And as to those who dispute about God, after pledges of obedience given to Him,⁴ their disputings shall be condemned by their Lord, and wrath shall be on them, and theirs shall be a sore torment.

It is God who hath sent down the Book with truth, and the Balance:⁵ but who shall inform thee whether haply “the Hour” be nigh?

They who believe not in it, challenge its speedy coming:⁶ but they who believe are afraid because of it, and know it to be a truth. Are not they who dispute of the Hour, in a vast error?

Benign is God towards his servants: for whom He will doth He provide: and He is the Strong, the Mighty.

Whoso will choose the harvest field of the life to come, to him will we give increase in this his harvest field: and whoso chooseth the harvest field of this life, thereof will we give him: but no portion shall there be for him in the life to come.⁷

Is it that they have gods who have sanctioned for them aught in the matter of religion which God hath not allowed? But had it not been for a decree of respite till the day of severance, judgment had ere now taken place among them; and assuredly the impious shall undergo a painful torment.

On that day thou shalt see the impious alarmed at their own works, and the consequence thereof shall fall upon them: but they who believe and do the things that are right, shall dwell in the meadows of paradise: whatever they shall desire awaiteth them with their Lord. This, the greatest boon.

This is what God announceth to his servants who believe and do the things that are right. SAY: For this ask I no wage of you, save the love of my kin. And whoever shall have won the merit of a good deed, we will increase good to him therewith; for God is forgiving, grateful.

Will they say he hath forged a lie of God? If God pleased,

He could then seal up thy very heart.⁸ But God will bring untruth to nought, and will make good the truth by his word: for He knoweth the very secrets of the breast.

He it is who accepteth repentance from his servants, and forgiveth their sins and knoweth your actions:

And to those who believe and do the things that are right will he hearken, and augment his bounties to them:⁹ but the unbelievers doth a terrible punishment await.

Should God bestow abundance upon his servants, they might act wantonly on the earth: but He sendeth down what He will by measure; for he knoweth, beholdeth his servants.

He it is who after that men have despaired of it, sendeth down the rain, and spreadeth abroad his mercy: He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.

Among his signs is the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth, and the creatures which he hath scattered over both: and, for their gathering together when he will, He is allpowerful!

Nor happeneth to you any mishap, but it is for your own handy-work: and yet he forgiveth many things.

Ye cannot weaken him on the earth: neither, beside God, patron or helper shall ye have.

Among his signs also are the sea-traversing ships like mountains: if such be his will, He lulleth the wind, and they lie motionless on the back of the waves:—truly herein are signs to all the constant, the grateful;—

Or if, for their ill deserts, He cause them to founder, still He forgiveth much: