The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

58: 14
The Dispute 363
7 Do you not see [Prophet] that God knows everything in the
heavens and earth? There is no secret conversation between three
people where He is not the fourth, nor between five where He is not
the sixth, nor between less or more than that without Him being
with them, wherever they may be. On the Day of Resurrection, He
will show them what they have done: God truly has full knowledge
of everything. 8 Have you not seen how those who have been forbidden
to hold secret conversations go back afterwards and hold them,
and conspire with one another in what is sinful, hostile, and disobedient
to the Messenger? When they come to you they greet you
with words God has never used to greet you, and say inwardly, ‘Why
does God not punish us for what we say?’ Hell will be punishment
enough for them: they will burn there – an evil destination.
9 You who believe, when you converse in secret, do not do so in a
way that is sinful, hostile, and disobedient to the Messenger, but in a
way that is good and mindful [of God]. Be mindful of God, to whom
you will all be gathered. 10 [Any other kind of] secret conversation is
the work of Satan, designed to cause trouble to the believers, though
it cannot harm them in the least unless God permits it. Let the
believers put their trust in God.
11 You who believe, if you are told to make room for one another
in your assemblies, then do so, and God will make room for you,
and if you are told to rise up, do so: God will raise up, by many
degrees, those of you who believe and those who have been given
knowledge: He is fully aware of what you do. 12 You who believe,
when you come to speak privately with the Messenger, offer something
in charity before your conversation: that is better for you and
purer. If you do not have the means, God is most forgiving and
merciful.
13 Were you afraid a to give charity before consulting the Prophet?
Since you did not give charity, and God has relented towards you,
you should [at least] observe your prayers, pay the prescribed alms,
and obey God and His Messenger: God is well aware of your actions.
14 Have you not seen [Prophet] those who give their loyalty to
people with whom God is angry? They are neither with you nor with
a Ashfaqtum is in the past tense. There is a lapse of time between verses 12 and 13
during which those who used to plague the Prophet with questions did not come
forward at all, because of having to pay to charity each time. Verse 13 relaxed this
requirement.