Those believers who sit at home free from trouble, and those who do valiantly in the cause of God with their substance and their persons, shall not be treated alike.  God hath assigned to those who contend earnestly with their persons and with their substance, a rank above those who sit at home.  Goodly promises hath He made to all.  But God hath assigned to the strenuous a rich recompense, above those who sit still at home,

Rank of his own bestowal, and forgiveness, and mercy; for God is Indulgent, Merciful.

The angels,19 when they took the souls of those who had been unjust to their own weal, demanded, “What hath been your state?"20 They said, “We were the weak ones21 of the earth.”  They replied, “Was not God’s earth broad enough for you to flee away in?” These! their home shall be Hell, and evil the passage to it-

Except the men and women and children who were not able, through their weakness, to find the means of escape, and were not guided on their way.  These haply God will forgive:  for God is Forgiving, Gracious.

Whoever flieth his country for the cause of God, will find in the earth many under like compulsion, and abundant resources; and if any one shall quit his home and fly to God and his apostle, and then death overtake him,-his reward from God is sure:  for God is Gracious, Merciful!

And when ye go forth to war in the land, it shall be no crime in you to cut short your prayers,22 if ye fear lest the infidels come upon you; Verily, the infidels are your undoubted enemies!

And when thou, O apostle! shalt be among them, and shalt pray with them, then let a party of them rise up with thee, but let them take their arms; and when they shall have made their prostrations, let them retire to your rear:  then let another party that hath not prayed come forward, and let them pray with you; but let them take their precautions and their arms.  Pleased would the infidels be for you to neglect your arms and your baggage, that they might turn upon you at once!  And it shall be no crime in you to lay down your arms if rain annoy you, or if ye be sick.  But take your precautions.23 Verily, God hath made ready a shameful torment for the infidels.

And when ye shall have ended the prayer, make mention of God, standing, and sitting, and reclining:  and as soon as ye are secure, observe prayer; for to the faithful, prayer is a prescribed duty, and for stated hours.

Slacken not in pursuit of the foe.  If ye suffer, assuredly they suffer also as ye suffer; but ye hope from God for what they cannot hope!  And God is Knowing, Wise!

Verily, we have sent down the Book to thee with the truth, thou that mayest judge between men according as God hath given thee insight:  But with the deceitful ones dispute not:  and implore pardon of God.  Verily, God is Forgiving, Merciful.24

And plead not with us for those who are self-deceivers; for God loveth not him who is deceitful, criminal.