The Alcoran of Mahomet, translated out of Arabique into French; by the sieur Du Ryer, Lord of Malezair, and resident for the King of France, at Alexandria. And newly Englished, for the satisfaction of all that desire to look into the Turkish vanities

CHAP. IX. The Chap••er of Conversion, containing an hundred twenty and seven Verses, written at Medina.

Reader, this Chapter beginneth not as the rest, with these words, In the name of God, gracious and mercifull; because these are words of peace and salvation, and for that in this Chap∣ter, Mahomet co••mandeth to breake Truce with his enemies, and to assault them. Many Mahometan Doctors have entituled this the Chapter of punishment, or paine. See the Exposition of Gelaldin, and that of Bedaoi, and el tenoir.

A Letter Parent from God, and his Prophet, to the un∣believers with whom ye have made truce. Travell in safety the space of foure months, know, ye shall not ren∣der God impotent, and that he will lay shame upon your forehead. Advice for the people, at the day of great Pil∣grimage, from God, and his Prophet: God approveth not the action of them that adore Idols, his Prophet is innocent from that sinne; If ye repent, ye shall doe well, if ye abandon the Law of God, know ye shall not escape the punishment of your crime; preach to the unbelievers, that they shall suffer grievous torments, except those with whom ye have made Truce, who fall not fro•• what they have promised, and that protect none against you. Ob∣serve exactly untill the prefixed time, what you have pro∣mised them, God loveth them that feare him: When the mo••th of He••am shall be past, kill them where you shall meet them, take them slaves, detain•• them prisoners, a•••• observe where they passe to lay ambush for them; if they be converted, if they pray at the time appointed, and pay tithes, leave them in quiet, God is mercifull to them th••t rep••nt. If the Infidels demand quarter of you, give them quarter, to the end they may learne the wo••d of God; teach them his Commandements, for they are ignorant. How should they have Truce with God and his Prophet? If they believe n••ither in the one, nor the other, except

them with whom you entred Truce in the Temple of Mec∣ca? If they observe their promise to you, observe what ye promised to them, God loveth such as have his feare be∣fore their eyes▪ How shall they have truce with you? If they have advantage over you, they will respect nei∣ther your alliance nor confederacy; They will speak well of you, and contemne you in their heart, the grea∣test part of them are impious, they have preferred the ri∣ches of this world to the Commandements of God, and have hindered the people to follow his Law, as if they knew not what they did; they beare no respect to the True-believers, wherein they are exceedingly too blame. If they turne, and make their prayers at the time ap∣pointed, if they pay Tithes, they shall be your brethren in God. I teach the mysteries of faith to such as have un∣derstanding to comprehend them, if they break their promise and disturb them of your Religion, kill their Captains, as persons without faith, they will perhaps put an end to their impiety. Slay such especially that re∣nounce their faith, who have endeavoured to drive the Prophet from Mecca, and have begun to slay you, will you feare them! will ye be terrified by them? It is reasonable that ye feare God; if ye believe in his Law, fight them, God shall chastise them by your hands, he shall render them dishonourable, and protect you against them, he shall for∣tifie the hearts of True-believers, and expell melancholy, he pardoneth whom he seeth good, knoweth all things, and is most prudent in what he ordaineth. Think ye to be forsaken of God, and that he discerneth not them that have fought gallantly for his Law, from such as have adored Idols, and disobeyed his Prophet? The True-believers abandon not their Religion another time to professe it: God knoweth all your actions, Infidels must not enter into the Temple of Mecca, knowing that they are Infidels, the good works which they shall doe in this world shall be unprofitable, and they shall dwell eternally in the fire of Hell. They that believe in God, and the day of Judgement, that make their prayers at the time appoin∣ted, pay Tithes, and worship one God alone, shall vi∣sit

the Temples of his divine Majesty, and such as fear the creatures more then the Creator erre from the right way; We have ordained that such as shall bear fresh water to Pilgrims, and them that shall visit the Temple of Mecca, shall be in the number of them that believe in God, and the day of Judgement. Such as fight for the faith are not all equall in graces, and merits before God, he guideth not the unjust. Such as have believed in God, as have de∣parted from the wicked, and employed their wealth and persons to fight for his Law, shall have a particular de∣gree, and a particular place neer to his divine Majesty, they shall be the more happy. Go•• through his goodnesse declareth to them, that they shall enter into delicious gar∣dens, where they shall remain eternally, there is with God a very great reward. Oh ye that believe! obey not your fathers, nor your brothers, that love rather to follow impiety, then the faith. Such as shall obey them, shall of∣fend exceedingly; if your father, your children, your brothers, your wives, your parents, your friends, the wealth that you have gained, the fear of losing your ri∣ches, and apprehension of poverty, have more of power over you then God and his Prophet, and hinder you to fight for the faith, the Commandement of God shall be executed against you, he guideth not the wicked, and hath protected you in many occasions. Remember the day of battel of Hanin, when ye rejoyced in the multitude of your men, it did not advantage you, fear made you finde the place too narrow for flight, and ye turned the back as vanquished: Remember that God, at that time, put his Prophet, and the True-believers in a place of safe∣ty, and sent invisible Troops to chastise the Infidels, he pardoneth sinnes as seemeth good to him, he is gra∣cious and mercifull. Oh ye that believe in God! Un∣believers are unclean, permit not that they enter into the Temple of Mecca after this year, if ye have appre∣hension of want, God shall enrich you with his grace, if it please him, he is omniscient and most prudent. Fight a∣gainst them that believe not in God, no•• the day of Judge∣ment, that forbid not to act what God hath prohibited,

and his Prophet hath forbidden, and that judge not ac∣cording to the Law of truth, wherein they were instru∣cted, who heretofore received the written Law: they chuse rather to pay Tribute, then to be converted, there∣fore are they contemptible. The Jews have said, that the Son of God is most powerfull; the Christians, that the Messiah is the Son of God; their words are like to the words of the Infidels that preceded them, but God shall lay upon them his curse. Consider how they blaspheme; they adore their Doctors, and Priests, and the Messiah al∣so, the Son of Mary; who commanded them to worship one God alone, there is but on sole God: praised be God, there is nothing equall to him; they would extin∣guish the light of God with their mouth, but he shall not suffer them; he shall cause it appear, notwithstanding it be vexatious to the Infidels. He hath sent his Prophet to conduct men into the right way, to preach the Law of Truth, and to make it eminent above all other Laws of the world, against the will of Idolaters. O ye that truly believe! many of the Doctors and Priests eat unprofita∣bly the substance of the people, and divert them from the Law of God: declare to such as treasure up, and expend nothing in pious works, they shall suffer great torments at the day when the fire of hell shall be kindled upon them, it shall burn their forehead, sides, and back; it shall be said to them, behold the wealth which ye have treasured up for your souls, tast the fruits of your trea∣sures which ye have amass••d, When God created the hea∣ven and the earth, hee ordained the year of twelve moneths, amongst which foure are priviledged. O stead not God, especially in those moneths; fight at all times against unbelievers, as they will fight against you, and know that God is with them that have his feare before their eyes. Sloath and forgetfuln••ss abound in impiety; God misleadeth thro••gh negligence the unbelievers, that prefer one moneth to another, in imitation of what is command••d: they permit to do what God hath forbid∣den, and delight in the malice of their actions, but God is not the guide of the wicked. O ye that believe! where∣fore

have ye inclined to the earth? Why did ye prefer the wealth of this world to that of Paradise; when you were commanded to go forth of your houses to fight for the Law of God? The riches of this world are contemptible, if you consider those of heaven; if you leave not your houses to fight with the Prophet, God shall severely pu∣nish you, and put other persons in your places; you shall not protect the Prophet, God alone is his protector; he protected him when he went out of Mecca; he, with his Companion, they being both in a cave, he said to his Companion, afflict not thy selfe, God is with us; He hath defended, and succoured us by invisible troops; hee hath debased the word of unbelievers, and exalted that of true believers; he is Omnipotent and wise. Fight accor∣ding to your power for the Law of God, you shall do well if you have knowledge to understand it; if you require the wealth of this world, honour, and reputation, they are not far from you, they follow you at hand, but the punishment of crimes and misery are as yet farre remote of Infidels; they sweare by the Name of God, that they were unable to go out of Mecca with the Prophet, in which they destroy their soules, for God knoweth them to be lyars: excuse them not, that thou knowest not them that spoke truth, and those that were lyars. True belie∣vers will not excuse themselves from fighting, or employ∣ing their wealth and persons for the Law of God; hee knoweth such as fear him. They that believe not in God, neither the day of Judgement, refuse to go with thee, they doubt the mysteries of Faith, but shall continue in their doubt, to their confusion; had they inclined to go out a∣gainst the enemy, they had arms to perform it; God con∣temned their going out, rendred them negligent, and caused them to remain with the sick, the women, and chil∣dren; had they gone forth with you, they had brought with them more of disorder then affection to the service of his divine Majestie; they hate you, neverthelesse you hearken to them: God knoweth them that are too blame, they hated thee heretofore, accused thee of all their mis∣chief, untill, through the permission of God, the truth

appeared against their will: many of them said, excuse us, and scandalize us not, and they fell themselves into scan∣dall and impiety: but hell is the habitation of those wicke•• persons; if good happen to you, they are discontented▪ if evill befall you, they say, they took heed to themselves, and foresaw it, and depart from you with joy; say unto them, nothing befell us, but what God had ordained, h•• is our Lord; all true believers are resigned to the will o•• his divine Majestie; say unto them, will ye expect, tha•• one of the two graces (either victory, or martyrdom) be∣fall us? we will expect with you, untill God hath chasti∣sed you by our hands; expect, we will expect with you say unto them, expend through force or affection for th•• glory of God; your works shall not be accepted of him, because you are Infidels, your alms shall be unprofitable, for that you believe not in God, nor in his Prophet; y•• praise not God, but with negligence, and with regret fo•• what you spend for his service. Be not then amazed at th•• quantity of their treasures, neither the number of thei•• children; God shall make use of them to punish them i•• this world, and shall destroy them with their wickedness. They swear by the name of God, that they are yours, and are not, and fear to be discovered; if they meet with any Den, Cave, or House, wherein to hide them, they speedi∣ly repaire thither. There be of them that say, it is igno∣minious to give alms; if they give alms, it is with cholor if they gave them for the love of God and his Prophet▪ they would say, God is our benefactor; he will give u•• through his grace, and to the Prophet, whatsoever shal•• be necessary, our hope is in him. Alms are appointed fo•• the poor, for them that recommend themselves to God, to redeem Slaves, for such as are in debt, and necessitous God knoweth all things, and is most prudent in what h•• ordaineth, There be among them, who deprave the Pro∣phet, and say, he shall understand what we say; say unto them, should it be to you a great advantage to hear well▪ The Prophet believeth in God, and teacheth true belie∣vers the Truth? the mercy of God is for them that be∣lieve in his divine Majesty; Such as detract from the

Prophet shall feel grievous torments; they swear by the Name of God, that they desire to content God, and his Prophet; it is reasonable that they content them, if they be good men; know they not, that such as transgress the Will of God, and that of his Prophet, shall be eternally damned? The wicked fear lest God should discover to the righteous the malice that they conceal in their souls, and that they contemne them; Say unto them, ye shall be con∣temned, for God bringeth to light what you feare. If you question them concerning what they say, they will answer for excuse, that they had no evill intent, and that they but jeast; say unto them, will you jeast with God, with his Commandements, and his Prophets? There is none excuse for you, ye are truly impious; if God par∣don any one of you, he shall rigorously punish such as per∣sist to offend him. The wicked teach among them impiety to their posterity, they depart from the truth; they goe hand in hand, and agree to disobey God; they forget God, and God forgetteth them; he hath prepared hell for them, where they shall remain eternally; he hath cursed them, and they shall feel the torment of infinite pains. The wic∣ked that were before you, shall undergo them like you, they were more powerfull then you, they possessed store of wealth, and had many children, they possessed part of their substance, and ye possesse yours, as did your prede∣cessors; ye were plunged in impiety, as they were plun∣ged, but the good works that they have done in this world, shall be to them unprofitable, and at the day of Judgement, they shall be in the number of the miserable. Have they not known the History of their Predecessors, the History of the people of Noah, of Aad, of Temod, of A∣braham, and the cities that were subverted? The Pro∣phets preached to them the Commandements of God, who did to them no injustice; they drew affliction on themselves, through the enormitie of their crimes. The true believers mutually obey each other; they com∣mand to do what things are honest, prohibit to act what is not approved; they make their prayers at the time ap∣pointed, distribute tithes, obey God and his Prophet;

God shall remit to them their sins, he is Omnipotent, and hath promised to them gardens, wherein flow many rivers, and an habitation full of content in Eden; he hath promised them his grace, which is the perfection of felici∣tie. O Prophet! fight against the Infidels, fortifie thy self against them, hell shall be their habitation; they shall swear by the Name of God, that they have not traduced thee; nevertheless they have detracted and uttered words full of impietie: they have denied to have been enriched through the grace of God, and of his Prophet; if they turn, they shall do well; if they abandon the Faith, God shall punish them in this world, and in the other, with grievous torments, and on earth they shall find no pro∣tector; there be of them, who have inclined to capitulate with God, and have said, if God doth good to us, we will believe in him; when he did good to them, they were niggards, and avaritious; they have erred, and disobeyed his Commandements, but he chastised them, because of their impiety; he hath imprinted it in their hearts untill the day of Judgement, for that they have disobeyed him, because they violated their promises, and by reason of their lies; know they not that God understandeth what they conceale in their hearts? and that he knoweth what is present, past, and future? There be of them, who deride the true believers, that give almes according to their power; God shall deride them, and they shall feel the rigour of eternall pains; implore pardon for them, or implore it not, when thou shalt beg sixty and ten times pardon for them, God shall not pardon them, be∣cause they are ingratefull towards him, and his Prophet, God doth not guide them that disobey him; they rejoy∣ced to be left behinde the Prophet, when he went to fight for the Service of God, they had an aversion to fight, and employ their persons and goods for the Service of his di∣vi••e Majestie; they said, we will not go out of our houses with this heat; say to them, hell is much more hot, could you comprehend; they shall laugh at a little in this world, and shall weep much in the other, for a punishment of their sins. If thou meet them, and they demand per∣mission

to go out with thee, to fight for the Faith; say to them, you shall not go out, neither shall ye ever fight a∣gainst the enemy with me, ye were slothfull and cowards the first time, remain with the unbelievers; pray not for them after their death, and stay not at their Tombs, be∣cause they believed neither in God, nor his Prophet, and died in their wickednesse. Be thou not astonished, nei∣ther at the abundance of their wealth, nor the number of their children, God will make use of them, to chastise them in this world, and will destro•• them in their impie∣ty. When command was sent to them to believe in God, and fight with his Prophet, the most powerfull among them desired thee to excuse them, and said, Leave us with them that continue in their houses, and desire to remain with the sick, the women, and little children: God har∣dened their hearts, and they shall never learn the truth. The Prophet and true believers that were with them, and fought, and employed their persons, and goods for the Service of God, shall be blessed; he hath prepared for them gardens, wherein flow many rivers, with perfection of felicity. Some of the Arabians came to excuse them∣selves of going to the war, and such as renounced God and the Prophet, remained in their houses, but they shall rescent grievous torments, because of their wickedness; the sick, the impotent, and those that want means to be present at the war, offend not God in ab••ding in their houses, provided they be faithfull to his divine Majestie, and his Prophet. The righteous are not obliged to do but what is in their power, God shall be to them gracious and mercifull. Such as repaired to thee to fight, and whom thou didst dismiss for want of occasion, did not offend God; they returned to their houses with tears in their eyes, with discontent, to have wanted means to employ in the Service of his divine Majesty; the war is appointed to such as intreat thee to exempt them that are rich, and have wealth to subsist, they require leave to remain with their wives and children, God hath hardned their hearts, and they know it not; they shall come to excuse them∣selves, when thou shalt meet them; Say unto them, excuse

not your selves, I do not believe you, God hath given us to understand your news, he and his Prophet likewise hath rendred your good works vain and unprofitable; ye shall one day appear before him that knoweth what is past, present, and future, he shall cause you to remember what∣soever you have done, and shall punish you according to your demerits. They shall conjure you by the name of God, when you approach them, to depart from them; de∣part from them, they are full of uncleanness, hell shall be their habitation, whe••e they shall be tormented for their crimes. They shall beseech you to love them; if you love them, know, that God abhorreth them that disobey him: The Arabians, who observe not the precepts which God hath sent to his Prophet; are ye more impious and in∣gratefull? God knoweth all things, and is most prudent. There be persons among the Arabians, who account it lost money that they expend for the Service of God, and pro∣tract their departure, to retard yours, and make you to attend; the wheel of misery is upon them, God under∣standeth what ever they say, and knoweth all their acti∣ons; there be among them who believe in God, and the day of Judgement; they esteem that their expence for the Service of God draweth them nigh to his divine Majesty, and they invite the Prophet to pray for them, God shall give them his mercy, he is gracious and mercifull to them that obey him. They that first arrived at Medina, the first of them that went out of Mecca, to depart from the wic∣ked, such as were at the battell of Beder, and such as imi∣tated them in well doing, shall injoy the grace of God, he hath prepared for them gardens, wherein flow many rivers, with supreme felicitie. There be Arabians about you, and in Medina, they affect impietie; you know them not, but I know them all, I will chastise them twice on earth, (to wit, through ignominie and death) and they shall feele in the other world exceeding great torments. Others there bee, that confesse their sinnes, and who doe good and evill works; peradventure God will pardon them, hee is altogether gracious and mer∣cifull; take of their substance for almes, thou shalt render

them righteous and shalt purifie them, pray for them, thy prayers shall procure them the mercy of God, he un∣derstandeth and knoweth all things. Know they not, that God accepteth the conversion of his Creatures, that their almes are pleasing to him, and that he is gracious and mercifull? Say unto them, doe what shall please you; God, his Prophet, and the True-believers shall see what you do, you shall one day appear before him, who know∣eth the present, past, and future; he shall make you to know whatsoever ye have done▪ and shall chastise you af∣ter your demerits. There be others that attend the plea∣sure of God, either his grace, or his wrath, his punish∣ment, or his mercy, God understandeth what is in their soules, and is most wise. They that esteemed, that the Temple built by unbelievers, to seduce the righteous, to distinguish the wicked from the good, and to observe such as had before fought against God, and against his Pro∣phet, is the Temple of his divine Majestie, sweare that they desire to do well, and that their intention is most honest, but they are lyars, and God shall be witnesse of their falshood; make not thy prayers in that Temple, make the prayers in the Temple founded on the fear of God, that is reasonable; there be persons in that Tem∣ple who desire to be purified, God loveth such as have a clean soul; Who is he that buildeth best, he that foundeth his bullding upon the fear of God, or he who layeth the foundation of his building upon the brink of a ditch of sand, which falleth, and ruineth it self? They who e∣steem the Temple built by unbelievers, to seduce the peo∣ple, to be the Temple of God, shall be with that Temple, and with the Infidels that built it, burnt in the fire of Hell; God guideth not the unjust, their building shall serve only to torment them, God knoweth their designe, and is most wise; he purchaseth of True-believers their souls and goods; and giveth them Paradise; if they be slain, or if they slay when they shall fight for the faith, they shall have what he hath promised to them in the Old Testament, the Gospel, and in the Alcoran: Who better satisfieth what hee hath promised, then

God, Declare to them, that they have made a good pur∣chase, they have gained the height of felicity. Such as are firme in their faith, who pray, honour, and worship God, who observe his Commandements, and all True-believers, shall enjoy the delights of Paradise, with all manner of content. The Prophet, and True-believers ought not to ask pardon of God for Infidels, notwith∣standing they be their parents, having had knowledge that they are damned, because of their infidelity. Abra∣ham prayed not for his father, untill he had promised him to adore one God alone; when hee knew his fa∣ther to be an enemie to God, he declared himselfe an enemy to his sin, he ceased praying for him, although he was exceeding charitable, and patient in his afflictions. God misleadeth not them that he hath put into the right way, he giveth them to understand what they ought to doe, he knoweth them that deserve to be seduced, and such as merit to be guided through the right way. The Kingdome of heaven and Earth is Gods, he giveth life and death to whom he seeth good: Who, except God shall protect you? he hath given his grace to the Pro∣phet, and to such as followed him in his affliction, al∣though it wanted but a little, that the hearts of many of them inclined not to the party of the unbelievers, but he pardoned them; he hath been gracious and mercifull to three persons who deserted the Prophet, and were sor∣ry for their error, they knew there was no sure refuge, but in God, he pardoned them, when they were con∣verted, he is gracious and mercifull to such as repent. Oh ye that believe! feare God, be righteous; the In∣habitants of Medina and the Arabians, that dwell about that City, ought not to contradict the will of the Pro∣phet of God, neither dislike what he approveth, be∣cause they have endured neither thirst, nor paine, nor anguish for the service of his divine Majesty; they have not been trampled under-foot by their enemies, they shall irritate the Infidels, and shall receive no displea∣sure; on the contrary, they shall acquire merit, and per∣form a good work. God doth not deprive them of recom∣pence

that doe well, he shall write down their expence for his service, and the number of the Idols that they shall destroy, for reward of their good works. It is not necessary that all the faithfull goe to the warre, it is suf∣ficient, that of every lineage, and of every Nation there goe a party, while the rest shall learn the Lawes and mysteries of faith, to instruct their Companions, when they shall return from their voyage, perhaps they will fear the chastisement of God. Oh ye that believe in God▪ fight against them that would cause you to be defiled in impiety, be valiant, and know that God is with them that have his feare before their eyes. When God caused to descend from Heaven, any Chapter of the Alcoran, some of them said, through disdaine, that will increase the faith of this people. Certainly it aug∣menteth the faith of True-believers, it rejoyceth them▪ and enflameth the wrath of his divine Majesty upon In∣fidels, who persist in their pollutions, and dye in their wickednesse. They know not that God tryeth the good, once, or twice a year, they will not be converted, it is lost time to preach to them. When God sent from Heaven any Chapter of the Alcoran, they beheld each others, and said, doth any one see us? They returned in their impiety, and God turned their heart from the right way, for that they would not learn the Truth. God hath sent you a Prophet of your own Nation, who, with pas∣sion, desireth to deliver you from your obstinacy, and is extreamly affected to instruct you in the way of Salvati∣on, God is milde, and pitifull towards True-believers. If they abandon the faith, say unto them, God is my protector, there is but one sole God, I recommend my selfe to the will of his divine Majesty, he is the Lord of the Majestique Throne.

Notes

• See Gelal∣din.
• Benou Mo∣c••en.
• Kiab bin Malik, h••∣lal bin A∣••ihe, Mes∣rarhe bin ••abin.