16. Sura al-Nahl, Mecca 70
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاللّهُ
يَعْلَمُ مَا
تُسِرُّونَ
وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ﴿١٩﴾
16: 19. And Allah doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal.
وَالَّذِينَ
يَدْعُونَ مِن
دُونِ اللّهِ
لاَ يَخْلُقُونَ
شَيْئًا وَهُمْ
يُخْلَقُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾
16: 20. Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created.
C2043. Allah is the only Creator and the Ultimate Reality. Everything else is created by Him, and reflects His glory. How foolish then to worship any other than Allah!
لاَ جَرَمَ
أَنَّ اللّهَ
يَعْلَمُ مَا
يُسِرُّونَ
وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ...
16: 23. Undoubtedly Allah doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal:
C2046. Cf. 16:19, where the same words refer to man generally.
Whether he conceals or reveals what is in his heart, Allah knows it, and as Allah is Oft-Forgiving. Most Merciful, His grace is available as His highest favour if man will take it.
Here the reference is to those who "refuse to know", who reject Allah's guidance out of arrogance. Allah"loveth not the arrogant". Such men deprive themselves of Allah's grace.
... إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ ﴿٢٣﴾
verily He loveth not the arrogant.
16: 19
Pickthall And Allah knoweth that which ye keep hidden and that which ye proclaim.
Transliteration Walla_hu ya'lamu ma_ tusirru_na wa ma_ tu'linu_n(a).
16: 20
Pickthall Those unto whom they cry beside Allah created naught, but are themselves created.
Transliteration Wallazina yad'u_na min du_nilla_hi la_ yakhluqu_na syai'aw wa hum yukhlaqu_n(a).
16: 23
Asad Truly, God knows all they keep secret as well as all that they bring into the open – [and,] behold, He does not love those who are given to arrogance,
Pickthall Assuredly Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden and that which they proclaim. Lo! He loveth not the proud.
Transliteration La_ jarama annalla_ha ya'lamu ma_ yusirru_na wa ma_ yu'linu_n(a), innahu_ la_ yuhibbul mustakbirin(a).
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17. [al-Israa, Mecca 50 ]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلاَ تَمْشِ
فِي الأَرْضِ
مَرَحًا...
17: 37. Nor walk on the earth with insolence:
C2223. Insolence, or arrogance, or undue elation at our powers or capacities, is the first step to many evils. Besides, it is unjustified.
All our gifts are from Allah.
...إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ الأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ الْجِبَالَ طُولاً ﴿٣٧﴾
for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.
Other Versions:
17: 37
Pickthall And walk not in the earth exultant. Lo! thou canst not rend the earth, nor canst thou stretch to the height of the hills.
Transliteration Wa la_ tamsyi fil ardi maraha_(n), innaka lan takhriqal arda wa lan tablugal jiba_la tu_la_(n).
[ Ali’s note: 2223 Insolence, or arrogance, or undue elation at our powers or capacities, is the first step to many evils. Besides, it is unjustified. All our gifts are from Allah. ]
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10. Surah Yunus, Mecca 51
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا تَكُونُ
فِي شَأْنٍ
وَمَا تَتْلُو
مِنْهُ مِن
قُرْآنٍ...
10: 61. In whatever business thou mayest be, and whatever portion thou mayest be reciting from the Qur'án --
...وَلاَ تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلاَّ كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ...
and whatever deed ye (mankind) may be doing --
We are Witnesses thereof when ye are deeply engrossed therein.
...وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاء...
Nor is hidden from thy Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven.
...وَلاَ أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَلِكَ وَلا أَكْبَرَ إِلاَّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٦١﴾
And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear Record.
C1450. There is nothing that men can do but Allah is a witness to it. We may be deeply engrossed in some particular thing and for the time being be quite unconscious of other things. But Allah's knowledge not only comprehends all things, but has all things actively before it.
Nothing is hidden from Him. And His knowledge has another quality which human knowledge has not.
Human knowledge is subject to time, and is obliterated by time. Allah's knowledge is like a Record and endures for ever. And His Record has a further quality which human records have not. The most permanent human record may be quite intelligible to those who make it but may be ambiguous to others and may become unintelligible with the progress of time, as happens almost invariably to the most enduring inscriptions from very ancient times: but in Allah's "Record" or knowledge there is no ambiguity, for it is independent of time, or place, This is the force of Mubin ("clear") here.
Other Versions:
10: 61
Pickthall And thou (Muhammad) art not occupied with any business and thou recitest not a lecture from this (Scripture), and ye ( mankind) perform no act, but We are Witness of you when ye are engaged therein. And not an atom's weight in the earth or in the sky escapeth your Lord, nor what is less than that or greater than that, but it is (written) in a clear Book.
Yuksel You do not engage in any business, nor do you recite any from the Quran, nor do you do any work; without us being witnesses over you when you undertake it. Nothing is hidden from your Lord, not even an atom’s weight on earth or in the heavens, nor smaller than that nor larger, but is in a clear book.
Transliteration Wa ma_ taku_nu fi sya'niw wa ma_ tatlu_ minhu min qur'a_niw wa la_ ta'malu_na min 'amalin illa_ 'alaikum syuha_dan iz tufidu_na fih(i), wa ma_ ya'zubu 'ar rabbika mim misqa_li zarratin fil ardi wa la_ fis sama_'i wa la_ asgara min za_lika wa la_ akbara illa_ fi kita_bim mubin(in).
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11. Surah Hud, Mecca 52
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
مِن دَآبَّةٍ
فِي الأَرْضِ
إِلاَّ عَلَى
اللّهِ رِزْقُهَا...
11: 6. There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on Allah:
C1498. Cf. 6:59.
Nothing happens in Creation except by the Word of Allah and with the knowledge of Allah. Not a leaf stirs but by His Will, Its maintenance in every sense is dependent on His Will.
...وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا ...
He knoweth the time and place of its temporary deposit:
C1499. Mustaqarr: definite abode; where a thing stops or stays for some time, where it is established.
Mustauda: where a thing is laid up or deposited for a little while. Referring to animals,
- the former denotes its life on this earth;
- the latter its temporary pre-natal existence in the egg or the womb and its after-death existence in the tomb or whatever state it is in until its resurrection.
... كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٦﴾
all is in a clear Record.
C1500. Cf. 6:59 and n. 880, and 10:61 and n. 1450.
Other Versions:
11: 6
Asad ……….all [this is laid down in [His] clear decree.
Pickthall And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah. He knoweth its habitation and its repository. All is in a clear record.
Yuksel There is not a creature on earth except that its provision is due from God. He knows their habitat and their depository. All is in a clear record.*
Transliteration Wa ma_ min da_bbatin fil ardi illa_ 'alalla_hi rizquha_ wa ya'lamu mustaqarraha_ wa mustauda'aha_, kullun fi kita_bim mubin(in).
[[ Asad’s note 9 -
[[Yuksel’s note -
011:006 Starvation and famine are the consequences of ignorance, wars, laziness, monopoly, myopic selfishness, dictatorship, wasting natural resources, injustice, and apathy. Communities that follow God's system have little chance of experiencing famine and starvation. See 17:31. ]]
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13. Surah Ar Ra'd, Medina 96
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
عَالِمُ
الْغَيْبِ
وَالشَّهَادَةِ
الْكَبِيرُ
الْمُتَعَالِ ﴿٩﴾
13: 9. He knoweth the Unseen and that which is open:
He is the Great, the Most High.
C1814. A verse of matchless rhythm in Arabic.
سَوَاء
مِّنكُم مَّنْ
أَسَرَّ الْقَوْلَ
وَمَن جَهَرَ
بِهِ...
13: 10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly;
...وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌ بِالنَّهَارِ ﴿١٠﴾
whether he lie hid by night or walk freely by day.
C1815. Our most hidden thoughts and motives are known to Him at all times.
لَهُ
مُعَقِّبَاتٌ
مِّن بَيْنِ
يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ
خَلْفِهِ
يَحْفَظُونَهُ
مِنْ أَمْرِ
اللّهِ...
13: 11. For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him:
they guard him by command of Allah.
C1816. See last verse.
Every person, whether he conceals or reveals his thoughts, whether he skulks in darkness or goes about by day, -all are under Allah's watch and ward. His grace encompasses everyone, and again and again protects him, if he will only take the protection, from harm and evil.
If in his folly he thinks he can secretly take some pleasure or profit, he is wrong, for recording angels record all his thoughts and deeds.
...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ...
Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls).
C1817. Allah is not intent on punishment. He created man virtuous and pure; he gave him intelligence and knowledge; he surrounded him with all sorts of instruments of His grace and mercy.
If, in spite of all this, man distorts his own will and goes against Allah's Will, yet is Allah's forgiveness open to him if he will take it.
It is only when he has made his own sight blind and changed his own nature or soul away from the beautiful mould in which Allah formed it, that Allah's Wrath will descend on him and the favourable position in which Allah placed him will be changed.
When once the punishment comes, there is no turning it back. None of the things which he relied upon- other than Allah-can possibly protect him.
...وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلاَ مَرَدَّ لَهُ...
But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back,
...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ ﴿١١﴾
nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
هُوَ الَّذِي
يُرِيكُمُ
الْبَرْقَ
خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ...
13: 12. It is He Who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope:
C1818. Here then is the climax to the answer of the sarcastic challenge of the Unbelievers for punishment, in language of great sublimity.
- Why look to evil rather than to good?
- to punishment rather than to mercy?
- to the fear in the force and fire of the lightning rather than to the hope of good and abundant crops in the rain which will come behind the lightning clouds?
... وَيُنْشِىءُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ ﴿١٢﴾
it is He Who doth raise up the clouds, heavy with (fertilizing) rain!
Other Versions:
13: 9
Pickthall He is the Knower of the invisible and the visible, the Great, the High Exalted.
Yuksel The knower of the unseen and the seen, the Great, the most High.
Transliteration 'A_limul gaibi wasy syaha_datil kabirul muta'a_l(i).
13: 10
Pickthall Alike of you is he who hideth the saying and he who noiseth it abroad, he who lurketh in the night and he who goeth freely in the daytime.
Yuksel It is the same whether any of you conceals the word or openly declares it; whether he is hiding in the night or going openly in the day.
Transliteration Sawa_'um minkum man asarral qaula wa man jahara bihi wa man huwa mustakhfim bil laili wa sa_ribum bin naha_r(i).
13: 11
Pickthall For him are angels ranged before him and behind him who guard him by Allah's command. Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him.
Yuksel Will to Change the Condition of the Society
As if he has followers in his presence and behind him guarding him from God's command! God is not to change what is in a people until they change what is within themselves. If God wanted to harm a people, then there is no turning Him back, nor will they have any protector against Him.*
Transliteration Lahu_ mu'aqqiba_tum mim baini yadaihi wa min khalfihi yahfazu_nahu_ min amrilla_h(i), innalla_ha la_ yugayyiru ma_ bi qaumin hatta_ yugayyiru_ ma_ bi anfusihim, wa iza_ ara_dalla_hu bi qaumin sa_'an fala_ maradda lah(u_), wa ma_ lahum min du_nihi miw wa_l(in).
[[Yuksel’s note-
013:011 This verse is traditionally rendered as "For each there are succeeding angels, before and behind him, guarding him by God's command." However, the context of the verse led us to prefer a different understanding. ]]
[[ Ali’s notes: -
1817 Allah is not intent on punishment. He created man virtuous and pure; he gave him intelligence and knowledge; He surrounded him with all sorts of instruments of His grace and mercy. If, in spite of all this, man distorts his own will and goes against Allah's Will, yet is Allah's forgiveness open to him if he will take it. It is only when he has made his own sight blind and changed his own nature or soul away from the beautiful mould in which Allah formed it, that Allah's Wrath will descend on him and the favourable position in which Allah placed him will be changed. When once the punishment comes, there is no turning it back. None of the things which he relied upon- other than Allah-can possibly protect him. (13.11)]]
13: 12
Pickthall He it is Who showeth you the lightning, a fear and a hope, and raiseth the heavy clouds.
Yuksel He is the One who shows you the lightning, giving you fear and hope. He establishes the heavy clouds.
Transliteration Huwal lazi yurikumul barqa khaufaw wa tama'aw wa yunsyi'us saha_bas siqa_l(a).
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14. Surah Ibrahim, Mecca 72
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
رَبَّنَا
إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ
مَا نُخْفِي
وَمَا نُعْلِنُ...
14: 38. "O our Lord!
truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal:
...وَمَا يَخْفَى عَلَى اللّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاء ﴿٣٨﴾
for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven.
C1916. In Abraham's prophetic mind was the secret and open enmity or contempt which the Children of Israel were to have for the Children of Isma'il (Arabs). He prays to Allah that they may be united in Islam, as indeed they were, except a small remnant.
Pickthall’s Version:
14: 38
Pickthall Our Lord! Lo! Thou knowest that which we hide and that which we proclaim. Nothing in the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah.
Transliteration Rabbana_ innaka ta'lamu ma_ nukhfi wa ma_ nu'lin(u), wa ma_ yakhfa_ 'alalla_hi min syai'in fil ardi wa la_ fis sama_'(i).
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20. Sura Taha, Mecca 45
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِن
تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ
فَإِنَّهُ
يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ
وَأَخْفَى ﴿٧﴾
20: 7. If thou pronounce the word aloud, (it is no matter): for verily He knoweth what is secret and what is yet more hidden.
C2538. There are two or three implications.
- Whatever you profess, or say aloud, gives no information to Allah: He knows not only what is secret and perhaps unknown to others, but what people take special care to conceal.
- It does you no good to make insincere professions: your hidden motives are known to Him, Who alone matters.
- If you read the Word of Allah, or if you pray to Allah, it is not necessary to raise your voice: in either case, Allah will judge you by your inner thoughts which are like an open book to Him.
يَعْلَمُ
مَا بَيْنَ
أَيْدِيهِمْ
وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ...
20: 110. He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them:
The slight difference in phraseology (which I have tried to preserve in the Translation) will be understood as a beauty when we reflect that here our attention is directed to the Day of Judgment, and in 2:255 the wording is general, and applies to our present state also.
...وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِ عِلْمًا ﴿١١٠﴾
but they shall not compass it with their knowledge.
Asad’s Version:
(20:7) And if thou say anything aloud, [He hears it - ] since, behold, He knows [even] the secret [thoughts of man] as well as all that is yet more hidden [within him]. 4
(20:110) [for] He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them,' 3 whereas they cannot encompass Him with their knowledge.
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21. [al-Anbiyaa, Mecca 73]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَعْلَمُ
مَا بَيْنَ
أَيْدِيهِمْ
وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ...
21: 28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them,
...وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى...
and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable,
C2688. Cf. 20:109. Those who have conformed to the Will of Allah and obeyed His Law, thus winning the stamp of His approval.
...وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ ﴿٢٨﴾
and they stand in awe and reverence of His (glory).
C2689. They: the usual interpretation refers the pronoun to the servants of Allah who intercede:
it may also refer to those on whose behalf intercession is made: they do not take it as a matter of course, but stand in due awe and reverence of Allah's great glory and mercy.
Asad’s Version:
21:28
He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them:" hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already) graced with His goodly acceptance, 37 since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him.
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27. Surah An-Naml (The Ants)
Mecca Period 48
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَلَّا
يَسْجُدُوا
لِلَّهِ الَّذِي
يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ
فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضِ...
27:25. "(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth,
...وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ﴿٢٥﴾
and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.
Asad’s Version:
(27:25) [for they have come to believe] that they ought not to adore God 20 - [although it is He] who brings forth all that is hidden in the heavens and on earth, 21 and knows all that you would conceal as well as all that you bring into the open
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27. An-Naml (The Ants)
Mecca Period 48
Asad’s Version:
(27:74) But, verily, thy Sustainer knows all that their hearts conceal as welt
as all that they bring into the open:
(27:75) for there is nothing [so deeply] hidden in the
heavens or on earth but is recorded in (His] clear decree.
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِنَّ
رَبَّكَ لَيَعْلَمُ
مَا تُكِنُّ
صُدُورُهُمْ
وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
﴿٧٤﴾
27: 74. And verily thy Lord knoweth all that their hearts do hide, as well as all that they reveal.
وَمَا
مِنْ غَائِبَةٍ
فِي السَّمَاء
وَالْأَرْضِ
إِلَّا فِي
كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
﴿٧٥﴾
27: 75. Nor is there aught of the Unseen, in heaven or earth, but is (recorded) in a clear record.
C3308. Cf. 22:70, 36:12, 57:22. [Eds].
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28. Al-Qasas, (The Story)
Mecca Period 49
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
28:68. Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases:
C3397. As He pleases: according to His own Will and Plan.
Allah is not dependent on other people for advice or help. He has no partners. All creation is an act of His Will, and no one can direct Him how or why certain things should be, because He is supreme in wisdom and knowledge.
He chooses His messengers also by His own unfettered choice. Inspiration or spiritual knowledge and dignity cannot be judged of by our relative or temporary standards. Worldly greatness or even wisdom do not necessarily go with spiritual insight.
...مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ ...
no choice have they (in the matter):
...سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ﴿٦٨﴾
Glory to Allah!
and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!
وَرَبُّكَ
يَعْلَمُ
مَا تُكِنُّ
صُدُورُهُمْ
وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
﴿٦٩﴾
28:69. And thy Lord knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they reveal.
C3398. Men may form all sorts of vain wishes or conceal their designs. But Allah's Will is supreme, and nothing can withstand its fulfilment.
وَهُوَ
اللَّهُ
لَا إِلَهَ
إِلَّا هُوَ...
28:70. And He is Allah:
there is no god but He.
...لَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْأُولَى وَالْآخِرَةِ...
To him be praise, at the first and at the last:
...وَلَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾
or Him is the Command, and to Him shall ye (all) be brought back.
Asad’s Version:
28:68 AND [thus it is:] thy Sustainer creates whatever He wills; and He chooses [for mankind] whatever is best for them. 74 Limitless is God in His glory, and sublimely exalted above anything to which they may ascribe a share in His divinity!
(28:69) And thy Sustainer knows all that their hearts conceal as well as all that they bring into the open:
(28:70) for He is God, save whom there is no deity. Unto Him all praise is due, at the beginning and at the end [of time] ; 75 and with Him rests all judgment; and unto Him shall you all be brought back.
28:71 Say: "Have you ever considered [this]: If God had willed that there should always be night about you, without break, until the Day of Resurrection - is there any deity other than God that could bring you light? 76 Will you not, then, listen [to the truth]?"