Whose Heart Sealed-Deaf-Blind
2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَثَلُهُمْ
كَمَثَلِ
الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ
نَاراً ...
2: 17. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire;
C38. The man wanted light; he only kindled a fire. It produced a blaze, and won the applause of all around. But it did not last
when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light
... وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ ﴿١٧﴾
and left them in utter darkness, so they could not see.
صُمٌّ
بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ
فَهُمْ لاَ
يَرْجِعُونَ
﴿١٨﴾
18. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).
أَوْ
كَصَيِّبٍ
مِّنَ السَّمَاء
فِيهِ ظُلُمَاتٌ
وَرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ...
2: 19. Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky; in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning,
C39. A wonderfully graphic and powerful simile applying to those who reject Faith. In their self-sufficiency they are undisturbed normally.
But what happens when a great storm breaks over them?
They cover their ears against thunder-clasps and the lightning nearly blinds them. They are in mortal fear, but Allah encompasses them around - even them, for He at all times encompasses all.
He give them rope. In the intervals of deafening noise and blinding flashes, there are moments of steady light and these creatures take advantage of them, but again they are plunged into darkness.
Perhaps they curse; perhaps they think that the few moments of effective light are due to their own intelligence!
How much wiser would they be if they humbled themselves and sought the light of Allah!
... يَجْعَلُونَ أَصْابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِم مِّنَ الصَّوَاعِقِ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ...
they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death.
... واللّهُ مُحِيطٌ بِالْكافِرِينَ ﴿١٩﴾
But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!
يَكَادُ
الْبَرْقُ
يَخْطَفُ
أَبْصَارَهُمْ
...
2: 20. The lightning all but snatches away their sight;
... كُلَّمَا أَضَاء لَهُم مَّشَوْاْ فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُواْ...
every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still.
... وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ ...
And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing;
... إِنَّ اللَّه عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٠﴾
for Allah hath power over all things.
Pickthall’s Version:
2: 17
Pickthall Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see,
Transliteration Masaluhum kamasalil lazis tauqadana_ra_(n), falamma_ ada_'at ma_ haulahu_ zahaballa_hu binu_rihim wa tarakahum fi zuluma_til la_ yubsiru_n(a).
2: 18
Pickthall Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not
Transliteration Summum bukmun 'umyun fahum la_ yarji'u_n(a).
2: 19
Pickthall Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death. Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance).
Transliteration Au kasayyibim minas sama_'i fihi zuluma_tuw wara'duw wabarq(un), yaj'alu_na asa_bi'ahum fi a_za_nihim minas sawa_'iqi hazaral ma_t(i), walla_hu muhitum bil ka_firin(a).
2: 20
Pickthall The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.
Transliteration Yaka_dul barqu yakhtafu absa_rahum, kullama_ ada_'a lahum masyau fih(i), wa iza_ azlama 'alaihim qa_mu_, wa lau sya_'alla_hu lazahaba bisam'ihim wa absa_rihim, innalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَقَدْ
أَخَذْنَا
مِيثَاقَ بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
وَأَرْسَلْنَا
إِلَيْهِمْ
رُسُلاً ...
5: 70. We took the Covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Messengers.
... كُلَّمَا جَاءهُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًا كَذَّبُواْ وَفَرِيقًا يَقْتُلُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾
Every time there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not --
some (of these) they called impostors, and some they (go so far as to) slay.
وَحَسِبُواْ
أَلاَّ تَكُونَ
فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُواْ
وَصَمُّواْ...
5: 71. They thought there would be no trial (or punishment); so they became blind and deaf:
C781. That is, they turned away their eyes from Allah's Signs and they turned a deaf ear to Allah's Message.
... ثُمَّ تَابَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُواْ وَصَمُّواْ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ ...
yet Allah (in mercy) turned to them: yet again many of them became blind and deaf.
... وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٧١﴾
But Allah sees well all that they do.
Others version:
5: 70
Asad …………while others they would slay [note 87],
Pickthall We made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We sent unto them messengers. As often as a messenger came unto them with that which their souls desired not (they became rebellious). Some (of them) they denied and some they slew.
Transliteration Laqad akhazna_ misa_qa bani isra_'ila wa arsalna_ ilaihim rusulu_(n), kullama_ ja_'ahum rasu_lum bima_ la_ tahwa_ anfusuhum, fariqan kazzabu_ wa fariqay yaqtulu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 87 – Lit., “and some they are slaying”. Regarding the significance of the change from the past to the present tense (yaqtulun), see surah 2, note 72 (…..The change from the past tense observed throughout this sentence to the present tense in the verb ‘taqtulun’ (“you are slaying”) is meant to express a conscious intent I nthis respect and, thus, a persistent, ever-recurring trait in Jewish history (Manar 1, 377), to which also the New Testament refers (Matthew xx111, 34-35, 37), and I Thessalonians ii, 15) ]]
5: 71
Asad thinking that no harm would befall them; and so they became blind and deaf [of heart];
Pickthall They thought no harm would come of it, so they were willfully blind and deaf. And afterward Allah turned (in mercy) toward them. Now (even after that) are many of them willfully blind and deaf. Allah is Seer of what they do.
Transliteration Wa hasibu_ alla_ taku_na fitnatun fa 'amu_ wa sammu_ summa ta_balla_hu 'alaihim summa 'amu_ wa sammu_ kasirum minhum, walla_hu basirum bima_ ya'malu_n(a).
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6. Surah Al Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
مِن
دَآبَّةٍ
فِي
الأَرْضِ
وَلاَ
طَائِرٍ
يَطِيرُ
بِجَنَاحَيْهِ
إِلاَّ
أُمَمٌ
أَمْثَالُكُم
...
6: 38. There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you.
C859. "Animals living on the earth" include those living in the water-fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, as well as four-footed beasts. Life on the wing is separately mentioned.
"Tair," which is ordinarily translated as "bird," is anything that flies, including mammals like bats.
In our pride we may exclude animals from our purview, but they live a life, social ad individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the Plan and Will of Allah.
In 6:59 we are told that not a leaf falls but by His Will, and things dry and green are recorded in His Book. In other words they all obey His archetypal Plan, the Book which is also mentioned here.
They are all answerable in their several degrees to His Plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). This is not Pantheism: it is ascribing all life, activity, and existence to the Will and Plan of Allah.
...مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ...
Nothing have We omitted from the Book,
... ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾
and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.
وَالَّذِينَ
كَذَّبُواْ
بِآيَاتِنَا
صُمٌّ
وَبُكْمٌ
فِي
الظُّلُمَاتِ...
6: 39. Those who reject Our Signs are deaf and dumb, in the midst of darkness profound:
C860. The limited free will of man makes a little difference. If he sees the Signs but shuts his ears to the true Message, and refuses (like a dumb thing) to speak out the Message which all Nature proclaims, then according to the Plan ( of his limited free-will) he must suffer and wander, just as, in the opposite case, he will receive grace and salvation.
...مَن يَشَإِ اللّهُ يُضْلِلْهُ وَمَن يَشَأْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٣٩﴾
whom Allah willeth, He leaveth to wander,
whom He willeth, He placeth on the way that is straight.
Others version:
6: 38
Asad although there is no beast that walks on earth and no bird that flies on its two wings which is not [God’s] creature [note 30] like yourselves: no single thing have We neglected n Our decree. And once again [note 31]: Unto their Sustainer shall they [all] be gathered.
Pickthall There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.
Transliteration Wa ma_ min da_bbatin fil ardi wa la_ ta_'iriy yatiru bi jana_haihi illa_ umamun amsa_lukum, ma_ farratna_ fil kita_bi min syai'in summa ila_ rabbihim yuhsyaru_n(a).
6: 39
Asad ….Whomever God wills, He lets go astray; and whomever He wills, He places upon a straight path [note 32]
Yusuf Ali Those who reject Our Signs are deaf and dumb in the midst of darkness profound: whom Allah willeth He leaveth to wander whom He willeth He placeth on the way that is straight.
Pickthall Those who deny our revelations are deaf and dumb in darkness. Whom Allah will He sendeth astray, and whom He will He placeth on a straight path.
Transliteration Wallazina kazabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ summuw wa bukmun fiz zuluma_t(i), may yasya'illa_hu yudlilhu wa may yasya' yaj'alhu 'ala_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).
[[ Asad’s note 32 – See note 4 on 14:4]]
[[Asad’s note 30 – Lit., “but they are [God’s] creatures (unam)” The word ‘ummah’ [of which ‘umam’ is the plural] primarily denotes a group of living beings having certain characteristics of circumstances in common. Thus, it is often synonymous with “community”, “people”, “nation”, “genus”, “generation”, and so forth. [Lisan al-Arab, with particular eference to this very Quran verse; also Lane I, 90].
Thus, the meaning of the above passage is this; Man can detect God’s “signs” or “miracles” in all the life-phenomena that surround him, and should, therefore, try to observe them with a view to better understanding ‘God’s way” [sunnat Allah] – which is the Quranic term for what we call “laws of nature”.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 858 Sins are all around them, but they do not understand. If they want a particular Sign to suit their gross ignorance, they will not be humoured, for they can always pick holes in anything that descends to their level. (6.37)
859 "Animals living on the earth" include those living in the water, - fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, as well as four-footed beasts. Life on the wing is separately mentioned. "Tair," which is ordinarily translated as "bird," is anything that flies, including mammals like bats. In our pride we may exclude animals from our purview, but they all live a life, social and individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the Plan and the Will of God. In vi. 59 we are told that not a leaf falls but by His Will, and things dry and green are recorded in His Book. In other words they all obey His archetypal Plan, the Book which is also mentioned here. They are all answerable in their several degrees to His Plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). This is not Pantheism: it is ascribing all life, activity, and existence to the Will and Plan of God. (6.38)
860 The limited free will of man makes a little difference. If he sees the Signs but shuts his ears to the true Message, and refuses (like a dumb thing) to speak out the Message which all Nature proclaims, then according to the Plan ( of his limited free-will) he must suffer and wander, just as, in the opposite case, he will receive grace and salvation.
(6.39) ]]
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7. Sura al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَن
يَهْدِ
اللّهُ
فَهُوَ
الْمُهْتَدِي...
7: 178. Whom Allah doth guide, he is on the right path:
...وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿١٧٨﴾
whom He rejects from His guidance, such are the persons who perish.
C1152. Those who reject Allah will be deprived of Allah's grace and guidance. His Mercy is always open for sincere repentance.
But with each step downwards, they go lower and lower, until they perish.
وَلَقَدْ
ذَرَأْنَا
لِجَهَنَّمَ
كَثِيرًا
مِّنَ
الْجِنِّ
وَالإِنسِ...
7: 179. Many are the Jinns and men, We have made for Hell:
...لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لاَّ يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا...
They have hearts wherewith they understand not,
...وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا...
eyes wherewith they see not,
C1153. Cf. 2:18.
Though they have apparently all the faculties of reason and perception, they have so deadened them that those faculties do not work, and they go headlong into hell. They are, as it were, made for Hell.
...وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لاَّ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا...
and ears wherewith they hear not.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ كَالأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ...
They are like cattle, nay more misguided:
...أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ ﴿١٧٩﴾
for they are heedless (of warning).
Others version:
7: 178
Asad He whom God guides, he alone is truly guided: whereas those whom He lets go astray – it is they, they who are the losers!
Pickthall He who Allah lead, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah send astray they indeed are losers.
Transliteration May yahdilla_hu fa huwal muhtadi, wa may yudlil fa ula_'ika humul kha_siru_n(a).
7: 179
Asad And most certainly have We destined for hell many of the invisible beings and men who have hearts with which they fail to grasp the truth, and eyes with which they fail to see and ears with which they fail to hear. They are like cattle – nay, they are even less conscious of the right way: it is they, they who are the [truly] heedless!
Yusuf Ali Many are the Jinns and men We have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not eyes wherewith they see not and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning).
Pickthall Already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.
Transliteration Wa laqad zara'na_ lijahannama kasiram minal jinni wal ins(i), lahum qulu_bul la_ yafqahu_na biha_, wa lahum a'yunul la_ yubsiru_na biha_, wa lahum a_za_nul la_ yasma'u_na biha_, ula_'ika kal an'a_mi bal hum adall(u), ula_'ika humul ga_filu_n(a).
[[ Ruby’s note – The above two verses are together, the first is reflecting the state of failure and the next is explaining the cause of this failure. Humans at their worst can be below the state of animals because the animals cannot violate moral laws and deliberately go against the instincts they are given. Whereas humans can violate the moral law and go against the natural laws.]]
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11. Surah Hud
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ
الصَّالِحَاتِ
وَأَخْبَتُواْ
إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ...
11: 23. But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord --
C1516. Note that the humility is to be "before their Lord," i.e., in Allah's sight.
There is no virtue, quite the contrary, in rubbing our noses to the ground before men. We are not to be arrogant even before men because we are humble as in Allah's sight. Nor does true humility lose self-confidence; for that self-confidence arises from confidence in the support and help of Allah.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾
they will be Companions of the Garden,
to dwell therein for aye!
مَثَلُ
الْفَرِيقَيْنِ
كَالأَعْمَى
وَالأَصَمِّ
وَالْبَصِيرِ
وَالسَّمِيعِ...
11: 24. These two kinds (of men) may be compared to the blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well.
...هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلاً...
Are they equal when compared?
...أَفَلاَ تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾
Will ye not then take heed?
Pickthall’s Version:
11: 23
Pickthall Lo! those who believe and do good works and humble themselves before their Lord: such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein.
Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti wa akhbatu_ ila_ rabbihim, ula_'ika asha_bul jannah(ti), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).
11: 24
Pickthall The similitude of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are they equal in similitude? Will ye not then be admonished?
Transliteration Masalul fariqaini kal a'ma_ wal asammi wal basiri was sami'(i), hal yastawiya_ni masala_(n), afala_ tazakkaru_n(a).
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16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
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: 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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30 Ar-Rum (The Byzantines)
Mecca Period [6-7 years before Hijra]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلَئِنْ
أَرْسَلْنَا
رِيحًا فَرَأَوْهُ
مُصْفَرًّا
لَّظَلُّوا
مِن بَعْدِهِ
يَكْفُرُونَ
﴿٥١﴾
30: 51. And if We (but) send a Wind from which they see (their tilth) turn yellow, behold, they become, thereafter, ungrateful (Unbelievers)!
C3569. Another Parable from the forces of nature.
We saw how the Winds gladdened, vivified, and enriched those who utilized them in the right spirit. But a wind might be destructive to tilth in certain circumstances: so the blessings of Allah may-by the wrongdoers resisting and blaspheming-bring punishment to the wrongdoers. Instead of taking the punishment in the right spirit-in the spirit in which Believers of Allah take their misfortunes,-the Unbelievers curse and deepen their sin!
فَإِنَّكَ
لَا تُسْمِعُ
الْمَوْتَى
وَلَا تُسْمِعُ
الصُّمَّ الدُّعَاء
إِذَا وَلَّوْا
مُدْبِرِينَ
﴿٥٢﴾
30: 52. So verily thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs and turn away.
C3570. The marvels of Allah's creation can be realized in a general way by every one who has a disposition to allow such knowledge to penetrate his mind.
But if men, out of perversity, kill the very faculties which Allah has given them, how can they then understand?
Besides the men who deaden their spiritual sense, there are men who may be likened to the deaf, who lack one faculty but to whom an appeal can be made through other faculties. such as the sense of sight; but if they turn their backs and refuse to be instructed at all. how can the Truth reach them?
وَمَا
أَنتَ
بِهَادِي الْعُمْيِ
عَن ضَلَالَتِهِمْ...
30: 53. Nor canst thou lead back the blind from their straying:
C3571. See last note.
Then there is the case of men about whom the saying holds true, that none are so blind as those who will not see. They prefer to stray in paths of wrong and of sense-pleasures. How can they be guided in any way?
The only persons who gain by spiritual teaching are those who bring a mind to it-who believe and submit their wills to Allah's Will.
This is the central doctrine of Islam.
...إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ﴿٥٣﴾
only those wilt thou make to hear, who believe in Our Signs and submit (their wills in Islam).
Asad’s Version:
30:51 But thus it is: if 45 We send a wind [that scorches their land], and they see it turn yellow, they begin, after that [erstwhile joy], to deny the truth [of Our almightiness and grace]! 46
(30:52) And, verily, thou canst not make the dead hear: and [so, too,] thou canst not make the deaf [of heart] hear this call when they turn their backs [on thee] and go away,
(30:53) just as thou canst not lead the blind [of heart] out of their error: none canst thou make hear [thy call] save such as [are willing to] believe in Our messages, and thus surrender themselves unto Us. 47
[[ Asad’s notes - 45 The particle la'in(lit., "indeed, if...") is often used in the Qur'an to express the recurrent, typical character of the attitude or situation referred to in the sequence; in all such cases it may be suitably rendered as "thus it is: if ...", etc.
46 For a full explanation of this verse, see 11:9 and the corresponding notes 16-19. ]]
31. Surah Luqman
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمِنَ
النَّاسِ
مَن يَشْتَرِي
لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ...
31: 6. But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales,
C3584. Life is taken seriously by men who realize the issues that hang upon it. But there are men of a frivolous turn of mind who prefer idle tales to true Realities and they are justly rebuked here.
In the time of the holy Prophet there was a pagan Nadr ibn al Harith who preferred Persian romances to the Message of Allah, and turned away ignorant men from the preaching of Allah's Word.
...لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ 33#1593;ِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا...
without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path):
...أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿٦﴾
for such there will be a humiliating Penalty.
وَإِذَا
تُتْلَى
عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا
وَلَّى مُسْتَكْبِرًا...
31: 7. When Our Signs are rehearsed to such a one, he turns away in arrogance,
C3585. Such men behave as if they had heard nothing of serious import, or laugh at serious teaching. The loss will be their own. They will miss the higher things of life and be left out of Allah's blessings.
Ignorance and arrogance are in most cases the causes of their fall.
...كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا...
as if he heard them not,
...كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا...
as if there were deafness in both his ears:
...فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٧﴾
announce to him a grievous Penalty.
Asad’s Version:
(31:6) But among men there is many a one that prefers a mere play with words [to divine guidance], 4 so as to lead [those) without knowledge astray from the path of God, and to turn it to ridicule: for such there is shameful suffering in store.
31:7 For, whenever Our messages are conveyed to such a one, he turns away in his arrogance 5 as though he had not heard them - as though there were deafness in his ears: give him, then, the tiding of grievous suffering [in the life to come] .