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.
إِنَّا
أَنزَلْنَا
التَّوْرَاةَ
فِيهَا هُدًى
وَنُورٌ...
5: 44. It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses);
therein was guidance and light.
C750. Guidance, with reference to conduct,
light, with reference to insight into the higher realms of the spirit.
... يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالأَحْبَارُ...
By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the Prophet who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's Will, by the Rabbis and the doctors of Law:
C751. Rabbaniyyun may, I think, be rightly translated by the Jewish title of Rabbi for their learned men. Jewish learning is identified with Rabbinical literature.
Ahbar is the plural of hibr or habr, by which we may understand Jewish Doctors of Law.
Later the term was applied to those of other religions.
Query:
Is this word connected with the same root as "Hebrew", or "Eber" (Gen. 10:21), the ancestor of the Hebrew race?
This seems negatived by the fact that the Arabic root connected with the word "Hebrew" is 'Abar, not Habar.
... بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَابِ اللّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاء ...
for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto:
C752. They were living witnesses to the truth of Scripture, and could testify that they had made it known to the people:
... فَلاَ تَخْشَوُاْ النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِآيَاتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً ...
therefore fear not men, but fear Me, and sell not My Signs for a miserable price.
C753. Two charges are made, against the Jews:
1. that even the books which they had, they twisted in meaning, to suit their own purposes, because they feared men rather than Allah:
2. that what they had was but fragments of the original Law given to Moses, mixed up with a lot of semi-historical and legendary matter, and some fine poetry.
The Tawrah mentioned in the Quran is not the Old Testament as we have it: nor is it even the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, containing the Law embedded in a great deal of semi-historical and legendary narrative).
See Appendix II, on the Tawrah (printed at the end of this Surah).
... وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾
If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.
وَكَتَبْنَا
عَلَيْهِمْ
فِيهَا ...
5: 45. We ordained therein for them:
C754. The retaliation is prescribed in three places in the Pentateuch, viz,. Exod. 21:23-25: Leviticus 24:18-21, and Deut, 19:21.
The wording in the three quotations is different, but in none of them is found the additional rider for mercy, as here.
Note that in Matt. 5:38. Jesus quotes the Old Law "eye for eye," etc,, and modifies it in the direction of forgiveness, but the Quranic injunction is more practical.
Even where the injured one forgives, the State or Ruler is competent to take such action as is necessary for the preservation of law and order in Society. For crime has a bearing that goes beyond the interests of the person injured: the Community is affected: see 5:32.
... أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالْعَيْنَ بِالْعَيْنِ...
- "Life for life,
- eye for eye,
... وَالأَنفَ بِالأَنفِ وَالأُذُنَ بِالأُذُنِ وَالسِّنَّ بِالسِّنِّ وَالْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ ...
- nose for nose,
- ear for ear,
- tooth for tooth,
- and wounds equal for equal."
... فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهُ...
But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself.
C755. This is not part of the Mosaic Law, but the teaching of Jesus and of Muhammad.
Notice how the teaching of Jesus is gradually introduced as leading up to the Quran.
... وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ ﴿٤٥﴾
And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) wrongdoers.
C756. The seeming repetitions at the end of verses 44, 45 and 46 are not real repetitions. The significant words in the three cases are:
- Unbelievers,
- wrong-doers, and
- rebellious;
and each fits the context.
- If the Jews tamper with their books they are Unbelievers;
- if they give false judgments, they are wrong-doers.
- If the Christians follow not their light, they are rebellious.
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 - ……….
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 favorable 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: 44
Yusuf Ali It was We who revealed the law (to Moses); therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews by the Prophet who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will by the Rabbis and the doctors of Law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men but fear Me and sell not My Signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed they are (no better than) unbelievers.
Pickthall Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the Prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.
Transliteration Inna_ anzalnat taura_ta fiha_ hudaw wa nu_r(un), yahkumu bihan nabiyyunal lazina aslamu_ lillazina ha_du_ war rabba_niyyu_na wal ahba_ru bimastuhfizu_ min kita_billa_hi wa ka_nu_ 'alaihi syuhada_'(a), fala_ takhsyaun na_sa wakhsyauni wa la_ tasytaru_ bi a_ya_ti samanan qalila_(n), wa mal lam yahkum bima_ anzalalla_hu fa ula_'ika humul ka_firu_n(a).
5: 45
Yusuf Ali We ordained therein for them: "Life for life eye for eye nose for nose ear for ear tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal." But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed they are (no better than) wrong-doers.
Pickthall And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.
Transliteration Wa katabna_ 'alaihim fiha_ annan nafsa bin nafsi wal'aina bil 'aini wal anfa bil anfi wal uzuna bil uzuni was sinna bis sinn(i), wal juru_ha qisa_s(un), faman tasaddaqa bihi fa huwa kaffa_ratul lah(u_), wa mal lam yahkum bima_ anzalalla_hu fa ula_'ika humuz za_limu_n(a).
[[ Ali’s notes - 750 Guidance, with reference to conduct, light, with reference to insight into the higher realms of the faith. (5.44)
751 Rabbani may, I think, be rightly translated by the Jewish title of Rabbi for their learned men, Jewish learning is identified with Rabbinical literature. Ahbar is the plural of hibr or habr, by which we may understand Jewish Doctors of Law. Later the term was applied to those of other religions. (5.44)
752 They were living witnesses to the truth of Scripture, and could testify that they had made it known to the people: Cf. ii. 143, and iv. 135. (5.44)
753 Two charges are made, against the Jews: (1) that even the books which they had, they twisted in meaning, to suit their own purposes, because they feared men rather than Allah: (2) that what they had was but fragments of the original Law given to Moses, mixed up with a lot of semi-historical and legendary matter, and some fine poetry. The Taurat mentioned in the Qur-an is not the Old Testament as we have it: nor is it even the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, containing the Law embedded in a great deal of semi-historical and legendary narrative). See Appendix 11, on the Taurat (printed at the end of this Sura). (5.44)
754 The retaliation is prescribed in three places in the Pentateuch, viz,. Exod. xxi, 23-25: Leviticus xxiv. 18-21, and Deut, xix. 21. The wording in the three quotations is different, but in none of them is found the additional rider for mercy, as here. Note that in Matt. v. 38. Jesus quotes the Old Law "eye for eye," etc,, and modifies it in the direction of forgiveness, but the Quranic injunction is more practical. Even where the injured one forgives, the State or Ruler is competent to take such action as is necessary for the preservation of law and order in Society. For crime has a bearing that goes beyond the interests of the person injured: the Community is affected: see Q. v. 32. (5.45)
755 This is not part of the Mosaic Law, but the teaching of Jesus and of Muhammad. Notice how the teaching of Jesus is gradually introduced as leading up to the Qur-an. (5.45)
756 The seeming repetitions at the end of verses 47, 48 and 50 are not real repetitions. The significant words in the three cases are: Unbelievers, wrong-doers, and rebellious; and each fits the context. If the Jews tamper with their books they are Unbelievers; if they give false judgments, they are wrong-doers. If the Christians follow not their light, they are rebellious. (5.45)
757 Guidance and light: see n. 750 above. For the meaning of the Gospel (Injil), see Appendix III, "On the Injil", (printed at the end of this Sura). (5.46) ]]
6. Sura al-Anam
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
ثُمَّ
آتَيْنَا مُوسَى
الْكِتَابَ
تَمَامًا عَلَى
الَّذِيَ أَحْسَنَ
وَتَفْصِيلاً
لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ...
6: 154. Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favor) to those who would do right, and explaining all things in detail,
C980. The revelation to Moses went into the details of people's lives, and thus served as a practical guide to the Jews and after them to the Christians.
Admittedly the Message delivered by Christ dealt with general principles only and in no way with details.
The message of Islam as in the Quran is the next complete guide in point of time after that of Moses.
...وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَاء رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١٥٤﴾
and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
Other versions:
6: 154 [al-Anam, Cattle, Mecca 55]
Asad And once again: We vouchsafed the divine writ unto Moses in fulfillment [of Our Favor] upon those who persevered in doing good, clearly spelling out everything [note 156], and [thus providing] guidance and grace, so that they might have faith in the [final] meeting with their Sustainer.
Yusuf Ali Moreover We gave Moses the Book completing (Our favor) to those who would do right and explaining all things in detail and a guide and a mercy that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
Pickthall Again, We gave the Scripture unto Moses, complete for him who would do good, an explanation of all things, a guidance and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.
Transliteration Summa a_taina_ mu_sal kita_ba tama_man 'alal lazi ahsana wa tafsilal likulli syai'iw wa hudaw wa rahmatal la'allahum bi liqa_'i rabbihim yu'minu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note 156 – I.e., everything that they needed by way of laws and injunctions appropriate to their time and the stage of their development (Razi). See in this connection the phrase, “Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life”, occurring in 5:48, and the corresponding note 66.]
28. Surah Al-Qasad
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ
فَأْتُوا بِكِتَابٍ
مِّنْ عِندِ
اللَّهِ هُوَ
أَهْدَى مِنْهُمَا
أَتَّبِعْهُ...
28: 49. Say:
"Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is a better Guide than either of them, that I may follow it!
...إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿٤٩﴾
(Do), if ye are truthful!"
فَإِن
لَّمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا
لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ
أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ
أَهْوَاءهُمْ...
28: 50. But if they hearken not to thee, know that they only follow their own lusts:
C3383. They were challenged to produce something better, to be a guide in life. But as they could not, it was evident that their objections were fractious. They were only following their own selfish lusts of power, monopoly, and exploitation of the poor and ignorant.
How can such people receive guidance?
...وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِّنَ اللَّهِ...
and who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, devoid of guidance from Allah?
...إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٠﴾
For Allah guides not people given to wrongdoing.
Other versions:
28:49 Say: "Produce, then, [another] revelation from God which would offer better guidance than either of these two 49 - [and) I shall follow it, if you speak the truth!"
28:50 And since they cannot respond to this thy challenge, 50 know that they are following only their own likes and dislikes: and who could be more astray than he who follows [but) his own likes and dislikes without any guidance from God? Verily, God does not grace with His guidance people who are given to evildoing!
[[ Asad’s notes - 49 I.e., the Torah and the Qur'an. The Gospel is not mentioned in this context because, as Jesus himself had stressed, his message was based on the Law of Moses, and was not meant to displace the latter.
50 Lit., "if they do not respond to thee", implying that they are unable to accept the above challenge. ]]