5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَكَيْفَ
يُحَكِّمُونَكَ
وَعِندَهُمُ
التَّوْرَاةُ
...
5: 43. But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) laws before them?
C749. This is a searching question as to the motive of the Jews in bringing their cases for decision to the Prophet. They came either;
- to ridicule whatever he said, or
- to deceive him as to facts and snatch a favourable decision which was against equity.
If their own Law did not suit their selfish interests, they sometimes twisted it. But Muhammad was always inflexible in his justice.
... فِيهَا حُكْمُ اللّهِ...
Therein is the (plain) command of Allah;
... ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِن بَعْدِ ذَلِكَ وَمَا أُوْلَـئِكَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾
yet even after that, they would turn away.
For they are not (really) People of Faith.
وَلَوْ
أَنَّ أَهْلَ
الْكِتَابِ
آمَنُواْ وَاتَّقَوْاْ
لَكَفَّرْنَا
عَنْهُمْ
سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ
...
5: 65. If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities
... وَلأدْخَلْنَاهُمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ ﴿٦٥﴾
and admitted them to gardens of Bliss.
وَلَوْ
أَنَّهُمْ
أَقَامُواْ
التَّوْرَاةَ
وَالإِنجِيلَ
وَمَا أُنزِلَ
إِلَيهِم مِّن
رَّبِّهِمْ
...
5: 66. If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord,
... لأكَلُواْ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم...
they would have enjoyed happiness from every side.
C776. The literal translation of this line would be:
"They would have eaten from above them and from below their feet."
To eat (akala) is a very comprehensive word, and denotes enjoyment generally, physical, social, mental and moral, and spiritual.
"To eat what is forbidden" in verses 62 and 63 referred to taking unlawful profit, from usury or trust funds or in other ways.
Here "eating" would seem to mean receiving satisfaction or happiness in this life as well as in the life to come.
"From above them" may refer to heavenly or spiritual satisfaction, and "from below their feet" to earthly satisfaction.
But it is better to take the words as a general idiom, and understand "satisfaction or happiness from every side." (R).
... مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَاء مَا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٦٦﴾
There is from among them a party on the right course;
but many of them follow a course that is evil.
يَا
أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ
بَلِّغْ مَا
أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ
مِن رَّبِّكَ...
5: 67. O Messenger! proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord.
C777. Muhammad had many difficulties to contend with, many enemies and dangers to avoid.
Hi; mission must be fulfilled. And he must-as he did-go forward and proclaim that Message and fulfil his mission, trusting to Allah for protection, and unconcerned if people who had lost all sense of right rejected it or threatened him.
... وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ...
If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission:
... وَاللّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ...
and Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief).
... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾
For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.
قُلْ
يَا أَهْلَ
الْكِتَابِ
...
5: 68. Say: "O People of the Book!
... لَسْتُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ حَتَّىَ تُقِيمُواْ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ...
ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord."
... وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا...
It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy.
... فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾
But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
C778. In 5:26, Moses was told not to sorrow over a rebellious people. Here Muhammad is told not to sorrow over people without Faith.
The second situation is even more trying than the first. Rebellion may be a passing phase. Want of faith is an attitude of mind that is well-nigh hopeless. Yet the Prophet patiently reasoned with them and bore their taunts and insults.
If. the argument runs, you do not believe in anything, even in the things that you may be expected to believe in, how can you receive in Faith Allah's Message that has come in another form? In fact your jealousy adds to your obstinacy and unbelief.
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ وَالَّذِينَ
هَادُواْ
وَالصَّابِؤُونَ
وَالنَّصَارَى...
5: 69. Those who believe (in the Qur'án), those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,
... مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وعَمِلَ صَالِحًا...
any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,
C779. Here, as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:62), the Quran underscores the importance of true and genuine faith, which is to be judged by a sincere belief in Allah and man's accountability to Him backed by a righteous conduct rather than by mere forms or labels.
At both the places it repudiates the false claims of the People of the Book that they had a special relationship with Allah for they were the children of Abraham; that they were a chosen people with special privileges, and no matter what they did, their high status would remain unaffected.
Here this false notion is refuted and the People of the Book are being reminded that it is through sincere belief and righteous conduct rather than pretentious claims that man can win his Lord's pleasure and achieve ultimate success.
The verse does not purport to lay down an exhaustive list of the articles of faith. Nor does it seek to spell out the essentials of a genuine belief in Allah, which has no meaning unless it is accompanied by belief in His Prophets for it is through their agency alone that we know Allah's Will and can abide by it in our practical lives.
This is especially true of His final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be on him) whose message is universal, and not confined to any particular group or section of humanity.
Belief in the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be on him) is thus an integral part and a logical corollary of belief in Allah. Moreover, it is also an essential test of genuineness of such belief. This becomes clear when the verse is read in conjunction with other relevant verses of the Quran.
See, for instance, 4:170, 5:15, 19, 7:157, 158, 21:107, 25:I, 33:40, 61:6.
See also 2:40, 3:31-32, 4:150-151. (Eds).
... فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾
on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
لَقَدْ
أَخَذْنَا
مِيثَاقَ بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
وَأَرْسَلْنَا
إِلَيْهِمْ
رُسُلاً ...
5: 70. We took the Covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Messengers.
... كُلَّمَا جَاءهُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًا كَذَّبُواْ وَفَرِيقًا يَقْتُلُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾
Every time there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not --
some (of these) they called impostors, and some they (go so far as to) slay.
وَحَسِبُواْ
أَلاَّ تَكُونَ
فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُواْ
وَصَمُّواْ...
5: 71. They thought there would be no trial (or punishment); so they became blind and deaf:
C781. That is, they turned away their eyes from Allah's Signs and they turned a deaf ear to Allah's Message.
... ثُمَّ تَابَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُواْ وَصَمُّواْ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ ...
yet Allah (in mercy) turned to them: yet again many of them became blind and deaf.
... وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٧١﴾
But Allah sees well all that they do.
لَقَدْ
كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ
قَالُواْ إِنَّ
اللّهَ هُوَ
الْمَسِيحُ
ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
...
5: 72. They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary."
... وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ...
But said Christ: "O children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord."
C782. Cf. Matt. 4:10, where Christ rebukes Satan for desiring the worship of other than Allah:
John 20:17, where Christ says to Mary Magdalene, "Go unto my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God.
"Cf. also Luke 18:19, where Christ rebukes a certain ruler for calling him Good Master: "Why callest thou me good? None is good, save One, that is, Allah."
In Mark 12:29 Jesus says: "The first of all the commandments is, Hear 0 Israel; the Lord our God is One Lord."
... إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّهُ عَلَيهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ...
Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode.
... وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ ﴿٧٢﴾
There will for the wrongdoers be no one to help.
لَّقَدْ
كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ
قَالُواْ إِنَّ
اللّهَ ثَالِثُ
ثَلاَثَةٍ وَمَا
مِنْ إِلَـهٍ
إِلاَّ إِلَـهٌ
وَاحِدٌ...
5: 73. They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity:
for there is no god except One Allah.
... وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُواْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٣﴾
If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
Other versions:
5: 43 [ al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]
Asad But how is it that they ask thee for judgment – seeing that they have the Torah, containing God’s injunctions – and therefore turn away [from thy judgment]? Such as these, then, are no [true] believers.
Yusuf Ali But why do they come to thee for decision when they have (their own) laws before them? Therein is the (plain) command of Allah; yet even after that they would turn away. For they are not (really) people of faith.
Pickthall How come they unto thee for judgment when they have the Torah, wherein Allah hath delivered judgment (for them)? Yet even after that they turn away. Such (folk) are not believers.
Transliteration Wa kaifa yuhakkimu_naka wa'indahumut taura_tu fiha_ hukmulla_hi summa yatawallauna mim ba'di za_lik(a), wa ma_ ula_'ika bil mu'minin(a).
[ Ali’s note 749 This is a searching question as to the motive of the Jews in bringing their cases for decision to the Prophet. They came either (1) to ridicule whatever he said, or (2) to deceive him as to facts and snatch a favourable decision which was against equity. If their own Law did not suit their selfish interests, they sometimes twisted it. But Muhammad was always inflexible in his justice. (5.43)]
5: 65
Yusuf Ali If only the people of the Book had believed and been righteous We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of Bliss.
Pickthall If only the People of the Scripture would believe and ward off (evil), surely We should remit their sins from them and surely We should bring them into Gardens of Delight.
Transliteration Wa lau anna ahlal kita_bi a_manu_ wattaqau lakaffarna_'anhum sayyi'a_tihim wa la'adkhalna_hum janna_tin na'im(i).
5: 66
Asad and if they would but truly observe the Torah and the Gospel and all [the revelation] that has been bestowed from on high upon them by their Sustainer, they would indeed partake of all the blessings of heaven and earth. Some of them do pursue a right course; but as for most of them – vile indeed is what they do!
Yusuf Ali If only they had stood fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil.
Pickthall If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct.
Transliteration Wa lau annahum aqa_mut taura_ta wal injila wa ma_ unzila ilaihim mir rabbihim la'akalu_ min fauqihim wa min tahti arjulihim, minhum ummatum muqtasidah(tun), wa kasirum minhum sa_'a ma_ ya'malu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 84 – …..an observance of the moral principles laid down in the genuine teachings of the Bible. It should be borne in mind that the phrase “if they would but truly observe [law annahum aqamu] the Torah and the Gospel”, etc., implies an observance of those scriptures in their genuine spirit, free of the arbitrary distortions due to that “wishful thinking” of which the Quran so often accuses the Jews and the Christians -………]]
[[Ruby’s note – The above verse gives validity to the Torah and Gospel, therefore, these Scriptures should be seriously studied and compared with the Quran. There are distortions and deviations in these Books that one must be aware of but overall this verse is upholding the existing forms of these Scriptures at the time of the Prophet as reflecting God’s moral laws. ]]
5: 67
Asad ………Behold, God does not guide people who refuse to acknowledge the truth.
Yusuf Ali O Apostle! proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission: and Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject faith.
Pickthall O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou will not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhar rasu_lu ballig ma_ unzila ilaika mir rabbik(a), wa illam taf'al fama_ ballagta risa_latah(u_),walla_hu ya'simuka minan na_s(i), innalla_ha la_ yahdil qaumal ka_firin(a).
5: 68
Yusuf Ali Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
Pickthall Say: O People of the Scripture! Ye have naught (of guidance) till ye observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto you from your Lord. That which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them. But grieve not for the disbelieving folk.
Transliteration Qul ya_ ahlal kita_bi lastum'ala_ syai'in hatta_ tuqimut taura_ta wal injila wa ma_ unzila ilaikum mir rabbikum, wa layazidanna kasiram minhum ma_ unzila ilaika mir rabbika tugya_naw wa kufra_(n), fala_ ta'sa 'alal qaumil ka_firin(a).
5: 69
Yusuf Ali Those who believe (in the Qur'an) those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) and the Sabians and the Christians any who believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
Pickthall Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wal lazina ha_du_ was sa_bi'u_na wan nasa_ra_ man a_mana billa_hi wal yaumil a_khiri wa 'amila sa_lihan fala_ khaufun'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).
The Quran Pointing to the distortions:
5:70
Yusuf Ali We took the Covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Apostles. Every time there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not some (of these) they called impostors and some they (go so far as to) slay.
Pickthall We made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We sent unto them messengers. As often as a messenger came unto them with that which their souls desired not (they became rebellious). Some (of them) they denied and some they slew.
Transliteration Laqad akhazna_ misa_qa bani isra_'ila wa arsalna_ ilaihim rusulu_(n), kullama_ ja_'ahum rasu_lum bima_ la_ tahwa_ anfusuhum, fariqan kazzabu_ wa fariqay yaqtulu_n(a).
5: 71
Yusuf Ali They thought there would be no trial (or punishment); so they became blind and deaf: yet Allah (in mercy) turned to them: yet again many of them became blind and deaf. But Allah sees well all that they do.
Pickthall They thought no harm would come of it, so they were willfully blind and deaf. And afterward Allah turned (in mercy) toward them. Now (even after that) are many of them willfully blind and deaf. Allah is Seer of what they do.
Transliteration Wa hasibu_ alla_ taku_na fitnatun fa 'amu_ wa sammu_ summa ta_balla_hu 'alaihim summa 'amu_ wa sammu_ kasirum minhum, walla_hu basirum bima_ ya'malu_n(a).
5: 72
Yusuf Ali They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O children of Israel! worship Allah my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah Allah will forbid him the garden and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.
Pickthall They surely disbelieve who say : Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said : O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evildoers there will be no helpers.
Transliteration Laqad kafaral lazina qa_lu_ innalla_ha huwal masihubnu maryam(a), wa qa_lal masihu ya_ bani isra_'ila'budulla_ha rabbi wa rabbakum, innahu_ may yusyrik billa_hi faqad harramalla_hu 'alaihil jannata wa ma'wa_hun na_r(u), wa ma_ liz za_limina min ansa_r(in).
5: 73
Yusuf Ali They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy) verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
Pickthall They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.
Transliteration Laqad kafaral lazina qa_lu_ innalla_ha sa_lisu sala_sah(tin), wa ma_ min ila_hin illa_ ila_huw wa_hid(un), wa illam yantahu_'amma_ yaqu_lu_na layamassannal lazina kafaru_ minhum 'aza_bun alim(un).