Sura 4, an-Nisa [women] Medina -92 [Hijra 4]
The Quranic text and Ali’s version
وَمَا
لَكُمْ
لاَ
تُقَاتِلُونَ
فِي
سَبِيلِ
اللّهِ
...
4:75. And why should ye not fight in the Cause of Allah
... وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاء وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ ...
and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children whose cry is:
C592. Mustadh'af: one reckoned weak, and therefore iii-treated and oppressed.
... رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا...
"Our Lord! rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors;
... وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا...
and raise for us from Thee one who will protect;
... وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا ﴿٧٥﴾
and raise for us from Thee one who will help!"
Transliteration Wa ma_ lakum la_ tuqa_tilu_na fi sabililla_hi wal mustad'afina minar rija_li wan nisa_'i walwilda_nil lazina yaqu_lu_na rabbana_ akhrijna_ min ha_zihil qaryatiz za_limi ahluha_, waj'al lana_ mil ladunkawaliyya_(n), waj'al lana_ mil ladunka nasira_(n).
4: 75
Asad And how could you refuse to fight in the cause of God and of utterly helpless men and women and children who are crying, " O our Sustainer! Lead us forth [to freedom] our of this land whose people are oppressors and raise for us, out of Thy grace, one who will bring us succor!"
Pickthall How should ye not fight for the cause of Allah and of the feeble among men and of the women and the children who are crying: Our Lord! Bring us forth from out this town of which the people are oppressors! Oh, give us from Thy presence some protecting friend! Oh, give us from Thy presence some defender!
[[ Ali’s notes: 592 Mustadh'af = one reckoned weak, and therefore ill-treated and oppressed. Cf. iv. 98, and vii. 150. (4.75)
593 Even from the human point of view the cause of Allah is the cause of justice, the cause of the oppressed. In the great persecution, before Makkah was won again, what sorrows, threats, tortures, and oppressions, were suffered by those whose faith was unshaken? Muhammad's life and that of his adherents was threatened: they were mocked, assaulted, insulted and beaten; those within the power of the enemy were put into chains and cast into prison; others were boycotted, and shut out of trade, business, and social intercourse; they could not even buy the food they wanted, or perform their religious duties. The persecution was redoubled for the believing slaves, women, and children after the Hijrat. Their cry for a protector, and helper from Allah was answered when Muhammad the Chosen One brought freedom and peace to Makkah again. (4.75) ]]