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

CHAP. u. AL KORAN. 15
ihis, if ye sfeak tmth. 'Nay, but lie who resignetli liimself^ to God, and
doth that which is right,^ he shall have his reward with liis Lokd : there
shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be giieved. The Jews say,
The Christians are grounded on nothing ;" and the Christians say, The Jews
are grounded on nothing ; yet they both read the scriptui-es. So likewise say
they who know not tke scripture, according to their saying. But God shall
judge between them on the day of the resurrection, concerning that about
which they noio disagree. Who is more unjust than he who prohibiteth
the temples of GoD,^ that his name should be remembered therein, and
who hasteth to destroy them ? Those men cannot enter therein, but with
fear : they shall have shame in this world, and in the next a gi-ievous
punishment. To God belungeth the east and the west ; therefore, whither-
soever ye turn yourselves to pray, there is the face of God; for God is
omnipresent and omniscient. They say, God hath begotten children :° God
forbid ! To him helongeth whatever is in heaven, and on earth ; all is pos-
sessed by him, the Creator of heaven and eai'th ; and when he decreeth a
thing, he only saith unto it. Be, and it is. And they who know not the
scriptures say, Unless God speak unto us, or thou show us a sign, we will
not believe. So said those before them, according to their saying : their
hearts resemble each other. We have already shown manifest signs unto
people who firmly believe ; we have sent thee in truth, a bearer of good
tidings, and a preacher ; and thou shalt not be questioned concerning the
companions of hell. But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither
the Christians, until thou follow their religion ; say, The du-ection of God
is the true direction. And verily if thou follow their desires, after the
knowledge which hath been given thee, thou shalt find no patron or pro-
tector against God. They to whom we have given the book of the Koran,
and who read it with its true reading, they believe therein ; and whoever
believeth not therein, they shall perish. O children of Israel, remember
my favour wherewith I have favoured you, and that I have prefeiTed you
before all nations ; and dread the day wherein one soul shall not make satis-
faction for another soul, neither shall any compensation be accej^ted from
them, nor shall any intercession avail, neither shall they be helped
Remember when the Lord tried Abraham by certccin words,*^ which he
* Literally, resigneth his face, &c.
^ That is, asserteth the unity of God."
' The Jews and Christians are here accused of denying the truth of each other's
religion, notwithstanding they read the scriptures. Wliereas the Pentateuch bears
testimony to Jesus, and the gospel bears testimony to Moses.^
* Or hindereth men from paying their adorations to God in those sacred places.
This passage, says Jallalo'ddin, was revealed on news being brought that the
Romans had spoiled the temple of Jerusalem ; or else when the idolatrous Arabs
obstructed Mohammed's visiting the temple of Mecca, in the expedition of al
Hodeibiya, which happened in the sixth year of the Ilejra.^
*> This is spoken not only of the Christians, and of the Jews (for they are accused
ef holding Ozair, or Ezra, to be the son of God), but also the pagan Arabs, who
imagined the angels to be daughters of God.
* God tried Abraham chiefly by commanding him to leave his native country, and
to offer his son. But the commentators suppose the trial here meant related only to
« Jallalo'ddin. 7 idem, s yide Abu'lfeda Vit. Moham. p. 84, &c