Muhammad (Muhammad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
God has made devoid of all virtue the deeds of those who have disbelieved and prevented others from the way of God. 1 whereas those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds, and have come to believe in what has been bestowed from on high on Muhammad - for it is the truth from their Sustainer - [shall attain to God's grace:] He will efface their [past] bad deeds, and will set their hearts at rest. 2 This, because they who are bent on denying the truth pursue falsehood, whereas they who have attained to faith pursue [but] the truth [that flows] from their Sustainer. In this way does God set forth unto man the parables of their true state. 3 When you meet those who deny the truth in battle, strike them in the neck, and once they are defeated, make [them] prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as an act of grace, or let them ransom [themselves] until the war is finally over. Thus you shall do; and if God had pleased, He would certainly have exacted retribution from them, but His purpose is to test some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in God's cause, He will never let their deeds be in vain; 4 God will lead them to everlasting happiness and improve their condition. 5 and He will admit them to the Paradise He has made known to them. 6 O you who believe, if you help (in the cause of) God He will surely come to your aid, and firmly plant your feet. 7 As for the unbelievers, they will suffer misfortunes, and their deeds will be rendered ineffective. 8 this, because they hate [the very thought of] what God has bestowed from on high and thus He causes all their deeds to come to nought! 9 ۞ What, have they not journeyed in the land and beheld how was the end of those before them? God destroyed them; the unbelievers shall have the likes thereof. 10 This is so for God is the friend of those who believe while the unbelievers have no friend. 11