7. [al-Araf, Mecca 39]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ
عَنِ
السَّاعَةِ
أَيَّانَ
مُرْسَاهَا...
7: 187. They ask thee about the (final) hour, when will be its appointed time?
...قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي لاَ يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ...
Say:
"The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): none but He can reveal as to when it will occur.
C1159. The fact of its coming is a certainty: the exact time appointed for it is not revealed by Allah. If it were it would be so momentous as to disturb our thoughts and life. It would be a heavy burden to us. Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times.
It will come when we least expect it. In the present Gospels Jesus says the same thing: he does not know the Hour, but it will come suddenly.
"But of that day and that Hour knoweth no man, no, not the angles which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark. 13:32-33).
...ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ لاَ تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلاَّ بَغْتَةً ...
Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth.
Only, all of a sudden, will it come to you.
...يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا...
They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof:
C1160. Hafiyy is usually construed to mean; "eager or anxious in search of":
the preposition following here is 'an = concerning, about.
Some commentators (including Raghib) understand it in this passage to mean "well-acquainted."
In 19:47, with the preposition bi following it, it signifies "well-disposed to", favourable to, good to, kind to."
...قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ اللّهِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨٧﴾
Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."
قُل
لاَّ
أَمْلِكُ
لِنَفْسِي
نَفْعًا
وَلاَ
ضَرًّا
إِلاَّ
مَا
شَاء
اللّهُ...
7: 188. Say:
"I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah willeth.
...وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لاَسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ...
If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me,
...إِنْ أَنَاْ إِلاَّ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٨٨﴾
I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."
C1161. A warner to all, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith, because they will profit by the glad tidings.
As every one is invited to faith, the glad tidings are offered to all, but they are not necessarily accepted by all.
7: 187
Asad …………[and] it will not fall upon you otherwise than of a sudden. They will ask thee – as if you could gain insight into this [mystery] by dint of persistent inquiry [note 153]!...............
Pickthall They ask thee of the (destined) Hour, when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof is with my Lord only. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares. They question thee as if thou couldst be well informed thereof. Say: Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most of mankind know not.
Transliteration Yas'alu_naka 'anis sa_'ati ayya_na mursa_ha_, qul innama_'ilmuha_ 'inda rabbi, la_ yujalliha_ li waqtiha_ illa_ huw(a), saqulat fis sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), la_ ta'tikum illa_ bagtah(tan), yas'alu_naka ka annaka hafiyyun 'anha_, qul innama_ 'ilmuha_ 'indalla_hi wa la_kinna aksaran na_si la_ ya'lamu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 153 - …….no amount of inquiry or speculation can reveal to man – the prophets included – the coming of the Last Hour before its actual manifestation.]]
7: 188
Asad ……..I am nothing but a warner, and a herald of glad tidings unto people who will believe. [note 154]”
Pickthall Say: For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.
Transliteration Qul la_ amliku linafsi naf'aw wa la_ darran illa_ ma_ sya_'alla_h(u), wa lau kuntu a'lamul gaiba lastaksartu minal khairi - wa ma_ massaniyas su_'u - in ana illa_ naziruw wa basyirul li qaumiy yu'minu_n(a).
Asad’s note 154 – See 6:50, as well as the corresponding note. The repeated insistence in the Quran on the humanness of the Prophet is in tune with the doctrine that no created being has or could have any share, however small, in any of the Creator’s qualities or powers. …]
[[ Ali’s notes - 1159 The fact of its coming is a certainty: the exact time appointed for it is not revealed by Allah. If it were it would be so momentous as to disturb our thoughts and life. It would be a heavy burden to us. Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times. It will come when we least expect it. In the present Gospels Jesus says the same thing: he does not know the Hour, but it will come suddenly. "But of that day and that Hour know no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark. xiii. 32-33). (7.187)
1160 Hafi is usually construed to mean; "eager or anxious in search of": the preposition following here is 'an = concerning, about. Some commentators (including Ragib) understand it in this passage to mean "well-acquainted." In xix. 47, with the preposition by following it, it signifies "well-disposed to", favourable to, good to, kind to." (7.187)]]
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12: 103
Asad Yet – however strongly you may desire it – most people will not believe
Yusuf Ali Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have however ardently thou dost desire it.
Pickthall And though thou try much, most men will not believe.
Transliteration Wa ma_ aksarun na_si wa lau harasta bi mu'minin(a).
12: 104
Asad although you do not ask of them any reward for it, it is but reminder unto all mankind.
Yusuf Ali And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than a Message for all creatures.
Pickthall Thou askest them no fee for it. It is naught else than a reminder unto the peoples.
Yusuf Though you do not ask them for a wage for it; it is but a reminder to the worlds.
Transliteration Wa ma_ tas'aluhum 'alaihi min ajr(in), in huwa illa_ zikrul lil 'a_lamin(a).
12: 105
Yusuf Ali And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by? Yet they turn (their faces) away from them!
Pickthall How many a portent is there in the heavens and the earth which they pass by with face averted!
Yuksel How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, while they are turning away from it.
Transliteration Wa ka'ayyim min a_yatin fis sama_wa_ti wal ardi yamurru_na 'alaiha_ wa hum 'anha_ mu'ridu_n(a).
12: 106
Yusuf Ali And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with Him!
Pickthall And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners (unto Him).
Yuksel Most of them will not acknowledge God without setting up partners.
Transliteration Wa ma_ yu'minu aksaruhum billa_hi illa_ wa hum musyriku_n(a).
12: 107
Yusuf Ali Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the wrath of Allah or of the coming against them of the (final) Hour all of a sudden while they perceive not?
Pickthall Deem they themselves secure from the coming on them of a pall of Allah's punishment, or the coming of the Hour suddenly while they are unaware?
Yuksel Are they secure against the coming of a cover of retribution from God, or that the moment would come to them suddenly while they do not perceive?
Transliteration Afa'aminu_ an ta'tiyahum ga_syiyatum min 'aza_billa_hi au ta'tiyahumus sa_'atu bagtataw wa hum la_ yasy'uru_n(a).
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18. [al-Hijr, Mecca 54]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
18: 21. Thus
C2357. Thus: in this way, by these means, i.e., by the sending out of one of the Sleepers with the old money to the town to buy provisions. His old-fashioned dress, appearance, and speech, and the old uncurrent money which he brought, at once drew the attention of people to him .
When they learnt his story, they realized that Allah, Who can protect His servants thus and raise them up from sleep after such a long time, has power to raise up men for the Resurrection, and that His promise of goodness and mercy to those who serve Him is true and was exemplified in this striking way.
On the other hand, to the men of the Cave themselves, it became clear that Allah can change the situation before we are aware, and our hope in Him is not futile, and that even when we are on the brink of despair, a revolution is surely working in the world before the world itself realises it.
... أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ...
did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true,
... وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَا...
and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment.
... إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ...
Behold they dispute among themselves as to their affair.
C2358. The perversity of man is such that as soon as ever a glimpse of truth becomes manifest, men fall into controversies about it.
The Sleepers could not judge about the duration of their stay in the Cave, but they wisely left the matter and attended to the urgent business of their lives.
The townsfolk could not agree as to the significance of the event; they fell to discussing immaterial details.
What sort of a memorial should they raise?
a house or a place of worship or a tablet?
The place of worship was built. But the real significance was missed until explained in the Quran.
... فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَانًا...
(Some) said, "Construct a building over them":
... رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ...
their Lord knows best about them:
... قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا ﴿٢١﴾
those who prevailed over their affair said, "Let us surely build a place of worship over them."
Other Versions:
18: 21
Asad ……….- that God’s promise if true, and that there can be no doubt as to [the coming of] the Last Hour…….so some said: “Erect a building in their memory; ………”Indeed, we maust surely raise a house of worship in their memory!”
Pickthall And in like manner We disclosed them (to the people of the city) that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that, as for the Hour, there is no doubt concerning it. When (the people of the city) disputed of their case among themselves, they said: Build over them a building; their Lord knoweth best concerning them. Those who won their point said: We verily shall build a place of worship over them.
Transliteration Wa kaza_lika a'sarna_ 'alaihim liya'lamu_ anna wa'dalla_hi haqquw wa annas sa_'ata la_ raiba fiha_, iz yatana_za'u_na bainahum amrahum faqa_lu-bnu_ 'alaihim bunya_na_(n), rabbuhum a'lamu bihim, qa_lal lazina galabu_ 'ala_ amrihim lanattakhizanna 'alaihim masjida_(n).
[ Ali’s note 2358 The perversity of man is such that as soon as ever a glimpse of truth becomes manifest, men fall into controversies about it. The Sleepers could not judge about the duration of their stay in the Cave, but they wisely left the matter and attended to the urgent business of their lives. The townsfolk could not agree as to the significance of the event; they fell to discussing immaterial details. What sort of a memorial should they raise?-a house or a place of worship or a tablet? The place of worship was built. But the real significance was missed until explained in the Qur-an. (18.21)]
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15. Surah Al Hijr
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضَ
وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا
إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ...
15: 85. We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for just ends.
C2005. Allah's Creation is all for a true, just, and righteous purpose. Cf. 10:5.
It is not for mere whim or sport. 21:16.
...وَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لآتِيَةٌ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ ﴿٨٥﴾
And the Hour is surely coming (when this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness.
C2006. The Hour will not be long delayed when the true Design and Pattern of Life will be manifest. We must not be impatient, if there appear to be, to our limited vision, apparent injustices. We must bear and forbear, and as far as our own personal feelings are concerned, we must overlook other people's faults with "a gracious forgiveness".
Other Versions:
15: 85
Pickthall We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and lo! the Hour is surely coming. So forgive, O Muhammad, with a gracious forgiveness.
Yuksel We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is in between except with the truth. The moment is coming, so overlook their faults gracefully.*
Transliteration Wa ma_ khalaqnas sama_wati wal arda wa ma_ bainahuma_ illa_ bil haqq(i), wa innas sa_'ata la a_tiyatun fa-sfahis safhal jamil(a).
[[ Yuksel’s note - 015:085-88 The Quran contains some interesting hints regarding the end of the world. See 20:15; 72:27. ]]
15: 86
Pickthall Lo! Thy Lord! He is the All Wise Creator.
Yuksel Your Lord is the Creator, the Knower.
Transliteration Inna rabbaka huwal khalla_qul 'alim(u).