8. Surah Al Anfal

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآقُّواْ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ...   

8: 13.  This because they contended against Allah and His Messenger:

... وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿١٣﴾

if any contend against Allah and His Messenger, Allah is strict in punishment.

ذَلِكُمْ فَذُوقُوهُ...   

8: 14.   Thus (will it be said):

"Taste ye then of the (punishment):

...وَأَنَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿١٤﴾

for those who resist Allah, is the penalty of the fire."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ...   

8: 15.  O ye who believe!

...إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ زَحْفاً فَلاَ تُوَلُّوهُمُ الأَدْبَارَ ﴿١٥﴾

when ye meet the unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them.

C1190. The laws of Jihad are exactly similar to those enforced by military virtue and discipline. Meet your enemy fairly and squarely, not rashly, but after due preparation.

Zahfan in the text (meeting in hostile array) implies a slow and well-planned proceeding towards a hostile army. When once in combat, carry it through: there is no room for second thoughts.

Death or victory should be the motto of every soldier: it may be death for himself individually, but if he has faith, there is triumph in either case for his cause.

Two exceptions are recognised:

-        reculer pour mieuxsauter, to go back in order to jump forward; or

to deceive the enemy by a feint;

-        if an individual or body is, by the chances of battle, isolated from his own force, he can fall back on his force in order to fight the battle.

There is no virtue in mere single-handedness. Each individual must use his life and his resources to the best advantage for the common cause.

كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَذَّبُواْ بآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ ...   

8: 54.  "(Deeds) after the manner of the people of Pharaoh and those before them":

they treated as false the signs of their Lord;

C1222. These words from the address of the angels are quoted again, in order to add the comment that follows.

Note that in verse 51, the words were that they rejected the Signs of Allah and were punished:

here the words are that they treated the Signs as false and were destroyed: -a higher degree of guilt deserved a severer punishment.

... فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَا آلَ فِرْعَونَ...

so We destroyed them for their crimes, and We drowned the people of Pharaoh:

...وَكُلٌّ كَانُواْ ظَالِمِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾

for they were all oppressors and wrongdoers.

Others version:

8: 13 [al-Anfal, Medina 88, right after Badr battle 2H]

Asad This, because they have cut themselves off from God and His Apostle: and as for him who cuts himself off from God and His Apostle – verily, God is severe in retribution.

Pickthall That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment.

Transliteration Za_lika bi annahum syu_qqulla_ha wa rasu_lah(u_), wa may yusya_qiqilla_ha wa rasu_lahu_ fa innalla_ha syadidul 'iqa_b(i).

8: 14

Asad This [for you, O enemies of God !] Taste it, then, [and know] that suffering through fire awaits those who deny the truth!

Pickthall That (is the award), so taste it, and (know) that for disbelievers is the torment of the Fire.

Transliteration Za_likum fa zu_qu_hu wa anna lil ka_firina 'aza_ban na_r(i).

8: 15

Asad O you who have attained to faith! When you meet in battle those who are bent on denying the truth, advance in great force, do not turn your backs on them:

Pickthall O ye who believe, When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ iza_ laqitumul lazina kafaru_ zahfan fala_ tuwallu_humul adba_r(a).

8: 54

Pickthall (Their way is) as the way of Pharoah's folk and those before them; they denied the revelations of their Lord, so We destroyed them in their sins. And We drowned the folk of Pharaoh. All were evil doers.

Transliteration Kada'bi a_li fir'auna wallazina min qablihim, kazzabu_ bi a_ya_ti rabbihim fa ahlakna_hum bi zunu_bihim wa agraqna_ a_la fir'aun(a), wa kullun ka_nu_ za_limin(a).

7. Sura al-Araf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَكَذَّبُوهُ ...

7: 64. But they rejected him

...فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ...

and We delivered him, and those with him, in the ark:

...وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا...

But We overwhelmed in the flood those who rejected our signs.

...إِنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ قَوْماً عَمِينَ ﴿٦٤﴾

They were indeed a blind people!

فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا...

7: 72. We saved him and those who adhered to him, by our mercy,

...وَقَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَمَا كَانُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾

and We cut off the roots of those who rejected our signs and did not believe.

وَإِلَى ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ...

7: 73. To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren:

C1043. The Thamud people were the successors to the culture and civilization of the 'Ad people, for whom see n. 1040 and 7:65 above.

They were cousins to the 'Ad, apparently a younger branch of the same race.

Their story also belongs to Arabian tradition, according to which their eponymous ancestor Thamud was a son of 'Abir (a brother of Aram), the son of Sam, the son of Noah.

Their scat was in the north-west corner of Arabia (Arabia Petraea), between Madinah and Syria. It included both rocky country (hijr, 15:80), and the spacious fertile valley (Wadi) and plains country of Qura, which begins just north of the City of Madinah and is traversed by the Hijaz Railway.

When the holy Prophet in the 9th year of the Hijrah led his expedition to Tabuk (about 400 miles north of Madinah) against the Roman forces, on a reported Roman invasion from Syria, he and his men came across the archaeological remains of the Thamud. The recently excavated rock city of Petra, near Maan, may go back to the Thamud, though its architecture has many features connecting it with Egyptian and Graeco-Roman culture overlaying what is called by European writers Nabataean Culture.

Who were the Nabataeans?

They were an old Arab tribe which played a considerable part in history after they came into conflict with Antigonus I in 312 B.C. Their capital was Petra, but they extended their territory right up to the Euphrates. In 85 B.C. they were lords of Damascus under their king Haritha (Aretas of Roman history). For some time they were allies of the Roman Empire and held the Red Sea littoral. The Emperor Trajan reduced them and annexed their territory in A.D. 105.

The Nabataeans succeeded the Thamud of Arabian tradition. Ile lbamijd are mentioned by name in an inscription of the Assyrian King Sargon, dated 715 B.C., as a people of Eastern and Central Arabia (Encyclopedia of Islam). See also Appendix VII to Surah 26.

With the advance of material civilisation, the Thamud people became godless and arrogant, and were destroyed by an earthquake. Their prophet and warner was Salih, and the crisis in their history is connected with the story of a wonderful she-camel:'

see next note.

... قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ ...

he said: "O my people!

...اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـهٍ غَيْرُهُ...

worship Allah; ye have no other god but Him.

...قَدْ جَاءتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ...

Now hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord!

...هَـذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللّهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللّهِ...

This she-camel of Allah is a sign unto you: so leave her to graze in Allah's earth,

...وَلاَ تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوَءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٣﴾

and let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.

C1044. The story of this wonderful she-camel, that was a sign to the Thamud, is variously told in, tradition. We need not follow the various versions in the traditional story. What we are told in the Quran is: that

- she was a Sign or Symbol, which the prophet Salih, used for a warning to the haughty oppressors of the poor:

- there was scarcity of water, and the arrogant or privileged classes tried to prevent the access of the poor or their cattle to the springs, while Salih intervened on their behalf (26:155, 44:28);

- like water, pasture was considered a free gift of nature, in this spacious earth of Allah (7:73), but the arrogant ones tried to monopolise the pasture also;

- this particular she-camel was made a test case (54:27) to see if the arrogant ones would come to reason;

- the arrogant ones, instead of yielding to the reasonable rights of the people, ham-strung the poor she-camel and slew her, probably secretly (91:14, 54:29):

the cup of their iniquities was full, and the Thamud people were destroyed by a dreadful earthquake, which threw them prone on the ground and buried them with their houses and their fine buildings.

وَاذْكُرُواْ إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاء مِن بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ...

7: 74. "And remember how He made you inheritors after the ad people and gave you habitations in the land:

... تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًا وَتَنْحِتُونَ الْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًا...

ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and carve out homes in the mountains;

...فَاذْكُرُواْ آلاء اللّهِ وَلاَ تَعْثَوْا فِي الأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ ﴿٧٤﴾

so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth."

قَالَ الْمَلأُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ مِن قَوْمِهِ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُواْ لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ...

7: 75. The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless -- those among them who believe:

C1045. As usually happens in such cases, the Believers were the lowly and the humble, and the oppressors were the arrogant, who in selfishly keeping back nature's gifts (which are Allah's gifts) from the people, were deaf to the dictates of justice and kindness.

Salih took the side of the unprivileged, and was therefore himself attacked.

...أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَالِحًا مُّرْسَلٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ...

"Know ye indeed that Salih is a messenger from his Lord?"

...قَالُواْ إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلَ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٧٥﴾

They said: "We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him."

C1046. Notice the relation between the question and the answer.

The godless chiefs wanted to discredit Salih, and put a personal question, as much as to say, "Is he not a liar?"

The Believers took back the issue to the higher plane, as much as to say. "We know he is a man of Allah, but look at the justice for which he is making a stand: to resist it is to resist Allah".

The answer of the godless was to reject Allah in words, and in action to commit a further act of cruelty and injustice in ham-stringing and killing the she-camel, at the same time hurling defiance at Salih and his God.

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ إِنَّا بِالَّذِيَ آمَنتُمْ بِهِ كَافِرُونَ ﴿٧٦﴾

7: 76. The arrogant party said: "For our part, we reject what ye believe in."

فَعَقَرُواْ النَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْاْ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُواْ يَا صَالِحُ...

7: 77. Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: "O Salih!

...ائْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ ﴿٧٧﴾

bring about thy threats, if thou art a messenger (of Allah)!"

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُواْ فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ ﴿٧٨﴾

7: 78. So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning!

C1047. The retribution was not long delayed. A terrible earthquake came and buried the people and destroyed their boasted civilisation.

The calamity must have been fairly extensive in area and intense in the terror it inspired, for it is described (54:31) as a "single mighty blast" (saihatan wahidatan), the sort of terror-inspiring noise which accompanies all big earthquakes.

فَتَوَلَّى عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ ...

7: 79. So Salih left them, saying:

C1048. Salih was saved by Allah's mercy as a just and righteous man.

His speech here may be either a parting warning, or it may be a soliloquy lamenting the destruction of his people for their sin and folly.

... يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ ...

"O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel,

...وَلَكِن لاَّ تُحِبُّونَ النَّاصِحِينَ ﴿٧٩﴾

but ye love not good counsellors!"

Others version:

7: 64

Pickthall But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our token. Lo! they were blind folk.

Transliteration Fa kazzabu_hu fa anjaina_hu wallazina ma'ahu_ fil fulki wa agraqnal lazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_, innahum ka_nu_ qauman 'amin(a).

7: 72

Asad And so, by Our grace, We saved him and those who stood by him, the while We wiped out the last remnant of those who gave the life to Our messages and would not believe.(Ad people)

Pickthall And We saved him and those with him by a mercy from Us, and We cut the root of those who denied Our revelations and were not believers.

Transliteration Fa anjaina_hu wallazina ma'ahu_ bi rahmatim minna_ wa qata'na_ da_biral lazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ wa ma_ ka_nu_ mu'minin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 55 – As is shown in 69:6-8, this destruction came about through a violent sandstorm raging without a break for seven nights and eight days.]]

7: 74

Asad “And remember how He made you heirs to Ad and settled you firmly on earth, so that you build for yourselves castles on its plains and hew out mountains as dwellings [note 59]: remember, then God’s blessings, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption..”

Pickthall And remember how He made you viceroys after 'Aad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.

Transliteration Wazkuru_ iz ja'alakum khulafa_'a mim ba'di 'a_diw wa bawwa'akum fil ardi tattakhizu_na min suhu_liha_ qusu_raw wa tanhitu_nal jiba_la buyu_ta_(n), fazkuru_ a_la_'alla_hi wa la_ ta'sau fil ardi mufsidin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 59 – A reference to the elaborate rock-dwellings or tombs – to be seen to this day – which the Thamud carved out of the cliffs west of Al-Hijr, in northern Hijaz…..]]

7: 75

Asad The great ones among his people, who glorified in their arrogance towards all who were deemed weak, said............[Salih and Thamud]

Pickthall The chieftains of his people, who were scornful, said unto those whom they despised, unto such of them as believed: Know ye that Salih is one sent from his Lord? They said : Lo! In that wherewith he hath been sent we are believers.

Transliteration Qa_lal mala'ul lazinastakbaru_ min qaumihi lillazinastud'ifu_ liman a_mana minhum ata'lamu_na anna sa_liham mursalum mir rabbih(i), qa_lu_ inna_ bima_ ursila bihi mu'minu_n(a).

7: 76

Pickthall Those who were scornful said : Lo! in that which ye believe we are disbelievers.

Transliteration Qa_lal lazinastakbaru_ inna_ billazi a_mantum bihi ka_firu_n(a).

7: 77

Pickthall So they hamstrung the she-camel, and they flouted the commandment of their Lord, and they said: O Salih! Bring upon us that thou threatenest if thou art indeed of those sent (from Allah).

Transliteration Fa'aqarun na_qata wa 'atau 'an amri rabbihim wa qa_lu_ ya_ sa_lihu'tina_ bima_ ta'iduna_ inkunta minal mursalin(a).

7: 78

Pickthall So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling place.

Transliteration Fa akhazathumur rajfatu fa asbahu_ fi da_rihim ja_simin(a).

7: 79

Pickthall And Salih turned on them and said : O my people! I delivered my Lord's message unto you and gave you good advice, but ye love not good advisers.

Transliteration Fa tawalla_ 'anhum wa qa_la ya_ qaumi laqad ablagtukum risa_lata rabbi wa nasahtu lakum wa la_kil la_ tuhibbu_nan na_sihin(a).

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...

2: 97. Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel, for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will,

C101. A party of the Jews in the time of Muhammad ridiculed the Muslim believe that Gabriel brought down revelations to Muhammad Mustafa.

Michael was called in their books "the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people": (Daniel 12:1). The vision of Gabriel inspired fear (Daniel, 8:16-17).

But this pretence - that Michael was their friend and Gabriel their enemy - was merely a manifestation of their unbelief in angels, apostles, and Allah Himself; and such unbelief could not win the love of Allah.

In any case it was disingenuous to say that they believed in one angel and not in another.

Muhammad's inspiration was through visions of Gabriel. Muhammad had been helped to the highest spiritual light, and the message which he delivered and his spotless integrity and exemplary life were manifest Signs which every one could understand except those who were obstinate and perverse. Besides, the verses of the Quran were in themselves reasonable and clear.

... مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾

a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe.

مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَالَ ...

2: 98. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Gabriel and Michael,

... فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٩٨﴾

Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.

فَإِن زَلَلْتُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٢٠٩﴾

2: 209. If ye backslide after the clear (signs) have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

C230. If you backslide after the conviction has been brought home to you, you may cause some inconvenience to the Cause, or to those who counted upon you, but do not be so arrogant as to suppose that you will defeat Allah's Power and Wisdom. The loss will be your own.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الأَمْرُ...

2: 210. Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds, with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled?

... وَإِلَى اللّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ ﴿٢١٠﴾

But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

C231. If faith is wanting, all sorts of excuses are made to resist the appeal of Allah. They might and do say:

"Oh yes! we shall believe if Allah appears to us with His angels in His glory!"

In other words they want to settle the question in their way, and not in Allah's way.

That will not do. The decision in all questions belongs to Allah. If we are true to Him, we wait for His times and seasons, and do not expect Him to wait on ours.

سَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَمْ آتَيْنَاهُم مِّنْ آيَةٍ بَيِّنَةٍ ...

2: 211. Ask the Children of Israel how many Clear (Signs) We have sent them.

C232. The Israelites under Moses were shown Allah's glory and many clear Signs and yet they went after their own ways, and preferred their own whims and fancies. So do people in all ages.

But let them not deceive themselves. Allah's justice is sure, and when it comes, it will be strict and unmistakable to those who reject His grace.

... وَمَن يُبَدِّلْ نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْهُ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٢١١﴾

But if anyone, after Allah's favor has come to him, substitutes (something else), Allah is strict in punishment.

C233. Cf. 2:196 (end) where the question was of those who do not fear Allah.

Here the question is of those who reject Allah's Signs.

Others version:

2: 97

Asad Say [ O Prophet]: “Whatever is an enemy of Gabriel” – wo, verily, by God’s leave, has brought down upon they heart this [divine writ] which confirms the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], and is a guidance and a glad tiding for the believers -:

Pickthall Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers;

Transliteration Qul man ka_na 'aduwwal li jibrila fa innahu_ nazzalahu_ 'ala_ qalbika bi iznilla_hi musaddiqal lima_ baina yadaihi wa hudaw wa busyra_ lil mu'minin(a).

2: 98

Asad “whosoever is an enemy of God……….verily, God is the enemy of all who deny the truth”

Pickthall Who is an enemy to Allah, and His angels and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael! Then, lo! Allah (Himself) is an enemy to the disbelievers.

Transliteration Man ka_na 'aduwwal lilla_hi wa mala_'ikatihi wa rusulihi wa jibrila wa mika_la fa innalla_ha 'aduwwul lil ka_firin(a).

2: 209

Asad And if you should stumble after all evidence of the truth has come unto you, then know that, verily, God is almighty, wise.

Pickthall And if ye slide back after the clear proofs have come unto you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Fa in zalaltum mim ba'di ma_ ja_'atkumul bayyina_tu fa'lamu_ annalla_ha 'azizun hakim(un).

[Ruby’s note – The emphasis here is the idea of deliberate rejection after a convincing idea or truth is placed right before them either through revelation or through new information of science or other discipline or some events taking place.]

[ 2: 210

Asad Are these people [note 192] waiting, perchance, for God to reveal Himself unto them in the shadows of the clouds, together with angels – although [by then] all will have been decided, and unto God all things will have been brought back? [note 193]

Pickthall Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).

Transliteration Hal yanzuru_na illa_ ay ya'tiyahumulla_hu fi zulim minal gama_mi wal mala_'ikatu wa qudiyal amr(u), wa ilalla_hi turja'ul umu_r(u).

[ Ruby’s note – A human being is not going to have direct experience of God’s presence except after death [in a non-physical state, I believe]. The most here on earth are those of the prophets getting revelations and some kind of indirect experiences but not direct experiences of God’s existence. However, God has written his existence in reality and God has given one the capacity or the faculty of REASON to decipher those signs and messages written in reality of God’s existence. Therefore, the Message is there and the recipients’ capacity to receive the Message is also there. The roadblock to that process of procuring the Truth is corruption of one’s inner-self. Purer is the soul, better is one connected to see the Message in clear terms. Therefore one who completely fails to get the Message and rejects God’s existence is far lost in corruption and arrogance. ]

[ Asad’s note 192 – Lit., “they –obviously referring to the people addressed in the preceding two verses.. Note 193 – I.e., it will be too late for repentance. All communicators agree in the “decision” relates to the unequivocal manifestation of God’s will on the Day of Judgment, which is alluded to in the words, “when unto God all things will have been brought back”. Since, in the next verse, the children of Israel are addressed, it is possible that this rhetorical question is conncected with their refuasal, in the time of Moses, to believe in the divine message unless they “see God face to face” (cf. 2:55)]

[ Ali’s note - 231 If faith is wanting, all sorts of excuses are made to resist the appeal of God. They might and do say: "Oh yes! we shall believe if God appears to us with His angels in His glory!" In other words they want to settle the question in their way, and not in God's way. That will not do. The decision in all questions belongs to God. If we are true to Him, we wait for His times and seasons, and do not expect Him to wait on ours. (2.210) ] ]

2: 211

Asad Ask the children of Israel how many a clear message We have given them! And if one alters God’s blessed Message after it has reached him – verily, God is severe in retribution!

Pickthall Ask of the Children of Israel how many a clear revelation We gave them! He who altereth the grace of Allah after it hath come unto him (for him), lo! Allah is severe in punishment.

Sal bani isra_'ila kam a_taina_hum min a_yatim bayyinah(tin), wa may yubaddil ni'matalla_hi mimba'di ma_ ja_'athu fa innalla_ha syadidul 'iqa_b(i).

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُهُم مِّنَ اللّهِ شَيْئًا...

3: 10. Those who reject faith, neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah:

...وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ النَّارِ ﴿١٠﴾

they are themselves but fuel for the fire.

كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ...

3: 11. (Their plight will be) no better than that of the people of Pharaoh, and their predecessors:

C350. From the beginning of the world, sin, oppression, arrogance, and want of Faith have gone together.

The Pharaoh of the time of Moses relied upon his power, his territory, his armies, and his resources to mock at Moses the messenger of Allah and to oppress the people of Moses. Allah saved the Israelite and punished their oppressors through many plagues and calamities. (R).

...كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ...

they denied Our Signs, and Allah called them to account for their sins.

وَاللّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿١١﴾

For Allah is strict in punishment.

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ...

3: 12. Say to those who reject Faith:

... سَتُغْلَبُونَ وَتُحْشَرُونَ إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ ﴿١٢﴾

"Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to hell, an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!

C351. As Moses warned the Egyptians, so the warning is here sounded to the Pagan Arabs, the Jews and the Christians, and all who resisted Faith, that their resistance would be in vain.

Already the battle of Badr (referred to in the next verse) had been a warning how Faith must conquer with the help of Allah. The next few decades saw the Byzantine and the Persian Empires overthrown because of their arrogance and their resistance to the Law of Allah.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ...

3: 21. As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets,

C363. Right; haqq has many shades of meaning;

1. right, in the sense of having a right to something;

2. right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong;

3. truth;

4. justice.

All these shades are implied here.

...وَيَقْتُلُونَ الِّذِينَ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٢١﴾

and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.

C364. Examples of the Prophets slain were:

- "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. 23:35.

Cf. 2:61. n. 75.

- Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous. 3:39), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. 14:1-11.

أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

3: 22. They are those whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the Hereafter,

C365. Cf. 2:217.

...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٢٢﴾

nor will they have anyone to help.

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

3: 56. "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter,

...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٥٦﴾

nor will they have anyone to help.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُهُم مِّنَ اللّهِ شَيْئًا...

3: 116. Those who reject faith, neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah;

...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿١١٦﴾

they will be companions of the fire,

dwelling therein (for ever).

C438. Cf. 3:10.

مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِي هِـذِهِ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٍ...

3: 117. What they spend in the life of this (material) world may be likened to a wind

...فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتْ حَرْثَ قَوْمٍ ظَلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَأَهْلَكَتْهُ ...

which brings a nipping frost: it strikes and destroys the harvest of men who have wronged their own souls;

...وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَـكِنْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿١١٧﴾

it is not Allah that hath wronged them, but they wrong themselves.

C439. False "spending" may be either in false "charity" or in having a "good time". For the man who resists Allah's purpose, neither of them is any good.

The essence of charity is faith and love. Where these are wanting, charity is no charity. Some baser motive is there: ostentation, or even worse, getting a person into the giver's power by a pretence of charity, something that is connected with the life of this grasping, material world.

What happens? You expect a good harvest. But "while you think, good easy man, full surely your greatness is a-ripening," there comes a nipping frost, and destroys all your hopes.

The frost is some calamity, or the fact that you are found out! Or perhaps it is "High blown pride," as in Shakespeare's Henry VIII. ii. 3.

In your despair you may blame blind Fate or you may blame Allah! Blind Fate does not exist, for there is Allah's Providence, which is just and good.

The harm or injustice has come, not from Allah, but from your own soul. You wronged your soul, and it suffered the frost. Your base motive brought you no good: it may have reduced you to poverty, shame, and disgrace.

All the brave show of the wicked in this life is but a wind charged with evil to themselves.

وَاتَّقُواْ النَّارَ الَّتِي أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ ﴿١٣١﴾

3: 131. Fear the fire, which is prepared for those who reject faith.

سَنُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الرُّعْبَ بِمَا أَشْرَكُواْ بِاللّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا...

3: 151. Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, for that hey joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority:

...وَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ وَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٥١﴾

their abode will be the fire; and evil is the home of the wrongdoers!

لاَ يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي الْبِلاَدِ ﴿١٩٦﴾

3: 196. Let not the strutting about of the unbelievers through the land deceive thee:

مَتَاعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ ﴿١٩٧﴾

3: 197. Little is it for enjoyment; their ultimate abode is Hell:

what an evil bed (to lie on)!

Pickthall’s Version:

3: 10

Pickthall (On that day) neither the riches not the progeny of those who disbelieve will aught avail them with Allah. They will be fuel for fire.

Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ lan tugniya 'anhum amwa_luhum wa la_ aula_duhum minalla_hi syai'a_(n), wa ula_'ika hum waqu_dun na_r(i).

3: 11

Pickthall Like Pharaoh's folk and those who were before them, they disbelieved Our revelations and so Allah seized them for their sins. And Allah is severe in punishment.

Transliteration Kada'bi a_li fir'aun(a), wallazina min qablihim, kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ fa akhazahumulla_hu bi zunu_bihim, walla_hu syadidul 'iqa_b(i).

3: 12

Pickthall Say (O Muhammad) unto those who disbelieve: Ye shall be overcome and gathered unto Hell, an evil resting place.

Transliteration Qul lillazina kafaru_ satu

glabu_na wa tuhsyaru_na ila_ jahannam(a), wa bi'sal miha_d(u).

3: 21

Pickthall Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slay the Prophets wrongfully, and slay those of mankind who enjoin equity: announce them a painful doom.

Transliteration Innal lazina yakfuru_na bi a_ya_tilla_hi wa yaqtulu_nan nabiyyina bi gairi haqq(in), wa yaqtulu_nal lazina ya'muru_na bil qisti minan na_s(i), fa basysyirhum bi'aza_bin alim(in).

3: 22

Pickthall Those are they whose works have failed in the world and the Hereafter; and they have no helpers.

Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazina habitat a'ma_luhum fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), wa ma_ lahum min na_sirin(a).

[Ali’s notes -

363 Right; haqq has many shades of meaning; (1) right, in the sense of having a right to something; (2) right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong; (3) truth; (4) justice. All these shades are implied here. (3.21)

364 Examples of the Prophets slain were: "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. xxiii. 35. Cf. Q. ii. 61. n. 75. Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous. Q. iii. 39), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. xiv. 1-11. (3.21) ]

3: 56

Pickthall As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers.

Transliteration Fa ammal lazina kafaru_ fa u'azzibuhum 'aza_ban syadidan fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), wa ma_ lahum min na_sirin(a).

3: 116

Pickthall Lo! the riches and the progeny of those who disbelieve will not avail them aught against Allah; and such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.

Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ lan tugniya 'anhum amwa_luhum wa la_ aula_duhum minalla_hi syai'a_(n), wa ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

3: 117

Pickthall The likeness of that which they spend in this life of the world is as the likeness of a biting, icy wind which smiteth the harvest of a people who have wronged themselves, and devastateth it. Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.

Transliteration Masalu ma_ yunfiqu_na fi ha_zihil haya_tid dunya_ kamasali rihin fiha_ sirrun asa_bat harsa qaumin zalamu_ anfusahum fa ahlakath(u), wa ma_ zalamahumulla_hu wa la_kin anfusahum yazlimu_n(a).

[ Ruby’s note – With the above several verses, the Quran is comparing how the work of people would be merited or discredited. The central point is to believe in God and the Hereafter and to do good work in this life, if one accepts that none of his/her good work would be wasted or discounted.

However, if one rejects that Truth, none of his/her work would be accepted, all would be completely wiped out irrespective of its type. The definition of goodness starts with that pivotal belief from where all other ideas and actions should emanate from.

This idea is critical. The purpose of all good work should be to serve God, not to any other arbitrary reason or cause that humans design or assign. All good thoughts and actions should emanate from that fundamental Truth or the Essence of Truth. No goodness or right action can emanate from one who rejects the fundamental Truth of God’s existence. The definition of goodness starts with that idea and falsehood starts with rejection of that. No one can do anything good or right if one’s fundamental purpose is wrong. If one rejects the Source of all sources, or the Cause of all causes, the Ultimate Reality which sustains all transitory realities, if one’s root is wrong, one cannot be right in anything. It is like cutting the root and then attempting to water a leaf to save the tree. The person is completely disoriented as to the true purpose and essence of life.]

3: 131

Asad and beware of the fire which awaits those who deny the truth!

Pickthall And ward off (from yourselves) the Fire prepared for disbelievers.

Transliteration Wattaqun na_ral lati u'iddat lil ka_firin(a).

3: 151

Asad Into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth We shall cast dread in return for their ascribing divinity, side by side with God, to other beings – [something] for which He has never bestowed any warrant from on high [note 106]; and their goal is the fire – and how evil that abode of evildoers!

Pickthall We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because they ascribe unto Allah partners, for which no warrant hath been revealed. Their habitation is the Fire, and hapless the abode of the wrong doers.

Transliteration Sanulqi fi qulu_bil lazina kafarur ru'ba bima_ asyraku_ billa_hi ma_ lam yunazzil bihi sulta_na_(n), wa ma'wa_humun na_r(u), wa bi'sa maswaz za_limin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 106 – I.e., something which He never permits. The use of the adverb “never” in my rendering is based on the grammatical form “lam yunazzil (lit. “ He has not been sending down” or “ bestowing from on high”), which implies continuity in time.]]

3: 196

Asad Let it not deceive thee that those who are bent on denying the truth seen to be able to do as they please on earth:

Pickthall Let not the vicissitude (of the success) of those who disbelieve, in the land, deceive thee (O Muhammad).

Transliteration La_ yagurrannaka taqallubul lazina kafaru_ fil bila_d(i).

3: 197

Asad it is [but ] a brief enjoyment, with hell thereafter as their goal - and how vile a resting place!

Pickthall It is but a brief comfort. And afterward their habitation will be hell, an ill abode.

Transliteration Mata_'un qalil(un), summa ma'wa_hum jahannam(u), wa bi'sal miha_d(u).

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَى ...

2: 159. Those who conceal the clear (Signs) We have sent down, and the guidance,

... مِن بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ ...

after We have made it clear for the people in the book,

أُولَـئِكَ يَلعَنُهُمُ اللّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّاعِنُونَ ﴿١٥٩﴾

on them shall be Allah's curse, and the curse of those entitled to curse.

C163. Those entitled to curse: i.e., angels and mankind (see 2:161 below): the cursed ones will deprive themselves of the protection of Allah and of the angels, who are the Powers of Allah, and of the good wishes of mankind, because by contumaciously rejecting Faith, they not only sin against Allah but are false to their own manhood, which Allah created in the "best of moulds" (95:4).

The terrible curses denounced in the Old Testament are set out in Deut. 28:15-68.

There is one difference.

Here it is for the deliberate rejection of Faith, a theological term for the denying of our higher nature.

There it is for a breach of the lease part of the ceremonial Law. (R).

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَمَاتُوا وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةُ اللّهِ...

2: 161. Those who reject faith, and die rejecting, on them is Allah's curse,

... وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿١٦١﴾

and the curse of angels, and of all mankind.

Asad’s Version:

CURSED / REJECTED

2: 159 Those who conceal the clear (Signs) We have sent down, and the Guidance, after We have made it clear for the People in the Book , on them shall be God’s curse, and the curse of those entitled to curse, (see Asad also)

2: 161 Those who reject Faith and die rejecting , on them is God’s curse and the curse of angels, and of all mankind.

.

4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

.          

وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا...   

4: 36.  Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him:

C550. The essence of Islam is to serve Allah and do good to your fellow-creatures. This is wider and more comprehensive than "Love God and love your neighbour".

For it includes duties to animals as our fellow-creatures, and emphasises practical service rather than sentiment.

... وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى ...

and do good to;

-          parents,  

-          kinsfolk,

-           orphans,

-           those in need,

-           neighbors who are near,

C551. Neighbors who are near: that is, in local situation as well as intimate relationships, just as neighbors who are strangers includes those whom we do not know or who live away from us or in a different sphere altogether.

... وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ...

neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side,

the wayfarer (ye meet),

C552. The Companion by your side may be your intimate friends and associates, just as the way-farer you meet may be a casual acquaintance on your travels.

This last is much wider than the "stranger within your gate."

... وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ...

and what your right hands possess:

C553. What your right hands possess: For the meaning of the phrase see n. 537 above. (R).

... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦﴾

for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;

C554. Real deeds of service and kindness proceed, not from showing off or from a superior sort of condescension (cf. "White Man's Burden"), but from a frank recognition of our own humility and the real claims, before Allah, of all our fellow-creatures.

For in our mutual needs we are equal before Allah, or perhaps the best of us (as the world sees us) may be worse than the worst of us (from the same point of view).

الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبُخْلِ وَيَكْتُمُونَ مَا آتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ...   

4: 37. (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which Allah hath bestowed on them;

C555. Arrogance is one reason why our deeds of love and kindness do not thrive.

Another is niggardliness or selfishness.

Allah does not love either the one or the other, for they both proceed from want of love of Allah, or faith in Allah.

Niggardly is the worldly wise man who not only refuses to spend himself in service, but by example and precept prevents others from doing so, as otherwise he would be made odious by comparison, before his fellow-creatures. So he either makes a virtue of his caution, or hides the gifts which have been given him-wealth, position, talent, etc.

... وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا ﴿٣٧﴾  

for We have prepared, for those who resist faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt.

C556. Note how the punishment fits the crime.

The niggard holds other people in contempt, and in doing so, becomes himself contemptible.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا...   

4: 56.  Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the fire:

... كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُمْ بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُواْ الْعَذَابَ...  

as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty:

... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا ﴿٥٦﴾  

for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

Others version:

4: 36

Asad And worship God [alone], and do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him [note 46]. And do good unto your parents, and near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy and the neighbor from among your own people, and neighbor who is a stranger [note 47], and the friend by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom you rightfully possess [note 48].

Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner.

Pickthall And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and into the neighbor who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbor who is not of kin and the fellow traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,

Transliteration Wa'budulla_ha wa la_ tusyriku_ bihi syai'aw wa bil wa_lidaini ihsa_naw wa bizil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wal ja_rizil qurba_ wal ja_ril junubi was sa_hibi bil jambi wabnis sabil(i), wa ma_ malakat aima_nukum, innalla_ha la_ yuhibbu man ka_na mukhta_lan fakhu_ra_(n)

4: 37

Asad [nor] those who are niggardly, and bid others to be niggardly, and conceal whatever God has bestowed upon them out of His bounty; and so We have readied shameful suffering for all who thus deny the truth.

Pickthall Who hoard their wealth and enjoin avarice on others, and hide that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty. For disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom;

Transliteration Allazina yabkhalu_na wa ya'muru_nan na_sa bil bukhli wa yaktumu_na ma_ a_ta_humulla_hu min fadlih(i), wa a'tadna_ lil ka_firina 'aza_bam muhina_(n).

4: 56

Pickthall Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ bi a_ya_tina_ saufa nuslihim na_ra_(n), kullama_ nadijatjula_duhum baddalna_hum julu_dan gairaha_ layuaza_qul'aza_b(a), innalla_ha ka_na'azizan hakima_(n).

[[ Ali’s notes -- 575 The word I have translated farthing is naqir, the groove in a date stone, a thing of no value whatever. Close-fistedness and envy are among the worst forms of selfishness, and appear specially incongruous in people of power, authority, or influence, from whom is expected generosity in giving and generosity in seeing other people's prosperity or happiness. (4.53)

576 Such as the kingdoms of David and Solomon, for they had international fame. (4.54)

577 Cf. iv. 97, viii. 37, ix. 95, ixx. 68. (4.55)]]

5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ ﴿١٠﴾

5: 10. Those who reject faith and deny our signs will be companions of Hell-fire.

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللّهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَآئِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا...

5: 12. Allah did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel, and We appointed twelve captains among them,

C709. Cf. 2:63 and n. 78.

"Moses... called for the elders of the people... and all the people answered together and said. 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.'" (Exod. 19:7-8).

This was under the towering height of Mount Sinai. The chieftains or elders or leaders of the people were selected, one from each of the twelve tribes (see 2:60 and n. 73).

For census purposes the names of the elders of the tribes are given in Num. 1:4-16: they are called "every one the head of the house of his fathers". Later, twelve other "heads of the Children of Israel" were selected to spy but the land of Canaan: their names are mentioned in Num. 13:1-16.

See also, below, 5:20-26 and notes.

... وَقَالَ اللّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ ...

and Allah said: "I am with you:

... لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَيْتُمُ الزَّكَاةَ وَآمَنتُم بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ ...

- if ye (but) establish regular prayers,

- practice regular charity,

- believe in My apostles, honor and assist them and

... وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ اللّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا ...

- loan to Allah a beautiful loan,

C710. Cf. 2:245, n. 276.

The phrase means "spending in the cause of Allah".

Allah in His infinite grace looks upon this as a loan, for which He gives a recompense manifold.

... لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَلأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ ...

verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath;

... فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاء السَّبِيلِ ﴿١٢﴾

but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude."

C711. The path of rectitude: or the even way:

see 2:108. n. 109.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا...

5: 36. As to those who reject Faith -- if they had everything on earth

... وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لِيَفْتَدُواْ بِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَا تُقُبِّلَ مِنْهُمْ ...

and twice repeated, to give as ransom for the penalty of the Day of Judgment, it would never be accepted of them.

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٣٦﴾

Theirs would be a grievous penalty.

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا هُم بِخَارِجِينَ مِنْهَا...

5: 37. Their wish will be to get out of the fire, but never will they get out therefrom:

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٣٧﴾

their penalty will be one that endures.

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ...

5: 4. They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food):

C697. The previous verse was negative; it defined what was not lawful for food, viz., things gross, or disgusting, or dedicated to superstition.

This verse is positive: it defines what is lawful, viz., all things that are good and pure.

... قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ...

say:

- Lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure:

... وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللّهُ ...

- and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah;

... فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ ...

eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it:

C698. In the matter of the killing for meat, the general rule is that the name of Allah, the true God should be pronounced as a rite in order to call our attention to the fact that we do not take life thoughtlessly but solemnly for food, with the permission of Allah, to whom we render the life back.

The question of hunting is then raised.

How can this solemn rite be performed when we send forth trained hawks, trained hounds, or trained cheetahs or other animals trained for the chase?

They must necessarily kill at some distance from their masters. Their game is legalized on these conditions:

1. that they are trained to kill, not merely for their own appetite, or out of mere wantonness, but for their master's food;

the training implies that something of the solemnity which Allah has taught us in this matter goes into their action; and

2. we are to pronounce the name of Allah over the quarry; this is interpreted to mean that the Takbir should be pronounced when the hawk or dog, etc., is released to the quarry. (R).

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ ﴿٤﴾

and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ...

5: 5. This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you.

... وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْ ...

- The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them.

C699. The question is for food generally, such as is ordinarily "good and pure": in the matter of meat it should be killed with some sort of solemnity analogous to that of the Takbir.

The rules of Islam in this respect being analogous to those of the People of the Book, there is no objection to mutual recognition, as opposed to meat killed by Pagans with superstitious rites. In this respect the Christian rule is the same:

"That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication." (Acts, 15:29).

Notice the bracketing of fornication with things unlawful to eat.

... وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ...

- (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,

C700. Islam is not exclusive. Social intercourse, including inter-marriage, is permitted with the People of the Book.

A Muslim man may marry a woman from their ranks on the same terms as he would marry a Muslim woman, i.e., he must give her an economic and moral status, and must not be actuated merely by motives of lust or physical desire.

A Muslim woman may not marry a non-Muslim man, because her Muslim status would be affected; the wife ordinarily takes the nationality and status given by her husband's law.

Any man or woman, of any race or faith, may, on accepting Islam, freely marry any Muslim woman or man, provided it be from motives of purity and chastity and not of lewdness.

... إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ...

when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues.

... وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٥﴾

If anyone rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

C701. As always, food, cleanliness, social intercourse, marriage and other interests in life, are linked with our duty to Allah and faith in Him.

Duty and faith are for our own benefit, here and in the Hereafter.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ...

5: 6. O ye who believe!

when ye prepare for prayer,

... فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُواْ بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَينِ ...

- wash your faces,

- and your hands (and arms) to the elbows;

- rub your heads (with water);

- and (wash) your feet to the ankles.

C702. These are the essentials of Wudu, or ablutions preparatory to prayers, viz.,

1. to bathe the whole face in water, and

2. both hands and arms to the elbows,

3. with a little rubbing of the head with water (as the head is usually protected and comparatively clean), and

4. the bathing of the feet to the ankles.

In addition, following the practice of the Prophet, it is usual first to wash the mouth, and the nose before proceeding with the face, etc.

... وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُواْ ...

If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body.

C703. Cf. 4:43 and n. 563.

Ritual impurity arises from sex pollution.

... وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مَّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء ...

But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women,

... فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ...

and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands.

C704. This is Tayammum, or wiping with clean sand or earth where water is not available.

I take it that this substitute is permissible both for Wudu and for a full bath, in the circumstances mentioned.

... مَا يُرِيدُ اللّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ ...

Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty,

... وَلَـكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهَّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٦﴾

but to make you clean, and to complete His favor to you, that ye may be grateful.

Others version:

5: 10

Asad ……….they are destined for the blazing fire.

Pickthall And they who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, such are rightful owners of hell.

Transliteration Wallazina kafaru_ wa kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ ula_'ika asha_bul jahim(i).

5: 12

Asad And, indeed, God accepted a [similar] solemn pledge from the children of Israel when We caused twelve of their leader to be sent [to Canaam as spies]. And God said: “Behold, I shall be with you! If you are constant in prayer, and spend in charity, and believe in My apostles and aid them, and offer up unto God a goodly loan, I will surely efface your bad deeds and bring you into gardens through which running waters flow. But he from among you who, after this, denies the truth, will indeed have strayed from the right path!”

Pickthall Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We raised among them twelve chieftains: and Allah said: Lo! I am with you. If ye establish worship and pay the poor due, and believe in My messengers and support them, and lend unto Allah a kindly loan, surely I shall remit your sins, and surely I shall bring you into gardens underneath which rivers flow. Whoso among you disbelieve after this will go astray from a plain road.

Transliteration Wa laqad akhazalla_hu misa_qa bani isra_'il(a), wa ba'asna_ minhumusnai 'asyara naqiba_(n), wa qa_lalla_hu inni ma'akum, la'in aqamtumus sala_ta wa a_taitumuz zaka_ta wa a_mantum bi rusuli wa'azzartumu_hum wa aqradtumulla_ha qardan hasanal la'ukaffiranna'ankum sayyi'a_tikum wala'udkhilannakum janna_tin tajri min tahtihal anha_r(u), fa man kafara ba'da za_lika minkum fa qad dalla sawa_'as sabil(i).

[[ Ali’s notes:

709 Cf. ii. 63 and n. 78, "Moses... called for the elders of the people... and all the people answered together and said. 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.' " (Exod. xix, 7-8). This was under the towering height of Mount Sinai. The chieftains or elders or leaders of the people were selected, one from each of the twelve tribes (see ii. 60 and n. 73). For census purposes the names of the elders of the tribes are given in Num. i. 4-16: they are called "every one the head of the house of his fathers". Later, twelve other "heads of the Children of Israel" were selected to spy out the land of Canaan: their names are mentioned in Num. xiii. 1-16. See also, below, v. 20-26 and notes. (5.12)

710 Cf. ii. 245, n. 276. The phrase means "spending in the cause of Allah". Allah in His infinite grace looks upon this as a loan, for which He gives a recompense manifold. (5.12)

711 The path of rectitude: or the even way: see ii. 108. n. 109. (5.12) ]]

5: 36

Pickthall As for those who disbelieve, lo! if all that is in the earth were theirs, and as much again therewith, to ransom them from the doom on the day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them. Theirs will be a painful doom.

Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ lau anna lahum ma_ fil ardi jami'aw wa mislahu_ ma'ahu_ liyaftadu_ bihi min 'aza_bi yaumil qiya_mati ma_ tuqubbila minhum, wa lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).

5: 37

Pickthall They will wish to come forth from the Fire, but they will not come forth from it. Theirs will be a lasting doom.

Transliteration Yuridu_na ay yakhruju_ minan na_ri wa ma_ hum bi kha_rijina minha_, wa lahum 'aza_bum muqim(un).

5: 4

Pickthall Never came there unto them a revelation of the revelations of Allah but they did turn away from it.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ta'tihim min a_yatim min a_ya_ti rabbihim illa_ ka_nu_'anha_ mu'ridin(a).

5: 5

Pickthall And they denied the truth when it came unto them. But there will come unto them the tidings of that which they used to deride.

Transliteration Fa qad kazzabu_ bil haqqi lamma_ ja_'ahum, fa saufa ya'tihim amba_'u ma_ ka_nu_ bihi yastahzi'u_n(a).

5: 6

Pickthall See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.

Transliteration Alam yarau kam ahlakna_ min qablihim min qarnim makkan na_hum filardi ma_ lam numakkil lakum wa arsalnas sama_'a 'alaihim midra_ra_(w), wa ja'alnal anha_ra tajri min tahtihim fa ahlakna_hum bi zunu_bihim wa ansya'nu_ mim ba'dihim qarnan a_kharin(a).

6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءهُمُ...

6: 20. Those to whom We have given the Book know this as they know their own sons.

C850. Cf. 2:146 and n. 151.

In both passages the pronoun translated "this" may mean "him" and refer to Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, as some commentators think.

...الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾

Those who have lost their own souls refuse therefore to believe.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلنَآ إِلَى أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ ...

6: 42. Before thee We sent (Messengers) to many nations

...فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْبَأْسَاء وَالضَّرَّاء لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾

and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility.

فَلَوْلا إِذْ جَاءهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ...

6: 43. When the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not learn humility?

C861. Sorrow and suffering may (if we take them rightly) turn out to be the best gifts of Allah to us. According to the Psalms (94:12), "Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord!"

Through suffering we learn humility, the antidote to many vices and the fountain of many virtues. But if we take them the wrong way, we grumble and complain: we become faint-hearted; and Satan gets his opportunity to exploit us by putting forward the alluring pleasures of his Vanity Fair.

...وَلَـكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾

On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them.

فَلَمَّا نَسُواْ مَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ...

6: 44. But when they forget the warning they had received, We opened to them the gates of all (good) things,

C862. Learning the inner truth of ourselves and the world presupposes a certain advanced stage of sensitiveness and spiritual development. There is a shallower stage, at which prosperity and the good things of life may teach us sympathy and goodness and cheerfulness like that of Mr. Cheeribyles in Dickens. In such cases the Message takes root. But there is another type of character which is puffed up in prosperity.

For them prosperity is a trial or even a punishment from the higher point of view. They go deeper and deeper into sin, until they are pulled up of a sudden, and then instead of being contrite they merely become desperate.

...حَتَّى إِذَا فَرِحُواْ بِمَا أُوتُواْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾

until, in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, We called them to account, when lo! they were plunged in despair!

فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ...

6: 45. Of the wrongdoers the last remnant was cut off.

...وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾

Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds.

C863. Allah's punishment of wrong-doers is a measure of justice, to protect the true and righteous from their depredations and maintain His righteous decrees. It is an aspect of His character which is emphasised by the epithet "Cherisher of the Worlds".

أَوَ مَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ...

6: 122. Can he who was dead, to whom We gave life, and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men,

C945. Here is an allegory of the good man with his divine mission and the evil man with his mission of evil.

- The former, before he got his spiritual life, was like one dead. It was Allah's grace that gave him spiritual life, with a Light by which he could walk and guide his own footsteps as well as the footsteps of those who are willing to follow God's light.

- The opposite type is that which hates Allah's light, which lives in the depths of darkness, and which plots and burrows against all that is good. But the plots of evil recoil on itself, although it thinks that they will hurt the good.

Can these two types be for a moment compared with each other?

Perhaps the lead in every centre of population is taken by the men of evil. But the good men should not be discouraged. They should work in righteousness and fulfil their mission.

...كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا...

be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out?

...كَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٢٢﴾

Thus to those without faith their own deeds seem pleasing.

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَابِرَ مُجَرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُواْ فِيهَا...

6: 123. Thus have We placed leaders in every town, its wicked men, to plot (and burrow) therein:

...وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلاَّ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿١٢٣﴾

but they only plot against their own souls, and they perceive it not.

وَإِذَا جَاءتْهُمْ آيَةٌ قَالُواْ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ حَتَّى نُؤْتَى مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللّهِ...

6: 124. When there comes to them a Sign (from Allah), they say:

"We shall not believe until we receive one (exactly) like those received by Allah's messengers."

C946. Besides the teaching in Allah's Word, and the teaching in Allah's world, of nature and history and human contacts, many Signs also come to the ungodly, in the shape of warnings or otherwise, which the ungodly either do not heed, or deliberately reject.

The Signs in the two cases are not the same, and that becomes one of their perverse arguments against Faith. But Allah's working will be according to His own Will and Plan, and not according to the wishes whims of the ungodly.

...اللّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ ...

Allah knoweth best where (and how) to carry out His mission.

...سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُواْ صَغَارٌ عِندَ اللّهِ وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَمْكُرُونَ ﴿١٢٤﴾

Soon will the wicked be overtaken by humiliation before Allah, and a severe punishment, for all their plots.

فَمَن يُرِدِ اللّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلاَمِ...

6: 125. Those whom Allah (in His Plan) willeth to guide, He openeth their breast to Islam;

C947. Allah's Universal Plan is the Qadha wa Qadr, which is so much misunderstood. That Plan is unalterable, and that is His Will.

It means that in the spiritual world, as in t physical world, there are laws of justice, mercy, grace, penalty, etc., which work as surely as anything we know.

If, then, a man refuses Faith, becomes a rebel, with each step he goes further and further down, and his pace will be accelerated; he will scarcely be able to take spiritual breath, and his recovery -in spite of Allah's mercy which he has rejected-will be as difficult as if he had to climb up to the skies.

On the other hand, the godly will find, with each step, the next step easier. Jesus expressed this truth paradoxically:

"He that hath, to him shall be given; but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath": Mark, 4:25.

John (6:65) make Jesus say: "No man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."

...وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاء...

those whom He willeth to leave straying, He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies:

...كَذَلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٢٥﴾

thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.

أَوْ تَقُولُواْ لَوْ أَنَّا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْكِتَابُ لَكُنَّا أَهْدَى مِنْهُمْ...

6: 157. Or lest ye should say:

"If the Book had only been sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance better than they."

...فَقَدْ جَاءكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ ...

Now then hath come unto you a Clear (sign) from your Lord, and a guide and a mercy:

C982. The Quran and the life and the teaching of Muhammad the Messenger of Allah.

...فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا...

then who could do more wrong than one who rejecteth Allah's signs, and turneth away therefrom?

...سَنَجْزِي الَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَصْدِفُونَ ﴿١٥٧﴾

In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our Signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away.

Others version:

6: 20

Asad They unto whom We have vouchsafed revelation aforetime know this [note 14] as they know their own children; yet those [of them] who have squandered their own selves –it is they who refuse to believe.

Pickthall Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognize (this Revelation) as they recognize their sons. Those who ruin their own souls will not believe.

Transliteration Allazina a_taina_humul kita_ba ya'rifu_nahu_ kama_ ya'rifu_na abna_'ahum, allazina khasiru_ anfusahum fahum la_ yu'minu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 14 –I.e., the truth of God’s transcendental uniqueness and oneness, which is stressed in all authentic scriptures.]]

[[ Ruby’s note – Those who truly believe see the revelation as truth as reality is the truth. One does not believe that one has a child one just know that truth. That kind of absolute confidence is there by the sincere believers.]]

6: 42

Asad And, indeed, We sent Our messages unto people before your time, [O Prophet,] and visited them with misfortune and hardship so that they humble themselves.

Pickthall We have sent already unto peoples that were before thee, and We visited them with tribulation and adversity, in order that they might grow humble.

Transliteration Wa laqad arsalna_ ila_ umamim min qablika fa akhazna_hum bil ba'sa_'i wad darra_'i la'allahum yatadarra'u_n(a).

6: 43

Pickthall If only, when our disaster came on them, they had been humble! But their hearts were hardened and the devil made all that they used to do seem fair unto them!

Transliteration Fa lau la_ iz ja_'ahum ba'suna_ tadarra'u_ wa la_kin qasat qulu_buhum wa zayyana lahumusy syaita_nu ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).

6: 44

Asad …..they were broken in spirit [note 34];

Pickthall Then, when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We opened unto them the gates of all things till, even as they were rejoicing in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo! they were dumbfounded.

Transliteration Falamma_ nasu_ ma_ zukkiru_ bihi fatahna_ 'alaihim abwa_ba kulli syai'(in), hatta_ iza_ farihu_ bima_ u_tu_ akhazna_hum bagtatan fa iza_ hum mublisu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 34 –The verb ‘ablasa’ signifies “he despaired of all hope’ or ‘become broken in spirit’, (for the linguistic connection of this word the name of ‘iblis’, the Fallen Angel, see surah 7, note 10.

6: 45

Asad and [in the end ] the last remnant of those folk who had been bent on evildoing was wiped out [note 35]. For all praise is due to God, the Sustainer of all the worlds.

Pickthall So of the people who did wrong the last remnant was cut off. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!

Transliteration Faquti'a da_birul qaumil lazina zalamu_, wal hamdu lilla_hi rabbil 'a_lamin(a).

[[Asad’s note 35 – Lit., “cur off”. The above passage illustrates a phenomenon well known in history: namely, the inevitable social and moral disintegration of communities which have lost sight of spiritual truths.]]

[[ Ali’s notes

861 Sorrow and suffering may (if we take them rightly) turn out to be the best gifts of God to us. According to the Psalms (xciv. 12), "Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord!" Through suffering we learn humility, the antidote to many vices and the fountain of many virtues. But if we take them the wrong way, we grumble and complain: we become faint-hearted; and Satan gets his opportunity to exploit us by putting forward the alluring pleasures of his Vanity Fair. (6.43)

862 Learning the inner truth of ourselves and the world presupposes a certain advanced stage of sensitiveness and spiritual development. There is a shallower stage, at which prosperity and the good things of life may teach us sympathy and goodness and cheerfulness like that of Mr. Cheeribyles in Dickens. In such cases the Message takes root. But there is another type of character which is puffed up in prosperity. For them prosperity is a trial or even a punishment from the higher point of view. They go deeper and deeper into sin, until they are pulled up of a sudden, and then instead of being contrite they merely become desperate. (6.44)

863 God's punishment of wrong-doers is a measure of justice, to protect the true and righteous from their depredations and maintain His righteous decrees. It is an aspect of His character which is emphasized by the epithet "Cherisher of the Worlds." (6.45) ]]

6: 122

Asad ……[But] thus it is: goodly seem all their own doings to those who deny the truth.

Pickthall Is he who was dead and We have raised him unto life, and set for him a light wherein he walketh among men, as him whose similitude is in utter darkness whence he cannot emerge? Thus is their conduct made fair-seeming for the disbelievers.

Transliteration Awaman ka_na maitan fa ahyaina_hu wa ja'alna_ lahu_ nu_ray yamsyi bihi fin na_si kaman masaluhu_ fiz zuluma_ti laisa bi kha_rijim minha_, kaza_lika zuyyina lilka_firina ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).

6: 123

Asad And it is in this way that We cause the great ones in every land to become its [greatest] evildoers [note 109], there to weave their schemes: yet it is only against that they scheme – and they perceive it not.

Pickthall And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones, that they should plot therein. They do but plot against themselves, though they perceive not.

Transliteration Wa kaza_lika ja'alna_ fi kulli qaryatin aka_bira mujrimiha_ liyamkuru_ fiha_, wa ma_ yamkuru_na illa_ bi anfusihim wa ma_ yasy'uru_n(a).

6: 124

Pickthall And when a token cometh unto them, they say: We will not believe till we are given that which Allah's messengers are given. Allah knows best with whom to place His message. Humiliation from Allah and heavy punishment will smite the guilty for their scheming.

Transliteration Wa iza_ ja_'athum a_yatun qa_lu_ lan nu'mina hatta_ nu'ta_ misla ma_ u_tiya rusululla_h(i), alla_hu a'lamu haisu yaj'alu risa_latah(u_), sayusibul lazina ajramu_ saga_run'indalla_hi wa aza_bun syadidum bima_ ka_nu_ yamkuru_n(a).

6: 125

Asad ………...God inflicts horror upon those who will not believe.

Pickthall And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide, He expand his bosom unto the Surrender, and whomsoever it is His will to send astray, He makes his bosom close and narrow as if he were engaged in sheer ascent. Thus Allah lays ignominy upon those who believe not.

Transliteration Fa may yuridilla_hu ay yahdiyahu_ yasyrah sadrahu_ lil isla_m(i), wa may yurid ay yudillahu_ yaj'al sadrahu_ dayyiqan harajan ka annama_ yassa''adu fis sama_'(i), kaza_lika yaj'alulla_hur rijsa 'alal lazina la_ yu'minu_n(a).

6: 157

Asad or lest you say, “If a divine writ had been bestowed from on high upon us, we would surely have followed its guidance better than they did.” [note 158].

And so, a clear evidence of the truth has now come unto you from your Sustainer, and guidance, and grace. Who, then could be more wicked than he who gives the lie to God’s messages, and turns away from them in disdain? We shall requite those who turn away from Our messages in disdain with evil suffering for having thus turned away!

Pickthall Or lest ye should say: If the Scripture had been revealed unto us, we surely had been better guided than are they. Now hath there come unto you a clear proof from your Lord, a guidance and a mercy; and who doeth greater wrong than he who denies the revelations of Allah, and turnes away from them? We award unto those who turn away from Our revelations an evil doom because of their aversion.

Transliteration Au taqu_lu_ lau anna_ unzila 'alainal kita_bu lakunna_ ahda_ minhum, faqad ja_'akum bayyinatum mir rabbikum wa hudaw wa rahmah(tun), faman azlamu mimman kazzaba bi a_ya_tilla_hi wa sadafa 'anha_, sanajzil lazina yasdifu_na'ana_ya_tina_ su_'al 'aza_bi bima_ ka_nu_ yasdifu_n(a).

19. Surah Maryam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا ﴿٨٣﴾

19: 83.  Seest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the Unbelievers, to incite them with fury?

C2527. Under the laws instituted by Allah, when evil reaches a certain stage of rebellion and defiance, it is left to gather momentum and to rush with fury to its own destruction. It is given a certain amount of respite, as a last chance: but failing repentance, its days are numbered.

The godly therefore should not worry themselves over the apparent worldly success of evil, but should get on with their own duties in a spirit of trust in Allah.

Others version:

19: 83

Asad Art thou not aware that We have let loose all [manner of] satanic forces [note 71] upon those who deny the truth – [forces] that impel them [towards sin] with strong impulsion? [note 72]

Pickthall Seest thou not that We have set the devils on the disbelievers to confound them with confusion?

Transliteration Alam tara an na_ arsalna_sy syaya_thina 'alal ka_firina ta'uz zuhum azza_

[Asad’s note 71 – Lit., “the satans”, by which term the Quran often describes all that is intrinsically evil, especially the immoral impulses in man’s own soul (cf. note 10 on 2:14 and note 33 on verse 44 of the present surah).

Note 72 -…….According to Zamakhshari and RAzi, the expression “We have let loose (arsalna) all [manner of] satanic forces (shayatin) upon those who deny the truth” has here the meaning of “We have allowed them to be active (khallayna) among them”, leaving it to man’s free will to accept or to reject those evil influences or impulses.……….]

[Ali’s note : 2527 Under the laws instituted by Allah, when evil reaches a certain stage of rebellion and defiance, it is left to gather momentum and to rush with fury to its own destruction. It is given a certain amount of respite, as a last chance: but failing repentance, its days are numbered. The godly therefore should not worry themselves over the apparent worldly success of evil, but should get on with their own duties in a spirit of trust in Allah. (19.83) ]

19: 84

Asad Hence, be not in haste [to call down God’s punishment] upon them: for We but number the number of their days.

Pickthall So make no haste against them (O Muhammad). We do but number unto them a sum (of days).

Transliteration Fala_ ta'jal alaihim in nama_ na'uddu lahum ad da_

9. Surah At Tawbah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُواْ مَسَاجِدَ الله شَاهِدِينَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ بِالْكُفْرِ... 

9: 17.  It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to infidelity.

C1266. 'Amara as applied to mosques implies the following ideas:

-        to build or repair:

-        to maintain in fitting dignity:

-        to visit for purposes of devotion: and

-        fill with light and life and activity.

For brevity I have only used "maintain" in the Translation. Before the preaching of Islam the Pagans built, repaired, and maintained the Mosque, and celebrated Pagan ceremonies in it. They made an income out of it. Islam protested, and the Pagans ejected Muslims and their Leader from Makkah and shut them out from the Ka'bah itself.

When the Muslims were strong enough to re-take Makkah (A.H. 8), they purified the Mosque and re-established the worship of the true God. If they became Muslims, it was a different matter. The further question arose: should they be allowed to visit it and practice their unseemly Pagan rites?

Obviously this would be derogatory to the dignity and honour of the Mosque, and was forbidden. This was the particular occasion to which the verse refers.

The general deduction is clear. A house of Allah is a place of sincere devotion, not a theatre for vulgar rites nor a source of worldly income. Only sincere Believers have a right of entry.

Who the sincere Believers are, is explained in the next verse.

...أُوْلَئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ وَفِي النَّارِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ ﴿١٧﴾