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whatever (else) He willed. And did not God Check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be
full of mischief: But God is full of bounty to all the worlds.
002.252 These are the Signs of God: we rehearse them to thee in truth: verily Thou art one of the apostles.
002.253 Those apostles We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them God spoke; others He raised to
degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If God
had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear (Signs) had come to them,
but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If God had so willed, they would not have fought each
other; but God Fulfilleth His plan.
002.254 O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no
bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith they are the wrong-doers.
002.255 God! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep.
His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He
knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His
knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in
guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).
002.256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes
in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.
002.257 God is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.
Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness.
They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever).
002.258 Hast thou not Turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham About his Lord, because God had granted
him power? Abraham said: "My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death." He said: "I give life and death". Said Abraham:
"But it is God that causeth the sun to rise from the east: Do thou then cause him to rise from the West." Thus was he
confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth God Give guidance to a people unjust.
002.259 Or (take) the similitude of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: "Oh! how shall God
bring it (ever) to life, after (this) its death?" but God caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again).
He said: "How long didst thou tarry (thus)?" He said: (Perhaps) a day or part of a day." He said: "Nay, thou hast tarried
thus a hundred years; but look at thy food and thy drink; they show no signs of age; and look at thy donkey: And that We
may make of thee a sign unto the people, Look further at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with
flesh." When this was shown clearly to him, he said: "I know that God hath power over all things."
002.260 Behold! Abraham said: "My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead." He said: "Dost thou not then
believe?" He said: "Yea! but to satisfy My own undertaking." He said: "Take four birds; Tame them to turn to thee; put
a portion of them on every hill and call to them: They will come to thee (Flying) with speed. Then know that God is
Exalted in Power, Wise."
002.261 The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of God is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven
ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. God giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And God careth for all
and He knoweth all things.
002.262 Those who spend their substance in the cause of God, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their
generosity or with injury,-for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
002.263 Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants, and
He is Most-Forbearing.
002.264 O ye who believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury. Like those who spend
their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in God nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren
rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing
with aught they have earned. And God guideth not those who reject faith.
002.265 And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please God and to strengthen their souls, is
as a garden, high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not
Heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. God seeth well whatever ye do.
002.266 Does any of you wish that he should have a garden with date-palms and vines and streams flowing underneath,