3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِذْ
قَالَتِ امْرَأَةُ
عِمْرَانَ ...
3: 35. Behold! a woman of Imran said:
C375. Now we begin the story of Jesus.
As a prelude we have the birth of Mary and the parallel story of John the Baptist, Yahya the son of Zakariya.
Yahya's mother Elisabeth was a cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36), and therefore John and Jesus were cousins by blood, and there was a spiritual cousinhood in their birth and career.
Elisabeth was of the daughters of Aaron (Luke 1:5), of a priestly family which went back to Aaron the brother of Moses and son of Imran. Her husband Zakariya was actually a priest, and her cousin Mary was presumably also of a priestly family.
By tradition Mary's mother was called Hannah (in Latin, Anna, and in English, Anne), and her father was called Imran. Hannah is therefore both a descendant of the priestly house of Imran and the wife of Imran,-"a woman of Imran" in a double sense,
... رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطْنِي مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي...
"O my Lord!
I do dedicate unto thee what is in my womb for Thy special service, so accept this of me,
C376. Muharrar: freed from all worldly affairs and specially dedicated to Allah's service.
She expected a son, who was to be a special devotee, a miraculous son of the old age of his parents, but Allah gave her instead a daughter. But that daughter was Mary the mother of Jesus, the chosen one among the women: 3:42.
...إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٣٥﴾
for Thou hearest and knowest all things."
فَلَمَّا
وَضَعَتْهَا
قَالَتْ رَبِّ
إِنِّي وَضَعْتُهَا
أُنثَى ...
3: 36. When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! behold! I am delivered of a female child!"
...وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ ...
And Allah knew best what she brought forth --
C377. The mother of Mary expected a male child. Was she disappointed that it was a female child?
No, for she had Faith, and she knew that Allah's Plan was better than any wishes of hers.
Mary was no ordinary girl: only Allah knew what it was that her mother brought forth.
... وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالأُنثَى...
"And nowise is the male like the female.
C378. The female child could not be devoted to Temple service under the Mosaic law, as she intended. But she was marked out for a special destiny as a miracle-child, to be the mother of the miracle-child Jesus.
She was content to seek Allah's protection for her against all evil. There is a certain sense of pride in the girl on the part of the mother.
...وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وِإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ﴿٣٦﴾
I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected."
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا
رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ
حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا
نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا
وَكَفَّلَهَا
زَكَرِيَّا...
3: 37. Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty;
to the care of Zakariya was she assigned.
...كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقاً...
Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance.
...قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَـذَا...
He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?"
...قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ...
She said: "From Allah:
...إنَّ اللّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿٣٧﴾
for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases, without measure."
C379. Mary grew under Allah's special protection. Her sustenance, under which we may include both her physical needs and her spiritual food, came from Allah, and her growth was indeed a "goodly growth" which I have tried to express in the Text by the words "purity and beauty".
Some apocryphal Christian writings say that she was brought up in the Temple to the age of twelve like a dove, and that she was fed by angels.
هُنَالِكَ
دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا
رَبَّهُ ...
3: 38. There did Zakariya pray to his Lord,
...قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَة ...
saying:
"O my Lord! grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure;
...إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاء ﴿٣٨﴾
for Thou art He that heareth prayer!"
C380. The birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, of John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, and of Jesus, the prophet of Israel, whom Israel rejected, occurred in that order chronologically, and are told in that order.
They are all inter-connected. Zakariya prayed for no ordinary son. He and his wife were past the age of parenthood. Seeing the growth of Mary, he prayed for some child from Allah,- "from Thee, a progeny that is pure".
To his surprise, he is given a son in the flesh, ushered in by a special Sign. (R)
فَنَادَتْهُ
الْمَلآئِكَةُ
وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ
يُصَلِّي فِي
الْمِحْرَابِ
...
3: 39. While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him:
... أَنَّ اللّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَـى...
"Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya,
...مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ ...
witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah,
C381. Notice: "a Word from Allah", not "the Word of Allah", the epithet that mystical Christianity uses for Jesus.
As stated in 3:59 below, Jesus was created by a miracle, by Allah's word "Be", and he was.
... وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾
and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, of the (goodly) company of the righteous."
قَالَ
رَبِّ أَنَّىَ
يَكُونُ لِي
غُلاَمٌ وَقَدْ
بَلَغَنِيَ
الْكِبَرُ
وَامْرَأَتِي
عَاقِرٌ...
3: 40. He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son, seeing I am very old, and my wife is barren?"
...قَالَ كَذَلِكَ ...
"Thus," was the answer,
... اللّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاء ﴿٤٠﴾
"doth Allah accomplish what He willeth."
قَالَ
رَبِّ اجْعَل
لِّيَ آيَةً...
3: 41. He said: "O my Lord! give me a sign!"
...قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلاَّ تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلاَّ رَمْزًا...
"Thy Sign," was the answer, "shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals.
...وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالإِبْكَارِ ﴿٤١﴾
Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again, and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning."
وَإِذْ
قَالَتِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ
يَا مَرْيَمُ
إِنَّ اللّهَ
اصْطَفَاكِ
وَطَهَّرَكِ...
3: 42. Behold! the angels said:
"O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee;
...وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَى نِسَاء الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾
chosen thee above the women of all nations.
C382. Mary the mother of Jesus was unique, in that she gave birth to a son by a special miracle, without the intervention of the customary physical means. This of course does not mean that she was more than human, any more than that her son was more than human. She had as much need to pray to Allah as anyone else.
The Christian dogma, in all sects except the Unitarian, holds that Jesus was God and the son of God.
The worship of Mary became the practice in the Roman Catholic Church, which calls Mary the Mother of God. This seems to have been endorsed by the Council of Ephesus in 431, in the century before Muhammad was born to sweep way the corruptions of the Church of Christ.
For 'alamin as meaning all nations, see 3:96, n. 423.
يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾
3: 43. "O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."
ذَلِكَ
مِنْ أَنبَاء
الْغَيْبِ
نُوحِيهِ إِلَيكَ
...
3: 44. This is part of the tidings of the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee (O Prophet!) by inspiration;
C383. Things unseen: belong to a realm beyond the reach of human perception and therefore it would be unseemly to dispute or speculate about them. (R)
...وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُون أَقْلاَمَهُمْ ...
thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows,
C384. Literally, reeds: aqalam.
For the Arab custom of casting lots with arrows, see 2:219, n. 241.
... أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ ...
as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary;
...وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾
nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point).
C385. Christian apocryphal writings mention the contention between the priests as to the honor of taking charge of Mary, and how it was decided by means of rods or reeds in favour of Zakariya.
إِذْ
قَالَتِ الْمَلآئِكَةُ
يَا مَرْيَمُ
إِنَّ اللّهَ
يُبَشِّرُكِ
بِكَلِمَةٍ
مِّنْهُ...
3: 45. Behold! the angels said
"O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him:
...اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ...
his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary,
C386. Christ: Greek, Christos=anointed: kings and priests were anointed to symbolize consecration to their office.
The Hebrew and Arabic form is Masih.
... وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾
held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.
C387. Nearest to Allah: Muqarrabin. Cf. 56:11.
وَيُكَلِّمُ
النَّاسَ فِي
الْمَهْدِ
وَكَهْلاً ...
3: 46. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity,
C388. The ministry of Jesus lasted only about three years, from 30 to 33 years of his age, when in the eyes of his enemies he was crucified.
But the Gospel of Luke (2:46) describes him as disputing with the doctors in the Temple at the age of 12, and even earlier, as a child, he was "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom" (Luke 2:40).
Some apocryphal Gospels describe him as preaching from infancy.
... وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾
and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."
قَالَتْ
رَبِّ أَنَّى
يَكُونُ لِي
وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ
يَمْسَسْنِي
بَشَرٌ...
3: 47. She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?"
C389. She was addressed by angels, who gave her Allah's message.
In reply she speaks as to Allah. In reply, apparently an angel gives Allah's message.
...قَالَ كَذَلِكِ اللّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاء...
He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth;
...إِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٤٧﴾
when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it 'Be',
and it is!
وَيُعَلِّمُهُ
الْكِتَابَ
وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَالتَّوْرَاةَ
وَالإِنجِيلَ
﴿٤٨﴾
3: 48. "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel.
وَرَسُولاً
إِلَى بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
...
3: 49. "And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message):
... أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ...
I have come to you, with a sign from your Lord,
...أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...
in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave;
C390. This miracle of the clay birds is found in some of the apocryphal Gospels; those of curing the blind and the lepers and raising the dead are in the canonical Gospels.
The original Gospel (see 3:48) was not the various stories written afterwards by disciples, but the real Message taught direct by Jesus.
...وَأُبْرِىءُ الأكْمَهَ والأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِـي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...
and I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave;
...وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ...
and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses.
C391. This clause refers generally to a prophetic knowledge of what is not known to other people.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٩﴾
Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe.
وَمُصَدِّقًا
لِّمَا بَيْنَ
يَدَيَّ مِنَ
التَّوْرَاةِ
وَلِأُحِلَّ
لَكُم بَعْضَ
الَّذِي حُرِّمَ
عَلَيْكُمْ...
3: 50. "(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me, and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you;
...وَجِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٥٠﴾
I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord.
So fear Allah, and obey me.
إِنَّ
اللّهَ رَبِّي
وَرَبُّكُمْ
فَاعْبُدُوهُ
هَـذَا صِرَاطٌ
مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
﴿٥١﴾
3: 51. "It is Allah who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.
This is a way that is straight."
فَلَمَّا
أَحَسَّ عِيسَى
مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ
قَالَ مَنْ
أَنصَارِي إِلَى
اللّهِ ...
3: 52. When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said:
"Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?"
...قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللّهِ...
Said the Disciples:
"We are Allah's helpers,
...آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾
we believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
C392. The story of Jesus is told with special application to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Note the word helpers (Ansar) in this connection, and the reference to plotters in 3:54.
It was the one Religion-the Religion of Allah, which was in essence the religion of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
The argument runs: who do ye then now make divisions and reject the living Teacher?
Islam is: bowing to the Will of Allah. All who have faith should bow to the Will of Allah and be Muslims.
رَبَّنَا
آمَنَّا بِمَا
أَنزَلَتْ
وَاتَّبَعْنَا
الرَّسُولَ
فَاكْتُبْنَا
مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
﴿٥٣﴾
3: 53. "Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness."
وَمَكَرُواْ
وَمَكَرَ اللّهُ...
3: 54. And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned,
C393. The Arabic Makara has both a bad and a good meaning, that of making an intricate plan to carry out some secret purpose. The enemies of Allah are constantly doing that.
But Allah -in whose hands is all good- has His plans also, against which the evil ones will have no chance whatever.
...وَاللّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾
and the best of planners is Allah.
إِذْ
قَالَ اللّهُ
يَا عِيسَى
إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ
وَرَافِعُكَ
إِلَيَّ ...
3: 55. Behold! Allah said:
"O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself
C394. Read this with 4:157, where it is said that "whereas they slew him not nor they crucified him but it was made dubious unto them.
The guilt of the Jews remained, but Jesus was eventually taken up to Allah.
... وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...
and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme;
C395. Jesus was charged by the Jews with blasphemy as claiming to be Allah or the son of Allah.
The Christians (except a few early sects which were annihilated by persecution, and the modern sect of Unitarians), adopted the substance of the claim, and made it the cornerstone of their faith.
Allah clears Jesus of such a charge or claim.
...وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ...
I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection;
C396. Those who follow thee refers to both Muslims (insofar as they truly follow the basic teachings of Jesus) and Christians (who claim to follow him). [Eds].
...ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾
then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.
C397. All the controversies about dogma and faith will disappear when we appear before Allah.
He will judge not by what we profess but by what we are.
فَأَمَّا
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ
فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ
عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا
فِي الدُّنْيَا
وَالآخِرَةِ...
3: 56. "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter,
...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٥٦﴾
nor will they have anyone to help.
وَأَمَّا
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُواْ
الصَّالِحَاتِ
فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ
أُجُورَهُمْ
...
3: 57. "As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward;
...وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾
but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.
ذَلِكَ
نَتْلُوهُ
عَلَيْكَ مِنَ
الآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ
الْحَكِيمِ
﴿٥٨﴾
3: 58. "This is what We rehearse unto thee of the Signs and the Message of Wisdom."
إِنَّ
مَثَلَ عِيسَى
عِندَ اللّهِ
كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ
...
3: 59. This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam:
C398. After a description of the high position which Jesus occupies as a prophet, we have a repudiation of the dogma that he was Allah, or the son of Allah, or anything more than a man.
If it is said that he was born without a human father, Adam was also so born. Indeed Adam was born without either a human father or mother. As far as our physical bodies are concerned they are mere dust.
In Allah's sight Jesus was as dust just as Adam was or humanity is. The greatness of Jesus arose from the divine command "Be": for after that he was-more than dust - a great Prophet and teacher.
...خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثِمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٥٩﴾
He created him from dust, then said to him:
"Be",
and he was.
الْحَقُّ
مِن رَّبِّكَ
فَلاَ تَكُن
مِّن الْمُمْتَرِينَ
﴿٦٠﴾
3: 60. The truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt.
C399. The truth does not necessarily come from priests, or from the superstitions of whole peoples. It comes from Allah, and where there is a direct revelation, there is no room for doubt.
فَمَنْ
حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ
مِن بَعْدِ مَا
جَاءكَ مِنَ
الْعِلْمِ ...
3: 61. If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee,
...فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءنَا وَأَبْنَاءكُمْ وَنِسَاءنَا وَنِسَاءكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ...
say:
"Come! let us gather together, our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves:
...ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَةُ اللّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ ﴿٦١﴾
then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"
C400. In the year of Deputations, 10th of the Hijrah, came a Christian embassy from Najran (towards Yemen, about 150 miles north of Sanaa). They were much impressed on hearing this passage of the Quran explaining the true position of Christ, and they entered into tributary relations with the new Muslim State. But ingrained habits and customs prevented them from accepting Islam as a body.
The Holy Prophet, firm in his faith, proposed a Mubahalah, i.e., a solemn meeting, in which both sides should summon not only their men, but their women and children, earnestly pray to Allah, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who should lie. Those who had a pure and sincere faith would not hesitate.
The Christians declined, and they were dismissed in a spirit of tolerance with a promise of protection from the State in return for tribute.
إِنَّ
هَـذَا لَهُوَ
الْقَصَصُ
الْحَقُّ ...
3: 62. This is the true account:
C401. We are now in a position of deal with the questions which we left over at 2:87. Jesus is no more than a man.
It is against reason and revelation to call him Allah or the son of Allah. He is called the son of Mary to emphasize this. He had no human father, as his birth was miraculous. But it is not this which raise him to his high position as a prophet, but because Allah called him to his office.
The praise is due to Allah, Who by His word gave him spiritual strength-"strengthened him with the Holy spirit. The miracles which surround his story relate not only to the "Clear Signs" which he brought.
It was those who misunderstood him who obscured his clear Signs and surrounded him with mysteries of their own invention. (R).
... وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ اللّهُ...
there is no god except Allah;
...وَإِنَّ اللّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٦٢﴾
and Allah -- He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise.
فَإِن
تَوَلَّوْاْ
فَإِنَّ اللّهَ
عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ
﴿٦٣﴾
3: 63. But if they turn back, Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.
قُلْ
يَا أَهْلَ
الْكِتَابِ
تَعَالَوْاْ
إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ
سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا
وَبَيْنَكُمْ
...
3: 64. Say:
"O People of the Book!
come to common terms as between us and you:
...أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ...
that we worship none but Allah;
that we associate no partners with Him;
that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah."
C402. In the abstract the People of the Book would agree to all three propositions. In practice they fail.
Apart from doctrinal lapses from the unity of the One True God, there is the question of a consecrated Priesthood (among the Jews it was hereditary also), as if a mere human being-Cohen, or Pope, or Priest, or Brahman, could claim superiority apart from his learning and the purity of his life, or could stand between man and Allah in some special sense.
The same remarks apply to the worship of saints. They may be pure and sincere, but no one can protect us or claim Lordship over us except Allah.
For Rabb, see note 20 to 1:2.
Abraham was a true Prophet of Allah, but he could not be called a Jew or a Christian as he lived long before the Law of Moses or the Gospel of Jesus was revealed.
...فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾
If then they turn back, say:
"Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will)."
يَا
أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ
لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ
فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ
...
3: 65. Ye People of the Book! why dispute ye about Abraham,
...وَمَا أُنزِلَتِ التَّورَاةُ وَالإنجِيلُ إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِهِ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾
when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him?
Have ye no understanding?
هَاأَنتُمْ
هَؤُلاء حَاجَجْتُمْ
فِيمَا لَكُم
بِهِ عِلمٌ ...
3: 66. Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge!
C403. The number of sects among the Jews and Christians shows that they wrangled and disputed even about some of the matters of their own religion, of which they should have had some knowledge. But when they talk of Father Abraham, they are entirely out of court, as he lived before their peculiar systems were evolved.
... فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ...
but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge?
...وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٦﴾
It is Allah Who knows, and ye who know not!
مَا
كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ
يَهُودِيًّا
وَلاَ نَصْرَانِيًّا
وَلَكِن كَانَ
حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا
...
3: 67. Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian, but he was true in faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam),
...وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾
and he joined not gods with Allah.
C404. Cf. 2:135 and the whole argument in that passage.
إِنَّ
أَوْلَى النَّاسِ
بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ
لَلَّذِينَ
اتَّبَعُوهُ
وَهَـذَا النَّبِيُّ
وَالَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ...
3: 68. Without doubt, among men the nearest of kin to Abraham are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe;
...وَاللّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾
and Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.
Other versions:
3: 35 [al-i-Imran, Medina 89 ]
Yusuf Ali Behold! a woman of Imran said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate unto thee what is in my womb for Thy special service so accept this of me for Thou hearest and knowest all things."
Pickthall (Remember) when the wife of 'Imran said: My Lord I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering). Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower!
Transliteration Iz qa_latimra'atu 'imra_na rabbi inni nazartu laka ma_ fi batni muharraran fa taqabbal minni, innaka antas sami'ul 'alim(u).
3: 36
Yusuf Ali When she was delivered she said: "O my Lord! behold! I am delivered of a female child!" And Allah knew best what she brought forth, "and nowise is the male like the female. I have named her Mary and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One the Rejected."
Pickthall And when she was delivered she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female--Allah knew best of what she was delivered--the male is not as the female; and Lo! I have named her Mary, and Lo! I crave Thy protection for her and for her offspring from Satan the outcast.
Transliteration Falamma_ wada'atha_ qa_lat rabbi inni wada'tuha_ unsa_, walla_hu a'lamu bima_ wada'at, wa laisaz zakaru kal unsa_, wa inni sammaituha_ maryama wa inni u'izuha_ bika wa zurriyyataha_ minasy syaita_nir rajim(i).
3: 37
Yusuf Ali Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From Allah: for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure."
Pickthall And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.
Transliteration Fataqabbalaha_ rabbuha_ bi qabu_lin hasaniw wa ambataha_ naba_tan hasana_(n), wa kaffalaha_ zakariyya_, kullama_ dakhala 'alaiha_ zakariyyal mihra_b(a), wajada 'indaha_ rizqa_(n), qa_la ya_ maryamu anna_ laki ha_za_, qa_lat huwa min 'indilla_h(i), innalla_ha yarzuqu may yasya_'u bi gairi hisa_b(in).
3: 38
Yusuf Ali There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: "O my Lord! grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that heareth prayer!"
Pickthall Then Zachariah prayed unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me of Thy bounty goodly offspring. Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer.
Transliteration Huna_lika da'a_ zakariyya_ rabbah(u_), qa_la rabbi hab li mil ladunka zurriyyatan tayyibah(tan),innaka sami'ud du'a_'(i).
3: 39
Yusuf Ali While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels called unto him: "Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah and (be besides) noble chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous."
Pickthall And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: Allah giveth thee glad tidings of (a son whose name is) John, (who cometh) to confirm a word from Allah, lordly, chaste, a Prophet of the righteous.
Transliteration Fa na_dathul mala_'ikatu wa huwa qa_'imuy yusalli fil mihra_b(i), annalla_ha yubasysyiruka bi yahya_ musaddiqam bi kalimatim minalla_hi wa sayyidaw wa husu_raw wa nabiyyam minas sa_lihin(a).
3: 40
Yusuf Ali He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?" "Thus" was the answer "doth Allah accomplish what He willeth."
Pickthall He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when age hath overtaken me already and my wife is barren? (The angel) answered: So (it will be). Allah doeth what He will.
Transliteration Qa_la rabbi anna_ yaku_nu li gula_muw wa qad balaganiyal kibaru wamra'ati 'a_qir(un), qa_la kaza_likalla_hu yaf'alu ma_ yasya_'(u).
[ Ali’s notes - 380 The birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, of John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, and of Jesus, the prophet of Israel, whom Israel rejected, occurred in that order chronologically, and are told in that order. They are all inter-connected. Zakariya prayed for no ordinary son. He and his wife were past the age of parenthood. Seeing the growth of Mary, he prayed for some child from Allah,- "from Thee, a progeny that is pure". To his surprise, he is given a son in the flesh, ushered in by a special Sign. (3.38)
381 Notice: "a Word from Allah", not "the Word of Allah", the epithet that mystical Christianity uses for Jesus. As stated in iii. 59 below, Jesus was created by a miracle, by Allah's word "Be", and he was. (3.39) ]
3: 41
Yusuf Ali He said: "O my Lord! give me a sign!" "Thy Sign" was the answer "shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals. Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning."
Pickthall He said: My Lord! Appoint a token for me. (The angel) said: The token unto thee (shall be) that thou shalt not speak unto mankind three days except by signs. Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning.
Transliteration Qa_la rabbij'al li a_yah(tan), qa_la a_yatuka alla_ tukalliman na_sa sala_sata ayya_min illa_ ramza_(n), wazkur rabbaka kasiraw wa sabbih bil'asyiyyi wal ibka_r(i).
3: 42
Yusuf Ali Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations.
Pickthall And when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee and made thee pure, and hath preferred thee above (all) the women of creation.
Transliteration Wa iz qa_latil mala_'ikatu ya_ maryamu innalla_hastafa_ki wa tahharaki wastafa_ki 'ala_ nisa_'il 'a_lamin(a).
3: 43
Yusuf Ali "O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."
Pickthall O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord, prostrate thyself and bow with those who bow (in worship).
Transliteration Ya_ maryamuqnuti li rabbiki wasjudi warka'i ma'ar ra_ki'in(a).
[ Ali’s note - 382 Mary the mother of Jesus was unique, in that she gave birth to a son by a special miracle, without the intervention of the customary physical means. This of course does not mean that she was more than human, any more than that her son was more than human. She had as much need to pray to God as anyone else. The Christian dogma, in all sects except the Unitarian, holds that Jesus was God and the son of God. The worship of Mary became the practice in the Roman Catholic Church, which calls Mary the Mother of God. This seems to have been endorsed by the Council of Ephesus in 431, in the century before Muhammad was born to sweep way the corruptions of the Church of Christ. For 'alamin as meaning all nations, see iii. 96, n. 423. (3.42) ]
3: 44
Yusuf Ali This is part of the tidings of the things unseen which We reveal unto thee (O Apostle!) by inspiration; thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary; nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point).
Pickthall This is of the tidings of things hidden. We reveal it unto thee (Mohammad). Thou wast not present with them when they threw their pens (to know) which of them should be the guardian of Mary, nor wast thou present with them when they quarrelled (thereupon).
Transliteration Za_lika min amba_'il gaibi nu_hihi ilaik(a), wa ma_ kunta ladaihim iz yulqu_na aqla_mahum ayyuhum yakfulu maryam(a), wa ma_ kunta ladaihim iz yakhtasimu_n(a).
3: 45
Yusuf Ali Behold! the angels said "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.
Pickthall (And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).
Transliteration Iz qa_latil mala_'ikatu ya_ maryamu innalla_ha yubasysyiruki bi kalimatim minh(u), ismuhul masihu'isabnu maryama wajihan fid dunya_ wal a_khirati wa minal muqarrabin(a).
3: 46
Yusuf Ali "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."
Pickthall He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.
Transliteration Wa yukallimun na_sa fil mahdi wa kahlaw wa minas sa_lihin(a).
3: 47
Yusuf Ali She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be' and it is!
Pickthall She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. if He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
Transliteration Qa_lat anna_ yaku_nu li waladuw wal lam yamsasni basyar(un), qa_la kaza_likilla_hu yakhluqu ma_ yasya_'(u), iza_ qada_ amran fa innama_ yaqu_lu lahu_ kun fayaku_n(u).
3: 48
Yusuf Ali "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom the Law and the Gospel.
Pickthall And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.
Transliteration Wa yu'allimuhul kita_ba wal hikmata wat taura_ta wal injil(a).
3: 49
Yusuf Ali "And (appoint him) an Apostle to the Children of Israel (with this message): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave; and I heal those born blind and the lepers and I quicken the dead by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what ye eat and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe.
Pickthall And will make him a messenger unto the children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are believers.
Transliteration Wa rasu_lan ila_ bani isra_'il(a), anni qad ji'tukum bi a_yatim mir rabbikum anni akhluqu lakum minat tini ka hai'atit tairi fa anfukhu fihi fa yaku_nu tairam bi iznilla_h(i), wa unabbi'ukum bima_ ta'kulu_na wa ma_ taddakhiru_na fi buyu_tikum, inna fi za_lika la a_yatal lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).
3: 50
Yusuf Ali "(I have come to you) to attest the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me.
Pickthall And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
Transliteration Wa musaddiqal lima_ baina yadayya minat taura_ti wa li'uhilla lakum ba'dal lazi hurrima 'alaikum wa ji'tukum bi a_yatim mir rabbikum, fattaqulla_ha wa ati'u_n(i).
3: 51
Yusuf Ali "It is Allah who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a way that is straight."
Pickthall Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.
Transliteration Innalla_ha rabbi wa rabbukum fa'budu_h(u), ha_za_ sira_tum mustaqim(un).
3: 52
Asad And when Jesus became aware of their refusal to acknowledge the truth [note 41], he asked: “ Who will be my helpers in God’s cause?”
The white-garbed ones [note 42] replied: “We shall be [thy] helpers [in the cause ] if God! We believe in God: and bear thou witness that we have surrendered ourselves unto Him!
Yusuf Ali When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the Disciples: "We are Allah's helpers we believe in Allah and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
Pickthall But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him).
Transliteration Falamma_ ahassa 'isa_ minhumul kufra qa_la man ansa_ri ilalla_h(i), qa_lal hawa_riyyu_na nahnu ansa_rulla_h(i), a_manna_ billa_h(i), wasyhad bi anna_ muslimu_n(a).
3: 53
Asad ………..make us one, then, with all who bear witness [to the truth]!”
Yusuf Ali "Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed and we follow the Apostle; then write us down among those who bear witness."
Pickthall Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enroll us among those who witness (to the truth).
Transliteration Rabbana_ a_manna_ bima_ anzalta wattaba'nar rasu_la faktubna_ ma'asy sya_hidin(a).
3: 54
Asad And the unbelievers schemed [against Jesus]; but God brought their scheming to nought: for God is above all schemers.
Yusuf Ali And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned and Allah too planned and the best of planners is Allah.
Pickthall And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.
Transliteration Wa makaru_ wa makaralla_h(u), walla_hu khairul ma_kirin(a).
3: 55
Asad Lo! God said: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause thee to die, and shall exalt thee unto Me, and cleanse thee of [the presence of] those who follow thee [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, and I shall place those who follow thee [far] above those who are bent ob denying the truth, unto the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were wont to differ.
Yusuf Ali Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith to the Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.
Pickthall (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.
Transliteration Iz qa_lalla_hu ya_ 'isa_ inni mutawaffika wa ra_fi'uka ilayya wa mutahhiruka minal lazina kafaru_ wa ja_'ilul lazinattaba'u_ka fauqal lazina kafaru_ ila_ yaumil qiya_mah(ti), summa ilayya marji'ukum fa ahkumu bainakum fima_ kuntum fihi takhtalifu_n(a).
3: 56
Yusuf Ali "As to those who reject faith I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter nor will they have anyone to help.
Pickthall As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers.
Transliteration Fa ammal lazina kafaru_ fa u'azzibuhum 'aza_ban syadidan fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), wa ma_ lahum min na_sirin(a).
3: 57
Asad whereas unto those who attain to faith and do good works He will grant their reward in full: for God does not love evildoers.”
Yusuf Ali "As to those who believe and work righteousness Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.
Pickthall And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrongdoers.
Transliteration Wa ammal lazina a_manu_ wa'amilus sa_liha_ti fa yuwaffihim uju_rahum, walla_hu la_ yuhibbuz za_limin(a).
3: 58
Asad This Message do We convey unto thee, and this tiding full of wisdom.
Yusuf Ali "This is what We rehearse unto thee of the Signs and the Message of Wisdom."
Pickthall This (which) We recite unto thee is a revelation and a wise reminder.
Transliteration Za_lika natlu_hu 'alaika minal a_ya_ti waz zikril hakim(i).
3:59
Asad Verily, in the sight of God, the nature of Jesus is as the nature of Adam, who he created out of dust and then said unto him, “Be” – and he is.
Yusuf Ali This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust then said to him: "Be" and he was.
Pickthall Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.
Transliteration Inna masala 'isa_ 'indalla_hi ka masali a_dam(a), khalaqahu_ min tura_bin summa qa_la lahu_ kun fa yaku_n(u).
3: 60
Yusuf Ali The truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt.
Pickthall (This is) the truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver.
Transliteration Al haqqu mir rabbika fala_ taku_m minal mumtarin(a).
3: 61
Asad ………….and let us invoke God’s curse upon those [of us] who are telling a lie.” [note 48]
Yusuf Ali If anyone disputes in this matter with thee now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee say: "Come! let us gather together our sons and your sons our women and your women ourselves and yourselves: then let us earnestly pray and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"
Pickthall And whoso disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (unto him): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.
Transliteration Faman ha_jjaka fihi mim ba'di ma_ ja_'aka minal 'ilmi faqul ta'a_lau nad'u abna_'ana_ wa abna_'akum wa nisa_'ana_ wa nisa_'akum wa anfusana_ wa anfusakum, summa nabtahil fa naj'al la'natalla_hi 'alal ka_zibin(a).
3: 62
Yusuf Ali This is the true account: there is no god except Allah; and Allah He is indeed the Exalted in Power the Wise.
Pickthall Lo! This verily is the true narrative. There is no God save Allah, and lo! Allah is the Mighty, the Wise.
Transliteration Inna ha_za_ lahuwal qasasul haqq(u), wa ma_ min ila_hin illalla_h(u), wa innalla_ha lahuwal 'azizul hakim(u).
3: 63
Asad …………God has full knowledge of the spreaders of corruption.
Yusuf Ali But if they turn back Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.
Pickthall And if they turn away, then Lo! Allah is Aware of (who are) the corrupters.
Transliteration Fa in tawallau fa innalla_ha'alimum bil mufsidin(a).
3: 64
Yusuf Ali Say: "O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back say: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will)."
Pickthall Say: O People of the Scripture. Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partners unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).
Transliteration Qul ya_ ahlal kita_bi ta'a_lau ila_ kalimatin sawa_'im bainana_ wa bainakum alla_ na'buda illalla_ha wa la_ nusyrika bihi syai'aw wa la_ yattakhiza ba'duna_ ba'dan arba_bam min du_nilla_h(i), fa in tawallau fa qu_lusyhadu_ bi anna_ muslimu_n(a).
3: 65
Yusuf Ali Ye people of the Book! why dispute ye about Abraham when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?
Pickthall O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense?
Transliteration Ya_ ahlal kita_bi lima tuha_jju_na fi ibra_hima wa ma_ unzilatit taura_tu wal injilu illa_ mim ba'dih(i), afala_ ta'qilu_n(a).
3: 66
Yusuf Ali Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows and ye who know not!
Pickthall Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge? Allah knoweth. Ye know not.
Transliteration Ha_ antum ha_'ula_'i ha_jajtum fima_ lakum bihi 'ilmun falima tuha_jju_na fima_ laisa lakum bihi 'ilm(un), walla_hu ya'lamu wa antum la_ ta'lamu_n(a).
3: 67
Yusuf Ali Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian but he was true in faith and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam) and he joined not gods with Allah.
Pickthall Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man who had surrendered (to Allah), and he was not of the idolaters.
Transliteration Ma_ ka_na ibra_himu yahu_diyyaw wa la_ nasra_niyyaw wa la_kin ka_na hanifam muslima_(n), wa ma_ ka_na minal musyrikin(a).
3: 68
Yusuf Ali Without doubt among men the nearest of kin to Abraham are those who follow him as are also this Apostle and those who believe; and Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.
Pickthall Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Friend of the believers.
Transliteration Inna aulan na_si bi ibra_hima lallazinattaba'u_hu wa ha_zan nabiyyu wallazina a_manu_, walla_hu waliyyul mu'minin(a).
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Asad’s notes:
41 – This relates to a later time, when Jesus was being opposed by the majority of his people, and particularly the Pharisees.
42: - Al-hawariyyun [sing, hawari] is the designation applied in the Quran to the disciples of Jesus. Mary interpretations of this term (derived from hawar, “whiteness”) are given by the commentators, ranging from “one who whitens clothes by washing them” ……………..
48 - ……….According to all the reliable authorities, verse 59 – 63 of this surah were reveled in the year 10H., on the occasion of a dispute between the Prophet and a deputation of the Christians of Najran who, like all other Christians, maintained that Jesus was “the son of God” and, therefore, God incarnate. Although they refused the “trial by prayer” (mubahalah) proposed to them by the prophet, the latter accorded to them a treaty guaranteeing all their civic rights and the free exercise to their religion.
Ali’s notes :
382 Mary the mother of Jesus was unique, in that she gave birth to a son by a special miracle, without the intervention of the customary physical means. This of course does not mean that she was more than human, any more than that her son was more than human. She had as much need to pray to God as anyone else. The Christian dogma, in all sects except the Unitarian, holds that Jesus was God and the son of God. The worship of Mary became the practice in the Roman Catholic Church, which calls Mary the Mother of God. This seems to have been endorsed by the Council of Ephesus in 431, in the century before Muhammad was born to sweep way the corruptions of the Church of Christ. For 'alamin as meaning all nations, see iii. 96, n. 423. (3.42)
383 Things unseen: mystic, spiritual. The whole story has a mystic meaning, and it would be unseemly to dispute or speculate about it. (3.44)
384 Literally, reeds : aqlam. For the Arab custom of casting lots with arrows, see ii. 219, n. 241. (3.44)
385 Christian apocryphal writings mention the contention between the priests as to the honor of taking charge of Mary, and how it was decided by means of rods or reeds in favour of Zakariya. (3.44)
386 Christ : Greek, Christos=anointed : kings and priests were anointed to symbolise consecration to their office. The Hebrew and Arabic form is Masih. (3.45)
387 Nearest to God : Muqarrabin. Cf. Q. lvi, 11. (3.45)
388 The ministry of Jesus lasted only about three years, from 30 to 33 years of his age, when in the eyes of his enemies he was crucified. But the Gospel of Luke (ii. 46) describes him as disputing with the doctors in the Temple at the age of 12, and even earlier, as a child, he was "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom" (Luke ii. 40). Some apocyphal Gospels describe him as preaching from infancy. (3.46)
389 She was addressed by angels, who gave her God's message. In reply she speaks as to God. In reply, apparently an angel gives God's message. (3.47)
390 This miracle of the clay birds is found in some of the apocryphal Gospels; those of curing the blind and the lepers and raising the dead are in the canonical Gospels. The original Gospel (see iii. 48) was not the various stories written afterwards by disciples, but the real Message taught direct by Jesus. (3.49)
391 This clause refers generally to a prophetic knowledge of what is not known to other people. (3.49)
392 The story of Jesus is told with special application to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Note the word helpers (Ansar) in this connection, and the reference to plotters in iii. 54. It was the one Religion-the Religion of Allah, which was in essence the religion of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The argument runs: who do ye then now make divisions and reject the living Teacher? Islam is: bowing to the Will of Allah. All who have faith should bow to the Will of Allah and be Muslims. (3.52)
393 The Arabic Makara has both a bad and a good meaning, that of making an intricate plan to carry out some secret purpose. The enemies of Allah are constantly doing that. But Allah-in whose hands is all good-has His plans also, against which the evil ones will have no chance whatever. (3.54)
394 Read this with iv. 157, where it is said that "whereas they slew him not nor they crucified him but it was made dubious unto them. The guilt of the Jews remained, but Jesus was eventually taken up to Allah. (3.55)
395 Jesus was charged by the Jews with blasphemy as claiming to be Allah or the son of Allah. The Christians (except a few early sects which were annihilated by persecution, and the modern sect of Unitarians), adopted the substance of the claim, and made it the cornerstone of their faith. Allah clears Jesus of such a charge or claim. (3.55)
396 Those who follow thee refers to those who followed Jesus in contrast to the Jews who rejected him. (3.55)
397 All the controversies about dogma and faith will disappear when we appear before Allah. He will judge not by what we profess but by what we are. (3.55)
398 After a description of the high position which Jesus occupies as a prophet, we have a repudiation of the dogma that he was Allah, or the son of Allah, or anything more than a man. If it is said that he was born without a human father, Adam was also so born. Indeed Adam was born without either a human father or mother. As far as our physical bodies are concerned they are mere dust. In Allah's sight Jesus was as dust just as Adam was or humanity is. The greatness of Jesus arose from the divine command "Be": for after that he was-more than dust - a great Prophet and teacher. (3.59)
399 The truth does not necessarily come from priests, or from the superstitions of whole peoples. It comes from Allah, and where there is a direct revelation, there is no room for doubt. (3.60)
400 In the year of Deputations, 10th of the Hijra, came a Christian embassy from Najran (towards Yaman, about 150 miles north of Sanaa). They were much impressed on hearing this passage of the Qur-an explaining thc true position of Christ, and they entered into tributary relations with the new Muslim State. But ingrained habits and customs prevented them from accepting Islam as a body. The Holy Prophet, firm in his faith, proposed a Mubahala, i.e., a solemn meeting, in which both sides should summon not only their men, but their women and children, earnestly pray to Allah, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who should lie. Those who had a pure and sincere faith would not hesitate. The Christians declined, and they were dismissed in a spirit of tolerance with a promise of protection from the State in return for tribute. (3.61)
401 We are now in a position to deal with the questions which we left over at ii. 87. Jesus is no more than a man. It is against reason and revelation to call him Allah or the son of Allah. He is called the son of Mary to emphasize this. He had no human father, as his birth was miraculous. But it is not this which raise him to his high position as a prophet, but because Allah called him to his office. The praise is due to Allah, Who by His word gave him spiritual strength-"strengthened him with the Holy spirit. The miracles which surround his story relate not only to the "Clear Signs" which he brought. It was those who misunderstood him who obscured his clear Signs and surrounded him with mysteries of their own invention. (3.62)
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