2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
عِبَادِي
عَنِّي فَإِنِّي
قَرِيبٌ...
2: 186. When my servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them);
... أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ...
I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me;
... فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦﴾
let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way.
C194. These verses 186 and 188 are not foreign to the subject of Ramadhan, but emphasize its spiritual aspect.
- Here we are told of Prayer and the nearness of Allah, and
- in 188 we are asked not to "eat up" other people's substance.
2: 186
Asad And if My servants ask thee about Me – behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me; let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way.
Pickthall And when My servant question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them bear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright.
Transliteration Wa iza_ sa'alaka 'iba_di 'anni fa inni qarib(un), ujibu da'watad da_'i iza_ da'a_n(i), fal yastajibu_liwal yu'minu_bi la'allahum yarsyudu_n(a).
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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.
Asad’s Version:
3: 68
Allah’s Name al-Qareeb comes in three formats in the Qur’an:
Alone: “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am Qareeb [near].” [Qur'an, 2:186]
With as-Samee’ (the All-Hearing): “Indeed, He is Hearing and near.” [Qur’an, 34:50]
With al-Mujeeb (the One who responds): “Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.” [Qur’an, 11:61]