3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَأَمَّا
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُواْ
الصَّالِحَاتِ
فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ
أُجُورَهُمْ
...
3: 57. "As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward;
...وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾
but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.
وَلْتَكُن
مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ
يَدْعُونَ إِلَى
الْخَيْرِ
وَيَأْمُرُونَ
بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
وَيَنْهَوْنَ
عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ...
3: 104. Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong;
...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿١٠٤﴾
they are the ones to attain felicity.
C431. Muflih, aflaha, falah: the root idea is;
- attainment of desires;
- happiness, in this world and the next;
- success;
- prosperity;
- freedom from anxiety, care, or a disturbed state of mind;
the opposite of 'azab in the next verse, which includes:
- failure;
- misery;
- punishment or penalty;
- agony or anguish.
The ideal Muslim community is happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, sure of itself, strong, united, and prosperous: because it invites to all that is good; enjoins the right; and forbids the wrong, -a master- stroke of description in three clauses.
وَمَا
مُحَمَّدٌ
إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ
قَدْ خَلَتْ
مِن قَبْلِهِ
الرُّسُلُ...
3: 144. Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him.
C460. This verse primarily applies to the battle of Uhud, in the course of which a cry was raised that the Messenger was slain. He had indeed been severely wounded, but Talha, Abu Bakr, and Ali were at his side, and his own unexampled bravery saved the Muslim army from a rout.
This verse was recalled again by Abu Bakr when the Messenger actually died a natural death eight years later, to remind people that Allah, Whose Message he brought, lives for ever. And have need to remember this now and often for two reasons:
1. when we feel inclined to pay more than human honour to one who was the truest, the purest, and the greatest of men, and thus in a sense to compound for our forgetting the spirit of his teaching, and
2. when we feel depressed at the chances and changes of time, and forget that Allah lives and watches over us and over all His creatures now as in a history in the past and in the future.
...أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِكُمْ ...
if he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels?
...وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىَ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللّهَ شَيْئًا...
If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah;
...وَسَيَجْزِي اللّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾
but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.
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.
مَّا
كَانَ اللّهُ
لِيَذَرَ
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
عَلَى مَآ أَنتُمْ
عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىَ
يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ
مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ...
3: 179. Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which ye are now, until He separates what is evil from what is good.
C481. The testing of good men by calamities and evil men by leaving them in the enjoyment of good things is part of the trials of Allah, in which some freedom of choice is left to man.
The psychological and subjective test is unfailing, and the separation is effected partly by the operation of the human wills, to which some freedom is allowed. But it must be effected, if only in the interests of the good.
...وَمَا كَانَ اللّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ ...
Nor will He disclose to you the secrets of the Unseen.
C482. Man in his weak state would be most miserable if he could see the secrets of the Future or the secrets of the Unseen. But things are revealed to him from time to time as may be expedient for him, by Messengers chosen for the purpose.
Our duty is to hold fast by faith and lead a good life.
... وَلَكِنَّ اللّهَ يَجْتَبِي مِن رُّسُلِهِ مَن يَشَاء...
But He chooses of His Messengers (for the purpose) whom He pleases.
...فَآمِنُواْ بِاللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ...
So believe in Allah and His Messengers:
...وَإِن تُؤْمِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٧٩﴾
and if ye believe and do right, ye have a reward without measure.
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ ...
3: 200. O ye who believe!
...اصْبِرُواْ وَصَابِرُواْ ...
persevere in patience and constancy:
vie in such perseverance;
C502. The full meaning of Sabr is to be understood here, viz.: Patience, perseverance, constancy, self-restraint, refusing to be cowed down.
These virtues we are to exercise for ourselves and in relation to others; we are to set an example, so that others may vie with us, and we are to vie with them, lest we fall short; in this way we strengthen each other and bind our mutual relations closer, in our common service to Allah.
... وَرَابِطُواْ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٢٠٠﴾
strengthen each other;
and fear Allah; that ye may prosper.
C503. Prosperity (falah) here and in other passages is to be understood in a wide sense, including prosperity in our mundane affairs as well as in spiritual progress.
In both cases it implies happiness and the attainment of our wishes, purified by the love of Allah.
Asad’s Version:
3: 57 …those who attain to faith and do good works he will grant their reward in full: for God does not love evildoers.
3: 104 and that there might grow out of you a community who invite unto all that is good, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing what is wrong:
AND IT IS THEY, THEY SHALL ATTAIN TO A HAPPY STATE.
3: 144 (During Uhud)…whereas God will requite all who are grateful (to Him) .Asad
3:144 ….But God will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.
3: 145….And if one desires the rewards of this world, We shall grant him thereof; and one if one desires the rewards of this life to come, We shall grant him thereof ;
and We shall requite those who are grateful (to Us).
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.
3:179 It is not God's will to abandon the believers to your way of life{ or the condition in which you are}: to that end He will set apart the bad from the good.
And it is not God's will to give you insight into that which is beyond reach of human perception:
3: 200 O you who have attained to faith! Be patient in adversity, and vie in patience with one another, and be ever ready [to do what is right], and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state!
4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِن
تَجْتَنِبُواْ
كَبَآئِرَ مَا
تُنْهَوْنَ
عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ
عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ
...
4: 31. If ye (but) eschew the most heinous of the things which ye are forbidden to do, We shall expel out of you all the evil in you,
... وَنُدْخِلْكُم مُّدْخَلاً كَرِيمًا ﴿٣١﴾
and admit you to a Gate of great honor.
وَمَن
يُطِعِ اللّهَ
وَالرَّسُولَ
فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
مَعَ الَّذِينَ
أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ
عَلَيْهِم ...
4: 69. All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,
... مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاء وَالصَّالِحِينَ ...
of the Prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the righteous (who do good):
... وَحَسُنَ أُولَـئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩﴾
ah! what a beautiful fellowship!
C586. A passage of the deepest devotional meaning. Even the humblest man who accepts Faith and does good becomes an accepted member of a great and beautiful company in the Hereafter. It is a company which lives perpetually in the sunshine of Allah's Grace. (This passage partly illustrates 1:5).
It is a glorious hierarchy, of which four grades are specified:
1. The highest is that of the Prophets or Apostles, who get plenary inspiration from Allah, and who teach mankind by example and precept. That rank in Islam is held by Muhammad Al-Mustafa.
2. The next are those whose badge is sincerity and truth: they love and support the truth with their person, their means, their influence, and all that is theirs.
That rank was held by the special Companions of Muhammad, among whom the type was that of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq.
3. The next are the noble army of Witnesses, who testify to the truth.
The testimony may be by martyrdom, Or
it may be by the tongue of the true Preacher or
the pen of the devoted scholar, or
the life of the man devoted to service,
4. Lastly, there is the large company of Righteous people, the ordinary folk who do their ordinary business, but always in a righteous Way. They are the rank and file of the beautiful Fellowship, in which each has his place and yet all feel that they derive glory from the common association. (R).
لاَّ
يَسْتَوِي
الْقَاعِدُونَ
مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
غَيْرُ أُوْلِي
الضَّرَرِ ...
4: 95. Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt,
... وَالْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ...
and those who strive and fight in the Cause of Allah with their goods and their persons.
... فَضَّلَ اللّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً...
Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home):
... وَكُـلاًّ وَعَدَ اللّهُ الْحُسْنَى ...
unto all (in faith) hath Allah promised good:
C614. Allah's goodness is promised to all people of Faith. But there are degrees among men and women of Faith.
- There are people with natural inertia: they do the minimum that is required of them, but no more.
- There are people who are weak in will: they are easily frightened.
- There are people who are so strong in will and so firm in faith that they are determined to conquer every obstacle, whether in their own physical or other infirmities or in the external world around them.
In a time of jihad, when people give their all, and even their lives, for the common cause, they must be accounted more glorious than those who sit at home, even though they have good will to the cause and carry out minor duties in aid.
The special reward of such self-sacrifice is special forgiveness and mercy, as proceeding from the direct approbation and love of Allah.
... وَفَضَّلَ اللّهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٩٥﴾
but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.
دَرَجَاتٍ
مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً
وَرَحْمَةً...
4: 96. Ranks specially bestowed by Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy.
... وَكَانَ اللّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٩٦﴾
For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
مَّن
كَانَ يُرِيدُ
ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا
فَعِندَ اللّهِ
ثَوَابُ الدُّنْيَا
وَالآخِرَةِ...
4: 134. If anyone desires a reward in this life, in Allah's (gift) is the reward (both) of this life and of the Hereafter:
C643. Man in this life can only see up to the horizon of this life. The highest rewards which his wishes or ambitions can conceive of are conceived in the terms of this life.
But Allah can give him not only these but something infinitely higher, the rewards of the Hereafter, which it did not even enter his heart to ask for or his imagination to conceive.
... وَكَانَ اللّهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا ﴿١٣٤﴾
for Allah is He that heareth and seeth (all things).
لَّـكِنِ
الرَّاسِخُونَ
فِي الْعِلْمِ
مِنْهُمْ
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ
يُؤْمِنُونَ
بِمَا أُنزِلَ
إِلَيكَ وَمَا
أُنزِلَ مِن
قَبْلِكَ...
4: 162. But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what hath been revealed to thee;
... وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلاَةَ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ...
and (especially) those who establish regular prayer and practice regular charity and believe in Allah and in the Last Day:
... أُوْلَـئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٦٢﴾
to them shall We soon give a great reward.
لَّن
يَسْتَنكِفَ
الْمَسِيحُ
أَن يَكُونَ
عَبْداً لِّلّهِ
وَلاَ الْمَلآئِكَةُ
الْمُقَرَّبُونَ...
4: 172. Christ disdaineth not to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels, those nearest (to Allah):
C677. Christ often watched and prayed, as a humble worshipper of Allah; and his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane was full of human dignity, suffering, and self-humiliation (see Matt. 26:36-45).
... وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيهِ جَمِيعًا ﴿١٧٢﴾
those who disdain His worship and are arrogant, He will gather them all together unto Himself to (answer).
C678. The disdainful and the arrogant are the crew of Satan, who will be gathered together before the Supreme Throne for punishment.
Asad’s Version:
4: 31 If you avoid the great sins which you have been enjoined to shun, We shall efface your [minor] bad deeds, and shall cause you to enter an abode of glory.
4:69 For all who pay heed unto God and the apostle shall be among those upon whom God has bestowed His Blessings : the prophets and those who never deviated from the truth, and those who bore witness to the truth, and the righteous ones: and how goodly a company are these!
4: 70 Such is the bounty of God - and none has the knowledge which God has.
4: 95 Such of the believers as remain passive - other that the disabled - cannot be deemed equal to those who strive hard in God's cause with their possessions and their lives: God has exalted those who strive hard with their possessions and their lives far above those who remain passive.
Although God has promised the ultimate good unto all, yet has God exalted those who strive hard above those who remain passive by a mighty reward-
4:96 degrees thereof - and forgiveness of sins, and His grace; for God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
4: 134 If one desires the rewards of this world, [let him remember that] with God are the rewards of [both] this world and the life to come: and God is indeed all-hearing, all-seeing.
4: 162 But as for those from among them who are deeply rooted in knowledge, and the believers who believe in that which has been bestowed upon thee from on high as well as that which was bestowed from on high before thee, and those who are constant in prayer, and spend in charity and all who believe in God and the Last Day – these it is unto whom We shall grant a mighty reward.
4: 172 Never did the Christ feel too proud to be God’s servant, nor do the angels who are near unto Him. And those who feel too proud to serve Him ........
whereupon unto those who attained to faith and did good deeds He will grant their just rewards, and give them yet more out of His bounty; whereas those who felt too proud and gloried in their arrogance He will chastise with grievous suffering ;.......
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الْيَوْمَ
أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ
الطَّيِّبَاتُ
...
5: 5. This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you.
... وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْ ...
- The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them.
C699. The question is for food generally, such as is ordinarily "good and pure": in the matter of meat it should be killed with some sort of solemnity analogous to that of the Takbir.
The rules of Islam in this respect being analogous to those of the People of the Book, there is no objection to mutual recognition, as opposed to meat killed by Pagans with superstitious rites. In this respect the Christian rule is the same:
"That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication." (Acts, 15:29).
Notice the bracketing of fornication with things unlawful to eat.
... وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ...
- (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,
C700. Islam is not exclusive. Social intercourse, including inter-marriage, is permitted with the People of the Book.
A Muslim man may marry a woman from their ranks on the same terms as he would marry a Muslim woman, i.e., he must give her an economic and moral status, and must not be actuated merely by motives of lust or physical desire.
A Muslim woman may not marry a non-Muslim man, because her Muslim status would be affected; the wife ordinarily takes the nationality and status given by her husband's law.
Any man or woman, of any race or faith, may, on accepting Islam, freely marry any Muslim woman or man, provided it be from motives of purity and chastity and not of lewdness.
... إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ...
when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues.
... وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٥﴾
If anyone rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
C701. As always, food, cleanliness, social intercourse, marriage and other interests in life, are linked with our duty to Allah and faith in Him.
Duty and faith are for our own benefit, here and in the Hereafter.
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.
...
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ ...
5: 54. O ye who believe!
... مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ...
if any from among you turn back from his faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,
... أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ...
lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters,
... يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَلاَ يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لآئِمٍ...
fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault.
C767. As "most men are rebellious" (5:49), it is inevitable that there should be apostates even from such a religion of reason and common-sense as Islam. But here is a warning to the Muslim body that they should not repeat the history of the Jews, and become so self-satisfied or arrogant as to depart from the spirit of Allah's teaching. If they do, the loss will be their own.
Allah's bounty is not confined to one group or section of humanity. He can always raise up people who will follow the true spirit of Islam. That spirit is defined in two ways:
- first in general terms; they will love Allah and Allah will love them; and
- secondly, by specific signs;
amongst the Brethren, their attitude will be that of humility, but to wrong-doers they will offer no mealy-mouthed compromises;
they will always strive and fight for truth and right;
they will know no fear, either physical, or that more insidious form, which says; "What will people say if we act thus?
They are too great in mind to be haunted by any such thought. For, as the next verse says, their friends are Allah, His Prophet, and His people, the people who judge rightly, without fear or favour.
... ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٥٤﴾
That is the Grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth:
and Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.
إِنَّمَا
وَلِيُّكُمُ
اللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
وَالَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ ...
5: 55. Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,
... الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾
those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ إِنَّمَا
الْخَمْرُ
وَالْمَيْسِرُ
...
5: 90. O ye who believe!
- intoxicants and gambling,
C793. Cf. 2:219, and notes 240 and 241.
... وَالأَنصَابُ ...
- (dedication of) stones,
C794. Cf. 5:3.
The stones there referred to were stone altars or stone columns on which oil was poured for consecration, or slabs on which meat was sacrificed to idols. Any idolatrous or superstitious practices are here condemned.
The ansab were objects of worship, and were common in Arabia before Islam.
See Renan, "History of Israel", Chapter 6, and Corpus Inscriptionum Semiticarum. Part 1. p. 154: Illustrations Nos. 123 and 123 bis are Phoenician columns of that kind, found in Malta.
... وَالأَزْلاَمُ ...
- and (divination by) arrows,
C795. Cf. 5:3.
The arrows there referred to were used for the division of meat by a sort of lottery or rate.
But arrows were also used for divination, i.e., for ascertaining lucky or unlucky moments, or learning the wishes of the heathen gods, as to whether men should undertake certain actions or not. All superstitions are condemned.
... رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ...
are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork:
... فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٩٠﴾
eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.
Asad’s Version:
5: 5 ...But as for him who rejects belief [in God] – in vain will be all his works: for in the life to come he shall be among the lost. Asad
5: 35 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.
5: 54 O you who have attained to faith! If you ever abandon your faith, God will in time bring forth people whom He loves and who love Him- humble towards the believers, proud towards all who deny the truth: who strive hard in God’s cause, and do not fear to be censured by anyone who might censure them: such is God’s favor, which He grants unto whom He wills. And God is infinite, all-knowing. Asad
see note 76
5:54..........Lowly with the believers, mighty against the Rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allalh, which He will bestow on who He pleases.....Ali, see note 767
5: 55, 56 Behold, your only helper shall be God, and His Apostle, and those who have attained to faith – those that are constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and bow down [before God] : for, all who ally themselves with God and his Apostle and those who have attained to faith – behold, it is they, the partisans of God, who shall be victorious!
5: 90 O you who have attained to faith! Intoxicants, and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the divining of the future are but a loathsome evil of Satan’s doing: Shun it, then, so that you might attain to happy state!
6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
نُرْسِلُ
الْمُرْسَلِينَ
إِلاَّ مُبَشِّرِينَ
وَمُنذِرِينَ...
6: 48. We send the Messengers only to give good news and to warn:
C866. The Prophets are not sent to cancel man's limited free-will. They are sent to preach and teach,
- to preach hope to the repentant ("good news"), and
- to warn the rebellious of the Wrath to come.
...فَمَنْ آمَنَ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾
so those who believe and mend (their lives), upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Asad’s Version:
6: 48 And We sent (Our) message-bearers only as heralds of glad tidings and as warners; hence, all who believe and live righteously – no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve; 6:49 whereas those who give the lie to Our messages – suffering will afflict them in result of all their sinful doings.
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّمَا
الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا
ذُكِرَ اللّهُ
وَجِلَتْ
قُلُوبُهُمْ...
8: 2. For, believers are those who,
- when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts,
...وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا...
- and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened,
...وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٢﴾
- and put (all) their trust in their Lord.
Asad’s Version:
8:2-4 Believers are only they whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthened whenever His message are conveyed unto them, and who is their Sustainer place their trust – those who are constant in prayer
and spend on others out of what We have provided for them as sustenance: it is they, they who are truly believers! Theirs shall be great dignity in their Sustainer’s sight, and forgiveness of sins, and a most excellent sustenance.
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَـكِنِ الرَّسُولُ
وَالَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ
جَاهَدُواْ
بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ
وَأَنفُسِهِمْ...
9: 88. But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons:
...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ لَهُمُ الْخَيْرَاتُ ...
for them are (all) good things:
C1340. "Good things," and "prosperity," are to be understood both in the physical and in the highest spiritual sense as the next verse makes clear.
... وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٨٨﴾
and it is they who will prosper.
Asad’s Version:
9: 88 The Apostle, however, and all who share his faith strive hard [in God’s cause] with their possessions and their lives: and it is they whom the most excellent things await, and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy sate!
10. Surah Yunus
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي
رُسُلَنَا
وَالَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ...
10: 103. In the end We deliver Our Messengers and those who believe:
...كَذَلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نُنجِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٠٣﴾
thus is it fitting on Our part that We should deliver those who believe!
Other versions:
10: 103
Yusuf Ali In the end We deliver Our apostles and those who believe: thus is it fitting on Our part that We should deliver those who believe!
Pickthall Then shall We save Our messengers and the believers, in like manner (as of old). It is incumbent upon Us to save believers.
Transliteration Summa nunajji rusulana_ wallazina a_manu_ kaza_lik(a), haqqan 'alaina_ nunjil mu'minin(a).
13.Surah ArRa'd
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ
الصَّالِحَاتِ
طُوبَى لَهُمْ
وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ ﴿٢٩﴾
13: 29. "For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) blessedness, and a beautiful place of (final) return."
C1844. "Blessedness": Tuba: an internal state of satisfaction, an inward joy which is difficult to describe in words, but which reflects itself in the life of the good man, through good and ill fortune, through good report and evil. And then, there is always the final goal to which his eyes are turned, the beautiful Home of rest in the Hereafter, after this life's struggles are over.
That goal is Allah Himself.
Other versions:
13: 29
Asad They who attain to faith and do righteous deeds are destined for happiness [in this world] and the most beauteous of all goals [in the life t ocome]!
Yusuf Ali "For those who believe and work righteousness is (every) blessedness and a beautiful place of (final) return."
Pickthall Those who believe and do right: Joy is for them, and bliss (their) journey's end.
Transliteration Allazina a_manu_ wa 'amilus sa_liha_ti tu_ba_ lahum wa husnu ma'a_b(in).
16.Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ
اتَّقَوْاْ
مَاذَا أَنزَلَ
رَبُّكُمْ...
16: 30. To the righteous (when) it is said, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?"
C2053. The contrast and parallelism is with 16:24, where the ungodly in their levity and their deliberate rejection of guidance find no profit from Allah's Revelation.
... قَالُواْ خَيْرًا...
they say, "All that is good."
... لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ...
To those who do good, there is good in this world,
... وَلَدَارُ الآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ...
and the Home of the Hereafter is even better.
C2054. Unlike the ungodly, the good find good everywhere, -in this world and in the Hereafter; because they understand and are in accord with the truths around them.
... وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣٠﴾
And excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous --
جَنَّاتُ
عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا
تَجْرِي مِن
تَحْتِهَا
الأَنْهَارُ...
16: 31. Gardens of Eternity which they will enter:
beneath them flow (pleasant) rivers:
... لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآؤُونَ...
they will have therein all that they wish:
... كَذَلِكَ يَجْزِي اللّهُ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٣١﴾
thus doth Allah reward the righteous --
وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ
بِعَهْدِ اللّهِ
ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً...
16: 95. Nor sell the Covenant of Allah for a miserable price:
C2135. Any possible gain that you can make by breaking your Covenant and thus breaking Allah's Law must necessarily be miserable; while your own benefit is far greater in obeying Allah's Will and doing right.
... إِنَّمَا عِندَ اللّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٩٥﴾
for with Allah is (a prize) far better for you, if ye only knew.
مَا عِندَكُمْ
يَنفَدُ وَمَا
عِندَ اللّهِ
بَاقٍ...
16: 96. What is with you must vanish:
what is with Allah will endure.
... وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٦﴾
And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.
C2136. What comparison can there possibly be between spiritual Good, which will endure for ever, and any temporal advantage which you may snatch in this world, which will fade and vanish in no time?
And then, Allah's generosity is unbounded. He rewards you, not according to your merits, but according to the very best of your actions.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا
مِّن ذَكَرٍ
أَوْ أُنثَى
وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ
فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ
حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً...
16: 97. Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to him will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure,
C2137. Faith, if sincere, means right conduct. When these two confirm each other, Allah's grace transforms our life.
Instead of being troubled and worried, we have peace and contentment; instead of being assailed at every turn by false alarms and the assaults of evil, we enjoy calm and attain purity. The transformation is visible in this life itself, but the "reward" in terms of the Hereafter will be far beyond our deserts.
... وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٧﴾
and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
C2138. The same ending as in the previous verse deepens the overall effect bringing home the message forcefully and beautifully.
The argument is completed and rounded off. (R).
Other versions:
16: 30
Asad But [when] those who are conscious of God are asked, “What is it that your Sustainer has bestowed from on high?” –They answer, “Goodness supreme!”
Good fortune awaits, in this world, all who persevere in doing good; but their ultimate state will be far better still: for, how excellent indeed will be the state of the God-consciousness [in the life to come]!.........
Yusuf Ali To the righteous (when) it is said "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" they say "All that is good." To those who do good there is good in this world and the Home of the Hereafter is even better. And excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous
Pickthall And it is said unto those who ward off (evil): What hath your Lord revealed? They say Good: For those who do good in this world there is a good (reward) and the home of the Hereafter will be better. Pleasant indeed will be the home of those who ward off (evil).
Transliteration Wa qila lillazina-ttaqau ma_za_ anzala rabbukum, qa_lu_ khaira_(n), lillazina ahsanu_ fi ha_zihid dunya_ hasanah(tun), wa lada_rul a_khirati khair(un), wa lani'ma da_rul muttaqin(a),
16: 31
Yusuf Ali Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow (pleasant) rivers: they will have therein all that they wish: thus doth Allah reward the righteous
Pickthall Gardens of Eden which they enter, underneath which rivers flow, wherein they have what they will. Thus Allah repayeth those who ward off (evil),
Transliteration Janna_tu 'adniy yadkhulu_naha_ tajri min tahtihal anha_ru lahum fiha_ ma_ yasya_'u_n(a), kaza_lika yajzilla_hul muttaqin(a),
16: 95
Asad Hence, do not barter away your bond with God for a trifling gain! Verily, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if you but knew it:
Yusuf Ali Nor sell the covenant of Allah for a miserable price: for with Allah is (a prize) far better for you if ye only knew.
Pickthall And purchase not a small gain at the price of Allah's covenant. Lo! that which Allah hath is better for you, if ye did but know.
Transliteration Wa la_ tasytaru_ bi'ahdilla_hi samanan qalila_(n), innama_ 'indalla_hi huwa khairul lakum in kuntum ta'lamu_n(a).
[Ruby’s note: This two verses one following the other clearly establishes that making false promises or deceptive oaths violate the bond with God. Every commitment one makes with another essentially is a commitment before God, and violating this violates God’s Laws in existence. The punishment is “azabun azim” i.e tremendous suffering is due to the person conveying the seriousness of the sin involved in making false promises.]
16: 96
Asad All that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting. And most certainly shall We grant unto those who are patient in adversity their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did.
Yusuf Ali What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere their reward according to the best of their actions.
Pickthall That which ye have wasteth away, and that which Allah hath remaineth. And verily We shall pay those who are steadfast a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
Transliteration Ma_ 'indakum yanfadu wa ma_ 'indalla_hi ba_q(in), wa lanajziyannal lazina sabaru_ ajrahum bi ahsani ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).
16: 97
Asad As for anyone – be it man or woman – who does righteous deeds, and is a believer withal – him shall We most certainly cause to live a good life; and most certainly shall We grant unto such as these their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did.
Yusuf Ali Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith verily to him will We give a new life a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
Pickthall Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily We shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
Transliteration Man 'amila sa_liham min zakarin au unsa_ wa huwa mu'minun fa lanuhyiyannahu_ haya_tan tayyibah(tan), wa lanajziyannahum ajrahum bi ahsani ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).
[ Asad ntoe 121: This may relate to life in this world – inasmuch as a true believer invariably finds happiness in his God-consciousness – or to the happiness which awaits him in the hereafter, or to both. ]
[ Ali’s notes: 2137 Faith, if sincere, means right conduct. When these two confirm each other, Allah's grace transforms our life. Instead of being troubled and worried, we have peace and contentment; instead of being assailed at every turn by false alarms and the assaults of evil, we enjoy calm and attain purity. The transformation is visible in this life itself, but the "reward" in terms of the Hereafter will be far beyond our deserts. (16.97)
2138 The same ending as in the previous verse deepens the overall effect bringing home the message forcefully and beautifully. The argument is completed and rounded off. (16.97)]
57. Sura al-Hadid
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَوْمَ
تَرَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
يَسْعَى نُورُهُم
بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ
وَبِأَيْمَانِهِم...
57: 12. One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands:
C5288. In the Darkness of the Day of Judgment there will be a Light to guide the righteous to their Destination. This will be the Light of their Faith and their Good Works: for the Blessed will receive their Record in their right hand (69:19-24).
...بُشْرَاكُمُ الْيَوْمَ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا...
(their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day!
Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for aye!
... ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٢﴾
this is indeed the highest Achievement!"
C5289. The highest Achievement, the highest felicity, the attainment of Salvation, the fulfilment of all desires.
See n. 4733 to 44:57.
Asad’s Version:
57: 12 ….all believing men and women, with their light spreading rapidly before them and on their right,…..This is the triumph supreme!