Аль-Маида 5:49–102

(So judge between them) between Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir and the people of Khaybar (by that which Allah hath revealed) by that which Allah has exposited in the Qur'an, (and follow not their desires) by applying whipping and leaving the punishment of stoning, (but beware of them) do not trust them (lest they seduce thee) such that they do not turn you away (from some part of that which Allah hath revealed unto you) in the Qur'an and in relation to stoning. (And if they turn away) from applying the legal ruling of stoning and from that which you judged between them regarding retaliation, (then know that Allah's will is to smite them) to punish them (for some sin of theirs) for all their sins. (Lo! many of mankind) of the people of the Book (are evil-doers) disbelievers who break their covenants.

(Is it a judgement of the time of (pagan) ignorance that they are seeking?) to find in the Qur'an, O Muhammad. (Who is better than Allah for judgement to a people who have certainty?) in Muhammad and the Qur'an.

(O ye who believe!) in Muhammad and the Qur'an. (Take not the Jews and Christians for friends) seeking their assistance and help. (They are friends one to another) He says: some are followers of the religion of others in secret and in the open, just as they are friends of each other. (He among you) O group of believers (who taketh them for friends) seeking their assistance and help (is (one) of them) in alliance and is not included in Allah's protection and safety. (Lo! Allah guideth not) to His religion and proof (wrong-doing folk) the Jews and Christians.

(And thou) O Muhammad (seest those in whose heart is a disease) doubt and hypocrisy, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers (race towards them) race to take them as friends, (saying) to one another: (We fear lest a change of fortune befall us) we fear hardship may befall us, this is why we take them as friends. (And it may) " may ['asa] " when used in connection with Allah denotes a requisite (happen that Allah will vouchsafe (unto you) the victory) the Conquest of Mecca and victory to Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions (or a commandment from His presence) or a punishment inflicted on the Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir, by means of killing and expelling them. (Then will they) i.e. the hypocrites (repent) after being exposed (of their secret thoughts) of their alliance with Jews.

(Then will the believers say) the sincere believers say to the hypocrites 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers: (Are these) the hypocrites (they who swore by Allah their most binding oaths) when a man swears by Allah, he has sworn by his most binding oath (that they) the hypocrites (were surely with you) with the sincere ones: i.e. following your religion in secret? (Their works have failed) their works will be thwarted in this world, (and they have become the losers) by incurring punishment upon themselves.

(O ye who believe!) meaning: Asad, Ghatafan, and some people from Kindah and Murad. (Whoso of you becometh a renegade from his religion) after the death of Muhammad (pbuh) (Allah will bring a people) i.e. the people of Yemen (whom He loveth and who love Him, humble) compassionate and benevolent (towards believers, stern towards) hard on (disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah) attached to Allah's obedience (and fearing not the blame of any blamer. Such) that which I have mentioned of love, command, etc. (is the grace of Allah which He giveth unto whom He will) He gives to whoever is fit for it. (Allah is All-Embracing) Allah is Generous in His gift, (All-Knowing) to whom He gives.

Then Allah revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his companions-Asad, Usayd, Tha'labah Ibn Qays and others-when they were shunned by the Jews, saying: (Your friend) your protector, helper and intimate companion (can be only Allah; and His messenger and those who believe) i.e. Abu Bakr and his companions, (who establish worship) the five daily prayers (and pay the poor-due) from their wealth, (and bow down (in prayer)) in the five daily prayers in congregation with the Prophet (pbuh).

(And whoso taketh Allah and His messenger and those who believe) Abu Bakr and his fellow believers, seeking their assistance and help (for friend (will know that), lo! the party of Allah) the soldiers of Allah, i.e. Muhammad and his Companions (they are the victorious) over their enemies.

(O ye who believe! Choose not for friends) seeking their assistance and help (such of those who received the Scripture before you) the Jews and Christians, (and of the disbelievers) the rest of the disbelievers, (as make a jest) a pleasantry (and sport) a joke and falsehood (of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah if you were to take them for friends (if ye are true believers).

(And when ye call to prayer) through the call to prayer (adhan) and the call announcing the start of the prayer (iqamah) (they take it for a jest and sport) they take it as a joke and falsehood. (That) jest (is because they are a folk who understand not) Allah's command nor do they know Allah's divine Oneness nor His religion. This verse was revealed about a Jewish man who used to poke fun at Bilal's call to prayer, and so Allah burned him.

(Say) to the Jews, O Muhammad: (O, People of the Scripture! Do ye blame us) do you accuse, and find fault with, us (for aught else than that we believe in Allah) for any other reason except for our faith in Allah, alone without any partners (and that which is revealed unto us) the Qur'an (and that which was revealed aforetime) of Scriptures and of messengers sent before Muhammad (pbuh) and before the Qur'an, (and because most of you) all of you (are evil-doers) disbelievers?

Allah then revealed about their saying: " we do not know any religious community that is more disfavoured than Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions " , saying: (Shall I tell thee of a worse (case) than theirs) that which is worse than what you told Muhammad and his Companions (for retribution with Allah) for him who is going to be punished by Allah? (Worse (is the case of him) whom Allah hath cursed) imposing on him the capitation tax, (him on whom His wrath hath fallen! Worse is he of whose sort Allah hath turned some to apes) in the time of the Prophet David (pbuh) (and swine) in the time of Jesus, after eating from the table that Allah sent from heaven, (and who serveth idols) soothsayers and devils; or he whom Allah has made the worshipper of the devil, idols and soothsayers. (Such are in worse plight) worse in works in this world and worse in status in the Hereafter (and further astray from the plain road) the road of guidance.

(When they) i.e. the lowly among the Jews; and it is also said this means the hypocrites (come unto you (Muslims), they say: We believe) in your traits and description which we find in our Scripture; (but they came in disbelief) they secretly disbelieve (and they went out in the same) disbelieving inwardly; (and Allah knoweth best what they were hiding) of disbelief.

(And thou seest) O Muhammad (many of them) i.e. the Jews (vying one with another in sin) competing with one another in committing contraventions and indulging in idolatry (and transgression) wrong-doing and violation against other people (and their devouring of illicit gain) bribery and that which is unlawful in return for changing legal rulings. (Verily evil is what they do) of contraventions and violations against others.

(Why do not the rabbis) the recluse in their cloisters (and the priests) the men of knowledge (forbid their evil speaking) their idolatry (and their devouring of illicit gain) bribery and that which unlawful? (Verily evil is their handiwork) their abstention from forbidding them to do so.

(The Jews) Finhas Ibn 'Azura', the Jew (say: Allah's hand is fettered) and cannot give. (Their hands are fettered) they neither do good nor spend in good causes (and they are accursed) they are punished by the imposition of the capitation tax on them (for saying so. Nay, but both His hands are spread out wide in bounty) His hands are wide open for both the righteous and the sinner. (He bestoweth as He will) if He wishes, He gives, and if He wishes, He withholds. (That which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord) i.e. the Qur'an, by Allah it (is certain to increase the contumacy) constancy upon disbelief (and disbelief) firmness in disbelief (of many of them) of the disbelievers, (and We have cast among them) the Jews and Christians (enmity) manifested in killing and destruction (and hatred) in their hearts (till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war) whenever they unite to kill Muhammad out of disobedience, (Allah extinguisheth it) Allah makes them disunite and oppose each other. (Their effort is for corruption in the land) they cause corruption in the land through preventing people from Muhammad and by inviting to other than Allah, (and Allah loveth not corrupters) the Jews and their religion.

(If only the People of the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (would believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (and ward off (evil)) repent of Judaism and Christianity, (surely We should remit their sins from them) those which they committed when they were Jews or Christians (and surely We should bring them into Gardens of Delight) in the Hereafter.

(If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel) if they had accepted what is in the Torah and the Gospel and demonstrated the traits and description of Muhammad contained therein (and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord) and had they elucidated that which their Lord had explained to them in the Torah and the Gospel; it is also said that this means: if they had believed that all the scriptures and messengers are from their Lord, (they would surely have been nourished from above them) through rain (and from beneath their feet) through vegetation and fruit. (Among them) among the people of the Book (there are people who are moderate) a group of just and upright people, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers, the monk Bahirah, the Negus and his followers, and Salman al-Farisi and his fellows, (but many of them are of evil conduct) evil is what they do in terms of concealing the traits and description of Muhammad. Among such people are Ka'b Ibn al-Ashraf, Ka'b Ibn Asad, Malik Ibn al-Sayf, Sa'id Ibn 'Amr, Abu Yasir, and Judayy Ibn Akhtab.

(O Messenger!) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh). (Make known that which hath been revealed unto you from your Lord) of reviling their goddesses, denouncing their religion, fighting against them, and inviting people to Islam (for if ye do it not) that which you have been commanded with, (you will not have conveyed His message) as it ought to be conveyed. (Allah will protect you from mankind) from the Jews and others. (Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk) He does not guide to His religion anyone who is not fit for it.

(Say) O Muhammad: (O People of the Scripture!) i.e. the Jews and Christians. (You have naught) of the religion of Allah (till ye observe the Torah and the Gospel) until you truly believe in what is in the Torah and the Gospel (and that which was revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from your Lord) in all Scriptures given to all messengers. (That which is revealed unto you (Muhammad) from your Lord) the Qur'an (is certain to increase the contumacy) constancy in disbelief (and disbelief) and firmness in disbelief (of many of them) of their disbelievers. (But grieve not for the disbelieving folk) do not be saddened for their destruction in their state of disbelief, if they do not believe.

(Lo! those who believe) in Moses as well as in all the prophets and Scriptures and die in this state, no fear shall come to them nor will they grieve, (and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans) a Christian sect, who are milder than the other Christians, (and Christians) of Najran as well as other Christians (whosoever) of the Jews, Sabaeans or Christians (believeth in Allah and the Last Day) in resurrection after death, and if the Jews repent of Judaism, the Sabaeans of their religion and the Christians of Christianity (and doeth right) sincerely between him and his Lord (there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve) about that which they have left behind; it is also said that this means: they shall not fear when others so fear nor shall they grieve when others do; it is also said that this means: they shall not fear when death is slain nor grieve when the Fire is closed.

(We made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel) in the Torah regarding Muhammad (pbuh) that they shall not associate any partners with Allah (and We sent unto them messengers. As often as a messenger came unto them with that which their souls desired not) that which did not agree with their hearts or their religion: Judaism ((they became rebellious). Some (of them) they denied) they denied Jesus and Muhammad, Allah bless both of them (and some they slew) like Zachariah and John.

(They thought no harm would come of it,) no misfortune would ensue; it is also said that: they thought that their hearts would not be corrupted because of denying and killing messengers (so they were wilfully blind) and did not see guidance (and deaf) such that they did not hear the Truth deep in their hearts. They disbelieved and then they believed and repented from their disbelief. (And afterward Allah turned (in mercy) towards them) He forgave them. (Now (even after that) are many of them wilfully blind) do not see guidance and died in this state (and deaf) such they do not hear the Truth and become disbelievers. (Allah is Seer of what they do) in their disbelief in terms of denying and killing the prophets.

(They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary) this is the claim of the Nestorians. (The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah) declare Allah's divine Oneness, (my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah) and dies in this state, (for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode) his end result (is the Fire. For evil-doers) idolaters (there will be no helpers) to save them from what is intended for them.

(They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three) this is the claim of the Marqusiyyah; they claim that there is a father, a son and a holy Spirit; (when there is no God) for the dwellers of the heavens and the earth (save the One God) who has no son or partner. (If they desist not from so saying) He says: if the Jews and Christians do not repent of what they are saying (a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve) the pain of which will extend to their hearts.

(Will they not rather turn unto Allah) repent of their claims (and seek forgiveness of Him?) by declaring His divine Oneness. (For Allah is Forgiving) of he who repents and believes, (Merciful) towards him who dies repentant.

(The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger) sent to people, (messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food) they were both servants who used to eat food. (See) O Muhammad (how we make the revelations) the signs that Jesus and his mother were not gods (clear for them, and see) O Muhammad (how they are turned away) through lies!

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Serve ye in place of Allah) the idols (that which possesseth for you neither hurt) that which cannot drive away from you harm in this world or in the Hereafter (nor use) nor bring benefit to you in this world or in the Hereafter? (Allah it is Who is the Hearer) of your claims about Jesus, (the Knower) of your punishment.

(Say: O People of the Scripture!) i.e. the people of Najran. (Stress not in your religion) do not be extreme in your religion (other than the Truth) for it is not the Truth, (and follow not the vain desires of folk) the religion and claims of a folk (who erred) from the guidance (of old) before you; these are the leaders (and led many astray) from guidance, (and erred from a plain road) they missed the road of guidance.

(Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David) through David's supplication against them they became apes, (and of Jesus, son of Mary) and through Jesus' supplication against them they became swine. (That) curse (was because they rebelled) on the Sabbath and upon eating from the table which was sent from heaven (and used to transgress) by killing the prophets and declaring to be lawful their indulgence in sin.

(They restrained not one another) they did not repent (from the wickedness) the evil actions (they did. Verily evil was that they used to do!) evil are the sins and transgressions they used to engage in.

(Thou seest many of them) many of the hypocrites (making friends with) by seeking their assistance and help (those who disbelieve) Ka'b and his followers; it is also said that this means: you see many Jews, such as Ka'b and his followers, making friends with the disbelievers, the disbelievers of Mecca, Abu Sufyan and his followers, (surely ill for them is that which they themselves send on before them) in their state of Judaism and hypocrisy: (that Allah will be wroth with them and in the doom they will abide) never to die or be removed.

(If they) i.e. the hypocrites (believed in Allah) genuinely believed in Allah (and the Prophet) Muhammad (and that which is revealed unto him) i.e. the Qur'an, (they would not choose them) i.e. the Jews (for their friends) seeking their assistance and help. (But many of them) from among the people of the Book (are of evil conduct) they are hypocrites. It is also said that this means: if the Jews genuinely believed in Allah, and in Allah's divine Oneness, and believed in the Prophet (pbuh) and that which was revealed to him, i.e. the Qur'an, they would not have taken Abu Sufyan and his followers for friends, seeking their assistance and help. Nonetheless, many among the people of the Book are disbelievers.

Allah then showed their enmity towards the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions, saying: (Thou wilt find) O Muhammad (the most vehement of mankind in hostility) and most vile in speech (to those who believe) Muhammad and his Companions ((to be) the Jews) the Jews of the Banu Qurayzah, Banu'l-Nadir, Fadak and Khaybar (and the idolaters) and the most vehement in hostility to the believers among the idolaters are the idolaters of Mecca. (And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection) in their bond and most lenient in speech (to those who believe) Muhammad and his Companions ((to be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians) the Negus and his followers who were 32 men; it is also said that they were 40 people in total: 32 from Abyssinia, and eight monks from Historic Syria: the monk Bahirah and his followers Abrahah, Ashraf, Idris, Tamim, Tammam, Durayd and Ayman. (That) affection (is because there are among them priests) ascetics whose heads are shaved in the middle (and monks) secluded in monasteries who are their men of knowledge, (and because they are not proud) in believing in Muhammad and the Qur'an.

(When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messenger) when they hear Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib's recitation of what has been revealed to the messenger, (thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth) their recognition of the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) in their Scripture. (They say: Our Lord) O our Lord, (we believe) in You, in Your Book and in Your Messenger Muhammad. (Inscribe us as among the witnesses) make us of the Community of Muhammad (pbuh) who believe.

When their own people blamed them for believing, they said: (How should we not believe in Allah and that which hath come unto us of the Truth) He says: and also believe in the Truth that has come to us from Scripture and the Messenger. (And (how should we not) hope that our Lord will) in the Hereafter in Paradise (bring us in along with righteous folk) the righteous among the Community of Muhammad (pbuh)?

(Allah hath rewarded them) has decreed for them (for that their saying) for declaring their faith voluntarily. (Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitation (rivers) of water, milk, wine and honey (flow, wherein they will abide for ever) remaining in Paradise for ever, never to die or be removed from it. (That) which I have mentioned (is the reward of the good) who testify to Allah's divine Oneness; it is also said that the good means those who are kind in speech and action.

(But those who disbelieve) in Allah (and deny Our revelations) Muhammad and the Qur'an, (they are owners of hellfire) they are the folk of hell.

(O ye who believe! Forbid not the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you) this verse was revealed about ten Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) among them were Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Ali, 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud, 'Uthman Ibn Maz'un al-Jumahi, Miqdad Ibn al-Aswad al-Kindi, and Salim the client of Abu Hudhayfah Ibn 'Utbah, Salman al-Farisi, Abu Dharr, 'Ammar Ibn Yasir-these Companions vowed in the house of 'Uthman Ibn Maz'un that they would not eat or drink except that which was enough to keep them alive, that they would not have sex with their wives, that they would never eat meat or fat and that they would cut off their male organs. But Allah forbade them from such acts, and revealed about them: do not forbid the lawful things that Allah has permitted such as foods, drinks and having sex with your wives (and transgress not) by cutting off your male organs. (Lo! Allah loveth not transgressors) who move from the lawful to the unlawful by mutilating themselves.

(Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed on you as food lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah in Whom ye are believers) fear Allah regarding mutilation and forbidding that which He has made lawful.

(Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths) Allah does not take you to task for the expiation of unintentional oaths, (but He will take you to task for the oaths which ye swear in earnest) He takes you to task for the intention of your hearts when you make oaths. (The expiation thereof) the expiation of the oath which is not unintentional (is the feeding of ten of the needy with the average of that wherewith ye feed your own folk) of bread and seasoning which you feed to them at lunch and dinner, (or the clothing of them) or the clothing of ten needy people whereby their nudity is covered: a shawl, a gown or a loin cloth, (or the liberation of a slave) whichever it is of these three options, (and for him who finds not (the wherewithal to do so)) any one of these three options (then a three day fast) consecutively. (This) which I have mentioned (is the expiation of your oaths when ye have sworn) and do not honour your oath; (and keep your oaths) the uttering of your oaths as well as the expiation of your oaths. (Thus Allah expoundeth unto you His revelations) His commands and prohibitions, as He expounds the expiation of oaths (in order that ye may give thanks) in order that you may show gratitude for expositing His commands and prohibitions.

(O ye who believe! Strong drink) which intoxicates the mind (and games of chance) all types of games of chance (and idols) the worship of idols (and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork) they are unlawful because they are instigated by order of the devil and his whispering. (Leave it aside) avoid it (in order that ye may succeed) in order that you may escape Allah's anger and punishment and be safe in the Hereafter.

(Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink) when you become drunk (and games of chance) when you loose your money, (and to turn you from remembrance of Allah) He says: intoxicants drive you from the obedience of Allah (and from (His) worship) He says: it also prevents you from performing the five daily prayers. (Will ye then have done?) will you then stop from indulging in them.

(Obey Allah and obey the messenger) regarding the prohibition of intoxicant drinks, (and beware!) of declaring them lawful or of drinking them. (But if ye turn away) from obeying them in relation to the prohibition of intoxicant drinks, (then know that the duty of Our messenger) Muhammad (is only plain) i.e. in a language that you understand (conveyance (of the message)) on behalf of Allah.

Then Allah revealed about a group of men from the Emigrants and the Helpers who asked the Prophet (pbuh): �what shall happen to those of us who died drinking intoxicant drinks before they were made unlawful�, saying: (There shall be no sin (imputed) unto those who believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (and do good works) that is between them and their Lord (for what they may have eaten (in the past)) for what they have drunk in the past before intoxicants were made unlawful, whether those who did it are dead or still living. (So be mindful of your duty (to Allah)) if they warded off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies, (and do good works) that is between them and their Lord; (and again: be mindful of your duty) ward off making intoxicants lawful after they were made unlawful; this address is to the believers who are still living, (and believe) in the unlawfulness of intoxicant; (and once again: be mindful of your duty) ward off drinking it, (and do right) leave the drinking of it. (Allah loveth the good) for avoiding drinking intoxicants; this relates to those who were still alive and who drunk intoxicants before they were made unlawful.

Then Allah revealed the unlawfulness of game in the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, saying: (O ye who believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an! (Allah will surely try you somewhat (in the matter) of the game) He will test you regarding the game you pursue on land (which ye take) of their eggs and little ones (with your hands and your spears) to catch wild animals in the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, (that Allah may know) that Allah may see (him who feareth Him in secret) and thus leave the game. (Whoso transgresseth) intentionally (after this) after Allah has decreed the requital and ruling of this, (for him there is a painful doom) a painful beating which will extend to his back and belly.

(O ye who believe! Kill no wild game while ye are on the pilgrimage) or in the Sacred Precinct. (Whoso of you killeth it of set purpose) this verse was revealed about Abu'l-Yusr Ibn 'Amr who intentionally killed game, forgetting he was in ritual consecration, (he shall pay its forfeit in the equivalent of that which he hath killed, of domestic animals, the judge to be two men among you known for justice) two judges will evaluate such equivalence; ((the forfeit) to be brought as an offering to the Ka'bah; or, for expiation, he shall feed poor persons) or he should give money for it by feeding some of the poor of Mecca, (or the equivalent thereof in fasting) if he cannot feed the poor, he should fast one for each half measure (Sa') of food he is supposed to feed to the poor, (that he may taste the evil consequences) the punishment (of his deed. Allah forgiveth whatever (of this kind) may have happened in the past) before it was made unlawful, (but whoso relapseth) after being condemned and beaten severely in this world, (Allah will take retribution from him) he should be left until Allah takes retribution from him. (Allah is Mighty) in His retribution, (Able to Requite (the wrong)) Able to punish those who do wrong.

(To hunt and to eat the fish of the sea is made lawful for you) this was revealed about a people from the Banu Mudlij who lived off the sea. They asked the Prophet (pbuh) about the fish of the sea and about that which is washed out of the sea, so Allah revealed that it is lawful to fish just as it is lawful to eat that which is washed out by the sea (a provision for you) a benefit for you (and for seafarers; but to hunt on land is forbidden you so long as ye are on the pilgrimage) or in the Sacred Precinct. (Be mindful of your duty to Allah) fear Allah, (unto Whom ye will be gathered) and questioned about the game made forbidden for you during ritual consecration and at the Sacred Precinct.

(Allah hath appointed the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a standard) a sanctuary and an emblem (for mankind) for the purpose of worship, (and the Sacred Month) is a time of security (and the offerings) which are offered to the House as a gesture of security to the company of people who are present where the offering is made (and the garlands) i.e. the offerings which carry garlands made of the barks of the trees of the Sacred Precinct, as a gesture of security to the company of people there. (That) which I have mentioned (is so that ye may know that Allah knoweth whatsoever) the benefit of (is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and that Allah is Knower of all things) their benefits and also that which is good for the people of the heavens and the earth.

(Know that Allah is severe in punishment) towards him who declares lawful that which Allah has made unlawful, (but that Allah (also) is Forgiving) He overlooks mistakes, (Merciful) towards the person who repents.

(The duty of the messenger is only to convey (the message)) on behalf of Allah. (Allah knoweth what ye proclaim) what you display publicly of good and evil (and what ye hide) of good or evil; it is also said that this means: Allah knows what you display among yourselves and that which you conceal from one another in relation to taking the money of Shurayh.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Sarh who brought Shurayh's property: (The evil) the unlawful: Shurayh's property, (and the good) the lawful property which Shurayh brought (are not alike even though the plenty of the evil) that which is unlawful (attract thee. So be mindful of your duty to Allah) fear Allah regarding taking that which is unlawful, (O men of understanding) O people possessed of mind and reason, (that ye may succeed) that you may be saved from Allah's wrath and torment.

(O ye who believe!) this was revealed about Harith Ibn Yazid who asked the Prophet (pbuh)-when the verse (And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind) was revealed: �Is it once every year, O Messenger of Allah?� So Allah forbade him from asking such questions, and started by addressing him with (O ye who believe!), (Ask not) your Prophet (of things) that Allah has relieved you of (which, if they were made known unto you) if they were made obligatory upon you, (would trouble you; but if you ask of them) if you ask of the things that you were relieved of (when the Qur'an is being revealed) when Gabriel brings down the Qur'an, (they will be made known unto you) they will be made obligatory upon you. (Allah pardoneth this) this questioning, (for Allah is Forgiving) of the one who repents, (Clement) vis-�-vis your ignorance.

(A folk before you asked) their prophets ((for such disclosures) and then disbelieved there in) when things were made clear to them, they disbelieved in them.