[These rejecters refuse to see
the signs of God all around them and insist on miracles.]
The fact is that in the design of the heavens and the earth and in the coming of
the night and the day, one after the other, there are [innumerable] signs [of
the approaching Day of Judgment] for the intelligent; [they are] those who
remember God standing, sitting and laying on their sides and deliberate over the
creation of the heavens and the earth. [As a result of this deliberation, they
pray:] "Our Lord, You have not created this [existence] in vain,
You are absolutely clear of doing anything in vain. [There will most certainly
be a just end to this creation].
Therefore, save us from the punishment of the Fire. Our Lord, whomsoever You
condemn to Hell - [a place solely for the unjust] - You condemn to utter
disgrace, and the unjust will have no helpers [there]. Our Lord, We have heard a
caller heralding towards faith that 'People, believe in your Lord'. So we have
believed.
Therefore, forgive us our sins, Lord, absolve us from our evil deeds and allow
us to die with the faithful. And grant us, Lord, all that you have promised us
through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection.
Indeed, You never break Your promise." (190 - 194)
So their Lord accepted their
prayer [and has said]: "I will not allow any deeds of a person among you -
whether man or woman - to go to waste, as you are all no different than the
other. Therefore, those who have migrated and were forced to leave their homes
and were persecuted in My way, those who fought and were killed [in My way], I
will surely remove their evil deeds from them and will surely enter them in
Gardens beneath which rivers flow, as a reward from God. And most certainly,
with God is the most beautiful reward. (195)
[Prophet,] do not be deceived by
the moving about
of the rejecters in the land. This is a just a small provision [for them during
the life of this world], after which Hell will be their abode. How terrible a
dwelling! But for those who remained mindful of their Lord, [on the other hand,]
will be gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall abide in these [blessings]
forever, as a welcome from God. And [surely] whatever is with God is much better
for the faithful. (196 - 198)
And [there are also such
faithful among the People of the Book;] indeed there are those among the People
of the Book who truly believe in God, fearing Him, and who believe in that which
has been revealed upon you and also in that which was revealed to them
[earlier]. They do not exchange the directives of God for a paltry gain [of
worldly benefits]. The reward of these people is secured with their Lord, for
indeed God is swift in reckoning. (199)
Believers, [you will surely be
the victors in these wars against the rejecters, but it is essential that you]
remain steadfast, stand strong [against your enemies], be fully prepared for
[fighting] them and be mindful of God [in all your matters], so that you are
successful. (200)