142. The Hypocrites - they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-
reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be
seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance;
143. (They are) distracted in mind even in the midst of it,- being (sincerely)
for neither one group nor for another whom Allah leaves straying,- never wilt
thou find for him the way.
144. O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers:
Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?
145. The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt
thou find for them;-
146. Except for those who repent, mend (their lives) hold fast to Allah, and
purify their religion as in Allah.s sight: if so they will be (numbered) with
the believers. And soon will Allah grant to the believers a reward of immense
value.
147. What can Allah gain by your punishment, if ye are grateful and ye believe?
Nay, it is Allah that recogniseth (all good), and knoweth all things.
148. Allah loveth not that evil should be noised abroad in public speech, except
where injustice hath been done; for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth all
things.
149. Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal it or cover evil with pardon,
verily Allah doth blot out (sins) and hath power (in the judgment of values).
150. Those who deny Allah and His apostles, and (those who) wish to separate
Allah from His apostles, saying: "We believe in some but reject others": And
(those who) wish to take a course midway,-
151. They are in truth (equally) unbelievers; and we have prepared for
unbelievers a humiliating punishment.
152. To those who believe in Allah and His apostles and make no distinction
between any of the apostles, we shall soon give their (due) rewards: for Allah
is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.
153. The people of the Book ask thee to cause a book to descend to them from
heaven: Indeed they asked Moses for an even greater (miracle), for they said:
"Show us Allah in public," but they were dazed for their presumption, with
thunder and lightning. Yet they worshipped the calf even after clear signs had
come to them; even so we forgave them; and gave Moses manifest proofs of
authority.
154. And for their covenant we raised over them (the towering height) of Mount
(Sinai); and (on another occasion) we said: "Enter the gate with humility"; and
(once again) we commanded them: "Transgress not in the matter of the sabbath."
And we took from them a solemn covenant.
155. (They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant;
that they rejected the signs of Allah. that they slew the Messengers in defiance
of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah.s
Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their
blasphemy, and little is it they believe;-
156. That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false
charge;
157. That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the
Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was
made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no
(certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed
him not:-
158. Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power,
Wise;-
159. And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before
his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them;-
Translation by Abdullah Yusufali