Signs Inscribed in Heaven and Earth
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلِ
انظُرُواْ
مَاذَا فِي
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضِ...
10: 101. Say:
"Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth;"
...وَمَا تُغْنِي الآيَاتُ وَالنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لاَّ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٠١﴾
but neither Signs nor Warners profit those who believe not.
C1483. If Faith results from an active exertion of our spiritual faculties or understanding, it follows that if we let these die, Allah's Signs in His Creation or in the spoken Word which comes by inspiration through the mouths of His Messengers will not reach us any more than music reaches a deaf man.
فَهَلْ
يَنتَظِرُونَ
إِلاَّ مِثْلَ
أَيَّامِ الَّذِينَ
خَلَوْاْ مِن
قَبْلِهِمْ...
10: 102. Do they then expect (anything) but (what happened in) the days of the men who passed away before them?
...قُلْ فَانتَظِرُواْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ ﴿١٠٢﴾
Say: "Wait ye then: for I too, will wait with you."
The argument about Allah's revelation of Himself to man was begun in those early sections of this Sura and is being now rounded off towards the end of this Sura with the same formula.
Other versions:
10: 101 [Yunus, Mecca 51, about a year before Hijra]
Asad Say: “Consider whatever there is in the heavens and on earth!” But of what avail could all the messages and all the warnings be to people who will not believe?
Yusuf Ali Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth"; but neither Signs nor Warners profit those who believe not.
Pickthall Say: Behold what is in the heavens and the earth! But revelations and warnings avail not folk who will not believe.
Yuksel Say, "Look at all that is in the heavens and the earth." But what good are the signs and warnings to a people who do not acknowledge?
10:102
Transliteration Qul-inzuru_ ma_za_ fis sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), wa ma_ tugnil a_ya_tu wan nuzuru 'an qaumil la_ yu'minu_n(a).
10: 102
Yusuf Ali Do they then expect (anything) but (what happened in) the days of the men who passed away before them? Say: "Wait ye then: for I too will wait with you."
Pickthall What expect they save the like of the days of those who passed away before them? Say: Expect then! I am with you among the expectant.
Yuksel Are they waiting for the days like those who passed away before them? Say, "Wait, for I am with you waiting."
Transliteration Fa hal yantaziru_na illa_ misla ayya_mil lazina khalau min qablihim, qul fantaziru_ inni ma'akum minal muntazirin(a).
[[ Ali’s ntoes - 1483 If Faith results from an active exertion of our spiritual faculties or understanding, it follows that if we let these die, Allah's Signs in His Creation or in the spoken Word which comes by inspiration through the mouths of His Messengers will not reach us any more than music reaches a deaf man. (10.101)
1484 Cf. x. 20 and n. 1408. The argument about Allah's revelation of Himself to man was begun in those early sections of this Sura and is being now rounded off towards the end of this Sura with the same formula. (10.102) ]]
12. Surha Yusuf (Joseph)
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَكَأَيِّن
مِّن
آيَةٍ
فِي
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضِ
يَمُرُّونَ
عَلَيْهَا...
12: 105. And how many Signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by?
...وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ ﴿١٠٥﴾
Yet they turn (their faces) away from them!
C1788. Not only can we learn through Scripture of the working of Allah's providence in human history and the history of individual souls. His Signs are scattered literally throughout nature-throughout Creation-for all who have eyes to see. And yet man is so arrogant that he turns away his very eyes from them!
وَمَا
يُؤْمِنُ
أَكْثَرُهُمْ
بِاللّهِ
إِلاَّ
وَهُم
مُّشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٠٦﴾
12: 106. And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with Him!
C1789. Even if people profess a nominal faith in Allah, they corrupt it by believing in other things as if they were Allah's partners, or had some share in the shaping of the world's destinies!
- In some circles, it is idolatry, the worship of stocks and stones.
- In others, it is Christolatry and Mariolatry, or the deification of heroes and men of renown.
- In others it is the powers of Nature or of Life, or of the human intellect personified in Science or Art or invention, and this is the more common form of modern idolatry.
- Others again worship mystery, or imaginary powers of good or even evil: greed and fear are mixed up with these forms of worship. Islam calls us to worship Allah, the One True God, and Him only. (R).
Other versions:
12: 105 [Yusuf, Mecca 53]
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).
13.Surah ArRa'd
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
اللّهُ
الَّذِي رَفَعَ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ
تَرَوْنَهَا...
13: 2. Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see;
C1800. Should we construe the clause "that ye can see" to refer to "pillars" or "to the heavens"?
Either is admissible, but I prefer the former.
The heavens are supported on no pillars that we can see. What we see is the blue vault of heaven, but there are invisible forces or conditions created by Allah, which should impress us with His power and glory.
...ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ...
is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority);
C1801. Cf. 10:3 , and n. 1386.
We must not think that anything came into being by itself or carries out its functions by itself. Allah is the Creator from Whom everything has its life and being and through Whom everything is maintained and supported, even though fixed laws are established for its regulation and government.
... وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ...
He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law)!
...كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى...
each one runs (its course) for a term appointed.
The "term appointed" limits the duration of their functioning: its ultimate return is to Allah, as its beginning proceeded from Allah.
...يُدَبِّرُ الأَمْرَ ...
He doth regulate affairs,
Where the laws of nature are fixed, and everything runs according to its appointed course, the government and regulation behind it is still that of Allah.
Where there is limited free will as in man, yet the ultimate source of man's faculties is Allah.
Allah cares for His creatures. He does not, as in the idea of polytheistic Greece, sit apart on Olympus, careless of His creatures.
... يُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَاء رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢﴾
explaining the Signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.
C1803. One manifestation of His caring for His creatures, even where a limited amount of free-will is granted for their development, is that He is careful to explain His Signs both in nature and in express and detailed revelation through His Messengers, lest man should have any doubts whether he has to return ultimately to his Lord and account for all his actions during the "term appointed," when he was given some initiative by way of trial and preparation.
If man attends carefully to the Signs, he should have no doubt whatever.
وَهُوَ
الَّذِي مَدَّ
الأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ
فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ
وَأَنْهَارًا...
13: 3. And it is He Who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and (flowing) rivers:
...وَمِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ...
and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two:
C1804. I think that this refers to sex in plants, and I see M Pickthalls has translated accordingly.
Plants like animals have their reproductive apparatus, -male stamens and female pistils. In most cases the same flower combines both stamens and pistils, but in some cases these organs are specialized in separate flowers, and in some cases, even in separate trees. The date-palm of Arabia and the Papaya of India, are instances of fruit trees which are unisexual.
...يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ...
He draweth the Night as a veil o'er the Day.
C1805. Cf. 7:54 and n. 1032. The whole passage there may be compared with the whole passage here.
Both their similarity and their variation show how closely reasoned each argument is, with expressions exactly appropriate to each occasion.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٣﴾
Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who consider!
Other versions:
13: 2 [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]
Yusuf Ali Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law)! each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate affairs explaining the Signs in detail that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.
Pickthall Allah it is who raised up the heavens without visible supports, then mounted the Throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service, each runneth unto an appointed term; He ordereth the course; He detaileth the revelations, that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.
Yuksel God, Who raised the skies without any pillars that you can see, then He established the authority, and He commissioned the sun and the moon; each running to a fixed destiny. He manages all affairs, and He details the signs so that you will be aware of the meeting with your Lord.
Transliteration Alla_hul lazi rafa'as sama_wa_ti bi gairi 'amadin taraunaha_ summa-stawa_ 'alal 'arsyi wa sakhkharasy syamsa wal qamar(a), kulluy yajri li ajalim musamma_(n), yudabbirul amra yufassilul a_ya_ti la'allakum biliqa_'i rabbikum tu_qinu_n(a).
13: 3
Yusuf Ali And it is He Who spread out the earth and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs two and two: He draweth the Night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold verily in these things there are Signs for those who consider!
Pickthall And He it is who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits be placed therein two spouses (male and female). He covereth the night with the day. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought.
Yuksel He is the One who stretched out the land, made in it stabilizers and rivers, and from every fruit He made a pair of two; the night covers the day. In that are signs for a people who will think.
Transliteration Wa huwal lazi maddal arda wa ja'ala fiha_ rawa_siya wa anha_ra_(n), wa min kullis samara_ti ja'ala fiha_ zaujaini-snaini yugsyil lailan naha_r(a), inna fi za_lika la a_ya_til liqaumiy yatafakkaru_n(a).
[[Ali’s notes - 1800 Should we construe the clause "that ye can see" to refer to "pillars" or "to the heavens"? Either is admissible, but I prefer the former. The heavens are supported on no pillars that we can see. What we see is the blue vault of heaven, but there are invisible forces or conditions created by Allah, which should impress us with His power and glory. (13.2)
1801 Cf. x. 3, and n. 1386. We must not think that anything came into being by itself or carries out its functions by itself. Allah is the Creator from Whom everything has its life and being and through Whom everything is maintained and supported, even though fixed laws are established for its regulation and government. The "term appointed" limits the duration of their functioning: its ultimate return is to Allah, as its beginning proceeded from Allah. (13.2)
1802 Cf. x. 31, n. 1425. Where the laws of nature are fixed, and everything runs according to its appointed course, the government and regulation behind it is still that of Allah. Where there is limited free will as in man, yet the ultimate source of man's faculties is Allah. Allah cares for His creatures. He does not, as in the idea of polytheistic Greece, sit apart on Olympus, careless of His creatures. (13.2)
1803 One manifestation of His caring for His creatures, even where a limited amount of free-will is granted for their development, is that He is careful to explain His Signs both in nature and in express and detailed revelation through His Messengers, lest man should have any doubts whether he has to return ultimately to his Lord and account for all his actions during the "term appointed," when he was given some initiative by way of trial and preparation. If man attends carefully to the Signs, he should have no doubt whatever. (13.2)
1804 I think that this refers to sex in plants, and I see M.P. has translated accordingly. Plants like animals have their reproductive apparatus,-male stamens and female pistils. In most cases the same flower combines both stamens and pistils, but in some cases these organs are specialised in separate flowers, and in some cases, even in separate trees. The date-palm of Arabia and the Papaiya of India, are instances of fruit trees which are uni-sexual. (13.3)
1805 Cf. vii. 54 and n. 1032. The whole passage there may be compared with the whole passage here. Both their similarity and their variation show how closely reasoned each argument is, with expressions exactly appropriate to each occasion. (13.3) ]]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
خَلَقَ
اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضَ
بِالْحَقِّ...
29:44 [Ali]. Allah created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions):
In all Allah's Creation, not only is there evidence of intelligent Purpose, fitting all parts together with wisdom, but also of supreme Goodness and cherishing Care, by which all needs are satisfied and all the highest and truest cravings fulfilled. These are like beckoning signals to lead on those who pray and search in Faith.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٤﴾
verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.
Asad’s Version:
(29:44) [Asad] [and hence are certain that] God has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with [an inner] truth: 3 ' for, behold, in this [very creation] there is a message indeed for all who believe [in Him].
[[Asad’s note - 39 I.e., endowed with meaning and purpose: see surah 10, note 1 1 . In other words, belief in the existence of a meaning and a purpose underlying the creation of the universe is a logical corollary of one's belief in God. ]]
42. Surah Ash-Shura (Consultation)
Mecca Period 53
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمِنْ
آيَاتِهِ
خَلْقُ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضِ
وَمَا
بَثَّ
فِيهِمَا
مِن
دَابَّةٍ...
42: 29. And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them:
C4568. Dabbatun: beasts, living, crawling creatures of all kinds: see n. 166 to 2:164.
Similarly in 24:45, and other passages, the word is used for living creatures of all kinds, life generally, whose material basis is the mysterious thing which science calls protoplasm. The more our biological knowledge increases, the more do we marvel at the unity of Life on the one hand, and its diversity on the other.
C4569. Life is not confined to our one little Planet. It is a very old speculation to imagine some life like human life on the planet Mars. Though no scientific demonstration is possible, it is reasonable to suppose that Life in some form or other is scattered through some of the millions of heavenly bodies scattered through space. What a wonderful Sign of Allah! The Almighty Who created such countless beings has surely the power to bring them together.
...وَهُوَ عَلَى جَمْعِهِمْ إِذَا يَشَاء قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٩﴾
and He has power to gather them together when He wills.
The Almighty Who created such countless beings has surely the power to bring them together.
Asad’s Version:
42:29 And among His signs is the [very] creation of the heavens and the earth, and of all the living creatures which He has caused to multiply throughout them: 33 and [since He has created them,] He has [also] the power to gather them [unto Himself] whenever He wills.