Sura 33: The Parties
(Al-Ahzãb)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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يا ايها النبي اتق الله ولا تطع الكافرين والمنافقين ان الله كان عليما حكيما

O you prophet, you shall reverence GOD and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

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واتبع ما يوحى اليك من ربك ان الله كان بما تعملون خبيرا

Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you all do.

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وتوكل على الله وكفى بالله وكيلا

And put your trust in GOD. GOD suffices as an advocate.

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Devotion to God Is Indivisible

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ما جعل الله لرجل من قلبين في جوفه وما جعل ازواجكم اللائي تظاهرون منهن امهاتكم وما جعل ادعياءكم ابناءكم ذلكم قولكم بافواهكم والله يقول الحق وهو يهدي السبيل

GOD did not give any man two hearts in his chest. Nor did He turn your wives whom you estrange (according to your custom) into your mothers.* Nor did He turn your adopted children into genetic offspring. All these are mere utterances that you have invented. GOD speaks the truth, and He guides in the (right) path.

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Do Not Change Your Names

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ادعوهم لابائهم هو اقسط عند الله فان لم تعلموا اباءهم فاخوانكم في الدين ومواليكم وليس عليكم جناح فيما اخطاتم به ولكن ما تعمدت قلوبكم وكان الله غفورا رحيما

You shall give your adopted children names that preserve their relationship to their genetic parents. This is more equitable in the sight of GOD. If you do not know their parents, then, as your brethren in religion, you shall treat them as members of your family. You do not commit a sin if you make a mistake in this respect; you are responsible for your purposeful intentions. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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النبي اولى بالمؤمنين من انفسهم وازواجه امهاتهم واولو الارحام بعضهم اولى ببعض في كتاب الله من المؤمنين والمهاجرين الا ان تفعلوا الى اوليائكم معروفا كان ذلك في الكتاب مسطورا

The prophet is closer to the believers than they are to each other, and his wives are like mothers to them. The relatives ought to take care of one another in accordance with GOD’s scripture. Thus, the believers shall take care of their relatives who immigrate to them, provided they have taken care of their own families first. These are commandments of this scripture.

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Muhammad Pledges to Support God’s Messenger of the Covenant*

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واذ اخذنا من النبيين ميثاقهم ومنك ومن نوح وابراهيم وموسى وعيسى ابن مريم واخذنا منهم ميثاقا غليظا

Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge.*

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ليسال الصادقين عن صدقهم واعد للكافرين عذابا اليما

Subsequently, He will surely question the truthful about their truthfulness, and has prepared for the disbelievers (in this Quranic fact) a painful retribution.

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The Battle of the Parties

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يا ايها الذين امنوا اذكروا نعمة الله عليكم اذ جاءتكم جنود فارسلنا عليهم ريحا وجنودا لم تروها وكان الله بما تعملون بصيرا

O you who believe, remember GOD’s blessing upon you; when soldiers attacked you, we sent upon them violent wind and invisible soldiers. GOD is Seer of everything you do.

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اذ جاءوكم من فوقكم ومن اسفل منكم واذ زاغت الابصار وبلغت القلوب الحناجر وتظنون بالله الظنونا

When they came from above you, and from beneath you, your eyes were terrified, your hearts ran out of patience, and you harbored unbefitting thoughts about GOD.

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هنالك ابتلي المؤمنون وزلزلوا زلزالا شديدا

That is when the believers were truly tested; they were severely shaken up.

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واذ يقول المنافقون والذين في قلوبهم مرض ما وعدنا الله ورسوله الا غرورا

The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, “What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!”

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واذ قالت طائفة منهم يا اهل يثرب لا مقام لكم فارجعوا ويستاذن فريق منهم النبي يقولون ان بيوتنا عورة وما هي بعورة ان يريدون الا فرارا

A group of them said, “O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back.” Others made up excuses to the prophet: “Our homes are vulnerable,” when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.

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ولو دخلت عليهم من اقطارها ثم سئلوا الفتنة لاتوها وما تلبثوا بها الا يسيرا

Had the enemy invaded and asked them to join, they would have joined the enemy without hesitation.

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ولقد كانوا عاهدوا الله من قبل لا يولون الادبار وكان عهد الله مسئولا

They had pledged to GOD in the past that they would not turn around and flee; making a pledge with GOD involves a great responsibility.

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قل لن ينفعكم الفرار ان فررتم من الموت او القتل واذا لا تمتعون الا قليلا

Say, “If you flee, you can never flee from death or from being killed. No matter what happens, you only live a short while longer.”

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قل من ذا الذي يعصمكم من الله ان اراد بكم سوءا او اراد بكم رحمة ولا يجدون لهم من دون الله وليا ولا نصيرا

Say, “Who would protect you from GOD if He willed any adversity, or willed any blessing for you?” They can never find, beside GOD, any other Lord and Master.

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قد يعلم الله المعوقين منكم والقائلين لاخوانهم هلم الينا ولا ياتون الباس الا قليلا

GOD is fully aware of the hinderers among you, and those who say to their comrades, “Let us all stay behind.” Rarely do they mobilize for defense.

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اشحة عليكم فاذا جاء الخوف رايتهم ينظرون اليك تدور اعينهم كالذي يغشى عليه من الموت فاذا ذهب الخوف سلقوكم بالسنة حداد اشحة على الخير اولئك لم يؤمنوا فاحبط الله اعمالهم وكان ذلك على الله يسيرا

Also, they are too stingy when dealing with you. If anything threatens the community, you see their eyes rolling with fear, as if death had already come to them. Once the crisis is over, they whip you with sharp tongues. They are too stingy with their wealth. These are not believers, and, consequently, GOD has nullified their works. This is easy for GOD to do.

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يحسبون الاحزاب لم يذهبوا وان يات الاحزاب يودوا لو انهم بادون في الاعراب يسالون عن انبائكم ولو كانوا فيكم ما قاتلوا الا قليلا

They thought that the parties might come back. In that case, they would wish that they were lost in the desert, asking about your news from afar. Had the parties attacked you while they were with you, they would rarely support you.

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The Prophet’s Courage*

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لقد كان لكم في رسول الله اسوة حسنة لمن كان يرجو الله واليوم الاخر وذكر الله كثيرا

The messenger of GOD has set up a good example for those among you who seek GOD and the Last Day, and constantly think about GOD.

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ولما راى المؤمنون الاحزاب قالوا هذا ما وعدنا الله ورسوله وصدق الله ورسوله وما زادهم الا ايمانا وتسليما

When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, “This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful.” This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.

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من المؤمنين رجال صدقوا ما عاهدوا الله عليه فمنهم من قضى نحبه ومنهم من ينتظر وما بدلوا تبديلا

Among the believers there are people who fulfill their pledges with GOD. Some of them died, while others stand ready, never wavering.

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ليجزي الله الصادقين بصدقهم ويعذب المنافقين ان شاء او يتوب عليهم ان الله كان غفورا رحيما

GOD will surely recompense the truthful for their truthfulness, and will punish the hypocrites, if He so wills, or redeem them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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During Muhammad’s Time

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ورد الله الذين كفروا بغيظهم لم ينالوا خيرا وكفى الله المؤمنين القتال وكان الله قويا عزيزا

GOD repulsed those who disbelieved with their rage, and they left empty-handed. GOD thus spared the believers any fighting. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.

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وانزل الذين ظاهروهم من اهل الكتاب من صياصيهم وقذف في قلوبهم الرعب فريقا تقتلون وتاسرون فريقا

He also brought down their allies among the people of the scripture from their secure positions, and threw terror into their hearts. Some of them you killed, and some you took captive.

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واورثكم ارضهم وديارهم واموالهم وارضا لم تطئوها وكان الله على كل شيء قديرا

He made you inherit their land, their homes, their money, and lands you had never stepped on. GOD is in full control of all things.

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Special Responsibility For Being Close

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يا ايها النبي قل لازواجك ان كنتن تردن الحياة الدنيا وزينتها فتعالين امتعكن واسرحكن سراحا جميلا

O prophet, say to your wives, “If you are seeking this life and its vanities, then let me compensate you and allow you to go amicably.

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وان كنتن تردن الله ورسوله والدار الاخرة فان الله اعد للمحسنات منكن اجرا عظيما

“But if you are seeking GOD and His messenger, and the abode of the Hereafter, then GOD has prepared for the righteous among you a great recompense.”

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Special Responsibility

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يا نساء النبي من يات منكن بفاحشة مبينة يضاعف لها العذاب ضعفين وكان ذلك على الله يسيرا

O wives of the prophet, if any of you commits a gross sin, the retribution will be doubled for her. This is easy for GOD to do.

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ومن يقنت منكن لله ورسوله وتعمل صالحا نؤتها اجرها مرتين واعتدنا لها رزقا كريما

Any one of you who obeys GOD and His messenger, and leads a righteous life, we will grant her double the recompense, and we have prepared for her a generous provision.

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Setting the Example

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يا نساء النبي لستن كاحد من النساء ان اتقيتن فلا تخضعن بالقول فيطمع الذي في قلبه مرض وقلن قولا معروفا

O wives of the prophet, you are not the same as any other women, if you observe righteousness. (You have a greater responsibility.) Therefore, you shall not speak too softly, lest those with disease in their hearts may get the wrong ideas; you shall speak only righteousness.

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وقرن في بيوتكن ولا تبرجن تبرج الجاهلية الاولى واقمن الصلاة واتين الزكاة واطعن الله ورسوله انما يريد الله ليذهب عنكم الرجس اهل البيت ويطهركم تطهيرا

You shall settle down in your homes, and do not mingle with the people excessively, like you used to do in the old days of ignorance. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey GOD and His messenger. GOD wishes to remove all unholiness from you, O you who live around the Sacred Shrine, and to purify you completely.

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واذكرن ما يتلى في بيوتكن من ايات الله والحكمة ان الله كان لطيفا خبيرا

Remember what is being recited in your homes of GOD’s revelations and the wisdom inherent therein. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.

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Equality of Men and Women

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ان المسلمين والمسلمات والمؤمنين والمؤمنات والقانتين والقانتات والصادقين والصادقات والصابرين والصابرات والخاشعين والخاشعات والمتصدقين والمتصدقات والصائمين والصائمات والحافظين فروجهم والحافظات والذاكرين الله كثيرا والذاكرات اعد الله لهم مغفرة واجرا عظيما

The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense.

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Major Error Committed<br>by Muhammad<br><br>Muhammad the Man Disobeys<br>Muhammad the Messenger

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وما كان لمؤمن ولا مؤمنة اذا قضى الله ورسوله امرا ان يكون لهم الخيرة من امرهم ومن يعص الله ورسوله فقد ضل ضلالا مبينا

No believing man or believing woman, if GOD and His messenger issue any command, has any choice regarding that command. Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger has gone far astray.

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واذ تقول للذي انعم الله عليه وانعمت عليه امسك عليك زوجك واتق الله وتخفي في نفسك ما الله مبديه وتخشى الناس والله احق ان تخشاه فلما قضى زيد منها وطرا زوجناكها لكي لا يكون على المؤمنين حرج في ازواج ادعيائهم اذا قضوا منهن وطرا وكان امر الله مفعولا

Recall that you said to the one who was blessed by GOD, and blessed by you, “Keep your wife and reverence GOD,” and you hid inside yourself what GOD wished to proclaim. Thus, you feared the people, when you were supposed to fear only GOD. When Zeid was completely through with his wife, we had you marry her, in order to establish the precedent that a man can marry the divorced wife of his adopted son. GOD’s commands shall be done.

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ما كان على النبي من حرج فيما فرض الله له سنة الله في الذين خلوا من قبل وكان امر الله قدرا مقدورا

The prophet is not committing an error by doing anything that is made lawful by GOD. Such is GOD’s system since the early generations. GOD’s command is a sacred duty.

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الذين يبلغون رسالات الله ويخشونه ولا يخشون احدا الا الله وكفى بالله حسيبا

Those who deliver GOD’s messages, and who reverence Him alone, shall never fear anyone but GOD. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.

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Not The Final<br>Messenger*

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ما كان محمد ابا احد من رجالكم ولكن رسول الله وخاتم النبيين وكان الله بكل شيء عليما

Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

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يا ايها الذين امنوا اذكروا الله ذكرا كثيرا

O you who believe, you shall remember GOD frequently.*

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وسبحوه بكرة واصيلا

You shall glorify Him day and night.

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هو الذي يصلي عليكم وملائكته ليخرجكم من الظلمات الى النور وكان بالمؤمنين رحيما

He is the One who helps you, together with His angels, to lead you out of darkness into the light. He is Most Merciful towards the believers.

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تحيتهم يوم يلقونه سلام واعد لهم اجرا كريما

Their greeting the day they meet Him is, “Peace,” and He has prepared for them a generous recompense.

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يا ايها النبي انا ارسلناك شاهدا ومبشرا ونذيرا

O prophet, we have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news, as well as a warner.

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وداعيا الى الله باذنه وسراجا منيرا

Inviting to GOD, in accordance with His will, and a guiding beacon.

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وبشر المؤمنين بان لهم من الله فضلا كبيرا

Deliver good news to the believers, that they have deserved from GOD a great blessing.

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ولا تطع الكافرين والمنافقين ودع اذاهم وتوكل على الله وكفى بالله وكيلا

Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, disregard their insults, and put your trust in GOD; GOD suffices as an advocate.

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Marriage Laws

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يا ايها الذين امنوا اذا نكحتم المؤمنات ثم طلقتموهن من قبل ان تمسوهن فما لكم عليهن من عدة تعتدونها فمتعوهن وسرحوهن سراحا جميلا

O you who believe, if you married believing women, then divorced them before having intercourse with them, they do not owe you any waiting interim (before marrying another man). You shall compensate them equitably, and let them go amicably.

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يا ايها النبي انا احللنا لك ازواجك اللاتي اتيت اجورهن وما ملكت يمينك مما افاء الله عليك وبنات عمك وبنات عماتك وبنات خالك وبنات خالاتك اللاتي هاجرن معك وامراة مؤمنة ان وهبت نفسها للنبي ان اراد النبي ان يستنكحها خالصة لك من دون المؤمنين قد علمنا ما فرضنا عليهم في ازواجهم وما ملكت ايمانهم لكيلا يكون عليك حرج وكان الله غفورا رحيما

O prophet, we made lawful for you your wives to whom you have paid their due dowry, or what you already have, as granted to you by GOD. Also lawful for you in marriage are the daughters of your father’s brothers, the daughters of your father’s sisters, the daughters of your mother’s brothers, the daughters of your mother’s sisters, who have emigrated with you. Also, if a believing woman gave herself to the prophet—by forfeiting the dowry—the prophet may marry her without a dowry, if he so wishes. However, her forfeiting of the dowry applies only to the prophet, and not to the other believers. We have already decreed their rights in regard to their spouses or what they already have. This is to spare you any embarrassment. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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ترجي من تشاء منهن وتؤوي اليك من تشاء ومن ابتغيت ممن عزلت فلا جناح عليك ذلك ادنى ان تقر اعينهن ولا يحزن ويرضين بما اتيتهن كلهن والله يعلم ما في قلوبكم وكان الله عليما حليما

You may gently shun any one of them, and you may bring closer to you any one of them. If you reconcile with any one you had estranged, you commit no error. In this way, they will be pleased, will have no grief, and will be content with what you equitably offer to all of them. GOD knows what is in your hearts. GOD is Omniscient, Clement.

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لا يحل لك النساء من بعد ولا ان تبدل بهن من ازواج ولو اعجبك حسنهن الا ما ملكت يمينك وكان الله على كل شيء رقيبا

Beyond the categories described to you, you are enjoined from marrying any other women, nor can you substitute a new wife (from the prohibited categories), no matter how much you admire their beauty. You must be content with those already made lawful to you. GOD is watchful over all things.

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Etiquette

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يا ايها الذين امنوا لا تدخلوا بيوت النبي الا ان يؤذن لكم الى طعام غير ناظرين اناه ولكن اذا دعيتم فادخلوا فاذا طعمتم فانتشروا ولا مستانسين لحديث ان ذلكم كان يؤذي النبي فيستحيي منكم والله لا يستحيي من الحق واذا سالتموهن متاعا فاسالوهن من وراء حجاب ذلكم اطهر لقلوبكم وقلوبهن وما كان لكم ان تؤذوا رسول الله ولا ان تنكحوا ازواجه من بعده ابدا ان ذلكم كان عند الله عظيما

O you who believe, do not enter the prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But GOD does not shy away from the truth. If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of GOD. You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of GOD.*

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ان تبدوا شيئا او تخفوه فان الله كان بكل شيء عليما

Whether you declare anything, or hide it, GOD is fully aware of all things.

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لا جناح عليهن في ابائهن ولا ابنائهن ولا اخوانهن ولا ابناء اخوانهن ولا ابناء اخواتهن ولا نسائهن ولا ما ملكت ايمانهن واتقين الله ان الله كان على كل شيء شهيدا

The women may relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their (female) servants. They shall reverence GOD. GOD witnesses all things.

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During the Prophet’s Life*

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ان الله وملائكته يصلون على النبي يا ايها الذين امنوا صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما

GOD and His angels help and support the prophet. O you who believe, you shall help and support him, and regard him as he should be regarded.*

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ان الذين يؤذون الله ورسوله لعنهم الله في الدنيا والاخرة واعد لهم عذابا مهينا

Surely, those who oppose GOD and His messenger, GOD afflicts them with a curse in this life, and in the Hereafter; He has prepared for them a shameful retribution.

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والذين يؤذون المؤمنين والمؤمنات بغير ما اكتسبوا فقد احتملوا بهتانا واثما مبينا

Those who persecute the believing men and the believing women, who did not do anything wrong, have committed not only a falsehood, but also a gross sin.

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Dress Code<br>for Women

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يا ايها النبي قل لازواجك وبناتك ونساء المؤمنين يدنين عليهن من جلابيبهن ذلك ادنى ان يعرفن فلا يؤذين وكان الله غفورا رحيما

O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall lengthen their garments. Thus, they will be recognized (as righteous women) and avoid being insulted. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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لئن لم ينته المنافقون والذين في قلوبهم مرض والمرجفون في المدينة لنغرينك بهم ثم لا يجاورونك فيها الا قليلا

Unless the hypocrites, and those with disease in their hearts, and the vicious liars of the city refrain (from persecuting you), we will surely grant you the upper hand, then they will be forced to leave within a short while.

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ملعونين اينما ثقفوا اخذوا وقتلوا تقتيلا

They have incurred condemnation wherever they go; (unless they stop attacking you,) they may be taken and killed.

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سنة الله في الذين خلوا من قبل ولن تجد لسنة الله تبديلا

This is GOD’s eternal system, and you will find that GOD’s system is unchangeable.

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End of the World Revealed*

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يسالك الناس عن الساعة قل انما علمها عند الله وما يدريك لعل الساعة تكون قريبا

The people ask you about the Hour (end of the world). Say, “The knowledge thereof is only with GOD. For all that you know, the Hour may be close.”

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The Followers<br>Turn On Their Leaders

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ان الله لعن الكافرين واعد لهم سعيرا

GOD has condemned the disbelievers, and has prepared for them Hell.

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خالدين فيها ابدا لا يجدون وليا ولا نصيرا

Eternally they abide therein. They will find no lord, nor a supporter.

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يوم تقلب وجوههم في النار يقولون يا ليتنا اطعنا الله واطعنا الرسولا

The day they are thrown into Hell, they will say, “Oh, we wish we obeyed GOD, and obeyed the messenger.”

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وقالوا ربنا انا اطعنا سادتنا وكبراءنا فاضلونا السبيلا

They will also say, “Our Lord, we have obeyed our masters and leaders, but they led us astray.

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ربنا اتهم ضعفين من العذاب والعنهم لعنا كبيرا

“Our Lord, give them double the retribution, and curse them a tremendous curse.”

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يا ايها الذين امنوا لا تكونوا كالذين اذوا موسى فبراه الله مما قالوا وكان عند الله وجيها

O you who believe, do not be like those who hurt Moses, then GOD absolved him of what they said. He was, in the sight of GOD, honorable.

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يا ايها الذين امنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا

O you who believe, reverence GOD and utter only the correct utterances.

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يصلح لكم اعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم ومن يطع الله ورسوله فقد فاز فوزا عظيما

He will then fix your works, and forgive your sins. Those who obey GOD and His messenger have triumphed a great triumph.

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Freedom of Choice

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انا عرضنا الامانة على السماوات والارض والجبال فابين ان يحملنها واشفقن منها وحملها الانسان انه كان ظلوما جهولا

We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.*

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ليعذب الله المنافقين والمنافقات والمشركين والمشركات ويتوب الله على المؤمنين والمؤمنات وكان الله غفورا رحيما

For GOD will inevitably punish the hypocrite men and the hypocrite women, and the idol worshiping men and the idol worshiping women. GOD redeems the believing men and the believing women. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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