21. [al-Anbiya, Mecca 73]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَوَهَبْنَا
لَهُ إِسْحَقَ
وَيَعْقُوبَ
نَافِلَةً...
21: 72. And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob,
C2728. Nafilat has many meanings:
- booty;
- extra work or prayer;
- extra or additional gift;
- grandson.
The two last significations are implied here. Not only was Abraham given a son in his old age; he was given not only Isaac, but several sons, the chief being Isma'il and Isaac, who both joined in burying him (Gen. 25:9); and he also saw grandsons. Isma'il is specially mentioned later (21:85) apart from Isaac's line, on account of his special importance for Islam.
...وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَالِحِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾
and We made righteous men of every one (of them).
وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ
أَئِمَّةً
يَهْدُونَ
بِأَمْرِنَا...
21: 73. And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command,
...وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَإِقَامَ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاء الزَّكَاةِ...
and We sent them inspiration
= to do good deeds,
- to establish regular prayers, and
- to practice regular charity;
...وَكَانُوا لَنَا عَابِدِينَ ﴿٧٣﴾
and they constantly served Us (and Us only).
C2729. The spiritual lesson from this passage may be recapitulated. The righteous man makes no compromise with evil. If the votaries of evil laugh at him he pays them in their own coin, but he stands firmly by his principles.
His firmness causes some confusion among the followers of evil, and he openly declares the faith that is in him. They try, openly and secretly, to injure or kill him, but Allah protects him, while evil perishes from its own excesses.
Asad’s Version:
21:72
And We bestowed upon him Isaac and [Isaac's son] Jacob as an additional gift, 67 and caused all of them to be righteous men,
(21:73) and made them leaders who would guide [others] in accordance with Our behest: for We inspired them [with a will] to do good works, and to be constant in prayer, and to dispense charity: and Us [alone) did they worship.