The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
qisas etymologically means ‘to track down’.
b
Before Islam, the Arabs did not observe equality in retribution, but a stronger tribe
would demand more, e.g. a man for a woman, a free man for a slave, or several men for
one man, likewise for 
financial compensation. The intention of this verse is to insist on
equality.
c
One meaning of khafa is ‘to know’ (al-Mu
 jam al-Wasit).
The Qur
an
2: 178
20

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187You [believers] are permitted to lie with your wives during the
night of the fast: they are [close] as garments to you, as you are to
them. God was aware that you were betraying yourselves,
a
so He
turned to you in mercy and pardoned you: now you can lie with
them –
– seek what God has ordained for you –
– eat and drink until the
white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black. Then fast
until nightfall. Do not lie with them during the nights of your
devotional retreat in the mosques: these are the bounds set by God,
so do not go near them. In this way God makes His messages clear
to people, that they may guard themselves against doing wrong.
188Do not consume your property wrongfully, nor use it to bribe
judges, intending sinfully and knowingly to consume parts of other
people’s property.
189They ask you [Prophet] about crescent moons. Say, ‘They show
the times appointed for people, and for the pilgrimage.’ Goodness
does not consist of entering houses by the back [door];
b
the truly
good person is the one who is mindful of God. So enter your houses
by their [main] doors and be mindful of God so that you may
prosper. 
190Fight in God’s cause against those who fight you, but do
not overstep the limits:
c
God does not love those who overstep the
limits. 
191Kill them wherever you encounter them,
d
and drive them
out from where they drove you out, for persecution is more serious
than killing.
e
Do not 
fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they
fight you there. If they do fight you, kill them–– this is what such
disbelievers deserve –
–
192but if they stop, then God is most forgiving
and merciful. 
193Fight them until there is no more persecution, and
a
Some Muslims admitted to the Prophet that they had spoiled their fast by having
sexual relations during the nights of Ramadan.
b
It was the custom of some Arabs on returning from the pilgrimage to enter their
houses by the back door, considering this to be an act of piety.
c
The Arabic command la ta
 tadu is so general that commentators have agreed that it
includes prohibition of starting hostilities, 
fighting non-combatants, disproportionate
response to aggression, etc.
d
The Muslims were concerned as to whether it was permitted to retaliate when
attacked within the sacred precincts in Mecca when on pilgrimage (see 
2: 196 and Razi’s
Tafsir). They are here given permission to 
fight back wherever they encounter their
attackers, in the precinct or outside it.
e
‘Persecuting you unlawfully is worse than you killing them in the precincts in self-
defence.’ The article al- in Arabic sometimes takes the place of a pronoun, as here ‘their
persecution’ and ‘your killing them’ (Tammam Hassan, al-Bayan, Cairo, 
1993, 118–45);
it is not the generic al-, cf. 
2: 217. See also 2: 217.
The Cow
21
2: 193

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worship
a b
is devoted to God. If they cease hostilities, there can
be no [further] hostility, except towards aggressors. 
194A sacred
month for a sacred month: violation of sanctity [calls for] fair retri-
bution. So if anyone commits aggression against you, attack him as
he attacked you, but be mindful of God, and know that He is with
those who are mindful of Him. 
195Spend in God’s cause: do not
contribute to your destruction with your own hands,
c
but do good,
for God loves those who do good.
196Complete the pilgrimages, major and minor, for the sake of
God. If you are prevented [from doing so], then [send] whatever
o
ffering for sacrifice you can afford, and do not shave your heads
d
until the o
ffering has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you is
ill, or has an ailment of the scalp, he should compensate by fasting,
or feeding the poor, or o
ffering sacrifice. When you are in safety,
anyone wishing to take a break
e
between the minor pilgrimage and
the major one must make whatever o
ffering he can afford. If he
lacks the means, he should fast for three days during the pilgrim-
age, and seven days on his return, making ten days in all. This
applies to those whose household is not near the Sacred Mosque.
Always be mindful of God, and be aware that He is stern in His
retribution.
197The pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months.
There should be no indecent speech, misbehaviour, or quarrelling
for anyone undertaking the pilgrimage –
– whatever good you do, God
is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision
is to be mindful of God –
– always be mindful of Me, you who have
understanding –
–
198but it is no offence to seek some bounty from
your Lord.