2. The Cow (Al-Baqarah)
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
<section
begin="2:1"/>I, God, am the best knower. <section
end="2:1"/>
<section
begin="2:2"/>This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who keep their duty, <section end="2:2"/>
<section
begin="2:3"/>Who believe in the Unseen and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them, <section end="2:3"/>
<section
begin="2:4"/>And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee and that which was revealed before thee, and of the Hereafter they are sure. <section end="2:4"/>
<section
begin="2:5"/>These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that are successful. <section end="2:5"/>
<section
begin="2:6"/>Those who disbelieve -- it being alike to them whether thou warn them or warn them not -- they will not believe. <section end="2:6"/>
<section
begin="2:7"/>God has sealed their hearts and their hearing; and there is a covering on their eyes, and for them is a grievous chastisement. <section end="2:7"/>
<section
begin="2:8"/>And there are some people who say: We believe in God and the Last Day and they are not believers. <section end="2:8"/>
<section
begin="2:9"/>They seek to deceive God and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they perceive not. <section end="2:9"/>
<section
begin="2:10"/>In their hearts is a disease, so God increased their disease, and for them is a painful chastisement because they lie. <section end="2:10"/>
<section
begin="2:11"/>And when it is said to them, Make not mischief in the land, they say: We are but peacemakers. <section end="2:11"/>
<section
begin="2:12"/>Now surely they are the mischief-makers, but they perceive not. <section end="2:12"/>
<section
begin="2:13"/>And when it is said to them, Believe as the people believe, they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they are the fools, but they know not. <section end="2:13"/>
<section
begin="2:14"/>And when they meet those who believe, they say, We believe; and when they are alone with their devils, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking. <section end="2:14"/>
<section
begin="2:15"/>God will pay them back their mockery, and He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on. <section end="2:15"/>
<section
begin="2:16"/>These are they who buy error for guidance, so their bargain brings no gain, nor are they guided. <section end="2:16"/>
<section
begin="2:17"/>Their parable is as the parable of one who kindles a fire but when it illumines all around him, God takes away their light, and leaves them in darkness -- they cannot see. <section end="2:17"/>
<section
begin="2:18"/>Deaf dumb, (and) blind, so they return not: <section
end="2:18"/>
<section
begin="2:19"/>Or like abundant rain from the clouds in which is darkness, and thunder and lightning; they put their fingers into their ears because of the thunder-peal, for fear of death. And God encompasses the disbelievers. <section end="2:19"/>
<section
begin="2:20"/>The lightning almost takes away their sight. Whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still. And if God had pleased, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight. Surely God is Possessor of power over all things. <section end="2:20"/>
<section
begin="2:21"/>O men, serve your Lord Who created you and those before you, so that you may guard against evil, <section end="2:21"/>
<section
begin="2:22"/>Who made the earth a resting-place for you and the heaven a structure, and sends down rain from the clouds then brings forth with it fruits for your sustenance; so do not set up rivals to God while you know. <section end="2:22"/>
<section
begin="2:23"/>And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your helpers besides God if you are truthful. <section end="2:23"/>
<section
begin="2:24"/>But if you do (it) not -- and you can never do (it) -- then be on your guard against the fire whose fuel is men and stones; it is prepared for the disbelievers. <section end="2:24"/>