Quote:
{8:38} Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.
I like the translation "the precedent of the former peoples"! But the word
سنة means a pattern. A consistent pattern. I also would like to conform the word order to the Arabic, since we can do that here without risk of ambiguity or bad prose,
{8:38} Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, they will be forgiven what has previously occurred. But if they return [to hostility] - then already has passed the prototype of the formers.Quote:
{8:39} And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for God. And if they cease - then indeed, God is Seeing of what they do.
No need for transliteration here. "Fitnah" in this context means religious persecution. So, I suggest,
{8:39} And fight them until there is no persecution and [until] the religion, all of it, is for God. Then if they have ceased - then verily, God, of what they do, is Insightful.Quote:
{8:40} But if they turn away - then know that God is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and Excellent is the helper.
The last sentence is an exclamation construct, so I suggest,
{8:40} But if they have turned away - then know that God is your protector. How excellent the protector, and how excellent the helper!