Sura-22, Al Hajj, Madina 103
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Translation:
لِكُلِّ
أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا
مَنسَكًا هُمْ
نَاسِكُوهُ...
Likulli ommatin jaAAalna mansakan hum nasikoohu
22:67. To every People have we appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow,
...فَلَا يُنَازِعُنَّكَ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَادْعُ إِلَى رَبِّكَ...
fala yunaziAAunnaka fee al-amri waodAAu ila rabbika
let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord:
...إِنَّكَ لَعَلَى هُدًى مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٦٧﴾
innaka laAAala hudan mustaqeemin
for thou art assuredly on the Right Way.
وَإِن
جَادَلُوكَ
فَقُلِ اللَّهُ
أَعْلَمُ بِمَا
تَعْمَلُونَ
﴿٦٨﴾
22:68. If they do wrangle with thee, say,
"God knows best what it is ye are doing."
اللَّهُ
يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ
يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
فِيمَا كُنتُمْ
فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
﴿٦٩﴾
22:69. "God will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which ye differ."
Asad’s Translation:
22:67
UNTO every community have We appointed [different] ways of worship, 82 which they ought to observe. Hence, [O believer,] do not let those [who follow ways other than thine] draw thee into disputes on this score, 85 but summon [them all] unto thy Sustainer: for, behold, thou art indeed on the right way.
(22:68) And if they [try to] argue with thee, say [only]: "God knows
best what you are doing." 84
22:69
[For, indeed,] God will judge between you [all] on Resurrection Day with regard to all on which you were wont to differ. 83 (22:70) Dost thou not know that God knows all that occurs in heaven as well as on earth? All this, behold, is in [God's] record: verily, [to know] all this is easy for God.
Other Translations:
Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning |
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Unto each nation have We given sacred rites which they are to perform; so let them not dispute with thee of the matter, but summon thou unto thy Lord. Lo! thou indeed followest right guidance. |
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To every nation We appointed acts of devotion which they observe, therefore they should not dispute with you about the matter and call to your Lord; most surely you are on a right way. |
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For every community We assigned devotional acts so that they be ones who perform rites. So let them not bicker with thee in the command. And call thou to thy Lord. Truly, Thou art on a guidance, that which is straight. |
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We have appointed for every community ways of worship to observe. Let them not dispute with you on this matter. Call them to the path of your Lord for surely, you are rightly guided |
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Each nation have We granted ritual they are devoted to, so do not let anyone argue with you about the matter. Appeal to your Lord; for you are following straight guidance. |
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To every people did We prescribe certain rites and articles of faith and the order of performing religious and other devotional services, and it was incumbent on them to follow (until the system was modified or replaced by a new system suitable for the time at the hands of another Messenger) Therefore, do not let them O Muhammad dispute with you upon the question, and keep proclaiming Allah's acceptable system of faith and worship. You are indeed on the right path, the path of righteousness, the path of Allah. |
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For every nation We have made rites which they will fulfill. So do not let the matter fall into dispute. And call upon your Lord, for you are on a guidance which is straight. |
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Ali’s comments:
2848. Rites and ceremonies may appear to be an unimportant matter compared with "weightier matters of the Law" and with the higher needs of man's spiritual nature. But they are necessary for social and religious organisation, and their effect on the individual himself is not to be despised.
In any case, as they are visible external symbols, they give rise to the most heated controversies. Such controversies are to be deprecated.
That does not mean that our rites and ceremonies are to be made light of. Those in Islam rest on the highest social and religious needs of man, and if we are convinced that we are on the Right Way, we should invite all to join us, without entering into controversies about such matters.
2849. 'You are only wrangling about matters about which you have no knowledge nor any deep religious feeling. The springs of your conduct are all open before Allah, and He will judge you.'
2850. 'You not only find fault with the very few and simple rites and ceremonies in Islam: you, outside Islam, have no rites and ceremonies which you are yourselves agreed upon, either as Christians or as Jews, or one compared with the other.'
Asad’s comments:
82 Lit., "a way of worship" (mansak, which sometimes denotes also "an act of worship"). For a fuller explanation of this passage, see the second paragraph of 5:48 - "Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life" - and the corresponding notes 66-68.
Asad’s notes - 83 I.e., do not allow thyself to be drawn into disputes" (Zamakhshari and Baghawi).
84 Cf. 10:41 - "To me [shall be accounted] my doings, and to you, your doings: you are not accountable for what I am doing, and I am not accountable for whatever you do".
85 See surah 2, note 94.
