Sura-7 [ Al Araf mecca 39]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ...

7:34. To every people is a term appointed:

C1017. People: ummah. I do not know whether "generation" would not be more appropriate here. If so, it would refer to the Time-Spirit, for it affects a whole number of people living contemporaneously, and while we deal grammatically with a group, we really have in mind the individuals composing the group. Anyway, the lesson is what is suggested in the following verses.

There is only a limited time for an individual or for a group of people. If they do not make good during that time of probation, the chance is lost, and it cannot come again. We cannot retard or advance the march of time by a single hour or minute.

("Hour" in the text expresses an indefinite but short period of time).

...فَإِذَا جَاء أَجَلُهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلاَ يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾

when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).

Asad’s Version:

7: 34 And for all people a term has been set [note 25]: and when [the end of] their term approaches, they can neither delay it by a single moment, nor can they hasten it.

Yusuf Ali To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached not an hour can they cause delay nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).

Pickthall And every nation hath its term, and when its term cometh, they cannot put it off an hour nor yet advance (it).

Transliteration Wa likulli ummatin ajal(un), fa iza_ ja_'a ajaluhum la_ yasta'khiru_na sa_'ataw wa la_ yastaqdimu_n(a).

Asad’s notes: 25 – Lit., “for every community (ummah) there is a term”: i.e., all people have a life-term decreed by God, during which they are all liberty to accept or to reject the guidance offered them through revelation. The word “umma” often denotes “living beings” – in this context, “people”.]]

[[ Ali’s note - 1017 People: ummat. I do not know whether "generation" would not be more appropriate here……... Anyway, the lesson is what is suggested in the following verses. There is only a limited time for an individual or for a group of people. If they do not make good during that time of probation, the chance is lost, and it cannot come again. We cannot retard or advance the march of time by a single hour or minute. ("Hour" in the text expresses an indefinite but short period of time). (7.34) ]]