21. Surah Al Anbiya

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً...  

21: 72.  And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob,

C2728. Nafilat has many meanings:

-         booty;

-         extra work or prayer;

-         extra or additional gift;

-         grandson.

The two last significations are implied here. Not only was Abraham given a son in his old age; he was given not only Isaac, but several sons, the chief being Isma'il and Isaac, who both joined in burying him (Gen. 25:9); and he also saw grandsons. Isma'il is specially mentioned later (21:85) apart from Isaac's line, on account of his special importance for Islam.

...وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَالِحِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾

and We made righteous men of every one (of them).

Asad’s Version:

21:72

And We bestowed upon him Isaac and [Isaac's son] Jacob as an additional gift, 67 and caused all of them to be righteous men, (21:73) and made them leaders who would guide [others] in accordance with Our behest: for We inspired them [with a will] to do good works, and to be

constant in prayer, and to dispense charity: and Us [alone) did they worship.

Arabic Source and Roman Transliteration Arabic   وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَالِحِينَ &#x21E8 Transliteration   Wawahabna lahu ishaqa wayaAAqooba nafilatan wakullan jaAAalna saliheena &#x21E8

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning Muhammad Asad   And We bestowed upon him Isaac and [Isaacs son] Jacob as an additional gift and caused all of them to be righteous men, &#x21E8 M. M. Pickthall   And We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous. &#x21E8 Shakir   And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqoub, a son's son, and We made (them) all good. &#x21E8 Yusuf Ali   And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We made righteous men of every one (of them). &#x21E8 Wahiduddin Khan   We bestowed Isaac and then Jacob on him as an additional boon and We made all of them righteous. &#x21E8 [Al-Muntakhab]   And We bestowed on him Ishaq (Isaac) and in addition We graced him with Ya'cob (Jacob) -a grand son- each of whom We characterized by virtue and righteousness. &#x21E8 [Progressive Muslims]   And We granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift, and each of them We made a good doer.

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلُوطًا آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا...  

21: 74.  And to Lut, too, we gave Judgment and Knowledge,

...وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَت تَّعْمَلُ الْخَبَائِثَ...

and We saved him from the town which practiced abominations:

...إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمَ سَوْءٍ فَاسِقِينَ ﴿٧٤﴾

truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious people.

C2730. Lut's people were given to unspeakable abominations. His mission was to preach to them. He withstood Evil, but they rejected him. They were punished, but he and his followers were saved.

Asad’s Version:

21:74

AND UNTO Lot, too, We vouchsafed sound judgment and knowledge [of right and wrong], and saved him from that community which was given to deeds of abomination. 68 [We destroyed those people - for,] verily, they were people lost in evil, depraved –

(21:75) whereas him We admitted unto Our grace: for, behold, he was among the righteous.