Rank of his own bestowal, and forgiveness, and mercy; for God is Indulgent, Merciful.
The angels,[1] when they took the souls of those who had been unjust to their own weal, demanded, “ What hath been your state?”[2] They said, “ We were the weak ones[3] of the earth.” They replied, “ Was not God's earth broad enough for you to flee away in?” These! their home shall be Hell, and evil the passage to it—
100 Except the men and women and children who were not able, through their weakness, to find the means of escape, and were not guided on their way. These haply God will forgive: for God is Forgiving, Gracious.
Whoever flieth his country for the cause of God, will find in the earth many under like compulsion, and abundant resources; and if any one shall quit his home and fly to God and his apostle, and then death overtake him,—his reward from God is sure: for God is Gracious, Merciful!
And when ye go forth to war in the land, it shall be no crime in you to cut short your prayers,[4] if ye fear lest the infidels come upon you; Verily, the infidels are your undoubted enemies!
And when thou, O apostle! shalt be among them, and shalt pray with them, then let a party of them rise up with thee, but let them take their arms; and when they shall have made their prostrations, let them retire to your rear: then let another party that hath not prayed come forward, and let them pray with you; but let them take their precautions and their arms. Pleased would the infidels be for you to neglect your arms and your baggage, that they might turn upon you at once! And it shall be no crime in you to lay down your arms if rain annoy you, or if ye be sick. But take your precautions.[5] Verily, God hath made ready a shameful torment for the infidels.
And when ye shall have ended the prayer, make mention of God, standing, and sitting, and reclining: and as soon as ye
- ↑ Some of the Meccans after embracing Islam did not thoroughly break with the infidels and fly their country. These persons were miraculously slain by angels at Bedr. Others suppose the angels to be Nakir and Monkir, who examine the dead in the grave.
- ↑ That is, to what religion did ye belong?
- ↑ And therefore could not resist the unbelievers.
- ↑ Thus the Rabbins Tr. Berachoth, iv. 4, “ He that goeth in a dangerous place may pray a short prayer.”
- ↑ See Mischna Tr. Berachoth, 10.
