3. Sura al-Imran

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ...

3: 161. No prophet could (ever) be false to his trust.

C472. Besides the gentleness of his nature, Al-Mustafa was known from his earliest life for his trustworthiness. Hence his title of Al-Amin. Unscrupulous people often read their own low motives into other men, and their accusation, which is meant to injure, fastens on the various virtues for which the man they attack is well known.

Some of the Hypocrites after Uhud raised some doubts about the division of the spoils, thinking to sow the seeds of poison in the hearts of the men who had deserted their posts in their craving for booty.

Those low suspicions were never believed in by any sensible people, and they have no interest for us now. But the general principles here declared are of eternal value.

1. Prophets of Allah do not act from unworthy motives.

2. Those who act from such motives are the lowest of creatures, and they will make no profit,

3. A prophet of Allah is not to be judged by the same standard as a greedy creature.

4. in Allah's eyes there are various grades of men, and we must try to understand and appreciate such grades.

If we trust our Leader, we shall not question his honesty without cause. If he is dishonest, he is not fit to be a leader. (R).

... وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ...

If any person is so false, He shall, on the Day of Judgment, restore what he misappropriated;

...ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿١٦١﴾

then shall every soul receive its due, whatever it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.

Other versions:

3: 161 [al-Imran, Medina 89 ]

Asad And it is not conceivable that a prophet should deceive ……

Yusuf Ali No prophet could (ever) be false to his trust. If any person is so false He shall on the Day of Judgment restore what he misappropriated; then shall every soul receive its due whatever it earned and none shall be dealt with unjustly.

Pickthall It is not for any Prophet to deceive (mankind). Whoso deceiveth will bring his deceit with him on the Day of Resurrection. Then every soul will be paid in full what it hath earned; and they will not be wronged.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_na li nabiyyin ay yagull(a), wa may yaglul ya'ti bima_ galla yaumal qiya_mah(ti), summa tuwaffa_ kullu nafsim ma_ kasabat wa hum la_ yuzlamu_n(a).

[Ali’s notes - 472 Besides the gentleness of his nature, Al-Mustafa was known from his earliest life for his trustworthiness. Hence his title of Al-Amin. Unscrupulous people often read their own low motives into other men, and their accusation, which is meant to injure, fastens on the various virtues for which the man they attack is well known. Some of the Hypocrites after Uhud raised some doubts about the division of the spoils, thinking to sow the seeds of poison in the hearts of the men who had deserted their posts in their craving for booty. Those low suspicions were never believed in by any sensible people, and they have no interest for us now. But the general principles here declared are of eternal value. (1) Prophets of Allah do not act from unworthy motives. (2) Those who act from such motives are the lowest of creatures, and they will make no profit, (3) A prophet of Allah is not to be judged by the same standard as a greedy creature. (4) in Allah's eyes there are various grades of men, and we must try to understand and appreciate such grades. If we trust our Leader, we shall not question his honesty without cause. If he is dishonest, he is not fit to be a leader. (3.161)

473 Cf. ii. 151. (3.164)

474 If Uhud was a reverse to the Muslims, they had inflicted a reverse twice as great on the Makkans at Badr. This reverse was not without Allah's permission, for He wanted to test and purify the faith of those who followed Islam, and to show them that they must strive and do all in their power to deserve Allah's help. If they disobeyed orders and neglected discipline, they must attribute the disaster to themselves and not to Allah. (3.165) ]]