Sura-16 An Nahl mecca 70]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَاللّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْرِّزْقِ...   

16:71.  Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others;

... فَمَا الَّذِينَ فُضِّلُواْ بِرَآدِّي رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَاء... 

those more favored are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect.

... أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ اللّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ ﴿٧١﴾

Will they then deny the favors of Allah?

C2102. Even in the little differences in gifts, which men enjoy from Allah, men with superior gifts are not going to abandon them so as to be equal with men of inferior gifts, whom, perhaps, they hold in subjection. They will never deny their own superiority.

How then (as the argument is pursued in the two following verses), can they ignore the immense difference between the Creator and created things, and make the latter, in their thoughts, partners with Allah?

Asad’s Version:

16: 71

Asad There are some of you God has bestowed more abundant means of sustenance than on others: and yet, they who are more abundantly favored are unwilling to share their sustenance with those whom their right hands possess, so that they might be equal in this respect. Will they, then, God’s blessings deny?

Yusuf Ali Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others; those more favored are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favors of Allah?

Pickthall And Allah hath favored some of you above others in provision. Now those who are more favored will by no means hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Is it then the grace of Allah that they deny?

Yuksel

Transliteration God has preferred some of you over others in provision. Those who have been preferred will not relinquish their provision to those whom they have contractual rights, so they may become equal in it. Are they denying the favor of God?*

Walla_hu faddala ba'dakum 'ala_ ba'din fir rizq(i), famal lazina fuddilu_ bi ra_ddi rizqihim 'ala_ ma_ malakat aima_nuhum fahum fihi sawa_'(un), fabini'matilla_hi yajhadu_n(a).

[Asad’s note 80: ……..The placing of one’s dependants on an equal footing with oneself with regard to the basic necessities of life is a categorical demand of Islam; thus the Prophet said: “They are your brethren, these dependants of yours [khawalukum] whom God has placed under your authority [lit., “under your hand”]. Hence ….give him to eat of what he eats himself, and shall clothe him with what he clothes himself. And do not burden them with anything thatmay be beyond their strength;…….” [This authentic Tradition, recorded by Bukhari …………..]

[Ali’s note: 2102 Even in the little differences in gifts, which men enjoy from Allah, men with superior gifts are not going to abandon them so as to be equal with men of inferior gifts, whom, perhaps, they hold in subjection. They will never deny their own superiority. How then (as the argument is pursued in the two following verses), can they ignore the immense difference between the Creator and created things, and make the latter, in their thoughts, partners with Allah? ]

[[ Yuksel’s note - 016:071 What about translating it as, "Those who are privileged do not share their provisions with others. While in fact, they are all equal in terms of provision"? See 30:28.

30: 28 [ar-Rum, Mecca 84]

Yusuf Ali He does propound to you a similitude from your own (experience): do ye have partners among those whom your right hands possess to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you? Do ye fear them as ye fear each other? Thus do We explain the Signs in detail to a people that understand.

Pickthall He coineth for you a similitude of yourselves. Have ye, from among those whom your right hands possess, partners in the wealth We have bestowed upon you, equal with you in respect thereof, so that ye fear them as ye fear each other (that ye ascribe unto Us partners out of that which We created)? Thus We display the revelations for people who have sense.

Yuksel Monotheism: A Natural and Rational System

An example is cited for you from among yourselves: are there any from among those who are still dependant that are partners to you in what provisions We have given you that you become equal therein? Would you fear them as you fear each other? It is such that We clarify the signs for a people who have sense.

Transliteration Daraba lakum masalam min anfusikum hal lakum mim ma_ malakat aima_nukum min suraka_a fi ma_ razaqna_kum fa antum fihi sawa_ un taha_fu_nahum kakifatikum anfusakum kaza_lika nufas silul a_ya_ti liqaumiy yaqilu_n

[[ Ali’s notes

3535 One way in which we can get some idea of the things higher than our own plane is to think of Parables and Similitudes. But even so, the highest we can think of falls short of the true Reality. For Allah is higher and wiser than the highest and wisest we can think of. (30.28)

3536 Allah is far higher above His Creation than any, the highest, of His creatures can be above any, the lowest, of His creatures. And yet would a man share his wealth on equal terms with his dependants? Even what he calls his wealth is not really his own, but given by Allah. It is "his" in common speech by reason merely of certain accidental circumstances. How then can men raise Allah's creatures to equality with Allah in worship? (30.28)

3537 Men fear each other as equals in a state of society at perpetual warfare. To remove this fear they appoint an authority among themselves-a King or sovereign authority whom they consider just-to preserve them from this fear and give them an established order. But they must obey and revere this authority and depend upon this authority for their own tranquility and security. Even with their equals there is always the fear of public opinion. But men do not fear, or obey, or revere those who are their slaves or dependents. Man is dependent on Allah. And Allah is the Sovereign authority in an infinitely higher sense. He is in no sense dependent on us, but we must honor and revere Him and fear to disobey His Will or His Law. "The fear of Allah is the beginning of wisdom." (30.28)

3538 Cf vi. 55, and vii. 32, 174. etc. (30.28) ]]