But those people have passed away, who promised to uphold the Law of God. Their progeny having been found unworthy, their place was taken by a new people looking towards Mecca -- a new people, with a new Messenger, to bear witness to God's Law, to proclaim the truth, maintain His Symbols, and strive and fight for Unity in God's Way.

Upholding the Truth [2:142-167]

The fools among the people will say, 'What has turned them from the direction they were facing in their prayers aforetime? Say: 'To God belongs the East and the West; He guides whomsoever He will to a straight path.'

Thus We appointed you a midmost nation that you might be witnesses to the people, and that the Messenger might be a witness to you; and We did not appoint the direction thou wast facing, except that We might know who followed the Messenger from him who turned on his heels -- though it were a grave thing save for those whom God has guided; but God would never leave your faith to waste -- truly, God is All-gentle with the people, All-compassionate. 

We have seen thee turning thy face about in the heaven; now We will surely turn thee to a direction that shall satisfy thee. Turn thy face towards the Holy Mosque; and wherever you are, turn your faces towards it. 

Those who have been given the Book know it is the truth from their Lord; God is not heedless of the things they do.  

Yet if thou shouldst bring to those that have been given the Book every sign, they will not follow thy direction; thou art not a follower of their direction, neither are they followers of one another's direction. If thou followest their caprices, after the knowledge that has come to thee, then thou wilt surely be among the evildoers whom We have given the Book, and they recognize it as they recognize their sons, even though there is a party of them conceal the truth and that wittingly. The truth comes from thy Lord; then be not among the doubters. 

Every man has his direction to which he turns; so be you forward in good works. Wherever you may be, God will bring you all together; surely God is powerful over everything. From whatsoever place thou issuest, turn thy face towards the Holy Mosque; it is the truth from thy Lord. God is not heedless of the things you do. From whatever place thou issuest, turn thy face towards the Holy Mosque; and wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it, that the people may not have any argument against you, excepting the evildoers of them; and fear you them not, but fear you Me; and that I may perfect My blessing upon you, and that haply so you may be guided; as also WE have sent among you, of yourselves, a Messenger, to recite Our signs to you and to purify you, and to teach you that you knew not. 

So remember Me, and I will remember you; and be thankful to Me; and be you not ungrateful towards Me.

O all you who believe, seek you help in patience and prayer; surely God is with the patient. And say not of those slain in God's way, 'They are dead'; rather they are living, but you are not aware. Surely We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and diminution of goods and lives and fruits; yet give thou good tidings unto the patient who, when they are visited by an affliction, say, 'Surely we belong to God, and to Him we return'; upon those rest blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those -- they are the truly guided.

Safa and Marwa are among the waymarks of God; so whosoever make the Pilgrimage to the House, or the Visitation, it is no fault in him to circumambulate them; and whoso volunteers good, God is All-grateful, All-knowing.

Those who conceal the clear signs and the guidance that We have sent down, after We have shown them clearly in the Book -- they shall be cursed by God and the cursers, save such as repent and make amends, and show clearly -- towards them I shall turn; I turn, All-compassionate. But those who disbelieve, and die disbelieving -- upon them shall rest the curse of God and the angels, and of men altogether, therein dwelling forever; the chastisement shall not be lightened for them; no respite shall be given them.

Your God is One God; there is no god but He, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate.

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day and the ship that runs in the sea with profit to men, and the water God sends down from heaven therewith reviving the earth after it is dead and His scattering abroad in it all manner of crawling thing, and the turning about of the winds and the clouds compelled between heaven and earth -- surely there are signs for a people having understanding.

Yet there be men who take to themselves compeers apart from God, loving them as God is loved; but those that believe love God more ardently. O if the evildoers might see, when they see the chastisement, that the power altogether belongs to God, and that God is terrible in chastisement, when those that were followed disown their followers, and they see the chastisement, and their cords are cut asunder, and those that followed say, 'O if only we might return again and disown them, as they have disowned us!' Even so God shall show them their works. O bitter regrets for them! Never shall they issue from the Fire.