Burden No More than One can bear

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلاَدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ...

2: 233. The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires, to complete the term.

C266. As this comes in the midst of the regulations on divorce, it applies primarily to cases of divorce, where some definite rule is necessary, as the father and mother would not, on account of the divorce, probably be on good terms, and the interests of the children must be safeguarded.

As, however, the wording is perfectly general, it has been held that the principle applies equally to the father and mother in wedlock: each must fulfil his or her part in the fostering of the child.

On the other hand, it is provided that the child shall not be used as an excuse for driving a hard bargain on either side. By mutual consent they can agree to some source that is reasonable and equitable, both as regards the period before weaning (the maximum being two years) and the engagement of a wet-nurse, or (by analogy) for artificial feeding.

But the mother's privileges must not be curtailed simply because by mutual consent she does not nurse the baby. In a matter of this kind the ultimate appeal must be to godliness, for all legal remedies are imperfect and may be misused.

... وَعلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ...

But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms.

C266a. i.e. in case of divorce. [Eds}.

... لاَ تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا...

No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear.

... لاَ تُضَآرَّ وَالِدَةٌ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلاَ مَوْلُودٌ لَّهُ بِوَلَدِهِ...

No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child.

... وَعَلَى الْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ ...

An heir shall be chargeable in the same way

... فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالاً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا...

if they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them.

... وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن تَسْتَرْضِعُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُمْ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُم مَّآ آتَيْتُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ...

If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms.

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٢٣٣﴾

But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

Asad’s Version:

2:233 ........No human being shall be burdened with more than he is well able to bear;

2: 286 “God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear: in his favor shall be whatever good he does, and against him whatever evil de does……”O our Sustainer! Lay not upon us a burden such as you did lay upon those who lived before us [note 278]!

[[ Asad’s note 278 – A reference to the heavy burden of rituals imposed by the Law of Moses upon the children of Israel, as well as the world-renunciation recommended by Jesus to his followers.]]

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7. [al-Araf, Mecca 39]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ لاَ نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا...

7: 42. But those who believe and work righteousness, no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear,

...أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾

they will be companions of the garden, therein to dwell (for ever).

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الأَنْهَارُ...

7: 43. And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury; beneath them will be rivers flowing;

C1021. A man who may have suffered or been disappointed may have a lurking sense of injury it the back of his mind, which may spoil his enjoyment on account of past memory intruding in the midst of felicity. In such cases memory itself is pain. Even sorrow is intensified by memory: as Tennyson says,

"A sorrow's crown of sorrows is remembering happier things."

But that is in this our imperfect life. In the perfect felicity of the righteous, all such feelings will be blotted out. No "heartaches" then and no memories of them! The clouds of the past will have dissolved in glorious light, and no past happiness will be comparable with the perfect happiness which will have then been attained. Nor will any sense of envy or shortcoming be possible in that perfect bliss.

...وَقَالُواْ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَـذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللّهُ...

and they shall say:

"Praise be to Allah, Who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah:

...لَقَدْ جَاءتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ ...

indeed it was the truth that the Messengers of our Lord brought unto us."

...وَنُودُواْ أَن تِلْكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾

And they shall hear the cry:

"Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made its inheritors, for your deeds (of righteousness)."

C1022. Jesus said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth": Matt. 5:5.

Here we are told: blessed are the righteous, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. The stress here is on actual practical deeds of righteousness: whether they find their rewards on earth or not is immaterial: their attention is directed to an infinitely greater reward, the kingdom of heaven.

In the Sermon on the Mount this is promised to the "poor in spirit": Matt. 5:3.

Other Versions:

7: 42

Asad But those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds – [and] We do not burden any human being with more than he is well to bear - they are destined for paradise, therein to abide, 7: 43 after We shall have removed whatever unworthy thoughts or feelings may have been in their bosoms. Running waters will flow at their feet; and they will say: All praise is due to God, who has guided us unto this; for we would certainly not have found the right path unless God had guided us ! Indeed, our Sustainer’s apostles have told us the truth!”

Pickthall But (as for) those who believe and do good works We tax not any soul beyond its scope. Such are rightful owners of the Garden. They abide therein.

Transliteration Wallazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti la_ nukallifu nafsan illa_ wus'aha_ ula_'ika asha_bul jannah(ti), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

7: 43

Pickthall And We remove whatever rancor may be in their hearts. Rivers flow beneath them. And they say: The praise to Allah, Who hath guided us to this. We could not truly have been led aright if Allah had not guided us. Verily the messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth. And it is cried unto them: This is the Garden. Ye inherit it for what ye used to do.

Transliteration Wa naza'na_ ma_ fi sudu_rihim min gillin tajri min tahtihimul anha_r(u), wa qa_lul hamdu lilla_hil lazi hada_na_ liha_za_, wa ma_ kunna_ linahtadiya lau la_ an hada_nalla_h(u), laqad ja_'at rusulu rabbina_ bil haqq(i), wa nu_du_ an tilkumul jannatu u_ristumu_ha_ bima_ kuntum ta'malu_n(a).

[[ Ali’s notes-

1021 A man who may have suffered or been disappointed may have a lurking sense of injury in the back of his mind, which may spoil his enjoyment on account of past memory intruding in the midst of felicity. In such cases memory itself is pain. Even sorrow is intensified by memory: as Tennyson says, "A sorrow's crown of sorrows is remembering happier things." But that is in this our imperfect life. In the perfect felicity of the righteous, all such feelings will be blotted out. No "heartaches" then and no memories of them! The clouds of the past will have dissolved in glorious light, and no past happiness will be comparable with the perfect happiness which will have then been attained. Nor will any sense of envy or shortcoming be possible in that perfect bliss. (7.43)

1022 Jesus said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth": Matt. v. 5. Here we are told: blessed are the righteous, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. The stress here is on actual practical deeds of righteousness: whether they find their rewards on earth or not is immaterial: their attention is directed to an infinitely greater reward, the kingdom of heaven. In the Sermon on the Mount this is promised to the "poor in spirit": Matt. v, 3. (7.43) ]]

[[ Asad ‘s note 34 –Lit., “beneath them”: i.e., all blessings will be at their command.]]

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23. [al-Muminun, Mecca 74]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا...

23:62 On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear:

C2913. Cf. 2:286 and n. 339 .

...وَلَدَيْنَا كِتَابٌ يَنطِقُ بِالْحَقِّ...

before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth:

C2914. The record speaks clearly, and shows exactly what each soul has done and thought, and what is due to it in justice.

The worst will receive full justice. The best will receive far more than their due: 28:84.

...وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾

they will never be wronged.

بَلْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فِي غَمْرَةٍ مِّنْ هَذَا...

23: 63. But their hearts are in confused ignorance of this;

C2915. This is said of the Unbelievers who rejected Faith and rejoiced in the vanities of this world. In spite of the proclamation of Truth, they are doubtful of the future Life and Judgment.

...وَلَهُمْ أَعْمَالٌ مِن دُونِ ذَلِكَ هُمْ لَهَا عَامِلُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾

and there are, besides that, deeds of theirs, which they will (continue) to do --

C2916. In addition to their rejection of Faith, they have against them positive deeds of wrong-doing, from which, on account of their contempt of the Light from Allah, they will not desist until they are sharply pulled up for punishment: and then repentance will be too late!

حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذْنَا مُتْرَفِيهِم بِالْعَذَابِ إِذَا هُمْ يَجْأَرُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾

23: 64. Until, when We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world, behold, they will groan in supplication!

Other Versions:

23:62

23:63

23:64

[[Asad’s notes - 34 This passage obviously connects with the last sentence of verse 56 - "Nay, but they do not perceive [their error] ! " - and, hence, refers to the people spoken of in verse 54 as being "lost in their Ignorance" (fi ghamratihim).

35 Namely, actions and dogmatic assertions which utterly contradict the teachings of the very apostles whom they claim to follow, like ascribing divine qualities to beings other than God, worshipping saints, or rejecting divine revelations which do not accord with their own likes and dislikes or with their customary mode of thinking.

36 See surah 17, note 22. The particular reference, in this context, to people "who [at present] are lost in the pursuit of pleasures" contains an allusion to verse 55 above (see my explanation in note 32, especially the last sentence). The "taking to task though suffering" spoken of here may refer to the Day of Judgment or - as in 17:16 to the inevitable social ruin which, in the long run,wrong beliefs and actions bring with themselves in this world. ]]

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53. Sura al-Najm

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى ﴿٣٨﴾

53: 38.  Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;

C5113. Here follows a series of eleven aphorisms.

• The first is that a man's spiritual burden-the responsibility for his sin must be borne by himself and not by another: Cf. 6:164.

There can be no vicarious atonement.

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى ﴿٣٩﴾

53: 39.  That man can have nothing but what he strives for;

Asad’s Version:

53: 38 THAT NO BEARER OF BURDENS SHALL BE MADE TO BEAR ANOTHER’S BURDEN; see Asad note 31 ( similar verses 5 places in Quran:

6:164, 17:15, 35:18, 39:7)

53: 39 and that nought shall be accounted unto man but what he is striving for;

see Asad note 32