we have bestowed upon you, before the day comes in which is no barter, and no friendship, and no intercession ; and the misbelievers, they are the unjust.
God[1], there is no god but He, the living, the self-subsistent. Slumber takes Him not, nor sleep. His is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. Who is it that intercedes with Him save by His permission ? He knows what is before them and what behind them, and they comprehend not aught of His knowledge but of what He pleases. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and it tires Him not to guard them both, for He is high and grand.
There is no compulsion in religion ; the right way has been distinguished from the wrong, and whoso disbelieves in Tâghût[2] and believes in God, he has got hold of the firm handle in which is no breaking off; but God both hears and knows.
God is the patron of those who believe, He brings them forth from darkness into light. But those who misbelieve, their patrons are Tâghût, these bring them forth from light to darkness, — fellows of the Fire, they dwell therein for aye.
260 Do you not look at him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, that God had given him the kingdom[3]? When Abraham said, ‘ My Lord is He who giveth life and death,’ he said, ‘ I give life
- ↑ This is the famous âyatu ′I kursîy, or ‘ verse of the throne,’ considered as one of the finest passages in the Qur′ân, and frequently found inscribed in mosques and the like.
- ↑ The idols and demons of the ancient Arabs are so called.
- ↑ Nimrod, who persecuted Abraham, according to the eastern legend; see Chapter ⅩⅪ, verses 52-69.
