Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/307

Ⅸ, 55-62. Let not their wealth please you nor their children, God only wishes to torment them therewith in the life of this world, and that their souls may pass away while still they misbelieve.

They swear by God that, verily, they are of you ; but they are not of you, and they are a people who do stand aside in fear. Could they but have found a refuge, or some caves, or a place in which to creep, they would have turned round in haste thereto.

Of them are some who defame thee, with respect to alms ; though if they are given a part thereof, they are content ; and if they are not given a part thereof, then are they in a rage. Would that they were content with what God and His Apostle had brought them, and would say, ‘ God is enough for us! God will bring us of His grace, and so will His Apostle ; verily, unto God is our desire !’

Alms are only for the poor and needy, and those who work for them, and those whose hearts are reconciled , and those in captivity, and those in debt, and those who are on God’s path, and for the wayfarer ; — an ordinance this from God, for God is knowing, wise.

And of them are some who are by the ears with the prophet, and say, ‘He is all ear.’ Say, ‘An ear of good for you !’ he believes in God, and believes in those who do believe, and is a mercy unto such of you as believe ; but those who are by the ears with the Apostle of God, for them is grievous woe !