15. Surah Al Hijr

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالُواْ لاَ تَوْجَلْ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلامٍ عَلِيمٍ ﴿٥٣﴾

15: 53.  They said: "Fear not! we give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom."

C1982. The birth of a son in old age, to a sonless father was glad tidings to Abraham personally. The birth of a son endowed with wisdom promised something infinitely more.

Considering that the angels were divine messengers, the wisdom referred to was divine wisdom, and the event became an event of prime importance in the world's religious history. For Abraham became, through his progeny, the root of the three great universal religions, diffused throughout the world.

قَالَ أَبَشَّرْتُمُونِي عَلَى أَن مَّسَّنِيَ الْكِبَرُ...   

15: 54.  He said:

"Do ye give me glad tidings that old age has seized me?

...فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ ﴿٥٤﴾

Of what, then, is your good news?"

قَالُواْ بَشَّرْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلاَ تَكُن مِّنَ الْقَانِطِينَ ﴿٥٥﴾

15: 55.  They said: "We give thee glad tidings in truth:

be not then in despair!"

قَالَ وَمَن يَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلاَّ الضَّآلُّونَ ﴿٥٦﴾

15: 56.  He said:

"And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?"

C1983. Cf. 11:69. [Eds.].

Other versions:

15: 53 [al-Hijr, Mecca 54]

Asad Said they: “ Fear not! Behold, we bring thee the glad tiding of [birth of a son] who will be endowed with deep knowledge.”

Yusuf Ali They said: "Fear not! we give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom."

Pickthall They said: Be not afraid! Lo! we bring thee good tidings of a boy possessing wisdom.

Transliteration Qa_lu_ la_ taujal inna_ nubasysyiruka bi gula_min 'alim(in).

15: 54

Yusuf Ali He said: "Do ye give me glad tidings that old age has seized me? Of what then is your good news?"

Pickthall He said: Bring ye me good tidings (of a son) when old age hath overtaken me? Of what then can ye bring good tidings?

Transliteration Qa_la abasysyartumu_ni 'ala_ am massaniyal kibaru fa bima_ tubasysyiru_n(a).

15: 55

Yusuf Ali They said: "We give thee glad tidings in truth: be not then in despair!"

Pickthall They said: We bring thee good tidings in truth. So be not thou of the despairing.

Transliteration Qa_lu_ basysyarna_ka bil haqqi fala_ takum minal qa_nitin(a).

15: 56

Asad “……….other than those who have utterly lost their way – could ever abandon the hope of his Sustainer’s grace?”

Yusuf Ali He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord but such as go astray?"

Pickthall He said: And who despair not the mercy of his Lord save those who are astray?

Transliteration Qa_la wa may yaqnatu mir rahmati rabbihi illad da_llu_n(a).

18.Surah Al Kahf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاء اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ...   

18: 39.  "Why didst thou not, as thou wentest into thy garden, say:

'Allah's Will (be done)!

There is no power but with Allah!'

C2380. The companion's argument divides itself into five parts.

1.      He remonstrates against the proud man denying Allah.

2.      He, from his own spiritual experience, proclaims that Allah is One and that He is good.

3.     He points out to him the better way of enjoying Allah's gifts, with gratitude to Him.

4.     He expresses contentment and satisfaction in Allah's dealings with him.

5.     He gives a warning of the fleeting nature of this world's goods and the certainty of Allah's punishment for inordinate vanity.

... إِن تُرَنِ أَنَا أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا ﴿٣٩﴾

If thou dost see me less than thee in wealth and sons,

فَعَسَى رَبِّي أَن يُؤْتِيَنِ خَيْرًا مِّن جَنَّتِكَ...   

18: 40.  "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than thy garden,

... وَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهَا حُسْبَانًا مِّنَ السَّمَاء فَتُصْبِحَ صَعِيدًا زَلَقًا ﴿٤٠﴾

and that He will send on thy garden thunderbolts (by way of reckoning) from heaven, making it (but) slippery sand! --

C2381. The punishment was that of thunderbolts (husbanan), but the general meaning of the word includes any punishment by way of a reckoning (hisab), and I think that an earthquake is also implied, as it alters water-courses, diverts channels underground, throws up silt and sand, and covers large areas with ruin. (R).

أَوْ يُصْبِحَ مَاؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَن تَسْتَطِيعَ لَهُ طَلَبًا ﴿٤١﴾

18: 41.  "Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never be able to find it."

وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى مَا أَنفَقَ فِيهَا...   

18: 42.  So his fruits (and enjoyment) were encompassed (with ruin), and he remained twisting and turning his hands over what he had spent on his property,

C2382. "Fruits", "spent", "twisting of the hands", should all be understood in a wide metaphorical sense, as well as the literal sense.

He had great income and satisfaction, which were all gone. What resources he had lavished on his property! His thoughts had been engrossed on it; his hopes had been built on it; it had become the absorbing passion of his life. If he had only looked to Allah, instead of to the ephemeral goods of this world!

... وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَى عُرُوشِهَا... 

which had (now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations,

... وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا ﴿٤٢﴾

and he could only say,

"Woe is me! would I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!"

C2383. In this case, in his mind, there was his own Self and his Mammon as rivals to Allah!

وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُ فِئَةٌ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا ﴿٤٣﴾

18: 43.  Nor had he numbers to help him against Allah, nor was he able to deliver himself.

C2384. He had built up connections and obligated dependents, and was proud of having his "quiver full". But where were all things when the reckoning came? He could not help himself; how could others be expected to help him!

هُنَالِكَ الْوَلَايَةُ لِلَّهِ الْحَقِّ...   

18: 44.  There, the (only) protection comes from Allah, the True One.

... هُوَ خَيْرٌ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ عُقْبًا ﴿٤٤﴾

He is the Best to reward, and the Best to give success.

C2385. All else is vanity, uncertainty, the sport of Time. The only hope or truth is from Allah. Other rewards and other successes are illusory: the best Reward and the best Success come from Allah.

Other versions:

18: 39 [ al-Kahf (cave), Mecca 69]

Asad …”Alas, …’whatever God wills [shall come to pass, for] there is not power save with God!’ Although, as you see, I have less wealth and offspring than you,

Yusuf Ali "Why didst thou not as thou wentest into thy garden say: `Allah's Will (be done)! There is no power but with Allah!' If thou dost see me less than thee in wealth and sons

Pickthall If only, when thou enteredst thy garden, thou hadst said: That which Allah willeth (will come to pass)! There is no strength save in Allah! Though thou seest me as less than thee in wealth and children.

Transliteration Wa lau la_ iz dakhalta jannataka qulta ma_ sya_'alla_h(u), la_ quwwata illa_ billa_h(i), in tarani ana aqalla minka ma_law wa walada_(n).

18: 40

Asad yet it may well be that my Sustainer will give me something better than your garden – just as He may let loose a calamity out of heaven upon this [your garden], so that it becomes a heap of barren dust

Yusuf Ali "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than thy garden and that He will send on thy garden thunderbolts (by way of reckoning) from heaven making it (but) slippery sand!

Pickthall Yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden, and will send on it a bolt from heaven, and some morning it will be a smooth hillside,

Transliteration Fa 'asa_ rabbi ay yu'tiyani khairam min jannatika wa yursila 'alaiha_ husba_nam minas sama_'i fatusbiha sa'idan zalaqa_(n).

18: 41

Asad or its water sinks deep into the ground, so that you will never be able to find it again!”

Yusuf Ali "Or the water of the garden will run off underground so that thou wilt never be able to find it."

Pickthall Or some morning the water thereof will he lost in the earth so that thou canst not make search for it.

Transliteration Au yusbiha ma_'uha_ gauran falan tastati'a lahu_ talaba_(n).

[Ruby’s note – These verses could be taken to mean that God can render a failure [even from the seemed most successful and invincible state] in various ways, often through unexpected events. All keys and control are in His disposition alone.]

18: 44

Asad For thus it is: all protective power belongs to God alone, the True One. He is the best to grant recompense, and the best to determine what is to be.

Yusuf Ali There the (only) protection comes from Allah the True One. He is the Best to reward and the Best to give success.

Pickthall In this case is protection only from Allah, the True. He is best for reward, and best for consequence.

Yuksel

18:44 Such is the true authority of God. He is best to reward, and best to punish.*

Transliteration Huna_likal wala_yatu lilla_hil haqq(i), huwa khairun sawa_baw wa khairun 'uqba_(n).

[ Ali’s notes: 2380 The companion's argument divides itself into five parts. (1) He remonstrates against the proud man denying Allah. (2) He, from his own spiritual experience, proclaims that Allah is One and that He is good. (3) He points out to him the better way of enjoying Allah's gifts, with gratitude to Him. (4) He expresses contentment and satisfaction in Allah's dealings with him. (5) He gives a warning of the fleeting nature of this world's goods and the certainty of Allah's punishment for inordinate vanity. (18.39)

2381 The punishment was that of thunderbolts (husbanan), but the general meaning of the word includes any punishment by way of a reckoning (hisab), and I think that an earthquake is also implied, as it alters water-courses, diverts channels underground, throws up silt and sand, and covers large areas with ruin. (18.41)

2382 "Fruits", "spent" , "twisting of the hands", should all be understood in a wide metaphorical sense, as well as the literal sense. He had great income and satisfaction, which were all gone. What resources he had lavished on his property! His thoughts had been engrossed on it; his hopes had been built on it; it had become the absorbing passion of his life. ……]]

60 . Surah Al-Mumtahanah (The Examined One)

Medina Period [91]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ...

60: 5.     "Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers,

C5417. In n. 1198 to 8:25, I have explained the shades of meaning in the word Fitnah.

In 2:102 Harut and Marut were a trial to test the righteous who trusted in Allah from the unrighteous who resorted to evil and superstition.

Here the prayer to Allah is that we should be saved from becoming so weak as to tempt the Unbelievers to try to attack and destroy us.

... وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا ...

but forgive us, our Lord!

... إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٥﴾

For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ ...

60: 6.     There was indeed in them an excellent example for you to follow -- for those whose hope is in Allah and in the Last Day.

C5418. In them: i.e. in their attitude of prayer and reliance on Allah, and of dissociation from evil.

... وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ ﴿٦﴾

But if any turn away, truly Allah is Free of all Wants, Worthy of all Praise.

C5419. If any one rejects Allah's Message or Law, the loss is his own. It is not Allah Who needs him or his worship or his sacrifice or his praise. Allah is independent of all wants, and His attributes are inherently deserving of all praise, whether the wicked give such praise or not, in word or deed.

عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَجْعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ عَادَيْتُم مِّنْهُم مَّوَدَّةً ...

60: 7.     It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies:

C5420. Apparent religious hatred or enmity or persecution may be due to ignorance or over-zeal in a soul, which Allah will forgive and use eventually in His service, as happened in the case of Hadhrat 'Umar, who was a different man before and after his conversion.

As stated in n. 5414 above, we should hate evil, but not men as such.

وَاللَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٧﴾

for Allah has power (over all things);

and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Asad’s Version:

60:5 O our Sustainer! Make us not a plaything 7 for those who are bent on denying the truth! And forgive us our sins, O our sustainer: for Thou alone art, almighty, truly wise!"

(60:6) In them, indeed, you have a good example for everyone who looks forward [with hope and awe 8 ] to God and the Last Day. And if any turns away, [let him know that] God is truly self-sufficient, the One to whom all praise is due."

60:7 [But] it may well be that God will bring about [mutual] affection between you [O believers] and some of those whom you [now] face as enemies: for, God is all-powerful - and God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

[[Asad’s note -7 Lit., "temptation to evil" (fitnah): cf. 10:85, where the term fitnah has the same meaning as in the present instance.

8 As in the similar phrase in 33 :21 , this double connotation is implied in the verb rajawa and all the noun-forms derived from it. ]]