O YOU who have attained to faith! Seek aid in steadfast patience and prayer: for, behold, God is with those who are patient in adversity. 153 And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not. 154 Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, 155 who, in adversity say: 'We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return' 156 upon those rest blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those -- they are the truly guided. 157 ۞ Safa and Marwah (names of two places in Mecca) are reminders of God. It is no sin for one who visits the Sacred House (in Mecca) to walk seven times between (Safa and Marwah.) Whoever willingly does a good deed in obedience to God, will find God All-knowing and Fully Appreciative. 158 Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them (too). 159 Excepted, however, shall be they that repent, and put themselves to rights, and make known the truth: and it is they whose repentance I shall accept - for I alone am the Acceptor of Repentance, the Dispenser of Grace. 160 Indeed upon those who disbelieved, and died as disbelievers, is the curse of Allah and of the angels and of men combined. 161 Under it they shall remain forever; their punishment shall not be lightened, nor shall they be granted respite. 162 Your God is One God; there is no god but He, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate. 163