of them; neither among a smaller number than this, nor a larger, but he is with them, wheresoever they be: and he will declare unto them that which they have done, on the day of resurrection; for God knoweth all things.-When the earth shall be minutely ground to dust, and thy Lord shall come, and the angels rank by rank; and hell on that day shall be brought nigh : on that day shall man call to remembrance his evil deeds; but how shall remembrance avail him? He shall say, Would to God that I had heretofore done good works in my life-time.-Fear not men, but fear me; neither sell my signs for a small price. And whoso judgeth not according to what God hath revealed, they are infidels. We have therein commanded them, that they should give life for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and that wounds should also be punished by retaliation; but, whoever should remit it as alms, it should be accepted as an atonement from him.-Let there be no violence in religion.-We have sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, that thou may'st judge between men through that wisdom which God showeth thee therein; and be not an advocate for the fraudulent, but ask pardon of God for thy wrong intention; since God is indulgent and merciful. Dispute not for those who deceive one another; for God loveth not him who is a deceiver, or who is unjust. Such conceal themselves from men, but they cannot conceal themselves from God; for He is with them when they imagine by night, a saying which pleaseth Him not; and God comprehendeth what they do. Behold, ye are they who have disputed for them in this present life; but who shall dispute with God for them on the day of resurrection, or who will become their patron? Yet he who doth evil, or injureth his own soul, and afterward asketh pardon of God, shall find God gracious and merciful. When the inevitable day of judgment shall suddenly come, no soul shall charge the prediction of its coming with falsehood; it will abuse some, and exalt others. When the earth shall be shaken with a violent shock, and the mountains shall be dashed in pieces, and shall become as dust scattered abroad; and ye shall be separated into three distinct classes: the companions of the right hand, (how happy shall the companions of the right hand be!) and the companions of the left hand, (how miserable shall the companions of the left hand be!) and those who have preceded others in the faith, shall precede them to paradise. These are they who shall approach near unto God: they shall dwell in gardens of delight: (there shall be many of the former religions, and few of the last). Reposing on couches adorned with gold and precious stones; sitting opposite to one another thereon. Youths, which shall continue in their bloom for ever, shall go round about to attend them, with goblets and beakers, and a cup of flaming wine: their heads shall not ache by drinking the same, neither shall their reason be disturbed: and with fruits of the sorts shall they choose, and the flesh of birds of the kind which they shall desire. And there shall accompany them fair damsels, having large black eyes, resembling pearls hidden in their shells, as a reward for that which they shall have wrought. They shall not hear therein any vain discourse, or any charge of sin, but only the salutation, Peace! Peace! And the companions of the right hand (how happy shall the companions of the right hand be!) shall have their abode among lote trees, free from thorns, and trees of manz, loaded regularly with their produce from top to bottom; under an extended shade, near a flowing water, and amidst fruits in abundance, which shall not fail, nor shall be forbidden to be gathered and they shall repose themselves on lofty beds. Verily, we have created the damsels of paradise by a peculiar creation; and we have made them virgins beloved by their husbands, of equal age with them; for the delight of the companions of the right hand. THE ADORATION. 1. How wonderful are the works of God! How abounding in beneficence! How beautiful! How sublime! 2. Whithersoever we turn our eyes, on whatever subject we rest our thoughts, an all-creative, all-wise, and all-mighty Power is manifested. 3. The whole surface of the earth; the waters which divide the earth; the atmosphere which surrounds the earth and the waters, are all filled with animated beings : their numbers are countless, their variety infinite; no two are alike; yet all are subject to the same general laws. 4. All have their birth, growth, maturity, decay, and death. All are in a state of continual change, yet nothing is lost! 5. All are supplied with means for the support of life, according to their several natures. Even the lowest vegetables are furnished with organs to gather nourishment for their subsistence. 6. Would you know the extent of Almighty power? Let him of the strongest intellect take a single organ of any living thing (an eye, an ear, or a hand), and endeavour to trace its mechanism to its first moving principle. 7. The result of his life's labour would only discover to him a perfection of construction unapproachable by human art, and an utter inability on his part to comprehend its origin of movement. 8. Yet numerous organs enter into the composition of every living creature, and many millions of living creatures are contained within the compass of a man's hand. 9. We look upon what appears to our natural sight to be dust; we avail ourselves of instruments which magnify a hundred fold, and we discover the dust to be organized animals, pursuing the great work of self-preservation and enjoyment with activity and vigour. 10. Our scientific improvements advance, and furnish us with instruments which magnify several thousand fold. We then discover a new world, which to the natural sight was invisible, we find in what appears to be mere limpid water, and pure air, multitudes of various animals, as actively engaged as ourselves in the great business of life, in supplying its energies, and providing for its wants. 11. If from inspecting the atomic millions beneath the eye, we look around this great world, and regard the various animals which enliven it, fresh wonders claim our admiration! 12. What activity, what suppleness, what force, what courage, what forethought, these animals display in their several pursuits! 13. Among the insect tribe, and the winged inhabitants of the air, and the finny race of the waters, what brilliancy of colour, and delicacy of texture, appear in their coverings! 14. Among the beasts of the forest, how tough the hides which defend them from thorns and briars. Among others, which are exposed to severity of climate, how warm their furs and fleeces! Every thing is furnished with the means of preserving and enjoying life according to its nature and necessities. 15. How beautiful the earth; what goodly prospects gladden the eye, and cheer the heart of man! What delightful views of swelling hills, and waving woods, and verdant dales! How teeming with support for life are its various and delicious fruits! How rich in loveliness and fragrance its opening flowers! How refreshing are the gushing spring, the sparkling waterfall, the translucent stream, the majestic sea! 16. Revolving in its daily circle, the earth receives the blessing of the morning sun, the life and soul of our material world; best type of the Creator's power and beneficence. The darkness of night vanishes at its reappearance; the mists and exhalations disperse. The birds carol their delight; the cattle low their gratitude. The refreshed labourer whistling resumes his daily task. All nature gladdens ! 17. The morning advances, vegetation unfolds its varied beauties, and abundant produce. A thousand odours fill the air! How brilliant the noon-day brightness! How rich the setting sun's refulgence! How mild the evening twilight, softening the glare of day into the shadows of night! 18. And night's repose how welcome! Kind nature's rest and solace! How sweet its slumbers to all prepared by exercise, and undisturbed by guile! 19. How admirably the sun, by its inclining axis, affords to every portion of the globe a share of its inspiring light and heat; producing the various seasons of the year, bringing forth the fruits of the earth, and diversifying the enjoyments of the creatures that inhabit it! 20. And then the human mind; the Almighty's highest gift on earth; our guide and safeguard: how marvellous its powers! 21. All meaner creatures it reduces to the use of man! Some yield their fleeces to give him cloathing, others their lives for his sustenance; the strong their strength to lighten his toil, the wild their fierceness in submission to his will. The refractory of his own race it subdues to a regard for justice; and this established, how large a flow of blessings follow! Civil wars and anarchy, persecutions and massacres, famine and pestilence, cease to desolate the earth. Never failing supplies of necessaries and luxuries attend on peace, and well protected industry; and increase of knowledge raises additional sources of mental and bodily enjoyments. 22. Wondrous indeed is this mighty world of matter and of mind, and yet this mighty world, with all its living multitudes, is but as a grain of sand on the seashore, compared with the worlds that surround it! 23. From infinity in minuteness, we turn toward infinity in immensity! We look up to the starry firmament, and there see millions of worlds unceasingly revolving in their orbits through boundless space! 24. The swiftest projectile on earth is slowness, com |