The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
Others version:
12: 109 ?
Yusuf Ali Nor did We send before thee (as Apostles) any but men whom We did inspire (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the Hereafter is best for those who do right. Will ye not then understand?
Pickthall We sent not before thee (any messengers) save men whom We inspired from among the folk of the townships. Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? And verily the abode of the Hereafter, for those who ward off (evil), is best. Have ye then no sense?
Yuksel We have not sent before you except men, to whom We gave inspiration, from the people of the towns. Would they not roam the earth and see what was the punishment of those before them? The abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who are aware. Do you not reason?*
Transliteration Wa ma_ arsalna_ min qablika illa_ rija_lan nu_hi ilaihim min ahlil qura_, afalam yasiru fil ardi fayanzuru_ kaifa ka_na 'a_qibatul lazina min qablihim, wa lada_rul a_khirati khairul lil lazina-ttaqau, afala_ ta'qilu_n(a).
[[ Yuksel - 012:109 The word rijal, which we translated as "man" has multiple meanings; it is also used to mean, "walker/pedestrian." See 2:239; 7:46-48; 22:27; 39:29; 72:5.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 1793 It was men that Allah sent as His Messengers to explain Him to men. He did not send angels or gods. Into His chosen men He breathed His inspiration, so that they could see truer than other men. But they were men living with men,-in men's habitations in town or country; not recluses or cenobites, who had no personal experience of men's affairs and could not be teachers of men in the fullest sense. Their deeds tell their own tale. (12.109)
1794 The righteous, the men of Allah, had, as in Joseph's history, some evidence of Allah's providence in this very world with all its imperfections as reflecting our imperfections. But this world is of no real consequence to them. Their home is in the Hereafter. Joseph's earthly home was in Canaan; but he attained his glory elsewhere; and his spiritual Home is in the great Society of the Righteous (iii. 39). (12.109) ]]
17. Surah Al Isra
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
كُلاًّ نُّمِدُّ
هَـؤُلاء وَهَـؤُلاء
مِنْ عَطَاء
رَبِّكَ...
17: 20. Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all -- these as well as those:
...وَمَا كَانَ عَطَاء رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا ﴿٢٠﴾
the bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).
C2200. Allah's favours are showered on all,
- the just and the unjust,
- the deserving and the undeserving.
But there is a difference as explained in the last two verses.
انظُرْ
كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا
بَعْضَهُمْ
عَلَى بَعْضٍ...
17: 21. See how We have bestowed more on some than on others;
...وَلَلآخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَاتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلاً ﴿٢١﴾
but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.
C2201. Nor should man suppose that all gifts are of equal value. The spiritual ones rank far higher in dignity and real worth than the transitory ones. Therefore it is altogether wrong to compare the worldly prosperity of a wicked man with the apparent want of it to a man of spiritual worth.
There is no comparison between them when measured by right standards.
لاَّ تَجْعَل
مَعَ اللّهِ
إِلَـهًا آخَرَ ...
17: 22. Take not with Allah another object of worship;
C2202. The seeming inequality of gifts to men might make short-sighted men impugn the impartiality of Allah. But the fault lies with such men's own want of knowledge and want of Faith. There is no excuse for them to seek other objects of worship than Allah. For there is none worthy of worship except Allah.
... فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًا مَّخْذُولاً ﴿٢٢﴾
or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution.
C2203. If foolish men turn to false objects of worship, they will not only be disappointed, but they will lose the respect of their own fellow-men, and spiritually they will be reduced to destitution. All their talents and their works will be of no avail.
Others version:
17: 20
Yusuf Ali Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all these as well as those: the bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).
Pickthall Each do We supply, both these and those, from the bounty of thy Lord. And the bounty of thy Lord can never be walled up.
Yuksel 17:20 For both groups We will bestow from the bounty of your Lord. The bounty of your Lord is never restricted.
Transliteration Kullan numiddu ha_'ula_'i wa ha_'ula_'i min 'ata_'i rabbik(a), wa ma_ ka_na 'ata_'u rabbika mahzu_ra_(n).
[[ Ali’s notes - Allah's favours are showered on all,-the just and the unjust, the deserving and the undeserving. But there is a difference as explained in the last two verses. (17.20)
2201 Nor should man suppose that all gifts are of equal value. The spiritual ones rank far higher in dignity and real worth than the transitory ones. Therefore it is altogether wrong to compare the worldly prosperity of a wicked man with the apparent want of it to a man of spiritual worth. There is no comparison between them when measured by right standards. (17.21) ]]
17: 21
Yusuf Ali See how We have bestowed more on some than on others; but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.
Pickthall See how We prefer one above another, and verily the Hereafter will be greater in degrees and greater in preferment.
Yuksel See how We have preferred some of them over the others; and in the Hereafter are greater levels, and greater preference.
Transliteration Unzur kaifa faddalna_ a'dahum 'ala_ ba'd(in), wa la la_khiratu akbaru daraja_tiw wa akbaru tafdila_(n).
17: 22
Yusuf Ali Take not with Allah another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution.
Pickthall Set not up with Allah any other god (O man) lest thou sit down reproved, forsaken.
Yuksel Do not set up with God another god; or you will find yourself disgraced, abandoned.
Transliteration La_ taj'al ma'alla_hi ila_han a_khara fa taq'uda mazmu_mam makhzu_la_(n).