The Duty of the Prophet is to DELIVER the Message

Muhammad’s duty is to convey only – not convert

Sura-3 [Al-Imran, Medina 89 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

فَإنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ...

3:20. So if they dispute with thee, say:

"I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." .

C360. Wajh: whole self.

See n. 114 to 2:112.

...وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوْتُواْ الْكِتَابَ وَالأُمِّيِّينَ أَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ...

And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?"

C361. The People of the Book may be supposed to know something about the previous religious history of mankind. To them the appeal should be easy and intelligible, as all Religion is one, and it is only being renewed in Islam.

But the appeal is also made to the Pagan Arabs, who are unlearned, and who can well be expected to follow the example of one of their own, who received divine enlightenment, and was able to bring new knowledge to them.

A great many of both these classes did so. But the few who resisted Allah's grace, and actually threatened and persecuted those who believed, are told that Allah will look after His own.

...فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُواْ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَواْ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلاَغُ ...

If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message;

...وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ ﴿٢٠﴾

and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.

C362. Note the literary skill in the argument as it proceeds.

The mystery of birth faintly suggests that we are coming to the story of Jesus.

The exposition of the Book suggests that Islam is the same religion as that of the People of the Book.

Next we are told that the People of the Book made their religion one-sided, and through the priesthood of the family of Imran, we are brought to the story of Jesus, who was rejected by a body of the Jews as Muhammad was rejected by a body of both Jews and Christians.

C.55 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:21-30)

If the people who received

Earlier revelations confine themselves

To partial truths, and in their pride

Shut their eyes to the whole of the Book

Of Allah, their day is done

Let the Muslims seek the society

And friendship of their own, and trust

In Allah, who knows all, and holds

Every soul responsible for its own deeds.

Asad’s Version:

3: 20

Yusuf Ali So if they dispute with thee say: "I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the people of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do they are in right guidance but if they turn back thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.

Pickthall And if they argue with thee, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrendered my purpose to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those who have received the Scripture and those who read not: Have ye (too) surrendered? If they surrender, then truly they are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it is thy duty only to convey the message (unto them). Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen.

Transliteration Fa in ha_jju_ka fa qul aslamtu wajhiya lilla_hi wa manittaba'an(i), wa qul lillazina u_tul kita_ba wal ummiyyina a'aslamtum, fa in aslamu_ fa qadihtadau, wa in tawallau fa innama_ 'alaikal bala_g(u), walla_hu basirum bil'iba_d(i).

Sura-13 [Ar Ra'd madina 96]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ...

13:40.  Whether We shall show thee (within thy lifetime) part of what We promised them or take to Ourselves thy soul (before it is all accomplished),

...فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلاَغُ وَعَلَيْنَا الْحِسَابُ ﴿٤٠﴾

thy duty is to (make the Message) reach them:

it is Our part to call them to account.

Other versions:

13: 40

Yusuf Ali Whether We shall show thee (within thy lifetime) part of what We promised them or take to Ourselves thy soul (before it is all accomplished) thy duty is to (make the Message) reach them: it is Our part to call them to account.

Pickthall Whether We let thee see something of that which We have promised them, or make thee die (before its happening), thine is but conveyance (of the message), Ours the reckoning.

Yuksel If We show you some of what We promise them or if We let you pass away, for you is only to deliver, while for Us is the reckoning.*

Transliteration Wa imma_ nuriyannaka ba'dal lazi na'iduhum au natawaffayannaka fa innama_ 'alaikal bala_gu wa 'alainal hisa_b(u).

Sura-16 An Nahl mecca 70]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلاَغُ الْمُبِينُ ﴿٨٢﴾

16:82.  But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear message.

يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا ...

16:83.  They recognize the favors of Allah; then they deny them;

C2121. 'Arafa is distinguished from 'alima is implying a specific discernment (or recognition) of various qualities and uses.

All mankind recognised the value of the blessings they enjoy, but in forgetting or disobeying their Author, the wicked show gross ingratitude; for in practice they deny their obligation to Him for those blessings.

... وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ ﴿٨٣﴾

and most of them are (creatures) ungrateful.

Asad’s Version:

16: 82 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

Yusuf Ali But if they turn away thy duty is only to preach the clear message.

Pickthall Then, if they turn away, thy duty (O Muhammad) is but plain conveyance (of the message).

Transliteration Fa in tawallau fa innama_ 'alaikal bala_gul mubin(u).

16: 83

Yusuf Ali They recognize the favors of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are (creatures) ungrateful.

Pickthall They know the favor of Allah and then deny it. Most of them are ingrates.

Transliteration Ya'rifu_na ni'matalla_hi summa yunkiru_naha_ wa aksaruhumul ka_firu_n(a).

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Sura-64[ At- Tagabun madina108]

The Quranic text and Ali’s version

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ...

64:12.  So obey Allah, and obey His Messenger;

... فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَى رَسُولِنَا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ ﴿١٢﴾

but if ye turn back, the duty of Our Messenger is but to proclaim (the Message) clearly and openly.

C5493. The Messenger comes to guide and teach, not to force and compel. The Messenger's teaching is clear and unambiguous, and it is open and free to all.

Cf. also 5:95.

Asad’s version

(64: 12) Pay heed, then, unto God, and pay heed unto the Apostle; and if you turn away, [know that] Our Apostle's only duty is a clear delivery of this message: