17.Surah Al Isra

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاء وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ...   

17:82.  We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'án that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe:

...وَلاَ يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إَلاَّ خَسَارًا ﴿٨٢﴾

to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.

C2282. In Allah's revelation there is healing for our broken spirits, hope for our spiritual future, and joy in the forgiveness of our sins. All who work in faith will share in these privileges.

It is only the rebels against Allah's Law who will suffer loss. The more they will oppose Truth, the deeper down will they go into the mire-the state of sin and Wrath, which is worse than destruction.

وَإِذَآ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى الإِنسَانِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَأَى بِجَانِبِهِ...   

17:83.  Yet when We bestow Our favors on man, he turns away and becomes remote on his side (instead of coming to Us),

...وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ كَانَ يَؤُوسًا ﴿٨٣﴾

and when Evil seizes him he gives himself up to despair!

C2283. Truth saves us from two extremes:

-        when we are happy, we are saved from being puffed up, for we realise that everything comes from Allah;

-        and when we suffer misfortunes, we are not in despair, for we know that Allah is our sure refuge and help.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ...   

17:85.  They ask thee concerning the Spirit (of inspiration).

C2285. What is the nature of inspiration?

Who brings it?

Can it ask its Bringer questions?

Can we ask anything which we wish?

These are the sort of questions always asked when inspiration is called in question. The answer is given here,.

Inspiration is one of those high experiences which cannot be explained in the terms of our everyday human experience. It is spiritual.

The Spirit (Gabriel) does not come of his own will. He comes by the command of Allah, and reveals what Allah commands him to reveal.

Of the sum-total of true divine knowledge what a small part it is that ordinary mortals can understand! They can be only given that which they can understand, however dimly. We are not in a position to ask anything that we wish. If we did so, it would only make us look foolish, for the guidance comes from Allah's Wisdom, not from our worldly knowledge.

...قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن الْعِلْمِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً ﴿٨٥﴾

Say:

"The Spirit (cometh) by command of my Lord:

of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)

وَلَئِن شِئْنَا لَنَذْهَبَنَّ بِالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ...   

17:86.  If it were Our Will, We could take away that which We have sent thee by inspiration:

C2286. Even the spiritual knowledge that comes to us comes because of the favour and mercy of Allah. If He were to withhold it, who can call Him in question?

...ثُمَّ لاَ تَجِدُ لَكَ بِهِ عَلَيْنَا وَكِيلاً ﴿٨٦﴾

then would thou find none to plead thy affair in that matter as against Us --

Other versions:

17: 82

Pickthall And We reveal of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy for believers though it increase the evil-doers in naught save ruin.

Yuksel The Same Book, Yet Two Different Effects

We send down from the Quran what is a healing and mercy to those who acknowledge. It only increases the wicked in their loss.*

Wa nunazzilu minal qur'a_ni ma_ huwa syifa_'uw wa rahmatul lil mu'minin(a), wa la_ yaziduz za_limina illa_ khasa_ra_(n).

[[Ali’s notes - 2282 In Allah's revelation there is healing for our broken spirits, hope for our spiritual future, and joy in the forgiveness of our sins. All who work in faith will share in these privileges. It is only the rebels against Allah's Law who will suffer loss. The more they will oppose Truth, the deeper down will they go into the mire-the state of sin and Wrath, which is worse than destruction. (17.82)

[[ Yuksel’s note - 017:082 The meaning of this verse has been distorted by clerics so that they could write, package, and sell verses of the Quran as amulets, drugs, aspirin, or band-aids. The placebo effect was enough to keep the market, and Muslim masses started considering the ink and paper where the Quran written as totems. The Quran is not a drug, but a prescription for universal salvation and eternal happiness, including this world. See 10:57.]]

17: 83 Pickthall And when We make life pleasant unto man, he turneth away and is averse; and when ill toucheth him he is in despair.

Transliteration Wa iza_ an'amna_ 'alal insa_ni a'rada wa na'a_ bi ja_nibih(i), wa iza_ massahusy syarru ka_na ya'u_sa_(a).

17: 85

[alPickthall They will ask thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little.

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

17: 86

Pickthall And if We willed We could withdraw that which We have revealed unto thee, then wouldst thou find no guardian for thee against Us in respect thereof.

Transliteration Wa la'in syi'na_ lanazhabanna billazi auhaina_ ilaika summa la_ tajidu laka bihi 'alaina_ wakila_(n),

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31. Luqman Mecca Period [57]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٣﴾

31:3. A Guide and a Mercy to the Doers of Good, --

C3581. A guide to all, and, to those who accept its guidance, a source of mercy as leading them to Salvation.

الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُم بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ ﴿٤﴾

31:4. Those who

- establish regular Prayer,

- and give regular Charity,

- and have (in their hearts) the assurance of the Hereafter.

C3582. The righteous are distinguished here by three marks, which are summed up in the phrase "doers of good", viz.:

1. they yearn towards Allah in duty, love, and prayer,

2. they love and serve their fellow-men in charity,

3. they win peace and rest for themselves in the assured hope of the Future.

أُوْلَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ...

31:5. These are on (true) guidance from their Lord;

C3583. They get these blessings because they submit their will to Allah's Will and receive His guidance. They will do well in this life (from the highest standpoint) and they will reach their true Goal in the Future.

...وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٥﴾

and these are the ones who will prosper.

Asad’s Version:

THESE ARE MESSAGES of the divine writ, full of wisdom, 2

(31:3) providing guidance and grace unto the doers of good

(31:4) who are constant in prayer and dispense charity: 3 for it is they, they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come!

31:5

It is they who follow the guidance [that comes to them) from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state!