Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/291

VIII, 13-23. That is, because they went into opposition against God and His Apostle; for he who ‘goes into opposition against God and His Apostle—verily, God is keen to punish.

There, taste it! since for the misbelievers is the torment of the Fire.

[15] O ye who believe! when ye meet those who misbelieve in swarms, turn not to them your hinder parts; for he who turns to them that day his hinder parts, save turning to fight or rallying to a troop, brings down upon himself wrath from God, and his resort is hell, and an ill journey shall it be!

Ye did not slay them, but it was God who slew them; nor didst thou shoot when thou didst shoot, but God did shoot, to try the believers from Himself with a goodly trial; verily, God both hears and knows. There! verily, God weakens the stratagem of the misbelievers.

If ye wish, the matter to be decided, a decision has now come to you; but if ye desist, it is better for you; and if ye turn back we will turn too, and your troop shall avail nothing, great in number though it be, since God is with the believers !

[20] O ye who believe! obey God and His Apostle, and turn not from Him while ye hear, and be not like those who say, ‘ We hear,’ and yet they hear not.

Verily, the worst of beasts in God’s sight are the deaf, the dumb who do not understand. Had God