13.Surah ArRa'd
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا
رُسُلاً مِّن
قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا
لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا
وَذُرِّيَّةً...
13: 38. We did send Messengers before thee, and appointed for them wives and children:
C1861. All the Prophets of whom we have any detailed knowledge, except one, had wives and children.
The exception is Jesus the son of Mary. But his life was incomplete; his ministry barely lasted three years; his mission was limited; and he was not called upon to deal with the many-sided problems that arise in a highly organized society or State.
We pay equal respect to him, because he was Allah's Messenger; but that is not to say that his Message covers the same universal ground as that of Al-Mustafa.
There is no reproach for a normal human being if he lives a normal human life; there is glory if he beautifies it and sets a nobler example of virtue than other men, as did Al-Mustafa.
...وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...
and it was never the part of a Messenger to bring a Sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded).
C1862. No Prophet performed any Miracle or showed forth any "Signs," except as Allah willed. Allah's Will (Mashiyat) is an all-wise, universal Plan, which is not formed for the benefit of one tribe or millahor of one age or country (see also next verse).
The greatest Miracle in history was and is the Quran. We can apprehend its beauty and grandeur to-day as much as did the people of Al-Mustafa's day, -even more, as our collective knowledge of nature and of Allah's creation has increased.
...لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ ﴿٣٨﴾
For each period is a Book (revealed).
C1863. Kitab: I have translated "a Book (revealed)";
but it can also means "a Law decreed" or "a Decree established."
Ultimately the meaning is the same; for each age, according to Allah's wisdom, His Message is renewed.
يَمْحُو
اللّهُ مَا
يَشَاء وَيُثْبِتُ
وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ
الْكِتَابِ ﴿٣٩﴾
13: 39. Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the Mother of the Book.
C1864. Umm-ul-Kitab: Mother of the Book: the original foundation of all revelation; the Essence of Allah's Will and Law.
Other versions:
13: 38 [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]
Asad And, truly, We sent forth apostles before thee, and We appointed for them wives and offspring; and it was not given to any apostle to produce a miracle save at God’s behest. Every age has had its revelation:
Yusuf Ali We did send apostles before thee and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of an apostle to bring a Sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed).
Pickthall And verily We sent messengers (to mankind) before thee, and We appointed for them wives and offspring, and it was not (given) to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by Allah's leave. For everything there is a time prescribed.
Transliteration Wa laqad arsalna_ rusulam min qablika wa ja'alna_ lahum azwa_jaw wa zurriyyah(tan), wa ma_ ka_na li rasu_lin ay ya'tiya bi a_yatin illa_ bi iznilla_h(i), likulli ajalin kita_b(un).
[ Asad note 76: ………5:48 – “Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life” ……………the statement that every age had a revelation suited to the particular needs of the time and the people concerned [Zamakhshari] …….]
13:39
Asad God annuls or confirms whatever He wills [of His earlier messages] – for with Him is the source of all revelation.
Yusuf Ali Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the Mother of the Book.
Pickthall Allah effaceth what He will, and establisheth (what He will), and with Him is the source of ordinance.
Transliteration Yamhulla_hu ma_ yasya_'u wa yusbit(u), wa 'indahu_ ummul kita_b(i).
[Asad note 77: I.e., He is the fountainhead or source [asl] of all revelation. – As regards the preceding reference to the abrogation of earlier divine dispensations and their supersession by later ones – ending with the final revelation, the Quran – see 2:106………]
[Ali’s note 1864: Umm-ul-Kitab: Mother of the Book: the original foundation of all revelation; the Essence of Allah's Will and Law. Cf. iii. 7, and n. 347. (13.39)]