39. Az-Zumar (The Throngs)

Mecca Period 59 [75 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاء اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا...

39: 9 Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration),

C4258. Cf. 3:113-117.

It is a great thing when a man gets into the attitude of humble devotion to Allah. To him the hereafter is a real thing, and he prepares for it with good works. He does not build his hopes on the vanities of this world, but on Allah's Grace and Mercy. Such a man is "endued with understanding" and receives Allah's Message with fervour and alacrity. He is not to be compared with the cynic or the unbeliever, who knows nothing of the real value of the inner life.

يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ...

who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord -- (like one who does not)?

... قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ...

Say:

"Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?

... إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُوا الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿٩﴾

It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition."

C4259. Cf. 3:19.

Asad’s Version:

(39:9) Or [dost thou deem thyself equal to] one who devoutly worships [God] throughout the night, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer], ever-mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Sustainer's grace?" 15 Say: "Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?" [But] only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind!