7. Sura al-Araf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا...

7: 187. They ask thee about the (final) hour, when will be its appointed time?

...قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي لاَ يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ...

Say:

"The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): none but He can reveal as to when it will occur.

C1159. The fact of its coming is a certainty: the exact time appointed for it is not revealed by Allah. If it were it would be so momentous as to disturb our thoughts and life. It would be a heavy burden to us. Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times.

It will come when we least expect it. In the present Gospels Jesus says the same thing: he does not know the Hour, but it will come suddenly.

"But of that day and that Hour knoweth no man, no, not the angles which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark. 13:32-33).

...ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ لاَ تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلاَّ بَغْتَةً ...

Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth.

Only, all of a sudden, will it come to you.

...يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا...

They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof:

C1160. Hafiyy is usually construed to mean; "eager or anxious in search of":

the preposition following here is 'an = concerning, about.

Some commentators (including Raghib) understand it in this passage to mean "well-acquainted."

In 19:47, with the preposition bi following it, it signifies "well-disposed to", favourable to, good to, kind to."

...قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ اللّهِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨٧﴾

Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not."

قُل لاَّ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلاَ ضَرًّا إِلاَّ مَا شَاء اللّهُ...

7: 188. Say:

"I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah willeth.

...وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لاَسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ...

If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me,

...إِنْ أَنَاْ إِلاَّ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٨٨﴾

I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."

C1161. A warner to all, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith, because they will profit by the glad tidings.

As every one is invited to faith, the glad tidings are offered to all, but they are not necessarily accepted by all.

Asad’s Version:

7: 187

Asad …………[and] it will not fall upon you otherwise than of a sudden. They will ask thee – as if you could gain insight into this [mystery] by dint of persistent inquiry [note 153]!...............

Yusuf Ali They ask thee about the (final) hour when will be its appointed time? Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): none but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only all of a sudden will it come to you. They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone) but most men know not."

Pickthall They ask thee of the (destined) Hour, when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof is with my Lord only. He alone will manifest it at its proper time. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It cometh not to you save unawares. They question thee as if thou couldst be well informed thereof. Say: Knowledge thereof is with Allah only, but most of mankind know not.

Transliteration Yas'alu_naka 'anis sa_'ati ayya_na mursa_ha_, qul innama_'ilmuha_ 'inda rabbi, la_ yujalliha_ li waqtiha_ illa_ huw(a), saqulat fis sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), la_ ta'tikum illa_ bagtah(tan), yas'alu_naka ka annaka hafiyyun 'anha_, qul innama_ 'ilmuha_ 'indalla_hi wa la_kinna aksaran na_si la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 153 - …….no amount of inquiry or speculation can reveal to man – the prophets included – the coming of the Last Hour before its actual manifestation.]]

7: 188

Asad ……..I am nothing but a warner, and a herald of glad tidings unto people who will believe. [note 154]”

Yusuf Ali Say: "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen I should have multiplied all good and no evil should have touched me I am but a warner and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."

Pickthall Say: For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.

Transliteration Qul la_ amliku linafsi naf'aw wa la_ darran illa_ ma_ sya_'alla_h(u), wa lau kuntu a'lamul gaiba lastaksartu minal khairi - wa ma_ massaniyas su_'u - in ana illa_ naziruw wa basyirul li qaumiy yu'minu_n(a).

Asad’s note 154 – See 6:50, as well as the corresponding note. The repeated insistence in the Quran on the humanness of the Prophet is in tune with the doctrine that no created being has or could have any share, however small, in any of the Creator’s qualities or powers. …]

[[ Ali’s notes - 1159 The fact of its coming is a certainty: the exact time appointed for it is not revealed by Allah. If it were it would be so momentous as to disturb our thoughts and life. It would be a heavy burden to us. Our duty is to be prepared for it at all times. It will come when we least expect it. In the present Gospels Jesus says the same thing: he does not know the Hour, but it will come suddenly. "But of that day and that Hour know no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark. xiii. 32-33). (7.187)

1160 Hafi is usually construed to mean; "eager or anxious in search of": the preposition following here is 'an = concerning, about. Some commentators (including Ragib) understand it in this passage to mean "well-acquainted." In xix. 47, with the preposition by following it, it signifies "well-disposed to", favourable to, good to, kind to." (7.187)]]

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The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

Asad’s Version:

12: 103

Asad Yet – however strongly you may desire it – most people will not believe

Yusuf Ali Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have however ardently thou dost desire it.

Pickthall And though thou try much, most men will not believe.

Transliteration Wa ma_ aksarun na_si wa lau harasta bi mu'minin(a).

12: 104

Asad although you do not ask of them any reward for it, it is but reminder unto all mankind.

Yusuf Ali And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than a Message for all creatures.

Pickthall Thou askest them no fee for it. It is naught else than a reminder unto the peoples.

Yusuf Though you do not ask them for a wage for it; it is but a reminder to the worlds.

Transliteration Wa ma_ tas'aluhum 'alaihi min ajr(in), in huwa illa_ zikrul lil 'a_lamin(a).

12: 105

Yusuf Ali And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by? Yet they turn (their faces) away from them!

Pickthall How many a portent is there in the heavens and the earth which they pass by with face averted!

Yuksel How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, while they are turning away from it.

Transliteration Wa ka'ayyim min a_yatin fis sama_wa_ti wal ardi yamurru_na 'alaiha_ wa hum 'anha_ mu'ridu_n(a).

12: 106

Yusuf Ali And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with Him!

Pickthall And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners (unto Him).

Yuksel Most of them will not acknowledge God without setting up partners.

Transliteration Wa ma_ yu'minu aksaruhum billa_hi illa_ wa hum musyriku_n(a).

12: 107

Yusuf Ali Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the wrath of Allah or of the coming against them of the (final) Hour all of a sudden while they perceive not?

Pickthall Deem they themselves secure from the coming on them of a pall of Allah's punishment, or the coming of the Hour suddenly while they are unaware?

Yuksel Are they secure against the coming of a cover of retribution from God, or that the moment would come to them suddenly while they do not perceive?

Transliteration Afa'aminu_ an ta'tiyahum ga_syiyatum min 'aza_billa_hi au ta'tiyahumus sa_'atu bagtataw wa hum la_ yasy'uru_n(a).

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18.Surah Al Kahf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَكَذَلِكَ ...

18: 21.  Thus

C2357. Thus: in this way, by these means, i.e., by the sending out of one of the Sleepers with the old money to the town to buy provisions. His old-fashioned dress, appearance, and speech, and the old uncurrent money which he brought, at once drew the attention of people to him .

When they learnt his story, they realized that Allah, Who can protect His servants thus and raise them up from sleep after such a long time, has power to raise up men for the Resurrection, and that His promise of goodness and mercy to those who serve Him is true and was exemplified in this striking way.

On the other hand, to the men of the Cave themselves, it became clear that Allah can change the situation before we are aware, and our hope in Him is not futile, and that even when we are on the brink of despair, a revolution is surely working in the world before the world itself realises it.

... أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ... 

did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true,

... وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَا... 

and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment.

... إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ...  

Behold they dispute among themselves as to their affair.

C2358. The perversity of man is such that as soon as ever a glimpse of truth becomes manifest, men fall into controversies about it.

The Sleepers could not judge about the duration of their stay in the Cave, but they wisely left the matter and attended to the urgent business of their lives.

The townsfolk could not agree as to the significance of the event; they fell to discussing immaterial details.

What sort of a memorial should they raise?

a house or a place of worship or a tablet?

The place of worship was built. But the real significance was missed until explained in the Quran.

... فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَانًا... 

(Some) said, "Construct a building over them":

... رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ... 

their Lord knows best about them:

... قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا ﴿٢١﴾

those who prevailed over their affair said, "Let us surely build a place of worship over them."

Others Version:

18: 21

Asad ……….- that God’s promise if true, and that there can be no doubt as to [the coming of] the Last Hour…….so some said: “Erect a building in their memory; ………”Indeed, we maust surely raise a house of worship in their memory!”

Yusuf Ali Thus did We make their case known to the people that they might know that the promise of Allah is true and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment. Behold they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said "Construct a building over them": their Lord knows best about them: those who prevailed over their affair said "Let us surely build a place of worship over them."

Pickthall And in like manner We disclosed them (to the people of the city) that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that, as for the Hour, there is no doubt concerning it. When (the people of the city) disputed of their case among themselves, they said: Build over them a building; their Lord knoweth best concerning them. Those who won their point said: We verily shall build a place of worship over them.

Transliteration Wa kaza_lika a'sarna_ 'alaihim liya'lamu_ anna wa'dalla_hi haqquw wa annas sa_'ata la_ raiba fiha_, iz yatana_za'u_na bainahum amrahum faqa_lu-bnu_ 'alaihim bunya_na_(n), rabbuhum a'lamu bihim, qa_lal lazina galabu_ 'ala_ amrihim lanattakhizanna 'alaihim masjida_(n).

[ Ali’s note 2358 The perversity of man is such that as soon as ever a glimpse of truth becomes manifest, men fall into controversies about it. The Sleepers could not judge about the duration of their stay in the Cave, but they wisely left the matter and attended to the urgent business of their lives. The townsfolk could not agree as to the significance of the event; they fell to discussing immaterial details. What sort of a memorial should they raise?-a house or a place of worship or a tablet? The place of worship was built. But the real significance was missed until explained in the Qur-an. (18.21)]

15. Surah Al Hijr

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ...   

15: 85.  We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for just ends.

C2005. Allah's Creation is all for a true, just, and righteous purpose. Cf. 10:5.

It is not for mere whim or sport. 21:16.

...وَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لآتِيَةٌ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ ﴿٨٥﴾

And the Hour is surely coming (when this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness.

C2006. The Hour will not be long delayed when the true Design and Pattern of Life will be manifest. We must not be impatient, if there appear to be, to our limited vision, apparent injustices. We must bear and forbear, and as far as our own personal feelings are concerned, we must overlook other people's faults with "a gracious forgiveness".

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْخَلاَّقُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٨٦﴾

15: 86.  For verily it is thy Lord Who is the Master-Creator, knowing all things.

C2007. Khallaq: the emphatic intensive form, as meaning the Creator, Who is perfect in His skill and knowledge, and Whose creation answers perfectly to His design. Therefore no one should think that anything has gone wrong in Allah's creation.

What may seem out of joint is merely the result of our short-sighted standards. It often happens that what appears to us to be evil or imperfect or unjust is a reflection of our own imperfect minds.

See the next two verses and notes.

Asad’s Version:

15: 85

Yusuf Ali We created not the heavens the earth and all between them but for just ends. And the Hour is surely coming (when this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness.

Pickthall We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and lo! the Hour is surely coming. So forgive, O Muhammad, with a gracious forgiveness.

Yuksel We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is in between except with the truth. The moment is coming, so overlook their faults gracefully.*

Transliteration Wa ma_ khalaqnas sama_wati wal arda wa ma_ bainahuma_ illa_ bil haqq(i), wa innas sa_'ata la a_tiyatun fa-sfahis safhal jamil(a).

[[ Yuksel’s note - 015:085-88 The Quran contains some interesting hints regarding the end of the world. See 20:15; 72:27. ]]

15: 86

Yusuf Ali For verily it is thy Lord Who is the Master-Creator knowing all things.

Pickthall Lo! Thy Lord! He is the All Wise Creator.

Yuksel Your Lord is the Creator, the Knower.

Transliteration Inna rabbaka huwal khalla_qul 'alim(u).

22. Sura al-Hajj

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ...  

22: 1.     O mankind!

fear your Lord!

...إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ السَّاعَةِ شَيْءٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١﴾

For the convulsion of the Hour (of Judgment) will be a thing terrible!

C2770. The serious issues involved are indicated by showing how terrible the consequences will be for those who disobey Allah's Will.

The terror will only be for those who rebel and disobey: the righteous will not suffer from it, but on the contrary will be greeted by angels with joy (21:103).

يَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٍ عَمَّا أَرْضَعَتْ...  

22: 2.     The Day ye shall see it, every mother giving suck shall forget her suckling-babe,

...وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا ...

and every pregnant female shall drop her load (unformed):

...وَتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَى...

thou shalt see mankind as in a drunken riot,

C2771. Three metaphors are used for the extreme terror which the Awful Day will inspire,

1.     No mother abandons the baby at her breast in the greatest danger; yet that will happen in this Dreadful Hour.

2.     An expectant mother carries the young life within her with great pride and hope: yet the terror will overpower the hope at this "Hour", and nature's working will be reversed,

3.     Men ordinarily retain their self-possession except under intoxication: here, without intoxication, they will be driven to frenzy with terror.

...وَمَا هُم بِسُكَارَى وَلَكِنَّ عَذَابَ اللَّهِ شَدِيدٌ ﴿٢﴾

yet not drunk:

but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah.

وَلِيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ...

22: 54. And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowed may learn that the (Qur'án) is the Truth from thy Lord,

C2835. The last clause in the last verse was parenthetical. Treat this clause as parallel with the first clause in verse 53, "that he may make", etc. Both will then connect with "Allah will confirm (and establish) His Signs" in verse 52. See n. 2833 above.

...فَيُؤْمِنُوا بِهِ فَتُخْبِتَ لَهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ...

and that they may believe therein, and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it:

...وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٥٤﴾

for verily Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Way.

وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً...

22: 55. Those who reject Faith will not cease to be in doubt concerning (Revelation) until the Hour (of Judgment) comes suddenly upon them,

C2836. The penalty of deliberately rejecting Faith is that the person doing so closes the channels of Mercy that flow from Allah. He will always be subject to doubts and superstitions, until the time comes when all earthly scales fall from his spiritual eyes. But then there will be no time for Repentance: it will be too late to profit by the guidance of Allah given through Revelation.

...أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ ﴿٥٥﴾

or there comes to them the Penalty of a Day of Disaster.

Asad’s Version:

22:1 [al-Hajj, Mecca]

O MEN! Be conscious of your Sustainer: for, verily, the violent convulsion of the Last Hour will be an awesome thing!

(22:2) On the Day when you behold it, every woman that feeds a child at her breast will utterly forget her nursling, and every woman heavy with child will bring forth her burden [before her time]; and it will seem to thee that all mankind is drunk, 1

although they will not be drunk - but vehement will be [their dread of] God's chastisement. 2

[[ Asad’s note - 1 Lit., "thou shalt see [or "behold"] mankind drunk", i.e., behaving as if they were drunk. The illusory, purely subjective character of this "seeing" - implied in the use of the singular

form tara ("thou shalt see") after the plural "you" employed in the first clause of this verse - justifies the rendering "it will seem to thee that...", etc.

2 My interpolation of the words "their dread of" is based on the statement in 21 : 103 that, as far as the righteous are concerned, "the supreme awesomeness [of the Day of Resurrection] will cause them no rief despite the dread with which it will overwhelm every human being. ]]

22:54

And [God renders Satan's aspersions null and void] so that they who are endowed with [innate] knowledge might know that this [divine writ] is the truth from thy Sustainer, and that they might believe in it, and that their hearts might humbly submit unto Him. For, behold, God does guide onto a straight way those who have attained to faith –

(22:55)

whereas those who are bent on denying the truth will not cease to be in doubt about Him until the Last Hour comes suddenly upon them and [supreme] suffering befalls them on a Day void of all hope. 70

[[Ruby’s note 22-55 – the last hour coming to all people suddenly – could mean that the last hour is death. Kiamoth is not going to be experienced by everyone except who would be living at that time? Or could all be raised on that day and suddenly everyone faced the day of reckoning?]

30. Surah Ar Rum

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَالْإِيمَانَ...

30:56 [Ali]. But those endued with knowledge and faith will say:

...لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْبَعْثِ... ...

"Indeed ye did tarry, within Allah's Decree, to the Day of Resurrection,

C3574. The men of knowledge and faith knew all along of the true values-of the things of this ephemeral life and the things that will endure and face them at the End,-unlike the wrong-doers who were content with falsehoods and were taken by surprise, like ignorant men, when they faced the Realities.

...فَهَذَا يَوْمُ الْبَعْثِ وَلَكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٥٦﴾

and this is the Day of Resurrection: but ye -- ye were not aware!"

فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ...

30: 57. So on that Day no excuse of theirs will avail the Transgressors,

C3575. It will be no use for those who deliberately rejected the clearest warnings in Allah's Message to say: "Oh we did not realize this!"

The excuse will be false, and it would be unreasonable to suppose that they would then be asked to seek Grace by repentance. It will then be too late.

...وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ ﴿٥٧﴾

nor will they be invited (then) to seek grace (by repentance).

Asad’s Version:

30:56

But those who (in their lifetime] were endowed with knowledge 51 and faith will say: "Indeed, you have been tardy in [accepting as true] what God has revealed, 52 [and you have waited] until the Day of Resurrection: this, then, is the Day of Resurrection: but you were determined not to know it!" 55

(30:57) And so, on that Day their excuse will be of no avail to those who were bent on evildoing, nor will they be allowed to make amends.

[[Asad’s note - 55 For an explanation of God's "sealing" the hearts of such people, see note 7 on 2:7. ]]