Surah 39, Az-Zumar (The Throngs) , Mecca Period 59

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Translation:

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاء اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا...

39:9[Ali] Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration),

يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ...

who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord -- (like one who does not)?

... قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ...

Say:

"Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?

... إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُوا الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿٩﴾

It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition."

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ...

39: 10. Say:

"O ye my servants who believe!

Fear your Lord:

... لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ...

good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world.

... وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ...

Spacious is God's earth!

... إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿١٠﴾

Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"

Asad’s Translation:

(39:9) Or [dost thou deem thyself equal to] one who devoutly worships [God] throughout the night, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer], ever-mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Sustainer's grace?" 15 Say: "Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?" [But] only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind!

39:10 Say: "[Thus speaks God: 16 ] "O you servants of Mine who have attained to faith! Be conscious of your Sustainer! Ultimate good awaits those who persevere in doing good in this world. And [remember:] wide is God's earth, 17 [and,] verily, they who are patient in adversity will be given their reward in full, beyond all reckoning!'"

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Ali’s comments:

C4258. Cf. 3:113-117.

It is a great thing when a man gets into the attitude of humble devotion to God. To him the hereafter is a real thing, and he prepares for it with good works. He does not build his hopes on the vanities of this world, but on God's Grace and Mercy. Such a man is "endued with understanding" and receives God's Message with fervour and alacrity. He is not to be compared with the cynic or the unbeliever, who knows nothing of the real value of the inner life.

4259. Cf. 3:19.

4260. The "fear of God" (Taqwa) is explained in n. 26 to 2:2.

See also n. 2912 to 23:60.

The fear of God is akin to love, for it means that we are afraid to displease Him.

4261. Cf. 29:56 and n. 3489.

We must always do right. We cannot plead that the circumstances in which we find ourselves force our hands. If our home conditions do not allow us to act according to the Faith that is in us, we must be prepared to suffer ostracism or even exile.