2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
...
2: 47. O children of Israel!
... اذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ ...
call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon You,
C62. These words are recapitulated from 2:40, which introduced a general account of Allah's favours to Israel; now we are introduced to a particular account of incidents in Israel's history.
Each incident is introduced by the Arabic word "Iah", which is indicated in the translation by "Remember".
... وَأَنِّي فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٧﴾
and that I preferred you to all others (for My message).
وَاتَّقُواْ
يَوْماً لاَّ
تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ
عَن نَّفْسٍ
شَيْئاً...
2: 48. Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another
... وَلاَ يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ ...
nor shall intercession be accepted for her,
... وَلاَ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ ...
nor shall compensation be taken from her,
... وَلاَ هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾
nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
C63. Before passing to particular incidents, the conclusions is stated.
Be on your guard; do not think that special favours exempt you from the personal responsibility of each soul.
وَاتَّقُواْ
يَوْماً لاَّ
تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ
عَن نَّفْسٍ
شَيْئاً...
2: 123. Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another,
... وَلاَ يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلاَ تَنفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلاَ هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ﴿١٢٣﴾
nor shall compensation be accepted from her,
nor shall intercession profit her,
nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
C122. Verses 122-123 repeat verses 47-48 (except for a slight verbal variation in ii. 123 which does not affect the sense).
The argument about the favours to Israel is thus beautifully rounded off, and we now proceed to the argument in favour of the Arabs as succeeding to the spiritual inheritance of Abraham.
Others version:
2: 47
Asad O Children of Israel ! Remember those blessings of Mine with which I graced you, and how I favored you above all other people;
Yusuf Ali O children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon You and that I preferred you to all others (for My message).
Pickthall O Children of Israel! Remember My favor wherewith I favored you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures.
Transliteration Ya_ bani isra_'ilaz kuru_ ni'matiyal lati an'amtu 'alaikum wa anni faddaltukum 'alal 'a_lamin(a).
[ Ruby’s note: The special favor above all other people, is in the past. That is why the Arabic word “iz” or remember is used to indicate the happening in the past. God did favor Israelites at that time. But that does not absolve them from personal responsibility of doing the right thing and the good things in this life to be accountable on the Day of Judgment when no special favor will be extended to any soul except its own earnings [aml] and God’s forgiveness. And no favor to any one on the basis of special privilege based on race, color or any other human identifier such as brand of faith, world status or position, etc. ]
2: 48
Asad And remain conscious of [the coming of ] a Day when no human being shall in the least avail another nor shall intercession be accepted from any of them, nor ransom taken from them [note 35], and none shall be succored.
Yusuf Ali Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall intercession be accepted for her nor shall compensation be taken from her nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
Pickthall And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped.
Transliteration Wattaqu_ yaumal la_ tajzi nafsun 'an nafsin syai'aw wa la_ yuqbalu minha_ syafa_'atuw wa la_ yu'khazu minha_ 'adluw wa la_ hum yunsaru_n(a).
[Asad’s note 35: The “taking of ransom (adl)” is an obvious allusion to the Christian doctrine of vicarious redemption as well as to the Jewish idea that “the chosen people” – as the Jews considered themselves – would be exempt from punishment on the Day of Judgment. Both these ideas are categorically refuted in the Quran.]
[ Ali’s notes : 62 These words are recapitulated from ii. 40, which introduced a general account of God's favours to Israel; now we are introduced to a particular account of incidents in Israel's history. Each incident is introduced by the Arabic word "Iz", which is indicated in the translation by "Remember". (2.47)
63 Before passing to particular incidents, the conclusion is stated. Be on your guard; do not think that special favors exempt you from the personal responsibility of each soul. (2.48) ]
2: 123
Asad and remain conscious of [the coming of] a Day when no human being shall in the least avail another, nor shall ransom be accepted from any of them, nor shall intercession be of any use to them, and none shall be succored. [note 99]
Yusuf Ali Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall compensation be accepted from her nor shall intercession profit her nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
Pickthall And guard (yourselves) against a day when no soul will naught avail another, nor will compensation be accepted from it, nor will intercession be of use to it; nor will they be helped.
Transliteration Wattaqu_ yaumal la_ tajzi nafsun 'an nafsin syai'aw wa ala_ yuqbalu minha_ 'adluw wa la_ tanfa'uha_ syafa_'atuw wa la_ hum yunsaru_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 99: {see 2:48} In the above context, this refers, specifically, to the belief of the Jews that their descent from Abraham would “ransom” them on the Day of Judgment – a belief which is refuted in the next verse.]
[Ali’s note 122 Verses 122-123 repeat verses 47-48 (except for a slight verbal variation in ii. 123 which does not affect the sense). The argument about the favours to Israel is thus beautifully rounded off, and we now proceed to the argument in favour of the Arabs as succeeding to the spiritual inheritance of Abraham. (2.123)]
7. Sura al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الَّذِينَ
اتَّخَذُواْ
دِينَهُمْ
لَهْوًا وَلَعِبًا
وَغَرَّتْهُمُ
الْحَيَاةُ
الدُّنْيَا...
7: 51. "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world."
...فَالْيَوْمَ نَنسَاهُمْ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَاء يَوْمِهِمْ هَـذَا...
That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs,
C1029. "Forgetfulness" may be involuntary, from a defect of memory, or figuratively, a deliberate turning away from, or ignoring of, something we do not want, as when we say in an argument, "you conveniently forget that so- and-so is so-and-so." Here the latter kind is meant.
If men deliberately ignored the Hereafter in spite of warnings, can they expect to be received by Allah, Whom they themselves rejected?
...وَمَا كَانُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ ﴿٥١﴾
and as they were wont to reject Our signs.
وَلَقَدْ
جِئْنَاهُم
بِكِتَابٍ
فَصَّلْنَاهُ
عَلَى عِلْمٍ...
7: 52. For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail,
...هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾
a guide and a mercy to all who believe.
هَلْ
يَنظُرُونَ
إِلاَّ تَأْوِيلَهُ
...
7: 53. Do they just wait for the final fulfillment of the event?
... يَوْمَ يَأْتِي تَأْوِيلُهُ...
On the day the event is finally fulfilled,
C1030. If those without Faith want to wait and see what happens in the Hereafter, they will indeed learn the truth, but it will be too late for them to profit by it then. All the false ideals and false gods which they put their trust upon will leave them in the lurch.
If they thought that the goodness or greatness of others would help them, they will be undeceived on the day when their personal responsibility will be enforced. There will be no salvation except on their own record. How they will then wish that they had another chance! But their chance will be gone.
...يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَاءتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ...
those who disregarded it before will say:
"The Messengers of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings).
...فَهَل لَّنَا مِن شُفَعَاء فَيَشْفَعُواْ لَنَا أَوْ نُرَدُّ فَنَعْمَلَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ...
Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf?
Or could we be sent back? Then should we behave differently from our behavior in the past."
...قَدْ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿٥٣﴾
In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch.
Others version:
7: 51
Yusuf Ali "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs and as they were wont to reject Our signs.
Pickthall Who took their religion for a sport and pastime, and whom the life of the world beguiled. So this day We have forgotten them even as they forgot the meeting of this Day and as they used to deny Our tokens.
Transliteration Allazinattakhazu_ dinahum lahwaw wa la'ibaw wa garrathumul haya_tud dunya_, fal yauma nansa_hum kama_ nasu_ liqa_'a yaumihim ha_za_, wa ma_ ka_nu_ bi a_ya_tina_ yajhadu_n(a).
7: 52
Yusuf Ali For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge which We explained in detail a guide and a mercy to all who believe.
Pickthall Verily We have brought them a Scripture which We expound with knowledge, a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
Transliteration Wa laqad ji'na_kum bi kita_bin fassalna_hu 'ala_ 'ilmin hudaw wa rahmatal liqaumiy yu'minu_n(a).
7: 53
Yusuf Ali Do they just wait for the final fulfillment of the event? On the day the event is finally fulfilled those who disregarded it before will say: "the apostles of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back? Then should we behave differently from our behavior in the past." In fact they will have lost their souls and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch.
Pickthall Await they aught save the fulfillment thereof? On the day when the fulfillment thereof cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us? Or can we be returned (to life on earth), that we may act otherwise than we used to act? They have lost their souls, and that which they devised hath failed them.
Transliteration Hal yanzuru_na illa_ ta'wilah(a_), yauma ya'ti ta'wiluhu_ yaqu_lul lazina nasu_hu min qablu qad ja_'at rusulu rabbina_ bil haqq(i), fahal lana_ min syufa'a_'a fa yasyfa'u_ lana_ au nuraddu fa na'mala gairal lazi kunna_ na'mal(u), qad khasiru_ anfusahum wa dalla 'anhum ma_ ka_nu_ yaftaru_n(a).
20 Sura Taha
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَوْمَئِذٍ
لَّا تَنفَعُ
الشَّفَاعَةُ
إِلَّا مَنْ
أَذِنَ لَهُ
الرَّحْمَنُ
وَرَضِيَ لَهُ
قَوْلًا ﴿١٠٩﴾
20: 109. On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.
C2634. Cf. 2:255 in the Verse of the Throne.
Here man is in the accusative case governed by tanfa'u, and it is better to construe as I have done. That is, intercession will benefit no one except those for whom Allah has granted permission, and whose word (of repentance) is true and sincere, and therefore acceptable to Allah.
Others construe: no intercession will avail, except by those to whom Allah has granted permission, and whose word (of intercession) is acceptable to Allah.
In that case the two distinct clauses have no distinct meanings.
يَعْلَمُ
مَا بَيْنَ
أَيْدِيهِمْ
وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ...
20: 110. He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them:
The slight difference in phraseology (which I have tried to preserve in the Translation) will be understood as a beauty when we reflect that here our attention is directed to the Day of Judgment, and in 2:255 the wording is general, and applies to our present state also.
...وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِ عِلْمًا ﴿١١٠﴾
but they shall not compass it with their knowledge.
Others version:
20:109 [Ta’ha, Mecca 45]
On that Day, intercession shall be of no avail [to any] save him in whose case the Most Gracious will have granted leave therefor, and whose word [of faith) He will have accepted:' 2
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[[ Asad’s note - 92 Regarding the Qur'anic concept of "intercession" on the Day of Judgment, see note 7 on 10:3.
The "word [of faith]" referred to towards the end of the above verse is - according to Ibn 'Abbas
10:3 [Yunus, Mecca]
VERILY, your Sustainer is God, who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons, and is established on the throne of His almightiness, 6 governing all that exists. There is none that could intercede with Him unless He grants leave
therefor. 7
7 Lit., "there is no intercessor whatever, save after His leave [has been granted]". Cf 2:255 - "Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave?" Thus, the Qur'an rejects the popular belief in unqualified "intercession" by living or dead saints or prophets. As is shown elsewhere in the Qur'an (e.g., in 20:109, 21:28 or 34:23), God will grant to His prophets on Judgment Day the permission to intercede", symbolically, for such of the sinners as will have already achieved His redemptive acceptance (rida 1 ) by virtue of their repentance or basic goodness (see 19:87 and the corresponding note 74): in other words, the right of "intercession" thus granted to the prophets will be but an expression of God's approval of the latter. Furthermore, the above denial of the possibility of unqualified intercession stresses, indirectly, not only God's omniscience - which requires no "mediator" - but also the immutability of His will: and thus it connects with the preceding mention of His almightiness. (See also note 27 below.) ]]
(20:110) [for] He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them,' 3 whereas they cannot encompass Him with their knowledge.
