4: 53

Asad Have they, perchance, a share in [God’s] dominion [note 70]? But [if they had], lo, they would not give to other people as much as [would fill] the groove of a date-stone!

Yusuf Ali Have they a share in dominion or power? Behold they give not a farthing to their fellow-men!

Pickthall Or have they even a share in the Sovereignty? Then in that case, they would not give mankind even the speck on a date stone.

Transliteration Am lahum nasibum minal mulki fa izal la_ yu'tu_nan na_sa naqira_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 70 –An allusion to the Jews belief that they occupy a privileged position in the sight of God.]]

4: 54

Asad Do they, perchance, envy other people for what God has granted them out of His bounty [note 71]? But then, We did grant revelation and wisdom unto the House of Abraham, and We did bestow on them a mighty dominion:

Yusuf Ali Or do they envy mankind for what Allah hath given them of His bounty? But We had already given the people of Abraham the Book and Wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom.

Pickthall Or are they jealous of mankind because of that which Allah of His bounty hath bestowed upon them? For We bestowed upon the house of Abraham (of old) the Scripture and Wisdom, and We bestowed on them a mighty kingdom.

Transliteration Am yahsudu_nan na_sa 'ala_ ma_ a_ta_humulla_hu min fadlih(i), faqad a_taina_ a_la ibra_himal kita_ba wal hikmata wa a_taina_hum mulkan 'azima_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 71 – I.e., revelation, which – according to the Jews – ahs been reserved to them alone.]]

[[ Ruby’s note – If one is submissive to God’s Will, one cannot be jealous of others. Everything comes from God in a combination of either because God’s mercy or forgiveness or because one earns it reflected in the reality, one does not have any reason for envy and jealousy. Besides one should reflect on the things one got from God and be thankful. The People of the Book were given Books and dominion before, now if God wants otherwise, they should not feel envy.]]

[[ Ali’s notes -- 575 The word I have translated farthing is naqir, the groove in a date stone, a thing of no value whatever. Close-fistedness and envy are among the worst forms of selfishness, and appear specially incongruous in people of power, authority, or influence, from whom is expected generosity in giving and generosity in seeing other people's prosperity or happiness. (4.53)

576 Such as the kingdoms of David and Solomon, for they had international fame. (4.54)

577 Cf. iv. 97, viii. 37, ix. 95, ixx. 68. (4.55)]]