5. Surah al-Maida, Medina 112

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ...

5: 35. O ye who believe!

... اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَابْتَغُواْ إِلَيهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ ...

do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him,

C740. Taqwa here too might be translated "fear of Allah", but the very next clause shows that "fear of Allah" does not mean "fear" in the ordinary sense, which would make you avoid the object of fear.

On the contrary the "fear of Allah" is the intense desire to avoid everything that is against His Will and Law.

It is in fact duty to Allah, for we are told to seek ardently the means by which we may approach Him, and that can only be done by striving with might and main for His cause.

... وَجَاهِدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾

and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper.

C741. "Prosper" in the real sense, for that is all that matters, as the life of this world is brief and fleeting, and of small account as against Eternity.

Other Versions:

5: 35

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and seek to come closer unto Him, and strive hard in His cause, so that you might attain to a happy state.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manuttaqulla_ha wabtagu_ ilaihil wasilata wa ja_hidu_ fi sabilihi la'allakum tuflihu_n(a).