16. [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلّهِ حَنِيفًا...   

16: 120. Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in faith,

C2156. Ummah: a model, pattern, example for imitation;

but the idea that he was an Ummah in himself, standing alone against his world, should not be lost sight of.

See next note.

... وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٢٠﴾  

and he joined not gods with Allah:

C2157. The Gospel of Unity has been the comer-stone of spiritual Truth for all time. In this respect Abraham is the model and fountain-head for the world of western Asia and its spiritual descendants all over the world.

Abraham was among a people (the Chaldeans) who worshipped stars and had forsaken the Gospel of Unity. He was among them but not of them. He suffered persecution, and left his home and his people, and settled in theland of Canaan.

شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ...   

16: 121. He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah,

... اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿١٢١﴾  

Who chose him, and guided him to a straight way.

Pickthall’s Version:

16: 120

Pickthall Lo! Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the idolaters;

Transliteration Inna ibra_hima ka_na ummatan qa_nital lilla_hi hanifa_(n), wa lam yaku minal musyrikin(a),

16: 121

Pickthall Thankful for His bounties; He chose him and He guided him unto a straight path.

Transliteration Sya_kiral li'an'umih(i), ijtaba_hu wa hada_hu ila_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).