13. Surah Ar Ra'd, Medina 96
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَهُ
مُعَقِّبَاتٌ
مِّن بَيْنِ
يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ
خَلْفِهِ
يَحْفَظُونَهُ
مِنْ أَمْرِ
اللّهِ...
13: 11. For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him:
they guard him by command of Allah.
C1816. See last verse.
Every person, whether he conceals or reveals his thoughts, whether he skulks in darkness or goes about by day, -all are under Allah's watch and ward. His grace encompasses everyone, and again and again protects him, if he will only take the protection, from harm and evil.
If in his folly he thinks he can secretly take some pleasure or profit, he is wrong, for recording angels record all his thoughts and deeds.
...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ...
Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls).
C1817. Allah is not intent on punishment. He created man virtuous and pure; he gave him intelligence and knowledge; he surrounded him with all sorts of instruments of His grace and mercy.
If, in spite of all this, man distorts his own will and goes against Allah's Will, yet is Allah's forgiveness open to him if he will take it.
It is only when he has made his own sight blind and changed his own nature or soul away from the beautiful mould in which Allah formed it, that Allah's Wrath will descend on him and the favourable position in which Allah placed him will be changed.
When once the punishment comes, there is no turning it back. None of the things which he relied upon- other than Allah-can possibly protect him.
...وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلاَ مَرَدَّ لَهُ...
But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back,
...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ ﴿١١﴾
nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
Other Versions:
13:Ayah 11
Asad he has hosts of helpers –both such as can be perceived by him and as such as are hidden from him – that could preserve him from whatever God may have willed. Verily, God does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves; …….
Pickthall For him are angels ranged before him and behind him who guard him by Allah's command. Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him.
Transliteration Lahu_ mu'aqqiba_tum mim baini yadaihi wa min khalfihi yahfazu_nahu_ min amrilla_h(i), innalla_ha la_ yugayyiru ma_ bi qaumin hatta_ yugayyiru_ ma_ bi anfusihim, wa iza_ ara_dalla_hu bi qaumin sa_'an fala_ maradda lah(u_), wa ma_ lahum min du_nihi miw wa_l(in).
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16. Sura al-Nahl, Mecca 70
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يُنَزِّلُ
الْمَلآئِكَةَ
بِالْرُّوحِ
مِنْ أَمْرِهِ
عَلَى مَن يَشَاء
مِنْ عِبَادِهِ...
16; 2. He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying):
... أَنْ أَنذِرُواْ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاتَّقُونِ ﴿٢﴾
"Warn (Man) that there is no god but I:
so do your duty unto Me."
C2020. The Pagans, with their multiplicity of gods and goddesses, good and evil, could play one off against another. That is mere mockery of religion. With such conceptions, man cannot understand the Unity of Design in the Universe nor realise the Power and Glory of the One True God, to Whom alone worship and service are due.
16: 2
Asad He causes the angels to descend with this divine inspiration, [bestowed] at His behest upon whomever He wills of His servants: “Warn [all human beings] that there is no deity save Me: be, therefore, conscious of Me!
Pickthall He sendeth down the angels with the Spirit of His command unto whom He will of His bondmen, (saying): Warn mankind that there is no god save Me, so keep your duty unto Me.
Transliteration Yunazzilul mala_'ikata bir ru_hi min amrihi 'ala_ may yasya_'u min 'iba_dihi an anziru_ annahu_ la_ ila_ha illa_ ana fa-ttaqu_n(i).
[ Asad note 2: The term ‘ruh’ [lit., spirit, soul, or breath of life ] is often used in the Quran in the sense of ‘inspiration’ – and, more particularly, ‘divine inspiration’……..see 42:52…….. 97:4 ]