Know that the life of this world is but a game and pastime and show and boast among you; and multiplying riches and children is like rain, whose vegetation delighteth the infidels—then they wither away, and thou seest them all yellow, and they become chaff. And in the life to come is grievous torment,
Or else forgiveness from God and His approval: but the life of this world is naught but a delusive joy.
Strive together for forgiveness from your Lord and Paradise, whose width is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and in His Apostle. That is the grace of God! who giveth it to whom He pleaseth; and God is the fount of boundless grace.
There happeneth no misfortune on the earth or to yourselves, but it is written in the Book before we created it: verily that is easy to God!—
That ye may not grieve over what is beyond you, nor exult over what cometh to you; for God loveth not any presumptuous boasters,
Who are covetous and commend covetousness to men. But whoso turneth away,—verily God is Rich and worthy to be praised.
We sent Our Apostles with manifestations, and We sent down by them the Book and the Balance, that men might stand upright in equity, and We sent down Iron, wherein is great strength and uses for men,—and that God might know who would help Him and His Apostles in secret: verily God is strong and mighty.
And we sent Noah and Abraham, and we gave their seed prophecy in the Scripture: and some of them are guided, but many are disobedient.
Then we sent our apostles in their footsteps, and we sent Jesus the Son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel, and put in the hearts of those that follow him kindness and pitifulness; but monkery, they invented it themselves! We prescribed it not to them—save only to seek the approval of God, but they did not observe this with due observance. Yet we gave their reward to those of them that believed, but many of them were transgressors.
O ye who believe, fear God and believe in His Apostle; He will give you a double portion of His mercy, and will set you a light to walk by, and will forgive you: for God is forgiving and merciful:—