The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

O you who believe, fulfill your covenants[1]. Lawful to you are all grazing livestock, except what is recited to you [in this Qur’an], as well as hunting while you are in the state of pilgrimage[2]. Allah ordains what He wills.

O you who believe, do not violate the sanctity of the rituals of Allah, nor of the sacred month[3], nor the sacrificial animals, nor the garlands[4], nor those [pilgrims] proceeding to the Sacred House seeking their Lord’s grace and pleasure. When your pilgrimage has ended, you may hunt. However, do not let the hatred of a people who barred you from the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgress. Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah, for Allah is severe in punishment.

Forbidden[5] to you are carrion, blood[6], the flesh of swine, and that which is sacrificed to other than Allah; and that which is killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored; and that which is partly eaten by a predator unless you slaughter it [before it dies]; and that which is sacrificed to idols. Also it is forbidden to use arrows [of chance][7] to determine your decisions. This is all evil practice. Today the disbelievers have lost all hope in [eliminating] your religion, so do not fear them but fear Me. Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion. But if anyone is compelled by severe hunger, not intending to sin, then Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

They ask you [O Prophet] what is lawful to them. Say, “All good things[8] are lawful for you, and that which is caught by your trained hunting animals and birds of prey[9], training them as Allah has taught you. Eat what they catch for you, but mention the name of Allah upon it.” And fear Allah, for Allah is swift in reckoning.

Today all good things have been made lawful to you. As the food of the people of the Book is lawful to you, and your food is lawful to them. And [it is lawful to marry] chaste believing women and chaste women from among those who were given the Book before you, provided that you give them their dowries[10] in honest wedlock, neither fornicating nor taking them as secret lovers. Whoever rejects the faith, all his efforts will be worthless and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.

O you who believe, when you rise up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows; wipe over your heads; and wash your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of major impurity, cleanse yourselves [by taking a bath]. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or had sexual contact[11] with women and find no water, then purify yourselves with clean earth[12], and wipe your faces and hands therewith. Allah does not want to impose hardship on you, rather He wants to purify you and complete His favor upon you, so that you may be grateful.

Remember Allah’s favor upon you, and His covenant that He made with you when you said, “We hear and obey.” And fear Allah, for Allah is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.

O you who believe, stand firm for Allah by bearing true testimony, and do not let the hatred of a people lead you away from justice. Be just; that is closer to righteousness. And fear Allah, for Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have forgiveness and a great reward.

But those who disbelieve and reject Our verses, they are the people of the Blazing Fire.

O you who believe, remember Allah’s favor upon you when some people planned to stretch their hands against you, but He held their hands back from you. And fear Allah, and in Allah let the believers put their trust.

Allah took a covenant from the Children of Israel and appointed twelve chiefs from among them. Allah said, “I am with you. If you establish prayer, give zakah, believe in My messengers and support them, and give Allah a goodly loan[13], I will surely forgive your sins and admit you into gardens under which rivers flow. But whoever of you disbelieves after this has truly strayed from the straight path.”

As a result of their breaking of the covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They distort words [of the Scripture] from their context[14], and forgot parts of what was enjoined upon them. You will not cease to discover betrayal on their part except for a few. So pardon them and overlook, for Allah loves those who do good.

And from among those who say, “We are Christians,” We took a covenant from them, but they forgot a part of what was enjoined upon them[15]. So We induced hostility and hatred among them[16] until the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will inform them of what they used to do.

O People of the Book, there has come to you Our Messenger, revealing to you much of what you have been concealing of the Scripture, and overlooking much[17]. There has surely come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book,

through which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace[18], and brings them out of the depths of darkness to the light by His Will, and guides them to a straight path.

Those who say, “Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary,” have certainly disbelieved[19]. Say, “Who has the power to prevent Allah, if He chose to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, his mother, and all those who are on earth?” To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth and everything between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is Most Capable of all things.

The Jews and Christians say, “We are Allah’s children and His beloved ones.” Say, “Why then does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are humans just like anyone else He created. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills.” To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth and all that is between them, and to Him is the final return.”

O People of the Book, there has come to you Our Messenger[20], making things clear to you, after an interval between the messengers, so you do not say, “No bearer of glad tidings or a warner has ever come to us.” Now there has come to you a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allah is Most Capable of all things.

And [remember] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed prophets from among you, made you sovereigns[21], and gave you[22] what He had not given any other people in the world.

O my people, enter the Holy Land[23] which Allah has ordained for you and do not turn back or else you will return as losers.”

They said, “O Moses, there is an extremely mighty people in this land; we will never enter it until they leave it. Then if they leave, only then we will enter.”

Two men who feared Allah, and who had been favored by Allah said, “Enter upon them through the gate! Once you enter it, you will surely be victorious. And put your trust in Allah, if you are believers.”

They said, “O Moses, we will never enter it as long as they are there. Go, you and your Lord, and fight; we are staying right here!”

He said, “O my Lord, I have no control over anyone except myself and my brother, so separate us from these rebellious people.”

[Allah] said, “Then this land will be forbidden to them for forty years, while they will be straying through the land. Therefore, do not grieve[24] over the rebellious people.”

Relate to them the story of the two sons of Adam in truth, when both offered a sacrifice; it was accepted from one [i.e., Abel] but not accepted from the other [i.e., Cain][25]. The latter said, “I will kill you.” The former said, “Allah only accepts from those who fear Him.

Even if you stretch your hand forward to kill me, I will not stretch my hand forward to kill you, for I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

I would rather let you bear your sin against me[26] and your own sin, and thus you will be one of the people of the Fire; such is the recompense of the wrongdoers.”

But the former justified to himself the killing of his brother and killed him, and thus became one of the losers.

Then Allah sent a crow scratching the ground[27] to show him how to bury the corpse of his brother. He said, “Woe to me! Have I failed even to be like this crow to bury the corpse of my brother?” And he became one of the remorseful.

For this reason, We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person – unless in retribution for murder or corruption in the land – it is as if he killed all mankind[28]; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came to them with clear signs, yet many of them continued to exceed the limits[29] afterward in the land.

The penalty[30] for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and spread corruption in the land[31], is that they should be executed, or crucified, or their hands and feet amputated on opposite sides, or banished from the land[32]. This is a disgrace for them in this world, and for them in the Hereafter, there will be a great punishment.

Except those who repent before you seize them; in that case, then know that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

O you who believe, fear Allah and seek the means of nearness to Him[33], and struggle in His way, so that you may succeed.

As for those who disbelieved, even if they were to possess everything on earth and the like of it to ransom themselves[34] from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them, and for them there will be a painful punishment.

They will wish to get out of the Fire, but they will never get out of it, and for them there will be an everlasting punishment.

As for the thief, male or female, amputate their hands as a deterrent punishment[35] from Allah for what they have done. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

But whoever repents after having committed wrong and mends his way, Allah will accept his repentance, for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Do you not know that the dominion of the heavens and earth belongs to Allah? He punishes whom He wills and forgives whom He wills, and Allah is Most Capable of all things.

O Messenger, do not grieve for those who rush to disbelief – those who say with their mouths, “We believe”, but their hearts have no faith, nor those Jews who eagerly listen to falsehood and to those who have not yet come to you[36]. They distort the words [of Allah] out of their context saying, “If you are given this [ruling] accept it[37], but if you are not given, then beware[38].” Whoever Allah wills to be misguided[39], there is nothing you can do to avail him against Allah. They are those whose hearts Allah did not will to purify. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter they will suffer a great punishment.

They eagerly listen to lies and consume unlawful gains. If they come to you [O Prophet], either judge between them or turn away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot harm you in the least. But if you judge, then judge between them with justice, for Allah loves those who are just.

But how is it that they seek your judgment when they have the Torah which contains Allah’s judgment, and they still turn away? Such people are not believers.

We sent down the Torah which contains guidance and light; the prophets who submitted themselves to Allah were judging by it for the Jews, and so did the rabbis[40] and scholars because they were entrusted to protect the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses to it. So do not fear people but fear Me, and do not trade My verses for a small price[41]. Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the disbelievers.

We ordained for them therein, “A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds equal retaliation[42].” But if anyone waives it charitably, then it will be an expiation for him[43]. Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the wrongdoers.

And in their footsteps[44] We sent Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah that came before him, and We gave him the Gospel that contained guidance and light, confirming what came before it in the Torah; and guidance and admonition for the righteous.

Let the people of the Gospel judge according to what Allah has revealed therein. Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the rebellious.

We have revealed to you [O Prophet] the Book in truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it and as a criterion[45] over them. So judge between them according to what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires in disregard of the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have ordained a law and a way of life[46]. If Allah had willed, He would have made you a single community, but He tests you in what He has given you. So compete with one another in doing good deeds. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you concerning things over which you used to differ.

And judge between them [O Prophet] according to what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires. And beware of them, lest they entice you away from some of what Allah has sent down to you. If they turn away, then know that it is Allah’s will to punish them for some of their sins, and many people are indeed rebellious.

Do they seek the judgment of the times of ignorance[47]? Who could be better than Allah in judgment for people who are certain in faith?

O you who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies; they are allies of one another. Whoever among you takes them as allies[48] is indeed one of them. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

You see those[49] with sickness in their hearts rushing to them, saying, “We fear a misfortune may strike us.” Perhaps Allah will bring about victory or some other decision from Himself, then they will regret what they kept hidden in their hearts.

And those who believe say, “Are these the people who swore their solemn oaths by Allah that they were with you[50]?” Their deeds have become worthless, and they have become losers.

O you who believe, Whoever among you renounces his faith, Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him. They will be humble towards the believers but strict towards the disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah and fearing no reproach from any critic. This is Allah’s favor which He gives to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.

Your only allies are Allah, His Messenger, and those believers who establish prayer and give zakah with humble submission.

Whoever takes Allah, His Messenger, and the believers as their allies, then it is the party of Allah that will certainly prevail.

O you who believe, do not take as allies those who were given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers who ridicule your religion and make fun of it. And fear Allah, if you are believers.

When you give the call to prayer[51], they ridicule it and make fun of it; that is because they are people who have no understanding.

Say, “O People of the Book, do you resent us only because we believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down before, and that most of you are rebellious?”

Say, “Shall I inform you of those who deserve a worse punishment from Allah? Those who have been cursed by Allah and incurred His wrath, and He turned them into monkeys and pigs, and devil[52] worshipers. Such are far worse in position and farther astray from the straight path.”

When they come to you [believers] they say, “We believe”, but in fact they are committed to disbelief both prior to their coming and after their leaving, and Allah knows best what they conceal.

You see many of them rushing into sin and transgression, and consuming unlawful earnings. Terrible indeed is what they do!

Why is it that their rabbis and scholars do not forbid them from saying words of sin and consuming unlawful earnings? Terrible indeed is what they commit!

The Jews say, “Allah’s Hand is restrained.” Their hands have been restrained[53] and they have been cursed for what they say. Rather, His both Hands are wide open, spending as He pleases[54]. What has been sent down to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. They strive to spread corruption in the land, and Allah does not like those who spread corruption.

Had the People of the Book believed and feared Allah, We would have surely expiated their sins from them and admitted them to Gardens of Pleasure.

If they had upheld the Torah and the Gospel, and what has been sent down to them from their Lord, they would have been given abundant provisions from above them and from below their feet. Among them are some who are on the right way, but most of them do evil deeds.

O Messenger, convey what has been sent down to you from your Lord[55]. If you do not do that, then you have not conveyed His message. Allah will protect you from the people. Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

Say, “O People of the Book, you have nothing to stand on unless you observe the Torah and the Gospel and what has been sent down to you from your Lord.” Your Lord’s revelation to you [O Prophet] will only increase them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people.

The believers, and those who are Jews, and the Sabians and Christians [before Prophet Muhammad] – those of them who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deeds, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

We took the covenant from the Children of Israel and sent them messengers. Every time there came to them a messenger with something that did not suit their desires, they denied some of them and murdered others.

They thought that there would be no consequences, so they became blind and deaf [to the truth]. Then Allah forgave them, but again many of them became blind and deaf. And Allah is All-Seeing of what they do.

They have certainly disbelieved, those who say, “Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary.” But the Messiah said, “O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord[56].” Whoever associates any partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode will be the Fire. And the wrongdoers will have no helpers.

They have certainly disbelieved, those who say, “Allah is one of Three[57].” None has the right to be worshiped except One God. If they do not desist from saying this, those who disbelieve from among them will be afflicted with a painful punishment.

Why do they not turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. There were messengers who passed away before him, and His mother was a woman of truth; they both ate food[58]. See how We make Our signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded!

Say, “Do you worship besides Allah that which can neither harm nor benefit you?! And Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

Say, “O People of the Book, do not exceed the limits of the truth in your religion, nor follow the desires of people[59] who went astray before, and misled many and themselves strayed from the straight path.”

Those who disbelieved from the Children of Israel were cursed on the tongue of David and Jesus son of Mary. That was because of their disobedience and their persistence in transgression.

They did not forbid one another from committing evil deeds. Terrible was indeed what they used to do!

You see many of them taking those who disbelieve as allies. Terrible was indeed what they have done for themselves, for they have incurred Allah’s wrath and they will abide in the punishment forever.

If they had believed in Allah and the Prophet, and what has been sent down to him[60], they would not have taken them as allies, but most of them are evildoers.

You will surely find that the most hostile people towards the believers are the Jews and those who associate partners with Allah, and you will surely find that the closest of them in affection to the believers are those who say, “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks[61], and they are not arrogant.

When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of recognizing the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we believe, so record us among those who testify [to the truth].

Why should we not believe in Allah and the truth that has come to us? And we hope that our Lord will include us in the company of the righteous people.”

So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Such is the reward of those who do good.

But those who disbelieve and reject Our signs, they are the people of the Blazing Fire.

O you who believe, do not prohibit the good things that Allah has made lawful for you[62], and do not exceed the limits, for Allah does not like those who exceed the limits.

Eat of the lawful and good things that Allah has provided for you, and fear Allah in Whom you believe.

Allah will not hold you accountable for your unintentional oaths[63], but He will hold you accountable for your deliberate oaths. The expiation thereof is to feed ten needy people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to emancipate a slave. However, if someone cannot afford it, then he must fast for three days. That is the expiation for breaking your oaths. But be mindful of your oaths[64]. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may be grateful.

O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters[65] and divining arrows are of Satan’s evil work; therefore avoid such [evil], so that you may be successful.

Satan only wants to create enmity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you not then abstain?

Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and be cautious. But if you turn away, then know that the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey the message clearly.

There is no blame on those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they consumed before [its prohibition], so long as they fear Allah, believe and do righteous deeds, then they fear Allah [more] and believe, then they fear Allah and do good, for Allah loves those who do good.

O you who believe, Allah will surely test you with game within the reach of your hands and spears, so that Allah may distinguish those who fear Him unseen. Whoever transgresses after that, for him there will be a painful punishment.

O you who believe, do not kill game while you are on pilgrimage[66]. Whoever of you kills it deliberately should compensate by offering its equivalent – as judged by two just men among you – to be offered at the Sacred House, or by feeding the needy, or by fasting its equivalent, so that he may taste the consequence of his deed. Allah has pardoned what has passed, but whoever does it again, Allah will subject him to retribution, for Allah is All-Mighty, Capable of Retribution.

It is lawful for you to hunt and eat seafood, as a provision for you and for the travelers. But hunting land animals is forbidden to you as long as you are on pilgrimage. And fear Allah to Whom you will be gathered.

Allah has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House, a source of stability for people, and also the sacred month, the sacrificial animals and the garlands [by which they are identified]. This is so that you may know that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and that Allah is All-Knowing of everything.

Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message; Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.

Say, “Evil and good are not equal, even if the abundance of evil may impress you. So fear Allah, O people of understanding, so that you may be successful.”

O you who believe, do not ask about things which, if they are made known to you, would only cause you hardship[67]. If you inquire about them while the Qur’an is being revealed, they will be made known to you. Allah has pardoned you for it. Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Some people before you asked such questions, then became disbelievers as a result of that[68].

Allah did not ordain any such thing as the Bahīrah, Sā’ibah, Wasīlah, and Hām [i.e., dedicated camels to idols][69]. Rather those who disbelieve fabricate lies against Allah, and most of them do not understand.

When it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger,” they say, “What we have found our forefathers upon is sufficient for us.” Even though their forefathers knew nothing nor were they guided?

O you who believe, take care of your own selves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you as long as you are guided[70]. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you of what you used to do.

O you who believe, when death approaches one of you, call upon two just Muslim men as witnesses when you make a bequest, or two non-Muslims if you are afflicted with death while you are traveling. But if you have some doubt, keep them both after prayer[71] and let them swear by Allah, “We will not trade our testimony for any price, even in favor of a close relative, nor will we conceal the testimony enjoined by Allah, for then we would surely be among the sinners.”

If they are found guilty [of false testimony], let two others take their place, nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right, and let them swear by Allah, “Our testimony is more truthful than their testimony, and we have not transgressed, for then we would surely be among the wrongdoers.”

That is more likely that they will give true testimony, or else they will fear that their oaths could be refuted by the oaths of the others afterwards. Fear Allah and listen [obediently], for Allah does not guide the rebellious people.

On the Day when Allah will gather the messengers and say, “What response did you receive?” They will say, “We have no knowledge. You alone are the All-Knower of all unseen.”

Then Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Holy Spirit – as you spoke to people in the cradle and in maturity. I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel. You made something from clay in the shape of a bird by My permission and breathed into it, and it became a bird by My permission. You healed the born-blind and lepers by My permission, and you brought the dead to life by My permission. I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear signs, but the disbelievers among them said, “This is nothing but clear magic.”

And [remember] when I inspired the disciples, “Believe in Me and in My messenger [i.e., Jesus].” They said, “We believe, and bear witness that we submit to Allah [as Muslims].”

And [remember] when the disciples said, “O Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord[72] send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven?” He said, “Fear Allah, if you are believers.”

They said, “We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and to know that you told us the truth, and to be witnesses to it.”

Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O Allah, our Lord, send down to us from heaven a table as a feast for us – for our present and future generations – and as a sign from You; and grant us provision, for You are the Best of Providers.”

Allah said, “I will send it down to you, but if anyone among you disbelieves afterward, I will subject him to a punishment that I have never punished anyone in the world.”

When Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary, did you tell people, ‘Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah?’ He will say, ‘Glory be to You! It is not for me to say what I have no right. Had I said so, You would have surely known it. You know what is within myself, whereas I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, You are the All-Knower of all unseen.’”

I did not tell them except what You ordered me – ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ I was witness over them as long as I was among them. But when You took me up, You Yourself were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness over all things.

If You punish them, they are Your slaves; if You forgive them, You are indeed the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”

Allah will say, “This is the Day when the truthfulness of the truthful will benefit them; they will have gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. That is the supreme triumph.”

To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth and all that is between them, and He is Most Capable of all things.