Do not marry those women whom your fathers had married, - exceptwhat happened prior to this commandment. - Surely it wasshocking, disgusting, and an evil practice.

and indeed failure will be the one who corrupts it!

Recite to them in all truth the story of Adam's two sons: Howeach offered a sacrifice, and how the offering of one wasaccepted while that of the other was not. The latter said: "Iwill kill you." The former replied: "Allah only accepts thesacrifice from the righteous.

Even if you stretch your hand to kill me, I shall not stretch myhand to slay you, for I fear Allah, the Rabb of the worlds.

I intend to let you bear the burden of my sins as well as yoursand thus become an inmate of the Fire which is the reward forwrongdoers."

The latter's soul prompted him to kill his brother; he killed himand thus became one of the losers.

(He carried around the dead body of his brother and did not knowwhat to do with it.) Then Allah sent a raven, which dug theground to show him how to bury the dead body of his brother."Alas!" He cried, "I failed even to be like this raven to findsome way to dispose of the dead body of my brother!" So he becamefull of regrets.

On account of that incident, We ordained for the Children ofIsrael that whoever kills a person, except as a punishment formurder or mischief in the land, it will be written in his book ofdeeds as if he had killed all the human beings on the surface ofthe Earth and whoever will save a life shall be regarded as if hegave life to all the human beings on the surface of the Earth.Yet, even though Our Rasools came to them one after the otherwith clear revelations, it was not long before, many of themcommitted excesses in the land.

Narrate to them the example of the people of a certain town towhom the Rasools came.

At first We sent to them two Rasools, but when they rejected bothWe strengthened them with a third and they all said: "Surely wehave been sent to you as Rasools."

But the people replied: "You are but humans like us. TheCompassionate (Allah) has revealed nothing; you are surelylying."

They said: "Our Rabb knows that we have indeed been sent asRasools towards you

and our only duty is to convey His message plainly."

The people replied: "We regard you as an evil omen for us.Desist, or we will either stone you or you will receive from us apainful punishment."

They said: "Your evil omens lies within yourselves. Do you saythis because you are being admonished? Indeed you are a nation oftransgressors."

In the meantime a man came running from the remote part of theCity and said: "O my people! Follow these Rasools.

Follow the ones who ask no reward of you and are rightly guided.

It would not be justifiable on my part if I do not worship HimWho has created me and to Whom you shall be brought back.

Should I take other gods besides Him? If the Compassionate(Allah) should intend to harm me, their intercession will availme nothing, nor will they be able to save me.

If I do so, I would indeed be in manifest error.

Surely I believe in your Rabb, so listen to me".

Consequently they killed that man and it was said to him: "Enterparadise." He exclaimed: "Would that my people knew that what Iknow!

How my Rabb has granted me forgiveness and included me among thehonored ones."

After that We did not send any army against his people fromheaven, nor was it necessary to do so.

It was nothing but a single blast and they all became extinct.

These people cannot frustrate His plan in the land and there isnone to protect them besides Allah. Their punishment shall bedoubled, for they could neither hear others who speak the Truthnor see the Truth for themselves.

Narrate to them the story of Ibrahim,

He has also said: Verily this is My way, the Right Way; thereforefollow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead youaway from Him. This is what He enjoined on you so that you mayguard yourselves against evil.

Well! Allah gives you another example of two men: one of them isdumb and has no ability do anything - a burden on his master -whenever he sends him on an errand, he does nothing useful. Canhe be equal to the one who executes orders properly and followsthe directions in a Right Way?

O Prophet, We have put you on the Right Way (Shari'ah) concerningthe religion, so follow it, and do not yield to the desires ofignorant people;

Indeed those who say: "Our Rabb is Allah, and then remain firmshall have nothing to fear or to regret.

They shall dwell in paradise forever as a reward for their gooddeeds.

As a matter of fact, you (O Muhammad) are calling them to theStraight Way;

What! Are they so audacious that they ascribe partners to Allah,Who watches minutely over each and every soul and knows all thatit does? O Prophet ask them: If Allah Himself has set them up asHis partners then tell me their names! Do you mean to inform Himof something new that He Himself does not know on this earth, ordo you merely utter empty words?" Nay! Indeed their foul devicesseem fair to the unbelievers, for they have been debarred fromthe Right Way; and there is none to guide those whom Allah haslet go astray.

They shall be punished in the life of this world, still moregrievous is the punishment of the hereafter, and there is none toprotect them from Allah.

and surely those who do not believe in the hereafter will everstray from the Straight Way.

O'Allah! Guide us to The Right Way.

He has also said: Verily this is My way, the Right Way; thereforefollow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead youaway from Him. This is what He enjoined on you so that you mayguard yourselves against evil.

But when He tries him through restricting his subsistence, hesays: "My Rabb has humiliated me."

You are forbidden to eat the meat of any animal that dies byitself (dead body), blood, the flesh of swine (pork) and that onwhich any name other than Allah has been invoked; also that whichis strangled to death , killed by a violent blow, killed by aheadlong fall and of those beaten or gored to death; and thatwhich has been partly eaten by a wild animal unless you are ableto slaughter it before its death; also that which is sacrificedon altars or is divided by raffling of arrows. All these aresinful acts. Today the unbelievers have given up all their hopeof vanquishing your religion. Have no fear of them, fear Me.Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favorupon you and approved Al-Islam as a Deen (way of life for you).Anyone who is compelled by hunger to eat what is forbidden, notintending to commit sin, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.

while hell shall be spread open to the straying

and they will be asked: "Now, where are those whom you worshipped

besides Allah? Can they help you or even help themselves?"

Then they will be toppled into it, both they and those who misledthem,

together with all the armies of Iblees.

Wherein they will argue with one another

saying: " By Allah, we were indeed in manifest error,

when we made you equals with the Rabb of the Worlds.

It was the criminals who led us astray.

Now we have no intercessors,

and no loving friends.

If we could but once return to our worldly life, we would be ofthe true believers."

Surely in this narration there is a great lesson, but most ofthese people do not learn a lesson to become believers.

while hell shall be spread open to the straying

and they will be asked: "Now, where are those whom you worshipped

besides Allah? Can they help you or even help themselves?"

Then they will be toppled into it, both they and those who misledthem,

together with all the armies of Iblees.

Wherein they will argue with one another

saying: " By Allah, we were indeed in manifest error,

when we made you equals with the Rabb of the Worlds.

It was the criminals who led us astray.

Now we have no intercessors,

and no loving friends.

If we could but once return to our worldly life, we would be ofthe true believers."

Surely in this narration there is a great lesson, but most ofthese people do not learn a lesson to become believers.

What! Are they so audacious that they ascribe partners to Allah,Who watches minutely over each and every soul and knows all thatit does? O Prophet ask them: If Allah Himself has set them up asHis partners then tell me their names! Do you mean to inform Himof something new that He Himself does not know on this earth, ordo you merely utter empty words?" Nay! Indeed their foul devicesseem fair to the unbelievers, for they have been debarred fromthe Right Way; and there is none to guide those whom Allah haslet go astray.

They shall be punished in the life of this world, still moregrievous is the punishment of the hereafter, and there is none toprotect them from Allah.

and surely those who do not believe in the hereafter will everstray from the Straight Way.

We shall put you to test until We know the valiant and theresolute among you, and test all that is said about you.

O believers! Be patient, excel in patience during confrontation,hold yourselves ready for battle and have fear of Allah so thatyou may succeed.

These people cannot frustrate His plan in the land and there isnone to protect them besides Allah. Their punishment shall bedoubled, for they could neither hear others who speak the Truthnor see the Truth for themselves.

So if they argue with you (O Muhammad), tell them: "I havesubmitted myself entirely to Allah and so have those who followme." Then ask those who are given the Book and those who areilliterates: "Will you also submit yourselves to Allah?" If theybecome Muslims they shall be rightly guided but if they turnback, you need not worry, because your sole responsibility is toconvey the Message. Allah is watching all His servants veryclosely.

Righteousness is not whether you turn your face towards East orWest; but the righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day,the Angels, the Books and the Prophets, and to spend wealth outof love for Him on relatives, orphans, helpless, needytravellers, those who ask for and on the redemption of captives;and to establish Salah (prayers), to pay Zakah (alms), to fulfillpromises when made, to be steadfast in distress, in adversity,and at the time of war. These people are the truthful and theseare the pious.

Those who remained behind (did not join the Tabuk expedition)were delighted to sit inactive behind Allah's Rasool, and theyhated to make Jihad with their goods and their persons in thecause of Allah. They said to each other "Do not go forth in theheat." Say to them: "The fire of hell is much more severe inheat." If only they could understand!

therefore, do not yield to the unbelievers, and make Jihad(strive) against them with this Qur'an, a mighty Jihad (strenuousstriving).

As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide themto Our ways; rest assured that Allah is with the righteous.

It is to believe in Allah and His Rasool and strive your utmostin the cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That isbest for you, if you but knew it.

O Prophet! Make Jihad against the unbelievers and the hypocritesand be firm against them. Hell shall be their home; and it is theworst of all homes.

therefore, do not yield to the unbelievers, and make Jihad(strive) against them with this Qur'an, a mighty Jihad (strenuousstriving).

He that desires the life of the hereafter and strives for it asbest as he can provided he is a Believer, the endeavor of everysuch person will be accepted.

Those believers who stay at home - having no physical disability- are not equal to those who make Jihad (struggle) in the causeof Allah with their wealth and their persons. Allah has granted ahigher rank to those who make Jihad with their wealth and theirpersons than to those who stay at home. Though Allah has promiseda good reward for all, Allah has prepared a much richer rewardfor those who make Jihad for Him than for those who stay at home

- they have special higher ranks, forgiveness and mercy. Allah isForgiving, Merciful.

Those who believed (embraced Islam), migrated and made Jihad(exerted their utmost struggle) with their wealth and theirpersons in the cause of Allah; as well as those who gave themasylum and help, are indeed the protecting friends of oneanother. As to those who believed (embraced Islam) but did notemigrate (to Dar-ul-Islam, the Islamic State), you are under noobligation to protect them until they emigrate; yet it is yourobligation to help them in the matters of faith if they ask foryour help, except against a people with whom you have a treaty.Allah is observant of all your actions.

Those who believe (embrace Islam), leave their homes (migrate),and make Jihad with their wealth and persons in the cause ofAllah, have higher rank in the sight of Allah. It is they whowill be truly successful.

Their Rabb gives them good news of His mercy, His good pleasure,and paradise with everlasting bliss.

They will live therein forever. Surely it is Allah with Whom isthe mighty reward.

March forth whether you are equipped lightly or heavily and makeJihad (exert your utmost) in the way of Allah with your wealthand your persons. That is best for you if you understand.

Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day will never ask youfor exemption from fighting with their wealth and their persons.Allah is aware of those who are righteous.

But the Rasool and those who believe with him, make Jihad withtheir wealth and their persons. They are the ones who will haveall the goodness, and they are the ones who will be successful.

Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, tolive therein forever: that is the greatest achievement.

Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their persons andtheir wealth and in return has promised them paradise; they fightin the cause of Allah and slay and are slain. This is a truepromise which is binding on Him mentioned in Taurat (Torah), theInjeel (Gospel) and the Qur'an; and who is more true infulfilling his promise than Allah? Rejoice, therefore, in thebargain which you have made, and that is a mighty achievement.

The true believers are those who believe in Allah and His Rasool,then never doubt; and make Jihad (exert their efforts) with theirwealth and their persons in the cause of Allah. Such are the oneswho are truthful in their claim to be the believers.

O believers! Should I tell you of a bargain that will save youfrom a painful punishment?

It is to believe in Allah and His Rasool and strive your utmostin the cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That isbest for you, if you but knew it.

He will forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens beneathwhich rivers flow, and will lodge you in beautiful mansions inthe gardens of Eden, which will be a supreme achievement.

And yet another blessing which you love: help from Allah and aspeedy victory. So O Prophet, give this good news to thebelievers.

and turn all your attention towards your Rabb.

O Prophet, tell them: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers,your spouses, your relatives, the wealth that you have acquired,the business in which you fear a loss, and the homes which youlike are dearer to you than Allah, His Rasool, and making Jihad(struggle) in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about Hisdecision. Allah does not guide the transgressors.

As for those who strive to discredit Our revelations, there willbe a humiliating painful punishment.

As for those who strive in opposing Our revelations, they shallbe brought for punishment.

Who is more unjust than he who prevents people from the Masajid(place of worship) of Allah , forbids the mention of His nametherein, and strives to ruin them ? It is not proper for suchpeople to enter in them except with His fear. For them there isdisgrace in this world and grievous punishment in the Hereafter.

Surely those who are believers, and migrated and struggled in thepath of Allah, they can hope for the mercy of Allah; and Allah isForgiving, Merciful."

O believers! Fear Allah and seek the means to be closer to Himand make Jihad (struggle) in His Way so that you may besuccessful.

O believers! Whoever among you renounce Islam let him do so; soonAllah will replace them with others whom He will love and theywill love Him, who will be humble towards the believers, mightyagainst the unbelievers, striving hard in the way of Allah, andwill have no fear of reproach from any critic. Now this is thegrace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. Allah hasboundless knowledge.

Those who believed (embraced Islam), migrated and made Jihad(exerted their utmost struggle) in the cause of Allah, and thosewho gave them asylum and help - they are the true believers. Theyshall have forgiveness and honorable provisions.

Those who believed (embraced Islam) afterwards, migrated andjoined you in Jihad - they too are your brothers, althoughaccording to the Book of Allah the blood relatives have greaterrights on one other. Indeed Allah knows everything.

Have you made those who provide water to the pilgrims andmaintain the Masjid-al-Haram equal to those who believe in Allah,the Last Day and make Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah)?They are not equal in the sight of Allah, and Allah does notguide the wrongdoers.

Strive in the Way of Allah as you ought to strive with sincerityand discipline; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you anyhardship in the observance of your faith - the faith of yourfather Ibrahim (Abraham). He named you Muslims before in priorscriptures and in this (The Qur'an), so that His Rasool maytestify against you and you yourselves may testify against restof the mankind. Therefore, establish Salah, pay Zakah and holdfast to Allah; Who is your Protector - so what an excellentProtector and what a splendid Supporter!

O believers! Do not make friendship with those who are enemies ofMine and yours. Would you show them friendship, when they havedenied the truth that has come to you and have driven the Rasooland yourselves out of your homes, simply because you believe inAllah, your Rabb? If it was indeed to strive in My way, and toseek My good pleasure that you left your homes, how can youbefriend in secret? I know all that you conceal, and all that youreveal. Any of you who does this, he indeed has gone astray fromthe Right Way.

If they overcome you, they would behave to you as enemies andstretch out their hands and their tongues towards you with evil,and they wish to see you become unbelievers.

On the Day of Resurrection, neither your relatives nor yourchildren shall avail you. Allah will judge between you, and He isobserving all your actions.

You have an excellent example in Ibrahim (Abraham) and hiscompanions. They said to their people plainly: "We are clear ofyou and your gods, whom you worship besides Allah. We renounceyou. Enmity and hate shall reign between us forever until youbelieve in Allah, the One and Only God." But do not emulate whatIbrahim said to his father: "I will pray for your forgiveness,although I have no power to get anything for you from Allah."Their collective prayer was: "Our Rabb! In You we have put ourtrust, to You we turn in repentance and to You is our final goal.

Our Rabb! Do not expose us to the plots of the unbelievers.Forgive us, our Rabb! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

Truly, in those there is an excellent example for everyone whoputs their hopes in Allah and the Last Day. He that gives no heedshould know that Allah is free of all wants, worthy of allpraise.

It may well be that Allah will put love between you and thosewith whom you are now at odds because of the order which is givento you, for Allah is All-Powerful, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving,Most Merciful.

Allah does not forbid you to be kind and equitable to those whohad neither fought against your faith nor driven you out of yourhomes. In fact Allah loves the equitable.

Allah only forbids you to make friendship with those who foughtyou on account of your faith and drove you out of your homes andbacked up others in your expulsion. Those who will take them forfriends are indeed the wrongdoers.