he had given them and all of them exalted the glory of his divine Majesty above the Idols of the Infidels that adored things which could create nothing that are things created and can do neither good nor harme If you call Idolaters to thâ— right way they will not follow you if ye invoke Idols misery shall be upon you will you be mute to professe the unity of God will you worship the Creatures instead of the Creators Go adore your Idols and may they heare your prayers if you believe them to be Gods Have they feet to walk hands to touch eys to see and eares to heare Say unto them if ye invoke your Idols and conspire against me you shall find none to protect you God is my protector he hath caused the Alcoran to descend from Heaven he is the defendor of the righteous what ye adore can neither benefit nor hurt you If thou invokest Idols they shall not heare thee they shall look upon thee and shall not see thee do what is lawfull to be done command things honest and depart from the ignorant if the Devill would seduce thee trust in God he heareth and knoweth all things such as fear him remember his mercies and chastisements when they are tempted of the Devil Although Infidels know the Truth the Devill ceaseth not to continue them in their sin they alwayes follow their impiety If thou goest to them to instruct them they say thou singest an old song say unto them I doe what my Lord inspired into me what I teach you is the light of faith the right way and the grace of God for them that believe in his divine Majesty for such as heare the Alcoran and study it perhaps God will give you his mercy Remember thou â—od in thy soul worship in publique and private pray unto him evening and morning and be not in the number of the ignorant The Angels that are near to thy Lord neglect not to worship him they prayse and adore him with humility CHAP. VIII The Chapter of the spoile containing seventy and five verses written at Medina Mahomets men differed concerning division of the spoyle which they took at the battell of Beder Mahomet divided it among them IN the name of God gracious and mercifull They will demand of thee to whom appertaineth the spoyle Say unto them the spoyle appertaineth to God and his Prophet Feare God live with mutuall amity and obey his divine Majesty and his Prophet if you believe in his Law Such as feare when they heare mention of God who augment their faith when they have heard relation of his miracles who trust in him who persevere in their prayers and dispend in pious works some part of their wealth believe in the unity of his divine Majesty they have the degree of their habitation in Paradise shall receive from their Lord pardon of their sinnes and exceeding great treasure When thy Lord caused thee to goe out of thine house to goe against the Infidels a party of the true believers had a great aversion to fighting See Gelaldin they disputed with thee the necessity of Combats having seen and known that their enemies led them to a certain death Call to mind that God promised you that a party of the Army of the Enemies should obey you Desire you other thing then the glory and honour of victory God confirmeth the Truth by his words and destroyeth the wicked he ratifieth the Truth and destroyeth falshood although it be contrary to the will of the impious Remember that your Lord heard you when you of him implored succors and that he assisted you with a thousand of his Angels sent from Heaven God sent you this aide only to let you know his grace and to confirme your hearts victory proceedeth from God he is omnipotent and most prudent Remember that God covered you with a secure sleep and caused water to descend from Heaven to wash purifie and deliver you from the malice of the Devill Plant in your heart generosity and patience and goe on with assurance God hath said to his Angels I will be with you confirme the steps of the True-believers I will cast feare into the heart of the wicked strike them on the head smite them on the fingers and feet because they have contradicted my will and that of the Prophet God severely chastiseth such as disobey his Commandements and oppose the will of his Prophet the unbelievers have heretofore tasted of his punishments in this world and shall in the end feele the paines of the fire of Hell Oh yee who believe in God! turne not the back to the wicked as vanquished when they approach to fight you he that shall turne the back shall returne in the wrath of God and be throwne headlong into the fire of Hell You slew not the Infidels at the fight of Beder God himselfe slew them See Gelaldin * Ob Mahomet Thou didst not cast stones against them God did cast them to advantage the True-believers he understandeth whatsoever they say and knoweth all their actions certainly he will augment the affliction of the wicked When ye required victory it was given you if you relinquish your impiety you shall doe well if you retutne to fight against the Prophet know that he will protect him against you your men of War shall advantage you in nothing notwithstanding they be numerous for that God is with the True-believers O ye that believe obey God his Prophet depart not from him since ye have heard the Commandements of his divine Majesty be not as those that say We have heard and were deaf and dumb The ignominy and misery that God layeth â—n beasts is to be deaf and dumb and to want the use of reason Had God seen any good inclination in the Infidels he had not left them in their deâ—fâ—nesse but although they had heard clearly they should have alwayes departed from his Law and have been obstinate O ye that believe in God! obey God and the Prophet demand life eternall in your prayers and know that God will separate the Gall frâ—m the Liver he will separate the Infidell from the True-believer and you all shall appeare before him to be â—â—compensed and chastised â—or your works feare the punishment that shall be inflicted especially on the seditious and ingratefull God is â—evere in his chastisements Remember that in the territory of Mecca ye were but â—n handfull of weak men and with feare of being taken and destroyed by the unbelievers God saved protected and enriched you with all manner of good things peradventure ye will give him thanks Oh ye that believe betray not God noâ— the Prophet neither such as confide in you and have entrusted their wealth in your hands otherwise your riches and children shall torment you in the other world There is with God great reward for the righteous O ye that believe if ye feare God he shall remove your enemies farre from you and
little or much and limit the time wherein payment ought to bee made such writings are just before God give more efficacy to testimonie and are requiâ—â—te â—o avoide your complaints one of another If your merchandize be present you shall take it betweene you at the same time then shall you not sinne in not drawing a writing or contract Call witnesses when you sell or buy neither the witnesses nor the Notary shall receive any dammage If you shall doe that which is forbidden you shall doe very ill Feare God he will teach you his Commandements he knoweth all things If you are in a journey and cannot find a Notary you shall give earnest If one trusteth in the other he that shall be trusted in shall satisfie his promise and feare God his Lord no man shall conceale his testimony he that shall conceale shall sinne in his heart God knoweth all your actions Whatsoever is in Heaven or in Earth belonging unto God whether you conceale or reveale what in your minds he shall require an account of you he pâ—â—doneth and chastiseth whom it pleaseth him he is oâ—nipotent The Prophet believed in all that God sent him as likewise all the true believers Such as believe God the Angels and Scriptures and generally all 〈◊〉 Prophets without exception say We have heard 〈◊〉 obeyed Pardon us oh Lord Thou art our refuge Gâ—â— requireth of no man more then he is able to peeform the good that a man shall doe shall be for himselfe 〈◊〉 the evill that he doth shall be likewise agninst him Lâ—â— excuse us if wee have forgotten thee or sinned Lâ—â— charge us not with any heavy burthen as thou diâ—charge them that were before us charge us not with tâ—â—â— which we are not able to suport blot out our sinnes 〈◊〉 give us thy mercy Thou art our Lord give us victory â—gainst the Infidels CHAP. III. The Chapter of the Lienage of Ioachim containing two hâ—â—dred verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am 〈◊〉 most wise God God! There is but one only God â—â—ving and eternall He hath sent to thee the Book 〈◊〉 containeth truth and confirmeth the Scriptures 〈◊〉 were sent before it He sent the Old Testament and 〈◊〉 Gospell that were heretofore guides to the people 〈◊〉 hath sent the Alcoran that distinguisheth good from â—vill they that believe not in the Law of God shall 〈◊〉 severely chastised He is omnipotent and revengefull Nâ—thing is hid from him in Heaven or in Earth It is 〈◊〉 that formed you in the wombes of your mothers as it plâ—â—sed him there is no God but the omnipotent and 〈◊〉 God He it is that sent to thee the Book whose preceâ—â—â—â— are necessary See Kitab el tenoir they are the originall and foundation the Law like in puritie one to the other and with contradiction Such as in their heart incline to depart from the truth doe often follow their inclination desirous of sedition and to understand the explication of the Alcoran but none understand its explication but God and such as are profound in learning they say we believe in God all things proceed from his divine wisdome neverthelesse none remember â—ut the wise Lord cause not our hearts to erre after thou hast guided us into the right way give us thy mercy thou art most bountifull towards thy creatures Lord thou art hee that shalt assemble the world at the day of Iudgement at which day nothing shall be found doubtfull when thou wilt not goe against thy promises and when wealth and children shall not serve to the wicked but to kindle the fire of Hell The Infidell lineage of Pharoah and those that preceded him blasphemed and abjured the Law of God but he surprized them in their sinne hee is grievous in his chastisements Say to the Infidels they shall be vanquished and shall be gathered together into the fire of Hell that is prepared for them You have an example in the two Troops that fought for the glory of God they beheld with their eyes Infidels become true believers like unto themselves God strengthneth with his aide whom it pleaseth him this shall be for example to such as shall cleerly see The love and desire of women of children of riches abundance of gold and of silver of horses cattell and of tillage are pleasing to men such are the riches of the life of this world but the most assured refuge is in God Say unto them I will declare unto you things much better for them that shall have the feare of God before their eyes they shall dwell eternally in Paradise where flow many rivers with women beautifull and leane and all manner of content God beholdeth them that adore him and that say Lord we believe in thy Law pardon our sinnes and deliver us from the torments of fire The patient the persevering true believers the obedient the good men such as beg pardon of God in the morning the Angels the Learned that love Iustice testifie that there is but one only God The Law of salvation is a Law pleasing to his divine Majestie no man contradicteth this truth among * The Iews and Christians such as know the written Law but through envie He that shall not obey the Commandements of God shall find his divine Majesty very exact to call him to an accompt See Gelaldin If the impious dispute with thee say to them I am wholy resigned to the will of God The Iews and Christians with all such as have followed me Aske of such as know the written Law and them that know it not if they resigne themselves to God if they doe they will follow the right way The Arabians if they goe astray thou hast none other obligation but to preach to them God beholdeth them that adore him See Kitab el tenoir Declare grievous torments to those that conceale his Commandements that kill the Prophets and injure them that instruct the people in Iustice the good works that they doe shall be unprofitable to them on earth and they shall be in the other world dâ—prived of protection Seest thou not a partie of them that know the written Law how they were called to a Lecture of the Book of God to the end they might judge with equitie the differences that are among them but many are returned to their sinne they contemned the Scripture in that they said the fire shall not touch us but for a certain number of dayes They are deceived in their blasphemies what will become of them when we shall assemble them at the day of Iudgement when nothing shall be doubtfull and every one shall be recompensed as he shall have merited No in justice shall be done unto them Say Lord thou possessest the Kingdomes of the world thou givest Royalty to whom thou seest good from thy hand oh Lord proceedeth all good thou art Omnipotent thou causest day to enter the night and night the day thou
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
is in this fire and whatsoever is about it is blessed praise is due to God Lord of the Vniverse I am God omnipotent and eternall Cast thy staffe on the ground When Moses beheld his staffe to move as it had been alive He went back very sorrowfull and returned no more Feare not that staffe my messenger and my Prophets have no fear in my presence he that shall be converted shall finde me gracious and mercifull Put thine hand into thy pocket it shal come forth white without harm it shal be one of the nine marks of my omnipotency Pharoah and his Ministers were altogether erroneous when they saw my Miracles they said that thâ—y were but sorcery they disposed them and increased their impiety Consider what is the end of the wicked and how they have been destroyed we gave knowledg to David to Solomon they said God who hath gratifyed us above many of his servants that have beleivd in his omnipotency Solomon was Davids heire and said to the people we understand the Language of birds we know whatsoever can be known it is an exceeding great grace Solomons Army being one day assembled before him composed of men Devils and birds he lead them to the valley of Pismires a Pismire their Queen cryed out oh Pismires enter into your houses least Solomon and his troups trample you under foot without knowledge of it Solomon hearing these words remained sometime without speaking and in the end began to laugh saying Lord assist me that I may give thee thanks for the benefits and graces which thou didst conferr upon my Father If I do well thou wilt accept it place me through thy mercy in the number of them that exalt thy glory He called for the †A Bird so called Whoope and said wherefore see I not the Whoope is she in the number of the absent I will punish and put her to death if she have not a lâ—â—â—â—ll excuse not long after she humbled her selfe before Solomon who asked her whence she came she answered I come from seeing what thou seest not I come from the Kingdom of Saba whence I bring certain tidings I have found a woman their Queen who hath whatsoever is necessary for a King she hath a great and magnificent Thron I have found that she with her Subjects adore the Sun the Devill caused them to delight in this their Action he hath seduced them from the right way and they shall be in Error untill they worship one God who sendeth rain from Heaven maketh the earth to produce plants and fruits who knoweth whatsoever is in the hearts of men and what they utter God! There is but one God Lord of the Vniverse Solomon said I shall soon see if thou speak truth or whither thou be in the number of the lyars goe bear to her this letter and obsâ—rve what she and her people shall answer At her arivall the Queen said to her Ministers Oh ye that are raised to dignity in my dominions a Letter is given me from Solomon of this tenour In the name of God gracious and mercifull rise not up against me and obey me Give me counsell what I ought to do I will do nothing without your advice and what you see not with your eyes They answered Our welfare and misery depend on thee command whatsoever shall seem good to thee and we will obey thee She said When Kings enter a City they introduce many disorders they abase and humble the chiefe of the Inhabitants and the most eminent if Solomon his people come hither they will use us in the like maner I think it requisit to send to him an Ambassador with some presents perhaps he will take a resolution to return When the Ambassador arrived in Solomons presence he said unto him Do ye bring me presents God hath bestowed on me more riches then on you presents rejoyce you because ye love them Return to them that sent you I will go visit them with forces so great that they shall not be able to resist I will drive them out of their dominions and they shall be miserable if they obey me not Then he said to his people Sits who will bring to me the Royall Seat of that woman before she and her subjects obey me One of the Devils said unto him I I will bring it before thou arise from thy place I am strong enough to bear it I will carry it carefully One of them that attended Sâ—lomon Gelaldin saith he knew the name of God who knew the Scriptures said I will bring it to thee in the twinkling of an eye When Solomon beheld this Throne before him he said Behold here a favor of God to try if â— would acknowledg his benefits He that returneâ—h thanks to God for his graces performeth his duty he rejecteth him that is ingratful I will try if she followeth the right way or whether she be in the number of the seduced They changed something in her Royall seat to try if she would know it when she arrived in Solomons presence At her arrival they shewed it her and asked if it resembled her own she replyed It resembleth it This Quee was called Balkis as if it were the same She had knowledge of the right way but that which the people and she adored instead of God had seduced them from the obedience of his divine Majesty They spake to her to enter into a gallery See Gelaldin when she beheld the pavement she believed it to be water and in lifting up her robe fearing to wet it discovered her Legg Solomon told her that the pavemenâ— was of pollished glass and exhorted her to embrace the Law of God Then she said Lord I am too blame in having offended thee I am obedient with Solomon to the Commandments of the God of the Universe We sent Salhe to Temod his people to exhort them to worship one God he said unto them O people flye to the mercy of God if ye implore pardon of him ye shal be pardoned They said wouldst thou draw us into thine error into the erroâ— of them that are with theâ— He said God shall chastise you ye are seditious They were nine persons in the City that defâ—led the earth and did no good they said among them Let us this night kill the Prophet and his adherents we will say to them that seeke him That we saw him not neither them that slew him and will swear that we speak truth They were cunning but we were more subtle then they and they knew it not Consider what was the Issue of their stratagems we destroyed them with their followers and their houses are become desart because of their impiety This shall serve for example to them that have knowledge of Our omnipotency We served the Prophâ—t and all the True-beleivers that were with him Remember then the History of Lot who said to his Citizens Will ye alway defile your selvs in uncleannesse in
unto them you shall assist with your goods your father and mother your allies Orphans the poore and pilgrims God will understand all the good you shall doe Fighting is enjoyned you although it bee against your will it may chance that you will shunne that which is profitable to you and likewise love what is pernicious to you God knoweth what you know not They shall aske of thee if they shall fight in the month of Mharam say unto them great battels shalt happen in this month that shall shut up to the people the way of the Law of God and impieâ—ies that shall hinder the multitude to goe to Mecca To drive the people from Mecca is an exceeding great sinne Sedition is worse then murther The wicked shall not cease to fight you untill they have if they can accomplish â—t mislead you from your Religion His good works among you that shall quit his Law and die an Infidell shall be vaine in this world and himselfe be confined in the fire of Hell Such as belâ—eve in God that separate themselves from the impious that abandon their houses for the service of his Divine Majestie and that fight for the Faith hope for his mercy he is gracious and mercifull They will enquire of thee concerning wine and games of hazard say unto them that it is in them a very great sin and yet of utility to men but the evill that they cause is much greater then the profit they reape They will demand what they ought to expend in â—ood works say unto them what shall remaine to you your â—wne affaires being done So God teacheth you his Comâ—andements peradventure you will call to mind the things â—f earth and of heaven They will enquire concerning Orâ—hans say unto them if their substance bee intermingled â—ith your owne doe them no wrong they are your breâ—â—ren in God he knoweth them that doe good and those â—â—t doe evill if it had pleased him he had detained much â—ore from you for he is Omnipotent and just Marry not â—omen that believe in many gods untill they believe in one â—le God a Slave that is a true believer is of more vaâ—â—e then a free Infidell notwithstanding she is beautifull â—fidels shall be summoned to hell fire and God calleth â—en to Paradise and to his mercy through his meere â—od pleasure and declareth to them his Commandements â—haps they will remember them They will enquire of â—ee concerning the monthly terms of women answer â—â—at they are uncleane separate your selves from your â—ives when they are menstruous and come not nigh them â—â—till they bee purified when they shall be cleane apâ—roach them according to what God hath commanded â—e loveth them that repent of their errors that are cleane â—d purified your wives are your tillage goe to your tilâ—ge at your pleasure and doe good for your souls you â—all one day find it feare God and preach his Commanâ—â—ments to the true believers Your Religion doth not perâ—it you to sweare by God in vaine and oftentimes to â—â—stifie your selves God understandeth and knoweth all â—ings he will not regard what you shall speake at ranâ—ome that shall not bee hurtfull to any but he will see â—hat it shall be in your heart He will be gracious and merâ—ifull to such as shall sweare not to touch their wives the â—ace of foure months if they returne to them he is graâ—ious and mercifull but if they desire to repudiate them â—e understandeth and knoweth all things Women diâ—orced shall tarry untill their Termes be past foure times â—efore they marry againe it is not permitted them to conâ—eale what God hath created in their wombe if they beâ—ieve in his divine Majesty and the day of Iudgement if they flie from their husbands they shall be brought agaâ—â— to them which is a thing reasonable They ought to â—nour them and their husbands likewise ought to honoâ—â— them but the husbands have a degree of advantage aboâ—â— them God is Omnipotent and most wife in what he 〈◊〉 dameth Divorce the first and second time ought to bâ— performed with mildnesse courtesie and good deeds is not lawfull for you to take any thing from your wives what you have given them if you both feare a disability not satisfying the Commandements of God but if yâ—â— both feare to transgresse the bounds prescribed by Goâ— you shall doe well to accord together such are the coâ—mandements of his divine Majesty such as transgresse thâ— are exceedingly too blame He that shall have repudiated wife thrice shall not resume her untill she hath been mâ—ryed to another that hath divorced her then they may 〈◊〉 turne to each other and marry againe without Sinne they thinke themselves able to continue within the lâ—â— prescribed by God which he manifesteth to the wise â— prudent When you shall repudiate your wives appoâ— them the time they must tarry before they againe maâ— take them with civility and modestie and in the like mâ—ner dismisse them give them presents according to your â—bilities and take them not to abuse nor torment theâ— they that doe this offend their owne Souls Mocke noâ— the Commandements of God Remember his favours 〈◊〉 how he hath taught you Scripture knowledge and 〈◊〉 mysteries of his law Feare God and know that he â—â—derstandeth all your actions When you repudiate yâ—â—â— wives appoint them the time they ought to tarry beâ—â—â—â— they marry againe and hinder them not to marry acâ—â—â—ding to the Commandements of God These things preached to them among you that believe in God and the day of Iudgement it is requisite so to make useâ— them God knoweth what you know not The woman 〈◊〉 give suck to their children two yeares entire if they fire to accomplish the time appointed to suckle them 〈◊〉 father shall nourish and cloath the wife and his childrâ—â— according to his faculties expend not but according the measure of your goods the father and mother shall not necessitate themselves for their children the heire shall performe what is above ordained he shall entertaine his father and mother according to his abilities See Gelaldin if the parents desire to weane their children before two years be expired they may do it without offending God if they both agree to it If you cause your children to be nursed by other women then your own wives God will not be offended in giving them their sallary according to reason and honesty feare God and know that he seeth what ever you doe Widdows shall tarry foure months and ten nights after the death of their husbands before they marry againe this time being accomplished they shall doe what shall seeme good to them according to reason and honesty God knoweth all your actions You will not offend God in speaking a word in secret to women that you research in marriage although you conceale in your mind your designe to espouse them he understandeth what ever you thinke of them know them not secretly untill you have pronounced the words
world at the day of Judgement and every one shall receive the recompence that he shall have merited he shall augment his favours upon them that shall have believed in his divine Majestie and have done good works he shall chastise them that shall have held it a dishonour to be his servants and have been proud upon the Earth they shall find no safe refuge but in his mercy Oh people God hath sent you a Protector a most strong argument and a most cleare light they that shall trust in God shall enjoy his grace and he shall guide them into the right way They will enquire of thee concerning successions say to them God teacheth you touching successions as followeth If a man decease without issue and hath a sister she shall have the moity of what he shall leave and shall inherit it if she have no children If they be two sisters they shall have two thirds of what the deceased left if they be many brothers and many sisters the Sonne shall have as much as two daughters God teacheth you his Commandemements depart not from the right way he is Omniscient CHAP. V. The Chapter of the Table containing an hundred and twenty verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull O ye that believe in God! Satisfie what you have promised it is permitted you to eat of the beasts that be in the world except of what shall be hereafter declared Hunting is forbidden you during the time that you shall goe on Pilgrimage to Mecca God ordaineth what he will O ye that believe say not That it is permitted to doe what God hath prohibited performe what is commanded you during the month of Pilgrimage give no impediment to such as carry presents to Mecca nâ—ither to them that assume * The old Arabians in devotion pâ—t the leaves and bâ—aâ—â—â—es of Trees upon their necks like collers as the Peasaâ—ts in many places in France do the herbs of Sâ— John Collers neither hinder Pilgrims to repaire thither to demand the Grace of God and his mercies It is lawfull for you to hunt when you shall have finished your pilgrimage beware lest some pesons cause you to sin and hinder your going to Mecca to oblige you to punish them repose your confidence in the justice and feare of God and not in the sin and malice of your neighbour Feare God who is severe in his chastisements It is forbidden you to eat Carrion See Kitab el tenoir Blood Swines flesh and whatsoever is not killed in pronouncâ—ng the name of God you are prohibited to eat Animals strangled choakt knockt down precipitated that are slain striking each other and such as beasts shall have slain if you find them not alive to let out their blood in pronouncing the name of God You shall not eat of beasts sacrificed to Idols Consult not with Southsayers or Lots it is a great sin The day shall come when they that have abandoned your Law See Gelaldin shall be desperate feare not them and feare me The day will come when I shall accomplish your Law and my grace shall be abundantly upon you The Law of Salvation is the Law that I desire to give you If any one be in necessity and eateth of what is prohibited without a will to sin God shall be to him gracious and mercifull They will demand of thee what is permitted them to eat Say to them it is lawfull to eat all sorts of beasts that are not uncleane and whatever hath been taught you from God touching beasts that hath been wounded by Lions or Dogs eat the beast you shall take and remember God in blooding them feare God he is exact to take account This day it is lawfull that you eat what is not uncleane and the meats of them that know the written Law The Jewes and Christians their meats are lawfull for you and yours for them You are permitted to espouse maidens and women of free condition that are of your Religion and maidens and women of free condition that know the written Law giving them their dowry with civility commit neither Concubinage nor Adultery with them neither secretly or publiquely the good works of him that shall renounce your Law shall be unprofitable he shall be at the day of Judgment in the number of the damned O ye that believe in God when you would make your prayers wash your faces your hands to the elbow and passe your hand over your head and over your feet to the ancles If you be polluted purifie your selves if sick or in a journey or about to discharge your belly or have knowne women and find no water to wash you lay hand on the sand passe it over your visage and wipe therewith your hands God enjoyneth you nothing irksome but willeth you be cleane and desireth to accomplish his grace upon you peradventure you will give him thanks O yee that believe in God! call to mind his grace and promise he made to you when you said We heard and obeyed feare him he knoweth all that is in your hearts O ye that believe in God! obey his Commandements and be true in your Testimonies take heed that no man move you to offend God in divertâ—ng you from what is just render justice to all his feare inviteth you to it have it before your eyes hee knoweth all your actions hath promised his grace and great recompenses to the True believers that shall doe good works in this world and hath prepared Hell to punish Infidels O ye that believe in God! remember his favour towards you when some persons would have extended their hands upon you and how he delivered you from their malice Corcis Enemie to Mahomet Feare him all true believers ought to resigne themselves to his will God received the promise of the Children of Israel to observe his Commandemements he established among them twelve Captains and said to them I will be with you when you shall make prayers pay your Tithes believe in the Prophets defend them and shall lend to me any almes I will cover your sinnes and cause you enter Paradise wherein flow many rivers and he among you that shall be an Infidell shall bee entirely erroneous from the right path When they swarved from what they had promised we gave them our curse and hardned their heart they have altered the words of the Scripture and abjured what they had approved Thou shalt not know them that shall bee Traitors except very few of them forgive and depart from them God loveth them that doe good We likewise received the promise of those who call themselves Christians but they have forgotten what they promised they have altered what was taught them and we have cast among them enmitie and hatred even untill the day of Judgement That day God shal cause them to know what ever they had done for their punishment O yee that know the written Law our * Mahomâ—t Prophet is come to bring
our miseries The Angels shall answer Hell shall be your habitation you shall there remaine eternally and so long as it shall please God Your Lord is most wise and omniscient the wicked shall obey the wicked because of their sinnes Oh ye Bands of men and Devils have you not seen my Prophets and Apostles of your own Nation who have given you to see Miracles who have preached my Commandements and the day of Judgement They shall answer they have seen the Prophets and Apostles but that the life of the world rendred them proud and shall confesse themselves to have been wicked God shall not destroy Mecca for the injustice therein committed untill he hath sent an Apostle to the Inhabitants to teach them his Commandements every one shall be punished according to his works thy Lord knoweth whatsoever is done in the world Hee hath no need of his people he is altogether mercifull he can destroy you if it please him and establish in your place another people as he hath established you in the place of your predecessors If you be not converted you shall not escape the torments of Hell Say unto them do as you understand him I will comport my selfe as I shall apprehend him you shall in the end understand who shall have the good part in the other world None shall give succour to Idolaters they they offer to their Idols of the fruits that God hath created and say following their thoughts behold our God! Such sacrifices ascend not to God their Idolatrie hath induced many of them to sacrifice their own Children to their false Gods they have destroyed them and were ensnared in their Religion which they had not done had it so pleased God Separate thy selfe from them and their blasphemies they have said that the fruits of the earth and the benefits of God were unclean and would not eat of them God giveth food but to those whom he is pleased to gratifie They have prohibited to ride on some beasts that God gave them and slew them for food without pronouncing the name of his divine Majestie which is a great sin but they shall be punished according to their demerits They have said it is lawfull for men to eat what is in the bellies of beasts and that it is unlawfull for their wives and when they had slain them they did eat for company but God shall chastise them for their discourse he is most wise and Omniscient Such as slay their Children are wretched men fooles and ignorant they have forbidden to eat the good things that God hath given them to blaspheme and are gone astray from the right way It is God who created the gardens full of fruits and herbs of divers colours with Olives Pomegranets and other fruits alike and different Eat of the fruits of the Earth Pay the due appointed when you reap and dispense not your substance lightly God abhorreth prodigals Of clean beasts some there be that have borne the burden and others that are young and have not borne it Eat what God hath given you and follow not the foot-steps of the Devill he is your open enemie Say unto them behold eight paire of beasts viz. two paire of Weathers See Kitab el tenoir two of Ewes two of Camels and two paire of Cowes of which is it permitted or forbidden you to eat Is it lawfull for you to eat the males or females Which are those that God hath forbidden you Who is more wicked then he that blasphemeth to seduce from the right way the people that are ignorant God guideth not the unjust Say unto them In all that God hath inspired into me I finde not that it is prohibited to eat of those beasts except they die of some disease and if they be slain without pronouncing the name of God The flesh of Swine is forbidden you if you eat of it you incurre the wrath of God If any one be in necessity and eateth without designe to provoke God he shall find God gracious and mercifull We forbad the Jews to eat of beasts whose feet were cloven and of the fat of Beasts except of such as is interlarded in the flesh the entrails and the bones We enjoyned this prohibition by reason of their sinne and we are veritable in our words and exact in our promises If they slander thee Say unto them the mercy of God is great and the wicked shall not avoid the punishment of their crimes The Infidels have said had it pleased God we had not been unbelievers neither our fathers also and nothing had been prohibited Their predecessors spake as they untill they felt the punishment of their sins Say unto them Are you assured that God is content with your proceeding Tell us whence ariseth this assurance You in this follow but your opinion you are but lyers Gods providence is great he had guided all of you in the right way had it so pleased him Cause them come before us who said It is unlawfull to eat of clean Beasts were they present when God made the Prohibition If they say they were present say not as they Neither follow the appetites of blasphemous Infidels who believe not in the end of the word and worship many Gods Say unto them Come I will instruct you what is by God forbidden to be eaten there is but one sole God say not he hath companions equal to him do good to your Father and Mother and slay not your children in fear of dying with famine God shall bestow on you and them also what shall be necessary commit not whoredome either privately or publikely kill no man if justice do not command it God requireth you to observe what is above ordained perhaps you will consider it Take not the goods of Orphans but to succour them untill they be of age of discretion measure and weight with good weight and just measure I enjoyn no man any thing but what is in his power to performe Judge with equity although it be against your parents and allies satisfie what is above ordained God commandeth it peradventure you will consider it it is the right way which you ought to pursue go not aside God commandeth it perhaps you will fear his divine Majestie We taught Moses our Commandements it is a peculiar grace to instruct the righteous and guide the people in the right way it may be you will believe in the Resurrection O ye Inhabitants of Mecca We have sent to you the Alcoran full of benediction perform what is ordained the impiety your sins shall be forgiven you say not That God hath sent his Law to the two Nations that preceded you and that it is hid from you Will you say The Jews and Christians That had God taught you the Scripture you had been more obedient then they Certainly he hath taught you his Commandements it is a speciall grace to guide you into the right way Who is more unjust then he that blasphemeth against his divine Majesty and
that they are yours and are not and fear to be discovered if they meet with any Den Cave or House wherein to hide them they speedily repaire thither There be of them that say it is ignominious to give alms if they give alms it is with cholor if they gave them for the love of God and his Prophet they would say God is our benefactor he will give uâ— through his grace and to the Prophet whatsoever shalâ— be necessary our hope is in him Alms are appointed foâ— the poor for them that recommend themselves to God to redeem Slaves for such as are in debt and necessitous God knoweth all things and is most prudent in what hâ— ordaineth There be among them who deprave the Prophet and say he shall understand what we say say unto them should it be to you a great advantage to hear well The Prophet believeth in God and teacheth true believers the Truth the mercy of God is for them that believe in his divine Majesty Such as detract from the Prophet shall feel grievous torments they swear by the Name of God that they desire to content God and his Prophet it is reasonable that they content them if they be good men know they not that such as transgress the Will of God and that of his Prophet shall be eternally damned The wicked fear lest God should discover to the righteous the malice that they conceal in their souls and that they contemne them Say unto them ye shall be contemned for God bringeth to light what you feare If you question them concerning what they say they will answer for excuse that they had no evill intent and that they but jeast say unto them will you jeast with God with his Commandements and his Prophets There is none excuse for you ye are truly impious if God pardon any one of you he shall rigorously punish such as persist to offend him The wicked teach among them impiety to their posterity they depart from the truth they goe hand in hand and agree to disobey God they forget God and God forgetteth them he hath prepared hell for them where they shall remain eternally he hath cursed them and they shall feel the torment of infinite pains The wicked that were before you shall undergo them like you they were more powerfull then you they possessed store of wealth and had many children they possessed part of their substance and ye possesse yours as did your predecessors ye were plunged in impiety as they were plunged but the good works that they have done in this world shall be to them unprofitable and at the day of Judgement they shall be in the number of the miserable Have they not known the History of their Predecessors the History of the people of Noah of Aad of Temod of Abraham and the cities that were subverted The Prophets preached to them the Commandements of God who did to them no injustice they drew affliction on themselves through the enormitie of their crimes The true believers mutually obey each other they command to do what things are honest prohibit to act what is not approved they make their prayers at the time appointed distribute tithes obey God and his Prophet God shall remit to them their sins he is Omnipotent and hath promised to them gardens wherein flow many rivers and an habitation full of content in Eden he hath promised them his grace which is the perfection of felicitie O Prophet fight against the Infidels fortifie thy self against them hell shall be their habitation they shall swear by the Name of God that they have not traduced thee nevertheless they have detracted and uttered words full of impietie they have denied to have been enriched through the grace of God and of his Prophet if they turn they shall do well if they abandon the Faith God shall punish them in this world and in the other with grievous torments and on earth they shall find no protector there be of them who have inclined to capitulate with God and have said if God doth good to us we will believe in him when he did good to them they were niggards and avaritious they have erred and disobeyed his Commandements but he chastised them because of their impiety he hath imprinted it in their hearts untill the day of Judgement for that they have disobeyed him because they violated their promises and by reason of their lies know they not that God understandeth what they conceale in their hearts and that he knoweth what is present past and future There be of them who deride the true believers that give almes according to their power God shall deride them and they shall feel the rigour of eternall pains implore pardon for them or implore it not when thou shalt beg sixty and ten times pardon for them God shall not pardon them because they are ingratefull towards him and his Prophet God doth not guide them that disobey him they rejoyced to be left behinde the Prophet when he went to fight for the Service of God they had an aversion to fight and employ their persons and goods for the Service of his diviâ—e Majestie they said we will not go out of our houses with this heat say to them hell is much more hot could you comprehend they shall laugh at a little in this world and shall weep much in the other for a punishment of their sins If thou meet them and they demand permission to go out with thee to fight for the Faith say to them you shall not go out neither shall ye ever fight against the enemy with me ye were slothfull and cowards the first time remain with the unbelievers pray not for them after their death and stay not at their Tombs because they believed neither in God nor his Prophet and died in their wickednesse Be thou not astonished neither at the abundance of their wealth nor the number of their children God will make use of them to chastise them in this world and will destroâ— them in their impiety When command was sent to them to believe in God and fight with his Prophet the most powerfull among them desired thee to excuse them and said Leave us with them that continue in their houses and desire to remain with the sick the women and little children God hardened their hearts and they shall never learn the truth The Prophet and true believers that were with them and fought and employed their persons and goods for the Service of God shall be blessed he hath prepared for them gardens wherein flow many rivers with perfection of felicity Some of the Arabians came to excuse themselves of going to the war and such as renounced God and the Prophet remained in their houses but they shall rescent grievous torments because of their wickedness the sick the impotent and those that want means to be present at the war offend not God in abâ—ding in their houses provided they be faithfull to his divine Majestie and his Prophet
he will have to die in the heavens and earth the second time all the world shall rise again and attend his commandments the earth shall be full of the light of the Lord thereof he shall bring his book where in shal be written what the Prophets Martyrs have taught he shal judg the world with equity shall not do injustice to any every one shal be rewarded chastised for his works he knoweth all that they have don he shal send the Infidels into the fire of hel in troops â—hen they shal be arrived at the gate it shal open before their eyes it shall be said unto them behold Hell which ye have merited were there not Prophets and Apostles to teach you the Commandments of God and to preach unto you on Earth the coming of this rigorous day They shall say yes but the word of God shall be accomplished against the wicked It shall be said unto them goe enter into Hell ye shall abide there eternally it is the habitation of the proud Such as shall have the fear of God before their eyes shall be conducted in troups to the gate of Paradise the gate shall open before their eyes it shall be said unto them behold what ye have gained the peace of God is with you ye have not been ignorant enter into Paradise ye shall dwel therein eternally They shall say praised be God for that we believed in his Law and because we are heirs of his grace we will goe into Paradise into what place shall seeme good to us God giveth his blessing to the righteous Thou shalt see the Angels about the throne of thy Lord who shall praise and exalt his glory they shall say God hath judged his creatures with equity praise is due to the Lord of the Vniverse CHAP. XL. The Chapter of the True-believer containing eighty five Verses written at Mecca Reader Gelaldin entituleth this Chapter Of the Pitifull IN the name of God gracious and mercifull God is prudent and wise This Book is sent by the omnipotent who knoweth all things who pardoneth sinnes and accepteth the conversion of his Creatures he is severe in his chastisements and indulgent to his people there is no God but he and all the world shall one day be assembled before his divine Majesty to be judged No man disputeth against the precepts of the Alcoran but the wicked be not thou discontented if they live on earth with some felicity the people of Noahs time contemned his instructions their posterity did like them and every Nation hath conspired the death of them whom God sent to instruct them thy disputed to obscure the truth through their lies but they were punished and after what manner So is the word of God accomplished against the wicked they all shall be damned The Angells that are about the Throne of God and those that bear him praise and exalt his divine Majesty they beleive in his unity and beg pardon of him for the True-believers Lord Lord thy mercy extendeth through the whole world nothing is hid from thee either in Heaven or Earth pardon their sins that convert and embrace thy holy Law deliver them from the fire of Hell open to them the gate of the gardens of Eden which thou hast prepared for them their Fathers wives and children and them of their lineage that shal do good works thou art omnipotent and wise Depart from sin he that shall depart from it shall resent the effects of Gods mercy at the day of Iudgment and shall enjoy eternall felicity the Infidels shall be hated of God his hatred is far more dangerous then yours wil ye be Indels after being called to the observation of the Law of Salvation They said Lord wilt thou cause us to dye twice and shall we twice rise againe But they shall say at the the day of Judgment Lord we confesse we have offended thee we acknowledge our sinne in having renounced the belief of thine unity Shall we never go out of Hell to observe thy Law and follow the way of salvation No ye shal suffer in the fire of Hell because that ye have believd them that adored Idols and because ye have said that God hath companions equall to him All things obey one sole God omnipotent he it is that made you to see his Miracles and sendeth you the riches of Heaven and Earth none consider it but such as are converted Pray to God and observe his LAW although it be against the will of the wicked he elevateth his Creatures to what degree he listeth he hath created his Throne and sent his inspirations to whom he seeth good to preach the day of Judgement that day shall the people come out of their Monuments none shal be able to hide himselfe from his divine Majesty Who shall command that day It shall be God alone victorious that day shall he recompense every one after his works without injustice he is exact to make accompt If thou preach to the wicked the day of Judgement their heart will lift them up and they shall be full of affliction their prayers shall not be heard and none shall intereede for them God knoweth them that have eyes of treachery and seeth all that is in the hearts of men he judgeth of every thing with truth the Idols which they worship are without power God alone understandeth all things and is omnipotent Consider they not what was the end of their predecessors who were more powerfull and more wealthy then they God surprized them in their sinnes there was none of power to save them for that they despised the Prophets of his divine Majesty they contemned his Law and were impious but he severely chastised them he is omnipotent and most severe Wee sent Moses with miracles with reasons cleare and intelligible to Pharoah to Haman and Caron they said that Moses was A Sorcerer and a Lyar and when hee preached to them the truth on our behalfe they said kill him with all those that believe him and make their wives infamous but their conspiracy was but impiety Pharoah said hinder me not to kill Moses let him invoke his God to save him I fear that he may alter your Law and introduce some disorder in the Land Moses said God mine and your Lord shall defend me from the malice of the proud that believe not the day of judgement Then a man of the domestiques of Pharoah that secretly professe the true Law said will ye slay a man that declareth that God is his Lord and that hath made you to see miracles if he be a lyar his lye shal be against him but if he speak the truth something of what he hath preached shall befal you God guideth nether the wicked nor lyars Oh people you this day command on Earâ—h with splendor who shall defend us from the wrath of God if it fall upon us Pharoah said I speak nothing to you but what I have told you heretofore and I will guid you
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
your sins and make you to enter into Gardens wherein flow many rivers the light of faith shall goe before the Prophet and them that have followed him When God shall recompense them they shall say Lord give us thy light pardon our sins thou art omnipotent Oh Prophet fight against the Infidels and the wicked fortifie thy self against them hell shall be their habitation God teacheth unbelievers a parable and saith the wives of Noah and the wives of Lot were under the power of my two servants righteous men they betrayed them but did not escape the punishment of their sin It was said unto them enter into the fire of hell with them that goe into it God teacheth them a parable that follow his Law Take example by the wife of Pharoah she prayed to God and said Lord build me an house in Paradise deliver me from Pharoah from his works and unjust men Mary the daughter of Josaphat preserved her virginity we inspired into her our Spirit she believed the words of her Lord and the Scriptures shee was in the number of them that obey CHAP. LXVII The Chapter of Empire containing thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praised be he to whom belongeth the Empire of the world who is omnipotent and hath created life and death to let you know which is the better he is omnipotent and mercifull He hath created seven heavens one upon another thou seest nothing of what he hath created that is not proportioned raise yet thy sight to heaven thou shalt not there see any thing defective behold it twice or more often thou shalt not perceive therein any thing vain or imperfect We have adorned the heaven and the world with Stars we expelled thence the Devils we prepared for them a great fire and the torments of hell for unbelievers They shall hear horrible and terrible voyces that proceed from despair and wrath when they shall be cast thither headlong when they shall enter into hell by troups the Overseer of the torments shall say unto them had you none on earth that preached to you the pains of hell yes shall they reply they were preached to us but we traduced our preachers we said that God did not command to do what they declared that they were lyars and seduced from the right way Had we heard them and had we been wise we should not this day have been in the number of the damned they shall confess their sins in the bottome of hell Such as fear God without seeing him shall receive pardon of their offences and an exceeding great reward Speak secretly or publiquely God knoweth whatsoever ye have in your hearts since the time of your creation he is blessed and omniscient He hath established wayes upon the earth goe on all sides and live of his good things ye all shall revive and be one day assembled before him to be judged Believe ye that he who is in heaven cannot render the earth drie and barren and cause it to tremble Believe ye that hee who is in heaven is not able to send against you an impetuous winde to destroy you Ye shall hereafter feel what are the torments of hell Your predecessors would not believe them and were chastised for their incredulity Consider ye not the birds that flie over your heads how they extend and shut their wings nothing supporteth them but that mercy that beholdeth all things Who but God shall protect you in your miseries The Infidels are proud Who shall enrich you if God restraineth his grace neverthelesse ye persevere in your sinnes and flie the truth Is he that creepeth on his face like to him that goeth on his feet in the right way Say unto them God hath created you hee hath given you sight hearing and sense but few among you return him thanks for his graces Say unto them he created you of earth and ye shall one day be assembled before him to render accompt of your actions The wicked dmaned when the day of Judgement shall be Say unto them God knowes I am sent only to preach to you the pains of hell Their visages shall become black when they shall see the punishment of their sinnes approach It shall be said to them behold that which ye have demanded with so much impatience Say unto them did you see that God destroyed me and them that were with me No he gave us his grace Who shall deliver the Infidels from the torments of hell Say unto them God is mercifull we believe in him and we are resigned to the will of his divine Majesty ye shall know hereafter them that shall be seduced If the water that watereth your flocks enter under the earth who shall give you other water or another Fountain to supply you CHAP. LXVIII The Chapter of the Pen containing fifty two Verses written at Mecca Bedaoi entituleth this the Chapter of the Letter Noun n and saith that it is as much as to say whale or great Fish Some other Doctors say that Noun n is the name of the Ink or Table on which the Angels write the Commandements of God Others affirm it to signifie the Ink-horn but many of the Mahometan Doctors intitle this the Chapter of the Pen. IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the Pen and by all that is written that thou art not possessed of the Devill through the grace of thy Lord thou shalt have an infinite reward God hath created thee with a creation high and most illustrious Thou shalt hereafter know and the Infidels likewise shall know one day them among you that are ignorant Certainly thy Lord knoweth them that are seduced and them that follow the right way Obey not the wicked they desire thee to be more indulgent towards them and themselves more milde towards thee Obey not those infamous lyars those bablers sinners seducers and wicked persons full of treasures and children When the Mysteries of faith are related to them they say that they are but fables of antiquitie we will put upon their noses a mark of shame and ignominy we have tryed them as Gardeners when they have resolved in the evening to cut off the morning following some fruits of their garden for their refection and have not said if it please God By night which they slept God sent fier into their gardens that consumed them in the morning they called each other and said come to put order to your garden if ye desire to gather the fruits they believed the poore would enter they ran to drive them away and found their fruits black and their gardens blasted Then they said we are seduced we are sinners one of them said that it was requisite to praise God Then they said praised be God we are great sinners they approached each other and complained among themselves They said misery is upon us we were in a great error peradventure God will give us hereafter more then the value of what