42. Ash-Shura (Consultation)

Mecca Period 53

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...

42: 36. Whatever ye are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this Life:

C4575. Any good (or ill) which is our lot is only a temporary phase to serve the convenience of this life. But there is a higher good, which comes from Allah's own Presence. Such good is both superior in quality, and more permanent.

In the same way, any ills that we may suffer in this life, have reference only to the conditions of this our life of probation, The ills that we "earn" in our spiritual Life-such as deprivation of Allah's Grace-are far more momentous and permanent.

...وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting: (it is) for those

- who believe and put their trust in their Lord;

C4576. The higher and more permanent gifts which come from Allah's Presence are for those who truly worship and serve Allah.

These are described by nine of their characteristics: viz.

1. they have Faith: and it follows that

2. they trust in Allah, instead of running after false standards or values:

3. they eschew the more serious offences against Allah's Law, and of course keep clear of any offences against sex (indecencies);

4. while knowing that they are not themselves perfect, they are ready to forgive others, even though they are sorely tried with anger and provocation;

for the rest see n. 4578.

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْبَغْيُ هُمْ يَنتَصِرُونَ ﴿٣٩﴾

42: 39. - And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.

C4580. This follows from the high value attached to an individual soul's Personality in Islam. Cf. last note.

There are four possible situations that may arise: an individual may have to stand up against an oppressor

1. for his own trampled rights, or

2. for the rights of others within his ken; or

3. a community may have similarly to stand up for its own rights collectively: or

4. for the rights of others.

Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are considered highly meritorious for all, though few have the courage or the spirit to rise to so high a standard.

No. I is specially liable to abuse on account of man's selfishness;

Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are also abused by men pretending to motives of public good when they are serving their own personal interests or idiosyncrasies; hence the qualifications mentioned in the next four verses and the notes thereto.

وَجَزَاء سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ...

42: 40. The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree):

C4581. See last note.

When you stand up for rights, either on private or public grounds, it may be through processes of law, or by way of private defence in so far as the law permits private action. But in all cases you must not seek a compensation greater than the injury suffered. The most you can do is to demand equal redress, i.e., a harm equivalent to the harm done to you. Even this may serve to curb your unregenerate soul, or a community bent on revenge. But the ideal mode is not to slake your thirst for vengeance, but to follow better ways leading to the reform of the offender or his reconciliation. See 41:34, and 23:96.

You can take steps to prevent repetition, by physical or moral means;

the best moral means would be to turn hatred into friendship by forgiveness and love. In that case the compensation or reward (if we must use such terms) is infinitely greater, for it wins the good pleasure of Allah.

But this active righting of wrongs, whether by physical or by moral or spiritual means, which are commended as better, is an antithesis to the monkish doctrine, when you are smitten on one cheek, to turn the other also. This would not suppress, but encourage wrong-doing. It is practised by none but poltroons, and is preached only by hypocrites, or men who want to make slaves of others by depriving them of the power of self- defence. It occurs in two of the four canonical Gospels ( Matt. 5:39, and Luke 6:29), but we need not therefore assume that it was preached by Jesus.

... فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ...

but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, His reward is due from Allah:

C4582. To love Allah is the highest motive of our conduct, for it leads to the love of Allah's creatures; to win the approbation and love of Allah, is the highest reward, far transcending any compensation or satisfaction we can obtain in this life.

...إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٤٠﴾

for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.

C4583. Allah does not love those who do wrong. If, therefore we tolerate wrong, or encourage wrong by allowing it to run rampant when we can prevent it, we fail in our duty to Allah.

وَلَمَنِ انتَصَرَ بَعْدَ ظُلْمِهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ مَا عَلَيْهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ ﴿٤١﴾

42: 41. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.

C4584. Such people are not to be blamed, though they are following the lower law. The blame is on those who arrogantly ride roughshod over the land, oppressing people with grievous wrong.

See next verse.

إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ...

42: 42. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice:

C4585. The fact that men seek the lower rather than the higher Law is itself a result of arrogant wrong-doing of which the type was the Pharaoh who claimed to be "your Lord Most High" and oppressed the Israelites, and kept his own people under slavery and subjection, and the false glamour of magic and deception.

...أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُم عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٤٢﴾

for such there will be a Penalty grievous.

Asad’s Version:

42:36 AND [remember that] whatever you are given [now] is but for the [passing] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas that which is with God is far better and more enduring. [It shall be given] to all who attain to faith and in their Sustainer place their trust;

(42:39) and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves.

Pickthall’s Version:

42: 39

Pickthall And those who, when great wrong is done to them, defend themselves,

Transliteration Wal lazina iza_ asha_bahumul bagyu hum yantasiru_n

42: 40

Pickthall The guerdon of an ill deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong doers.

Transliteration Wa jaza_u say yi atin say yi atum mitsluha_ faman afa_ wa aslaha fa ajruhu_ alal la_h in nahu_ la_ yuhib buz za_limin

42: 41

Pickthall And whoso defendeth himself after he hath suffered wrong for such, there is no way (of blame) against them.

Transliteration Wa lamanin tasara bada zulmihi fa ula_ ika ma_ alaihim min sabil

42: 42

Pickthall The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress mankind, and wrongfully rebel in the earth. For such there is a painful doom.

Transliteration In namas sabilu alal lazina yazlimu_nan na_sa wa yabgu_na fil ardi bigairil haq ula_ ika lahum aza_bun alim

42: 43

Pickthall And verily whoso is patient and forgiveth, lo! that, verily, is (of) the steadfast heart of things.

Transliteration Wa laman sabara wa gafara in na za_lika lamin azmil umu_r