13. Surah Ar Ra'd, Medina 96
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِن
تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ
قَوْلُهُمْ
أَئِذَا كُنَّا
تُرَابًا أَئِنَّا
لَفِي خَلْقٍ
جَدِيدٍ...
13: 5. If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying:
"When we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?"
...أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّهِمْ...
They are those who deny their Lord!
...وَأُوْلَئِكَ الأَغْلاَلُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ...
They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude):
...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدونَ ﴿٥﴾
they will be Companions of the Fire, who dwell therein (for aye)!
Transliteration Wa in ta'jab fa 'ajabun qauluhum a'iza_ kunna_ tura_ban ainna_ lafi khalqin jadid(in), ula_'ikal lazina kafaru_ bi rabbihim, wa ula_'ikal agla_lu fi a'na_qihim, wa ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ
بِالسَّيِّئَةِ
قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ
وَقَدْ خَلَتْ
مِن قَبْلِهِمُ
الْمَثُلاَتُ...
13: 6. They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: yet have come to pass, before them, (many) exemplary punishments!
...وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِمْ...
But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrongdoing:
...وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٦﴾
and verily thy Lord is (also) strict in punishment.
Transliteration Wa yasta'jilu_naka bis sayyi'ati qablal hasanati wa qad khalat min qablihimul masula_t(u), wa inna rabbaka lazu_ magfiratil lin na_si 'ala_ zulmihim, wa inna rabbaka la syadidul 'iqa_b(i).
وَيَقُولُ
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ
لَوْلآ أُنزِلَ
عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ
مِّن رَّبِّهِ...
13: 7. And the Unbelievers say!
"Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"
...إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ ﴿٧﴾
But thou art truly a warner and to every people a guide.
Transliteration Wa yaqu_lul lazina kafaru_ lau la_ unzila 'alaihi a_yatum mir rabbih(i), innama_ anta munziruw wa likulli qaumin ha_d(in).
13: 5
Pickthall And if thou wonderest, then wondrous is their saying: When we are dust, are we then forsooth (to be raised) in a new creation? Such are they who disbelieve in their Lord; such have carcans on their necks; such are rightful owners of the Fire, they will abide therein.
Yuksel If you wonder, then what is more wondrous is their saying: "Can it be that when we are dust, we will be created anew!" These are those who rejected their Lord, and they will have chains around their necks, and they are the dwellers of the fire, in it they will abide.
13: 6
Pickthall And they bid thee hasten on the evil rather than the good, when exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them. But lo! thy Lord is rich in pardon for mankind despite their wrong, and lo! thy Lord is strong in punishment!
Yuksel They ask you to hasten with the doom rather than the good, yet the examples of those before them have already been given. Your Lord is with great forgiveness to the people despite their transgression, and your Lord is severe in retribution.
13: 7
Pickthall Those who disbelieve say: If only some portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Thou art a warner only, and for every folk a guide.
Yuksel Those who reject say, "If only a sign was sent down to him from his Lord." You are but a warner, and to every nation is a guide.
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Ali’s comments -
1810 The Unbelievers by way of a taunt say: "If there is a punishment, let us see it come down now." The answer to it is threefold. (1) Why do you want to see the punishment rather than the mercy of Allah? Which is better? (2) Have you not heard in history of terrible punishments for evil? And have you not before your very eyes seen examples of wickedness brought to book? (3) Allah works not only in justice and punishment, but also in mercy and forgiveness, and mercy and forgiveness come first. (13.6)
1811 After all the Signs that have just been mentioned it is mere fractiousness to say, "Bring down a Sign." Al-Mustafa brought Signs and credentials as other Prophets did, and like them, refused to satisfy mere idle curiosity. (13.7)
Amatulla’s comments 13:5-7 - These challenges come from people who do not believe and who are extremely arrogant. That is why they are challenging the Prophet to bring down the punishment as they are sure it is not going to come and the Prophet would be at default.