5. Surah al-Maida, Medina 112
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَّا
الْمَسِيحُ
ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ
...
5: 75. Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger;
... قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ...
many were the Messengers that passed away before him.
... وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ ...
His mother was a woman of truth.
C783. She never claimed that she was a mother of God, or that her son was God. She was a pious virtuous woman.
... كَانَا يَأْكُلاَنِ الطَّعَامَ ...
They had both to eat their (daily) food.
... انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الآيَاتِ ...
See how Allah doth makes His Signs clear to them;
C784. Note how logically the argument has led up from Jewish back-sliding and want of faith, to blasphemies associated with the names of Jesus and Mary, and in the following verses to the worship of senseless stocks and stones.
Allah is One; His Message is one; yet how people's perversity transforms truth into falsehood, religion into superstition!
... ثُمَّ انظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ ﴿٧٥﴾
yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
قُلْ
أَتَعْبُدُونَ
مِن دُونِ اللّهِ
مَا لاَ يَمْلِكُ
لَكُمْ ضَرًّا
وَلاَ نَفْعًا...
5: 76. Say:
Will ye worship, besides Allah, something which hath no power either to harm or benefit you?
... وَاللّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٧٦﴾
But Allah,
He it is that heareth and knoweth all things."
Pickthall’s Version:
5: 75
Pickthall The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how we make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!
Transliteration Mal masihubnu maryama illa_ rasu_l(un), qad khalat min qablihir rusul(u), wa ummuhu_ siddiqah(tun), ka_na_ ya'kula_nit ta'a_m(a), unzur kaifa nubayyinu lahumul a_ya_ti summanzur anna_ yu'faku_n(a).
5: 76
Pickthall Say: Serve ye in place of Allah that which possesseth for you neither hurt nor use? Allah it is Who is the Hearer, the Knower.
Transliteration Qul ata'budu_na min du_nilla_hi ma_ la_ yamliku lakum darraw wa la_ naf'a_(n), walla_hu huwas sami'ul 'alim(u).
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6. [al-Anam, Cattle Mecca 55]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُل
لِّمَن مَّا
فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضِ...
6: 12. Say: "To whom belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth?"
قُل لِلّهِ...
Say:
"To Allah.
كَتَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ ...
He hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy
C844. History, travel, human experience, all prove the Mercy of Allah and the law that without it those who reject Truth tend to lose their own souls and destroy themselves.
... لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ...
that He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment, there is no doubt whatever.
...الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٢﴾
It is they who have lost their own souls, that will not believe.
6: 12
Asad Say: “Unto whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth?” Say: “Unto God, who has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy. [note 10]”
Pickthall Say: Unto whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth? Say: Unto Allah. He hath prescribed for Himself mercy, that He may bring you all together to a Day whereof there is no doubt. Those who ruin their own souls will not believe.
Transliteration Qul limam ma_ fis sama_wa_ti wal ard(i), qul lilla_h(i), kataba 'ala_ nafsihir rahmah(ta), layajma'annakum ila_ yaumil qiya_mati la_ raiba fih(i), allazina khasiru_ anfusahum fahum la_ yu'minu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 10 – The expression “God has willed upon Himself as a law” (kataba ‘ala nafsihi) occurs in the Quran only twice – here and in verse 54 of this surah – and in both instances with reference to His grace and mercy (rahmah); none of the other divine attributes has been similarly described. This exceptional quality of God’s grace and mercy is further stressed in 7:156 – “My grace overspreads everything” – and finds an echo in the authentic Tradition in which, according to the Prophet, God says of Himself, “Verily, My grace and mercy outstrips My wrath” (Bukhari and Muslim). ]]
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6. [al-Anam, Cattle Mecca 55]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلَهُ
مَا سَكَنَ فِي
اللَّيْلِ
وَالنَّهَارِ
...
6: 13. "To Him belongeth all that dwelleth (or lurketh) in the night and the day.
C845. Sakan:
- to dwell;
- to rest, to be still, to stop (moving), to lurk;
- to be quiescent, as a letter which is not moved with a vowel.
If we imagine Night and Day to be places, and each to have (dwelling in them) things that are open and things that are concealed, things that move and things that are still, things that are sounded and things that are quiescent, we get some idea of the imagery implied.
The mystery of Time (which seems more abstract than Space) is thus explained and illustrated by the idea of Place or Space, which also is a notion and not a concrete thing.
But He Who has control of all these things is the one true Allah.
... وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٣﴾
For He is the One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
C846. Throughout this section we have a sort of implied dialogue, of which one part is understood from the other part, which is expressed.
In verse 11, we might have an imagery objector saying: "Why go back to the past?"
The answer is:
"Well, travel through the world, and see whether it is not true that virtue and godliness exalt a nation, and the opposite are causes of ruin. Both the past and the present prove this."
In verse 12 the objector may say: "But you speak of God's power?"
The man of God replies:
"Yes, but Mercy is Allah's own attribute and knowledge and wisdom beyond what man can conceive."
Pickthall’s Version:
6: 13
Pickthall Unto Him belongeth whatsoever resteth in the night and the day. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
Transliteration Wa lahu_ ma_ sakana fil laili wan naha_r(i), wa huwas sami'ul 'alim(u).
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9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H after Tabuk]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الأَعْرَابُ
أَشَدُّ كُفْرًا
وَنِفَاقًا
وَأَجْدَرُ
أَلاَّ يَعْلَمُواْ
حُدُودَ مَا
أَنزَلَ اللّهُ
عَلَى رَسُولِهِ...
9: 97. The Arabs of the desert are the worst in unbelief and hypocrisy,
and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath sent down to His Messenger:
... وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٩٧﴾
but Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
وَمِنَ الأَعْرَابِ
مَن يَتَّخِذُ
مَا يُنفِقُ
مَغْرَمًا
وَيَتَرَبَّصُ
بِكُمُ الدَّوَائِرَ...
9: 98. Some of the desert Arabs Look upon their payments as a fine, and watch for disasters for you:
C1346. The payments refer to the regular Charity established by Islam-the obligatory alms. If you look upon them as a fine or a burden, their virtue is lost.
If you rejoice that you have there an opportunity of helping the Community to maintain its standards of public assistance and to suppress the unseemly beggary and loathsome importunity whose relief is only governed by motives of getting rid of awkward obstacles on the way, then your outlook is entirely different. You wish for organized and effective efforts to solve the problems of human poverty and misery.
In doing so, you get nearer to Allah, and you earn the good wishes and prayers of godly men, led by our Holy Leader Mustafa.
... عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ السَّوْءِ وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٩٨﴾
on them be the disaster of evil:
for Allah is He that heareth and knoweth (all things).
Pickthall’s Version:
9: 97
Pickthall The wandering Arabs are more hard in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be ignorant of the limits which Allah hath revealed unto His messenger. And Allah is knower, Wise.
Transliteration Al a'ra_bu asyaddu kufraw wa nifa_qaw wa ajdaru alla_ ya'lamu_ hudu_da ma_ anzalalla_hu 'ala_ rasu_lih(i), walla_hu 'alimun hakim(un).
9: 98
Pickthall And of the wandering Arabs there is he who taketh that which he expendeth (for the cause of Allah ), as a loss, and awaiteth (evil) turns of fortune for you (that he may be rid of it). The evil turn of fortune will be theirs. Allah is Nearer, Knower.
Transliteration Wa minal a'ra_bi may yattakhizu ma_ yunfiqu magramaw wa yatarabbasu bikumud dawa_'ir(a), 'alaihim da_'iratus sau'(i), walla_hu sami'un 'alim(un).
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4. Sura an-Nisa
Medina 92 [Hijra 4]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاللَّذَانَ
يَأْتِيَانِهَا
مِنكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا
فَإِن تَابَا
...
4: 16. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both.
... وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُواْ عَنْهُمَا...
If they repent and amend, leave them alone;
... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿١٦﴾
for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
Other Versions:
4: 16
Asad And punish both of the guilty parties [note 13] but if they both repent and mend their ways, leave them alone; for, behold, God is an acceptor of repentance, a dispenser of grace [note 14].
Pickthall And as for the two of you who are guilty thereof, punish them both. And if they repent and improve, then let them be. Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.
Transliteration Wallaza_ni ya'tiya_niha_ minkum fa a_zu_huma_, fa in ta_ba_ wa aslaha_ fa a'ridu_ 'anhuma_, innalla_ha ka_na tawwa_bar rahima_(n).
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9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H after Tabuk]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَآخَرُونَ
اعْتَرَفُواْ
بِذُنُوبِهِمْ
خَلَطُواْ
عَمَلاً صَالِحًا
وَآخَرَ سَيِّئًا...
9: 102. Others (there are who) have acknowledged their wrongdoings:
they have mixed an act that was good with another that was evil.
C1352. There were some whose will was weak and succumbed to evil, although there was much good in them. To them is held out the promise of forgiveness if they would repent and undertake all acts of Muslim charity, which would purify their souls, aided by the prayers of Allah's Messenger. Then would they get the Peace that comes from purity and right conduct.
... عَسَى اللّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ...
Perhaps Allah will turn unto them (in mercy):
... إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٠٢﴾
for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
خُذْ مِنْ
أَمْوَالِهِمْ
صَدَقَةً
تُطَهِّرُهُمْ
وَتُزَكِّيهِم
بِهَا وَصَلِّ
عَلَيْهِمْ ...
9: 103. Of their goods take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them;
and pray on their behalf.
... إِنَّ صَلاَتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ ...
Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them:
... وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٠٣﴾
and Allah is One who heareth and knoweth.
أَلَمْ
يَعْلَمُواْ
أَنَّ اللّهَ
هُوَ يَقْبَلُ
التَّوْبَةَ
عَنْ عِبَادِهِ
وَيَأْخُذُ
الصَّدَقَاتِ...
9: 104. Know they not that Allah doth accept repentance from His votaries and receives their gifts of charity,
... وَأَنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴿١٠٤﴾
and that Allah is verily He, the Oft-Returning, Most-Merciful?
Other Versions:
9: 102
Asad And [there are] others [note 135] –[people who ] have become conscious of their sinning after having done righteous deeds side by side with evil ones [note 136]; [and] it may well be that God will accept their repentance: for verily, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
Pickthall And (there are) others who have acknowledged their faults. They mixed a righteous action with another that was bad. It may be that Allah will relent toward them. Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.
Transliteration Wa a_kharu_na-'tarafu_ bi zunu_bihim khalatu_ 'amalan sa_lihaw wa a_khara sayyi'a_(n), 'asalla_hu ayyatu_ba 'alaihim, innalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).
[[ Asad’s note 135 – I.e., neither believers in the full sense of the word not hypocrites, but half-hearted, confused waverers between right and wrong, or between truth and falsehood.]]
[[ Ali’s notes:
1352 There were some whose will was weak and succumbed to evil, although there was much good in them. To them is held out the promise of forgiveness if they would repent and undertake all acts of Muslim charity, which would purify their souls, aided by the prayers of Allah's Messenger. Then would they get the Peace that comes from purity and right conduct. (9.102)]]
9: 103
Asad [Hence, O Prophet,] accept that [part] of their possessions which is offered for the sake of God [note 137], so that thou mayest cleanse them thereby and cause them to grow in purity, and pray for them: behold, thy prayer will be [a source of] comfort to then – for God is all-hearing, all-knowing
Pickthall Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
Transliteration Khuz min amwa_lihim sadaqatan tutahhiruhum wa tuzakkihim biha_ wa salli 'alaihim, inna sala_taka sakanul lahum, walla_hu sami'un 'alim(un).
9: 104
Asad Do they not know that it is God alone who can accept that repentance of His servants [ [note 138]……….-and God alone is an acceptor of repentance, a dispenser of grace?
Pickthall Know they not that Allah is He Who accepteth repentance from His bondmen and taketh the alms, and that Allah is He Who is the Relenting, the Merciful.
Transliteration Alam ya'lamu_ annalla_ha huwa yaqbalut taubata 'an 'iba_dihi wa ya'khuzus sadaqa_ti wa annalla_ha huwat tawwa_bur rahim(un).
[[ Asad’s note 138 – Lit., “who accepts repentance from His servants”: thus pointing out that no human being, not even the Prophet, has power to absolve a sinner of his guild (Manar XI, 32). A prophet can do more than pray to God that He forgive the sinners.]