45 Al-Jathiyah (Kneeling Down)
Mecca Period 65
Asad’s Version:
45:23 HAST THOU ever considered [the kind of man) who makes his own desires his deity, and whom God has [thereupon] let go astray, knowing [that his mind is closed to all guidance], 24 and whose hearing and heart He has sealed, and upon whose sight He has placed a veil? 25 Who, then, could guide him after God [has abandoned him]? Will you not, then, bethink yourselves?
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَفَرَأَيْتَ
مَنِ
اتَّخَذَ
إِلَهَهُ
هَوَاهُ
...
45: 23. Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire?
C4761. If a man follows, not the laws of Allah, which are also the laws of his own pure nature as made by Allah, but the desires of his own distorted self, as shaped by the rebellion of his will, the inevitable consequence will be the withdrawal of Allah's grace and guidance. All his faculties will then be debased, and there will be nothing to guide him, unless he turns in repentance again to Allah.
... وَأَضَلَّهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ...
Allah has, knowing (him as such), left him astray,
...وَخَتَمَ عَلَى سَمْعِهِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَجَعَلَ عَلَى بَصَرِهِ...
and sealed His hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight.
...غِشَاوَةً فَمَن يَهْدِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ اللَّهِ ....
Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn Guidance)?
.. أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾
Will ye not then receive admonition?