21. Surah Al Anbiya
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
جَعَلْنَا
لِبَشَرٍ مِّن
قَبْلِكَ
الْخُلْدَ...
21: 34. We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here):
C2696. Life on this planet without death has not been granted to any man. The taunt of the Unbelievers at the holy Prophet was therefore futile.
Could any of them live without death at some time or other?
Could they name any one who did?
...أَفَإِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخَالِدُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾
if then thou shouldst die, would they live permanently?
كُلُّ
نَفْسٍ
ذَائِقَةُ
الْمَوْتِ...
21: 35. Every soul shall have a taste of death:
The soul does not die, but when it separates from the body at the death of the body, the soul gets a taste of death.
In our life of probation on this earth, our virtue and faith are tested by many things: some are tested by calamities, and some by the good things of this life. If we prove our true mettle, we pass our probation with success.
In any case all must return to Allah, and then will our life be appraised at its true value.
...وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً...
and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial:
...وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾
to Us must ye return.
وَإِذَا
رَآكَ الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُوا إِن
يَتَّخِذُونَكَ
إِلَّا هُزُوًا...
21: 36. When the Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule.
...أَهَذَا الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَكُمْ ...
"Is this," (they say), "the one who talks of your gods?"
C2698. To the godly man the issue between false worship and true worship is a very serious matter.
To the skeptics and unbelievers it is only a joke. They take it lightly, and laugh at the godly man. They not only laugh at him, but they blaspheme when the name of the One True God is mentioned.
The reply to this is in the next verse.
...وَهُم بِذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَنِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾
And they blaspheme at the mention of (Allah) Most Gracious!
خُلِقَ
الْإِنسَانُ
مِنْ عَجَلٍ...
21: 37. Man is a creature of haste:
C2699. Haste is in the very bone and marrow of man. If he is granted respite for his own sake, in order that he may have a further chance of repentance and coming back to Allah, he says impatiently and incredulously:
"Bring on the Punishment quickly, that I may see if what you say is true!"
Alas, it is too true! When the Punishment actually comes near and he sees it, he will not want it hastened. He will want more time and further delay! Poor creature of haste!
...سَأُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِي فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونِ ﴿٣٧﴾
soon (enough) will I show you My Signs: then ye will not ask Me to hasten them!
Asad’s Version:
21:34
AND [remind those who deny thee, O Prophet, 42 that] never have We granted life everlasting to any mortal before thee: 43 but do they, perchance, hope that although thou must die, they will live forever? 44
21:35
Every human being is bound to taste death; and We test you [all] through the bad and the good [things of life] by way of trial: and unto Us you all must return. 45
(21:36} But [thus it is:] whenever they who are bent on denying the truth consider thee, 46 they make thee but a target of their mockery, [saying to one another,] "Is this the one who speaks [so contemptuously] of your gods?" 47 And yet, it is they themselves who, at [every] mention of the Most Gracious, are wont to deny
the truth ! 48
(21:37} Man is a creature of haste; 4 ' [but in time] I shall make obvious to you [the truth of] My messages: do not, then, ask Me to hasten [it] ! 50