Pliny the Younger - "The Letters of Pliny the Younger"

E. Nesbit - "In Homespun"

Talbot Mundy - "King of the Khyber Rifles"

Frank V. Webster - "The Young Firemen of Lakeville"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Koran (without footnotes)

U >> Unknown >> The Koran (without footnotes)






________


CHAPTER XXIII.

ENTITLED, THE TRUE BELIEVERS; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

NOW are the true believers happy:
who humble themselves in their prayer,
and who eschew all vain discourse,
and who are doers of alms-deeds;
and who keep themselves from carnal knowledge of any women
except their wives, or the captives which their right hands possess (for
as to them they shall be blameless:
but whosoever coveteth any woman beyond these, they are transgressors):
and who acquit themselves faithfully of their trust, and justly perform
their covenant;
and who observe their appointed times of prayer:
10 these shall be the heirs,
who shall inherit paradise; they shall continue therein forever.
We formerly created man in a finer sort of clay;
afterwards we placed him in the form of seed in a sure receptacle:
afterwards we made the seed coagulated blood; and we formed the
coagulated blood into a piece of flesh: then we formed the piece of flesh into
bones: and we clothed those bones with flesh: then we produced the same by
another creation. Wherefore blessed be GOD, the most excellent Creator!
After this shall ye die:
and afterwards shall ye be restored to life, on the day of resurrection.
And we have created over you seven heavens: and we are not negligent of
what we have created.
And we send down rain from heaven, by measure; and we cause it to remain
on the earth: we are also certainly able to deprive you of the same.
And we cause gardens of palm-trees, and vineyards, to spring forth for
you by means thereof; wherein ye have many fruits, and whereof ye eat.
20 And we also raise for you a tree springing from Mount Sinai; which
produceth oil, and a sauce for those who eat.
Ye have likewise an instruction in the cattle; we give you to drink of
the milk which is in their bellies, and ye receive many advantages from them;
and of them do ye eat:
and on them, and on ships, are ye carried.
We sent Noah heretofore unto his people, and he said, O my people, serve
GOD: ye have no GOD besides him; will ye therefore not fear the consequence
of your worshipping other gods?
And the chiefs of his people, who believed not, said, This is no other
than a man, as ye are: he seeketh to raise himself to a superiority over you.
If GOD had pleased to have sent a messenger unto you, he would surely have
sent angels: we have not heard this of our fore-fathers.
Verily he is no other than a man disturbed with frenzy: wherefore wait
concerning him for a time.
Noah said, O LORD, do thou protect me; for that they accuse me of
falsehood.
And we revealed our orders unto him, saying, Make the ark in our sight;
and according to our revelation. And when our decree cometh to be executed,
and the oven shall boil and pour forth water, carry into it of every species of
animals one pair; and also thy family, except such of them on whom a previous
sentence of destruction hath passed: and speak not unto me in behalf of those
who have been unjust; for they shall be drowned.
And when thou and they who shall be with thee shall go up into the ark,
say Praise be unto GOD, who hath delivered us from the ungodly people!
And say, O LORD, cause me to come down from this ark with a blessed
descent; for thou art the best able to bring me down from the same with
safety.
30 Verily herein were signs of our omnipotence; and we proved mankind
thereby.
Afterwards we raised up another generation after them;
and we sent unto them an apostle from among them, who said, Worship GOD:
ye have no GOD besides him; will ye therefore not fear his vengeance?
And the chiefs of his people, who believed not, and who denied the
meeting of the life to come, and on whom we had bestowed affluence in this
present life, said, This is no other than a man, as ye are; he eateth of that
whereof ye eat, and he drinketh of that whereof ye drink:
and if ye obey a man like unto yourselves, ye will surely be sufferers.
Doth he threaten you that after ye shall be dead, and shall become dust
and bones, ye shall be brought forth alive from your graves?
Away, away with that ye are threatened with!
There is no other life besides our present life: we die, and we live; and
we shall not be raised again.
This is no other than a man, who deviseth a lie concerning GOD: but we
will not believe him.
Their apostle said, O LORD, defend me; for that they have accused me of
imposture.
40 God answered, After a little while they shall surely repent their
obstinacy.
Wherefore a severe punishment was justly inflicted on them, and we
rendered them like the refuse which is carried down by a stream. Away
therefore with the ungodly people!
Afterwards we raised up other generations after them.
No nation shall be punished before their determined time; neither shall
they be respited after.
Afterwards we sent our apostles, one after another. So often as their
apostle came unto any nation, they charged him with imposture: and we caused
them successively to follow one another to destruction; and we made them only
subjects of traditional stories. Away therefore with the unbelieving nations!
Afterwards we sent Moses, and Aaron his brother, with our signs and
manifest power,
unto Pharaoh and his princes: but they proudly refused to believe on him;
for they were a haughty people.
And they said, Shall we believe on two men like unto ourselves; whose
people are our servants?
And they accused them of imposture: wherefore they became of the number
of those who were destroyed.
And we heretofore gave the book of the law unto Moses, that the children
of Israel might be directed thereby.
50 And we appointed the son of Mary, and his mother, for a sign: and we
prepared an abode for them in an elevated part of the earth, being a place of
quiet and security, and watered with running springs.
O apostles, eat of those things which are good; and work righteousness:
for I well know that which ye do.
This your religion is one religion; and I am your LORD: wherefore fear
me.
But men have rent the affair of their religion into various sects: every
party rejoiceth in that which they follow.
Wherefore leave them in their confusion, until a certain time.
Do they think that we hasten unto them the wealth and children which we
have abundantly bestowed on them,
for their good? But they do not understand.
Verily they who stand in awe, for fear of their LORD,
and who believe in the signs of their LORD,
and who attribute not companions unto their LORD;
60 and who give that which they give in alms, their hearts being struck with
dread, for that they must return unto their LORD:
these hasten unto good, and are foremost to obtain the same.
We will not impose any difficulty on a soul, except according to its
ability; with us is a book, which speaketh the truth; and they shall not be
injured.
But their hearts are drowned in negligence, as to this matter: and they have
works different from those we have mentioned; which they will continue to do,
until when we chastise such of them as enjoy an affluence of fortune, by
a severe punishment, behold, they cry aloud for help:
but it shall be answered them, Cry not for help to-day: for ye shall not
be assisted by us.
My signs were read unto you, but ye turned back on your heels:
proudly elating yourselves because of your possessing the holy temple;
discoursing together by night, and talking foolishly.
Do they not therefore attentively consider that which is spoken unto
them; whether a revelation is come unto them which came not unto their fore--
fathers?
Or do they not know their apostle; and therefore reject him?
70 Or do they say, He is a madman? Nay, he hath come unto them with the
truth; but the greater part of them detest the truth.
If the truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the
earth, and whoever therein is, had been corrupted. But we have brought them
their admonition; and they turn aside from their admonition.
Dost thou ask of them any maintenance for thy preaching? since the
maintenance of thy LORD is better; for he is the most bounteous provider.
Thou certainly invitest them to the right way:
and they who believe not in the life to come, do surely deviate from that
way.
If we had had compassion on them, and taken off from them the calamity
which had befallen them, they would surely have more obstinately persisted in
their error, wandering in confusion.
We formerly chastised them with a punishment: yet they did not humble
themselves before their LORD, neither did they make supplications unto him;
until, when we have opened upon them a door, from which a severe
punishment hath issued, behold they are driven to despair thereat.
It is God who hath created in you the senses of hearing and of sight,
that ye may perceive our judgments, and hearts, that ye may seriously consider
them: yet how few of you give thanks!
It is he who hath produced you in the earth; and before him shall ye be
assembled.
80 It is he who giveth life, and putteth to death; and to him is to be
attributed the vicissitude of night and day: do ye not therefore understand?
But the unbelieving Meccans say as their predecessors said:
they say, When we shall be dead, and shall have become dust and bones,
shall we really be raised to life?
We have already been threatened with this, and our fathers also
heretofore: this is nothing but fables of the ancients.
Say, Whose is the earth, and whoever therein is, if ye know?
They will answer, GOD'S. Say, Will ye not therefore consider?
Say, Who is the LORD of the seven heavens, and the LORD of the
magnificent throne?
They will answer, They are GOD'S. Say, Will ye not therefore fear him?
Say, In whose hand is the kingdom of all things; who protecteth whom he
pleaseth, but is himself protected of none; if ye know?
They will answer, In GOD'S. Say, How therefore are ye bewitched?
90 Yea, we have brought them the truth; and they are certainly liars in
denying the same.
GOD hath not begotten issue; neither is there any other god with him:
otherwise every god had surely taken away that which he had created; and some
of them had exalted themselves above the others. Far be that from GOD, which
they affirm of him!
He knoweth that which is concealed, and that which is made public:
wherefore far be it from him to have those sharers in his honour which they
attribute to him!
Say, O LORD, If thou wilt surely cause me to see the vengeance with which
they have been threatened;
O LORD, set me not among the ungodly people:
for we are surely able to make thee see that with which we have
threatened them.
Turn aside evil with that which is better: we well know the calumnies
which they utter against thee.
And say, O LORD I fly unto thee for refuge, against the suggestions of
the devils
and I have recourse unto thee, O LORD, to drive them away, that they be
not present with me.
The gainsaying of the unbelievers ceaseth not until, when death
overtaketh any of them, he saith, O LORD, suffer me to return to life,
100 that I may do that which is right; in professing the true faith which
I have neglected. By no means. Verily these are the words which ye shall
speak: but behind them there shall be a bar, until the day of resurrection.
When therefore the trumpet shall be sounded, there shall be no relation
between them which shall be regarded on that day; neither shall they ask
assistance of each other.
They whose balances shall be heavy with good works shall be happy; but
they whose balances shall be light are those who shall lose their souls, and
shall remain in hell for ever.
The fire shall scorch their faces, and they shall writhe their mouths
therein for anguish:
and it shall be said unto them, Were not my signs rehearsed unto you; and
did ye not charge them with falsehood?
They shall answer, O LORD, our unhappiness prevailed over us, and we were
people who sent astray.
O LORD, take us forth from this fire: if we return to our former
wickedness, we shall surely be unjust.
God will say unto them, Be ye driven away with ignominy thereinto: and
speak not unto me to deliver you.
Verily there were a party of my servants, who said, O LORD, we believe:
wherefore forgive us, and be merciful unto us; for thou art the best of those
who show mercy.
110 But ye received them with scoffs, so that they suffered you to forget
my admonition, and ye laughed them to scorn.
I have this day rewarded them, for that they suffered the injuries ye
offered them with patience: verily they enjoy great felicity.
God will say, What number of years have ye continued on earth?
They will answer, We have continued there a day, or part of a day: but
ask those who keep account.
God will say, Ye have tarried but a while, if ye knew it.
Did ye think that we had created you in sport, and that ye should not be
brought again before us?
Wherefore let GOD be exalted, the King, the Truth! There is no GOD besides
him, the LORD of the honourable throne.
Whoever together with the true GOD shall invoke another god, concerning
whom he hath no demonstrative proof, shall surely be brought to an account
for the same before his LORD. Verily the infidels shall not prosper.
Say, O LORD, pardon, and show mercy; for thou art the best of those who
show mercy.



________


CHAPTER XXIV.

ENTITLED, LIGHT; REVEALED AT MEDINA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.

THIS Sura have we sent down from heaven; and have ratified the same; and
we have revealed evident signs, that ye may be warned.
The whore, and the whoremonger, shall ye scourge with a hundred stripes.
And let not compassion towards them prevent you from executing the judgment
of GOD; if ye believe in GOD and the last day: and let some of the true
believers be witnesses of their punishment.
The whoremonger shall not marry any other than a harlot, or an
idolatress. And a harlot shall no man take in marriage, except a whoremonger,
or an idolater. And this kind of marriage is forbidden the true believers.
But as to those who accuse women of reputation of whoredom, and produce
not four witnesses of the fact, scourge them with fourscore stripes, and
receive not their testimony forever; for such are infamous prevaricators;
excepting those who shall afterwards repent, and amend; for unto such
will GOD be gracious and merciful.
They who shall accuse their wives of adultery, and shall have no
witnesses thereof, besides themselves; the testimony which shall be required
of one of them shall be, that he swear four times by GOD that he speaketh the
truth:
and the fifth time that he imprecate the curse of GOD on him if he be a
liar.
And it shall avert the punishment from the wife, if she swear four times
by GOD that he is a liar;
and if the fifth time she imprecate the wrath of GOD on her, if he
speaketh the truth.
10 If it were not for the indulgence of GOD towards you, and his mercy, and
that GOD is easy to be reconciled, and wise, he would immediately discover
your crimes.
As to the party among you who have published the falsehood concerning
Ayesha, think it not to be an evil unto you: on the contrary, it is better
for you. Every man of them shall be punished according to the injustice of
which he hath been guilty; and he among them who hath undertaken to aggravate
the same shall suffer a grievous punishment.
Did not the faithful men, and the faithful women, when ye heard this,
judge in their own minds for the best; and say, This is a manifest falsehood?
Have they produced four witnesses thereof? wherefore since they have not
produced the witnesses, they are surely liars in the sight of GOD.
Had it not been for the indulgence of GOD towards you, and his mercy, in
this world and in that which is to come, verily a grievous punishment had been
inflicted on you, for the calumny which ye have spread:
when ye published that with your tongues, and spoke that with your mouths,
of which ye had no knowledge; and esteemed it to be light, whereas it was a
matter of importance in the sight of GOD.
When ye heard it, did ye say, It belongeth not unto us, that we should
talk of this matter: GOD forbid! this is a grievous calumny.
GOD warneth you, that ye return not to the like crime forever; if ye be
true believers.
And GOD declareth unto you his signs; for GOD is knowing and wise.
Verily they who love that scandal be published of those who believe,
shall receive a severe punishment both in this world and in the next. GOD
knoweth, but ye know not.
20 Had it not been for the indulgence of GOD towards you and his mercy, and
that GOD is gracious and merciful, ye had felt his vengeance.
O true believers, follow not the steps of the devil: for whosoever shall
follow the steps of the devil, he will command them filthy crimes, and that
which is unlawful. If it were not for the indulgence of GOD, and his mercy
towards you, there had not been so much as one of you cleansed from his guilt
forever: but GOD cleanseth whom he pleaseth; for GOD both heareth and knoweth.
Let not those among you, who possess abundance of wealth and have
ability, swear that they will not give unto their kindred, and the poor, and
those who have fled their country for the sake of GOD'S true religion: but let
them forgive, and act with benevolence towards them. Do ye not desire that
GOD should pardon you? And GOD is gracious and merciful.
Moreover they who falsely accuse modest women, who behave in a negligent
manner, and are true believers, shall be cursed in this world, and in the
world to come; and they shall suffer a severe punishment.
One day their own tongues shall bear witness against them, and their
hands, and their feet, concerning that which they have done.
On that day shall GOD render unto them their just due; and they shall
know that GOD is the evident truth.
The wicked women should be joined to the wicked men, and the wicked men
to the wicked women; but the good women should be married to the good men, and
the good men to the good women. These shall be cleared from the calumnies
which slanderers speak of them; they shall obtain pardon, and an honourable
provision.
O true believers, enter not any houses, besides your own houses, until ye
have asked leave, and have saluted the family thereof: this is better for
you; peradventure ye will be admonished.
And if ye shall find no person in the houses, yet do not enter them,
until leave be granted you: and if it be said unto you, Return back, do ye
return back. This will be more decent for you: and GOD knoweth that which ye
do.
It shall be no crime in you, that ye enter uninhabited houses, wherein
ye may meet with a convenience. GOD knoweth that which ye discover, and that
which ye conceal.
30 Speak unto the true believers, that they restrain their eyes, and keep
themselves from immodest actions: this will be more pure for them; for GOD is
well acquainted with that which they do.
And speak unto the believing women, that they restrain their eyes, and
preserve their modesty, and discover not their ornaments, except what
necessarily appeareth thereof; and let them throw their veils over their
bosoms, and not show their ornaments, unless to their husbands, or their
fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' sons,
or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their
women, or the captives which their right hands shall possess, or unto such
men as attend them, and have no need of women, or unto children, who
distinguish not the nakedness of women. And let them not make a noise with
their feet, that their ornaments which they hide may thereby be discovered.
And be ye all turned unto GOD, O true believers, that ye may be happy.
Marry those who are single among you, and such as are honest of your
men-servants and your maid-servants: if they be poor, GOD will enrich them of
his abundance; for GOD is bounteous and wise.
And let those who find not a match, keep themselves from fornication,
until GOD shall enrich them of his abundance. And unto such of your slaves
as desire a written instrument allowing them to redeem themselves on paying a
certain sum, write one, if ye know good in them; and give them of the riches
of GOD, which he hath given you. And compel not your maid-servants to
prostitute themselves, if they be willing to live chastely; that ye may seek
the casual advantage of this present life; but whoever shall compel them
thereto, verily GOD will be gracious and merciful unto such women after their
compulsion.
And now have we revealed unto you evident signs, and a history like unto
some of the histories of those who have gone before you, and an admonition
unto the pious.
GOD is the light of heaven and earth: the similitude of his light is as a
niche in a wall, wherein a lamp is placed, and the lamp enclosed in a case of
glass; the glass appears as it were a shining star. It is lighted with the
oil of a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east, nor of the west: it
wanteth little but that the oil thereof would give light, although no fire
touched it. This is light added unto light: GOD will direct unto his light
whom he pleaseth. GOD propoundeth parables unto men; for GOD knoweth all
things.
In the houses which GOD hath permitted to be raised, and that his name
be commemorated therein! men celebrate his praise in the same, morning and
evening,
whom neither merchandising nor selling diverteth from the remembering of
GOD, and the observance of prayer, and the giving of alms; fearing the day
whereon men's hearts and eyes shall be troubled;
that GOD may recompense them according to the utmost merit of what they
shall have wrought, and may add unto them of his abundance a more excellent
reward; for GOD bestoweth on whom he pleaseth without measure.
But as to the unbelievers, their works are like the vapor in a plain,
which the thirsty traveller thinketh to be water, until, when he cometh
thereto, he findeth it to be nothing; but he findeth GOD with him, and he
will fully pay him his account; and GOD is swift in taking an account;
40 or, as the darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves riding on waves,
above which are clouds, being additions of darkness one over the other; when
one stretcheth forth his hand, he is far from seeing it. And unto whomsoever
GOD shall not grant his light, he shall enjoy no light at all.
Dost thou not perceive that all creatures both in heaven and earth praise
GOD: and the birds also, extending their wings? Every one knoweth his prayer,
and his praise: and GOD knoweth that which they do.
Unto GOD belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth; and unto GOD shall be
the return at the last day.
Dost thou not see that GOD gently driveth forward the clouds, and
gathereth them together, and then layeth them on heaps? Thou also seest the
rain, which falleth from the midst thereof; and God sendeth down from heaven
as it were mountains, wherein there is hail; he striketh therewith whom he
pleaseth, and turneth the same away from whom he pleaseth: the brightness of
his lightning wanteth but little of taking away the sight.
GOD shifteth the night, and the day: verily herein is an instruction unto
those who have sight.
And GOD hath created every animal of water; one of them goeth on his belly,
and another of them walketh upon two feet, and another of them walketh upon
four feet: GOD createth that which he pleaseth; for GOD is almighty.
Now have we sent down evident signs: and GOD directeth whom he pleaseth
into the right way.
The hypocrites say, We believe in GOD, and on his apostle; and we obey
them: yet a part of them turneth back, after this; but these are not really
believers.
And when they are summoned before GOD and his apostle, that he may judge
between them; behold, a part of them retire:
but if the right had been on their side, they would have come and
submitted themselves unto him.
50 Is there an infirmity in their hearts? Do they doubt? Or do they fear
lest GOD and his apostle act unjustly towards them? But themselves are the
unjust doers.
The saying of the true believers, when they are summoned before GOD and
his apostle, that he may judge between them, is no other than that they say,
We have heard, and do obey: and these are they who shall prosper.
Whoever shall obey GOD and his apostle, and shall fear GOD, and shall be
devout towards him; these shall enjoy great felicity.
They swear by GOD, with a most solemn oath, that if thou commandest them,
they will go forth from their houses and possessions. Say, Swear not to a
falsehood: obedience is more requisite: and GOD is well acquainted with that
which ye do.
Say, Obey GOD, and obey the apostle: but if ye turn back, verily it is
expected of him that he perform his duty, and of you that ye perform your
duty; and if ye obey him, ye shall be directed, but the duty of our apostle is
only public preaching.
GOD promiseth unto such of you as believe, and do good works, that he
will cause them to succeed the unbelievers in the earth, as he caused those
who were before you to succeed the infidels of their time; and that he will
establish for them their religion which pleaseth them, and will change their
fear into security. They shall worship me; and shall not associate any other
with me. But whoever shall disbelieve after this, they will be the wicked
doers.
Observe prayer, and give alms, and obey the apostle; that ye may obtain
mercy.
Think not that the unbelievers shall frustrate the designs of God on
earth: and their abode hereafter shall be hell fire; a miserable journey shall
it be thither!
O true believers, let your slaves and those among you who shall not have
attained the age of puberty, ask leave of you, before they come into your
presence, three times in the day; namely, before the morning prayer, and
when ye lay aside your garments at noon, and after the evening prayer.
These are the three times for you to be private: it shall be no crime in you,
or in them, if they go in to you without asking permission after these times,
while ye are in frequent attendance, the one of you on the other. Thus GOD
declareth his signs unto you; for GOD is knowing and wise.
And when your children attain the age of puberty, let them ask leave to
come into your presence at all times, in the same manner as those who have
attained that age before them, ask leave. Thus GOD declareth his signs unto
you; and GOD is knowing and wise.
60 As to such women as are past child-bearing, who hope not to marry again,
because of their advanced age; it shall be no crime in them, if they lay aside
their outer garments, not showing their ornaments; but if they abstain from
this, it will be better for them. GOD both heareth and knoweth.
It shall be no crime in the blind, nor shall it be any crime in the
lame, neither shall it be any crime in the sick, or in yourselves, that ye eat
in your houses, or in the houses of your fathers, or the houses of your
mothers, or in the houses of your brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or
the houses of your uncles on the father's side, or the houses of your aunts on
the father's side, or the houses of your uncles on the mother's side, the
houses of your aunts on the mother's side, or in those houses the keys whereof
ye have in your possession, or in the house of your friend. It shall not be
any crime in you whether ye eat together, or separately. And when ye enter
any houses, salute one another on the part of GOD, with a blessed and a
welcome salutation. Thus GOD declareth his signs unto you, that ye may
understand.
Verily they only are true believers, who believe in GOD and his apostle,
and when they are assembled with him on any affair, depart not, until they
have obtained leave of him. Verily they who ask leave of thee are those who
believe in GOD and his apostle. When therefore they ask leave of thee to
depart, on account of any business of their own, grant leave unto such of them
as thou shalt think fit, and ask pardon for them of GOD; for GOD is gracious
and merciful.
Let not the calling of the apostle be esteemed among you, as your calling
the one to the other. GOD knoweth such of you as privately withdraw
themselves from the assembly, taking shelter behind one another. But let
those who withstand his command take heed, lest some calamity befall them in
this world, or a grievous punishment be inflicted on them in the life to come.
Doth not whatever is in heaven and on earth belong unto GOD? He well
knoweth what ye are about: and on a certain day they shall be assembled before
him; and he shall declare unto them that which they have done; for GOD knoweth
all things.