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XXX, 57-XXXI,5. THE CHAPTER OF LOQMÂN.
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those who did wrong ; nor shall they be asked to please God again. . We have struck out to men in this Qur'ân every kind of parable; but if thou shouldst bring them a sign? then those who misbelieve will surely say,
Ye are but followers of vanity; thus does God set a stamp upon the hearts of those who do not know.'
[60] Be thou patient then; verily, God's promise is true! and let them not furry thee who are not
sure.
THE CHAPTER OF LOQMÂN .
(XXXI. Mecca.) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
A. L. M. These are the signs of the wise Book, a guidance and a mercy to those who do well, who are steadfast in prayer and give alms and who of the hereafter are sure; these are in guidance from their Lord, and these are the prosperous.
[5] And amongst men is one 8 who buys sportive legends, to lead astray from God's path, without knowledge, and to make a jest of it; these, for
1 I.e. a verse. * This sage is generally identified with the Aesop of the Greeks. The legends current in the East concerning him accord exactly with those of the Greek fabulist.
8 An Nadhr ibn al 'Hareth had purchased in Persia some of the old legends of Rustam and Isfendiâr, which were afterwards embodied in the Shâh-nâmeh of Firdausi. These he read to the Qurais as being more wonderful than the Qur'ân.
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