mayest be a sign to those who shall be after thee:[1] but truly, most men are of our signs regardless!”
Moreover we prepared a settled abode for the children of Israel, and provided them with good things: nor did they fall into variance till the knowledge (the Law) came to them: Truly thy Lord will decide between them on the day of Resurrection concerning that in which they differed.
And if thou art in doubt as to what we have sent down to thee, inquire at those who have read the Scriptures before thee,[2] Now hath the truth come unto thee from thy Lord: be not therefore of those who doubt.
Neither be of those who charge the signs of God with falsehood, lest thou be of those who perish.
Verily they against whom the decree of thy Lord is pronounced, shall not believe,
Even though every kind of sign come unto them, till they behold the dolorous torment!
Were it otherwise, any city, had it believed, might have found its safety in its faith. But it was so, only with the people of JONAS. When they believed, we delivered them from the penalty of shame in this world, and provided for them for a time.
But if thy Lord had pleased, verily all who are in the earth would have believed together. What! wilt thou compel men to become believers?
100No soul can believe but by the permission of God: and he shall lay his wrath on those who will not understand.
Say: Consider ye whatever is in the Heavens and on the Earth: but neither signs, nor warners, avail those who will not believe!
What then can they expect but the like of such days of wrath as befel those who flourish before them? Say: Wait; I too will wait with you:
- ↑ This is in accordance with Talmudic legend. “ Recognise the power of repentance, in the case of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, who rebelled excessively against the most High; Who is God that I should hearken to his voice? (Ex. v. 2). But with the same tongue that sinned he did penance: Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods? (xv. 11). The Holy One, Blessed be He, delivered him from the dead, . . . so that he should not die (ix. 15, 16).—For now have I stretched forth my hand, and verily thee have I raised up from among the dead, to proclaim my might.” Ex. ix. 15, 16. A strange comment! Pirke R. Eliezer, 43. Comp. Midr. on Ps. cvi. Midr. Jalkut, ch. 238.
- ↑ That is, whether thou art not foretold, in the Law and Gospel, and whether the Koran is not in unison with, and confirmatory of, them.
