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XXIV, 13-22.
THE CHAPTER OF LIGHT.
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the liars. And but for God's grace upon you, and His mercy in this world and the next, there would have touched you, for that which ye spread abroad, mighty woe. When ye reported it with your tongues, and spake with your mouths what ye had no knowledge of, and reckoned it a light thing, while in God's eyes it was grave.
[15] And why did ye not say when ye heard it, 'It is not for us to speak of this ? Celebrated be His praises, this is a mighty calumny!
God admonishes you that ye return not to the like of it ever, if ye be believers; and God manifests to you the signs, for God is knowing, wise.
Verily, those who love that scandal should go abroad amongst those who believe, for them is grievous woe in this world and the next; for God knows, but ye do not know.
[20] And but for God's grace upon you, and His mercy, and that God is kind and compassionate ...!
O ye who believe! follow not the footsteps of Satan, for he who follows the footsteps of Satan, verily, he bids you sin and do wrong; and but for God's grace upon you and His mercy, not one of you would be ever pure; but God purifies whom He will, for God both hears and knows. And let not those amongst you who have plenty and ample means swear that they will not give aught to their kinsman and the poorl and those who have fled their homes in God's way, but let them pardon and pass it over. Do ye not like God to forgive you ? and God is forgiving, compassionate.
Abu bekr had sworn not to do anything more for a relation of his, named Mista'h, who had taken part in spreading the reports against Ayesha.
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