39. Az-Zumar (The Throngs)

Mecca Period 59 [75 verses]

Asad’s Version:

(39:63) His are the keys [to the mysteries] of the heavens and the earth: and they who are bent on denying the truth of God's messages - it is they, they, who are the losers!

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ...

39:63. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth:

... وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾

and those who reject the Signs of Allah, it is they who will be in loss.

42. Ash-Shura (Consultation)

Mecca Period 53

Asad’s Version:

42:12 His are the keys of the heavens and the earth: He grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills: for, behold, He has full knowledge of everything."

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ...

42:12. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth:

... يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ...

He enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to whom He will:

C4540. "Sustenance", here as elsewhere, stands for all things that support every phase of life, physical, social, intellectual, or spiritual. Cf. 10:59, n. 1447.

The source of all gifts is Allah; His bounty is inexhaustible, and He gives to all; but He does not give to all in the same measure, because, out of the fullness of His knowledge and wisdom, He can judge best what is best for any of His creatures.

... إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٢﴾

for He knows full well all things.