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274
THE QUR'ÂN.
LIX, 2-6.
He it was who drove those of the people of the Book who misbelieved forth from their houses, at the first emigration?; ye did not think that they would go forth, and they thought that their fortresses would defend them against God; but God came upon them from whence they did not reckon, and cast dread into their hearts! They ruined their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers; wherefore take example, O ye who are endowed with sight!
Had it not been that God had prescribed for them banishment, He would have tormented them in this world?; but for them in the next shall be the torment of the Fire! that is because they opposed God and His Apostle : and whoso opposes God, verily, God is keen to punish!
[5] What palm trees ye did cut down or what ye left standing upon their roots was by God's permission, and to disgrace the workers of abomination; and as for the spoils that God gave to His Apostle from these (people) ye did not press forward after them with horse or riding camel; but God gives His Apostle authority over whom He pleases, for God is mighty over alla !
1 The Jews of en Nadhir, near Medînah, who at first promised to stand neuter between him and the idolaters. After his success at Bedr they came over to his side, but turned again after the defeat of Ohod. For this offence they were forced to leave the country.
2 Like those of Qurâidhah, who were slaughtered. See Introduction, p. xxxix.
3 The Muslims did not use cavalry on the occasion, Mohammed himself being the only mounted member of the expedition. For this reason the spoils were assigned to the prophet alone, and not divided in the usual manner as prescribed in Chapter VIII, verse 42, Part I, pp. 167, 168.
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