countenance usury, strong drink and gambling. It concludes with a statement of the universal character of Al-Islâm, the religion of Allah's sovereignty, and a prayer for the forgiveness of shortcomings.
This surah might be described as the Koran in little. It contains mention of all the essential points of the Revelation, which are elaborated elsewhere. This accounts for the precedence given to it in the arrangement of the Book.
The period of revelation is the years 1 and 2 A.H. for the most part, certain verses of legislation being considered as of later date.
THE COW
Revealed at Al-Madînah
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
1 Alif. Lâm. Mîm.[1]
2 This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
3 Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them;
4 And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter.
5 These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.
6 As for the Disbelievers, whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not.
7 Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom.
- ↑ Three letters of the Arabic alphabet. Many sûrahs begin thus with letters of the alphabet. Opinions differ as to their signficance, the prevalent view being that they indicate some mystic words. Some have opined that they are merely the initials of the scribe. They are alaywas included in the text and recited as part of it.
