2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ ...

2: 35. We said:

"O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden,

C50. Was the Garden of Eden a place on this earth?

Obviously not. For, in verse 36 below, it was after the Fall that the sentence was pronounced: "On earth will be your dwelling."

Before the Fall, we must suppose Man to be on another plane altogether - of felicity, innocence, trust, a spiritual existence, with the negation of enmity, want of faith, and all evil. (R).

... وَكُلاَ مِنْهَا رَغَداً حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا...

and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will,

... وَلاَ تَقْرَبَا هَـذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الْظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٣٥﴾

but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."

C51. "Zulm" in Arabic implies harm, wrong, injustice, or transgression, and may have reference to oneself;

when the wrong is done to others it implies tyranny and oppression;

the idea of wrong naturally connects itself with darkness, which is another shade of meaning carried with the root word.

Other versions:

2: 35

Asad Now they who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, say, “Had God so willed, would not have worshipped aught but Him – neither we nor our forefathers; nor would we have declared aught as forbidden without a commandment form Him.”

Even thus did speak those who lived before their time; but, then, are the apostles bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to them]?

Yusuf Ali The worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed we should not have worshipped aught but Him neither we nor our fathers nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of apostles but to preach the Clear Message?

Pickthall And the idolaters say: Had Allah willed, we had not worshipped aught beside Him, we and our fathers, nor had we forbidden aught without (command from) Him. Even so did those before them. Are the messengers charged with aught save plain conveyance (of the message)?

Transliteration Wa qa_lal lazina asyraku_ lau sya_'alla_hu ma_ 'abadna_ min da_nihi min syai'in nahnu wa la_ a_ba_'una_ wa la_ harramna_ min du_nihi min syai'(in), kaza_lika fa'alal lazina min qablihim, fa hal 'alar rusuli illal bala_gul mubin(u).

4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

رُّسُلاً مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلاَّ يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ...   

4: 165. Messengers who gave good news as well as warning, that mankind, after (the coming) of the Messengers, should have no plea against Allah:

C671. Every prophet proclaims Allah's goodness to the righteous and forgiveness to those who repent, (good news), and the Wrath to come for those who reject Faith and live in iniquity (warning).

Their mission of warning is a prelude and complement to their mission of good news. No one can then say that he or she did not know.

... وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٦٥﴾

for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

لَّـكِنِ اللّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِهِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةُ...  

4: 166. But Allah beareth witness that what He hath sent unto thee He hath sent from His (Own) Knowledge, and the angels bear witness:

C672. Inspiration, though it is clothed in human language, and shaped to the personality of the inspired one, proceeds from the knowledge of Allah. (R).

... يَشْهَدُونَ وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ شَهِيدًا ﴿١٦٦﴾

but enough is Allah for a Witness.

Other versions:

4: 165

Asad [We sent all these apostles as heralds of glad tidings and as warners, so tha men might have not excuse before God…………..

Yusuf Ali Apostles who gave good news as well as warning that mankind after (the coming) of the Apostles should have no plea against Allah: for Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.

Pickthall Messengers of good cheer and off warning, in order that mankind might have no argument against Allah after the messengers. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Rusulam mubasysyirina wa munzirina li'alla_ yaku_na linna_si 'alalla_hi hujjatum ba'dar rusul(i), wa ka_nalla_hu 'azizan hakima_(n).

4: 166

Yusuf Ali But Allah beareth witness that what He hath sent unto thee He hath sent from His (Own) Knowledge and the angels bear witness: but enough is Allah for a Witness.

Pickthall But Allah (Himself) testifieth concerning that which He hath revealed unto thee; in His knowledge hath He revealed it; and the Angels also testify. And Allah is sufficient witness.

Transliteration La_kinilla_hu yasyhadu bima_ anzala ilaika anzalahu_ bi'ilmih(i), wal mala_'ikatu yasyhadu_n(a), wa kafa_ billa_hi syahida_(n).