All Return to God

2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ ...

2: 28. How can ye reject the faith in Allah?

C46. In the preceding verses Allah has used various arguments.

- He has recalled His goodness (2:21-22);

- resolved doubts (2:23);

- plainly set forth the penalty of wrong-doing (2:24);

- given glad tidings (2:25);

- shown how misunderstandings arise from a deliberate rejection of the light and breach of the Covenant (2:26-27).

Now (2:28-29) He pleads with His creatures and appeals to their own subjective feelings.

- He brought you into being.

- The mysteries of life and death are in His hands.

- When you die on this earth, that is not the end. You were of Him, and you must return to Him.

- Look around you and realize your own dignity; it is from Him.

The immeasurable depths of space above and around you may stagger you. They are part of His plan. What you have imagined as the seven firmaments (and any other scheme you may construct) bears witness to His design of order and perfection, for His knowledge (unlike yours) is all- comprehending.

And yet will you deliberately reject or obscure or deaden the faculty of Faith which has been put into you?

... وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتاً فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ...

Seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life;

... ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٢٨﴾

then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً...

2: 29. It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth;

... ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاء فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ...

moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments;

... وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٩﴾

and of all things he hath perfect knowledge.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الأَمْرُ...

2: 210. Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds, with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled?

... وَإِلَى اللّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ ﴿٢١٠﴾

But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

C231. If faith is wanting, all sorts of excuses are made to resist the appeal of Allah. They might and do say:

"Oh yes! we shall believe if Allah appears to us with His angels in His glory!"

In other words they want to settle the question in their way, and not in Allah's way.

That will not do. The decision in all questions belongs to Allah. If we are true to Him, we wait for His times and seasons, and do not expect Him to wait on ours.

Others version:

2: 28 [al-Baqarah, Mecca 87 ]

Asad How can you refuse to acknowledge God, seeing that you were lifeless and He gave you life, and that He will cause you to die and then will bring you again to life, whereupon unto Him you will be brought back?

Yusuf Ali How can ye reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that ye were without life and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.

Pickthall How disbelieve ye in Allah when ye were dead and He gave life to you! Then he will give you death, then life again, and then unto Him ye will return.

Transliteration Kaifa takfuru_na billa_hi wa kuntum amwa_tan fa ahya_kum, summa yumitukum summa yuhyikum summa ilaihi turja'u_n(a).

2: 29

Asad He it is who has created for you all that is on earth, and has applied His design to the heavens and fashioned them into seven heavens; and He alone has full knowledge of everything.

Yusuf Ali It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth; moreover His design comprehended the heavens for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things he hath perfect knowledge.

Pickthall He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is Knower of all things.

Transliteration Huwal lazi khalaqa lakum ma_ fil ardi jami'an summas tawa_ ilas sama_'i fasawwa_hunna sab'a sama_wa_t(in), wa huwa bikulli syai'in 'alim(un).

2: 210

Asad Are these people [note 192] waiting, perchance, for God to reveal Himself unto them in the shadows of the clouds, together with angels – although [by then] all will have been decided, and unto God all things will have been brought back? [note 193]

Yusuf Ali Will they wait until Allah comes to them in canopies of clouds with angels (in His train) and the question is (thus) settled? But to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

Pickthall Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).

Transliteration Hal yanzuru_na illa_ ay ya'tiyahumulla_hu fi zulim minal gama_mi wal mala_'ikatu wa qudiyal amr(u), wa ilalla_hi turja'ul umu_r(u).

[ Ruby’s note – A human being is not going to have direct experience of God’s presence except after death [in a non-physical state, I believe]. The most here on earth are those of the prophets getting revelations and some kind of indirect experiences but not direct experiences of God’s existence. However, God has written his existence in reality and God has given one the capacity or the faculty of REASON to decipher those signs and messages written in reality of God’s existence. Therefore, the Message is there and the recipients’ capacity to receive the Message is also there. The roadblock to that process of procuring the Truth is corruption of one’s inner-self. Purer is the soul, better is one connected to see the Message in clear terms. Therefore one who completely fails to get the Message and rejects God’s existence is far lost in corruption and arrogance. ]

[ Asad’s note 192 – Lit., “they –obviously referring to the people addressed in the preceding two verses.. Note 193 – I.e., it will be too late for repentance. All communicators agree in the “decision” relates to the unequivocal manifestation of God’s will on the Day of Judgment, which is alluded to in the words, “when unto God all things will have been brought back”. ……..]

[ Ali’s note - 231 If faith is wanting, all sorts of excuses are made to resist the appeal of God. They might and do say: "Oh yes! we shall believe if God appears to us with His angels in His glory!" In other words they want to settle the question in their way, and not in God's way. That will not do. The decision in all questions belongs to God. If we are true to Him, we wait for His times and seasons, and do not expect Him to wait on ours. (2.210) ]

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِذْ قَالَ اللّهُ يَا عِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ ...

3: 55. Behold! Allah said:

"O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself

C394. Read this with 4:157, where it is said that "whereas they slew him not nor they crucified him but it was made dubious unto them.

The guilt of the Jews remained, but Jesus was eventually taken up to Allah.

... وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...

and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme;

C395. Jesus was charged by the Jews with blasphemy as claiming to be Allah or the son of Allah.

The Christians (except a few early sects which were annihilated by persecution, and the modern sect of Unitarians), adopted the substance of the claim, and made it the cornerstone of their faith.

Allah clears Jesus of such a charge or claim.

...وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ...

I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection;

C396. Those who follow thee refers to both Muslims (insofar as they truly follow the basic teachings of Jesus) and Christians (who claim to follow him). [Eds].

...ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾

then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

C397. All the controversies about dogma and faith will disappear when we appear before Allah.

He will judge not by what we profess but by what we are.

Others version:

3: 55

Asad Lo! God said: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause you to die, and shall exalt you unto Me, and cleanse you of those who are bent on denying the truth; and I shall place those who follow you [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, unto the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were wont to differ.

Yusuf Ali Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith to the Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

Pickthall (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.

Transliteration Iz qa_lalla_hu ya_ 'isa_ inni mutawaffika wa ra_fi'uka ilayya wa mutahhiruka minal lazina kafaru_ wa ja_'ilul lazinattaba'u_ka fauqal lazina kafaru_ ila_ yaumil qiya_mah(ti), summa ilayya marji'ukum fa ahkumu bainakum fima_ kuntum fihi takhtalifu_n(a).

6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ ...

6: 36. Those who listen (in truth), be sure, will accept:

C857. There is a double meaning here.

- If people listen to truth sincerely and earnestly, they must believe; even if the spiritual faculty is dead, Allah will by His grace revive it and they will come to Him, if they really try earnestly to understand.

- The sincere will believe; but those whose hearts are dead will not listen, yet they cannot escape being brought to the Judgement Seat before Him.

... وَالْمَوْتَى يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللّهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

as to the dead, Allah will raise them up: then will they be turned unto Him.

وَقَالُواْ لَوْلاَ نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ...

6: 37. They say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"

...قُلْ إِنَّ اللّهَ قَادِرٌ عَلَى أَن يُنَزِّلٍ آيَةً وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾

Say: "Allah hath certainly power to send down a Sign: but most of them understand not."

C858. Signs are all around them, but they do not understand. If they want a particular Sign to suit their gross ignorance, they will not be humored, for they can always pick holes in anything that descends to their level.

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم ...

6: 38. There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you.

C859. "Animals living on the earth" include those living in the water-fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, as well as four-footed beasts. Life on the wing is separately mentioned.

"Tair," which is ordinarily translated as "bird," is anything that flies, including mammals like bats.

In our pride we may exclude animals from our purview, but they live a life, social ad individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the Plan and Will of Allah.

In 6:59 we are told that not a leaf falls but by His Will, and things dry and green are recorded in His Book. In other words they all obey His archetypal Plan, the Book which is also mentioned here.

They are all answerable in their several degrees to His Plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). This is not Pantheism: it is ascribing all life, activity, and existence to the Will and Plan of Allah.

...مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ...

Nothing have We omitted from the Book,

... ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ...

6: 60. It is He Who doth take your souls by night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day.

...ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَى أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى...

By day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled;

...ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٦٠﴾

in the end unto Him will be your return, then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.

C881. As the rest of His Creation is subject to His Law and Plan, so is man's life in every particular and at every moment, awake or asleep.

The mystery of Sleep -"the twin brother of death"- is called the taking of our soul by Him, with the record of all we have done in our waking moments, and this record sometimes appears to us in confused glimpses in dreams. By day we awaken again to our activities, and so it goes on until we fulfil the term of our life appointed for this earth.

Then comes the other Sleep (death), with the longer record of our Day (Life); and then, in the end comes the Resurrection and Judgment, at which we see everything clearly and not as in dreams, for that is the final Reality.

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا...

6: 93. Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie against Allah,

...أَوْ قَالَ أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ...

or saith, "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none,

...وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَا أَنَزلَ اللّهُ...

or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed?"

...وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي غَمَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ ...

If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! --

... وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ بَاسِطُواْ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُواْ أَنفُسَكُمُ...

the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying), "Yield up your souls.

C915. Yield up your souls: or "get your souls to come out of your bodies."

The wicked, we may suppose, are not anxious to part with the material existence in their bodies for the "reward" which in irony is stated to be there to welcome them.

...الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ ...

This day shall ye receive your reward, a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah,

...وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٩٣﴾

and scornfully to reject of His Signs!"

وَلَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا فُرَادَى كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ...

6: 94. "And behold! ye come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time:

C916. Some of the various ideas connected with "creation" are noted in n. 120 to 2:117.

In the matter of creation of man there are various processes. If his body was created out of clay, i.e. earthy matter, there was an earlier process of the creation of such earthy matter.

Here the body is left behind, and the soul is being addressed. The soul underwent various processes of fashioning and adapting to its various functions in its various surroundings (32:7-9). But each individual soul, after release from the body, comes back as it was created, with nothing more than it history, "the deeds which it has earned," which are really a part of it. Any exterior things given to help in its development, "the favours which we bestowed on you," it must necessarily leave behind, however it may have been proud of them.

These exterior things may be material things, e.g. wealth, property, signs of power, influence and pride such as sons, relatives, and friends, etc., or they may be intangible things, like talents, intellect, social gifts, etc.

...وَتَرَكْتُم مَّا خَوَّلْنَاكُمْ وَرَاء ظُهُورِكُمْ...

Ye have left behind you all (the favors) which We bestowed on you:

...وَمَا نَرَى مَعَكُمْ شُفَعَاءكُمُ الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّهُمْ فِيكُمْ شُرَكَاء...

We see not with you your intercessors whom ye thought to be partners in your affairs:

...لَقَد تَّقَطَّعَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنكُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ ﴿٩٤﴾

so now all relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!"

C917. The false ideas of intercessors, demi-gods, gods, saviours, etc., now vanish like unsubstantial visions, "leaving not a wrack behind."

Now the soul is face to face with reality. Its personal responsibility is brought home to it.

وَلاَ تَسُبُّواْ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ فَيَسُبُّواْ اللّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

6: 108. Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance.

...كَذَلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ...

Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings.

C936. A man's actual personal religion depends upon many things,

- his personal psychology,

- the background of his life,

- his hidden or repressed feelings,

- tendencies, or history (which psychoanalysis tries to unravel),

- his hereditary dispositions or antipathies, and

- all the subtle influences of his education and his environment.

The task before the man of Allah is:

1. to use any of these which can subserve the higher ends,

2. to purify such as have been misused,

3. to introduce new ideas and modes of looking at things, and

4. to combat what is wrong and cannot be mended:

all for the purpose of leading to the truth and gradually letting in spiritual light where there was darkness before.

If that is not done with discretion and the skill of a spiritual Teacher, there may be not only a reaction of obstinacy, but an unseemly show of dishonour to the true God and His Truth, and doubts would spread among the weaker brethren whose faith is shallow and infirm.

What happens to individuals is true collectively of nations or groups of people. They think in their self-obsession that their own ideas are right. Allah in His infinite compassion bears with them, and asks those who have purer ideas of faith not to vilify the weaknesses of their neighbors, lest the neighbors in their turn vilify the real truth and make matters even worse than before.

In so far as there is active evil, He will deal with it in His own way. Of course the righteous man must not hide his light under a bushel, or compromise with evil, or refuse to establish right living where he has the power to do so.

...ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٠٨﴾

In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.

Others version:

6: 36 Only they who listen can respond to a call; and as for the dead, God can raise them from the dead, whereupon unto Him they shall return.

6: 37 And they say, “Why has no miraculous sign been bestowed on him from on high

by his Sustainer? Say: “Behold, God has the power to bestow any sign from on high.”

Yet most human beings are unaware of this –

6: 38 although there is no beast that walks on earth and no bird that flies on its two wings which is not [God’s] creature like yourselves; no single thing have We neglected in Our decree. (Asad)

And once again: Unto their Sustainer shall they [all] be gathered. (Asad)

6: 37 “...........But most of them understand not.”

6: 38 There is not an animal [that lives] ...............but [forms part of ] communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book, and they [all] shall be gathered to their Lord in the end. (Ali)

6: 60 And he it is who causes you to be [like] dead at night, and knows what you work in daytime; and He brings you back to life each day in order that a term set [by Him] be fulfilled. In the end, unto Him you must return: and then He will make you understand all that you were doing [in life].

6: 93 and who could be more wicked than he who invents a lie about God, or says, “This has been revealed unto me,” the while nothing has been revealed to him? – or he who says, “ I, too, can bestow from on high the like of what God has bestowed”? Asad

6:93 ..............”I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed” ? Ali

If you could but see when these evildoers find themselves in the agonies of death, and the angels stretch forth their hands: “Give up your souls! Today you shall be requited with the suffering of humiliation for having attributed to God something that is not true, and for having persistently scorned His messages in your arrogance!” Asad

6: 94 “And behold you come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: you have left behind you all [the favors] which We bestowed on you. .............

6: 108 But do not revile those [beings] whom they invoke instead of God, lest they revile God out of spite, and in ignorance: for goodly indeed have We made their own doings appear unto every community. In time, [however] unto their Sustainer they must return: and then He will make them understand all that they were doing. See Asad and Ali’s notes

….]

10. Surah Yunus

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا...

10: 4.     To Him will be your return -- of all of you.

...وَعْدَ اللّهِ حَقًّا...

The promise of Allah is true and sure.

C1388. Haqq: true, right, for just ends, in right proportions, sure and certain:

all these ideas are implied.

...إِنَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ...

It is He Who beginneth the process of Creation, and repeateth it,

C1389. Cf. n. 120 to 2:117.

Allah's creation is not a simple act, once done and finished with. It is continuous, and there are many stages, not the least important of which is the Hereafter, when the fruits of our life will be achieved.

...لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ بِالْقِسْطِ ...

that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness,

...وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ ﴿٤﴾

but those who reject Him will have nothing but draughts of boiling fluids, and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject Him.

C1390. Hamim: boiling fluid:

it is associated as in 38:57, with gassaq, a dark, murky, or intensely cold fluid; both indicative of the grievous penalty that results from rebellion against Allah.

هُوَ الَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ...

10: 22.  He it is Whoenableth you to traverse through land and sea;

...حَتَّى إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُواْ بِهَا...

so that ye even board ships --

they sail with them with a favorable wind, and they rejoice thereat;

...جَاءتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَاءهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّواْ أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ...

then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think they are being overwhelmed:

...دَعَوُاْ اللّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ...

they cry unto Allah, sincerely offering (their) duty unto Him, saying,

...لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَـذِهِ لَنَكُونَنِّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿٢٢﴾

"If Thou dost deliver us from this, we shall truly show our gratitude!"

C1410. All the great inventions and discoveries on which man prides himself are the fruit of that genius and talent which Allah has freely given of His grace. But the spirit of man remains petty, as is illustrated by the parable from the sea.

How the heart of man rejoices when the ship goes smoothly with favourable winds!

How in adversity it turns, in terror and helplessness, to Allah, and makes vows for deliverance! and how those vows are disregarded as soon as the danger is past!

Cf. 6:63.

فَلَمَّا أَنجَاهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ...   

10: 23.  But when He delivereth them, Behold! they transgress insolently through the earth in defiance of right!

...يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُم...

O mankind!

your insolence is against your own souls --

C1411. In our insolence and pride we do not see how small and ephemeral is that part of us which is mortal. We shall see it at last when we appear before our Judge. In the meantime our ridiculous pretensions only hurt ourselves.

...مَّتَاعَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...

an enjoyment of the life of the Present:

...ثُمَّ إِلَينَا مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾  

in the end, to Us is your return, and We shall show you the truth of all that ye did.

Others version:

10: 4 Unto Him you all must return: this is, in truth, God’s promise – for, behold, He creates in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds; whereas for those who are bent on denying the truth there is in store a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth.

[Ilay hi marji ukum jamii aa. Wa dallahi haqqaa

10: 22

Yusuf Ali He it is Who enable you to traverse through land and sea; so that ye even board ships they sail with them with a favorable wind and they rejoice thereat; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides and they think they are being overwhelmed: they cry unto Allah sincerely offering (their) duty unto Him saying "If Thou dost deliver us from this we shall truly show our gratitude!"

Pickthall He it is Who make you to go on the land and the sea till, when ye are in the ships and they sail with them with a fair breeze and they are glad therein, a storm wind reach them and the wave cometh unto them from every side and they deem that they are overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for Him only; If Thou deliver us from this, we truly will be of the thankful.

Transliteration Huwal lazi yusayyirukum fil barri wal bahr(i), hatta_ iza_ kuntum fil fulk(i), wa jaraina bihim bi rihin tayyibatiw wa farihu_ biha_ ja_'atha_ rihun 'a_sifuw wa ja_'ahumul mauju min kulli maka_niw wa zannu_ annahum uhita bihim, da'awulla_ha mukhlisina lahud din(a), la'in anjaitana_ min ha_zihi lanaku_nanna minasy sya_kirin(a).

10: 23 [Yunus, Mecca 51]

Yusuf Ali But when He deliver them Behold! they transgress insolently through the earth in defiance of right! O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls an enjoyment of the life of the Present: in the end to Us is your return and We shall show you the truth of all that ye did.

Pickthall Yet when He hath delivered them, behold! they rebel in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion is only against yourselves. (Ye have) enjoyment of the life of the world; then unto Us is your return and We shall proclaim unto you what ye used to do.

Transliteration Falamma_ anja_hum iza_ hum yabgu_na fil ardi bi gairil haqq(i), ya_ ayyuhan na_su innama_ bagyukum 'ala_ anfusikum mata_'al haya_tid dunya_, summa ilaina_ marji'ukum fanunabbi'ukum bima_ kuntum ta'malu_n(a).

[[ Ali’s notes:-

1411 In our insolence and pride we do not see how small and ephemeral is that part of us which is mortal. We shall see it at last when we appear before our Judge. In the meantime our ridiculous pretensions only hurt ourselves. (10.23)]]

11.Surah Hud

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ...   

11: 3.     ("And to preach thus), 'Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance;

...يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى...

that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed,

...وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ...

and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit!

C1495. The enjoyment of all good and true things in life refers,

I think, to the present life with its limited term, and the abounding Grace refers to the higher reward, which begins here but is completed in the life to come.

...وَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنِّيَ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ ﴿٣﴾

But if ye turn away, then I fear for you the Penalty of a Great Day:

إِلَى اللّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٤﴾

11: 4.     "'To Allah is your return, and He hath power over all things.'"

وَلاَ يَنفَعُكُمْ نُصْحِي إِنْ أَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَنصَحَ لَكُمْ إِن كَانَ اللّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يُغْوِيَكُمْ...   

11: 34.    "Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray:

C1527. But Noah's heart bleeds for his people. They are preparing their own undoing! All his efforts are to be vain! Obstinate as they are, Allah's grace must be withdrawn, and then who can help them, and what use is any counsel?

But again he will try to remind them of their Lord, and turn their face to Him. For their ultimate return to His judgment-seat is certain, to answer for their conduct.

...هُوَ رَبُّكُمْ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾

He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!"

Others version:

11: 3

Yusuf Ali ("And to preach thus) `Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment good (and true) for a term appointed and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if ye turn away then I fear for you the Penalty of a Great Day:

Pickthall And (bidding you) : Ask pardon of your Lord and turn to Him repentant. He will cause you to enjoy a fair estate until a time appointed. He giveth His bounty unto every bountiful one. But if ye turn away, Lo! (then) I fear for you the retribution of an awful Day.

Transliteration Wa an-istagfiru_ rabbakum summa tu_bu_ ilaihi yumatti'kum mata_'an hasanan ila_ ajalim musammaw wa yu'ti kulla zi fadlin fadlah(u_), wa in tawallau fa inni akha_fu 'alaikum 'aza_ba yamin kabir(in).

11: 4

Yusuf Ali "`To Allah is your return and He hath power over all things.'"

Pickthall Unto Allah is your return, and He is able to do all things.

Transliteration Ilalla_hi marji'ukum, wa huwa 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

11: 34

Asad For, my advice will not benefit you- if it be God’s will that you shall remain lost in grievous error. He is your Sustainer, and unto Him you must return.”

Yusuf Ali "Of no profit will be my counsel to you much as I desire to give you (good) counsel if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!"

Pickthall My counsel will not profit you if I were minded to advise you, if Allah's will is to keep you astray. He is your lord and unto Him ye will be brought hack.

Transliteration Wa la_ yanfa'ukum nushi in arattu an ansaha lakum in ka_nalla_hu yuridu ay yugwiyakum, huwa rabbukum, wa ilaihi turja'u_n(a).

13.Surah ArRa'd

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ...

13: 36.  Those to whom We have given the Book rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee:

C1857. The Book: in a general sense, Revelation.

"Those to whom the Book hath been given" are both;

-        the People of the Book of previous revelations, who study the new Revelation in Arabic without prejudice and find in it confirmation of what their ancestors had received and believed in it, and

-        the Muslims who receive the Quran with such joy.

...وَمِنَ الأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُ...

but there are among the clans those who reject a part thereof.

C1858. Ahzab (plural of hizb: parties, sects, troops, clans. The reference may be to the clans mentioned in 33:20 and 22 (that whole Surah is called Ahzab).

But we can understand it in a perfectly general sense. Among all sections of the people there are persons who would receive a portion of Allah's truth but reject whatever does not suit them or fall in with their selfish aims or vain desires. The proper answer to them is:

Surely, Allah's command is universal, -to worship and serve Him and refuse to bend the knee to any other; the man of God finds his staff and support in it; but he must invite all to share in its blessings; it came from Allah, and to Allah shall we all return.

...قُلْ إِنَّمَا أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللّهَ وَلا أُشْرِكَ بِهِ...

Say:

"I am commanded to worship Allah, and not to join partners with Him.

...إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُو وَإِلَيْهِ مَآبِ ﴿٣٦﴾

Unto Him do I call,

and unto Him is my return."

Others version:

13: 36

Asad …….but among the followers of other creeds there are such as deny the validity of some of it. Say: “I have only been bidden to worship God, and not to ascribe divine powers to aught beside Him: unto Him do I call [all mankind], and He is my goal!”

Yusuf Ali Those to whom We have given the Book rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee: but there are among the clans those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him. Unto Him do I call and unto Him is my return."

Pickthall Those unto whom We gave the Scripture rejoice in that which is revealed unto thee. And of the clans there are who deny some of it. Say: I am commanded only that I serve Allah and ascribe unto Him no partner. Unto Him I cry, and unto Him is my return.

Transliteration Wallazina a_taina_humul kita_ba yafrahu_na bima_ unzila ilaika wa minal ahza_bi may yunkiru ba'dah(u_), qul innama_ umirtu an a'budalla_ha wa la_ usyrika bih(i), ilaihi ad'u_ wa ilaihi ma'a_b(i).

[Asad note 71: The particle “only” [innama] at the beginning of this sentence “clearly shows that there is [in Islam] no obligation, no ordinance and no prohibition that is not connected with this [principle]” [Razi].

24. Surah An Nur

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَلَا إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ...

24: 64. Be quite sure that to Allah doth belong whatever is in the heavens and on earth.

...قَدْ يَعْلَمُ مَا أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ ...

Well doth He know what ye are intent upon:

C3050. The condition or position you are in, the motives which actuate you, and the ends you have in view.

... وَيَوْمَ يُرْجَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا...

and one day they will be brought back to Him, and He will tell them the truth of what they did:

C3051. Things misunderstood or maligned, falsely praised or held in honour, or fraudulently shown to be good when they are evil-everything will be revealed in its true light on the Day of final Judgment.

...وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٦٤﴾

for Allah doth know all things.

Others version:

24:64