6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَوَهَبْنَا
لَهُ إِسْحَقَ
وَيَعْقُوبَ
كُلاًّ هَدَيْنَا...
6: 84. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided:
C903. We have now a list of eighteen Prophets in four groups, covering the great Teachers accepted among the three great religions based on Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.
The first group to be mentioned is that of Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob.
Abraham was the first to have a Book. His Book is mentioned in 87:19, though it is now lost. They were therefore the first to receive Guidance in the sense of a Book.
...وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ...
and before him, We guided Noah,
C904. In the second group, we have the great founders of families, apart from Abraham, viz., Noah of the time of the Flood;
- David and Solomon, the real establishers of the Jewish monarchy;
- Job, who lived 140 years, saw four generations of descendants, and was blessed at the end of his life with large pastoral wealth (Job 42:16,12);
- Joseph, who as Minister of State did great things in Egypt and was the progenitor of two Tribes; and
- Moses and Aaron, the leaders of the Exodus from Egypt. They led active lives and called "doers of good."
...وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِ دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَى وَهَارُونَ...
and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron:
...وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٨٤﴾
thus do We reward those who do good:
وَزَكَرِيَّا
وَيَحْيَى
وَعِيسَى وَإِلْيَاسَ
...
6: 85. And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias:
C905. The third group consists not of men of action, but Preachers of Truth, who led solitary lives. Their epithet is: "the Righteous."
They form a connected group round Jesus. Zakariya was the father of John the Baptist as Elias, which was for to come" (Matt 11:14); and Elias is said to have been present and talked to Jesus at the Transfiguration on the Mount (Matt. 17:3).
Elias is the same as Elijah. (R).
... كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾
all in the ranks of the righteous:
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ
وَالْيَسَعَ
وَيُونُسَ
وَلُوطًا...
6: 86. And Isma'il and Elisha, and Jonahs, and Lut:
C906. This is the last group, described as those "favoured above the nations."
It consists of four men who had all great misfortunes to contend with, and were concerned in the clash of nations, but they kept in the path of Allah, and came through above the clash of nations.
- Ismail was the eldest son of Abraham; when he was a baby, he and his mother had nearly died of thirst in the desert round Makkah; but they were saved by the well of Zamzam, and became the founder of the new Arab nation.
- Elisha (Al-Yasa) succeeded to the mantle of the Prophet Elijah (same as Elias, see last note); he lived in troublous times for both the Jewish kingdoms (of Judah and Israel); there were wicked kings, and other nations were pressing in on them; but he performed many miracles, and some check was given to the enemies under his advice.
- The story of Jonah (Yunus) is well-known: he was swallowed by a fish or whale, but was saved by God's mercy: through his preaching, his city (Nineveh) was saved (10:98).
- Lut was a contemporary and nephew of Abraham: when the city of Sodom was destroyed for its wickedness, he was saved as a just man (7:80-84).
...وَكُلاًّ فضَّلْنَا عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٨٦﴾
and to all We gave favor above the nations:
وَمِنْ
آبَائِهِمْ
وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ
وَإِخْوَانِهِمْ...
6: 87. (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren:
C907. I take verse 87 to refer back to all the four groups just mentioned.
...وَاجْتَبَيْنَاهُمْ وَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٨٧﴾
We chose them.
And We guided them to a straight way.
Pickthall’s Version:
6: 84
Asad and We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; and We guided each of them as We had guided Noah aforetime. And out of his offspring, David, and Solomon, and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron: for thus do We reward the doers of good ...........................(names of prophets) ...And every one of them was the righteous; .......And every one of them did We favor above other people ..........We elected them and guided them onto a straight way.
Pickthall And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good.
Transliteration Wa wahabna_ lahu_ isha_qa wa ya'qu_b(a), kullan hadaina_ wa nu_han hadaina_ min qablu wa min zurriyatihi da_wu_da wa sulaima_na wa ayyu_ba wa yu_sufa wa mu_sa_ wa ha_ru_n(a), wa kaza_lika najzil muhsinin(a).
[[ Ruby’s note – The guidance came to those who were doers of good. Therefore the guidance was not an arbitrary choice. It was based on the absolute knowledge of God as to who is sincere and dedicated to His service and cause. The clause placed here indicates that.]]
6: 85
Pickthall And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias. Each one (of them) was of the righteous.
Transliteration Wa zakariyya_ wa yahya_ wa 'isa_ wa ilya_s(a), kullum minas sa_lihin(a).
6: 86
Pickthall And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one of them did We prefer above (Our) creatures,
Transliteration Wa isma_'ila wal yasa'a wa yu_nusa wa lu_ta_(n), wa kullan faddalna_ 'alal 'a_lamin(a).
6: 87
Pickthall With some of their forefathers and thee offspring and thee brethren; and We chose them and guided them unto a straight path:
Transliteration Wa min a_ba_'ihim wa zurriya_tihim wa ikhwa_nihim, wajtabaina_hum wa hadaina_hum ila_sira_tim mustaqim(in).
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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.
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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9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
كَانَ اللّهُ
لِيُضِلَّ
قَوْمًا بَعْدَ
إِذْ هَدَاهُمْ
حَتَّى يُبَيِّنَ
لَهُم مَّا
يَتَّقُونَ...
9: 115. And Allah will not mislead a people after He hath guided them, in order that He may make clear to them what to fear (and avoid) --
C1367. Allah's clear commands are given, so that Believers may not be misled by their human frailty into unbecoming conduct.
... إِنَّ اللّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١١٥﴾
for Allah hath knowledge of all things.
إِنَّ اللّهَ
لَهُ مُلْكُ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضِ
يُحْيِـي
وَيُمِيتُ...
9: 116. Unto Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth.
He giveth life and He taketh it.
... وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ ﴿١١٦﴾
Except for Him ye have no protector nor helper.
Pickthall’s Version:
9: 115
Pickthall It was never Allah's (part) that he should send a folk astray after He had guided them until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid. Lo! Allah is Aware of all things.
Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_nallu_hu liyudilla qaumam ba'da iz hada_hum hatta_ yubayyina lahum ma_ yattaqu_n(a), innall_ha bi kulli syai'in 'alim(un).
9: 116
Pickthall Lo! Allah! Unto Him belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He quickeneth and He giveth death. And ye have, instead of Allah, no protecting friend nor helper.
Transliteration Innalla_ha lahu_ mulkus sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), yuhyi wa yumit(u), wa ma_ lakum min du_nilla_hi miw waliyyiw wa la_ nasir(in).
[[Ali’s notes -
1367 Allah's clear commands are given, so that Believers may not be misled by their human frailty into unbecoming conduct. (9.115)]]
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10. [yunus, mecca 51]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاللّهُ
يَدْعُو إِلَى
دَارِ السَّلاَمِ
وَيَهْدِي مَن
يَشَاء إِلَى
صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٢٥﴾
10: 25. But Allah doth call to the Home of Peace:
He doth guide whom He pleaseth to a way that is straight.
C1413. In contrast with the ephemeral and uncertain pleasures of this material life, there is a higher life to which Allah is always calling.
It is called the Home of Peace. For there is no fear, nor disappointment nor sorrow there. And all are called, and those will be chosen who have sought, not material advantages, but the Good Pleasure of Allah.
Salam, Peace, is from the same root as Islam, the Religion of Unity and Harmony.
لِّلَّذِينَ
أَحْسَنُواْ
الْحُسْنَى
وَزِيَادَةٌ ...
10: 26. To those who do right is a goodly (reward) -- yea, more (than in measure)!
C1414. The reward of the righteous will be far more than in proportion to their merits. For they will have the supreme bliss of being near to Allah, and "seeing His face". (R).
... وَلاَ يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلاَ ذِلَّةٌ...
No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces!
C1415. The face is the symbol of the Personality, the inner and real Self, which is the antithesis of the outer and ephemeral Self.
It will be illuminated with Allah's Light, behind which is no shadow or darkness. All its old shortcomings will be blotted out, with their sense of shame, for there will be Perfection, as in Allah's sight.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾
They are Companions of the Garden;
they will abide therein (for aye)!
Pickthall’s Version:
10: 25
Pickthall And Allah summoneth to the abode of peace, and leadeth whom He will to a straight path.
Transliteration Walla_hu yad'u_ ila_ da_ris sala_m(i), wa yahdi may yasya_'u ila_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).
10: 26
Pickthall For those who do good is the best (reward) and more (thereto). Neither dust nor ignominy cometh near their faces. Such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein.
Transliteration Lillazina ahsanul husna_ wa ziya_dah(tun), wa la_ yarhaqu wuju_hahum qataruw wa la_ zillah(tun), ula_'ika asha_bul jannati hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).