REWARD IN HEREAFTER

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ الله كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلاً...

3: 145. Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave, the term being fixed as by writing.

...وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا...

If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the hereafter, We shall give it to him.

C461. There is a slight touch of irony in this. As applied to the archers at Uhud, who deserted their post for the sake of plunder, they might have got some plunder, but they put themselves and the whole of their army into jeopardy. For a little worldly gain, they nearly lost their souls.

On the other hand, those who took the long view and fought with staunchness and discipline, their reward was swift and sure. If they died, they got the crown of martyrdom. If they lived, they were heroes honoured in this life and the next.

...وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٥﴾

And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us with) gratitude.

وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ...

3: 147. All that they said was:

...ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا...

"Our Lord! forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty;

...وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿١٤٧﴾

establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist faith."

فَآتَاهُمُ اللّهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الآخِرَةِ...

3: 148. And Allah gave them a reward in this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.

...وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٤٨﴾

For Allah loveth those who do good.

Asad’s version

3: 147 (prayer from "God-devoted men" around previous prophets, see 146)

and all that they said was this: " O our Sustainer! Forgive us our sins and the lack of moderation in our doings! And make firm our steps, and succor us against people who deny the truth!" Asad

Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! Forgive is for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. Pickthall

All that they said was: " Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything we may have done

That transgressed our duty: establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith." Ali

3: 148 And God gave them a reward in this world and an excellent reward of the Hereafter. For God loves those who do good.