for God is well aware of what ye do. It is not for idolaters to repair to the mosques of God, bearing witness against themselves to unbelief; they it is whose works are vain, and in the Fire shall they dwell for aye !
He only shall repair to the mosques of God who believes in God and the last day, and is steadfast in prayer, and gives the alms, and fears only God ; — it may be that these will be of those who are guided.
Have ye made out the giving drink to the pilgrims and the repairing to the Sacred Mosque[1] to be like being one who believes in God and in the last day, and is strenuous in the way of God ? — they are not equal in God’s sight, and God guides not an unjust people.
20 Those who believe and who have fled and been strenuous in the way of God, with their wealth and with their persons, are highest in rank with God, and these it is who are happy. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Himself, and good-will ; and gardens shall they have therein and lasting pleasure, to dwell therein for aye ! Verily, God, with Him is mighty here.
O ye who believe! take not your fathers and your brothers for patrons if they love misbelief rather than faith ; for whosoever amongst you takes them for patrons these are the unjust.
Say, ‘ If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your clansmen, and
- ↑ Abu ’l ʿAbbâs, Mohammed’s uncle, when taken prisoner and reproached with his unbelief, appealed to his having performed these duties as entitling him to as much consideration as if he had professed Islâm.
