Wherefore call thou, and go straight on as thou art bidden, and follow not their lusts; and say, ‘I believe in the Book which God has sent down; and I am bidden to judge justly between you. God is our Lord and your Lord; we have our works and ye have your works ; there is no argument between us and you. God will assemble us together and unto Him the journey is.’
[15] But those who argue about God after it has been assented to}, their arguments shall be rebutted
1 Te. after the faith of Islim had been accepted by them, or after God had assented to the prophet’s prayer and supported the
XLII, 1g-22. THE CHAPTER OF COUNSEL. 207 before their Lord; and upon them shall be wrath, and for them shall be keen torment.
God it is who has sent down the Book with truth, and the balance!; and what shall make thee know whether haply the Hour be nigh ? Those who believe not would hurry it on; and those who believe shrink with terror at it and know that it is true. Ay, verily, those who dispute concerning the Hour are in remote error !
God is kind to His servants; He provides whom He will, and He is the mighty, the glorious.
He who wishes for the tilth of the next world, we will increase for him the tilth ; and he who desires the tilth of this world, we will give him thereof: but in the next he shall have no portion.
[20] Have they associates who have enjoined any religion on them which God permits not ?—but were it not for the word of decision? it would have been decreed to them. Verily, the unjust,—for them is grievous woe. Thou shalt see the unjust shrink with terror from what they have gained as it falls upon them; and those who believe and do right, in meads of Paradise, they shall have what they please with their Lord ;—that is great grace !
That is what God gives glad tidings of to His servants who believe and do righteous acts.
Say, ‘I do not ask for it a hire—only the love of my kinsfolk.’ And he who gains a good action faith, or after the Jews and Christians had assented to the teaching of Mohammed, for the commentaries are uncertain as to the exact meaning of the phrase.
1 I. e. the law contained in the Qur'an.
? Le. were it not that God has promised that those things shall be decided at the day of judgment.
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we will increase good for him thereby; verily, God is forgiving and grateful !
Or will they say he has forged against God a lie? But if God pleased He could set a seal upon thy heart; but God will blot out falsehood and verify truth by His word; verily, He knows the nature of men’s breasts!
He it is who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their offences and knows that which ye do. [25] And He answers the prayer of those who believe and do right, and gives them increase of His grace; but the misbelievers,—for _ them is keen torment.
He it is who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their offences and knows that which ye do. [25] And He answers the prayer of those who believe and do right, and gives them increase of His grace; but the misbelievers,—for _ them is keen torment.
And if:God were to extend provision to His servants they would be wanton in the earth. But He sends down by measure what He pleases; verily, of His servants He is well aware and sees.
He it is who sends down the rain after they have despaired ; and disperses His mercy, for He is the praiseworthy patron.
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and what He hath spread abroad therein of beasts; and He is able to collect them when He will.
And what misfortunes befall you it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much; [30] yet ye cannot make Him helpless in the earth, nor have ye, besides God, either a patron or a helper.
And of His signs are the ships that sail like mountains in the sea. If He will, He calms the wind, and they become motionless on the back thereof: verily, in that are signs to every patient, grateful person :—or He makes them founder for what they have earned; but He pardons much.
p. 209
But let those who wrangle about our signs know that they shall have no escape!
And whatever ye are given it is but a provision. of the life of this world; but what is with God is better and more lasting for those who believe and who upon their Lord rely, [35] and those who avoid great sins and abominations, and who when they are wroth forgive, and who assert to their Lord, and are steadfast in prayer, and whose affairs go by counsel amongst themselves, and who of what we have bestowed on them give alms, and who, when wrong befalls them, help themselves.
For the recompence of evil is evil like unto it; but he who pardons and does well, then his reward is with God; verily, He loves not the unjust. And he who helps himself after he has been wronged, for these—there is no way against them. [40] The way is only against those who wrong men and are wanton in the earth without right; these—for them is grievous woe. _ .
But surely he who is patient and forgives,—verily, that is a determined affair '.
But whomsoever God leads astray he has no patron after Him; and thou mayest see the unjust when they see the torment say, ‘Is there no way to avert this??’ and thou mayest see them exposed to it, humbled with abasement, looking with a stealthy glance. And those who believe shall say, ‘ Verily, the losers are they who have lost themselves and their families too upon the resurrection day!’ Ay, verily, the unjust are in lasting torment!
1 Le. it is a duty laid down by law. 3 Or ‘to return (to the world),’ Baidzavi.
[9] P
210 THE Qur’AN. XLII, 45-53.
[45] And they shall have no patrons to help them beside God, and whomsoever God leads astray, there is no way for him.
1 Le. it is a duty laid down by law. 3 Or ‘to return (to the world),’ Baidzavi.
[9] P
210 THE Qur’AN. XLII, 45-53.
[45] And they shall have no patrons to help them beside God, and whomsoever God leads astray, there is no way for him.
Assent to your Lord before the day comes of which there is no averting from God; there is no refuge for you on that day; and for you there is no denial. OS
But if they turn aside, we have not sent thee to them as a guardian, thou hast only thy message to preach.
And, verily, when we have made man taste of mercy from us he rejoices therein ; but if there befall them an evil for what their hands have done before— then, verily, man is ungrateful !
God’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, He creates what He pleases, He grants to whom He pleases females, and He grants to whom He pleases males, or He gives them in pairs, males and females; and He makes whom He pleases barren ; verily, He is knowing, powerful !
[50] It is not for any mortal that God should speak to him, except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by sending an apostle and inspiring, by His permission, what He pleases; verily, He is high and wise !
And thus have we inspired thee by a spirit! at our bidding ; thou didst not know what the Book was, nor the faith: but we made it a light whereby we guide whom we will of our servants. And, verily, thou shalt surely be guided into the right way,—the way of God, whose is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, Ay, to God affairs do tend!
1 Gabriel,
XLII, 1-13. THE CHAPTER OF GILDING,
THe CHAPTER OF GILDIN (XLIII. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassiona God.
‘H.M. By the perspicuous Book, verily, we have made it an Arabic Qur’4n; haply ye will have some sense. And it is in the Mother of the Book with us,—high and wise}, Shall we then push aside from you the Reminder, because ye are a people who are extravagant ?
[5] How many prophets have we sent amongst those of yore? and there never came to them a prophet but they did mock at him; then we destroyed them—more valiant than these?; and the example of those of yore passed away.
And if thou shouldst ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ‘ The mighty, the knowing One created them,’ who made for you the earth a couch and placed for you therein roads, haply ye may be guided: [10] and who sent down from the heaven water in due measure; and we raised up thereby a dead country; thus shall ye too be brought forth; and who has created all species; and has made for you the ships and the cattle whereon to ride that ye may settle yourselves on their backs; then remember the favour of your Lord when ye settled thereon, and say, ‘Celebrated be the praises of Him who hath‘subjected this to - us! We could not have got this ourselves; and, verily, unto our Lord shall we return!’
} See Part I, p. 2, note 2. 3 T.e. the Meccans. P 2
212 THE QuR’AN. XLIII, 14-23.
We could not have got this ourselves; and, verily, unto our Lord shall we return!’
} See Part I, p. 2, note 2. 3 T.e. the Meccans. P 2
212 THE QuR’AN. XLIII, 14-23.
Yet they make for Him of His servants offspring ; verily, man is surely obviously ungrateful.
{15] Has He taken of what He creates daughters, and chosen sons for you ?
Yet when the tidings! are given any one of that which he strikes out as a similitude for the Merciful One, his face grows black and he is choked. What! one brought up amongst ornaments, and who is always in contention without obvious cause ??
And have they made the angels, who are the servants of the Merciful One, females? Were they witnesses of their creation? their witness shall be written down, and they shall be questioned; and they say, ‘Had the Merciful pleased we should never have worshipped them.’ They have no knowledge of that, they only conjecture.
[20] Have we given them a book? before it to which they might hold ?
Nay; they say, ‘We found our fathers (agreed) upon a religion, and, verily, we are guided by their traces.’
Thus, too, did we never send before thee to a city any warner, but the affluent ones thereof said, ‘Verily, we found our fathers (agreed) upon a religion, and, verily, we are led by their traces.’
Say, ‘What! if I come to you with what is a better guide than what ye found your fathers agreed upon ?’ and they will say, ‘Verily, we in what ye are sent with disbelieve !”
1 T.e. of the birth of a daughter, see Part I, p. 256, note 2.
? T.e. what! do they assign children of this kind, viz. daughters, to God?
5 T.e. a scripture authorising the practice of their religion, such as the worship of angels and the ascribing of daughters to God.
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Then we took vengeance on them, and see how was the end of those who called the (apostles) liars.
[25] When Abraham said to his father and his people, ‘Verily, I am clear of all that ye serve, except Him who created me; for, verily, He will guide me:’ and he made it a word remaining among his posterity, that haply they might return.
Nay; but I let these (Meccans) and their fathers have enjoyment until the truth came to them, and an apostle. And when the truth came to them they said, ‘This is magic, and we therein do disbelieve !’ [30] And they say, ‘Unless this Qur’4n were sent down to a man great in the two cities... .1’
Is it they who distribute the mercy of thy Lord? We distribute amongst them their livelihood in the life of this world, and we exalt some of them above others in degrees, that some may take others into subjection ; but the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass.
.1’
Is it they who distribute the mercy of thy Lord? We distribute amongst them their livelihood in the life of this world, and we exalt some of them above others in degrees, that some may take others into subjection ; but the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass.
And but that men would then have been one nation, we would have made for those who misbelieve in the Merciful One roofs of silver for their houses, and steps up thereto which they might mount; and to their houses doors, and bedsteads on which they might recline; and gilding,—for, verily, all that is a provision of the life of this world, but the hereafter is better with thy Lord for those who fear!
[35] And whosoever turns from the reminder of the Merciful One, we will chain to him a devil, who shallp. 48 be his mate; and, verily, these shall turn them from the path while they reckon that they are guided; until when he comes to us he shall say, ‘O, would that between me and thee there were the distance of the two orients}, for an evil mate (art thou)!’ But it shall not avail you on that day, since ye were unjust ; verily, in the torment shall ye share!
1 T.e. had it been sent down to some man of influence and importance in Mecca and 7@’if we would have received it.
What! canst thou make the deaf to hear, or guide the blind, or him who is in obvious error ?
[40] Whether then we take thee off we will surely take vengeance on them; or whether we show thee that which we have promised them; for, verily, we have power over them.
Say, ‘Dost thou hold to what is inspired thee ?’ verily, thou art in the right way, and, verily, it is a reminder to thee and to thy people, but in the end they shall be asked.
And ask those whom we have sent before thee amongst the prophets, ‘Did we make gods beside the Merciful One for them to serve ?’
[45] We did send Moses with our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said, ‘ Verily, I am the apostle of the Lord of the worlds; but when he came to them with our signs, lo, they laughed at them !’
And we did not show them a sign, but it was greater than its fellow; and we seized them with the torment, haply they might turn.
And they said, ‘O thou magician! pray for us to thy Lord, as He has engaged with thee: verily, we are guided.’
1 Te. the east and west, though some understand it between the two solstices,
p. 215
And when we removed from them the torment, behold they broke their word,
[50] And Pharaoh proclaimed amongst his people ; said he, ‘O my people! is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? and these rivers that flow beneath me? What! can ye then not see? Am I better than this fellow, who is contemptible, who can hardly explain himself! ? Unless then bracelets of gold be cast upon him, or there come with him angels as his mates...!’
And he taught his people levity; and they obeyed him: verily, they were an abominable people.
can ye then not see? Am I better than this fellow, who is contemptible, who can hardly explain himself! ? Unless then bracelets of gold be cast upon him, or there come with him angels as his mates...!’
And he taught his people levity; and they obeyed him: verily, they were an abominable people.
[55] And when they had annoyed us we took vengeance on them, and we drowned them all together, and we made them a precedent and an example to those after them.
And when the son of Mary was set forth as a parable, behold thy people turned away from him and said, ‘Are our gods better, or is he?’ They did not set it forth to thee save for wrangling. Nay, but they are a contentious people * .
He is but a servant whom we have been gracious to, and we have made him an example for the children of Israel. [60] And if we please we can make of you angels in the earth to succeed you’, And, verily, he is a sign of the Hour‘. Doubt not then
1 See p. 36, note 1.
2 The Arabs objected that Jesus was worshipped by Christians as a God, and that when Mohammed cursed their false gods, the ban must apply equally to him.
8 Just as Jesus was miraculously conceived, so can miraculously conceived offspring be produced among the Meccans themselves.
* Some read, ‘a sign,’ which is perhaps better. The reference is to the predicted second advent of the Messiah, which is to precede
216 THE QuR’AN. XLILI, 61-75.
concerning it, but follow this right way; and let not the devil turn you away; verily, he is to you an open foe !
And when Jesus came with manifest signs he said, ‘I am come to you with wisdom, and I will explain to you something of that whereon ye did dispute, then fear God, obey me; verily, God, He is my Lord and your Lord, serve Him then, this is the right way.’
[65] But the confederates disputed amongst themselves; and woe to those who are unjust from the torment of a grievous day!
7 Do they expect aught but that the Hour will come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive ? Friends on that day shall be foes to each other, save those who fear.
O my servants! there is no fear for you on that day; nor shall ye be grieved who believe in our signs and who are resigned. [70] Enter ye into Paradise, ye and your wives, happy!
Dishes of gold and pitchers shall be sent round to them ; therein is what souls desire, and eyes shall be delighted, and ye therein shall dwell for aye; for that is Paradise which ye are given as an inheritance for that which ye have done. Therein shall ye have much fruit whereof to eat.
Verily, the sinners are in the. torment of hell to dwell for aye. [75] It shall not be intermitted for | them, and they therein shall be confused. We have not wronged them, but it was themselves they wronged, , the end of the world, Some commentators, however, read ‘it,’ instead of ‘he,’ referring to the Qur'an, instead of to Jesus. .
p. 217
We have not wronged them, but it was themselves they wronged, , the end of the world, Some commentators, however, read ‘it,’ instead of ‘he,’ referring to the Qur'an, instead of to Jesus. .
p. 217
And they shall cry out, ‘O Malik?! let thy lord make an end of us;’ he shall say, ‘ Verily, ye are to tarry here.’
We have brought you the truth, but most of you are averse from the truth. Have they arranged the affair? then will we arrange it too?!
[80] Or do they reckon that we did not hear their secrets and their whispering ? Nay, but our messengers are with them writing down’.
Say, ‘If the Merciful One has a son then am I the first to worship him. Celebrated be the praise of the Lord of the heavens and the earth! the Lord of the throne, above all they attribute to Him!
But leave them to ponder and to play until they
‘meet that day of theirs which they are promised.
He it is who is in the heaven a God and in the earth a God! and He is the wise, the knowing. [85] And blessed be he whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and what is between both, and His is the knowledge of the Hour, and unto Him shall ye be brought back !
And those they call on beside Him shall not possess intercession except those only who bear witness for the truth and who do know.
And if thou shouldst ask them who created them they will surely say, ‘God!’ How then can they lie?
And what he‘ says, ‘O Lord, verily, these are
1 Malik is the keeper of hell, and presides over the tortures of the damned.
? The word used signifies twisting up the strands of a rope.
® I.e. the recording angel.
* Mohammed. .
p. 17
a people who do not believe; shun them then and say, “Peace!” for they at length shall know!’
Tue CHAPTER OF SMOKE, (XLIV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful’and compassionate God.
‘H.M. By the perspicuous Book! verily, we have sent it down on a blessed night ;—verily, we had given warning—wherein is decided every wise affair, as an order from us. Verily, we were sending (apostles) —[5] a mercy from thy Lord; verily, He both hears and knows: from the Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between the two, if ye were but sure. There is no god but He, He quickens and He kills—your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore! Nay, they in doubt do play!
But expect thou the day when the heaven shall bring obvious smoke [10] to cover men—this is grievous torment!
_ Our Lord! remove from us the torment ; verily, we are believers.
How can they have the reminder (now), when they have had a plain apostle, and when they turned their backs away from him and said, ‘Taught! mad!’ Verily, we will remove the torment a little, (but) ye will surely return!
[15] On the day when we will assault with the great assault, verily, we will take vengeance.
And we already tried the people of Pharaoh when there came to them a noble apostle ; ‘Send back to
p. 219
[15] On the day when we will assault with the great assault, verily, we will take vengeance.
And we already tried the people of Pharaoh when there came to them a noble apostle ; ‘Send back top. 219 me God’s servants; verily, I am to you a faithful apostle ;’ and, ‘Exalt not yourselves above God; verily, I come to you with obvious authority. And, verily, I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord, that ye stone me not. [20] And if ye believe not in me then let me alone!’
Then he called upon his Lord, ‘Verily, these are a.sinful people.’ So journey with my servants by night—verily, ye will be pursued. But leave the sea in quiet—verily, they are a host to be drowned! How many gardens and springs have they left, [25] and corn lands and a noble place, and comfort wherein they did enjoy themselves!
Thus—and we gave them for an inheritance to another people. And the heaven wept not for them, nor the earth, nor were they respited.
But we saved the children of Israel from shameful woe!—[30]—from Pharaoh; verily, he was haughty, one of the extravagant! And we did choose them, wittingly, above the worlds; and we gave them signs wherein was an obvious trial !
Verily, these! say, ‘It is but our first death?; so bring our fathers, if ye do speak the truth !’
[35] Are they better than the people of Tubba’h’, and those before them? We destroyed them— verily, they were sinners!
Nor did we create the heavens and the earth, and what is between the two in sport: we did but create them in truth, though most of them know it not!
1 The Meccans. 2 T.e. we shall only die once. § The Himyarite Arabs, whose kings were called Tubba’h, i.e. ‘successors,’
p. 2
[40] Verily, the day of separation is their appointed term; the day when master shall not avail client at all, nor shall they be helped; save whomsoever God shall have mercy on ; verily, He is the mighty, the merciful !
Verily, the Zaqqdm tree (shall be) the food of the sinful : [45] as it were melting’, shall it boil in their bellies like the boiling of hot water !—‘Take him and hale him into the midst of hell! then pour over his head the torment of hot water !—Taste! verily, thou art the mighty, the honourable! [50] Verily, this is that whereon ye did dispute!’
Verily, the pious shall be in a safe place! in gardens and springs, they shall be clad in satin and stout silk face to face. Thus!—and we will wed them to bright and large-eyed maids! [55] They shall call therein for every fruit in safety. They shall not taste therein of death save their first death, and we will keep them from the torment of hell! Grace from thy Lord, that is the grand bliss !
And we have only made it easy for thy tongue, that haply they may be mindful. Then watch thou ; verily, they are watching too!
Tue CHAPTER OF THE KNEELING. (XLV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Grace from thy Lord, that is the grand bliss !
And we have only made it easy for thy tongue, that haply they may be mindful. Then watch thou ; verily, they are watching too!
Tue CHAPTER OF THE KNEELING. (XLV. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
‘H.M. A revelation of the Book from God, the mighty, the wise. Verily, in the heavens and the
1 Or ‘like the dregs of oil.’
p. 221
earth are signs to those who believe; and in your creation and the beasts that are spread abroad are signs to a people who are sure; and in the alternation of night and day, and the provision that God has sent down from heaven and quickened thereby the earth after its death, and in the veering of the winds are signs unto a people who have sense.
[5] These are the signs of God which we recite to thee in truth; and in what new story after God and His signs will they believe ?
Woe to every sinful liar who hears God’s signs sent to him, then persists in being big with pride as though he heard them not—so give him the glad tidings of grievous woe—and when he knows something of our signs takes them for a jest! These,—for them is shameful woe, behind them is hell, and what they have earned shall not avail them aught, nor what they have taken besides God for patrons; and for them is mighty woe.
[10] This is a guidance, and those who misbelieve in the signs ‘of their Lord, for them is torment of a grievous plague.
God it is who subjects to you the sea that the ships may sail thereon at his bidding, and that ye may crave of His grace, and that haply ye may give thanks; and He has subjected to you what is in the heavens and what is in the earth,—all from Him; verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect.
Say to those who believe that they pardon those who hope not for God’s days’, that He may reward a people for that which they have earned.
1 That is, the successful battles against the infidels, ‘battles’ being always spoken of by the ancient Arabs as ‘days.’
t v
p. 22
Whosoever acts aright it is for his own soul, and whosoever does evil it is against it; then unto your ord shall ye be returned.
[15] And we did bring the children of Israel the Book and judgment and prophecy, and we provided them with good things, and preferred them above the worlds. And we brought them manifest proofs of the affair, and they disputed not until after knowledge had come to them, through mutual envy. Verily, thy Lord will decide between them on the resurrection day concerning that whereon they did dispute.
Then we did set thee’ over a law concerning the affair: follow it then, and follow not the lusts of those who do not know. Verily, they shall not avail thee against God at all; and, verily, the wrongdoers are patrons of each other, but God is the patron of those who fear.
This is an insight for men and a guidance and a mercy to a people who are sure.
Verily, they shall not avail thee against God at all; and, verily, the wrongdoers are patrons of each other, but God is the patron of those who fear.
This is an insight for men and a guidance and a mercy to a people who are sure.
[20] Do those who commit evil deeds count that we will make them like those who believe and work righteous deeds, equal in their life and their death? —ill it is they judge.
And God created the heavens and the earth in truth ; and every soul shall be recompensed for that which it has earned, and they shall not be wronged.
Hast thou considered him who takes his lusts for his god, and God leads him astray wittingly, and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart, and has placed upon his eyesight dimness? who then shall guide him after God? Will they not then mind?
1 Mohammed.
p. 223
They say, ‘It is only our life in this world, we die and we live, and naught destroys us but time!’
' But they have no knowledge of this; they do but suspect.
And when our signs are rehearsed to them with evidences their only argument is to say, ‘ Bring our fathers, if ye speak the truth.’
ane 5] Say, ‘God quickens you, then He kills you, then He will gather you unto the resurrection day, there is no doubt therein; but most men do not know.’
God’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and on the day when the Hour shall arise on that day shall those who call it! vain be losers! And thou shalt see each nation kneeling, each nation summoned to its book, ‘To-day are ye rewarded for that which ye have done.’
This is our Book that speaketh to you with truth; verily, we have written down what ye have done. ~
But as to those who believe and do righteous deeds their Lord will make them enter into His mercy: that is the obvious bliss.
[30] And as for those who misbelieve,—were not my signs recited to you and ye were too big with pride and ye were a sinful people? And when it was said, ‘Verily, the promise of God is true, and the Hour there is no doubt therein;’ ye said, ‘We know not what the Hour is, we only suspect, and we are not sure.’
But there shall appear to them the evils of what they have done, and that shall encompass them at which they have been mocking. And it shall be said, ‘To-day will we forget you as ye forgat the
1 The Qur’én,
224 THE Qur’An. XLV, 33-XLVI, 4.
meeting of this day of yours, and your resort shall be the fire, and ye shall have no helpers. That is because ye took the signs of God for a jest and the life of this world deceived you; wherefore to-day ye shall not be brought forth therefrom, neither shall ye be taken back into favour.’
[35] God’s then is the praise, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth, the Lord of the worlds! His is the grandeur in the heavens and the earth, and He is the mighty and the wise!
Tue CuHapTer oF Ex A‘HQAF!. (XLVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
His is the grandeur in the heavens and the earth, and He is the mighty and the wise!
Tue CuHapTer oF Ex A‘HQAF!. (XLVI. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
‘H.M. The revelation of the Book from God the mighty, the wise.
We have only created the heavens and the earth. and what is between the two in truth and for an appointed time; but those who misbelieve from being warned do turn aside.
Say, ‘ Have ye considered what ye call on beside God?’ Show me what they have created of the earth ? or have they share in the heavens ? Bring me a book before this’ or a vestige of knowledge, if ye do tell the truth !
But who is more in error than he who calls beside God on what will never answer him until the resurrection day and who are heedless of their calling,
1 Name of a tract of land in Si‘hr in Yemen.
XLVI, g-14.. THE CHAPTER OF EL A‘HQAF. 225
[5] and when men are gathered together are enemies of theirs and do deny their service ?
And when our evident signs are recited to them, those who misbelieve say of the truth when it comes to them, ‘ This is obvious magic.’
Or do they say, ‘He has forged it?’ Say, ‘If I have forged ye cannot obtain for me aught from God; He knows best what ye utter concerning it; He is witness enough between me and you, and He is the forgiving, the merciful.’
Say, ‘I am not an innovator among the apostles ; nor do I know what will be done with me or with you if I follow aught but what I am inspired with; nor am I aught but a plain warner.’
Say, ‘Have ye considered, if it is from God and ye have disbelieved therein, and a witness from the children of Israel testifies to the conformity of it, and he believes while ye are too big with pride? Verily, God guides not the unjust people.’
[10] And those who misbelieve say of those who believe, ‘If it had been good, they would not have been beforehand with us therein;’ and when they are not guided thereby, then will they say, ‘ This is an old-fashioned lie.’
But before it was the Book of Moses, a model and a mercy; and this is a book confirming it in Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong and as glad tidings to those who do well.
Verily, those who say, ‘Our Lord is God,’ and then keep straight, there is no fear for them, and they shall not be grieved. These are the fellows of Paradise to dwell therein for aye, a recompence for that which they have done.
We have prescribed for man kindness towards his
[9] Qp. 19 parents. His mother bore him with trouble and brought him forth with trouble; and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months; until, when he reaches puberty, and reaches forty years, he says, ‘Lord! stir me up that I may be thankful for thy favours wherewith thou hast favoured me and my parents ; and that I may do right to please Thee ; and make it right for me in my offspring; verily, I turn repentant unto Thee, and, verily, I am of those resigned.’
stir me up that I may be thankful for thy favours wherewith thou hast favoured me and my parents ; and that I may do right to please Thee ; and make it right for me in my offspring; verily, I turn repentant unto Thee, and, verily, I am of those resigned.’
{15] There are those from whom we accept the best of what they have done, and we pass over their offences—amongst the fellows of Paradise; the promise of truth which they have been promised.
But he who says to his parents, ‘Fie upon you! Do ye promise me that I shall be brought forth! when generations have passed away before me ?’—then shall they both cry to God for help. Woe to thee! Believe! Verily, the promise of God is true. Then says he, ‘ This is but old folks’ tales,’
There are those against whom the sentence was due amongst the nations who have passed away before them of ginns and men; verily, they have been the losers; and for all are degrees of what they have done, so that He may repay them their works, and they shall not be wronged.
And the day when those who misbelieve shall be exposed to the fire: ‘Ye made away with your good things in your worldly life, and ye enjoyed them; wherefore to-day shall ye be rewarded with the torment of disgrace, for that ye were big with
1 Le. from the grave.
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pride in the earth without the right, and for that ye did abomination.’
[20] Remember too the brother of ‘Ad! when he warned his people at El A‘hq4f,—though warners have passed away before him and after him,—‘ Serve not other than God; verily, I fear for you the torment of a mighty day!’
They said, ‘Hast thou come to us to turn us from our gods? then bring us what thou dost ‘threaten us with, if thou art of those who speak the truth!’ Said he, ‘ Knowledge is only with God: but I will preach to you that which I am sent with, though I see you are a people who are ignorant.’ And when they saw a traversing cloud approaching their valleys they said, ‘This is a cloud to give us rain.’ ‘Nay, but it is what ye sought to hasten on —a wind in which is grievous torment; it will destroy everything at the order of its Lord!’ And in the morning naught was seen save their dwellings. Thus do we reward the sinful people!
[25] We had established them in what we have established you?, and we made for them hearing a@and eyesight and hearts; but neither their hearing nor their eyesight nor their hearts availed them aught, since they did gainsay the signs of God, and that encompassed them whereat they had mocked.
And we destroyed the cities that are around you :—and we turned about the signs that haply they might return.
Why did not those help them, whom beside God they took for gods that could draw nigh to Him ? Nay! they strayed away from them; for that was their lie and what they had forged.
1 The prophet Hod. 3 T.e. the Meccans. Q2
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Why did not those help them, whom beside God they took for gods that could draw nigh to Him ? Nay! they strayed away from them; for that was their lie and what they had forged.
1 The prophet Hod. 3 T.e. the Meccans. Q2
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And when we turned towards thee some of the ginn listening to the Qur’4n’, and when they were present at (the reading of) it, they said, ‘ Be silent!’ and when it was over they turned back to their people, warning them.
Said they, ‘O our people! verily, we have heard a book sent down after Moses, verifying what came before it, guiding to the truth, and unto the right way. [30] O our people! respond to God's crier and believe in Him, and He will pardon you your sins and will deliver you from grievous woe.’
And whoso responds not to God’s crier shall not frustrate Him in the earth, and shall not have any patrons beside Him :—these are in obvious error!
Did they not see that God who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied with creating them, is able to quicken the dead ?—nay, verily, He is mighty over all!
And the day when those who misbelieve shall be exposed to the fire,—‘Is not this the truth ?’ they shall say, ‘Yea, by our Lord!’ He shall say, ‘Then taste the torment for that ye did misbelieve !’
Then do thou? be patient, as the apostles endowed with a purpose were patient, and hasten not on (their punishment), It shall be to them, on the day they see what they are threatened with, as though they [35] had tarried but an hour of the day. A preaching this! Shall any perish but the people who work abomination ?
1 See Introduction, p. xxx. 2 Addressed to Mohammed.
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Tue CuHartTer oF MoHAMMED, ALSO CALLED FIGHT. (XLVII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Those who misbelieve and turn folk from God's way, He will make their works go wrong. But those who believe and do right and believe in what is revealed to Mohammed,—and it is the truth from their Lord,—He will cover for them their offences and set right their mind.
That is because those who misbelieve follow falsehood, and those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does God set forth for men their parables.
And when ye meet those who misbelieve—then striking off heads until ye have massacred them, and bind fast the bonds!
[5] Then either a free grant (of liberty) or a ransom until the war shall have laid down its burdens. That!—but if God please He would conquer them—but (it is) that He may try some of you by the others. And those who are slain in God's cause, their works shall not go wrong ; He will guide them and set right their mind; and will make them enter into Paradise which He has told them of.
O ye who believe! if ye help God, He will help you, and will make firm your footsteps.
But as for those who misbelieve—confound them ! and He will make their works go wrong.
O ye who believe! if ye help God, He will help you, and will make firm your footsteps.
But as for those who misbelieve—confound them ! and He will make their works go wrong.
[10] That is because they were averse from what God has revealed ; but their works shall be void!
Have they not journeyed through the land andp. 18 seen how was the end of those before them? God destroyed them ; and for the misbelievers is the like thereof.
That is because God is the patron of those who believe, and because the misbelievers have no patron.
Verily, God causes those who believe and do right to enter into gardens beneath which rivers flow; but those who misbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as the cattle eat; but the fire is the resort for them!
How many a city, stronger than thy city which has driven thee out, have we destroyed, and there was none to help them!
[15] Is he who rests upon a manifest sign from his Lord like him, the evil of whose works is made seemly to him, and who follow their lusts ?
The similitude of Paradise which is promised to the pious,—in it are rivers of water without corruption, and rivers of milk, the taste whereof changes not, and rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of honey clarified; and there shall they have all kinds of fruit and forgiveness from their Lord! (Is that) like him who dwells in the fire for aye? and who are given to drink boiling water that shall rend their bowels asunder ? ;
Some of them there are who listen to thee, until when they go forth from thee they say to those who have been given the knowledge’, ‘What is this which” he says now ?’ These are those on whose hearts God has set a stamp and who follow their lusts.
1 To the more learned amongst the prophet’s companions, such as Ibn ‘Abbas,
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But those who are guided, He guides them the more, and gives them the due of their piety.
[20] Do they wait for aught but the Hour, that it should come to them suddenly? The conditions thereof have come already; how, when it has come on them, can they have their reminder ?
Know thou that there is no god but God; and ask pardon for thy sin and for the believers, men and women; for God knows your return and your resort !
Those who misbelieve say, ‘Why has not a stirah been revealed ?’? but when a decisive sfrah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, thou mayest see those in whose heart is sickness! looking towards thee with the look of one fainting in death. Preferable for them were obedience and a reasonable speech! But when the matter is determined on, then if they believed God it were better for them.
Would ye perhaps, if ye had turned back, have _ done evil in the land and severed the bonds of kinship ?
[25] It is these whom God has cursed, and has made them deaf, and has blinded their eyesight! Do they not peruse the Qur’4n ? or are there locks upon their hearts ?
Would ye perhaps, if ye had turned back, have _ done evil in the land and severed the bonds of kinship ?
[25] It is these whom God has cursed, and has made them deaf, and has blinded their eyesight! Do they not peruse the Qur’4n ? or are there locks upon their hearts ?
Verily, those who turn their backs after the guidance that has been manifested to them—Satan induces them, but (God) lets them go on for a time !
That is for that they say to those who are averse from what God has revealed, ‘We will obey you in
1 See Introduction, p. lxiii.
232 ‘THE Qur’AN, XLVII, 28-39.
part of the affair!’ but God knows their secrets! How will it be when the angels! take their souls, smiting their faces and their backs ?
[30] This is because they follow what angers God and are averse from His goodwill; and their works are void.
Do those in whose hearts is sickness reckon that God will not bring their malice forth ?
But did we please we would show thee them, and thou shouldst know them by their cognisances. But thou shalt known them by their distorting their speech, and God knows their works !
But we will try you until we know those among you who fight strenuously and the patient; and we will try the reports concerning you.
Verily, those who misbelieve and turn folks off God’s path, and break with the Apostle after the guidance that has been manifested to them, cannot harm God at all, and their works shall be void !
[35] O ye who believe! obey God, and obey the Apostle ; and make not your works vain.
Verily, those who misbelieve and turn folks off God’s path, and then die misbelievers, God will not pardon them. .
Then faint not, nor cry for peace while ye have the upper hand; for God is with you and will not cheat you of your works!
The life of this world is but a play and a sport; but if ye believe and fear God, He will give you your hire.
He does not ask you for (all) your property; if
? Munkir and Nakir ; see Introduction, p. Ixix.
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He were to ask you for it and to press you, ye would be niggardly, and he would bring your malice out.
[40] Here are ye called upon to expend in God’s cause, and among you are some who are niggardly; and he who is niggardly is but niggardly against his own soul: but God is rich and ye are poor, and if ye turn your backs He will substitute another people in your stead, then they will not be like you.
THe CHAPTER OF VICTORY. (XLVIII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Verily, we have given thee an obvious victory ! that God may pardon thee thy former and later sin, and may fulfil His favour upon thee, and guide thee in a right way, and that God may help thee with a mighty help.
(XLVIII. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Verily, we have given thee an obvious victory ! that God may pardon thee thy former and later sin, and may fulfil His favour upon thee, and guide thee in a right way, and that God may help thee with a mighty help.
It is He who sent down his shechina? into the hearts of the believers that they might have faith added to their faith ;—and God's are the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and God is knowing, wise—[5] to make the believers, men and women, enter into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for aye; and to cover for them their offences ; for that with God is a grand bliss: and
* Some of the commentators take this to mean sins committed by Mohammed before his call and after; others refer the word to the liaison with the Coptic handmaiden Mary, and to his marriage with Zainab the wife of his adopted son ZAid. See Introduction, pp. xxix and xl. °
3 Or tranquillity; see Part I, p. 38, note 2.
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to torment the hypocrites, men and women, and the idolaters, men and women, who think evil thoughts of God ;—over them is a turn of evil fortune, and God will be wrath with them and curse them, and has prepared for them hell, and an evil journey shall it be!
God’s are the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and God is mighty, wise!
Verily, we have sent thee as a witness, and a herald of glad tidings, and a warner ;—that ye may believe in God and His Apostle, and may aid Him and revere Him and celebrate His praises morning and evening !
[10] Verily, those who swear allegiance to thee do but swear allegiance to God ;—God’s hand is above their hands! and whoso perjures himself does but perjure himself against himself; but he who fulfils what he has covenanted with God, God shall bring him mighty hire.
The desert Arabs who were left behind! shall say, ‘Our wealth and our people occupied us ; ask pardon then for us!’—they speak with their tongues what is not in their hearts!
Say, ‘Who can control for you aught from God, if He wish you harm or wish you advantage?’ Nay, God of what ye do is well aware!
Nay, ye thought that the Apostle and the believers would not ever return again to their families; that was made seemly in your hearts! and ye thought evil thoughts, and ye were a corrupt people. |
1 Alluding to certain tribes who held aloof from the expedition of ‘Hudaibtyeh,
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Whoso believes not in God and His Apostle— we have prepared for the unbelievers a blaze!
God’s is the kingdom of the -heavens and of the earth. He pardons whom He pleases, and torments whom He pleases; and God is forgiving, merciful.
[15] Those who were left behind? shall say when ye have gone forth to spoils that ye may take, ‘ Let us follow you ;’ they wish to change God’s words. Say, ‘Ye shall by no means follow us; thus did God say before!’
[15] Those who were left behind? shall say when ye have gone forth to spoils that ye may take, ‘ Let us follow you ;’ they wish to change God’s words. Say, ‘Ye shall by no means follow us; thus did God say before!’
They will say,‘ Nay! but ye envy us!’ Nay! they did not understand save a little.
Say to those desert Arabs who were left behind, ‘Ye shall be called out against a people endowed with vehement valour’, and shall fight them or they shall become Muslims. And if ye obey, God will give you a good hire ; but if ye turn your backs, as ye turned your backs before, He will torment you with grievous woe!’
There is no compulsion on the blind, and no compulsion on the lame, and no compulsion on the sick, but whoso obeys God and His Apostle, He will make him enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoso turns his back He will torment with grievous woe.
God was well pleased with the believers when
1 In an expedition against the Jews of Khaibar, which Mohammed undertook shortly after his return from ‘Hudaibtyeh, and obtained considerable booty, which he shared only with those who had accompanied him on the previous occasion.
2 The followers of Musdilimah, Mohammed’s rival, and the tribes that had apostatized from Islam. Some think it refers to the Greeks and Persians.
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they did swear allegiance to thee beneath the tree’; and He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down His shechina? upon them and rewarded them with a victory nigh at hand 8, and many spoils for them to take; for God is mighty, wise!
[20] God promised you many spoils and hastened this on for you, and restrained men’s hands from you; and it may be a sign for the believers and guide you in a right way;—and other (spoils) which ye could not gain; but God has encompassed them ; ’ for God is mighty over all.
And had those who misbelieved fought you, they would have turned their backs; then they would have found neither patron nor helper!—God's course which has been followed before, and thou shalt find no change in the course of God!
He it was who restrained their hands from you, and your hands from them in the mid-valley of Mecca‘ after He had given you the victory over them ; for God on what ye do doth look!
[25] Those who misbelieved and turned (you) away from the Sacred Mosque, and (turned away) the offering, kept from arriving at its destined place®; and had it not been for believing men and believing women whom ye knew not, whom ye might have trampled on, and so a crime might have
1 At “Hudaibiyeh.
® See Part I, p. 38, note 2.
§ Either the success at Khaibar or the taking of Mecca.
« Alluding to the truce concluded at ‘Hudaibfyeh.
5 Mohammed having only set out with the intention of peaceably performing the pilgrimage, carried cattle with him to sacrifice in the valley of Mina, but was obliged by the Qur4is to turn back. See Introduction, pp. xxxix, xl.
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5 Mohammed having only set out with the intention of peaceably performing the pilgrimage, carried cattle with him to sacrifice in the valley of Mina, but was obliged by the Qur4is to turn back. See Introduction, pp. xxxix, xl.
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occurred to you on their account without your knowledge—that God may make whomsoever He pleases enter into His mercy. Had they been distinct from one another, we would have tormented those of them who misbelieved with grievous woe.
. When those who misbelieved put in their hearts pique—the pique of ignorance'—and God sent down His shechina upon His Apostle and upon the believers, and obliged them to keep to the word of piety”, and they were most worthy of it and most suited for it ; for God all things doth know.
God truly verified for His Apostle the vision * that ye shall verily enter the Sacred Mosque, if God please, in safety with shaven heads or cut hair, ye shall not fear; for He knows what ye know not, and He has set for you, beside that, a victory nigh at hand‘.
He it is who sent His Apostle with guidance
1 Suhail ibn ‘Amr, who concluded the truce with Mohammed at ‘Hudaibtyeh, objected to the formula ‘In the name of the merciful and compassionate God,’ with which the prophet ordered ‘Alt to commence the document, and insisted on the heathen formula ‘In Thy name, O God!’ He also refused to admit the words ‘Mohammed, the Apostle of God,’ saying, that if they had granted so much they would not have opposed him; the words ‘Mohammed the son of Abdallah’ were therefore substituted. These objections were so annoying to the Muslims, that it was with difficulty that Mohammed could restrain them from an immediate breach of the peace.
2 The Mohammedan profession of faith, ‘There is no god but God, and Mohammed His servant is the Apostle. Or it may be the initial formula which the unbelieving Meccans rejected.
® Mohammed dreamed that he would accomplish the pilgrimage to Mecca with all its rites; the affair at ‘Hudaibiyeh disappointed his followers, but in the following year it was fulfilled.
‘ Te. that of Khaibar.
238 THE QUR'AN, XLVIII, 28-XLIx, 2.
and the religion of truth to set it above all religion ; for God is witness enough !
Mohammed is the Apostle of God, and those who are with Him are vehement against the misbelievers, —compassionate amongst themselves; thou mayest see them bowing down, adoring, craving grace from God and His goodwill,—their marks are in their faces from the effects of adoration ;—that is their similitude in the law?! and their similitude in the gospel; as a seedling puts forth its sprouts and strengthens it, and grows stout, and straightens itself upon its stem, delighting the sower!—that the misbelievers may be angry at them;—God has promised those of them who believe and do right—forgiveness and a mighty hire.
‘THe CHAPTER OF THE INNER CHAMBERS. (XLIX. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
‘THe CHAPTER OF THE INNER CHAMBERS. (XLIX. Medinah.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
O ye who believe! do not anticipate God and His Apostle, but fear God; verily, God both hears and knows.
O ye who believe! raise not your voices above the voice of the prophet, and do not speak loud to him as ye speak loud to one another?, lest your works become vain, while ye do not perceive.
1 Or the Pentateuch.
2 Said to refer to a dispute between Abu Bekr and ‘Omar, in the course of which they came to high words in the presence of the prophet.
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Verily, those who lower their voice before the Apostle of God, they are those whose hearts God has proved for piety, for them is forgiveness and a mighty hire.
Verily, those who cry out to thee from behind the inner chambers!, most of them have no sense; [5] but did they wait until thou come out to them, it were better for them ;—but God is forgiving, merciful.
O ye who believe! if there come to you a sinner with an information, then discriminate, lest ye fall upon a people in ignorance and on the morrow repent of what ye have done?
And know that among you is the Apostle of God ; if he should obey you in many a matter ye would commit a sin?; God has made faith beloved by you, and has made it seemly in your hearts, and has made misbelief and iniquity and rebellion hateful to you.—These are the rightly directed—grace from God and favour! and God is knowing, wise.
And if the two parties of the believers quarrel‘,
1 Two of the Arabs wishing to speak with Mohammed when he was sleeping at noon in his hartm, cried out rudely to him, ‘Mohammed, come out to us!’ See p. 82.
® Al Walid ibn "Hugba was sent by Mohammed to collect the zak&t (see Introduction, p. Ixxiii) from the tribe of Mustaleq, with whom he had had a feud in the time preceding Islam. Seeing them coming out to meet him in large numbers, he grew apprehensive, and returned hastily with the information that the tribe had refused the tribute. Mohammed thereupon sent ‘Halfd ibn Walfd to reduce them by force, when it was found that the former messenger’s fears had been quite groundless.
3 I.e. ye would mislead him.
* Alluding to one of the frequent disputes between the tribes of Aus and ‘Hazrag at Medinah. See Introduction, p. xxxiv.
240 THE Qur’An. XLIX, 9-13.
then make peace between them; and if one of the twain outrages the other, then fight the party that has committed the outrage until it return to God’s bidding ; and if it do return then make peace between them with equity, and be just; verily, God loves the just.
[10] The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your two brethren and fear God, haply ye may obtain mercy!
[10] The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your two brethren and fear God, haply ye may obtain mercy!
O ye who believe! let not one class ridicule another whe are perchance better than they; nor let women ridicule other women who are perchance better than they; and do not defame each other, - nor call each other bad names—an ill name is iniquity after faith?!
O ye who believe! carefully avoid suspicion ; verily, some suspicion is a sin. And do not play the spy, nor backbite each other; would one of you like to eat his dead brother’s flesh >—why! ye would abhor it! then fear God; verily, God is relentant, compassionate.
O ye folk! verily, we have created you of male and female, and made you races and tribes that ye may know each other.
Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of God is the most pious of you; verily, God is knowing, aware !
1 Le. it is defamation to charge a person who has embraced the faith with iniquity. The passage is said to have been revealed on account of Zafiyah bint ‘Huy4i, one of the prophet’s wives, who complained to him that she had been taunted by the other women with her Jewish origin. Mohammed answered her, ‘Canst thou not say, “Aaron is my father, Moses my uncle, and Mohammed my husband?”’”’
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The desert Arabs say, ‘We believe.’ Say, ‘Ye do not believe; but say, “We have become Muslims ;” for the faith has not entered into your hearts : but if ye obey God and His Apostle He will not defraud you of your works at all: verily, God is forgiving, compassionate !’ .
[15] The believers are only those who believe in God and His Apostle, and then doubt not, but fight strenuously with their wealth and persons in God’s cause—these are the truth-tellers!
Say, ‘Will ye teach God your religion?’ when God knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and God all things doth know!
They deem that they oblige thee by becoming Muslims. Say, ‘Nay! deem not that ye oblige me by your becoming Muslims! God obliges you, by directing you to the faith, if ye do speak the truth!’
Verily, God knows the unseen things of the heavens and the earth, and God on what ye do doth look.
Tue CHAPTER oF Q. (L. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Q. By the glorious Qur’4n! nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from amongst themselves; and the misbelievers say, ‘This is a wondrous thing! What, when we are dead and have become dust ?—that is a remote return!’
We well know what the earth consumes of them, for with us is a book that keeps (account).
[9] R
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[5] Nay, they call the truth a lie when it comes to them, and they are in a confused affair 1.
_ Do not they behold the heaven above them, how we have built it and adorned it, and how it has no flaws ?
And the earth, we have stretched it out and thrown thereon firm mountains, and caused to grow thereon every beautiful kind.