27. Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they
each presented a sacrifice (to Allah.: It was accepted from one, but not from
the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the
former, "(Allah) doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous.
28. "If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to
stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the cherisher of
the worlds.
29. "For me, I intend to let thee draw on thyself my sin as well as thine, for
thou wilt be among the companions of the fire, and that is the reward of those
who do wrong."
30. The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he
murdered him, and became (himself) one of the lost ones.
31. Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide
the shame of his brother. "Woe is me!" said he; "Was I not even able to be as
this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother?" then he became full of
regrets-
32. On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew
a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it
would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would
be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them
Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to
commit excesses in the land.
33. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and
strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or
crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile
from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is
theirs in the Hereafter;
34. Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case,
know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
35. O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto
Him, and strive with might and main in his cause: that ye may prosper.
Translation by Abdullah Yusufali