Service & Worship of God
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَّا
الْمَسِيحُ
ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ
...
5: 75. Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger;
... قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ...
many were the Messengers that passed away before him.
... وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ ...
His mother was a woman of truth.
C783. She never claimed that she was a mother of God, or that her son was God. She was a pious virtuous woman.
... كَانَا يَأْكُلاَنِ الطَّعَامَ ...
They had both to eat their (daily) food.
... انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الآيَاتِ ...
See how Allah doth makes His Signs clear to them;
C784. Note how logically the argument has led up from Jewish back-sliding and want of faith, to blasphemies associated with the names of Jesus and Mary, and in the following verses to the worship of senseless stocks and stones.
Allah is One; His Message is one; yet how people's perversity transforms truth into falsehood, religion into superstition!
... ثُمَّ انظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ ﴿٧٥﴾
yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
قُلْ
أَتَعْبُدُونَ
مِن دُونِ اللّهِ
مَا لاَ يَمْلِكُ
لَكُمْ ضَرًّا
وَلاَ نَفْعًا...
5: 76. Say:
Will ye worship, besides Allah, something which hath no power either to harm or benefit you?
... وَاللّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٧٦﴾
But Allah,
He it is that heareth and knoweth all things."
Other versions:
5: 75
Yusuf Ali Christ the son of Mary was no more than an Apostle; many were the Apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth makes His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
Pickthall The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how we make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!
Transliteration Mal masihubnu maryama illa_ rasu_l(un), qad khalat min qablihir rusul(u), wa ummuhu_ siddiqah(tun), ka_na_ ya'kula_nit ta'a_m(a), unzur kaifa nubayyinu lahumul a_ya_ti summanzur anna_ yu'faku_n(a).
5: 76
Yusuf Ali Say: Will ye worship besides Allah something which hath no power either to harm or benefit you? But Allah He it is that heareth and knoweth all things."
Pickthall Say: Serve ye in place of Allah that which possesseth for you neither hurt nor use? Allah it is Who is the Hearer, the Knower.
Transliteration Qul ata'budu_na min du_nilla_hi ma_ la_ yamliku lakum darraw wa la_ naf'a_(n), walla_hu huwas sami'ul 'alim(u).
7. Sura al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ
أَمَرَ رَبِّي
بِالْقِسْطِ...
7: 29. Say:
"My Lord hath commanded justice;
...وَأَقِيمُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ...
and that ye set your whole selves (to him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon him, making your devotion sincere as in his sight:
C1010. For wajh, see 2:112 and n. 114.
Our devotion should be sincere, not as in other men's sight, but by presenting our whole selves, heart and soul, to Allah. Even so, it may not be enough; for the sight of our heart and soul may be faulty.
We should call upon Allah to give us the light, by which our sincerity may commend itself to Him as true sincerity "as in His sight"
...كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ ﴿٢٩﴾
such as he created you in the beginning, so shall ye return."
C1011. Cf. 6:94.
Our sincerity should be real sincerity, as in His sight for when we return to Him, we shall be stripped of all pretence, even such self-deception as may satisfy us in this life.
وَإِذَا
قُرِىءَ الْقُرْآنُ
فَاسْتَمِعُواْ
لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواْ
لَعَلَّكُمْ
تُرْحَمُونَ
﴿٢٠٤﴾
7: 204. When the Qur'án is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace:
that ye may receive Mercy.
وَاذْكُر
رَّبَّكَ فِي
نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعاً
وَخِيفَةً...
7: 205. And do thou (O reader!) bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence,
...وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ...
without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings;
...وَلاَ تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ ﴿٢٠٥﴾
and be not thou of those who are unheedful.
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ عِندَ
رَبِّكَ لاَ
يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ...
7: 206.Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do him worship:
C1176. The higher you are in spiritual attainment, the more is your desire and your opportunity to serve and worship your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of all the worlds: and the greater is your pride in that service and that worship.
...وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ ﴿٢٠٦﴾
they celebrate His praises, and bow down before Him.
C1177. At this stage a Sajdah or prostration is indicated, as a sign of our humble acceptance of the privilege of serving and worshipping Allah, - a fitting close to Surah in which we are led, through a contemplation of the stories of the Messengers of Allah, to the meaning of revelation and its relation to our moral and spiritual progress.
Other versions:
7: 29 Say: ‘My Sustainer has [but] enjoined the doing of what is right; and [He desires you to] put your whole being into every act of worship, and to call unto Him, sincere in your faith in Him alone. AS it was He who brought you into being in the first instance, so also [unto Him] you will return: Asad
7: 204
Asad Hence, when the Quran is voiced, hearken unto it, and listen in silence, so that you might be graced with [God’s] mercy.”
Yusuf Ali When the Qur'an is read listen to it with attention and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.
Pickthall And when the Qur'an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that ye may obtain mercy.
Transliteration Wa iza_ quri'al qur'a_nu fastami'u_ lahu_ wa ansitu_ la'allakum turhamu_n(a).
7: 205
Asad And bethink yourself of your Sustainer humbly and with awe, and without raising your voice, at morn and at evening; and do not allow yourself to be heedless.
Yusuf Ali And do thou (O reader!) bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul with humility and in reverence without loudness in words in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.
Pickthall And do thou [O Muhammad) remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be thou not of the neglectful.
Transliteration Wazkur rabbaka fi nafsika tadarru'aw wa khifataw wa du_nal jahri minal qauli bil guduwwi wal a_sa_li wa la_ takun minal ga_filin(a).
7: 206
Asad Behold, those who are near unto your Sustainer [note 168] are never too proud to worship Him; and they extol His limitless glory, and prostrate themselves before His [alone].
Yusuf Ali Those who are near to thy Lord disdain not to do Him worship: They celebrate His praises and bow down before Him.
Pickthall Lo! those who are with thy Lord are not too proud to do Him service, but they praise Him and adore Him.
Transliteration Innallazina 'inda rabbika la_ yastakbiru_na 'an 'iba_datihi wa yusabbihu_nahu_ wa lahu_ yasjudu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 168 – Lit., “those who are with your Sustainer”: a metaphorical description of utter God-conscuousness.]]
4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاعْبُدُواْ
اللّهَ وَلاَ
تُشْرِكُواْ
بِهِ شَيْئًا...
4: 36. Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him:
C550. The essence of Islam is to serve Allah and do good to your fellow-creatures. This is wider and more comprehensive than "Love God and love your neighbour".
For it includes duties to animals as our fellow-creatures, and emphasises practical service rather than sentiment.
... وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى ...
and do good to;
- parents,
- kinsfolk,
- orphans,
- those in need,
- neighbors who are near,
C551. Neighbors who are near: that is, in local situation as well as intimate relationships, just as neighbors who are strangers includes those whom we do not know or who live away from us or in a different sphere altogether.
... وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ...
neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side,
the wayfarer (ye meet),
C552. The Companion by your side may be your intimate friends and associates, just as the way-farer you meet may be a casual acquaintance on your travels.
This last is much wider than the "stranger within your gate."
... وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ...
and what your right hands possess:
C553. What your right hands possess: For the meaning of the phrase see n. 537 above. (R).
... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦﴾
for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;
C554. Real deeds of service and kindness proceed, not from showing off or from a superior sort of condescension (cf. "White Man's Burden"), but from a frank recognition of our own humility and the real claims, before Allah, of all our fellow-creatures.
For in our mutual needs we are equal before Allah, or perhaps the best of us (as the world sees us) may be worse than the worst of us (from the same point of view).
Other versions:
4: 36 [an-Nisa, Medina 92 ]
Asad And worship God [alone], and do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him [note 46]. And do good unto your parents, and near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy and the neighbor from among your own people, and neighbor who is a stranger [note 47], and the friend by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom you rightfully possess [note 48].
Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner.
Yusuf Ali Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him: and do good to parents kinsfolk orphans those in need neighbors who are near neighbors who are strangers the companion by your side the way-farer (ye meet) and what your right hands possess: for Allah loveth not the arrogant the vainglorious;
Pickthall And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and into the neighbor who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbor who is not of kin and the fellow traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,
Transliteration Wa'budulla_ha wa la_ tusyriku_ bihi syai'aw wa bil wa_lidaini ihsa_naw wa bizil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wal ja_rizil qurba_ wal ja_ril junubi was sa_hibi bil jambi wabnis sabil(i), wa ma_ malakat aima_nukum, innalla_ha la_ yuhibbu man ka_na mukhta_lan fakhu_ra_(n).
[[ Asad’s note 46 – The expression “shay’an (here rendered as “in any way”) makes it clear that “shirk” (“the ascribing of divinity to anything beside God”) is not confined to a worship of other “deities”, but implies also the attribution of divine or quasi-divine powers to persons or objects not regarded as deities: in other words, it embraces also saint-worshiping, etc.]
47 - ………..The Prophet often stressed a believer’s moral obligation towards his neighbors, whatever their faith…………….]]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ
اللّهَ اشْتَرَى
مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
أَنفُسَهُمْ
وَأَمْوَالَهُم
بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ
الجَنَّةَ...
9: 111. Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their good; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise):
C1361. In a human bargain both sides give something and receive some advantage. In the divine bargain of Allah with man, Allah takes man's will and soul and his wealth and goods, and gives him in return ever-lasting Felicity.
Man fights in Allah's Cause and carries out His will. All that he has to give up is the ephemeral things of this world, while he gains eternal salvation, the fulfilment of his highest spiritual hopes, -a supreme achievement indeed.
... يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ...
they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain:
... وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ...
a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'án:
C1362. We offer our whole selves and our possessions to Allah, and Allah gives us Salvation. This is the true doctrine of redemption: and we are taught that this is the doctrine not only of the Quran but of the earlier Revelations, -the original Law of Moses and the original Gospel of Jesus.
Any other view of redemption is rejected by Islam, especially that of corrupted Christianity, which thinks that some other person suffered for our sins and we are redeemed by his blood. It is our self-surrender that counts, not other people's merits.
Our complete self-surrender may include fighting for the cause, both spiritual and physical. As regards actual fighting with the sword there has been some difference in theological theories at different times, but very little in the practice of those who framed those theories.
The Jewish wars were ruthless wars of extermination. The Old Testament does not mince matters on this subject. In the New Testament St. Paul, in commending the worthy fruits of Faith, mentions Gideon. Barak, and other warriors of the Old Testament as his ideals, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms... waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens..." (Hebrews, 11:32-34).
The monkish morality of the Gospels in their present form has never been followed by any self-respecting Christian or other nation in history. Nor is it common-sense to ignore lust of blood in unregenerate man as a form of evil which has to be combated "within the limits, set by Allah" (9:112). (R).
... وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللّهِ...
and who is more faithful to his Covenant than Allah?
... فَاسْتَبْشِرُواْ بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ...
Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded:
... وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١١﴾
that is the achievement supreme.
9: 112. - Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance:
C1363. We are to rejoice that by giving up such small things as ourselves and our possessions we are to be rewarded with such a great thing as the eternal life of felicity. The truly righteous, whose lives in various aspects are described in this verse, do so rejoice. The good news is to be proclaimed to all Believers, including the weakest among us, so that they may profit by that example.
... الْعَابِدُونَ الْحَامِدُونَ السَّائِحُونَ الرَّاكِعُونَ السَّاجِدونَ...
- that serve Him, and praise Him;
- that wander in devotion to the Cause of Allah;
- that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer;
... الآمِرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ...
- that enjoin good and forbid evil;
وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللّهِ...
- and observe the limits set by Allah; (these do rejoice).
... وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١١٢﴾
So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers.
Asad’s Version:
9: 111 Lo! God has bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of God and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him In the Torah and the Gospel and the Quran. Who fulfils His covenant better than God? Rejoice then in your bargain that you have made, for that is the Supreme triumph. [pickthall]
[Innalaha-hashtaraa minal Muminiina anfasahum wa amwaa lahum bi anna lahumul Jannah……………wa zaalika huwal fawzul azim.]
9: 112 Those who turn in repentance and who worship and praise, and go on and on*, and bow down and prostrate themselves in adoration, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and keep to the bound set by God. And give you the glad tiding to all believers. [asad]
[* see note]
2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ
...
2: 21. O ye people!
... اعْبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿٢١﴾
adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may become ighteous.
C40. For Taqwa see 2:2 n. 26.
I connect this dependent clause with "adore, etc." above, though it could be connected with "created".
According to my construction the argument will be as follows.
Adoration is the act of the highest and humblest reverence and worship. When you get into that relationship with Allah, Who is your Creator and Guardian, your faith produces works of righteousness.
It is a chance given you: will you exercise your free will and take it? If you do, your whole nature will be transformed.
الَّذِي
جَعَلَ لَكُمُ
الأَرْضَ فِرَاشاً
وَالسَّمَاء
بِنَاء وَأَنزَلَ
مِنَ السَّمَاء
مَاء...
2: 22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heaven your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens;
... فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقاً لَّكُمْ...
and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance;
... فَلاَ تَجْعَلُواْ لِلّهِ أَندَاداً وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونََ ﴿٢٢﴾
then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).
C41. Further proofs of Allah's goodness to you are given in this verse. Your whole life, physical and spiritual, depends upon Him. The spiritual is figured by the Canopy of Heaven.
The truth has been brought plainly before you. Will you still resist it and go after false gods, the creation of your own fancy?
The false gods may be idols, superstitions, Self, or even great or glorious things like Poetry, Art, or Science, when set up as rivals to Allah. They may be pride of race, pride of birth, pride of wealth or position, pride of power, pride of learning, or even spiritual pride.
وَقَالُواْ
اتَّخَذَ اللّهُ
وَلَدًا سُبْحَانَهُ
...
2: 116. They say: "Allah hath begotten a son;" Glory be to Him.
... بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ ﴿١١٦﴾
Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth; everything renders worship to Him.
C119. It is a derogation from the glory of Allah - in fact it is blasphemy - to say that Allah begets sons, like a man or an animal.
The Christian doctrine is here emphatically repudiated. If words have any meaning, it would mean an attribution of Allah of a material nature, and of the lower animal functions of sex. (R)
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ كُلُواْ
مِن طَيِّبَاتِ
مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ
...
2: 172. O ye who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided for you,
... وَاشْكُرُواْ لِلّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ﴿١٧٢﴾
and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship.
C172. Gratitude for Allah's gifts is one form of worship.
Other versions:
2: 21 [al-Baqarah, Medina 87]
Asad O Mankind! Worship your Sustainer, who has created you and those who lived before you, so that you might remain conscious of Him
Yusuf Ali O ye people! adore your Guardian-Lord who created you and those who came before you that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness.
Pickthall O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you, so that ye may ward off (evil).
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhan na_su'budu_ rabbakumul lazi khalaqakum wallazina min qablikum la'allakum tattaq_n(a).
[ Ali’s note: 40 For Taqwa see ii. 2 n. 26. I connect this dependent clause with "adore, etc." above, though it could be connected with "created". According to my construction the argument will be as follows. Adoration is the act of the highest and humblest reverence and worship. When you get into that relationship with God, Who is your Creator and Guardian, your faith produces works of righteousness. It is a chance given you: will you exercise your free will and take it? If you do, your whole nature will be transformed. (2.21) ]
2: 22
Asad who has made the earth a resting –place for you and the sky a canopy, and has sent down water from the sky and thereby brought forth fruits for your sustenance: do not , then, claim that there is any power that could rival God, when you know [that He is One]. (Note13)
Yusuf Ali Who has made the earth your couch and the heaven your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).
Pickthall Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).
Transliteration Allazi ja'ala lakumul arda fira_syaw was sama_'a bina_'a(n), wa anzala minas sama_'i ma_'an fa akhraja bihi minas samara_ti rizqal lakum, fala_ taj'alu_ lilla_hi anda_daw wa antum ta'lamu_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 13: Lit., “ do not give God any compeers” (andad, pl. of nidd). There is full agreement among all commentators that this term implies any object of adoration to which some or all of God’s qualities are ascribed, whether it be conceived as a deity “in its own right” or a saint supposedly possessing certain divine or semi-divine powers……]
2: 172
Asad O you who attained to faith! Partake of the good things which We have provided for you as sustenance, and render thanks unto God, if it is [truly] Him that you worship.
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is Him ye worship.
Pickthall O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ kulu_ min tayyiba_ti ma_ razaqna_kum wasykuru_ lilla_hi in kuntum iyya_hu ta'budu_n(a).
[Ruby’s note – This is to say that important part of worship of God is to be aware and grateful to Him for all the good things He provides for us in this life. This awareness and attitude is part and parcel of God’s true worship.]
2 : 116 Everything renders worship to Him.
( Compliance or submission to the Will and Law of God : everything in the Universe is absolutely submissive to that, that is the essence of Worship )
3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَفَمَنِ
اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَ
اللّهِ كَمَن
بَاء بِسَخْطٍ
مِّنَ اللّهِ
وَمَأْوَاهُ
جَهَنَّمُ ...
3: 162. Is the man who follows the good pleasure of Allah like the man who draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and whose abode is in Hell?
... وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٦٢﴾
A woeful refuge!
Asad’s Version:
3:162 Is then he who strives after God's goodly acceptance like unto him who has earned the burden of God's condemnation and whose goal is hell? - and how vile a journey's end!
10. Surah Yunus
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ
اللّهُ الَّذِي
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضَ
فِي سِتَّةِ
أَيَّامٍ...
10: 3. Verily your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days,
C1385. See n. 1031 to 7:54.
...ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ...
then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority),
C1386. Istawa, with the preposition ila after it, means He turned to or He directed Himself by His will to as in 2:29.
With the preposition 'ala after it, as here and in 7:54 and elsewhere, the meaning seems to be "to mount or ascend," and to be firmly established, to sit firm and unshaken, beyond question.
The Throne represents many ideas: e.g.,
1. that God is high above all His Creation;
2. that He regulates and governs it, as a king does, whose authority is unquestionably recognised;
3. that He is not, therefore, like the gods of Greece, and paganism, who were imagined to be in a world apart, careless of mankind, or jealous of mankind, but on the contrary.
4. He disposes of their affairs and all affairs continuously and with justice;
5. that the authority of His prophets, ministers, and messengers is derived from Him, and such intercession as they can make is by His will and permission. (R).
... يُدَبِّرُ الأَمْرَ...
regulating and governing all things.
...مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِ إِذْنِهِ...
No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave (hath been obtained).
...ذَلِكُمُ اللّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ...
This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore serve ye:
...أَفَلاَ تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿٣﴾
will ye not receive admonition ?
C1387. Cf. 6:80.
Asad’s Version:
10: 3 Verily, your Sustainer is God, who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons, and is established on the throne of His almightiness, governing all that exists. There is none that could intercede with Him unless He grants leave therefore.
Thus is God, your Sustainer: worship, therefore, Him [alone]: will you not, then, keep this in mind? [asad]
29. Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)
Period Uncertain
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّمَا
تَعْبُدُونَ
مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ
أَوْثَانًا
وَتَخْلُقُونَ
إِفْكًا...
29:17 [Ali] "For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood.
...إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا...
The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance:
...فَابْتَغُوا عِندَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ...
then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him:
C3439. Sustenance: in the symbolic as well as the literal sense. Seek from Allah all that is necessary for your upkeep and development, and for preparing you for your future Destiny.
Lay all your hopes in Him and in no one else. Dedicate yourselves to His worship. He will give you all that is necessary for your growth and well being, and you should show your gratitude to Him by conforming your will entirely to His.
...إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿١٧﴾
to Him will be your return.
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