2.Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
شَهْرُ
رَمَضَانَ
الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ
فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ
وَبَيِّنَاتٍ
مِّنَ الْهُدَى
وَالْفُرْقَانِ...
2:185. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'án, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).
C192. Judgment (between right and wrong):
Furqan: the criterion or standard by which we judge between right and wrong. See 2:53 n. 68.
... فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ...
So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting,
... وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ...
but if anyone is ill or on a journey, the prescribed period, (should be made up) by days later.
... يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ...
Allah intends every facility for you, He does not want to put you to difficulties.
... وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ ...
(He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you;
C193. The regulations are again and again coupled with an insistence on two things:
- the facilities and concessions given, and
- the spiritual significance of the fast, without which it is like an empty shell without a kernel.
If we realise this, we shall look upon Ramadhan, not as a burden, but as a blessing, and shall be duly grateful for the lead given to us in this matter.
... وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥﴾
and perchance ye shall be grateful.
Other versions:
2: 185
Asad It was the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self- evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ell, or o a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol God for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].
Pickthall The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.
Transliteration Syahru ramada_nal lazi unzila fihil qur'a_nu hudal lin na_si wa bayyina_tim minal huda_ wal furqa_n(i), faman syahida minkumusy syahra fal yasumh(u), wa man ka_na maridan au 'ala_ safarin fa'iddatum min ayya_min ukhar(a), yuridulla_hu bikumul yusra wa la_ yuridu bikumul'usr(a), wa litukmilul 'iddata wa litukabbirulla_ha'ala_ ma_ hada_kum wa la'allakum tasykuru_n(a).
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16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
أَنزَلْنَا
عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ
إِلاَّ لِتُبَيِّنَ
لَهُمُ الَّذِي
اخْتَلَفُواْ
فِيهِ...
16:64. And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ,
C2091. But the path of duty before Allah's Messenger is clear. He is sent with the Revelation (the Quran) for three express purposes;
1. that he should bring about unity among the jarring sects, for the Gospel of Unity, while preaching the One True God, leads also to the unity of mankind;
2. that the revelation should be a guide to right conduct; and
3. that it should show the path of repentance and Salvation, and thus be the highest mercy to erring sinners.
... وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾
and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.
Other versions:
16: 64
Asad And upon thee [too] have We bestowed from on high this divine writ for no other reason than that thou might make clear unto them all on which they have come to hold divergent views, and guidance and grace unto people who will believe.
Pickthall And we have revealed the Scripture unto thee only that thou mayst explain unto them that wherein they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
Transliteration Wa ma_ anzalna_ 'alaikal kita_ba illu_ litubayyina lahumul lazi-khtalafu_ fih(i), wa hudaw wa rahmatal liqaumiy yu'minu_n(a).
[ Ali’s note: 2091 But the path of duty before Allah's Messenger is clear. He is sent with the Revelation (the Qur-an) for three express purposes; (1) that he should bring about unity among the jarring sects, for the Gospel of Unity, while preaching the One True God, leads also to the unity of mankind; (2) that the revelation should be a guide to right conduct; and (3) that it should show the path of repentance and Salvation, and thus be the highest mercy to erring sinners. (16.64)
[ Ruby’s note: Here laid down three exclusive purposes of the Quran: 1. To make things clear, to settle the disputed issues, etc. 2. To Guide. 3. As a Mercy to humankind from God. God has already given enough capacity and faculty to discern right from wrong in each and every human being. This is an additional gift of guidance from God. An additional source of wisdom. The faculty or that capacity implanted in human beings may not be a thing of mercy, this capacity is more of a thing of responsibility, because this is the essential thing one has to have in order to be accountable to his/her Creator. However, the Quran or the other scriptures and/or revelations prior to the Quran, are additional intervention from God to guide and to make them know of God’s creation and purpose.]