Quote:
{2:124} And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [God] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [God] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."
Instead of "include", I'd say, "does not get to" which is a direct translation. So, I suggest,
{2:124} And [mention, O Muhammad,] as his Lord tested Abraham with words and he fulfilled them. [God] said, "Verily, I am setting you up for mankind a leader." {Abraham] said, "And from my offspring?" [God] said, "My pledge does not get to the wrongdoers."Quote:
{2:125} And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform the circle walk and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
I'd translate
اتخذوا as "designate" here, or something like that. The Arabic verb means to take something and hold on to it, not just take it.
I'd also translate
الطائفين directly as "the circulating" or more accurately "the circumambulators" and perhaps add an explanatory note. I suggest,
{2:125} And [mention] as We made the House a place of return for the people and security. And take for yourselves out of the station of Abraham a place of prayer. And We entrusted to Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for the circumambulators (around the shrine) and the devoting and the bowing, the prostrate."Quote:
{2:126} And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day." [God] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."
I suggest,
{2:126} And [mention] as Abraham said, "Lord, make this a secure area and provide its people from the fruits - whoever has believed of them in God and the Final Day." [God] said. "And whoever has disbelieved - I will give him leeway for a little; then I will force him into the torment of the Fire, and how wretched is the destination!"