45. Al-Jathiyah (Kneeling Down)

Mecca Period 65

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا ...

45:18. Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way),

C4756. Shariah is best translated the "right Way of Religion", which is wider than the mere formal rites and legal provisions, which mostly came in the Madinah period, long after this Makkan verse had been revealed.

... وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاء الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

and follow not the desires of those who know not.

إِنَّهُمْ لَن يُغْنُوا عَنكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيئًا...

45:19. They will be of no use to thee in the sight of Allah:

C4757. That is, in the service of Allah.

Ignorant and contentious men are of no use or service to any Cause. The more you seek their help, the more do their ignorance and their contentiousness increase their own importance in their own eyes.

Evil protects (or thinks it protects) evil: it has really no power of protection at all, for itself or for others. The righteous seek the protection of Allah, Who can and will protect them.

...وإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٩﴾

it is only Wrongdoers (that stand as) protectors, one to another: but Allah is the Protector of the Righteous.

هَذَا بَصَائِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمِ يُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾

45:20. These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and Mercy to those of assured Faith.

C4758. The evidences of Allah's Signs should be clear to all men: to men of Faith, who accept Allah's Grace, they are a Guide and a Mercy.

Asad’s Version:

45:17 And We gave them clear indications of the purpose [of faith]; 15 and it was only after all this knowledge had been vouchsafed to them that they began, out of mutual jealousy, to hold divergent views:" [but,] verily, thy Sustainer will judge between them on Resurrection Day regarding all whereon they were wont to differ.

45:18 And, finally, 17 [O Muhammad,] We have set thee on a way by which the purpose [of faith] may be fulfilled: 18 so follow thou this [way], and follow not the likes and dislikes of those who do not know [the truth]. 19

(45: 19) Behold, they could never be of any avail to thee if thou wert to defy the will of God 20 - for, verily, such evildoers are but friends and protectors of one another, whereas God is the Protector of all who are conscious of Him.

45:20 This [revelation, then,] 21 is a means of insight for mankind, and a guidance and grace unto people who are endowed with inner certainty.

Yuksel’s version –

45:17 We gave them proof in the matter, but then they disputed after the knowledge had come to them, out of jealousy amongst themselves. Your Lord will judge them on the day of resurrection regarding everything that they have disputed.

45:18 Then We have established you on the correct path; so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.

45:19 They cannot help you against God in the least. The transgressors are allies to one another, while God is the Protector of the righteous.

45:20 This is a physical evidence for the people, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who are certain.