The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

2: 177
The Cow 19
bonds between them are severed, 167 the followers will say, ‘If only we
had one last chance, we would disown them as they now disown us.’
In this way, God will make them see their deeds as a source of bitter
regret: they shall not leave the Fire.
168 People, eat what is good and lawful from the earth, and do not
follow Satan’s footsteps, for he is your sworn enemy. 169 He always
commands you to do what is evil and indecent, and to say things
about God that you do not really know. a 170 But when it is said to
them, ‘Follow the message that God has sent down,’ they answer,
‘We follow the ways of our fathers.’ What! Even though their fathers
understood nothing and were not guided? 171 Calling to disbelievers b
is like a herdsman calling to things that hear nothing but a shout and
a cry: they are deaf, dumb, and blind, and they understand nothing.
172 You who believe, eat the good things We have provided for you
and be grateful to God, if it is Him that you worship. 173 He has only
forbidden you carrion, blood, pig’s meat, and animals over which any
name other than God’s has been invoked. But if anyone is forced to
eat such things by hunger, rather than desire or excess, he commits
no sin: God is most merciful and forgiving.
174 As for those who conceal the Scripture that God sent down and
sell it for a small price, they only fill their bellies with Fire. God will
not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify
them: an agonizing torment awaits them. 175 These are the ones who
exchange guidance for error, and forgiveness for torment. What can
make them patient in the face of the Fire? 176 This is because God has
sent the Scripture with the Truth; those who pursue differences in
the Scripture are deeply entrenched in opposition.
177 Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or
West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day,
in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some
of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to
orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in
bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms;
who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in
misfortune, adversity, and times of danger. These are the ones who
are true, and it is they who are aware of God.
a See 6: 138, 145.
b It is also possible to interpret this as referring to the disbelievers calling on their
idols, who cannot respond.