31 Luqman

Mecca Period [57]

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...."

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

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."