Sura-16 An Nahl mecca 70]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَيَجْعَلُونَ
لِلّهِ الْبَنَاتِ ...
16:57. And they assign daughters for Allah!
C2082. Some of the Pagan Arabs called angels the daughters of Allah. In their own life they hated to have daughters, as explained in the next two verses.
They practised female infanticide. In their state of perpetual war sons were a source of strength to them; daughters only made them subject to humiliating raids!
... سُبْحَانَهُ...
Glory be to Him!
... وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ ﴿٥٧﴾
and for themselves (sons, the issue) the desire!
وَإِذَا
بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُمْ
بِالأُنثَى
ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ
مُسْوَدًّا
وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ ﴿٥٨﴾
16:58. When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!
يَتَوَارَى
مِنَ الْقَوْمِ
مِن سُوءِ مَا
بُشِّرَ بِهِ...
16:59. With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had!
C2083. "It", in this and the following clause, refers grammatically to the "news" (ma bushshira bihi).
In meaning it refers to the "female child" - by the figure of speech known as metonymy.
... أَيُمْسِكُهُ عَلَى هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُ فِي التُّرَابِ...
Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust?
C2084. Cf. 81:8-9.
The practice of female infanticide is condemned in scathing terms. Female children used to be buried alive by the Pagan Arabs.
... أَلاَ سَاء مَا يَحْكُمُونَ ﴿٥٩﴾
Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on!
C2085. It was an evil choice to decide on. Either alternative -to keep the poor girl as a thing of sufferance and contempt, bringing disgrace on the family, or to get rid of it by burying it alive- was cruel and indefensible.
Other versions:
16: 57
Yusuf Ali And they assign daughters for Allah! Glory be to Him! and for themselves (sons the issue) they desire!
Pickthall And they assign unto Allah daughters. Be He glorified! and unto themselves what they desire;
Transliteration Wa yaj'alu_na lilla_hil bana_ti subha_nah(u_), wa lahum ma_ yasytahu_n(a).
16: 58
Yusuf Ali When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female (child) his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief!
Pickthall When if one of them receiveth tidings of the birth of a female, his face remaineth darkened, and he is wroth inwardly.
Transliteration Wa iza_ busysyira ahaduhum bil unsa_ zalla wajhuhu_ muswaddaw wa huwa kazim(un).
16: 59
Yusuf Ali With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on!
Pickthall He hideth himself from the folk because of the evil of that whereof he hath bad tidings, (asking himself): Shall he keep it in contempt, or bury it beneath the dust. Verily evil is their judgment.
Transliteration Yatawa_ra_ minal qaumi min su_'i ma_ busysyira bih(i), ayumsikuhu_ 'ala_ hu_nin am yadussuhu_ fit tura_b(i), ala_ sa_'a ma_ yahkumu_n(a).