42. Ash-Shura (Consultation)
Mecca Period 53
42: 40
Yusuf Ali The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation His reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.
Pickthall The guerdon of an ill deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong doers.
Transliteration Wa jaza_u say yi atin say yi atum mitsluha_ faman afa_ wa aslaha fa ajruhu_ alal la_h in nahu_ la_ yuhib buz za_limin
Asad’s version
42:36 AND [remember that] whatever you are given [now] is but for the [passing] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas that which is with God is far better and more enduring. [It shall be given] to all who attain to faith and in their Sustainer place their trust;
………………………
(42:39) and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves.
Ali’s version and the Quranic text
وَالَّذِينَ
إِذَا
أَصَابَهُمُ
الْبَغْيُ
هُمْ
يَنتَصِرُونَ
﴿٣٩﴾
42:39. - And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.
C4580. This follows from the high value attached to an individual soul's Personality in Islam. Cf. last note.
There are four possible situations that may arise: an individual may have to stand up against an oppressor
1. for his own trampled rights, or
2. for the rights of others within his ken; or
3. a community may have similarly to stand up for its own rights collectively: or
4. for the rights of others.
Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are considered highly meritorious for all, though few have the courage or the spirit to rise to so high a standard.
No. I is specially liable to abuse on account of man's selfishness;
Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are also abused by men pretending to motives of public good when they are serving their own personal interests or idiosyncrasies; hence the qualifications mentioned in the next four verses and the notes thereto.
42: 39 – 42 [ash-Shura, Mecca 62 ]
Asad and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves.
But [remember that an attempt at ] requiting evil may, too, become and evil: hence, whoever pardons [his foe] and makes peace, his reward rests with God – for, verily, he does not love evildoers.
Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having been wronged – no blame whatever attaches to them: blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave outrageously on earth, offending against all right: for them there is grievous suffering in store! But withal, if one is patient in adversity and forgives – this, behold, is indeed something to set one’s heart upon!
42: 39
Pickthall And those who, when great wrong is done to them, defend themselves,
Transliteration Wal lazina iza_ asha_bahumul bagyu hum yantasiru_n
42: 40
Yusuf Ali The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation His reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.
Pickthall The guerdon of an ill deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong doers.
Transliteration Wa jaza_u say yi atin say yi atum mitsluha_ faman afa_ wa aslaha fa ajruhu_ alal la_h in nahu_ la_ yuhib buz za_limin
42: 41
Yusuf Ali But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them against such there is no cause of blame.
Pickthall And whoso defendeth himself after he hath suffered wrong for such, there is no way (of blame) against them.
Transliteration Wa lamanin tasara bada zulmihi fa ula_ ika ma_ alaihim min sabil
42: 42
Yusuf Ali The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land defying right and justice: for such there will be a Penalty grievous.
Pickthall The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress mankind, and wrongfully rebel in the earth. For such there is a painful doom.
Transliteration In namas sabilu alal lazina yazlimu_nan na_sa wa yabgu_na fil ardi bigairil haq ula_ ika lahum aza_bun alim
42: 43
Yusuf Ali But indeed if any show patience and forgive that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
Pickthall And verily whoso is patient and forgiveth, lo! that, verily, is (of) the steadfast heart of things.
Transliteration Wa laman sabara wa gafara in na za_lika lamin azmil umu_r