The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
i.e. scriptural evidence, cf. verses 
143, 144, and 148.
Livestock
91
6: 147

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‘Your Lord has all-encompassing mercy, but His punishment cannot
be diverted from the evildoers.’
148The idolaters will say, ‘If God had
willed, we would not have ascribed partners to Him –
– nor would our
fathers –
– or have declared anything forbidden.’ In the same way,
those before them continually denied [the truth] until they tasted
Our punishment. Say, ‘Have you any knowledge that you can show
us? You follow only supposition and tell only lies.’
149Say, ‘The con-
clusive argument belongs to God alone. Had He so willed He would
have guided you all.’
150Say, ‘Bring your witnesses to testify that God
has forbidden all this.’ If they do testify, do not bear witness with
them. Do not follow the whims of those who have denied Our revela-
tion, who do not believe in the Hereafter, and who set up equals with
their Lord.
151Say, ‘Come! I will tell you what your Lord has really forbidden
you. Do not ascribe anything as a partner to Him; be good to your
parents; do not kill your children in fear of poverty’–
– We will
provide for you and for them –
–‘ stay well away from committing
obscenities, whether openly or in secret; do not take the life God has
made sacred, except by right. This is what He commands you to do:
perhaps you will use your reason. 
152Stay well away from the prop-
erty of orphans, except with the best [intentions], until they come of
age; give full measure and weight, according to justice’–
– We do not
burden any soul with more than it can bear –
–‘ when you speak, be
just, even if it concerns a relative; keep any promises you make in
God’s name. This is what He commands you to do, so that you may
take heed’–
–
153this is My path, leading straight, so follow it, and do
not follow other ways: they will lead you away from it –
–‘ This is what
He commands you to do, so that you may refrain from wrongdoing.’
154Once again,
a
We gave Moses the Scripture, perfecting [Our
favour] for those who do good, explaining everything clearly, as
guidance and mercy, so that they might believe in the meeting with
their Lord. 
155This, too, is a blessed Scripture which We have sent
down –
– follow it and be conscious of your Lord, so that you may
receive mercy –
–
156lest you say, ‘Scriptures were only sent down to
two communities before us: we were not aware of what they studied,’
157or ‘If only the Scripture had been sent down to us, we would have
a
This reiterates the statement in verses 
91–3 in response to their denial that God has
ever sent down any revelation.
The Qur
an
6: 148
92

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been better guided than them.’ Now clear evidence, guidance, and
mercy have come to you from your Lord. Who could be more wrong
than someone who rejects God’s revelations and turns away from
them? We shall repay those who turn away with a painful punish-
ment.
158Are they waiting for the very angels to come to them, or
your Lord Himself, or maybe some of His signs? But on the Day
some of your Lord’s signs
a
come, no soul will pro
fit from faith if it
had none before, or has not already earned some good through its
faith. Say, ‘Wait if you wish: we too are waiting.’
159As for those who have divided their religion and broken up into
factions, have nothing to do with them [Prophet]. Their case rests
with God: in time He will tell them about their deeds. 
160Whoever
has done
b
a good deed will have it ten times to his credit, but who-
ever has done a bad deed will be repaid only with its equivalent –
–
they will not be wronged. 
161Say, ‘My Lord has guided me to a
straight path, an upright religion, the faith of Abraham, a man of
pure faith. He was not a polytheist.’
162Say, ‘My prayers and sacri-
fice, my life and death, are all for God, Lord of all the Worlds; 163He
has no partner. This is what I am commanded, and I am the 
first
c
to
devote myself to Him.’
164Say, ‘Should I seek a Lord other than God,
when He is the Lord of all things?’ Each soul is responsible for its
own actions; no soul will bear the burden of another. You will all
return to your Lord in the end, and He will tell you the truth about
your di
fferences. 165It is He who made you successors
d
on the earth
and raises some of you above others in rank, to test you through what
He gives you. [Prophet], your Lord is swift in punishment, yet He is
most forgiving and merciful.