The English Reference Qur’an

10A3 [There is] blamelessness from Allah and his messenger toward those idolaters with whom you^MP made a covenant,

so travel^MP in the land four months. Know^MP that you^MP cannot block Allah, and that Allah will shame the disbelievers.

[There is] a proclamation from Allah and his messenger for people on the day of the great hajj, that Allah is guiltless toward the idolaters. Also his messenger. If you^MP repent, it is better for you^MP, and if you^MP turn away, know^MP that you^MP cannot frustrate Allah. Give good news of painful torment to the disbelievers.

The exception is the idolaters with whom you^MP made a covenant, and who fulfilled all their obligations towards you^MP and who did not assist anyone against you^MP. Fulfill your^MP covenant with them until it expires. Allah loves the godly.

And when the sacred months are finished, kill the idolaters wherever you^MP find  them; take^MP them, surround^MP them, and set^MP all sorts of ambushes against them. If they repent and perform their prayers and pay the poor-tax, let them go. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

If a polytheist seeks refuge with you^MS, grant him asylum so that he can hear Allah’s word. Then take^MS him to a place of safety. This is because they are people who do not know.

How can idolaters have a covenant with Allah and with his messenger, except for those with whom you^MP made a covenant at the sacred place of worship? As long as they are upright with you^MP, be upright with them. Allah loves the godly.

And what if they get the better of you^MP and respect neither relationship nor treaty? They please you^MP with their mouths while their hearts reject. Most of them are unbelievers.

They sold Allah’s verses for a small price and block the path to him. Their deeds were evil.

They respect neither relationship nor treaty with a believer. They are the aggressors.

If they repent, perform prayers, and pay the poor-tax, [they are] your^MP brothers in religion. We give detailed signs for people who know.

If they break their oaths after making a covenant, and speak evil of your^MP religion, fight^MP the leaders of disbelief - they have no oaths - that they may cease.

Will you^MP not fight people who break their oaths, plot to expel the messenger, and attacked you first? Do you^MP fear them? Allah is the one you^MP ought to fear if you^MP are believers.

Fight^MP them. Allah will torment them with your^MP hands, shame them, give you^MP victory over them, heal the hearts of believing people,

and remove the wrath of their hearts. Allah accepts repentance from whoever he wills. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

Or do you^MP think that you^MP will be abandoned, since Allah knows those of you^MP who struggled and did not choose as confidants other than Allah, his messenger, or the believers? Allah is aware of your^MP deeds.

Idolaters would not build Allah’s places of worship, while witnessing to their own disbelief. Their works are in vain, and they will remain in hellfire forever.

Those who build Allah’s places of worship are those who believe in Allah and the last day, perform prayer, pay the poor-tax, and fear Allah alone. They might be guided.

10A4 Do you^MP make someone who gives water to a pilgrim and builds the sacred place of worship equal to someone who believes in Allah and the last day and who struggles in Allah’s path? They are not equal in Allah’s eyes. Allah does not guide wicked people.

Truly those who believed, emigrated and struggled in Allah’s path with their money and their lives are higher in rank with Allah. They are the winners.

Their Lord gives them good news of mercy and good pleasure from him and of heavenly gardens of permanent pleasure for them,

where they will remain forever. Allah’s reward is great.

Believers, do not take your^MP fathers and brothers as protectors if they prefer disbelief over belief. Those of you^MP who take them are wicked.

Say^MS, “If you^MP love your fathers, sons, brothers, wives, tribes, the money you^MP have gained, the goods you^MP fear will become stagnant, and the homes you^MP desire more than Allah, his messenger, and struggling in his path, then watch out lest Allah bring his command. Allah does not guide unbelieving people.”

Allah has given you^MP victory in many lands. On the day of Hunayn, when you^MP were pleased with your^MP numbers, they did not help you^MP. The land was not big enough for you^MP despite its breadth. Then you^MP turned away and fled.

Then Allah revealed his presence to his messenger and the believers, and he sent down hosts you^MP have not seen, and tormented the disbelievers. That is the disbelievers’ reward.

Then Allah will accept repentance from whoever he wills. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

Believers, idolaters are unclean. They are not to approach the sacred place of worship after this year of theirs. If you^MP fear poverty, Allah by his grace will enrich you^MP if he wills. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

Fight^MP those who were given the book who do not believe in Allah or the last day, do not forbid what Allah and his messenger have forbidden, and do not profess the religion of truth until they pay reparations by hand in subjection.

The Jews said, “Ezra is the son of Allah,” and the Christians said: “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” That is the saying of their mouths, resembling the sayings of disbelievers beforehand. Allah fought them. How they lie!

They made their priests and monks gods to the exclusion of Allah and the Messiah, the son of Mariam. They were only commanded to worship one god, and he is the only god. May he be glorified above the gods they worship.

They want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, and Allah rejected this and perfected his light, even though the disbelievers hate it.

He sent his messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to clarify all religion, even though the idolaters hate it.

10B1 Believers, many priests and monks vainly steal people’s money, and obstruct Allah’s path. They hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s path. Give them good news of painful torment

on a day when it will be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads, sides, and backs will be ironed with it. “This is what you^MP have hoarded for yourselves^MP, so taste^MP what you^MP have hoarded.”

The number of months in Allah’s eyes is twelve months, in Allah’s book on the day he created the heavens and the earth. Four months^FP are sacred^MP. This is straight religion, so do not wrong^MP yourselves^MP in them^FP, and fight^MP all idolaters as they all fight you^MP. Know that Allah is with the godfearers.

Postponing the month is an increase in disbelief and leads disbelievers astray. They allow it for a year and forbid it for a year, to conform to the number Allah has forbidden and so permit what Allah has forbidden. The evil of their works looks pleasing to them, and Allah does not guide disbelieving people.

*** Believers, what is wrong with you^MP? When you^MP are told, “Go^MP forth in Allah’s path,” you^MP become heavy [and fall] to the ground? Are you^MP pleased with this life more than the hereafter? This life’s enjoyment is nothing compared to the hereafter.

*** If you^MP do not go forth, he will torment you^MP painfully, and replace you^MP with other people; you^MP will not hurt him at all. Allah can do anything.

*** If you^MP do not help him, Allah will help him, for the disbelievers expelled him like the second of two who were in the cave. He told his companion, “Do not grieve! Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down his presence on him and aided him with his hosts, which you^MP have not seen. He made the word of the disbelievers lower and Allah’s Word is the highest. Allah is strong and wise.

Go forth, lightly or heavily [armed], and struggle with your^MP money and your^MP souls in Allah’s path. That is better for you^MP, if you^MP really knew.”

If there were quick worldly gain and an easy trip, they would have followed you^MS, but the distance was too far for them. They will swear by Allah, “If we had been able to, we would have gone out with you^MP.” They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.

May Allah forgive you^MS! Why did you^MS permit them, before it was clear to you^MS who were sincere and you^MS knew who were liars.

Believers in Allah and the last day do not ask your^MS permission to struggle with their money and their souls. Allah knows the godfearers.

It is the disbelievers in Allah and the last day who ask your^MS permission. Their hearts doubt. They are in doubt and hesitant.

10B2 If they had wanted to go out, they would have prepared provisions for it, but Allah hated sending them so he made them slothful, and it was said, “Sit down along with the others who are sitting.”

If they had gone out among you^MP, they would have only hindered you^MP and hurried about. They want you^MP to have strife. Some of you^MP would have listened to them. Allah knows who is wicked.

They previously wanted strife, and turned matters upside down for you^MS until the truth came and Allah’s command became apparent, while they hated it.

Some of them say, “Give me permission and do not tempt me.” Did they not fall in temptation? Hell surrounds the disbelievers.

If something good happens to you^MS, they think evil of it, and if something evil happens to you^MS, they say, “We ordered our matter previously.” Then they turn away happily.

Say^MS, “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has ordained. He is our master, so let the believers trust in him.

Say^MS, “Are you^MPwaiting for us to receive one of the two best things? We are waiting for Allah to afflict you^MP with torment, either himself or by our hands. So wait^MP, and we are waiting with you^MP.

Say^MS, “Donate^MP willingly or unwillingly, and it will not be accepted from you^MP. You^MP have been unbelieving people.”

What prevented them from their donations being received is only their disbelief in Allah and his messenger, their not attending prayers except lazily, and their unwillingness to donate.

Do not be attracted by their money or their children. Allah wants to torment them by means of it in this life, and for their souls to perish while disbelievers.

They swear by Allah that they belong to you^MP, while they do not belong to you^MP. They are fearful people.

If they could find a refuge, caves, or a hideaway, they would turn obstinately toward it.

Some of them slander you^MS regarding alms for the poor. If they are given some alms, they are content, and if they are not given any, they are enraged.

If only they had been content with what Allah and his messenger gave them, and had said, “Allah is enough for us, and he and his messenger will give to us out of Allah’s grace. We want Allah.”

10B3 Giving is for the poor, the needy, those who work with it, and those whose hearts are in harmony, for slaves, debtors, as gifts in Allah’s path, and for travellers. This is an ordinance from Allah. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

Some of them harm the prophet and say, “He is an ear.” Say^MS, “A good ear to you^MP. He believes in Allah and gives safety to the believers, and is a mercy to the believers among you^MP. Those who harm Allah’s messenger will have painful torment.

They swear to you^MP by Allah in order to please you^MP, whereas Allah and his messenger deserve to be pleased more, if they were believers.

Do they not know that those who oppose Allah and his messenger will go to the fire of hell forever? That is the great shame.

The hypocrites warn about a chapter being revealed to them which reveals what is in their hearts. Say^MS, “Mock^MP! Allah will send you^MP what you^MP warn against.”

If you^MS ask them, they will say, “We were talking vainly and playing.” Say^MS, “Were you^MP mocking Allah, his signs, and his messenger?”

Do not apologize. You^MP disbelieved after being believers. If we forgive some of you^MP, we will torment others of you^MP because they were wrongdoers.

The male and female hypocrites promote vice, prevent virtue, and clench their fists. They have forgotten Allah and he has forgotten them. Hypocrites are unbelieving.

Allah has promised the male and female hypocrites and the disbelievers that they will remain forever in the fires of hell. It is their just due. Allah has damned them and they will have permanent torment,

just like those before you^MP who were stronger and richer than you^MP, had more children, and they enjoyed their portion. You^MP enjoyed your^MP portion as those before you^MP enjoyed theirs. You^MP were talking vainly just like they were. Their works are in vain in this world and the hereafter. They are lost.

Have they not received the news of those before them? The messengers to the people of Nuh, Aad and Thamud, the people of Ibrahim, the companions of Midian, Sodom and Gomorrah brought them miracles. Allah would never wrong them but they wronged themselves.

Male and female believers are helpers of each other. They promote virtue, prevent vice, perform prayers, pay the poor-tax, and obey Allah and his messenger. Allah will have mercy on them. Allah is strong and wise.

Allah has promised the male and female believers heavenly gardens with flowing rivers underneath where they will be forever, and nice dwellings in the heavenly gardens of Eden, and Allah’s pleasure, which is more than that. That is the great victory.

*** Prophet, struggle against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and press heavily upon them. Their refuge is hell, and it is a dreadful destiny.

They swore  by Allah that they didn't say it, but they said the word of disbelief. They disbelieved after having submitted and were concerned about what they had not received. They only disliked that Allah and his messenger had enriched them with his grace. If they repent, it will be better for them. If they turn away, Allah will torment them with painful torment in this life and the hereafter. They will have no helper or savior on earth.

10B4 *** Some of them promise Allah, “If he brings us some of his grace, we will give alms and be righteous.”

When he brought them some of his grace, they were stingy, and turned away in aversion.

So he made hypocrisy follow them in their hearts until the day they meet him, because they did not do what they had promised Allah, but were liars.

*** Do they not know that Allah knows their secrets and private counsels? Allah knows what is invisible.

*** They slander and mock the believing volunteers in their alms and those who find only their own labor [to offer]. May Allah mock them. They will have painful torment.

It does not matter if you ask forgiveness^MS for them or do not ask. Even if you^MS ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah will not forgive them. That is because they disbelieve in Allah and his messenger. Allah does not guide unbelieving people.

Those who were left behind rejoiced in their sitting in opposition to Allah’s messenger, and they hated to struggle in Allah’s path with their money and souls. They said, “Do not go out in the heat.” Say^MS, “The fire of hell is hotter, if they only understood.”

Let them laugh a little and cry a lot for what they deserve.

If Allah returns you^MS to a group of them, and they ask you^MS to go out, say^MS, “You^MP will never go out with me nor fight an enemy with me.  You^MP were happy to sit the first time, so sit^MP with the rest of those who sit behind.

Do not pray^MS for any of them who dies, and do not stand^MS over his grave. They disbelieved in Allah and his messenger and died in their unbelief.

Do not be attracted by their money or their children. Allah wants to torment them by means of them in this world, and for them to die disbelievers.

And if a chapter is revealed saying, believe in Allah and struggle with his messenger, the wealthy among them ask permission of you^MS saying, “Allow^MS us to sit.”

They want to be with those who stay behind. Their hearts are sealed, and they do not understand.

But the messenger and those who believed with him struggled with their money and their souls. They will have good things and they are prosperous.

Allah has prepared heavenly gardens for them with flowing rivers underneath where they will be forever. That is the great victory.

Then those desert nomads who had excuses came to ask permission. Those who rejected Allah and his messenger sat down. Painful torment will afflict the disbelievers among them.

Those who are weak or sick or have nothing to donate should not be embarrassed if they are faithful to Allah and his messenger. Those who do good have no other way. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

Nor should those who come to you^MS to be carried, when you^MS say, “I have nothing to carry you^MP on. Go^MP back.” Their eyes overflow with tears in sorrow that they have nothing to donate.

11A1 The way is truly against the rich who ask permission of you^MS and want to stay behind sitting. Allah has sealed their hearts, so they do not know it.

They apologize to you^MP when you^MP return to them. Say^MS,“Do not apologize. We will not trust you^MP. Allah has informed us of your^MP news. Allah and his messenger will see your^MP work. Then you^MP will be turned back to the knower of the invisible and the visible, and he will tell you^MP your^MP deeds.

If you^MP turn back to them, they will swear by Allah to you^MP to pass by them. Pass^MP by them. They are an abomination. Their refuge is hell, the punishment they deserve.

They swear to you^MP so that you^MP will be pleased with them. Even if you^MP are pleased with them, Allah is not pleased with unbelieving people.

The desert nomads are more disbelieving and hypocritical, and less deserving of knowing the limits of what Allah has revealed to his messenger. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

Some desert nomads consider their donations a fine, and watch you^MP for cycles to come around. A cycle of evil is around them, and Allah sees all and knows all.

Some desert nomads believe in Allah and the last day, and consider their donations as ways to draw near to Allah and as prayers for the messenger. They really are ways for them to draw near. Allah will cause them to enter his mercy. Allah is forgiving and merciful.

Allah is pleased with the first emigrants and helpers who led the way, and those who followed them in giving, and they are pleased with Allah. He has prepared heavenly gardens with flowing rivers underneath for them, where they will be forever. This is the great victory.

Some of the desert nomads around you^MP are hypocrites and some of the people of Medina are obstinate in hypocrisy. You^MS do not know them, but we know them. We will torment them twice, then they will be returned to a great torment.

Others confess their sins and mixed righteous deeds with bad. Allah may accept their repentance. He is forgiving and merciful.

Take^MS their money as alms that cleanse and purify them and pray for them. Your^MS prayers are rest for them. Allah hears all and knows all.

Do they not know that Allah accepts repentance from his servants and receives alms? Allah is the merciful acceptor of repentance.

Say^MS: “Work^MP, and Allah, his messenger, and the believers will see your^MP work.  Then you^MP will be returned to the knower of the invisible and the visible, and he will tell you^MP your^MP deeds.

Others are made to wait for Allah’s command, whether he will torment them or accept their repentance. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

Those who take a place of worship for injury, disbelief, and dissension between believers, ambushing him who previously fought against Allah and his messenger, will swear, “We wanted only good.” Allah is witness that they are liars.

Do not stand^MS in it at all. A place of worship founded upon godliness from the first day is better for you^MS to stand in, for it has men who love to be purified. Allah loves the purified.

Is he who founds his building on godliness from Allah and on pleasing [him] better, or one who founds his building on the edge of a tottering cliff, which falls with him into the fire of hell? Allah does not guide wicked people.

The building they built is still [a cause of] doubt in their hearts until their hearts are cut. Allah is all-knowing and wise.

11A2 Allah has bought the believers’ souls and money and given them the heavenly garden. They fight in Allah’s path, and they kill and are killed. [This was] a true promise by him in the Tawrah, Injil, and Qur’an. Who is more faithful to fulfill his promise than Allah? So rejoice about your^MP selling what you^MP contracted. That is the great victory.

The repenters, the worshipers, the praisers, the travelers, the kneelers, those who bow down, those who promote virtue and prevent vice, those who keep Allah’s limits. Give good news to the believers.

The prophet and the believers would not ask for forgiveness for the idolaters, even if they were relatives, after it became clear that they were going to the blazing fire.

Ibrahim’s asking for forgiveness for his father was only because he had promised him. When it became clear that he was an enemy of Allah, he washed his hands of him. Ibrahim was compassionate and gentle.

Allah would never lead people astray after having guided them to show them what they fear. Allah knows everything.

*** The kingdom of the heavens and the earth is Allah's. He gives life and causes death. You^MP have no helper or savior apart from Allah.

*** Allah accepted the repentance of the prophet and the emigrants and the helpers who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a group of them nearly went astray; then he accepted their repentance. He is compassionate and merciful to them.

And of the three who were left behind when the earth closed in around them though it was wide, and their souls closed in around them, and they thought that there was no refuge for them from Allah except toward him. Then he relented toward them so they would repent. Allah is the merciful acceptor of repentance.

Believers, fear Allah and be with the truthful.

The people of Medina and the desert nomads around them should not have remained behind Allah’s messenger, nor desired themselves above him, for every time they suffer thirst, hardship, or hunger in Allah’s path, or tread anywhere that angers the disbelievers or get anything from an enemy, it will be counted as a righteous deed for  them. Allah does not lose the reward of those who do good.

Allah will record it if they donate a small or large amount, or cross a valley, and will reward them for the best of their deeds.

11A3 All the believers should not have gone forth. Rather, some from every group of them should understand religion and warn their people when they return to them, so that they may be aware.

Believers, fight^MP the disbelievers who are close to you^MP. Let them find you^MP strong. Know^MP that Allah is with the godly.

When a chapter is revealed, some of them say, “Whose faith among you^MP increased because of this?” But it increased the believers’ faith, and they rejoiced.

It made those with sick hearts more abominable, and they died disbelievers.

Do they not see that they are beguiled once or twice a year, then they do not repent or remember?

When a surah is revealed, some of them look at each other. “Does anyone see you^MP?” Then they go away. May Allah send their hearts away, because they are people without understanding.

A messenger has come to you^MP from among yourselves^MP. Your^MP suffering is dear to him. He watches over you^MP. He is compassionate and merciful toward the believers.

If they turn away, say, “Allah is enough for me. He is the only god. I have trusted in him, and he is the Lord of the great throne.”