3. [al-Imran, Medina 89 ]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
يَكْفُرُونَ
بِآيَاتِ
اللّهِ
وَيَقْتُلُونَ
النَّبِيِّينَ
بِغَيْرِ
حَقٍّ
...
3: 21. As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets,
C363. Right; haqq has many shades of meaning;
1. right, in the sense of having a right to something;
2. right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong;
3. truth;
4. justice.
All these shades are implied here.
...وَيَقْتُلُونَ الِّذِينَ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٢١﴾
and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.
C364. Examples of the Prophets slain were:
- "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. 23:35.
- Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous. 3:39), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. 14:1-11.
أُولَـئِكَ
الَّذِينَ
حَبِطَتْ
أَعْمَالُهُمْ
فِي
الدُّنْيَا
وَالآخِرَةِ...
3: 22. They are those whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the Hereafter,
C365. Cf. 2:217.
...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٢٢﴾
nor will they have anyone to help.
لَّقَدْ
سَمِعَ
اللّهُ
قَوْلَ
الَّذِينَ
قَالُواْ
إِنَّ
اللّهَ
فَقِيرٌ
وَنَحْنُ
أَغْنِيَاء...
3: 181. Allah hath heard the taunt of those who say: "Truly, Allah is indigent and we are rich!"
C486. In 2:245 we read: "Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan?"
In other places charity or spending in the way of Allah is metaphorically described as giving to Allah. The Holy Prophet often used that expression in appealing for funds to be spent in the way of Allah. The scoffers mocked and said:
"So Allah is indigent and we are rich!"
This blasphemy was of a piece with all their conduct in history, in slaying the Prophets and men of God.
... سَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَالُواْ وَقَتْلَهُمُ الأَنبِيَاء بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ...
We shall certainly record their word and (their act) of slaying the Prophets in defiance of right,
C487. For the expression "slaying in defiance of right," Cf. 3:21, and 3:112.
...وَنَقُولُ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ ﴿١٨١﴾
and We shall say: "Taste ye the penalty of the Scorching Fire!
ذَلِكَ
بِمَا
قَدَّمَتْ
أَيْدِيكُمْ
...
3: 182. "This is because of the (unrighteous deeds) which your hands sent on before ye:
... وَأَنَّ اللّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلاَّمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ ﴿١٨٢﴾
for Allah never harms those who serve Him."
3: 21
Pickthall Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slay the Prophets wrongfully, and slay those of mankind who enjoin equity: announce them a painful doom.
Transliteration Innal lazina yakfuru_na bi a_ya_tilla_hi wa yaqtulu_nan nabiyyina bi gairi haqq(in), wa yaqtulu_nal lazina ya'muru_na bil qisti minan na_s(i), fa basysyirhum bi'aza_bin alim(in).
3: 22
Pickthall Those are they whose works have failed in the world and the Hereafter; and they have no helpers.
Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazina habitat a'ma_luhum fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), wa ma_ lahum min na_sirin(a).
[Ali’s notes -
363 Right; haqq has many shades of meaning; (1) right, in the sense of having a right to something; (2) right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong; (3) truth; (4) justice. All these shades are implied here. (3.21)
364 Examples of the Prophets slain were: "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. xxiii. 35. Cf. Q. ii. 61. n. 75. Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous. Q. iii. 39), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. xiv. 1-11. (3.21) ]
3: 181
Asad ……We shall record what they have said, as well as their slaying of prophets against all right [note 140], ………….
Pickthall Verily Allah heard the saying of those who said, (when asked for contributions to the war): "Allah, forsooth, is poor, and we are rich!" We shall record their saying with their slaying of the Prophets wrongfully and We shall say: Taste ye the punishment of burning!
Transliteration Laqad sami'alla_hu qaulal lazina qa_lu_ innalla_ha faqiruw wa nahnu agniya_'(u), sanaktubu ma_ qa_lu_ wa qatlahumul ambiya_'a bi gairi haqq(iw), wa naqu_lu zu_qu_ 'aza_bal hariq(i).
[ Asad’s note 140 – Regarding this accusation leveled against the Jews, see surah 2, note 48]
3: 182
Asad in return for what your own hands have wrought – for never does God do the least wrong to His creatures!”
Pickthall This is on account of that which your own hands have sent before (you to the judgment). Allah is no oppressor of (His) bondmen.
Transliteration Za_lika bima_ qaddamat aidikum wa annalla_ha laisa bi zalla_mil lil'abid(i).