34.Surah Saba'

Mecca 58 [54 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ...

34: 36. Say:

"Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases,

C3843. Provision (or Sustenance): good things of all kinds in this life, material goods as well as power, opportunities, influence, mental gifts, etc.

These do not necessarily all go to the good, nor is their denial to be interpreted to mean that it is a withdrawal of Allah's favour. Very often the contrary is the case. Their distribution is in accordance with the Universal Plan and Purpose, which is all-wise and all-good. But ignorant people cannot understand this.

... وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

but most men understand not."

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَى...

34: 37. It is not your wealth nor your sons, that will bring you nearer to Us in degree:

C3844. The true test of progress in spiritual life is to be measured by other things than material wealth and influence. What we have to ask ourselves is:

are we the least bit nearer to Allah?

... إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاء الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا...

but only those who believe and work Righteousness -- these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds,

C3845. Cf. 30:39.

All worldly good is but a shadow that will pass away. Its intrinsic and eternal value is small. But those who work righteousness in Faith are on the true path of self-development. The reward they will get will be infinitely more than their merits entitle them to. For they will partake of the boundless Bounties of Allah.

... وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾

while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high!

C3846. Their happiness will not only be great in quantity ("multiplied"), but it will be of a specially sublime quality ("dwellings on high"), and it will endure without any chance of its loss or diminution ("secure they reside").

Asad’s Version:

34:36 [Asad]

(36) Say: "Behold, my Sustainer grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills: but most men do not understand [God's ways]." 47

(34:37) For, it is neither your riches nor your children that can bring you nearer to Us: only he who attains to faith and does what is right and just [comes near unto Us]; and it is [such as] these whom multiple recompense awaits for all that they have done; and it is they who shall dwell secure in the mansions [of paradise] –