And it is He who hath created man of water,17 and established between them the ties of kindred and affinity: and potent is thy Lord. Yet beside God do they worship what can neither help nor hurt them: and the Infidel is Satan's helper against his Lord: Still we have sent thee only as a herald and a warner. SAY: I ask of you no recompense for it,18 except from him who is willing to take the way to his Lord. And put thou thy trust in Him that liveth and dieth not, and celebrate his praise; (He fully knoweth the faults of his servants) who in six days created the Heavens and the Earth, and whatever is between them, then mounted his Throne: the God of Mercy! Ask now of the Wise concerning Him. But when it is said to them, "Bow down before the God of Mercy," they say, "Who is the God of Mercy? Shall we bow down to what thou biddest?" And they fly from thee the more. Blessed be He who hath placed in the Heaven the sign of the Zodiac!19 who hath placed in it the Lamp of the Sun, and the light-giving Moon! And it is He who hath ordained the night and the day to succeed one another for those who desire to think on God or desire to be thankful. And the servants of the God of Mercy are they who walk upon the Earth softly; and when the ignorant20 address them, they reply, "Peace!" They that pass the night in the worship of their lord prostrate and standing:- And that say, "O our Lord! turn away from us the torment of Hell, for its torment is endless: it is indeed an ill abode and resting place! Those who when they spend are neither lavish nor niggard, but keep the mean:- Those who call on no other gods with God, nor slay whom God hath forbidden to be slain, except for a just cause, and who commit not fornication (for he who doth this shall meet the reward of his wickedness: Doubled to him shall be the torment on the day of Resurrection; and in it shall he remain, disgraced, for ever:- Save those who shall repent and believe and do righteous works-for them God will change their evil things into good things, for God is Gracious, Merciful- And whose turneth to God and doeth what is right, he verily will convert with a true conversion): And they who bear not witness to that which is false, and when they pass by frivolous sport, pass on with dignity:- And they who, when monished by the signs of their Lord, fall not down thereat, as if deaf and blind:- And who say, "O our Lord! give us in our wives and offspring the joy of our eyes, and make us examples to those who fear thee:" These shall be rewarded with the High Places of Paradise for their steadfast endurance, and they shall meet therein with-Welcome and Salutation:- For ever shall they remain therein: a fair abode and resting-place! SAY: Not on your account doth my Lord care if ye call not on Him! ye have treated his Apostle as an impostor: but bye and bye a punishment shall cleave to them. _______________________ 1 See Sura [lxv.] xxi. 49.