Page:Koran - Rodwell - 2nd ed.djvu/354

 338

The Koran

is controlled by God: He knoweth the works of every one, and the infidels shall know whose will be the recompense of the abode.

The infidels^ moreover, will say ; Thou art not sent of God. Say : God is witness enough betwixt me and you, and, whoever hath knowledge of the Book.

[XCL]

SURA II. THE cowl

Medina. 286 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Elif. Lam. Mim.^ No doubt is there about this Book: It is a guidance to the God-fearing,

Who believe in the unseen, who observe prayer, and out of what we have bestowed on them, expend for God ;

And who believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath been sent down before thee, and full faith have they in the life to come:

These are guided by their Lord ; and with these it shall be well.

As to the infidels, alike is it to them whether thou warn them or warn them not they will not believe: 1 Their hearts and their ears hath God sealed up; and over - their eyes is a covering. For them, a severe chastisement!

And some * there are who say, " We believe in God, and in the latter day : " Yet are they not believers !

Fain would they deceive God and those who have believed ; but they deceive themselves only, and know it not.

Diseased are their hearts ! And that disease hath God in-

in the early part of the second year of the Hejira and previously to the battle of Bedr. The Hejira took place in the beginning of Muharram, or middle of April, a.d. 622. The numbers who emigrated with Muhammad at first, were about 150 persons, Medina is 250 miles north of Mecca, and ten days' journey.
 * The greater part of this, the oldest of the Medina Suras^ was revealed

but see Sura Ixviii, p. 32.
 * Said to mean A mar a li Muhammad, i.e. at the command of Muhammad;

' Death, Resurrection, Judgment, etc. *The Jews.