SIGNS
3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قَدْ
كَانَ لَكُمْ
آيَةٌ فِي فِئَتَيْنِ
الْتَقَتَا...
3: 13. "There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met (in combat):
C352. This refers to the battle of Badr in Ramadhan in the second year of the Hijrah.
The little exiled community of Makkan Muslims, with their friends in Madinah had organized themselves into a God-fearing community, but were constantly in danger of being attacked by their Pagan enemies of Makkah in alliance with some of the disaffected elements (Jews and Hypocrites) in or near Madinah itself.
The design of the Makkans was to gather all the resources they could, and with an overwhelming force, to crush and annihilate Muhammad and his party. To this end Abu Sufyan was leading a richly-laden caravan from Syria to Makkah. He called for armed aid from Makkah,
The battle was fought in the plain of Badr, about 150 kilometers south-west of Madinah. The Muslim force consisted of only about 313 men, mostly ill-armed, but they were led by Muhammad, and they were fighting for their Faith.
The Makkan army, well-armed and well-equipped, numbered over a thousand and had among its leaders some of the most experienced warriors of Arabia, including Abu Jahl, the inveterate foe and persecutor of Islam.
Against all odds the Muslims won a brilliant victory, and many of the enemy leaders, including Abu Jahl, were killed. (R).
...فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَأُخْرَى كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ ...
one was fighting in the Cause of Allah, the other resisting Allah; these saw with their own eyes twice their number.
C353. It was impossible, without the miraculous aid of Allah, for such a small and ill-equipped force as was the Muslim band, to defeat the large and well-found force of the enemy. But their Faith firmness, zeal, and discipline won them divine aid.
Enemy prisoners stated that the enemy ranks saw the Muslim force to be many times larger than it was.
...وَاللّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَن يَشَاء...
But Allah doth support with His aid whom He pleaseth.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لَّأُوْلِي الأَبْصَارِ﴿١٣﴾
In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see."
إِنَّ
فِي خَلْقِ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضِ
وَاخْتِلاَفِ
اللَّيْلِ
وَالنَّهَارِ
...
3: 190. Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of Night and Day,
C497. See 2:164.
The two items mentioned here are just brief symbols recalling the six or seven mentioned in the other passage. And those too are but brief symbols and reminders of the glorious majesty of Allah and His goodness to man.
... لآيَاتٍ لِّأُوْلِي الألْبَابِ ﴿١٩٠﴾
there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.
الَّذِينَ
يَذْكُرُونَ
اللّهَ قِيَامًا
وَقُعُودًا
وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ
...
3: 191. Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides,
C498. That is, in all postures, which again is symbolical of all circumstances, personal, social, economic, historical and other.
...وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ ...
and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought):
...رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلاً ...
"Our Lord! not for naught hast thou created (all) this!
... سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴿١٩١﴾
Glory to thee! give us salvation from the penalty of the fire.
C499. It is the thought of Salvation that connects all these glories with man. Otherwise man would be a miserable, contemptible creature in these beauties and wonders of Nature. With his high destiny of Salvation he can be lifted even higher than these glories!
The Fire is a symbol of penalty. We pray for salvation from the penalty.
Asad’s Version:
3: 13 You have already had a sign in the two hosts that met in battle,…………..with their own eyes saw the others as twice their own number:……behold, there is indeed a lesson for all who have eyes to see.
3: 190, 191 Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight, who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "O our Sustainer! You have not created this without meaning and purpose. Limitless are you in Thy glory! Keep us safe then from suffering through fire!"
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ لاَ
تُحِلُّواْ
شَعَآئِرَ
اللّهِ ...
5: 2. O ye who believe!
violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah,
C686. Cf. 2:158, where Safa and Marwa are called "Symbols (shaair) of Allah".
Here the Symbols are everything connected with the Pilgrimage, viz.,
1. the places (like Safa and Marwa, or the Ka'bah or 'Arafat, etc.);
2. the rites and ceremonies prescribed;
3. prohibitions (such as that of hunting, etc.);
4. the times and seasons prescribed. There is spiritual and moral dimension in all these.
See notes on 2:158, 2:194-200.
... وَلاَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ ...
nor of the Sacred Month,
C687. The month of pilgrimage, or else, collectively, the four sacred months (9:36), viz.,
- Rajab (7th).
- Dhu al Qadah (11th),
- Dhu al Hijjah (12th, the month of Pilgrimage), and
- Muharram (the first of the year).
In all these months War was prohibited. Excepting Rajab the other three months are consecutive.
... وَلاَ الْهَدْيَ وَلاَ الْقَلآئِدَ...
nor of the animals brought for sacrifice,
nor the garlands that mark out such animals,
... وَلا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا...
nor the people resorting to the Sacred House, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord.
C688. The immunity from attack or interference extended to the animals brought as offerings for sacrifice and the garlands or fillets or distinguishing marks which gave them immunity. They were treated as sacred symbols.
And of course every protection or immunity was enjoyed by the Pilgrims.
... وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُواْ...
But when ye are clear of the Sacred Precincts and of pilgrim garb, ye may hunt,
C689. This is the state opposite to that described in n. 684, i.e., when ye have left the Sacred Precincts, and have doffed the special pilgrim garb, showing your return to ordinary life.
... وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ...
and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part).
C690. See n. 205 to 2:191.
In the sixth year of the Hijrah the Pagans, by way of hatred and persecution of the Muslims, had prevented them from access to the Sacred Mosque. When the Muslims were re-established in Makkah, some of them wanted to retaliate.
Passing from the immediate event to the general principle, we must not retaliate or return evil for evil. The hatred of the wicked does not justify hostility on our part. We have to help each other in righteousness and piety, not in perpetuating feuds of hatred and enmity. We may have to fight and put down evil, but never in a spirit of malice or hatred, but always in a spirit of justice and righteousness.
... وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى...
Help ye one another in righteousness and piety,
... وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ ...
but help ye not one another in sin and rancor:
fear Allah:
... إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٢﴾
for Allah is strict in punishment.
جَعَلَ
اللّهُ الْكَعْبَةَ
الْبَيْتَ
الْحَرَامَ
قِيَامًا لِّلنَّاسِ
...
5: 97. Allah made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security for men,
... وَالشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ ...
as also the Sacred Months,
C803. The Sacred or Prohibited Months are explained in n. 209. 2:194, and n. 687, 5:2.
... وَالْهَدْيَ وَالْقَلاَئِدَ ...
the animals for offerings, and the garlands that mark them:
... ذَلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ ...
that ye may know that Allah hath knowledge of what is in the heavens and on earth
... وَأَنَّ اللّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٩٧﴾
and that Allah is well acquainted with all things.
C805. All sorts of people from all parts of the earth gather during the Pilgrimage. They must not think that they are strangers, that nobody knows them, and that they may behave as they like.
It is the House of Allah, and He has supreme knowledge of all things, of all thoughts, and all motives.
As the next verse says, while He is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. He is also strict in enforcing respect for His ordinances.
Asad’s Version:
5:2 O you who have attained to faith! Offend not against the symbols set up by God, nor against the sacred month [of pilgrimage], nor against the garlanded offerings, nor against those who flock to the inviolable Temple, seeking favor with their Sustainer and His goodly acceptance: and [only] after your pilgrimage is over are you free to hunt.
5: 97 God has laid down that the Kabah, the Inviolable Temple, shall be a symbol for all mankind; and [so, too,] the sacred month [of pilgrimage] and the garlanded offerings [are symbols] meant to make you aware that God is aware of all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and that God has full knowledge of everything.
6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَقَالُواْ
لَوْلا أُنزِلَ
عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ
...
6: 8. They say: "Why is not an angel sent down to him?"
... وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الأمْرُ ثُمَّ لاَ يُنظَرُونَ ﴿٨﴾
If We did send down an angel, the matter would be settled at once, and no respite would be granted them.
C841. Cf. 2::210.
An angel is a heavenly being, a manifestation of Allah's glory, invisible to men who live gross material lives; Such men are given plenty of respite in which to turn in repentance to Allah and make themselves worthy of His light.
But if their prayer to see an angel were grated, it would do them no good, for thy would be destroyed as darkness is destroyed by light.
وَلَوْ
جَعَلْنَاهُ
مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ
رَجُلاً وَلَلَبَسْنَا
عَلَيْهِم مَّا
يَلْبِسُونَ
﴿٩﴾
6: 9. If We had made it an angel, We should have sent him as a man, and We should certainly have caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion.
C842. Supposing an angel should appear to their grosser senses, he could only do it in human form. In that case their present confused notions about spiritual life would be still more confounded.
They would say: "We wanted to see an angel, and we have only seen a man!"
قُلْ
أَرَأَيْتُمْ
إِنْ أَخَذَ
اللّهُ سَمْعَكُمْ
وَأَبْصَارَكُمْ
وَخَتَمَ عَلَى
قُلُوبِكُم
...
6: 46. Say:
"Think ye, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts,
...مَّنْ إِلَـهٌ غَيْرُ اللّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِهِ ...
who -- a god other than Allah -- could restore them to you?"
...انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الآيَاتِ ثُمَّ هُمْ يَصْدِفُونَ ﴿٤٦﴾
See how We explain the Signs by various (symbols):
Yet they turn aside.
Asad’s Version:
6: 8 They are saying, too, “Why has not an angel [visibly] been sent down unto him? But had We sent down an angel, all would indeed have been decided, and they would have been allowed no further respite [for response].
6: 9 And [even ] if We had appointed an angel as Our Message-bearer, We would certainly have made him [appear as ] a man – and thus We would only have confused them in the same as they are now confusing themselves.
6: 46 Say: “What do you think? If God should take away your hearing and your sight and seal your hearts-what deity but God is there that could bring it all back to you?”
Behold how many facets We give to Our messages – and yet they turn away in disdain!
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِذْ
أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ
الدُّنْيَا
وَهُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ
الْقُصْوَى
وَالرَّكْبُ
أَسْفَلَ
مِنكُمْ...
8: 42. Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye.
C1212. The little Islamic force from Madinah went out to meet the big Makkan army, and they met on the two sides of a valley at Badr, while the Quraish caravan was on lower ground towards the sea, about 3 miles from Badr.
...وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتَّمْ لاَخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَادِ...
Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment:
C1213. They were all at cross purposes. The caravan was making for Makkah, but scarcely thought it could get there. The Quraish force was trying to save the caravan and then annihilate the Muslims. The Muslims had decided to attack the Quraish army from Makkah which turned out to be big, more than three times their number.
Yet the two forces met, precisely at the spot and at the time when a decisive battle should take place and the Muslims dispose of the pretensions of the Makkans. If they had carefully planned a mutual appointment, they could not have carried it out more precisely.
On the Muslim side the few martyrs knew that the victory was theirs and those who survived the battle enjoyed the fruits of the victory. On the pagan side, both those who died and those who lived knew fully the issue joined. Even psychologically both sides went in with full determination to decide the issue.
...وَلَـكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللّهُ أَمْراً كَانَ مَفْعُولاً...
but (thus ye met), that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted;
...لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَى مَنْ حَيَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ...
that those who died might die after a clear sign (had been given),
and those who lived might live after a clear sign (had been given).
...وَإِنَّ اللّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٤٢﴾
And verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things).
Asad’s Version:
Re: Badr battle
8: 42 ….But [thus you met], that God might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign, and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign. And verily God is He who hear and know.
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
اشْتَرَوْاْ
بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ
ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً
فَصَدُّواْ
عَن سَبِيلِهِ...
9: 9. The signs of Allah have they sold for a miserable price, and (many) have they hindered from His way:
...إِنَّهُمْ سَاء مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩﴾
evil indeed are the deeds they have done.
لاَ يَرْقُبُونَ
فِي مُؤْمِنٍ
إِلاًّ وَلاَ
ذِمَّةً...
9: 10. In a believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of covenant!
...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُعْتَدُونَ ﴿١٠﴾
It is they who have transgressed all bounds.
C1258. The catalogue of their sins being set out, it is clear that they were aggressors in the worst possible ways; and war became inevitable.
فَإِن تَابُواْ
وَأَقَامُواْ
الصَّلاَةَ
وَآتَوُاْ
الزَّكَاةَ
فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ
فِي الدِّينِ...
9: 11. But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, they are your brethren in faith:
C1259. The chance of repentance and mercy to the worst enemies is again emphasised, in order that people with any understanding may not be misled into thinking that war was an easy or light matter.
This emphasis is balanced by the emphasis in the next verse on the causes which made war inevitable for those with any self-respect.
...وَنُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١١﴾
(thus) do We explain signs in detail, for those who understand.
Asad’s Version:
9: 9 The Signs of God have they sold for a miserable price, and have they hindered from His way: evil indeed are the deeds they have done.
9: 10 In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.
9: 11 But [even so], if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, - They are your brethren in Faith: [thus] do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
10. Surah Yunus
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
هُوَ
الَّذِي جَعَلَ
الشَّمْسَ
ضِيَاء وَالْقَمَرَ
نُورًا...
10: 5. It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty),
C1391. The fitting epithet for the sun is dhia, "splendour and glory of brightness", and for the moon is "a light" (of beauty), the cool light that illuminates and helps in the darkness of the night.
But the sun and moon also measure time. The simplest observation can keep pace with the true lunar months and lunar years, which are all that is required by a pastoral people.
For agriculture solar years are required, as they indicate the changes of the seasons, but ordinary solar years are never exact; even the solar year of 3651/4 days requires correction by advanced astronomical calculation.
...وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُواْ عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ...
and measured out stages for her: that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time).
...مَا خَلَقَ اللّهُ ذَلِكَ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ...
Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness.
C1392. Everything in Allah's creation has use and purpose, and fits into a Design. It is true in every sense of the word and it is good and just.
It is not merely a matter of sport or freak (21:16). Though so varied, it proclaims Allah's Unity; though a limited free-will is granted to creatures, the results of evil (which is rebellion) are neutralized and harmony is restored. Cf. 3:191.
...يُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٥﴾
(Thus) doth He explain his Signs in detail, for those who understand.
C1393. Cf. 9:11.
هُوَ الَّذِي
جَعَلَ لَكُمُ
اللَّيْلَ
لِتَسْكُنُواْ
فِيهِ وَالنَّهَارَ
مُبْصِرًا...
10: 67. He it is that hath made you the night that ye may rest therein, and the Day to make things visible (to you).
C1454. Our physical life -and our higher life in so far as it is linked with the physical- is sustained by the alternation of rest and activity, and the fit environment for this alternation is the succession of Nights and Days in our physical world. The Day makes the things "visible to us-" a beautiful symbol, not only of the physical work for which we go about by day, but of the higher activities which are fitly associated with seeing, perception and enquiry.
Intuition (insight) is a little out of that circle because that may come by night, when our other faculties are resting.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ ﴿٦٧﴾
Verily in this are Signs for those who listen (to His Message).
Other versions:
10: 5 [Yunus, Mecca 51]
Yusuf Ali It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty) and measured out stages for her: that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain his Signs in detail for those who understand.
Pickthall He it is who appointed the sun a splendor and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge.
Transliteration Huwal lazi ja'alasy syamsa diya_'aw wal qamara nu_raw wa qaddarahu_ mana_zila lita'lamu_ 'adadas sinina wal hisa_b(a), ma_ khalaqalla_hu za_lika illa_ bil haqq(i), yufassilul a_ya_ti li qaumiy ya'lamu_n(a).
[[[……That the verb yuiduhu (He brings him forth a new) refers here to the individual resurrection of human beings obvious form the sequence. The noun Khalq primarily denotes “creation” (i.e., the bringing into being of something that did not exist before);
subsequently, it denotes the result or object of creation, i.e., a “created beings”; finally, it is used in the sense of “man” in the generic connotation of this word, i.e, “mankind”.]
10: 67 [Yunus, Mecca 51]
Yusuf Ali He it is that hath made you the night that ye may rest therein and the Day to make things visible (to you). Verily in this are Signs for those who listen (to His Message).
Pickthall He it is who hath appointed for you the night that ye should rest therein and the day giving sight. Lo! herein verily are portents for a folk that heed.
Yuksel He is the One who made the night for you to reside in, and the day to see. In that are signs for a people who listen.
Transliteration Huwal lazi ja'ala lakumul laila litaskunu_ fihi wan naha_ra mubsira_(n), inna fi za_lika la a_ya_til li qaumiy yasma'u_n(a).
16.Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
هُوَ الَّذِي
أَنزَلَ مِنَ
السَّمَاء
مَاء...
16: 10. It is He Who sends down rain from the sky:
... لَّكُم مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ ﴿١٠﴾
from it ye drink,
and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
يُنبِتُ
لَكُم بِهِ
الزَّرْعَ
وَالزَّيْتُونَ
وَالنَّخِيلَ
وَالأَعْنَابَ
وَمِن كُلِّ
الثَّمَرَاتِ...
16: 11. With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes, and every kind of fruit:
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿١١﴾
verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
C2030. The least thought and study of nature will show you Allah's wise and benign Providence in making the processes of nature subserve man's use and refined life.
A higher degree of intelligence and study is required ("men who are wise") to understand Allah's Signs to man in the processes connected with the heavenly bodies (verse 12).
And a still higher spiritual understanding ("men who celebrate His praises" with gratitude) to realise the marvelous gradations, colours, and nuances in the creatures on this little globe of ours (verse 13), Reason this out carefully.
وَسَخَّرَ
لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ
وَالْنَّهَارَ
وَالشَّمْسَ
وَالْقَمَرَ...
16: 12. He has made subject to you the Night and the Day;
the Sun and the Moon;
C2031. The Night and the Day are caused by astronomical rotations.
What is important for man to note is how Allah has given intelligence to man to make use of this alternation for work and rest;
how man can, as soon as he rises from the primitive stage, get over their inequalities by artificial illuminants, such as vegetable or mineral oils, coal, gas, or electricity, which ultimately are derived from the stored-up energy of the sun;
how the sun's heat can be tempered by various artificial means and can be stored up for use by man as required, how man can be independent of the tides caused by the moon and the sun, which formerly controlled navigation, but which no longer stand in man's way, with his artificial harbours and great sea-going ships, how navigation was formerly subject to direct observation of the Polar Star and other stars, but how the magnetic needle and charts have now completely altered the position, and man can calculate and to a certain extent control magnetic variations, etc.
In such ways the sun, the moon, and the stars themselves become useful servants to him, all by Allah's gift and His Command, without which there would have been no laws governing them and no intelligence to make use of them.
... وَالْنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَاتٌ بِأَمْرِهِ...
and the Stars are in subjection by His Command:
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ ﴿١٢﴾
verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.
وَمَا ذَرَأَ
لَكُمْ فِي
الأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا
أَلْوَانُهُ...
16: 13. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities):
C2032. Whose heart has not been moved by the glorious gradation of colours in the sunset clouds?
The gradations are infinite, and it is only the eye of an artist that can express their collective beauty. They are but a type of the infinite variety and gradation of qualities in the spiritual sphere even in the little space of our own globe.
The big things that can be measured and defined have been spoken of before. Here we have mention of the subtle nuances in the spiritual world which can only be perceived by men who are so high in spiritual insight that their only reaction is to "cerebrate the praises of Allah" in gratitude for His infinite Mercies.
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿١٣﴾
verily in this is a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
C2033. Read again n. 2030 above, and see how subtly we are led up from the perception of the big to the perception of the subtle and delicate colours and qualities in the spiritual world.
وَهُوَ
الَّذِي سَخَّرَ
الْبَحْرَ ...
16: 14. It is He Who has made the sea subject,
C2034. We have gone up in a climax of material things from the big to the subtle in the sky and the earth. Here we have another climax as regard the things of the sea.
We get the delicate flesh of fishes and marine creatures of all kinds; we get the treasures of the deep; pearls, coral, amber, and things of that kind; and we have the stately ships ploughing the waves, for maritime commerce and intercourse, for unifying mankind, and for realising the spiritual bounty of Allah which can best be expressed by the boundless ocean.
... لِتَأْكُلُواْ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا...
that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender,
C2035. Connoisseurs know the delicate flavours of sea fish, such as the pomfret of the Indian Ocean, the herring of the North Atlantic, the mullet of Marseilles, and many another kind. Tart, translated "fresh and tender," also refers to the soft moist nature of fresh fish.
It is another wonder of Allah that salt water should produce flesh or such fresh, tender, and delicate flavour.
... وَتَسْتَخْرِجُواْ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا...
and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear;
C2036. Diving for pearls-in both the primitive and the more advanced form-is another instance of man's power over apparently inaccessible depths of the sea.
... وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ...
and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves,
... وَلِتَبْتَغُواْ مِن فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٤﴾
that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
C2037. After the material benefits which we get from the sea, we are asked to consider things of higher import to the spirit of man.
There is the beautiful ship which stands as the symbol of international commerce and intercourse, things that may be of material benefit, but which have a higher aspect in unifying man and making his civilisation more universal. These are first steps in seeking of the "bounty of Allah" through the sea.
But there are higher aspects. Navigation and international intercourse increase knowledge, which in its higher aspects should clean the mind and make it fitter to approach Allah. The salt water, which covers nearly 72 percent, of the surface of the Globe, is itself a purifying and sanitary agent, and is a good symbol of the higher bounties of Allah, which are as boundless as the Ocean.
وَاللّهُ أَنزَلَ
مِنَ الْسَّمَاء
مَاء فَأَحْيَا
بِهِ الأَرْضَ
بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا...
16: 65. And Allah sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its death:
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾
verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.
C2092. When the earth with all its vegetation is well-nigh dead, parched and shriveled up, a vivifying shower of rain from above gives it new life.
This natural phenomenon is a sign of Allah's infinite power, especially of His power to resurrect the dead, and thereafter muster them for judgment. [Eds.]
Other versions
16: 10 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]
Yusuf Ali It is He Who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
Pickthall He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture.
Transliteration Huwal lazi anzala minas sama_'i ma_'al lakum minhu syara_buw wa minhu syajarun fihi tusimu_n(a).
16: 11
Yusuf Ali With it He produces for you corn olives date-palms grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
Pickthall Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.
Transliteration Yumbitu lakum bihiz zar'a waz zaitu_na wan nakhila wal a'na_ba wa min kullis samara_t(i), inna fi za_lika la a_yatal liqaumiy yatafakkaru_n(a).
16: 12
Yusuf Ali He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the Sun and the Moon; and the Stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.
Pickthall And he hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you, and the stars are made subservient by His command. Lo! herein indeed are portents for people who have sense.
Transliteration Wa sakhkhara lakummul laila wan naha_r(a), wasy syamsa wal qamar(a), wan nuju_mu musakhkhara_tum bi amrih(i), inna fi za_lika la a_ya_til liqaumiy ya'qilu_n(a),
16: 13
Yusuf Ali And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities): verily in this is a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
Pickthall And whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues, lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed.
Transliteration Wa ma_ zara'a lakum fil ardi mukhtalifan alwa_nuh(a_), inna fi za_lika la a_yatal liqaumiy yazzakkaru_n(a).
16: 14
Yusuf Ali It is He Who has made the sea subject that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
Pickthall And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.
Transliteration Wa huwal lazi sakhkharal bahra lita'kulu_ minhu lahman tariyyaw wa tastakhriju_ minhu hilyatan talbasu_naha_, wa taral fulka mawa_khira fihi wa litabtagu_ min fadlihi wa la'allakum tasykuru_n(a).
16: 65 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]
Asad And God sends down water from the skies, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless: in this, behold, there is a message indeed for people who listen.
Yusuf Ali And Allah sends down rain from the skies and gives therewith life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.
Pickthall Allah sendeth down water from the sky and therewith revives the earth after her death! Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a folk who hear.
Transliteration Walla_hu anzala minas sama_'i ma_'an fa ahya_ bihil arda ba'da mautiha_, inna fi za_lika la a_yatal liqaumiy yasma'u_n(a).
22. Sura al-Hajj
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَلَمْ
تَرَ أَنَّ
اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ
لَهُ مَن فِي
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ
وَالشَّمْسُ
وَالْقَمَرُ
وَالنُّجُومُ
...
22: 18. Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth -- the sun, the moon, the stars;
C2790. Cf. 21:79, and n. 2733.
All created things, animate and inanimate, depend on Allah for their existence, and this dependence can be construed as their Sajdah or bowing down in worship.
Their very existence proclaims their dependence. How can they be objects of worship?
...وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ...
the hills, the trees, the animals;
...وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ...
and a great number among mankind?
...وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَذَابُ...
But a great number are (also) such as are fit for Punishment:
For haqqa in this verse. Cf. 15:64, n. 1990.
...وَمَن يُهِنِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ...
and such as Allah shall disgrace -- none can rise to honor:
...إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاء ﴿١٨﴾
for Allah carries out all that He wills.
C2791. Cf. 22:16. There the argument was that those who work in harmony with Allah's Law and Will will get their reward, for Allah always carries out His Plan.
Here is the Parallel argument: those who defy Allah's Will must suffer pain and disgrace, for Allah is well able to carry out His Will.
Other versions:
22: 18 [al-Hajj, Mecca-Medina 103 ]
Asad Art thou not aware that before God prostrate themselves all [things and beings] that are in the heavens and all that are on earth – the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the beasts?
And many human beings [submit to God consciously], whereas many [others, having defied Him,] will inevitably have to suffer [in the life to come]; and he whom God shall scorn [on Resurrection Day] will have none who could bestow honor on him; for, verily, God does what He wills.
Yusuf Ali Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth the sun the moon the stars; the hills the trees the animals; and a great number among mankind? But a great number are (also) such as are fit for Punishment: and such as Allah shall disgrace none can rise to honor: for Allah carries out all that He wills.
Pickthall Hast thou not seen that unto Allah payeth adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind, while there are many unto whom the doom is justly due. He whom Allah scorneth, there is none to give him honor. Lo! Allah doeth what He will.
Transliteration Alam tara an nal la_ha yasjudu lahu_ man fis sama_wa_ti wa man fil ardi was samsu wal qamaru wan nuju_ mu wal jiba_lu was sajaru wad dawa_b bu wa kasirum minan na_s wa kasirun haq qa 'alaihil aza_b wa may yuhinil la_hu fama_ lahu_ mim mukrim in nal la_ha yaf'alu ma_ yasya_
51: 37
52: 1 – 6 Consider Mount Sinai!…….
54: 15 Noah’s event as a sign for mankind
