31. Luqman

Mecca Period [57]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا بُنَيَّ ...

31:16 "O my son!" (said Luqman),

... إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ...

"If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock,

C3601. The mustard-seed is proverbially a small, minute thing, that people may ordinarily pass by. Not so Allah.

...أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ...

or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth:

Further emphasis is laid by supposing the mustard-seed to be hidden beneath a rock or in the cleft of a rock, or to be lost in the spacious expanse of the earth or of the heavens. To Allah everything is known, and He will bring it forth, i.e., take account of it.

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٦﴾

for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).

C3602. For Latif as a title applied to Allah, see n. 2844 to 22:63.

Asad’s Version:

31:16

"O my dear son," [continued Luqmin,] "verily, though there be aught of but the weight of a mustard-seed, and though it be [hidden] in a rock, or in the skies, or in the earth, God will bring it to light: for, behold, God is unfathomable (in His wisdom], all-aware. 17