17. Surah al-Israa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَفَأَصْفَاكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِالْبَنِينَ وَاتَّخَذَ مِنَ الْمَلآئِكَةِ إِنَاثًا...   

17: 40.  Has then your Lord, (O Pagans!) preferred for you sons, and taken for Himself daughters among the angels?

C2226. Cf. 16:57-59.

Insistence on true worship means also exclusion of false worship or worship derogatory to Allah.

In circles where daughters were despised and even their lives had to be protected by special legislation, what could have been dreadful than ascribing daughters to Allah?

...إِنَّكُمْ لَتَقُولُونَ قَوْلاً عَظِيمًا ﴿٤٠﴾

Truly ye utter a most dreadful saying!

Pickthall’s Version:

17: 40

Pickthall Hath your Lord then distinguished you (O men of Mecca) by giving you sons, and hath chosen for Himself females from among the angels? Lo! verily ye speak an awful word!

Transliteration Afa asfa_kum rabbukum bil banina wa-ttakhaza minal mala_'ikati ina_sa_(n), innakum lataqu_lu_na qaulan 'azima_(n).