The Thirty-Fifth Surah

Al-Fatir (The Originator)

Mecca Period 43

Asad’s Version:

35:10 He who desires might and glory [ought to know that] all might and glory belong to God [alone]. Unto Him ascend all good words, and the righteous deed does He exalt. But as for those who cunningly devise evil deeds - suffering severe awaits them; and all their devising is bound to come to nought. 7

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا...

35:10 If any do seek for glory and power -- to Allah belong all glory and power.

... إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ...

To Him mount up (all) Words of Purity:

it is He Who exalts each Deed of Righteousness.

... وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ...

Those that lay Plots of Evil -- for them is a Penalty terrible;

... وَمَكْرُ أُوْلَئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ ﴿١٠﴾

and the plotting of such will be void (of result).

[[ Asad’s note - 7 It appears that in this context - as in the first paragraph of 10:21 or in 34:33 - both the noun makr (lit., "a scheme", or "scheming" or "plotting") and the verb yamkurun (lit., "they scheme" or "plot") have the connotation of "devising false [or "fallacious"] arguments" against something that is true. Since the preceding passages refer to God's creativeness and, in particular, to His power to create life and resurrect the dead (verse 9), the "evil deeds" spoken of above are, presumably, specious arguments meant to "disprove" the announcement of resurrection. ]]