31 Surah Luqman

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا بُنَيَّ ...

31: 16. "O my son!" (said Luqman),

C3600. Verses 14-15 are not the direct speech of Luqman but flow by way of commentary on his teaching.

He was speaking as a father to his son, and he could not very well urge respect for himself and draw the son's attention to the limitations of filial obedience.

These verses may be supposed to be general directions flowing from Luqman's teaching to men, and not directed to his son; though in either case, as Luqman got wisdom from Allah, it is divine principles that are enunciated.

... إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ...

"If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock,

C3601. The mustard-seed is proverbially a small, minute thing, that people may ordinarily pass by. Not so Allah.

...أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ...

or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth:

Further emphasis is laid by supposing the mustard-seed to be hidden beneath a rock or in the cleft of a rock, or to be lost in the spacious expanse of the earth or of the heavens. To Allah everything is known, and He will bring it forth, i.e., take account of it.

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٦﴾

for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).

C3602. For Latif as a title applied to Allah, see n. 2844 to 22:63.

يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ...

31:17. "O my son!

- establish regular prayer,

...وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ... ...

- enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong:

...وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَكَ...

- and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee;

...إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ ﴿١٧﴾

for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا...

31: 18. - "And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth;

C3603. The word "cheek" in English, too, means arrogance or effrontery, with a slightly different shade added, viz.: effrontery from one in an inferior position to one in a superior position.

The Arabic usage is wider, and includes smug self-satisfaction and a sense of lofty Superiority.

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ﴿١٨﴾

for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.

وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ...

31: 19. - "And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice;

C3604. The "Golden Mean" is the pivot of the philosophy of Luqman as it is of the philosophy of Aristotle and indeed of Islam. And it flows naturally from a true understanding of our relation to Allah and His universe and to our fellow-creatures, especially man.

In all things be moderate.

- Do not go the pace, and do not be stationary or slow.

- Do not be talkative and do not be silent.

- Do not be loud and do not be timid or half-hearted.

- Do not be too confident, and do not be cowed down.

If you have patience,

- it is to give you constancy and determination, that you may bravely carry on the struggle of life.

If you have humility,

- it is to save you from unseemly swagger, not to curb your right spirit and your reasoned determination.

...إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ ﴿١٩﴾

for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass."

أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ...

31:20 [Ali]. Do ye not see that Allah has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and on earth,

C3605. Allah's Creation is independent of man. But Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given man the faculty to subdue the forces of nature and to penetrate through high mysteries with his powers of reason and insight.

But this is not merely a question of power. For in His Universal Plan, all are safeguarded. But man's destiny, as far as we can see, is noble to the highest degree.

...وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً ...

and has made His bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, (both) seen and unseen?

Asad’s Version:

31:16

"O my dear son," [continued Luqmin,] "verily, though there be aught of but the weight of a mustard-seed, and though it be [hidden] in a rock, or in the skies, or in the earth, God will bring it to light: for, behold, God is unfathomable (in His wisdom], all-aware. 17

31:17

"O my dear son! Be constant in prayer, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and bear in patience whatever (ill] may befall thee: this, behold, is something to set one's heart upon!

(31:18) "And turn not thy cheek away from people in (false] pride, and walk not haughtily on earth: for, behold, God does not love anyone who, out of selfconceit, acts in a boastful manner.

(31:19) "Hence, be modest in thy bearing, and lower thy voice: for, behold, the ugliest of all voices is the (loud] voice of asses...."

31:20 [Asad]

ARE YOU NOT aware that God has made subservient to you all 18 that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and has lavished upon you His blessings, both outward and inward?" And yet, among men there is many a one that argues about God without having any knowledge [of Him], without any guidance, and without any light-giving revelation;