19. Surah Maryam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ...   

19: 58.  Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace --

...مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ...

of the posterity of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah,

...وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ...

and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel --

C2509. The earlier generations are grouped into three epochs from a religious point of view:

-        from Adam to Noah,

-        from Noah to Abraham, and

-        from Abraham to an indefinite time, say to the time when the Message of Allah was corrupted and the need arose for the final Messenger of Unity and Truth.

Israel is another name for Jacob.

...وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا...

of those whom We guided and chose;

...إِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَن خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا ﴿٥٨﴾

whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them,

they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

C2510. The original is in the Aorist tense, implying that the "Posterity" alluded to includes not only the messengers but their worthy followers who are true to Allah and uphold His standard.

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ...   

19: 59.  But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts:

...فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا ﴿٥٩﴾

soon, then, will they face Destruction --

C2511. This selfish godless posterity gains the upper hand at certain times, but even then there is always a minority who see the error of their ways, repent and believe, and live righteous lives.

They are not penalized in the Hereafter because they were associated with the ungodly in time. They reap the full reward of their faith and righteousness.

Other versions:

19: 58

Asad ……….We had guided and elected: whenever the messages of the Most Gracious were conveyed unto them, they would fall down [before Him], Him] prostrating themselves and weeping.

Yusuf Ali Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace of the posterity of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose; whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

Pickthall These are they unto whom Allah showed favor from among the Prophets, of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent were recited unto them, they fell down, adoring and weeping.

Transliteration Ula_ ikal lazina an'amal la_hu 'alaihim minan nabiy yina min dzur riy yati a_dam wa mim man hamalna_ ma'a nu_hiw wa min dzur riy yati ibra_hima wa isra_ ila wa mim man hadaina_ waj tabaina_ idza_ tutla_ 'alaihim a_ya_tur rahma_ni khar ru_ suj jadaw wa bukiy ya_

[Asad’s note 44 I.e., all of the prophets were conscious of being no more than mortal, humble servants of God. (see also 32:15) ]

19: 59 [Maryam, Mecca 44 ]

Asad Yet they were succeeded by generations [of people] who lost all [thought of] prayer and followed [but] their own lusts; and these will, in time, meet with utter disillusion.

Yusuf Ali But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts: soon then will they face Destruction

Pickthall Now there hath succeeded them a later generation who have ruined worship and have followed lusts. But they will meet deception.

Transliteration Fakhalafa mim ba'dihim khulfun adha_'us sala_ta wat taba'us sahawa_ti fasaufa yalqauna ghay ya_