The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
A Muslim in Medina, Hatib bin Abi Balta
 a, who had family and property in
Mecca, sent a secret letter to the Meccan leaders telling them that the Prophet was
preparing to march on their town, and warning them to take precautions. The letter was
intercepted, and when the Prophet asked him to explain his action, he said that he only
wanted the Meccans to protect his family and property.

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Almighty, the All Wise.’
6Truly, they are a good example for you
[believers] to follow, a good example for those who fear God and the
Last Day. If anyone turns away, [remember] God is self-su
fficing and
worthy of all praise.
7God may still bring about affection between you and your pres-
ent enemies –
– God is all powerful, God is most forgiving and merci-
ful –
–
8and He does not forbid you to deal kindly and justly with
anyone who has not fought you for your faith or driven you out of
your homes: God loves the just. 
9But God forbids you to take as
allies those who have fought against you for your faith, driven you
out of your homes, and helped others to drive you out: any of you
who take them as allies will truly be wrongdoers.
10You who believe, test the believing women when they come to
you as emigrants –
– God knows best about their faith –
– and if you are
sure of their belief, do not send them back to the disbelievers: they
are not lawful wives for them, nor are the disbelievers their lawful
husbands. Give the disbelievers whatever bride-gifts they have
paid –
– if you choose to marry them, there is no blame on you once
you have paid their bride-gifts –
– and do not yourselves hold on to
marriage ties with disbelieving women. Ask for repayment of the
bride-gifts you have paid, and let the disbelievers do the same. This
is God’s judgement: He judges between you, God is all knowing and
wise. 
11If any of you have wives who leave you for the disbelievers,
and if your community subsequently acquires [gains] from them,
then pay those whose wives have deserted them the equivalent of
whatever bride-gift they paid. Be mindful of God, in whom you
believe.
12Prophet, when believing women come and pledge to you that
they will not ascribe any partner to God, nor steal, nor commit
adultery, nor kill their children, nor lie about who has fathered their
children,
a
nor disobey you in any righteous thing, then you should
accept their pledge of allegiance and pray to God to forgive them:
God is most forgiving and merciful.
13You who believe, do not take as allies those with whom God is
angry: they despair of the life to come as the disbelievers despair of
those buried in their graves.
a
This is a common interpretation of the idiom ‘what is between their hands and their
feet’ (Razi).
Women Tested
369
60: 13

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61. SOLID LINES
A Medinan sura encouraging the believers to stick together in support of God’s
cause (hence the title of the sura, cf. verse 
4). It criticizes those who broke their
word (verse 
3) and those who argued against the faith (verses 7–8). Moses and
Jesus are cited as examples of prophets whose communities were divided: the
rebellious were left to stray and the faithful granted success (verses 
5–6, 14).
The rewards of those who strive in God’s cause are described in some detail
(verses 
11–13).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God––He is the
Almighty, the Wise. 
2You who believe, why do you say things and
then do not do them?
a
3It is most hateful to God that you say things
and then do not do them; 
4God truly loves those who fight in solid
lines for His cause, like a well-compacted wall.
5Moses said to his people, ‘My people, why do you hurt me when
you know that I am sent to you by God?’ When they went astray,
God left their hearts to stray: God does not guide rebellious people.
6Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘Children of Israel, I am sent to you by
God, con
firming the Torah that came before me and bringing good
news of a messenger to follow me whose name will be Ahmad.’
b
Yet
when he came to them with clear signs, they said, ‘This is obviously
sorcery.’
7Who could be more wrong than someone who invents lies against
God when called to submit to Him? God does not guide the wrong-
doers: 
8they wish to put His light out with their mouths. But He will
perfect His light, even though the disbelievers hate it; 
9it is He who
sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to show
that it is above all [other] religions, even though the idolaters hate it.
10You who believe, shall I show you a bargain
c
that will save you
from painful torment? 
11Have faith in God and His Messenger and
struggle for His cause with your possessions and your persons –– that