Chapter 68

ENTITLED, BATTLE-ARRAY; REVEALED AT MECCA.e

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

WHATEVER is in heaven and in earth celebrateth the praise of GOD; for he is mighty and wise. O true believers, why do ye say that which ye do not?f It is most odious in the sight of GOD, that ye say that which ye do not. Verily GOD loveth those who fight for his religion in battle-array, as though they were a well-compacted building. Remember when Moses said unto his people, O my people, why do ye injure me;g since ye know that I am the apostle of GOD sent unto you? And when they had deviated from the truth, GOD made their hearts to deviate from the right way; for GOD directeth not wicked people.

x Literally, anything of your wives; which some interpret, any part of their dowry. y Or, as the original verb may also be translated, and ye take spoils; in which case the meaning will be, that those Moslems, whose wives shall have gone over to the infidels, shall have a satisfaction for their dower out of the next booty. This law, they saw, was given because of the idolaters, after the preceding verse had been revealed, refused to comply therewith, or to make any return of the dower of those women who went over to them from the Moslems;1 so that the latter were obliged to indemnify themselves as they could. z See the Prelim. Disc. Sect. II. p. 37. Some are of opinion that this passage was not revealed till the day of the taking of Mecca; when, after having received the solemn submission of the men, he proceeded to receive that of the women.2 a See chapter 81. b Jallalo'ddin understands these words of their laying their spurious children to their husbands. c i.e., The infidels in general; or the Jews in particular.3 d By reason of their infidelity; or because they well know they cannot expect to be made partakers of the happiness of the next life, by reason of their rejecting of the prophet foretold in the law, and whose mission is confirmed by miracles.4 e Or, as some rather judge, at Medina; which opinion is confirmed by the explication in the next note. f The commentators generally suppose these words to be directed to the Moslems, who, notwithstanding they had solemnly engaged to spend their lives and fortunes in defence of their faith, yet shamefully turned their backs at the battle of Ohod.5 They may, however, be applied to hypocrites of all sorts, whose actions contradict their words. g viz., By your disobedience; or by maliciously aspersing me.6

1 Idem. 2 Idem. 3 See cap. I, p. 1. 4 Al Beidâwi. 5 Cap. 3, p. 45, &c. 6 See cap. 33, p. 320.

And when Jesus the Son of Mary said, O children of Israel, verily I am the apostle of GOD sent unto you, confirming the law which was delivered before me, and bringing good tidings of an apostle who shall come after me, and whose name shall be Ahmed.i And when he produced unto them evident miracles, they said, This is manifest sorcery. But who is more unjust than he who forgeth a lie against GOD, when he is invited unto Islam? And GOD directeth not the unjust people. They seek to extinguish GOD'S light with their mouths: but GOD will perfect his light, though the infidels be averse thereto. It is he who hath sent his apostle with the direction, and the religion of truth, that he may exalt the same above every religion, although the idolaters be averse thereto. 10 O true believers, shall I show you a merchandise which will deliver you from a painful torment hereafter? Believe in GOD and his apostle; and defend GOD'S true religion with your substance, and in your own persons. This will be better for you, if ye knew it. He will forgive you your sins, and will introduce you into gardens through which rivers flow, and agreeable habitations in gardens of perpetual abode. This will be great felicity. And ye shall obtain other things which ye desire, namely, assistance from GOD, and a speedy victory. And do thou bear good tidings to the true believers. O true believers, be ye assistants of GOD; as Jesus the son of Mary said to the apostles, Who will be my assistants with respect to GOD?k The apostles answered, We will be the assistants of GOD. So a part of the children of Israel believed, and a part believed not:l but we strengthened those who believed, above their enemy; wherefore they became victorious over them.

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