2. THE HEIFER (al-Baqarah)
237.
If you divorce them before you have
touched them, but after you had set the
dowry for them, give them half of what you
specified—unless they forego the right, or the
one in whose hand is the marriage contract
foregoes it. But to forego is nearer to piety.
And do not forget generosity between one
another. Allah is seeing of everything you do.
238.
Guard your prayers, and the middle
prayer, and stand before Allah in devotion.
239.
But if you are in fear, then on foot, or rid-
ing. And when you are safe, remember Allah,
as He taught you what you did not know.
240.
Those of you who die and leave wives be-
hind—a will shall provide their wives with
support for a year, provided they do not
leave. If they leave, you are not to blame for
what they do with themselves, provided it is
reasonable. Allah is Mighty and Wise.
241.
And divorced women shall be provided
for, equitably—a duty upon the righteous.
242.
Allah thus explains His revelations to you,
so that you may understand.
243.
Have you not considered those who fled
their homes, by the thousands, fearful of
death? Allah said to them, “Die.” Then He re-
vived them. Allah is Gracious towards the
people, but most people are not appreciative.
244.
Fight in the cause of Allah, and know that
Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
245.
Who is he who will offer Allah a generous
loan, so He will multiply it for him manifold?
Allah receives and amplifies, and to Him you
will be returned.
246.
Have you not considered the notables of
the Children of Israel after Moses? When
they said to a prophet of theirs, “Appoint a
king for us, and we will fight in the cause of
Allah.” He said, “Is it possible that, if fighting
was ordained for you, you would not fight?”
They said, “Why would we not fight in the
cause of Allah, when we were driven out of
our homes, along with our children?” But
when fighting was ordained for them, they
turned away, except for a few of them. But Al-
lah is aware of the wrongdoers.
247.
Their prophet said to them, “Allah has ap-
pointed Saul to be your king.” They said,
“How can he have authority over us, when we
are more worthy of authority than he, and he
was not given plenty of wealth?” He said, “Al-
lah has chosen him over you, and has in-
creased him in knowledge and stature.” Allah
bestows His sovereignty upon whomever He
wills. Allah is Embracing and Knowing.
248.
And their prophet said to them, “The
proof of his kingship is that the Ark will be
restored to you, bringing tranquility from
your Lord, and relics left by the family of Mo-
ses and the family of Aaron. It will be carried
by the angels. In that is a sign for you, if you
are believers.”
249.
When Saul set out with the troops, he said,
“Allah will be testing you with a river. Who-
ever drinks from it does not belong with me.
But whoever does not drink from it, does be-
long with me, except for whoever scoops up
a little with his hand.” But they drank from it,
except for a few of them. Then, when he
crossed it, he and those who believed with
him, they said, “We have no strength to face
Goliath and his troops today.” But those who
knew that they would meet Allah said, “How
many a small group has defeated a large
group by Allah’s will. Allah is with the stead-
fast.”
250.
And when they confronted Goliath and
his troops, they said, “Our Lord, pour down
patience on us, and strengthen our foothold,
and support us against the faithless people.”
251.
And they defeated them by Allah’s leave,
and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him
sovereignty and wisdom, and taught him as
He willed. Were it not for Allah restraining
the people, some by means of others, the
earth would have gone to ruin. But Allah is
gracious towards mankind.
252.
These are Allah’s revelations, which We
recite to you in truth. You are one of the mes-
sengers.
253.
These messengers: We gave some ad-
vantage over others. To some of them Allah
spoke directly, and some He raised in rank.
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