42. Ash-Shura (Consultation)

Mecca Period 53

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ ...

42: 30. Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought,

C4570. All evil, all sorrow, all pain and affliction, are things not normal, things twisted from the pure and holy nature as created by Allah's hands. As far as man is concerned, his misfortunes are but the consequences of the things he has done. He must bear personal responsibility for them and not throw the blame on others.

... وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ ﴿٣٠﴾

and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.

وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ...

42: 31. Nor can ye frustrate (aught), (fleeing) through the earth;

C4571. Every evil deed or word or thought must have its evil consequences: but if Allah forgives anything,-and He forgives much, yet no one imagine that he has defeated- or can defeat-Allah's Will or Plan.

...وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ ﴿٣١﴾

nor have ye, besides Allah, anyone to protect or to help.

The only help or protection that is possible is from Allah.

Cf. 29:22.

Asad’s Version:

42:30 Now whatever calamity may befall you [on Judgment Day] will be an outcome of what your own hands have wrought, 34 although He pardons much;

(42:31) and you cannot elude Him on earth, and you will have none to protect you from God [in the life to come], and none to bring you succour.