بخش 78 - فریفتن منافقان پیغامبر را علیه السلام تا به مسجد ضرارش برند

They chanted spells over (spoke deceitful words to) the Messenger of God: they were driving (hard) the steed of cunning and craft.

The kind and compassionate Messenger proffered (in reply) nothing but smiles, nothing but “Yes.”

He expressed (his) thanks to that company (deputation): he gladdened the envoys in (by) assent.

Their deceit was apparent to him, point by point, in the same way as hairs in milk.

That courteous one feigned not to see the hairs: that polite one said “Bravo!” to the milk.

Myriad hairs of deceit and fraud (he beheld), and at that time he closed his eyes to it all.

That ocean of bounty spoke truly (when he said), “I am kinder unto you than you (yourselves are).

I am seated at the edge of a fire with an exceedingly unpleasant blaze and flame;

Ye are hastening towards it like moths, (while) both my hands have become moth-flaps (to beat you off).”

When the Prophet had resolved to set out (to the Mosque), the jealousy of God cried, “Do not hearken to the ghoul!

For these wicked men have used deceit and cunning: what they have put forward is entirely the reverse (of the truth).

Their intent was nothing but (to bring) black shame (upon thee): when have Christians or Jews sought the welfare of the (true) Religion?

They (the Hypocrites) have built a mosque upon Hell's bridge: they have played the game of trickery with God.

Their aim is to cause disunion amongst the Companions of the Prophet: how should any vain fool understand the grace of God?

(They have built the Mosque) in order that they may fetch hither a Jew from Syria, with whose preaching the Jews are intoxicated.”

The Prophet said (to the Hypocrites), “Yes (I will do as ye wish), but (just now) we are intending to march and starting on a campaign.

As soon as I return from this expedition, I will then set out to that Mosque at once.”

He (thus) put them off and hurried to the field of war: he played a game of trickery with the tricksters.

When he came back from the campaign, they returned and sought (the fulfilment of) that past promise.

God said to him, “O Prophet, proclaim the treachery (with which they have acted), and if war be (the consequence), say, ‘Let it be!’”

He (the Prophet) said, “O false people, be silent! Hush, lest I tell your secret thoughts.”

When he had declared (to them) a few indications of their inmost thoughts, they were in evil plight*.

Thereupon the envoys turned back from him crying, “God forfend! God forfend!”

Every Hypocrite, by way of fraud, brought a Qur’án under his arm to the Prophet,

In order to take oaths—for oaths are a shield; (this they did) because (taking) oaths is a custom followed by the wicked.

Since the wicked man does not keep faith in (matters of) religion, he will break (his) oath at any time.

The righteous have no need of (taking) oath, because they have two clear (discerning) eyes.

Breach of compacts and covenants is (the result) of stupidity; keeping of oaths and faithfulness (to one's word) is the practice of him that fears God.

Said the Prophet, “Shall I take your oaths as true, or the oath of God?”

Again those people, the Qur’án in their hands and the seal of fasting on their lips, swore another oath,

Saying, “By the truth of this holy and true Word (we swear) that the building of the Mosque is for God's sake.

In that place there is no contrivance of deceit: in that place there is (only) commemoration (of God) and sincerity and calling unto the Lord.”

The Prophet answered, “The voice of God is coming into my ear like an echo.

God hath put a seal upon your ears, so that they make not haste to (hear) the voice of God.

Lo, the voice of God is coming to me distinctly: it is filtered clear for me, like the pure (liquor) from the dregs”—

Even as Moses from the direction of the Bush heard the voice of God saying, “O thou of blessed fortune!”

From the Bush he was hearing (the words), “Lo, I am Allah,” and together with the words there appeared (Divine) lights.

Inasmuch as they (the Hypocrites) were left in the lurch by the light of (Divine) inspiration, they once more began to recite oaths anew.

Since God calls an oath a shield, how should the quarreller lay down the shield from his hand?

Again the Prophet, giving (them) the lie direct, said to them in plain terms, “Ye have lied.”