QURAN : CONFIRMATION OF EARLIER REVELATIONS
2.Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ
مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا
لِّجِبْرِيلَ
فَإِنَّهُ
نَزَّلَهُ عَلَى
قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ
اللّهِ...
2:97. Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel, for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah's will,
C101. A party of the Jews in the time of Muhammad ridiculed the Muslim believe that Gabriel brought down revelations to Muhammad Mustafa.
Michael was called in their books "the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people": (Daniel 12:1). The vision of Gabriel inspired fear (Daniel, 8:16-17).
But this pretence - that Michael was their friend and Gabriel their enemy - was merely a manifestation of their unbelief in angels, apostles, and Allah Himself; and such unbelief could not win the love of Allah.
In any case it was disingenuous to say that they believed in one angel and not in another.
Muhammad's inspiration was through visions of Gabriel. Muhammad had been helped to the highest spiritual light, and the message which he delivered and his spotless integrity and exemplary life were manifest Signs which every one could understand except those who were obstinate and perverse. Besides, the verses of the Quran were in themselves reasonable and clear.
... مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾
a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe.
مَن
كَانَ عَدُوًّا
لِّلّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ
وَرُسُلِهِ
وَجِبْرِيلَ
وَمِيكَالَ
...
2:98. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Gabriel and Michael,
... فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٩٨﴾
Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.
وَلَمَّا
جَاءهُمْ رَسُولٌ
مِّنْ عِندِ
اللّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ
لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ...
2:101. And when came to them a Messenger from Allah, confirming what was with them,
نَبَذَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ كِتَابَ اللّهِ وَرَاء ظُهُورِهِمْ ...
a party of the People of the Book threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs,
C102. I think that by "the Book of Allah" here is meant, not the Quran, but the Book which the People of the Book had been given, viz., the previous Revelations.
The argument is that Muhammad's Message was similar to Revelations which they had already received, and if they had looked into their own Books honestly and sincerely, they would have found proofs in them to show that the new Message was true and from Allah. But they ignored their own Books or twisted or distorted them according to their own fancies. Worse, they followed somethings which was actually false and mischievous and inspired by the evil one. Such was the belief in magic and sorcery.
These are described in the next verse in terms referring to the beliefs and practices of the "People of the Book."
... كَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٠١﴾
as if (it had been something) they did not know!
Other versions:
2: 97
Asad Say [ O Prophet]: “Whatever is an enemy of Gabriel” – wo, verily, by God’s leave, has brought down upon they heart this [divine writ] which confirms the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], and is a guidance and a glad tiding for the believers -:
Pickthall Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers;
Transliteration Qul man ka_na 'aduwwal li jibrila fa innahu_ nazzalahu_ 'ala_ qalbika bi iznilla_hi musaddiqal lima_ baina yadaihi wa hudaw wa busyra_ lil mu'minin(a).
2: 98
Asad “whosoever is an enemy of God……….verily, God is the enemy of all who deny the truth”
Pickthall Who is an enemy to Allah, and His angels and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael! Then, lo! Allah (Himself) is an enemy to the disbelievers.
Transliteration Man ka_na 'aduwwal lilla_hi wa mala_'ikatihi wa rusulihi wa jibrila wa mika_la fa innalla_ha 'aduwwul lil ka_firin(a).
2: 101 [ Ruby’s comment - This is more general in its meaning, apply to all revelations of God which confirms earlier messages, AS GOD’S MESSAGE REMAIN SAME for all His messengers ]
Pickthall And when there cometh unto them a messenger from Allah, confirming that which they possess, a party of those who have received the Scripture fling the Scripture of Allah behind their backs as if they knew not,
Wa lamma_ ja_'ahum rasu_lum min 'indilla_hi musaddiqul lima_ ma'ahum nabaza fariqum minal lazina u_tul kita_b(a), kita_balla_hi wara_'a zuhu_rihim ka'annahum la_ ya'lamu_n(a).
[ Ali’s note: 102 I think that by "the Book of God" here is meant, not the Qur-an, but the Book which the People of the Book had been given, viz., the previous Revelations. The argument is that Muhammad's Message was similar to Revelations which they had already received, and if they had looked into their own Books honestly and sincerely, they would have found proofs in them to show that the new Message was true and from God. But they ignored their own Books or twisted or distorted them according to their own fancies. Worse, they followed something which was actually false and mischievous and inspired by the evil one. Such was the belief in magic and sorcery. These are described in the next verse in terms referring to the beliefs and practices of the "People of the Book." (2.101) ]
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3. Sura al-Imran, Medina 89
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
Pickthall’s
Version:
اللّهُ
لا إِلَـهَ
إِلاَّ هُوَ
الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
﴿٢﴾
3:2. Allah! there is no Allah but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal.
C343. Cf. 2:255.
نَزَّلَ
عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ
بِالْحَقِّ
مُصَدِّقاً
لِّمَا بَيْنَ
يَدَيْهِ ...
3:3. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it;
... وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ ﴿٣﴾
and He sent down Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus).
C344. In some editions the break between verses 3 and 4 occurs here in the middle of the sentence, but in the edition of Hafiz Uthman, followed by the Egyptian Concordance Fath-ur-Rahman, the break occurs at the word Furqan.
In verse-divisions our classicists have mainly followed rhythm. As the word Furqan from this point of view is parallel to the word Intiqam, which ends the next verse. I have accepted the verse-division at Furqan as more in consonance with Quranic rhythm. It makes no real difference to the numbering of the verses, as there is only a question of whether one line should go into verse 3 or verse 4. (R).
3: 2
Pickthall Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal.
Transliteration Alla_hu la_ ila_ha illa_ huwal hayyul qayyu_m(u).
3: 3
Pickthall He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel
Transliteration Nazzala 'alaikal kita_ba bil haqqi musaddiqal lima_ baina yadaihi wa anzalat taura_ta wal injil.
3. Sura al-Imran, Medina 89
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذْ
أَخَذَ
اللّهُ
مِيثَاقَ
النَّبِيِّيْنَ
...
3:81. Behold! Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying:
.... لَمَا آتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ...
"I give you a Book and Wisdom;
...ثُمَّ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُ...
then comes to you a Messenger confirming what is with you; do ye believe him and render him help."
...قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكُمْ إِصْرِي...
Allah said: "Do ye agree, and take this My Covenant as binding on you?"
...قَالُواْ أَقْرَرْنَا...
They said: "We agree."
...قَالَ فَاشْهَدُواْ وَأَنَاْ مَعَكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٨١﴾
He said: "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."
فَمَن
تَوَلَّى
بَعْدَ
ذَلِكَ
فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
هُمُ
الْفَاسِقُونَ
﴿٨٢﴾
82. If any turn back after this, they are perverted transgressors.
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4. Sura an-Nisa, Medina 92
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ
...
4:47. O ye People of the Book!
... آمِنُواْ بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم...
believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you,
... مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَى أَدْبَارِهَا...
before We change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond all recognition, and turn them hindwards,
C567. Literally, "before We obliterate some features (or faces) and turn them front to back (or back to front)": an Arabic idiom, which must be translated freely to yield its proper meaning in English.
The face is the chief expression of a man's own real essence; it is also the index of his fame and estimation. The People of the Book had been specially favoured by Allah with revelations. If they proved themselves unworthy, they lost their "face".
Their eminence would, owing to their own conduct, be turned into degradation. Others would take their place.
The first shall be last and the last shall be first: Matt. 19:30.
... أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّا أَصْحَابَ السَّبْتِ...
or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers:
... وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللّهِ مَفْعُولاً ﴿٤٧﴾
for the decision of Allah must be carried out.
Pickthall’s Version:
4: 47
Pickthall O ye unto whom the Scripture hath been given! Believe in what We have revealed concerning that which ye possess, before We destroy countenances so as to confound them, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath breakers (of old time). The commandment of Allah is always executed.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina u_tul kita_ba a_minu_ bima_ nazzalna_ musaddiqal lima_ ma'akum min qabli an natmisa wuju_han fa naruddaha_ 'ala_ adba_riha_ au nal'anahum kama_ la'anna_ asha_bas sabt(i), wa ka_na amrulla_hi maf'u_la_(n).
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5. Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَأَنزَلْنَا
إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ
بِالْحَقِّ
مُصَدِّقًا
لِّمَا بَيْنَ
يَدَيْهِ
مِنَ الْكِتَابِ
وَمُهَيْمِنًا
عَلَيْهِ ...
5:48. To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety;
C759. After the corruption of the older revelations, the Quran comes with a twofold purpose:
1. to confirm the true and original Message, and
2. to guard it, or act as a check to its interpretation.
The Arabic word Muhaymin is very comprehensive in meaning. It means one who;
- safeguards,
- watches over,
- stands witness,
- preserves, and
- upholds.
The Quran safeguards "the Book", for it has preserved within it the teachings of all the former Books. It watches over these Books in the sense that it will not let their true teachings to be lost. It supports and upholds these Books in the sense that it corroborates the Word of Allah which has remained intact in them. It stands a witness because it bears testimony to the Word of Allah contained in these Books and helps to sort it out from the interpretations and commentaries of the people which were mixed with it: what is confirmed by the Quran is the Word of Allah and what is against it is that of the people. (R).
... فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ ...
so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee.
... لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا...
To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way.
C760. Law: shirat, rules of practical conduct.
Open Way: Minhaj. The finer things which are above the law, but which are yet available to everyone, like a sort of open highway. The light in verses 44 and 46 though laws and rules may take different forms among different People.
... وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً ...
If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people,
... وَلَـكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَآ آتَاكُم فَاسْتَبِقُوا الخَيْرَاتِ...
but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues.
C761. By origin mankind were a single people or nation: 4:1, and 2:213. That being so Allah could have kept us all alike, with one language, one kind of disposition, and one set of physical conditions (including climate) to live in. But in His wisdom, He gives us diversity in these things, not only at any given time, but in different periods and ages.
This tests our capacity for Unity (Wahdaniyat) still more, and accentuates the need of Unity and Islam.
... إِلَى الله مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾
The goal of you all is to Allah;
it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute.
C762. Men are wont to make conflicting claims regarding Allah, the ultimate destiny of man, and other questions of vital importance.
No matter how vehement and eloquent the proponents of false doctrines might be, their efforts will prove fruitless and it will be indisputably clear on the Day of Judgment as to who entertained false notions and who cherished the truth. (Eds).
Other versions:
5: 48
Asad And unto you [O Prophet] have We vouchsafed this divine writ, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever t here still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein [note 64]…………….
Pickthall And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ.
Transliteration Wa anzalna_ ilaikal kita_ba bil haqqi musaddiqal lima_ baina yadaihi minal kita_bi wa muhaiminan 'alaihi fahkum bainahum bima_ anzalalla_hu wa la_ tattabi' ahwa_'ahum 'amma_ ja_'aka minal haqq(i), li kullin ja'alna_ minkum syir'ataw wa minha_ja_(n), wa lau sya_'alla_hu laja'alakum ummataw wa_hidataw wa la_kil liyabluwakum fi ma_ a_ta_kum fastabiqul khaira_t(i), ilalla_hi marji'ukum jami'an fa yunabbi'ukum bima_ kuntum fihi takhtalifu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s notes: 64- The participle ‘muhaymin’ is derived from the quadrilateral verb ‘haymana’, “he watched [over a thing]” or “controlled [it]”, and is used here to describe the Quran as the determinant factor in deciding what is genuine and what is false in the earlier scriptures (see Manar VI, 410ff.).
65- Lit., “judge, then, between them…” etc. This apparently applies not merely to judicial cases but also to opinion as to what is right or wring in the ethical sense (see note 55 above)……… ]]
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6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
قَدَرُواْ
اللّهَ حَقَّ
قَدْرِهِ إِذْ
قَالُواْ مَا
أَنزَلَ اللّهُ
عَلَى بَشَرٍ
مِّن شَيْءٍ...
6:91. No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)":
C909. Qadara: to weight, judge, or estimate the value or capacity of anything; to have power so to do.
Cf. Qadir in 4:149 and n. 655.
The Jews who denied the inspiration of Muhammad had a good answer in their own books about the inspiration of Moses.
To those who do not believe in Moses, the answer is more general:
is it a just estimate of Allah to think either that He has not the power or the will to guide mankind, seeing that He is Omnipotent and the Source of all good?
If you say that guidance comes, not through an inspired book or man, but through our general intelligence, we point to the spiritual ignorance of ‘you and your ancestors’ the sad spiritual darkness of men and nations high in the intellectual scale.
...قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاء بِهِ مُوسَى نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ...
Say:
"Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought? a light and guidance to man:
C910. Cf. 5:47 and n. 750, and 5:49.
In those passages Guidance (in practical conduct) is put before Light (or spiritual insight), as they refer to ordinary or average men.
Here Light (or spiritual insight) is put first as the question is: does God send inspiration?
...تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا...
but ye make it into (separate) sheets for show, while ye conceal much (of its contents):
C911. The Message to Moses had unity: it was one Book.
The present Old Testament is a collection of books ("sheets") of various kinds: see Appendix II. end of Surah 5. In this way you can make a show, but there is no unity, and much of the spirit is lost or concealed or overlaid.
The same applies to the New Testament:
see Appendix III, after Appendix II.
...وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُواْ أَنتُمْ وَلاَ آبَاؤُكُمْ...
therein were ye taught that which ye knew not -- neither ye nor your fathers."
...قُلِ اللّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ ﴿٩١﴾
Say: "Allah (sent it down)":
then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.
وَهَـذَا
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ
مُبَارَكٌ
مُّصَدِّقُ
الَّذِي بَيْنَ
يَدَيْهِ...
6:92. And this is a Book which We have revealed, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it:
C912. Muharak: blessed, as having received Allah's blessing; bringer of blessings to others, as having been blessed by Allah.
Allah's highest blessing is the Guidance and Light which the Book brings to us, and which brings us nearer to Him.
...وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَى وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا...
that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her.
C913. Mother of Cities: Makkah, now the Qiblah and Centre of Islam.
If this verse was (like the greater part of the Chapter) revealed in Makkah before the Hijrah, and before Makkah was made the Qiblah of Islam, Makkah was nonetheless the Mother of Cities, being traditionally associated with Abraham and with Adam and Eve (see 2:125, and n. 217 to 2:197).
All round Makkah: would mean, the whole world if we took upon Mecca as the centre.
...وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ...
Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book),
...وَهُمْ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٩٢﴾
and they are constant in guarding their prayers.
C914. An earnest study of the Quran is true worship; so is Prayer, and so are all deeds of goodness and charity.
Other versions:
6: 91
Pickthall And they measure not the power of Allah its true measure when they say: Allah hath naught revealed unto a human being. Say (unto the Jews who speak thus): Who revealed the Book which Moses brought, a light and guidance for mankind, which ye have put on parchments which ye show, but ye hide much (thereof), and by which ye were taught that which ye knew not yourselves nor (did) your fathers (know it)? Say: Allah. Then leave them to their play of cavilling.
Transliteration Wa ma_ qadarulla_ha haqqa qadrihi iz qa_lu_ ma_ anzalalla_hu 'ala_ basyarim min syai'(in), qul man anzalal kita_bal lazi ja_'a bihi mu_sa_ nu_raw wa hudal linna_si taj'alu_nahu_ qara_tisa tubdu_naha_ wa tukhfu_na kasira_(n), wa 'ullimtum ma_ lam ta'lamu_ antum wa la_ a_ba_'ukum, qulilla_h(u), summa zarhum fi khaudihim yal'abu_n(a).
6: 92
Asad And this, too, is a divine writ which We have bestowed from on high – blessed, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations] [note 74 – and [this] in order that you may warn the foremost of all cities and all who dwell around it [note 75]. And those who believe in the life to come do believe in this [warning]; and it is they who are ever-mindful of their prayers.
Pickthall And this is a blessed Scripture which We have revealed, confirming that which (was revealed) before it, that you may warn the Mother of Villages and those around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe herein, and they are careful of their worship.
Transliteration Wa ha_za_ kita_bun anzalna_hu muba_rakum musaddiqul lazi baina yadaihi wa litunzira ummal qura_ wa man haulaha_, wallazina yu'minu_na bil a_khirati yu'minu_na bihi wa hum 'ala_ sala_tihim yuha_fizu_n(a).
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12. Yusuf (Joseph)
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَقَدْ
كَانَ
فِي قَصَصِهِمْ
عِبْرَةٌ
لِّأُوْلِي
الأَلْبَابِ...
12:111. There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding.
C1796. Their stories, i.e., the stories of Prophets or of the wicked; for the two threads inter-twine, as in Joseph's story.
...مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَى وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ...
It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it --
C1797. A story like that of Joseph is not a purely imaginary fable. The People of the Book have it in their sacred literature. It is confirmed here in its main outline, but here there is a detailed spiritual exposition that will be found nowhere in earlier literature.
The exposition covers all sides of human life. If properly understood it gives valuable lessons to guide our conduct,-an instance of Allah's grace and mercy to people who will go to Him in faith and put their affairs in His hands.
...وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١١١﴾
a detailed exposition of all things, and a Guide and a Mercy to any such as believe.
Other versions:
12: 111
Asad Indeed, in the stories of these men there is a lesson for those who are endowed with insight. [As for this revelation ] it could not possibly be a discourse invented: nay indeed, it is confirming the truth whatever there still remains, clearly spelling out everything, and guidance and grace unto people who will believe.
Pickthall In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.
Yuksel [The Quran is not a Fabricated Hadith]
In their stories is a lesson for the people of intelligence. It is not a hadith that was invented, but an authentication of what is already present, a detailing of all things, and a guidance and mercy to a people who acknowledge.*
Transliteration Laqad ka_na fi qasasihim 'ibratul li'ulil alba_b(i), ma_ ka_na hadisay yuftara_ wa la_kin tasdiqal lazi baina yadaihi wa tafsila kulli syai'iw wa hudaw wa rahmatal liqaumiy yu'minu_n(a).
Yuksel’s note:-
012:111 In this verse, God the Most Wise, rejects both the "hadith" and the basic excuse for accepting it as a source of Islam. No excuse is accepted from the followers of hadith in this world, nor on the Day of Judgment. The followers of fabricated hadiths claim that the Quran is not sufficiently detailed! They thus reject God's repeated assertion that the Quran is "complete, perfect, and sufficiently detailed" (6:19,38,114), and thereby justify the creation of 60 volumes of hadith, and a library full of contradictory teachings that are supposed to complete the Quran. By reflecting on 12:111 above, one can see God's answer to those fabricators and their followers. God informs us that we do not need fabricated hadith; that the Quran as a sufficiently detailed guide, is all we need. The Quran is the only "ahsan al-hadith" (best statement) to ]]
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35.Al-Fatir (The Originator)
Mecca Period 43
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَالَّذِي
أَوْحَيْنَا
إِلَيْكَ مِنَ
الْكِتَابِ
هُوَ الْحَقُّ
مُصَدِّقًا
لِّمَا
بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ...
35:31 That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth -- confirming what was (revealed) before it:
... إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادِهِ لَخَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٣١﴾
for Allah is assuredly -- with respect to His servants -- well acquainted and Fully-Observant.
C3918. All Revelation is one. The Quran therefore confirms the main and uncorrupted features of previous revelations.
ثُمَّ
أَوْرَثْنَا
الْكِتَابَ
الَّذِينَ
اصْطَفَيْنَا
مِنْ عِبَادِنَا...
35:32. Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our servants as We have chosen:
C3919. The force of "then" is that of finality.
The Quran is that last Book revealed, Or
it may be here to point the contrast between "to thee" in the last verse, i.e., the holy Prophet, in contradistinction to the People of Islam, who inherited the Book after him.
... فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ...
but there are among them some who wrong their own souls;
... وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ...
some who follow a middle course;
But some follow a middle course:
in their case "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak": their intentions are good, but they have much to learn yet of the true Muslim life and Muslim virtues.
... وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ...
and some who are, by Allah's leave, foremost in good deeds;
... ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ ﴿٣٢﴾
that is the highest Grace.
Asad’s Version:
35:31 And (know that] all of the divine writ with which We have inspired thee is the very truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations 21 - for, behold, of [the needs of] His servants God is fully aware, all-seeing.
35:32 And so, We have bestowed this divine writ as a heritage unto such of Our servants as We chose: and among them are some who sin against themselves; and some who keep half-way [between right and wrong]; 22 and some who, by God's leave, are foremost in deeds of goodness: [and] this, indeed, is. a merit most high!
[[ Asad’s notes - 21 For this explanatory rendering of the phrase ma bayna y adayhi, see note]]