وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ

24. And married women (are also forbidden to you) except whom your right hands possess (i.e. female captives in your lawful custody). This is Allah’s commandment for you. And all women besides these are lawful for you, so long as you seek them through (bridal gifts from) your wealth, taking (them) in modest and legal wedlock, not in the licence of fornication. For the conjugal enjoyment you have had from them (through lawful marriage), give them their bridal gifts as an obligation. And there will be no sin upon you in what you may mutually agree upon even after the prior settlement. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

25. Anyone of you who cannot afford to marry free believing women, then (let him marry) the believing young women from among those your right hands possess (i.e. female captives in your lawful custody). And Allah knows best your faith. You (all) are from one another (on a similar footing). So, marry these (slave-women) with the permission of their owners and give them their bridal gifts in all justice (according to honourable custom), provided they are taken in wedlock (as chaste women), neither committing illegal sex nor taking secret lovers. If, after getting married, they commit adultery, they shall be liable to half the punishment of free (unmarried) women. This (permission of marrying believing slave women) is for him among you who fears falling into sin, but if you remain patient, it is better for you. And Allah is Most Forgiving, All-Merciful.

26. Allah intends to make (His laws) clear to you and guide you to the traditions of those (pious) people before you,* and turn to you in mercy. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

* It refers to the customs of the former prophets and their righteous communities.

27. And Allah intends to turn to you in mercy, but those who follow their lusts want you to deviate (entirely from the path of guidance) into a severe deviation.

28. Allah intends to lighten your burden, for humans are created weak.

29. O believers! Do not wrongfully consume your wealth among yourselves, but it should be a trade by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is All-Merciful to you.

30. And whoever does that aggressively or unjustly, We shall soon cause him to burn in the Fire. And that is easy for Allah.

31. If you avoid the major sins you have been forbidden, We shall wipe out your minor sins and admit you (into Paradise) through an honourable entrance.

32. Do not covet the blessings Allah has graced upon some of you above others. To men belongs a share of what they earn, and to women a share of what they earn. Ask Allah from His grace; surely Allah is All-Knowing of everything.

33. For everyone, We have appointed heirs to what parents and near relatives leave behind, including those to whom you have pledged your hands (in marriage), so give them their share (of inheritance). Indeed, Allah is a Witness over all things.

34. Men are the caretakers of women (maintaining their financial and housing needs) through the blessings Allah has graced upon some of them above others and through what they spend out of their wealth (to support others). So righteous women are sincere, pious and guarding what Allah has (entrusted them to keep) protected in the absence (of their husbands). As for those (wives) you fear rebellious conduct on their part, (first) advise them, and (if ineffective) leave them alone in their beds, and (as a last resort) turn them away (from yourselves, striking a temporary separation)*. Then, if they cooperate with you, do not seek any course (of action) against them. Indeed, Allah is All-Exalted, All-Great.

35. If you fear a breach (of marital contract) between the two of them, appoint an arbiter from his people and an arbiter from her people. If both (arbiters) desire reconciliation, Allah will restore harmony between them. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

36. Worship Allah and do not ascribe any partners to Him. And be benevolent to (your) parents, the near relatives, the orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the distant neighbour, the fellow or companion on a journey, the traveller and those your right hands possess (i.e. slaves or paid workers). Surely, Allah does not like the one who is arrogant and boastful.

37. Those who are stingy and urge (other) people to be stingy and conceal whatever Allah has given them out of His grace, We have prepared for such disbelievers a disgraceful punishment.

38. And those who spend their wealth to be seen by people and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day—and whosoever has Satan as his companion has an evil companion indeed!

39. What harm could have come to them if they had believed in Allah and the Last Day and spent (in charity) from the sustenance Allah had given them? And Allah is All-Knowing of them.

40. Indeed, Allah does not wrong (anyone), even by an atom’s weight. And if there is a good deed, He will double it and grant from His presence an immense reward.

41. So how shall it be, when We bring forward from every nation a witness, and (Esteemed Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) We bring you as a witness over all of them?

42. On that Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) will wish they were swallowed up by the earth (and levelled into the dust). And they will not (be able to) conceal any statement from Allah.

43. O believers! Do not approach the prayer when you are drunk until you know (well) what you are saying, nor (enter the mosques) in a state of ritual impurity except while travelling on the road until you have washed yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you has come from the toilet, or you have touched women (by performing sexual intercourse), and you cannot find water, then make recourse to clean earth (for ablution), and wipe your faces and hands with it. Indeed, Allah is All-Pardoning, Most-Forgiving.

44. Have you not seen those given a share of the Scripture, purchasing misguidance and desiring that you should (also) lose the right path?

45. But Allah knows your enemies better. Allah suffices as a Guardian, and Allah suffices as a Helper.

46. There are some Jews who pervert words (of the Torah) from their meanings (or from their original places) and say: ‘We hear and disobey,’ and ‘Hear, as one who hears not!’ and (they further say:) ‘Ra‘ina’ (Observe us), twisting their tongues (to distort the phrase) and slandering the faith. If only they had said (courteously): ‘We hear and obey,’ and ‘Listen to us’ and ‘Unzurna’ (look upon us), it would have been far better for them and more upright. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief. So they will not believe except a few.

47. O you who were given the Book! Believe in what We have revealed (to Our Last Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) confirming what is (already) with you, before We destroy (the features of your) faces and turn them on their backs, or curse them as We cursed the people of the Sabbath. And Allah’s command is always done.

48. Allah surely does not forgive that any partner should be ascribed to Him, but He forgives anything besides that for whomever He wills. And whoever ascribes partners to Allah has indeed fabricated a tremendous sin.

49. Have you not seen those who deem themselves pure? Nay, only Allah purifies whomever He pleases, and they will not be wronged (so much as) a single thread (inside a date stone).

50. Look how they fabricate lies against Allah! That suffices for a blatant sin.

51. Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, yet they believe in idols and false gods and say to the disbelievers: ‘These are better guided on the path than the believers?’

52. They are the ones whom Allah has cursed, and whomever Allah curses, you will never find any helper for him.

53. Or have they a share in the kingdom? If so, they would not give the people even a speck on a date stone.

54. Or do they feel jealous of the people for what Allah has given them out of His grace? We certainly gave the descendants of Ibrahim (Abraham) the Book and the Wisdom, and We (also) granted them a great kingdom.

55. Among them (i.e. the Jews) are some who believe in him (i.e. the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), and some of them who have turned away from him. And Hell is sufficient as a blazing flame.

56. Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our revelations, We shall soon cause them to burn in a Fire. Whenever their skins are (completely) burnt, We shall replace them with other skins so that they may taste the punishment (continuously). Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

57. And those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall admit them to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them, to abide therein forever. There, they shall have chaste spouses, and We shall admit them to a refreshing deep shade.

58. Allah commands you to deliver trusts to their (rightful) owners, and if you judge between people, judge with justice. Excellent indeed is the instruction Allah gives you! Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

59. O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) and those in authority among you. If you dispute among yourselves in any matter, refer it to Allah and the Messenger ([blessings and peace be upon him] for the final judgement) if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best and fairest resolution.

60. Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They desire to seek judgement from false idols (or corrupt judges), although they were commanded to reject it. And Satan wants to lead them far astray into error.

61. And when it is said to them: ‘Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him),’ you see the hypocrites (denying your authority and) turning away from you with utter aversion.

62. But how (shall it be) when some disaster strikes them for what their hands have sent forth and then they come to you swearing by Allah, (saying:) ‘We intended nothing but good treatment and conciliation?’

63. They are the ones whom Allah knows what is in their hearts. So ignore them (regarding what they say), advise them, and speak to them concerning themselves with penetrating words.

64. And We did not send any messenger, but to be obeyed by the command of Allah. And had they come to you (O Esteemed Prophet), after having wronged themselves and begged Allah’s forgiveness, and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) had (also) prayed for their forgiveness, then they would have indeed found Allah the Most-Clement, the All-Merciful.

65. But no! (O Esteemed Prophet!) By your Lord! They cannot (truly) believe until they make you the decisive authority in all matters of dispute between themselves; then, they find no resistance in their hearts regarding what you decide, and they submit (to you) with entire submission.

66. Had We commanded them to: ‘Slay (the guilty among) yourselves or leave your homes,’ they would not have done so, except for a few of them. Had they done what they were advised to do, it would have been better for them and more reassuring (for their faith).

67. Then We would certainly have given them a great reward from Our presence,

68. and would have surely guided them to the straight path.

69. Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him)—they will be in the company of those whom Allah has blessed, such as the prophets, the most truthful, the martyrs (or the witness to the truth) and the righteous. And what excellent companions these are!

70. That is the grace of Allah, and Allah is sufficient as the All-Knowing.

71. O believers! Take your precautions, then move forward (to battle) in groups, or move forward together.

72. Indeed, among you are some who hold back (from joining the Prophet’s army). If a calamity befalls you, he would say: ‘Allah has indeed been gracious to me that I was not present with them.’

73. But if Allah’s grace comes to you (by winning the battle), he would surely say, as if there had never been any affection between you and him: ‘I wish I were with them so that I had also achieved (the share of spoils from) a great victory!’

74. So let those who would trade the life of this world for the Hereafter fight in the way of Allah (to support truth and justice). And whoever fights in the way of Allah and then is slain or gains victory, We shall soon bless him with a great reward.

75. And what is (the matter) with you that you do not fight in the way of Allah (in countering persecution and oppression) while there are oppressed and helpless men, women and children who call out (for their freedom and protection): ‘Our Lord! Bring us out of this town whose (influential) people are oppressors and wrongdoers, and appoint us a protector from Your Presence, and appoint us a helper from Your Presence?’

76. The believers fight for the cause of Allah (i.e. for peace and justice), whereas the disbelievers fight for the cause of Satan (i.e. oppression and injustice). So fight the allies of Satan (for they are the enemies of humankind). Indeed, Satan’s tricks are ever weak.

77. Have you not regarded those to whom it was said: ‘Restrain your hands (from fighting even in self-defence)! Rather establish the prayer and pay the alms due (i.e. the mandatory charity)?’ But when fighting (in defence) was prescribed to them, a group of them started fearing the (oppressive) people as they would fear Allah or with (even) greater fear. And they said: ‘Our Lord! Why have You enjoined fighting upon us?’ If only you had respited us for a short time!’ Say (to them): ‘The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for him who is God-conscious. You shall not be wronged equal to (even) the thread of a date stone.’

78. Wherever you may be, death will overtake you (all), even if you are in guarded lofty towers. When a good fortune comes to them, they say: ‘This is from Allah,’ and if some misfortune befalls them, they say: ‘This is from you (O Prophet)!’ Say: ‘Everything is from Allah.’ So what is the matter with these people that they hardly understand anything?

79. (O people!) Whatever good comes to you is from Allah, but whatever evil befalls you is from yourself. And We have sent you (Esteemed Prophet!) as a Messenger to (all) humankind; and Allah is sufficient as a Witness (to your Messengership).

80. Whoever obeys the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) has indeed obeyed Allah. And whoever turns away (from you), We have not sent you to be a keeper over them.

81. And they profess obedience (to you). But as soon as they leave your presence, a group among them spend the night conspiring (to do) other than what you say. But Allah records what they conspire by night. So, disregard them and trust Allah. And Allah is sufficient as a Guardian.

82. Do they not contemplate the Qur’an? Had it been from (someone) other than Allah, they would have found in it many discrepancies.

83. And when any report of security or threat (of war) comes to them, they immediately publicise it. If they had referred it to the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) or those in authority among them, those seeking its meaning with a deep investigation would have surely ascertained it. (O Believers!) Had there not been Allah’s grace upon you and His mercy, you would certainly have followed Satan, except a few.

84. So fight in the way of Allah (against the aggressors). You are not responsible (for anyone) but yourself. And motivate the believers (to fight for their defence); perhaps Allah will restrain the attacking power of the disbelievers, for Allah is greatest in might and severest in punishment.

85. Whoever intercedes with a good intercession (for a righteous cause) will share in its reward, and whoever intercedes with an evil intercession (for an unjust cause) will share its burden. And Allah is All-Watchful over everything.

86. And whenever you are greeted with a well-wishing gift (or a word of peace), respond with a greeting better than it or (at least) return it (i.e. reciprocate in the same way). Indeed, Allah is the All-Reckoner of everything.

87. Allah! There is no god except Him. He will surely gather you towards the Day of Resurrection, in which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than Allah in speech?

88. (O believers!) Why are you (divided into) two groups regarding the hypocrites, while Allah has made them return (to disbelief) for what they earned? Do you want to guide those whom Allah has left to go stray? And whomever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find a path (of guidance) for him.

89. They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved so that you all become equal. And do not take (any of) them as an ally until they migrate (to Medina) for the cause of Allah. If (after becoming your allies) they turn back (treacherously, breaching the alliance), then seize them and kill them wherever you encounter them, and take none of them as an ally or supporter (again, for their act of treason),

90. except those who have allied with a people with whom you have a treaty (of peace), or who come to you with hearts reluctant to fight you, or fight their (own) people. And if Allah had wished, He would have given them power over you, and then they would have certainly fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and they do not fight you, and they offer you peace, then Allah does not allow you any course (of action) against them.

91. You will (soon) find others desiring to be secure from you and secure from their people, yet whenever they are returned to temptation (of killing you), they get thrown into it. So if they neither withdraw from you, nor offer you peace, nor restrain their hands (from fighting you), then seize them and kill them (to defend yourselves) wherever you confront them (during the war). These are the (combatant) people against whom We have granted you a clear sanction (of defensive warfare).

92. It is not lawful for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. Anyone who kills a believer unintentionally shall (be liable to) free a believing slave and blood money (as compensation) to be paid to his family unless they remit it in charity. If he (i.e. the slain) belongs to a people that are hostile to you and is a believer, then (only) the freeing of a believing slave (is the compensation). And if he (i.e. the slain) belongs to a people with whom you have a treaty, then blood money is to be paid to his family along with the freeing of a believing slave. But whoever does not find (the means to pay) should fast for two consecutive months as a means of pardon from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

93. Whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense shall be Hell, to remain therein forever. Allah shall be wrathful with him and curse him. And He shall prepare a tremendous punishment for him.

94. O believers! When you are travelling on the path of Allah, investigate (thoroughly), and do not say to someone who offers you peace: ‘You are not a believer,’ seeking the goods of this worldly life. Surely, with Allah, there are abundant gains and booties. You also were initially like them, but Allah bestowed on you His favour. Therefore, ascertain the truth (about others). Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

95. Those who stay behind among the believers, except those who have some disability, are not equal to those who struggle in the path of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives over those who sit at home (with a valid excuse), although Allah has promised the fairest reward to all (believers). But Allah has graced the strivers over those who stay at home with a mighty reward.

96. There are higher ranks from Him, forgiveness and mercy. And Allah is Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

97. When the angels take the souls of those who wrong themselves, they ask (them): ‘What circumstances were you in?’ They reply: ‘We were oppressed in this land.’ The angels say: ‘Was not Allah’s earth wide enough so that you might have migrated in it?’ These people will have Hell as their refuge, and it is an evil destination.

98. Except the helpless from among the men, women and children who have neither access to any means nor are they guided to a way (to escape).

99. They are the ones whom Allah shall pardon, and Allah is All-Excusing, Most-Forgiving.

100. Whoever migrates in the way of Allah will find many havens and abundant provisions on the earth. And whoever leaves his home migrating towards Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him), and death overtakes him (on the way), his reward is certainly incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

101. When you are travelling through the land, there is no sin upon you if you shorten the prayers, if you fear the disbelievers may trouble you. Indeed, the disbelievers are your open enemies.

102. And (Esteemed Prophet!) when you are among them, leading them in prayers, let a group of them stand with you and let them carry their weapons. And when they have finished (their) prostration, let them go to the rear, then let the other group that has not prayed come forward and pray with you, and let them take their precautions and their weapons. The disbelievers are eager that you should be careless of your weapons and your luggage so that they may turn upon you with a single attack. There is no sin upon you if you lay aside your weapons when you are troubled by heavy rain or are sick. But take your security measures. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

103. So when you have completed the prayer, (continue to) remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on your sides. And when you feel secure, observe complete prayers. Indeed, prayer is an obligation upon the believers at fixed times.

104. And do not be weak-hearted in pursuit of the enemy. If you are suffering pain, they are also suffering pain as you suffer, but you are expecting from Allah what they do not expect. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

105. (Esteemed Prophet!) Indeed, We have revealed to you the Book with the truth so that you may judge between the people according to what Allah has shown you. And do not be a defender of those who betray their trust.

106. And seek forgiveness from Allah (for your community). Allah is indeed Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

107. And do not plead for those who betray themselves. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are deceitful and sinful.

108. They try to hide (their deception) from people, but they cannot hide from Allah. He is with them when they conspire at night with a discourse unpleasing to Him. And Allah comprehends whatever they do.

109. Beware (O people)! You are those who may plead for them in the life of this world, but who will plead for them with Allah on the Day of Resurrection, or be their defender?

110. And whoever commits evil or wrongs himself and then seeks Allah’s forgiveness shall find Allah Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

111. And whoever commits a sin commits it only against himself, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

112. And whoever commits a fault or a sin and then accuses an innocent person of it, has indeed burdened himself with slander and blatant sin.

113. If it were not for the grace of Allah and His mercy upon you (Esteemed Prophet), a group of them would have sought to lead you astray, but they would only lead themselves astray, and they cannot harm you in the least. Allah has revealed the Book and the Wisdom to you and taught you what you did not know (before). And Allah’s grace upon you has been magnificently great.

114. There is no good in most of their secret talks, except for the one who enjoins charity or goodness or reconciliation between people. And whoever does that, seeking Allah’s pleasure, We shall soon bless him with a great reward.

115. But whoever defies the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) after the guidance has become clear to him and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him on the path he has taken, and We shall make him enter Hell. And it is an evil destination.

116. Indeed, Allah does not forgive that any partner be ascribed to Him, but He forgives anything besides that for whom He pleases. And whoever ascribes partners to Allah has certainly strayed far into error.

117. Instead of Him, they worship none but female (deities),* and they worship none but Satan, the rebellious.

* Most of the idols worshipped by Arab pagans had female names, e.g. Lat, Manat, ‘Uzza, Na‘ila, etc.

118. Allah has cursed him, and he (i.e. Satan) said: ‘I will certainly take (for myself) a certain share of Your servants.

119. And I will, for sure, mislead them, and I will incite (false) desires and hopes in them, and I will direct them, and they will slit the ears of cattle (as a sign of their dedication to pagan idols and deities). And I will, for sure, prompt them, and they will tamper with Allah’s creation.’ And whoever takes Satan as a guardian besides Allah has suffered a clear loss.

120. He only makes them (false) promises and gives them (false) hopes, and Satan promises them nothing but delusion.

121. The refuge of such people shall be Hell, and they will not find any escape from it.

122. But those who believe and perform righteous deeds, We shall soon admit them to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They shall live in them forever and ever—a true promise of Allah. And who is more truthful in word than Allah?

123. (Divine grace is) neither by your hopes nor by the hopes of the People of the Book. Whoever commits evil shall be requited for it, and he will not find for himself any guardian or helper besides Allah.

124. But whoever performs righteous deeds, whether male or female, and is a believer, such (people) shall enter Paradise, and they shall not be wronged (as much as) a speck on a date stone.

125. And who could be better in religion than the one who submits himself entirely to Allah, being virtuously excellent and following the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), the upright? And Allah chose Ibrahim (Abraham) as an intimate friend.

126. And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and Allah comprehends everything.

127. And, (Esteemed Prophet,) they seek your ruling regarding women. Say: ‘Allah gives you a ruling concerning them, and that recited to you in the Book concerning orphan girls (in your charge), whom you do not give what is prescribed for them (as inheritance), and yet you wish to marry them. And as for the helpless among children, (Allah instructs you) to uphold justice for the orphans. Whatever good you perform, Allah indeed is All-Knowing of it.’

128. If a woman fears misconduct or desertion from her husband, there is no sin upon the couple if they mutually reconcile with a fair settlement. And reconciliation is (always) better. The souls are ever inclined to selfishness, but if you act benevolently and be God-conscious, Allah is indeed All-Aware of what you do.

129. And you will never be able to maintain (emotional) justice between (your) wives, even if you are eager to do so. So do not incline entirely (towards one) and leave the other hanging (between marriage and divorce). If you set things right and be God-conscious, Allah is indeed Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

130. If the two (decide to) separate, Allah will compensate both out of His Abundance, and Allah is All-Bounteous, All-Wise.

131. And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Indeed, We have commanded those given the Book before you, and you, to be God-conscious. But if you disbelieve (in Him), to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Praised.

132. And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and Allah is Sufficient as Guardian.

133. If He wills, He can remove you altogether, O people, and bring others (in your place). And Allah is All-Capable over that.

134. Whoever desires the reward of this world (should know that) with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

135. O Believers! Be maintainers of justice and be witnesses for the sake of Allah, even if it is against yourselves, or (your) parents and near relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, Allah is nearer to both. Do not follow (your) desires lest you become unjust. And if you distort (the testimony) or decline (to give it), Allah is indeed All-Aware of what you do.

136. O believers! Believe in Allah, His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him), the Book He has revealed to His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) and the Book He has revealed before. Whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day has surely strayed far into error.

137. Indeed, those who believe and then disbelieve, then believe and then disbelieve (again), and then increase in disbelief, Allah shall never forgive them, nor guide them to the (right) path.

138. Inform the hypocrites that there is a painful punishment for them.

139. Those who ally themselves with the (hostile) disbelievers instead of the believers, do they seek honour (or power) through them? But all honour (and power) belongs to Allah.

140. Indeed, He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being disbelieved and ridiculed, do not sit with them until they engage in some other discourse. Otherwise, you will then become like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers all together in Hell.

141. (The hypocrites are) those who wait to see what happens to you. If there is a victory for you from Allah, they say: ‘Were we not on your side?’ But if the disbelievers get a share (of victory), they say to them: ‘Did we not have the upper hand over you, yet we protected you from the believers?’ So, Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will never grant the disbelievers any way (to prevail) over the believers.

142. Surely, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but He throws their deceit back at them. When they stand up for prayer, they stand up lazily, only to be seen by people, and they do not remember Allah except a little,

143. wavering in between, neither with these nor with those. And whoever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find a way for them.

144. O believers! Do not take the (hostile) disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you want to give Allah a clear sanction against you?

145. Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of the Fire, and you will never find any helper for them,

146. except those who repent, reform (themselves), hold fast to Allah and devote their faith sincerely to Allah, they will be with the believers. And soon, Allah will give the believers a mighty reward.

147. What would Allah do with punishing you if you are (truly) grateful and faithful? And Allah is Ever-Appreciative, All-Knowing.