3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَرِحِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ...

3: 170. They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah:

...وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُواْ بِهِم مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلاَّ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿١٧٠﴾

and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.

C478. The Martyrs not only rejoice at the bliss they have themselves attained. The dear ones left behind are in their thoughts: it is part of their glory that they have saved their dear ones from fear, sorrow, humiliation, and grief, in this life, even before they come to share in the glories of the Hereafter.

Note how the refrain: "on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve": comes in here with a new and appropriate meaning.

Besides other things, it means that the dear ones have no cause to grieve at the death of the Martyrs; rather have they cause to rejoice.

يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَفَضْلٍ ...

3: 171. They glory in the Grace and the Bounty from Allah,

...وَأَنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٧١﴾

and in the fact that Allah suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least).

Other versions:

3: 170

Asad ……. And they rejoice in the glad tiding given to those who have been left behind and have not yet joined them, no fear need they have , and neither shall they grieve:

Yusuf Ali They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: and with regard to those left behind who have not yet joined them (in their bliss) the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear nor have they (cause to) grieve.

Pickthall Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not joined them but are left behind: that there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.

Transliteration Farihin bima_ a_ta_humulla_hu min fadlih(i), wa yastabsyiru_na billazina lam yalhaqu_ bihim min khalfihim, alla_ khaufun'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 478 The Martyrs not only rejoice at the bliss they have themselves attained. The dear ones left behind are in their thoughts: it is part of their glory that they have saved their dear ones from fear, sorrow, humiliation, and grief, in this life, even before they come to share in the glories of the Hereafter. Note how the refrain: "on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve": comes in here with a new and appropriate meaning. Besides other things, it means that the dear ones have no cause to grieve at the death of the Martyrs; rather have they cause to rejoice. (3.170) ]]

3:171 They rejoice in the glad tiding of God's blessings and bounty, and that God will not fail to requite the believers who responded to the call of God and the Apostle after misfortune had befallen