MAN & WOMAN AND EQUALITY, ETC.

An Ayat

Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are muminun, men and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are steadfast, men and women who are humble, men and women who give sadaqa, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their private parts, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward.

(Surat- Al-Ahzab': 35)

Sura-3 [Al-Imran, Medina 89 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version

فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُهَا أُنثَى ...

3:36. When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! behold! I am delivered of a female child!"

...وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ ...

And Allah knew best what she brought forth --

C377. The mother of Mary expected a male child. Was she disappointed that it was a female child?

No, for she had Faith, and she knew that Allah's Plan was better than any wishes of hers.

Mary was no ordinary girl: only Allah knew what it was that her mother brought forth.

... وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالأُنثَى...

"And nowise is the male like the female.

C378. The female child could not be devoted to Temple service under the Mosaic law, as she intended. But she was marked out for a special destiny as a miracle-child, to be the mother of the miracle-child Jesus.

She was content to seek Allah's protection for her against all evil. There is a certain sense of pride in the girl on the part of the mother.

...وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وِإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ﴿٣٦﴾

I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected."

قُلْ صَدَقَ اللّهُ ...

3:95. Say:

"Allah speaketh the truth:

... فَاتَّبِعُواْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ...

follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith;

... وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٩٥﴾

he was not of the pagans."

C421. The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation.

We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews.

Asad’s Version:

3: 36 But when she had given birth to the child, she said: “…I have given birth to a FEMALE “ – the while God had been fully aware of what she would give birth to, AND THAT NO MALE CHILD COULD EVER HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS FEMALE – AND I HAVE NAMED HER MARY

3: 195 And thus does their Sustainer answer their prayer: " I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors (in My way), be it man or woman: each of you is an issue of the other, …. See notes

3: 195

Asad And thus does their Sustainer answer their prayer: “I shall not lose sight of the labors [in My way], be it man or woman: each of you is an issue of the other [note 150]. Hence as for those who forsake the domain of evil [151], and are driven from their homelands, and suffer hurt in My cause, and fight [for it], and are slain – I shall most certainly efface their bad deeds, and shall most certainly bring them into gardens through which running waters flow, as a reward from God: for with God is the most beauteous of rewards.”

Yusuf Ali And their Lord hath accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you be he male or female: ye are members one of another; those who have left their homes or been driven out there from or suffered harm in My cause or fought or been slain verily I will blot out from them their iniquities and admit them into gardens with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from the presence of Allah and from His presence is the best of rewards."

Pickthall And their Lord hath heard them (and He saith): Lo! I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female, to be lost. Ye proceed one from another. So those who fled and were driven forth from their homes and suffered damage for My cause, and fought and were slain, verily I shall remit their evil deeds from them and verily I shall bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers flow. A reward from Allah. And with Allah is the fairest of rewards.

Transliteration Fastaja_ba lahum rabbuhum anni la_ udi'u 'amala'a_milim minkum min zakarin au unsa_, ba'dukum mim ba'd(in), fallazina ha_jaru_ wa ukhriju_ min diya_rihim wa u_zu_ fi sabili wa qa_talu_ wa qutilu_ la'ukaffiranna'anhum sayyi'a_tihim wa la'udkhilannahum janna_tin tajri min tahtihalanha_r(u), sawa_bam min'indilla_h(i), walla_hu'indahu_ husnus sawa_b(i).

[[ Asad’s note 150 – I.e., “you all are members of one and the same human race, and therefore equal to one another.” ]

[[ Ali’s notes - 500 In Islam the equal status of the sexes is not only recognized but insisted on. If sex distinction, which is a distinction in nature, does not count in spiritual matters, still less of course would count artificial distinctions, such as rank, wealth, position, race, color, birth, etc, (3.195)

501 Here, and in iii. 198 below, and in many places elsewhere, stress is laid on the fact that whatever gift, or bliss will come to the righteous, its chief merit will be that it proceeds from Allah Himself. "Nearness to Allah" expresses it better than any other term. (3.195) ]]

Sura-4 [Al Nissa Medina 92]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ...  

4:1.     O mankind!

reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person,

C504. Nafs may mean:

-         soul;

-         self;

-         person, living person;

-         will, good pleasure, as in 4:4 below.

... وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا ....

created, of like nature, his mate,

Minha: I follow the construction suggested by Imam Razi.

The particle min would then suggest here a species, a nature, a similarity.

The pronoun ha refers of course to Nafs. (R).

.. وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاء...  

and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءلُونَ بِهِ ...

reverence Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights),

C505. All our mutual rights and duties are referred to Allah. We are His creatures: His Will is the standard and measure of Allah; and our duties are measured by our conformity with His Will.

"Our wills are ours, to make them Thine," says Tennyson (In Memoriam).

Among ourselves (human beings) our mutual rights and duties arise out of Allah's Law, the sense of Right that is implanted in us by Him.

... وَالأَرْحَامَ ...

and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you):

C506. Among the most wonderful mysteries of our nature is that of sex.

The unregenerate male is apt, in the pride of his physical strength, to forget the all-important part which the female plays in his very existence, and in all the social relationships that arise in our collective human lives.

The mother that bore us must ever have our reverence. The wife, through whom we enter parentage, must have our reverence.

Sex, which governs so much of our physical life, and has so much influence on our emotional and higher nature, deserves-not our fear, or our contempt, or our amused indulgence, but-our reverence in the highest sense of the term.

With this fitting introduction we enter on a discussion of women, orphans, and family relationships.

... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ﴿١﴾

for Allah ever watches over you.

وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنكُمْ طَوْلاً أَن يَنكِحَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ...   

4:25.  If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women,

... فَمِن مِّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُم مِّن فَتَيَاتِكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ...  

they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess:

C540. That is, captives taken in a Jihad:

If you seek such a person in marriage, do it from no base motives. Safeguard your faith, and see that she too does believe.

In that case, after all, she is of the human brotherhood, and her condition is accidental and redeemable.

If the slave bore a child to her master, she would become free. (R).

... وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِكُمْ...  

and Allah hath full knowledge about your faith.

... بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ فَانكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ...  

Ye are one from another: wed them with the leave of their owners,

... وَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مُحْصَنَاتٍ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحَاتٍ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذَاتِ أَخْدَانٍ...

and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: they should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours:

... فَإِذَا أُحْصِنَّ فَإِنْ أَتَيْنَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَى الْمُحْصَنَاتِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ...  

when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women.

... ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ الْعَنَتَ مِنْكُمْ وَأَن تَصْبِرُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ...

This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practice self-restraint:

... وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٢٥﴾

and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

وَلاَ تَتَمَنَّوْاْ مَا فَضَّلَ اللّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ...   

4:32.  And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed his gifts more freely on some of you than on others:

C542. Men and women have gifts from Allah -some greater than others. They seem unequal. but we are assured that Allah has allotted them by a scheme by which people receive what they earn.

If this does not appear clear in our sight, let us remember that we have no full knowledge but Allah has. We must not be jealous if other people have more than we have-in wealth or position or strength or honour or talent or happiness.

Probably things are equalized in the aggregate or in the long run, or equated to needs and merits on a scale which we cannot appraise. If we want more, instead of being jealous or covetous, we should pray to Allah and place before Him our needs. Though He knows all, and has no need of our prayer, our prayer may reveal to ourselves our shortcomings and enable us to deserve more of Allah's bounty or make ourselves fit for it.

... لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُواْ وَلِلنِّسَاء نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ...  

to men is allotted what they earn,

and to women what they earn:

... وَاسْأَلُواْ اللّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِ...  

but ask Allah of His bounty:

... إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا ﴿٣٢﴾  

for Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا...   

4:85.  Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein:

... وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا...  

and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden:

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا ﴿٨٥﴾

and Allah hath power over all things.

C604. In this fleeting world's chances Allah's providence and justice may not always appear plain to our eyes. But we are asked to believe that if we help and support a good cause, we share in all its credit and in its eventual victory. And conversely, we cannot support a bad cause without sharing in all its evil consequences.

If appearances seem against this faith, let us not be deceived by appearances. For Allah has power over all things

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتَ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ...   

4:124. If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith,

... فَأُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا ﴿١٢٤﴾

they will enter heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.

C633. Naqir: the groove in a date-stone, a thing of no value whatever.

Cf. n. 575 to 4:53.

Asad’s Version:

4: 1

Asad O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women [note 1]. And remain conscious of God, in whose name you demand [your rights] from one another, and of these ties of kinship. Verily, God is ever watchful over you!

Yusuf Ali O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person created of like nature his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; reverence Allah through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

Pickthall O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim ( your rights ) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bore you ). Lo! Allah hath been a Watcher over you.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhan na_suttaqu_ rabbakumul lazi khalaqakum min nafsiw wa_hidatiw wa khalaqa minha_ zaujaha_ wa bassa minhuma_ rija_lan kasiraw wa nisa_'a(n), wattaqulla_hal lazi tasa_'alu_na bihi wal arha_m(a), innalla_ha ka_na'alaikum raqiba_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 1- Out of many meanings attributable to the term ‘nafs’ – soul, spirit, mind, animate being, living entity, human being, person, self (in the sense of a personal identity), humankind, life-essence, vital principle, and so forth – most of the classical commentators choose “human being”, and assume that it refers here to Adam. Muhammad Abduh, however rejects this interpretation stresses the common origin and brotherhood of the human race (which, undoubtedly, is the purport of the above verse), without, at the same time, unwarrantably tying it to the Biblical account of the creation of Adam and Eve. My rendering of ‘nafs’, in this context, as “living entity” follows the same reasoning. – As regards the expression ‘zawjaha’ (“its mate”), it is to be noted that , with reference to animate beings, the term ‘zawj’ (“a pair”, “one of a pair”, or “a mate”) applies to the male as well as to the female component of a pair of couple; hence, with reference to human beings, it signifies a woman’s mate (husband) as well as a man’s mate (wife). Abu Muslim – as quoted by Razi – interprets the phrase “He created out of it (minha) its mate” as meaning “He created its mate [i.e., its sexual counterpart] out of its own kind (min jinsiha)”, thus supporting the view of Muhammad Aduh refereed to above.

The literal translation of ‘minha’ as “out of it” clearly alludes, in conformity with the text, to the biological fact that both sexes have originated from “one living entity”.]]

[[ Ali’s notes - 504 Nafs may mean: (1) soul; (2) self; (3) person, living person; (4) will, good pleasure, as in iv. 4 below. Minha: I follow the construction suggested by Imam Razn. The particle min would then suggest here a species, a nature, a similarity. The pronoun ha refers of course to Nafs. (4.1)

505 All our mutual rights and duties are referred to Allah. We are His creatures: His Will is the standard and measure of Allah; and our duties are measured by our conformity with His Will. "Our wills are ours, to make them Thine," says Tennyson (In Memoriam). Among ourselves (human beings) our mutual rights and duties arise out of Allah's Law, the sense of Right that is implanted in us by Him. (4.1)

506 Among the most wonderful mysteries of our nature is that of sex. The unregenerate male is apt, in the pride of his physical strength, to forget the all-important part which the female plays in his very existence, and in all the social relationships that arise in our collective human lives. The mother that bore us must ever have our reverence. The wife, through whom we enter parentage, must have our reverence. Sex, which governs so much of our physical life, and has so much influence on our emotional and higher nature, deserves-not our fear, or our contempt, or our amused indulgence, but-our reverence in the highest sense of the term. With this fitting introduction we enter on a discussion of women, orphans, and family relationships. (4.1) ]]

Nafs means soul, nature, mind, spirit, living entity, human being, etc., NO GENDER ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

Zawj means a pair, one of a pair, or a mate.

Minha means 'out of it'

4: 25 ….( In the context of marrying a maidens or captives) And God knows all about your faith; each one of you is an issue of the other. Asad also see 3:195

Note: 31 ….equal in the sight of God…it is only the strength or weakness of faith which makes one superior or inferior to another.

: 25 …..( re: slave or captive women) ..And when they are married, and thereafter become guilty of immoral conduct, they shall be liable to half the penalty to which free married women are liable.

4: 25 …This [permission…] to those of you who fear lest they stumble into evil.

But it is for your own good to persevere in patience [and abstain from such marriages]: and God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

4: 25

Asad And as for those of you who, owing to circumstances, are nto in a position [note 29] to marry free believing women, [let them marry] believing maidens from among those whom you rightfully possess [note 30]. And God knows all about your faith; each one of you is an issue of the other [note 31]. Marry them, then, with their people’s leave, and give them their dowers in an equitable manner – they being women who give themselves in honest wedlock, not in fornication, not as secret love-companions. And when thee are married, and thereafter become guilty of immoral conduct, they shall be liable to half the penalty to which free married women are liable [note 33]

Yusuf Ali If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: and Allah hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: wed them with the leave of their owners and give them their dowers according to what is reasonable: they should be chaste not lustful nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock if they fall into shame their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practice self-restraint: and Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.

Pickthall And whoso is not able to afford to marry free, believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. Allah knoweth best (concerning) your faith. Ye (proceed) one from another; so wed them by permission of their folk, and give unto them their portions in kindness, they being honest, not debauched nor of loose conduct. And if when they are honorably married they commit lewdness they shall incur the half of the punishment (prescribed) for free women (in that case). This is for him among you who feareth to commit sin. But to have patience would be better for you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Wa mal lam yastati' minkum taulan ay yankihal muhsana_til mu'mina_ti famimma_ malakat aima_nukum min fataya_tikumul mu'mina_t(i), walla_ a'lamu bi ima_nikum, ba'dukum mim ba'd(in), fankihu_hunna bi izni ahlihinna wa a_tu_hunna uju_rahunna bil ma'ru_fi muhsana_tin gaira musa_fiha_tiw wa la_ muttakhiza_ti akhda_n(in), fa iza_ uhsinna fa in ataina bi fa_hisyatin fa 'alaihinna nisfu ma_ 'alal muhsana_ti minal 'aza_b(i), za_lika liman khasyiyal'anata minkum, wa anbiru_ khairul lakum, walla_hu gafu_rur rahim(un).

[[ Ali’s note - 540 That is, captives taken in a Jihad: If you seek such a person in marriage, do it from no base motives. Safeguard your faith, and see that she too does believe. In that case, after all, she is of the human brotherhood, and her condition is accidental and redeemable. If the slave bore a child to her master, she would become free. (4.25) ]]

4: 32

Asad Hence, do not covet the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on some of you than on others.

Men shall have a benefit from what they earn, women shall have a benefit from what they earn. Ask, therefore, God [to give you] out of His bounty: behold, God has indeed full knowledge of everything.

Yusuf Ali And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed his gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn and to women what they earn: but ask Allah of His bounty: for Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

Pickthall And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel others. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allah of His bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things.

Transliteration Wa la_ tatamannau ma_ faddalalla_hu bihi ba'dakum'ala_ ba'd(in), lir rija_li nasibum mimmaktasabu_, wa linnisa_'i nasibum mimmaktasabn(a), was'alulla_ha min fadlih(i), innalla_ha ka_na bi kulli syai'in 'alima_(n).

[Ali’s note -542 Men and women have gifts from Allah-some greater than others. They seem unequal, but we are assured that Allah has allotted them by a scheme by which people receive what they earn. If this does not appear clear in our sight, let us remember that we have no full knowledge but Allah has. We must not be jealous if other people have more than we have-in wealth or position or strength or honor or talent or happiness. Probably things are equalized in the aggregate or in the long run, or equated to needs and merits on a scale which we cannot appraise. If we want more, instead of being jealous or covetous, we should pray to Allah and place before Him our needs. Though He knows all, and has no need of our prayer, our prayer may reveal to ourselves our shortcomings and enable us to deserve more of Allah's bounty or make ourselves fit for it. (4.32) ]

4: 85 Whoever rallies to a good cause shall have a share in its blessings; and whoever rallies to an evil cause shall be answerable for his part in it: for, indeed, God watches over everything.

4: 124 whereas anyone-be it man or woman – who does of good deeds

4: 124 whereas anyone-be it man or woman – who does of good deeds

and is a believer withal, shall enter paradise, and shall not be wronged by as much as [would fill] the goove of a date-stone.

4: 124

Asad whereas anyone – be it man or woman – who does [whatever he can] of good deeds and is a believer withal, shall enter paradise, and shall not be wronged by as much as [would fill] the groove of a date-stone.

Yusuf Ali If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith they will enter heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.

Pickthall And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date-stone.

Transliteration Wa may ya'mal minas sa_liha_ti min zakarin au unsa_ wa huwa mu'minun fa ula_'ika yadkhulu_nal jannata wa la_ yuzlamu_na naqira_(n).

[[ Ali’s note - 633 Naqir = the groove in a date-stone, a thing of no value whatever. Cf. n. 575 to iv. 53. (4.124) ]]

Sura-9 [Al Tauba medina 113]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version

وَعَدَ الله الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا...   

9:68.  Allah hath promised the Hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of faith, the fire of hell:

therein shall they dwell:

...هِيَ حَسْبُهُمْ...

sufficient is it for them:

...وَلَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٦٨﴾

for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,

C1327. "Curse," here as elsewhere, is deprivation of grace and mercy, brought about by the rejection of Allah by the Unbelievers.

كَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ كَانُواْ أَشَدَّ مِنكُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرَ أَمْوَالاً وَأَوْلاَدًا...   

9:69.  As in the case of those before you:

they were mightier than you in power and more flourishing in wealth and children.

...فَاسْتَمْتَعُواْ بِخَلاقِهِمْ فَاسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِخَلاَقِكُمْ كَمَا اسْتَمْتَعَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ...

They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you;

...بِخَلاَقِهِمْ وَخُضْتُمْ كَالَّذِي خَاضُواْ...

and ye indulge in idle talk as they did.

...أُوْلَـئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الُّدنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...

They! their works are fruitless in this world and in the hereafter,

...وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾

and they will lose (all spiritual good).

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ...   

9:71.  The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another:

...يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ...

-    they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil:

...وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...

-    they observe regular prayers,

-    practice regular charity,

-    and obey Allah and His Messenger.

...أُوْلَـئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللّهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٧١﴾

On them will Allah pour His mercy:

for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.

وَعَدَ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا...   

9:72.  Allah hath promised to believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein,

...وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ...

and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.

...وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ أَكْبَرُ...

But the greatest bliss in the Good Pleasure of Allah:

...ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿٧٢﴾

that is the supreme felicity.

C.96 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(10:73-99)

The hardest striving and fighting are needed

To combat evil and hypocrisy; for sin

Can reach a stage when the doors of forgiveness

Are closed. The good must shun all evil

As unclean, and gladly welcome all chance

Of service and sacrifice, as bringing them closer

To the Presence and Mercy of Allah.

Asad’s Version:

9: 68 -69 God has promised the hypocrites, both men and women – as well as the deniers of the truth – the fire of hell, therein to abide: this shall be their allotted portion. For, God has rejected them, and long-lasting suffering awaits them like those who lived before your time. Greater than you were they in power, and richer in wealth and in children; and they enjoyed their share. And you have been enjoying your share – just as they who preceded you enjoyed their share; and you have been indulging in scurrilous talk –just as they indulged in it. It is they whose works have come to nought in this world and in this life to come – and it is they, they who are the lost!

9: 71 And the believers, both men and women – they are close unto one another: they enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong , and are constant in prayer and render the purifying dies], and pay heed unto God and His Apostle. It is they upon whom God will bestow His grace: verily, God is almighty and Wise

9: 72 God has promised the believers, both men and women, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual bliss: but God’s goodly acceptance is the greatest [bliss of all] – for this, this the triumph supreme! [asad]

9: 72 ……But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of God: that is the supreme felicity. [Ali]

Asad As for anyone – be it man or woman – who does righteous deeds, and is a believer withal – him shall We most certainly cause to live a good life; and most certainly shall We grant unto such as these their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did.

Yusuf Ali Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith verily to him will We give a new life a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

Pickthall Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily We shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.

Transliteration Man 'amila sa_liham min zakarin au unsa_ wa huwa mu'minun fa lanuhyiyannahu_ haya_tan tayyibah(tan), wa lanajziyannahum ajrahum bi ahsani ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).

[ Asad ntoe 121: This may relate to life in this world – inasmuch as a true believer invariably finds happiness in his God-consciousness – or to the happiness which awaits him in the hereafter, or to both. ]

[ Ali’s notes: 2137 Faith, if sincere, means right conduct. When these two confirm each other, Allah's grace transforms our life. Instead of being troubled and worried, we have peace and contentment; instead of being assailed at every turn by false alarms and the assaults of evil, we enjoy calm and attain purity. The transformation is visible in this life itself, but the "reward" in terms of the Hereafter will be far beyond our deserts. (16.97)

2138 The same ending as in the previous verse deepens the overall effect bringing home the message forcefully and beautifully. The argument is completed and rounded off. (16.97)]

9: 68

Yusuf Ali Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women and the rejecters of faith the fire of hell: therein shall they dwell: sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of Allah and an enduring punishment

Pickthall Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment.

Transliteration Wa'adalla_hul muna_fiqina wal muna_fiqa_ti wal kuffa_ra na_ra jahannama kha_lidina fiha_, hiya hasbuhum, wa la'anahumulla_h(u), wa lahum 'aza_bum muqim(un).

[[ Asad’s note 94 – I.e., their behavior is – in effect, at least – the exact opposite of that expected of the believers (cf. 3:104, 110 and 114; 9:71 and 112; and 22:41).

note 95 – It is to be borne in mind that this and the following verse refer to the conscious hypocrisy spoken of in the last sentence of the preceding verse, and not to the waverers, whose hypocrisy is an outcome of inner fears and uncertainties.]]

9: 71 [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, after Tabuk 9H]

Asad And [as for] the believers, both men and women –they are close unto another [note 99]:……..and are constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and pay heed unto God and His Apostle. ……………

Yusuf Ali The believers men and women are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers practice regular charity and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power Wise.

Pickthall And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Wal mu'minu_na wal mu'mina_tu ba'duhum auliya_'u ba'd(in), ya'muru_na bil ma'ru_fi wa yanhauna 'anil munkari wa yuqimu_nas sala_ta wa yu'tu_naz zaka_ta wa yuti'u_nalla_ha wa rasu_lah(u_), ula_'ika sayarhamuhumulla_h(u), innalla_ha 'azizun hakim(un).

[[ Asad’s note 99 – Or: “are the protectors [or “ friends and protectors”] of one another”………]]

[[ Ruby’s note – This verse should be viewed in the context of the hypocrites and their constant plan of betraying and defeating the believers. In contrast God is commanding the believers to unify and be protectors of each other to face this situation of difficulty. This verse, I believe, no way refers to other times when such threat and contumacy does not exist and the non-Muslims are friendly and trustworthy or even indifferent and existing peacefully. The gist is that in the pursuit of a good work or common cause the participants should and must be protectors of each other, Muslim or non-Muslims. Here the category of believers were facing a category of rebellious and immoral enemies some of them were even declared “Muslims”. And this condition of so called “Muslims’ [by virtue of birth or superficial declaration or vow of converting] being hypocrites and immoral can exist anytime anywhere. Therefore it is not right to assume that on dint of declaring oneself a “Muslim” one can claim and deserve this protection and alliance. But by virtue of righteousness and the merit of a good cause the participants and promoters of such work could claim such allegiance among Muslim or non-Muslims. As the Quran also declares that righteous people can be from other branded religion. According to the Quran the definition of Muslim and Islam are different and much broader than what is being assigned by the Muslim world today and in the past. Anyone who complies with the moral law of God and submits to His will is a muslim. And this judgment who is a muslim or not does not belong to human beings but of exclusive right of God. However in course of human events and affairs the judgment of certain behavior as to the allegiance of a cause and good work can be freely based and allegiance could be offered for that to serve God. This working together is also mentioned in 5:48. To work together in diversity of people, Muslims or non-Muslims. Neither the righteousness nor the allegiance and protection is unconditional or exclusive to any particular religion or brand of sects or schools, it is conditional on the merit of an individual on the basis of intentions and actions of that individual. ]]

9: 72 [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, after Tabuk 9H]

Asad …………gardens of perpetual bliss [note 100]: but God’s goodly acceptance is the greatest [bliss of all] – for this, this is the triumph supreme!

Yusuf Ali Allah hath promised to believers men and women gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss in the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity.

Pickthall Allah promiseth to the believers, men and women, Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide--blessed dwellings in Gardens of Eden. And greater (far)!--acceptance from Allah. That is the supreme triumph.

Transliteration Wa'adalla_hul mu'minina wal mu'mina_ti janna_tin tajri min tahtihal anha_ru kha_lidina fiha_ wa masa_kina tayyibatan fi janna_ti 'adn(in), wa ridwa_num minalla_hi akbar(u), za_lika huwal fauzul 'azim(u).

[[ Asad’s note 100 – For an explanation of this rendering of ‘and (akin to the Hebrew eden, delight or bliss) see note 45 on 38:50, where this expression occuprs for the first time in the chronological order of Quranic revelation.]]