is gracious and merciful.  O true believers, a fast is ordained you, as it was ordained unto those before you, that ye may fear God.  A certain number of days shall ye fast:  but he among you who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast an equal number of other days.  And those who can keep it, and do not, must redeem their neglect by maintaining of a poor man.  And he who voluntarily dealeth better with the poor man than he is obliged, this shall be better for him.  But if ye fast it will be better for you, if ye knew it.  The month of Ramadhan shall ye fast, in which the Koran was sent down from heaven, a direction unto men, and declarations of direction, and the distinction between good and evil.  Therefore let him among you who shall be present in this month, fast the same month; but he who shall be sick, or on a journey, shall fast the like number of other days.  God would make this an ease unto you, and would not make it a difficulty unto you; that ye may fulfil the number of days, and glorify God, for that he hath directed you, and that ye may give thanks.  When my servants ask thee concerning me, Verily I am near; I will hear the prayer of him that prayeth, when he prayeth unto me:  but let them hearken unto me, and believe in me, that they may be rightly directed.  It is lawful for you on the night of the fast to go in unto your wives:  they are a garment unto you, and ye are a garment unto them.  God knoweth that ye defraud yourselves therein, wherefore he turneth unto you and forgiveth you.  Now therefore go in unto them; and earnestly desire that which God ordaineth you, and eat and drink, until ye can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daybreak:  then keep the fast until night, and go not in unto them, but be constantly present in the places of worship.  These are the prescribed bounds of God, therefore draw not near them to transgress them.  Thus God declareth his signs unto men, that ye may fear him.  Consume not your wealth among yourselves in vain; nor present it unto judges, that ye may devour part of men’s substance unjustly, against your own consciences.  They will ask thee concerning the phases of the moon.  Answer, They are times appointed unto men, and to show the season of the pilgrimage to Mecca.  It is not righteousness that ye enter your houses by the back part thereof, but righteousness is of him who feareth God.  Therefore enter your houses by their doors; and fear God, that ye may be happy.  And fight for the religion of God against those who fight against you, but transgress not by attacking them first, for God loveth not the transgressors.  And kill them wherever ye find them, and turn them out of that whereof they have dispossessed you; for temptation to idolatry is more grievous than slaughter:  yet fight not against them in the holy temple, until they attack you therein; but if they attack you, slay them there.  This shall be the reward of the infidels.  But if they desist, God is gracious and merciful.