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nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah

together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.

32. And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid servants. If they be poor; Allah will

enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.

33. And let those who cannot find a match keep chaste till Allah give them independence by His grace. And such of

your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), write it for them if ye are aware of aught of good in them, and bestow

upon them of the wealth of Allah which He hath bestowed upon you. Force not your slave girls to whoredom that ye

may seek enjoyment of the life of the world, if they would preserve their chastity. And if one force them, then (unto

them), after their compulsion, Lo! Allah will be Forgiving, Merciful.

34. And verily We have sent down for you revelations that make plain, and the example of those who passed away

before you. An admonition unto those who ward off (evil).

35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp

is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East

nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light, Allah guideth

unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is knower of all things.

36. (This lamp is found) in houses which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered

therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at morn and evening

37. Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguileth from remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying

to the poor their due; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will be overturned;

38. That Allah may reward them with the best of what they did, and increase reward for them of His bounty. Allah giveth

blessings without stint to whom He will.

39. As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are as a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one supposeth it to be water till he

cometh unto it and findeth it naught, and findeth, in the place thereof, Allah, Who payeth him his due; and Allah is swift

at reckoning.

40. Or as darkness on a vast, abysmal sea. There covereth him a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud.

Layer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. And he for whom Allah hath not

appointed light, for him there is no light.

41. Hast thou not seen that Allah, He it is Whom all who are in the heavens and the earth praise; and the birds in their

flight? Of each He knoweth verily the worship and the praise; and Allah is Aware of what they do.

42. And unto Allah belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and unto Allah is the journeying.

43. Hast thou not seen how Allah wafteth the clouds, then gathereth them, then maketh them layers, and thou seest the

rain come forth from between them; He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail, and smiteth therewith

whom He will, and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight.

44. Allah causeth the revolution of the day and the night. Lo! herein is indeed a lesson for those who see.

45. Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon

two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createth what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

46. Verily We have sent down revelations and explained them. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.

47. And they say: We believe in Allah and the messenger, and we obey; then after that a faction of them turn away. Such

are not believers.

48. And when they appeal unto Allah and His messenger to judge between them, lo! a faction of them are averse;

49. But if right had been with them they would have come unto him willingly.

50. Is there in their hearts a disease, or have they doubts, or fear they lest Allah and His messenger should wrong them

in judgment? Nay, but such are evil doers.

51. The saying of (all true) believers when they appeal unto Allah and His messenger to judge between them is only

that they say: We hear and we obey. And such are the successful.

52. He who obeyeth Allah and His messenger, and feareth Allah, and keepeth duty (unto Him): such indeed are the

victorious.

53. They swear by Allah solemnly that, if thou order them, they will go forth. Say: Swear not; known obedience (is

better). Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do.

54. Say: Obey Allah and obey the messenger. But if ye turn away, then (it is) for him (to do) only that wherewith he

hath been charged, and for you (to do) only that wherewith ye have been charged. If ye obey him, ye will go aright. But