4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَاذَا
عَلَيْهِمْ
لَوْ آمَنُواْ
بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ
الآخِرِ ...
4: 39. And what burden were it on them if they had faith in Allah and in the Last Day,
... وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ اللّهُ...
and they spent out of what Allah hath given them for sustenance?
C558. Sustenance: physical, intellectual, spiritual-everything pertaining to life and growth.
Our being is from Allah, and we must therefore spend ourselves freely for Allah.
How can it be a burden?
It is merely a response to the demand of our own healthy nature.
... وَكَانَ اللّهُ بِهِم عَلِيمًا ﴿٣٩﴾
for Allah hath full knowledge of them.
إِنَّ
اللّهَ لاَ
يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ
ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن
تَكُ حَسَنَةً
يُضَاعِفْهَا...
4: 40. Allah is never unjust in the least degree: if there is any good (done),
He doubleth it,
... وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٤٠﴾
and giveth from His own presence a great reward.
C559. Any little good of our own comes from the purity of our heart. Its results in the world are doubled and multiplied by Allah's grace and mercy; but an even greater reward comes from Him: His good pleasure, which brings us nearer to Him
Other versions:
4: 39
Asad And what would they have to fear if they would but believe in God and the Last Day, and spend [in His way] out of what God has granted them as sustenance – since God has indeed full knowledge of them?
Yusuf Ali And what burden were it on them if they had faith in Allah and in the Last Day and they spent out of what Allah hath given them for sustenance? For Allah hath full Knowledge of them.
Pickthall What have they (to fear) if they believe in Allah and the Last Day and spend (aright) of that which Allah hath bestowed upon them, when Allah is ever Aware of them ( and all they do)?
Transliteration Wa ma_za_ 'alaihim lau a_manu_ billa_hi wal yaumil a_khiri wa anfaqu_ mimma_ razaqahumulla_h(u), wa ka_nalla_hu bihim 'alima_(n).
4: 40
Asad Verily, God does not wrong [anyone] by as much as an atom’s weight; and if there be a good deed, he will multiply it, and will bestow out of His grace [note 51] a mighty reward.
Yusuf Ali Allah is never unjust in the least degree: if there is any good (done) He double it and give from His own presence a great reward.
Pickthall Lo! Allah wrong not even of the weight of an ant; and if there is a good deed, He will double it and will give (the doer) from His presence an immense reward.
Transliteration Innalla_ha la_ yazlimu misqa_la zarrah(tin), wa in taku hasanatay yuda_'ifha_ wa yu'ti mil ladunhu ajran 'azima_(n).
[ Ruby’s note – God’s full knowledge is mentioned here to stress the fact that all our actions and thinking are being properly considered and weighed for our results, therefore human beings do not need to fear if they basically do right things – among them charity is paramount-- and believe in God and the Hereafter.]
[[ Asad’s note 50 – Lit., “what is it that would be upon them”. This seems to be a reference to the oft-repeated Quranic statement that those who believe in God and live righteously “need have no fear” (la khawf alayhim – lit., “no fear [shall be] upon them”). 51 – Lit., “from Himself” – i.e., far in excess of what the doer of good may have merited.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 558 Sustenance: physical, intellectual, spiritual-everything pertaining to life and growth. Our being is from Allah, and we must therefore spend ourselves freely for Allah. How can it be a burden? It is merely a response to the demand of our own healthy nature. (4.39)
559 Any little good of our own comes from the purity of our heart. Its results in the world are doubled and multiplied by Allah's grace and mercy; but an even greater reward comes from Him: His good pleasure, which brings us nearer to Him. (4.40) ]]
Ayah 26 
Yusuf Ali To those who do right is a goodly (reward) yea more (than in measure)! No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces! They are Companions of the Garden; they will abide therein (for aye)!
[ Ali’s notes: 1414 The reward of the righteous will be far more than in proportion to their merits. For they will have the supreme bliss of being near to Allah, and "seeing His face". (10.26)
1415 The face is the symbol of the Personality, the inner and real Self, which is the antithesis of the outer and ephemeral Self. It will be illuminated with Allah's Light, behind which is no shadow or darkness. All its old shortcomings will be blotted out, with their sense of shame, for there will be Perfection, as in Allah's sight. (10.26)]
Pickthall For those who do good is the best (reward) and more (thereto). Neither dust nor ignominy cometh near their faces. Such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein.
Transliteration Lillazina ahsanul husna_ wa ziya_dah(tun), wa la_ yarhaqu wuju_hahum qataruw wa la_ zillah(tun), ula_'ika asha_bul jannati hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).
Asad For those wh operservere I ndoing good there is the ultimate good in store, and more [more than their actual merits may warrant]. No darkness and no ignominy will overshadow their faces: it is they who are destined for paradise, therein to abide.
[Asad note 41: …….cf. 6: 160 – “Whatever shall come with a good deed will gain ten times the like thereof”. See also note 79 on 27:89]