Allah and will be cursed by those who curse70.

Except for those who repent, mend their deeds, and clarify the truth; I will surely accept their repentance, for I am the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful.

Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers are cursed by Allah and the angels, and by all people.

They will abide in [the curse] forever. Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be granted any respite.

And your god is one God. None has the right to be worshiped except Him – the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth; the alternation of the night and day; the sailing of the ships in the sea for the benefit of people; the sending down of rain from the sky by Allah, reviving thereby the earth after its death; the spreading of all kinds of creatures therein; the directing of the winds and clouds between the sky and earth – in all these, there are signs71 for people of understanding.

And among people, there are some who take others as equals to Allah72: they love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah. If only the wrongdoers could see the punishment, they would surely realize that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment.

[Consider] when those who were followed, they will disown their followers when they see the punishment, and all ties between them will be cut off.

The followers will say, “If only we could have another chance, so we could disown them as they have disowned us.” Thus will Allah show them their deeds as sources of regret, and they will never get out of the Fire.

O people, eat from what is lawful and good73 on earth, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is your sworn enemy.

He only orders you to commit evil and immoral deeds, and to say concerning Allah what you do not know74.

When it is said to them, “Follow what Allah has sent down,” they say, “Instead, we follow what we found our forefathers doing.” [Would they do so] even though their forefathers had no understanding, nor were they guided?

The similitude of those who disbelieved is like cattle not understanding the calls of the shepherd except shouts and cries. They are deaf, dumb, and blind75; and they understand nothing.

O you who believe, eat of the good things76 We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if you truly worship Him alone.

He has only forbidden to you carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and what has been sacrificed to other than Allah. But if someone is compelled by necessity – neither driven by desire nor exceeding immediate need – then there is no sin upon him; for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Those who conceal the revelation of Allah’s Book and purchase thereby a small price, consume nothing into their bellies except fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them, and for them there will be a painful punishment.

They are those who trade guidance for misguidance and forgiveness for punishment. How patient they must be to withstand the Fire77!

That is because Allah has sent down the Book in truth. And those who differ over the Book are surely in extreme dissension.

It is not righteousness to turn your faces towards the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets; and to give charity out of one’s cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, beggars, and to free slaves; to establish prayer and give zakah; to fulfill the ratified pledges; to be patient at times of hardship, adversity, and during the battle. Such are the true believers, and such are the righteous.

O you who believe, legal retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder – a free for a free, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. But if one is pardoned by the victim’s guardian, then a fair ransom of blood money should be set and paid in the best way. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. But whoever transgresses the limits afterward, will have a painful punishment.

In the legal retribution, there is [saving of] life for you, O people of understanding, so that you may become righteous.

It is prescribed for you that when death approaches one of you – if he leaves behind any wealth – a bequest should be made in favor of parents and immediate family members78 with fairness, this is a duty upon the righteous.

If someone alters the bequest79 after hearing it, they will bear the sin of the alteration, for Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

But if someone fears partiality or injustice from the testator, and puts things right between the parties, then there is no sin upon him, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

O you who believe, fasting80 is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those who were before you, so that you may become righteous.

[Fasting is for] a specific number of days; but if anyone of you is ill or on a journey, he should make up for those days. As for those who can only fast with hardship, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person [for each day]. But anyone who volunteers to give more, it is better for him. Yet fasting is better for you, if only you knew81.

Ramadān is a month in which the Qur’an was sent down82 as a guidance for mankind and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So whoever of you witnesses this month, should fast. But if anyone is ill or on a journey, he should make up for those days. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you, so that you may complete the prescribed number of days, and proclaim the greatness of Allah for having guided you, and so that you may be grateful.

When My slaves ask you concerning Me, I am indeed near83. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me; so they should respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.

It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives on the nights of the fast. They are a garment for you just as you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may have intimacy with them84 and seek what Allah has destined for you. And eat and drink until you see the light of dawn distinct from the darkness of night, then complete the fast until nightfall. However, should you be in a devotional retreat in the mosques then do not be intimate with them. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not even come near to them. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to people, so that they may become righteous.

Do not consume one another’s property unjustly, nor entice the rulers85 in order to consume a portion of people’s property wrongfully while you know [it is sin].

They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say, “They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” It is not righteousness to enter the houses from the rear [in pilgrimage]86, but righteousness is to fear Allah. So enter the houses through their doors, and fear Allah so that you may succeed.

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight you87, but do not transgress88, for Allah does not like transgressors.

And kill them wherever you find them89, and drive them out from where they drove you out90, for persecution91 is far worse than killing. But do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. However, if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.

But if they desist, then Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Fight them until there is no more persecution92 and religion is only for Allah. But if they desist, let there be no aggression except against the oppressors.

[Battle in] a sacred month93 is for [aggression committed in] a sacred month, and violations are subject to retribution. So if anyone commits aggression against you, return the aggression against him in the same manner as he showed against you. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.

Spend in the way of Allah94 and do not throw yourselves into destruction95, and do good, for Allah loves those who do good.

And Complete Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] whatever sacrificial animal is available, and do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its place of sacrifice. But if anyone among you is sick or has an ailment of the scalp [and had his head shaved], then he must compensate by fasting, charity, or a sacrificial offering96. And when you are safe, then if anyone takes a break between ‘Umrah and Hajj, he must offer a sacrifice of whatever animal is available. However, if he cannot afford an offering, he should fast for three days during Hajj and seven days upon his return [home], making ten days in all. This is for those who are not residents of the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is severe in retribution.

The pilgrimage is in known months97. Whoever commits himself to perform the pilgrimage, there should be no intimacy, foul language, and arguments during the pilgrimage. Whatever good you do, Allah is aware of it. And take provisions for the journey, but the best provision is righteousness. So fear Me, O people of understanding.

There is no blame upon you for seeking the bounty of your Lord [by trading]. But as you leave the plains of ‘Arafāt, remember Allah at the Sacred Site [in Muzdalifah] and remember Him for having guided you, for you were previously among those who had gone astray.

Then move on from where the people move on98, and seek Allah’s forgiveness, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers99, or even with greater remembrance. There are some people who say, “Our Lord, give us in this world,” but they will have no share in the Hereafter.

And there are others100 who say, “Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”