at all, neither their children, against God:
they shall be the companions of hell fire; they shall
continue therein forever. The likeness of that
which they lay out in this present life, is as a wind
wherein there is a scorching cold: it falleth
on the standing corn of those men who have injured
their own souls, and destroyeth it. And God dealeth
not unjustly with them; but they injure their own
souls. O true believers, contract not an intimate
friendship with any besides yourselves: they will
not fail to corrupt you. They wish for that which
may cause you to perish: their hatred hath already
appeared from out of their mouths; but what their breasts
conceal is yet more inveterate. We have already
shown you signs of their ill-will towards you, if
ye understand. Behold, ye love them, and they
do not love you: ye believe in all the scriptures,
and when they meet you, they say, We believe; but
when they assemble privately together, they bite their
fingers’ ends out of wrath against you.
Say unto them, Die in your wrath: verily God
knoweth the innermost part of your breasts. If
good happen unto you, it grieveth them; and if evil
befall you, they rejoice at it. But if ye be
patient, and fear God, their subtlety shall not hurt
you at all; for God comprehendeth whatever they do.
Call to mind when thou wentest forth early from thy
family, that thou mightest prepare the faithful a
camp for war; and God heard and knew it; when two
companies of you were anxiously thoughtful, so that
ye became faint-hearted; but God was the supporter
of them both; and in God let the faithful trust.
And God had already given you the victory at Bedr,
when ye were inferior in number; therefore fear God,
that ye may be thankful. When thou saidst unto
the faithful, Is it not enough for you, that your
Lord should assist you with three thousand angels,
sent down from heaven? Verily if ye persevere,
and fear God, and your enemies come upon you suddenly,
your Lord will assist you with five thousand angels,
distinguished by their horses and attire. And
this God designed only as good tidings for you that
your hearts might rest secure: for victory is
from God alone, the mighty, the wise. That he
should cut off the uttermost part of the unbelievers,
or cast them down, or that they should be overthrown
and unsuccessful, is nothing to thee. It is no
business of thine; whether God be turned unto them,
or whether he punish them; they are surely unjust
doers. To God belongeth whatsoever is in heaven
and on earth: he spareth whom he pleaseth, and
he punisheth whom he pleaseth; for God is merciful.
O true believers, devour not usury, doubling it twofold;
but fear God, that ye may prosper: and fear the
fire which is prepared for the unbelievers; and obey
God, and his apostle, that ye may obtain mercy.
And run with emulation to obtain remission from your
Lord, and paradise, whose breath equalleth the heavens
and the earth, which is prepared for the godly; who
give alms in prosperity and adversity; who bridle