2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا...

2: 106. None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar;

C107. The word which I have translated by the word "revelations" is Ayat. See C.41 and n. 15.

It is not only used for verses of the Quran, but in a general sense for Allah's revelations, as in 2:39 and for other Signs of Allah in history or nature, or miracles, as in 2:61.

It has even been used for human signs and tokens of wonder, as, for example, monuments or landmarks built by the ancient people of 'Ad (26:128).

What is the meaning here?

If we take it in a general sense, it means that Allah's Message from age to age is always the same, but that its form may differ according to the needs and exigencies of the time. That form was different as given to Moses and then to Jesus and then to Muhammad.

Some commentators apply it also to The Ayat of the Quran. There is nothing derogatory in this if we believe in progressive revelation. In 3:7 we are told distinctly about the Quran, that some of its versus are clear (and of established meaning), and others are not entirely clear, and it is mischievous to treat the verses that are not entirely clear and to follow them (literally). On the other hand, it is absurd to treat such a verse as 2:115 as if it were abrogated by 2:144 about the Qiblah.

There may be express abrogation, or there may be "causing or permitting to forget."

How many good and wise institutions gradually become obsolete by afflux of time?

Then there is gradual process of disuse or forgetting in evolution. This does not mean that eternal principles change. It is only a sign of Allah's infinite Power that His creation should take so many forms and shapes not only in the material world but in the world of man's thought and expression.

... أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللّهَ عَلَىَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١٠٦﴾

knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things?

لِّلَّهِ ما فِي السَّمَاواتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ...

2: 284. To Allah belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth.

... وَإِن تُبْدُواْ مَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ اللّهُ...

Whether ye show what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah calleth you to account for it. .

... فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَاء...

He forgiveth whom He pleasant, and punisheth whom He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things.

... وَاللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٨٤﴾

For Allah hath power over all things.

Other Versions:

2: 106

Asad Any message which We annul or consign to oblivion We replace with a better or a similar one. [note 87]

Pickthall Such of Our revelations as We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?

Transliteration Ma_ nansakh min a_yatin au nunsiha_ na'ti bi khairim minha_ au misliha_, alam ta'lam annalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

2: 284

Pickthall Unto Allah (belongeth) whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and whether ye make known what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will bring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and He will punish whom He will. Allah is Able to do all things.

Lilla_hi ma_ fis sama_wa_ti wa ma_ fil ard(i), wa in tubdu_ ma_ fi anfusikum au tukhfu_hu yuha_sibkum bihilla_h(i), fa yagfiru limay yasya_'u wa yu'azzibu may yasya_'(u), walla_hu 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

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3. Sura al-Imran

Medina 89 [200 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ...

3: 26. Say:

"O Allah! Lord of Power (and Rule),

...تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَاء وَتَنزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاء...

thou givest Power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest,

...وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَاء وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَاء...

thou enduest with honor whom thou pleasest, and thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest;

...بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ...

in Thy hand is all Good.

C369. Another glorious passage, full of meaning. The governing phrase in it all is: "In Thy hand is all Good."

What is the standard by which we may judge Good?

It is Allah's Will. Therefore when we submit to Allah's Will, and real Islam illuminates us, we see the highest Good.

There has been and is much controversy as to what is the Highest Good.

To the Muslim there is no difficulty: it is the Will of Allah. He must ever strive to learn and understand that Will. But once in that fortress, he is secure. He is not troubled with the nature of Evil.

... إِنَّكَ عَلَىَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٦﴾

Verily, over all things thou hast power.

قُلْ إِن تُخْفُواْ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ اللّهُ...

3: 29. Say:

"Whether ye hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all.

...وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأرْضِ...

He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth.

...وَاللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٩﴾

And Allah has power over all things."

Pickthall’s Version:

3: 26

Pickthall Say: O Allah! Owner of Sovereignty! Thou givest sovereignty unto whom Thou wilt, and Thou withdrawest sovereignty from whom Thou wilt. Thou exaltest whom Thou wilt and Thou abasest whom Thou wilt. In Thy hand is the good. Lo! Thou art Able to do all things.

Transliteration Qulilla_humma ma_likal mulki tu'til mulka man tasya_'u wa tanzi'ul mulka mimman tasya_'(u), wa tu'izzu man tasya_'u wa tuzillu man tasya_'(u),biyadikal khair(u), innaka 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

3:29

Pickthall Say, (O Muhammad): Whether ye hide that which is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knoweth it. He knoweth that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth, and Allah is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Qul in tukhfu_ ma_ fi sudu_rikum au tubdu_hu ya'lamhulla_h(u), wa ya'lamu ma_ fis sama_wa_ti wa ma_ fil ard(i), walla_hu 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

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4. Sura an-Nisa

Medina 92 [Hijra 4]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِن تُبْدُواْ خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُواْ عَن سُوَءٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا ﴿١٤٩﴾  

4: 149. Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal it or cover evil with pardon,

verily Allah doth blot out (sins) and hath power (in the judgment of values).

C655. Qadir: The root qadara not only implies power, ability, strength, but two other ideas which it is difficult to convey in a single word, viz., the act and power of estimating the true value of a thing or persons, as in 6:91; and the act and power of regulating something so as to bring it into correspondence with something.

"Judgment of values" I think sums up these finer shades of meaning.

Allah forgives what is wrong and is able fully to appreciate and judge of the value of our good deeds whether we publish them or conceal them.

Other Versions:

4: 149

Asad whether you do good openly or in secret, or pardon others for evil [done unto you]: for, behold, God is indeed an absolver of sins, infinite in his power.

Pickthall If ye do good openly or keep it secret, or forgive evil, lo ! Allah is Forgiving, Powerful.

In tubdu_ khairan au tukhfu_hu au ta'fu_ 'an su_'infa innalla_ha ka_na 'afuwwan qadira_(n).

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5. Surah al-Maida, Medina 112

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لِلّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ ...

5: 120. To Allah doth belong the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is therein,

... وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١٢٠﴾

and it is He who hath power over all things.

Other Versions:

5: 120

Asad God’s is the dominion over the heavens and the earth and all that they contain: and He has the power to will anything.

Pickthall Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is therein, and He is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Lilla_hi mulkus sama_wa_ti wal ardi wa ma_ fihinn(a), wa huwa 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

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8. [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2H]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ...   

8: 41.  And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war),

فَأَنَّ لِلّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ...

a fifth share is assigned

-    to Allah, and

-    to the Messenger, and

-    to near relatives,

-    orphans,

-    the needy, and

-    the wayfarer,

C1209. The rule is that a fifth share is set apart for the Imam (the Commander) and the rest is divided among the forces.

The fifth share reserved is expressed to be for Allah and the Prophet, and for charitable purposes for those to whom charity is due. Ultimately everything is at the disposal of Allah and His Prophet: 8:1: but four-fifths are divided, and only one-fifth is retained for the special purposes. The Imam has discretion as to the mode of division.

In the Prophet's life-time a certain portion was assigned to him and his near relatives.

...إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُمْ بِاللّهِ وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ...

if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the day of testing, the day of the meeting of the two forces.

C1210. Testing: Furqan: Criterion between right and wrong, decision between the forces of faith and unbelief.

The battle of Badr is called by this name. See 8:29 and n. 1202.

...وَاللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٤١﴾

For Allah hath power over all things.

C1211. Allah's power is shown in the events detailed in the three verses following (verses 42-44), leading to the complete victory of the Muslims over the pagan Quraysh.

Other Versions:

8: 41

Asad ……..on the day when the true was distinguished from the false – the day when the two hosts met in battle. And God has the power to will anything [note 42].

Pickthall And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsmen (who hath need) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer; if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Discrimination, the day when the two armies met. And Allah is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Wa'lamu_ annama_ ganimtum min syai'in fa anna lilla_hi khumusahu_ wa lir rasu_li wa lizil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wabnis sabili in kuntum a_mantum billa_hi wa ma_ anzalna_ 'ala_ 'abdina_ yaumal furqa_ni yaumal taqal jam'a_n(i), walla_hu 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

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16. Sura al-Nahl, Mecca 70

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلِلّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ...   

16: 77.  To Allah belongeth the mystery of the heavens and the earth.

C2110. The key to all things-not only those which we see and understand, but those which we do not see or of which we have no idea-is with Allah, Whose knowledge and power are supreme.

... وَمَا أَمْرُ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ... 

And the decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker:

C2111. Lures of this world and its fleeting pleasures often make man forget that the life hereafter is an imminent reality.

Many of those who claim to believe in the life to come act and behave as if it belonged to a distant future, and had no relevance to their present activities and mode of living. The Quran repeatedly reminds man that the Hour of Reckoning is not a distant possibility, but very close to man, and could come to pass any moment.

The wisest course for man, therefore, is to be always alert and watchful and steer clear of all forms of sin and impiety, for when the Promised Hour comes it will come all of a sudden and without any prior notice.

See also 10:45; 30:55, 45:35. [Eds]

... إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٧٧﴾

for Allah hath power over all things.

Other Versions:

16: 77

Asad And God’s is the knowledge of the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth. And so, the advent of the Last Hour will but manifest itself [in a single moment,] lie the twinkling of an eye, or closer still: for, behold, God has the power to will anything.

Pickthall And unto Allah belongeth the Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and the matter of the Hour (of Doom) is but as a winkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Wa lilla_hi gaibus sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), wa ma_ amrus sa_'ati illa_ ka lamhil basari au huwa aqrab(u), innalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

[Asad note 90: As may be inferred from the sequence, the term ‘GHAYB” – rendered here as the “hidden reality” – alludes in this context to the coming of the Last Hour, the time whereof is known to God alone [Zamakhshari]. Parallel with this, it may also relate to God’s Own existence, which cannot be directly established by the testimony of our senses [Baydawi] but, as the Quran consistently points out, may be inferred from the observable effects of His cretiveness.]

[ Ruby’s note: This term ‘GHAYB’ also mentioned in 2:3 to indicate God Himself: the Ultimate Reality, (or the TRUTH = bil Huqqi ), therefore this translation of ‘belong ‘ may be little shorter than what is meant here ]

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18. Surah al-Kahf, Mecca 69

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...   

18: 45.  Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world:

... كَمَاء أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاء فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ... 

it is like the rain which We send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it,

... فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُ... 

but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter:

C2386. Rain-water is a good thing in itself, but it does not last, and you can build no solid foundations on it.

It is soon absorbed in the earth, and produces the flourishing appearance of grass and vegetation-for a time. Soon these decay, and become as dry stubble, which the least wind from any quarter will blow about like a thing of no importance.

The water is gone, and so is the vegetation to which it lent a brave show of luxuriance temporarily. Such is the life of this world, contrasted with the inner and real Life, which looks to the Hereafter.

Allah is the only enduring Power we can look to, supreme over all.

... وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا ﴿٤٥﴾

it is (only) Allah Who prevails over all things.

وَعُرِضُوا عَلَى رَبِّكَ صَفًّا...   

18: 48.  And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks, (with the announcement),

... لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ... 

"Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first:

C2389. We shall stand as we were created, with none of the adventitious possessions that we collected in this life, which will all have vanished.

... بَلْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَلَّن نَّجْعَلَ لَكُم مَّوْعِدًا ﴿٤٨﴾

aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!":

C2390. The skeptics will now at length be convinced of the Reality which will be upon them.

وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ فَتَرَى الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ...

18: 49.  And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein;

... وَيَقُولُونَ يَا وَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَذَا الْكِتَابِ...

they will say,

"Ah! woe to us! what a book is this!

... لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّا أَحْصَاهَا... 

It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!"

... وَوَجَدُوا مَا عَمِلُوا حَاضِرًا... 

They will find all that they did, placed before them:

... وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا ﴿٤٩﴾

and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.

C2391. Personal responsibility, for all deeds in this life will then be enforced. But it will be done with perfect justice.

Expressed in the forms of this world, it will amount to a clear statement of all we did in this life; the record will be put before us to convince us.

As it will be a perfect record, with no omissions and no wrong entries, it will be perfectly convincing. Where there is punishment, it has been earned by the wrong-doer's own deeds, not imposed on him unjustly.

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ ...

18: 50.  Behold! We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam":

C2392. Cf. 2:34, where the story is told of the fall of mankind through Adam.

Here the point is referred to in order to bring home the individual responsibility of the erring soul.

Iblis is your enemy; you have been told his history; will you prefer to go to him rather than to the merciful Allah, your Creator and Cherisher?

What a false exchange you would make!'

... فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ...

they bowed down except Iblis.

... كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ... 

He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord.

C2393. Cf. 6:100, .

... أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُونِي ...

Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me?

C2394. Satan's progeny: we need not take the epithet only in a literal sense.

All his followers are also his progeny. (R).

... وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ... 

And they are enemies to you!

... بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا ﴿٥٠﴾

Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers!

C2395. Out of the limited free-will that man has, if he were to choose Evil instead of Good, Satan instead of Allah, what a dreadful choice it would be!

It would really be an evil exchange. For man is Allah's creature, cared for and cherished by Him. He abandons his Cherisher to become the slave of his enemy!

Other Versions:

18:48 They are displayed before your Lord as a column: "You have come to Us as We had created you the first time. No, you claimed We would not make an appointment for you!"

18:49 The book was displayed, so you see the criminals fearful of what is in it. They say, "Woe to us!, what is wrong with this book that it does not leave out anything small or large except that it has counted it." They found what they had done present. Your Lord does not wrong anyone.

Do not Follow Your Ardent Enemy

18:50 When We said to the angels: "Submit to Adam." They all submitted except for Satan, he was of the Jinn, so he disobeyed the order of his Lord. "Will you take him and his progeny as allies besides Me, while they are your enemy?" Miserable for the wicked is the substitute!*

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29. Surah Al 'Ankabut

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ...

29:20. Say:

"Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation:

...ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ...

so will Allah produce a later creation:

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٠﴾

for Allah has power over all things.

وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَابَّةٍ مِن مَّاء...

WaAllahu khalaqa kulla dabbatin min ma-in

24: 45. And Allah has created every animal from water:

C3021. Cf. 21:30, n. 2691.

Protoplasm is the basis of all living matter, and "the vital power of protoplasm seems to depend on the constant presence of water".

...فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى بَطْنِهِ...

faminhum man yamshee AAala batnihi

of them there are some that creep on their bellies;

...وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى أَرْبَعٍ...

waminhum man yamshee AAala rijlayni

waminhum man yamshee AAala arbaAAin yakhluqu

some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four.

C3022. The creeping things include worms and lowly forms of animal life as well as reptiles (like snakes), centipedes, spiders, and insects. Where these have legs they are small, and the description of creeping or crawling is more applicable to them than that of walking.

Fishes and sea-animals generally cannot be said to walk: their swimming is like "creeping on their bellies".

Two-legged animals include birds and man. Most of the mammals walk on four legs. This includes the whole of the animal world.

...يَخْلُقُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاء...

Allah creates what He wills:

C3023. In Allah's Will and Plan, the variety of forms and habits among animals is adapted to their various modes of life and stages of biological evolution.

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٤٥﴾

inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

for verily Allah has power over all things.

Other Versions: