6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمِنْهُم
مَّن يَسْتَمِعُ
إِلَيْكَ...
6: 25. Of them there are some who (pretend to) listen to thee;
...وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا...
but We have thrown veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in their ears;
C852a. It: The Quran.
...وَإِن يَرَوْاْ كُلَّ آيَةٍ لاَّ يُؤْمِنُواْ بِهَا...
if they saw every one of the Signs, not they will believe in them;
...حَتَّى إِذَا جَآؤُوكَ يُجَادِلُونَكَ يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِنْ هَذَآ إِلاَّ أَسَاطِيرُ الأَوَّلِينَ ﴿٢٥﴾
in so much that when they come to thee, they (but) dispute with thee;
the unbelievers say: "These are nothing but tales of the ancients."
وَهُمْ
يَنْهَوْنَ
عَنْهُ وَيَنْأَوْنَ
عَنْهُ ...
6: 26. Others they keep away from it, and themselves they keep away;
...وَإِن يُهْلِكُونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾
but they only destroy their own souls, and they perceive it not.
وَلَوْ
تَرَىَ إِذْ
وُقِفُواْ عَلَى
النَّارِ
فَقَالُواْ...
6: 27. If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with the fire! They will say:
...يَا لَيْتَنَا نُرَدُّ وَلاَ نُكَذِّبَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا وَنَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٧﴾
"Would that we were but sent back! then would we not reject the Signs of our Lord,
but would be amongst those who believe!
بَلْ
بَدَا لَهُم
مَّا كَانُواْ
يُخْفُونَ مِن
قَبْلُ...
6: 28. Yea, in their own (eyes) will become manifest what before they concealed,
...وَلَوْ رُدُّواْ لَعَادُواْ لِمَا نُهُواْ عَنْهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ ﴿٢٨﴾
but if they were returned, they would certainly relapse to the things they were forbidden, for they are indeed liars.
C853. Their falsity was not due to want of knowledge, but to perversity and selfishness. In their heart was a disease (2:10): therefore neither their understanding, nor their ears, nor their eyes do their proper work. They twist what they see, hear, or are taught, and go deeper and deeper into the mire.
The deceptions which they used to practice on other people will, before the Seat of Judgement, become clear in their own eyes.
Other versions:
6: 25
Asad And there are among them such as [seem to] listen to you [O Prophet]: but over their hearts We have laid veils which prevent them from grasping the truth, and into their ears, deafness [note 18].
Yusuf Ali Of them there are some who (pretend to) listen to thee; but We have thrown veils on their hearts so they understand it not and deafness in their ears; if they saw every one of the Signs not they will believe in them; in so much that when they come to thee they (but) dispute with thee; the unbelievers say: "These are nothing but tales of the ancients."
Pickthall Of them are some who listen unto thee, but We have placed upon their hearts veils, lest they should understand, and in their ears a deafness. If they saw every token they would not believe therein; to the point that, when they come unto thee to argue with thee, the disbelievers say: This is naught else than fables of the men of old.
Transliteration Wa minhum may yastami'u ilaik(a), wa ja'alna_ 'ala_ qulu_bihim akinnatan ay yafqahu_hu wa fi a_za_nihim waqra_(n), wa iy yarau kulla a_yatil la_ yu'minu_ biha_,hatta_ iza_ ja_'u_kayuja_dilu_naka yaqu_lul lazina kafaru_ in ha_za_ illa_ asa_tirul awwalin(a).
6: 26
Asad And they bar others there from, and go far away from it: but they destroy none but themselves, and perceive it not.
Yusuf Ali Others they keep away from it and themselves they keep away; but they only destroy their own souls and they perceive it not.
Pickthall And they forbid (men) from it and avoid it, and they ruin none save themselves, though they perceive not.
Transliteration Wa hum yanhauna 'anhu wa yan'auna 'anh(u), wa iy yuhliku_na illa_ anfusahum wa ma_ yasy'uru_n(a).
6: 27
Yusuf Ali If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with the fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back! then would we not reject the Signs of our Lord but would be amongst those who believe!
Pickthall If thou couldst see when they are set before the Fire and say: Oh, would that we might return! Then would we not deny the revelations of our Lord but we would be of the believers!
Transliteration Wa lau tara_ iz wuqifu_ 'alan na_ri faqa_lu_ ya_ laitana_ nuraddu wa la_ nukazziba bi a_ya_ti rabbina_ wa naku_na minal mu'minin(a).
6: 28
Asad But nay – [they will say this only because] the truth which they used to conceal [from themselves] in the past will have become obvious to them; and if they were brought back [to life], they would return the very thing which was forbidden to them: for, behold, they are indeed liars! [note 19]
Yusuf Ali Yea in their own (eyes) will become manifest what before they concealed but if they were returned they would certainly relapse to the things they were forbidden for they are indeed liars.
Pickthall Nay, but that hath become clear unto them which before they used to hide. And if they were sent back they would return unto that which they are forbidden. Lo! they are liars.
Transliteration Bal bada_ lahum ma_ ka_nu_ yukhfu_na min qabl(u), wa lau ruddu_ la'a_du_ lima_ nuhu_ 'anhu wa innahum laka_zibu_n(a).
[[Asad’s note 19 - …their longing for a “second chance” is not dictated by love of truth for its own sake but, rather, by their dread of the evil consequences of their doings; and “faith is useless it is desired for its own sake” (Razi).]]
[[ Ruby’s note – The bend of these people is to reject and discount God’s signs. If they are given the second chance they would do the same thing all over again.]]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ النَّبِيَّ وَيِقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ...
9: 61. Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say,
"He is (all) ear."
C1321. The assonance of the Arabic words "Yu'dhuna" and "udhnun" is of course lost in the Translation. But the sense remains.
Detractors of the Prophet said. "O! he listens to everybody!"
"Yes," is the answer,
"he listens for their good: he is a mercy and a blessing to all men of Faith, but specially to you (who are addressed)."
The general statement is emphasised for the particular people addressed.
قُلْ أُذُنُ
خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ
يُؤْمِنُ بِاللّهِ
وَيُؤْمِنُ
لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ...
Say,
"He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers,
...وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مِنكُمْ...
and is a Mercy to those of you who believe":
...وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٦١﴾
but those who molest the Prophet will have a grievous penalty.
يَحْلِفُونَ
بِاللّهِ لَكُمْ
لِيُرْضُوكُمْ...
9: 62. To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you:
...وَاللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٢﴾
but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger if they are believers.
أَلَمْ
يَعْلَمُواْ
أَنَّهُ مَن
يُحَادِدِ
اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ
فَأَنَّ لَهُ
نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ
خَالِدًا فِيهَا...
9: 63. Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, is the fire of Hell? --
wherein they shall dwell.
...ذَلِكَ الْخِزْيُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿٦٣﴾
That is the supreme disgrace.
الْمُنَافِقُونَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ
بَعْضُهُم مِّن
بَعْضٍ...
9: 67. The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other:
C1324. Literally, "the Hypocrites... are of each other".
The forms of hypocrisy may vary, but they are all alike, and they understand each other's hypocrisy. They hold together.
...يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ...
they enjoin evil, and forbid what in just, and are close with their hands.
C1325. The English phrase "close-fisted" would cover only a part of the meaning.
The hand is the symbol of power, help, and assistance. This may be financial, or it may be in other ways.
The Hypocrites pretend a great deal, but are of no use or real help to any one.
...نَسُواْ اللّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ...
They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them.
They ignore Allah: and Allah will ignore them.
...إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ ﴿٦٧﴾
Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
وَعَدَ الله
الْمُنَافِقِينَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ
وَالْكُفَّارَ
نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ
خَالِدِينَ
فِيهَا...
9: 68. Allah hath promised the Hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of faith, the fire of hell:
therein shall they dwell:
...هِيَ حَسْبُهُمْ...
sufficient is it for them:
...وَلَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٦٨﴾
for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,
C1327. "Curse," here as elsewhere, is deprivation of grace and mercy, brought about by the rejection of Allah by the Unbelievers.
Other versions:
9:61
Asad And among those [enemies of the truth] there are such as malign the Prophet by saying, “He is all ear.” [note 86] Say: [yes,] he is all ear, [listening] to what is good for you! [note 87] He believes in God, and trusts the believers, and is [manifestation of God’s]grace towards such of you as have [truly] attain to faith……….
Yusuf Ali Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say "he is (all) ear." Say "he listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah has faith in the believers and is a Mercy to those of you who believe": but those who molest the apostle will have a grievous penalty.
Pickthall And of them are those who vex the Prophet and say: He is only a hearer. Say: A hearer of good for you, who believeth in Allah and is true to the believers, and a mercy for such of you as believe. Those who vex the messenger of Allah, for them there is a painful doom.
Transliteration Wa minhumul lazina yu'zu_nan nabiyya wa yaqu_lu_na huwa uzun(un), qul uzunu khairil lakum yu'minu billa_hi wa yu'minu lil mu'minina wa rahmatul lillazina a_manu_ minkum, wallazina yu'zu_na rasu_lalla_hi lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).
9: 62
Asad ………….the while it is God and His Apostle whose pleasure they should seek above all else, if indeed the yare believers! [note 88]
Yusuf Ali To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His apostle if they are believers.
Pickthall They swear by Allah to you (Muslims) to please you, but Allah, with His messenger, hath more right that they should please Him if they are believers.
Transliteration Yahlifu_na billa_hi lakum liyurdu_kum walla_hu wa rasu_luhu_ ahaqqu ay yurdu_hu in ka_nu_ mu'minin(a).
9: 63
Asad ……….that most awesome disgrace?
Yusuf Ali Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and His apostle is the fire of Hell? wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme disgrace.
Pickthall Know they not that whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, his portion verily is hell, to abide therein? That is the extreme abasement.
Transliteration Alam ya'lamu_ annahu_ may yuha_didilla_ha wa rasu_lahu_ fa anna lahu_ na_ra jahannama kha_lidan fiha_, za_likal khizyul 'azim(u).
[[ Asad’s note 86 – I.e., “he believes everything that he hears”……………………the Prophet’s readiness to listen to what they – in common with many other unbelievers –regarded as mere hallucinatory sounds, and to interpret them “mistakenly” as revelations. This would explain the statement that “they malign the Prophet” – namely, by attributing to him self-deception – and that this saying of theirs “amounts to a denieal of the truth” (see verse 74 of this surah) – The verb “adha” signifies primarily “he molested” or “annoyed [another]”, it.e., in a manner not amounting to actual harm (darar). Since in the above context this verb is used in the sense of making a derogatory remark, yu dhun is best rendered as “they malign”.
note 87 – I.e., to divine revelation.
note 88 - ……….As has been pointed out by many of the commentators (and most succingtly by Rashid Rida in Manar X, 607f.), there is no question of any juxtaposition of God and His Apostle in this phrase. This is made clear by the use of the singular pronoun in ‘an yurduhu (“that they should seek His pleasure”), which is meant to bring out – in the inimitable elliptic form so characteristic of the Quran –the idea that God’s pleasure is the only worthwhile goal of all human endeavor, and that a believer’s duty to surrender to the Prophet’s guidance is but an outcome of the fact that he is the bearer of God’s message to man. Cf. in this connection, “Whoever pays heed unto the Apostle pays heed unto God thereby” (4:80), or, “Say [O Prophet]: ‘If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you’ “ (3:31). ]]
[[Ali’s notes - 1321 The assonance of the Arabic words "Y-zuna" and "uzunun" is of course lost in the translation. But the sense remains. Detractors of the Prophet said. "O! he listens to everybody!" "Yes," is the answer, "he listens for their good: he is a mercy and a blessing to all men of Faith, but especially to you (who are addressed)." The general statement is emphasized for the particular people addressed. (9.61)]]
9: 67
Asad The hypocrites, both men and women, are all of a kind: they enjoin the doing of what is wrong and forbid the doing of what is right [note 94], and withhold their hands [from doing good]. They are oblivious of God, and so He is oblivious of them. Verily, the hypocrites – it is they, they who are truly iniquitous! [note 95]
Yusuf Ali The Hypocrites men and women (have an understanding) with each other: they enjoin evil and forbid what in just and are close with their hands. They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
Pickthall The hypocrites, both men and women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the right, and they withhold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah). They forget Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Lo! the hypocrites, they are the transgressors.
Transliteration Al muna_fiqu_na wal muna_fiqa_tu ba'duhum mim ba'd(in), ya'muru_na bil munkari wa yanhauna 'anil ma'ru_fi wa yaqbidu_na aidiyahum, nasullaa_ha fa nasiyahum, innal muna_fiqina humul fa_siqu_n(a).
9: 68
Yusuf Ali Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women and the rejecters of faith the fire of hell: therein shall they dwell: sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of Allah and an enduring punishment
Pickthall Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment.
Transliteration Wa'adalla_hul muna_fiqina wal muna_fiqa_ti wal kuffa_ra na_ra jahannama kha_lidina fiha_, hiya hasbuhum, wa la'anahumulla_h(u), wa lahum 'aza_bum muqim(un).