(183) To those who say: “Allah has directed us that we accept none as Messenger until he makes an offering that the fire will consume,” say: “Other Messengers came to you before me with Clear Signs, and with the sign you have mentioned. So why did you slay them, if what you say is true?” ▶
36 This statement was made by the Jews. When the Qur’anic verse (al-Baqarah 2: 245): “Who of you will lend Allah a goodly loan?” was revealed, the Jews began to make fun of it, saying: “Look, God has now gone bankrupt and has begun to beg of His creatures for loans.”
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Al [Imran 3: 184–7
(184) Now, if they give the lie to you, then other Messengers who came with Clear Signs and scriptures and the illuminating Book were also given the lie to before you. (185) Everyone is bound to taste death and you shall receive your full reward on the Day of Resurrection. Then, whoever is spared the Fire and is admitted to Paradise has indeed been successful. The life of this world is merely an illusory enjoyment.
(186) (Believers), you will certainly be put to test in regard to your properties and lives, and you will certainly hear many hurtful things from those who were granted the Book before you, and from those who have associated others with Allah in His Divinity. If you remain patient and God- fearing this indeed is a matter of great resolution. (187) Recall when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Book: “You shall explain it to people and not hide it.” Then they cast the Book behind their backs and sold it away for a trivial gain. Evil indeed is their bargain. ▶
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Al [Imran 3: 188–93
(188) Do not think that those who exult in their misdeeds and love to be praised for what indeed they have not done, do not (even) think that they are secure from chastisement. A painful chastisement awaits them. (189) To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is All- Powerful.
(190) Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of understanding (191) – those who remember Allah while standing, sitting or (reclining) on their backs, and reflect in the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. Glory to You! Save us, then, from the chastisement of the Fire. (192) Our Lord! Whomsoever You cause to enter the Fire, him You indeed bring to disgrace, and there will be none to succour the wrong-doers. (193) Our Lord! We indeed heard a crier calling to the faith, saying: “Believe in your Lord”; so we did believe. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, and wipe out our evil deeds and make us die with the truly pious. ▶
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Al [Imran 3: 194–7
(194) Our Lord! Fulfil what You promised to us through Your Messengers, and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection; indeed You never go back on Your promise.”
(195) Their Lord answered the prayer thus: “I will not suffer the work of any of you, whether male or female, to go to waste; each of you is from the other. Those who emigrat- ed and were driven out from their homesteads and were persecuted in My cause, and who fought and were slain, indeed I shall wipe out their evil deeds from them and shall certainly admit them to the Gardens beneath which rivers flow.” This is their reward with their Lord; and with Allah lies the best reward.
(196) (O Messenger), do not let the strutting about of the unbelievers in the land deceive you. (197) This is but a trifling and fleeting enjoyment; then their destination is Hell – what an evil resting place! ▶
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Al [Imran 3: 198–200
(198) But those who fear their Lord: theirs shall be the Gardens beneath which rivers flow and therein they will live forever: a hospitality from Allah. And Allah’s reward is best for the truly pious. (199) Among the People of the Book some believe in Allah and what has been revealed to you, and what has been revealed to them. They humble themselves before Allah, and do not sell Allah’s revelations for a trivial gain. For such their reward lies with their Lord. Allah is swift in reckoning.
(200) Believers, be steadfast, and vie in steadfastness, stand firm in your faith, and hold Allah in fear that you may attain true success.
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Al-Nisa’ 4: 1–3
(Women)
(Madinan Period)
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
(1) O people! Fear your Lord Who created you from a single being and out of it created its mate; and out of the two spread many men and women. Fear Allah in Whose name you plead for rights, and heed the ties of kinship. Surely, Allah is ever watchful over you.
(2) Give orphans their pro- perty, and do not exchange the bad for the good, and do not eat up their property by mixing it with your own. This surely is a mighty sin.
(3) If you fear that you might not treat the orphans justly, then marry the women that seem good to you: two, or three, or four.1 ▶
1 It should be noted that making polygamy lawful was not the real purpose of this verse, for polygamy was already in vogue in Arabia and the Prophet (peace be on him) himself had more than one wife when this verse was revealed. The real object of its revelation was to help solve the problem of orphaned children
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Al-Nisa’ 4: 4
If you fear that you will not be able to treat them justly, then marry (only) one,2 or marry from among those whom your right hands possess.3 This will make it more likely that you will avoid injustice.
(4) Give women their bridal- due in good cheer (considering it a duty);
