57. O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your
religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture
before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith
(indeed).
58. When ye proclaim your call to prayer they take it (but) as mockery and
sport; that is because they are a people without understanding.
59. Say: "O people of the Book! Do ye disapprove of us for no other reason than
that we believe in Allah, and the revelation that hath come to us and that which
came before (us), and (perhaps) that most of you are rebellious and
disobedient?"
60. Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged)
by the treatment it received from Allah. those who incurred the curse of Allah
and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who
worshipped evil;- these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from
the even path!"
61. When they come to thee, they say: "We believe": but in fact they enter with
a mind against Faith, and they go out with the same but Allah knoweth fully all
that they hide.
62. Many of them dost thou see, racing each other in sin and rancour, and their
eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do.
63. Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of Law forbid them from their (habit
of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their
works.
64. The Jews say: "(Allah)'s hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be
they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely
outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the
revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their
obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred
till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth
extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth
not those who do mischief.
65. If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should
indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.
66. If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation
that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from
every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of
them follow a course that is evil.
67. O Messenger. proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy
Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His
mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah
guideth not those who reject Faith.
68. Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand
fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from
your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that
increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow
thou not over (these) people without Faith.
69. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures),
and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day,
and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Translation by Abdullah Yusufali