9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الْمُنَافِقُونَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ
بَعْضُهُم مِّن
بَعْضٍ...
9: 67. The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other:
C1324. Literally, "the Hypocrites... are of each other".
The forms of hypocrisy may vary, but they are all alike, and they understand each other's hypocrisy. They hold together.
...يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ...
they enjoin evil, and forbid what in just, and are close with their hands.
C1325. The English phrase "close-fisted" would cover only a part of the meaning.
The hand is the symbol of power, help, and assistance. This may be financial, or it may be in other ways.
The Hypocrites pretend a great deal, but are of no use or real help to any one.
...نَسُواْ اللّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ...
They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them.
They ignore Allah: and Allah will ignore them.
...إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ ﴿٦٧﴾
Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
وَعَدَ الله
الْمُنَافِقِينَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ
وَالْكُفَّارَ
نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ
خَالِدِينَ
فِيهَا...
9: 68. Allah hath promised the Hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of faith, the fire of hell:
therein shall they dwell:
...هِيَ حَسْبُهُمْ...
sufficient is it for them:
...وَلَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٦٨﴾
for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,
C1327. "Curse," here as elsewhere, is deprivation of grace and mercy, brought about by the rejection of Allah by the Unbelievers.
كَالَّذِينَ
مِن قَبْلِكُمْ
كَانُواْ أَشَدَّ
مِنكُمْ قُوَّةً
وَأَكْثَرَ
أَمْوَالاً
وَأَوْلاَدًا...
9: 69. As in the case of those before you:
they were mightier than you in power and more flourishing in wealth and children.
...فَاسْتَمْتَعُواْ بِخَلاقِهِمْ فَاسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِخَلاَقِكُمْ كَمَا اسْتَمْتَعَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ...
They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you;
...بِخَلاَقِهِمْ وَخُضْتُمْ كَالَّذِي خَاضُواْ...
and ye indulge in idle talk as they did.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الُّدنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...
They! their works are fruitless in this world and in the hereafter,
...وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾
and they will lose (all spiritual good).
أَلَمْ
يَأْتِهِمْ
نَبَأُ الَّذِينَ
مِن قَبْلِهِمْ
قَوْمِ نُوحٍ
وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ...
9: 70. Hath not the story reached them of those before them?
The people of Noah, and Ad, and Thamud;
C1328. The story:
- of Noah is told in 7:59-64:
- of 'Ad in 7:65-72; and
- of Thamud in 7:73-79;
- of Abraham in numerous places, but see specially 6:74-82;
- of Midianites in 7:85-93; and
- of Lut and the Cities of the Plain overthrown for their wickedness, in 7:80-84.
...وَقَوْمِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وِأَصْحَابِ مَدْيَنَ ...
the people of Abraham,
the men of Madyan,
C1329. In the case of Noah and Abraham, the word I have translated as "people of..." is qaum:
these prophets were messengers each to his own people or nation, as was also Hud to the 'Ad people and Salih to the Thamud people.
The word used for the Midianites is Ashabi Madyan, which I have translated "men of Midian" for want of a better word.
The Midianites were for the greater part of their history nomads, with pasture grounds but no settled territory or town. The town of Madyan on the Gulf of 'Aqaba refers to much later times when the Midianites as a people had ceased to count.
See n. 1053 to 7:85.
... وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَاتِ...
and the cities overthrown.
C1330. The Cities of Plain, Sodom and Gomorrah, to whom Lut preached in vain to desist from their abominations: 7:80-84.
...أَتَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ...
To them came their Messengers with clear signs.
...فَمَا كَانَ اللّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـكِن كَانُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾
It is not Allah who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls.
Other versions:
9: 67
Asad The hypocrites, both men and women, are all of a kind: they enjoin the doing of what is wrong and forbid the doing of what is right [note 94], and withhold their hands [from doing good]. They are oblivious of God, and so He is oblivious of them. Verily, the hypocrites – it is they, they who are truly iniquitous! [note 95]
Yusuf Ali The Hypocrites men and women (have an understanding) with each other: they enjoin evil and forbid what in just and are close with their hands. They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
Pickthall The hypocrites, both men and women, proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the right, and they withhold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah). They forget Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Lo! the hypocrites, they are the transgressors.
Transliteration Al muna_fiqu_na wal muna_fiqa_tu ba'duhum mim ba'd(in), ya'muru_na bil munkari wa yanhauna 'anil ma'ru_fi wa yaqbidu_na aidiyahum, nasullaa_ha fa nasiyahum, innal muna_fiqina humul fa_siqu_n(a).
9: 68
Yusuf Ali Allah hath promised the Hypocrites men and women and the rejecters of faith the fire of hell: therein shall they dwell: sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of Allah and an enduring punishment
Pickthall Allah promiseth the hypocrites, both men and women, and the disbelievers fire of hell for their abode. It will suffice them. Allah curseth them, and theirs is lasting torment.
Transliteration Wa'adalla_hul muna_fiqina wal muna_fiqa_ti wal kuffa_ra na_ra jahannama kha_lidina fiha_, hiya hasbuhum, wa la'anahumulla_h(u), wa lahum 'aza_bum muqim(un).
[[ Asad’s note 94 – I.e., their behavior is – in effect, at least – the exact opposite of that expected of the believers (cf. 3:104, 110 and 114; 9:71 and 112; and 22:41).
note 95 – It is to be borne in mind that this and the following verse refer to the conscious hypocrisy spoken of in the last sentence of the preceding verse, and not to the waverers, whose hypocrisy is an outcome of inner fears and uncertainties.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 1324 Literally, "the Hypocrites... are of each other". The forms of hypocrisy may vary, but they are all alike, and they understand each other's hypocrisy. They hold together. (9.67)
1325 The English phrase "close-fisted" would cover only a part of the meaning. The hand is the symbol of power, help, and assistance. This may be financial, or it may be in other ways. The Hypocrites pretend a great deal, but are of no use or real help to any one. (9.67)
1326 Cf. vii. 51. and n. 1029. They ignore Allah: and Allah will ignore them. (9.67)
1327 "Curse," here as elsewhere, is deprivation of grace and mercy, brought about by the rejection of Allah by the Unbelievers. (9.68) ]]
9: 69
Yusuf Ali As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than you in power and more flourishing in wealth and children. They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours as did those before you; and ye indulge in idle talk as they did. They! their works are fruitless in this world and in the hereafter and they will lose (all spiritual good).
Pickthall Even as those before you were mightier than you in strength, and more affluent than you in wealth and children. They enjoyed their lot awhile, so ye enjoy your lot awhile even as those before you did enjoy their lot awhile. And ye prate even as they prated. Such are they whose works have perished in the world and the Hereafter. Such are they who are the losers.
Transliteration Kallazina min qablikum ka_nu_ asyadda minkum quwwataw wa aksara amwa_law wa aula_da_(n), fastamta'u_ bi khala_qihim fastamta'tum bi khala_qikum kamastamta'al lazina min qalikum bi khala_qihim wa khudtum kallazina kha_du_, ula_'ika habitat a'ma_luhum fid dunya_ wal a_khirah(ti), ula_'ika humul kha_siru_n(a).
9: 70
Yusuf Ali Hath not the story reached them of those before them? The people of Noah and Ad and Thamud; the people of Abraham the men of Madyan and the cities overthrown. To them came their apostles with clear signs. It is not Allah who wrongs them but they wrong their own souls.
Pickthall Hath not the fame of those before them reached them the folk of Noah, Aad, Thamud, the folk of Abraham, the dwellers of Midian and the disasters (which befell them)? Their messengers (from Allah) came unto them with proofs (of Allah's sovereignty). So Allah surely wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.
Transliteration Alam ya'tihim naba'ul lazina min qablihim qaumi nu_hiw wa 'a_diw wa samu_d(a), wa qaumi ibra_hima wa asha_bi madyana wal mu'tafika_t(i), atathum rusuluhum bil bayyina_t(i), fama_ ka_nalla_hu liyazlimahum wa la_kin ka_nu_ anfusahum yazlimu_n(a).
10. Surah Yunus
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاتْلُ
عَلَيْهِمْ
نَبَأَ نُوحٍ ...
10: 71. Relate to them the story of Noah.
C1456. The reference to Noah's story here is only incidental, to illustrate a special point. The fuller story will be found in 11:25-48, and in many other passages,
e.g., 7:59-64, 23:23-32, 26:105-122, and 37:75-82.
At each place there is a special point in the context.
The special point here is that Noah's very life and preaching among his wicked people was a cause of offence to them. But he feared nothing, trusted in Allah, delivered his message, and was saved from the Flood.
... إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ...
Behold! he said to his People:
...يَا قَوْمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُم مَّقَامِي وَتَذْكِيرِي بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ فَعَلَى اللّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ...
"O my People! if it be hard on your (mind) that I should stay (with you) and commemorate the Signs of Allah -- yet I put my trust in Allah.
...فَأَجْمِعُواْ أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءكُمْ...
Get ye then an agreement about your plan and among your Partners,
...ثُمَّ لاَ يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً...
so your plan be not to you dark and dubious.
C1457. Firm in his sense of Truth from Allah. Noah plainly told his people to condemn him to death if they liked, openly and in concert, so that he should at least know who would listen to his Message and who would not. He wanted them to be frank and direct, for he feared nothing.
...ثُمَّ اقْضُواْ إِلَيَّ وَلاَ تُنظِرُونِ ﴿٧١﴾
Then pass your sentence on me, and give me no respite.
فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ
فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم
مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ...
10: 72. "But if ye turn back, (consider): no reward have I asked of you:
C1458. The Prophet of Allah preaches for the good of his people. But he claims no reward from them, but on the contrary is reviled, persecuted, banished, and often slain.
... إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللّهِ...
my reward is only due from Allah,
...وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿٧٢﴾
and I have been commanded to be of those who submit to Allah's Will (in Islam)."
10: 73. They rejected him,
...فَنَجَّيْنَاهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ خَلاَئِفَ...
but We delivered him, and those with him, in the Ark, and We made them inherit (the earth),
...وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا...
while We overwhelmed in the Flood those who rejected Our Signs.
C1459. Cf. 7:64.
...فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنذَرِينَ ﴿٧٣﴾
Then see what was the end of those who were warned (but heeded not)!
Other versions:
10: 71 [Yunus, Mecca 10]
Asad …….”O my people ! If my presence and my announcement of God’s messages are repugnant to you – well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, upon what you are going to do, and those beings to whom you ascribe a share in God’s divinity; and once you have chosen your course of action, let no hesitation deflect you from it………”
Yusuf Ali Relate to them the story of Noah. Behold! he said to his People: "O my People! if it be hard on your (mind) that I should stay (with you) and commemorate the Signs of Allah yet I put my trust in Allah. Get ye then an agreement about your plan and among your Partners so your plan be not to you dark and dubious. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite.
Pickthall Recite unto them the story of Noah, when he told his people: O my people! If my sojourn (here) and my reminding you by Allah's revelations are an offence unto you, in Allah have I put my trust, so decide upon your course of action, you and your partners. Let not your course of action be in doubt, for you. Then have at me, give me no respite.
Yuksel Recite for them the news of Noah as he said to his people: "My people, if my position has become too troublesome for you, and my reminding you of God's signs, then in God I place my trust. So, gather your action and your partners together, then make certain your action does not cause you regret, then come to judge me, and do not hold back."
Transliteration Watlu 'alaihim naba'a nu_h(in), iz qa_la li qaumihi ya_ qaumi in ka_na kabura 'alaikum maqa_mi wa tazkiri bi a_ya_tilla_h fa 'alalla_hi tawakkaltu fa ajmi'u_ amrakum wa syuraka_'akum summa la_ yakun amrukum 'alaikum gummatan summa-qdu_ ilayya wa la_ tunziru_n(a).
[[ Ruby’s note 10:71 – This particular expression shows Noah’s trust in God and firmness in his pursuit. Noah challenged his wicked people to inflict him with the severest penalty and see if he changes a bit by that. That in itself is the proof of the prophet-hood. If he was an imposter he would have asked something from the society and his fellows. Here Noah is establishing the fact that he does not ask anything in return from his society. On top he would bear the severe consequence of bringing the Message himself and he was willing to do so without a flinch. This fearlessness and assertiveness of a human being -- in going against the entire society and perhaps against most of his people around him and as a result giving up what a life needs and aspires -- is the proof that one is guided by Divine Will and for a higher purpose. Any other type of activists would ask something from his/her society and life and would make some compromise even with good and understandable justification and motive. A person of God on the other hand makes no such compromises and willingly accepts the consequence even death in establishing fundamental truth. The differences between these two groups and their mindsets are different and distinct. ]]
10: 72
Yusuf Ali "But if ye turn back (consider): no reward have I asked of you: my reward is only due from Allah and I have been commanded to be of those who submit to Allah's Will (in Islam)."
Pickthall But if ye are averse I have asked of you no wage. My wage is the concern of Allah only, and I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him).
Yuksel "But if you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward, for my reward is with God. I have been commanded to be of those who have peacefully surrendered."
Transliteration Fa in tawallaitum fama_ sa'altukum min ajr(in), in ajriya illa_ 'alalla_h(i), wa umirtu an aku_na minal muslimin(a).
10: 73
Asad ………….and made them inherit [the earth]
Yusuf Ali They rejected him but We delivered him and those with him in the Ark and We made them inherit (the earth) while We overwhelmed in the Flood those who rejected Our Signs. Then see what was the end of those who were warned (but heeded not)!
Pickthall But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and made them viceroys (in the earth), while We drowned those who denied Our revelations. See then the nature of the consequence for those who had been warned.
Yuksel They denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the Ship, and We made them to succeed each other, and We drowned those who denied Our signs. So see how the punishment of those who were warned was!
Transliteration Fa kazzabu_hu fa najjaina_hu wa mam ma'ahu_ fil fulki wa ja'alna_hum khlala_'ifa wa agraqnal lazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_, fanzur kaifa ka_na 'a_qibatul munzarin(a).
[[ Ali’s notes - 1456 The reference to Noah's story here is only incidental, to illustrate a special point. The fuller story will be found in xi. 25-48, and in many other passages, e.g., vii. 59-64, xxiii 23-32, xxvi, 105-122, and xxxvii, 75-82. At each place there is a special point in the context. The special point here is that Noah's very life and preaching among his wicked people was a cause of offence to them. But he feared nothing, trusted in Allah, delivered his message, and was saved from the Flood. (10.71)
1457 Firm in his sense of Truth from Allah. Noah plainly told his people to condemn him to death if they liked, openly and in concert, so that he should at least know who would listen to his Message and who would not. He wanted them to be frank and direct, for he feared nothing. (10.71)
1458 The Prophet of Allah preaches for the good of his people. But he claims no reward from them, but on the contrary is reviled, persecuted, banished, and often slain. (10.72)
1459 Cf. vii. 64. (10.73) ]]