Sura-34 [Saba Mecca 58]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَى...

34:37. It is not your wealth nor your sons, that will bring you nearer to Us in degree:

C3844. The true test of progress in spiritual life is to be measured by other things than material wealth and influence. What we have to ask ourselves is:

are we the least bit nearer to Allah?

... إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاء الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا...

but only those who believe and work Righteousness -- these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds,

C3845. Cf. 30:39.

All worldly good is but a shadow that will pass away. Its intrinsic and eternal value is small. But those who work righteousness in Faith are on the true path of self-development. The reward they will get will be infinitely more than their merits entitle them to. For they will partake of the boundless Bounties of Allah.

... وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾

while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high!

C3846. Their happiness will not only be great in quantity ("multiplied"), but it will be of a specially sublime quality ("dwellings on high"), and it will endure without any chance of its loss or diminution ("secure they reside").

وَالَّذِينَ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي آيَاتِنَا مُعَاجِزِينَ أُوْلَئِكَ فِي الْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

34:38. Those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them, will be given over into Punishment.

C3847. Cf. 34:5, where the argument was urged that human efforts to defeat Allah's Plan will only bring humiliation to those who indulge in them.

Here the argument is rounded off by the statement that such efforts, besides their failure, will land them in an abyss of punishment contrasted with the "dwellings on high" of the blessed ones.

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ...

34:39. Say:

"Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to such of His servants as He pleases:

C3848. Cf. 34:36 above, and n. 3843.

... لَهُ وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ ...

and nothing do ye spend in the least (in his cause) but He replaces it:

... وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾

for He is the Best of those Who grant Sustenance.

C3849. Even in the seeming inequality of distribution of the good things of life, Allah has a wise and merciful purpose; for nothing arises by chance.

He is the best to give us, now and evermore, just those things which subserve our real needs and advance our inner development.

Other versions:

[Yuksel ] 34:36 Say, "My Lord gives provisions to whomever He wishes, or He restricts them, but most people do not know."

34:37 It is not your money or your children that will bring you closer to Us, but only those who acknowledge and do good work, they will receive double the reward for their works, and they will reside in the high dwellings in peace.

34:38 As for those who sought against Our signs, they will be brought to the retribution.

34:39 Say, "My Lord gives provisions to whom He wishes of His servants and He restricts. Anything you spend, He will replace it; and He is the Best of providers."

Asad’s Version:

34:36 [Asad]

(36) Say: "Behold, my Sustainer grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills: but most men do not understand [God's ways]." 47

(34:37) For, it is neither your riches nor your children that can bring you nearer to Us: only he who attains to faith and does what is right and just [comes near unto Us]; and it is [such as] these whom multiple recompense awaits for all that they have done; and it is they who shall dwell secure in the mansions [of paradise] –

(34:38) whereas all who strive against Our messages, seeking to

defeat their purpose, shall be given over to suffering.

34:39 Say: "Behold, my Sustainer grants abundant sustenance, or gives it in scant measure, unto whomever He wills of His servants; 48 and whatever it be that you spend on others, He [always] replaces it: 49 for He is the best of providers." [kharur Razikkin]