page17
003.014 Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and
silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions
of this world's life; but in nearness to God is the best of the goals (To return to).
003.015 Say: Shall I give you glad tidings of things Far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness
to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; with companions pure (and holy); and the good
pleasure of God. For in God's sight are (all) His servants,-
003.016 (Namely), those who say: "Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the
agony of the Fire;"-
003.017 Those who show patience, Firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly;
who spend (in the way of God); and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning.
003.018 There is no god but He: That is the witness of God, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing
firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.
003.019 The Religion before God is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent
therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of God,
God is swift in calling to account.
003.020 So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted My whole self to God and so have those who follow me."
And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they
are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in God's sight are (all) His servants.
003.021 As to those who deny the Signs of God and in defiance of right, slay the prophets, and slay those who teach
just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.
003.022 They are those whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the Hereafter nor will they have anyone to
help.
003.023 Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who have been given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the
Book of God, to settle their dispute, but a party of them Turn back and decline (The arbitration).
003.024 This because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days": For their forgeries deceive
them as to their own religion.
003.025 But how (will they fare) when we gather them together against a day about which there is no doubt, and each
soul will be paid out just what it has earned, without (favour or) injustice?
003.026 Say: "O God! Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off
power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou
pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power.
003.027 "Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and thou causest the day to gain on the night; Thou bringest the
Living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the Living; and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest,
without measure."
003.028 Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing
will there be help from God: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But God cautions
you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to God.
003.029 Say: "Whether ye hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, God knows it all: He knows what is in the heavens,
and what is on earth. And God has power over all things.
003.030 "On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it
will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But God cautions you (To remember) Himself. And God
is full of kindness to those that serve Him."
003.031 Say: "If ye do love God, Follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins: For God is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful."
003.032 Say: "Obey God and His Apostle": But if they turn back, God loveth not those who reject Faith.
003.033 God did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of 'Imran above all people,-
003.034 Offspring, one of the other: And God heareth and knoweth all things.
003.035 Behold! a woman of 'Imran said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special
service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things."