Page:Koran - Rodwell - 2nd ed.djvu/295

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Jonah, Peace be on Him!
279

Do they say, “ He hath devised it himself? Say: Then bring a Sura like it; and call on whom ye can beside God, if ye speak truth.

40But that which they embrace not in their knowledge have they charged with falsehood, though the explanation of it had not yet been given them. So those who were before them brought charges of imposture: But see what was the end of the unjust!

And some of them believe in it, and some of them believe not in it. But thy Lord well knoweth the transgressors.

And if they charge thee with imposture, then say: My work for me, and your work for you! Ye are clear of that which I do, and I am clear of that which ye do.

And some of them lend a ready ear to thee: But wilt thou make the deaf to hear even though they understand not?

And some of them look at thee: But wilt thou guide the blind even though they see not?

Verily, God will not wrong men in aught, but men will wrong themselves.

Moreover, on that day, He will gather them all together: They shall seem as though they had waited but an hour of the day! They shall recognise one another! Now perish they who denied the meeting with God, and were not guided aright!

Whether we cause thee to see some of our menaces against them fulfilled, or whether we first take thee to Ourself,[1] to us do they return. Then shall God bear witness of what they do.

And every people hath had its apostle.[2] And when their apostle came, a rightful decision took place between them, and they were not wronged.

Yet they say, “ When will this menace be made good? Tell us if ye speak truly.”

50Say: I have no power over my own weal or woe, but as God pleaseth. Every people hath its time: when their time is come, they shall neither retard nor adyance it an hour.

Say: How think ye? if God's punishment came on you by night or by day, what portion of it would the wicked desire to hasten on?

  1. The ordinary Arabic word for to die seems to be avoided in speaking of Jesus and Muhammad.
  2. This is the doctrine of the Rabbins. Comp. Midrasch Rabba, and Midr. Jalkut on Numb. xxii. 2.