41. Fussilat (Clearly Spelled Out/Expounded)

Mecca Period 61 [54 ayats]

Asad’s Version:

(41:41) Verily, they who are bent on denying the truth of this reminder as soon as it comes to them - [they are the losers]: for, behold, it is a sublime divine writ:

(41:42) no falsehood can ever attain to it openly, and neither in a stealthy manner, 35 [since it is] bestowed from on high by One who is truly wise, ever to be praised.

[[Asad’s note - 35 Lit., "neither from between its hands, nor from behind it", i.e., it cannot be openly changed by means of additions or omissions (Razi), and neither surreptitiously, by hostile or deliberately confusing interpretations. The above is one of the Qur'anic passages on which the great commentator Abu Muslim al-Isfahani (as quoted by Razi) bases his absolute rejection of the theory of "abrogation" (for which see note 87 on 2:106). Since the "abrogation" of any Qur'an-verse would have amounted to its ibtal -

that is, to an open or implied declaration that it was henceforth to be regarded as null and void - the verse in question would have to be considered "false" (batil) in the context of the Qur'an as it is before us: and this, as Abu Muslim points out, would clearly contradict the above statement that "no falsehood (batil) can ever attain to it". ]]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَاءهُمْ ...

41:41. Those who reject the Message when it comes to them (are not hidden from Us);

C4513. Mere rejection by men will not silence the Signs of Allah, which will work unintermittently and with the fullest potency.

... وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ ﴿٤١﴾

and indeed it is a Book of exalted power.

لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ...

41:42. No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it:

C4514. Allah's Truth is fully guarded on all sides. No one can get the better of it by attacking it from before or behind it, openly or secretly, or in any way whatever.

...تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ ﴿٤٢﴾

it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.

Yuksel’s version

Quran is Embedded with a Protection Program

41:40 Surely, those who distort Our signs are not hidden from Us. Is one who is thrown into hell better, or one who comes secure on the day of resurrection? Do whatever you wish; He is Seer of everything you do.*

41:41 Surely, those who have rejected the Reminder when it came to them; and it is an Honorable book.*

41:42 No falsehood could enter it, presently or afterwards; a revelation from a Most Wise, Praiseworthy.*

[[ Yuksel’s notes -

041:040 Knowing that polytheists would attempt to distort the message of the Quran, God warns them beforehand mentioning the perfect preservation of His message.

041:041 Zikr means, "message" and it is used in connection with the mathematical code of the Quran. See 38:1-8 and 74:30-31.

041:041-42 The Quran is not ink and paper, it is in the hearts of those who have knowledge (29:49). The message is specifically protected by God, not by humans (15:9). The extraordinary mathematical composition of the Quran testifies that any addition, deletion or distortion will be exposed. The code 19 shows that early attempts to distort the Quran have failed. Like a gold ring with a pattern of diamonds on it, the Quran as it was designed by God, has always existed and will always exist. With its built-in error-correction program, the Quran even helps us to identify scribal errors. Those who know the chemical and physical properties of gold and diamonds and those who witness the unique pattern of diamonds can recognize the precious ring and identify any fraudulent addition or even subtraction from its diamonds. None, especially those who had no clue about the unique physical and chemical properties of the ring, could have tampered with the Quran. See 15:9; 9:127.]]