Submission - Surrender

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ...

2: 208. O ye who believe! enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One;

... إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٢٠٨﴾

for he is to you an avowed enemy.

فَإِن زَلَلْتُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٢٠٩﴾

2: 209. If ye backslide after the clear (signs) have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

C230. If you backslide after the conviction has been brought home to you, you may cause some inconvenience to the Cause, or to those who counted upon you, but do not be so arrogant as to suppose that you will defeat Allah's Power and Wisdom. The loss will be your own.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الأَمْرُ...

2: 210. Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds, with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled?

... وَإِلَى اللّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ ﴿٢١٠﴾

But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

C231. If faith is wanting, all sorts of excuses are made to resist the appeal of Allah. They might and do say:

"Oh yes! we shall believe if Allah appears to us with His angels in His glory!"

In other words they want to settle the question in their way, and not in Allah's way.

That will not do. The decision in all questions belongs to Allah. If we are true to Him, we wait for His times and seasons, and do not expect Him to wait on ours.

Other versions:

2: 208 [al-Baqarah, Medina 87]

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Surrender yourselves wholly unto God [note 191], and follow not Satan’s footsteps, for, verily, he is your open foe.

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.

Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manud khulu_ fis silmi ka_ffah(tan), wa la_ytattabi'u_ khutuwa_tisy syaita_n(i), innahu_ lakum 'aduwwum mubin(un).

[ Asad’s note 191 – Lit., “enter wholly into self-surrender”. Since self-surrender to God is the basis of all true belief, some of the greatest commentators (e.g. Zamakhshari, Razi) hold that the address, “O you who have attained to faith” cannot refer here to Muslims – a designation which, throughout the Quran, literally means “those who have surrendered themselves to God” – but must relate to people who have not yet achieve such complete self-surrender: that is, to Jews and the Christians, who do believe in most of the earlier revelations but do not regard the message of the Quran as true. This interpretation would seem to be borne out by the subsequent passages. ]

2: 209

Yusuf Ali If ye backslide after the clear (signs) have come to you then know that Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.

Pickthall And if ye slide back after the clear proofs have come unto you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Fa in zalaltum mim ba'di ma_ ja_'atkumul bayyina_tu fa'lamu_ annalla_ha 'azizun hakim(un).

2: 210

Yusuf Ali Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled? But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

Pickthall Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).

Transliteration Hal yanzuru_na illa_ ay ya'tiyahumulla_hu fi zulim minal gama_mi wal mala_'ikatu wa qudiyal amr(u), wa ilalla_hi turja'ul umu_r(u).

[ Asad’s note 193 I.e., it will be too late for repentance. All commentators agree in that the “decision” relates to the unequivocal manifestation of God’s will on the Day of Judgment , which his alluded to in the words, “when unto God all things will have been brought back.”

4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ...  

4: 65.  But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them,

... ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٦٥﴾

and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.

C583. The test of true Faith is not mere lip profession, but bringing all our doubts and disputes to the one in whom we profess faith.

Further, when a decision is given we are not only to accept it. but find in our inmost souls no difficulty and no resistance, but on the contrary a joyful acceptance springing from the conviction of our own faith.

فَقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ لاَ تُكَلَّفُ إِلاَّ نَفْسَكَ وَحَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ...   

4: 84.  Then fight in Allah's cause -- thou art held responsible only for thyself, and rouse the believers.

... عَسَى اللّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأْسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...  

It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the unbelievers:

... وَاللّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأْسًا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلاً ﴿٨٤﴾

for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.

C603. The courage of Muhammad was as notable as his wisdom, his gentleness, and his trust in Allah. Facing fearful odds, he often stood alone, and took the whole responsibility on himself. But his example and visible trust in Allah inspired and roused the Muslims, and also -speaking purely from a human point of view- restrained the fury of his enemies.

When we consider that he was Allah's inspired Messenger to carry out His Plan, we can see that nothing can resist that Plan. If the enemy happens to have strength, power, or resources, Allah's strength, power, and resources are infinitely greater. If the enemy is meditating punishment on the righteous for their righteousness. Allah's punishment for such wickedness will be infinitely greater and more effective.

Asad’s Version:

4: 65 But nay, by thy Sustainer! They do not believe unless they make thee [O Prophet] a judge of all on which they disagree among themselves, and then find in their hearts no bar to an acceptance of thy decision and give themselves up [to it] in utter self-surrender. Asad, see note 84.

SURRENDER TO GOD and Trust God

4: 84 Fight you, then , in God's cause - since you are but responsible for your own self - and inspire the believers to overcome all fear of death. God may well curb the might of those who are bent on denying the truth: for God is stronger in might, and stronger in ability to deter.

5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ...

5: 11. O ye who believe!

call in remembrance the favor of Allah unto you

... إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُواْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ...

when certain men formed the design to stretch out their hands against you, but (Allah) held back their hands from you:

C708. In the life-time of the Prophet it happened again and again that the enemies of Islam stretched out their hands against him, his people, and his teaching. The odds were, from a worldly point of view, in their favour, but their hands were rendered inert and powerless because they were fighting against the truth of Allah.

So does it happen always, now as it did then. True faith must take heart, and at the same time humbly recognise Allah's favour and mercy, and be grateful.

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١١﴾

so fear Allah. And on Allah let believers put (all) their trust.

يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الأَرْضَ المُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَكُمْ ...

5: 21. "O my people! enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you

C724. We now come to the events detailed in the 13th and 14th chapters of the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Read these as a Commentary, and examine a good map of the Sinai Peninsula, showing its connections with Egypt on the west. North-West Arabia on the east, and Palestine on the north-east.

We may suppose that Israel crossed from Egypt into the Peninsula somewhere near the northern extremity of the Gulf of Suez. Moses organized and numbered the people, and instituted the Priesthood. They went south about 200 miles to Mount Sinai where the Torah was received. Then, perhaps a hundred and fifty miles north, was the desert of Paran, close to the southern borders of Canaan.

From the camp there twelve men were sent to spy out the land, and they penetrated as far as Hebron, say about 150 miles north of their camp, about 20 miles south of the future Jerusalem. They saw a rich country, and brought from it pomegranates and figs and a bunch of grapes so heavy that it had to be carried by two men on a staff. They came back and reported that the land was rich, but the men there were too strong for them. The people of Israel had no courage and no faith, and Moses remonstrated with them.

... وَلاَ تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ ﴿٢١﴾

and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin."

قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى ...

5: 22. They said: "O Moses!

... إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْمًا جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّىَ يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا...

in this land are a people of exceeding strength: never shall we enter it until they leave it:

C725. The people were not willing to follow the lead of Moses, and were not willing to fight for their "inheritance."

In effect they said: "Turn out the enemy first, and then we shall enter into possession."

In Allah's Law we must work and strive for what we wish to enjoy.

... فَإِن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَاخِلُونَ ﴿٢٢﴾

if (once) they leave, then shall we enter."

قَالَ رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ...

5: 23. (But) among (their) God-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His Grace: they said:

C726. Among those who returned after spying out the land were two men who had faith and courage.

They were Joshua and Caleb. Joshua afterwards succeeded Moses in the leadership after 40 years.

These two men pleaded for an immediate entry through the proper Gate, which I understand to mean, "after taking all due precautions and making all due preparations". Cf. 2:189 and n. 203.

But of course, they said, they must put their trust in Allah for victory.

... ادْخُلُواْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ...

"Assault them at the (proper) gate:

... فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَالِبُونَ ...

when once ye are in, victory will be yours.

... وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٣﴾

But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith."

Asad’s Version:

5: 11 O you who believe ! Remember the blessings which God bestowed upon you when [hostile] people were about to lay hands on you and He stayed their hands from you. Remain, then conscious of God: and in God let the believers place their trust.

( Asad note 20: ...and by implication to the initial weakness of every religious movement)

5: 21 – 23 .......O my people ! Enter the holy land which God has promised you; but do not turn back............They answered : “O Moses! Behold, ferocious people dwell in that land,..........two men from among those who feared [God, and ] whom God had blessed, said: “Enter upon them through the gate – for as soon as you enter it, behold, you shall be victorious! And in God you must place your trust if you are [truly] believers!”.

6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ اللّهِ أَتَّخِذُ وَلِيًّا...

6: 14. Say:

"Shall I take for my protector any other than Allah,

فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَهُوَ يُطْعِمُ وَلاَ يُطْعَمُ ...

the Maker of the heavens and the earth?

And He is that feedeth but is not fed."

C847. Feedeth but is not fed: true both literally and figuratively.

To God we owe the satisfaction of all needs, but He is independent of all needs.

...قُلْ إِنِّيَ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكَينَ ﴿١٤﴾

Say:

"Nay! but I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah (in Islam), and be not thou of the company of those who join gods with Allah."

قُلْ أَنَدْعُو مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَنفَعُنَا وَلاَ يَضُرُّنَا...

6: 71. Say:

"Shall we indeed call on others besides Allah, things that can do us neither good nor harm,

C895. In continuation of the seven heads of argument referred to in notes. 876 and 885, we have here the final two heads:

8. who would, after receiving guidance from the living, eternal God, turn to lifeless idols? to do so would indeed show that we were made into fools, wandering to a precipice;

9. therefore accept the only true guidance, the guidance of God, and obey his Law, for we shall have to answer before His judgment-seat.

...وَنُرَدُّ عَلَى أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَانَا اللّهُ...

and turn on our heels after receiving guidance from Allah?

...كَالَّذِي اسْتَهْوَتْهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فِي الأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُ أَصْحَابٌ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى الْهُدَى ائْتِنَا...

-- like one whom the evil ones have made into a fool, wandering bewildered through the earth, his friends calling 'Come to us', (vainly) guiding him to the Path."

...قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىَ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٧١﴾

Say:

"Allah's guidance is the (only) guidance, and we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;

Other versions:

6: 14 Say: “Am I to take for my master anyone but God, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, when it is He who gives nourishment and himself needs none?” Asad see note

Say: “I am bidden to be foremost among those who surrender themselves unto God, and not to be among those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him.”

6: 71 [al-Anam, Cattle, Mecca 55]

Asad Say: “Shall we invoke, instead of God, something that can neither benefit us nor harm us, and [thus] turn around on our heels after God has guided us aright? – like one whom the satans have enticed into blundering after earthly lusts, the while his companions, trying to guide him, call out unto him [from afar} [note 63], ‘come you to us!’

“ Say: “Verily, God’s guidance is the only guidance: and so we have been bidden to surrender ourselves into the Sustainer of all the worlds,

Yusuf Ali Say: "Shall we indeed call on others besides Allah things that can do us neither good nor harm and turn on our heels after receiving guidance from Allah? Like one whom the evil ones have made into a fool wandering bewildered through the earth his friends calling `Come to us' (vainly) guiding him to the Path." Say: "Allah's guidance is the (only) guidance and we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;

Pickthall Say: Shall we cry, instead of unto Allah, unto that which neither profiteth us nor hurteth us, and shall we turn back after Allah hath guided us, like one bewildered whom the devils have infatuated in the earth, who hath companions who invite him to the guidance (saying): Come unto us? Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah is Guidance, and we are ordered to surrender to the Lord of the Worlds,

Transliteration Qul anad'u_ min du_nilla_hi ma_ la_ yanfa'una_ wa la_ yadurruna_ wa nuraddu 'ala_ a'qa_bina_ ba'da iz hada_nalla_hu kallazistahwathusy syaya_tinu fil ardi haira_na lahu_ asha_buy yad'u_nahu_ ilal huda'tina_, qul inna hudalla_hi huwal huda_, wa umirna_ linuslima lirabbil'a_lamin(a).

10. Surah Yunus

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ نُوحٍ ...   

10: 71.  Relate to them the story of Noah.

C1456. The reference to Noah's story here is only incidental, to illustrate a special point. The fuller story will be found in 11:25-48, and in many other passages,

e.g., 7:59-64, 23:23-32, 26:105-122, and 37:75-82.

At each place there is a special point in the context.

The special point here is that Noah's very life and preaching among his wicked people was a cause of offence to them. But he feared nothing, trusted in Allah, delivered his message, and was saved from the Flood.

... إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ...

Behold! he said to his People:

...يَا قَوْمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُم مَّقَامِي وَتَذْكِيرِي بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ فَعَلَى اللّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ...

"O my People! if it be hard on your (mind) that I should stay (with you) and commemorate the Signs of Allah -- yet I put my trust in Allah.

...فَأَجْمِعُواْ أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءكُمْ...

Get ye then an agreement about your plan and among your Partners,

...ثُمَّ لاَ يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً...

so your plan be not to you dark and dubious.

C1457. Firm in his sense of Truth from Allah. Noah plainly told his people to condemn him to death if they liked, openly and in concert, so that he should at least know who would listen to his Message and who would not. He wanted them to be frank and direct, for he feared nothing.

...ثُمَّ اقْضُواْ إِلَيَّ وَلاَ تُنظِرُونِ ﴿٧١﴾

Then pass your sentence on me, and give me no respite.

فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ...

10: 72.  "But if ye turn back, (consider): no reward have I asked of you:

C1458. The Prophet of Allah preaches for the good of his people. But he claims no reward from them, but on the contrary is reviled, persecuted, banished, and often slain.

... إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللّهِ...

my reward is only due from Allah,

...وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾

and I have been commanded to be of those who submit to Allah's Will (in Islam)."

Other versions:

10: 71 [Yunus, Mecca 10]

Asad …….”O my people ! If my presence and my announcement of God’s messages are repugnant to you – well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, upon what you are going to do, and those beings to whom you ascribe a share in God’s divinity; and once you have chosen your course of action, let no hesitation deflect you from it………”

Yusuf Ali Relate to them the story of Noah. Behold! he said to his People: "O my People! if it be hard on your (mind) that I should stay (with you) and commemorate the Signs of Allah yet I put my trust in Allah. Get ye then an agreement about your plan and among your Partners so your plan be not to you dark and dubious. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite.

Pickthall Recite unto them the story of Noah, when he told his people: O my people! If my sojourn (here) and my reminding you by Allah's revelations are an offence unto you, in Allah have I put my trust, so decide upon your course of action, you and your partners. Let not your course of action be in doubt, for you. Then have at me, give me no respite.

Yuksel Recite for them the news of Noah as he said to his people: "My people, if my position has become too troublesome for you, and my reminding you of God's signs, then in God I place my trust. So, gather your action and your partners together, then make certain your action does not cause you regret, then come to judge me, and do not hold back."

Transliteration Watlu 'alaihim naba'a nu_h(in), iz qa_la li qaumihi ya_ qaumi in ka_na kabura 'alaikum maqa_mi wa tazkiri bi a_ya_tilla_h fa 'alalla_hi tawakkaltu fa ajmi'u_ amrakum wa syuraka_'akum summa la_ yakun amrukum 'alaikum gummatan summa-qdu_ ilayya wa la_ tunziru_n(a).

[[ Ruby’s note 10:71 – This particular expression shows Noah’s trust in God and firmness in his pursuit. Noah challenged his wicked people to inflict him with the severest penalty and see if he changes a bit by that. That in itself is the proof of the prophet-hood. If he was an imposter he would have asked something from the society and his fellows. Here Noah is establishing the fact that he does not ask anything in return from his society. On top he would bear the severe consequence of bringing the Message himself and he was willing to do so without a flinch. This fearlessness and assertiveness of a human being -- in going against the entire society and perhaps against most of his people around him and as a result giving up what a life needs and aspires -- is the proof that one is guided by Divine Will and for a higher purpose. Any other type of activists would ask something from his/her society and life and would make some compromise even with good and understandable justification and motive. A person of God on the other hand makes no such compromises and willingly accepts the consequence even death in establishing fundamental truth. The differences between these two groups and their mindsets are different and distinct. ]]

10: 72

Yusuf Ali "But if ye turn back (consider): no reward have I asked of you: my reward is only due from Allah and I have been commanded to be of those who submit to Allah's Will (in Islam)."

Pickthall But if ye are averse I have asked of you no wage. My wage is the concern of Allah only, and I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him).

Yuksel "But if you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward, for my reward is with God. I have been commanded to be of those who have peacefully surrendered."

Transliteration Fa in tawallaitum fama_ sa'altukum min ajr(in), in ajriya illa_ 'alalla_h(i), wa umirtu an aku_na minal muslimin(a).

13.Surah ArRa'd

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ ابْتِغَاء وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ...

13: 22.  Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance their Lord;

...وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلاَنِيَةً...

establish regular prayers;

spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly;

...وَيَدْرَؤُونَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ...

and turn off Evil with good:

...أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ ﴿٢٢﴾

for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home --

C1836. Their journey in this life was at best a sojourn. The Heaven is their eternal Home, which is further prefigured in the two following verses.

Other versions:

13: 22

Asad Now whoever surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a doer of good withal, has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing: for with God rests the final outcome of all events.

Yusuf Ali Whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good has grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold: and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs.

Pickthall Whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, he verily hath grasped the firm hand-hold. Unto Allah belongeth the sequel of all things.

Transliteration Wa may yuslim wajhahu_ ilal la_hi wa huwa muhsinun faqadis tamsaka bil urwatil wusqa_ wa ilal la_hi a_qibatul umu_r

22. Sura al-Hajj

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا...

22: 34. To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice),

...لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ...

that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food),

C2810. This is the true end of sacrifice, not propitiation of higher powers, for Allah is One, and He does not delight in flesh or blood (22:37), but a symbol of thanksgiving to Allah by sharing meat with fellow-men.

The solemn pronouncement of Allah's name over the sacrifice is an essential part of the rite.

...فَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا...

but your Allah is one Allah:

submit then your wills to Him (in Islam)

...وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ ﴿٣٤﴾

and give thou the Good News to those who humble themselves --

C2811. The good news: i.e. the Message of Allah, that He will accept in us the sacrifice of self for the benefit of our fellow-men.

Other versions:

22:34

And [thus it is:] unto every community [that has ever believed in Us] have We appointed

[sacrifice as] an act of worship, so that they might extol the name of God over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]. 50 And [always bear in mind:] your God is the One and Only God: hence, surrender yourselves unto Him.

And give thou the glad tiding [of God's acceptance] unto all who are humble –

22. Sura al-Hajj

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ...

22: 35. - To those whose hearts, when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear,

...وَالصَّابِرِينَ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَهُمْ...

- who show patient perseverance over their afflictions,

...وَالْمُقِيمِي الصَّلَاةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾

- keep up regular prayer,

- and spend (in charity) out of what we have bestowed upon them.

C2812. Some qualities of Allah's devotees are mentioned here, in ascending order: ]]

1. Humility before Allah makes them receptive, and prepares them to listen to Allah's Message;

2. fear of Allah, which is akin to love, touches their heart, and penetrates through their inmost being;

3. they are not afraid of anything in mortal life; they take their trials patiently, and they go on in a course of righteousness with constancy;

4. their prayer now is not a matter of form, but a real communion with Allah, with a sense of confidence such as a faithful servant feels in the presence of a kind and loving master;

5. and gratitude to Allah, as shown by practical acts of charity to all fellow-creatures.

Asad’s Version:

(22:35)

all whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and all who patiently bear whatever ill befalls them, and all who are constant in prayer and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance. 51