Guardian / Guides / Helper / Protector/ Knowledge & Wisdom Giver

2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلاً مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا...

2: 26. Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things, lowest as well as highest.

C45. The word for "the lowest" in the original Arabic means a gnat, a byword in the Arabic language for the weakest of creatures.

In 29:41, which was revealed before this Surah, the similitude of the Spider was used, and similarly in 22:73, there is the similitude of the Fly. For similitudes taken from magnificent forces of nature, expressed in exalted language, see 2:19 above.

To Allah all His creation has some special meaning appropriate to itself, and some of what we consider the lowest creatures have wonderful aptitudes, e.g., the spider or the fly.

Parables like these may be an occasion of stumbling to those "who forsake the path"; in other words those who deliberately shut their eyes to Allah's Signs, and their Penalty is attributed to Allah, the Cause of all causes.

But lest there should be misunderstanding, it is immediately added that the stumbling and offence only occur as the result of the sinner's own choice of the wrong course. Verses 26 and 27 form one sentence and should be read together.

"Forsaking the path" is defined in 2:27, viz.,

breaking solemn covenants which the sinner's own soul had ratified, causing division among mankind, who were meant to be one brotherhood, and doing as much mischief as possible in the life on this earth, for the life beyond will be on another plane, where no rope will be given to evil.

The mention of Covenant (2:27) has a particular and a general signification.

The particular one has reference to the Jewish tradition that a Covenant was entered into with "Father Abraham" that in return for Allah's favours the seed of Abraham would serve Allah faithfully. But as a matter of fact a great part of Abraham's progeny were in constant spiritual rebellion against Allah, as is testified by their own Prophets and Preachers and by Muhammad Mustafa.

The general signification is that a similar Covenant is entered into by every creature of Allah: for Allah's loving care, we at least owe Him the fullest gratitude and willing obedience.

The sinner, before the darkness his own conscience, knows this, and yet he not only "forsakes the path" but resists the Grace of Allah which comes to save him. That is why his case becomes hopeless. But the loss is his own. He cannot spoil Allah's design.

The good man is glad to retrace his steps from any lapses of which may have been guilty, and in his case Allah's Message reclaims him with complete understanding. (R).

... فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ...

Those who believe know that it is truth from their Lord;

... وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَـذَا مَثَلاً...

but those who reject Faith say: "What means Allah by this similitude?"

... يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيراً وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيراً...

By it He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path,

... وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلاَّ الْفَاسِقِين ﴿٢٦﴾

but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path).

أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ...

2: 107. Knowest thou not that to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth!

... وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ ﴿١٠٧﴾

And besides Him ye have neither patron nor helper.

وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ...

2: 120. Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion.

قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى...

Say: "The guidance of Allah, that is the (only) guidance."

... وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ...

Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee,

... مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ ﴿١٢٠﴾

then wouldst thou find neither protector nor helper against Allah.

سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاء مِنَ النَّاسِ ...

2: 142. The fools among the people will say:

C140. Nas: People, the unthinking multitude that sway to and fro, instead of being firm in Allah's Way.

The reference here is to the idolaters, the Hypocrites, and the party of Jews who were constantly seeking to "entangle in their talk" Mustafa and his disciples in Madinah even as the Pharisees and the Sadducees of Jesus' day tried to entangle Jesus (Matt. 22:15, 23)

... مَا وَلاَّهُمْ عَن قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُواْ عَلَيْهَا...

"What hath turned them from the Qiblah to which they were used?"

C141. Qiblah: The direction to which Muslims turn in prayer.

Islam lays great stress on social prayer in order to emphasize our universal Brotherhood and mutual cooperation. For such prayer, order, punctuality, precision, symbolical postures, and a common direction are essential, so that the Imam (leader) and all his congregation may face one way and offer their supplications to Allah.

In the early days, before they were organized as a people, they followed as a symbol for their Qiblah the sacred city of Jerusalem, scared both to the Jews and the Christians, the people of the Book. This symbolized their allegiance to the continuity of Allah's revelation.

When, despised and persecuted, they were turned out of Makkah and arrived in Madinah. Al Mustafa under divine direction began to organize its people as an Ummah, an independent people, with laws and rituals of their own. At that stage the Ka'bah was established as Qiblah, thus going back to the earliest centre, with which the name of Abraham was connected, and traditionally also the name of Adam.

Jerusalem still remained (and remains) sacred in the eyes of Islam on account of its past, but Islam is progressive religion, and its new symbolism enabled it to shake off the tradition of a dead past and usher in the era of untrammeled freedom dear to the spirit of Arabia. The change took place about 16 1/2 months after Hijrah.

... قُل لِّلّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ...

Say:

to Allah belong both East and West;

... يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿١٤٢﴾

He guideth whom He will to a Way that is straight.

كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ...

2: 213. Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings;

... وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ...

and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed;

... وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ...

but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy.

... فَهَدَى اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ...

Allah by His Grace guided the believers to the truth, concerning that wherein they differed.

... وَاللّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٢١٣﴾

For Allah guides whom He will to a path that is straight.

اللّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّوُرِ...

2: 257. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.

... وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ...

Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Evil Ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness.

... أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٢٥٧﴾

they will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for ever).

الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاء...

2: 268. The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly.

... وَاللّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلاً...

Allah promiseth you His forgiveness and bounties

C318. Good and evil draw us opposite ways and by opposite motives, and the contrast is well marked out in charity.

When we think of doing some real act of kindness or charity, we are assailed with doubts and fear of impoverishment; but Evil supports any tendency to selfishness, greed, or even to extravagant expenditure for show, or self-indulgence, or unseemly appetites.

On the other hand, Allah draws us on to all that is kind and good, for that way lies the forgiveness of our sins, and greater real prosperity and satisfaction.

No kind or generous act ever ruined anyone. It is false generosity that is sometimes shown as leading to ruin. As Allah knows all our motives and cares for all, and has everything in His power, it is obvious which course a wise man will choose.

But wisdom is rare, and it is only wisdom that can appreciate true well-being and distinguish it from the false appearance of well-being.

... وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٨﴾

and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things.

Asad’s Version:

2: 26 …But He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path)

2:107 …. And besides Him you have neither patron nor helper.

2:120 The Guidance of God …that is the (only) Guidance.

2: 142 …He guides whom He wills onto a straight way

OR , HE GUIDES ONTO A STRAIGHT WAY HIM THAT WILLS ( to be guided). See Asad p.30, note 117.

2:213: ...for God guides onto a straight way him that wills (to be guided)

2: 257 God is the protector of those who have faith. From the depth of darkness He will lead them forth into light.

2: 268 He grants wisdom to whom He please.

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3. Sura al-Imran

Medina 89 [200 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَـذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ...

3: 68. Without doubt, among men the nearest of kin to Abraham are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe;

...وَاللّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾

and Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.

وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُواْ إِلاَّ لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ ...

3: 73. "And believe no one unless he follows your religion."

...قُلْ إِنَّ الْهُدَى هُدَى اللّهِ أَن يُؤْتَى أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَا أُوتِيتُمْ ...

Say:

"True guidance is the guidance of Allah; (fear ye) lest a revelation be sent to someone (else) like unto that which was sent unto you.

C407. The two clauses following have been variously construed, and some translations leave the sense ambiguous.

I have construed the conjunction "an" to mean "lest", as it undoubtedly does in 7:172. 'an taqulu", etc.

... أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ...

Or that those (receiving such revelation) should engage you in argument before your Lord."

C408. Cf. 2:76.

The People of the Book were doubly annoyed at the Muslims:

- that they should (being outside their ranks) receive Allah's revelations, and

- that having received such revelations, they should be able to convict them out of their own scriptures before their Lord!

... قُلْ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء...

Say: "All bounties are in the hand of Allah: He granteth them to whom He pleaseth;

...وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٣﴾

and Allah careth for all, and He knoweth all things."

كَيْفَ يَهْدِي اللّهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُواْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِهِمْ وَشَهِدُواْ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَاءهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ...

3: 86. How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that clear signs had come unto them?

...وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٨٩﴾

But Allah guides not a people unjust.

وَاعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ اللّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُواْ...

3: 103. And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;

C429. The simile is that of people struggling in deep water, to whom a benevolent Providence stretches out a strong and unbreakable rope of rescue.

If all hold fast to it together, their mutual support adds to the chance of their safety.

...وَاذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاء...

and remember with gratitude Allah's favor on you;

...فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا...

for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His grace, ye became brethren;

C430. Yathrib was torn with civil and tribal feuds and dissensions before the Messenger of Allah set his feet on its soil. After that, it became the City of the Prophet, Madinah, and unmatched Brotherhood, and the pivot of Islam.

This poor quarrelsome world is a larger Yathrib: can we establish the sacred feet on its soil, and make it a new and larger Madinah?

...وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىَ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا...

and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it.

...كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ ﴿١٠٣﴾

Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that ye may be guided.

Asad’s Version:

3:68 … and God is the Protector of those who have faith

3:73 True guidance is the guidance of God……all bounties are in the hands of God :…..

3: 86 (God cannot guide those who are resolved to deny the truth)

3: 103 …He brought your hearts together, so that through His blessings you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a fiery abyss, He saved you from it..In this way God makes clear His messages unto you, so that you might find guidance,

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4. Sura an-Nisa

Medina 92 [Hijra 4]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ ...

4: 45.  But Allah hath full knowledge of your enemies:

... وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ نَصِيرًا ﴿٤٥﴾

Allah is enough for a Protector, and Allah is enough for a Helper.

Asad’s Version:

4: 45 But God knows best who are your enemies: and none can befriend as God does, and none can give succor as God does.

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11. Surah Hud, Mecca 52

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّا أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْكُمْ...   

11: 57.    "If ye turn away -- I (at least) have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you.

...وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّي قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلاَ تَضُرُّونَهُ شَيْئًا...

My Lord will make another People to succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least.

C1553. Hud was dealing with a people of pride and obstinate rebellion. He tells them that their conduct will only recoil on themselves. It can do no harm to Allah or in any way frustrate the beneficent Plan of Allah. He will only put some other people in their place to carry out His Plan.

That Plan is referred to in the next sentence as "care and watch" over all his Creation.

...إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ ﴿٥٧﴾

For my Lord hath care and watch over all things."

Other Versions:

11: 57

Pickthall And if ye turn away, still I have conveyed unto you that wherewith I was sent unto you, and my Lord will set in place of you a folk other than you. Ye cannot injure Him at all. Lo! my Lord is Guardian over all things.

Yuksel "If you turn away, then I have delivered what I was sent to you with. My Lord will bring after you a people who are not like you, and you will not harm Him in the least. My Lord is Guardian over all things."

Transliteration Fa in tawallau faqad ablagtukum ma_ ursiltu bihi ilaikum, wa yastakhlifu rabbi qauman gairakum, wa la_ tadurru_nahu_ syaia'a_(n), inna rabbi 'ala_ kulli syai'in hafiz(un).

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12. Surha Yusuf (Joseph)

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِن تَأْوِيلِ الأَحَادِيثِ...   

12: 101. "O my Lord!

Thou hast indeed bestowed on me some power, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams and events,

C1781. Then he turns to Allah in prayer, and again his modesty is predominant.

He held supreme power under the king, but he calls it "some power" or authority.

His reading of events and dreams had saved millions of lives in the great Egyptian famine; yet he refers to it as "something of the interpretation of dreams and events". And he takes no credit to himself, "All this," he says, "was Thy gift, 0 Allah! For such things can only come from the Creator of the heavens and earth."

...فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنُيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

O Thou Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter,

C1782. Power in the doing of things as well as power in intelligent forecasts and plans,-both must look to Allah: otherwise the deed and the plan would be futile.

...تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ ﴿١٠١﴾

take thou my soul (at death) as one submitting to Thy Will (as a Muslim),

and unite me with the righteous."

C1783. Joseph's prayer may be analyzed thus:

1.     I am nothing; all power and knowledge are Thine;

2.     such things can only come from Thee, for Thou art the Creator of all;

3.     none can protect me from danger and wrong, but only Thou;

4.     Thy protection I need both in this world and the next;

5.     may I till death remain constant to Thee-,

6.     may I yield up my soul to Thee in cheerful submission to Thy will;

7.     in this moment of union with my family after many partings let me think of the final union with the great family of the righteous.

How marvelously apt to the occasion!

Pickthall’s Version:

12: 101

Transliteration Rabbi qad a_taitani minal mulki wa 'allamtani min ta'wilil aha_dis(i), fa_tiras sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), anta waliyyi fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), tawaffani muslimaw wa alhiqni bis sa_lihin(a).

Pickthall O my Lord! Thou hast given me (something) of sovereignty and hast taught me (something) of the interpretation of events, Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protecting Friend in the world and the Hereafter. Make me to die submissive (unto Thee), and join me to the righteous.