17.Surah Al Isra

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ...   

17: 89.  And We have explained to man, in this Qur'án, every kind of similitude:

C2290. In the Quran everything is explained in detail from various points of view, by commands, similitudes, examples, stories, parables, etc.

It does not merely narrate stories or lay down vague abstract propositions. It gives every detailed help in outward and inner life.

...فَأَبَى أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كُفُورًا ﴿٨٩﴾

yet the greater part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude!

C2291. One form in which it can be received with ingratitude is to pay verbal tributes to it but not study it as it ought to be studied (2:121, haqqa tilawatihi), or to disobey its precepts or standards.

Other versions:

17: 89

Wa yas'alu_naka 'anir ru_h(i), qulir ru_hu min amri rabbi wa ma_ u_titum minal 'ilmi illa_ qalila_(n).

Wa laqad sarrafna_ lin na_si fi ha_zal qur'a_ni min kulli masal(in), fa aba_ aksarun na_si illa_ kufu_ra_(n).

Asad for, Indeed, many facets have We given in this Quran to every kind of lesson for mankind! However, most men are unwilling to accept any thing but blasphemy-

Pickthall And verily We have displayed for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes, but most of mankind refuse aught save disbelief.

[Asad note 104 According to Raghib, the noun ‘mathal’ (lit., “similitude”, parable”

or ‘example’,) is here more or less synonymous with wasf (“description by means of comparison”, i.e.., “definition”). In its broadest sense, this term singinfies “a leson”.]

[Ali’s note 2290 In the Qur-an everything is explained in detail from various points of view, by commands, similitudes, examples, stories, parables, etc. It does not merely narrate stories or lay down vague abstract propositions. It gives every detailed help in outward and inner life. (17.89)

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