2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ...

2: 87. We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers;

... وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ...

We gave Jesus the son of Mary clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit.

C90. As to the birth of Jesus, cf. 19:16-34.

Why is he called the "Son of Mary"?

What are his "clear signs"?

What is the "holy spirit" by which he was strengthened?

We reserve to a later state a discussion of the Quranic teaching on these questions.

See 3:62, n. 401.

... أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ ...

Is it that whenever there comes to you a Messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?

... فَفَرِيقاً كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقاً تَقْتُلُونَ ﴿٨٧﴾

Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!

C91. Notice the sudden transition from the past tense in "some ye called imposters" to the present tense in "others ye slay."

There is a double significance.

- First, reviewing the long course of Jewish history, we have come to the time of Jesus; they have often given the lie to Allah's Prophets, and even now they are trying to slay Jesus.

- Secondly, extending the review of that history to the time of Muhammad, they are even now trying to take the life of that holy Prophet.

This would be literally true at the time the words were promulgated to the people. And this transition leads on naturally to the next verse, which refers to the actual conditions before Muhammad in Medina in the second year of the Hijrah.

Section 11-13 (2:87-121) refer to the people of Book generally, Jews and Christians. Even where Moses and the Law of Sinai are referred to, those traditions are common to both Jews and Christians.

The argument is about the people who ought to have learnt from previous Revelations and welcomed Muhammad's teaching, and yet they both took up an attitude of arrogant rejection.

وَقَالُواْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ...

2: 88. They say, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's word, we need no more)."

C92. The Jews in their arrogance claimed that all wisdom and all knowledge of Allah were enclosed in their hearts. But there were more things in heaven and earth than were dreamt of in their philosophy. Their claim was not only arrogance but blasphemy. In reality they were men without Faith.

I take Ghulfun here to be the plural of Ghilafun the wrapping or cover of a book, in which the book is preserved.

As usual, there is much wider meaning. How many people at all times and among all nations close their hearts to any extension of knowledge or spiritual influence because of some little fragment which they have got and which they think is the whole of Allah’s Truth?

Such an attitude shows really want of faith and is a blasphemous limitation of Allah’s unlimited spiritual gifts to His creatures.

[According to another view the verse refers to the Jewish claim that a covering had been placed over their hearts which prevented them from grasping the message of the Prophet (peace be on him)].

See Ibn Kathir’s commentary on the verse.

See also verse 4:155. [Eds].

... بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّه بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلاً مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾

Nay, Allah's curse is on them for their blasphemy; little is it they believe.

C93. The root kafara has many shades of meaning:

1. to deny Allah's goodness, to be ungrateful,

2. to reject Faith, deny His revelation,

3. to blaspheme, to ascribe some limitation or attribute to Allah which is derogatory to His nature.

In a translation, one shade or another must be put forward according to the context, but all are implied.

وَلَمَّا جَاءهُمْ كِتَابٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ ...

2: 89. And when there comes to them a Book from Allah, confirming what is with them-

C94. The Jews, who pretended to be so superior to the people without Faith - the Gentiles - should have been the first to recognize the new Truth - or the Truth renewed - which it was Muhammad's mission to bring because it was so similar in form and language to what they had already received.

But they had more arrogance than faith. It is this want of faith that brings on the curse, i.e., deprives us (if we adopt such an attitude) of the blessings of Allah.

Again the lesson applies to a much wider circle than the Jews. We are all apt, in our perverseness, to reject an appeal from our brother even more summarily than one from an outsider. If we have a glimmering of the truth, we are apt to make ourselves impervious to further truth, and thus lose the benefit of Allah's Grace.

... وَكَانُواْ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...

although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without faith,

فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم مَّا عَرَفُواْ كَفَرُواْ بِهِ ...

when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognized, they refused to believe in it;

... فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّه عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٨٩﴾

but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.

بِئْسَمَا اشْتَرَوْاْ بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ أَن يَكْفُرُواْ بِمَا أنَزَلَ اللّهُ...

2: 90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down,

... بَغْياً أَن يُنَزِّلُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ عَلَى مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ...

in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases;

C95. Racial arrogance made the Jews averse to the reception of Truth when it came through a servant of Allah, not of their own race.

Again the lesson is wider.

Is that averseness unknown in our own times, and among other races?

Yet how can a race or a people set bounds to Allah's choice?

Allah is the Creator and Cherisher of all races and all worlds.

... فَبَآؤُواْ بِغَضَبٍ عَلَى غَضَبٍ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿٩٠﴾

thus have they drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُواْ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ ...

2: 91. When it is said to them: "Believe in what Allah hath sent down,"

... قَالُواْ نُؤْمِنُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا...

they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us;"

... وَيَكْفُرونَ بِمَا وَرَاءهُ وَهُوَ الْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ...

yet they reject all besides, even if it be truth confirming what is with them.

قُلْ فَلِمَ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنبِيَاء اللّهِ مِن قَبْلُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٩١﴾

Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?"

C96. Even the race argument is often flimsy and hollow pretext.

Did not the Jews reject Prophets of their own race who told them unpleasant truths?

And do not other nations do likewise?

The real trouble is selfishness, narrowness, a mean dislike of anything which runs counter to habits, customs or inclinations.

Other versions:

2: 87

Asad For, indeed, We vouchsafed unto Moses the divine writ and caused apostle after apostle to follow him (note 70); and We vouchsafed unto Jesus, the son of Mary, all evidence of the truth, and strengthened him with holy inspiration (note 71). Yet is it not so that every time an apostle came unto you with something that was not to your liking, you gloried in your arrogance, and to some of them you gave the lie, while others you would slay (note 72)?

Yusuf Ali We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an Apostle with what ye yourselves desire not ye are puffed up with pride? Some ye called impostors and others ye slay!

Pickthall And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the holy Spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay?

Wa laqad a_taina_ musal kita_ba wa qaffaina_ mim ba'dihi bir rusul(i), wa a_taina_ 'isabna maryamal bayyina_ti fa ayyadna_hu bi ruhil qudus(i), afakullama_ ja_'akum rasulum bima_ la_ tahwa_ anfusukumus takbartum, fa fariqan kazzabtum wa fariqan taqtulu_n(a).

[ Ali’s notes: 90 As to the birth of Jesus, cf. xix. 16-34. Why is he called the "Son of Mary"? What are his "clear signs"? What is the "holy spirit" by which he was strenghtened? We reserve to a later state a discussion of the Quranic teaching on these questions. See iii. 62, n. 401. (2.87)

91 Notice the sudden transition from the past tense in "some ye called imposters" to the present tense in "others ye slay." There is a double significance. First, reviewing the long course of Jewish history, we have come to the time of Jesus; they have often given the lie to God's Apostles, and even now they are trying to slay Jesus. Secondly, extending the review of that history to the time of Muhammad, they are even now trying to take the life of that holy Apostle. This would be literally true at the time the words were promulgated to the people. And this transition leads on naturally to the next verse, which refers to the actual conditions before Muhammad in Medina in the second year of the Hijra. Sections 11/13 (ii. 87-121) refer to the People of the Book generally, Jews and Christians. Even where Moses and the Law of Sinai are referred to, those traditions are common to both Jews and Christians. The argument is about the people who ought to have learnt from previous Revelations and welcomed Muhammad's teaching, and yet they both took up an attitude of arrogant rejection. (2.87) ]

[ Asad’s note 70: ………a stress upon the continuous succession of prophets among the Jews (see Tabari, Zamakhshari, Razi, Ibn Kathir), which fact deprives them of any excuse of ignorance.

71: This rendering of “ruh al-qudus (lit., “the spirit of holiness”) is based on the recurring use in the Quran of the term “ruh” in the sense of “divine inspiration”. IT is also that the Prophet invoked the blessing of the “ruh al-qudus” on his Compantion, the poet Hassan ibn Thabit (Bukhari, Muslim, anu Daud and Tirmidhi): just as the Quran (58:22) speaks of all believers as being “strengthened by inspiration (ruh) from Him”.

72: Lit., “and some you are slaying”. The change from the past tense observed throughout this sentence to the present tense in the verb “taqtulun” (“you are slaying”) is meant to express a conscious intent In this respect and, thus, a persistent, ever-recurring trait in Jewish history (Manar I, 377), to which also the New Testament refers (Mathew xxiii, 34-35, 37), and I Thessalonians ii, 15).]

[ Ruby’s note: I think this whole expression is meant for humankind in general even though the context is in reference to Jews. The Quran in other places mentioned that there were many countless Prophets sent to countless different communities down through time. And the rejection and negative reactions to the Prophets had been an ever-recurring problem of humankind and not only of the Jews. These problems are mentioned in the Quran in different context of different people as well.]

2: 88

Asad But they say, “Our hearts are already full of knowledge.” (note 73) Nay, but God has rejected them because of their refusal to acknowledge the truth: for, few are the things in which they believe (note74).

Yusuf Ali They say "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's word we need no more)." Nay Allah's curse is on them for their blasphemy; little is it they believe.

Pickthall And they say: Our hearts are hardened. Nay, but Allah hath cursed them for their unbelief. Little is that which they believe.

Wa qa_lu qulubuna_ gulf(un), bal la'anahumulla_hu bi kufrihim fa qalilam ma_ yu'minun(a).

[ Ali’s note on the meaning of KUFR: The root kafara has many shades of meaning: (1) to deny God's goodness, to be ungrateful, (2) to reject Faith, deny His revelation, (3) to blaspheme, to ascribe some limitation or attribute to God which is derogatory to His nature. In a translation, one shade or another must be put forward according to the context, but all are implied. (2.88)]

[Ruby’s note: Here is a lesson or a message for all humankind: one needs to be on guard AGAINST one’s own impulses towards arrogance and self-centerdness. Only humility and God consciousness avail oneself in receiving truth either through new revelation or through new knowledge or understanding. Throughout history people have rejected new revelations or new ideas because of their insecurity, greed, addictions of this life OR arrogance.

If one is a true believer of God and remain humble and sincere to understand truth throughout life, one should be ready to carefully consider whatever is being brought before him/her through new events and/or new knowledge and ideas about life, nature, and higher truth about reality in general (spiritual matters). Without this conscious and constant effort on one’s part and the attitude of humility, one may very well be allowed to miss a chance whereby one’s own life can benefit enormously.]

[ Asad’s notes: 73 - ………all allusion to the boast of the Jews that in view of the religious knowledge which they already possess, they are in no need of any further preaching (Ibn Kathir…Tabari and Zamakhshari).

74: I.e., all their beliefs are centered on themselves and their alleged “exceptional” status in the sight of God. ]

[ Ali’s notes: 92 The Jews in their arrogance claimed that all wisdom and all knowledge of God were enclosed in their hearts. But there were more things in heaven and earth than were dreamt of in their philosophy. Their claim was not only arrogance but blasphemy. In reality they were men without Faith. (I take Gulfan here to be the plural of Gilafun the wrapping or cover of a book, in which the book is preserved.) As usual, there is a much wider meaning. How many people at all times and among all nations close their hearts to any extension of knowledge or spiritual influence because of some little fragment which they have got and which they think is the whole of Allah's Truth? Such an attitude shows really want of faith and is a blasphemous limitation of Allah's unlimited spiritual gifts to His creatures. [According to another view, the verse refers to the Jewish claim that a covering had been placed over their hearts which prevented them from grasping the message of the Prophet (peace be on him). See Ibn Kathir's commentary on the verse. See also verse iv. 155.] (2.88)

2: 89

Asad And whenever there came unto them a [new] revelation from God, confirming the truth already in their possession – and [bear in mind that] aforetime they used to pray for victory over those who were bent on denying the truth-: whenever there came unto them something which they recognized [as the truth], they would deny it. And God’s rejection is the due of all who deny the truth.

Yusuf Ali And when there comes to them a Book from Allah confirming what is with them although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without faith when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognized they refused to believe in it; but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.

Pickthall And when there cometh unto them a Scripture from Allah, confirming that in their possession though before that they were asking for a signal triumph over those who disbelieved and when there cometh unto them that which they know (to be the Truth) they disbelieve therein. The curse of Allah is on disbelievers.

Transliteration Wa lamma_ ja_'ahum kita_bum min'indilla_hi musaddiqal lima_ ma'ahum, wa ka_nu min qablu yastaftihuna 'alal lazina kafaru, fa lamma_ ja_'ahum ma_ 'arafu kafaru bih(i), fa la'natulla_hi 'alal ka_firin(a).

-----------------------------------------------------------

[ Ruby’s note: Why this attitude and rejection is treated here so severely? Because thsi attitude of rejection of new revelation is a symptom of a deeper disease of human kind and not only of Jews. The Jews are mentioned here specifically because they were the case in point at the time of this revelation and they were giving Muhammad and his followers hard time. They were envious and rebellious to this suggestion that Muhammad was God’s Prophet. The acceptance of this idea means to let go of many of their existing ideas and lifestyles and most of all let go of the ego and pride they had as Jews being the chosen people. Ego, arrogance, inertia are the deeper causes of such symptom. And this symptom is demonstrated throughout human history not only towards God’s revelations but also towards ideas that were brought by ‘other than prophet’ visionaries and thinkers who brought solutions to the existing problems. Instead of accepting solution and truth behind it, people have shown rejection.

These attitudes also prevent a serious consideration to such new ideas and propositions that are supposed to be brought down through different personalities in different people belonging to all cultures and geographical locations. THERE IS NO EXLUSIVE CLAIM ON TRUTH BY ANY GROUP OR RACE, TRUTH BELONGS TO GOD AND HE DECIDES WHO WOULD BE THE MESSAGE BEARER OF THAT TRUTH. That is why the Quran proclaims that there were no community on earth where a Messenger was not sent one time or another, only a few are known and many are not known in history. This in itself is the most profound universal message the Quran propagates.

As a creation and servant of God, all human beings in his/her right mind should be ready and conducive to such truth as it comes. And that requires faith and trust in God above all other considerations in life.

Rejection of truth defies the very purpose of life and its true meaning of existence. Therefore this is the essence of failure. People fail in this life and Hereafter because they reject truth and practice or take shelter in falsehood. Therefore, these attitudes become the reasons for God’s rejection and curse.]

[ Ali’s note: 94 The Jews, who pretended to be so superior to the people without Faith - the Gentiles - should have been the first to recognize the new Truth - or the Truth renewed - which it was Muhammad's mission to bring because it was so similar in form and language to what they had already received. But they had more arrogance than faith. It is this want of faith that brings on the curse, i.e., deprives us (if we adopt such an attitude) of the blessings of God. Again the lesson applies to a much wider circle than the Jews. We are all apt, in our perverseness, to reject an appeal from our brother even more summarily than one from an outsider. If we have a glimmering of the truth, we are apt to make ourselves impervious to further truth, and thus lose the benefit of Allah's Grace. (2.89) ]

2: 90

Asad Vile is that [false pride] for which they have sold their own selves by denying the truth of what God has bestowed from on high, out of envy that God should bestow aught of His favor upon whomsoever He wills of His servants [note 75] : and thus have they earned the burden of God’s condemnation, over and over. And for those who deny the truth there is shameful suffering in store.

Yusuf Ali Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases; thus have they drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

Pickthall Evil is that for which they sell their souls: that they should disbelieve in that which Allah hath revealed, grudging that Allah should reveal of His bounty unto whom He will of His bondmen. They have incurred anger upon anger. For disbelievers is a shameful doom.

Transliteration Bi'samasy tarau bihi anfusahum ay yakfuru bima_ anzalalla_hu bagyan ay yunazzilalla_hu min fadlihi 'ala_ may yasya_'u mim 'iba_dih(i), fa ba_'u bi gadabin 'ala_ gadab(in), wa lil ka_firina 'aza_bum muhin(un).

2: 90

2: 91

Asad For when they are told, “Believe in what God has bestowed from on high,” they reply, “We believe [only] in what has been bestowed on us” – and they deny the truth of everything else, although it be a truth confirming the one already in their possession.

Say: “Why, then, did you slay God’s prophets aforetime, if you were [truly] believers?”

Yusuf Ali When it is said to them: "believe in what Allah hath sent down" they say "We believe in what was sent down to us"; yet they reject all besides even if it be truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by if ye did indeed believe?"

Pickthall And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they possess. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the Prophets of Allah aforetime, if ye are (indeed) believers?

Transliteration Wa iza_ qila lahum a_minu_ bima_ anzalalla_hu qa_lu_ anu'minu bima_ unzila 'alaina_ wa yakfuru_na bima_ wara_'ahu_ wa huwal haqqu musaddiqal lima_ ma'ahum, qul falima taqtulu_na ambiya_'alla_hi min qablu in kuntum mu'minin(a).

----------------------------------------------------

[Ruby’s note: Here is a much deeper meaning: God is pointing a human weakness that was demonstrated by the ancestors of the present Jews. Why that is used here to point out the failings of the present Jews? This is the critical issue here. I think the Quran is not blaming the present generation for the faults and failures of the past generations. However, it is merely exposing the fact that THOSE IN the past generations WHO believed IN Torah to be their Scriptures and still they slew prophets and violated Torah. Therefore merely believing in a scripture does not absolve one or one group from violating God’s law and accruing his wrath.

Since God is the Creator and Sustainer of all people and truth belongs to Him alone, a true believer should remain humble and ready to receive further Messages down the line that comes as reinforcement, clarification and completion of the original idea. Any sincere person, who would have open mind and devotion to God would see this and would accept it. ]

[Asad’s note 76 – Areference to their assertion that they believe in hwat has been revealed to them – i.e., the Law of Moses, which obviously prohibits the killing not only of prophets but on any innocent human being. See also the concluding sentences of verses 61 and 87, and the corresponding notes.]

[ Ali’s note: 96 Even the race argument is often flimsy and hollow pretext. Did not the Jews reject Prophets of their own race who told them unpleasant truths? And do not other nations do likewise? The real trouble is selfishness, narrowness, a mean dislike of anything which runs counter to habits, customs or inclinations. (2.91) ]

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ...

3: 3. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it;

... وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ ﴿٣﴾

and He sent down Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus).

C344. In some editions the break between verses 3 and 4 occurs here in the middle of the sentence, but in the edition of Hafiz Uthman, followed by the Egyptian Concordance Fath-ur-Rahman, the break occurs at the word Furqan.

In verse-divisions our classicists have mainly followed rhythm. As the word Furqan from this point of view is parallel to the word Intiqam, which ends the next verse. I have accepted the verse-division at Furqan as more in consonance with Quranic rhythm. It makes no real difference to the numbering of the verses, as there is only a question of whether one line should go into verse 3 or verse 4. (R).

مِن قَبْلُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ الْفُرْقَانَ ...

3: 4. Before this, as a guide to mankind,

and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).

C345. Criterion: Furqan: for meaning see 2:53 n. 68.

...إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ...

Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty,

...وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انتِقَامٍ ﴿٤﴾

and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.

Other versions:

3: 3

Yusuf Ali It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step) in truth the Book confirming what went before it; and He sent down Law (Of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to mankind and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).

Pickthall He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel

Transliteration Nazzala 'alaikal kita_ba bil haqqi musaddiqal lima_ baina yadaihi wa anzalat taura_ta wal injil.

3: 4

Yusuf Ali Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty and Allah is Exalted in Might Lord of Retribution.

Pickthall Aforetime, for a guidance to mankind; and hath revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong). Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, theirs will be a heavy doom. Allah is Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong).

Transliteration Min qablu hudal linna_si wa anzalal furqa_n(a), innal lazina kafaru_ bi a_ya_tilla_hi lahum 'aza_bun syadid(un), walla_hu 'azizun zuntiqa_m(in).

[ Ali’s notes: -

344 In some editions the break between verses 3 and 4 occurs here in the middle of the sentence, but in the edition of Hafiz Uthmqan, followed by the Egyptian Concordance Fath-ur-Rahman, the break occurs at the word Furqan. In verse-divisions our classicists have mainly folloved rhythm. As the word Furqan from this point of view is parallel to the word Intiqam, which ends the next verse. I have accepted the verse-division at Furqan as more in consonance with Quranic rhythm. It makes no real difference to the numbering of the verses, as there is only a question of whether one line should go into verse 3 or verse 4. (3.3)

345 Criterion: Furqan: for meaning see ii. 53 n. 68. (3.3)]

------------------------------------------------------------

3:176…..who vie with one another in denying the truth; …It is God's will that they shall have no share in the life to come; and tremendous suffering awaits them.