EARTH
2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الَّذِي
جَعَلَ
لَكُمُ الأَرْضَ
فِرَاشاً وَالسَّمَاء
بِنَاء وَأَنزَلَ
مِنَ السَّمَاء
مَاء...
2: 22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heaven your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens;
... فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقاً لَّكُمْ...
and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance;
... فَلاَ تَجْعَلُواْ لِلّهِ أَندَاداً وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونََ ﴿٢٢﴾
then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).
C41. Further proofs of Allah's goodness to you are given in this verse. Your whole life, physical and spiritual, depends upon Him. The spiritual is figured by the Canopy of Heaven.
The truth has been brought plainly before you. Will you still resist it and go after false gods, the creation of your own fancy?
The false gods may be idols, superstitions, Self, or even great or glorious things like Poetry, Art, or Science, when set up as rivals to Allah. They may be pride of race, pride of birth, pride of wealth or position, pride of power, pride of learning, or even spiritual pride.
2: 22
Asad who has made the earth a resting –place for you and the sky a canopy, and has sent down water from the sky and thereby brought forth fruits for your sustenance: do not , then, claim that there is any power that could rival God, when you know [that He is One]. (Note13)
Pickthall Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).
Transliteration Allazi ja'ala lakumul arda fira_syaw was sama_'a bina_'a(n), wa anzala minas sama_'i ma_'an fa akhraja bihi minas samara_ti rizqal lakum, fala_ taj'alu_ lilla_hi anda_daw wa antum ta'lamu_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 13: Lit., “ do not give God any compeers” (andad, pl. of nidd). There is full agreement among all commentators that this term implies any object of adoration to which some or all of God’s qualities are ascribed, whether it be conceived as a deity “in its own right” or a saint supposedly possessing certain divine or semi-divine powers……]
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13. Surah Ar Ra'd
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَهُوَ
الَّذِي مَدَّ
الأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ
فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ
وَأَنْهَارًا...
13: 3. And it is He Who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and (flowing) rivers:
...وَمِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ...
and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two:
C1804. I think that this refers to sex in plants, and I see M Pickthalls has translated accordingly.
Plants like animals have their reproductive apparatus, -male stamens and female pistils. In most cases the same flower combines both stamens and pistils, but in some cases these organs are specialized in separate flowers, and in some cases, even in separate trees. The date-palm of Arabia and the Papaya of India, are instances of fruit trees which are unisexual.
...يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ...
He draweth the Night as a veil o'er the Day.
C1805. Cf. 7:54 and n. 1032. The whole passage there may be compared with the whole passage here.
Both their similarity and their variation show how closely reasoned each argument is, with expressions exactly appropriate to each occasion.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٣﴾
Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who consider!
Other Versions:
13: 3
Asad It is He who has spread the earth wide and placed on it firm mountains and running waters, and created thereon two sexes of every [kind of]plant;……….Verily, in all this there are messages indeed for people who think!
Pickthall And He it is who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits be placed therein two spouses (male and female). He covereth the night with the day. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought.
Transliteration Wa huwal lazi maddal arda wa ja'ala fiha_ rawa_siya wa anha_ra_(n), wa min kullis samara_ti ja'ala fiha_ zaujaini-snaini yugsyil lailan naha_r(a), inna fi za_lika la a_ya_til liqaumiy yatafakkaru_n(a).
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15. Surah Al Hijr
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَالأَرْضَ
مَدَدْنَاهَا
وَأَلْقَيْنَا
فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ...
15: 19. And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable;
C1955. Majesty, order, beauty and harmony are shown in all Allah's Creation, but especially in the heavens.
Coming nearer to man, Allah's care for man and His goodness are shown (besides His other qualities) in His creation of the earth.
In highly poetical language, the earth is described as spread out like a carpet, on which the hills act as weights to keep it steady.
...وَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْزُونٍ ﴿١٩﴾
and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.
C1956. And every kind of thing is produced on the earth in due balance and measure.
The mineral kingdom supports the vegetable and they in their turn support the animal, and there is a link of mutual dependence between them.
Excess is eliminated. The waste of one is made the food of another, and vice versa. And this is a chain of gradation and inter-dependence.
وَجَعَلْنَا
لَكُمْ فِيهَا
مَعَايِشَ...
15: 20. And We have provided therein means of subsistence -- for you
...وَمَن لَّسْتُمْ لَهُ بِرَازِقِينَ ﴿٢٠﴾
and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible.
C1957. See last note.
'We provide sustenance of every kind, physical, mental, spiritual, etc., for you (i.e. for mankind). But We do more. We provide for everyone of Our creatures. And there are those of which mankind is not even cognizant. We provide for them also.
There are those who may at first sight appear hostile to man, or whom man may consider hostile, such as wild and noxious animals. They are Our creatures, and We provide for them also, as they are Our creatures. But there is due order and balance in the economy of Our universal Plan.'
Other Versions:
15: 19
Asad And the earth – We have spread it our wide, and placed on it mountains firm , and caused of every kind to grow on it in a balanced manner,
Pickthall And the earth have We spread out, and placed therein firm hills, and caused each seemly thing to grow therein.
Transliteration Wal arda madadna_ha_ wa alqaina_ fiha_ rawa_siya wa ambatna_ fiha_ min kulli syai'im mauzu_n(in).
[Ali’s note: 1956 And every kind of thing is produced on the earth in due balance and measure. The mineral kingdom supports the vegetable and they in their turn support the animal, and there is a link of mutual dependence between them. Excess is eliminated. The waste of one is made the food of another, and vice versa. And this is a chain of gradation and inter-dependence. (15.19) ]
15: 20
Asad and provided thereon means of livelihood for you as well as for all whose sustenance does not depend on you.
Pickthall And We have given unto you livelihoods therein, and unto those for whom ye provide not.
Transliteration Wa ja'alna_ lakum fiha_ ma'a_yisya wa mal lastum lahu_ bi ra_ziqin(a).
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16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا ذَرَأَ
لَكُمْ فِي
الأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا
أَلْوَانُهُ...
16: 13. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities):
C2032. Whose heart has not been moved by the glorious gradation of colours in the sunset clouds?
The gradations are infinite, and it is only the eye of an artist that can express their collective beauty. They are but a type of the infinite variety and gradation of qualities in the spiritual sphere even in the little space of our own globe.
The big things that can be measured and defined have been spoken of before. Here we have mention of the subtle nuances in the spiritual world which can only be perceived by men who are so high in spiritual insight that their only reaction is to "cerebrate the praises of Allah" in gratitude for His infinite Mercies.
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿١٣﴾
verily in this is a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
C2033. Read again n. 2030 above, and see how subtly we are led up from the perception of the big to the perception of the subtle and delicate colours and qualities in the spiritual world.
وَهُوَ
الَّذِي سَخَّرَ
الْبَحْرَ ...
16: 14. It is He Who has made the sea subject,
C2034. We have gone up in a climax of material things from the big to the subtle in the sky and the earth. Here we have another climax as regard the things of the sea.
We get the delicate flesh of fishes and marine creatures of all kinds; we get the treasures of the deep; pearls, coral, amber, and things of that kind; and we have the stately ships ploughing the waves, for maritime commerce and intercourse, for unifying mankind, and for realising the spiritual bounty of Allah which can best be expressed by the boundless ocean.
... لِتَأْكُلُواْ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا...
that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender,
C2035. Connoisseurs know the delicate flavours of sea fish, such as the pomfret of the Indian Ocean, the herring of the North Atlantic, the mullet of Marseilles, and many another kind. Tart, translated "fresh and tender," also refers to the soft moist nature of fresh fish.
It is another wonder of Allah that salt water should produce flesh or such fresh, tender, and delicate flavour.
... وَتَسْتَخْرِجُواْ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا...
and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear;
C2036. Diving for pearls-in both the primitive and the more advanced form-is another instance of man's power over apparently inaccessible depths of the sea.
... وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ...
and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves,
... وَلِتَبْتَغُواْ مِن فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٤﴾
that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
C2037. After the material benefits which we get from the sea, we are asked to consider things of higher import to the spirit of man.
There is the beautiful ship which stands as the symbol of international commerce and intercourse, things that may be of material benefit, but which have a higher aspect in unifying man and making his civilisation more universal. These are first steps in seeking of the "bounty of Allah" through the sea.
But there are higher aspects. Navigation and international intercourse increase knowledge, which in its higher aspects should clean the mind and make it fitter to approach Allah. The salt water, which covers nearly 72 percent, of the surface of the Globe, is itself a purifying and sanitary agent, and is a good symbol of the higher bounties of Allah, which are as boundless as the Ocean.
Other Versions:
16: 13
Asad And all the many hues which He has created for you on earth: in this, behold, there is a message for people who take it to heart!
Pickthall And whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues, lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed.
Transliteration Wa ma_ zara'a lakum fil ardi mukhtalifan alwa_nuh(a_), inna fi za_lika la a_yatal liqaumiy yazzakkaru_n(a).
16: 14
Pickthall And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.
Transliteration Wa huwal lazi sakhkharal bahra lita'kulu_ minhu lahman tariyyaw wa tastakhriju_ minhu hilyatan talbasu_naha_, wa taral fulka mawa_khira fihi wa litabtagu_ min fadlihi wa la'allakum tasykuru_n(a).
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17. [ al-Israa, Mecca 50 ]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
تُسَبِّحُ
لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ
السَّبْعُ
وَالأَرْضُ
وَمَن فِيهِنَّ...
17: 44. The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory:
...وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدَهِ وَلَـكِن لاَّ تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ...
there not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory!
C2229. All Creation, animate and inanimate, sings Allah's praises and celebrates His glory,
- animate, with consciousness, and
- inanimate, in the evidence which it furnishes of the unity and glory of Allah.
All Nature bears witness to His power, wisdom, and goodness. It is only "ye", i.e., those who reject the whole trend of your nature and deny Faith simply because ye have been given a limited amount of choice and free-will,
- it is only such as "ye" that understand not what every other creature understands and proclaims with joy and pride.
What must be your degradation! And yet Allah bears with you and forgives you! Such is His goodness! (R).
...إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا ﴿٤٤﴾
Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving!
Pickthall’s Version:
17: 44
Pickthall The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but hymneth his praise; but ye understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.
Transliteration Tusabbihu lahus sama_wa_tus sab'u wal ardu wa man fihinn(a), wa im min syai'in illa_ yusabbihu bi hamdihi wa la_kil la_ tafqahu_na tasbihahum, innahu_ ka_na haliman gafu_ra_(n).
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55. Sura ar-Rahman
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَرَجَ
الْبَحْرَيْنِ
يَلْتَقِيَانِ
﴿١٩﴾
55: 19. He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together:
C5185. See 25:53, and n. 3111, where it is explained how the two bodies of water, salt and sweet, meet together, yet keep separate, as if there was a barrier or partition between them.
This is also one of the favours of Allah. Sea-water is a sanitating agent, while fresh water is sweet and palatable to drink.
For the allegorical interpretation, see notes 2404 - 2405 t0 18::60; also note 5186 below.
بَيْنَهُمَا
بَرْزَخٌ لَّا
يَبْغِيَانِ
﴿٢٠﴾
55: 20. Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress:
Asad’s Version:
55: 19 He hath loosed the two seas. They meet.
55:20 There is a barrier between them. They encroach not (one upon the other).
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57. Sura al-Hadid
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
هُوَ
الَّذِي خَلَقَ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضَ
فِي سِتَّةِ
أَيَّامٍ ...
57: 4. He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days,
C5277. "In six Days": see 41:9-12, and notes;
also more briefly, n. 1031 to 7:54.
... ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ...
and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of authority).
It is not that Allah completed His Creation in six days and rested on the seventh day, or rests now.
Certain external forms of the universe were by Allah's Command completed in six periods of evolution. But His creative process still goes on, and He is still, and will always be, in full control, knowing all and guiding all affairs. (R).
...يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاء وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا...
He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it.
...وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ...
And He is with you wheresoever ye may be.
C5279. Allah watches over man and observes his deeds. His knowledge comprehends all, the earth, heavens, what is in them or above them or whatever is in between them, comes out of them or goes into them, for "not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge", and "there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is inscribed in a Record". (6:59). [Eds.]
... وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٤﴾
And Allah sees well all that ye do.
Asad’s Version:
57:4 …He knoweth all that entered the earth and all that emergeth therefrom andd that cometh down from the sky and all that ascendeth therein; …..