8. Surah Al Anfal
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ
شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ
عِندَ اللّهِ
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ
فَهُمْ لاَ
يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾
8: 55. For the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah are those who reject Him:
They will not believe.
C1223. In 8:22 we were warned against "the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah", who do not make use of their faculties of hearing, speaking and understanding, in the service of Allah, and in fact misuse their faculties to blaspheme Allah.
The same brute creatures are shone here in another light: they are faithless both to Allah and man.
الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتَّ
مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ
يَنقُضُونَ
عَهْدَهُمْ
فِي كُلِّ
مَرَّةٍ...
8: 56. They are those with whom thou didst make a Covenant, but they break their covenant every time
C1224. The immediate occasion was the repeated treachery of the BanuQuraiza after their treaties with the Muslims. But the general lesson remains, as noted in the two following verses.
Treachery in war is doubly wrong, for it endangers so many lives. Such treachery should be punished in such a way that it gets no chance again. Not only the actual perpetrators but those who follow their standard should be rendered powerless.
And the broken treaty should be denounced so that the innocent party can at least fight on equal terms.
From actual physical warfare we can carry the same lesson to spiritual warfare. A truce or understanding is possible with those who respect definite principles, not with those who have no principles and are merely out for oppression and wickedness.
...وَهُمْ لاَ يَتَّقُونَ ﴿٥٦﴾
and they have not the fear (of Allah).
Most Wicked – wrongdoers-failed
Others version:
8: 55
Asad Verily, the vilest creatures in the sight of God are those who are bent on denying the truth and therefore do not believe [note 58].
.
Pickthall Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah's sight are the ungrateful who will not believe;
Transliteration Inna syarrad dawa_bbi 'indalla_hil lazina kafaru_ fahum la_ yu'minu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 58 – Cf. verse 22 of this surah, where the same epithet is applied to human beings “who do not use their reason”. In the present instance, it should be noted, the particle ‘fa’ at the beginning of the phrase ‘fa-hum la yuminun’ has the meaning of “and therefore” (“and therefore they do not believe”): thus showing that lack of belief in spiritual verities is a consequence of one’s being “bent on denying the truth”.
Expressed in positive terms, this amounts to the statement that belief in any ethical proposition depends on one’s readiness to consider it on its merits and to admit the established – truths. As regards the expression ‘alladhina kafaru’, the use of the past tense is meant here, as so often in the Quran, to stress the element of intention, and is, therefore, consistently rendered by me –wherever the context warrants it – as “those who are bent on denying the truth’ (see also surah 2, note 6).]]
[[ Ali’s note - 1223 In viii. 22 we were warned against "the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah", who do not make use of their faculties of hearing, speaking and understanding, in the service of Allah, and in fact misuse their faculties to blaspheme Allah. The same brute creatures are shone here in another light: they are faithless both to Allah and man. (8.55) ]]
8: 56
Pickthall Those of them with whom thou madest a treaty, and, then at every opportunity they break their treaty, and they keep not duty (to Allah).
Transliteration Allazina 'a_hatta minhum summa yanqudu_na 'ahdahum fi kulli marratiw wa hum la_ yattaqu_n(a).
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2.Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَنْ
أَظْلَمُ
مِمَّن مَّنَعَ
مَسَاجِدَ
اللّهِ أَن
يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا
اسْمُهُ ...
2: 114. And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of Allah, Allah's name should be celebrated? -
C117. There were actually Pagans in Makkah who tried to shut out the Muslim Arabs from the Ka'bah, the universal place of Arab worship.
The Pagans themselves called it the House of Allah. With what face could they exclude the Muslims, who wanted to worship the true Allah instead of worshipping idols?
If these Pagans had succeeded, they would only have caused violent divisions among the Arabs and destroyed the sanctity and the very existence of the Ka'bah.
This verse taken in a general sense, establishes the principle of freedom of worship in a public mosque or place dedicated to the worship of Allah. This is recognised in Muslim law. (R).
... وَسَعَى فِي خَرَابِهَا...
Whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them?
أُوْلَـئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلاَّ خَآئِفِينَ...
It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear.
... لهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١١٤﴾
For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.
Others version:
2: 114
Asad Hence, who could be more wicked than those who bar the mention of God’s name from [any of ] His houses of worship and strive for their ruin, [although] they have no right to enter them save in fear [of God]? (note 95)
For them, in this world, there is ignominy in store; and for them, in the life to come, awesome suffering.
Pickthall And who doth greater wrong than he who forbiddeth the approach to the sanctuaries of Allah lest His name should be mentioned therein, and striveth for their ruin? As for such, it was never meant that they should enter them except in fear. Theirs in the world is ignominy and theirs in the Hereafter is an awful doom.
Transliteration Wa man azlamu mimmam mana'a masa_jidalla_hi ay yuzkara fihas muhu_ wa sa'a_ fi khara_biha_, ula_'ika ma_ ka_na lahum ay yadkhulu_ha_ illal kha_'ifin(a), lahum fid dunya_ khizyuw wa lahum fil a_khirati 'aza_bun 'azim(un).
[ Asad’s note 95: It is one of the fundamental principles of Islam that every religion which has belief in God as its focal must accorded full respect, however much one may disagree with its particular tenets. Thus, the Muslims are under an obligation to honor and protect any house of worship dedicated to God, whether it be a mosque or a church or a synagogue
( cf, the second paragraph of 22:40 ); and any attempt to prevent the followers of another faith from worshipping God according to their own lights in condemned by the Quran as a sacrilege. A striking illustration of this principle is forthcoming from the Prophet’s treatment of the deputation from Christian Najran in the year 10H. They were given free access to the Prophet’s mosque, and with his full consent celebrated their religious rites there, although their adoration of Jesus as “the son of God” and of Mary as “the mother of God” was fundamentally at variance with Islamic beliefs (see Ibn Sad I/I, 84f.). ]
[Ruby’s note: I completely agree with what is being said in Asad’s note 95 to this verse (2:114), other translators have mentioned the incident of pagan who were trying to bar the Muslims from attending the Kaba. I think that is now what is implicated here specifically, even through that too comes under the general principle that all places of worship is sacred and no one should be barred or restricted. This verse is in the context of the Jews and Christians mentioned in the verse immediate before this one, and most importantly this verse does not mention wither Kaba or Pagan in this regard here.]
Why FEAR mentioned here in entering places of worship? I think this is meant for those who have this impulse or inclination of barring or destroying such places should feel the fear of God. Others should feel reverence and awe being there because God is worshipped in these places. Here these could very well be meant for the Churches and Synagogues or Temples, etc.]
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3.Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
كَيْفَ
يَهْدِي
اللّهُ
قَوْمًا
كَفَرُواْ
بَعْدَ
إِيمَانِهِمْ
وَشَهِدُواْ
أَنَّ
الرَّسُولَ
حَقٌّ
وَجَاءهُمُ
الْبَيِّنَاتُ...
3:86. How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that clear signs had come unto them?
...وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٨٩﴾
But Allah guides not a people unjust.
أُوْلَـئِكَ
جَزَآؤُهُمْ
أَنَّ
عَلَيْهِمْ
لَعْنَةَ
اللّهِ
وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ
وَالنَّاسِ
أَجْمَعِينَ
﴿٨٧﴾
3: 87. Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah, of His angels, and of all mankind.
خَالِدِينَ
فِيهَا
لاَ
يُخَفَّفُ
عَنْهُمُ
الْعَذَابُ
وَلاَ
هُمْ
يُنظَرُونَ
﴿٨٨﴾
3: 88. In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be their (lot).
C418a. Cf. 2:161-162.
إِلاَّ
الَّذِينَ
تَابُواْ
مِن
بَعْدِ
ذَلِكَ
وَأَصْلَحُواْ
فَإِنَّ
الله
غَفُورٌ
رَّحِيمٌ
﴿٨٩﴾
3: 89. Except for those that repent (even) after that, and make amends: for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Pickthall’s Version:
3: 86
Pickthall How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
Transliteration Kaifa yahdilla_hu qauman kafaru_ ba'da ima_nihim wa syahidu_ annar rasu_la haqquw wa ja_'ahumul bayyina_t(u), walla_hu la_ yahdil qaumaz za_limin(a).
3: 87
Pickthall As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined.
Transliteration Ula_'ika jaza_'uhum anna'alaihim la'natalla_hi wal mala_'ikati wan na_si ajma'in(a).
3: 88
Pickthall They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved;
Transliteration Kha_lidina fiha_, la_ yukhaffafu 'anhumul 'aza_bu wa la_ hum yunzaru_n(a).
3: 89
.
Pickthall Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Illal lazina ta_bu_ mim ba'di za_lika wa aslahu_, fa innalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).
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6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَنْ
أَظْلَمُ
مِمَّنِ
افْتَرَى
عَلَى
اللّهِ
كَذِبًا...
6: 93. Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie against Allah,
...أَوْ قَالَ أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ...
or saith, "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none,
...وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَا أَنَزلَ اللّهُ...
or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed?"
...وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي غَمَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ ...
If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! --
... وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ بَاسِطُواْ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُواْ أَنفُسَكُمُ...
the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying), "Yield up your souls.
C915. Yield up your souls: or "get your souls to come out of your bodies."
The wicked, we may suppose, are not anxious to part with the material existence in their bodies for the "reward" which in irony is stated to be there to welcome them.
...الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ ...
This day shall ye receive your reward, a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah,
...وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٩٣﴾
and scornfully to reject of His Signs!"
وَلَقَدْ
جِئْتُمُونَا
فُرَادَى
كَمَا
خَلَقْنَاكُمْ
أَوَّلَ
مَرَّةٍ...
6; 94. "And behold! ye come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time:
C916. Some of the various ideas connected with "creation" are noted in n. 120 to 2:117.
In the matter of creation of man there are various processes. If his body was created out of clay, i.e. earthy matter, there was an earlier process of the creation of such earthy matter.
Here the body is left behind, and the soul is being addressed. The soul underwent various processes of fashioning and adapting to its various functions in its various surroundings (32:7-9). But each individual soul, after release from the body, comes back as it was created, with nothing more than it history, "the deeds which it has earned," which are really a part of it. Any exterior things given to help in its development, "the favours which we bestowed on you," it must necessarily leave behind, however it may have been proud of them.
These exterior things may be material things, e.g. wealth, property, signs of power, influence and pride such as sons, relatives, and friends, etc., or they may be intangible things, like talents, intellect, social gifts, etc.
...وَتَرَكْتُم مَّا خَوَّلْنَاكُمْ وَرَاء ظُهُورِكُمْ...
Ye have left behind you all (the favors) which We bestowed on you:
...وَمَا نَرَى مَعَكُمْ شُفَعَاءكُمُ الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّهُمْ فِيكُمْ شُرَكَاء...
We see not with you your intercessors whom ye thought to be partners in your affairs:
...لَقَد تَّقَطَّعَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنكُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ ﴿٩٤﴾
so now all relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!"
C917. The false ideas of intercessors, demi-gods, gods, saviours, etc., now vanish like unsubstantial visions, "leaving not a wrack behind."
Now the soul is face to face with reality. Its personal responsibility is brought home to it.
Asad’s Version:
6: 93 and who could be more wicked than he who invents a lie about God, or says, “This has been revealed unto me,” the while nothing has been revealed to him? – or he who says, “ I, too, can bestow from on high the like of what God has bestowed”? Asad
6:93 ..............”I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed” ? Ali
If you could but see when these evildoers find themselves in the agonies of death, and the angels stretch forth their hands: “Give up your souls! Today you shall be requited with the suffering of humiliation for having attributed to God something that is not true, and for having persistently scorned His messages in your arrogance!” Asad
6: 94 “And behold you come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: you have left behind you all [the favors] which We bestowed on you. .............