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V, 96-101.
THE CHAPTER OF THE TABLE.
III
pilgrimage. But he amongst you who kills it purposely, his compensation is the like of that which he has killed, in sheep-of which two equitable persons amongst you shall be judge—an offering brought to the Kaabah; or as an expiation, the food of poor persons, or an equivalent thereof in fasting, that he may taste the evil result of his deed. God pardons bygones; but whoso returns, God will take vengeance on him, for God is mighty and the avenger.
Lawful for you is the game of the sea, and to eat thereof; a provision for you and for travellers ; but forbidden you is the game of the land while ye are on pilgrimage ; so fear God to whom ye shall be gathered.
God has made the Kaabah, the sacred House, to be a station for men, and the sacred month, and the offering and its neck garland; this is that ye may know that God knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and that God knows all things. Know that God is keen to punish, but that God is forgiving, merciful.
The Apostle has only to preach his message, but God knows what ye show and what ye hide.
[100] Say, 'The vile shall not be deemed equal with the good, although the abundance of the vile please thee.' Fear God then, O ye who have minds ! haply ye may prosper.
O ye who believe! ask not about things which if they be shown to you will pain you ; but if ye ask about them when the (whole) Qur'ân is revealed, they shall be shown to you. God pardons that, for God is -forgiving and clement. People before you have asked about that, yet on the morrow did they disbelieve therein.
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