The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

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The Quran 2: 213
them on the Day of Resurrection: God provides immeasurably for
whoever He pleases. 213 Mankind was a single community, then God
sent prophets to bring good news and warning, and with them He
sent the Scripture with the Truth, to judge between people in their
disagreements. It was only those to whom it was given who disagreed
about it after clear signs had come to them, because of rivalry
between them. So by His leave God guided the believers to the truth
they had differed about: God guides whoever He will to a straight
path.
214 Do you suppose that you will enter the Garden without first
having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune
and hardship, and they were so shaken that even [their]
messenger and the believers with him cried, ‘When will God’s help
arrive?’ Truly, God’s help is near. 215 They ask you [Prophet] what
they should give. Say, ‘Whatever you give should be for parents,
close relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers. God is well aware
of whatever good you do.
216 Fighting is ordained for you, though you dislike it. You may
dislike something although it is good for you, or like something
although it is bad for you: God knows and you do not.’ 217 They ask
you [Prophet] about fighting in the prohibited month. Say, ‘Fighting
in that month is a great offence, but to bar others from God’s path,
to disbelieve in Him, prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and expel
its people, are still greater offences in God’s eyes: persecution is
worse than killing.’ a They will not stop fighting you [believers] until
they make you revoke your faith, if they can. If any of you revoke
your faith and die as disbelievers, your deeds will come to nothing in
this world and the Hereafter, and you will be inhabitants of the Fire,
there to remain. 218 But those who have believed, migrated, and
striven for God’s cause, it is they who can look forward to God’s
mercy: God is most forgiving and merciful.
219 They ask you [Prophet] about intoxicants and gambling: say,
‘There is great sin in both, and some benefit for people: the sin is
greater than the benefit.’ They ask you what they should give: say,
‘Give what you can spare.’ In this way, God makes His messages
clear to you, so that you may reflect 220 on this world and the next.
a To persecute people for believing in God is a worse offence than for the aggrieved
party to fight back in the prohibited month. This further explains verse 191.