Witnessing: Qur’an Verses

وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ ف۪ي رَيْبٍ مِمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلٰى عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِنْ مِثْلِه۪ۖ وَادْعُوا شُهَدَٓاءَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللّٰهِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِق۪ينَ

And if you doubt any part of what We have, bestowed from on high, step by step, upon Our servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah of similar merit, and call upon any other than Allah to bear witness for you -if what you say is true!

وَاِذْ اَخَذْنَا م۪يثَاقَكُمْ لَا تَسْفِكُونَ دِمَٓاءَكُمْ وَلَا تُخْرِجُونَ اَنْفُسَكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ ثُمَّ اَقْرَرْتُمْ وَاَنْتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ

And lo! We accepted your solemn pledge that you would not shed one another's blood, and would not drive one another from your homelands – whereupon you acknowledged it; and thereto you bear witness [even now].

اَمْ كُنْتُمْ شُهَدَٓاءَ اِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُۙ اِذْ قَالَ لِبَن۪يهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ بَعْد۪يۜ قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ اِلٰهَكَ وَاِلٰهَ اٰبَٓائِكَ اِبْرٰه۪يمَ وَاِسْمٰع۪يلَ وَاِسْحٰقَ اِلٰهًا وَاحِدًاۚ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

Nay, but you [yourselves, O children of Israel,] bear witness that when death was approaching Jacob, he said unto his sons: "Whom will you worship after I am gone?" They answered: "We will worship thy Allah, the Allah of thy forefathers Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, the One Allah; and unto Him we surrender ourselves."

وَكَذٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ اُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَٓاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَه۪يدًاۜ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّت۪ي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهَٓا اِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُولَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلٰى عَقِبَيْهِۜ وَاِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَب۪يرَةً اِلَّا عَلَى الَّذ۪ينَ هَدَى اللّٰهُۜ وَمَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِيُض۪يعَ ا۪يمَانَكُمْۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَؤُ۫فٌ رَح۪يمٌ

And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you. And it is only to the end that We might make a clear distinction between those who follow the Apostle and those who turn about on their heels that We have appointed [for this community] the direction of prayer which thou [O Prophet] hast formerly observed: for this was indeed a hard test for all but those whom Allah has guided aright. But Allah will surely not lose sight of your faith-for, behold, Allah is most compassionate towards man, a dispenser of grace.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذ۪ٓي اُنْزِلَ ف۪يهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُۜ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَر۪يضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَۜ يُر۪يدُ اللّٰهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُر۪يدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَۘ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰيكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. Allah wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol Allah for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُ فِي الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا ف۪ي قَلْبِه۪ۙ وَهُوَ اَلَدُّ الْخِصَامِ

NOW THERE IS a kind of man whose views on the life of this world may please thee greatly, and [the more so as] he cites Allah as witness to what is in his heart and is, moreover, exceedingly skillful in argument.

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُٓوا اِذَا تَدَايَنْتُمْ بِدَيْنٍ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُۜ وَلْيَكْتُبْ بَيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِۖ وَلَا يَأْبَ كَاتِبٌ اَنْ يَكْتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ اللّٰهُ فَلْيَكْتُبْۚ وَلْيُمْلِلِ الَّذ۪ي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللّٰهَ رَبَّهُ وَلَا يَبْخَسْ مِنْهُ شَيْـًٔاۜ فَاِنْ كَانَ الَّذ۪ي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ سَف۪يهًا اَوْ ضَع۪يفًا اَوْ لَا يَسْتَط۪يعُ اَنْ يُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلْيُمْلِلْ وَلِيُّهُ بِالْعَدْلِۜ وَاسْتَشْهِدُوا شَه۪يدَيْنِ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْۚ فَاِنْ لَمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَاَتَانِ مِمَّنْ تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَٓاءِ اَنْ تَضِلَّ اِحْدٰيهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ اِحْدٰيهُمَا الْاُخْرٰىۜ وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَٓاءُ اِذَا مَا دُعُواۜ وَلَا تَسْـَٔمُٓوا اَنْ تَكْتُبُوهُ صَغ۪يرًا اَوْ كَب۪يرًا اِلٰٓى اَجَلِه۪ۜ ذٰلِكُمْ اَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَاَقْوَمُ لِلشَّهَادَةِ وَاَدْنٰٓى اَلَّا تَرْتَابُٓوا اِلَّٓا اَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُد۪يرُونَهَا بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ اَلَّا تَكْتُبُوهَاۜ وَاَشْهِدُٓوا اِذَا تَبَايَعْتُمْۖ وَلَا يُضَٓارَّ كَاتِبٌ وَلَا شَه۪يدٌۜ وَاِنْ تَفْعَلُوا فَاِنَّهُ فُسُوقٌ بِكُمْۜ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَۜ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللّٰهُۜ وَاللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَل۪يمٌ

O YOU who have attained to faith! Whenever you give or take credit for a stated term, set it down in writing. And let a scribe write it down equitably between you; and no scribe shall refuse to write as Allah has taught him: thus shall he write. And let him who contracts the debt dictate; and let him be conscious of Allah, his Sustainer, and not weaken anything of his undertaking. And if he who contracts the debt is weak of mind or body, or, is not able to dictate himself, then let him who watches over his interests dictate equitably. And call upon two of your men to act as witnesses; and if two men are not available, then a man and two women from among such as are acceptable to you as witnesses, so that if one of them should make a mistake, the other could remind her. And the witnesses must not refuse [to give evidence] whenever they are called upon. And be not loath to write down every contractual provision, be it small or great, together with the time at which it falls due; this is more equitable in the sight of Allah, more reliable as evidence, and more likely to prevent you from having doubts [later]. If, however, [the transaction] concerns ready merchandise which you transfer directly unto one another, you will incur no sin if you do not write it down. And have witnesses whenever you trade with one another, but neither scribe nor witness must suffer harm; for if you do [them harm], behold, it will be sinful conduct on your part. And remain conscious of Allah, since it is Allah who teaches you [herewith] – and Allah has full knowledge of everything.

وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا كَاتِبًا فَرِهَانٌ مَقْبُوضَةٌۜ فَاِنْ اَمِنَ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ اَمَانَتَهُ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللّٰهَ رَبَّهُۜ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَۜ وَمَنْ يَكْتُمْهَا فَاِنَّهُٓ اٰثِمٌ قَلْبُهُۜ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَل۪يمٌ۟

And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, pledges [may be taken] in hand: but if you trust one another, then let him who is trusted fulfil his trust, and let him be conscious of Allah, his Sustainer. And do not conceal what you have witnessed – for, verily, he who conceals it is sinful at heart; and Allah has full knowledge of all that you do.

شَهِدَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّهُ لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۙ وَالْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ وَاُو۬لُوا الْعِلْمِ قَٓائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِۜ لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ الْعَز۪يزُ الْحَك۪يمُۜ

GOD [Himself] proffers evidence – and [so do] the angels and all who are endowed with knowledge – that there is no deity save Him, the Upholder of Equity: there is no deity save Him, the Almighty, the Truly Wise.

فَلَمَّٓا اَحَسَّ ع۪يسٰى مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ اَنْصَار۪ٓي اِلَى اللّٰهِۜ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ اَنْصَارُ اللّٰهِۚ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِۚ وَاشْهَدْ بِاَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

And when Jesus became aware of their refusal to acknowledge the truth, he asked: "Who will be my helpers in Allah's cause?" The white-garbed ones replied: "We shall be [thy] helpers [in the cause] of Allah! We believe in Allah: and bear thou witness that we have surrendered ourselves unto Him!

رَبَّنَٓا اٰمَنَّا بِمَٓا اَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَ

O our Sustainer! We believe in what Thou hast bestowed from on high, and we follow this Apostle; make us one, then, with all who bear witness [to the truth]!"

قُلْ يَٓا اَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا اِلٰى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَٓاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ اَلَّا نَعْبُدَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِه۪ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا اَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللّٰهِۜ فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِاَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

Say: "O followers of earlier revelation! Come unto that tenet which we and you hold in common: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall not ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and that we shall not take human beings for our lords beside Allah." And if they turn away, then say: "Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves unto Him."

يَٓا اَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاٰيَاتِ اللّٰهِ وَاَنْتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ

O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you deny the truth of Allah's messages to which you yourselves bear witness?

وَاِذْ اَخَذَ اللّٰهُ م۪يثَاقَ النَّبِيّ۪نَ لَمَٓا اٰتَيْتُكُمْ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَٓاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُصَدِّقٌ لِمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِه۪ وَلَتَنْصُرُنَّهُۜ قَالَ ءَاَقْرَرْتُمْ وَاَخَذْتُمْ عَلٰى ذٰلِكُمْ اِصْر۪يۜ قَالُٓوا اَقْرَرْنَاۜ قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَاَنَا۬ مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَ

AND, LO, Allah accepted, through the prophets, this solemn pledge [from the followers of earlier revelation]: "If, after all the revelation and the wisdom which I have vouchsafed unto you, there comes to you an apostle confirming the truth already in your possession, you must believe in him and succour him. Do you" – said He – "acknowledge and accept My bond on this condition?" They answered: "We do acknowledge it." Said He: "Then bear witness [thereto], and I shall be your witness.

كَيْفَ يَهْدِي اللّٰهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُوا بَعْدَ ا۪يمَانِهِمْ وَشَهِدُٓوا اَنَّ الرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَٓاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُۜ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِم۪ينَ

How would Allah bestow His guidance upon people who have resolved to deny the truth after having attained to faith, and having borne witness that this Apostle is true, and [after] all evidence of the truth has come unto them? For, Allah does not guide such evildoing folk.

قُلْ يَٓا اَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاٰيَاتِ اللّٰهِۗ وَاللّٰهُ شَه۪يدٌ عَلٰى مَا تَعْمَلُونَ

SAY: "O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you refuse to acknowledge the truth of Allah's messages, when Allah is witness to all that you do?"

قُلْ يَٓا اَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَب۪يلِ اللّٰهِ مَنْ اٰمَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَاَنْتُمْ شُهَدَٓاءُۜ وَمَا اللّٰهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Say: "O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you [endeavour to] bar those who have come to believe [in this divine writ] from the path of Allah by trying to make it appear crooked, when you yourselves bear witness [to its being straight]? For, Allah is not unaware of what you do."

اِنْ يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِثْلُهُۜ وَتِلْكَ الْاَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِۚ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللّٰهُ الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَٓاءَۜ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِم۪ينَۙ

If misfortune touches you, [know that] similar misfortune has touched [other] people as well; for it is by turns that We apportion unto men such days [of fortune and misfortune]: and [this] to the end that Allah might mark out those who have attained to faith, and choose from among you such as [with their lives] bear witness to the truth – since Allah does not love evildoers –

وَابْتَلُوا الْيَتَامٰى حَتّٰٓى اِذَا بَلَغُوا النِّكَاحَۚ فَاِنْ اٰنَسْتُمْ مِنْهُمْ رُشْدًا فَادْفَعُٓوا اِلَيْهِمْ اَمْوَالَهُمْۚ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَٓا اِسْرَافًا وَبِدَارًا اَنْ يَكْبَرُواۜ وَمَنْ كَانَ غَنِيًّا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْۚ وَمَنْ كَانَ فَق۪يرًا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِۜ فَاِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ اِلَيْهِمْ اَمْوَالَهُمْ فَاَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِمْۜ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ حَس۪يبًا

And test the orphans [in your charge] until they reach a marriage­able age; then, if you find them to be mature of mind, hand over to them their possessions; and do not consume them by wasteful spending, and in haste, ere they grow up. And let him who is rich abstain entirely [from his ward's property]; and let him who is poor partake thereof in a fair manner. And when you hand over to them their possessions, let there be witnesses on their behalf – although none can take count as Allah does.

وَالّٰت۪ي يَأْت۪ينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مِنْ نِسَٓائِكُمْ فَاسْتَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ اَرْبَعَةً مِنْكُمْۚ فَاِنْ شَهِدُوا فَاَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ حَتّٰى يَتَوَفّٰيهُنَّ الْمَوْتُ اَوْ يَجْعَلَ اللّٰهُ لَهُنَّ سَب۪يلًا

AND AS FOR those of your women who become guilty of immoral conduct, call upon four from among you who have witnessed their guilt; and if these bear witness thereto, confine the guilty women to their houses until death takes them away or Allah opens for them a way [through repentance].

وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مَوَالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْاَقْرَبُونَۜ وَالَّذ۪ينَ عَقَدَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْ فَاٰتُوهُمْ نَص۪يبَهُمْۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدًا۟

And unto everyone have We appointed heirs to what he may leave behind: parents, and near kinsfolk, and those to whom you have pledged your troth give them, therefore, their share. Behold, Allah is indeed a witness unto everything.

فَكَيْفَ اِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ بِشَه۪يدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰٓؤُ۬لَٓاءِ شَه۪يدًاۜ

How, then, [will the sinners fare on Judgment Day,] when We shall bring forward witnesses from within every community, and bring thee [O Prophet] as witness against them?

مَٓا اَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِۘ وَمَٓا اَصَابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَفْسِكَۜ وَاَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًاۜ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًا

Whatever good happens to thee is from Allah; and whatever evil befalls thee is from thyself. AND WE have sent thee [O Muhammad] as an apostle unto all mankind: and none can bear witness [thereto] as Allah does.

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّام۪ينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَٓاءَ لِلّٰهِ وَلَوْ عَلٰٓى اَنْفُسِكُمْ اَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْاَقْرَب۪ينَۚ اِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا اَوْ فَق۪يرًا فَاللّٰهُ اَوْلٰى بِهِمَا فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوٰٓى اَنْ تَعْدِلُواۚ وَاِنْ تَلْوُٓ۫ا اَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَب۪يرًا

O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of Allah, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, Allah's claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them. Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, Allah is indeed aware of all that you do!

وَاِنْ مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ اِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِه۪ قَبْلَ مَوْتِه۪ۚ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَه۪يدًاۚ

Yet there is not one of the followers of earlier revelation who does not, at the moment of his death, grasp the truth about Jesus; and on the Day of Resurrection he [himself] shall bear witness to the truth against them.

لٰكِنِ اللّٰهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَٓا اَنْزَلَ اِلَيْكَ اَنْزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِه۪ۚ وَالْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَۜ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًا

However it be, Allah [Himself] bears witness to the truth of what He has bestowed from on high upon thee: out of His own wisdom has He bestowed it from on high, with the angels bearing witness thereto – although none can bear witness as Allah does.

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّام۪ينَ لِلّٰهِ شُهَدَٓاءَ بِالْقِسْطِۘ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ عَلٰٓى اَلَّا تَعْدِلُواۜ اِعْدِلُوا۠ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰىۘ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَب۪يرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to Allah, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being Allah-conscious. And remain conscious of Allah: verily, Allah is aware of all that you do.

اِنَّٓا اَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرٰيةَ ف۪يهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذ۪ينَ اَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذ۪ينَ هَادُوا وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْاَحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُوا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللّٰهِ وَكَانُوا عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَٓاءَۚ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِاٰيَات۪ي ثَمَنًا قَل۪يلًاۜ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَٓا اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ فَاُو۬لٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

Verily, it is We who bestowed from on high the Torah, wherein there was guidance and light. On `its strength did the prophets, who had surrendered themselves unto Allah, deliver judgment unto those who followed the Jewish faith; and so did the [early] men of Allah and the rabbis, inasmuch as some of Allah's writ had been entrusted to their care; and they [all] bore witness to its truth. Therefore, [O children of Israel,] hold not men in awe, but stand in awe of Me; and do not barter away My messages for a trifling gain: for they who do not judge in accordance with what Allah has bestowed from on high are, indeed, deniers of the truth!

وَاَنْزَلْنَٓا اِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَٓا اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَٓاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَٓاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّۜ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًاۜ وَلَوْ شَٓاءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ اُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلٰكِنْ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ ف۪ي مَٓا اٰتٰيكُمْ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِۜ اِلَى اللّٰهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَم۪يعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ ف۪يهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَۙ

And unto thee [O Prophet] have We vouchsafed this divine writ, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein. Judge, then, between the followers of earlier revelation in accordance with what Allah has bestowed from on high, and do not follow their errant views, forsaking the truth that has come unto thee. Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if Allah had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto, you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto Allah you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.

وَاِذَا سَمِعُوا مَٓا اُنْزِلَ اِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرٰٓى اَعْيُنَهُمْ تَف۪يضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّۚ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَٓا اٰمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَ

For, when they come to understand what has been bestowed from on high upon this Apostle, thou canst see their eyes overflow with tears, because they recognize something of its truth; [and] they say: "O our Sustainer! We do believe; make us one, then, with all who bear witness to the truth.

يَٓا اَيُّهَا الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ اِذَا حَضَرَ اَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ ح۪ينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ اَوْ اٰخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ اِنْ اَنْتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْاَرْضِ فَاَصَابَتْكُمْ مُص۪يبَةُ الْمَوْتِۜ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِنْ بَعْدِ الصَّلٰوةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِاللّٰهِ اِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَر۪ي بِه۪ ثَمَنًا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبٰىۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَادَةَ اللّٰهِ اِنَّٓا اِذًا لَمِنَ الْاٰثِم۪ينَ

O YOU who have attained to faith! Let there be witnesses to what you do when death approaches you and you are about to make bequests: two persons of probity from among your own people, or -if the pangs of death come upon you while you are travelling far from home -two other persons from [among people] other than your own. Take hold of the two after having prayed; and if you have any doubt in your mind, let each of them swear by Allah, "We shall not sell this [our word] for any price, even though it were [for the sake of] a near kinsman; and neither shall we conceal aught of what we have witnessed before Allah -or else, may we indeed be counted among the sinful."

ذٰلِكَ اَدْنٰٓى اَنْ يَأْتُوا بِالشَّهَادَةِ عَلٰى وَجْهِهَٓا اَوْ يَخَافُٓوا اَنْ تُرَدَّ اَيْمَانٌ بَعْدَ اَيْمَانِهِمْۜ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَاسْمَعُواۜ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِق۪ينَ۟

Thus it will be more likely that people will offer testimony in accordance with the truth-or else they will [have cause to] fear that their oaths will be refuted by the oaths of others. Be, then, conscious of Allah, and hearken [unto Him]: for Allah does not bestow His guidance upon iniquitous folk.

وَاِذْ اَوْحَيْتُ اِلَى الْحَوَارِيّ۪نَ اَنْ اٰمِنُوا ب۪ي وَبِرَسُول۪يۚ قَالُٓوا اٰمَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِاَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ

AND [remember the time] when I inspired the white-garbed ones: Believe in Me and in My Apostle!" They answered: "We believe; and bear Thou witness that we have surrendered ourselves [unto Thee]."

قَالُوا نُر۪يدُ اَنْ نَأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ اَنْ قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَ

Said they: "We desire to partake thereof, so that our hearts might be set fully at rest, and that we might know that thou hast spoken the truth to us, and that we might be of those who bear witness thereto!"

مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ اِلَّا مَٓا اَمَرْتَن۪ي بِه۪ٓ اَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ رَبّ۪ي وَرَبَّكُمْۚ وَكُنْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَه۪يدًا مَا دُمْتُ ف۪يهِمْۚ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَن۪ي كُنْتَ اَنْتَ الرَّق۪يبَ عَلَيْهِمْۜ وَاَنْتَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌ

Nothing did I tell them beyond what Thou didst bid me [to say]: `Worship Allah, [who is] my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer.' And I bore witness to what they did as long as I dwelt in their midst; but since Thou hast caused me to die, Thou alone hast been their keeper: for Thou art witness unto everything.

قُلْ اَيُّ شَيْءٍ اَكْبَرُ شَهَادَةًۜ قُلِ اللّٰهُ شَه۪يدٌ بَيْن۪ي وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَاُو۫حِيَ اِلَيَّ هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنُ لِاُنْذِرَكُمْ بِه۪ وَمَنْ بَلَغَۜ اَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَشْهَدُونَ اَنَّ مَعَ اللّٰهِ اٰلِهَةً اُخْرٰىۜ قُلْ لَٓا اَشْهَدُۚ قُلْ اِنَّمَا هُوَ اِلٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَاِنَّن۪ي بَر۪ٓيءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَۢ

Say: "What could most weightily bear witness to the truth?" Say: "Allah is witness between me and you; and this Qur’an has been revealed unto me so that on the strength thereof I might warn you and all whom it may reach." Could you in truth bear witness that there are other deities side by side with Allah? Say: "I bear no [such] witness!" Say: "He is the One Allah; and, behold, far be it from me to ascribe divinity, as, you do, to aught beside Him!"

وَمِنَ الْاِبِلِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ اثْنَيْنِۜ قُلْ آٰلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ اَمِ الْاُنْثَيَيْنِ اَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ اَرْحَامُ الْاُنْثَيَيْنِۜ اَمْ كُنْتُمْ شُهَدَٓاءَ اِذْ وَصّٰيكُمُ اللّٰهُ بِهٰذَاۚ فَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًا لِيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِم۪ينَ۟

And [likewise they declare as unlawful] either of the two sexes of camels and of bovine cattle. Ask [them]: "Is it the two males that He has forbidden, or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females may contain? Is it, perchance, that you [yourselves] were witnesses when Allah enjoined [all] this upon you?" And who could be more wicked than he who, without any [real] knowledge, attributes his own lying inventions to Allah, and thus leads people astray'? Behold, Allah does not grace [such] evildoing folk with His guidance.

قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَٓاءَكُمُ الَّذ۪ينَ يَشْهَدُونَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ حَرَّمَ هٰذَاۚ فَاِنْ شَهِدُوا فَلَا تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَٓاءَ الَّذ۪ينَ كَذَّبُوا بِاٰيَاتِنَا وَالَّذ۪ينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ وَهُمْ بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ۟

Say: "Bring forward your witnesses who could bear witness that Allah has forbidden [all] this!" -and if they bear witness [falsely], do not bear witness with them; and do not follow the errant views of those who have given the lie to Our messages, nor of those who believe not in the life to come, and who regard other powers as their Sustainer's equals!

وَاِذْ اَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَن۪ٓي اٰدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَاَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلٰٓى اَنْفُسِهِمْۚ اَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْۜ قَالُوا بَلٰىۚۛ شَهِدْنَاۚۛ اَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ اِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هٰذَا غَافِل۪ينَۙ

AND WHENEVER thy Sustainer brings forth their offspring from the loins of the children of Adam, He [thus] calls upon them to bear witness about themselves: "Am I not your Sustainer?" – to which they answer: "Yea, indeed, we do bear witness thereto!" [Of this We remind you,] lest you say on the Day of Resurrection, "Verily, we were unaware of this";

مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِك۪ينَ اَنْ يَعْمُرُوا مَسَاجِدَ اللّٰهِ شَاهِد۪ينَ عَلٰٓى اَنْفُسِهِمْ بِالْكُفْرِۜ اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْۚ وَفِي النَّارِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ

IT IS NOT for those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Allah to visit or tend Allah's houses of worship, the while [by their beliefs] they bear witness against themselves that they are denying the truth. It is they whose works shall come to nought, and they who in the fire shall abide

وَالَّذ۪ينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَكُفْرًا وَتَفْر۪يقًا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِن۪ينَ وَاِرْصَادًا لِمَنْ حَارَبَ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُۜ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ اِنْ اَرَدْنَٓا اِلَّا الْحُسْنٰىۜ وَاللّٰهُ يَشْهَدُ اِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

AND [there are hypocrites] who have established a [separate] house of worship in order to create mischief, and to promote apostasy and disunity among the believers, and to provide an outpost for all who from the outset have been warring against Allah and His Apostle. And they will surely swear [to you, O believers], "We had but the best of intentions!" -the while Allah [Himself] bears witness that they are lying.

فَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ اِنْ كُنَّا عَنْ عِبَادَتِكُمْ لَغَافِل۪ينَ

and none can bear witness between us and you as Allah does: we were, for certain, unaware of your worshipping [us].

وَاِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذ۪ي نَعِدُهُمْ اَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَاِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ اللّٰهُ شَه۪يدٌ عَلٰى مَا يَفْعَلُونَ

And whether We show thee [in this world something of what We hold in store for those [deniers of the truth], or whether We cause thee to die [before that retribution takes place – know that, in the end], it is unto Us that they must return; and Allah is witness to all that they do.

وَمَا تَكُونُ ف۪ي شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُوا مِنْهُ مِنْ قُرْاٰنٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ اِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا اِذْ تُف۪يضُونَ ف۪يهِۜ وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْ رَبِّكَ مِنْ مِثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِي الْاَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَٓاءِ وَلَٓا اَصْغَرَ مِنْ ذٰلِكَ وَلَٓا اَكْبَرَ اِلَّا ف۪ي كِتَابٍ مُب۪ينٍ

AND IN whatever condition thou mayest find thyself, [O Prophet,] and whatever discourse of this [divine writ] thou mayest be reciting, and whatever work you [all, O men,] may do -[remember that] We are your witness [from the moment] when you enter upon it: for, not even an atom's weight [of whatever there is] on earth or in heaven escapes thy Sustainer's knowledge; and neither is there anything smaller than that, or larger, but is recorded in [His] clear decree.

اَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلٰى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّه۪ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِنْهُ وَمِنْ قَبْلِه۪ كِتَابُ مُوسٰٓى اِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةًۜ اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِه۪ۜ وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِه۪ مِنَ الْاَحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۚ فَلَا تَكُ ف۪ي مِرْيَةٍ مِنْهُ اِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Can, then, [he who cares for no more than the life of this world be compared with] one who takes his stand on a clear evidence from his Sustainer, conveyed through [this] testimony from Him, as was the revelation vouchsafed to Moses aforetime-[a divine writ ordained by Him] to be a guidance and grace [unto man]? They [who understand this message-it is they alone who truly] believe in it; whereas for any of those who, leagued together [in common hostility], deny its truth – the fire shall be their appointed state [in the life to come]. And so, be not in doubt about this [revelation]: behold, it is the truth from thy Sustainer, even though most people will not believe in it.

وَمَنْ اَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ كَذِبًاۜ اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلٰى رَبِّهِمْ وَيَقُولُ الْاَشْهَادُ هٰٓؤُ۬لَٓاءِ الَّذ۪ينَ كَذَبُوا عَلٰى رَبِّهِمْۚ اَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَى الظَّالِم۪ينَۙ

And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to Allah? [On the Day of Judgment, such as] these shall be arraigned before their Sustainer, and those who are called upon to bear witness [against them] shall say, "It is they who uttered lies about their Sustainer!" Oh, verily, Allah's rejection is the due of all evildoers

اِنْ نَقُولُ اِلَّا اعْتَرٰيكَ بَعْضُ اٰلِهَتِنَا بِسُٓوءٍۜ قَالَ اِنّ۪ٓي اُشْهِدُ اللّٰهَ وَاشْهَدُٓوا اَنّ۪ي بَر۪ٓيءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَۙ

We can say no more than that one of our gods may have smitten thee with something evil!" Answered [Hud]: "Behold, I call Allah to witness – and you, too, be [my] witnesses – that, verily, it is not in me to ascribe divinity, as you do, to aught

قَالَ هِيَ رَاوَدَتْن۪ي عَنْ نَفْس۪ي وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِنْ اَهْلِهَاۚ اِنْ كَانَ قَم۪يصُهُ قُدَّ مِنْ قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ الْكَاذِب۪ينَ

[Joseph] exclaimed: "It was she who sought to make me yield myself unto her!" Now one of those present, a member of her own household, suggested this: If his tunic has been torn from the front, then she is telling the truth, and he is a liar;

اِرْجِعُٓوا اِلٰٓى اَب۪يكُمْ فَقُولُوا يَٓا اَبَانَٓا اِنَّ ابْنَكَ سَرَقَۚ وَمَا شَهِدْنَٓا اِلَّا بِمَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِلْغَيْبِ حَافِظ۪ينَ

[And as for you others,] return to your father and say: `O our father! Behold, thy son has stolen-but we [can] bear witness to no more than what has become known to us; and [although we gave you our pledge,] we could not guard against something that [lay hidden in the future and, hence,] was beyond the reach of our perception.

وَيَقُولُ الَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًاۜ قُلْ كَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًا بَيْن۪ي وَبَيْنَكُمْۙ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتَابِ

And [if] they who are bent on denying the truth say [unto thee, O Prophet], "Thou hast not been sent [by Allah]", say thou: "None can bear witness between me and you as Allah does; and [none can bear witness as does] he who truly understands this divine writ.

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَه۪يدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ

But one Day We shall raise up a witness out of every community, whereupon they who were bent on denying the truth will not be allowed to plead [ignorance], and neither will they be allowed to make amends.

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ ف۪ي كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَه۪يدًا عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَه۪يدًا عَلٰى هٰٓؤُ۬لَٓاءِۜ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرٰى لِلْمُسْلِم۪ينَ۟

for one Day We shall raise up within every community a witness against them from among themselves. And thee [too, O Prophet,] have We brought forth to bear witness regarding those [whom thy message may have reached], inasmuch as We have bestowed from on high upon thee, step by step, this divine writ, to make everything clear, and to provide guidance and grace and a glad tiding unto all who have surrendered themselves to Allah.

اَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ اِلٰى غَسَقِ الَّيْلِ وَقُرْاٰنَ الْفَجْرِۜ اِنَّ قُرْاٰنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

BE CONSTANT in [thy] prayer from the time when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and [be ever mindful of its] recitation at dawn: for, behold, the recitation [of prayer] at dawn is indeed witnessed [by all that is holy].

قُلْ كَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًا بَيْن۪ي وَبَيْنَكُمْۜ اِنَّهُ كَانَ بِعِبَادِه۪ خَب۪يرًا بَص۪يرًا

Say: "None can bear witness between me and you as Allah does: verily, fully aware is He of His creatures, and He sees all [that is in their hearts]."

مَٓا اَشْهَدْتُهُمْ خَلْقَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلَا خَلْقَ اَنْفُسِهِمْۖ وَمَا كُنْتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلّ۪ينَ عَضُدًا

I did not make them witnesses of the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor of the creation of their own selves; and neither do I [have any need to] take as My helpers those [beings] that lead [men] astray.

قَالُوا فَأْتُوا بِه۪ عَلٰٓى اَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ

[The others] said: “Then bring him before the peoples eyes, so that they might bear witness [against him]!”

وَدَاوُ۫دَ وَسُلَيْمٰنَ اِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ اِذْ نَفَشَتْ ف۪يهِ غَنَمُ الْقَوْمِۚ وَكُنَّا لِحُكْمِهِمْ شَاهِد۪ينَۙ

AND [remember] David and Solomon – [how it was] when both of them gave judgment concerning the field into which some people’s sheep had strayed by night and pastured therein, and [how] We bore witness to their judgment:

اِنَّ الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا وَالَّذ۪ينَ هَادُوا وَالصَّابِـ۪ٔينَ وَالنَّصَارٰى وَالْمَجُوسَ وَالَّذ۪ينَ اَشْرَكُواۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌ

Verily, as for those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], and those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Magians, [on the one hand,] and those who are bent on ascribing divinity to aught but Allah, [on the other,] verily, Allah will decide between them on Resurrection Day: for, behold, Allah is witness unto everything.

لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللّٰهِ ف۪ٓي اَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلٰى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَه۪يمَةِ الْاَنْعَامِۚ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَاَطْعِمُوا الْبَٓائِسَ الْفَق۪يرَۘ

so that they might experience much that shall be of benefit to them, and that they might extol the name of Allah on the days appointed [for sacrifice], over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]: eat, then, thereof, and feed the unfortunate poor.

وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللّٰهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِه۪ۜ هُوَ اجْتَبٰيكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدّ۪ينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍۜ مِلَّةَ اَب۪يكُمْ اِبْرٰه۪يمَۜ هُوَ سَمّٰيكُمُ الْمُسْلِم۪ينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَف۪ي هٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَه۪يدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَٓاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِۚ فَاَق۪يمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللّٰهِۜ هُوَ مَوْلٰيكُمْۚ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلٰى وَنِعْمَ النَّص۪يرُ

And strive hard in Allah’s cause with all the striving that is due to Him: it is He who has elected you [to carry His message], and has laid no hardship on you in [anything that pertains to religion, [and made you follow] the creed of your forefather Abraham. It is He who has named you in bygone times as well as in this [divine writ] – “those who have surrendered themselves to Allah”, so that the Apostle might bear witness to the truth before you, and that you might bear witness to it before all mankind. Thus, be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and hold fast unto Allah. He is your Lord Supreme: and how excellent is this Lord Supreme, and how excellent this Giver of Succour!

اَلزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّان۪ي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ ف۪ي د۪ينِ اللّٰهِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِۚ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَٓائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِن۪ينَ

AS FOR the adulteress and the adulterer flog each of them with a hundred stripes, and let not compassion with them keep you from [carrying out] this law of Allah, if you [truly] believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let a group of the believers witness their chastisement.

وَالَّذ۪ينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِاَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَٓاءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَان۪ينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً اَبَدًاۚ وَاُو۬لٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَۙ

And as for those who accuse chaste women [of adultery], and then are unable to produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation], flog them with eighty stripes and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony – since it is they, they that are truly depraved!

وَالَّذ۪ينَ يَرْمُونَ اَزْوَاجَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ شُهَدَٓاءُ اِلَّٓا اَنْفُسُهُمْ فَشَهَادَةُ اَحَدِهِمْ اَرْبَعُ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللّٰهِۙ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّادِق۪ينَ

And as for those who accuse their own wives [of adultery], but have no witnesses except them­selves, let each of these [accusers] call Allah four times to witness that he is indeed telling the truth,

وَيَدْرَؤُ۬ا عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ اَنْ تَشْهَدَ اَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللّٰهِۙ اِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْكَاذِب۪ينَۙ

But [as for the wife, all] chastisement shall be averted from her by her calling Allah four times to witness that he is indeed telling a lie,

لَوْلَا جَٓاؤُ۫ عَلَيْهِ بِاَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَٓاءَۚ فَاِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِالشُّهَدَٓاءِ فَاُو۬لٰٓئِكَ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ

why do they not [demand of the accusers that they] their allegation? for, if they do not produce such wit­nesses, it is those [accusers] who, in the sight of Allah, are liars indeed!

يَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ اَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَاَيْد۪يهِمْ وَاَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

on the Day when their own tongues and hands and feet will bear witness against them by [recalling] all that they did!

وَالَّذ۪ينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَۙ وَاِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

And [know that true servants of Allah are only] those who never bear witness to what is false, and [who], whenever they pass by [people engaged in] frivolity, pass on with dignity;

قَالَتْ يَٓا اَيُّهَا الْمَلَؤُ۬ا اَفْتُون۪ي ف۪ٓي اَمْر۪يۚ مَا كُنْتُ قَاطِعَةً اَمْرًا حَتّٰى تَشْهَدُونِ

She added: “O you nobles! Give me your opinion on the problem with which I am now faced; I would never make a [weighty] decision unless you are present with me.”

قَالُوا تَقَاسَمُوا بِاللّٰهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُ وَاَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّه۪ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ اَهْلِه۪ وَاِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ

[and] after having bound one another by an oath in Allah’s name, they said: “Indeed, we shall suddenly fall upon him and his household by night [and slay them all]; and then we shall boldly say to his next of kin, ‘We did not witness the destruction of his household – and, behold, we are indeed men of truth!’”

وَمَا كُنْتَ بِجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ اِذْ قَضَيْنَٓا اِلٰى مُوسَى الْاَمْرَ وَمَا كُنْتَ مِنَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَۙ

NOW [as for thee, O Muhammad,] thou wert not present on the sunset slope [of Mount Sinai] when We imposed the Law upon Moses, nor wert thou among those who witnessed [his times]:

وَنَزَعْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَه۪يدًا فَقُلْنَا هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ فَعَلِمُٓوا اَنَّ الْحَقَّ لِلّٰهِ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ۟

And [they will remain silent: for by then] We will have called forth witnesses from within every community, and will have said [unto the sinners]: “Produce an evidence for what you have been claim­ing!” And so they will come to understand that all truth is Allah’s [alone]; and all their false imagery will have forsaken them.

قُلْ كَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ بَيْن۪ي وَبَيْنَكُمْ شَه۪يدًاۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِۜ وَالَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ وَكَفَرُوا بِاللّٰهِۙ اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

Say [unto those who will not believe]: “Allah is witness enough between me and you! He knows all that is in the heavens and on earth; and they who are bent on believing in what is false and vain, and thus on denying Allah – it is they, they who shall be the losers!”

يَٓا اَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ اِنَّٓا اَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذ۪يرًاۙ

[And as for thee,] O Prophet – behold, We have sent thee as a witness [to the truth], and as a herald of glad tidings and a warner,

لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِنَّ ف۪ٓي اٰبَٓائِهِنَّ وَلَٓا اَبْنَٓائِهِنَّ وَلَٓا اِخْوَانِهِنَّ وَلَٓا اَبْنَٓاءِ اِخْوَانِهِنَّ وَلَٓا اَبْنَٓاءِ اَخَوَاتِهِنَّ وَلَا نِسَٓائِهِنَّ وَلَا مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُهُنَّۚ وَاتَّق۪ينَ اللّٰهَۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدًا

[However,] it is no sin for them [to appear freely] before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or such [male slaves] as their right hands may possess. But [always, O wives of the Prophet,] remain con­scious of Allah – for, behold, Allah is witness unto everything.

قُلْ مَا سَاَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ اَجْرٍ فَهُوَ لَكُمْۜ اِنْ اَجْرِيَ اِلَّا عَلَى اللّٰهِۚ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌ

Say: “No reward have I ever asked of you [out of anything] that is yours: my reward rests with none but Allah, and He is witness unto everything!”

اَلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلٰٓى اَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَٓا اَيْد۪يهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ اَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

On that Day We shall set a seal on their mouths but their hands will speak unto Us, and their feet will bear witness to whatever they have earned [in life].

اَمْ خَلَقْنَا الْمَلٰٓئِكَةَ اِنَاثًا وَهُمْ شَاهِدُونَ

– or is it that We have created the angels female, and they [who believe them to be divine] have witnessed [that act of creation]?

وَاَشْرَقَتِ الْاَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ وَج۪ٓيءَ بِالنَّبِيّ۪نَ وَالشُّهَدَٓاءِ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

And the earth will shine bright with her Sus­tainer’s light. And the record [of everyone’s deeds] will be laid bare, and all the prophets will be brought forward, and all [other] witnesses; and judgment will be passed on them all in justice. And they will not be wronged,

اِنَّا لَنَنْصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا فِي الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْاَشْهَادُۙ

BEHOLD, We shall indeed succour Our apostles and those who have attained to faith, [both] in this world’s life and on the Day when all the witnesses shall stand up

حَتّٰٓى اِذَا مَا جَٓاؤُ۫هَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَاَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

till, when they come close to it, their hearing and their sight and their [very] skins will bear witness against them, speaking of what they were doing [on earth].

وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدْتُمْ عَلَيْنَاۜ قَالُٓوا اَنْطَقَنَا اللّٰهُ الَّذ۪ٓي اَنْطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ اَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَاِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

And they will ask their skins, “Why did you bear witness against us?” – [and] these will reply: “Allah, who gives speech to all things, has given speech to us [as well]: for He [it is who] has created you in the first instance – and unto Him you are [now] brought back.

وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ اَنْ يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَٓا اَبْصَارُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلٰكِنْ ظَنَنْتُمْ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَث۪يرًا مِمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

And you did not try to hide [your sins] lest your hearing or your sight or your skins bear witness against you: nay, but you thought that Allah did not know much of what you were doing –

اِلَيْهِ يُرَدُّ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِۜ وَمَا تَخْرُجُ مِنْ ثَمَرَاتٍ مِنْ اَكْمَامِهَا وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ اُنْثٰى وَلَا تَضَعُ اِلَّا بِعِلْمِه۪ۜ وَيَوْمَ يُنَاد۪يهِمْ اَيْنَ شُرَكَٓاء۪يۙ قَالُٓوا اٰذَنَّاكَۙ مَا مِنَّا مِنْ شَه۪يدٍۚ

In Him alone is vested the knowledge of when the Last Hour will come. And no fruit bursts forth from its calyx, and no female ever conceives, nor ever gives birth, save with His knowledge. And so, on the Day when He shall call out to them, “Where, now, are those [alleged] partners of Mine?” – they will [surely] answer, “We confess unto Thee that none of us can bear witness [to anyone’s having a share in Thy divinity]!”

سَنُر۪يهِمْ اٰيَاتِنَا فِي الْاٰفَاقِ وَف۪ٓي اَنْفُسِهِمْ حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ اَنَّهُ الْحَقُّۜ اَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ اَنَّهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌ

In time We shall make them fully understand Our messages [through what they perceive] in the utmost horizons [of the universe] and within them­selves, so that it will become clear unto them that this [revelation] is indeed the truth. [Still,] is it not enough [for them to know] that thy Sustainer is witness unto everything?

وَجَعَلُوا الْمَلٰٓئِكَةَ الَّذ۪ينَ هُمْ عِبَادُ الرَّحْمٰنِ اِنَاثًاۜ اَشَهِدُوا خَلْقَهُمْۜ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَادَتُهُمْ وَيُسْـَٔلُونَ

And [yet] they claim that the angels – who in themselves are but beings created by the Most Gracious – are females: [but] did they witness their creation? This false claim of theirs will be recorded, and they will be called to account [for it on Judgment Day]!

وَلَا يَمْلِكُ الَّذ۪ينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ الشَّفَاعَةَ اِلَّا مَنْ شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

And those [beings] whom some invoke beside Allah have it not in their power to intercede [on Judgment Day] for any but such as have [in their lifetime] borne witness to the truth, and have been aware [that Allah is one and unique].

اَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرٰيهُۜ قُلْ اِنِ افْتَرَيْتُهُ فَلَا تَمْلِكُونَ ل۪ي مِنَ اللّٰهِ شَيْـًٔاۜ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا تُف۪يضُونَ ف۪يهِۜ كَفٰى بِه۪ شَه۪يدًا بَيْن۪ي وَبَيْنَكُمْۜ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّح۪يمُ

Or do they say, “He has invented all this”? Say [O Muhammad]: “Had I invented it, you would not be of the least help to me against Allah. He is fully aware of that [slander] into which you so reck­lessly plunge: enough is He as a witness between me and you! And [withal,] He alone is truly-forgiving, a true dispenser of grace.”

قُلْ اَرَاَيْتُمْ اِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ وَكَفَرْتُمْ بِه۪ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِنْ بَن۪ٓي اِسْرَٓاء۪يلَ عَلٰى مِثْلِه۪ فَاٰمَنَ وَاسْتَكْبَرْتُمْۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِم۪ينَ۟

Say: “Have you given thought [to how you will fare] if this be truly [a revelation] from Allah and yet you deny its truth? – even though a witness from among the children of Israel has already borne wit­ness to [the advent of] one like himself, and has believed [in him], the while you glory in your arro­gance [and reject his message]? Verily, Allah does not grace [such] evildoing folk with His guidance!”

اِنَّٓا اَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذ۪يرًاۙ

VERILY, [O Muhammad,] We have sent thee as a witness [to the truth], and as a herald of glad tidings and a warner –

هُوَ الَّذ۪ٓي اَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدٰى وَد۪ينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدّ۪ينِ كُلِّه۪ۜ وَكَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَه۪يدًاۜ

He it is who has sent forth His Apostle with the [task of spreading] guidance and the religion of truth, to the end that He make it prevail over every [false] religion; and none can bear witness [to the truth] as Allah does.

وَجَٓاءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَعَهَا سَٓائِقٌ وَشَه۪يدٌ

And every human being will come forward with [his erstwhile] inner urges and [his] conscious mind,

اِنَّ ف۪ي ذٰلِكَ لَذِكْرٰى لِمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ اَوْ اَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَه۪يدٌ

In this, behold, there is indeed a reminder for everyone whose heart is wide-awake -that is, [every­one who] lends ear with a conscious mind –

وَالَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُوا بِاللّٰهِ وَرُسُلِه۪ٓ اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الصِّدّ۪يقُونَۗ وَالشُّهَدَٓاءُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْۜ لَهُمْ اَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْۜ وَالَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِاٰيَاتِنَٓا اُو۬لٰٓئِكَ اَصْحَابُ الْجَح۪يمِ۟

For, they who have attained to faith in Allah and His Apostle – it is they, they who uphold the truth, and they who bear witness [thereto] before Allah: [and so] they shall have their reward and their light! But as for those who are bent on denying the truth and on giving the lie to Our messages – it is they who are destined for the blazing fire!

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللّٰهُ جَم۪يعًا فَيُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُواۜ اَحْصٰيهُ اللّٰهُ وَنَسُوهُۜ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌ۟

on the Day when Allah will raise them all from the dead and will make them truly understand all that they did [in life]: Allah will have taken [all of] it into account, even though they [themselves] may have forgotten it – for Allah is wit­ness unto everything.

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذ۪ينَ نَافَقُوا يَقُولُونَ لِاِخْوَانِهِمُ الَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَئِنْ اُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ وَلَا نُط۪يعُ ف۪يكُمْ اَحَدًا اَبَدًاۙ وَاِنْ قُوتِلْتُمْ لَنَنْصُرَنَّكُمْۜ وَاللّٰهُ يَشْهَدُ اِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

ART THOU NOT aware of how those who would always dissemble [their real feelings] speak to their truth-denying brethren from among the followers of earlier revelation: “If you are driven away, we shall most certainly go forth with you, and shall never pay heed to anyone against you; and if war is waged against you, we shall most certainly come to your succour.” But Allah bears witness that they are most flagrantly lying:

اِذَا جَٓاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللّٰهِۢ وَاللّٰهُ يَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُۜ وَاللّٰهُ يَشْهَدُ اِنَّ الْمُنَافِق۪ينَ لَكَاذِبُونَۚ

WHEN THE HYPOCRITES come unto thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed Allah's Apostle!" But Allah knows that thou art truly His Apostle; and He bears witness that the hypocrites are indeed false [in their declaration of faith].

فَاِذَا بَلَغْنَ اَجَلَهُنَّ فَاَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ اَوْ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَاَشْهِدُوا ذَوَيْ عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ وَاَق۪يمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ لِلّٰهِۜ ذٰلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِه۪ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِۜ وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللّٰهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًاۙ

And so, when they are about to reach the end of their waiting-term, either retain them in a fair manner or part with them in a fair manner. And let two persons of [known] probity from among your own community witness [what you have decided]; and do yourselves bear true witness before Allah: thus are admonished all who believe in Allah and the Last Day. And unto everyone who is conscious of Allah, He [always] grants a way out [of unhappiness],

وَالَّذ۪ينَ هُمْ بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَٓائِمُونَۖ

and who stand firm whenever they bear witness;

اِنَّٓا اَرْسَلْنَٓا اِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَٓا اَرْسَلْنَٓا اِلٰى فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُولًاۜ

BEHOLD, [O men,] We have sent unto you an apostle who shall bear witness to the truth before you, even as We sent an apostle unto Pharaoh:

يَشْهَدُهُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَۜ

witnessed~ by all who have [ever] been drawn close unto Allah.

وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍۜ

and [of] Him who witnesses [all], and [of] that unto which witness is borne [by Him]!

اَلَّذ۪ي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِۜ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَه۪يدٌۜ

[and] to whom the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs. But Allah is witness unto everything!

وَاِنَّهُ عَلٰى ذٰلِكَ لَشَه۪يدٌۚ

and to this, behold, he [himself] bears witness indeed: