Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
were left behind, when the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for them, and their own souls were straitened for them till they bethought them that there is no refuge from Allah save toward Him. Then turned He unto them in mercy that they (too) might turn (repentant unto Him).1 Lo! Allah! He is the Relenting, the Merciful.
119. O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful.
120. It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madînah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefor. Lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the good.
121. Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do.
122. And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.
123. O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).
124. And whenever a sûrah is revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you “hath thus increased in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they rejoice (therefor).
1 The reference is to three men of Al-Madînah who were ostracised on account of a misdeed, but afterwards repented and were forgiven.
