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return for the bounty with which God and His Apostle had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but
if they turn back (to their evil ways), God will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They
shall have none on earth to protect or help them.
009.075 Amongst them are men who made a covenant with God, that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would
give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous.
009.076 But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous, and turned back (from their covenant), averse
(from its fulfilment).
009.077 So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts, (to last) till the Day, whereon they shall meet
Him: because they broke their covenant with God, and because they lied (again and again).
009.078 Know they not that God doth know their secret (thoughts) and their secret counsels, and that God knoweth
well all things unseen?
009.079 Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves freely to (deeds of) charity, as well as such as
can find nothing to give except the fruits of their labour,- and throw ridicule on them,- God will throw back their
ridicule on them: and they shall have a grievous penalty.
009.080 Whether thou ask for their forgiveness, or not, (their sin is unforgivable): if thou ask seventy times for their
forgiveness, God will not forgive them: because they have rejected God and His Apostle: and God guideth not those
who are perversely rebellious.
009.081 Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Apostle
of God: they hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of God: they said, "Go not forth
in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat." If only they could understand!
009.082 Let them laugh a little: much will they weep: a recompense for the (evil) that they do.
009.083 If, then, God bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy permission to come out (with thee), say: "Never
shall ye come out with me, nor fight an enemy with me: for ye preferred to sit inactive on the first occasion: Then sit
ye (now) with those who lag behind."
009.084 Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; for they rejected God and His Apostle,
and died in a state of perverse rebellion.
009.085 Nor let their wealth nor their (following in) sons dazzle thee: God's plan is to punish them with these things
in this world, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of God.
009.086 When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in God and to strive and fight along with His Apostle,
those with wealth and influence among them ask thee for exemption, and say: "Leave us (behind): we would be with
those who sit (at home)."
009.087 They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at home): their hearts are sealed and so they
understand not.
009.088 But the Apostle, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them
are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper.
009.089 God hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein: that is the supreme felicity.
009.090 And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), men who made excuses and came to claim exemption; and
those who were false to God and His Apostle (merely) sat inactive. Soon will a grievous penalty seize the Unbelievers
among them.
009.091 There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find no resources to spend (on the cause), if they
are sincere (in duty) to God and His Apostle: no ground (of complaint) can there be against such as do right: and God
is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
009.092 Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mounts, and when thou saidst, "I can find
no mounts for you," they turned back, their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to
provide the expenses.
009.093 The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption while they are rich. They prefer to stay with
the (women) who remain behind: God hath sealed their hearts; so they know not (What they miss).
009.094 They will present their excuses to you when ye return to them. Say thou: "Present no excuses: we shall not
believe you: God hath already informed us of the true state of matters concerning you: It is your actions that God and