2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ ...

2: 114. And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of Allah, Allah's name should be celebrated? -

C117. There were actually Pagans in Makkah who tried to shut out the Muslim Arabs from the Ka'bah, the universal place of Arab worship.

The Pagans themselves called it the House of Allah. With what face could they exclude the Muslims, who wanted to worship the true Allah instead of worshipping idols?

If these Pagans had succeeded, they would only have caused violent divisions among the Arabs and destroyed the sanctity and the very existence of the Ka'bah.

This verse taken in a general sense, establishes the principle of freedom of worship in a public mosque or place dedicated to the worship of Allah. This is recognised in Muslim law. (R).

... وَسَعَى فِي خَرَابِهَا...

Whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them?

أُوْلَـئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلاَّ خَآئِفِينَ...

It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear.

... لهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١١٤﴾

For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.

Transliteration Wa man azlamu mimmam mana'a masa_jidalla_hi ay yuzkara fihas muhu_ wa sa'a_ fi khara_biha_, ula_'ika ma_ ka_na lahum ay yadkhulu_ha_ illal kha_'ifin(a), lahum fid dunya_ khizyuw wa lahum fil a_khirati 'aza_bun 'azim(un).

Other Versions:

2: 114

Asad Hence, who could be more wicked than those who bar the mention of God’s name from [any of ] His houses of worship and strive for their ruin, [although] they have no right to enter them save in fear [of God]? (note 95)

For them, in this world, there is ignominy in store; and for them, in the life to come, awesome suffering.

Pickthall And who doth greater wrong than he who forbiddeth the approach to the sanctuaries of Allah lest His name should be mentioned therein, and striveth for their ruin? As for such, it was never meant that they should enter them except in fear. Theirs in the world is ignominy and theirs in the Hereafter is an awful doom.

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[ Asad’s note 95: It is one of the fundamental principles of Islam that every religion which has belief in God as its focal must accorded full respect, however much one may disagree with its particular tenets. Thus, the Muslims are under an obligation to honor and protect any house of worship dedicated to God, whether it be a mosque or a church or a synagogue

( cf, the second paragraph of 22:40 ); and any attempt to prevent the followers of another faith from worshipping God according to their own lights in condemned by the Quran as a sacrilege. A striking illustration of this principle is forthcoming from the Prophet’s treatment of the deputation from Christian Najran in the year 10H. They were given free access to the Prophet’s mosque, and with his full consent celebrated their religious rites there, although their adoration of Jesus as “the son of God” and of Mary as “the mother of God” was fundamentally at variance with Islamic beliefs (see Ibn Sad I/I, 84f.). ]

[Ruby’s note: I completely agree with what is being said in Asad’s note 95 to this verse (2:114), other translators have mentioned the incident of pagan who were trying to bar the Muslims from attending the Kaba here with this revelation [ Mawdudi, Yusuf Ali ]. I think that is not what is implicated here specifically, even that too comes under the general principle that all places of worship is sacred and no one should be barred or restricted. This verse is in the context of the Jews and Christians mentioned in the earlier verse, and most importantly this verse does not mention Kaba or Pagan in this regard here.]

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22. Sura al-Hajj [Pilgrimage], Medina 103

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَن يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ...

22: 40. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right -- (for no cause) except that they say, "Our Lord is Allah."

...وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ...

Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,

C2817. To allow a righteous people to fight against a ferocious and mischief-loving people was fully justified. But the justification was far greater here, when the little Muslim community was not only fighting for its own existence against the Makkan Quraish, but for the very existence of the Faith in the One True God.

They had as much right to be in Makkah and worship in the Ka'bah as the other Quraish; yet they were exiled for their Faith. It affected not the faith of one peculiar people. The principle involved was that of all worship, Jewish or Christian as well as Muslim, and of all foundations built for pious uses.

...لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ...

there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure.

...وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ...

Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause);

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ ﴿٤٠﴾

for verily Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (Able to enforce His Will).

C2818. 'Aziz means:

- Exalted in power, rank, dignity;

- Incomparable;

- Full of might and majesty;

- Able to enforce His Will.

The last signification is the one that predominates here.

Pickthall’s Version:

22: 40

Pickthall Those who have been driven from their homes unjustly only because they said: Our Lord is Allah--For had it not been for Allah's repelling some men by means of others, cloisters and churches and oratories and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down. Verily Allah helpeth one who helpeth Him. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.

Transliteration Nil lazina ukhriju_ min diya_rihim bigairi haq qin il la_ ay yaqu_lu_ rab bunal la_h wa laula_ daf'ul la_hin na_sa ba'dahum biba'dil lahud dimat sawa_mi'u wa biya'uw wa salawa_tuw wa masa_jidu yuzkaru fihas mul la_hi katsira_ wa layanshuran nal la_hu may yansuruh in nal la_ha laqawiy yun 'aziz