In the name of God, the Kind, the Merciful

A systematic study of the Holy Qur'an-28

By

Dr Javed Jamil

THE HISTORY OF CONFRONTATION

BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG (contd)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

There is no direct story of Muhammad *PBUH) in Qur'an for the obvious reasons. I have tried to complete the story of Prophetic Mission by way of using the context of the verses revealed to him on different occasions. This obviously includes only the major milestones; the truth is this that if the whole life of Prophet Muhammad is to be described the whole of Quran will have to be quoted.

Verses related to important events

(1) In the very year of Prophet's Birthday, the "Companions of the Elephant", the troops of Abraha , the Ayssinian, invade Mecca to  destroy Ka'ba but are overwhelmed by a miraculous horde of birds:

* Seest thou not

How thy Lord dealt

With the Companions

Of the Elephant?

Did He not make

Their treacherous plan

Go astray?

And He sent against them

Flights of Birds,

Striking them with stones

Of baked clay.

Then did He make them

Like an empty field

Of stalks and straw,

(Of which the corn)

Has been eaten up. (105: 1-5/A)

(2) He becomes an orphan in childhood, and remains without any appreciable riches in his youth, till he accepts the offer of Khadija, usually described as a widow, for marriage:

* Did He not find thee

An orphan and give thee

Shelter (and care)?

And He found thee

Wandering, and He gave

Thee guidance.

And He found thee

In need, and made

Thee independent. (93: 6-8/A)

(3) At the age of forty, he receives first revelation from God through Angel Gabriel:

* Proclaim! (or Read!)

In the name

Of thy Lord and Cherisher,

Who created;

Created man, out of

A (mere) clot

Of congealed blood:

Proclaim! And thy Lord

Is most Bountiful,

He who taught

(The use of) the Pen,

Taught man that

Which he knew not. (96:1-5/A)

(4) For next few months he does not receive any revelation and people start talking ill of him:

* Nun. By the Pen and what they write. By the grace of your Lord, you are not mad. An unfailing recompense awaits you. Surely you have a sublime Character. You shall (before long) see as they will see which of you is mad. (68: 1-6/Z)

(5)        He is enjoined to offer Prayers:

* O thou folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,- half of it,- or a little less, or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones. Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message. Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise). True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:  But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly. (He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs. And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity). (73: 1-10/A)

(6) Commanded to deliver the message:

* O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify! And thy garments keep free from stain! And all      abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! (74: 1-7/A)

(7) Enmity of Abu Lahb and his end:

* Perish the hands of the Father of Flame! Perish he! No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains! Burnt soon will he be in a Fire of Blazing Flame! His wife shall carry the (crackling) wood - as fuel!- a twisted rope of palm-leaf fibre round her (own) neck! (111: 1-5/Z)

(8) Persecution intensifies

* Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities!  For he thought and he plotted;- and woe to him! How he plotted!-  yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- then he looked round; then he frowned and he scowled; then he turned back and was haughty; then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; This is nothing but the word of a mortal!"  (74: 17-25/Z)

* But what has befallen the unbelievers that they scramble before you in multitudes from left and right? (70: 37/Z)

* The unbelievers say: "˜Shall we show you a man who claims that when you have been mangled into bits you will be raised to life again? Has he invented a lie about God, or is he mad? (34: 7-8/Z)

* To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance). Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).

(Note: The above verse refers to the taunting by the Unbelievers after the death of Muhammad's sons when they claimed that he would remain without descendants. Some scholars say that Kauthar refers to Muhammad's daughter, Fatima.)

(9) When the moon is cleft:

* The Hour (or Judgement) is drawing near, and the moon is cleft in two. Yet when they see a sign, (the unbelievers) turn their backs and say: "˜ Strong magic! (54: 1-3/Z)

(10) When a blind companion interrupts a meeting of Muhammad with some chiefs, God rebuffs their arrogance:

* But that perchance he might

Grow (in spiritual under standing)?

Or that he might receive

Admonition, and the teaching

Might profit him?

As to one who regards

Himself as self-sufficient,

To him dost thou attend;

Though it is no blame

To thee if he grow not

(Is spiritual understanding).

But as to his who came

To thee serving earnestly,

And with fear

(In his heart)

Of him wast thou unmindful.

By no means

(Should it be so)!

For it is indeed

A message of instruction:

Therefore let whoso will,

Keep it in remembrance. (80: 1-12/A)

(11) When  maltreated, nearly killed, by the People of Taif, the Prophet returns back dejected, a party of Jinns accepts his message:

* Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur'an). They said, "˜We have really heard a wonderful Recital! It gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: we shall not join (in worship) any (gods) with our Lord. And Exalted is the Majesty of our Lord: He has taken   neither a wife nor a son. There were some foolish ones among us, who used to utter extravagant lies against God. But we do think that no man or spirit should say aught that untrue against God. True, there were persons among mankind who took shelter with       persons among the Jinns, but they increased them in folly. And they (came to) think as ye thought, that  God would not raise up any one (to Judgment). And we pried into the secrets of heaven; but we found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires. We used, indeed, to sit there in (hidden) stations, to (steal) a hearing; but any who listen now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush. And we understand not whether ill is intended to those on earth, or whether their Lord    (really) intends to guide them to right conduct. There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary: we follow divergent paths. But we think that we can by no means frustrate Allah throughout the earth, nor can we frustrate Him by flight. And as for us, since we have listened to the Guidance, we have accepted it: and any who believes in his Lord has no fear, either of a short (account) or of any injustice. Amongst us are some that submit their wills (to Allah, and some that swerve from justice. Now those who submit their wills - they have sought out (the path) of right conduct. But those who swerve,- they are (but) fuel for Hell-fire.' (72: 1-15/Z)

(12) When Persia (of Idolaters) defeat Rome (of the People of the Book) and the idolaters of the Mecca ridicule the Prophet that, like the Persians, they would also defeat his followers:

* Alif Lam Mim. The Greeks have been defeated in a neighbourhood land. But after that defeat they shall themselves gain victory within a few years. Allah's is the command before and after. (30: 1-3/Z)

(13) When some Christians from Yemen visit Mecca and embrace Islam:

* Those to whom we gave the Book before, are   believers in it. When it is recited to them, they say: "˜We believe in ii because it is the truth from our Lord. We surrendered ourselves to him before it came. (28: 52-53/Z)

(14) When the Ascension to the Heavens (Mi'raj) takes place:

* Glory to (God)

Who did take his servant

For a journey by night

From the Sacred Mosque

To the Farthest Mosque

Whose precincts We did

Bless, in order that We

Might show him some

Of our signs: for He

Is the One who heareth

And seeth (all things). (17: 1/A)

* By the Star when it goes down,- your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.  It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: He was taught by one Mighty in Power, endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form); while he was in the highest part of the horizon: then he approached and came closer, and was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; so did (God) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. The       (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?  For indeed he saw him at a second descent, near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)  (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!              (53: 1-18/A)

(15) As a result of severe persecution, the Believers start leaving Mecca for Habsha and Medina:

* Those who believe and suffer

Exile and strive with might

And main, in God's cause,

With their goods and their persons,

Have the highest rank

In the sight of God:

They are the people

Who will achieve (salvation). (9: 20/A)

(16) When the Unbelievers plot to kill the Prophet and he migrates to Medina:

* And (remember) how the unbelievers plotted against you (Muhammad). They sought to take you captive or have you killed or banished. They plotted but    Allah plotted also. Allah is most profound in His machination. (8: 30/Z)

* If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for God did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear, for God is with us": then God sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of God is exalted    to the heights: for God is Exalted in might, Wise.            (9: 40/A)

(Note: The companion was Abu Bakr, one of the earliest followers of Muhammad.)

(17) The Migrants of Mecca (Muhajirs) are helped by the Medinites (Ansars):

* Those that have embraced the faith and migrated (from Makkah) and fought for the cause of Allah with their wealth and their persons; and those that         sheltered them and helped them, shall be friends to each other. (8: 72/Z)

* Those, before them, who had homes in the City (Medina) and embraced the Faith before them love those who have sought refuge with them; they entertain no desires in their hearts for what they are given, but rather prefer them above themselves, though they are in want. Those that preserve themselves from their own greed shall surely proper. (59: 9/Z)

(18) When a mosque (Masjid-e-Zirar) is built by the Hypocrites for mischievous ends:

* And there are those who put up a mosque by way of mischief and infidelity - to disunite the Believers - and in preparation for one who warred against God and His Messenger aforetime. They will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good; but God doth declare that they are certainly liars. Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of the standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men who love to be purified; and God loveth those who make themselves pure. (9: 107-108/A)

(19) In Medina, the power of Islam begins to grow rapidly, and the Quraish of Mecca decide to march upon them with the result that fighting takes place at Badr:

* Indeed there was a sign for you in the two armies which met on the battle-field. One was fighting for the cause of Allah, the other a host of unbelievers. The faithful saw with their very eyes that they were twice their number. But Allah strengthens with His aid whom He will. Surely in that there was a lesson for the      discerning. (3: 13/Z)

* (Remember) when Allah promised to grant you one of the two bands, and you wished the one that was not strong. He wanted to establish the truth by His word and to annihilate the unbelievers so that Truth should triumph and falsehood be comfited, though the wrongdoers wished otherwise. And when you prayed to your Lord for help, He answered: I am sending to your aid a thousand angels in succession. By this good news Allah sought to reassure your hearts, for victory comes only from Allah; He is Mighty, wise. Also when you were overcome by sleep, a token or his protection. He sent down water from the sky to cleanse you and to purify you of Satan's filth, to strengthen your hearts and to steady your footsteps. (8: 7-11/Z)

* Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual        appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment. But (thus ye met), that God might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign (had been given), and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign (had been given). And verily God is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things). Remember in thy dream God showed them to thee as few: if He had shown them to thee as many, ye would surely have been discouraged, and ye would surely have disputed in (your) decision; but God saved (you): for He knoweth well the (secrets) of (all) hearts. (8: 42-43/A)

(20) After about one year, the Quraish again march against the Believers and fighting breaks out at Uhud; and due to a lapse on the part of some Believers in following a specific command of the Prophet, they suffer heavy losses; the   rumours that the Prophet has been killed further deject the Believers:

* Remember that morning thou didst leave thy household (early) to post the faithful at their stations for battle: And God heareth and knoweth all things. Remember two of your parties meditated cowardice; but God was their protector, and in God should the faithful (ever) put their trust. God had helped you at Badr, when ye were a contemptible little force; then fear God. Thus may ye show your gratitude. Remember thou saidst to the Faithful: "Is it not enough for you that God should help you with three thousand angels (Specially) sent down? Yea, - if ye remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you in hot haste, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels making a terrific onslaught. God made it but a message of hope for you, and an assurance to your hearts: (in any case) there is no help except from God. The Exalted, the Wise: that He might cut off a fringe of the Unbelievers or expose them to infamy, and they should then be turned back, frustrated of their purpose. Not for thee, (but for God), is the decision: Whether He turn in mercy to them, or punish them; for they are indeed wrong-doers. To God belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth. He forgiveth whom He pleaseth and punisheth whom He pleaseth; but God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (3: 121-129/A)

* If you have suffered from a wound, so did the enemy. We alternate these vicissitudes among mankind so that Allah may know the true believers and choose martyrs from among you for He does not love the evil-doers; and that He may purify the faithful from sin and annihilate the infidels. Did you suppose that you would enter Paradise before Allah has known the men who fought hard and steadfast? You used to wish for death before you met it, and now you have seen what it is like with your own eye. Muhammad is no more than an apostle; other apostles have passed away before him. If he die or be slain, will you recant ? He that recants will do no harm to Allah; but Allah will   reward the thankful. No one dies unless Allah permits. The term of every life is fixed. And he that desires the reward of this world, We shall give him of it; and he that desires the reward of the life to come, we shall give him of it. And we will reward the thankful. Many prophet has fought side by side with many learned followers. They never lost heart on account of what befell them; and Allah loves the steadfast. Their only words were: "˜Lord, give us victory over the    unbelievers. Therefore, Allah gave them the reward of this life and glorious recompense of the life to come; Allah loves the charitable. Believers, if you yield to the infidels, they will drag you back to unbelief and you will return headlong to perdition. But Allah is your    protector. He is the best of the helpers. We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. They serve other gods for whom  no sanction has been revealed. Fire shall be their home; dismal indeed is their dwelling-place of the evil-doers. (3: 140-151/Z)

* God did indeed fulfil His promise to you when ye with His permission were about to annihilate your enemy,-until ye flinched and fell to disputing about the order, and disobeyed it after He brought you in sight (of the booty) which ye covet. Among you are some that hanker after this world and some that desire the Hereafter. Then did He divert you from your foes in order to test you but He forgave you: For God is full of grace to those who believe. Behold! ye were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at any one, and the Messenger in your rear was calling you back. There did God give you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for (the booty) that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you. For God is well aware of all that ye do. After (the excitement) of the distress, He sent down calm on a band of you overcome with slumber, while another band was stirred   to anxiety by their own feelings, moved by wrong   suspicions of God"”suspicions due to ignorance. They said: "What affair is this of ours?" Say thou: "Indeed, this affair is wholly God's." They hide in their minds what they dare not reveal to thee. They say (to themselves): "If we had anything to do with this affair, we should not have been in the slaughter here." Say: "Even if you had   remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death"; but (all this was) that God might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts. For God knoweth well the secrets of your hearts. Those of you who turned back on the day the two hosts met,-it was Satan who caused them to fail,   because of some (evil) they had done. But   God Has blotted out (their fault): For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing. (3: 152-155/A)

(21) When the direction for prayer is changed from Jerusalem to Mecca (Ka'ba), confounding the Jews and Hypocrites:

* The Fools among the people

Will say: "What hath turned

Them from the Qibla to which

They were used?" Say:

To God belong both East and West:

He guideth whom He will

To a way that is straight.

Thus have We made of you

An Ummat justly balanced

That ye might be witnesses

Over the nations;

And the Apostle a witness

Over yourselves;

And we appointed the Qibla

To  which thou wast used,

Only to test those who followed

The Apostle from those

Who would turn on their heels

(From the Faith). Indeed it was

(A change) momentous, except

To those guided by God;

And never would God

Make your faith of no effect;

For God is to all people

Most surely full of kindness,

Most Merciful.

We see the turning

of thy face (for guidance)

To the heavens: now

Shall we turn thee

To a  Qibla that shall

Please thee. Turn then

Thy face in the direction

Of the Sacred Mosque:

Wherever ye are, turn

Your faces in that direction.

The people of the Book

Know well that is

The truth from their Lord.

Nor is God unmindful

Of what they do. (2: 142-144/A)

(22) When the Quraish, ten thousand in number, siege Medina, behind the trenches dug by the Believers; and  after a close engagement for few weeks, terrorised by a blast of east wind, they have to flee :

* O ye who believe! Remember the Grace of God, (bestowed) on you, when there came down on you hosts (to overwhelm you). But We sent against them a hurricane and forces that ye saw not: but God sees (clearly) all that ye do. Behold! they came on you from above you and from below you, and behold, the eyes became dim and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain) thoughts about God. In that situation were the Believers tried: they were shaken as by a tremendous shaking. And behold! The Hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (even) say: "(God) and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion!" Behold! A party among them said: "Ye men of Yathrib! ye cannot stand (the attack)! therefore go back!" And a band of them ask for leave of the Prophet, saying, "Truly our houses are bare and exposed," though they were not exposed they intended nothing but to run away. And if an entry had been   effected to them from the sides of the (city), and they had been incited to sedition, they would certainly have brought it to pass, with none but a brief delay! And yet they had already covenanted with God not to turn their backs, and a covenant with God must (surely) be answered for. Say: "Running away will not profit you if ye are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (ye do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will ye be allowed to enjoy!" Say: "Who is it that can screen you from God if it be His wish to give you punishment or to give you Mercy?" Nor will they find for themselves, besides God, any protector or helper. Verily God knows those among you who keep back (men) and those who say to their brethren, "Come along to us", but come not to the fight except for just a little while, covetous over you. Then when fear comes, thou wilt see them looking to thee, their eyes revolving, like (those of) one over whom hovers death: but when the fear is past, they will smite you with sharp tongues, covetous of goods. Such men have no faith, and so God has made their deeds of none effect: and that is easy for God. They think that the Confederates have not withdrawn; and if the Confederates should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering) among the Bedouins, and seeking news about you (from a safe distance); and if they were in your midst, they would fight but little. Ye have indeed in the Messenger of God a beautiful   pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in God and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of God. When the Believers saw the Confederate forces, they said: "This is what God and his Messenger had promised us, and God and His Messenger told us what was true." And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience. Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God. Of them some have completed their vow (to the    extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least: that God may reward the men of Truth for their Truth, and punish the Hypocrites if that be His Will, or turn to them in Mercy: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And God turned back the Unbelievers for (all) their fury: no  advantage did they gain; and enough is God for the   believers in their fight. And God is full of Strength, able to enforce His Will.  (33: 9-25/A)

(23) The Jew tribe Banu Khuraiza does not honour its word in the war of trenches to help the believers, for which they are punished and          besieged till they surrender:

* He brought down from their strongholds those who had supported them from among the People of the Book and cast terror in to their heart, so that some you killed and others you took captive. (33: 26/Z)

(24) When the Jewish forts are attacked due to continuous treacheries:

* He made you heirs of their land, their houses, and their goods, and of yet another land on which you had never set foot before. Truly Allah has power over all things. (33: 27/Z)

(25) When false slanders about Ayesha, wife of the Prophet, are spread causing much annoyance to him:

* Those who invented that slander were a number of your own people. Do not regard it as a misfortune, for it has proved an advantage. Each one of them shall be punished according to the sin he committed. As for him who had the greater share in it, his punishment shall be terrible indeed. When you heard it, why did the faithful, men and women, not think well of their own people, and say: "˜This is an evident falsehood?' Why did they not produce four witnesses? If they could not produce any witnesses, then they were surely lying in the sight of Allah. (24: 11-13/Z)

* Those who defame honourable but unaware believing women shall be cursed in this world and in the next. (24: 23/Z)

(26) When the Believers, in large numbers, come to mecca for Pilgrimage and the Quraish  do not permit them, an agreement is reached which   requires them to honour each other's Alliances;  the Believers are allowed Pilgrimage only from the next year onwards (Suleh Hudaibiya):

* We have granted thee a manifest Victory: that God may forgive thee thy faults of the past and those to follow; fulfil His favour to thee; and guide thee on the Straight Way; and that God may help thee with powerful help. It is He Who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the Believers, that they may add faith to their faith;- for to God belong the Forces of the heavens and the earth; and God is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom...(48: 1-4/A)

(27) God assures the Believers that they would enter the city; the promise is fulfilled when the Meccans break the Treaty by Attacking the Tribe of Banu Khuza'a (that had an alliance with the Prophet):

* Allah has in all truth fulfilled his apostle's Vision. You shall certainly enter the Sacred Mosque in   security if God wills, with hair cropped or shaven and without fear. He knew what you did not know, and what is more, he granted you a  speedy victory. (48: 27/Z)

(28) Pagans gather in great numbers near Taif to attack the Believers who, greater in number as they are, feel elated and suffer heavy losses:

* Assuredly God did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers belated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in to retreat. But God did pour His calm

on the Apostle and on the Believers, and sent down forces which ye saw not: He punished the   Unbelievers: thus doth He reward those without Faith. (9: 25-26/A)

(29) An expedition is sent to Tabuk to counter the Byzantians preparing for war. The fight does not occur. Some People show hesitation in joining the expedition:

* If you do not help him, Allah will help him as He helped him when he was driven out (from Makkah) by the unbelievers with one other. (9: 40/Z)

* Whether unarmed or well-equipped, march on, and fight for the cause of Allah, with your wealth and your person. This will be best for you, if you but knew it. Had the gain been immediate or the journey easy, they would have followed you; but the distance seemed too far to them. Yet they will swear by Allah: "˜Had we been able, we would have marched with you. They bring ruin upon themselves. Allah knows that they are lying. Allah forgive you! Why did you give them leave to stay behind before you knew those who spoke the truth from those who invented false excuses. Those that believe in Allah and the Last Day will not beg you to exempt them from fighting with their wealth and their persons. Allah best knows the righteous. Only those seek exemption who disbelieve in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are filled with doubt. And in their doubt, they waver. Had they intended to set forth with you, they would have prepared themselves for war. But Allah did not like their going forth and held them back, and it was said: "˜Stay back with those who stay back.' Had they taken the field with you, they would have only added to your burden. They would have got their way through your ranks, seeking to sow discord among you: and amongst you there were some who would have gladly listened to them. Allah knows the evil-doers. They had sought before this to sow dissention, and thought out plots against you. But in the end justice was done and the will of Allah triumphed much as they disliked it. Some of them say: "˜Give us leave (to stay behind) and do not expose us to       temptation Surely they have already succumbed to temptation. Hell shall engulf the unbelievers. If you meet with success, it grieves them; but if a disaster beffalls you, they say: "˜We have taken our precautions.' And they turn away rejoicing. Say: "˜Nothing will befall us, except what Allah has ordained. He is our Guardian. In Allah, let the faithful put their trust. Say: Are you waiting for anything to befall us except one of the two excellent things: (victory or martyrdom)? We are waiting for Allah's scourge to overtake you, direct from him or at our hands. Wait if you will; we too, are waiting. Say: Whether you give willingly or with reluctance, your offerings shall not be accepted from you; for you are wicked men. (9: 41-53/Z)

(30) Wide ranging laws are enjoined by God concerning the treaties with unbelievers and also about their entry in Sacred Mosque:

* A Declaration of immunity by Allah and His Apostle to the idolaters with whom you have made agreements: for four months you shall go unmolested in land. But know that you shall not escape the judgement of    Allah, and Allah will humble the unbelievers. A proclamation to the people by Allah and His Apostle that they are free from obligation to the idolaters. If you repent, it will be well with you; but if you give no heed, know that you shall not escape his judgement. Proclaim a woeful punishment to the unbelievers, except those idolaters who have fully honoured their treaties with you and aided none against you. With these keep faith until their treaties have run their term. Allah loves the righteous. (9: 1-4/Z)

(Note : other verses have been recorded in the chapter, "Constitution".)

(31) People start embracing Islam in great  numbers:

* When comes the Help

Of God, and Victory,

And thou dost see

The people enter God's Religion

In crowds,

Celebrate the praises

Of thy Lord, and pray

For His Forgiveness:

For He is Oft-Returning

(in Grace and Mercy). (110: 1-3/A)

(32) Meanwhile injunctions regarding spiritual, social and legal issues continue to be revealed:

For this see various chapters of the book.

(33) When the System of Islam is perfected, and the last verses are revealed:

* This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you,     completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. (5: 3/A)