36. Surah Ya Sin (O Thou Human Being) Mecca 41
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِن
كُلٌّ لَّمَّا
جَمِيعٌ لَّدَيْنَا
مُحْضَرُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾
36: 32. But each one of them all -- will be brought before Us (for judgment).
وَآيَةٌ
لَّهُمُ الْأَرْضُ
الْمَيْتَةُ...
36: 33. A Sign for them is the earth that is dead;
C3977. Lest any one should say, 'if they are destroyed, how can they be brought before the Judgment-seat' a symbol is pointed to.
The earth is to all intents and purposes dead in the winter, but Allah revives it in the spring.
Cf. 2:164, 30:19, and many other passages to that effect.
... أَحْيَيْنَاهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾
We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat.
وَجَعَلْنَا
فِيهَا جَنَّاتٍ
مِن نَّخِيلٍ
وَأَعْنَابٍ...
36: 34. And We produce therein orchards with date-palms and Vines,
C3978. Date-palms and vines stand as symbols for fruit-trees of all kinds, these being the characteristic fruits of Arabia. Grain was mentioned in the last verse; fruit is mentioned now.
All that is necessary for food and the satisfaction of the choicest palate is produced from what looks like inert soil, fertilised by rain and springs.
Here is wonderful evidence of the artistry and providence of Allah.
... وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنْ الْعُيُونِ ﴿٣٤﴾
and We cause springs to gush forth therein.
لِيَأْكُلُوا
مِن ثَمَرِهِ ...
36: 35. That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry):
C3979. Literally, eat (akala). Cf. 7:19, n. 1004 and 5:66, n. 776.
The same wide meaning of profit, satisfaction, and enjoyment may be attached to the word "eat" in verse 33 above.
... وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ...
it was not their hands that made this:
C3980. Man may till the soil and sow the seed, but the productive forces of nature were not made by man's hands. They are the handiwork and artistry of Allah, and are evidence of Allah's providence for His creatures.
See n. 3978 above.
... أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾
will they not then give thanks?
Asad’s Version:
(36:32) and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned?
And [yet,] they have a sign [of Our power to create and to resurrect] in the lifeless earth which We make alive, and out of which We bring forth grain, whereof they may eat;
(36:34) and [how] We make gardens of date-palms and vines [grow] thereon, and cause springs to gush [forth] within it,
(36:35) so that they may eat of the fruit thereof, though it was not their hands that made it. Will they not, then, be grateful?
41. Fussilat (Clearly Spelled Out/Expounded)
Mecca Period 61 [54 ayats]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمِنْ
آيَاتِهِ
أَنَّكَ
تَرَى
الْأَرْضَ
خَاشِعَةً...
41: 39. And among His Signs is this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate;
C4510. Evil makes of the souls of men what drought makes of land: it kills life, beauty, and fruitfulness.
...فَإِذَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاء اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ...
but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase.
Allah's Word in the spiritual world has the same wonderful effect as rain has on barren land: it gives life, beauty, and fruitfulness. And the effect of Allah's Word is also seen through the lives of men who repel evil with what is better. They also convert dead souls (which harbour spite and hatred) into living souls, which come into the main current of spiritual life, and help in carrying out Allah's beneficent Purpose.
...إِنَّ الَّذِي أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى...
Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead.
C4511. Why should we wonder then at the potency of Allah's Word, whether in our probationary lives here, or in the eternal life of the Hereafter.
...إِنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٣٩﴾
For He has power over all things.
Asad’s Version:
(41:39) For among His signs is this: thou seest the earth lying desolate - and lo! when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells [with life] ! Verily, He who brings it to life can surely give life to the dead [of heart as well]: for, behold, He has the power to will anything."