Trivial Gains of Life

2: 79

Asad Woe, then, unto those who write down, with their own hands, [something which they claim to be] divine writ, and then say, “This is from God,” in order to acquire a trifling gain thereby; (note 64) woe, then, unto them for what their hands have written, and woe unto them for all that they may have gained!

Yusuf Ali Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say: "This is from Allah" to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby.

Pickthall Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ lan tamassanan na_ru illa_ ayya_mam ma'du_dah(tan), qul attakhaztum 'indalla_hi 'ahdan fa lay yukhlifalla_hu 'ahdahu_ am taqu_lu_na 'alalla_hi ma_ la_ ta'lamu_n(a).

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[ Ruby’s note: Here the “woe” is not mentioned for those who are ignorant and do not know any better, the “woe” is mentioned for those who knows and deliberately change the word of God and mislead the ignorant ones. The degrees of failure and corresponding punishments are not the same for these two groups, the punishment is severe for the later. [see verse 81 below and notes]

[ Asad’s note 64: The reference here is to the scholars responsible for corrupting the text of the Bible and thus misleading their ignorant followers. The “trifling gain” is their feeling of pre-eminence as the alleged “chosen people”. ]

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6:130 [al-Anam, Cattle, Mecca 55]

Asad [And thus will God continue:] “O you who have lived in close communion with [evil] invisible beings and [like-mined] humans! Have there not come unto you apostles from among yourselves, who conveyed unto you My messages and warned you of the coming of this your Day [of Judgment]?” ……..

Yusuf Ali O ye assembly of Jinns and men! came there not unto you apostles from amongst you setting forth unto you of the meeting of this day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves." It was the life of this world that deceived them. So against themselves will they bear witness that they rejected faith.

Pickthall O ye assembly of the jinn and humankind! Came there not unto you messengers of your own who recounted unto you My tokens and warned you of the meeting of this your Day? They will say: We testify against ourselves. And the life of the world beguiled them. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Transliteration Ya_ ma'syaral jinni wal insi alam ya'tikum rusulum minkum yaqussu_na 'alaikum a_ya_ti wa yunziru_nakum liqa_'a yaumikum ha_za_, qa_lu_ syahidna_ 'ala_ anfusina_ wa garrathumul haya_tud dunya_ wa syahidu_ 'ala_ anfusihim annahum ka_nu_ ka_firin(a).

[[ Ruby’s Note – Who are Jinns? Here it is mentioned that the prophets are sent among both of these groups of Jinns and men? Are they humans ?]]

8: 67 [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2H]

Asad It does not behove a prophet to keep captives unless he has battled strenuously on earth [note 72]. You may desire the fleeting gains of this world – but God desires [for you the good of ] the life to come and God is almighty, wise.

Yusuf Ali It is not fitting for an apostle that he should have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the hereafter; and Allah is Exalted in might Wise.

Pickthall It is not for any Prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Ma_ ka_na linabiyyin ay yaku_na lahu_ asra_ hatta_ yuskhina fil ard(i), turidu_na 'aradad dunya_, walla_hu yuridul a_khirah(ta), walla_hu 'azizun hakim(un).