Texts of Islam

The Qur'ân, ed. Palmer (SBE6): IX. The Chapter of R...

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This is an excerpt from Surah 9 (At-Tawbah, "The Repentance") of the Qur'an, presented in E.H. Palmer's 1880 English translation from the Sacred Books of the East series — a Victorian-era scholarly project rendering world religious texts into English. The passage deals primarily with the early Muslim community's relationships with polytheists ("idolaters") and People of the Book (Jews and Christians) in Arabia, establishing conditions under which existing treaties may be honored or dissolved, and calling believers to armed struggle. A central concern is distinguishing sincere believers from hypocrites who avoid military campaigns and undermine the community from within. The text also addresses legal and civic matters including rules for mosque access, the distribution of alms (zakat) to specified categories of recipients, the sanctity of four sacred months, and warnings against the hoarding of wealth. A notably distinctive feature is the frank, uncompromising rhetorical tone — addressing God's Apostle directly, rebuking waverers sharply, and framing military engagement as a religious and communal obligation rather than merely a political act. Readers interested in early Islamic jurisprudence, the Qur'an's historical context during the Medinan period, or Victorian-era translation of Islamic scripture will find this passage directly relevant.

The Qur'ân, ed. Palmer (SBE6): IX. The Chapter of R...

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