covenant on this condition?  They answered, We are firmly resolved:  God said, Be ye therefore witnesses; and I also bear witness with you:  and whosoever turneth back after this, they are surely the transgressors.  Do they therefore seek any other religion but God’s? since to him is resigned whosoever is in heaven or on earth, voluntarily, or of force:  and to him shall they return.  Say, We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down unto us, and that which was sent down unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which was delivered to Moses, and Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them; and to him are we resigned.  Whoever followeth any other religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him:  and in the next life he shall be of those who perish.  How shall God direct men who have become infidels after they had believed, and borne witness that the apostle was true, and manifest declarations of the divine will had come unto them? for God directeth not the ungodly people.  Their reward shall be, that on them shall fall the curse of God, and of angels, and of all mankind:  they shall remain under the same forever; their torment shall not be mitigated, neither shall they be regarded; except those who repent after this, and amend; for God is gracious and merciful.  Moreover they who become infidels after they have believed, and yet increase in infidelity, their repentance shall in no wise be accepted, and they are those who go astray.  Verily they who believe not, and die in their unbelief, the world full of gold shall in no wise be accepted from any of them, even though he should give it for his ransom; they shall suffer a grievous punishment, and they shall have none to help them.  Ye will never attain unto righteousness, until ye give in alms of that which ye love:  and whatever ye give, God knoweth it.  All food was permitted unto the children of Israel, except what Israel forbade unto himself before the Pentateuch was sent down.  Say unto the Jews, Bring hither the Pentateuch and read it, if ye speak truth.  Whoever therefore contriveth a lie against God after this, they will be evil-doers.  Say, God is true:  follow ye therefore the religion of Abraham the orthodox; for he was no idolater.  Verily the first house appointed unto men to worship in was that which is in Becca;[56] blessed, and a direction to all creatures.  Therein are manifest signs:  the place where Abraham stood; and whoever entereth therein, shall be safe.  And it is a duty towards God, incumbent on those who are able to go thither, to visit this house; but whosoever disbelieveth, verily God needeth not the service of any creature.  Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye not believe in the signs of God?  Say, O ye who have received the scriptures, why do ye keep back from the way of God him who believeth?  Ye seek to make it crooked, and yet are witnesses that it is the right:  but God will not be unmindful of