7. Surah al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قَالُواْ
أُوذِينَا
مِن
قَبْلِ
أَن
تَأْتِينَا
وَمِن
بَعْدِ
مَا
جِئْتَنَا...
7: 129. They said:
"We have had (nothing but) trouble, both before and after thou comest to us."
C1086. There is a slight note of querulous-ness in the people's answer. But Moses allays it by his own example and courage, and his vision of the future: which was amply fulfilled in time.
See verse 137 below.
...قَالَ عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُهْلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفَكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ...
He said:
"It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth;
C1087. The Israelites, despised and enslaved, were to be rescued and made rulers in Palestine. David and Solomon were great kings and played a notable part in history.
But the greatness of Israel was conditional: they were to be judged by their deeds. When they fell from grace, other people were given honour and power. And so it came to be the turn of the Muslims, and so on. Allah gives His gifts to those who are righteous and obey His Law.
...فَيَنظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٢٩﴾
that so He may try you by your deeds."
قَالَ
أَغَيْرَ
اللّهِ
أَبْغِيكُمْ
إِلَـهًا...
7: 140. He said:
"Shall I seek for you a god other than the (true) Allah,
...وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٤٠﴾
when it is Allah who hath endowed you with gifts above the nations?"
وَإِذْ
أَنجَيْنَاكُم
مِّنْ
آلِ
فِرْعَونَ
يَسُومُونَكُمْ
سُوَءَ
الْعَذَابِ...
7: 141. And remember, We rescued you from Pharaoh's people, who afflicted you with the worst of penalties,
...يُقَتِّلُونَ أَبْنَاءكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَاءكُمْ...
who slew your male children and saved alive your females:
...وَفِي ذَلِكُم بَلاء مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٤١﴾
in that was a momentous trial from your Lord.
C1099. This is Allah's reminder to Israel through the mouth of Moses. There was a double trial:
1. while the bondage lasted, the people were to learn patience and constancy in the midst of affliction:
2. when they were rescued, they were to learn humility; justice, and righteous deeds of prosperity.
Others version:
7: 129
Asad [But the children of Israel] said: “We have suffered hurt ere you came to us and since you have come to us [note 93].” [Moses] replied: “It may well your Sustainer will destroy your foe and make you inherit the earth: and thereupon he will behold how you act [note 94].”
Pickthall They said : We suffered hurt before thou camest unto us, and since thou hast come unto us. He said: it may be that your Lord is going to destroy your adversary and make you viceroys in the earth, that He may see how ye behave.
Transliteration Qa_lu_ u_zina_ min qabli an ta'tiyana_ wa mim ba'di ma_ ji'tana_, qa_la 'asa_ rabbukum ay yuhlika 'aduwwakum wa yastakhlifakum fil ardi fa yanzura kaifa ta'malu_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 93 – This is, in the above context, the first hint of the inconsistency and weakness of faith of which the Quran so often blames t he children of Israel: and this, together with what follows in verses 138-140 and 148 ff., is the reason why the story of Moses has been included here among the stories of the earlier prophets whose warnings were neglected by their communities.
Note 94 – I.e., “He will judge you by your actions”. As is evident from the reference, in verse 137 below, to the “patience in adversity” which the children of Israel subsequently displayed, it would seem that the hope held out to them by Moses helped them, once again, to overcome their moral weakness; but, at the same time, his worlds “God will behold how you act” imply a distinct warning.]
7: 140
Asad [And] he said: “Am I to seek for you a deity other than God, although it is He who has favored you above all other people? [note 102]
Pickthall He said : Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah when He hath favored you above (all) creatures?
Transliteration Qa_la agairalla_hi abgikum ila_haw wa huwa faddalakum 'alal 'a_lamin(a).
7: 141
Asad And [he reminded them of this word of God]: Lo, We saved you from Pharaoh’s people who afflicted you with cruel suffering, slaying your sons in great numbers and sparing [only] your women – which was an awesome trial from your Sustainer [note 103].”
Pickthall And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh's folk who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing your women. That was a tremendous trial from your Lord.
Transliteration Wa iz anjaina_kum min a_li fir'auna yasu_mu_nakum su_'al 'aza_b(i), yuqattilu_na abna_'akum wa yastahyu_na nisa_'akum, wa fi za_likum bala_'um mir rabbikum 'azim(un).
[[ Ali’s note-1099 This is Allah's reminder to Israel through the mouth of Moses. There was a double trial: (1) while the bondage lasted, the people were to learn patience and constancy in the midst of affliction: (2) when they were rescued, they were to learn humility; justice, and righteous deeds of prosperity. (7.141)]]