17. [al-Israa, Mecca 50 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُلِ ادْعُواْ اللّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ...   

17: 110. Say:

"Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman:

C2321. Cf. 7:180.

Rahman describes one of the attributes of Allah, -His grace and Mercy which come to the sinner even before he feels conscious of the need of it,- the preventive Grace which saves Allah's servants from sin. See n. 19 to 1:1.

Allah can be invoked, either by His simple name, which includes all attributes, or by one of the names implying the attributes by which we try to explain His nature to our limited understanding. The attribute of Mercy in Rahman was particularly repugnant to the Pagan Arabs (see 25:60, and 21:36): that is why special stress is laid on it in the Quran. (R).

...أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى ...

by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.

C2322. These Beautiful Names of Allah are many. The Hadith related by Tirmizi, accepted by some as authentic, mentions 99 names of Allah.

Qadhi Muhammad Sulaiman has published an Urdu monograph on the subject, published by the Daftar Rahmatun-lil-'Alamin Patiala, 1930. Those who wish to see a poetic Commentary on the names in the form of stories in English may consult Sir Edwin Arnold's Pearls of the Faith.

Sir Edwin's stories are of unequal merit, but a fine example is furnished by No. 4, al-Malik. "The King". (R).

...وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاَتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً ﴿١١٠﴾

Neither speak thy Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between."

C2323. Cf. 7:205.

All prayer should be pronounced with earnestness and humility, whether it is congregational prayer or the private outpouring of one's own soul.

Such an attitude is not consistent with an over-loud pronunciation of the words, though in public prayers the standard of permissible loudness is naturally higher than in the case of private prayer.

In public prayers, of course, the Azan or call to prayer will be in a loud voice to be heard near and far, but the chants from the Sacred Book should be neither so loud as to attract the hostile notice of those who do not believe not so low in tone as not to be heard by the whole congregation.

Pickthall’s Version:

17: 110

Pickthall Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same). His are the most beautiful names. And thou (Muhammad), be not loud voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between.

Transliteration Wa qulil hamdu lilla_hil lazi lam yattakhiz waladaw wa lam yakul lahu_ syarikun fil mulki wa lam yakul lahu_ waliyyum minaz zulli wa kabbirhu takbira_(n).