6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَذَرِ
الَّذِينَ
اتَّخَذُواْ
دِينَهُمْ
لَعِبًا وَلَهْوًا
وَغَرَّتْهُمُ
الْحَيَاةُ
الدُّنْيَا...
6: 70. Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world.
C893. Cf. 6:32, where we are told that the life of this world is mere play and amusement, and Religion and the Hereafter are the serious things that require our attention.
Worldly people reverse this because they are deceived by the allurements of this life. But their own acts will find them out.
...وَذَكِّرْ بِهِ أَن تُبْسَلَ نَفْسٌ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ...
But proclaim (to them) this (truth):
that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts:
C894. We must never forget our own personal responsibility for all we do, or deceive ourselves by the illusion of vicarious atonement.
...لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ اللّهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلاَ شَفِيعٌ ...
it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah:
... وَإِن تَعْدِلْ كُلَّ عَدْلٍ لاَّ يُؤْخَذْ مِنْهَا...
if it offered every ransom (or reparation), none will be accepted:
...أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ أُبْسِلُواْ بِمَا كَسَبُواْ ...
such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts:
...لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾
they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.
Other versions:
6: 68 [al-Anam, Cattle, Mecca 55]
Asad Now, whenever you meet such as indulge in [blasphemous] talk about Our Messages, turn your back upon them until they begin to talk of other things; and if Satan should ever cause you to forget, remain not, after recollection, in the company of such evildoing folk,
Yusuf Ali When thou see men engaged in vain discourse about Our Signs turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes thee forget then after recollection sit not thou in the company of the ungodly.
Pickthall And when thou see those who meddle with Our revelations, withdraw from them until they meddle with another topic. And if the devil cause thee to forget, sit not, after the remembrance, with the congregation of wrong doers.
Transliteration Wa iza_ ra'aital lazina yakhu_du_na fi a_ya_tina_ fa a'rid 'anhum hatta_ yakhu_du_ fi hadisin gairih(i), wa imma_ yunsiyannakasy syaita_nu fala_ taq'ud ba'daz zikra_ ma'al qaumiz za_limin(a).
6: 69
Asad for whom those who are conscious of God are in no wise accountable. Theirs, however, is the duty to admonish [the sinners], so that they might become conscious of God.
Yusuf Ali On their account no responsibility falls on the righteous but (their duty) is to remind them that they may (learn to) fear Allah.
Pickthall Those who ward off (evil) are not accountable for them in aught, but the Reminder (must be given them) that haply they (too) may ward off (evil).
Transliteration Wa ma_ 'alal lazina yattaqu_na min hisa_bihim min syai'iw wa la_kin zikra_ la'allahum yataqu_n(a).
6: 70
Asad ……………..for them there [in the life to come] a draught of burning despair [note 62], and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth.
Yusuf Ali Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered every ransom (or reparation) none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water and for punishment one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.
Pickthall And forsake those who take their religion for a pastime and a jest, and whom the life of the world beguile. Remind (mankind) hereby lest a soul be destroyed by what it earn. It has beside Allah no friend nor intercessor, and though it offer every compensation it will not be accepted from it. Those are they who perish by their own deserts. For them is drink of boiling water and a painful doom, because they disbelieved.
Transliteration Wa zaril lazinattakhazu_ dinahum la'ibaw wa lahwaw wa garrathumul haya_tud dunya_ wazakkir bihi an tubsala nafsum bima_ kasabat, laisa laha_ min du_nilla_hi waliyyuw wa la_ syafi', wa in ta'dil kulla 'adlil la_ yu'khaz minha_, ula_'ikal lazina ubsilu_ bima_ kasabu_ lahum syara_bum min hamimiw wa'aza_bun alimum bima_ ka_nu_ yakfuru_n(a).
anomolly
[[ Ali’s notes:-
891 Cf. iv. 140. If in any gathering truth is ridiculed, we must not sit in such company. If we find ourselves in it, as soon as we realize it, we must show our disapproval by leaving. (6.68)
892 "Evil to him who evil thinks," or evil does. Every man is responsible for his own conduct. But the righteous have two duties: (1) to protect themselves from infection, and (2) to proclaim God's truth, for even in the most unlikely circumstances, it is possible that it may have some effect. (6.69)
893 Cf. vi 32. where we are told that the life of this world is mere play and amusement, and Religion and the Hereafter are the serious things that require our attention. Worldly people reverse this because they are deceived by the allurements of this life. But their own acts will find them out. (6.70)
894 We must never forget our own personal responsibility for all we do, or deceive ourselves by the illusion of vicarious atonement. (6.70) ]]
[[ Asad’s note 62 – Among the various meanings attributable to the word “hamim” are the concepts of intense heat as well as of painful cold (Qamus, Taj al-Arus). In the eschatology of the Quran it invariably refers to the suffering of the sinners in the life to come; and since all Quranic references to life after death are, necessarily, allegorical, the term “hamim” may be rendered as “burning despair”.]]
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَجَاء
الْمُعَذِّرُونَ
مِنَ الأَعْرَابِ
لِيُؤْذَنَ
لَهُمْ...
9: 90. And there were, among the desert Arabs (also), Men who made excuses and came to claim exemption;
...وَقَعَدَ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُواْ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...
and those who were false to Allah and His Messenger (merely) sat inactive.
C1342. Not only had the Hypocrites a nest in Madinah, but their tactics affected some of the village or desert Bedouins, who loved war and would have followed a standard of war even if no question of Faith or a sacred Cause was involved.
But some of them, though professing Islam, were frightened by the hardships of the Tabuk expedition and the prospect of meeting the trained armies of the great Roman (Byzantine) Empire. They made all sorts of lying excuses, but really their want of faith made them ineligible for being enlisted in a sacred Cause, in the terms of 9:46-47 and 9:53-54. Some came to make excuses: other did not even come , but sat at home, ignoring the summons.
...سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٩٠﴾
Soon will a grievous penalty seize the unbelievers among them.
Other versions:
9: 90
Asad ……such of the Bedouin as had some excuse to offer, [with the request ] that they be granted exemption [note 122],……………
Yusuf Ali And there were among the desert Arabs (also) Men who made excuses and came to claim exemption; and those who were false to Allah and His apostle (Merely) sat inactive. Soon will a grievous penalty seize the unbelievers among them.
Pickthall And those among the wandering Arabs who had an excuse came in order that permission might be granted them. And those who lied to Allah and His messenger sat at home. A painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.
Transliteration Wa ja_'al mu'azziru_na minal a'ra_bi liyu'zana lahum wa qa'adal lazina kazabulla_ha wa rasu_lah(u_), sayusibul lazina kafaru_ minhum 'aza_bun alim(un).
[[ Asad’s note 122 - ……………….The specific mention of ‘arab (“Bedouin”) in this and the following passages probably arises from the fact that their attitude –positive or native – towards Islam was of the greatest importance within the context of early Muslim history, inasmuch as the message of Muhammad could not obtain a real, lasting foothold in Arabia without first securing the allegiance of those warlike nomads and half-nomads, who constituted the great majority of the Peninsula’s population.
At the time when the Prophet was preparing to set out towards Tabuk, many of the already-converted tribesmen were willing to go to war under his leadership (and, in fact, did so), while others were afraid least in their absence their encampments, denuded of man-power, be raided by hostile, as yet unconverted tribes (Razi); others, again, were simply averse to exposing themselves to the hardship of a campaign in distant lands, which did not seem to them to have any bearing on their own, immediate interests.]]
[[ Ali’s notes -
1342 Not only had the Hypocrites a nest in Madinah, but their tactics affected some of the village or desert Bedouins, who loved war and would have followed a standard of war even if no question of Faith or a sacred Cause was involved. But some of them, though professing Islam, were frightened by the hardships of the Tabuk expedition and the prospect of meeting the trained armies of the great Roman (Byzantine) Empire. They made all sorts of lying excuses, but really their want of faith made them ineligible for being enlisted in a sacred Cause, in the terms of ix. 46-47 and ix. 53-54. Some came to make excuses: other did not even come , but sat at home, ignoring the summons. (9.90)
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِلَيْهِ
مَرْجِعُكُمْ
جَمِيعًا...
10: 4. To Him will be your return -- of all of you.
...وَعْدَ اللّهِ حَقًّا...
The promise of Allah is true and sure.
C1388. Haqq: true, right, for just ends, in right proportions, sure and certain:
all these ideas are implied.
...إِنَّهُ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ...
It is He Who beginneth the process of Creation, and repeateth it,
C1389. Cf. n. 120 to 2:117.
Allah's creation is not a simple act, once done and finished with. It is continuous, and there are many stages, not the least important of which is the Hereafter, when the fruits of our life will be achieved.
...لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ بِالْقِسْطِ ...
that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness,
...وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ ﴿٤﴾
but those who reject Him will have nothing but draughts of boiling fluids, and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject Him.
C1390. Hamim: boiling fluid:
it is associated as in 38:57, with gassaq, a dark, murky, or intensely cold fluid; both indicative of the grievous penalty that results from rebellion against Allah.
Other versions:
10: 4 [Ynus, Mecca 51, one of the last Meccan revelation]
Asad Asad …….Behold,.He creates in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds………
Yusuf Ali To Him will be your return of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who begins the process of Creation and repeats it that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness but those who reject Him will have nothing but draughts of boiling fluids and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject Him.
Yusuf Ali To Him will be your return of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who begins the process of Creation and repeats it that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness but those who reject Him will have nothing but draughts of boiling fluids and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject Him.
Pickthall Unto Him is the return of all of you; it is a promise of Allah in truth. Lo! He produces creation, then reproduces it, that He may reward those who believe and do good works with equity; while, as for those who disbelieve, theirs will be a boiling drink and painful doom because they disbelieved.
Transliteration Ilaihi marji'ukum jami'a_(n), wa'dalla_hi haqqa_(n), innahu_ yabda'ul khalqa summa yu'iduhu_ liyajziyal lazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti bil qist(i), wallazina kafaru_ lahum syara_bum min hamimiw wa 'aza_bun alimum bima_ ka_nu_ yakfuru_n(a).
33 . Surah Al-Ahzab
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذْ
أَخَذْنَا
مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ
مِيثَاقَهُمْ
وَمِنكَ وَمِن
نُّوحٍ...
33:7 [Ali] And remember We took from the Prophets their Covenant as (We did) from thee: from Noah,
C3677. Cf. 3:81.
There is an implied covenant on all created things to follow Allah's Law, which is the law of their being; see 5:1.
But there is a special implied covenant with all Prophets, strict and solemn, that they shall carry out their mission, proclaim Allah's Truth without fear or favour, and be ever ready in His service in all circumstances. That gives them their position and dignity as explained in the last verse, and their tremendous responsibility in respect of the people whom they come to instruct and lead to the right Path.
...وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ...
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary:
...وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا ﴿٧﴾
We took from them a solemn Covenant:
لِيَسْأَلَ
الصَّادِقِينَ
عَن صِدْقِهِمْ...
33: 8. That (Allah) may question the (Custodians) of Truth concerning the Truth they (were charged with):
C3678. The men to whom Allah's Truth has been committed for promulgation will be asked in the Hereafter as to how the Truth fared in the world-how it was received, who opposed it, and who assisted it.
Like all trustees, they will have to give a full account of their trust. Allah knows all, and it will not add to His information. But it will be evidence for and against those to whom it was preached, so that the responsibility of those who dishonoured it may be duly enforced.
The primary custodians of spiritual Truth are the Prophets, but in descending degrees all men to whom Allah's Message comes are included.
...وَأَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا ﴿٨﴾
and He has prepared for the Unbelievers a grievous Penalty.
Asad’s Version:
33:7 {Asad]
AND LO! We did accept a solemn pledge from all the prophets" - from thee, [O Muhammad,]
as well as from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary -: for We accepted a most weighty, solemn pledge from [all of] them,
(33:8) so that [at the end of time] He might ask those men of truth as to [what response] their truthfulness [had received on earth]. 12 And grievous suffering has He readied for all who deny the truth!
[[ Asad’s note - 12 Cf 5:109 and, more particularly, 7:6 "We shall most certainly call to account all those unto whom Our message was sent, and We shall most certainly call to account the message-bearers [themselves]". ]]