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

114 AL KORAN. CHAP, vt
people. Say, I find not in tliat wliich hath been revealed unto me any
thing forbidden unto the eater, that he eat it not, except it be that which
dieth of itself, or blood poured forth,^ or swine's flesh : for this is
an abomination : or that which is profane, having been slain in the name
of some other than of God. But whoso shall be compelled by necessity to
eat of these things, not lusting, nor loiJfully transgressing, verily thy Lord
toill he gracious unto him and merciful. Unto the Jews did we forbid
every beast having an undivided hoof; and of bullocks and sheep, we
forbade them the fat of both ; except that which should be on their
backs, or their inwards,^ or which should be intermixed with the
bone.' This have we rewarded them with, because of their iniquity ;
and we are surely speakers of truth. If they accuse thee of impos-
ture, say. Your Lord is endued with extensive mercy ; but his severity
shall not be averted from wicked jjeople. The idolaters will say. If God
had pleased, we had not been guilty of idolatiy, neither our fathers; and
pretend that we have not forbidden them any thing. Thus did they who
were before them accuse the proj^hets of imposture, until they tasted our
severe punishment. Say, Is there with you any certain knowledge of what
ye allege, that ye may produce it unto us ? Ye follow only v^ false imagina-
tion ; and ye utter only lies. Say, therefore unto God belongelh the most
evident demonstration ; for if he had pleased, he had directed you all.
Say, Produce your witnesses, who can bear testimony that God hath for-
bidden this. But if they bear testimony of this, do not thou bear testimony
with them, nor do thou follow the desires of those who accuse our signs of
falsehood, and who believe not in the life to come, and equalize idols with
their Lord. Say, Come ;'^ I will rehearse that which your Lord hath
forbidden you ; that is to say, that ye be not guilty of idolatry, and that ye
show kindness to your pai-ents, and that ye murder not your children /or
/ear lest ye be reduced to poverty : we wiU provide for you and them; and
draw not near unto heinous crimes,' neither openly nor in secret ; and
slay not the soul which God hath forbidden you to slay, unless for a just
cause.™ This hath he enjoined you that ye may understand. And
meddle not with the substance of the orphan, otherwise than for the
improving thereof, until he attain his age of strength : and use a full
measure, and a just balance. We will not impose a task on any soul
beyond its ability. And when ye pronounce judgment observe justice,
although it he for or against one who is near of kin, and fulfil the covenant
of God. This hath God commanded you, that ye may be admonished ; and
8 That is, fluid blood ; in opposition to what the Arabs suppose to be also blood,
but not fluid ; as the liver and the spleen.®
•> See Levit. vii. 23, and iii. 16.
' Viz. the fat of the rumps or tails of sheep, which are very large in the east ; a
small one weighing ten or twelve pounds, and some no less than threescore.
k This and the two following verses Jallalo'ddin supposes to have been revealed
at Medina.
' The original word signifies peculiarly fornication and avarice.
"" As for murder, apostasy, or adultery.*
" Al Beidawi. Jallalo'ddin. « Al Beidawi