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: 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 ;

Other versions:

3: 146

Asad And how many a prophet has had to fight [in God’s cause], followed by many God-devoted men: and they did not become faith of heart for all that they had to suffer in God’s cause, and neither did they weaken, not did they abase themselves [before the enemy], since God loves those who are patient in adversity

Yusuf Ali How many of the Prophets fought (in Allah's way) and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast.

Pickthall And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah 1oves the steadfast.

Transliteration Wa ka'ayyim min nabiyyin qa_tala ma'ahu_ ribbiyyu_na kasir(un), fama_ wahanu_ lima_ asa_bahum fi sabililla_hi wa ma_ da'ufu_ wamastaka_nu_, walla_hu yuhibbus sa_birin(a).

3: 147

Yusuf Ali 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."

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

Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_na qaulahum illa_ an qa_lu_ rabbanagfir lana_ zunu_bana_ wa isra_fana_ fi amrina_ wa sabbit aqda_mana_ wansurna_ 'alal qaumil ka_firin(a).

3: 148

Asad whereupon God granted them the rewards of this world, as well as the goodliest rewards of the life to come: for God loves the doers of good.

Yusuf Ali And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah loveth those who do good.

Pickthall So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good.

Transliteration Fa a_ta_humulla_hu sawa_bad dunya_ wa husna sawa_bil a_khirah(ti), walla_hu yuhibbul muhsinin(a).