5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ...

5: 67. O Messenger! proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord.

C777. Muhammad had many difficulties to contend with, many enemies and dangers to avoid.

Hi; mission must be fulfilled. And he must-as he did-go forward and proclaim that Message and fulfil his mission, trusting to Allah for protection, and unconcerned if people who had lost all sense of right rejected it or threatened him.

... وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ...

If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission:

... وَاللّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ...

and Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief).

... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾

For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.

Others version:

5: 67

Asad ………Behold, God does not guide people who refuse to acknowledge the truth.

Pickthall O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou will not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhar rasu_lu ballig ma_ unzila ilaika mir rabbik(a), wa illam taf'al fama_ ballagta risa_latah(u_),walla_hu ya'simuka minan na_s(i), innalla_ha la_ yahdil qaumal ka_firin(a).

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16.Sura al-Nahl

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ لَوْ شَاء اللّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَيْءٍ ...

16: 35.  The worshippers of false gods say:

"If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but Him --

... نَّحْنُ وَلا آبَاؤُنَا ...

neither we nor our fathers --

C2057. The old-old argument: if Allah is All-Powerful, why did He not force all persons to His Will?

This ignores the limited Free-will granted to man, which is the whole basis of Ethics. Allah gives man every opportunity of knowing and understanding things, but He does not force him, for that would be against the whole Plan on which our present Life is constituted.

... وَلاَ حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَيْءٍ... 

nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His."

C2058. The Pagan Arabs prescribed various arbitrary prohibitions in the matter of meat; see 6:143-145.

These, of course, are not recognised by Islam, which also removed some of the restrictions of the Jewish Law;6:146. The general meaning, however, is far wider.

Men erect their own taboos and prohibitions, barriers and restrictions, and ascribe them to Religion. This is wrong, and more consonant with Pagan practice than with Islam.

... كَذَلِكَ فَعَلَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ... 

So did those who went before them.

... فَهَلْ عَلَى الرُّسُلِ إِلاَّ الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ ﴿٣٥﴾ 

But what is the mission of Messengers but to preach the Clear Message?

C2059. Clear Message: Mubin: in three senses;

-        a Message clear and unambiguous;

-        one that makes all things clear to those who try to understand, because it accords with their own nature as created by Allah;

-        one preached openly and to everyone.

وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الطَّاغُوتَ...   

16: 36.  For We assuredly sent amongst every People a Messenger, (with the Command),

"Serve Allah and eschew Evil":

C2060. Even though Allah's Signs are everywhere in Nature and in men's own conscience, yet in addition Allah has sent human Messengers to every People to call their attention to the Good and turn them from Evil.

So they cannot pretend that Allah has abandoned them or that He does not care what they do. His divine Grace always invites their will to choose the right.

... فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى اللّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلالَةُ... 

of the people were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom Error became inevitably (established).

C2061. While some people accept the guidance of the divine Grace, others so surrender themselves to Evil that it must necessarily follow that Evil obtains a grip over them. They have only to travel through Time or Space to see the end of those who abandoned their lights and surrendered to Evil and Error.

For haqqat and the meaning of haqq in this connection cf. 15:64.

... فَسِيرُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ ﴿٣٦﴾ 

So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).

إِن تَحْرِصْ عَلَى هُدَاهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي مَن يُضِلُّ...   

16: 37.  If thou art anxious for their guidance, yet Allah guideth not such as He leaves to stray,

C2062. When once Allah's Grace is rejected by any one, such a person loses all help and guidance. Such persons are then outside Allah's Grace, and therefore they are outside guidance.

... وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٣٧﴾ 

and there is none to help them.

وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِاللّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ ...

16: 38.  They swear their strongest oaths by Allah,

C2063. The strongest oath of the Pagan Arabs would be by the Supreme Allah; less strong oaths would be by their subordinate deities, or their ancestors, or other things they valued or held sacred.

... لاَ يَبْعَثُ اللّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ...  

that Allah will not raise up those who die:

C2064. The usual Pagan creed is:

'If there is a God, it does not follow that He will raise us up; why should He?'

The answer is twofold:

-        Allah has promised it, and Allah's promise is true;

-        He must finally manifest the Truth to them, convict them of their falsehood, and enforce their personal responsibility (16:39).

... بَلَى وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth:

but most among mankind realize it not.

لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ الَّذِي يَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ...   

16: 39.  (They must be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the truth of that wherein they differ,

... وَلِيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ كَاذِبِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾ 

and that the rejecters of Truth may realize that they had indeed (surrendered to) Falsehood.

C2065. See the last note.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ لاَ يَهْدِيهِمُ اللّهُ...

16: 104. Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, Allah will not guide them,

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ  ﴿١٠٤﴾

and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.

إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِي الْكَذِبَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ...   

16: 105. It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood:

... وَأُوْلـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ ﴿١٠٥﴾

it is they who lie!

C2144. It is clearly those who raise the cry of forgery that are guilty of falsehood, as there is not the least basis or even plausibility in their suggestion.

مَن كَفَرَ بِاللّهِ مِن بَعْدِ إيمَانِهِ ...

16: 106. Anyone who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters unbelief,

C2145. The exception refers to a case like that of 'Ammar, whose father Yasir and mother Sumayya, were subjected to unspeakable tortures for their belief in Islam, but never recanted. 'Ammar,

suffering under tortures himself and his mind acted on by the sufferings of his parents, uttered a word construed as recantation, though his heart never wavered and he came back at once to the Prophet, who consoled him for his pain and confirmed his faith. (R).

... إِلاَّ مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالإِيمَانِ...

except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith,

... وَلَـكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ... 

but such as open their breast to unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah,

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٠٦﴾

and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّواْ الْحَيَاةَ الْدُّنْيَا عَلَى الآخِرَةِ...   

16: 107. This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter:

... وَأَنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿١٠٧﴾  

and Allah will not guide those who reject faith.

أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ طَبَعَ اللّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ وَسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ...

16: 108. Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes Allah has sealed up,

C2146. Cf. 2:7.

On account of their iniquities and their want of Faith their hearts and their senses become impervious to Allah's grace, and they run headlong to perdition.

... وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ ﴿١٠٨﴾

and they take no heed.

لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرونَ ﴿١٠٩﴾    

16: 109. Without doubt, in the hereafter they will perish.

Pickthall’s Version:

16: 35

Pickthall And the idolaters say: Had Allah willed, we had not worshipped aught beside Him, we and our fathers, nor had we forbidden aught without (command from) Him. Even so did those before them. Are the messengers charged with aught save plain conveyance (of the message)?

Transliteration Wa qa_lal lazina asyraku_ lau sya_'alla_hu ma_ 'abadna_ min da_nihi min syai'in nahnu wa la_ a_ba_'una_ wa la_ harramna_ min du_nihi min syai'(in), kaza_lika fa'alal lazina min qablihim, fa hal 'alar rusuli illal bala_gul mubin(u).

16: 36

Pickthall And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers!

Transliteration Wa laqad ba'asna_ fi kulli ummatir rasu_lan an-i'budulla_ha wa-jtanibu_t ta_gu_t(a), fa minhum man hadalla_hu wa minhum man haqqat 'alaihid dala_lah(tu), fa siru_ fil ardi fa-nzuru_ kaifa ka_na 'a_qibatul mukazzibin(a).

16: 37

Pickthall Even if thou (O Muhammad) desirest their right guidance, still Allah assuredly will not guide him who misleadeth. Such have no helpers.

Transliteration In tahris 'ala_ huda_hum fa innalla_ha la_ yahdi may yudillu wa ma_ lahum min na_sirin(a).

16: 38

Pickthall And they swear by Allah their most binding oaths (that) Allah will not raise up him who dieth. Nay, but it is a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not,

Transliteration Wa aqsamu_ billa_hi jahda aima_nihim, la_ yab'asulla_hu may yamu_t(u), bala_ wa'dan 'alaihi haqqaw wa la_kinna aksaran na_si la_ ya'lamu_n(a),

16: 39

Pickthall That he may explain unto them that wherein they differ, and that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.

Transliteration Liyubayyina lahumul lazi yakhtalifu_na fihi wa liya'lamal lazina kafaru_ annahum ka_nu_ ka_zibin(a).

16: 104

Pickthall Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, Allah guideth them not and theirs will be a painful doom.

Transliteration Innal lazina la_ yu'minu_na bi a_ya_tilla_h(i), la_ yahdihimulla_hu wa lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).

16: 105

Pickthall Only they invent falsehood who believe not Allah's revelations, and (only) they are the liars.

Transliteration Innama_ yaftaril kazibal lazina la_ yu'minu_na bi a_ya_tilla_h(i), wa ula_'ika humul ka_zibu_n(a).

16: 106

Pickthall Whoso disbelieveth in Allah after his belief save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with Faith but whoso findeth ease in disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom.

Transliteration Man kafara billa_hi mim ba'di ima_nihi illa_ man ukriha wa qalbuhu_ mutma'innum bil ima_ni wala_kin man syaraha bil kufri sadran fa 'alaihim gadabum minalla_h(i), wa lahum 'aza_bun 'azim(un).

16: 107

Pickthall That is because they have chosen the life of the world rather than the Hereafter, and because Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.

Transliteration Za_lika bi annahum-ustahabbul haya_tad dunya_ 'alal a_khirah(ti), wa annalla_ha la_ yahdil qaumal ka_firin(a).

16: 108

Pickthall Such are they whose hearts and ears and eyes Allah hath sealed. And such are the heedless.

Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazina taba'alla_hu 'ala_ qulu_bihim wa sam'ihim wa absa_rihim, wa ula_'ika humul ga_filu_n(a).

16: 109

Pickthall Assuredly in the Hereafter they are the losers.

Transliteration La_ jarama annahum fil a_khirati humul kha_siru_n(a).

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18. Surah Al Kahf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ...   

18: 29.  Say, "The Truth is from your Lord":

... فَمَن شَاء فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاء فَلْيَكْفُرْ... 

let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it):

C2371. Our choice in our limited Free-will involves a corresponding personal responsibility. We are offered the Truth: again and again is it pressed on our attention,

If we reject it, we must take all the terrible consequences which are prefigured in the Fire of Hell. Its flames and roof will completely enclose us like a tent. Ordinarily there is water to quench the heat of thirst: here the only drink will be like molten brass, thick, heavy, burning, sizzling. Before it reaches the mouth of the unfortunates, drops of it will scald their faces as it is poured out.

... إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا... 

for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the wall and roof of a tent, will hem them in:

... وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاء كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ...

if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces.

... بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءتْ مُرْتَفَقًا ﴿٢٩﴾

How dreadful the drink!

How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!

Others version: