2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ...

24: 124. And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord, with certain commands, which he fulfilled;

C123. Kalimat: literally "words" here used in the mystic sense of Allah's Will or Decree or Purpose.

This verse may be taken to be the sum of the verses following. In everything Abraham fulfilled Allah's wish:

- he purified Allah's house;

- he built the sacred refuge of the Ka’bah;

- he submitted his will to Allah's, and thus became the type of Islam.

He was promised the leadership of the world; he pleaded for his progeny, and his prayer was granted, with the limitation that if his progeny was false to Allah, Allah's promise did not reach the people who proved themselves false.

... قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ...

He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the nations."

C124. Imam; the primary sense is that of being foremost: hence it may mean:

1. leader in religion;

2. leader in congregational prayer;

3. model, pattern, example;

4. a book of guidance and instruction (11:17);

5. a book of evidence or record (36:12).

Here, meaning 1 and 3 are implied.

In 9:12 the word is applied to leaders of Unbelief or Blasphemy.

... قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ...

He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!"

... قَالَ لاَ يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٢٤﴾

He answered: "But my promise is not within the reach of evildoers."

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ...

24: 130. And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly?

... وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا ...

Him We chose and rendered pure in this world:

C130. Istafa: chose; chose because of purity; chose and purified.

It is the same root from which Mustafa is derived, one of the titles of Muhammad.

... وَإِنَّهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿١٣٠﴾

and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous.

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ...

24: 131. Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to me)"

... قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٣١﴾

He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the universe."

وَوَصَّى بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ...

24: 132. And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob;

يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إَلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٢﴾

"O my sons! Allah hath chosen the faith for you; then die not except in the faith of Islam."

أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاء إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ ...

24: 133. Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob?

C131. The whole of the Children of Israel are called to witness one of their slogans, that they worshipped "the God of their fathers." The idea in their minds got narrowed down to that of a tribal God. But they are reminded that their ancestors had the principle of Islam in them - the worship of the One True and Universal God.

The death-bed scene is described in Jewish tradition.

... إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي...

Behold, he said to his sons: "What will ye worship after me?"

... قَالُواْ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـهَكَ وَإِلَـهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَقَ...

They said: "We shall worship thy God and the God of thy fathers, of Abraham, Isma'il, and Isaac,

C132. "Fathers" means ancestors, and include uncles, grand-uncles, as well as direct ascendants.

... إِلَـهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٣﴾

the one (true) God, to Him we bow (in Islam)."

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ...

24: 134. That was a People that hath passed away.

They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do!

... وَلاَ تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٣٤﴾

of their merits there is no question in your case!

C133. I have made a free paraphrase of what would read literally:

"Ye shall not be asked about what they used to do."

On the Day of Judgment each soul would have to answer for its own deeds: it cannot claim merit from others, nor be answerable for the crimes or sins of others.

Here the argument is:

if the Jews or Christians claim the merits of Father Abraham and the Patriarchs or of Jesus, we cannot follow them. Because there were righteous men in the past, it cannot help us unless we are ourselves righteous.

The doctrine of personal responsibility is a cardinal feature of Islam.

وَقَالُواْ كُونُواْ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَى تَهْتَدُواْ...

24: 135. They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)."

... قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ...

Say thou:

"Nay!

(I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true,

C134. Hanif: inclined to right opinion, orthodox (in the literal meaning of the Greek words), firm in faith, sound and well-balanced, true.

Perhaps the last word, True, sums up most of the other shades.

The Jews, though taught Unity, went after false gods, and the Christians invented the Trinity or borrowed it from Paganism. We go back to pure, Hanif doctrine of Abraham, to live and die in faith in the One True God.

... وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٣٥﴾

and he joined not gods with Allah."

Other versions:

2: 124

Asad

Asad And [remember this:] when his Sustainer tried Abraham by [His] commandments and the latter fulfilled them [note 100], He said: “Behold, I shall make thee a leader of men.”

Abraham asked: “ And [will Thou make leaders] of my offspring as well?

[God] answered: “My covenant does not embrace the evildoers.” [note 101]

Yusuf Ali And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands which he fulfilled; He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He answered: "But my promise is not within the reach of evil-doers."

Pickthall And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includeth not wrongdoers.

Transliteration Wa izibtala_ ibra_hima rabbuhu_ bi kalima_tin fa atammahunn(a), qa_la inni ja_'iluka linna_si ima_ma_(n), qa_la wa min zurriyyati, qa_la la_ yana_lu 'ahdiz za_limin(a).

[Asad’s note 100: ………….Since, however, the Quran does not specify them, it must be presumed that what is meant here is simply Abraham’s complete submission to whatever commandments he received from God.

[Asad’s note 101: This passage, read in conjunction with the two preceding verses, refutes the contention of the children of Israel that by virtue of their descent from Abraham, whom God made “a leader of men”, they are “God’s chosen people”. The Quran makes it clear that the exalted status of Abraham was not something that would automatically confer a comparable status on his physical descendants, and certainly not on the sinners among them. ]

[ Ali’s note 123 Kalimat: literally "words" here used in the mystic sense of God's Will or Decree or Purpose. This verse may be taken to be the sum of the verses following. In everything Abraham fulfilled God's wish: he purified God's house; he built the sacred refuge of the Ka'ba; he submitted his will to God's, and thus became the type of Islam. He was promised the leadership of the world; he pleaded for his progeny, and his prayer was granted, with the limitation that if his progeny was false to God, God's promise did not reach the people who proved themselves false. (2.124)]

2: 130

Asad And who, unless he be weak of mind, would want to abandon Abraham’s creed, seeing that We have indeed raised him high in this world, and that, verily, in the life to come he shall be among the righteous?

Yusuf Ali And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous.

Pickthall And who forsaketh the religion of Abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.

Transliteration Wa may yargabu 'am millati ibra_hima illa_ man safiha nafsah(u_), wa laqadis tafain_hu fid dunya_, wa innaha_ fil a_khirati laminas sa_lihin(a).

2: 131

Asad when his Sustainer said to him, “ Surrender thyself unto Me!” – her answered, “I have surrendered myself unto [Thee,] the Sustainer of all the worlds.”

Yusuf Ali Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to me)" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the universe."

Pickthall When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! he said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds.

Transliteration Iz qa_la lahu_ rabbuhu_ aslim, qa_la aslamtu li rabbil 'a_lamin(a).

2: 132

Asad And this very thing did Abraham bequeath unto his children, and [so did] Jacob: “O my children! Behold, God has granted you the purest faith; so do not allow death to overtake you ere you have surrendered yourselves unto Him.”

Yusuf Ali And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons and so did Jacob; "O my sons! Allah hath chosen the faith for you; then die not except in the faith of Islam."

Pickthall The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him).

Wa wassa_ biha_ ibra_himu banihi wa ya'qu_b(u), ya_ bunayya innalla_has tafa_ lakumud dina fala_ tamu_tunna illa_ wa antum muslimu_n(a).

[ Ali’s notes: 130 Istafa: chose; chose because of purity; chose and purified. It is the same root from which Mustafa is derived, one of the titles of Muhammad. (2.130)

131 The whole of the Children of Israel are called to witness one of their slogans, that they worshipped "the God of their fathers." The idea in their minds got narrowed down to that of a tribal God. But they are reminded that their ancestors had the principle of Islam in them - the worship of the One True and Universal God. The death-bed scene is described in Jewish tradition. (2.133)

132 "Fathers" means ancestors, and include uncles, grand-uncles, as well as direct ascendants. (2.133)]

2: 135

Asad And they say, “Be Jews” – or, “Christians” – “and you shall be on the right path.” Say, but [ours is] the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false [note 110], and was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God.”

Yusuf Ali They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true and he joined not gods with Allah."

Pickthall And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters.

Wa qa_lu_ ku_nu_ hu_dan au nasa_ra_ tahtadu_, qul bal millata ibra_hima hanifa_(n), wa ma_ ka_na minal musyrikin(a).

[ Asad’s note 110: The expression ‘hanif’ is derived from the verb hanafa,……..in the pre-Islamic times, this term had a definitely monotheistic connotation, and was used to describe a man who turned away from sin and worldliness and from all dubious beliefs, especially idol-worshipping; and tahannuf denoted the ardent devotions, mainly consisting of long vigils and prayers, of the Unitarian God-seekers of pre-Islamic times. ……….]

3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

.

قُلْ صَدَقَ اللّهُ ...

3: 95. Say:

"Allah speaketh the truth:

... فَاتَّبِعُواْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ...

follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith;

... وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٩٥﴾

he was not of the pagans."

C421. The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation.

We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews.

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ ...

3: 96. The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka

C422. Bakka: same as Makkah, perhaps an older name.

The foundation of the Ka'bah goes back to Abraham, but there are place associations in the sacred territories with the names of Adam and Eve. (R).

... مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾

full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings:

C423. 'Alamin:

- all the worlds (1:2 and n.20),

- all kinds of beings;

- all nations (3:42):

- all creatures (3:97),

فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّـنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ...

3: 97. In it are signs manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham;

C424. Station of Abraham: see 2:125 and n. 125.

... وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا...

whoever enters it attains security;

C425. See reference in last note.

...وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً ...

pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey;

وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٩٧﴾

but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.

Other versions:

3: 95 [al-I’Imran, Medina 89 ]

Asad Say: “God has spoken the truth: follow, then, the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false, …………

Yusuf Ali Say: "Allah speaketh the truth: follow the religion of Abraham the sane in faith; he was not of the pagans."

Pickthall Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters.

Transliteration Qul sadaqalla_h(u), fattabi'u_ millata ibra_hima hanifa_(n), wa ma_ ka_na minal musyrikin(a).

[ Ali’s note - 421 The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation. We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews. (3.95) ]

3: 96

Asad Behold, the first Temple ever set up for mankind was indeed the one at Bakkah [note 75]: rich in blessing,

Yusuf Ali The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings:

Pickthall Lo! the first Sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Mecca, a blessed place, a guidance to the peoples;

Transliteration Inna awwala baitiw wudi'a linna_si lallazi bi bakkata muba_rakw wa hudal lil'a_lamin(a).

[ Ali’s notes - 422 Bakka: same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'ba goes back to Abraham. (3.96)

423 'Alamin: all the worlds (i. 2. ii), all kinds of beings; all nations (iii. 42): all creatures (iii. 97), (3.96) ]

[ Asad’s note 75 - ………in some old Arabic dialects the labial consonants b and m, being phonetically close to one another, are occasionally interchangeable. …….Since the prototype of the Kabah was built by Abraham and Ishmael (see 2:125 ff.) – and is, therefore, much older than the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem - ………and herein lies the answer to the second of the two Jewish objections mentioned in note 73 above.]

3: 97

Yusuf Ali In it are signs manifest; (for example) the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.

Pickthall Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) Lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.

Transliteration Fihi a_ya_tum bayyina_tum maqa_mu ibra_him(a), wa man dakhalahu_ ka_na a_mina_(n), wa lilla_hi 'alan na_si hijjul baiti manistata_'a ilaihi sabila_(n), wa man kafara fa innalla_ha ganiyyun 'anil 'a_lamin(a).

16.Sura al-Nahl

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلّهِ حَنِيفًا...   

16: 120. Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in faith,

C2156. Ummah: a model, pattern, example for imitation;

but the idea that he was an Ummah in himself, standing alone against his world, should not be lost sight of.

See next note.

... وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٢٠﴾  

and he joined not gods with Allah:

C2157. The Gospel of Unity has been the comer-stone of spiritual Truth for all time. In this respect Abraham is the model and fountain-head for the world of western Asia and its spiritual descendants all over the world.

Abraham was among a people (the Chaldeans) who worshipped stars and had forsaken the Gospel of Unity. He was among them but not of them. He suffered persecution, and left his home and his people, and settled in theland of Canaan.

شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ...   

16: 121. He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah,

... اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿١٢١﴾  

Who chose him, and guided him to a straight way.

وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الْدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً...   

16: 122. And We gave him good in this world,

... وَإِنَّهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿١٢٢﴾

and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the righteous.

C2158. Cf. 2:130.

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا...    

16: 123. So We have taught thee the inspired (message),

"Follow the ways of Abraham the true in faith,

... وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٢٣﴾  

and he joined not gods with Allah."

Other versions:

16: 120 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

Yusuf Ali Abraham was indeed a model devoutly obedient to Allah (and) true in faith and he joined not gods with Allah:

Pickthall Lo! Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the idolaters;

Transliteration Inna ibra_hima ka_na ummatan qa_nital lilla_hi hanifa_(n), wa lam yaku minal musyrikin(a),

16: 121

Yusuf Ali He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah Who chose him and guided him to a straight way.

Pickthall Thankful for His bounties; He chose him and He guided him unto a straight path.

Transliteration Sya_kiral li'an'umih(i), ijtaba_hu wa hada_hu ila_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).

16: 122

Yusuf Ali And We gave him good in this world and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous.

Pickthall And We gave him good in the world, and in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.

Transliteration Wa a_taina_hu fid dunya_ hasanah(tan) wa innahu_ fil a_khirati laminas sa_lihin(a).

16: 123

Yusuf Ali So We have taught thee the inspired (message) "Follow the ways of Abraham the true in faith and he joined not gods with Allah."

Pickthall And afterward We inspired thee (Muhammad, saying): Follow the religion of Abraham, as one by nature upright. He was not of the idolaters.

Transliteration Summa auhaina_ ilaika an-ittabi' millata ibra_hima hanifa_(n), wa ma_ ka_na minal musyrikin(a).