The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاتَّبَعْتُمِلَّةَآبَآئِـيإِبْرَاهِيمَوَإِسْحَقَوَيَعْقُوبَ...

12: 38. "And I follow the ways of my fathers -- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;

...مَاكَانَلَنَاأَننُّشْرِكَبِاللّهِمِنشَيْءٍ...

and never could we attribute any partners whatever to Allah:

...ذَلِكَمِنفَضْلِاللّهِعَلَيْنَاوَعَلَىالنَّاسِوَلَـكِنَّأَكْثَرَالنَّاسِلاَيَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

that (comes) of the grace of Allah to us and to mankind:

yet most men are not grateful.

Wa-ttaba'tumillata a_ba_'i ibra_himawaisha_qawaya'qu_b(a), ma_ ka_nalana_ an nusyrikabilla_hi min syai'(in), za_lika min fadlilla_hi 'alaina_ wa 'alanna_siwala_kinnaaksaranna_si la_ yasykuru_n(a).

Other Versions:

12: 38

Pickthall And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. It never was for us to attribute aught as partner to Allah. This is of the bounty of Allah unto us (the seed of Abraham) and unto mankind; but most men give not thanks.

Yuksel "I followed the creed of my fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was not for us to set up partners with God at all. That is God's blessings over us and over the people, but most of the people are not thankful."

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[ Ali’s notes:

C1691. Again the same note of personal modesty.

'You may think I am as young as you, or younger. Yes, but I have the heritage of great men renowned for wisdom and truth, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Surely what they knew is worthy of respect. Never did they swerve a hair's breadth from the Gospel of Unity.

It is not that we boast. It was Allah's grace that taught us and Allah's grace is teaching all mankind. But men show their ingratitude by inventing other so-called gods'.]