God is Responsive with Humans
2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذَا
سَأَلَكَ 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.
Pickthall’s Version:
2: 186
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 Uhilla lakum lailatas siya_mir rafasu ila_ nisa_'ikum, hunna liba_sul lakum wa antum liba_sul lahunn(a), 'alimalla_hu annakum kuntum takhta_nu_na anfusakum fa ta_ba 'alaikum wa 'afa_ 'ankum, fal a_na ba_syiru_hunna wab tagu_ ma_ kataballa_hu lakum wa kulu_ was rabu_ hatta yatabayyana lakumul khaitul abyadu minal khaitil aswadi minal fajr(i), summa atimmus siya_ma ilal lail(i), wa la_ tuba_syiru_hunna wa antum 'a_kifu_n(a), fil masa_jid(i), tilka hudu_dulla_hi fala_ taqrabu_ha_, kaza_lika yubayyinulla_hu a_ya_tihi lin na_si la'allahum yattaqu_n(a).
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11. Surah Hud, Mecca 52
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِلَى
ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ
صَالِحًا...
61. To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren.
C1556. The story of Salih and the Thamud people has been told from another point of view in 7:73-79. The difference in the point of view there and here is the same as in the story of Hud: see n. 1545 to 11:50.
Note how the story now is the same, and yet new points and details are brought out to illustrate each new argument.
Note, also, how the besetting sin of the 'Ad-pride and obstinacy -is distinguished from the besetting sin of the Thamud- the oppression of the poor, as illustrated by the test case and symbol of the She-camel: see n. 1044 to 7:73.
All sin is in a sense pride and rebellion; yet sins take particular hues in different circumstances, and these colours are brought out as in a most artistically painted picture-with the greatest economy of words and the most piercing analysis of motives.
For the locality and history of the Thamud see n. 1043 t0 7:73.
...قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـهٍ غَيْرُهُ...
He said:
"O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him.
...هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا ...
It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein:
C1557. For Anshaa as process of creation see n. 923 to 6:98 and the further references given there.
As to his body, man has been produced from earth or clay, and his settlement on earth is a fact of his material existence. Therefore we must conform to all the laws of our physical being, in order that through our life on this earth we may develop that higher Life which belongs to the other part of our being, our spiritual heritage. Through the use we make of our health, of our tilth, of our pastures, of material facts of all kinds, will develop our moral and spiritual nature.
... فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ...
then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance):
...إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ ﴿٦١﴾
for my Lord in (always) near, ready to answer."
11: 61
Pickthall And unto (the tribe of) Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: O my people! Serve Allah, Ye have no other God save Him. He brought you forth from the earth and hath made you husband it. So ask forgiveness of Him and turn unto Him repentant. Lo, my Lord is Nigh, Responsive.
Asad …………..He brought you into being out of the earth, and made you thrive thereon. ……..for, verily, my Sustainer is ever-near, responding [to the call of whoever calls unto Him]!
[see note 88 and 89 : ……..This is evidently also the meaning of the Quranic references to man as “created out of dust” (cf. 3: 59, 18: 37, 22: 5, and 30: 20 ) ]
Transliteration Wa ila_ samu_da akha_hum sa_liha_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi-'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), huwa ansya'akum minal ardi wa-sta'marakum fiha_ fa-stagfiru_hu summa tu_bu_ ilaih(i), inna rabbi qaribum mujib(un).