22. Sura al-Hajj

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

اللَّهُ يَصْطَفِي مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا وَمِنَ النَّاسِ...

22: 75. Allah chooses Messengers from angels and from men:

C2857. Men are chosen as Messengers to ordinary men; for ordinary men will not be able to understand and be in communion with beings so refined as angels. But angels are sent as Messengers to Allah's chosen prophets, to convey the Message from time to time.

In either case they are chosen by Allah, are subject to Allah's Will, and should not be worshipped as gods.

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ ﴿٧٥﴾

for Allah is He Who hears and sees (all things).

C2858. As Allah regards the humblest of His creatures and hears their prayer, He sends men messengers out of their own brethren (see last note), and to such messengers He communicates the highest spiritual Truths through His angels.

22:76 يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ...

22: 76. He knows what is before them and what is behind them:

...وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ ﴿٧٦﴾

and to Allah go back all questions (for decision).

C2859. Time, before or behind, may be of some importance to men. They may dispute as to what was the first Message, and what is the last Message.

To Allah, this question of priority and posteriority is of no consequence. All questions go back ultimately to Him and are judged on their merits.

Asad’s Version:

(22:75) [In His almightiness,] God chooses message-bearers from among the angels as well as from among men. But, behold, God [alone] is all-hearing, all-seeing:" 1

(22:76) [whereas their knowledge is limited,] He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them" - for all things go back to God [as their source].