Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/260

134 not the footsteps of Satan ; verily, he is to you an open foe.

Eight pairs, — of sheep two, and of goats two ; say, ‘ Are the two males unlawful, or the two females, or what the wombs of the two females contain ? inform me with knowledge if ye tell the truth.’ And of camels two, and cows two ; say, ‘ Are the two males unlawful, or the two females, or what the wombs of the two females contain ? Were ye witnesses when God ordained for you these ? — Then who is more unjust than he who devises a lie against God, to lead men astray without knowledge? verily, God guides not the unjust people .’

Say, ‘ I cannot find in what I am inspired with anything unlawful for the taster to taste ; unless it be dead (of itself), or blood that has been shed, or the flesh of swine, — for that is a horror — or an abomination that is consecrated to other than God. But he who is forced, not wilfully nor transgressing, — then, verily, thy Lord is forgiving and merciful.’

To those who were Jews did we prohibit everything that hath a solid hoof; and of oxen and sheep did we prohibit to them the fat, save what the backs of both do bear, or the inwards, or what is mixed with bone ; with that did we recompense them for their rebellion, for, verily, we are true.

And if they give thee the lie, say, ‘ Your Lord is of ample mercy, nor shall His violence be turned back from the sinful people.’