Greatest losers [[humul akhsaru_n ]] see 11:22

4. [an-Nisa, Medina 92]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ...

4: 49. Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who claim sanctity for themselves?

C570. The sanctimonious or self-sanctified people are the farthest from sanctity or purity, which can only proceed from Allah. They cannot play with Allah's Truth and yet go on claiming to be guided and purified or justified by Allah.

Their falsehood in itself condemns them: no further proof is needed of their selfishness and evil.

... بَلِ اللّهُ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاء ...

Nay, but Allah doth sanctify whom He pleaseth

... وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً ﴿٤٩﴾

but never will they fail to receive justice in the least little thing.

C571. Literally, the small skin in the groove of a date stone, a thing of no value; fatila.

انظُرْ كَيفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الكَذِبَ ...

4: 50. Behold! how they invent a lie against Allah!

... وَكَفَى بِهِ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا ﴿٥٠﴾

but that by itself is a manifest sin!

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ ...

4: 51. Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who were given a portion of the Book?

C572. Cf. 3:23 and n. 366.

The phrase also occurs in 4:44.

... يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ...

They believe in sorcery and evil,

C573. The word I have translated Sorcery is jibt, which may mean divination, sorcery, magic, or any false object of belief or worship, such as an idol.

The word I have translated Evil (here and in 2:256) is Taghut, which means the evil one, the one who exceeds all bounds, Satan: or it may refer to some idol worshipped by the Pagan Arabs, with whom the Jews of Madinah were intriguing against the Holy Prophet.

The Jews had taken much to sorcery, magic, divination, and such superstitions.

... وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَؤُلاء أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ سَبِيلاً ﴿٥١﴾

and say to the unbelievers that they are better guided in the (right) way than the believers!

أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ...

4: 52. They are (men) whom Allah hath cursed:

... وَمَن يَلْعَنِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا ﴿٥٢﴾

and those whom Allah hath cursed, thou wilt find, have no one to help.

C574. The Jews were then seeking the aid of the Makkan Pagans against Muhammad, but far from getting any help from them, they and the Pagans were both overthrown.

That was the immediate occasion, but the words have a perfectly general -a universal- meaning.

Others version:

4: 49

Pickthall Hast thou not seen those who praise themselves for purity? Nay, Allah purifieth whom He will, and they will not be wronged even the hair upon a date stone.

Transliteration Alam tara ilal lazina yuzakku_na anfusahum, balilla_hu yuzakki may yasya_'u wa la_ yuzlamu_na fatila_(n).

4: 50

Asad Behold how they attribute their own lying inventions to God – than which thee is no sin more obvious [note 68].

Pickthall See, how they invent lies about Allah! That of itself is flagrant sin.

Transliteration Unzur kaifa yaftaru_na'alalla_hil kazib(a), wa kafa_ bihi ismam mubina_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 68: …….This passage refers to various theological statements of an arbitrary nature, such as the Jewish assertion that they are “the chosen people” and, thus, immune from God’s condemnation; the Christian doctrine of “vicarious atonement”; the definition of God as a ”trinity” with Jesus as its “second person”; and so forth.]]

4: 51

Asad Are you not aware of those who, having been granted their share of the divine writ, [now] believe in baseless mysteries and in the powers of evil [note 69], and maintain that those who are bent on denying the truth are more surely guided than those who have attained to faith?

Pickthall Hast thou not seen those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given, how they believe in idols and false deities, and bow they say of those (idolaters) who disbelieve: "These are more rightly guided than those who believe?"

Transliteration Alam tara ilal lazina u_tu_ nasibam minal kita_bi yu'minu_na bil jibti wat ta_gu_ti wa yaqu_lu_na lillazinakafaru_ ha_'ula_'i ahda_ minal lazina a_manu_ sabila_(n).

4: 52

Asad It is they whom God has rejected : and he whom God rejects shall find none to succor him.

Pickthall Those are they whom Allah hath cursed, and he whom Allah hath cursed, thou (O Muhammad) wilt find for him no helper.

Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazina la'anahumulla_h(u), wa may yal'anilla_hu falan tajida lahu_ nasira_(n).

[[ Asad’s notes – 69: The word “al-jibt” – rendered by me as “baseless mysteries” – is probably, as the ……………]]

[[ Ali’s notes - 572 Cf. iii. 23 and n. 366. The phrase also occurs in iv. 44. (4.51)

573 The word I have translated Sorcery is jibt, which may mean divination, sorcery, magic, or any false object of belief or worship, such as an idol. The word I have translated Evil (here and in ii. 256) is Taguit, which means the evil one, the one who exceeds all bounds, Satan: or it may refer to some idol worshipped by the Pagan Arabs, with whom the Jews of Madinah were intriguing against the Holy Prophet. The Jews had taken much to sorcery, magic, divination, and such superstitions. (4.51)

574 The Jews were then seeking the aid of the Makkan Pagans against Muhammad, but far from getting any help from them, they and the Pagans were both overthrown. That was the immediate occasion, but the words have a perfectly general-a universal-meaning. (4.52)]]

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6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالُواْ هَـذِهِ أَنْعَامٌ وَحَرْثٌ حِجْرٌ لاَّ يَطْعَمُهَا إِلاَّ مَن نّشَاء بِزَعْمِهِمْ...

6: 138. And they say that such and such cattle and crops are taboo, and none should eat of them except those whom -- so they say -- We wish;

C960. A taboo of certain foods is sometimes a device of the priesthood to get special things for itself. It has to be enforced by pretending that the prohibition for others is by the Will of Allah.

It is a lie or invention against Allah. Most superstitions are.

...وَأَنْعَامٌ حُرِّمَتْ ظُهُورُهَا ...

further, there are cattle forbidden to yoke or burden,

C961. Cattle dedicated to heathen gods may be reserved from all useful work; in that case they are a dead loss to the community, and they may, besides, do a great deal of damage to fields and crops.

... وَأَنْعَامٌ لاَّ يَذْكُرُونَ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهَا افْتِرَاء عَلَيْهِ...

and cattle on which (at slaughter), the name of Allah is not pronounced;

inventions against Allah's name:

C962. If meat is killed in the name of heathen gods, it would naturally not be killed by the solemn rite in Allah's name, by which alone the killing can be justified for food.

See 698 to 5:4.

...سَيَجْزِيهِم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿١٣٨﴾

soon will He requite them for their inventions.

وَقَالُواْ مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَـذِهِ الأَنْعَامِ خَالِصَةٌ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَى أَزْوَاجِنَا...

6: 139. They say:

"What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men, and forbidden to our women;

...وَإِن يَكُن مَّيْتَةً فَهُمْ فِيهِ شُرَكَاء...

but if it is still-born then all have shares therein.

C963. These are further Pagan superstitions about cattle. Some have already been noted in 6:136, which may be consulted with the notes.

...سَيَجْزِيهِمْ وَصْفَهُمْ إِنَّهُ حِكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٣٩﴾

For their (false) attribution (of superstitions to Allah): He will soon punish them:

for He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.

قَدْ خَسِرَ الَّذِينَ قَتَلُواْ أَوْلاَدَهُمْ سَفَهًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

6: 140. Lost are those who slay their children, from folly, without knowledge,

...وَحَرَّمُواْ مَا رَزَقَهُمُ اللّهُ افْتِرَاء عَلَى اللّهِ...

and forbid food which Allah hath provided for them, inventing (lies) against Allah.

...قَدْ ضَلُّواْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٤٠﴾

They have indeed gone astray and heeded no guidance.

ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ ...

6: 143. (Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs:

C968. The superstitions referred to in vi. 139 and v. 106 are further ridiculed in this verse, and the next.

... مِّنَ الضَّأْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْمَعْزِ اثْنَيْنِ...

of sheep a pair,

and of goats a pair;

...قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الأُنثَيَيْنِ...

say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?

...نَبِّؤُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿١٤٣﴾

Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful.

وَمِنَ الإِبْلِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ اثْنَيْنِ...

6: 144. Of camels a pair, and of oxen a pair;

...قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الأُنثَيَيْنِ...

say,

hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females,

or the (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?

...أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاء إِذْ وَصَّاكُمُ اللّهُ بِهَـذَا...

Were ye present when Allah ordered you such a thing?

...فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا لِيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

But who doth more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead astray men without knowledge?

...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾

For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.

Others version:

6: 138

Pickthall And they say: Such cattle and crops are forbidden. No one is to eat of them save whom We will--in their make believe--cattle whose backs are forbidden, cattle over which they mention not the name of Allah. (All that is) a lie against Him. He will repay them for that which they invent.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ ha_zihi an'a_muw wa harsun hijrul la_ yat'amuha_ illa_ man nasya_'u bi za'mihim wa an'a_mun hurrimat zuhu_ruhu_ wa an'a_mul la_ yazkuru_nasmalla_hi'alaihaftira_'an 'alaih(i), sayajzihim bima_ ka_nu_ yaftaru_n(a).

6: 139

Pickthall And they say: That which is in the bellies of such cattle is reserved for our males and is forbidden to our wives; but if it be born dead, then they (all) may be partakers thereof. He will reward them for their attribution (ordinances unto Him). Lo, He is Wise, Aware.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ ma_ fi butu_ni ha_zihil an'a_mi kha_lisatul li zuku_rina_ wa muharramun'ala_ azwa_jina_, wa iy yakum maitatan fahum fihi syuraka_'(u), sayajzihim wasfahum, innahu_ hakimun 'alim(un).

6: 140

Pickthall They are losers who besottedly have slain their children without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah bestowed upon them, inventing a lie against Allah. They indeed have gone astray and are not guided.

Transliteration Qad khasiral lazina qatalu_ aula_dahum safaham bi gairi 'ilmiw wa harramu_ ma_ razaqahumulla_huftira_'an'alalla_h(i), qad dallu_ wa ma_ ka_nu_ muhtadin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 958 There is scathing sarcasm here, which some of the Commentators have missed. The Pagans have generally a big Pantheon, though above it they have a vague idea of a Supreme God. But the material benefits go to the godlings, the fancied "partners" of God; for they have temples, priests, dedications, etc., while the true and supreme God has only lip-worship, or at best a share with numerous "partners". This was so in Arabia also. The shares assigned to the "partners", went to the priests and hangers-on of the "partners", who were many and clamorous for their rights. The share assigned to God went to the poor, but more probably went to the priests who had the cult of the "partners", for the Supreme God had no separate priests of His own. It is also said that when heaps were thus laid out, if any portion of God's heap fell into the heaps of the "partners", the priests greedily and promptly appropriated it, while in the contrary case, the "partners" priests were careful to reclaim any portion from what they called "God's heap". The absurdity of the whole thing is ridiculed . God created everything: how can He have a share? (6.136)

959 The false gods and idols -among many nations, including the Arabs -were supposed to require human sacrifices. Ordinarily such sacrifices are revolting to man, but they are made "alluring" -a sacred rite- by Pagan custom, which falsely arrogates to itself the name of religion. Such customs, if allowed, would do nothing but destroy the people who practise them, and make thier religion but a confused bundle of revolting superstitions. (6.137)

960 A taboo of certain foods is sometimes a device of the priesthood to get special things for itself. It has to be enforced by pretending that the prohibition for others is by the Will of God. It is a lie or invention against God. Most superstitions are. (6.138)

961 Cattle dedicated to heathen gods may be reserved from all useful work; in that case they are a dead loss to the community, and they may, besides, do a great deal of damage to fields and crops. (6.138)

962 If meat is killed in the name of heathen gods, it would naturally not be killed by the solemn rite in God's name, by which alone the killing can be justified for food. See n. 698 to v. 5. (6.138)

963 These are further Pagan superstitions about cattle. Some have already been noted in v. 106, which may be consulted with the notes. (6.139) ]]

6: 143

Asad ………….either of the two sexes of sheep and of goats [note 130]“……….Tell me what you know in this respect [note 131], if what you say is true.”

Pickthall Eight pairs: Of the sheep twain, and of the goats twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Expound to me (the case) with knowledge, if ye are truthful.

Transliteration Sama_niyata azwa_j(in), minad da'nisnaini wa minal ma'zisnain(i), qul a_zzakaraini harrama amil unsayaini ammasytamalat 'alaihi arha_mul unsayain(i), nabbi'u_ni bi'ilmin in kuntum sa_diqin(a).

6: 144

Asad ……………..And who could be more wicked than he who, without any [real] knowledge, attributes his own lying inventions to God, and thus leads people astray?” Behold, God does not grace [such] evildoing folk with His guidance.

Pickthall And of the camels twain and of the oxen twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain; or were ye by to witness when Allah commanded you (all) this? Then who doth greater wrong than he who devises a lie concerning Allah, that he may lead mankind astray without knowledge. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

Transliteration Wa minal ibilisnaini wa minal baqarisnain(i), qul a_zzakaraini harrama amil unsayaini ammasytamalat'alaihi arha_mul unsayain(i), am kuntum syuhada_'a iz wassa_kumulla_hu bi ha_za_, faman azlamu mimmaniftara_ 'alalla_hi kazibal liyudillan na_sa bi gairi 'ilm(in), innalla_ha la_ yahdil qaumaz za_limin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 130 ……The term “zawj” denotes a pair of things as well as each of the two constituents of a pair: hence my rendering of “thamaniyat azwaj” (lit., eight [in] pairs”) as “four kinds of cattle of either sex”. The particular superstition to which this and the next verse refers is probably identical with the one mentioned in 5:103].

note-131 Lit., “tell me with knowledge” – i.e., not on the basis of guesswork but of knowledge….]]

[[ Ruby’s note – All the above verses refer superstitions and how these are devoid of truth and unnecessarily complicate lifestyle. Islam promotes simplicity and if any restriction or prohibition comes in life it should be based on revelation or from knowledge and reason as to whether it is harmful or beneficial, etc. Any action or ritual should not be based on conjecture, past meaningless and false traditions or guesswork. A practice should be based on knowledge and reason. If the revelations directly do not touch upon the subject at hand, reason [aql] should be applied such as the process of ‘ijtihad’ to derive at the right attitude and/or action. The serious negativity of superstitions and/ past traditions that are not reasonable or entirely meaningless is raised here through these verses.]]

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7. [al-Araf, Mecca 39]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

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

7: 37. Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects his signs?

...أُوْلَـئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ...

For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of decrees);

C1018. It must not be supposed that the rebels against Allah would at once be cut off in this life for their sins. They will get the portion allotted to them, including the good things of life and the chance of repentance and reformation, during their probationary period on this earth.

During that period they will have a full run. After that period expires, they will be called to account. They will themselves see that the false things, in which they put their trust, were false, and they will confess their sin, but it will be too late.

...حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُواْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ...

until, when Our messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they say:

"Where are the things that ye used to invoke besides Allah?"

...قَالُواْ ضَلُّواْ عَنَّا وَشَهِدُواْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ كَافِرِينَ ﴿٣٧﴾

They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch,"

and they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah.

Others version:

7: 37

Asad And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God or give the lie to His messages? Whatever has been decreed to be their lot [in life] will be theirs – till there shall come unto them Our messengers to cause them to die,…………….

Pickthall Who doeth greater wrong than he who invent a lie concerning Allah or deny Our tokens. (For such) their appointed portion of the Book (of destiny) reaches them till, when Our messengers come to gather them, they say: Where (now) is that to which ye cried beside Allah? They say: They have departed from us. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Transliteration Faman azlamu mimmaniftara_'alalla_hi kaziban au kazzaba bi a_ya_tih(i), ula_'ika yana_luhum nasibuhum minal kita_b(i), hatta_ iza_ ja_'athum rusuluna_ yatawaffaunahum, qa_lu_ aina ma_ kuntum tad'u_na min du_nilla_h(i), qa_lu_ dallu_'anna_ wa syahidu_ 'ala_ anfusihim annahum ka_nu_ ka_firin(a).

[[ Ali’s note - 1018 It must not be supposed that the rebels against Allah would at once be cut off in this life for their sins. They will get the portion allotted to them, including the good things of life and the chance of repentance and reformation, during their probationary period on this earth. During that period they will have a full run. After that period expires, they will be called to account. They will themselves see that the false things, in which they put their trust, were false, and they will confess their sin, but it will be too late. (7.37)]

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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! --

الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا...

11: 19. "Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked:

...وَهُم بِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ ﴿١٩﴾

these were they who denied the Hereafter!

C1514. Cf. 7:45.

أُولَـئِكَ لَمْ يَكُونُواْ مُعْجِزِينَ فِي الأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاء...

11: 20. They will in nowise frustrate (His design) on earth,

nor have they protectors besides Allah!

...يُضَاعَفُ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ...

Their Penalty will be doubled!

C1515. Cf. 7:38.

In this context, it is implied that they committed a two-fold wrong:

1. in inventing falsehoods against Allah, which deadened their own soul, and

2. in leading others astray or hindering them from Allah's path.

Thus they lost the faculty of hearing, which they might have used to hear the Word of Allah, and they blinded the faculty of sight by shutting out Allah's light.

...مَا كَانُواْ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ السَّمْعَ وَمَا كَانُواْ يُبْصِرُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾

They lost the power to hear, and they did not see!

أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿٢١﴾

11: 21. They are the ones who have lost their own souls:

and the (fancies) they invented have left them in the lurch!

لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ هُمُ الأَخْسَرُونَ ﴿٢٢﴾

11: 22. Without a doubt, these are the very ones who will lose most in the Hereafter!

Others version:

11: 18

Asad And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God? ….these shall be arranged before their Sustainer, and those who are called upon to bear witness [against them] [note 35] shall say, “It is they who uttered lies about their Sustainer!

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

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,

[[ Asad’s note 35 – Lit., “the witnesses”. Most of the earliest authorities take this to mean the recording angels, while others …..relate it to the prophets, who, on the Day of Judgment, will be called upon to testify for or against the people t o whom they were sent……………..on the basis of 16:84, where witnesses “out of every community” are mentioned …………..]]

11: 19

Pickthall Who debar (men) from the way of God and would have it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter.

Yuksel Those who repel others from the path of God and they seek to twist it; and regarding the Hereafter they are in denial.

Transliteration Allazina yasuddu_na 'an sabililla_hi wa yabgu_naha_ 'iwaja_(n), wa hum bil a_khirati hum ka_firu_n(a).

11: 20

Asad Never can they elude [their final reckoning, even if they remain unscathed] on earth: never will they find anyone who could protect them from God. [In the life to come] double suffering will be imposed on them [note 40] for having lost the ability to hear [the truth] and having failed to see [it] [note 41].

Pickthall Such will not escape in the earth, nor have they any protecting friends beside Allah. For them the torment will be double. They could not bear to hear, and they used not to see. These are the ones who will not escape on earth, nor do they have besides God any allies. The retribution will be doubled for them. They were not able to hear, nor could they see.

Yuksel These are the ones who will not escape on earth, nor do they have besides God any allies. The retribution will be doubled for them. They were not able to hear, nor could they see.

Transliteration Ula_'ika lam yaku_nu_ mu'jizina fil ardi wa ma_ ka_na lahum min du_nilla_hi min auliya_'(a), yuda_'afu laumul 'aza_b(u), ma_ ka_nu_ yastati'u_nas sam'a wa ma_ ka_nu_ yubsiru_n(a).

[[Asad’s note 40 – For an explanation of the “double suffering”, see surah 7, note 29.

Note 41- Lit., “they were unable to hear and they did not see”: cf.2:7 and the corresponding note 7, as well as 7:179.]]

11: 21

Pickthall Such are they who have lost their souls, and that which they used to invent hath failed them.

Yuksel They are the ones who lost themselves, and what they had invented has abandoned them.

Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazina khasiru_ anfusahum wa dalla 'anhum ma_ ka_nu_ yaftaru_n(a).

11: 22

Pickthall Assuredly in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.

Yuksel There is no doubt, that in the Hereafter they are the greatest losers.

Transliteration La_ jarama annahum fila a_khirati humul akhsaru_n(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 1514 Cf. vii. 45. (11.19)

1515 Cf. vii. 38. In this context, it is implied that they committed a two-fold wrong: (1) in inventing falsehoods against Allah, which deadened their own soul, and (2) in leading others astray or hindering them from Allah's path. Thus they lost the faculty of hearing, which they might have used to hear the Word of Allah, and they blinded the faculty of sight by shutting out Allah's light. (11.20)

1516 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. (11.23) ]]

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20. Sura Taha

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَى...

61. Moses said to him:

...وَيْلَكُمْ لَا تَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَيُسْحِتَكُمْ بِعَذَابٍ...

"Woe to you! forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement:

...وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنِ افْتَرَى ﴿٦١﴾

the forger must suffer frustration!"

C2585. Moses had some idea of their trickery and deceit. They would palm off their fraudulent magic as coming from Allah or from their gods!

He warns them that their tricks will stand exposed, and their hopes will be defeated.

Others version:

20:61

Qala lahum moosa waylakum la taftaroo AAala Allahi kathiban fayushitakum biAAathabin waqad khaba mani iftara

&#x21E8

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad	Said Moses to them: "Woe unto you! Do not invent lies against God, lest He afflict you with most grievous suffering: for He who contrives [such] a lie is already undone!"	&#x21E8
M. M. Pickthall	Moses said unto them: Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He extirpate you by some punishment. He who lieth faileth miserably.	&#x21E8
Shakir	Musa said to them: Woe to you! do not forge a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you by a punishment, and he who forges (a lie) indeed fails to attain (his desire).	&#x21E8
Yusuf Ali	Moses said to him: Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!"	&#x21E8
[Al-Muntakhab]	"Woe betide you", said Mussa to the magicians, "do not devise falsehood against Allah lest He should uproot you by a torment He lays upon the damned. The hopes of those who devise falsehood are doomed to disappointment".	&#x21E8
[Progressive Muslims]	Moses said to them: "Woe to you, do not invent lies about God, else the retribution will take you, and miserable is the one who invents."	&#x21E8

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The Twenty-Ninth Surah

Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)

Period Uncertain

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?

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?

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39 Az-Zumar (The Throngs)

Mecca Period 59 [75 verses]

Asad’s Version:

39:32 And who could be more wicked than he who invents lies about God, 37 and gives the lie to the truth as soon as it has been placed before him? Is not hell the [proper] abode for all who deny the truth? 38

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءهُ...

39:32 Who, then, doth more wrong than one who utters a lie concerning Allah, and rejects the truth when it comes to him?

C4291. When the creature deliberately adopts and utters falsehoods against his own Creator, in spite of the Truth being brought, as it were, to his very door by Allah's Signs, what offence can we imagine more heinous than this?

In Christian theology this is the blasphemy "against the Holy Ghost" spoken of in Matt. 12:31-32:

"whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man", (Christ), "it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come".

... أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٣٢﴾

Is there not in Hell an abode for blasphemers?

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61 As-Saff (The Ranks)

Medina Period

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).