3Āl ‘ImrānThe Family of ‘Imrānسُورَةُ آل عمران

Alif-Lām-Mīm [A-L-M].

Allah — there is no deity/authority save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of all being!

Step by step has He bestowed upon you [O Muhammad] from on high this divine Writ, setting forth the truth that confirms whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations]: for it is He who has bestowed from on high the Torah and the Gospel,

Aforetime, as a guidance to mankind, it is He who has bestowed [upon man] the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Behold, as for those who are bent on denying Allah’s manifestations [of authority and power in man’s affairs], grievous suffering awaits them, for Allah is honored, an avenger of evil.

Verily, nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah.

He it is who features you in the wombs as He wills. There is no deity/authority save Him, the Honored, the Truly Wise.

He it is who has bestowed upon you from on high this divine Writ, containing [phenomenal] āyāt: some of which are clear in and by themselves — and these are the essence of the divine Writ — as well as others that are tentative [and open to intellectual developmental considerations]. Those whose hearts are given to swerving from the truth go after that part of the divine Writ that has been expressed in tentative terms, seeking out [what is bound to create] confusion, and seeking [to arrive at] its final meaning [in an arbitrary manner]; but none save Allah knows its final meaning. So those who are deeply rooted in knowledge say, “We are committed to it; the whole [of the divine Writ] is from our Sustainer — albeit none takes this to heart save those who are endowed with insight.

“O our Sustainer! Let not our hearts swerve from the truth after You have guided us; and bestow upon us the gift of Your grace; verily, You are the [true] Giver of Gifts.

“O our Sustainer! Verily, You will gather mankind together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt; verily, Allah never fails to fulfill the promise [He made].”

Behold, as for those who are bent on denying the truth [concerning Allah’s power and authority], neither their worldly possessions nor their offspring will in the least avail them against Allah; and it is they, they who shall be the fuel of the Fire!

[To them shall happen] the like of what happened to Pharaoh’s inner circle and those who lived [like them] before them: they gave the lie to Our manifestations [of power and authority], and so Allah took them to task for their sins, for Allah is severe in retribution.

Say to those who are bent on denying the truth [of Allah’s power presence], “You shall be overcome and gathered into Hell — and how evil a resting-place!”

You have already had a manifestation [of Allah’s power presence] in the two hosts that met [in battle], one host fighting in Allah’s cause and the other denying Him; with their own eyes they saw the others as twice their own number, but Allah strengthens with His support whom He wills. In this, behold, there is indeed a lesson for all who have eyes to see.

Alluring to people is the enjoyment of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaped-up treasures of gold and silver, and impressive chargers of high mark, and cattle, and lands. All this amounts to an indulgence in the life of this world — but the most beauteous of all homecoming is with Allah.

Say, “Shall I tell you of better things than those [earthly joys]? For those who are on guard [concerning Allah’s power for justice] there are, with their Sustainer, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and spouses pure, and Allah’s goodly acceptance.” And Allah sees all that is in [the hearts of] His compliant servants —

Those who say, “O our Sustainer! Behold, we are committed [to you]; forgive us, then, our sins, and keep us safe from suffering through the fire,”

Those who are patient in trying times, and true to their word, and truly devout, and who spend [in Allah’s way], and pray for forgiveness from their deep nightly seclusions [with Allah].

Allah [Himself] offers evidence — and [so do] the angels and all who are endowed with knowledge — that there is no deity/authority save Him, the Upholder of social justice. There is no deity/authority save Him, the Grand, the Truly Wise.

Behold, the only [true] dīn [religion, law, ethical code, or way of life] in the sight of Allah is self-surrender unto Him; and those who were vouchsafed revelation aforetime took, out of mutual jealousy, to divergent views [on this point] only after knowledge [thereof] had come to them. But as for him who denies the truth of Allah’s manifestation [of power and authority], behold, Allah is swift in reckoning!

Thus, [O Prophet], if they argue with you, say, “I have surrendered my whole being to Allah, and [so have] all who follow me!” And ask those who have been vouchsafed revelation aforetime, as well as all people void of scripture, “Have you [too] surrendered yourselves unto Him?” And if they surrender themselves unto Him, they are on the right path; but if they turn away, behold, your duty is no more than to deliver the message: for Allah sees all that relates to the subordinates [people He created and brought into life].

Verily, as for those who deny the truth of Allah’s power manifestations, and slay the prophets against all right, and slay people who demand social justice, announce to them a painful affliction.

It is they whose works shall come to nothing both in this world and in the life to come; and they shall have none to support them.

Are you not aware of those who have been granted their share of revelation [aforetime]? They have been called upon to let Allah’s Writ be their law, and yet some of them turn away [from it] in their obstinacy,

Simply because they claim, “The Fire will most certainly not touch us for more than a limited number of days;” and thus the false beliefs they invented have [in time] caused them, in vain, to betray their faith.

How, then, [will they fare] when We shall gather them all together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt, when every living being shall be repaid in full for what he has done, and none shall be mistreated?

Say, “O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You grant dominion to whom You will, and you take away dominion from whom You will; and You honor whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your hand is all prosperity. Verily, You have the power to will anything.

“You make the night grow longer by shortening the day, and You make the day grow longer by shortening the night. And You bring forth the living out of that which is dead, and You bring forth the dead out of that which is alive. And You grant sustenance to whom You will, beyond all reckoning.”

Let not the committed muslims take those who deny the truth [about Allah’s power and authority] as their allies in preference to the committed muslims — since he who does this cuts himself off from Allah in everything — unless it be to protect your lives against them in this way. But Allah warns you to beware of Him, for with Allah is all journeys’ end.

Say, “Whether you conceal what is in your hearts or bring it into the open, Allah knows it: for He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and Allah has power to will anything.”

On the Day when every living being will find himself faced with all the good he has done, and with all the evil he has done, [many a one] will wish that there were a long span of time between himself and that [Day]. Hence, Allah warns you to beware of Him; but Allah is most compassionate toward the subjects [He created].

Say [O Prophet], “If you love Allah, follow me, [and] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is much-forgiving, very gracious.”

Say, “Pay heed unto Allah and the Apostle.” But if you turn away, then Allah does not love those who deny Him.

Behold, Allah raised [the status of] Adam, and Noah, and the House of Abraham, and the House of ‘Imrān above all mankind,

In one line of descent [they all came] one after another and Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing.

When a woman of [the House of] ‘Imrān prayed, “O my Sustainer! Behold, unto You do I vow [the child] that is in my womb, to be devoted to Your service. Accept it, then, from me: verily, You alone are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing!”

But when she had given birth to the child, she said, “O my Sustainer! Behold, I have given birth to a female” — the while Allah had been fully aware of what she would give birth to, and [fully aware] that no male child [she might have hoped for] could ever have been like this female — “and I have named her Maryam. And, verily, I seek Your protection for her and her offspring against Satan, the accursed.”

And thereupon her Sustainer accepted the girl-child with goodly acceptance, and caused her to grow up exceedingly well, and placed her in the care of Zakarīyā. Whenever Zakarīyā entered upon her in the sanctuary, he found her provided with food. He would ask, “O Maryam, how did this come to you?” She would answer, “It is from Allah; behold, Allah grants sustenance to whom He wills, beyond all reckoning.”

In that [surreal] self-same place, Zakarīyā prayed unto his Sustainer, saying, “O my Sustainer! Bestow upon me [too], out of Your grace, the gift of an excellent offspring; for You, indeed, are the Hearer of all prayer.”

Thereupon, as he stood praying in the sanctuary, the angels called out to him, “Allah sends you the glad tiding of [the birth of] Yaḥyā [John], who shall confirm the truth of a word from Allah, and [shall be] outstanding, and wholly chaste, and a prophet from among the righteous.”

[Zakarīyā] exclaimed, “O my Sustainer! How can I have a son when old age has already overtaken me, and my wife is barren?” Answered [the angel], “Thus it is: Allah does what He wills.”

[Zakarīyā] prayed, “O my Sustainer! Appoint a [wondrous] sign for me!” Said [the angel], “Your [wondrous] sign shall be that for three days you will not speak to people other than by gestures. And be conscious of your Sustainer unceasingly, and extol His limitless glory late in the day and early in the morning.”

And lo! The angels said, “O Maryam! Behold, Allah has selectively privileged you and made you pure, and raised you above all the women of the world.

“O Maryam! Remain you truly devout to your Sustainer, and prostrate yourself, and bow down with those who bow down [before Him].”

This is an account of something that was beyond the reach of your perception, We [now] reveal [it] to you [O Prophet]; for you were not with them when they drew lots [to decide] which of them should be Maryam’s guardian, and you were not with them when they contended [about it] with one another.

Lo! The angels said, “O Maryam! Behold, Allah sends you the glad tiding, through a word from Him, [of a son] who shall become known as the Messiah, Jesus, son of Maryam, held in great honor in this world and in the life to come, and [shall be] of those who are drawn near to Allah.

“And he shall speak to people in his cradle, and as a grown man, and shall be of the righteous.”

Said she, “O my Sustainer! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” [The angel] answered, “Thus it is. Allah creates what He wills — when He wills a thing to be, He but says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.

“And He will impart to your son revelation, and wisdom, and the Torah, and the Gospel,

“And [will make him] an apostle to the Children of Israel,” [saying to them], “I have come to you with a message from your Sustainer. I shall create for you out of clay, as it were, the shape of a bird, and then breathe into it, so that it might become a bird by Allah’s leave; and I shall heal the blind and the leper, and bring the dead back to life by Allah’s leave; and I shall let you know what you may eat and what you should store up in your houses. Behold, in all this there is indeed a message [of Allah’s power and authority] for you if you are truly committed [to Allah].

“And I have come to confirm the truth of whatever there still remains of the Torah and to make lawful to you some of the things that were forbidden to you. And I have come to you with an illustration [of power and authority] from your Sustainer; remain, then, conscious of Allah [in issues pertaining to power and authority], and pay heed to me.

“Verily, Allah is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so conform unto Him [alone]: this is a straight way [forward].”

And when ‘Īsā [Jesus] became aware of their refusal to acknowledge the truth [pertaining to Allah’s power and authority], he asked, “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s cause?” The disciples replied, “We shall be [your] helpers [in the cause] of Allah! We are committed to Allah, and bear you witness that we have surrendered ourselves unto Him!

“O our Sustainer! We affirm and commit what You have bestowed from on high, and we follow the apostle [‘Īsā]; make us one, then, with all who bear witness [to the truth]!”

And the deniers planned and schemed [against Jesus], but Allah had His plan: for Allah is the best of planners.

Lo! Allah said, “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause you to expire [from this time and place], and shall raise you unto Me, and cleanse you of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth [relating to My power and authority]. And I shall place those who follow you [far] above those who deny [such] truth all the way to the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were disposed to differ.

“And as for those who are bent on denying the truth [about My power and authority], I shall cause them to suffer a suffering severe in this world and in the life to come, and they shall have none to support them;

“Whereas to those who are committed [to Allah] and do good what is right and righteous He will grant their reward in full; for Allah does not love offenders.”

This message do We convey in an orderly manner to you [O Prophet], this awareness — full of wisdom.

Verily, in the sight of Allah, the analogy of Jesus is like the analogy of Adam, whom He created out of dust and then said to him, “Be,” and he is.

[This is] the truth from your Sustainer; be not, then, among the doubters!

And if anyone should argue with you about this [truth] after all the knowledge that has come to you, say, “Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves; and then let us pray [together] humbly and ardently, and let us invoke Allah’s curse upon those [of us] who are telling a lie.”

Behold, this is indeed the truth of the matter, and there is no deity/authority whatever save Allah; and verily, Allah — He alone — is the Grand, the Truly Wise.

And if they turn away [from this truth], behold, Allah has full knowledge of the spreaders of corruption.

Say, “O followers of earlier revelation! Come to that tenet we and you hold in common: that we shall conform unto none but Allah, and that we shall not ascribe divinity/authority to any beside Him, and that we shall not take human beings for our overlords beside Allah.” And if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves to Him.”

O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you argue about Abraham, seeing that the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until [long] after him? Will you not, then, use your reason?

Lo! You are the ones who would argue about that which is known to you; but why do you argue about something that is unknown to you? Yet Allah knows [it], whereas you do not know.

Abraham was neither a “Jew” nor a “Christian,” but was one who was independently disinclined [to falsehood], having surrendered himself to Allah; and he was not of those who ascribe divinity/authority to any beside Him.

Behold, the people who have the best claim to Abraham are surely those who follow him — as do this Prophet and all who are committed [to Him] — and Allah is the prime authority of the committed [muslims].

Some of the followers of earlier revelation would love to lead you astray; yet none do they lead astray but themselves, and they perceive it not.

O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you deny the truth of Allah’s [power] manifestations to which you yourselves bear witness?

O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you cloak the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth of which you are [so well] aware?

And some of the followers of earlier revelation say [to one another], “Declare your belief in what has been revealed to those who believe [in Muhammad] at the beginning of the day, and deny the truth of what came later, so that they might go back [on their faith];

“And do not [really] believe anyone who does not follow your own faith.” Say, “Behold, all [true] guidance is Allah’s guidance, consisting in one being granted [revelation] such as you have been granted.” Or would they contend against you before your Sustainer? Say, “Behold, all bounty is in the hand of Allah; He grants it to whom He wills, for Allah is infinite, all-knowing,

He singles out for His grace whom He wills. And Allah is limitless in His great bounty.

And among the followers of earlier revelation there is many a one who, if you entrust him with a treasure, will [faithfully] restore it to you; and there is among them many a one who, if you entrust him with a tiny gold coin, will not restore it to you unless you keep standing over him — which is an outcome of their assertion, “No blame can attach to us [for anything we may do] with regard to these goyim.” And [so] they tell a lie about Allah, being well aware [that it is a lie].

No, but [Allah is aware of] those who keep their bond with Him, and are conscious of Him [in His might and dominance], and, verily, Allah loves those who are aware and avert [the consequences of] His power presence.

Behold, [as for] those who barter away their bond with Allah and their own pledges for a trifling gain, they shall not partake of the blessings of the life to come; and Allah will neither speak to them nor look upon them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He raise their status [because of their sins]. And grievous suffering awaits them.

And, behold, there are indeed some among them who distort the Bible with their tongues, so as to make you think that [what they say] is from the Bible, although it is not from the Bible; and who say, “This is from Allah,” although it is not from Allah. And thus do they tell a lie about Allah, being well aware [that it is a lie].

It is not conceivable that a human being to whom Allah had granted revelation, and sound judgement, and prophethood, should thereafter have said to people, “Conform and worship me beside Allah;” but rather [he did exhort them], “Become of those who belong to the Lord by spreading the knowledge of the divine Writ, and by your own deep study [thereof].”

And nor did he bid you to take the angels and the prophets for your lords; [for] would he bid you to deny the truth [about Allah’s power and authority] after you have surrendered yourselves unto Allah?

And, lo, Allah accepted, through the prophets, this solemn pledge [from the followers of earlier revelation], “If, after all the revelation and the wisdom that I have vouchsafed to you, there comes to you an apostle confirming the truth already in your possession, you must commit to him and support him. Do you,” said He, “acknowledge and accept My bond on this condition?” They answered, “We do acknowledge it.” Said He, “Then bear witness [thereto], and I shall be your witness.

“And, henceforth, all who turn away [from this pledge] — it is they, they who are truly of a degenerate character!”

Do they seek, perchance, a dīn [law, ethical code] other than Allah’s, although it is unto Him that whatever is in the heavens and on earth surrenders itself, willingly or unwillingly, since unto Him all must return?

Say, “We are committed to Allah, and to that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, and to that which has been bestowed upon Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their [non-racist] descendants, and to that which has been vouchsafed by their Sustainer to Moses and Jesus and all the [other] prophets: we do not discriminate among them. And unto Him do we surrender ourselves.”

For, if one goes in search of a dīn other than self-surrender [unto Allah], it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the losers.

How would Allah bestow His guidance upon people who have resolved to deny the truth [coming from Allah] after having attained a covenant, and having borne witness that this Apostle is true, and [after] all evidence of the truth has come to them? For, Allah does not guide such evildoing folk.

Their requital shall be [condemnation and] rejection by Allah, and by the angels, and by all [righteous] people.

In this state shall they abide; [and] neither will their suffering be lightened, nor will they be granted respite.

But excepted shall be they who afterward repent and motivate themselves to make amends, for, behold, Allah is much-forgiving, always merciful.

Verily, as for those who are bent on denying [the God-given] truth after being committed to Allah, and then grow [ever more stubborn] in their refusal to acknowledge the [God-given] truth, their repentance [of other sins] shall not be accepted: for it is they who have truly gone astray.

Verily, as for those who are bent on denying the truth [revealed by Allah] and die as deniers of that truth, not all the gold on earth could ever be their ransom. It is they for whom grievous suffering is in store; and they shall have none to support them.

[But as for you, who are committed to Allah], never shall you attain to true virtue unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend — verily, Allah has full knowledge thereof.1

All food was allowed [by Allah] to the Children of Israel, save what Israel [Ya‘qūb] made prohibited for them [by their sinning] before the Torah was bestowed from on high.2 Say, “Come forward, then, with the Torah and recite it, if what you say is true!”

And all who henceforth invent lies about Allah, it is they, they who are offenders!

Say, “Allah has spoken the truth: follow, then, the millah [world-course and worldview] of Ibrāhīm, who was not of the mushriks.”

Behold, the first House [for honoring Allah] ever set up for mankind was indeed the one at Bakkah: rich in blessing, and a [source of] guidance for all the worlds.

In it there are clear illustrations [of Allah’s power and authority]; the place whereon Ibrāhīm once stood; and whoever enters it is in safe hands. Hence pilgrimage to the House [of holiness] is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to undertake it. And as for those who deny [Allah] — verily, Allah does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds.

Say, “O followers of earlier scripture! Why do you refuse to acknowledge the truth of Allah’s [power] manifestations, when Allah is witness to all that you do?”

Say, “O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you [endeavor to] bar those who have come to commit [to this divine Writ] from the path of Allah by trying to make it appear crooked, when you yourselves bear witness [to its being straight]? For, Allah is not unaware of what you do.”

O you who are securely committed [to Allah]! If you pay heed to some of those to whom revelation was vouchsafed aforetime, they might cause you to renounce the truth [about Allah’s power and authority] after you have come to commit [to it].

And how could you deny the truth [about Allah’s power and authority] when it is to you that Allah’s āyāt are being [steadily] conveyed, and it is in your midst that His Apostle lives? But he who holds fast unto Allah has already been guided onto a straight way.

O you who have become securely committed [to Allah]! Be overcautious of Allah [and His retribution] as is due to Him, and do not allow death to overtake you before you have surrendered yourselves unto Him.

And hold fast, all together, to the bond with Allah, and do not draw apart from one another. And be conscious of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you: how, when you were enemies, He brought your hearts together, so that through His blessing you became brethren; and [how, when] you were on the brink of a fiery abyss, He saved you from it. In this way Allah makes clear His messages [of authority and power] to you, so that you might find guidance.

And let there be from among you a consolidated effort [of people] who call [other people] to prosperity, and to implement [and legitimize] that which is self-evidently right, and forbid [and delegitimize] what is self-evidently wrong: and it is they, they who shall be successful!

And be not like those who have drawn apart from one another and have taken to conflicting views after all evidence of the truth has come to them; these are the ones for whom tremendous suffering is in store on the Day [of Judgement],

When some faces will shine [with happiness] and some faces will be dark [with grief]. And as for those with faces darkened, [they shall be told], “Did you deny the truth [about Allah’s power and authority] after being committed to Allah? Taste, then, this suffering for denying [such] truth!”

But as for those with faces shining, they shall be within Allah’s grace, therein to abide.

These are Allah’s āyāt. We convey them to you, setting forth the truth, since Allah wills no wrong be done to His creation.

And unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and all issues [in life] go back to Allah [as their source].

You are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for humanity [for its well-being]: you require [and authorize] the doing of the common good and you disallow [and interdict] the common wrong, and you are committed to Allah. Now if the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] divine commitment, it would have been for their own good; [but only few] among them are such committed believers, while most of them are degenerate [in character].

[But] these [types of “Jews” and “Christians”] can never inflict more than a passing hurt on you; and if they fight against you, they will turn their backs upon you [in flight], and will not be triumphant.

Overshadowed by ignominy are they wherever they may be, save [when they bind themselves again] in a bond with Allah and a bond with people; for they have earned the burden of Allah’s condemnation, and are overshadowed by humiliation; all this [has befallen them] because they persisted in denying the truth of Allah’s āyāt and in slaying the prophets against all truth and justice: all this, because they rebelled [against Allah], and persisted in [their behavior of] aggression.

[But] they are not all alike: among the followers of earlier revelation there are upright people, who [methodically] follow Allah’s āyāt throughout the night, and prostrate themselves [before Him in reverence].

They are committed to Allah and the Last Day, and legalize, legitimize, and sanction the ma‘rūf and make illegal, illegitimate, and prohibited the munkar, and vie with one another in doing good works: and these are among the righteous.

And whatever good they do, they shall never be denied the reward thereof, for Allah has full knowledge of those who are cautious [of His power punishment].

[But], behold, as for those who are bent on denying the truth [of Allah’s power presence], neither their worldly possessions nor their children will in the least avail them against Allah, and it is they who are destined for the Fire, therein to abide.

The parable of what they spend on the life of this world is that of an icy wind, which smites the agriculture of people who have sinned against themselves, and destroys it; for it is not Allah who does them wrong, but it is they who are wronging themselves.

O you who have committed [to Allah]! [When it comes to political relations] do not take for your bosom friends people who are not of your commitment-quality. They spare no effort to corrupt you; they would love to see you in distress. Vehement hatred has already come into the open from out of their mouths, but what their hearts conceal is yet of a more serious magnitude. We have indeed made the āyāt [thereof] clear to you, if you would but use your reason.

Lo! It is you who [are prepared to] love them, but they will not love you, although you have trust in all of the revelation. And when they meet you, they assert, “We believe [as you believe];” but when they find themselves alone, they gnaw their fingers in rage against you. Say, “Perish in your rage! Behold, Allah has full knowledge of what is [concealed] in the hearts!”

If good fortune comes to you, it grieves them; and if evil befalls you, they rejoice in it. But if you are patient in times of hardship and consciously cautious [of Allah’s power], their guile cannot harm you at all, for verily Allah encompasses [with His might] all that they do.

And [remember, O Prophet, the day] when you [in an active manner] set out from your home at early morning time to position the committed muslims in battle formation. And Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing.

As two groups from among you [the committed muslims] were about to lose heart, although Allah was near to them and it is in Allah that the committed muslims must place their trust:

For, indeed, Allah did [militarily] support you at [the Battle of] Badr, when you were utterly weak. Remain, then, careful [when interacting] with Allah, so that you may have cause to be grateful.

[And remember] when you did say to the committed muslims, “Is it not enough for you [to know] that your Sustainer will aid you with three thousand angels sent down [from on high]?

“No, but if you are patient in times of warfare and careful [when interacting] with Allah [and His power], and the enemy should fall upon you all of a sudden, your Sustainer will aid you with five thousand featured angels [swooping down]!”

And Allah ordained this [to be said by His Apostle] only as a good news for you, and that your hearts should thereby be set at rest — since no support can come from any save Allah, the Majestic, the Truly Wise —

[And] that [through you] He might destroy some of those who were bent on denying the truth [pertaining to Allah’s power], and so abase the others that they would withdraw in complete hopelessness.

[And] it is not within your scope [O Prophet] to decide whether He shall accept their repentance or chastise them; for, behold, they are but offenders [against justice],

Whereas to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth: He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills; and Allah is much-forgiving, fantastically gracious.

O you who are [securely] committed to Allah! Do not gorge yourselves on ribā [usury], doubling and re-doubling it; but remain on your guard concerning Allah [His power-payback], so that you might be successful;

And avoid the Fire that awaits those who are deniers [of Allah and His power]!

And obey Allah and His Apostle, so that you might be graced with mercy.

And vie with one another to attain to your Sustainer’s forgiveness and to a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for those who are [actively] on guard concerning Allah [and His retributive power];

Who spend [in His way] in times of plenty and in times of hardship, and hold in check their anger, and pardon their fellow human beings because Allah loves the doers of good;

And who, when they have committed a shameful act or have [otherwise] offended themselves, consciously remember Allah and pray that their sins be forgiven — for who but Allah can forgive sins — and do not knowingly persist in doing whatever [wrong] they may have done.

These it is who shall have as their reward forgiveness from their Sustainer, and gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: and how excellent a reward for those who labor!

[Many] social laws have preceded you in time. Go, then, into [the territories of] the world and behold what happened in the end to those who falsified [the truth];

This [should be] a clear lesson for all people, and a guidance and a word of advice to those who are [on guard and] conscious of Allah’s power.

Be not, then, discouraged, and grieve not: for you are [bound to rise] superior if you are [truly] committed to Allah.

If injury befalls you, [know that] similar injury has befallen [other] people as well; for it is by cycles that We apportion to people such days [of fortune and misfortune]: and [this] for Allah’s purpose of distinguishing those who have [in fact] committed themselves to Him, and to select from among you such as [with their lives] bear witness to the truth — since Allah does not love offenders —

And that Allah might purge of all impurity those who have committed themselves to Allah, and bring to nothing those who deny Him [and His power].

Do you reckon that you will enter Paradise while Allah has yet to verify your struggle [in His cause], and to verify your patience during trying times?

For, indeed, you did long for death [in Allah’s cause] before you came face to face with it, and now you have seen it with your own eyes!

But Muhammad is only a messenger who was preceded by [other] messengers [who also passed away]; so if he dies or is killed will you retreat and fall back? And whoever does so shall not in the least do harm to Allah [but rather to himself], and Allah will make compensations for those who are thankful.

And no living being can die save by Allah’s leave, at a term preordained. And if one desires the rewards of this world, We shall grant him thereof; and if one desires the rewards of the life to come, We shall grant him thereof; and We shall requite those who are grateful [to Us].

And how many a prophet has had to fight [in Allah’s cause], followed by many who are God-devoted; and they did not become faint of heart for all that they had to suffer in Allah’s cause, and neither did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves [before the enemy], since Allah loves those who are patient in difficult times;

And all they said was this, “O our Sustainer! Forgive us our sins and the lack of moderation in our doings! And make firm our steps, and support us against people who deny You [Your power]!”

Whereupon Allah granted them the rewards of this world, as well as the goodliest rewards of the life to come: for Allah loves the doers of good.

O you who are secure in your commitment [to Allah]! If you give way to the deniers [of Allah] by taking orders from them, they will cause you to backtrack on your heels, and you will become failures.

No. But Allah is your Supreme Sustainer, and His is the best support.

Into the hearts of those who are [hell-] bent on rejecting Allah [and His power status] We shall cast terror in return for their imputing authority and divinity, side by side with Allah, to other beings — [something] for which He has never given any warrant from on high; and their destination is the Fire — and how evil that domicile is for oppressors!

And, indeed, Allah made good His promise to you when by His consent, you were about to destroy your foes — until the moment when you lost heart and jointly acted contrary to the [Prophet’s] command, and disobeyed after He had brought you within view of that [victory] for which you were longing. There were among you such as cared for this world [alone], just as there were among you such as cared for the life to come; whereupon, in order that He might put you to a test, He prevented you from defeating your foes. But now He has effaced your sin, for Allah is limitless in His bounty to those who are committed to Him [and His expression of power].

[Remember the time] when you fled, paying no heed to anyone, while behind you the Apostle was calling out to you; wherefore He requited you with agony in return for [the Apostle’s] agony, so that you should not be grieved [merely] over what had escaped you, nor over what had befallen you: for Allah is aware of all that you do.

Then, after this agony, He sent down upon you a sense of security, a restorative rest that misted some of you, while others, who cared mainly for themselves, entertained doubting thoughts about Allah — thoughts [reminiscent] of the age of idiocracy (jāhilīyah) — saying, “Did we, then, have any power of decision [in this matter]?” Say, “Indeed, all power of [ultimate] decision does rest with Allah;” [but as for them], they are trying to conceal within themselves that [failing of commitment], which they would not reveal to you, [O Prophet, by] saying, “If we had any power of decision, we would not have left so many dead [individuals] behind.” Say [to them], “Even if you had remained in [the apparent security of] your homes, those [of you] whose death had been ordained would indeed have gone forth to the places where they were destined to lie down.” And [all this befell you] so that Allah might put to a test all that you cloak in your bosoms, and render your innermost hearts pure of all dross, for Allah is aware of what is [concealed] in the hearts.

Behold, as for those who abandoned [their military duties] on the day when the two armies met in battle, Satan caused them to slip only by means of something they [themselves] had done. But now Allah has forgiven them; verily, Allah is much-forgiving, forbearing.

O you who are securely committed to Allah! Be not like those who reject Allah [and His power in man’s military affairs] and say of their brethren [who die] after they set out on a journey to faraway places or go forth to war, “Had they but remained with us, they would not have died,” or “They would not have been killed;” for Allah will cause such thoughts to become a source of bitter regret in their hearts, since it is Allah who grants life and deals death. And Allah watches all that you do.

And if indeed you are killed in Allah’s cause or die, then surely forgiveness from Allah and His mercy are better than all that one could hoard [in this world];

For, indeed, if you die or are killed, it will surely be to Allah that you shall be gathered.

And it was by Allah’s grace that you [O Prophet] dealt gently with your adherents, for if you had been harsh and hard of heart, they would indeed have broken away from you. Pardon them, then, and pray that they be forgiven. And take counsel with them in all matters of public concern; then, when you have decided upon a course of action, place your trust in Allah, for, of a certainty, Allah loves those who place their trust in Him.

If Allah supports you, none can ever overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who could support you thenceforth? In Allah, then, let the committed muslims place their trust.

And it is not conceivable that a prophet could be underhanded [in military allocations or in anything else], since he who deceives shall be faced with his deceit on the Day of Resurrection, when every human being shall be repaid in full for whatever he has done, and none shall be wronged [by any injustice].

Is then he who strives after Allah’s goodly acceptance like the one who has earned Allah’s condemnation and whose accommodation is Hell? And how vile a journey’s end!

They are on [entirely] different levels in the sight of Allah; for Allah sees all that they do.

Indeed, Allah bestowed a favor upon the committed muslims when He raised up in their midst an apostle from among themselves, to methodically convey His messages to them, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart to them the divine Writ as well as wisdom — whereas before that they were indeed, most obviously, lost in error.

And do you, now that a disaster has befallen you after you had inflicted twice as much [on your foes], ask yourselves, “How did this happen?” Say, “It has happened because of your own selves.” Verily, Allah has the power to will anything.

And all that befell you on the day when the two military forces met in battle happened by Allah’s leave, so that He would mark out [for you] those who were securely committed [to Allah],

And so that [He] would mark out those who were tainted with dual allegiances and, when they were told, “Come, fight in Allah’s cause” or “Defend yourselves,” they answered, “If we had known [that it would come to a] fight, we would have indeed followed you.” They were closer to denying Allah [His power], on that day, than they were to affirming Him [His power], uttering with their mouths something that was not in their hearts, the while Allah knew full well what they were trying to hide,

They who, holding themselves back [from fighting, later] said of their [fallen] brethren, “Had they but paid heed to us, they would not have been killed.” Say, “Then avert death from yourselves, if what you say is true!”

But do not think of those who have been killed in Allah’s cause as dead. No, they are alive! With their Sustainer do they have sustenance,

Exulting in [the martyrdom] that Allah bestowed upon them out of His bounty. And they rejoice in the glad tiding given to those [of their brothers] who have been left behind and have not yet joined them, that no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve;

They rejoice in the glad tiding of Allah’s blessings and bounty, and [in the promise] that Allah will not fail to requite the committed muslims,

Who responded to the call of Allah and the Apostle after misfortune had befallen them. A magnificent requital awaits those of them who have persevered in doing good and remained on their defense [against Allah’s power to punish];

Those who have been warned by other people, “Behold, a horde has gathered against you; so beware of them [the horde],” whereupon this [intimidation] only increased their [the devoted muslims] commitment, so that they answered, “Allah is enough for us; and how excellent a guardian is He!”

And [they] returned [from the battle] with Allah’s blessings and bounty, remaining untouched by evil, for they had striven after Allah’s goodly acceptance — and Allah is limitless in His great bounty.

Certainly, it is but Satan who instills [into you] fear of his allies, so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [genuinely] committed [to Me and appreciate what My power means to you]!

And do not be saddened by those who compete with one another in denying Allah [His power]; verily, they can in no way harm Allah. It is Allah’s will that they shall have no share in the [blessings of the] life to come; and immense suffering awaits them.

Indeed, they who have bought God-denial in exchange for God-adherence can in no wise way harm Allah; in the meantime torturous suffering awaits them.

And they should not think — they who are bent on denying Allah’s power — that Our giving them rein [in this world] is good for them. We give them rein only to let them grow in [self-inflicted] sinfulness; and shameful suffering awaits them.

It is not Allah’s will [O you who deny His power] to abandon the committed muslims to your way of life; [and] to that end He will set apart the malevolent from the benevolent. And it is not Allah’s will to give you insight into that which is beyond the reach of human perception; but [to that end] Allah elects whomsoever He wills from among His apostles. Commit, then, to Allah and His apostles; for if you commit and guard against Allah’s power [for justice], a magnificent requital awaits you.

And they should not think — they who niggardly cling to all that Allah has granted them out of His bounty — that this is good for them; no, it is bad for them. That to which they [so] niggardly cling will, on the Day of Resurrection, be hung about their necks. For unto Allah [alone] belongs the heritage of the heavens and of the earth; and Allah is aware of all you do.

Allah has indeed heard the saying of those who said, “Behold, Allah is poor while we are rich!” We shall record what they have said, as well as their slaying of prophets against all right, and We shall say [to them on Judgement Day], “Taste suffering through fire,”

In return for what your own hands have wrought; for never does Allah do the least wrong to His creatures!

As for those who maintain, “Behold, Allah has bidden us not to believe in any apostle unless he comes to us with burnt offerings.” Say [to them, O Prophet], “Even before me there came to you apostles with all evidence of the truth, and with that whereof you speak; why, then, did you kill them, if what you say is true?”

And if they claim you [Muhammad] are lying — even so, before your time, have [other] apostles been given the lie when they came with all evidence of the truth, and with books of divine wisdom, and with light-giving revelation.

Every living being is bound to taste death. But only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] — whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the Fire and brought into Paradise will indeed have gained a triumph; for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.

You shall most certainly be tried in your possessions and in your persons; and indeed you shall hear many hurtful things from those to whom revelation was granted before your time, as well as from those who have come to ascribe divinity/authority to other beings beside Allah. But if you remain patient in trying times and conscious of Him [as the only real power there is] — this, behold, is one of the most demanding tasks.

And lo, Allah accepted a solemn pledge from those who were granted earlier revelation [when He bade them], “Make it known to mankind, and do not conceal it!” But they cast this [pledge] behind their backs, and bartered it away for a trifling gain; and how evil was their bargain!

Think not that those who exult in what they have thus contrived, and who live to be praised for what they have not done — think not that they will escape suffering; for grievous suffering does await them [in the life to come].

And to Allah belongs the dominion over the heavens and the earth; and Allah has the power to will anything.

Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages [of Allah’s power and authority] for all who are endowed with insight,

[And] who conscientiously remember Allah when they are active, and when they are stationary, and when they are resting, and [thus] reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, “O our Sustainer! You have not created [any of] this without meaning and purpose. Limitless are You in Your glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire!

“O our Sustainer! Whomsoever You shall commit to the Fire, him, verily, will You have brought to disgrace; and such evildoers will have none to support them.

“O our Sustainer! Behold, we heard a voice call [us] to a commitment of faith, ‘Commit to your Sustainer!’ And so we came to confirm [our commitment]. O our Sustainer! Forgive us, then, our sins, and efface our bad deeds; and let us die the death of the truly virtuous!

“And, O our Sustainer, grant us that which You have promised us through Your apostles, and disgrace us not on Resurrection Day! Verily, You never fail to fulfill Your promise!”

And thus does their Sustainer answer their prayer, “I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors, be it male or female: each of you is an issue of the other. Hence, as for those who forsake the domain of evil, and are driven from their homelands, and suffer hurt in My cause, and fight [for it], and are slain, I shall most certainly efface their bad deeds, and shall most certainly bring them into gardens through which running waters flow, as a reward from Allah; for with Allah is the most beauteous of rewards.”

Let it not deceive you that those who are bent on denying the truth [about Allah’s presence in world affairs] seem to be able to do as they please on earth;

It is [but] a brief enjoyment, with Hell thereafter as their destination — and how vile a resting-place!

Whereas those who remain on guard concerning their Sustainer [and His power in human affairs] shall have gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: a ready welcome from Allah. And that which is with Allah is best for the truly virtuous.

And, behold, among the followers of earlier revelation there are indeed such as [truly] commit to Allah, and to that which has been bestowed from on high upon you as well as to that which has been bestowed upon them. Standing in [emotional] awe of Allah, they do not barter away Allah’s messages for a trifling gain. They shall have their reward with their Sustainer — for, behold, Allah is swift in reckoning.

O you who are committed to Allah! Persevere and reinforce each other’s patience, and be ever ready [for military duties], and remain on guard [concerning Allah’s power], so that you might become successful!