4. Sura an-Nisa

Medina 92 [Hijra 4]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلاَّ خَطَئًا...   

4: 92.  Never should a believer kill a believer; but (if it so happens) by mistake, (compensation is due):

C611. Life is absolutely sacred in the Islamic Brotherhood. But mistakes will sometimes happen, as did happen in the melee at Uhud, when some Muslims were killed (being mistaken for the enemy) by Muslims. There was no guilty intention: therefore there was no murder. But all the same, the family of the deceased was entitled to compensation unless they freely remitted it, and in addition it was provided that the unfortunate man who made the mistake should free a believing slave.

Thus a deplorable mistake was made the occasion for winning the liberty of a slave who was a Believer, for Islam discountenances slavery.

The compensation could only be paid if the deceased belonged to a Muslim society or to some people at peace with the Muslim society.

Obviously it could not be paid if, though the deceased was a Believer, his people were at war with the Muslim society: even if his people could be reached, it is not fair to increase the resources of the enemy.

-        If the deceased was himself an enemy at war, obviously the laws of war justify his being killed in warfare unless he surrendered.

-        If the man who took life unintentionally has no means from which to free a believing slave or to give compensation, he must still by an act of strict self-denial (fasting for two whole months running) show that he is cognizant of the grave nature of the deed he has done and sincerely repentant.

I take this to apply to all three cases mentioned: that is, where a Believer killed a Believer unintentionally and the deceased

1.      belonged to the same community as you, or

2.      belonged to a community at war with you, or

3.      belonged to a community in alliance with you.

... وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَئًا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ ...

if one (so) kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave,

... وَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ إِلاَّ أَن يَصَّدَّقُواْ...  

and pay compensation to the deceased's family, unless they remit it freely.

... فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَّكُمْ وَهُوَ مْؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ...  

If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (is enough).

... وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِّيثَاقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةً...  

If he belonged to a people with whom ye have a treaty of mutual alliance, compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed.

... فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ...  

For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah:

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ﴿٩٢﴾

for Allah hath all knowledge and all wisdom.

وَلاَ تَهِنُواْ فِي ابْتِغَاء الْقَوْمِ ...

4: 104. And slacken not in following up the enemy:

... إِن تَكُونُواْ تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمونَ ...

if ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships;

... وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَرْجُونَ ...

but ye have hope from Allah, while they have none.

C620. Religion should be a source of strength and not of weakness in all our affairs.

If we have to struggle hard and suffer hardships, those without faith have to do the same, with this difference, that the man of Faith is full of hope in Allah, whereas the man without Faith has nothing to sustain him.

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٠٤﴾

And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. 

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ إِثْمًا فَإِنَّمَا يَكْسِبُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ...   

4: 111. And if anyone earns sin, he earns it against his own soul:

C624. Kasaba: to earn, to gain, to work for something valuable, to lay up a provision for the future life.

We do a day's labour to earn our livelihood: so in a spiritual sense, whatever good or evil we do in this life, earns us good or evil in the life to come.

In verses 110-112 three cases are considered:

1.      if we do ill and repent, Allah will forgive;

2.     if we do ill and do not repent: thinking that we can hide it, we are wrong; nothing is hidden from Allah, and we shall suffer the full consequences in the life to come, for we can never evade our personal responsibility:

3.     if we do ill, great or small, and impute it to another, our original responsibility for the ill remains, but we add to it something else; for we tie round our necks the guilt of falsehood, which converts even our minor fault into a great sin, and in any case brands us even in this life with shame and ignominy.

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١١١﴾  

for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَآمِنُواْ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ...   

4: 170. O mankind! the Messenger hath come to you in truth from Allah: believe in him: it is best for you.

C674. Allah's solicitude for us is for our own good, not because He gets any advantage from it. For He is independent of all things, and everything declares His glory and praise.

... وَإِن تَكْفُرُواْ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ...  

But if ye reject faith, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth:

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٧٠﴾

and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Other Versions:

4: 92

Pickthall It is not for a believer to kill a believer unless (it be) by mistake. He who hath killed a believer by mistake must set free a believing slave, and pay the blood money to the family of the slain, unless they remit it as a charity. If he (the victim) be of a people hostile unto you, and he is a believer, then (the penance is) to set free a believing slave. And if he cometh of a folk between whom and you there is a covenant, then the blood money must be paid unto his folk and (also) a believing slave must be set free. And whoso hath not the wherewithal must fast two consecutive months. A penance from Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.

Wa ma_ ka_na limu'minin ay yaqtula mu'minan illa_ khat'a_(n), wa man qatala mu'minan khata'an fa tahriru raqabatim mu'minah(Tin), wa in ka_na min qaumim bainakum wa bainahum misa_qun fadiyatum musallamatun ila_ ahlihi wa tahriru raqabatim mu'minah(tin), famal lam yajid fa siya_mu syahraini mutatabi'ain(i), taubatam minalla_h(i), wa ka_nalla_hu'aliman hakima_(n).

4: 104

Pickthall Relent not in pursuit of the enemy. If ye are suffering, lo! they suffer even as ye suffer and ye hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

Transliteration Wa la_ tahinu_ fibtiga_'il qaum(i), in taku_nu_ ta'lamu_na fa innahum ya'lamu_na kama_ ta'lamu_n(a), wa taruju_na minalla_hi ma_ la_ yarju_n(a), wa ka_nalla_hu'aliman hakima_(n).

4: 111

Asad for he who commits a sin, commits it only to his own hurt [note 137; and God is indeed all-knowing, wise.

Pickthall Whoso commits sin commits it only against himself. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

Transliteration Wa may yaksib isman fa innama_ yaksibuhu_ 'ala_ nafsih(i), wa ka_nalla_hu 'aliman hakima_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 137 – Lit., “he who earns a sin, earns it only against himself”. ]]

4: 170

Pickthall O mankind! The messenger hath come unto you with the truth from your Lord. Therefore believe; (it is) better for you. But if ye disbelieve, still, lo! unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhan na_su qad ja_'akumur rasu_lu bil haqqi mir rabbikum fa a_minu_ khairal lakum, wa in takfura_ fa inna lilla_ hi ma_ fis sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), wa ka_nalla_hu 'aliman hakima_(n).

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6. [al-Anam, Cattle Mecca 55]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَتِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَا آتَيْنَاهَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ...

6: 83. That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people:

C902. The spiritual education of Abraham raised him many degrees above his contemporaries, and he as expected to use that knowledge and dignity for preaching the truth among his own people.

...نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاء...

We raise whom We will, degree after degree:

...إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٨٣﴾

for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.

Other Versions:

6: 83

Asad And this was Our argument which We vouchsafed unto Abraham against his people: [for] We do raise by degrees whom We will [note 69]. Verily, your Sustainer is wise, all-knowing.

Pickthall That is Our argument. We gave it unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees of wisdom whom We will. Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.

Transliteration Wa tilka hujjatuna_ a_taina_ha_ ibra_hima 'ala_ qaumih(i), narfa'u daraja_tim man nasya_'(u), inna rabbaka hakimun 'alim(un).

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9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H after Tabuk]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ...   

9: 28.  O ye who believe!

...إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ ...

truly the pagans are unclean;

C1278. Unclean: because Muslims are enjoined to be strict in cleanliness, as well as in purity of mind and heart, so that their word can be relied upon.

... فَلاَ يَقْرَبُواْ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَـذَا...

so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque.

C1279. This year of theirs: there is a two-fold meaning:

1.     now that you have complete control of Makkah and are, charged with the purity of worship there, shut out all impurity from this year:

2.     you have seen how the Pagans have behaved this year; their year of power and misuse of that power may be called their year; it is over, and now you Muslims are responsible.

...وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِن شَاء...

And if ye fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty,

C1280. The concourse in Makkah added to the profits of trade and commerce. "But fear not," we are told: "the Pagans are a waning power, bound to disappear, and you should strengthen your own community, that they may more than counter-balance the apparent loss of custom; and Allah has other means of improving your economic position."

This actually happened. The Pagans were extinguished from Arabia, and the concourse of pilgrims from all parts of the world increased the numbers more than a hundred-fold.

Here is commonsense, wisdom, and statesmanship, even if we look at it from a purely human point of view.

...إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٢٨﴾

for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا...   

9: 60.  Alms are for

-    the poor and the needy,

-    and those employed to administer the (funds);

...وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ...

-    for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth);

-    for those in bondage and in debt;

-    in the Cause of Allah;

-    and for the wayfarer:

C1320. Alms or charitable gifts are to be given to the poor and the needy and those who are employed in their service. That is, charitable, funds are not to be diverted to other uses, but the genuine expenses of administering charity are properly chargeable to such funds.

Who are the needy?

Besides the ordinary indigent, there are certain classes of people whose need is great and should be relieved. Those mentioned here are:

1.     men who have been weaned from hostility to Truth, who would probably be persecuted by their former associates, and require assistance until they establish new connections in their new environment:

2.     those in bondage, literally and figuratively:

captives of war must be redeemed:

slaves should be helped to freedom-,

those in the bondage of ignorance or superstition or unfavorable environment should be helped to freedom to develop their own gifts:

3.     those who are held in the grip of debt should be helped to economic freedom:

4.     those who are struggling and striving in Allah's Cause by teaching or fighting or in duties assigned to them by the Islamic State, who are thus unable to earn their ordinary living: and

5.     strangers stranded on the way.

All these have a claim to charity. They should be relieved by individual or organized effort, but in a responsible way.

In this verse, the word sadaqah refers to obligatory charity (Zakah).

See n. 1318 above. (R).

...فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٦٠﴾

(thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

وَآخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأَمْرِ اللّهِ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَإِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ...   

9: 106. There are (yet) others, held in suspense for the command of Allah, whether He will punish them, or turn in mercy to them:

C1354. Three categories of men are mentioned, whose faith was tested and found wanting in the Tabuk affair, but their characteristics are perfectly general, and we may here consider them in their general aspects:

1.     the deep-dyed hypocrites, who when found out make excuses because otherwise they will suffer ignominy; they are unregenerate and obstinate, and there is no hope for them (9:101);

2.     there are those who have lapsed into evil, but are not altogether evil; they repent and amend, and are accepted (9:102-105); and

3.     there are doubtful cases, but Allah will judge them (9:106). A fourth category is mentioned in ix. 107, which will be discussed later.

... وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿١٠٦﴾ 

and Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.

Other Versions:

9: 28

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God are nothing but impure [note 37]: and so they shall not approach the Inviolable House of Worship from this year onwards [note 38]…….if He so wills [note 39]: for verily, God is all-knowing, wise.

Pickthall O ye who believe! The idolaters only are unclean. So let them not come near the Inviolable Place of Worship after this their year. If ye fear poverty (from the loss of their merchandise) Allah shall preserve you of His bounty if He will. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ innamal musyriku_na najasun fala_ yaqrabul masjidal hara_ma ba'da 'a_mihim ha_za_, wa in khiftum 'ailatan fa saufa yugnikumulla_hu min fadlihi in sya_'(a), innnalla_ha 'alimun hakim(un).

9: 60

Asad The offerings given for the sake of God are [meant] only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof [note 84] and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and [for] those who are overburdened with debts, and [for every struggle] in God’s cause, and [for] t he wayfarer: [this is] and ordinance from God – and God is all-knowing, wise [note 85]

Pickthall The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise.

Transliteration Innamas sadaqa_tu lil fuqara_'i wal masa_kini wal 'a_milina 'alaiha_ wal mu'allafati qulu_buhum wa fir riqa_bi wal ga_rimina wa fi sabililla_hi wabnis sabil(i), faridatam minalla_h(i), walla_hu 'alimun hakim(un).

9: 106

And [there are yet] others – [people whose case are] deferred until God wills to judge them [note 141]………….

Pickthall And (there are) others who await Allah's decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them. Allah is knower, Wise.

Transliteration Wa a_kharu_na murjauna li amrilla_hi imma_ yu'azzibuhum wa imma_ yatu_bu 'alaihim, walla_hu 'alimun hakim(un).

[[ Asad’s note 141 – Lit., “deferred unto God’s decree (amr)” – i.e., kept in abeyance in anticipation of their future repentance. As in the preceding four verses, the people referred to here are, in the first instance, the waverers who stayed away from the campaign of Tabuk, and, by implication, all half-hearted believers who confusedly hover between right and wrong: with the difference however, that whereas the repentant sinners spoken of in verse 102-105 are said to have realized their sinfulness spontaneously, the kind of people referred to in verse 106 have not yet reached the stage of self-examination and repentance, ……..it is possible to discern a subtle connection between this verse and 7:46-47.]]

[[ Ali’s note - 1354 Three categories of men are mentioned, whose faith was tested and found wanting in the Tabuk affair, but their characteristics are perfectly general, and we may here consider them in their general aspects: (1) the deep-dyed hypocrites, who when found out make excuses because otherwise they will suffer ignominy; they are unregenerate and obstinate, and there is no hope for them (ix. 101); (2) there are those who have lapsed into evil, but are not altogether evil; they repent and amend, and are accepted (ix. 102-105); and (3) there are doubtful cases, but Allah will judge them (ix. 106). A fourth category is mentioned in ix. 107, which will be discussed later. (9.106) ]]

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12. Surah Yusuf (Joseph)

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَكَذَلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الأَحَادِيثِ...

12: 6.     "Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of stories (and events)

C1636. If Joseph was to be of the elect, he must understand and interpret Signs and events aright. The imagination of the pure sees truths, which those not so endowed cannot understand. The dreams of the righteous prefigure great events, while the dreams of the futile are mere idle futilities. Even things that happen to us are often like dreams.

The righteous man receives disasters and reverses, not with blasphemies against Allah, but with humble devotion, seeking to ascertain His Will. Not does he receive good fortune with arrogance, but as an opportunity for doing good to friends and foes alike. His attitude to histories and stories is the same; he seeks the edifying material which leads to Allah.

وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَى أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَقَ...

and perfect His favor to thee and to the posterity of Jacob -- even as He perfected it to thy fathers Abraham and Isaac aforetime!

...إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٦﴾

For Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom."

C1637. Whatever happens is the result of Allah's Will and Plan. And He is good and wise, and He knows all things. Therefore we must trust Him.

In Joseph's case he could look back to his fathers, and to Abraham, the True, the Righteous, who through all adversities kept his Faith pure and undefiled, and won through.

قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ...   

12: 83.  Jacob said:

"Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you.

C1756. Jacob was absolutely stunned by the story. He knew his darling little Benjamin too well to believe that he had committed theft. He flatly refused to believe it, and called it a cock-and-bull story, which indeed it was, though not in the sense in which he reproached the nine brothers.

With the eye of faith he saw clearly the innocence of Benjamin, though he did not see every detail of what had happened.

... فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ...

So patience is most fitting (for me).

...عَسَى اللّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا...

Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end):

C1757. With the eye of faith he clung to even a larger hope. Perhaps all three of his lost sons would come back, -Joseph, Benjamin, and Judah. His faith in Allah was unswerving, although alas! the present facts altogether unnerved him. (R).

...إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٨٣﴾

for He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom."

وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ...

12: 100. And he raised his parents high on the throne (of dignity),

C1779. Certainly metaphorically: probably also literally. By Eastern custom the place of honour at a ceremonial reception is on a seat on a dais, with a special cushion of honour, such as is assigned to a bridegroom at his reception.

To show his high respect for his parents, Joseph made them sit on a throne of dignity. On the other hand, his parents and his brothers, -all performed the ceremony of prostration before Joseph in recognition of his supreme rank in Egypt under the Pharaoh. And thus was fulfilled the dream or vision of his youth (12:4 above and n. 1633).

... وَخَرُّواْ لَهُ سُجَّدًا...

and they fell down in prostration (all) before him.

C1779a. The ceremony of prostration for paying respect might have been allowed at the time of previous prophets, but with the advent of the complete and final revelation prostration before anyone other than Allah is a grave sin strictly prohibited. (Eds.).

...وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَـذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا...

He said:

"O my father! this is the fulfillment of my vision of old!

Allah hath made it come true!

...وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بَي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ...

He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison

...وَجَاء بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي...

and brought you (all here) out of the desert, (even) after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers.

C1780. Note how modest Joseph is throughout. The first things he thinks of among Allah's gracious favours to him are:

-        that he was brought out of prison and publicly proclaimed to be honest and virtuous; and

-        that his dear father was restored to him, as well as the brothers who had persecuted him all his life. He will say nothing against them personally. In his husn-i-zann (habit of interpreting everyone and everything in the most favourable and charitable light), he looks upon them as having been misled. It was Satan that set them against him. But now all is rectified by the grace of Allah, to Whom he renders due praise.

...إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاء...

Verily my Lord understandeth best the mysteries of all that He planneth to do:

Latif. see n. 2844 to 22:63;

the fourth meaning mentioned there applies here, with echoes of the other meanings.

...إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٠٠﴾

for verily He is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Other Versions:

12: 6

Asad ……..will thy Sustainer elect thee, and will impart unto thee some understanding of the inner meaning of happenings, and will bestow the full measure of His blessings upon thee and upon the House of Jacob- even as, aforetime, He bestowed it in full measure upon thy forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Verily, thy Sustainer is all-knowing, wise!”

Pickthall Thus thy Lord will prefer thee and will teach thee the interpretation of events, and will perfect his grace upon thee and upon the family of Jacob as he perfected it upon thy forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Lo! thy Lord is Knower, Wise.

Transliteration Wa kaza_lika yajtabika rabbuka wa yu'allimuka min ta'wilil aha_disi wa yutimmu ni'matahu_'alaika wa 'ala_ a_li ya'qu_ba kama_ atammaha_ 'ala_ abawaika min qablu ibra_hima wa isha_q(a), inna ibra_hima 'alimun hakim(un).

12: 83

Pickthall (And when they came unto their father and had spoken thus to him) he said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something. (My course is) comely patience! It may be that Allah will bring them all unto me. Lo! He, only He, is the Knower, the Wise.

Transliteration Qa_la bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amra_(n), fa sabrun jamil(un), 'asallaa_hu ay ya'tiyani bihim jami'a_(n), innahu_ huwal 'alimul hakim(u).

12: 100

Asad ………..and they fell down before Him, prostrating themselves in adoration…….Verily, my Sustainer is unfathomable in [the way He brings about] whatever He wills: verily, He alone is all-knowing, truly wise!

Pickthall And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise.

Yuksel He raised his parents on the throne, and all fell in prostration before Him. He said, "My father, this is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it true, and He has been good to me that he took me out of prison and brought you out of the wilderness after the devil had placed a rift between me and my brothers. My Lord is kind to whom He wills. He is the Knowledgeable, the Wise."

Transliteration Wa rafa'a abawaihi 'alal 'arsyi wa kharru_ lahu_ sujjada_(n), wa qa_la ya_ abati ha_za_ ta'wilu ru'ya_yamin qabl(u), qad ja'alaha_ rabbi haqqa_(n), wa qad ahsana bi iz akhrajani minas sijni wa ja_'a bikum minal badwi mim ba'di an nazagasy syaita_nu baini wa baina ikhwati, inna rabbi latiful lima_ yasya_'(u), innahu_ huwal 'alimul hakim(u).

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22. Sura al-Hajj [Pilgrimage], Medina 103

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ...

22: 52. Never did We send a Messenger or a Prophet before thee,

...إِلَّا إِذَا تَمَنَّى أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ...

but, when he framed a desire, Satan threw some (vanity) into his desire:

C2831. Prophets and messengers (the distinction is explained in n. 2503 to 19:51) are but human. Their actions are righteous and their motives pure. But in judging things from a human point of view, the suggestion may come to their mind (from Satan) that it would be good to have power or wealth or influence for furthering Allah's cause, or that it may be good to conciliate some faction which may be irreconcilable.

In fact, in Allah's Plan, it may be the opposite. Allah, in His mercy and inspiration, will cancel any false or vain suggestions of this kind, and confirm and strengthen His own Commands and make known His Will in His Signs or revelations.

...فَيَنسَخُ اللَّهُ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ...

but Allah will cancel anything (vain) that Satan throws in,

...ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ...

and Allah will confirm (and establish) His Signs:

...وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٥٢﴾

for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom:

C2832. This clause and the similar clause at the end of the next verse are parenthetical.

Other Versions:

22:52

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24. Surah an-Nur, Medina 102

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُم مَّا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا...

24: 16. And why did ye not, when ye heard it, say --

"It is not right of us to speak of this:

...سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٦﴾

Glory to Allah!

this is a most serious slander!"

C2969. The right course would have been to stop any further currency of false slanders by ignoring them and at least refusing to help in their circulation.

The exclamation "Subhanaka", "Praise to Thee (O Allah)", or "Glory to Allah!" is an exclamation of surprise and disavowal as much as to say,

"We do not believe it! And we shall have nothing to do with you, 0 false slanderers!"

يَعِظُكُمُ اللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُوا لِمِثْلِهِ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٧﴾

24: 17. Allah doth admonish you, that ye may never repeat such (conduct), if ye are (true) Believers.

وَيُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ...

24: 18. And Allah makes the Signs plain to you:

...وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿١٨﴾

for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Asad’s Version:

24:16

And [once again]: Why do you not say, whenever you hear such [a rumour], "It does not behoove us to speak of this, O Thou who art limitless in Thy glory: this is an awesome calumny"? 18 '

(24: 17) God admonishes you [hereby] lest you ever revert to the like of this [sin], if you are [truly] believers;

(24: 18) for God makes [His] messages clear unto you - and God is all-knowing, wise! [wallahu alimun hakim]