J. F. Campbell Collection > Koran: or, Alcoran of Mohammed

328 AL KOl:A:JV. OUAP. xxix
and Pharaoh, and Haman. Moses came unto them with eYident miracles,
and they behaved themselves insolently in the earth : but they could not
escape our vengeance. Every of them did we destroy in his sin. Against
some of them we sent a violent wind -.^ some of them did a terrible noise
from heaven destroy :^ some of them did we cause the earth to swallow
up :^ and some of them we drowned.^ Neither was God disposed to treat
them unjustly; but they dealt unjustly with their own souls. The likeness
of those who take otJier patrons besides God is as the likeness of the spider,
which maketh herself a house : but the weakest of all houses surely is the
house of the spider; if they knew this. Moreover God knoweth what things
they invoke, besides him ; and he is the mighty, the wise. These simili-
tudes do we propound unto men : but none understand them, except the
wise. God hath created the heavens and the earth in truth ; verily herein
is a sign unto the true believers. [*XXI.] Kehearse that which hath
been revealed unto thee of tlie book of the Koran : and be constant at
prayer ; for prayer preserveth a man from filthy crimes, and /rom that
which is blameable ; and the remembering of God is surely a most impor-
tant duty. God knoweth that which ye do. Dispute not against those
who have received the scriptures, unless in the mildest manner : ^ exce])t
against such of them as behave injuriously towards you; and say, We
believe in the revelation wliich hath been sent down unto us, and also in
that wliich hath been sent down unto you ; our GoD and your God is one,
and unto him are we resigned. Thus have we sent down the book of the
Kordn unto thee ; and they unto whom we have given the yornter scrip-
tures believe therein : and of these Arabians also there is who believeth
therein : and none reject our signs except tlie obstinate infidels. Thou
couldest not read any book before this : neither couldest thou write it with
thy right hand : then had the gainsayersJus^Zy doubted of the divine original
thereof. But the same is evident signs in the breasts of those who have
received understanding : for none reject our signs except the unjust. They
say, Unless a sign be sent down unto him from liis Lord, we will not
believe. Answer, Signs are in the power of God alone ; and I am no mora
than a public preacher. Is it not suflScient for them that we have sent
down unto thee the book oftli^ Kordn, to be read unto them 1 Verily
herein is a mercy, and an admonition unto people who believe. Say, God
is a sufficient witness bet«.veen me and you : he knoweth whatever is in
heaven and earth ; and those who believe in vain idols, and deny God, they
shall perish. They will ui-ge tliee to hasten the punishment which'they defy
thee to bring down upon them:^ if there had not been a determined time/or
' The original word properiy signifies a wind that drives the gravel and small
stones before it ; by which the storm, or shower of stones, which destroyed Sodom
and Gomorrah, seems to be intended.
» Which was the end of Ad and Thamud.
y As it did Karfln.
■ As the unbelievers in Noah's time, and Pharaoh and his army.
» i. e. Without ill language, or passion. This verse is gen-erally supposed to have
been abrogated by that of the sword; though some think it relates only to those who
are in alliance with the Moslems.
b See chap. 6, p. 103.