a book worthy of praise all therein is written in good order no person shal handle it that is not clean and purifyed it is sent from God Lord of the Vniverse if ye renounce what is written in this book ye shall be in the number of Infidels and shall know the truth when the soul shall forsake your body I know this better then you but ye do not consider it if ye believe not to rise again cause your soul to return into your body when it shall be upon your lipps when a righteous man dyeth he shall finde rest and all manner of concentment in the delights of Paradise if he be of them that hold the book of the accompt of their work in the right hand and shall be free from eternall pains If he be in the number of Infidels and seduced he shall be precipitated into hell this is is a most certain truth Exalt the name of thy Lord omnipotent CHAP LVII The Chapter of Iron containing twenty nine verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful All that is in the Heavens and Earth exalteth the glory of God he is omnipotent and wise the Kingdom of the Heavens and earth is his he giveth life and death to whom he pleaseth he is without beginning without end he knoweth al that meÌ„ make manifest whatsoever they keep secret he knoweth all things He it is that created the earth the heavens in 6 days fitteth on his throne he knoweth whatsoever â—reth into the earth and all that cometh out he knoweth â—â—atsoever descendeth from heaven and whatsoever ascenâ—h he is with you in whatsoever place ye are and seeth 〈◊〉 your actions the Kingdom of the heavens and earth â— his and all things obey him He maketh the night to â—ter the day and knoweth what is in the heart of men â—elieve in God and his Prophet expend in pious works â—â—me part of the wealth that he hath given you he shal â—ive you more Do good abundantly to them that believe 〈◊〉 his Law wherefore will ye not believe in God and his Apostle who teacheth you the Commandments of your word Ye have promised him to embrace his Law he hath â—nspired his Commandments into his servant to bring â—ou out of darknesse and guide you into light he is graciâ—us and mercifull Who hindreth you to make any exâ—ence for his glory The inheritance of the heavens and earth is his Such as for his service have expended any thing before the taking of Mecca are not equall in merit to them that fought to conquer that City they are far above them that fought not and shall be protected of his divine Majesty he promiseth Paradise to the righteous â—â—oweth all your actions Who is he that shall lend to him any alms he shall encrease his substance and give a great reward Be thou mindfull of the day when thou â—halt see those men and women that have obeyed my Commandments with a light that shall goe before them it shall be said to them this day it is declared to you that you â—hall enter into and dwell eternally in Gardens wherein â—â—ow many Rivers and where ye shall finde supreme felicity Be thou mindful of the day that the wicked shall say to the True-believers Behold us cast your eye to our side that we may partake a little of your light They shall say unto â—hem return upon your steps to demand light There is a place betwixt them that hath a secret gate full of grace and repose for the righteous and without environed with misery for the wicked they shall call upon the righteous and say were not we of your RELIGION they shall reply yes but ye betrayed your soules through disobedience ye dâ—ubtâ—d of the LAW Law of God your blasphemie rendred you insolent 〈◊〉 the hour of your death the Devill made you proud moved you to rise against the Commandments of his divâ—â—â— Majesty this day there is neither ransome nor favour fâ—â— you the fire of Hell is the habitation of the wicked Oâ— what an habitation Such as believe in God think it no trouble to humble their hearts at the remembrance of the Alcoran and the truth that it containeth they are not like them that heretofore haâ— the knowledg of the written Law they have been a long time without Prophets their hearts are hardned and the greatest part of them have been impious Know that God restoreth life to the Earth after the death thereof we have taught you the misteries of faith peradventure ye will comprehend them God shall multiply the benefits that the righteous shall lend to him and shall return them a great reward Such as believe in God and his Prophet are righteous Martyrs shall be recompensed of God they shall be covered with light and the wicked that disobey his Commandments shall be damned eternally the life of this world is but vanity sport and delusion it is but pride the abundance of wealth and children is like to the rain the wicked wonder at the plants that it produceth in the end they wither become yellow and then are altogether drie The impious shall suffer great torments and the good shall enjoy the mercy of God the life of this world is but matter of pride implore pardon of God Paradise large as heaven and Earth is prepared for them that shall believe in his divine Majesty and his Prophet thâ—s is an immense grace which he conferreth on whom he pleaseth All the evill that ye suffer on earth in your goods and persons is written in a Book before iâ— befall you it is an easie thing to God to the end thâ—t ye afflâ—ct noâ— your selves extraordinarâ—ly in your disâ—leasures that ye rejoyce not overmuch in your contentmeâ—ts God loveth not the proud he hath not to do with the covetous who recommend avarice to the peopl who neglect their duty Praise is due to him praise is due to him in all places Certainly we sent our Messengers with our Commandments we sent with them their Scriptures and â—lance that the people might weigh with good weights 〈◊〉 gave iron to men it causeth great evils and great good 〈◊〉 the world God knowath them that fight with zeal for 〈◊〉 Law and his Prophet without seeing him he is strong 〈◊〉 omnipotent We sent Noah and Abraham to instruct 〈◊〉 people we instructed their progeny in the Scripture 〈◊〉 followed the right way and many disobeyed our comâ—â—ndments We sent after them our Prophets and Apostls 〈◊〉 sent Iesus the son of Mary we taught him the Gâ—spel 〈◊〉 put civility clemency and chastity into the hearts of â—â—m that followed him we did not command them to â—p virginity they kept it of their own accord because of â—is desire they had to please God they have not obserâ—ed their Law as they ought many have been disobedient â—we have rewarded those among them that believed O 〈◊〉 that believe in Iesus fear God and believe
earth that openeth it self and receiveth it to produce its fruits that the Alcoran distinguisheth good from evill and that it was not sent in vain The unbelievers conspire against the Prophet but God shall turn their conspiracie against them and they shal not know it Be thou patient and a while endure the Infidels CHAP. LXXXVII The Chapter of the High and Mighty containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Exalt the name of thy Lord high and mighty who hath proportioned all that he hath created he ordaineth what he listeth and guideth into the right way then that are pleasing to him he causeth herbs to spring out of the earth createth them green rendreth them dry and altereth them as to him seems good I will read to thee the Alcoran forget nothing of what thou shalt read but that which God shall will thee to forget he knoweth whatsoever is kept secret in the world and whatsoever is made manifest I will instruct thee in his Law preach the Alcoran it shall be profitable to him that shall have the feare of God before his eye such as shall despise it shall be miserable they shall be precipitated into the fire of hell where they shall not be able either to live or die and he that shall embrace the Law of God and shall be mindfull of his name shall be blessed Pray to God at the time appointed Certainly the righteous shall be heirs of the good things of the earth and those of heaven that are exceeding great and eternall this is written in the antient books of Abraham and Moses CHAP. LXXXVIII Chapter of the Covering containing twenty six Verses written at Mecca Gelaldin intituleth this the Chapter of Judgement because that day the damned shall be covered with fire and fear See Exteri IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Hast thou heard mention of the covering That day shal the countenance of the wicked be covered with affliction they shall enter into fire that is extremely hot they shall drink of boiling water they shall eat nothing but bryers and thorns they shall be extremely lean and famine shall not deliver them from an infinite number of other miseries That day shall the good be filled with content they shall be recompensed for their labours in Paradise they shall hear nothing spoken that may displease them they shall see fountains flow lying upon high beds they shal drink in fair glasses fixed on diamonds upon pillows well disposed and upon pallets well adorned will not the wicked consider the miracle of the she Camell how it was created how heaven was elevated how the mountains were disposed how the earth was extended Preach to the wicked the pains of hell thou art sent to preach to them and not to constrain them God will chastise with his great chastisement him that shall abandon his Law and traduce the Alcoran All men shall be one day assembled before his divine Majesty to give accompt of their actions CHAP. LXXXIX The Chapter of the Morning containing thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God See Kitabel tenoir Ye shall there see the exposition of this passage gracious and mercifull I swear by the Morning by the tenth night of the moneth by even and odd and by the coming of night that the wicked shall be chastised Is there any thing in consideration of this oath that can move men to fly uncleannesse Considerest thou not how God entreated Aad the Son of Arem that dwelt in pavillions supported by columns so big that there were none like to them in his Countrey Knowest thou not how he used Temod who hewed stones and rocks to inhabit the Valley Knowest thou not how he entreated Pharaoh who pierced with pins the feet and hands of such as he gave up to punishment Knowest thou not how he entreated them that heretofore erred from the right way in their own Countreys and that increased their pollution he poured upon them divers torments he observeth all that men do he giveth store of goods to them that he doth not try and taketh them away from such as he proveth The wicked will not give honour to Orphans they will not abstain from eating the bread of the poor they shall give an accompt they too much affect riches when the earth shall tremble and shall overthrow all the buildings when the Angels shall descend in order by the command of thy Lord then shall hell be open to the wicked they shall call to mind what was preached to them in the world and say why did not I observe the Commandements of God during my life they shall be punished more then ever any hath been and shall be more straitly bound then ever any hath been bound It shall be said to the blessed O thou soul that haft observed with courage and without fear the Commandements of God return to thy Lord with content enter into the soâ—â—ry of the blessed enter into Paradise CHAP. XC The Chapter of the City containing twenty Verses written at Mecca Many have entituled this the Chapter of Night IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Mecca I swear by that City which is permitted thee to conquer I swear by the father and the child that we created man in misery thinketh he that there is none stronger then he He saith that he hath expended great wealth doth he think that none hath seen what he hath done He declaims against Corets See Gelaldin Have we not given him two eyes a tongue two lips Have we not given him to see the way of good and of evill he shall be severely chastised but I will not tell thee with what kind of chastisement Wherefore doth he not deliver slaves Wherefore doth he not give to eat to them that are hungry to Orphans and his kindred that are in necessity and to the poor patience and charity are recommended among true-believers they shall be seated at the right hand and such as impugn the Mysteries of our Law shall be at the left hand they shall be shut up in the fire of hell CHAP. XCI The Chapter of the Sun containing fifteen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the Sun and his light by the Moon and her splendour by the fire and its elevation by the night and its obscurity by Heaven and the Starres thereof by the earth and its plaines by the creation of the soul by the knowledge of vertue and vice that he that shall be purified from his sins shall be most happy and that he who defileth himself with vice shall be most miserable The people of Temod traduced their Prophet because of their obstinacy but certainly they were chastised The Apostle and Prophet of God said unto them Behold the Camell of God suffer it to drink they derided him and slew that Camel God severely punished them he spared not his chastisement against them CHAP.
Medina Folio 344 Chapter 60. The Chapter of Tryal containing Eighteen Verses written at Mecca Folio 346 Chapter 61. The Chapter of Array containing Fourteen Verses written at Mecca Folio 348 Chapter 62. The Chapter of the Assembly containing Eleven Verses written at Medina Folio 349 Chapter 63. The Chapter of the Wicked containing twelve Verses written at Medina Folio 350 Chapter 64. The Chapter of Deceipt containing Eighteen Verses written at Mecca Folio 351 Chapter 65. The Chapter of Divorce containing Eighteen Verses written at Mecca Folio 353 Chapter 66. The Chapter of Prohibition containing Twelve Verses written at Medina Folio 354 Chapter 67. The Chapter of Empire containing Thirty Verses written at Mecca Folio 356 Chapter 68. The Chapter of the Pen containing Fifty and two Verses written at Mecca Folio 358 Chapter 69. The Chapter of Verification containing fifty and two Verses written at Mecca Folio 360 Chapter 70. The Chapter of the Ascent containing Fourty and foure Verses written at Mecca Folio 361 Chapter 71. The Chapter of Noah containing twenty and eight Verses written at Mecca Folio 363 Chapter 72. The Chapter of Divels containing Twenty eight Verses written at Mecca Folio 364 Chapter 73. The Chapter of the Fearfull containing twenty Verses written at Mecca Folio 366 Chapter 74. The Chapter of the Wrapped containing Fifty and seven Verses written at Mecca Folio 367 Chapter 75. The Chapter of the Resurrection containing Fourty Verses written at Mecca Folio 368 Chapter 37. The Chapter of Man containing Thirty Verses written at Mecca Folio 369 Chapter 77. The Chapter of them that are sent containing Fifty Verses written at Mecca Folio 371 Chapter 78. The Chapter of News containing Fourty Verses written at Mecca Folio 372 Chapter 79. The chapter of them that take away containing Fourty and six Verses written at Mecca Folio 374 Chapter 80. The Chapter of the Blinde containing Fourty and two Verses written at Mecca Folio 375 Chapter 81. The Chapter of Roundness containing Twenty and nine Verses written at Mecca Folio 376 Chapter 82. The Chapter of the opening of Heaven containing Seventeen Verses written at Mecca Folio 377 Chapter 83. The Chapter of them that weigh with false weights containing Thirty and six Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 84. The Chapter of the Cleft containing Twenty and five Verses written at Mecca Folio 378 Chapter 85. The Chapter of the Signe Celestial containing Twenty Verses written at Mecca Folio 379 Chapter 86. The Chapter of Star or of the North Star containing Seventeen Verses written at Mecca Folio 380 Chapter 87. The Chapter of the High and Mighty containing Seventeen Verses written at Mecca Folio 380 Chapter 88. The Chapter of the Covering containing Twenty and six Verses written at Mecca Folio 381 Chapter 89. The Chapter of the Morning containing Thirty Verses written at Mecca Folio 382 Chapter 90. The Chapter of the City containing Twenty Verses written at Mecca Folio 383 Chapter 91. The Chapter of the Sun containing Fifteen Verses written at Mecca Folio 384 Chapter 92. The Chapter of Night containing Twenty Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 93. The Chapter of the Sun rising containing Ten Verses written at Mecca Folio 385 Chapter 94. The Chapter of Joy containing Eight Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 95. The Chapter of the Fig containing Eight Verses written at Mecca Folio 386 Chapter 96. Thâ— Chapter of Blood congealed containing Seventeen Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 97. Tâ—e Chapteâ— of â—lory or Power containing Five Verses written at Mecca Folio 387 Chapter 98. The Chapâ—er of Instruction containing Eight Verses written at Medina ibid. Chapter 99. The Chapâ—er of the Earâ—hquake containing Eight Verses written at Medina Folio 388 Chapter 100. The Chapâ—eâ— of Horses containing Eleven Verses wâ—itten at Mecca and Medina ibâ—d Chapter 101. The Chapter of Affâ—iction containing Eleven Verses writâ—en at Mecca Folio 389 Chapter 102. The Chapter of Abundance containing Eight Verses written at Mâ—cca ibid. Chapter 103. The Chapter of the Evening 390 Chapter 104. The Chapter of Persecution containing seven Verses wâ—iâ—ten at Mecca ibid. Chapter 105. The Chapter of Elephanes containing Five Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 106. The Chapter oâ— Coreis containing Four Verses writâ—eâ— at Mecca Folio 391 Chapter 107. The Chapter of the Law containing Seven Verses written aâ— Mecca ibid. Chapter 108. The Chapter of Affluence containing Three Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 109. The Chapter of Infidels containing Six Verses written at Mecca Folio 392 Chapter 110. The Chapter of Protection containing Four Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 111. The Chapter of the Coâ—d of Palm containing Eleven Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 112. The Chapter of Salvaâ—ion containing Four Verses Written at Mecca Folio 393 Chapter 113. The Chapâ—er of Separation containing Five Verses written at Mecca ibid. Chapter 114. The Chapter of the People containing Six Verses written at Mecca ibid. The Life and Death of Mahomet A needful Caveat or Admonition to the Reader THE ALCORAN OF MAHOMET CHAP. I. The Chapter of the Preface containing seven Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful Praised be God gracious and merciful King of the Day of Judgement It is thee whom we adore it is from thee we require help Guâ—de us in the right way in the way of them that thou hast gratified against whom thou hast not been displeased and we shall not be mis-led CHAP. II. The Chapter of the Cow conâ—aining â—wo hundred fouâ—scorâ— and seven Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful See Erpennius his Grammar I am the most wise God There is no Error in thâ—s Book it guideth into the right wâ—y those that-are râ—ghteous who believe what they see not who make their Pâ—ayers with affection and dispence in Alms a part of the Goods that we have given them Such as believe the things that are inspired into thee in those that have been Preached before thee and at the end of the world are not ignorant they are guided by their Lord and shall be blessed Misery is upon unbelievers Whether thou reprove them or do not reprove them they will not be converted God hath shut up their heart their ears and eyes and they shall suffer great torments See the Explication of Gelaldin Many men say we believe in God and the Day of Judgement and do not believe they think to deceive God and them that believe in God certainly they deceive themselves and know it not God will augment the infirmity which they have in their heart and they shall undergo the rigors of an infinite pain by reason of their lying When it was said to them Pollute not the earth they said We are true observers of the Law of God notwithstanding they were they that polluted the earth but they knew it not When it was said to them Belieue ye as the world believeth They said Shall we believe as fools believe See Gelaldin they themselves are fools
Conceale not your testimony lest you be in the number of sinners If you discover those two witnesses to have erred in their testimonie substitute two other in their place although they partake in your succession and take oath of them to be more veritable in their dispositions then the two others otherwise they will offend God and be numbred with the unjust It is better to speake Truth then to be in feare lest your falshood be detected feare God and hearken to his Commandements he guideth not them that disobey him He shall one day assemble his Prophets and Apostles and say unto them what did you answer being questioned concerning my unity they shall reply Lord we are ignorant thou alone knowest all things He shall say to Jesus Oh Jesus Sonne of Mary remember thou my grace towards thee and thy mother I strengthned thee with the Holy Ghost Thou spakest in thy Cradle as a man of forty or fifty yeares thee did I instruct in Scripture and knowledge the Old Testament and the Gospell Thou didst forme of earth the figure of a Bird didst breath upon it and it did flie thou didst cure the borne-blind and the leprous didst revive the dead I delivered thee from the Jews when thou didst preach to them my Commandements and wroughtest miracles which the wicked affirmed to be magick and inchantment Remember how thou didst command thy Apostles to believe in me and obey my Prophet and how they said we believe in one sole God be thou witnesse that we entirely resign our selves to the will of God Remember * Mahomet thou that the Apostles said Oh Jesus Son of Mary can thy Lord send us from Heaven a Table covered with meats to satisfie us Jesus answered them Fear God if you believe in his Law they said we have an appetite and desire to eat of the food of Heaven for the repose of our hearts and to know if thou speakest the truth of which we shall be witnesses Then said he Oh God my Lord cause to descend upon us from Heaven a Table covered with meat this day shall be celebrated by us and them that shall succeed this shall be a signe of thy omnipotency enrich us with thy grace thou possessest all treasure God said to him I will cause to descend from Heaven the food which thou desirest and whosoever shall be impious shall be punished with torments that no man yet hath suffered He shal say at the day of â—udgment oh Jesus Sonne of Mary didst thou enjoyne the people to worship thee and thy mother as two Gods Jesus shall answer praised be thy name I will take heed of speaking what is not thou knowest if I have said it thou art omniscient thou knowest what is in my soul and I have no knowledge of what is in thee I delivered nothing but what thou didst command me to speake to wit Worship God your Lord and mine I am witnesse from the time that I was in the world untill thou didst cause me to dye thou didst observe the deportments of the people thou seest all if thou chastisest men they are thy Creatures if thou dost pardon them thou art omnipotent and wise Then shall God say this day shall good workes be profitable to the righteous they shall enter into Paradise wherein flow many rivers there shall they dwell eternally with my grace in exceeding great felicitie the Kingdome of Heaven of Earth is Gods he is Omnipotent CHAP. VI. The Chapter of Gratifications Gelaldin justifieth this Chapter of Animals containing one hundred and seventy five Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praise bee to God the Creator of Heaven of Earth of darkenesse and of light such as believe not in their Lord are in error See Gelaldin He it is that created you of the dust of the Earth and appointed a prefixed time for your death and resurrection neverthelesse you doubt he is God in Heaven and in Earth he understandeth the secrets of your hearts and whatsoever you make manifest he knoweth the good and evil that you commit that his Commandements have been taught the Inhabitants of Mecca and that they have abjured them they opposed the revealed Truth but shall be chastised for their contempt They consider not how much people we have destroyed in past ages we gave them places to dwell in See Gelaldin more strong and spacious then those which you inhabit sent them about of raine caused fountaines flow in the places of their habitation after this did we extirpate them by reason of their sins and established in their place a new people We have sent to thee the Scripture written in Vellam the unbelievers have handled it with their hands yet say it is evident sorcery and enchantment that they will not believe therein unless they see an Angel descend to confirme it Should we have sent an Angel they had perished by his presence unless we had sent him under the Figure of a man like unto them and cloathed as they are They derided the Prophets and Apostles thy Predecessors derision is fallen upon such as contemned them Say to them goe through the world and consider the end of them that abjure the Law of God say to them to whom appertaineth whatsoever is in Heaven and earth it is Gods He will employ his mercy to save you doubtlesse he will assemble all of you at the day of Judgement Neverthelesse Infidels believe not in his Unity they consider not that whatsoever moveth by night and by day and whatsoever is in the world belongeth to his Divine Majesty who understandeth and knoweth all things Say to them require you other protection then that of God the Omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth who nourisheth all things is nourished by none Say to them I have received a command to embrace the Law of Salvation Be not ye in number of unbelievers I feare to disobey my Lord and feare the torments prepared for the wicked at the day of Judgement he that shall deliver himselfe shall enjoy the grace of God which is supreame felicity If God will punish you none shall deliver you from his punishment if his Will be to doe good to you he is Omnipotent alwayes victorious and hath all power over his Creatures he is most wise and Omniscient Say to them What better testimony is there in the world then that of God Say to them He shall testifie between you and me to whom he hath inspired the Alcoran to instruct you Will any among you that shall learn it say there is any other God but God I will not say so there is but one God and I am innocent from the sin you commit in associating him with a companion equall to him many of them that understand the written Law have knowledge of the truth of the Alcoran their children also know it but such as forsake their owne souls will not believe in God Who more unjust then he that
attend the issue we will attend it with you whatsoever is in heaven and in earth appertains to God all men shall be assembled before him worship him resign your selves to his Will he knoweth whatsoever the people doth CHAP. XII The Chapter of Joseph containing an hundred and thirteene Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull I am the mercifull God These signes are the signes of the Booke which distinguisheth good from evill We have caused to discend from heaven the Alcoran written in the Arabique tongue peradventure yee will learne it I deliver unto thee in the Alcoran one of the best things that I have inspired into thee Thou were before the comming thereof in the number of the ignorant Remember thou that Joseph said to his father My father I saw in a dreame eleven Stars the Sunne and the Moone I saw them adoring me My sonne said his father discover not thy dreame to thy brothers they will conspire against thee the devill is an open enemy to men thou shalt be elected of the Lord in this world he shall teach thee the explication of Dreams he shall accomplish his grace upon thee and upon the lineage of Jacob as he did accomplish it upon thy fathers Abraham and Isaac the Lord knoweth all things and is most wise The History of Ioseph shall serve for example to posterity remember thou how his brothers said our father loveth our brother Ioseph more then all us together he is in an exceeding great error let us kill Ioseph and cast him into some secret place remote from us his absence will render the face of our father more gentle towards us after his death we will be converted One of them said you shall not doe well to kill him but cast him into the well some passengers will take him and carry him into an unknowne Countrie They said to their Father Father wherefore doest thou not send Ioseph into the Fields with us Wee will bee very carâ—full hee shall sport and recreate himselfe I feare said hee that yee will neglect to pâ—eserve him dost thou feare said they that a wolf should devoure him in our presence and that we want strength to defend him In the morning they led him with them and cast him into a Well We inspired him to prophesie to them what should befall them for the mischief they acted but they wanted knowledge to comprehend it they in the evening returned to their fathers house with eyes full of dissembled teares and said unto him father we sported and ran who should run the best Ioseph remained with our baggage a wolf came that devoured him thou wilt not believe us although we speak the truth then they shewed him his shirt which they had sprinkled with blood it is you that hath done it said he you shall answer it before God he is my protector and was patient without lamenting There past that day * The Levantins well a Caravan a number of persons travelling together a Caravan near to that Well who desiring to draw water to drink let downe a bucket on which Ioseph took hold to get out they gave him cloathes led him away secretly and sold him at a good rate for ready money they would not kill him in which they were honest men He that bought him in Egypt commanded his wife to have care of him that he might one day be usefull for their service and be to them instead of a son Thus did we establish Ioseph in the country of Egypt and taught him the exposition of dreams thy Lord is Omnipotent but few men know him when Ioseph came to the age of manhood we gave him knowledge and prudence thus doe we reward the righteous His Masters wife became amorous of his beauty she one day shut him into her chamber and solicited him with love God defend me said he to betray my Master and be unchaste he was in the number of the righteous and fled to the door his Mistrisse ran after him and to stay him tore his shirt through the back she met her husband behind the door to whom she said what other thing doth he merit who would dishonour thine house then to be imprisoned and severely chastised Lord said Ioseph she sollicited me that infant which is in the cradle and of thy parentage shall be witnesse Then the infant in the cradle said if Iosephs shirt be torne before she hath spoken truth and Ioseph is a lyar if the shirt be rent behind Iosepâ— hath delivered the truth and she a lye then her husband bâ—held Iosephs shirt torne behind and knew that it was extreame malice and said to Ioseph take heed to thy self and beware this act be not divulged doe thou speaking to his wife implore pardon for thy fault thou art truly guilty The women of the City said among themselves that the rich mans wife was amorous of his Slave and that she had sollicited his love and had erred from the right way which she understanding made them an exceeding fair feast and caused Ioseph to enter the Parlour where they sate while they carved their meat they were so surprised and entangled with Iosephs beauty that they instead of carving their meat cut their fingers O God! said they this is not a man but an Angel then said she unto them behold him whom I loved with so much passion she another time importuned him to satisfie her desire and perceiving that he would not condescend to her will menaced him with the prison and to make him miserable O God! said Ioseph I had rather be a prisoner then do what she desireth deliver me from her malice defend me from inclining to her lubricity and from being in the number of the wicked his Lord heard his prayer he understandeth and knoweth all things This woman seeing Iosephs resolution judged it requisite to imprison him for some time he was put prisoner with two men one of which told him that he had dreamed that he prest grapes to make wine the other said that he dream'd that he caried bread upon his head which the birds did eat they demanded of him the interpretation of their dreams because he seemed to them to be a good man he said to them before ye break fast I wil interpret your dreams I wil first tell you what God hath taught me and how I quit abandon the law of Infidels embrace the Law of our fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob we ought not worship many gods such as believe in the unity of God are endued with his grace but few men give him thanks O Prisoners who hath more power Idols or one sole God who is omnipotent The gods which ye adore are but Idols whom ye and your fathers call by such a name as seemeth good to you ye have no reason to worship them God doth not enjoyn you thâ—s he commandeth you to worship him alone this is the right way but the greatest part of the world
written at Mecca Reader the Mahometans have entituled this Chapter Tthé which is two letters of the Arabique Alphabet â—o wit Tt and Hé where in this place Tt signifieth Thouba â—hat is to say Beatitude and Hâ— Haoâ—h that is to say Hell See the gloss and interpretation of Gelaldin and Bedaoâ— they have intituled this Chapter of Beatitude and of Hell IN the name of God gracious and mercifull We have not given thee the Alcoran to torment thee but to instruct therein the righteous It was sent thee by him that created the Heavens and the Earth the mercifull sitteth on his Throne whatsoever is in Heavenâ— and Earth whatsoever is between them and beneath the Earth appertaineth to him He knoweth thy thoughts he understandeth what thou keepest secret and what thou makest manifest God! there is but one God all the glorious names of the world are due unto him Knowest thou the History of Moses When he beheld the fire he said to his family Stay ye here I see a great fire I will bring to you a spark and you shall find in it the right way When he approached it was said unto him O Moses I am thy Lord put off thy shooes thou art in the holy Valley of Toy I have elected thee among my people hear my word and receive mine inspirations I am God there is none other God but I worship me alone and make thy prayers as it is ordained The hour unknown to the world approacheth wherein I will recompence and chastise every one after his works Take heed lest the wicked seduce thee from the right way if thou follow their appetite thou shalt be destroyed Is it not what thou hast sworn to me he answered Lord I will apply my selfe unto thee and will lean upon my staffe I will beat the fruits of the Trees to make them fall upon my flocks I have yet another manner to nourish my sheep with this staff I will make use of it to defend and preserve them from mischief God said unto him O Moses cast that staffe to the ground behold a Serpent it creepeth take it and be not afraid I will cause it to return to its former condition draw back thine hand and put it under thy arm it shall become white and shining without harm and pain it shall be a most certain sign of my Unity I will give thee to see the miracles of my Omnipotencie go to Pharoah he is in an exceeding great error and seduced from the right way Moses said Lord rejoyce my heart and facilitate my commission unloose the knot of my tongue that they may understand my speech give me Aaron to assist me in this business that I may praise thee and highly exalt thy glory thou only art our protector God said thy prayer is heard we were favourable to thee another time when we inspired thy mother to put thee into a coffer and expose thee to the river of Nile the water drove thee to the shore whence Pharoah took thee I caused thee to be beloved of him to have care of my people when thy sister sought tâ—dings of what was become of thee she said who will guide us where he is who will conduct us to him that keepeth him we sent thee back to thy mother to stop her tears and put an end to her affection Thou slewest a man we have delivered thee from the hands of thine enemies and have approved thy perseverance thou hast continued some time with the inhabitants of Madian after this we sent thee to preach our Commandements I have made choise of thee goe with thy brother to Pharoah and lie not in speaking of me he is gone astray from the right way speak to him both of you with mildnesse peradventure he will hearken to you and will fear the fire of hell they answered Lord wee fear that he may torment and rise up against us he said fear nothing I will be with you hear what he will say consider his actions address your selves to him and say we are the Messengers of the Omnipotent God dismiss with us the children of Israel and no more torment them we are come hither by the Commandement of God thy Lord. Salvation is for such as follow the right way damnation for them that blaspheme against his Law and depart from his Commandements Pharoah said unto them who is your God Moses said my God is he that created the world and guideth men into the right way Pharoah said what law did your predecessors observe what is become of them Moses answered God knoweth in what condition they are nothing is concealed from God he extended the earth and established the wayes he causeth rain to descend from heaven and maketh to spring forth the plants herbs and fruits which ye eat and that nourish your flocks These things are signs of his Omnipotency to them that understand them We created you of earth and to earth will we make you to return and will cause you to come out of it once again we shewed miracles to Pharoah but he was incredulous contemned them and said O Moses Are thou come to drive us out of our Dominions with thy Magick I will shew thee Magick like to thine let us meet at a place and day prefixed between the and me to come together Moses said unto him let us make choise of the day of your feast if it seem good to you the people may assemble at the Sun rising After this discourse Pharoah withdrew recollected all his subtilties and at the day and hour prefixed came with his people to the place appointed where Moses was who said unto them misery is upon you blaspheme not against God he will punish you and destroy them that blaspheme against him The people of Pharaoh differed in opinion what they should do kept their designe secret and said to Pharoah these two men are Magicians they would chase you from your Countrey through their Magick and seduce your subjects from your Religion recollect your subtilties and power and chuse persons capable to dispute against them this day shall be happy to him that shall be victorious They said to Moses wilt thou first cast thy staffe on the ground or shall we ours Their cords and staves arose against Moses through their Magick and crawled Moses spake low between his teeth we said unto him fear nothing thou shalt be victorious cast thy staffe in thy right hand on the ground it shall devoure what they have done it is but witchcraft and magick that produceth neither Profit nor Content Then fell the Magicians of Pharoah prostrate on the ground and said We believe in the God of Aaron and Moses Pharoah said unto them believe ye in him without my permission Moses is your master I will cut off your right feet and your left hands or your left feet and your right hands and cause you to be hanged on Palme trees that ye may know who is the more severe in his chastisements I
ought to obey him he is a faithfull observer of what is commanded him he is not possessed of the Devill as ye have imagined he hath seen the Angel clearly and without riddle and is not perplexed for what is to come the words of the Alcoran are not the words of the Devill on whatsoever side ye turne you it is only for the instruction of men and such among you as will follow the right way but ye shall have no inclination to follow it if it please God the Lord of the Universe CHAP. LXXXII The Chapter of the opening of Heaven containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull The souls shall know the good and the evill that they have pone when the heavens shall open the starrs fall the seas be gathered together and the sepulchres be opened O man what maketh thee so proud as to rise against God who hath created thee who hath formed and proportioned thee after what manner he pleased O ye wicked ye will not believe the day of Judgement there are Angells that observe your actions and are obedient to God The just shall go into Paradise and the unjust be precipitated into the fire of hell whence they shall never return I will not tell when the day of Judgement shall be that day none shall be able to succour his neighbour and God alone shall command CHAP. LXXXIII The Chapter of tâ—eâ— that weigh with false weights containing thirty tâ—ree Verses written at Mecca In the name of God gracious and merciful They that weigh with false weighâ—s and measure with false measures believe not to risâ— again at the day when all the world shall appear before God to be judged Certainly the book wherein the sins of the wicked are written is kept in hell Misery shall be upon Inâ—â—â—â—lls at the day of Judgement none doubteth the coming of this day but the wicked when they hear the Commandments of God preached they say that it is but an old fablâ— impiety retaineth them in this error and induceth them to abandon the Law of his divine Majesty but they shall be cast headlong into the flames of hell It shall be said unto them behold the punishment which ye would not believe The book wherein the good works of the righteous are written is reserved in heaven the Angells are witnesses how the just shall enjoy the delights of Paradise they shall see the immense graces of God reposed on delicious beds their countenance shall be covered with joy and content they shall drink of purified wine most savoury that shall have the odour of Musk preserved in bottells that none but themselves shall open and it shall be mixt with the water of the fountain of Paradise where the Cherubins do drink The Infidells deride the true believers that would instruct them neverthelesse when they return to their companions they admire their doctrine and say when they see them behold the seduced but they are not sent to be their tutors The Infidells that shall be converted and believe in the day of Judgement shall go into Paradise they shall enjoy the grace of God they shall behold the grievous torments of the damned that shall be punished after their demerits and shall find in the other world what they have done on earth CHAP. LXXXIV The Chapter of the Cleft containing twenty five Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull The day of Judgment shall appear when the heaven shall cleave asunder and the earth cast men out of their sepulchres by the Commandement of God O man thou goest daily towards death and shalt find in the end the good and evill that thou shalt have done he to whom shall be given the book of accompt of his actions in the right hand shall be blessed he shal go with his companions into Paradise where he shall enjoy eternall felicity He to whom shall be given the accompt of his actions in the left hand shal be damned he shall be cast headlong into the fire of hell because of the unlawfull pleasures that he hath taken in the world and for that he believed not in the Resurrection God beholdeth all that he doth and keepeth accompt I swear by the rednesse that appeareth in the Air when the Sun setteth by the obscurity of the night and the brightnesse of the Moon that you all shall change being and posture and shall revive after your death Wherefore is it that the wicked believe not in God why do they not humble themselves when they hear the Alcoran read they blaspheme against God but he knows all their actions declare to them that they shall be chastised and that such as believe in his Unity and do good works shall receive infinite reward CHAP. LXXXV The Chapter of Signs Celestiall containing twenty Verses written at Mecca Many Mahometane Doctors intitle this the Chapter of Castles IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by heaven adorned with signs and by the day of Judgement by the Angels and men that they who have made pits filled with fire to burn the true-believers shall be witnesse of their own malice and shall avouch that the fire burned themselves to make them know the unity of God and the truth of his Law God is Omnipotent and always victorious he is the King of the heavens and earth he beholdeth all They that torment true-believers and shall not repent shall be damned they shall burn eternally in the fire of hell and such as shall believe in God and do good works shall dwell in pleasant gardens wherein flow many rivers where they shall for ever enjoy supream felicity The wrath of God is strong he maketh his creatures to die and rise again when he pleaseth he is mercifull towards them that repent of their sins and loveth them that serve him He hath created his throne to which praise is due eternally he raiseth up whom he listeth and nothing is to him impossible Hast thou heard the history of the people of Pharaoh and Temod God shall chastise in like manner them that shall not believe in his Law he knoweth them all Certainly the precious Alcoran is written in the book that is reserved in heaven CHAP. LXXXVI The Chapter of the Starr or of the North Star containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by Heaven and the Star that teacheth men the way I will not tell thee by what star by the starr full of brightnesse that every person hath a guardian which observeth the good and the evill that it acteth Doth not man consider of what he is created he is made of a little sprinkled water that issueth out of the body of man and woman God shall make him to rise again at the day of Judgment and none shall be able to protect or defend him from the wrath of his divine Majesty I swear by heaven that returneth the rain by the
no better Judge then he CHAP. XI The Chapter of Hod containing an hundred twenty and three Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am the mercifull God The signs contained in this Booke are most true they proceed from the most wise who knoweth all things Worship ye but one God alone I preach to you from him the torments of Hell and declare the joyes of Paradise that ye may implore pardon of his divine Majesty and be converted he shall give you an happy life in the world untill the time appointed and shall reward every one according to his works I feare lest you should be chastised at the day of Judgement if you forsake the right way you all shall be assembled before God to be judged The heart of the impious inclined to hatred of the Prophet and they would have concealed themselves for some time from God they are covered with their garments that they may not be knowne but God knoweth what is in their soules he understandeth whatsoever they conceale and whatsoever they make manifest All the Creatures of the world live of his grace he knoweth the place of their repaire and the place where they must dye all is written in an intelligible booke that explaineth all things He it is that created Heaven and Earth in six days See Kitab el tenoir his Throne was before upon the waters the Alcoran exhorteth you to wel-doing If thou saist to the wicked that they shall rise againe after their death they will say it is but witchcraft and sorcery if retard some time to chastise them they say there is no punishment for their crimes but they shall not avoid it in the day when it shall appeare and they shall feel the rigour of the paines which they contemne If we conferre riches and health on the impious and deprive them of them they dispaire in their impiety if we give them good after their evill they say misery hath forsaken them they rejoyce and become arrogant Such as are humble and patient in their afflictions and doe good works shall obtaine pardon of their sinnes and a very great reward Perhaps thou wilt forget to teach something of what I have inspired into thee and be afflicted because they say that what thou speakest shall bring thee no profit Certainly thou art sent only to reprove them of their sin thy Lord is omnipotent and shall chastise them after their demerits Assuredly they will say thou hast * Controve supra forged the Alcoran and that it is of thy invention Say unto them come and bring with you ten Chapters of your invention like to the Alcoran in instruction and Eloquence and call to your aid the Idols that ye adore if you be righteous if they hear not your prayers neither afford you succors know then that the Alcoran descended from Heaven through Gods permission that there is but one sole God wil yet not trust in him I wil bestow the riches and honours of the Earth on many persons that affect them and in the end they shall be confined in the fire of Hell and the good works that they shall doe in this world shall be unprofitable in the other They who observe what God hath ordained study the Alcoran and believe that it proceedeth from his divine Majesty to teach the right way and to obtain his mercy as before it was the book of Moses Such as shall believe in the Alcoran shall be happy doubtlesse the fire of Hell is prepared for the Infidels who will not believe therein but the greatest part of the world is incredulous who is more impious then they that blaspheme against God Such men shall not see his face the Angels shall say at the day of Judgement behold them that have been impious a curse is upon them and upon the unjust that have mislead the people from the right way they were indeed Infidels Such men shall not escape the punishment of their crimes on Earth they shall find none that is able to protect them but God he shall augment their paines because they would not abandon their wickednesse neither receive the light of faith Such are miserable men their Idols shall not afford them succors they doubtlesse shall be eternally damned and such as shall believe in God doe good works and be converted shall dwell for ever in Paradise The wicked are as deaf and blind and the True believers are like those who have good sight and perfect hearing shall they be in paralell to each other will ye never consider it We sent Noah to reprove men for their sinnes he said to them worship but one God alone otherwise I feare ye shall be chastised at the day of Judgement The Doctors of the Infidels answered him we see thee to be a man like us and that such as follow thee are poore people blind and without counsell we perceive not that thou hast any grace that ought to preferre thee to us contrariwise we believe thee to be a lyar he said oh people know ye not that God hath taught me what I preach to you that he hath given me the grace of Prophecie and deprived you of it shall I exhort you to acknowledge his grace seeing ye abhorre him Oh people I require no recompense of you for my paines God will reward me largely I desire not to banish True-believers from my company they shall one day appeare before their Lord but I perceive that ye are ignorant Oh people who shall hinder God to punish me if I abuse True-believers Will ye not consider it I say not that I possesse the treasures of God I know not what shall be I say not that I am an Angell I say not to them whom you contemne that God shall enrich them God knoweth what is in their souls should I maintaine such discourse I should have great blame They said oh Noah we have a long time disputed together if thou art sincere let us see the paines which thou preachest to us God said he when it shall please him shall cause you to see them you shall not escape them my instructions shall be to you unprofitable if God will prove you he is your Lord and you shall one day be assembled before him to be judged Will the unbelievers say that thou hast forged the Alcoran and that it is of thine invention Say unto them if I have invented it sinne will be upon me and I am innocent of your blasphemies God inspired into Noah that none should believe in his words but such as had already believed in him He said unto him build an Arke conformable to the inspiration that we have sent thee but speak no more to me of the unjust they shall be drowned the passengers derided him and his Arke he said to them ye scoffe at me I will laugh at you and we shall see them that shall best understand he whom God shall chastise shall be covered with
promised to God break not promised faith ye call God to be witness of your promises hee knoweth all your actions Do not like the woman who spun a thred foulded it and afterwards entangled it and spoyled it believe not that there is deceit and error in your Law If the unbelievers be more in numbers then you God permitteth it to prove you he shall clear to you at the day of Judgement the doubts that be among you had it so pleased him you all had observed one and the same Law he guideth misleadeth whom it pleaseth him and will exactly require of you an accompt of your actions Believe not that there is deceipt in your Law take heed of stumbling having once confirmed your steps ye shall be severely chastised â—f ye seduce the people from the right way do not violate what ye have promised to God for any price his grace is of more advantage to you then the wealth of the earth had ye knowledge to understand it your wealth is perishable and the riches of heaven are eternall he shall recompence them that persevere in wel-doing and whosoever shall doe good works shall be blessed in this world and in the other When thou shalt read the Alcoran implore God to deliver thee from the malice of the Divell abominable to all the Creatures he hath no power over them that trust in his divine Majestie his power extendeth over such as go astray who obey not him and adore many Gods When we alter any precepts God well knoweth what he ordaâ—neth they say thou art a lyar but the greatest part of them are ignorant Say unto them that assuredly the Holy Ghost hath taught it from thy Lord to confirme believers in their faith and to guide into the right way them that professe his unity and to anounce to them the joyes of Paradise I know that they will say that a man hath taught him the Alcoran He whom they presume to have taught him is a Persian by Nation and speaketh the Language of the Persians and the Alcoran is in the Arabique tongue full of instruction and eloquence They who will not believe in God shall suffer great torments such as renounce his Commandements blaspheme against his divine Majesty those that reject his Law after having professed it shall feel the effect of his wrath and be punished for preferring the wealth of the earth to the riches of Heaven God guideth not unbelievers They in whose hearts he hath imprinted disobedience those whom he hath deprived of hearing and sight are ignorant they doubtlesse shall be at the end of the world in the number of the damned he is mercifull to them that convert and repent to have mislead the people from the right way and persevere in obedience to his Commandements Be thou mindfull of the day wherein man shall dispute against himself and every one shall be rewarded according to his works without injustice God teacheth you a Parable Behold a free and Priviledged City on the which God poureth his graces on all sides with abundance and is ingratefull for his benefits but he sent upon it misery famine and feare because of its ingratitude God hath sent to the Inhabitants thereof a Prophet of their Nation they have slandered him and were chastised because of their sinne Eate of what God hath given you and give him thanks for his grace if it be he whom ye worship he forbiddeth you to eat of Carrion of Bloud and Swines-flesh and whatsoever is not slaine in pronouncing the name of God he will be gracious and mercifull to them who shall eat through necessity without designe to offend him Lye not in saying Behold that which is permitted to be eaten blaspheme not against God such as blaspheme against him shall not prosper in this world and in the otâ—er shall suffer grievous torments We did heretofore prohibit the Jews to eat of what we have recounted to thee we did to them no injustice they drew mischief on themselves through their sinne thy Lord is gracious and mercifull to them that ignorantly offend him who convert and doe good works Abraham was obedient to God and professed his unity he adored not Idols and gave thanks to God for his mercies God elected and guided him into the right way he gave him wealth in this world and placed him in the other in the number of the blessed We have inspired thee to follow the Law of Abraham he professed the unity of God and adored not Idols he established the Sabbath among the Jews of which they dispute God shall judge their dâ—fference at the day of Judgement Call the people to the Law of God with prudence and preachings and dispute against them with good arguments God knoweth them that depart from the right way if they evilly intreat you intreat them as they shall intreat you if ye be patient patience is advantagious to them that take it willingly have patience for the love of God and afflict not your selves with the deportments and malice of the wicked God is with the righteous who have his feare before their eyes CHAP. XVII The Chapter of the Voyage by night containing an hundred and eleven verses written at Mecca Reader The Turks believe that this night of the Voyage Mahomet ascended into Heaven with the Angel Gabriel he was mounted on a white Burac which is a beast partly Mule partly Asse and partly Horse He saw all the Prophets that preceded him all the wonders of Paradise and saw God who sate on his Throne See Kitab el tenoir Tesfiir anf Giauhoir and the exposition of Gelaldin The Bedaoi intituleth this Chapter the Chapter of the Children of Israel IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull Praise be to him that caused his servant to goe in one night from the Temple of Mecca to the Temple of Jerusalem wee have blessed that Temple and whatsoever is about it in token of our omnipotency We gave to Moses the Old Testament to instruct the Children of Israel and to deterr them from the worship of any other God but of me to forbid them to adore the lineage of Noah or the lineage of them that we preserved in his Ark. To quit their saith and return to it ofâ—en Noah is my creature and my servant acknowledging my benefits wee prohibited in Scripture the children of Israel to defile twice the Earth left they kindled too great a fire when that befell you See Kitab el tenoir we stirred up our servants against you and they entered by force into the midst of your houses this was as soon executed as promised In the end we gave you advantage over your enemies we gave you wealth and children to succor you and ye were more numerous then the Infidels the good and the evill that you shall doe shall be for your souls We stirred up the wicked against you because of your sins to afflict you through the murther and bondage of your persons and they destroyed
given you sight hearing and sense but few among you return him thanks he it is that hath created you of earth ye shall one day be assembled before him to be judged he it is that giveth life and death and maketh the difference of day and night will you not honor him neither consider On the contrary they have said as did their predecessors wherefore shall we die our bones shall be dust and shall we rise again This was heretofore promised to our fathers and to us certainly it is but an old song Say unto them to whom appertaineth the earth and whatsoever is in the earth if ye know its Creator and King They will say it is Gods Say unto them know ye not then that he that created yâ—u can raise you again who is Lord of the seven heavens who possesseth the throne of heaven they will say it is God say unto them will ye not fear then to worship any other God but him Say unto them who is King of all things who sustaineth them and is sustained of none They will say that it is God Say unto them why then do ye deceive your selves we have taught them the truth but they have rejected it and said that God had a sonne were there another God with God the one would undoe what the other hath done and they would rise the one against the other Praised be God what they affirm is not true God knoweth that is past the present and the future he hath no companion Say Lord give me o see the effect of all that thou hast promised to them and put me not among the unjust deliver us from evill and do good to us I know their impiety Lord deliver me from the temptations of the devill deliver me from their malice when any one among them dieth he saith Lord permit me to return into the world I will do better then I have done there is no return it is to speak in vain there is an obstacle behinde them that detaineth them untill the day of Judgment when the Trumpet shall sound nothing shall retard them they shall not glory nor discourse with each other the ballance of the blessed shall be heavy with good works and the ballance of the cursed shal be light of good works Have not my Commandments beene preached unto you wherefore did ye contemn them They shall say Lord our misery prevailed over us we were mislead Lord deliver us from this misery the contrary was promised to us truly we are exceedingly too blame It shall be said unto them depart into the fire and never speak to come out Many of them that worship me say Lord we believe in thee pardon our sins thou art mercifull Ye have derided them O yee wicked and have despised my Commandements but I will reward them for their perseverance and they shall be blessed It shall be said to those that rise again how many years have ye remained in the earth they shall answer we have bin there a day or some dayes aske of the Angels appointed to keep the accompt ye have bin there but a little time did ye not know it do you believe that I have created and assembled you before me in vain Praise and exalt God King of Truth there is no God but be he is King of Heaven he is void of reason that invoketh another God with Him he shall give accompt of his actions and the Infidells shall be miserable Say Lord pardon the sins of the righteous thou art the great mercifull CHAP. XXIV The Chapter of Light containing seventy and foure Verses written at Medina IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull We have sent this Chapter containing our Commandments clear and intelligible peradventure ye will learn them The †Is a man or boy kept unlawfully Catamite and the Concubine shall be whipt with an hundred stripes take heed lest clemency cause you to forget the precepts of the Law of God believe in his divine Majesty and the day of Judgement Some of the True-believers shall be witnesses of their punishment The Catamite lying with a Concubine or an Infidell the Concubine lying with a Catamite or Infidell these things are forbidden the True believers He that shall accuse an honest woman of adultery shall be whipt with twenty four stripes unlesse he prove his accusation by four witnesses and shall never be credited in testimony They that do such things are without the obedience of God except those that repent and satisfie what they owe God shall be to them gracious and mercifull They that shall accuse their Wives of adultery and have no witnesses shall swear four times that they speak the truth and shall the fifth time call for the curse of God to be upon them if they be lyars The Wife shall be exempt from punishment if she swear four times that her husband is a lyar and if the fifth time she pray that the wrath and indignation of God may be upon her See Gelaldâ—n if what her husband hath said be true In this manner doth God gratifie you that ye may understand the truth he is most gracious and most wise That Troup that made defection from the True-believers with a lye and false testimony did you no harme on the contrary they did advantage you every one shall bear the burden of his sinnes the most mâ—licious among them shall be thrown headlong into the torments of Hel This is Abdallabin Selouk It was an happinesse that ye heard the sense of the believers from their own mouth when the said that those men lyed impudently if they had not presented those four witnesses they had found none other One of Mahomets wives was accused of adultery with Safoiian by Mahomets enemies they are lyers without the grace and mercy of God they should have already felt great torments in this world and in the other because of that imposture When they spake of what they were ignorant ye deemed it to be nothing but it is an exceeding sin before God if when ye heard it yee said that to speak of those things did not concerne you ye knew it to be an imposture God forbiddeth you to relapse if ye beleive in his Law he thus declareth to you his pleasure he is omniscient and most prudent Such as desire to cast obloquie among the True believers shaâ—l be rigorously chastised in this world and in the other God knoweth that of which you are ignorant Had not God bin favourable to you he had chastised you in burning fury he is gracious and mercifull Oh ye that are Tru-believers follow not the footsteps of the Devill he will enjoyn you vice sin had not God gratified you with his mercy not any among you should have been purged from that imposture but God purifieth whom he seeth good he beareth all hnoweth all your intentions The most rich and powerfull among you have not sworn to do no good to their parents the poor or
wicked will depart from the obedience which he oweth to God Make your prayers at the time appointed pay Tithes and obey the Prophet God shall give you his mercy Beleive not that the Infidels are more powerfull on Earth than We they shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell O ye that are True-beleivers your slaves and servants of Free-condition shall require leave of you to enter where ye shall be thrice viz. Before the prayer at break of day after noon and after supper they shall not offend in entring without leave where ye shall be at another time they enter there to serve you In this manner doth God teach you his Commandments he knoweth the humor of his Creatures and is most prudent in all that hâ— ordaineth It is ordained to your children when they shall be at age of discretion to demand of you permission to do what they shall desire as did your predâ—cessoâ—s Thus doth God teach you his Commandments he is gracious and mercifull The old and dâ—crâ—pit women shall not offend God to quit their vails and discover their faces provided it be without vanity and design to shew their ornaments If they abstain they shall do well God heaâ—eth whatsoever ye say and knoweth all that is in your heâ—rts The blinde the lame the sick See Kitab el tenior and you also shall not sin to eat in the house of your children at the house of your Father and Mother brothers sisters Vncles Aunts Friends and in the house of your servants ye shall not offend God if ye eat together or apart When ye shall enter into any house salute each other from God with blessing and affection Thus doth God teach you his Commandments peradventure you will learn them When those that believed in God and his Prophet repaired to the Prophet they retired not without his permission Such as required leave to depart believe in God and his Prophet if they require leave of thee for any businesse licence whom shall seem good to thee and pâ—ay to God for them See Kitab el tenoir he is gracious and mercifull Call not the Prophet as ye call one anotheâ— among you God knoweth such as shame ully depart out of the Temple and the French Such as disobey his Commandments ought to take heâ—d least some mischiefe befal them and that they suffer not great tormenâ—s Whatsoever is in the Heavens or on Earth is Gods he knoweth if ye are zealous in your faith See Gelaldin or be hypâ—crites â—e knoweth the day wherein aâ—l thâ— worâ—â— shall be assembled befâ—re him to be jâ—dged â—n thâ—â— dâ—y shall men see what what they have done he knoweth all things CHAP. XXV The Chapter of the Alcoran containing seventy and seven Verses wrinten at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful praised be he that sent the Alcoran to his servant to instruct the world he is King of the Heavens and Earth he hath no Son nor Companion in his rign he created and ordained every thing The Infidels worship Gods that can create nothing and are things created they can neither do them good nor evil they can give neither life nor death neither cause them to rise again They say that the Alcoran is but a fable of thine invention invented with the assistance of some other person but they lye and blaspheme They say that it is but an old Song and a fable of the Ancients that thou writâ—st and that thou studiest morning and evening Say unto them it was sent by him that knoweth all â—hings in Heaven and Earth altâ—gether gracious and mercifull They said whâ— is this Prophet He eateth bread and meat and walketh thâ—ough the streets we will not beleive him unlesse an Angell descend from heaven to preach to us with him unles that Angel enrich him and that he have a Garden full of good and savory fruits he is but a wizard or one possesed of the Devil Consider to what they compare thee certainly they are in error and cannot find the right way Praise and bless him that is able to bestow on thee a greater good when it shall seem good to thee to wit Gardens wherein flow many Rivers and houses of pleasure They have denyed the certainty oâ— Universall Judgment and we have prepared the fire of Hell to punish them wrath shall carry them away with terrible cryes when they shall behold the place of the assembly of judgment when they shall there appear they shall be desperate and shall cry O misery Cry not O misery cry O misâ—ries in the Pluâ—al ask of them which is better and more advantagious that or paradise which is prepared for the recompence of the righteous where they shall dwell eâ—ernâ—lly with al manner of felicity this is it that God hath proÌ„ised that which was impetrated of his divine Majesty for them that have his fear beâ—or their eâ—es I wil one day assâ—mble I dolateâ—s with their iâ—â—ls God shall say unto them you are they who have seducâ—d my creatures from the right way They shall say praised be thy name we ought to have worshipped nonâ— but thy divine Majesty but the wealâ—h that thou gavâ—st to our Magistrates and their life which thou did prolong causâ—d them to foâ—get thy Commandmentâ— they were pernicious men in that they aâ—jured thy Law they cannot this day be exempt from the punishment of our crimâ—s neither protect us against thy wrath The Idolaters shall be rigorously punished The Prophets that we sent befâ—re thee did eat bread and meat and walked through the streets we prove them one after another Persevere God beholdeth them that are patient Those that beleive not in the Râ—surâ—ectâ—on have sâ—id The Angels are nâ—t â—escended from Heaven we have not seene Gâ—d they are become proud and are fallen into an exceeding great error but the wicked shal one day be without comfâ—rt when they see the Angel they shal cry help help We will set before their eyes all the sins that they have commiâ—ted the good works which they shal think to havâ— doâ— shall be like to dust which the Winde carryeth away and the blessed shall enjoy a most certain good they shall hear of nothing but what contenteth them When the Heaven and the aire shall divide themselves and the Angels shall descend then shall the truth appear and the mercifull shall raigne that day shall be tedious to Infidels they shall bite their fingers and saâ— would to God I had fâ—llowed the Prophet and his Apostle Oh misery would to God I had not contracted amity with such an Infidell he seduced me from the right way he hindâ—ed me to beleive in the Aâ—coran which God sent certainly the Devill hath tempted men Then shall the Prophet say Loâ—d such as have followed me have obeâ—ed what is written in the Alcoran and the Infidells have rejected it we have appointed an enemy among the wicked to every Prophet of them that were before thee but it
fear God thou concealest in thy mind a design whiâ—â— God shal discover thou fearest the people but it is thy 〈◊〉 to fear God alone When Zeid did repudiat his wife we â—â—ryed thee to her to the end their might remain no error â—mong the True-belelevers when they shall repudiate thâ— wives they shal observe in repudiating them what God haâ— ordained The Prophet sins not in doing what God haâ— permitted the law of God was in this maner observed by 〈◊〉 predecessors the command of his divine Maj. is execuâ—â—â— without delay Such as preach the word of God his Apostâ—â— and Prophets fear none but his Divine Majesty it suffice them that they are in his protection Mahomet is not yoâ— father He is not the father of Zeid to espouse the wife which he put away he is the Apostle of God and the last of all the Prâ—phets God knoweth all things there shall not come anâ—ther Prophet after him Oh ye that beleive in Goâ— thiâ— frequently on his divine Majesty praise him morning anâ— evening he shall give you his mercy the Angels imploâ— pardon that he may deliver from darkness he is mercifâ—â— to true beleivers the Angels shall salute them on his behaâ—â— at the day of Judgment See Tefsianf Joâ—hir he hath prepared for them an exceeding great reward Oh Prophet we have sent thee to be witnesse of thâ— deportments of the People and as a light to conduct them into the right way proclaim to the True-beleivers thaâ— they shall receive of thy Lord an exceeding great grace obey not Infidels nor the wicked fear not their malice and trust in God thou oughtest to be satisfyed that God protecteth thee O ye that beleive it is not lawfull for you to abuse your Wives if you repudiate them before ye have â—nown them deal well with them and dismisse them with â—ildnesse and civility O Prophet we permit thee to know â—he women to whom thou hast given dowry the women-â—laves which God hath given thee the daughters of thine Vncles and of thine Aunts that have abandoned with â—hee the company of the wicked and the true beleiving wife that shall be given thee if thou wilt marry her that she be not the wife of a true-beleiver We know what wâ— have commanded true beleivers touching their wives and their slaves we have instructed thee therein to the end thou offend not God he is gracious and merciful to such as obey him Thou shalt retain whom of thy wives thou shalt desire to retain and shalt repudiate such as thou shalt desire to repudiate and shalt lye with them that shall please thee it is better that thou repudiate without offending God then to see them male contented and sad they shall be contented with the good that thou shalt do to them in divorcing them God knoweth what is in your hearts he is Omniscient and most merciful Mahomet had nine wives It is not lawfull for thee to know other women then thine own it is not lawful for thee to exchange them although the beaty of others please thee except thy slaves See Gelaldin God regardeth all O yâ—â—hat beleive I enter not into the houses of the prophet withouâ— permission except at the hour of repast that by chance without design if ye are invited enter with freedome when ye shall have taken your repast depart out of the house and tarry not to discourse one with another this molesteth the Prophet he is ashamed to bid you be gone but God is not ashamed to tell you the truth The wives of the prophet shal have the face coverd when ye speak shall unto them this better resented of purity both in them and in you You ought not to importune the Prophet of God neither to know his wives this would be a most enormous sin if ye conceal any design or discover it know that God knoweth all They shall not offend God in suffering themselvs to be seen of their fathers their children their brethren their nephews their maid servants their she-slaves they shall fear God he seeth all God and the angels * Bless thâ— Prophet pray for the Prophet O ye that beleive See Gelaldin pray for the Prophet and obey him He that shall displeâ— God and his Prophet shall be accursed in this world anâ— shall feel rigorous pains in the other such as do injurâ— without reason to those men and women that believe iâ— God commit an exceeding great sin O Prophet speaâ— to thy wives and thy daughters and the wives of true-believers that they cover themselves with vailes they shaâ—â— be more honored and shall receive no displeasure God iâ— gracious and mercifull If the wicked the whoremongers and those of Medina that are weak in their faith quit noâ— their impiety I will give thâ—e absolute power over them few among them will respect thee but take thou them and slay them wheresoever thou shalt meet them God so commanded those that were before thee thou shalt finde no alteration in the Law of God The people will enquire of thee when shall be the day of Iudgment Say unto them that God alone knoweth it and that thou knowest not if it shall bâ— very speedily but that God hath prepared for Infidells an exceeding great fire wherein they shall burn eternally hey shall finde no protection they shall be cast headlong into the fire and shall say would to God we had obeyed his divine Majesty and the Prophet his Apostle they shall say Lord we obeyed our Masters and Superiors they seduced us from the right way Lord chastise them doubly and give them thy curse O ye that believe be not like them that displeased Moses he was innocent of the crimes that they laid upon him he was inspired of God fear God and speak with civility your works shall be acceptable to him and he shall pardon your sins He that shall obey God and his Apostle shall be happy fidelity and obedience are pleasing to him in heaven and in earth and upon the mountains Such as depart far from him as did Adam do injury to themselves and are ignorant he shall chastise those men and women that shall be disobedient and impious he will give his grace to those men and women that shall believe in his Law he is gracious and mercifull to them that obey him CHAP. XXXIV The Chapter of * Saba is a Province of Liemen Saba containing fifty four Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful See Gelaldin Praised be God whatsoever is in heaven in the earth appertaineth to him praise is due unto him he is most wise and Omniscient he knoweth whatsoever entreth into the earth and cometh out of it whatsoever ascendeth to heaven descendeth he is gracious and mercifull to his creatures the wicked demand if they shall see the day of judgment Say unto them yes and that thy Lord knoweth the time he knoweth what
not able to benefit or hurt one another they will say to the unjust taste the torments of hell fire which ye would not beleive They said when thou didst preach unto them our Commandments this man would hinder us to worship the gods of our fathers he is a blasphemer They have said that the Alcoran is but Sorcery and Magick and reade not the books that we have sent unto them Their Predecessors did like them they traduced our Apostles hindred them to preach the tenth part of what we had inspired into thâ—m they traducd them but how were they chastised say unto them I preach to you to pray to God two by two or alone or in company ye shall know one day that your freind Mahomet is not possessed of the Devil and that he preacheth to you the pains of hell I require no reward of you for mine exhortations God shall reward me he seeth all Say unto them God teacheth his Prophets the truth and what is to come the truth appeared falshood was discovered and the lyars were deprived of his mercy if I wilfully go astray or if I act what God hath enjoyned me this shall be for my soul God heareth and is present at all things Thou shalt see the Infidels filled with fear affrighted when they shall come out of their sepulchre they shall not escape the punishment of their incredulity they shall then say that they beleive in the Alcoran but I will shew to them from farre the law which they have despised in the world they shall be precipitated with their ignorance into a place remote from mercy and pardon they shal be seperated from the true-believers because they have doubted the Commandments of the Law of God CHAP. XXXV The Chapter of the Creator containing fourty and five Verses written at Mecca This Chapter it intituled the Chapter of Angels in the Book Tefsir and Ioahir which treateth of the exposition of the Alcoran in Turkish IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praise be to God Creator of Heaven and Earth who created the Angels the Messengers of his Commandments they have wings two three and foure he maketh of his Creature what seemeth good to him he is omnipotent none can comprehend the grace that he hath given to his people it is incomprehensible he is omnipotent and most wise Oh people Remember the grace of God is there a Creator beside him he enricheth you with the riches of Heaven and Earth there is no God beside him How can the wicked blaspheme against his divine Majesty If they traduce thee certainly they traduced the Prophets that were sent before thee they shall be one day assembled before God to be judged Oh ye people what God hath promised is infallible glory not in the wealth of the Earth beware least the Devill seduce you and render you proud because that God doth a while defer the punishment of your crimes The Devill is your enemy be ye his enemies he leadeth them that follow him into the fire of Hell where they shall suffer the rigors of infinite paines their sinnes shall be remitted that believe in God and do good works Oftentimes he that delighted in what he doth believeth he doth well God misleadeth and guideth whom it pleaseth him be not unwilling to depart from the wicked God knoweth all their actions He sendeth the winds that drive the clouds unto barren and dry places to refresh the Earth and cause it to revive after its death in like manner will he raise again the dead He that affecteth greatness shall finde in God all manner of greatnesse good speeches ascend even to his divine Majesty and our good works are acceptable to him Such as conspire against the Prophet shall endure great torments and their conspiracy become vain and unprofitable God hath created you of dust and mire be created you men and women the woman neither conceiveth not bringeth forth but through his permission no man can either prolong or shorten his life but following what is written in the book kept in heaven these things are easie to God Those two Seas are not like to Eaphrates whose water is sweet and pleasant to drinke the water of the Sea is cold and salt neverthelesse ye eat of the fish of the one and the other Ye fish out of the Sea gemmes to adorne you you see the Ship to run upon the waters and cleave the waves for the advantage of your commerce peradventure you will return thanks to God for his graces He causeth the night to enter into the day and the day into the night he created the Sunne and the Moon that run in the Heaven till the day appointed That God who created these things is your Lord the empire of the world is his the Idols that ye worship have no more power then the skin of an Almand if ye invoke them they shall not hear you they shall deny you at the day of Iudgment and are not of power to let you know either the joyes of Paradise or the torments of Hell Oh ye people ye are poor and necessitous ye have need of Gods assistance and God hath no want of you prayse is due to him in every place he will destroy you if it seeme good to him and create another new people in your place none shall bear the burthen of another be it never so light or heavy no not when they are neer of Kin. Preach thou the torments of Hell to such as feare their Lord without seeing him and make their prayers at the time appointed He that taketh heed of offending him laboureth for himself all the world shall be one day assembled before him to be judged The blind are not like to such as see clear darkness is not like to light the shade and coolnesse are not like to the heat of the Sun the living are not like the dead God causeth himself to be understood of whom he pleaseth thou canst not make the Commandments of God to be understood by them that are in their Sepulchers we have sent only to preach the pains of Hell and the joyes of Paradise there is no place in the world where they have not been preached If the Jnfidels traduce thee their predecessors likewise traduced them whom we sent heretofore to preach to them the mysteries of faith and the scriptures they were surprizd in their sins were rigorously chastised Seest thou not how thy Lord caused rain to fall from Heaven to make the Earth produce many fruits of sundry sorts and to nourish in the Mountains the Goats the Stags and Hinds to nourish the Crowes and Ravens the men and beasts of divers kinds and forme God gratifieth his creatures that acknowledge his benifits he is omnipotent and mercifull They who dâ—voutly read the book of God who make their prayers at the time appointed and bestow in pious works secretly or publiquely part of the wealth that we have given them have hope of a recompence
all into the right way He of his Domestiques that secretly professed the true Law said oh people I fear lest ye be chastise as have been your predecessors as were the people of Noâ—â— Aad Temod and those that were after them God will 〈◊〉 do injustice to men I fear for you the day of judgment a daâ— when ye shall rise again with terror to render accompt â— your actions he whom God shal seduce shall find none 〈◊〉 guide him Certainly Joseph came hertofore with instructions clear and intelligible nevertheless ye doubted even untill his death and said that after him God shall not sendâ— Prophet like unto him thus doth GOD seduce the wicked that doubt of his Law he hateth such as dispute without reason they are abhorred of them that believe in his divine Majesty Thus God hardneth the heart of the proud and tyrants Pharoah sayd to * Haman was Pharoahs Leiutenant General Haman build me an high Palace peradventure I shal arrive at the Heavens and as high as the God of Moses I beleive him to be a lyar Thus Pharaoh delighted in his wicked actions he erred from the right way and his conspiracy was but his destruction He of his family that was a True-beleiver said oh people follow me See Gelaldin I will guide you into the right way the riches of the earth pass away lightly and the riches of Heaven are eternall he that doth evill shall finde evill who doth good man or woman beleiving in God shall enter into Paradise where he shall be enriched innumerably with all manner of riches Wherefore invite you me to precipitate my self into the fire of Hell since I exhort you to salvation Ye invite me to be wicked and to beleive that God hath companions and I know it is not so I call you to the omnipotent and mercifull God doubtlesse I will not worship your Idols they cannot hear you either in this world or in the other we all shall be one day assembled before God who will condemn Infidels to the fire of Hell consider hereafter what to you I have preached I am resined to the will of God he beholdeth all the actions of his creatures he shall chastise them for the evill that they shall commit and for their wicked designes He sent his punishment upon the Lineage of PHAROAH they deserved to be precipitated into the fire of Hell they shall burn evening and morning It shall be said to â—hem at the day of Iudgment oh people of Pharoah goe enter into the fire of Hell The Infidels shal quarrell in Hell the poor shall say unto the rich We followed you are you able this day to deliver us from eternal flames they shall answer we all are damned with you God is a most just Iudge The damned shall say to the Ministers of Hell Pray to your Lord that he may asswage these torments for one day they shall answer had ye not on earth the Prophets and Apostles of God to instruct you They shall say yes pray therefore to God your selves the wicked love nothing but impiety I will protect on earth my Prophets and them that observe my Law and particularly at the day of judgment that day the wicked shall have no excuse that shal advantage them my curse shall fall upon them and they all shall be damned We taught Moses the way of Salvation and made the Children of Israel heirs of his instructions to instruct them that shal understand them Persevere and be patient the promise of God is infallible implore pardon of thy sinnes and exalt the praise of thy Lord evening and morning They that dispute against the Commandments of God are without reason and have nought in their souls but pride and ignorace Implore succor of God he understandeth and seeth all things the Creation of the Heavens and of the Earth is greater then the Creation of men but the greatest part of men know it not the blind is not like to him that seeth clearly he that doth good is not like to him that doth evill neither is obscurity such as the light but few men consider it Doubtlesse the day of Iudgment shall come neverthelesse the greatest part of men will not believe it Your Lord hath said call upon me I will heare you Such as shall resist my Law shall go into Hell and be eternally seduced God hath created the night for repose and the day for travell he is bountiful towards his Creatures bvt the greatest part of the peopple are ingratefull GOD is your LORD Creator of all things there is no GOD but he How can the wicked blaspheme So do they blaspheme that are ingrateful for the graces of GOD he hath established you on Earth he hath covered you with the Heavens he hath formed you enriched you he your God your Lord blessed be God Lord of the Vâ—â— verse he it is that giveth and depriveth you of life there no God but he be obedient to him and observe his Laâ— Praised be God Lord of the Vniverse who hath createâ— you of mire Say unto the Infidels I am forbidden to woâ—ship the Idols that ye adore God hath taught me his â—nity I have received command to worship none but the Lord of the Vniverse he created you of dust mire and coâ—gealed blood he causeth you to be born little Infants hâ— maketh you to arrive to the age of discretion to virility old age many dye before that age and all attaine to the time of their destiny peradventure ye shall understand his unity he it is that maketh you to live and to dye and when he willeth any thing he saith be thou and it is See ye noâ— that they that dispute against his Commandments deparâ— from his Law Such as reject our Commandments and what we enjoyed our Prophets to preach to men shall find their errors when they shall see chaines on their necks and fetters on their feet they shall be dragged and burned in Hell then shall it be said unto them where are those Idols that yee adored upon Earth they shall answer they are departed from us certainly they are without power thus God seduceth Infidels to their confusion It shall be said unto them these paines befall you for that ye were proud and insolent without reason enter within the gates of Hell which is the habitation of the proud ye shall dwell there eternally Be patient and persevere the word of God is infallible I will make thee to see a part of what I have promised to men I will cause thee to dye and thou shalt behold them all assembled to be judged Certaâ—nly we sent Prophets before thee we have spoken to thee of one part of our Apostles and the rest are concealed from thee neither Prophets nor Apostle can preach any thing without Gods permission he chastiseth the wicked when he pleaseth he shall judge the differences that are between them and the Prophets and shall destroy the unbelievers God hath created
have done good works say unto them I require none other recompense for the pains that I take in preaching to you then to love my kindred he that shall do any good work shall be rewarded God is mercifull and good works are pleasing to him Will they say that thou hast blasphemed against God If it please God he shall hinder thee to hear this discourse or will imprint patience in thine heart he abolisheth lies and confirmeth the truth through his words he knoweth whatsoever is in the hearts of men he accepteth the conversion of his creatures he pardoneth their sins and knoweth all their actions he heareth the prayers of the faithfull that do good works and augmenteth his grace upon them but Infidels shall undergo the rigours of eternall pains Had God equally enriched all his creatures they had bin in confusion upon Earth he enricheth whom he pleaseth he seeth and knoweth all he sendeth rain when men despair of his grace he is the protector of believers and praise is due to him eternally the creation of the Heavens and of the earth and of all that moveth betweene them is a sign of thine omnipotency If evil befal you believe that ye have deserved it neverthelesse he pardoneth you many things ye cannot escape his punishment on earth none is able to protect you against him The Vesâ—el that runneth upon the water big as a mountain is a token of his omnipotency to them that persevere in his Law and acknowledg his graces He shall reprove the wicked for their sins and shall pardon many They that dispute against his Commandments cannot escape their punishent the riches that ye possesse are the riches of the earth the riches that God bestoweth on them that trust in him are eternal They that depart from mortall sins that repent to have committed them that beg of God to be heard and persevere in their supplications they that take councel and consult among them what they ought to do that employ in good works part of the wealth that God hath given them that implore his help in their afflictions such as do good and such as commit evil shall be recompensed and punished according to their works God abhorreth Infidels ye have no power over them that implore his assistance in their affliction and repent your power extendeth over them that doin justice to the people and dâ—sobey on earth the Commandments of his divine Majesty they shall suffer great torments Such as persevere in well-dâ—iâ—g and pardon their Neighbour do what God hath Commanded He whom God shall mâ—slâ—ad shall finde none to guide him Thou shalt see that the Infidels shall ask if they may return into the world when they shall behold the fire of Hâ—l thou shalt see them flie with exâ—ream fear of eternal ignominy they shall look awry upon hell and the believers shall see that the wicked that have lost heâ—r Souls that have misled their family and all the impious shall be eternally damned none shall be able to save them and he that God shall mislead shall not finde the right way Say unto them beg pardon of God before the â—ay come that ye shall finde no way to return into the world nor excuse for your sins If they disobey thee we have not sent thee to be their Tutor thou art sent only to preach unto them When we give to man any pâ—osperity be rejoyceth and when affliction befalleth him â—e is ingratâ—ful for the grace of his Lord King of the heavens and earth God giveth children sons and daughters â—o whom he pleaseth he knoweth all things and is omnipotent he speaketh not to man but by inspiration and parable without being seen he sendeth his Prophets and Apostles into whom he inspireth what pleaseth him he knoweth all things and is omnipotent Thus have we sent thee our spirit to teach thee our Commandments thou knowest not before what was written in the Alcoran neither the misteries of faith we have sent it to thee to be a Light to the world I will guide into the way of Salvation whom I please I wil giude him into the way of the Lord to whom belongeth all that is in Heaven and Earth and who disposeth of all things CHAP. XLIII The Chapter of Ornament containing eighty and nine Verses written at Mecca Exteri intituled This Chapter the Chapter of Gold IN the name of God gracious and mercifull God is prudent and wise I swear by the book that teacheth to do well that we have sent it in the Arabique tongue peradventure ye shall understand the Alcoran it is written in in our originall Booke majestique and mysterious Shall I conceal from you the book of Salvation if ye be wicked How many Prophets and Apostles have we sent in past Ages whom unbeleivers have despised We destroyed the most powerful among them and all have incurred the pain of their predecessors If thou ask of them who created Heaven and Earth they will say that it is the omnipoten who knoweth all things Who hath extendeth the earth under you Who established the wayes to guide you It is God he causeth the rain to descend from Heaven in your necessity he maketh the dead drie and barren fields to revive in like manner shall the dead come out of their Sepulchers He it is that created whatsoever is in the world of divers kinds and Species and created the SHIPS and BEAST to carry you Remember the grace of your Lord say praised be he that created â—or us these things we had not the power to create them They all shall return before the Lord to be judged The Infidels have divided God into many parts Certainly he that saith that there are many Gods is impious hath he appointed you to say that the Angels which he hath created are his daughters seeing that he giveth you sonnes When it is declared to some Infidels that a Daughter is born to him he is not satisfied he desireth to have a son will they say that God adorneth himselfe and taketh ornaments to beautifie him like their Idols It is a manifest error they say that the Angels that worship God are the daughters of his divine Majesty I will write what they say and will râ—quire of them aâ— accompt of their discourse at the day of Iudgement They have said had it pleased God we had not adored the Angels They know not what they say and ignorantly blaspheme do they observe any Scripture that hath been taught them heretofore On the contrary they say that their fathers lived in like manner and that they follow their steps they have said as much to all the Prophets that were sent unto them When thou spakest to them to observe â—hat is contained in the Alcoran and to abandon the Idols which their fathers worshipped they answered that they believed neither in thee nor in thy mission but we avenged our selves upon them Consider what is the end of blasphemeâ—s Remember thou that Abraham said to his
the end too late acknowledg their errors CHAP. XLIIII The Chapter of Smoke cnotaining fifty nine Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull God is prudent and wise I swear by the book that distinguish the good from evil that we sent it the night of blessing to teach the people the torments of hel this book explaineth our commandments al that we heretofore comanded the Prophets this is a speciall grace of thy Lord he heareth knoweth all things he is Lord of Heaven and Earth aâ—â— of all that is between them beleive in his omnipotency There is no God but he he giveth life and death to whom he listeth he is your Lord the Lord of your fathers and predecessors the wicked deride this discourse but the day of judgment attends them that day the heaven shal resemble smoak that shall cover the world that day shall the people say behold here grievous torments Lord deliver us from this misery we will believe in thy Law Their conversion shall be in vain because when the Prophet preched to them they scorned his words and said that he was a foolish teacher and when they were comforted on earth they returned to their impiety Remember thou the day when they were vanquished and taken by force and that we were revenged on their impiety We heretofore tryed the people of Pharoah my beloved Prophet preached to them my Commandments and said Come follow me oh ye servants of God! I am a faithful Messenger of his divine Maj. resist not his Law I wil teach you his Comandments he shal defend me from your malice he shal preserve me from being stoned but if ye will not believe me depart far from me He prayed to his Lord when he knew that that people were unbelieving impious God said unto him goe by night out of the City with my servants if the men of Pharoah pursue thee enter into the sea through a path large and spacious thine enemyes that shall follow thee shal be drownd How many gardens fountains places of pleasure wherin they took delight did they forsake They fel into the power of another with al their treasures and none lamented them either in Heaven or earth they expected not that punishment We delivered the Children of Israel from Pharoahs tyranny he was powerfull and a great sinner We elected them through our certain knowledg among all the world and tryed them through our Miracles and Commandments The wicked say we shall dye and not rise again If the Resurrection be true cause our fathers to revive to evidence the â—ruth of thy words Are they more powerful then their predecessors whom we destroyed because of their impiety We have not created in vain the Heaven and the Earth and whatsoever is between them we created them for certain signes of our Vnity the greatest part of the world understand it not the day of Iudgment is thâ— time appointed for their punishment that day none shall be able to save his neighbour or parent or freind nor shall any be saved but those to whom God shall give his mercy he is omnipotent and mercifull The fruit of the Tree of Hel called Zacon shall serve for food to the wicked it shal boil in their bellyes like pitch or water They shall cry take the wicked drag them into the fire of Hell pour upon their heads all manner of torments It shall bee said unto them tast the pains of Hell ye believed your selves to be the Omnipotent precious on Earth behold the punishment of which ye doubted The righteous shall be in delicious places in Gardens adorned with Fountains they shall be clothed with purple they sâ—all behold each other face to face we wil assemble them with women pure clean who shall have most beautifull eyes that shall have fruits savory and delicious of all seasons they shal never dye and shall be delivered from the torments of Hell through the special grace of thy Lord behold supreme felicity Certainly we have sent the Alcoran in thy tongue peradventure the Arabians will learn it they covet thy ruine but persevere thou and expect the time of the punishment of their crimes CHAP. XLV The Chapter of Genuflexion or Knee-bowing containing fifty nine Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful God is most prudent and wise This Book is sent by the Omnipotent and wise The Heavens and the Earth are most certain signes of his Vnity to such as believe in his Law your Creation and the Creation of all Creatures are marks of his greatnesse to them that have his fear before their Eyes the difference of the night and the day the rain that he sendeth from Heaven to cause fruits to spring out of the Earth and to revive it after its death and the diversity of windâ— are signes of his Omnipotency to them that have knowledg to comprehend it I relate to thee the wonders of God with truth in what will Infidels believe if they believe not in the word of his divine Majesty Misery is upon them that hear the Commandments of God and become proud as if they had not heard them Preach unto such men that they shall suffer â—he rigors of infinite pains They deride the Faith when they are spoken to Certainly they be punished in the fire of Hell their riches shall not be able to save them neither the Idols which they adore they shall be eternally damned This Book guideth men into the way of salvation they that shall not believe in the Law of God shall feel the effects of his fury He created the Seas that bear the Ships for the advantage of your commerce peradventure ye will acknowledg this grace He hath created for you all that is in Heaven and on Earth it is a sign of his goodness to such as consider it Speak unto them that believe in the Law of Salvation that they pardon those that have not the fear of God before their Eyes God shall chastise them after their demirits Whosoever shall do good shall finde good and ye shall be assembled before his divine Majesty to be judged Certaiuly we instructed the children Israel in the Scripture and our Commandments we taught them knowledg and gave them the grace of Prophesie we enriched them with all sorts of riches preferred them to al the world We taught them our Law none disputed against our Commandmenes but such as had knowledg that through the envy thar arose among them but thy Lord shall judg their differences at the day of Iudgment We have sent thee our Law observe it and follow not the appetites of the ignorant they shall not be able to deliver thee from eternall pains The Infidels obey each other and the true-belivers obey God This book is the light of the world it guideth into the way of Salvation and the mercy of God them that believe in his divine Majesty Do the wicked imagine they shall
be intreated like the godly in their life and death and that they shall not be judged God hath created heaven and earth for a mark of his power he shall judg every one according to their works and shall do injustice to none Consider how they worship what cometh into their fancy God hath seduced them from his certain knowledge he hath rendred them deaf hath hardned their heart blinded them who shal guide if God seduce them Do they not consider it They say our resurrection shal be like the life of this world some dy others are born length of years cause us to die they know not what they say and speak but by opinion When they are preached unto they have no other ' discourse to utter but make our fathers to revive if what we say be true Say unto them God causeth you to live dy shal assemble you at the day of Iudgment there is no doubt in this but the greatest part of the people know it not God is the King of the heavens earth of the day of judgment that day shall he assemble the Infidels thou shalt see all Sects and all Religions assembled before him upon their knees every sect shall see their sins written in a particular book shal be al chastised after their demerits It shall be said unto them behold the book that speaketh against you we have exactly written what you have don God shal give his mercy to the righteous that is supream felicity It shal be said to the wicked have not the Commandments of God bin preached to you Ye became proud and were incredilous when it was told you that the promises of God and the day of Judgment were indubitable ye said that iâ— was but an opinion and that ye believe it not in the end ye shall acknowledge your offence and shall suffer the painâ— that ye despised God shall say unto them at the day of Iudgement I have this day forgotten you as ye forgot thâ— coming of this day the fiâ—e of hell shall be your habitation none shall deliver you because ye derided my Law and waxed proud with the riches of the earth They shall never get out of this Fire neither be able to repent Praise be to God Lord of the heavens and earth glory is due to him in all places he is omnipotent and wise CHAP. XLVI The Chapter of Hecaf containing thirty five Verses written at Mecca Hecaf is a Valley in the Country of Licmen upon the frontiers of Arâ—biâ— See Gelaldin and the Book intituled Kitab el Tenoir IN the name of God gracious and merciful God is most prudent and wise This Book was sent by the Omnipotent and wise We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a sign of our Omnipotency and Vnity and appointed to every thing a prefixed and limited time If the Infidels depart from that which hath been preached to them Say unto them have ye considered the Idols that ye adore shew me what they have created on earth are they Gods companions in the creation of the heavens bring me a Book sent from heaven before the Alcoran that containeth like it what remained of the doctrine of our Predecessâ—rs we shall see if ye be true who is more seduced then he that worshipeth things that can neither hear his prayers nor protect him at the day of judgment That day shall the Infidels be enemies to each other and the Idols shall not acknowledge them that have worshipped them When they heard the Alcoran read they affirmed it to contain the truth and when they were commanded to observe it they said that it is but magick Will they say that thou hast invented it Say unto them if I have invented it ye cannot deliver me from the punishment of God he knoweth all that is in this book it is sufficient that he is witnesse between you and me he is gracious and mercifull Say unto them I am not the first Prophet nor the first Apostle that God hath sent I know not what God shall determine of you and me I do but what he hath inspired into me and am sent to preach the torments of hel have ye considered in what condition ye shall be if the Alcoran be sent from God Ye have renounced it but one of the children of Israel is witnesse that it is sent from God and hath believed in his divine Majesty neverthelesse ye are become proud God guideth not the proud The Infidels say to the believers if the Alcoran were any good thing you should not exceed us in observing it it guideth not into the way of salvation it is but an old Fable The book of Moses that came before it teacheth the right way and the Will of God Say unto them the Alcoran confirmeth the Scriptures sent heretofore to them that precedeed us it is in the Arabique tongue he preacheth the pains of hell to unbelievers and declareth the joyes of Paradise to the righteous Such as shall believe that God is their Lord and shall obey him ought to fear nothing they shall suffer none affliction at the day of Judgment they shall enjoy Pardadise for the reward of their good works We have recommended to man to honor father and mother and to do good to them his mother beareth him with pain she bringeth forth with dolour she giveth him suck and weaneth him at the end of thirty moneths she hath care of him until he be in a condition to govern himself hath attained to age of discretion Then he saith Lord inspire me to be grateful for the grace that thou hast given to my father mother if I do well thou wilt accept it take care of my posterity I trust in thee desire to obey thy Commandments Their prayer shall be heard their sins shall be pardoned they shall enjoy the joyes of Paradise prepared for the righteous He that shall â—peak to his father and mother in civility shall say unto them in derision will ye bring me yet once more into the world after my death wil ye revive me from my grave many are dead heretofore that are not returned he shall be punished of God his father and mother shall require help of his divine Majesty and shall say unto him my son misery is with thee believe in God and in the Resurrection the word oâ— God is insallible if he reply that it is an old Fable he shall feel the punishment of God the word of his divine Majesty shall be accomplished against him as it hath been accomplished against them that did preceâ—e him in impiety as well devills as men they shal be damned they shall be in â—undry degrees of payns he shall chastise them after their demerits and no injustice shall be don to them It shall be said to the wicked that would depart out of hel fire ye expelled your felicity when ye lived in the world your punishment was deferred until
the believers in a place of safty they had recourse to the word of force and vertue wherein they did better then the Infidels God knoweth all Assuredly the dream of the Prophet of God was true when he dreamed that ye were in the Temple of Mecca without fear your hair shaven and beards trimed fear nothing God knoweth what you know not in lieu of this dream he hath given you a great victory he it is that hath sent you his Prophet to teach you his Law more salutary then all other Laws of the world It is sufficient that God is witnesse that Mahomet is his Prophet and Apostle it sufficeth that the true believers who are with him bear testimony God encreaseth his mercy towards those Infidels that convert thou shalt see them worship God humble themselves before his divine Majesty and implore his grace thou shalt know them by their aspect they shall have in their countenance the marks of their zeal it is so written in the old Testament and she Gospel they are like a plant that produceth its leaves that grows strong by little and little and becommeth big afterwards it taketh strength upon its roots becometh a great tree and the wood thereof serveth to make war against Infidels God hath promised his mercy and an exceeding great reward to the Infidels that shall be converted that shall believe in his Law and do good works CHAP. XLIX The Chapter of Inclosures containing eighteene Verses written at Medina Exteri intituled This Chapter the Chapter Of Walls IN the name of God gracious and merciful O ye that belevie prefer not what ye have done to what God and his Prophet hath performed and fear God he heareth what soever ye say and seeth all that ye do O ye that beleieve when ye shall speak to the Prophet speak not louder then he cry not as when ye talk among your selves least ye render your good works vain and unprofitable and know it not God hath tryed the vertue of them that speak low in the presence of the Prophet he shall pardon their sinns and give them an exceeding great reward They that call thee behind the Inclosures know not what they do had they attended untill thou hadst been towards them they had done very well God is gracious and merciful O ye that believe if any Infidel desireth to preach to you distinguish the truth from a lye if ye give credit to the ignorant ye shall repent you Know that the Apostle of God is among you ye shall offend God if ye obey unbelievers in many things God willeth that ye embrace his Law it shal rejoyce your hearts and make ye to abhorre disobedience and impiety such as abhorre it are stedfast in their faith through his speciall grace he knoweth them and is most wise Iâ— two Nations or two Provinces of such as believe in God are at odds reconcile them if the one doe injury to the other fight against him that is unjust untill he repaiâ—e what God hath ordained if he make reparation reconcile them with equity be just God loveth them that do justice to his people all those that believe in his LAW are BRETHREN make peace among your brethren and fear God he shall give you his mercy O ye that believe scorn not your neighbour peradventure that he shall one day be of better value then you O ye women scorn not others perhaps they shall one day be more worth then you Vtter no reproaches and give no name to your neighbour that may displease him call him by his name otherwise ye will disobey God such as repent not are exceedingly too blame O ye that believe in God! take heed of evill thoughts these are oftentimes in the number of sins do no displeasure to your neighbour and speak to each other nothing that may displease who among you would eat the flesh of his dead brother ye shall abhor it fear therefore God who is gracious and merciful to such as have his fear before their eyes O people we created you male and female we have caused to issue out of your loyns people and Nations ye koow each other but your greatest honour is to fear God he knoweth you and understandeth all your secrets Some among the Arabians have said we believe say unto them say not we believe but say we are obedient otherwise faith shall not enter into your hearts if ye obey God and his Prophet ye shall be recompenced for your good works God is gracious and merciful to them that obey his Commandments Such as are beloved of God believe in his Vnity and in his Prophet they doub not of his Law and imploy their persons and wealth for the propagation of the faith Say unto them know ye not that your Law proceedeth from God he knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and earth he knoweth all They think to do thee a pleasure in saving them say unto them believe not that ye pleasure me for it is God that guideth you into the way of salvation ye ought so to believe it God knoweth all that is in the heavens and earth and beholdeth whatsoever ye do CHAP. L The Chapter of the Thing Judged containing fourty five Verses written at Mecca Mahomet hath intituled this Chapter with the letter Kaf of the Arabique Alphabet which signifyeth in this place Kda el mer that is to say the thing judged See Gelaldin and Bedaoi who have entituled this the Chapter of Judgment or the thing judged Many Mahomitans say likewise that Kaf is a mountain that environeth the world and that Mahomet swore by that Mountain IN the name of God gracious merciful I swear by the Alcoran worthy of praise that the Inhabitants of Mecca wonder that a man of their Nation teacheth them the torments of hell they say that he speaketh strange things What say they shall we die shall we be earth and return into the world Behold a very strong return We know assuredly what the earth will do with us we have a book wherein all is written they impugne the known truth are in a great confusion See they not heaven above them how we have built it how we have adorned it and how there is no defect We have extended the earth raised the mountains and caused all sorts of fruits to spring forth for a sign of our omnipotency We have sent the blessed raine from heaven made gardens to produce grain pleasing to the Reapers and Date trees exceeding each other in height to enrich our creatures We have given life to the dead dry barren earth so shall the dead come out of their sepulchers The peopl of Noahs time those that inhabited neâ—r the wel Temod Pharoah and the fellow Citizens of Lot they that dâ—elt in the Forrest and people of King Teba did heretofore traduce our Prophets Teba was a King of Liemeâ— and felt the punishment denounced against Infidells Was it a trouble to us to create men at first
posterity to do the like Certainly they are in a great error Separate thy self far from their company and be not troubled at what they say preach the Alcoran it is profitable to the righteous I did not create the devils and men but to worship me Say unto them I require nothing of unbelievers for instructing them I require not that they nourish me God enricheth whom he pleaseth he is omnipotent the wicked shall be chastised as heretofore have been their predecessors in their malice their time shal come and misery shall befal them at the day of judgment CHAP. LII The Chapter of the Mountain containing thirty nine Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Mountain upon which God spake to Moses by what is contained in the book written in parchment by the first Temple of Mecca by the arches of the heavens and by the sea full of water that God is one sole God and the punishment promised to unbelievers is infallible they shall not be able to escape it in the day when the heaven shal tremble and the mountains shall wâ—â—â—â—â—at day shall be unhappy 〈…〉 â—â—ated in the fire 〈…〉 that ye 〈…〉 paâ—◠〈…〉 our 〈…〉 â—ore 〈…〉 â—od 〈…〉 â—e 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 works they shall repose upon beds well ordered we will marry them to wives that shall have fair eyes they shall be attended of their family and be largly rewarded for their good works every good action shall be to them a dégree of happiness We will give them such fruits and Vines as they shall desire they shall present to each other the cup to drink they shall not speak an evill word and shall not siâ— they shall have pages about them for their service beautifull as pollished pearls they shall discourse among them concerning what they did before on Earth and say We were in the world we and our families with a great apprehension of the pains of hell but God hath gratified us he hath delivered us from eternall flames They shall say moreover we worshipped in the world but one God most just and most mercifull Remember thou to preach the Alcoran thou art not ingratefull for the grace of God thou art not possessed of the Devill will they say that thou art a Poet a Rimer that nothing must be expected from thee but fables of past Ages Say unto them ye expect the time of my destruction but I with you expect the time of your ruine Do their superiors command them to speak in this manner Will they be obstinate in their errors Will they say that Mahomet hath invented the Alcoran Certainly they are incredulous let them bring any discourse like to this book in Doctrine and Eloquence if what they affirm be true Were they created of any thing have they created any thing have they created themselves have they created the Heavens and the Earth Certainly they are incredulous Have they in their power the treasures of thy Lord are they Gyants Have they a ladder that may raise them to hear what is spoken in Heaven Let them produce some reason of their opinion Believe ye that God hath daughters and that ye have sonnes Will ye require of him a Salary for obeying his Law Is he your debtor The wicked are lyars do they know what shall be do they weite it Desire they to conspire against thee The wicked often conspire against the righteous that worship but one God Praised be God he hath no companion If the Infidels should see a piece of the Heaven to fall they would say it is a cloud driven by the winds leave them in their obstinacy untill they come to the day of their death that day shall their conspiracy be vain and they deprived of protection They likewise shall be punished before their death but the greatest part know it not Have pacience and expect the Judgment of God thou shalt soon see it I will protect thee and thou shalt not want help Praise thy Lord exalt his glory when thou shalt rise praise him in the night and before the Stars disappear CHAP. LIII The Chapter of the Starre containing sixty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Star that disappeareth that your friend Mahomet â—rreth not he speaketh nothing of his own he speaketh but what hath been inspired into him by the omnipotent and most bountifull God The Angell approached him in the highest place of heaven within the length of two bowes somewhat nearer The Turks believe that there is an Apple tree at the right side of throne of God and that none can ascend higher then its branches no not the angels God hath inspired into him what he hath inspired into his servant who altered nothing of what hath been inspired into him He hath spoken what he hath seen and in what form the Angel was Dispute not against him concerning what he saw he another time saw the Angel in Heaven near to the Tree that is at the right side of Gods throne and although that tree was covered with that which covered him his fight was not dazled and he is not in error Certainly he hath seen the great wonders of his Lord Have ye considered Alat Az and Menat those three Idols Will ye sâ—â—are that God hath daughters and that ye have Sonnes ye will make a false Oath and shall be in a manifest error Those Idols have nothing but the names which your Fathers and you have given them See Gelaldin God hath not commanded you to worship them ye follow only your passions remote from the truth God teacheth you the way of Salvation by the mouth of his Prophet doth man obtain from Idols what he required of them God is God in the beginning and the end How many Angels be there in Heaven whose prayers are unprofitable if God doth not accept them They that believe not in the day of Judgment say that Angels are maidens they understand not what they say they speak through opinion and that opinion is not conformed to truth Depart thou farre from them that reject our Law and desire only the goods of the Earth and are ignorant of all other things Thy Lord knoweth them that go a stray from the right way and such as follow the path of Salvation all that is in the Heavens and Earth is Gods he shall chastise the wicked See Gelaldin and reward the just He pardoneth their veniall sinnes who flie sinnes mortall he is exceeding merciful He knoweth that he hath created you of Earth Great and small sins and that he formed you in your mothers womb Extol not your selves he knoweth such as have his fear before their eyes Hast thou seen him that abandoned the faith a little wealth was given him and nothing more doth he know what must befall him hath he knowledg of what is to come will he not learn what is written in the books
in his proâ—â—â— ye shall have double â—he reward of Gods mercy he shal â—â—don your sins he is gracious and mercifull I teach you â—â—se things to the end that such as have heretofore receved â—â—e written Law may know that they have no power over 〈◊〉 grace of God he giveth it to whom he lifteth certainly â— is immense CHAP. LVIII â—he Chapter of the Dispute containing twenty two Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull God hath heard the speech of her that disputed with thee concerning the action of her husband she exhibited to him â—er complaints he heareth all your discourses he heareth and â—eeth all No person among you shall swear never to â—â—uch his Wife no more then his Mother your wives â—â—e not your mothers your Mothers are those that conceived and brought you forth they that speake 〈◊〉 that maner speak uncivilly but God is gracious and merciful He that shall have sworn to touch no moâ—â— his wife and shall desire afterwards to know her shaâ— give liberty to a slave for satisfaction of his oath beforâ— he touch her this is commanded you God knoweth 〈◊〉 your actions if he have not the power to free a slave he shal fast two moneths together before touching her if he cannot fast he shal give to fifty poor Thus ought ye to do if ye believe in God and his Prophet God so appointed it and hath prepared great torments for them tâ—â—â— transgresse his Commandments They that shall disobey him and the Prophet shall be coveâ—ed with shame and ignominy as were their predecessors in impiety God hath sent his Commandments on earth those who shal reject them shall be severely tormented at the day that he shall revive them he shal declare to them all that they have don he hath kept accompt and they have forgotten it he seeth all Seest thou not that all that is in the heaven and earth is Gods If ye be three secretly met together he is the fourâ—h if ye be five he is the sixth if ye be more or less he is alwayes with you whresoever you are He shal relate to men at the day of judgment all that they have don he knoweth al things Seest thou not the actions of them to whom private meetings were prohibited they return to their sin and do what was forbidden them they assemble secretly with malice to conspire against thee and to diâ—obey thee and when they come towards thee they say that thou hast spoken things that God hath not inspired thee to utter they know in their soules that God will chastise them for their discourse and that they all shal go into hel where their Rendezvous is Oh ye that believe make no private meetings to offend God to conspire against his prophet to disobey him assemble ye to perform acts of vertue and to serve God hare his fear before your eyes ye shal one day appear before his divine Majesty to be judged Private assemblies proceed from the Devil for the affliction of the righteous he bringeth no evil upon them but through Gods permission and all believers ought to resign themselves to his divine Will O ye that believe when ye shall be assembled with your prophet and are entreated to inlarge your selves inâ—arge ye your selves God shal inlarge to you his grace When ye are bid to rise rise Goâ— shal raise up all the true-bâ—lievers that are among you and pâ—ace the learned some degrees above others he knoweth your actions O ye that believe when ye shall be disposed to deliver any secret to the Prophet speak to him with truth good shall â—efall you and he shall purifie you if ye fear to impart to him â—our secret God will not give you his gracâ— Make your prayers at the time appointed â—â—â—tribute tithes obâ—y God and his Prophet God knoweth what ye do Seest thou not them that have abandoned his law the wrath of his divine Majesty is faln upon them they are of different opinion in their lye and know not that they lye but he hath prepared for them a great punishment because of their blasphemies they have concealed their falth and are â—educed Certainly he hath prepared for them grievous pains their wealth and their children shall not be able to deliver them from his indignation they shall be precipitated into the fire of hell where they shall abide eternally Bâ— thou mindful of the day when he will cause them to revive they shall swear as they swear before thee that they believed in his Law they affirm they do good and are lyars the devill hath prepossessed them and hath made them forget the word of God such as follow him are damned They that transgresse the wil of God and that of his Prophet are overcome of the devil God hath said in the Scriptures thou shalt not obtain victory over me neither over my Prophet he is omnipotent alway victorious thou shalt find none of them that believe in his Law and the day of judgment that doth not exâ—ctly observe the Commandments of his divine Majesty and those of his Prophet although their fathers their Children their brethren and companions oppose them God hath imprinted faith in their hearts he hath strengthned them through his Spirit and shall cause them to enter into gaâ—dens wherein flow many rivers where they shall abide eternally he shall be satisfyed with their obedience they shall be content with his grace Such as shall obey his Commandments shall be happy CHAP-LIX The Chapter of Exile containeng twenty foure Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Whatsoever is in the heavens and earth exalteth the glory of God he is omnipotent and wise he it is that hath exiled the wicked from among them that have knowledg of the written Law when he the first time exiled them ye believed not that they should depart from their houses ye believed that their cittadels would defend them from his punishment but he surprized them and did cast terrour into their hearts and they destroyed their dwelling places with their own hands to assist the true-believers O ye that are wise consider their end If God had not appointed them to quit their Country he had chastised them in some other maner they in the end shall suffâ—r the pains of hell fire because they have disobeyed his Commandments and his Prophet he that shall disobey him shall be severely chastised ye cut not Palm trees and leave none standing but through Gods permission he covereth with shame and infamy them that disobey him See Kitab el tenior He commandeth you to give to the Poophet a part of the spoyl that ye shall gaine from your enemies as well of Horses and Camels as of other spoils he endueth him with power and authority over whom he pleaseth he is omnipotent He enjoyneth you to give to the Prophet a part of what ye shall conquer over them of the City of Mecca he
commandeth what pleaseth him Give a share to God to the Prophet his Parents Orphans the poor and pilgrims that no disorder may arise among you that are rich perform what the Prophet shall command you abstain from what he shall prohibit you and fear God he is severe in his chastisements do good to the poor that have forsaken their faculties and hoâ—ses and separated themselves from the wicked for the service of God and to defend his Law and his Prophet Theâ— that before them forsooke their Houses for the service of GOD affect those that have followed them they beare them no malice for the wealth they possesse although they themselves are necessitous They that are not avaritious shall be happy such as shall suceed them shall pray for them and say Lord pardon our sins and our brethren that were our predecessors in the observance of thy Commandements infuse no malice into our hearts against them that follow thy Law thou art gracious and mercifull Seest thou not that the wicked say to their brethren wicked as themselves had ye not so soon left Medina we had gone out with you and had never obeyed him whom ye have obeyed had ye fought we had defended you God seeth that they are impious had they delayed to goe forth they should not have gone forth with them had they fought they would not have succoured them they had turned the back and had found no protection they feare men more then God because they are ignorant The Jews shall not fight against you together unlesse in their fortresses and behind walls the War among them is cruell but think not that they may assemble and unite themselves their hearts are divided because they are ignorant they are like their predecessors who were chastised and slain and shall suffer great torments at the day of Judgement they are like to him whom the devill had seduced and said to him I am innocent of thine impiety I feare God Lord of the Universe the end of both is to be cast headlong into the fire of hell where they shall abide eternally such is the reward of the wicked O ye that believe feare â—od and consider what ye shall do at the day of Judgement feare God he knoweth whatsoever ye doe be not like to those that forget his Commandements he forgetteth them and they continue in the number of the damned they shall be most miserable and such as shall go into Paradise shall be blessed If wâ— should make the Alcoran to descend upon a mountain it will open it self with the feare it will have of the Word of God Thus doe I speak in parables to the people peradventure they will be converted There is but one only God who knoweth what is present future past he is gracious merciful there is but one God King of all things He is holy the deliverer true the punisher strong powerfull glorious Praised be God he hath no companion he is God the Creator who hath formed whatsoever is in the world all glorious attributes are due to him whatsoever is in heaven and earth exalt his glory he is omnipotent and wise CHAP. LX. The Chapter of Triall containing eighteene Verses written at Mecca Some Mahometan Doctors have intituled this the Chapter of Vocation because it entreateth of women that forsooke their husbands to follow the Law of Mahomet who appointed to try their hearts intention and to know their Vocation IN the name of God gracious and mercifull O ye that believe obey not mine nor your enemies ye shew kindnesse to them when ye meet them neverthelesse they reject the truth that hath been sent unto them and chase away the Prophet and you also and that because ye believe in God your Lord Seek not their friendship when ye fight against them for my Law I know what ye ought to feare and ye know it not he that shall doe what is here above prohibited followeth an evill way if they have advantage over you they will be your enemies they will stretch forth their hands and tongues against you they will revile you and desire that ye may renounce your faith if ye doe it ye shall have no content in your wives or children at the day of judgement ye shall be separated from them and God shall behold all your actions ye have a fair example in Abraham and them that were with him when they said to the people we are innocent of the sin that ye commit in worshipping any other God but God Abraham said to his father I will â—ot implore pardon of God for thee I am not able to deliver thee from his punishment if thou art an Idolater Lord all our confidence is in thee our refuge is in thy mercy protect not unbelievers against us pardon our sins thou art mercifull and wise ye have in them a faire example for them that feare God and apprehend the day of Judgement God hath not to doe with them that obey Infidels neither hath he need of any person and praise is due to him in all places peradventure he will establish for the future great amity between you and them that ye hate he is omnipotent gracious and mercifull he doth prohibite you the conversation of them that fight not against you for his faith and that expel you not from your houses he doth not forbid you to do them justice he loveth the just He forbiddeth you to converse with them that fight against your faith that drive you from your houses and aide to expell you he prohibiteth you to obey them and to contract amity with them such as obey them shall be exceedingly too blame O ye that beleeve in God! when the wives of your enemies shall throw themselves into your party trie their conscience if ye know them to be faithfull and to believe in the Law of God restore them not to the incredulous Infidels it is not lawfull for them to know them neither for the women to teach them give them subsistance ye shall not sin in espousing them marry them not after the laws of unbelievers demand of them what dowry they require they shall demand of you what ye are willing to bestow on them continue in accord God so commandeth he shall be your Judge at the day of Judgement he knoweth all your actions and is most wise If your wives revolt to the party of unbelievers and ye suffer any damage ye shall repaire that damage to him that suffereth out of the booty that ye shall conquer feare God and believe in the Law of his divine Majesty O Prophet when women shall desire to embrace thy Religion with firm purpose to believe in one only God not to steal neither to commit adultery neither to murther their children to lye blaspheme or be disobedient receive them implore pardon of God for them he is gracious and mercifull O ye that believe obey not them against whom God is angry they despaire of their salvation as the wicked dispaired
that died heretofore in their impiety CHAP. LXI The Chapter of Array containing fourteen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praise God all that is in heaven and earth he is omnipotent and wise O ye that believe say not that ye doe that which ye doe not God abhorreth them that say they doe what they doe not and loveth them that fight in rank and file for his Law like to a strong wall Remember thou that Moses said to his people ye shall doe me no harme ye shall know in the end that I am the Messenger of God but God seduced them from the right way when they departed from obedience to his Commandements he guideth not the wicked Remember thou that Jesus the son of Mary said to the children of Israel I am the Messenger of God he hath sent me to confirm the old Testament and to declare to you that there shall come a Prophet after me whose name shall be Mahomet When he came with miracles reasons most intelligible and arguments infallible they said that he was a Magician who is more impious then he that blasphemeth against God The Infidels would extinguish with their mouth the light of faith but God shall make it manifest against their will he hath sent his Prophet to guide the people into the way of salvation to teach them the truth of his Law and make it more evident then all other Laws of the world against the will of Infidels O ye that believe Will ye that I teach you one thing that shall deliver you from the pains of hell Believe in God and in his Prophet imploy your wealth and persons in fighting for his Law ye shall do exceeding well if ye have knowledge to understand it God shall pardon your offences he shall cause you to enâ—er into gardens wherein flow many rivers he shall cause you to goe into the beautifull Palaces of Eden where is supreme felicity he shall confer upon you yet another grace which ye desire viz victory over your enemies O ye that believe maintain the Law of God Jesus the Son of Mary said to his Apostles who will maintain the Law of God with me he shall be supported and protected of God The Apostles answered we will maintain it One part of the Children of Israel believed in Jesus and another rejected his Law we gave succor to them that believed against their enemies and they were victorious CHAP. LXII The Chapter of the Assembly containing eleven Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praise God all that is in heaven and earth praise the King holy majestique and omnipotent who hath sent his Prophet an Arabian by Nation to preach his Commandements to the Arabians to purifie them to teach them the Scriptures and mysteries of faith they were before seduced from the right way They that shall come after them shall not see a Prophet equall to him this is a speciall grace of God the omnipotent and wise he conferreth it on whom he listeth and his graces are immense They that preach the old Testament and performe not what it enjoyneth are like to an Asse charged with books Such are they that disobey the Commandements of God he guideth not the impious Oh ye Jews believe not your selves to be the beloved of God expect death ye shall understand your error they believe not that they shall be chastised for their sins but God beholdeth all the unjust Say unto them ye shall find one day the death that ye flie ye be sent back before God who knoweth what is present past and to come he shall set before you all that ye have done to be judged Oh ye that believe when yee are called to the assembly of Friday to make your prayers pray and quit your trade this shall be a good act it ye understand it when you shal have finished your prayers separate your selves goe whither you please and bâ—g of God his grace call frequently to mind his divine Majesty and ye shall be happy When the Infidels saw any thing of profit or any divertisement they forsook thee and went out from the Sermon Say unto them how great riches and delights are there with God he is the Rich of the rich CHAP. LXIII The Chapter of the wicked containing twelve Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull When the wicked shall come to visit thee they will say that they are witnesses that thou art a Prophet sent from God He well knoweth that thou art his Prophet he seeth that they dissemble and fell their faith to enjoy wealth in the world wherein they commit evill they say with the mouth we believe in the Law of God and are impious in their fouls impiety is imprinted in their hearts and they will not learne the mysteries of faith The beauty of their bodies shall not displease thee when thou shalt see them they erect themselves when they speak and resemble a piece of wood set up against a wall they feare all rumors that flie abroad and are your enemies Beware of them doubtlesse God will destroy them how can they blaspheme against his Law When it was said to them Come to the Prophet he shall beg pardon of God for your sins they shook the head and withdrew with pride misery is upon them whether thou implore pardon for them or dost not implore it God will not pardon them he abhorreth the wicked They say doe no good to them that follow that Prophet of God untill they abandon him the treasures of heaven and earth are Gods but they comprehend it not They say if we returne to the City of Medina we will drive thence shame and infamie and will there establish greatnesse and honour on the contrary greatnesse power and victory proceed from God his Prophet and them that believe in his Law but Infidels understand it not Oh ye that believe in God! your riches and your children ought not to seduce you from his service such as shall forsake it shall be in the number of the damned give alms of the wealth that he hath given you before the houre of your death arrive Then shall the wicked say Lord if thou hadst not so soon caused me to die I had embraced thy Law God retardeth not the day of any one when the hour is come he knoweth all that ye do CHAP. LXIV The Chapter of Deceipt containing eighteen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praise God whatsoever is in heaven and earth he is King of all things praise is due to him he is omnipotent He it is that hath created you Some observe his Commandements and others are unbelievers he beholdeth all your actions He created the heavens and the earth he formed you and ye shall be one day assembled before him to be judged he knoweth all that is in heaven and earth he understandeth your secrets and what ye publish
he is not ignorant of what is in the hearts of men Have ye not heard what did heretofore befall the wicked They were punished they dyed in their misery and in the end shall suffer grievous torments because God hath sent them Prophets to instruct them and they said what shall a man like our selves teach us the right way They despised them and forsook the Law of God he hath not to doe with them neither hath he need of the world praise is due to him in all places doe the wicked believe that they shall not rise againe Contrariwise God shall make them to revive and shall declare to them all that they have done this thing is easie to his divine Majesty Believe in God his Prophet and the light that he hath sent you he knoweth all your actions Remember thou the day when he shall summon all to Judgement this shall be the day of Dâ—ceipt they shall be known that have deceived themselves and those that have deluded their neighbours See Kitab el tenoir That day their sins shall be pardoned that shall have believed in his unity and have done good works they shall dwell eternally in Gardens wherein flow many Rivers the Infidels that despise his Commandements shall be precipitated into hell where they shall burn eternally No evill befalleth you but through Gods permission he giveth patience to him that believeth in his divine Majesty and knoweth all Obey God and his Prophet if ye obey him not know that the Prophet of God is obliged only to preach the truth of faith there is but one God all True-believers resigne themselves to his divine will Oh ye that believe ye have children and wives that are your enemies beware of their malice if ye pardon them if ye depart from them God shall be to you gracious and mercifull Wealth and children do often hinder you to obey God but know that he rewardeth abundantly the righteous feare him with all your power hearken to his Commandements obey him give alms he that is not avaricious shall be blessed if ye lend any thing to God he shall cause it to multiply he shall pardon your sins he accepteth the acknowledgement of his benefits and is most mercifull he knoweth what is present past and future is omnipotent and wise CHAP. LXV The Chapter of Divorce containing eighteen Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful O Prophet when ye repudiate your wives repudiate them following the Ordinances and Laws and reckon the time that they ought to tarry before they marry again Fear God your Lord cause them not to depart their houses neither expell them before the time appointed if they be not taken in adultery Such are the Ordinances of God he that shall transgress them shall do injury to himself peradventure God will enjoyn something concerning them of which ye are ignorant When the time that they ought to tarrie shall be finished retain or dismisse them with civility ye shall take persons of your Religion honest men that shall be witnesses of your actions depose with truth what ye have seen it is so appointed to them that believe in God and the day of Judgement God shall deliver from affliction him that shall have his fear before his eyes and shall enrich him when he least thinks of it He that shall trust in him shall not be deceived he doth what he pleaseth and hath appointed a prefixed time to every thing If the women hope no more to have their moneths and doubt that they are misreckoned they shall tarrie three moneths before they marry again if they be not Nurses if they be with child ye shall abstain till their delivery whosoever feareth God rejoyceth in the observance of his Commandements What is above is ordained of God he shall pardon their sins that have his fear before their eyes and give them an exceeding great reward Cause them that ye repudiate to dwell in your houses or neer to you abuse them not If they bee with châ—lde allow them what shall be necessary for them untill they shall be delivered if they desire to nurse their children ye shall give them an honest salarie and entreat them with civility and curtesie if ye like not this ye shall cause them to be nursed by another whose pains ye shall reward If ye be not wealthy you shall allow according to your power God doth not enjoyn any one to expend more then his ability permitteth he shall give you good after evill how many have been the Cities that have heretofore disobeyed the Commandements of God and of his Prophets We have kept an exact accompt of their sins their Inhabitants have been chastised and shall be in the end in the number of the damned God hath prepared for them grievous torments Oh ye that are wise fear God he hath sent you the Alcoran he hath sent you a Prophet to teach you the mysteries of his Law to lead you out of darkness and to guide into light them that shall believe in him and do good works he shall open to them the Gate of Paradise wherein flow many Rivers where they shall dwell eternally with all manner of content God! He it is that created the seven heavens and as much of earth and ordaineth among them what pleaseth him to the end ye may know that he is omnipotent and knoweth all things CHAP. LXVI The Chapter of Prohibition containing twelve Verses written at Medina IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull Oh Prophet prohibit not for the contentment of thy wives to do that which God hath permitted thee he is gracious and mercifull he hath appointed to do what is permitted by your Law he is your Lord is omniscient and most wise When the Prophet went to visit one of his wives God revealed to him what she desired to say to him he approved one part and rejected the other when he told his wife what was in her will to speak to him she demanded of him who had revealed it to him He that knoweth all things hath revealed it to me that ye may be converted your hearts are inclined to do what is forbidden if ye act any thing against the Prophet know that God is his protector the Angel Gabriel and all the believers will defend him the Angels shall protect him against you If it be his will to repudiate you God shall give him for the future other wives in your place that shall be obedient True believers humble faithfull devout contented milde clean virgins and not virgins Oh ye that believe in God! strenthen your selves you and your families in obedience to his Commandements the Idolaters shall burn in the fire of hell with their Idols the Angels deputed to torment them disobey not God they execute whatsoever is commanded them Oh ye that are Infidels there is no excuse for you ye shall be chastised after your demerits Oh ye that believe turn to God with affection he shall pardon