7. Sura al-Araf, Mecca 39
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
بَنِي آدَمَ
لاَ يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ
الشَّيْطَانُ
كَمَا أَخْرَجَ
أَبَوَيْكُم
مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ...
7: 27. O ye children of Adam!
let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as he got your parents out of the garden,
C1009. That is, by fraud and deceit, - by putting you off your guard and telling lies.
Adam's story here becomes an introduction to the later religious history of mankind: 7:20-22. In the Garden, Satan's deceit stripped off their raiment of honour and innocence.
In this life on a lower plane he seeks to strip us of the raiment of righteousness. And he can take up positions on a vantage ground of worldly power or influence or riches, in which he and his confederates are not seen in their true colours. They may assume a fair-seeming disguise of disinterested friendship or high motives of patriotism or public spirit, or loyalty to ancestors, when beneath it there is nothing but spite and selfishness.
...يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْءَاتِهِمَا...
stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame:
...إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ تَرَوْنَهُمْ...
for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them:
...إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاء لِلَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾
We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.
Other Versions:
7: 27
Asad O children of Adam! Do not allow Satan to seduce you in the same way as he caused your ancestors to be driven out of the garden: he deprived them of their garment [of God-consciousness] in order to make the aware their nakedness. Verily, he and his tribe are lying in wait for you where you cannot perceive them!” Verily, we have placed [all manner of ] satanic forces near unto those who do not [truly] believe [note 20];
Pickthall O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that be might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not.
Transliteration Ya_ bani a_dama la_ yaftinannakumusy syaita_nu kama_ akhraja abawaikum minal jannati yanzi'u 'anhuma_ liba_sahuma_ liyuriyahuma_ sau'a_tihima_, innahu_ yara_kum huwa wa qabiluhu_ min haisu la_ taraunahum, inna_ ja'alnasy syaya_tina auliya_'a lillazina la_ yu'minu_n(a).
[[ Ruby’s note – This story is allegorical to convey something much deeper in meaning. This cannot be in actuality because God does not punish one for another’s sin and failure, God does not pass the blame for generations. Why the generations of human being would pay for the failure of two people in the beginning, it does not make any sense as far as justice is concerned. However if these expressions are taken to extract deeper meanings these make sense. And this story in contradiction with these fundamental premises of the Quran. However, as a metaphor it addresses to entire humanity and conveys something of primary essence. First, disobedience to God’s moral law exposes one to evilness and becoming evil. The word “garment” is allegorical here because right after this expression the same word “garment’ is used for God consciousness [“ but the garment of God consciousness” is conveying this metaphor.
Also here it is pointed out that when one deliberately rejects truth and do not believe that causes the consequence of being subjected to the evil forces or allurement come of life leading to more failures. Therefore the rejection is the cause and the failure that follows throughout a life is the consequence. ]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 1008 The body: is pure and beautiful, as long as it is not defiled by misuse: its clothing and ornaments may be good or meretricious, according to the motives in the mind and character: if good, they arc the symbols of purity and beauty: but the best clothing and ornament we could have comes from righteousness, which covers the nakedness of sin, and adorns us with virtues. (7.26)
1009 That is, by fraud and deceit,-by putting you off your guard and telling lies. Adam's story here becomes an introduction to the later religious history of mankind: vii. 20-22. In the Garden, Satan's deceit stripped off their raiment of honor and innocence. In this life on a lower plane he seeks to strip us of the raiment of righteousness. And he can take up positions on a vantage ground of worldly power or influence or riches, in which he and his confederates are not seen in their true colours. They may assume a fair-seeming disguise of disinterested friendship or high motives of patriotism or public spirit, or loyalty to ancestors, when beneath it there is nothing but spite and selfishness. (7.27)
[[ Asad’s note 20 - …………As for the “satanic forces” [shayatin] it is to be remembered that this designation is applied in the Quran to al kinds of wicked impulse or propensities that are “near unto” (i.e., in the heart of) those who do not truly believe in God (see note 31 on 14:22); hence, the term Shayatin occurring in verse 30 below has been rendered as “evil impulses”.]]
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14. Surah Ibrahim, Mecca 72
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَبَرَزُواْ
لِلّهِ جَمِيعًا
فَقَالَ الضُّعَفَاء
لِلَّذِينَ
اسْتَكْبَرُواْ...
14: 21. They will all be marshaled before Allah together:
then will the weak say to those who were arrogant,
C1895. When the time for judgment comes, there are two kinds of disillusionment waiting for the ungodly:
1. Those who were misled and failed to see that each soul bears its own personal responsibility (2:134) and cannot shift it on to others, will turn to those who misled them, in the hope that they might intercede for them or do something to help them. They receive a plain answer as in the latter part of this verse.
2. Those who relied on Satan, His answer (in 14:22 below) is frank, cynical and brutal.
...إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا مِنْ عَذَابِ اللّهِ مِن شَيْءٍ...
"For us, we but followed you; can ye then avail us at all against the wrath of Allah?"
...قَالُواْ لَوْ هَدَانَا اللّهُ لَهَدَيْنَاكُمْ...
They will reply,
"If we had received the guidance of Allah, we should have given it to you:
C1896. Those whose power or specious intelligence or influence misled them -such as false priests or leaders- will find themselves in a parlous state.
How can they help others?
They themselves failed to profit from Allah's guidance, and they can with some justice retort that they put them in the wrong path as they followed it themselves!
...سَوَاء عَلَيْنَآ أَجَزِعْنَا أَمْ صَبَرْنَا مَا لَنَا مِن مَّحِيصٍ ﴿٢١﴾
to us it makes no difference (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience:
for ourselves there is no way of escape."
وَقَالَ
الشَّيْطَانُ
لَمَّا قُضِيَ
الأَمْرُ إِنَّ
اللّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ
وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ...
14: 22. And Satan will say when the matter is decided:
C1897. After the Judgment, Evil declares itself in its true colours. Frankly it says:
'I deceived you. The promise of Allah was true, but you believed me rather than Allah. I had no power to force you. I had but to call you, and you came running after me. You must blame yourselves.
Did you think I was equal with Allah?
I know too well that I was not and never could be. If you did wrong, you must suffer the Penalty.'
"It was Allah Who gave you a promise of truth:
...وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ...
I too promised, but I failed in my promise to you.
...وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلاَّ أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي...
I had no authority over you except to call you, but ye listened to me:
...فَلاَ تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُواْ أَنفُسَكُم...
then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls.
...مَّا أَنَاْ بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنتُمْ بِمُصْرِخِيَّ...
I cannot listen to your cries, nor can ye listen to mine.
...إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَآ أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ...
I reject your former act in associating me with Allah.
C1898. See the last note.
An alternative interpretation of this sentence may be:
"I had already beforehand rebelled against Allah with Whom ye associated me."
...إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٢﴾
For wrongdoers there must be a Grievous Penalty."
14: 21
Pickthall They all come forth unto their Lord. Then those who were despised say unto those who were scornful: We were unto you a following, can ye then avert from us aught of Allah's doom? They say: Had Allah guided us, we should have guided you. Whether we rage or patiently endure is (now) all one for us: we have no place of refuge.
Yuksel They all appeared before God. The weak ones said to those who were arrogant: "We were following you, so will you avail us anything from God's retribution?" They said, "If God had guided us, then we would have guided you. It makes no difference if we rage or endure, for we have no refuge."
Transliteration Wa barazu_ lilla_hi jami'an faqa_lad du'afa_'u lil lazina-stakbaru_ inna_ kunna_ lakum taba'an fahal antum mugna_na 'anna_ min 'aza_billa_hi min syai'(in), qa_lu_ lau had_nalla_hu lahadaina_kum, sawa_'un 'alaina_ ajazi'na_ am sabarna_ ma_ lana_ mim mahis(in).
[[ Ali’s notes -
1895 When the time for judgment comes, there are two kinds of disillusionment waiting for the ungodly: (1) Those who were misled and failed to see that each soul bears its own personal responsibility (ii. 134) and cannot shift it on to others, will turn to those who misled them, in the hope that they might intercede for them or do something to help them. They receive a plain answer as in the latter part of this verse. (2) Those who relied on Satan, His answer (in xiv. 22 below) is frank, cynical and brutal. (14.21)
1896 Those whose power or specious intelligence or influence misled them-such as false priests or leaders-will find themselves in a parlous state. How can they help others? They themselves failed to profit from Allah's guidance, and they can with some justice retort that they put them in the wrong path as they followed it themselves! (14.21) ]]
14: 22
Pickthall And Satan saith, when the matter hath been decided: Lo! Allah promised you a promise of truth; and I promised you, then failed you. And I had no power over you save that I called unto you and ye obeyed me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can ye help me. Lo! I disbelieved in that which ye before ascribed to me. Lo! for wrong-doers is a painful doom.
Transliteration Wa qa_lasy syaita_nu lamma qudiyal amru innalla_ha wa'adakum wa'dal haqqi wa wa'attukum fa akhlaftukum, wa ma_ ka_na liya 'alaikum min sulta_nin illa_ an da'autukum fa-stajabtum li, fala_ talu_mu_ni wa lu_mu_ anfusakum, ma_ ana bi musrikhikum wa ma_ antum bi musrikhiyy(a), inni kafartu bima_ asyraktumu_ni min qabl(u), innaz za_limina lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).