11.Surah Hud

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَى بَيِّنَةً مِّن رَّبِّي وَآتَانِي مِنْهُ رَحْمَةً...   

11: 63.   He said: "O my people!

Do ye see? -- if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself --

...فَمَن يَنصُرُنِي مِنَ اللّهِ إِنْ عَصَيْتُهُ...

who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him?

C1559."Allah has been good to me and bestowed on me His light and the inestimable privilege of carrying His mission to you.

Don't you see that if I fail to carry out his mission. I shall have to answer before Him? Who can help me in that case?

The only thing which you can add to may misfortunes would be total perdition in the Hereafter."

Cf. 11:28.

...فَمَا تَزِيدُونَنِي غَيْرَ تَخْسِيرٍ ﴿٦٣﴾

What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?

Other versions:

11: 63

Yusuf Ali He said: "O my people! Do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?

Pickthall He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am (acting) on clear proof from my Lord and there hath come unto me a mercy from Him, who will save me from Allah if I disobey Him? Ye would add to me naught save perdition.

Transliteration Qa_la ya_ qaumi ara'aitum in kuntu 'ala_ bayyinatim mir rabbi, wa a_ta_ni minhu rahmatan famay yansuruni minalla_hi in 'asaituh(u_), fama_ tazidu_nani gaira takhsir(in).

14. Surah Ibrahim

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ...   

14: 4.     We sent a Messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them.

C1874. If the object of a Message is to make things clear, it must be delivered in the language current among the people to whom the Messenger is sent. Through them it can reach all mankind.

There is even a wider meaning for "language". It is not merely a question of alphabets, letters, or words. Each age or people -or world in a psychological sense- casts its thoughts in a certain mould or form.

Allah's Message -being universal- can be expressed in all moulds and forms, and is equally valid and necessary for all grades of humanity, and must therefore be explained to each according to his or her capacity or receptivity. In this respect the Quran is marvelous. It is for the simplest as well as the most advanced.

...فَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء...

Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases:

C1875. 'Whom He pleases'; the usual expression for Mashiyat, the universal Will and Plan, which is all-wise and on the highest plane of goodness and righteousness.

...وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٤﴾

and He is Exalted in power, Full of Wisdom.

Other versions:

14: 4

Yusuf Ali We sent an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power Full of Wisdom.

Pickthall And We never sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make (the message) clear for them. Then Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

Transliteration Wa ma_ arsalna_ mir rasu_lin illa_ bi lisa_ni qaumihi liyubayyina lahum, fa yudillulla_hu may yasya_'u wa yahdi may yasya_'(u), wa huwal 'azizul hakim(u).