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16: The Bee
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1 |
(Inevitable) cometh (to pass) the Command of God: seek ye not then to
hasten it: Glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they
ascribe unto Him!
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2 |
He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such
of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): "Warn (Man) that there is no
god but I: so do your duty unto Me."
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3 |
He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He
above having the partners they ascribe to Him!
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4 |
He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man)
becomes an open disputer!
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5 |
And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth,
and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.
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6 |
And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home
in the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
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7 |
And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise)
reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind,
Most Merciful,
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8 |
And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and
use for show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no
knowledge.
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9 |
And unto God leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn
aside: if God had willed, He could have guided all of you.
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10 |
It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out
of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
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11 |
With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every
kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
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12 |
He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the
moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this
are Signs for men who are wise.
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13 |
And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying
colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who
celebrate the praises of God (in gratitude).
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14 |
It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh
that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments
to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that
ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of God and that ye may be grateful.
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15 |
And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should
shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;
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And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
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Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive
admonition?
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If ye would count up the favours of God, never would ye be able to
number them: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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And God doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal.
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20 |
Those whom they invoke besides God create nothing and are themselves
created.
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(They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be
raised up.
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Your God is one God: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter,
their hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant.
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Undoubtedly God doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal:
verily He loveth not the arrogant.
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24 |
When it is said to them, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?"
they say, "Tales of the ancients!"
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25 |
Let them bear, on the Day of Judgment, their own burdens in full, and
also (something) of the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they
misled. Alas, how grievous the burdens they will bear!
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26 |
Those before them did also plot (against God's Way): but God took
their structures from their foundations, and the roof fell down on
them from above; and the Wrath seized them from directions they did
not perceive.
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Then, on the Day of Judgment, He will cover them with shame, and say:
"Where are My 'partners' concerning whom ye used to dispute (with the
godly)?" Those endued with knowledge will say: "This Day, indeed, are
the Unbelievers covered with shame and misery,-
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28 |
"(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of wrong-doing
to their own souls." Then would they offer submission (with the
pretence), "We did no evil (knowingly)." (The angels will reply),
"Nay, but verily God knoweth all that ye did;
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29 |
"So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the
abode of the arrogant."
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30 |
To the righteous (when) it is said, "What is it that your Lord has
revealed?" they say, "All that is good." To those who do good, there
is good in this world, and the Home of the Hereafter is even better
and excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous,-
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Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow
(pleasant) rivers: they will have therein all that they wish: thus
doth God reward the righteous,-
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(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity,
saying (to them), "Peace be on you; enter ye the Garden, because of
(the good) which ye did (in the world)."
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Do the (ungodly) wait until the angels come to them, or there comes
the Command of thy Lord (for their doom)? So did those who went
before them. But God wronged them not: nay, they wronged their own
souls.
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34 |
But the evil results of their deeds overtook them, and that very
(Wrath) at which they had scoffed hemmed them in.
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35 |
The worshippers of false gods say: "If God had so willed, we should
not have worshipped aught but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor
should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those
who went before them. But what is the mission of apostles but to
preach the Clear Message?
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For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the
Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom
God guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So
travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied
(the Truth).
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If thou art anxious for their guidance, yet God guideth not such as He
leaves to stray, and there is none to help them.
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They swear their strongest oaths by God, that God will not raise up
those who die: Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth: but
most among mankind realise it not.
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(They must be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the
truth of that wherein they differ, and that the rejecters of Truth may
realise that they had indeed (surrendered to) Falsehood.
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40 |
For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, "Be", and
it is.
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41 |
To those who leave their homes in the cause of God, after suffering
oppression,- We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but
truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only
realised (this)!
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(They are) those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on
their Lord.
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And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We
granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess
the Message.
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(We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We
have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain
clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.
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45 |
Do then those who devise evil (plots) feel secure that God will not
cause the earth to swallow them up, or that the Wrath will not seize
them from directions they little perceive?-
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Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their goings
to and fro, without a chance of their frustrating Him?-
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Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage -
for thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy.
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Do they not look at God's creation, (even) among (inanimate) things,-
How their (very) shadows turn round, from the right and the left,
prostrating themselves to God, and that in the humblest manner?
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And to God doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on earth,
whether moving (living) creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant
(before their Lord).
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50 |
They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they
are commanded.
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God has said: "Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is just One
God: then fear Me (and Me alone)."
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To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him is
duty due always: then will ye fear other than God?
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53 |
And ye have no good thing but is from God: and moreover, when ye are
touched by distress, unto Him ye cry with groans;
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Yet, when He removes the distress from you, behold! some of you turn
to other gods to join with their Lord-
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(As if) to show their ingratitude for the favours we have bestowed on
them! then enjoy (your brief day): but soon will ye know (your folly)!
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56 |
And they (even) assign, to things they do not know, a portion out of
that which We have bestowed for their sustenance! By God, ye shall
certainly be called to account for your false inventions.
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57 |
And they assign daughters for God! - Glory be to Him! - and for
themselves (sons,- the issue) they desire!
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58 |
When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female
(child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!
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With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad
news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or
bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on?
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60 |
To those who believe not in the Hereafter, applies the similitude of
evil: to God applies the highest similitude: for He is the Exalted in
Power, full of Wisdom.
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61 |
If God were to punish men for their wrong-doing, He would not leave,
on the (earth), a single living creature: but He gives them respite
for a stated Term: When their Term expires, they would not be able to
delay (the punishment) for a single hour, just as they would not be
able to anticipate it (for a single hour).
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62 |
They attribute to God what they hate (for themselves), and their
tongues assert the falsehood that all good things are for themselves:
without doubt for them is the Fire, and they will be the first to be
hastened on into it!
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63 |
By God, We (also) sent (Our apostles) to Peoples before thee; but
Satan made, (to the wicked), their own acts seem alluring: He is also
their patron today, but they shall have a most grievous penalty.
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64 |
And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou
shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ, and
that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.
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65 |
And God sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to
the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who
listen.
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66 |
And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what
is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for
your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.
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And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome
drink and food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise.
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And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and
in (men's) habitations;
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Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the
spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a
drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this
is a Sign for those who give thought.
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70 |
It is God who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you
there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know
nothing after having known (much): for God is All-Knowing,
All-Powerful.
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71 |
God has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you
than on others: those more favoured are not going to throw back their
gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in
that respect. Will they then deny the favours of God?
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And God has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature,
and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren,
and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in
vain things, and be ungrateful for God's favours?-
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And worship others than God,- such as have no power of providing them,
for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly
have such power?
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Invent not similitudes for God: for God knoweth, and ye know not.
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God sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the
dominion of another; He has no power of any sort; and (the other) a
man on whom We have bestowed goodly favours from Ourselves, and he
spends thereof (freely), privately and publicly: are the two equal?
(By no means;) praise be to God. But most of them understand not.
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76 |
God sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no
power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever
way be directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one
who commands Justice, and is on a Straight Way?
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77 |
To God belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the
Decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twingkling of an eye, or
even quicker: for God hath power over all things.
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It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye
knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and
affections: that ye may give thanks (to God).
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Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air
and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) God. Verily in
this are signs for those who believe.
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80 |
It is God Who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet for you;
and made for you, out of the skins of animals, (tents for) dwellings,
which ye find so light (and handy) when ye travel and when ye stop (in
your travels); and out of their wool, and their soft fibres (between
wool and hair), and their hair, rich stuff and articles of convenience
(to serve you) for a time.
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81 |
It is God Who made out of the things He created, some things to give
you shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He made you
garments to protect you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you
from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He complete His favours on you,
that ye may bow to His Will (in Islam).
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But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message.
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They recognise the favours of God; then they deny them; and most of
them are (creatures) ungrateful.
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One Day We shall raise from all Peoples a Witness: then will no excuse
be accepted from Unbelievers, nor will they receive any favours.
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85 |
When the wrong-doers (actually) see the Penalty, then will it in no
way be mitigated, nor will they then receive respite.
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86 |
When those who gave partners to God will see their "partners", they
will say: "Our Lord! these are our 'partners,' those whom we used to
invoke besides Thee." But they will throw back their word at them
(and say): "Indeed ye are liars!"
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That Day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to God; and all
their inventions shall leave them in the lurch.
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Those who reject God and hinder (men) from the Path of God - for them
will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.
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One day We shall raise from all Peoples a witness against them, from
amongst themselves: and We shall bring thee as a witness against these
(thy people): and We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all
things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
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90 |
God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and
kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion:
He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.
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91 |
Fulfil the Covenant of God when ye have entered into it, and break not
your oaths after ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have made God your
surety; for God knoweth all that ye do.
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92 |
And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn
which she has spun, after it has become strong. Nor take your oaths to
practise deception between yourselves, lest one party should be more
numerous than another: for God will test you by this; and on the Day
of Judgment He will certainly make clear to you (the truth of) that
wherein ye disagree.
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93 |
If God so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves
straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall
certainly be called to account for all your actions.
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94 |
And take not your oaths, to practise deception between yourselves,
with the result that someone's foot may slip after it was firmly
planted, and ye may have to taste the evil (consequences) of having
hindered (men) from the Path of God, and a Mighty Wrath descend on
you.
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Nor sell the covenant of God for a miserable price: for with God is (a
prize) far better for you, if ye only knew.
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96 |
What is with you must vanish: what is with God will endure. And We
will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward
according to the best of their actions.
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97 |
Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to
him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will
bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
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98 |
When thou dost read the Qur'án, seek God's protection from Satan the
rejected one.
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99 |
No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in
their Lord.
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100 |
His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join
partners with God.
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101 |
When We substitute one revelation for another,- and God knows best
what He reveals (in stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but
most of them understand not.
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102 |
Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in
Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and
Glad Tidings to Muslims.
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103 |
We know indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him." The
tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is
Arabic, pure and clear.
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104 |
Those who believe not in the Signs of God,- God will not guide them,
and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.
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105 |
It is those who believe not in the Signs of God, that forge falsehood:
it is they who lie!
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106 |
Any one who, after accepting faith in God, utters Unbelief,- except
under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open
their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from God, and theirs will
be a dreadful Penalty.
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107 |
This because they love the life of this world better than the
Hereafter: and God will not guide those who reject Faith.
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108 |
Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes God has sealed up, and
they take no heed.
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109 |
Without doubt, in the Hereafter they will perish.
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110 |
But verily thy Lord,- to those who leave their homes after trials and
persecutions,- and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and
patiently persevere,- Thy Lord, after all this is oft-forgiving, Most
Merciful.
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111 |
One Day every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul
will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be
unjustly dealt with.
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112 |
God sets forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet,
abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place: Yet was it
ungrateful for the favours of God: so God made it taste of hunger and
terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a garment (from every
side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
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113 |
And there came to them an Apostle from among themselves, but they
falsely rejected him; so the Wrath seized them even in the midst of
their iniquities.
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114 |
So eat of the sustenance which God has provided for you, lawful and
good; and be grateful for the favours of God, if it is He Whom ye
serve.
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115 |
He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of
swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than God has been
invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful
disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then God is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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116 |
But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,-
"This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so as to ascribe false things
to God. For those who ascribe false things to God, will never prosper.
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117 |
(In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most
grievous Penalty.
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118 |
To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee
before: We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to
themselves.
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119 |
But verily thy Lord,- to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who
thereafter repent and make amends,- thy Lord, after all this, is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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120 |
Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, (and) true in
Faith, and he joined not gods with God:
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121 |
He showed his gratitude for the favours of God, who chose him, and
guided him to a Straight Way.
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122 |
And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter,
in the ranks of the Righteous.
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123 |
So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of
Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with God."
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124 |
The Sabbath was only made (strict) for those who disagreed (as to its
observance); But God will judge between them on the Day of Judgment,
as to their differences.
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125 |
Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most
gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path,
and who receive guidance.
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126 |
And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch
you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for
those who are patient.
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127 |
And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from God; nor grieve
over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
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128 |
For God is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
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