44. Ad-Dukhan (the Smoke)
59 verses, Mecca 64
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَا
خَلَقْنَا
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضَ
وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا
لَاعِبِينَ
﴿٣٨﴾
44: 38. We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, merely in (idle) sport:
C4717. Cf. 21:16, and n. 2676.
All creation is for a wise and just purpose. But men usually do not realise or understand it, because they are steeped in their own ignorance, folly, or passions.
مَا
خَلَقْنَاهُمَا
إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ
وَلَكِنَّ
أَكْثَرَهُمْ
لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
﴿٣٩﴾
44: 39. We created them not except for just ends:
but most of them do not understand.
Asad’s Version:
(44:38) For [thus it is:] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play: 21
(44:39) none of this have We created without [an inner] truth: 22 but most of them understand it not.
[[ Asad’s note - 21 I.e., without meaning or purpose (cf 21:16) - implying that if there were no hereafter, man's life on earth would be utterly mearnagless, and thus in 'contradiction to the above as well as the subsequent statement, "none of all this have We created without (an inner] truth".
22 See note 11 on 10:5.]]
46. Al-Ahqaf (The Sand-Dunes)
Mecca Period 66
Asad’s Version:
46:1 Ha; Mini. 1 HE BESTOWAL from on high of this divine writ issues from God, the Almighty, the Wise.
(46:3) We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them otherwise than in accordance with [an inner] truth, and for a term set [by Us]: 2 and yet, they who are bent on denying the truth turn aside from the warning which has been conveyed unto them. 3
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَا
خَلَقْنَا
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضَ
وَمَا
بَيْنَهُمَا
إِلَّا
بِالْحَقِّ
وَأَجَلٍ
مُّسَمًّى...
46: 3. We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them but for just ends, and for a term appointed:
C4776. Cf. 45:22.
Many things may appear to us in the present world as strange and inexplicable. But everything made by Allah has a just purpose which must be fulfilled.
Nothing in this world is permanent: everything is for an appointed term. The Word of Allah alone abides. All else will pass away after it has fulfilled its purpose. But Unbelievers refuse to face the danger of which they are warned.
...وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَمَّا أُنذِرُوا مُعْرِضُونَ ﴿٣﴾
but those who reject Faith turn away from that whereof they are warned.