The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

is assured that this treaty that God has given him is a great breakthrough
(cf. verses 
1–3, 18–21, 27). The believers are reassured that their self-restraint
and obedience to the Prophet were inspired by God (verses 
4–5, 24–6). The
sura condemns both the hypocrites in Medina (verse 
6) and the idolaters of
Mecca (verses 
6 and 26) and closes by praising the believers (verse 29).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Truly We have opened up a path to clear triumph for you [Prophet],
2so that God may forgive you your past and future sins, complete
His grace upon you, guide you to a straight path, 
3and help you
mightily. 
4It was He who made His tranquillity descend into the
hearts of the believers,
a
to add faith to their faith –– the forces of
the heavens and earth belong to God; He is all knowing and all
wise ––
5so as to admit believing men and women into Gardens
graced with 
flowing streams, there to remain, absolving their bad
deeds –– a great triumph in God’s eyes ––
6and to torment the hypo-
critical and idolatrous men and women who harbour evil thoughts
about God
b
–– it is they who will be encircled by evil! –– who carry the
burden of God’s anger, whom God has rejected and for whom
He has prepared Hell, an evil destination! 
7The forces of heaven
and earth belong to God; He is almighty and all wise. 
8We have sent
you [Prophet] to bring good news and to give warning, 
9so that you
a
When they pledged to accept the Prophet’s decision. See verse 
18.
b
See verse 
12.

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[people] may believe in God and His Messenger, support Him,
honour Him, and praise Him morning and evening.
10Those who pledge loyalty to you [Prophet] are actually pledg-
ing loyalty to God Himself –
– God’s hand is placed on theirs
a
–– and
anyone who breaks his pledge does so to his own detriment: God
will give a great reward to the one who ful
fils his pledge to Him.
11The desert Arabs who stayed behind will say to you, ‘We were
busy with our property and our families: ask forgiveness for us,’
but they say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say,
‘Whether it is God’s will to do you harm or good, who can intervene
for you?’ No! God is fully aware of everything you [people] do. 
12No!
You thought that the Messenger and the believers would never
return to their families and this thought warmed your hearts. Your
thoughts are evil, for you are corrupt people: 
13We have prepared a
blazing Fire for those who do not believe in God and His Messenger.
14Control of the heavens and earth belongs to God and He forgives
whoever He will and punishes whoever He will: God is most forgiv-
ing and merciful.
15When you [believers] set off for somewhere that promises war
gains, those who [previously] stayed behind will say, ‘Let us come
with you.’ They want to change God’s words, but tell them
[Prophet], ‘You may not come with us: God has said this before.’
They will reply, ‘You begrudge us out of jealousy.’ How little they
understand!
16Tell the desert Arabs who stayed behind, ‘You will be called to
face a people of great might in war and to 
fight them, unless they
surrender: if you obey, God will reward you well, but if you turn
away, as you have done before, He will punish you heavily –
–
17the
blind, the lame, and the sick will not be blamed.’ God will admit
anyone who obeys Him and His Messenger to Gardens graced
with
flowing streams; He will painfully punish anyone who turns
away.
18God was pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance
to you [Prophet] under the tree: He knew what was in their hearts
and so He sent tranquillity down to them and rewarded them with a
speedy triumph 
19and with many future gains. God is mighty and
wise. 
20He has promised you [people] many future gains: He has