2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

بِئْسَمَا اشْتَرَوْاْ بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ أَن يَكْفُرُواْ بِمَا أنَزَلَ اللّهُ...

2: 90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down,

... بَغْياً أَن يُنَزِّلُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ عَلَى مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ...

in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases;

C95. Racial arrogance made the Jews averse to the reception of Truth when it came through a servant of Allah, not of their own race.

Again the lesson is wider.

Is that averseness unknown in our own times, and among other races?

Yet how can a race or a people set bounds to Allah's choice?

Allah is the Creator and Cherisher of all races and all worlds.

... فَبَآؤُواْ بِغَضَبٍ عَلَى غَضَبٍ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿٩٠﴾

thus have they drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

Other versions:

2: 90

Asad Vile is that [false pride] for which they have sold their own selves by denying the truth of what God has bestowed from on high, out of envy that God should bestow aught of His favor upon whomsoever He wills of His servants [note 75] : and thus have they earned the burden of God’s condemnation, over and over. And for those who deny the truth there is shameful suffering in store.

Yusuf Ali Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases; thus have they drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

Pickthall Evil is that for which they sell their souls: that they should disbelieve in that which Allah hath revealed, grudging that Allah should reveal of His bounty unto whom He will of His bondmen. They have incurred anger upon anger. For disbelievers is a shameful doom.

Transliteration Bi'samasy tarau bihi anfusahum ay yakfuru bima_ anzalalla_hu bagyan ay yunazzilalla_hu min fadlihi 'ala_ may yasya_'u mim 'iba_dih(i), fa ba_'u bi gadabin 'ala_ gadab(in), wa lil ka_firina 'aza_bum muhin(un).

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلاَ يَحْزُنكَ الَّذِينَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْكُفْرِ إِنَّهُمْ لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللّهَ شَيْئاً...

3: 176. Let not those grieve thee who rush headlong into unbelief: not the least harm will they do to Allah:

...يُرِيدُ اللّهُ أَلاَّ يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظًّا فِي الآخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٧٦﴾

Allah's plan is that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter, but a severe punishment.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُاْ الْكُفْرَ بِالإِيمَانِ لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللّهَ شَيْئًا ...

3: 177. Those who purchase unbelief at the price of faith, not the least harm will they do to Allah,

... وَلهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿١٧٧﴾

but they will have a grievous punishment.

وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ...

3: 178. Let not the Unbelievers think that our respite to them is good for themselves:

...إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُواْ إِثْمًا ...

We grant them respite that they may grow in their iniquity:

C480. That the cup of their iniquity may be full. The appetite for sin grows with what it feeds on. The natural result is that the sinner sinks deeper into sin.

If there is any freedom of will, this naturally follows, though Allah's Grace is always ready for the repentant. If the Grace is rejected, the increase of iniquity makes the nature of iniquity plainer to those who might otherwise be attracted by its glitter. The working of Allah's Law is therefore both just and merciful.

See also the next verse.

... وَلَهْمُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿١٧٨﴾

but they will have a shameful punishment.

Other versions:

3: 176

Asad And be not grieved by those who vie with one another in denying the truth: verily, they can no wise harm God. It is God’s will that they shall have no share [note 134] in the [blessings of the ] life to come; and tremendous suffering awaits them.

Yusuf Ali Let not those grieve thee who rush headlong into unbelief: not the least harm will they do to Allah: Allah's plan is that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter but a severe punishment.

Pickthall Let not their conduct grieve thee, who run easily to disbelief, for Lo! they injure Allah not at all. It is Allah's will to assign them no portion in the Hereafter, and theirs will be an awful doom.

Transliteration Wa la_ yahzunkal lazina yusa_ri'u_na fil kufr(i), innahum lay yadurrulla_ha syai'a_(n), yuridulla_ha alla_ yaj'ala lahum hazzan fil a_khirati wa lahum 'aza_bun'azim(un).

3: 177

Yusuf Ali Those who purchase unbelief at the price of faith not the least harm will they do to Allah but they will have a grievous punishment.

Pickthall Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith harm Allah not at all, but theirs will be a painful doom.

Transliteration Innal lazinasytarawul kufra bil ima_ni lay yadurrulla_ha syai'a_(n), wa lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).

3: 178

Asad And they should not think – they who are bent on denying the truth – that Our giving them rein is good for them: We give them rein only to let them grow in sinfulness; and shameful suffering awaits them [note 135].

Yusuf Ali Let not the Unbelievers think that our respite to them is good for themselves: We grant them respite that they may grow in their iniquity: but they will have a shameful punishment.

Pickthall And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.

Transliteration Wa la_ yahsabannal lazina kafaru_ annama_ numli lahum khairul li anfusihim, innama_ numli lahum liyazda_du_ isma_(n), wa lahum'aza_bum muhin(un).

[[Asad’s note 135 – This is an allusion to the doctrine of natural law ( in Quranic terminology, sunnat Allah, “God’s war”) to which man’s inclinations and actions – as well as all other happenings in the universe – are subject……………As in many similar passages in the Quran, God attributes here their “growing in sinfulness” to His own will because it is He who has imposed on all His creation the natural law of cause and effect (see also note 4 on 14:4.)]]

4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

.          

وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا...   

4: 36.  Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him:

C550. The essence of Islam is to serve Allah and do good to your fellow-creatures. This is wider and more comprehensive than "Love God and love your neighbour".

For it includes duties to animals as our fellow-creatures, and emphasises practical service rather than sentiment.

... وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى ...

and do good to;

-          parents,  

-          kinsfolk,

-           orphans,

-           those in need,

-           neighbors who are near,

C551. Neighbors who are near: that is, in local situation as well as intimate relationships, just as neighbors who are strangers includes those whom we do not know or who live away from us or in a different sphere altogether.

... وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ...

neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side,

the wayfarer (ye meet),

C552. The Companion by your side may be your intimate friends and associates, just as the way-farer you meet may be a casual acquaintance on your travels.

This last is much wider than the "stranger within your gate."

... وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ...

and what your right hands possess:

C553. What your right hands possess: For the meaning of the phrase see n. 537 above. (R).

... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦﴾

for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;

C554. Real deeds of service and kindness proceed, not from showing off or from a superior sort of condescension (cf. "White Man's Burden"), but from a frank recognition of our own humility and the real claims, before Allah, of all our fellow-creatures.

For in our mutual needs we are equal before Allah, or perhaps the best of us (as the world sees us) may be worse than the worst of us (from the same point of view).

الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبُخْلِ وَيَكْتُمُونَ مَا آتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ...   

4: 37. (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which Allah hath bestowed on them;

C555. Arrogance is one reason why our deeds of love and kindness do not thrive.

Another is niggardliness or selfishness.

Allah does not love either the one or the other, for they both proceed from want of love of Allah, or faith in Allah.

Niggardly is the worldly wise man who not only refuses to spend himself in service, but by example and precept prevents others from doing so, as otherwise he would be made odious by comparison, before his fellow-creatures. So he either makes a virtue of his caution, or hides the gifts which have been given him-wealth, position, talent, etc.

... وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا ﴿٣٧﴾  

for We have prepared, for those who resist faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt.

C556. Note how the punishment fits the crime.

The niggard holds other people in contempt, and in doing so, becomes himself contemptible.

وَالَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ رِئَـاء النَّاسِ وَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَلاَ بِالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ...   

4: 38.  (Nor) those who spend of their substance, to be seen of men, but have no faith in Allah and the Last Day:

C557. A fault opposed to niggardliness, and equally opposed to true Charity, is to spend lavishly to be seen of men.

It is mere hypocrisy: there is no love in it, either for Allah or for man.

... وَمَن يَكُنِ الشَّيْطَانُ لَهُ قَرِينًا فَسَاء قِرِينًا ﴿٣٨﴾

if any take the Evil One for their intimate, what a dreadful intimate he is!

Other versions:

4: 36

Asad And worship God [alone], and do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him [note 46]. And do good unto your parents, and near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy and the neighbor from among your own people, and neighbor who is a stranger [note 47], and the friend by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom you rightfully possess [note 48].

Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner.

Yusuf Ali Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him: and do good to parents kinsfolk orphans those in need neighbors who are near neighbors who are strangers the companion by your side the way-farer (ye meet) and what your right hands possess: for Allah loveth not the arrogant the vainglorious;

Pickthall And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and into the neighbor who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbor who is not of kin and the fellow traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,

Transliteration Wa'budulla_ha wa la_ tusyriku_ bihi syai'aw wa bil wa_lidaini ihsa_naw wa bizil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wal ja_rizil qurba_ wal ja_ril junubi was sa_hibi bil jambi wabnis sabil(i), wa ma_ malakat aima_nukum, innalla_ha la_ yuhibbu man ka_na mukhta_lan fakhu_ra_(n).

4: 37

Asad [nor] those who are niggardly, and bid others to be niggardly, and conceal whatever God has bestowed upon them out of His bounty; and so We have readied shameful suffering for all who thus deny the truth.

Yusuf Ali (Nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others or hide the bounties which Allah hath bestowed on them; for We have prepared for those who resist faith a punishment that steeps them in contempt.

Pickthall Who hoard their wealth and enjoin avarice on others, and hide that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty. For disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom;

Transliteration Allazina yabkhalu_na wa ya'muru_nan na_sa bil bukhli wa yaktumu_na ma_ a_ta_humulla_hu min fadlih(i), wa a'tadna_ lil ka_firina 'aza_bam muhina_(n).

4: 38

Asad

Yusuf Ali (Nor) those who spend of their substance to be seen of men but have no faith in Allah and the Last Day: if any take the Evil One for their intimate what a dreadful intimate he is!

Pickthall And (also) those who spend their wealth in order to be seen of men, and believe not in Allah nor the Last Day. Whoso taketh Satan for a comrade, a bad comrade hath he.

Transliteration Wallazina yunfiqu_na amwa_lahum ri'a_'an na_si wa la_ yu'minu_na billa_hi wa la_ bil yaumil a_khir(i), wa may yakunisy syaita_nu lahu_qarinan fa sa_'a qarina_(n).

5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِي الأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا...

5: 36. As to those who reject Faith -- if they had everything on earth

... وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لِيَفْتَدُواْ بِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَا تُقُبِّلَ مِنْهُمْ ...

and twice repeated, to give as ransom for the penalty of the Day of Judgment, it would never be accepted of them.

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٣٦﴾

Theirs would be a grievous penalty.

يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا هُم بِخَارِجِينَ مِنْهَا...

5: 37. Their wish will be to get out of the fire, but never will they get out therefrom:

... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٣٧﴾

their penalty will be one that endures.

Other versions:

5: 36

Yusuf Ali As to those who reject faith if they had everything on earth and twice repeated to give as ransom for the penalty of the Day of Judgment it would never be accepted of them. Theirs would be a grievous penalty.

Pickthall As for those who disbelieve, lo! if all that is in the earth were theirs, and as much again therewith, to ransom them from the doom on the day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them. Theirs will be a painful doom.

Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ lau anna lahum ma_ fil ardi jami'aw wa mislahu_ ma'ahu_ liyaftadu_ bihi min 'aza_bi yaumil qiya_mati ma_ tuqubbila minhum, wa lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).

5: 37

Yusuf Ali Their wish will be to get out of the fire but never will they get out there from: their penalty will be one that endures.

Pickthall They will wish to come forth from the Fire, but they will not come forth from it. Theirs will be a lasting doom.

Transliteration Yuridu_na ay yakhruju_ minan na_ri wa ma_ hum bi kha_rijina minha_, wa lahum 'aza_bum muqim(un).