13. [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
اللّهُ
الَّذِي رَفَعَ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ
تَرَوْنَهَا...
13: 2. Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see;
C1800. Should we construe the clause "that ye can see" to refer to "pillars" or "to the heavens"?
Either is admissible, but I prefer the former.
The heavens are supported on no pillars that we can see. What we see is the blue vault of heaven, but there are invisible forces or conditions created by Allah, which should impress us with His power and glory.
...ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ...
is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority);
C1801. Cf. 10:3 , and n. 1386.
We must not think that anything came into being by itself or carries out its functions by itself. Allah is the Creator from Whom everything has its life and being and through Whom everything is maintained and supported, even though fixed laws are established for its regulation and government.
... وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ...
He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law)!
...كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى...
each one runs (its course) for a term appointed.
The "term appointed" limits the duration of their functioning: its ultimate return is to Allah, as its beginning proceeded from Allah.
...يُدَبِّرُ الأَمْرَ ...
He doth regulate affairs,
Where the laws of nature are fixed, and everything runs according to its appointed course, the government and regulation behind it is still that of Allah.
Where there is limited free will as in man, yet the ultimate source of man's faculties is Allah.
Allah cares for His creatures. He does not, as in the idea of polytheistic Greece, sit apart on Olympus, careless of His creatures.
... يُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَاء رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢﴾
explaining the Signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.
C1803. One manifestation of His caring for His creatures, even where a limited amount of free-will is granted for their development, is that He is careful to explain His Signs both in nature and in express and detailed revelation through His Messengers, lest man should have any doubts whether he has to return ultimately to his Lord and account for all his actions during the "term appointed," when he was given some initiative by way of trial and preparation.
If man attends carefully to the Signs, he should have no doubt whatever.
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!
وَفِي
الأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ
مُّتَجَاوِرَاتٌ...
13: 4. And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring,
وَجَنَّاتٌ
مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ
وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ
صِنْوَانٌ
وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ
يُسْقَى بِمَاء
وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ...
and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees -- growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water,
C1806. Does "growing out of single roots or otherwise" qualify "palm trees" or "vines" and "corn" as well?
The former construction is adopted by the classical Commentators: in which case the reference is to the fact either;
- that two or more palm trees occasionally grow out of a single root, or
- that palm trees grow sometimes as odd trees and sometimes in great thick clusters.
If the latter construction is adopted, the reference would be to the fact that date-palm (and palms generally) and some other plants arise out of a single tap-root, while the majority of trees arise out of a net-work of roots that spread out extensively.
Here is adaptation to soil and water conditions,-another Sign or wonder of Creation.
...بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الأُكُلِ...
yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat.
C1807. The date-palm, the crops of food-grains, and the grape-vine are all fed by the same kind of water, yet how different the harvests which they yield! And that applies to all vegetation.
The fruit or eatable produce may vary in shape, size, colour, flavour, etc., in endless variety.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٤﴾
Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who understand!
13: 2
Pickthall Allah it is who raised up the heavens without visible supports, then mounted the Throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service, each runneth unto an appointed term; He ordereth the course; He detaileth the revelations, that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.
Yuksel God, Who raised the skies without any pillars that you can see, then He established the authority, and He commissioned the sun and the moon; each running to a fixed destiny. He manages all affairs, and He details the signs so that you will be aware of the meeting with your Lord.
Transliteration Alla_hul lazi rafa'as sama_wa_ti bi gairi 'amadin taraunaha_ summa-stawa_ 'alal 'arsyi wa sakhkharasy syamsa wal qamar(a), kulluy yajri li ajalim musamma_(n), yudabbirul amra yufassilul a_ya_ti la'allakum biliqa_'i rabbikum tu_qinu_n(a).
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!
Yuksel He is the One who stretched out the land, made in it stabilizers and rivers, and from every fruit He made a pair of two; the night covers the day. In that are signs for a people who will 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).
13: 4
Pickthall And in the Earth are neighboring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands, and date palms, like and unlike, which are watered with one water. And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who have sense.
Yuksel On earth are neighboring pieces of land with gardens of grapes and plants and palm trees, some of which may be twins sharing the same root, or single, even though they are being watered with the same water source; and We make preference for some of them over others in what they consume. In that are signs for a people who reason.
Transliteration Wa fil ardi qita'um mutaja_wira_tuw wa janna_tum min a'na_biw wa zar'uw wa nakhilun sinwa_nuw wa gairu sinwa_niy yusqa_ bi ma_'iw wa_hid(in), wa nufaddilu ba'daha_ 'ala_ ba'din fil ukul(i), inna fi za_likala a_ya_til liqaumiy ya'qilu_n(a).
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14. [Ibrahim, Mecca 72]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
اللّهُ الَّذِي
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضَ...
14: 32. It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth
...وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ...
and sendeth down rain from the skies, and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you;
...وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِيَ فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ...
it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command;
...وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الأَنْهَارَ ﴿٣٢﴾
and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.
C1908. We must realise that behind all our strength, skill, and intelligence there is the power and goodness of Allah, Who gave us all these things. Man can understand and control the forces of nature so as to bring them to his own service: he can only do so, because
- he has got these gifts from Allah, and
- Allah has fixed definite laws in nature, of which he can take advantage by Allah's command and permission.
He has been made Vicegerent on earth (2:30);
Allah commanded the highest creatures to bow down to Adam (2:34).
Man, by Allah's command, can use rain to produce food for himself; make ships to sail the seas; use rivers as highways, and cut canals for traffic and irrigation.
Not only this, but even the heavenly bodies can (by Allah's command) contribute to his needs (see next verse).
وَسَخَّر
لَكُمُ الشَّمْسَ
وَالْقَمَرَ
دَآئِبَينَ...
14: 33. And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses:
C1909. The sun gives out heat, which is the source of all life and energy on this planet, and produces the seasons of the year, by utilizing which man can supply his needs, not only material, but immaterial in the shape of light, health, and other blessings.
The sun and the moon together produce tides, and are responsible for atmospheric changes which are of the highest importance in the life of man.
The succession of Day and Night is due to the apparent daily course of the sun through the skies; and the cool light of the moon performs other services different from those of warm day-light.
Because there are laws here, which man can understand and calculate, he can use all such things for his own service, and in that sense the heavenly bodies are themselves made subject to him by Allah's command.
...وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ﴿٣٣﴾
and the Night and the Day hath He (also) made subject you.
Pickthall’s Version:
14: 32
Pickthall Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and cause water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you, and make the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers;
Transliteration Alla_hul lazi khalaqas sama_wa_ti wal arda wa anzala minas sama_'i ma_'an fa akhraja bihi minas samara_ti rizqal lakum, wa sakhkhara lakumul fulka litajriya fil bahri bi amrih(i), wa sakhkhara lakumul anha_r(a).
14: 33
Pickthall And maketh the sun and the moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day.
Transliteration Wa sakhkhara lakumusy syamsa wal qamara da_'ibain(i), wa sakhkhara lakumul laila wan naha_r(a).
1908 We must realise that behind all our strength, skill, and intelligence there is the power and goodness of Allah, Who gave us all these things. Man can understand and control the forces of nature so as to bring them to his own service: he can only do so, because (1) he has got these gifts from Allah, and (2) Allah has fixed definite laws in nature, of which he can take advantage by Allah's command and permission. He has been made Vicegerent on earth (ii. 30); Allah commanded the highest creatures to bow down to Adam (ii. 34). Man, by Allah's command, can use rain to produce food for himself; make ships to sail the seas; use rivers as highways, and cut canals for traffic and irrigation. Not only this, but even the heavenly bodies can (by Allah's command) contribute to his needs (see next verse). (14.32)
1909 The sun gives out heat, which is the source of all life and energy on this planet, and produces the seasons of the year, by utilising which man can supply his needs, not only material, but immaterial in the shape of light, health, and other blessings. The sun and the moon together produce tides, and are responsible for atmospheric changes which are of the highest importance in the life of man. The succession of Day and Night is due to the apparent daily course of the sun through the skies; and the cool light of the moon performs other services different from those of warm day-light. Because there are laws here, which man can understand and calculate, he can use all such things for his own service, and in that sense the heavenly bodies are themselves made subject to him by Allah's command. (14.33)
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16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَأَلْقَى
فِي الأَرْضِ
رَوَاسِيَ أَن
تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ...
16: 15. And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you;
Here and elsewhere the earth is spoken of as a spacious carpet beneath our feet and the hills as a steadying agent to keep the carpet from rolling or shaking about.
In 78:7 they are spoken of as pegs or stakes. (R).
... وَأَنْهَارًا وَسُبُلاً لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٥﴾
and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves,
C2039. In this passage (16:15-16) we have the metaphor of the fixed mountains further allegorized.
In these verses the key-words are indicated by the symbols for man's Guidance (tahtadun).
- First, the physical symbols are indicated; the mountains that stand firm and do not change from day to day in the landscape, unlike shifting sand-dunes, or the coast line of the sea, or rivers and streams, which frequently change their courses, then we have rivers and roads, which are more precise and therefore more useful, though less permanent;
- then we have 'alamat (sign-posts), any kinds of signs erected by man, like direction posts, light-houses or beacons, or provided in nature, as tall trees, etc.;
- and finally, we have the pole-star, and now the magnetic needle, with its variations marked on navigation charts.
All these are symbols for the higher Guidance which Allah provides for the spirit of man.
See next note.
وَعَلامَاتٍ
وَبِالنَّجْمِ
هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٦﴾
16: 16. And marks and signposts;
and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
C2040. See last note.
Let us examine the completed allegory. As there are beacons, landmarks and signs to show the way to men on the earth, so in the spiritual world. And it is ultimately Allah Who provides them, and this is His crowning Mercy.
Like the mountains there are spiritual Landmarks in the missions of the Great Prophets: they should guide us, or teach us, to guide ourselves, and not shake hither and thither like a ship without a rudder or people without Faith.
As rivers and streams mark out their channels, smoothing out levels so we have wholesome Laws and Customs established, to help us in out lives.
Then we have the examples of Great Men as further sign-posts: "Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime."
In long-distance travel, the pole-star and the magnetic needle are our guides; so in our long-distance journey to the other world, we have ultimately to look to heavenly guidance or its reflection in Allah's Revelation.
أَفَمَن
يَخْلُقُ كَمَن
لاَّ يَخْلُقُ
أَفَلا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿١٧﴾
16: 17. Is then He Who creates like one that creates not?
Will ye not receive admonition?
C2041. The supreme majesty of Allah have been set out in His favours of all kinds, it will be seen at once that the worship of any other than Allah is meaningless and ridiculous.
Shall we not take the hint and understand?
Pickthall’s Version:
16: 15
Pickthall And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way.
Transliteration Wa alqa_ fil ardi rawa_siya an tamida bikum wa anha_raw wa subulal la'allakum tahtadu_n(a),
[ Ruby’s note: This I believe is referring to the knowledge recently acquired regarding the Plate Tectonic movements: mountain ranges have worked as glue to two plates converging together: wherever this range is absent along the merging areas of two plates such as Sun Andrea’s fault and others, there are more earth quake. ]
16: 16
Pickthall And landmarks (too), and by the star they find a way.
Transliteration Wa 'ala_ma_t(in), wa bin najmi hum yahtadu_n(a).
16: 17
Pickthall Is He then Who createth as him who createth not? Will ye not then remember?
Transliteration Afamay yakhluqu kamal la_ yakhluq(u), afala_ tazakkaru_n(a).