2. [ AL-Baqarah, Medina 87 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ...

2: 79. Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands

... ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ لِيَشْتَرُواْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً ...

and then say: "This is from Allah," to traffic with it for a miserable price!

فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُمْ مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٧٩﴾

Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.

وَقَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلاَّ أَيَّاماً مَّعْدُودَةً ...

2: 80. And they say: "The fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days;"

C85. The Jews in their arrogance might say:

Whatever the terror of Hell may be for other people, our sins will be forgiven, because we are the children of Abraham; at worst, we shall suffer a short definite punishment and then be restored to the "bosom of Abraham".

This bubble is pricked here.

Read this verse with 2:81-82.

The general application is also clear. If Unfaith claims some special prerogative, such as race, "civilization," political power, historical experience, and so on, these will not avail in Allah's sight. His promise is sure, but His promise is for those who seek Allah in Faith, and show it in their conduct.

... قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ اللّهِ عَهْدًا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ اللّهُ عَهْدَهُ ...

Say: "Have ye taken a promise from Allah for He never breaks His promise?

... أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٨٠﴾

Or is it that ye say of Allah what ye do not know?"

بَلَى مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَاطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيـئَتُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ...

2: 81. Nay, those who seek gain in Evil, and are girt round by their sins, they are Companions of the Fire,

C86. This is many degrees worse than merely falling into evil: it is going out to "earn evil" as the Arabic text has it, i.e., to seek gain in evil.

Such a perverse attitude means that the moral and spiritual fortress erected around us by the Grace of Allah is voluntarily surrendered by us and demolished by Evil, which erects its own fortress, so that access to Good may be more and more difficult.

... هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٨١﴾

therein shall they abide (for ever).

كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ...

2: 213. Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings;

... وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ...

and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed;

... وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ...

but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy.

... فَهَدَى اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ...

Allah by His Grace guided the believers to the truth, concerning that wherein they differed.

... وَاللّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٢١٣﴾

For Allah guides whom He will to a path that is straight.

Others version:

2: 79

Asad Woe, then, unto those who write down, with their own hands, [something which they claim to be] divine writ, and then say, “This is from God,” in order to acquire a trifling gain thereby; (note 64) woe, then, unto them for what their hands have written, and woe unto them for all that they may have gained!

Pickthall Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ lan tamassanan na_ru illa_ ayya_mam ma'du_dah(tan), qul attakhaztum 'indalla_hi 'ahdan fa lay yukhlifalla_hu 'ahdahu_ am taqu_lu_na 'alalla_hi ma_ la_ ta'lamu_n(a).

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[ Ruby’s note: Here the “woe” is not mentioned for those who are ignorant and do not know any better, the “woe” is mentioned for those who knows and deliberately change the word of God and mislead the ignorant ones. The degrees of failure and corresponding punishments are not the same for these two groups, the punishment is severe for the later. [see verse 81 below and notes]

[ Asad’s note 64: The reference here is to the scholars responsible for corrupting the text of the Bible and thus misleading their ignorant followers. The “trifling gain” is their feeling of pre-eminence as the alleged “chosen people”. ]

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2: 80

Asad And they say, “The fire will most certainly not touch us for more than a limited number of days.” (note 65) Say [unto them]: “Have you received a promise from God – for God never breaks His promise – or do you attribute to God something which you cannot know?”

Pickthall And they say: The fire (of punishment) will not touch us save for a certain number of days. Say: Have ye received a covenant from Allah--truly Allah will not break His covenant--or tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?

Transliteration Bala_ man kasabat sayyi'ataw wa aha_tat bihi khati'atuhu_ fa ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

2: 81

Asad Yea! Those who earn evil and by their sinfulness are engulfed – they are destined for the fire, therein to abide;

Pickthall Nay, but whosoever has done evil and his sin surround him; such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.

Transliteration Wallazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti ula_'ika asha_bul jannah(ti), hum fih a_ kha_lidu_n(a).

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[ Ali’s notes: 85 The Jews in their arrogance might say: Whatever the terror of Hell may be for other people, our sins will be forgiven, because we are the children of Abraham; at worst, we shall suffer a short definite punishment and then be restored to the "bosom of Abraham". This bubble is pricked here. Read this verse with ii. 81-82. The general application is also clear. If Unfaith claims some special prerogative, such as race, "civilization," political power, historical experience, and so on, these will not avail in Allah's sight. His promise is sure, but His promise is for those who seek Allah in Faith, and show it in their conduct. (2.80)

86. This is many degrees worse than merely falling into evil: it is going out to "earn evil" as the Arabic text has it, i.e., to seek gain in evil. Such a perverse attitude means that the moral and spiritual fortress erected around us by the Grace of God is voluntarily surrendered by us and demolished by Evil, which erects its own fortress, so that access to Good may be more and more difficult. (2.81) ]

[ Asad’s note: According to popular Jewish belief, even the sinners from among the children of Israel will suffer only very limited punishment in the life to come, and will be quickly reprieved by virtue of their belonging to “the chosen people”: a belief which the Quran rejects.]

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2: 213 Asad All mankind were once one single community; whereupon God raised up the prophets as heralds of glad tidings and as warners, and through them bestowed revelation from on high, setting forth the truth, so that it might decide between people with regard to all on which they had come to hold divergent views [note 197]. Yet none other than the self-same people who had been granted this [revelation] began, out of mutual jealousy, to disagree about its meaning after all evidence of the truth had come unto them. But God guided the believers unto the truth about which, by His leave, they had disagreed: for God guides onto a straight way him that will [to be guided] [note 198].

Pickthall Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) Prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a Straight path.

Ka_nan na_su ummataw wa_hidah(tan), fa ba'asalla_hun nabiyyina mubasysyirina wa munzirin(a), wa anzala ma'ahumul kita_ba bil haqqi liyahkuma bainan na_si fi makhtalafu_ fih(i), wa makhtalafa fihi illal lazina u_tu_hu mim ba'di ma_ ja_'athumul bayyina_tu bagyam bainahum, fa hadalla_hul lazina a_manu_ limakhtalafu_ fihi minal haqqi bi iznih(i), walla_hu yahdi may yasya_'u ila_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).

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3. Surah Al Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ ﴿٦٣﴾

3: 63. But if they turn back, Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief

Pickthall’s Version:

3: 63 [ see provisos verses – Re: the Christian doctrine ]

Pickthall And if they turn away, then Lo! Allah is Aware of (who are) the corrupters.

Transliteration Fa in tawallau fa innalla_ha'alimum bil mufsidin(a).

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5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

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.

Others version:

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: 13

Asad Then, for having broken their solemn pledge, We rejected them and caused their hearts to harden – [so that now] they distort the meaning of the [revealed] words, taking them out of their context; they have forgotten much of what they had been told to bear in mind; and from all but a few of them you will always experience treachery. But pardon them, and forbear; verily, God loves the doers of good.

Pickthall And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them. Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.

Transliteration Fabima_ naqdihim misa_qahum la'anna_hum wa ja'alna_ qulu_bahum qu_siyah(tan), yuharrifu_nal kalima 'an mawa_di'ih(i), wa nasu_ hazzam mimma_ zukkiru_ bih(i), wa la_ taza_lu tattali'u 'ala_ kha_'inatim minhum illa_ qalilam minhum, fa'fu 'anhum wasfah, innalla_ha yuhibbul muhsinin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 712 Cursed them: that means that because of the breach of their Covenant, Allah withdrew His overflowing Grace from them. The withdrawal of Grace made their hearts grow hard in two ways: (1) they were no longer protected from the assaults of evil, and (2) they became impervious even to the message of forgiveness and mercy which is open to all Allah's creatures. (5.13)

713 Israel, when it lost Allah's grace as above, began to sin against truth and religion in three ways: (1) they began to misuse Scripture itself, by either taking words out of their right meaning, or applying them to things for which they were never meant; (2) in doing so, they conveniently forgot a part of the Message and purpose of Allah; and (3) they invented new deceits to support the old ones. (5.13)

714 Cf. ii. 109 and n. 110, where I have explained the different shades of meaning in the words for "forgiveness." (5.13) ]]

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6. [al-Anam, Mecca 55]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ...

6: 21. Who doth more wrong than he who inventeth a lie against Allah or rejecteth His Signs?

...إِنَّهُ لاَ يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ ﴿٢١﴾

But verily the wrongdoers never shall prosper.

Others version:

6: 21 Asad Who could be more wicked than he who attributed divinity his own lying inventions to God or gives the lie to His messages? Verily, such evildoers will never attain to a happy state:

Pickthall Who doth greater wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah and denies His revelations? Lo! the wrong doers will not be successful

Transliteration Wa man azlamu mimmaniftara_'alalla_hi kaziban au kazzaba bi a_ya_tih(i),

innahu_ la_ yuflihuz za_limu_n(a).

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10. [Yunus, Mecca 51]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ...   

10: 17.  Who doth more wrong than such as forge a lie against Allah, or deny His Signs?

...إِنَّهُ لاَ يُفْلِحُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ ﴿١٧﴾  

But never will prosper those who sin.

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ...   

10: 18.  They serve, besides Allah, things that hurt them not nor profit them,

...وَيَقُولُونَ هَـؤُلاء شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللّهِ...

and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah."

...قُلْ أَتُنَبِّئُونَ اللّهَ بِمَا لاَ يَعْلَمُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلاَ فِي الأَرْضِ ...

Say: "Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not in the heavens or on earth? --

C1405. When we shut our eyes to Allah's glory and goodness, and go after false gods, we give some plausible excuse to ourselves, such as that they will intercede for us.

But how can stocks and stones intercede for us?

And how can men intercede for us, when they themselves have need of Allah's Mercy?

Even the best and noblest cannot intercede as of right, but only with His permission (10:3). To pretend that there are other powers than Allah is to invent lies and to teach Allah.

There is nothing in heaven or earth that He does not know, and there is no other like unto Him.

...سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

Glory to Him!

and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!"

Others version:

10: 17

Pickthall Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah and denieth His revelations? Lo! the guilty never are successful.

Yuksel Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God or denies His signs? The criminals will never succeed.

Transliteration Fa man azlamu mimman-iftara_ 'alalla_hi kaziban au kazzaba bi a_ya_tih(i),innahu_ la_ yuflihul mujrimu_n(a).

10: 18

Pickthall They worship beside Allah that which neither hurteth them nor profiteth them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth? Praised be He and high exalted above all that ye associate (with Him)!

Yuksel They serve besides God what does not harm them or benefit them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with God." Say, "Are you informing God of what He does not know in the heavens or in the earth?" Be He glorified and high from what they set up.

Transliteration Wa ya'budu_na min du_nilla_hi ma_ la_ yadurruhum wa la_ yanfa'uhum wa yaqu_lu_na ha_'ula_'i syufa'a_'una_ 'indalla_h(i), qul atunabbi'u_nalla_ha bima_ la_ ya'lamu fis sama_wa_ti wa la_ fil ard(i), subha_nahu_ wa ta'a_la_ 'amma_ yusyriku_n(a).

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11. Surah Hud

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا...   

11: 18.   Who doth more wrong than those who invent a lie against Allah?

...أُوْلَـئِكَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَى رَبِّهِمْ وَيَقُولُ الأَشْهَادُ هَـؤُلاء الَّذِينَ كَذَبُواْ عَلَى رَبِّهِمْ...

They will be turned back to the presence of their Lord, and the witnesses will say,

"These are the ones who lied against their Lord!

...أَلاَ لَعْنَةُ اللّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٨﴾

Behold!

the Curse of Allah is on those who do wrong! --

Others version:

11: 18

Pickthall Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah? Such will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say: These are they who lied concerning their Lord. Now the curse of Allah is upon wrong-doers,

Yuksel The Most Wicked: Rabbis, Priests, Mullahs, Monks Who Attribute Lies to God

11:18 Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God? They will be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied about their Lord." Alas, God's curse will be upon the wicked.

Transliteration Wa man azlamu mim man-iftara_ 'alalla_hi kaziba_(n), ulu_'ika yu'radu_na 'ala_ rabbihim wa yaqu_lul asyha_du ha_'ula_'il lazina kazabu_ 'ala_ rabbihim,

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61. [As-Saff {the Ranks}, Medina 109]

Asad’s Version:

61:6

And [this happened, too,] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O children of Israel! Behold, I am an apostle of God unto you, [sent] to confirm the truth of whatever there still remains 5 of the Torah, and to give [you] the glad tiding of an apostle who shall come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." 6 But when he [whose coming Jesus had foretold] came unto them 7 with all evidence of the truth, they said: "This [alleged message of his] is [nothing but] spellbinding eloquence!" 8

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم ...

61: 6. And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you

C5436. The mission of Jesus was to his own people, the Jews.

Cf. Matt. 10:5-6.

See also Matt. 15:24: "I am not sent but to the lost sheep of Israel;"

also Matt. 15:26: "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs."

... مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ ...

confirming the Law (which came) before me,

C5437. Cf. Matt. 5:17.

... وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ ...

and giving glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad."

C5438. "Ahmad", or "Muhammad", the Praised One, is almost a translation of the Greek word Periclytos.

In the present Gospel of John. 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7, the word "Comforter" in the English version is for the Greek word "Paracletos", which means "Advocate", "one called to the help of another, a kind friend", rather than "Comforter".

Our doctors contend that Paracleots is a corrupt reading for Periclytos, and that in their original saying of Jesus there was a prophecy of our holy Prophet Ahmad by name. Even if we read Paraclete, it would apply to the holy Prophet, who is "a Mercy for all creatures" (21:107) and "most kind and merciful to the Believers" (9:128).

See also n. 416 to 3:81.

... فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ...

But when he came to them with Clear Signs,

C5439. Our holy Prophet was foretold in many ways; and when he came, he showed forth many Clear Signs, for his whole life from beginning to end was one vast miracle. He fought and won against odds. Without learning from men he taught the highest wisdom. He melted hearts that were hard, and he strengthened hearts that were tender and required support. In all his sayings and doings men of discernment could see the working of Allah's hand; yet the ignorant Unbelievers called it all Sorcery!-called that unreal which became the most solid fact of human history!

... قَالُوا هَذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٦﴾

they said, "This is evident sorcery!"

Asad’s Version:

61:7

And who could be more wicked than one who invents [such] a lie about [a message from]

God, seeing that he is [but] being called to self-surrender unto Him? But God does not bestow His guidance upon evil-doing folk. (61:8) They aim to extinguish God's light with their utterances:' but God has willed to spread His light in all its fullness, however hateful this may be to all who deny the truth.

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَى إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ...

61: 7. Who doth greater wrong than one who invents falsehood against Allah, even as he is being invited to Islam?

C5440. It is wrong in any case to uphold falsehoods and debasing superstitions, but it is doubly wrong when these are put forward in rivalry or opposition to the light of eternal Unity and Harmony which is Islam. Allah sends His guidance freely, but withdraws His Grace from those who willfully do wrong.

... وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٧﴾

And Allah guides not those who do wrong.

[[Asad’s note- 5 Lit., "whatever there is between my hands" - a phrase explained in surah 3, note 3.

6 This prediction is supported by several references in the Gospel of St. John to the Parakletos (usually rendered as "Comforter") who was to come after Jesus. This designation is almost certainly a corruption of Periklytos ("the Much-Praised"), an exact Greek translation of the Aramaic term or name Mawhamana. (It is to be borne in mind that Aramaic was the language used in Palestine at the time of, and for some

centuries after, Jesus, and was thus undoubtedly the language in which the original - now lost - texts of the Gospels were composed.) In view of the phonetic closeness of Periklytos and Parakletos it is easy to understand how the translator - or, more probably, a later scribe - confused these two expressions. It is significant that both the Aramaic Mawhamana and the Greek Periklytos have the same meaning as the two names of the Last Prophet, Muhammad and Ahmad, both of which are derived from the verb hamida

("he praised") and the noun hamd ("praise"). An even more unequivocal prediction of the advent of the Prophet Muhammad - mentioned by name, in its Arabic form - is said to be forthcoming from the so-called Gospel of St. Barnabas, which, though now regarded as apocryphal, was accepted as authentic and was read in the churches until the year 496 of the Christian era, when it was banned as "heretical" by a decree of Pope Gelasius. However, since the original text of that Gospel is not available (having come down to us only in an Italian translation dating from the late sixteenth century), its authenticity cannot be established with certainty.

7 I.e., to the later followers of the Bible.

8 Alluding to the Qur'an (see 74:24-25 and the corresponding note12).]]

The Twenty-Ninth Surah

Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)

Period Uncertain

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءهُ...

29: 68. And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches Him?

C3501. Cf. 6:21.

Even from a worldly point of view those who reject Allah's Truth are at a disadvantage. But those who deliberately invent lies and set up false gods for worship, what punishment can we imagine for them except a permanent deprivation of Allah's grace, and a home in Hell? (R).

...أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾

Is there not a home in Hell for those who reject Faith?

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا ...

29: 69. And those who strive in Our (Cause),

C3502. "Strive in Our Cause." All that man can do is to strive in Allah's Cause. As soon as he strives with might and main, with constancy and determination, the Light and Mercy of Allah come to meet him.

- They cure his defects and shortcomings.

- They provide him with the means by which he can raise himself above himself.

- They point out the Way, and all the Paths leading up to it.

See next note.

... فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا...

We will certainly guide them to Our Paths:

C3503. The Way of Allah (sirat-ul-Mustaqim) is a Straight Way. But men have strayed from it in all directions. And there are numerous Paths by which they can get back to the Right Way, the way in which the purity of their own nature, and the Will and Mercy of Allah require them to Walk.

All these numerous Paths become open to them if once they give their hearts in keeping to Allah and work in right Endeavour (Jihad) with all their mind and soul and resources. Thus will they get out of the Spider's web of this frail world and attain to eternal Bliss in the fulfillment of their true Destiny.

...وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٦٩﴾

for verily Allah is with those who do right.

Asad’s Version:

29:68 And who could be more wicked than he who attributes his own lying inventions to God, 60 or gives the lie to the truth when it comes unto him [through revelation]? Is not hell the [proper] abode for all who [thus] deny the truth?

29:69 But as for those who strive hard in Our cause - We shall most certainly guide them onto paths that lead unto Us:" for, behold, God is indeed with the doers of good.

[[ Asad’s note - 60 I.e., by persuading himself that there is, side by side with God or even independently of Him, any "power" that could govern men's destinies.

61 Lit., "Our paths". The plural used here is obviously meant to stress the fact - alluded to often in the Qur'an - that there are many paths which lead to a cognizance (ma'rifah) of God. ]]