4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لله...   

4: 125. Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah,

... وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ واتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا...  

does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith?

... وَاتَّخَذَ اللّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلاً ﴿١٢٥﴾  

For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.

C634. Abraham is distinguished in Muslim theology with the title of "Friend of Allah".

This does not of course mean that he was anything more than a mortal. But his faith was pure and true, and his conduct was firm and righteous in all circumstances.

He was the fountainhead of the present monotheistic tradition, the Patriarch of the prophetic line, and is revered alike by Jews, Christians and Muslims. (R).

وَللّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ...   

4: 126. But to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth:

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّحِيطًا ﴿١٢٦﴾  

and He it is that encompasseth all things.

C635. Muhit: Cf. 4:108, and n. 623.

Other versions:

4: 125 [an-Nisa, Medina 92]

Asad And who could be of better faith than he who surrenders his whole being unto God and is a doer of good withal, and follows the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false – seeing that God exalted Abraham with His love [note 144]?

Yusuf Ali Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah does good and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.

Pickthall Who is better in religion than he who surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good (to men) and followeth the tradition of Abraham, the upright? Allah (Himself) chose Abraham for friend.

Transliteration Wa man ahsanu dinam mimman aslama wajhahu_ lilla_hi wa huwa muhsinuw wattaba'a millata ibra_hima hanifa_(n), wattakhazalla_hu ibra_hima khalila_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 144 – Lit., “chose Abraham to be [His] beloved friend (khalil)”.]]

[[ Ali’s note -

634 Abraham is distinguished in Muslim theology with the title of "Friend of Allah". This does not of course mean that he was anything more than a mortal. But his faith was pure and true, and his conduct was firm and righteous in all circumstances. He was the fountainhead of the present monotheistic tradition, the Patriarch of the prophetic line, and is revered alike by Jews, Christians and Muslims. (4.125)

4: 126

Yusuf Ali But to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth: and He it is that encompasseth all things.

Pickthall Unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Allah ever surroundeth all things.

Transliteration Wa lilla_hi ma_ fis sama_wa_ti wa ma_ fil ard(i), wa ka_nalla_hu bi kulli syai'im muhita_(n).

[[ Ali’s note -

625 Usually secrecy is for evil ends, or from questionable motives, or because the person seeking secrecy is ashamed of himself and knows that if his acts or motives became known, he would make himself odious. Islam therefore disapproves of secrecy and loves and enjoins openness in all consultations and doings. But there are three things in which secrecy is permissible, and indeed laudable, provided the motive be purely unselfish, to earn "the good pleasure of Allah": (1) if you are doing a deed of charity or beneficence, whether in giving material things or in helping in moral, intellectual, or spiritual matters; here publicity may not be agreeable to the recipient of your beneficence, and you have to think of his feelings; (2) where an unpleasant act of justice or correction has to be done; this should be done, but there is no virtue in publishing it abroad and causing humiliation to some parties or adding to their humiliation by publicity; (3) where there is a delicate question of conciliating parties to a quarrel; they may be very touchy about publicity but quite amenable to the influence of a man acting in private. (4.126)]]