Consulting Others

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ...

3: 159. It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them.

C471. The extremely gentle nature of Muhammad endeared him to all, and it is reckoned as one of the Mercies of Allah.

One of the Prophet's titles is "A Mercy to all Creation."

At no time was this gentleness, this mercy, this long-suffering with human weaknesses, more valuable than after a disaster like that at Uhud. It is a quality, which then, as always, bound and binds the souls of countless men to him.

...وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لاَنفَضُّواْ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ...

Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee;

...فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ ...

so pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them;

... وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الأَمْرِ...

and consult them in affairs (of moment).

...فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ﴿١٥٩﴾

Then, when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah.

For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).

Asad’s Version:

3: 159 ….Pardon them, then, and pray that they be forgiven (failures of Uhud). And take counsel with them in all matters of public concern; then, when you have decided upon a course of action, place your trust in God: for, verily, God loves those who place their trust in Him.