The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Two hills adjacent to the Ka
 ba between which a pilgrim and visitor should walk up
and down in commemoration of what Hagar did in search of water for her baby,
Ishmael.
b
The minor pilgrimage (
 umra) can be done during the pilgrimage season or at any
other time during the year.
c
The Ka
 ba, which is central both to the direction of prayer and to the rites of
pilgrimage as established by Abraham at God’s command.
d
The Muslims were reluctant to perform this rite, as the polytheists had installed
two idols on these hills. Here it is reclaimed for God.
The Qur
an
2: 156
18

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bonds between them are severed, 
167the followers will say, ‘If only we
had one last chance, we would disown them as they now disown us.’
In this way, God will make them see their deeds as a source of bitter
regret: they shall not leave the Fire.
168People, eat what is good and lawful from the earth, and do not
follow Satan’s footsteps, for he is your sworn enemy. 
169He always
commands you to do what is evil and indecent, and to say things
about God that you do not really know.
a
170But when it is said to
them, ‘Follow the message that God has sent down,’ they answer,
‘We follow the ways of our fathers.’ What! Even though their fathers
understood nothing and were not guided? 
171Calling to disbelievers
b
is like a herdsman calling to things that hear nothing but a shout and
a cry: they are deaf, dumb, and blind, and they understand nothing.
172You who believe, eat the good things We have provided for you
and be grateful to God, if it is Him that you worship. 
173He has only
forbidden you carrion, blood, pig’s meat, and animals over which any
name other than God’s has been invoked. But if anyone is forced to
eat such things by hunger, rather than desire or excess, he commits
no sin: God is most merciful and forgiving.
174As for those who conceal the Scripture that God sent down and
sell it for a small price, they only 
fill their bellies with Fire. God will
not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify
them: an agonizing torment awaits them. 
175These are the ones who
exchange guidance for error, and forgiveness for torment. What can
make them patient in the face of the Fire? 
176This is because God has
sent the Scripture with the Truth; those who pursue di
fferences in
the Scripture are deeply entrenched in opposition.
177Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or
West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day,
in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some
of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to
orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in
bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms;
who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in
misfortune, adversity, and times of danger. These are the ones who
are true, and it is they who are aware of God.
a
See
6: 138, 145.
b
It is also possible to interpret this as referring to the disbelievers calling on their
idols, who cannot respond.
The Cow
19
2: 177

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178You who believe, fair retribution
a
is prescribed for you in cases
of murder: the free man for the free man, the slave for the slave, the
female for the female.
b
But if the culprit is pardoned by his
aggrieved brother, this shall be adhered to fairly, and the culprit shall
pay what is due in a good way. This is an alleviation from your Lord
and an act of mercy. If anyone then exceeds these limits, grievous
su
ffering awaits him. 179Fair retribution saves life for you, people of
understanding, so that you may guard yourselves against what is
wrong.
When death approaches one of you who leaves wealth, 
180it is
prescribed that he should make a proper bequest to parents and close
relatives –
– a duty incumbent on those who are mindful of God. 
181If
anyone alters the bequest after hearing it, the guilt of the alteration
will fall on them: God is all hearing and all knowing. 
182But if anyone
knows
c
that the testator has made a mistake, or done wrong, and so
puts things right between the parties, he will incur no sin: God is
most forgiving and merciful.
183You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was pre-
scribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.
184Fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a
journey, on other days later. For those who can fast only with extreme
di
fficulty, there is a way to compensate–– feed a needy person. But if
anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is
better for you, if only you knew. 
185It was in the month of Ramadan
that the Qur
an was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages
giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So any
one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is
ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other
days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to
complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided
you, so that you may be thankful. 
186[Prophet], if My servants ask you
about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me, so let them
respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.