2. Al-Baqarah/The Cow

I/We begin by the Blessed Name of Allah

The Immensely Merciful to all, The Infinitely Compassionate to everyone.

02:01
a. Alif. Lam. Mim.

02:02
This Qur’an is the awaited Divine Book.
Let there be no doubt in that this is the Absolute Word of Allah in Arabic and no one can ever change it.
This is a manifesto that provides guidance for those who endeavor to shape their lives as well as their social behavior in a manner that seeks Allah’s Pleasure: the ever Allah- reverent.

02:03
They are the people who
believe in whatever is beyond their senses and perception, and
establish the Salat /Prayers and
spend a good part of their wealth which WE have favored them with in the Cause of Allah, human development, and community welfare.

02:04
And they also believe in that which is being sent down on to you O The Prophet,
and all Divine Scriptures that were sent down before you on to the earlier Prophets and
they firmly believe in the All-embracing concept of the Hereafter and its correlatives.

02:05
Thus, it is they who are living by the Guidance from their Rabb - The Lord.
And it is also they who are going to be successful.

02:06
Surely those who willfully deny and belie the truth of these beliefs despite your advocacy,
it is a matter of gross indifference to them whether you warn them of the consequences of disbelief or do not warn them, they are not going to believe.

02:07
Allah has set a seal upon
their hearts, and
their hearing, and
over their intellectual vision is a veil of darkness of ignorance.
And, for them will be enormous suffering in the Hereafter.

02:08
And among the people are some who say:
‘We believe in Allah - The One and Only God, and in the Last Hour, while in reality they do no t believe.’

02:09
By saying so they seek to deceive Allah and those who believe,
yet they deceive no one but themselves - though they do not realize it.

02:10
In fact, there is sickness of doubt and hypocrisy in their hearts about The Qur’an.
So Allah lets their sickness grow.
And for them will be a grievous punishment for having denied and belied the Truth.

02:11
And whenever they are told by the believers to promote good and forbid evil, and,
not to create and spread disorder in the world by hindering Muslims from their Religion and its Correlatives.
They retort:
We are not engaging in any such activity.
‘In fact, we are only trying to make it better.’

02:12
Is it not a fact that it is they who are the trouble makers,
and they do not realize it!?

02:13
Whenever they are told to believe as the believing people believe,
they sneer:
‘Should we believe as the naïve believe?’
Is it, not a fact that it is they who are the naïve, even though they do not realize it!?

02:14
And whenever they meet those who believe, they affirm hypocritically:
‘We believe’ deep in our hearts just as you believe.
But when they are in privacy with their satans,
they would say:
‘In reality, we are with you.
We were only joking’ with them.

02:15
But Allah will rebound their jokes upon them,
and leave them to sink deeper into evil of disbelief,
and wander blindly in their insolent transgression in the world.

02:16
It is they who have bartered Guidance for misguidance.
Thus they have neither gained from this deal nor have they been guided aright.

02:17
Their likeness is like the likeness of the one who lighted a fire in the darkness,

and when its glow illuminated the surroundings, at that very moment Allah took away their light,
leaving them lost in darkness - unable to see at all: confused as to the way and in fear.

02:18
They are utterly
- deaf to the truth,
dumb - unable to speak of it, and
blind to The Path of Guidance, and
they will never revert from misguidance to Guidance.

02:19
Or, the likeness of them is as a rain storm from the sky, in it arelayers over layers of
darkness and stunning noises of thunder and the flash of lightning.
Terrified by the thunder, they thrust their fingers into their ears from stunning noises,
fearful of the death.
But Allah surrounds the disbelievers from all sides.

02:20
The lightning almost takes away their eyesight.
Whenever it flashes for them, they walk in its flare.
And whenever darkness covers them again, they stop and stand still.
And if Allah so wanted, HE could have taken away their hearing and their eyesight -
for indeed Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.

02:21
O The People!
Submit to your Rabb - The Lord - in worship, reverence, and awe -
WHO created you as well as those before you from the time of Adam and Eve from nothingness.
So that you may remain mindful of HIS Obedience.

02:22
HE made the terrestrial world a habitat for you, and the celestial realm raised high above you like a canopy.
And HE sends down rain water from the sky clouds, and through it, HE brings out all kinds of fruitful sustenance for you.
So do not ascribe other entities of worship to Allah, especially when you know that HE alone is your Rabb - The Lord.
02:23
And if you doubt the authenticity of what WE have sent down – The Qur’an - onto OUR Servant Muhammad, and consider it authored by him,
then you are challenged to compose even one single Surah the like of it,
while calling upon your supporters from amongst the human and jinn, other than Allah, if you are truthful.

02:24
But if you do not do that because you are incapable, as most certainly you never will be able to do so,
then beware of the punishment in Fire whose fuel will be the disbelieving people and stones.

It would be prepared especially for the disbelievers and hypocrites.

02:25
And give the good news to those who:
believe, and
practice righteousness,
of the Paradise and streams flowing by.
And where, every time they are provided fruitful provisions from it, they will say:
‘These look just like we had before’ in our life at the terrestrial world - so like in semblance the provisions would be!
And there they will be joined by spouses, eternally purified,
and they will live therein - never to leave, never to perish.

02:26
Indeed, Allah does not hesitate from citing the parable of something as small as a mosquito/
small flies, or something even smaller.
As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Rabb - The Lord.
But as for those who disbelieve, they will say:
‘What can Allah possibly mean by this parable?’
Thereby HE causes many to astray from the truth on account of their disbelieving in it,
and many HE guides through it.
However, HE does not let anyone be confused by them, except the defiantly disobedient.

02:27
Those who break Allah’s Covenant after ratifying it,
and sever oaths and kinsfolk relations what Allah commanded to be joined together,
and spread anarchy in the world by persecuting people for their Faith.
It is they who will be the losers.

02:28
How can you deny the truth and reality of Allah,
when you were lifeless semen in the loins of your fathers, HE gave you life in the wombs of your mothers and delivered you alive?
Then, HE is going to make you die when your lifespan completes, and then bring you back to life once more upon the Resurrection,
then to HIM you are going to go back for judgment and awards.

02:29
It is HE, WHO created for your benefit all that is within the terrestrial world,
then turning toward the celestial realm, HE proportioned seven layers of skies - one above the other.
And HE is the All-Knowing of everything.

02:30
And when your Rabb - The Lord apprised the angels:
‘I am going to create a human being from earth and place him as a caretaker on the earth.’
Surprised - they asked:
‘Will you create and place there someone who is going to cause chaos and disorder through Your disobedience, commit sins and shed blood, while we glorify YOU with YOUR Praise and sanctify YOU?’
HE answered them:
‘In fact, I know what you do not know.’

02:31
Thereafter, HE brought Adam into being, and
HE taught Adam the names, nature, descriptions, and reality of everything.
And then HE presented them before the angels, and told them in reproach:
‘Now tell ME the names/descriptions of all these things, if you are certain’ of your claim.

02:32
They submitted:
‘YOU are Exalted in YOUR Glory!
We have no knowledge of these except for what YOU have already taught us.
Indeed, it is YOU, YOU are the All-Knowing of us and of them, and the All-Wise regarding our matters and theirs.’

02:33
Then, HE said to Adam:
‘O Adam!
Tell them the names/descriptions of these’ things.
So when he had informed them of their names/descriptions,
HE - Allah - said to the angels in rebuke:
‘Did I not tell you that I am Fully Aware of what is beyond your perception within the celestial realm, and the terrestrial world, and
that I am also Fully Aware of what you disclose and what you hide?’

02:34
And remind them of the time when WE commanded the angels:
‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam!’
And they all prostrated, except for Iblees.
He refused in his arrogant pride.
Thus, he became of the first disbeliever in having refused to comply with Allah’s Command.

02:35
And thereupon WE said to Adam:
‘O Adam!
Inhabit the Paradise - you and your spouse Eve.
And eat freely of whatever you both wish without restrictions.
Nevertheless, do not approach this one tree and eat of it, lest you both become of those who are unfair’ to themselves.

02:36
However, Satan, /Iblees, tempted them both - Adam and Eve - to slip out of it.
And thus caused them to be expelled from the happy state they were in.
So then, WE ordered Adam and Eve:
‘Get down from here!
Some of you will be enemies to others - Satan vs Adam and Eve.
The earth will be a habitation for you, and a livelihood for a time ordained.

02:37
Mindful of their lapse, remorseful, and hopeful of retrieving their sinful error,
Adam learned words of repentance from his Rabb - The Lord with which he pleaded for HIS mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
In return, HE accepted his repentance.

Truly, it is HE, HE alone WHO is the Accepter of Repentance, and The Ever-Compassionate
towards those who repent.

02:38
So WE ordered Adam, Eve, and Satan:
‘Get down, all of you, from here.
So whenever Guidance comes to you from ME through scripture and a messenger,
then whoever would follow MY Guidance -
they will have nothing to fear, nor will they regret for they will always find MY help and
support at hand.

02:39
But whoever would deny and belie OUR Revelations/Guidance, the Scripture and the Messenger,
they will become People of the Fire,
wherein they are going to remain - never to leave, never to perish.

02:40
O Descendants of Jacob!
Recall MY Favors that I bestowed upon you.
Thus you should always show gratitude by being obedient to ME.
Hence, fulfill your Covenant with ME.
And, as a reward, I shall fulfill My Covenant of admitting you to Paradise.
And, be in awe of ME alone!

02:41
O Descendants of Jacob!
And believe in what I am sending down of The Qur’an, confirming the teachings of what is already with you by way of the Torah.
And do not be the foremost in denying it - The Qur’an.
And do not barter MY Revelations for petty worldly benefit.
And stay mindful of ME alone in awe, reverence, and piety.

02:42
Do not wrap the truth with the falsehood.
And do not hide the truth when you know it to be the truth.

02:43
And establish the Salat /Prayers,
And pay out the Zakat/annual charity -
and bow with those who bow in Salat and in submission to Allah - The One and Only God.

02:44
Will you enjoin other people to be righteous, and yet forget yourselves to be righteous, while you read the Scripture in which there is the threat of punishment, if your actions contradict your speech?
Will you then not understand the evil nature and consequences of your actions?

02:45
And seek Divine help through perseverance, and the Prayers-
though this will be a burden to some and exacting,
except for the humble -

02:46
- who have a strong conviction that they are going to meet their Rabb - The Lord,
and to HIM they are to return.

02:47
O Descendants of Jacob!
Recall MY Favors that I bestowed upon you by assigning numerous Prophets, Revelations, and worldly power.
I exalted you in preference to other people of your time in the world.

02:48
And beware of the horror of The Time -
when no person will be able to benefit another person,
and no intercession will be accepted on his behalf,
and no compensation will be accepted from him,
nor will they be helped in any way to escape Allah’s Punishment.

02:49
Recall when WE salvaged you from Pharaoh’s people.
They were afflicting you with dreadful afflictions:
slaughtering your baby sons while letting your women live for humiliation and suffering.
And in it was an enormous trial from your Rabb - The Lord!

02:50
And recall when WE parted the Sea for you to escape from the chasing troops,
and thus rescued you from drowning and dreadful suffering,
and, instead, drowned Pharaoh and his troops - while you stood there watching.

02:51
Yet recall as WE communed with Moses for forty nights and days,
then you took to yourselves the likeness of a calf for worship after him.
And thus you committed a terrible sinful crime!

02:52
Even so, WE pardoned you after that,
so that you may be truly grateful to US for pardoning you.

02:53
And remember when WE gave Moses the Scripture, the Torah,
and it was a standard for distinguishing right from wrong -
so that you may be guided aright.

02:54
And remember when Moses returned to his people carrying the Tablets of Torah, and said:
‘O My Community People!
By taking this likeness of a calf for worship, you have sinned against yourselves.
So now turn to your Rabb - The Lord in repentance, and kill the guilty among yourselves.
That would be better for you in the Sight of your Rabb - The Lord.
Then, HE turned to you in forgiveness by accepting your repentance.
Indeed, it is HE, WHO is Ever-Forgiving towards the repentant, and Ever-Merciful towards anyone who remains repentant.

02:55
And remember when you said:
‘O Moses!
We are never going to believe you in what you say until we see Allah as clearly’ with our own eyes as you say that you did.
Thereupon, the thunderbolt seized you, while you stood watching what was happening.

02:56
Even then WE revived you to senses after you had become senseless
so that you might be grateful to US.

02:57
Furthermore, WE shaded you with the cloud in the wilderness of Sinai Desert;
and WE sent down on you the manna and the quail, saying:
‘Eat of the good things which WE have provided for you.’
But you were not grateful for this favor so you were deprived of it.
Thus they did not harm US in this, they only harmed themselves.

02:58
And recall the time when WE told you:
‘Enter this city of Jerusalem/Jericho.
And eat freely of it wherever you like.
But pass through the gate bowing in humility while saying:
‘May our sins be forgiven.
Then WE will forgive you your sins, and
WE will increase even the reward to those who would be virtuous.’

02:59
But the unfair among them changed and perverted the word other than that which had been spoken to them.
So WE sent down from heaven a scourge, an air-borne plague, for their transgression.

02:60
And recall the time when Moses prayed for water for his people in the wilderness, so
WE said:
‘Strike the rock with your staff!’
He struck it.
And right away burst forth from it twelve water springs.
All people of the twelve clans came to know their drinking place.
And WE told them:
‘Eat and drink from the provision of Allah.
But do not act unjustly on the earth, spreading corruption.’

02:61
And recall when you, Descendants of Jacob, said:
‘O Moses!
We cannot endure just one kind of food manna and quails, day after day.
So pray to your Rabb - The Lord for us.
Let HIM grow for us from the earth its green herbs, and its cucumbers, and its garlic, and its lentils, and its onions.’
He said:

‘What? Will you exchange what is worse - lentils and onions - for what is better - manna and quails?
Go back to Egypt.
There you can surely have all that you are asking for.’
So, in the end, humiliation and misery of poverty were stamped upon them.
And they incurred Allah’s Wrath.
That was because they persistently belied HIS Messages, and slayed the Prophets without any reason or right.
That was so because they were rebellious and defiant people.

02:62
Surely those who believe in this Message as well as those who have Judaized, and the Nazarean/Christians, and the Sabean,
whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Hour,
and practices righteousness -
they will have their reward with their Rabb - The Lord.
And there will be no fear to befall them, nor will they regret.

02:63
And recall the time when WE made a Covenant with you, O Descendants of Jacob, and exalted you on the Mount Sinai,
WE said:
‘Hold firmly on to what WE have given you of the Torah.
And remember what is in it to live diligently according to the Divine Law and formulate your systems and governance -
so that you may guard yourselves’ against Allah’s disobedience.

02:64
Yet you turned away from that - the Covenant and disobeyed the Divine Law.
If it were not for Allah’s Grace on you, and HIS Mercy,
you would have surely been among the losers.

02:65
And, certainly, you have known already, those among you, who were breaking the Sabbath
by fishing on a Saturday during the times of David.
So WE said to them:
‘Be like apes, despised!’

02:66
Thus, WE made it an example of punishment for their own time,
as well as for all times to come to dissuade the Descendants of Jacob from doing what they did.
And a warning for those who fear Allah’s disobedience.

02:67
And remember when Moses told his community people:
‘Surely, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.’
They said:
‘Are you making fun of us?’
He answered:
‘Allah forbid that I should be so foolish’ to indulge in making fun of you.

02:68
When they realized that Moses was serious, they said:
‘Call on your Rabb - The Lord that HE may specify for us exactly what kind she should be.’
He said:
‘HE says -
Surely it is to be a cow, neither too old, nor too young, but of an age in between.’
Now do as you are commanded and ask no further questions.

02:69
They said:
‘Call on your Rabb - The Lord for us to clarify to us what color she should be.’
He said:
‘HE says -
Indeed, it is a fawn-colored cow, rich yellow, pleasing to the onlookers.’

02:70
They said:
Call on to your Rabb - The Lord for us, to clarify to us what she may be -
for all cows look the same to us.
And, surely, then if Allah wants, we will indeed be rightly guided’ to find the precise type of a cow we are commanded to slaughter, then slaughter it, and thus lead to resolving the murder.

02:71
And he said:
‘HE says -
Surely it is to be a cow never yoked to plow the soil/earth, or water the fields, but the one in good condition without any blemish on it.’
They answered:
‘Ah! Now have you brought us the truth’ - the true description.
Then, after wavering, they slaughtered it, though they nearly did not.

02:72
When some of you had murdered a person, and you blamed each other for it,
then Allah disclosed what you were hiding with regard to his murder.

02:73
So WE pronounced:
‘Strike him, the body of the dead, with some of it’ - a part of the cow they had slaughtered!
So they did it and the dead were brought to life.
Thus, just as the dead was brought back to life to resolve the issue of murder, Allah shall bring the dead back to life.
And HE shows you the Miracle of HIS Overwhelming Power so that you may comprehend
the reality of Resurrection after death, and then believe it firmly.

02:74
O Descendants of Jacob!
Yet, in spite of the miraculous bringing the dead back to life and informing you about his murderers, your hearts only hardened after that, they became like rocks, or even harder against acceptance of the truth.
Surely, there are some rocks from which streams burst out;

and surely there are also some from which water flows when they split open;
and surely there are still others who fall down in awe of Allah - while your hearts remain unmoved, unstirred, and un-humbled.
But Allah is not Unaware of what you do - HE only allows you respite until your time comes.

02:75
O The Prophet and The Faithful!
Are you really eager that they, Descendants of Jacob whose hearts have hardened as rocks,
should believe in your Faith?
No - because even when some learned among them listened to the Word of Allah in the Torah, understood it to be the Divine Truth, yet tampered with it purposely.

02:76
And whenever they, the Jews, come across the Faithful, they affirm:
‘We believe!’ that your Prophet Muhammad is mentioned in The Torah.
But when they are among themselves, their learned to say:
‘Do you tell them of what Allah has disclosed to you so that they may use it in argument
against you before your Rabb - The Lord in the Hereafter?
You have no common sense?’
So beware!

02:77
Allah retorts:
Do they, these learned, not know that Allah is All-Aware of what they conceal and what they reveal of the Torah?

02:78
And some of them - Descendants of Jacob - are even ignorant of the Torah.
They have no firm knowledge of their own Scripture,
so they only make some conjectures, i.e., their talk is all surmise.

02:79
Woe, then, to those who write false Scripture, the Torah, with their own hands, i.e. fabricating it themselves, then say:
‘This is from Allah!’
So that they may sell it for small worldly gain - financial, social, or political.
So woe to them for what their hands have written of fabrications,
and woe to them for what they earn by such sinful acts.

02:80
Yet they claim:
‘The Fire will certainly not touch us except for a few days.’
Ask them:
‘Have you taken a promise from Allah that the fire will touch you only for a few days?
If so, then surely Allah will not break HIS Promise.
Or do you attribute things to Allah that you do not even know, i.e., that do not exist in your Scripture?

02:81
Allah answers:
‘Yes indeed!’

It will not only touch you but you will live with it forever.
‘Whoever earns a sin and is surrounded by his transgression,
those will be People of the Hell.
They will remain therein’ – never to leave, never to perish.

02:82
‘Whereas those who believe,
and practice righteousness,
those will be People of the Paradise.
They will remain therein’ - never to leave, never to perish.

02:83
And remember when WE took a pledge from Descendants of Jacob in the Torah, saying:
Do not submit in worship to any entity other than Allah; and
be good, caring, and respectful to the parents, and
be good to the relatives, and
- be kind to the orphans, and
be generous to the needy, and
speak well to the people, and
establish the Salat/Prayer, and
pay out the Zakat/annual charity.
You accepted.
Yet you turned back to fulfill these obligations, except for a few of you.
And you are avoiding your responsibilities even now.

02:84
Again, remember when WE took a pledge from you, Descendants of Jacob:
‘Do not shed your own blood - blood of one another, and
do not force out your own people - one another - from your homelands.’
To this you agreed, and bore witness.

02:85
Yet you were killing yourselves - one another, and forcing out some of you from their homelands.
On the top of this you were/are collaborating and conspiring against them in sin, animosity
and aggression.
And if they come to you as captives/prisoners of war, you ransom them - past and present - though the very act of forcing them to leave was made unlawful for you.
Do you, then, wish to follow only some part of the Scripture, the Torah, and ignore the rest?
So what could be the fate of those among you who do so, and thus disobey Allah’s Commandments, except for disgrace in the life of this world, and, during the Time of Final Judgment, they will be consigned to grievous punishment?
And Allah is never Unaware of what you have been doing.

02:86
They are the ones who barter the life of this world with the price of the Hereafter.
Hence neither will their punishment be lightened nor will they be helped/rescued.

02:87
And, indeed, WE gave Moses the Scripture, the Torah.
And he was followed by many other Messengers.

And WE gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear evidence of the truth, reinforcing him with Divine Grace.
Even so, whenever a Messenger came to you with a Message which you did not like, you became arrogant,
calling some of them impostors such as Jesus, and
assassinating some of the others like John the Baptist.

02:88
And they say mockingly:
‘Our hearts are enfolded in covers’ - so we cannot understand what you say.
No!
It is not that their hearts are enfolded, in fact, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief and set a seal on their hearts and hearing, and a veil on their eyes.
So it is only a little they believe.

02:89
They have long sought Divine help against those who disbelieved through the coming of Muhammad and The Qur’an.
Yet when The Book of Qur’an now came to them from Allah, confirming what was with
them in the Torah,
they did not believe though they recognized it to be the Divine Truth.
They deny and belie it out of envy and fear of losing religious leadership.
So Allah’s curse be upon such disbelievers.

02:90
Evil is for what they have sold their souls by denying the truth of what Allah has sent down by way of The Qur’an to HIS Prophet Muhammad.
This denial is simply out of resentment and grudge.
But Allah bestows HIS Grace onto whoever HE wants of HIS servants regardless of race and lineage.
And, thus, they have earned the burden of Divine Wrath upon Wrath.
And for such disbelievers, there is going to be humiliating suffering in this life as well as in the Hereafter.

02:91
And when they are told:
‘Believe in what Allah has sent down’ onto Muhammad by way of The Qur’an!
They retort:
‘We believe in what has been sent down onto us’ before - The Torah.
And they disbelieve in that which came afterward - The Qur’an, though it is the truth
confirming what is with them.
So ask them:
‘Then why have you been assassinating Allah’s Prophets before, if you were true believers
in the Torah where killing/murder is forbidden?

02:92
And, indeed, Moses had come to you with clear miracles.
Yet you took to yourselves the likeness of a calf for worship while he was away to Mount Sinai in the Divine Presence.
And, thus, you became wrongdoers.

02:93
And remember when WE took your pledge and exalted you on the Mount Sinai, saying:
‘Hold firmly to what WE have given you, The Torah, and listen’ to Moses!
However, you said:
‘We have heard but we will not obey.’
And, in their disbelief, their hearts were filled with worship of the likeness of the calf.
Tell them:
‘Evil is what your belief commands you if you are true believers.’

02:94
Say:
‘If you think that you alone will abide by Allah in the mansions of the Paradise/Hereafter, to the exclusion of all other people,
then you should wish for early death as it will take you quickly to a better place if you are truthful.

02:95
But they will never wish for it because of what their own hands have sent forward for the Hereafter.
And Allah is Well-Aware of such wrongdoers.

02:96
In fact, you will find that they crave for long life – even far more than the idol-worshipers.
Each one of them would wish to live a thousand years.
Yet no one can avoid the punishment in the Hereafter even by living that long.
And Allah is Ever-Watchful of all they do.

02:97
Say:
‘Whoever is the enemy of Archangel Gabriel should know that it is he who brings down this Qur’an upon your heart, O The Prophet, by Allah’s Command.
It affirms the Divine Truths contained in what had been revealed before in the Torah, the Psalms, and the Injeel/Bible.
And it serves as guidance for anyone seeking guidance and
good news for the believers’ that Paradise will be theirs.

02:98
Whoever is the enemy to Allah, and HIS angels, and HIS Messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, then, should know that,
surely, Allah is an enemy to all such disbelievers.

02:99
O The Prophet!
Indeed, WE are sending down onto you Clear Messages – The Qur’an,
such as no one can deny or belie them except the transgressors.

02:100
And every time they - the Jewish leaders, make a pledge not to support or give assistance to the idol-worshipers against the Prophet, some of them violate it.
In fact, most of them do not even believe in such a pledge.

02:101
And even now when a Messenger from Allah, Muhammad, has been assigned to them,
confirming the teachings of what was with them – The Torah,
some of them, who were given the Scripture, throw Allah’s Scripture behind their backs -
ignore it,
as if they did not know of Muhammad’s coming as a True and Last Prophet, or that The Qur’an is the Book of Allah.

02:102
And they followed whatever the satans used to practice during Solomon’s reign.
In fact, it was not Solomon who disbelieved, it were the satans who disbelieved, and thus transgressed.
It were they who taught and trained the people in sorcery,
and, that which was revealed onto the two angels in Babylon, present-day Iraq, named
Harut and Marut.
But neither of the two angels would teach sorcery to anyone without first warning:
‘We are only a temptation to evil.
So do not belie’ the teachings of your Faith.
Yet they learned from the two of them – angels – how to create marital problems between a person and his spouse by means of magical spells;
notwithstanding that, they could never cause harm to anyone except what Allah wanted.
And they learned of certain knowledge that harmed them, and not that benefited them.
And, certainly, they knew that anyone who acquired this knowledge of sorcery would have no reward in the Hereafter.
And how evil was that for which they sold their souls, only if they realized.

02:103
And, indeed, if they had believed, and guarded themselves against evil,
they would have certainly deserved a far better reward from Allah if only they realized.

02:104
O The Faithful!
Do not say in your conversations with the Prophet:
‘Pay attention to us!’
Rather you should say:
‘We are ready to listen’ - and then listen to him attentively.
And the disbelievers who mock the Prophet by using Hebrew expressions will have a painful punishment.

02:105
Those who disbelieve among Followers of the Former Scriptures, and from among the idol-worshipers, would not like anything good – Divine Revelations - to be ever conferred upon you from your Rabb - The Lord.
But Allah singles out for His Grace - office of the Prophethood – whoever HE decides and whoever deserves to be singled out.
And Allah is the Possessor of Great Benevolence.

02:106
Whenever WE cause a Message to be superseded in terms of religious obligation(s) sent to an earlier Prophet or cause it to be forgotten,
WE bring it later with a better one than it, or one similar to it.

Do you not know that Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.?

02:107
Do you not know that it is Allah to WHOM belongs the Sovereignty of the celestial realm and the terrestrial world?
And besides Allah, you neither have a helper nor a protector.

02:108
O The Disbelievers!
‘Do you wish to demand of your Messenger Muhammad as Moses was demanded by his followers aforetime?
Whoever exchanges belief for disbelief by raising such demands, only strays off the Middle Path,’ i.e., the Path of Divine Guidance.

02:109
Many among Followers of the Former Scriptures wish they could turn you back to disbelief even after you have believed,
because of their wickedness and resentful jealousy, even after truth became clear to them.
So be forgiving and ignore them until Allah brings HIS Command on dealing with them.
Indeed, Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.

02:110
And establish the Salat/Prayers, and
pay out the Zakat/annual charity.
And whatever of such good and other deeds, speech, and dealings of righteousness you send forward to your own souls’ benefit, you will find it – its reward - with Allah.
Indeed, Allah is Fully-Aware of whatever good/bad you do and will reward you for it.

02:111
And they - Jews and Christians - say:
‘No one will go to the Paradise unless one is a Jew or a Christian.’
This is only their fancies and wishful thinking.
Tell them:
‘Bring your evidence from the Torah or the Injeel/Bible if you are of the truthful.’

02:112
But no - it is certainly not as you claim!
In fact, entitlement to go to Paradise will only be for,
the one who turns his face in submission to Allah –
and is devoted to doing good.
He will have his reward with his Rabb - The Lord, Paradise.
And neither will any fear befall them, nor will they grieve.

02:113
And the Jews assert:
‘The Christians have no ground to stand on’ with regard to their religious beliefs.
And the Christians retort:
‘The Jews have no ground to stand on with regard to their religious beliefs –
while they both read the Scriptures.
Thus, the like of what they say, has always been spoken by those who did not have knowledge
through Divine Revelations.

So Allah will judge between them, at the Time of Final Judgment, concerning their differences in religious beliefs and practice.

02:114
And who could be more evil in his disbelief than the one who would frighten worshipers by threats of being killed or taken captive, and, thus prevent them from approaching Allah’s Places of worship,
lest HIS Majestic Name be invoked in them, and then strives for their destruction too?
It was never meant though that they should enter them in the first instance except in awe,
reverence and piety.
Thus for them will be a disgrace in this world, and a terrible punishment too in the Hereafter.

02:115
For Allah are all directions, whether it be the East and the West – or the North and the South.
So to whichever direction you turn for the Salat/Prayers, you will find the Face of Allah is everywhere.
Surely, Allah is All-Pervading in HIS Mercy, and All-Knowing your intentions.

02:116
And they, the Christians, allege:
‘Allah has taken a son.’
May HE be Exalted in HIS Glory to have a son!
No way!
In fact, everything within the celestial realm and the terrestrial world belongs to HIM.
And all are devoutly obedient to HIM.

02:117
Allah is the Creator of the celestial realm and the terrestrial world from nothingness and without a precedent.
Whenever HE orders a thing to happen, HE simply commands to it:
‘Be!’
And it starts becoming to completion with perfection.

02:118
But those who are devoid of knowledge say:
‘Why would Allah not speak to us directly about your Divine Mission, or show us a miracle’
as a sign confirming your Prophethood, O Muhammad!?
They speak of these demands the same way to you as those who spoke before them to their Prophets.
Their hearts – mindsets - are much alike.
Indeed, WE have already shown signs/miracles by way of OUR Messages in The Qur’an
to those who are firm in their faith.

02:119
Indeed, WE have assigned you, O The Prophet, with the Truth of The Qur’an -
as a herald of good news of Our Mercy to those who follow you, and a warner of the consequences of any disobedience.
And you will not be questioned about those who deny and belie you, and who will be the People of Hell.
For your responsibility is only to deliver OUR Message.

02:120
Neither the Jews nor the Christians will ever be pleased with you until you adopt their
religious values and rites.
Say to them:
‘Indeed, the Guidance of Allah is the only True Guidance.’
And if you were ever to follow their fancies after having received the Book of Divine
Knowledge,
then you will neither have any friend nor any helper against Allah’s Punishment.

02:121
Those to whom WE had given the Scripture aforetime,
and who follow it as it should have been followed.
They are the ones who truly believe in it.
But whoever disbelieves in it,
it is they who are going to be the losers.

02:122
O Descendants of Jacob!
Recall MY Blessings that I conferred upon you
and that I favored you over the people of your time.

02:123
And beware of the coming of the Time of Final Judgment, when
everyone will be seeking a means to save oneself,
but when no person will stand up for another person,
and no ransom will be accepted from him,
and no intercession will benefit him,
and no one will be helped from what they will face - Allah’s Punishment.

02:124
And remember when his Rabb - The Lord put Abraham to trial by certain commands.
And he fulfilled them in all earnest.
So HE – his Rabb - The Lord - told him:
In reward, ‘I am going to make you a spiritual leader among the people’ of the world.
To which Abraham inquired:
‘And of my descendants’ - make spiritual leaders from among them too?
HE said:
‘MY Promise of spiritual leadership will not extend to the evildoers’ among them.

02:125
Allah then commanded the faithful to emulate Abraham, saying:
And when WE made the House, The Ka’bah, a place of congregation and a sanctuary for people, and WE said:
‘Take to yourselves Abraham’s spot/standing place as a place of Salat/Prayer.
And WE enjoined upon Abraham and his firstborn son Ishmael to cleanse and maintain
MY House
for the sake of those who will walk around it,
and those who may stay in for contemplation, meditation, and worshipful devotion,
and those who would bow and prostrate themselves’ in the Salat/Prayer.

02:126
And remember when Abraham prayed:
O ‘My Rabb - The Lord!
Make this land, Makkah, a land of peace and tranquility.
And bless those of its residents with fruitful sustenance, who believe in Allah and coming of the Last Hour.’
Allah answered:
‘Yes, I will!
And I will also let him have sustenance for a while – those who disbelieve.
But, in the end, drag him to the Fire - a dreadful destination!’

02:127
And remember when Abraham was raising the plinth of the House with his son Ishmael,
and when they had finished, they submitted:
O ‘Our Rabb - The Lord!
Accept this service from us.
Indeed, it is YOU, YOU are the All-Listening and the All-Knowing’ of our intention in building YOUR House.

02:128
O ‘Our Rabb - The Lord!
And make both of us submit ourselves to YOUR Will,
and make from our descendants, a community in submission to YOU.
And show us our ways of worship for the pilgrimage/Hajj,
and forgive our trespasses and accept our repentance.
Indeed, it is YOU, YOU alone are the Acceptor of Repentance and The Infinitely Compassionate’ to everyone.

02:129
‘O Our Rabb - The Lord!
And raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves,
who will recite/convey YOUR Messages to them,
and teach them the Book/law and the Wisdom,
and cleanse them of dogmas and doctrines.
Indeed, YOU alone are the Almighty against whoever does not support YOUR Messenger, and the All-Wise’ in sending the Messenger.

02:130
And who would like to turn away from the faith of Abraham except for the one who lost his mind?
WE have specifically chosen him for OUR Grace here in the world,
and, in the Hereafter, he will be of the righteous.

02:131
For when his Rabb - The Lord demanded of him:
‘Submit!’ - yourself to ME!
He said in submission:
‘I have already submitted to the Rabb - The Lord of all existence!’

02:132
And so Abraham commanded his sons to do the same as did Jacob, saying:
‘O my sons!

Indeed, Allah has chosen the religion for you.
So do not die except as submitting’ people to HIM.

02:133
Or were you present at the time when death came upon Jacob?
When he asked his sons:
‘What will you worship after me’ - after I die?
They answered in unison:
‘We will worship your Elah and Elah of your forefathers Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac.
Elah - The One and Only God.
And to HIM alone we submit’ in worship – we are Muslims.

02:134
Now that community of people has long since passed away.
They will have the reward for what they earned, and
you will be the reward for what you earn.
And you will not be questioned about what they had been doing.

02:135
They say:
‘Be Jews or Christians, and only then you will be guided’ aright!
Say to them:
‘No way!
Rather we follow the faith of Abraham, the haneef.
And, he was not of the idol-worshipers.’

02:136
Then say to them:
‘You should declare:
we believe in Allah,
and that which has been revealed for us by way of The Qur’an,
and that earlier Scriptures were revealed on to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the clans,
and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and other former Prophets by their Rabb
– The Lord.
We do not differentiate or discriminate among anyone of them.
And to HIM alone we submit’ in worship.

02:137
In case they believe the way you have believed, only then they will be guided aright.
However, if they turn away, then they will truly be in defiance and schism.
But Allah will be Sufficient for you in dealing with them,
and HE is All-Listening, All-Knowing.

02:138
Say to the Christians:
‘The Islamic belief takes its Color from Allah, and which Message could give a better color than Allah’s Message in The Qur’an.
And to HIM alone we are devoted in our worship,’ reverence, and obedience.

02:139
Tell them - the Jews and the Christians:

‘Would you dispute with us about Allah when HE is equally our Rabb - The Lord as well as your Rabb - The Lord?
Our beliefs and deeds are for us, and your belief and deeds are for you.
And we are sincerely devoted in our faith and worship to HIM.’

02:140
Or do you - Jews and Christians – assert the claim:
‘Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob, and their clans were Jews or Christians?’
Tell them:
Allah has informed us that Abraham and his descendants were neither Jews nor Christians.
‘So is it you who know better about his/their faith or Allah?
But who could be more evil than the one who conceals the testimony that he received from Allah?
And Allah is not Unaware of what you do.

02:141
Now that a community of people has long since passed away.
It will have the reward for what it earned by way of faith, deeds, speech, and dealings,
and for you will be the reward what you earn by way of faith, deeds, speech, and dealings.
And you will not be questioned about what they had been doing.

02:142
The weak-minded of the people ask:
‘What has made them - the Muslim Faithful - turn away from their former Qiblah towards the direction of which they used to offer their Salat/Prayers?’
Say:
‘For Allah are all directions - whether it be the East or the West.
HE wants us to turn, so we turn.
HE guides whoever HE Wills along the Straight Path.’

02:143
Thus did WE make you, the Muslims, a moderate community, so that you may bear witness over the people,
and the Messenger Muhammad may bear witness over all of you.
And WE changed your Qiblah only to know those who would truly follow the Messenger and those who would turn away.
And, of course, this change was too burdensome except for those whom Allah guided.
And Allah will surely not allow your deeds and dealings to go to waste but will reward you for it.
Indeed, Allah is Ever-Compassionate and Ever-Merciful to all people.

02:144
O The Prophet!
WE have, indeed, seen you turning your face towards the heavens in expectation of Gabriel coming down to announce the change of the Qiblah.
So WE will definitely turn you to the Sacred Precinct, Qiblah of Abraham, which will please you.
So turn your face - O The Prophet - towards Grand Sacred Masjid in Holy Makkah,
and turn your faces – O The Faithful - towards it wherever you may be.
And those who are Followers of the Former Scriptures, surely know that this is the truth from their Rabb - The Lord.
And Allah is not Unaware of all they do.

02:145
Yet even if you brought all the proofs, rationale, and truthfulness of your Qiblah to Followers of the Former Scriptures, they will not follow your Qiblah, i.e., not follow your religious practices;
as, indeed, you too will not follow their Qiblah and not follow their religious practices,
nor will they follow each other’s Qiblah and follow each other’s religious practices.
And if, indeed, you were to follow their fancies and whims - after all the Divine knowledge that has come on to you,
then, you would clearly be of the unfair people.

02:146
Those to whom WE gave the Scripture recognize it as they recognize their own children.
Yet a section among them hide the truth while they know it.

02:147
This is the truth from your Rabb - The Lord.
So do not be of those who are skeptics - wavering in doubt.

02:148
Every religious community has a direction of devotional worship to which it turns - Qiblah.
So race with one another towards doing good.
Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you all together during the Time of Resurrection and reward you for deeds, speech, and dealings.
Indeed, Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.

02:149
Wherever you go, turn your face towards Grand Sacred Masjid in Holy Makkah for the Salat/Prayers.
And this is the truth from your Rabb - The Lord.
And Allah is not Unaware of what you do.

02:150
Wherever you go, turn your face toward Grand Sacred Masjid in Holy Makkah for the Salat/Prayers.
And wherever you may be, turn your faces toward it, so that people should have no cause for argument or contention against you regarding the change of Qiblah, except for the evildoers among them.
And do not fear them regarding their argument against the change of Qiblah, but stand in awe of ME by complying with MY Command!
So that I may complete MY Favors upon you, and, so that you may be guided aright.

02:151
As also WE have assigned a Messenger Muhammad from among you.
He recites OUR Messages to you,
and purifies you,
and for this purpose, he teaches you the law and the wisdom,
and teaches you what you did not know before the revelation of the Qur’an, and the advent of Muhammad.

02:152
So always remember ME through the Salat/Prayers and the like,
and I shall remember you by bestowing rewards beyond your expectations.

And be thankful to ME by being obedient, and
do not be unthankful to ME through disobedience.

02:153
O The Faithful!
Seek Divine help through perseverance and prayers against hardships and tribulations,
and in fulfilling the obligations of Allah and HIS creation.
Indeed, Allah is always with those who endure hard times with perseverance and prayers.

02:154
And never say of anyone who is slain in the battle/war to uphold the Cause of Allah, where
lives have to be sacrificed, that they are dead.
No!
Instead, they are living in the next realm, though you do not perceive their existence and living situation.

02:155
And besides, WE shall certainly be testing your commitment to Faith with some experience
of
fear and insecurity,
and hunger, impoverishment, and famine,
and loss of worldly possessions, and
the loss of lives, and
loss of fruitful means of livelihood.
This is necessary to sift true believers from hypocrites, and thus make them worthy of Paradise.
But give the good news of Allah’s infinite blessings to those who endure these situations with self-control and fortitude.

02:156
And whenever a smiting smites them, they say in all humility:
‘Truly, to Allah, we belong, and truly to HIM we are to turn.’

02:157
It is they on whom are Blessings from their Rabb - The Lord, and HIS Mercy in this world, and Forgiveness and Grace in the Hereafter.
And, it is they who have been guided aright.

02:158
Truly, the two hillocks of al-Safa and al-Marwa are among the emblems of the Hajj/ pilgrimage that Allah has commanded.
So whoever goes on Hajj pilgrimage to the House of Allah, i.e., the Ka’bah, or on Umrah, would not be at fault if he strides between them - al-Safa and al-Marwa - seven times by pacing quickly.
And whoever does good voluntarily other than this obligation of pacing between al-Safa and al-Marwah,
will find that Allah is Appreciating and Knowing your intent.

02:159
Indeed, those Jewish religious leaders who hide the truth of OUR Messages and Guidance, especially

after WE made it clear to the people in the Scripture - the Torah,
they are those who are cursed by Allah and are also cursed by those who have the right to curse.
02:160
Except for those, however, who repent and reform,
and openly proclaim what they were hiding of the truth,
for they are the ones whose repentance I will accept, and forgive them.
And I am the Ever-Forgiving, and the Ever-Merciful to those who repent.

02:161
Indeed, those who disbelieve, and die disbelieving,
those - upon them will be the curse of Allah, and the angels, and the people, altogether.

02:162
There they will remain under a curse forever.
The suffering will neither be lightened for them nor will they be granted respite.

02:163
And your Elah/Allah is One and Only Elah/Allah - without any equal in either essence or attributes.
There is no entity of worship, and can never be, apart from HIM.
HE is The Immensely Merciful, The Infinitely Compassionate.

02:164
Indeed,
in the creation of the celestial realm and the terrestrial world and the marvels contained within them,
and in the alternation of the nighttime and the daytime,
and in the sailing of ships across the oceans with what benefit the people,
and in Allah’s sending down from the sky rain water enlivening the lifeless soil with vegetation,
and in the scattering of living creatures of all kinds upon it,
and in the changing of the direction and velocity of winds,
and in the clouds held between the terrestrial world and the celestial realm,
indeed, are all Great Wonders of Allah for a people who contemplate.

02:165
And yet there are people - the disbelievers devoid of reasoning –
who would take entities other than Allah as compeers of HIM in divinity and worship,
and loving them with love as only Allah should be loved.
But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.
If only those who are being unfair - the disbelievers - could perceive the time when they will behold the punishment in the Hereafter,
they will realize that the power, the might, and the vanquishing belongs to Allah, altogether.
And that Allah is Severe in punishment.

02:166
When – during the Time of Final Judgment - those entities, who were followed in worship,
will distance themselves from those who followed them,
as they see the punishment waiting for them,
and all hopes of intercession and salvation between them shall have collapsed.

02:167
And those who followed the entities they worshiped them will cry out:
‘If only we had another chance at the world, we would leave them just as they have left us’
now.
Thus Allah will make them see their deeds/beliefs as a cause of remorse and regret for them in the Hereafter.
And never will they exit from the Fire – never to get relief, never to get respite.

02:168
O The People!
Eat only the things of the earth that are lawful/permitted by a Divine Decree and good.
And do not follow the footprints of Satan, i.e., what he embellishes of temptations with regard to other foods.
Indeed, he is your open enemy.

02:169
He commands you to indulge in evil, sin, and obscenity,
and that you should say things about Allah that you cannot even imagine, such as forbidding what HE has not forbidden and otherwise.

02:170
And whenever they - who follow Satan’s footprints - are asked:
‘Follow what Allah has sent down’ by way of The Qur’an.
They say:
No way!
‘Instead, we would rather follow the beliefs and traditions of what our forefathers practiced’
–
will they do it even though their forefathers did not understand anything concerning religion and were not even guided aright?

02:171
The likeness of those who refuse to believe, and those who call them to belief, is as the likeness of those cattle who hear, from the one who is calling them – their shepherd, nothing except shouting and screaming.
They are deaf, dumb, and blind to intelligently comprehend a shepherd’s call.
Thus, they – the disbelievers - do not understand and comprehend the call of the Prophet Muhammad and the Faithful.

02:172
O The Faithful!
Eat of the good things from food which WE have provided for you.
And be grateful to Allah, if it is HIM you truly submit in reverence, awe, and worship.

02:173
HE has made forbidden to you the consumption and use of:
the meat of dead animals and its products,
and the blood and its products,
and the flesh of the swine/pork and its products,
and meat of all cattle which has been sacrificed and/or dedicated to any entity that may be perceived to be worshiped other than Allah.

Yet if someone is forced by necessity to consume any of the above without intending to transgress, nor desiring it, will not be guilty of sin.
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

02:174
Indeed, those who hide a part of the truths and commandments with respect to foods that Allah has revealed in their Scripture,
and they barter it away for a little price of worldly benefit, status and renown,
those - they will consume nothing but the Fire in their bellies.
And Allah will neither address them during the Time of Final Judgment out of displeasure,
nor purify them from the filth of their sins.
And for them will be a painful punishment extending to their hearts.

02:175
Thus it is they who bartered guidance for misguidance, and forgiveness for punishment.
And in fact, they have bartered Paradise for Hellfire.
So how steadfast they are in their resolve to reach the Fire!

02:176
That is because Allah revealed the Book with the truth,
but they are at variance regarding the wholesomeness of its truth;
and, indeed, those who differ about the Book are certainly in extreme defiance – they are, in fact, far from the truth.

02:177
Piety is not a matter of turning your faces east ward or west ward in prayers.
Rather, true piety is
believing in Allah,
and the Last Hour, and the angels and the Books, and the Prophets;
giving money, despite his love of it, to the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the travelers in need, and the beggars, and for freeing the captives;
and establishing the Salat/Prayers,
and paying out the Zakat/annual charity,
and fulfilling their agreements they have given,
and enduring adversity and hardship, and the time of peril.
It is they who affirm the truth, and it is they who thus remain mindful of Allah’s obedience.

02:178
O The Faithful!
Retaliation/compensation is decreed for you in the event of a deliberately murdered victim:
if a free person is guilty then retaliation for it is the same free person, and
if a not-a-free person is guilty then retaliation for it is the same not-a-free person, and
if a female is guilty then retaliation for it is the female.
As for the one who gets pardoned from the aggrieved brother/family, let there be prosecution
according to goodness in vogue, and recompense for blood paid in a peaceful settlement.
This is an act of leniency from your Rabb - The Lord, and a mercy.
Anyone who transgresses against the murderer after granting pardon or accepting the blood money – for him will be a severe punishment.

02:179
And in the law of retaliation there is life for you, O People of Wisdom!
So that you may guard yourselves against any non-compliance.

02:180
It is obligatory on you,
that when any one of you is approached by death, and if he is leaving behind worldly possessions,
he should bequeath fairly to his parents and next of kin according to goodness in vogue.
This is binding on those who are upright and fear Allah’s disobedience.

02:181
Then, if anyone, whether a witness or a trustee, changes the terms after hearing bequeath of the deceased, it is a sin on those who change it, and the deceased bears no responsibility.
Indeed, Allah is All-Listening to the words of the deceased, and All-Knowing if anyone changes it.

02:182
However, if someone fears wrong or partiality on the part of the person leaving bequeath, and, so resolves the matter between them - the heirs by making the necessary change,
then no sin will rest on him,
for Allah will be Forgiving to the deceased, and Merciful to those who resolve the error.

02:183
O The Faithful!
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is made mandatory for you, just as it was made mandatory for those before you -
so that you may become pious in behavior, speech, and dealings, and dedicated in devotion to Allah.

02:184
You must Fast for a specific number of days.
But whoever among you may be seriously ill and cannot Fast, or on a long arduous
journey, then that person is not obligated to Fast.
Nevertheless, let him Fast for such missed Fasts by devoting a corresponding number of days later after the month of Ramadan.
Furthermore, those who cannot endure it for reasons of age, health, pregnancy, and infant-nursing mothers should compensate for it by providing two-time meals of the quality that one takes oneself to a poor person for every missed day or an equivalent in cash.
But the one who compensates voluntarily more than the one is obliged, i.e. by either giving more or by deferred Fasting, or both, it shall be much better for him.
In any event, it is better for you to Fast during Ramadan, if only you knew the spiritual value and reward for it.

02:185
The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was/began to be sent down:
as a source of guidance for the people, and
with clear messages of guidance, and
as a standard for distinguishing right from wrong.
So whoever of you is present during this month should Fast in it.
But whoever of you is ill or traveling and fails to do so should complete the count of the missed Fasts in later days when it is convenient to do so,
for Allah wishes to bring you ease, and does not wish to cause you hardship.
And, HE wishes that you can complete the count of the days you missed.

So you should extol and exalt Allah for HIS Guidance to you, and so it may be that you remain in gratitude to HIM.

02:186
And when MY servants ask you, O The Prophet, about ME - whether I am near or far, tell them:
‘Surely, I am near.
I answer the call of the caller when he calls upon ME.
So let them respond to ME – MY Call,
and believe in ME.
Thus they may be guided’ aright.

02:187
It has been made lawful for you - husbands - to cohabitate with your wives during the nights of the Fast, i.e., from post-dusk to pre-dawn.
They are as close as a garment to you in as much as you are as close as a garment for them,
and a source of mutual pleasure.
Allah is Aware that you have been deceiving yourselves in this regard - HE has thus turned to you in forgiveness, and forgiven you.
So you may now feel free to cohabitate with them and seek whatever Allah has foreordained for you: children and mutual pleasure.
And you are also permitted to eat and drink at night until the white thread of dawn appears distinct from the black thread of the night.
Then give up all that at ‘d’ and ‘e’ above, and complete the Fast until nightfall - dusk.
Furthermore, cohabitation with your spouses is not allowed at any time while you are secluded in the Masajid for devotional retreats and meditation.
These are the limits/rules set by Allah;
thus, never draw anywhere near them and cause a breach.
In this way Allah makes clear HIS Rules for those people who Fast, so that they may learn self-restraint and, at the same time, remain Allah-reverent.

02:188
And do not devour one another’s possessions, property, and assets by unscrupulous means, and
do not bribe the officials in authority,
intending to usurp rightful possession of the others sinfully, knowing well what you are doing.

02:189
They ask you, O The Prophet, about the new moons and their significance.
Tell them:
‘They show appointed times for the people, as well as for the Hajj.’
It is not piety that you should come to the houses through the back door.
Rather, piety is being mindful of Allah in awe and reverence.
So come to your houses through their front doors.
And always be mindful of Allah, so that you can succeed in the Sight of Allah.

02:190
And go to war to uphold the Cause of Allah against those who declare war against you,
And do not commit excesses and war crimes.
Surely, Allah does not like those who commit excesses and war crimes.

02:191
And fight those who fight you wherever you encounter them.
And drive them out from wherever they had driven you out.
Religious persecution and oppression is far worse than slaying.
But do not fight them by Grand Sacred Masjid in Holy Makkah until and unless they attack you there first.
If they fight, then fight them - such must be the reward for these disbelievers.

02:192
But if they cease their aggression, so should you.
For indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Compassionate.

02:193
And fight them till there is no religious persecution or oppression,
and the religion is for Allah.
Then if they cease, then there is no reason to continue to be hostile, except against those who continue to persecute and/or oppress.

02:194
The sacred months are in return for the sacred months,
and likewise is retribution for all restricted things.
So whoever attacks you during these sacred months, then you may retaliate likewise against him.
Nevertheless, be mindful of Allah, and
know that HE is always with those who exercise restraint.

02:195
And spend your worldly possessions generously in upholding the Cause of Allah, and to support defensive measures.
By not doing so, do not cast yourselves to destruction with your own hands.
And do what is right.
Surely, Allah loves those who are generous and seek excellence in doing good.

02:196
And perform both the Hajj and the ‘Umrah for/in the Service of Allah.
And in case you are prevented for reasons of hostilities, then make whatever offering for
sacrifice is easy to make.
And do not shave your heads or trim hair until the offering has reached its appointed place.
Whoever of you is ill or has an ailment of his head/scalp, and is not able to do so, then one must redeem oneself
by Fasting for three days, or
by giving away alms in cash, or
provide meals to six poor persons, or
by offering a sacrifice of one sheep/goat.
Once the hostilities have ceased and you are secure, if anyone wishes to take advantage of performing the ‘Umrah before the Hajj- al-Tamattu - one should make whatever offering is easy to make: camel (shared), cow (shared), sheep or goat (individually).
In case one cannot do so, then let one:
keep the Fast for three days during the Hajj, and
seven more days of Fasting upon one’s return to the normal place of residence;
thus complete ten days.

This is incumbent upon the persons whose families do not live permanently within the
municipal limits of the Grand Sacred Masjid/City of Holy Makkah.
Be mindful of Allah’s Injunctions, failing which know that Allah is Severe in punishment.

02:197
The Hajj is during months well known.
So whoever undertakes the Hajj during this period must abstain from all sorts of foul behavior in particular:
no cohabitation with your spouses, and
no wicked conduct and obscene language, and
no quarreling and wrangling during the Hajj.
And whatever good you do, rest assured, Allah knows it.
Provide well for your pilgrimage, yet the best of all provisions is definitely Allah-
consciousness.
And be conscious of ME, O People of Understanding and insight!

02:198
Furthermore, there is no sin upon you in seeking a bounty from your Rabb - The Lord by doing business.
When you return from ‘Arafat - on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, while the sun is setting, the grand day of Hajj, all together, remember Allah as you approach the Sacred Plain.
And remember HIM in the manner as you have been guided, even if, in the past, you were of those misguided.

02:199
Then depart from where other people depart.
And seek Allah’s forgiveness for the sins you have done in your lifetime as well as oversights during the Hajj.
Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Ever- Merciful.

02:200
Then once you have completed the sacred duties, remember Allah, as you remember your
forefathers, or even with greater remembrance.
For there are some of the people who pray:
‘O Our Rabb - The Lord!
Bless us with abundance in this world.’
Then such people will have no share in the reward of the Hereafter.
02:201
While there are others, among them, who pray:
O ‘Our Rabb - The Lord!
Bless us with whatever is good for us in this world and that is also good in the Hereafter.
- Protect us from the suffering of the Fire.’
02:202
It is they who will have their share, a reward, as a result of whatever they earned during the Hajj/’Umrah and supplication.
And Allah is Swift at the reckoning.

02:203
And remember Allah during a specific number of days of the Hajj.

Whoever hastens through it in two days instead of three days, it will not be a sin upon him, in as much as it will also not be a sin for the one who stays on longer - provided one is sincerely conscious of Allah’s indictments.
And stay Allah-conscious.
And bear in mind that you will be gathered to HIM, and called to account for your motives and deeds.

02:204
Among the people, there is one whose view of this life and outward appearance impresses you with his words.
He will even swear by Allah what is in his heart,
but he is the fiercest of your adversaries.

02:205
And when he leaves you or attains authority, he strives to create and spread disorder and corruption everywhere he can in the land,
and damage the crops/agriculture and the livestock - the sources of life.
Surely Allah does not like the spreading of disorder and corruption and those who do it.

02:206
And when he is told:
‘Be fearful of Allah’ in your actions.
He takes an offence and his false pride and arrogance seize him and lead him to greater
sin.
So sufficient for him will be Hell – and what a terrible place to rest!

02:207
However, in contrast, there are some people who would give their life away, seeking Allah’s Pleasure.
And Allah is Kind to HIS servants for HE guides them to what pleases HIM.

02:208
O The Faithful!
Enter the fold of Islam in its totality - not selectively, not piecemeal.
And do not follow the satanic footprints:
for sure he is a clear enemy to you, seeking to lure you to Divine disobedience.

02:209
And should you stumble or err even after OUR Warnings have come to you,
then be aware that you will not be able to escape punishment,
for Allah is definitely Powerful in HIS vengeance and All-Wise in HIS actions.

02:210
Do they await but to see Allah’s command of destruction coming to them in the shade of the billowing clouds with a host of the angels?
If so, then at that point the matter - the decision for their destruction - would already be over.
And to Allah, all matters will be referred to for judgment.

02:211
Ask the Descendants of Jacob how many times WE brought them Clear Signs.
And what happened each time when they heeded them or they did not?

So whoever changes Allah’s Grace after it had come to them, then remember that,
Allah is surely Severe in Punishment.

02:212
The life of this world has been made alluring with wealth, comforts, social life, and worldly status to those who disbelieve,
and thus they ridicule and deride the believers for their impoverishment and backwardness by linking it to their faith.
However, those who are reverent will be far above them in terms of reward and status in Paradise at the Time of Final Judgment.
And Allah provides without measure and stint to whoever HE wants.

02:213
Human beings were once one single community in faith.
However, in the times of Noah and Abraham, they fell into disagreement about fundamentals, details, and acts of worship and devotion.
Then Allah assigned the Prophets for them as heralds of good news to those who would follow the Divine Guidance, and also warnings to those who would not want to follow,
and with them, HE sent down the Book of Truth, so as to judge among people concerning their differences/disputes.
However, rivalry between those who received it led them to differences out of insolence, even after having received clear signs.
Then Allah guided those, who sincerely believed, in the truth concerning matters they differed in.
And Allah guides whoever HE wants to be guided towards a Straight Path.

02:214
O The Faithful!
Being mindful of the history prior to your time, and the difficulties confronted in pursuing
the Straight Path -
would you reckon that you could find an easy way to Paradise without first experiencing
the suffering that those before you experienced?
In fact, they suffered the worst forms of misfortune and hardship, and they were so terribly shattered in spirit, that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him cried out in helplessness:
‘When is Allah’s help and support coming?’
They were assured that Allah’s help was definitely close at hand!
Notwithstanding the historical perspective, testing of the quality of Faith and obedience continues through time and space.

02:215
They are asking you, O The Prophet, how far they should spend for a good cause.
Tell them:
‘Whatever you can spend
for the parents, and
the relatives/family, and
the orphans, and
the poor, and
the traveler in need.
Whatever good you do, surely Allah is Well-Aware of it as HE knows your intention and HE will reward you for it.

02:216
Fighting in the Cause of Allah is a duty made binding on you even though it may be to your disliking.
You never know that you may dislike something though it may be good for you,
or you may love something though it may be bad for you.
It is only Allah WHO is All-Knowing of the good and bad for you.
And you do not know.

02:217
They are asking you, O The Prophet, about the Divine Ruling regarding fighting in a sacred
month.
Tell them:
‘Fighting during it is indeed a big offense, but even a bigger offense in the Sight of Allah is:
- turning people away from the Path of Allah, and
- disbelieving in HIM, and
preventing access to Grand Sacred Masjid for Hajj and/or Umrah, and
expelling its people from it!
And religious persecution is worse than fighting’ in a sacred month.
They will not stop fighting against you until they turn you away from your faith if at all
they can.
But those of you who turn away from their faith, and die disbelieving, will have wasted their good deeds in this world.
And in the Hereafter, they will be People of Fire.
There they will remain – never to leave, never to perish.

02:218
Surely those who believe,
and those who migrate and strive in the Cause of Allah to elevate HIS Religion,
it is they who can hope for Allah’s Mercy,
for Allah is Forgiving of what they do, and Merciful as HE would not punish them.

02:219
They are asking you about the Divine Ruling in respect of the consumption of intoxicants and
play of gambling.
Tell them:
‘In both is great sin/harm yet some benefit too for people.
However, the sin/harm of the two is greater than the benefit of the two.’
And they ask you how much they should spend for a good cause.
Tell them:
‘Whatever you can possibly spare’ beyond your present and anticipated needs.
Thus Allah explains to you the Injunctions so that you may reflect and act -

02:220
– as they relate to this world and the Hereafter.
And they are asking you, O The Prophet, about the Divine Injunction while handling the funds and property of the orphans in their care.
Tell them:
‘Improving their lot is best thing you can do;
and if you mix their affairs with yours in respect of financial expenses and living, there will be no harm for they are after all your brethren – so keep track of their good faithfully;

and Allah is Fully-Aware of who means corruption from the one who improves things for the orphans;
and if Allah had wanted, HE could have surely put you into as vulnerable a position as they by making you an orphan.
Indeed, Allah is Almighty with irresistible might, and All-Wise in HIS actions.’

02:221
O The Faithful!
And do not marry polytheist women, an idolater, and/or pagan until they believe the way you believe, i.e., enter the fold of Islam.
To marry a believing slave woman is certainly better and preferable than a free polytheist, idolater, and/or pagan woman even though you may fancy her for her beauty, riches, and social profile.
Similarly, do not marry polytheist, idolater and/or pagan men unless they believe the way you believe, i.e. enter the fold of Islam.
To marry a believing slave is certainly better and more profound than a free man who is polytheist, idolater and/or pagan even though he may fancy you for his riches, status, and social profile.
These situations may be tempting, but they lead you to the Fire.
Whereas Allah calls you, by HIS Grace, to the Paradise, and to forgiveness of your oversights and sinful trespasses.
And HE makes clear HIS Injunctions to the people, so that they may remain mindful of their compliance.

02:222
And they are also asking you, O The Prophet, about the Divine Injunctions regarding cohabitation between wife and husband during menses of the former.
Tell them:
‘this is a time of pain and impurity for women.
So keep away from your wives during their menstruation.
And do not get near them until they have cleansed by way of taking a ritual bath.
Once they have cleansed themselves, and are restored to a state of ritual purity, you may then go to them for cohabitation as Allah has allowed you.’
Surely, Allah likes those who turn to HIM in constant repentance if they had transgressed against this prohibition.
And, HE also likes those spouses who keep themselves ritually clean.

02:223
Your wives are like a fertile field for you.
So go into your fields and seed them as you wish,
and send forward something good for the future of yourselves.
Be mindful of Allah, and know that you will meet HIM one day, and be held responsible for complying with this and related injunctions.
So give the good news to those faithful who remain mindful of these injunctions.

02:224
And do not use your oaths to Allah as an excuse
for not doing good, and
not acting from piety, and
not making peace among people.

Surely Allah is All-Listening to what you say, and All-Knowing of your motives and circumstances.

02:225
Allah will not hold you responsible for what is thoughtless in your oaths,
but will certainly hold you responsible for what your hearts have earned, i.e., the oaths you may have taken intentionally.
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving of your thoughtless oaths, and Forbearing for not hastening punishment upon you.

02:226
In times of married life when spouses, for one reason or another, find themselves drawn away from each other; in such situations, for those husbands who renounce their wives, should wait for four lunar months.
Then, if they return, and reconcile during this period, then,
surely Allah will be Forgiving for their renunciation, as HE is Merciful.

02:227
However, if the period of four lunar months lapses, and they are determined to divorce
their wives,
then let them declare it while remaining mindful that
surely Allah is All-Listening, and Well-Aware of everything – so behave in a proper manner.

02:228
Given their belief in Allah, adherence to HIS Injunctions, and the Time of Final Judgment,
the divorced women must wait by themselves, without remarrying, for three menstruations
immediately following the divorce.
And, it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah may have created in their wombs, i.e., they may be in a family way/pregnant.
In such times, their husbands are entitled to take them back, should they desire reconciliation and settlement.
And they - the wives - have rights similar to their obligations in relation to their husbands, according to the locally recognized norms, though the husbands have an advantage over them in that they have been given the right to divorce their wives.
And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

02:229
This way of giving divorce can be done two times, then it means:
either he retains them in a fair manner,
or allows them to leave in a decent way and with kindness.
While dissolving the marriage tie, it is not lawful for the husbands to take back anything from the departing wives that they had given them as bridal money, or gifts on other occasions, unless both husband and wife have a cause to fear breaking the rules set by Allah.
Then, if so you have a cause to fear breaking the rules set by Allah, in which case it will be no blame on either of them for what the wife may give up to her husband in order to free herself from the marriage tie, i.e., by paying back all or a part of the bridal money, as mutually agreed.
These are the rules set by Allah, so do not violate or overstep them.

Whoever violates or oversteps the rules set by Allah, those - they will indeed be the unfair
people.

02:230
Then after divorcing his wife within the waiting period two times, if he divorces her by pronouncing it for the third time,
she will instantly become unlawful for him until she marries another husband.
And, then, if he, the second husband, divorces her in the normal course of time and circumstances, in which case it will be no sin for either of them – the woman and her first husband - to return to each other and remarry,
provided, of course, they both are convinced that they will maintain the rules set by Allah.
And these are the rules set by Allah.
HE makes them clear to people who want to understand the consequences of violating these Divine Rules.

02:231
And once you have divorced your wives, and they are about to reach the end of their waiting period, then:
either keep them in all decency,
or let them go in all decency.
And do not retain them against their free will and out of malice with the intent to harass or
intimidate them, so that you transgress.
And whoever does so will definitely have done himself evil.
And do not take Allah’s Decrees in a frivolous manner, and thus make a mockery by not respecting them.
And remember the favors that Allah has conferred on you, and has sent down to you the Book of the Qur’an, and the Wisdom.
HE admonishes you by means of it.
Stay conscious of Allah’s Decrees.
And be mindful that Allah is definitely Well-Aware of everything you do.

02:232
And when you have divorced your wives, and they have reached the end of their waiting period,
the relatives and friends must not prevent them from remarrying former husbands, provided they both agree to do so on mutually equitable terms and socially acceptable norms.
This is enjoined upon every one of you, who believes in the Supremacy of Allah’s Injunctions, and the Hereafter,
This is more virtuous for you as well as more righteous.
And Allah Knows whereas you do not know what is fitting in the situation.

02:233
Mothers shall breast-feed their babies for two full years provided they - both parents - like to complete the breast-feeding period.
In this case, the breast-feeding mothers, who are divorced, and babies must be maintained
and looked after by the baby’s father according to his means -
though no one should be burdened to bear expenses beyond their reasonable and known
economic means.
Neither the mothers should be allowed to cause her baby to suffer nor should the father cause suffering to his baby,
The same obligation also applies to the father’s heir, in the event of the father’s death.

But, if by mutual consultation and agreement, both parents decide upon separation of the mother and the baby earlier than two years, the two will incur no blame.
And if you - the baby’s father - decide to seek your baby's foster mothers, there will be no blame on you, provided you compensate the foster-mothers in a fair manner and according to practice in vogue.
And above all, stay mindful of Allah’s Decrees.
And know that Allah is always Watching whatever you do.

02:234
Those of you who die, and leave behind wives as widows, the widows should keep themselves aloof from the men whom they could potentially marry for four months and ten days.
When they have reached the end of their waiting period, it will be no blame for you, as parents or guardians, to let them re-marry whoever they choose for themselves provided they do so in the bounds of decency and socially acceptable norms based on principals of Islam.
And let them be mindful that Allah is Well-Aware of whatever you do.

02:235
And there will be no blame on you if you give a hint of an intended marriage-offer to any one of these widowed women privately, or keep the intention within yourself during their obligated waiting period.
Allah is Aware of your intentions to seek them in marriage, but do not make a proposal to them in secret; except that you speak to them discreetly, and according to Islamic values.
And do not tie the knot of marriage until the waiting period has reached the end of its term.
And beware of HIM!
And remember that Allah is definitely All-Forgiving and All-Forbearing.

02:236
It will not be a cause of any blame if you divorce women with whom you made a marriage contract but have not yet touched them in skin-to-skin cohabitation, or promised any bridal money to them.
But even then, make a provision for them according to practice in vogue:
the well-to-do according to his means and resources, and
the poor according to his means and resources.
This is an obligation on those men who want to achieve excellence in piety.

02:237
However, if you divorce them before you have touched them in skin-to-skin cohabitation, but after their bridal money has been settled,
then give them half of what you have settled, unless they voluntarily agree to relinquish it, or he relinquishes in whose hand is the marriage-tie, i.e., her husband or guardian.
But it will be more appropriate that you - the husbands - relinquish it, as it is closer to piety
and Allah-consciousness.
And never forget to be generous among yourselves.
Let them be mindful that Allah is definitely Watchful of all that you do.

02:238
Guard the times of daily Salat/Prayers, especially the Middle-Salat/Prayer.
And stand devoutly before Allah.

02:239
But if you feel threatened by an enemy force and it is not possible to perform the Salat/ Prayer standing in one place, then pray while walking or riding.
And when you feel secure, then remember Allah in the way HE taught you – in a way you did not know before.

02:240
Those among you who are about to die, leaving wives behind as widows, let them make a bequest for their wives: at least a year’s maintenance and lodging, without evicting them from their homes.
But if they do leave on their own, you will not be blamed for what they may rightfully choose to do with themselves, i.e., their lives.
Remember that Allah is the Almighty and the All-Wise.

02:241
And for the divorced women too there is a provision according to customary good - with generosity and kindness.
This is an obligation on those who are Allah-fearing and pious.

02:242
In this way, Allah clarifies HIS Decrees to you,
so that you may understand them better.

02:243
Have you not considered those who fled from their homeland, and they were in thousands, and afraid of death?
So as a punishment for their cowardice, Allah told them:
‘Die!
And they were dead.
Then HE made them alive again.
Indeed, Allah is Gracious to people who are grateful for HIS Graciousness;
though most people are ungrateful for HIS Graciousness.

02:244
So fight in the Cause of Allah against oppression and aggression.
And bear in mind that Allah is All-Listening to your sayings about fighting, and All-Knowing your intentions and motives.
And will thus requite you accordingly.

02:245
Who is it that will lend a beautiful loan to Allah which HE will then multiply and repay
many times over?
For it is Allah WHO withholds your means of livelihood and enlarges by giving you abundantly.
And, it is to HIM that you will be going back in the Hereafter.
And will thus reward you accordingly.

02:246
Have you not considered how, after Moses’ time, the leaders of Descendants of Jacob appealed to their Prophet, Samuel, saying:
‘Appoint a king for us who may unite us and then we will be able to fight under his command in the Cause of Allah?’

He – Samuel, sensing their duplicity - asked:
‘Is it possible that, if it is Allah’s Will for you to fight, would you not fight?’
They answered by assuring:
‘How is it we will not fight in the Cause of Allah when we have been driven out from our
homelands and our families?’
Yet, when they were commanded to fight, they all turned away from fighting in cowardice, except for a few among them who crossed the river with Saul.
And Allah had Full Knowledge of such wrongdoers.

02:247
Prophet Samuel then prayed to assign a king, and Allah responded by assigning Saul.
And when their Prophet told them:
‘Allah has assigned Saul as king for you.’
They agitated and complained:
‘How can he be made our king?
When we are more deserving to rule than him for he is not even rich enough.’
He said:
‘Surely Allah has selected him to be over you for being most perfect of character and stature.
HE has endowed him abundantly with wisdom and prowess.
And Allah bestows HIS kingdom – authority to rule - to whoever HE wants.
And Allah is Infinitely more Knowledgeable’ than you.

02:248
Then their Prophet Samuel told them:
‘The sign of his kingship will be that the Ark of the Covenant will come back to you.
In it will be a source of tranquility from your Rabb - The Lord, and the relics of the Family of Moses and the Family of Aaron they had left behind.
It will be carried by the angels.
Indeed, in this will be a sign for you reassuring that Saul has been assigned kingship by Allah if you really have faith in this narrative.

02:249
So when they were given a sign of the Ark, they accepted him as the heavenly assigned king and
went out with him to fight.
When Saul led the troops, in the heat of summer, saying:
‘Allah is surely going to test you at river – River Jordan.
Whoever drinks of its water will not be from me;
but whoever will not drink from it will be from me, except for the one who scoops up a handful of water with his hands.’
And they all drank from it in plenty except for a few.
So when they had crossed over it, and those who believed with him but had weak faith and drank plenty of water said:
‘We have no strength to fight against Goliath and his troops today.’
However, those who were convinced that they will meet Allah one day and had only a handful of water said:
‘How often has a small force of believers defeated a large force of disbelievers by the Will of Allah.
And Allah is always with the steadfast and persevering.’

02:250
So when they were facing Goliath and his troops on the battlefield, they prayed:

‘O Our Rabb - The Lord!
Send on us steadfastness, endurance and make our foothold firm in this battle.
And help us to victory against the disbelieving people.’

02:251
So by the Will of Allah they – Saul and his troops - routed them – Goliath and his troops.
And David killed Goliath.
And Allah granted him the kingdom and the wisdom,
and taught him about whatever HE Willed.
Had Allah not enabled one people to be deterred by another, the world would indeed have
been filled with turmoil.
But Allah is Infinitely Gracious to the entire humankind.

02:252
These are Allah’s Messages
which WE recite for you, O The Prophet, in all truth.
Surely you are indeed of the Messengers and thus receiving OUR Revelations.

02:253
Of those Messengers whom WE have named, some of them WE caused to excel others.
To some of them, Allah spoke directly and exalted some over the others.
And to Jesus, son of Mary, WE granted miracles and reinforced him with Divine Grace.
Had Allah so Willed that all people be guided aright, those who followed after Moses and Jesus, would not have differed in matters of faith, and fought against each other when Clear Messages had already come to them.
But they differed, and there were some of them who believed and some of them who disbelieved.
Had Allah so Willed they would not have differed in matters of faith and fought against
each other.
But Allah does whatever HE Wills.

02:254
O The Faithful!
Spend in the Cause of Allah some of what WE have provided you from the wealth, power, knowledge, etc. before comes the Time of Final Judgment when there will be
no bargaining, and
no friendship, and
no intercession to be of any benefit.
And those who do not believe, it is they who are the wrongdoers.

02:255
Allah is the One beside WHOM there is no entity of worship.
HE is the Ever-Living, the Ever-Subsisting.
Neither tiredness overtakes HIM nor sleep to any degree and in any form.
To HIM alone belongs all and whatever exists within the celestial realm and whatever exists within the terrestrial world.
Who is there that can intercede with HIM on behalf of someone except by HIS consent?!
HE knows whatever is ahead of them and whatever is behind them.
But they - human and jinn - can never grasp the wholesomeness of HIS Knowledge except
a little of whatever HE may wish them to attain.

The Supremacy of HIS Authority overspreads the celestial realm and the terrestrial world, the upholding of which does not burden HIM.
And HE alone is the Exalted, and HE alone is the Supremely Great.

02:256
There shall be no intimidation, coercion, or compulsion in matters of following the Faith or
the religion.
The right course to salvation has become clearly distinguished through Islam from all other - past and future – erroneous beliefs, faiths, and cults.
Hence, whoever renounces the forces and systems of evil and tyranny, and puts full and
firm faith in Allah, and Islam, has indeed grasped a firm hand-hold which never breaks.
And Allah is All-Listening, All-Knowing.

02:257
Allah is the Patron and Protector of the Faithful.
HE guides them out of darkness of ignorance and disbelief to the light.
Whereas those who disbelieve their patrons and protectors are forces and systems of
falsehood, which lead them away from the light into the darkness.
It is they who will be People of the Fire,
and they are going to stay therein – never to leave, never to perish.

02:258
Have you not considered the narrative of the one who was given kingship by Allah and then in his arrogance he disputed with Abraham about his Rabb - The Lord, and his faith?
He raised a question:
Who is this Rabb - The Lord of yours to whom you are calling us?
Then Abraham said:
‘My Rabb - The Lord is the ONE WHO gives life and death.’
He – the king - retorted:
‘I am to give life and death.’
But Abraham continued the argument and said:
‘Well - Allah brings the Sun from the East.
So can you bring it from the West!?’
Thus the one with falsehood was bewildered!
And Allah does not guide such wicked people to the right argument.

02:259
Or take the example of the one who passed by a habitation that had fallen into ruin.
He wondered:
‘How will Allah bring the people of this habitation back to life after their death?’
So Allah made him die for a hundred years, then resurrected him back to life to show him how this will be done.
And HE asked:
‘How long did you stay’ in this state?
He responded:
‘A day or may be part of a day.’
Allah said:
‘No! You stayed in this state for a hundred years.
Yet look at your food and your drink.
They are not spoiled despite the length of time.
And now look at your dead donkey and all that remained with its fragmented bones.

WE did this so as to make you an example of the truth of the Resurrection for mankind.
And look closely at the bones how WE set them up and then clothe them with flesh’ and bring them back to life.
And when he saw this and it became clear to him, he said:
Now ‘I know for sure that Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.’

02:260
And imagine the occasion when Abraham also said:
O ‘My Rabb - The Lord!
Show me how YOU give life to the dead.’
Allah replied:
‘What!
You do not believe’ in My Power to resurrect?
Abraham answered:
‘Yes. Indeed. I do.
But I want it to be shown to me only to reassure my heart.’
So Allah said:
‘Then take four birds, and train them to come to you when you call, and cut them into
pieces and mix together their flesh and feathers.
Then put random pieces on separate hills, and then call them.
They will come rushing to you.
Know that O Abraham!
Allah is Almighty against those who do not believe in HIS Power to resurrect, and All- Wise.’

02:261
Those who generously spend their wealth/resources in the Cause of Allah may be compared
to a grain of corn that sprouts into seven ears, with each ear bringing a hundred grains.
Thus every good deed is blessed with a reward of seven hundred times!
Thus, Allah grants the abundance of many-fold to whoever HE wants.
And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

02:262
Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and, then do not follow what they spend with reminders of their generosity nor taunting words causing harm to whom they spend,
will have their reward for this with their Rabb - The Lord.
And there will be no fear on them, nor will they regret in the Hereafter.

02:263
Kind speech and forgiveness are much better than any act of charity followed by reproach
and taunting.
Remember that Allah is Above-All-Needs and is Forbearing in delaying the punishment of the reproachful.

02:264
O The Faithful!
Do not invalidate your acts of charity by reminding your own generosity with taunts or humiliation.
Their example is like the person who spends to be seen by people and impresses them with his piety,

but he neither believes in Allah nor in the Last Hour.
Such a person’s likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock with dirt and dust on top of it;
as heavy rain falls on it, the dust is washed away, exposing it to bare rock.
They will have no power on anything to seek any reward for whatever apparent good they might have earned for the benefit of their soul in this life -
for Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

02:265
And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s Pleasure, and strengthen their own faith, are like an orchard on an elevated plain.
When heavy rain falls on it - it yields double of its produce.
And even when heavy rain does not fall, a light drizzle or dew is enough.
And whatever you do, Allah is watching and will reward you for it.

02:266
Would any of you wish to have an orchard full of date palms and grapevines with streams
of running water through it, and in it are fruits of all kinds?
Yes!
Then one is overtaken by old age, while his children are still small and weak.
Then a fiery whirlwind strikes it – the orchard.
And it gets burned.
In this way, Allah makes HIS Messages clear to you, so that you may contemplate.

02:267
O The Faithful!
Spend of the good things you have lawfully acquired,
as well as out of that which WE bring out as produce from the land for you: both agricultural and mineral.
And do not give out in charity what is inferior in quality and grade, and which you would not even accept without belittling it and treating it with disdain.
And know that Allah is All-Sufficient beyond every need and All-Praiseworthy.

02:268
Satan makes you fearful with the prospect of impoverishment if you give out in charity,
and, instead, tempts you to indecencies.
Whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from HIM of your sins in return for your charity
and bounty.
And Allah is Infinite in HIS bounty, All-Knowing of your intentions and spending.

02:269
HE grants the wisdom to whoever HE wants.
And whoever is granted the wisdom, is indeed abundantly blessed.
Yet no one takes heed except People of Understanding.

02:270
Whatever you give away in alms or vow you vow, is surely known to Allah, and you will be rewarded for it.
But the wrongdoers who prevent almsgiving and vows will have no helpers against the Divine Punishment.

02:271
If you give out alms publicly, it is good.
But if you hide it while giving it to the poor, it will be even better for you.

This will acquit you of some of your sinful trespasses.
And Allah is Well-Aware of what you do by giving out the alms.

02:272
O The Prophet!
It is not for you to guide them to Islam.
You are responsible only for conveying the Message of Islam.
But Allah guides with HIS Guidance to whoever HE wants.
And whatever you give away in alms benefits you, for you do so only to seek the Face of
Allah.
And whatever you give away in alms, its reward will be paid back to you in full, and you will not be wronged.

02:273
Give alms to the needy who are wholly engaged in the Service of Allah,
who are thus not able to move about in the land for making their living.
Those who are not aware of their situation and consider them well-to-do as they refrain from asking.
Yet you can recognize them by their character traits - for they do not constantly ask from people.
And whatever you give away in alms to such people, surely Allah Knows about it and will reward you.

02:274
Those who give away in alms of their wealth, through the night and through the day, privately and publicly,
for them - their reward will be with their Rabb - The Lord.
And neither will befall them any fear nor will they grieve in the Hereafter.

02:275
In sharp contrast to alms-giving, charity, and the people who give out in the Cause of Allah, community welfare, and human development, the people who devour interest-money will not be raised at the Time of Resurrection, but like someone whom Satan has demented by his touch.
This being so because they argue:
‘Trade is just like interest-money’ in so far as the objective of both is to make financial gains.
While Allah has made trade lawful, HE has forbidden interest-money.
Hence, whoever correctly understands such an injunction from one’s Rabb – The Lord, and stops practicing the business of interest-money, will be entitled to retain past interest gains legally, and the matter will ultimately be judged by Allah.
But as for those who do so over and over again by considering it lawful, will be People of the Fire.
They will remain in it – never to leave, never to have respite.

02:276
Allah deprives profits from interest-money, which are apparently considered to increase wealth, from all blessings,
whereas HE blesses and augments alms-giving and charitable donations, which are apparently considered to decrease wealth.
Allah does not like the habitual impious and stubbornly sinful.
Hence to legalize interest and build a life of the society on it is a sinful offence.

02:277
Indeed, those
who believe, and
practice righteousness, and
establish their Salat/Prayers, and
pay out the Zakat/annual charity,
for them – their reward will be with their Rabb - The Lord.
And neither will befall them any fear nor will they ever grieve in the Hereafter.

02:278
O The Faithful!
Stay obedient to Allah’s Injunctions in respect of interest income.
And forego any interest that is still outstanding - if you are truly Faithful,
and hence you act in accordance with the obligations of your Faith.

02:279
And in case you do not stop,
then be warned of a war from Allah and HIS Messenger Muhammad.
However, if you repent sincerely even now and give it up for good, then you will have your principal capital.
Thus you will neither be doing wrong to others nor will you be wronged.

02:280
And in case he - the debtor- should be in strained financial circumstances, postpone the recovery of principal debt to allow a sufficient grace period till the debtor’s financial circumstances improve.
However, if you forgive his debt altogether as goodwill, it will be better for you only if you
truly knew the concept of human welfare in Islam.

02:281
And beware of the Time of Resurrection when you will be brought before Allah with all your deeds referred to HIS judgment.
Then everyone will be paid in full for what they have earned,
and they will not be treated unfairly through the loss of any good deed or the incurring of an extra evil deed.

02:282
O The Faithful!
Whenever you contract a debt loan with one another for a fixed period, write it down.
Let a legal scribe write it down between you with all accuracy.
And let the legal scribe not refuse to write it down as Allah has taught him.
So let him write, and let the debtor dictate who incurs the liability, not the lender,
and let him stay fearful of Allah, his Rabb - The Lord, and HIS dictates,
and hence do not leave out of what he owes.
However, if the debtor is mentally handicapped, or is weak, or unable to dictate for himself, then the person who is the caretaker of debtor’s interests should dictate the terms in all accuracy.
Along with the recording in writing, you must seek two adult male witnesses from amongst you as an extra guarantee of authenticity.
In case two adult males cannot be readily available, then one male adult and two female
adults, whom you approve, may act as witnesses.

This being so in case where one of the two female witnesses may happen to have been confused the other can prompt and/or remind her.
And the witnesses should not refuse to give evidence as and when called upon to do so.
Hence, you O Scribes!
Do not fail to write down every contractual provision - be the amount small or big - together with its tenure and its term.
This procedure is more equitable in the Sight of Allah, as well as it lends greater credence to the testimony and is more likely to avoid any doubts afterward.
As for a business deal or a commercial transaction concluded on the spot, there is no harm if you do not wish to commit it to writing.
But ensure that witnesses are present when you negotiate a deal with each other.
And ensure that no harm is caused either to the legal scribe or the witness, and let either of them not act in a manner that may be prejudiced to the interests of either party.
If you do cause harm to them, that will surely be a violation on your part.
Be righteous!
And stay mindful of Allah’s Commandments.
And Allah is commanding you to do so.
In fact, Allah is Fully-Aware of everything whether a witness or a scribe is coerced or prejudiced in any way.

02:283
However, if you are on a journey, and a legal scribe cannot be readily found, then let there be a security deposit given.
If anyone of you entrusts another with a deposit, let the trustee pay back to its owner what is entrusted.
Let him - the trustee - fear Allah, his Rabb - The Lord.
And do not conceal or withhold the evidence/testimony.
For whoever conceals or withholds the evidence/testimony, surely will be vicious and
sinful at heart.
And Allah is Fully-Aware of all that you do.

02:284
To Allah belongs whatever is within the celestial realm and whatever is within the terrestrial world.
And whether you reveal what is within your hearts or you hide it, Allah will hold you responsible for it.
HE will forgive whoever HE wants, and punish whoever HE wants.
And, indeed, Allah Manifests Sovereignty over all existence.

02:285
The Messenger Muhammad believes in the truth of what is being sent down onto him of the Qur’an from his Rabb - The Lord, and so do the faithful.
They all believe in Allah, and HIS angels and HIS revealed Scriptures, and HIS Messengers:
from Noah to Muhammad.
And they say:
‘We make no distinction between/among any of HIS Messengers.’
For they say:
‘We hear what we have been asked to hear and accept, and
we obey what we have been asked to obey.
We seek YOUR Forgiveness, O Our Rabb - The Lord!
And to YOU is our final return’ upon death/Resurrection.

02:286
Allah does not burden any person with executing HIS Commandments-based deeds in the worldly life beyond his capacity.
He will get the reward for whatever good he has earned and against him whatever evil he has done.
O The Faithful!
Make the following plea to your Rabb - The Lord:
O ‘Our Rabb - The Lord!
Do not take us to task as and when we happen to forget the execution of Your Commandments,
or lapse into error.
O Our Rabb - The Lord!
Do not burden us such as YOU burdened those who lived before us,
O Our Rabb - The Lord!
Do not burden us beyond what we have the strength and capacity to bear.
Pardon us, overlook our oversights, and
forgive us for our sinful offence, and
have mercy and compassion on us.
YOU alone are our Guardian, our Protector.
Help us and grant us victory against the disbelieving people’ – those who ridicule the Qur’an, and the Recipient of the Qur’an – As-Sayyed Muhammad ibn Abdallah.
Amen!