7. Sura al-Araf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَلَنَقُصَّنَّ عَلَيْهِم بِعِلْمٍ وَمَا كُنَّا غَآئِبِينَ ﴿٧﴾

7: 7. And verily We shall recount their whole story with knowledge, for We were never absent (at any time or place).

C994. Allah (being all-knowing) is never absent from any place or at any time, for Time and Place are relative conceptions for our limited natures, while He is the Absolute, independent of such relative conceptions. (R).

وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ...

7: 8. The balance that day will be true (to a nicety):

...فَمَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٨﴾

those whose scale (of good) will be heavy, will prosper.

وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُم...

7: 9. Those whose scale will be light, will find their souls in perdition,

...بِمَا كَانُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا يِظْلِمُونَ ﴿٩﴾

for that they wrongfully treated our signs.

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِي...

7: 35. O ye children of Adam!

whenever there come to you Messengers from amongst you, rehearsing my signs unto you,

...فَمَنِ اتَّقَى وَأَصْلَحَ فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾

those who are righteous and mend (their lives), on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُواْ عَنْهَا أُوْلَـَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

7: 36. But those who reject our signs and treat them with arrogance, they are companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for ever).

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ...

7: 37. Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects his signs?

...أُوْلَـئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ...

For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of decrees);

C1018. It must not be supposed that the rebels against Allah would at once be cut off in this life for their sins. They will get the portion allotted to them, including the good things of life and the chance of repentance and reformation, during their probationary period on this earth.

During that period they will have a full run. After that period expires, they will be called to account. They will themselves see that the false things, in which they put their trust, were false, and they will confess their sin, but it will be too late.

...حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُواْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ...

until, when Our messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they say:

"Where are the things that ye used to invoke besides Allah?"

...قَالُواْ ضَلُّواْ عَنَّا وَشَهِدُواْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ كَافِرِينَ ﴿٣٧﴾

They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch,"

and they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah.

وَنَادَى أَصْحَابُ الأَعْرَافِ رِجَالاً يَعْرِفُونَهُمْ بِسِيمَاهُمْ...

7: 48. The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks,

...قَالُواْ مَا أَغْنَى عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾

saying: "Of what profit to you were you hoards and your arrogant ways?

C1027. This speech is in three parts:

1. the last lines of this verse are addressed to the Companions of the Fire, reminding them (as a bench of judges might speak to a prisoner) of the futility of their wealth and riches and arrogance in their earthly life:

2. the second part, in the first half of verse 49, recalls to their minds how false was their contempt of the good but lowly men who are now to be the inheritors of heaven: and

3. the latter part of verse 49, "enter ye the Garden" is addressed to the Blessed, to give them a welcome to their state of felicity.

أَهَـؤُلاء الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمْتُمْ لاَ يَنَالُهُمُ اللّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ...

7: 49. "Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with His mercy would never bless?

...ادْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلاَ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٤٩﴾

Enter ye the garden:

no fear shall be on you, nor shall ye grieve."

وَنَادَى أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ أَفِيضُواْ عَلَيْنَا مِنَ الْمَاء أَوْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ...

7: 50. The companions of the fire will call to the companions of the garden;

"Pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance."

...قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٥٠﴾

They will say:

"Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those who rejected Him.

C1028. The Companions of the Fire will thirst for water and not get it, and for sustenance which will not be theirs, while the Companions of the Garden will have the crystal waters of the springs and rivers and they will enjoy the bliss of Allah's Countenance, which will be their supreme nourishment and the fruit of their life of probation and seeking. These things will not be transferable.

Cf. also 37:41-47, 62-67. (R).

الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُواْ دِينَهُمْ لَهْوًا وَلَعِبًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا...

7: 51. "Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world."

...فَالْيَوْمَ نَنسَاهُمْ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَاء يَوْمِهِمْ هَـذَا...

That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs,

C1029. "Forgetfulness" may be involuntary, from a defect of memory, or figuratively, a deliberate turning away from, or ignoring of, something we do not want, as when we say in an argument, "you conveniently forget that so- and-so is so-and-so." Here the latter kind is meant.

If men deliberately ignored the Hereafter in spite of warnings, can they expect to be received by Allah, Whom they themselves rejected?

...وَمَا كَانُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ ﴿٥١﴾

and as they were wont to reject Our signs.

وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَاهُم بِكِتَابٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ...

7: 52. For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail,

...هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾

a guide and a mercy to all who believe.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ تَأْوِيلَهُ ...

7: 53. Do they just wait for the final fulfillment of the event?

... يَوْمَ يَأْتِي تَأْوِيلُهُ...

On the day the event is finally fulfilled,

C1030. If those without Faith want to wait and see what happens in the Hereafter, they will indeed learn the truth, but it will be too late for them to profit by it then. All the false ideals and false gods which they put their trust upon will leave them in the lurch.

If they thought that the goodness or greatness of others would help them, they will be undeceived on the day when their personal responsibility will be enforced. There will be no salvation except on their own record. How they will then wish that they had another chance! But their chance will be gone.

...يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَاءتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ...

those who disregarded it before will say:

"The Messengers of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings).

...فَهَل لَّنَا مِن شُفَعَاء فَيَشْفَعُواْ لَنَا أَوْ نُرَدُّ فَنَعْمَلَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ...

Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf?

Or could we be sent back? Then should we behave differently from our behavior in the past."

...قَدْ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿٥٣﴾

In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch.

وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِيَ آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا...

7: 175. Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent our signs,

C1149. Commentators differ whether this story or parable refers to a particular individual, and if so, to whom.

The story of Balaam the seer, who was called out by Israel's enemies to curse Israel, but who blessed Israel instead, (Num. 22-24) is quite different. It is better to take the parable in general sense.

There are men, of talents and position, to whom great opportunities of spiritual insight come, but they perversely pass them by. Satan sees his opportunity and catches them up. Instead of rising higher in the spiritual world, their selfish and worldly desires and ambitions pull them down, and they are lost.

...فَانسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ ﴿١٧٥﴾

but he passed them by:

so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَـكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ...

7: 176. If it had been Our will We should have elevated him with our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires.

C1150. Notice the contrast between the exalted spiritual honours which they would have received from Allah if they had followed His Will, and the earthly desires which eventually bring them low to the position of beasts and worse.

...فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ ...

His similitude is that of a dog:

... إِن تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ ...

if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or

C1151. The dog, especially in the hot weather, lolls out his tongue, whether he is attacked and pursued and is tired, or he is left alone. It is part of his nature to slobber. So with the man who rejects Allah.

Whether he is warned or left alone, he continues to throw out his dirty saliva. The injury he will do will be to his own soul. But there may be infection in his evil example,. So we must protect others. And we must never give up hope of his own amendment. So we must continue to warn him and make him think.

...أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ...

if you leave him alone he (still) lolls out his tongue.

... ذَّلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا...

That is the similitude of those who reject our signs;

...فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿١٧٦﴾

so relate the story; perchance they may reflect.

سَاء مَثَلاً الْقَوْمُ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا وَأَنفُسَهُمْ كَانُواْ يَظْلِمُونَ ﴿١٧٧﴾

7: 177. Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.

مَن يَهْدِ اللّهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِي...

7: 178. Whom Allah doth guide, he is on the right path:

...وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿١٧٨﴾

whom He rejects from His guidance, such are the persons who perish.

C1152. Those who reject Allah will be deprived of Allah's grace and guidance. His Mercy is always open for sincere repentance.

But with each step downwards, they go lower and lower, until they perish.

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨٢﴾

7: 182. Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not.

C1154a. See also 68:44 and n. 5626.

وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ ﴿١٨٣﴾

7: 183. Respite will I grant unto them:

for My scheme is strong (and unfailing).

Others version:

7: 7

Asad …….for never have We been absent [from them].

Pickthall Then verily We shall narrate unto them (the event) with knowledge, for verily We were not absent, (when it came to pass).

Transliteration Falanaqussanna 'alaihim bi'ilmiw wa ma_ kunna_ ga_'ibin(a).

7: 8

Asad ……………..by their willful rejection of Our Messages.

Pickthall The weighing on that day is the true (weighing). As for those whose scale is heavy, they are the successful.

Transliteration Wal waznu yauma'izinil haqq(u), faman saqulat mawa_zinuhu_ fa ula_'ika humul muflihu_n(a)

7: 9

Pickthall And as for those whose scale is light: those are they who lose their souls because they disbelieved Our revelations.

Transliteration Wa man khaffat mawa_zinhu_ fa ula_'ikal lazina khasiru_ anfusahum bima_ ka_nu_ bi a_ya_tina yazlimu_n(a).

7: 35 Asad O children of Adam! Whenever there come unto you apostles of your own, conveying My messages unto you, then all who are conscious of Me and live righteously – no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve;

Pickthall O Children of Adam! If messengers of your own come unto you who narrate unto you My revelations, then whosoever refrain from evil and amend there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.

Transliteration Ya_ bani a_dama imma_ ya'tiyannakum rusulum minkum yaqussu_na 'alaikum a_ya_ti, famanittaqa_ wa aslaha fala_ khaufun 'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).

7: 36

Pickthall But they who deny Our revelations and scorn them such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.

Transliteration Wallazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ wastakbaru_ 'anha_ ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

7: 37 Asad And who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God or give the lie to His messages? Whatever has been decreed to be their lot [in life] will be theirs – till there shall come unto them Our messengers to cause them to die,…………….

Pickthall Who doeth greater wrong than he who invent a lie concerning Allah or deny Our tokens. (For such) their appointed portion of the Book (of destiny) reaches them till, when Our messengers come to gather them, they say: Where (now) is that to which ye cried beside Allah? They say: They have departed from us. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.

Transliteration Faman azlamu mimmaniftara_'alalla_hi kaziban au kazzaba bi a_ya_tih(i), ula_'ika yana_luhum nasibuhum minal kita_b(i), hatta_ iza_ ja_'athum rusuluna_ yatawaffaunahum, qa_lu_ aina ma_ kuntum tad'u_na min du_nilla_h(i), qa_lu_ dallu_'anna_ wa syahidu_ 'ala_ anfusihim annahum ka_nu_ ka_firin(a).

[[ Ali’s note - 1018 It must not be supposed that the rebels against Allah would at once be cut off in this life for their sins. They will get the portion allotted to them, including the good things of life and the chance of repentance and reformation, during their probationary period on this earth. During that period they will have a full run. After that period expires, they will be called to account. They will themselves see that the false things, in which they put their trust, were false, and they will confess their sin, but it will be too late. (7.37)]]

7: 48 Asad And they who [in life] has possessed this faculty of discernment will call out to those…….”What has your amassing [of wealth] availed you, and all the false pride of your past?”

Pickthall And the dwellers on the Heights call unto men whom they know by their marks, (saying): What did your multitude and that in which ye took your pride avail you?

Transliteration Wa na_da_ asha_bul a'ra_fi rija_lay ya'rifu_nahum bi sima_hum qa_lu_ ma_ agna_ 'ankum jam'ukum wa ma_ kuntum tastakbiru_n(a).

[[ Ruby’s comment – I disagree with Asad here: this faculty of discernment is given to everyone, each human being, whether they use it or not that is a different question. I do not know this meaning of the word “araf” is appropriate here or not. ]]

7: 49

Pickthall Are these they of whom ye swore that Allah would not show them mercy? (Unto them it hath been said): Enter the Garden. No fear shall come upon you nor is it ye who will grieve.

Transliteration Aha_'ula_'il lazina aqsamtum la_ yana_luhumulla_hu bi rahmah(tin), udkhulul jannata la_ khaufun 'alaikum wa la_ antum tahzanu_n(a).

7: 50

Pickthall And the dwellers of the Fire cry out unto the dwellers of the Garden; Pour on us some water or some of that where with Allah hath provided you. They say: Lo! Allah hath forbidden both to disbelievers (in His guidance),

Transliteration Wa na_da_ asha_bun na_ri asha_bal jannati an afidu_ 'alaina_ minal ma_'i au mimma_ razaqakumulla_h(u), qa_lu_ innalla_ha harramahuma_ 'alal ka_firin(a).

7: 51

Pickthall Who took their religion for a sport and pastime, and whom the life of the world beguiled. So this day We have forgotten them even as they forgot the meeting of this Day and as they used to deny Our tokens.

Transliteration Allazinattakhazu_ dinahum lahwaw wa la'ibaw wa garrathumul haya_tud dunya_, fal yauma nansa_hum kama_ nasu_ liqa_'a yaumihim ha_za_, wa ma_ ka_nu_ bi a_ya_tina_ yajhadu_n(a).

7: 52

Pickthall Verily We have brought them a Scripture which We expound with knowledge, a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.

Transliteration Wa laqad ji'na_kum bi kita_bin fassalna_hu 'ala_ 'ilmin hudaw wa rahmatal liqaumiy yu'minu_n(a).

7: 53

Pickthall Await they aught save the fulfillment thereof? On the day when the fulfillment thereof cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us? Or can we be returned (to life on earth), that we may act otherwise than we used to act? They have lost their souls, and that which they devised hath failed them.

Transliteration Hal yanzuru_na illa_ ta'wilah(a_), yauma ya'ti ta'wiluhu_ yaqu_lul lazina nasu_hu min qablu qad ja_'at rusulu rabbina_ bil haqq(i), fahal lana_ min syufa'a_'a fa yasyfa'u_ lana_ au nuraddu fa na'mala gairal lazi kunna_ na'mal(u), qad khasiru_ anfusahum wa dalla 'anhum ma_ ka_nu_ yaftaru_n(a).

7: 175

Asad And tell them what happened to him to who We vouchsafe Our messages and who then discards them: Satan catches up with him, and he strays, like so many others, into grievous error [note 141].

Pickthall Recite unto them the tale of him to whom We gave Our revelations, but he sloughed them off, so Satan overtook him and he became of those who lead astray.

Transliteration Watlu 'alaihim naba'al lazi a_taina_hu a_ya_tina_ fansalakha minha_ fa atba'ahusy syaita_nu fa ka_na minal ga_win(a).

7: 176

Asad Now had We so willed, We could indeed have exalted him by means of those [messages]: but he always clung to the earth and followed but his own desires.

Thus, his parable is that of an [excited] dog: if you approach him threateningly, he will pant with his tongue lolling; and if you leave him alone, he will pant with his tongue lolling [note 142]. Such are the parable of those who are bent on giving the lie to Our messages. Tell [them], then, this story, so that they might take thought.

Pickthall And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust. Therefore his likeness is as the likeness of a dog; if thou attackest him he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him he panteth with his tongue out. Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations. Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old), that haply they may take thought.

Transliteration Wa lau syi'na_ larafa'na_hu biha_ wa la_kinnahu_ akhlada ilal ardi wattaba'a hawa_h(u), fa masaluhu_ ka masalil kalb(i), in tahmil 'alaihi yalhas au tatruk-hu yalhas, za_lika masalul qaumil lazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_, faqsusil qasasa la'allahum yatafakkaru_n(a).

7: 177

Pickthall Evil as an example are the folk who denied Our revelations, and were wont to wrong themselves.

Transliteration Sa_'a masalanil qaumul lazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ wa anfusahum ka_nu_ yazlimu_n(a).

Ayah 178

Pickthall He who Allah leadeth, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah sendeth astray they indeed are losers.

Transliteration May yahdilla_hu fa huwal muhtadi, wa may yudlil fa ula_'ika humul kha_siru_n(a).

[[ Assad’s notes – 141 ….The kind of men spoken of here is one who has understood the divine message but, nevertheless, refuses to admit its truth because = as is pointed out in the next verse – he “clings to the earth”, i.e., is dominated by a materialistic, “earthly” outlook on like ( CF. the allegory of “a creature out of the earth” in 27:82).

142 – Because his attitude are influenced only by what his earth-bound desires represent to him as his immediate “advantages” or “disadvantages”, the type of man alluded to in this passage is always – whatever the outward circumstances – a prey to a conflict between his reason and his base urges and, thus, to inner disquiet and imaginary fears, and cannot attain to that peace of mind which a believer achieves through his faith.]]

[[ Alis notes -1149 Commentators differ whether this story or parable refers to a particular individual, and if so, to whom. The story of Balaam the seer, who was called out by Israel's enemies to curse Israel, but who blessed Israel instead, (Num. xxii., xxiii., xxiv,) is quite different. It is better to take the parable in general sense. There are men, of talents and position, to whom great opportunities of spiritual insight come, but they perversely pass them by. Satan sees his opportunity and catches them up. Instead of rising higher in the spiritual world, their selfish and worldly desires and ambitions pull them down, and they are lost. (7.175)

1150 Notice the contrast between the exalted spiritual honours which they would have received from Allah if they had followed His Will, and the earthly desires which eventually bring them low to the position of beasts and worse. (7.176)

1151 The dog, especially in the hot weather, lolls out his tongue, whether he is attacked and pursued and is tired, or he is left alone. It is part of his nature to slobber. So with the man who rejects Allah. Whether he is warned or left alone, he continues to throw out his dirty saliva. The injury he will do will be to his own soul. But there may be infection in his evil example. So we must protect others. And we must never give up hope of his own amendment. So we must continue to warn him and make him think. (7.176)

1152 Those who reject Allah will be deprived of Allah's grace and guidance. His Mercy is always open for sincere repentance. But with each step downwards, they go lower and lower, until they perish. (7.178)

1153 Cf. ii. 18. Though they have apparently all the faculties of reason and perception, they have so deadened them that those faculties do not work, and they go headlong into hell. They are, as it were, made for Hell. (7.179)

1154 As we contemplate Allah's nature, we can use the most beautiful names to express His attributes. There are hundreds of such attributes. In the opening Sura, we have this indicated in a few comprehensive words, such as Rahman (most Gracious), Rahim (most Merciful), Rabb-ul-'alamin (Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds). Our bringing such names to remembrance is part of our Prayer and Praise. But we must not associate with people who use Allah's names profanely, or so as to suggest anything derogatory to His dignity or His unity. Cf. xvii. 110. A) See also lxviii. 44 and n. 5626. (7.180) ]]

7: 182

But as for those who are bent on giving t he lie to Our messages – We shall bring them low, step by step, without their perceiving how it came about [note 148]:

Pickthall And those who deny Our revelations--step by step We lead them on from whence they know not.

Transliteration Wallazina kazzabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ sanastadrijuhum min haisu la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

7: 183

Asad for, behold, though I may give them rein for a while, My subtle scheme is exceedingly firm!

Pickthall I give them rein (for) lo! My scheme is strong.

Transliteration Wa umli lahum, inna kaidi matin(un).

Asad’s note 148 Lit., “without their knowledge whence [it comes]”. For an explanation of the term “kayd” (“subtle scheme”) occurring in the next verse, see note 25 on 68:45, where this term appears for the first time in Quranic revelation.

6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ...

6 : 1. Praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light.

...ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّهِم يَعْدِلُونَ ﴿١﴾

Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as equal with their Guardian-Lord.

C834. Adaia has various meanings:

1. to hold something as equal to something else, as here; to balance nicely;

2. to deal justly, as between one party and another, 42:15;

3. to give compensation or reparation, or something as equivalent to something else, 6:70;

4. to turn the balance the right way, to give a right disposition, to give a just bias or proportion, 82:7;

5. to turn the balance the wrong way, to swerve, to show bias. 4:135.

C835. The argument is threefold:

1. Allah created everything you see and know: how can you then set up any of His own creatures as equal to Him?

2. He is your own Guardian-Lord; He cherishes and loves you: how can you be so ungrateful as to run after something else?

3. Darkness and Light are to help you to distinguish between the true from the false: how then can you confound the true God with your false ideas and superstitions?

There may also be a repudiation of the Duality of old Persian theology; Light and Darkness are not conflicting Powers; they are both creatures of Allah.

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ...

6 : 2. He it is who created you from clay,

C836. After the general argument, the argument comes to man personally.

Can such a miserable creature, created from clay, put himself in opposition to his Creator?

And can man forget or doubt that his is here only for a short term of probation?

And then, after a period, comes the Day of Account before Allah.

... ثُمَّ قَضَى أَجَلاً...

and then decreed a stated term (for you).

C837. This life is a period of probation. The other term leads up to Judgement.

...وَأَجَلٌ مُّسمًّى عِندَهُ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ ﴿٢﴾

And there is in His presence another determined term;

yet ye doubt within yourselves!

وَهُوَ اللّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَفِي الأَرْضِ ...

6 : 3. And He is Allah in the heavens and on earth.

...يَعْلَمُ سِرَّكُمْ وَجَهرَكُمْ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٣﴾

He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal,

and He knoweth the (recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).

C838. It is folly to suppose that God only reigns in the heavens. He also reigns on earth. He knows all our secret thoughts and motives, and the real worth of all that is behind what we care to show.

It is by our deeds that He judges us; for our deeds, whether good or evil we shall get due recompense in due time.

وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ آيَةٍ مِّنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلاَّ كَانُواْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ ﴿٤﴾

6 : 4. But never did a single one of the Signs of their Lord reach them, but they turned away therefrom.

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُواْ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءهُمْ...

6 : 5. And now they reject the truth when it reaches them:

...فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِيهِمْ أَنبَاء مَا كَانُواْ بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِؤُونَ ﴿٥﴾

but soon shall they learn the reality of what they used to mock at.

أَلَمْ يَرَوْاْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم ...

6 : 6. See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?

C839. Now comes the argument from history, looking backwards and forwards.

If we are so short-sighted or arrogant as to suppose that we are firmly established on this earth, secure in our privileges, we are reminded of much greater nations in the past, who failed in their duty and ere wiped out. In their fate we must read our own fate, if we fail likewise! But those without faith, instead of facing facts squarely "turn away therefrom."

... مِّن قَرْنٍ مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّكُمْ...

Generations We had established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you,

وَأَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَاء عَلَيْهِم مِّدْرَارًا وَجَعَلْنَا الأَنْهَارَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمْ ...

for whom We poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave (fertile) streams flowing beneath their (feet):

... فَأَهْلَكْنَاهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ...

yet for their sins We destroyed them,

...وَأَنْشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ ﴿٦﴾

and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them).

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا فِي قِرْطَاسٍ ...

6 : 7. If We had sent unto thee a written (Message) on parchment,

C839a. Qirtas: in the Prophet's life, could only mean "parchment," which was commonly used as writing material in Western Asia from the 2nd century B.C.

The word was derived from the Greek, Charles (Cf. Latin, "Charta:). Paper, as we know it, made from rags, was first used by the Arabs after the conquest of Samarqand in 751 A.D.

The Chinese had used it by the 2nd century B.C. The Arabs introduced it into Europe it was; used in Greece in the 11th and 12th century, and in Spain through Sicily in the 12th century.

The Papyrus, made from an Egyptian reed, was in Egypt as early as 2500 B.C. It gave place to paper in Egypt in the 10th century.

... فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ لَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ...

so that they could touch it with their hands, the unbelievers would have been sure to say:

...إِنْ هَـذَا إِلاَّ سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٧﴾

"This is nothing but obvious magic!"

C840. The materialists want to see actual physical material things before them, but if such a thing came from an unusual source or expressed things they cannot understand, they give it some name like magic, or superstition, or whatever name is in fashion, and they are not helped at all in attaining faith, because their "hearts are diseased" (2:10)

وَقَالُواْ لَوْلا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ ...

6 : 8. They say: "Why is not an angel sent down to him?"

... وَلَوْ أَنزَلْنَا مَلَكًا لَّقُضِيَ الأمْرُ ثُمَّ لاَ يُنظَرُونَ ﴿٨﴾

If We did send down an angel, the matter would be settled at once, and no respite would be granted them.

C841. Cf. 2::210.

An angel is a heavenly being, a manifestation of Allah's glory, invisible to men who live gross material lives; Such men are given plenty of respite in which to turn in repentance to Allah and make themselves worthy of His light.

But if their prayer to see an angel were grated, it would do them no good, for thy would be destroyed as darkness is destroyed by light.

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ مَلَكًا لَّجَعَلْنَاهُ رَجُلاً وَلَلَبَسْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّا يَلْبِسُونَ ﴿٩﴾

6 : 9. If We had made it an angel, We should have sent him as a man, and We should certainly have caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion.

C842. Supposing an angel should appear to their grosser senses, he could only do it in human form. In that case their present confused notions about spiritual life would be still more confounded.

They would say: "We wanted to see an angel, and we have only seen a man!"

وَلَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِىءَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ...

6 : 10. Mocked were (many) Messengers before thee;

...فَحَاقَ بِالَّذِينَ سَخِرُواْ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِؤُونَ ﴿١٠﴾

but the scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.

C843. "The scoffers were mocked by the thing that they mocked" would express epigrammatically part of the sense, but not the whole.

"Hemmed in" implies that the logic of events turned the tables, and as a man might be besieged and surrounded by an enemy in war, and would be forced to surrender, so these mockers will find that events would justify Truth, not them.

The mockers of Jesus, - where were they when Titus destroyed Jerusalem?

The mockers who drove out Muhammad from Makkah, - what was their plight when Muhammad came back in triumph and they sued for mercy, - and he gave it to them!

According to the Latin proverb, Great is Truth, and must prevail.

Others version:

6: 1

Pickthall Praise be to Allah, Who hath created the heavens and the earth, and hath appointed darkness and light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe rivals unto their Lord.

Transliteration Al hamdu lilla_hil lazi khalaqas sama_wa_ti wal arda wa ja'alaz zuluma_ti wan nu_r(a), summal lazina kafaru_ bi rabbihim ya'dilu_n(a).

6: 2

Pickthall He it is Who hath created you from clay, and hath decreed a term for you. A term is fixed with Him. Yet still ye doubt!

Transliteration Huwal lazi khalaqakum min tinin summa qada_ ajala_(n), wa ajalum musamman 'indahu_ summa antum tamtaru_n(a).

6: 4

Pickthall Never came there unto them a revelation of the revelations of Allah but they did turn away from it.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ta'tihim min a_yatim min a_ya_ti rabbihim illa_ ka_nu_'anha_ mu'ridin(a).

6: 5

Pickthall And they denied the truth when it came unto them. But there will come unto them the tidings of that which they used to deride.

Transliteration Fa qad kazzabu_ bil haqqi lamma_ ja_'ahum, fa saufa ya'tihim amba_'u ma_ ka_nu_ bihi yastahzi'u_n(a).

6: 6

Asad …how many a generation We have destroyed before their time – [people] whom We had given a [bountiful] place on earth, the like of which We never gave unto you, and upon whom We showered heavenly blessings abundant, and at whose feet We make running waters flow? And yet We destroyed them for their sins, and gave rise to other people in their stead [note 5].

Pickthall See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.

Transliteration Alam yarau kam ahlakna_ min qablihim min qarnim makkan na_hum filardi ma_ lam numakkil lakum wa arsalnas sama_'a 'alaihim midra_ra_(w), wa ja'alnal anha_ra tajri min tahtihim fa ahlakna_hum bi zunu_bihim wa ansya'nu_ mim ba'dihim qarnan a_kharin(a).

[[Ali’s note - 839 Now comes the argument from history, looking backwards and forwards. If we are so short-sighted or arrogant as to suppose that we are firmly established on this earth, secure in our privileges, we are reminded of much greater nations in the past, who failed in their duty and were wiped out. In their fate we must read our own fate, if we fail likewise! But those without faith, instead of facing facts squarely "turn away therefrom." [6.6]]

[[ Asad’s note 5 – ….in Quranic usage , the term ‘qarn’ does not always denote “a generation’, but - rather more frequently – “an epoch”, or ‘people belonging to one particular epoch’, as well as ‘a civilization’ in the historical sense of this word.]]

[[ Ruby’s note – The important things that are implied here. God’s gifts and granting of higher success and advancement come with a higher responsibility. Higher endowments and abilities always equates to higher responsibilities. However, there is an evil human tendency -- that must be guarded against -- that material and other success and great achievements are taken granted and people become haughty, arrogant and more greedy which lead them to all kinds of deviated and perverted deeds. In stead of being grateful, humble, generous and watchful of one’s duty and responsibility, one becomes arrogant, spendthrift, wasteful and often cruel and greedy. This tendency is what a people must stand guard against. More God gives one or one people more cautious and careful one/people must be to use the gift and position towards permanent and ultimate success. And this guarding is not to mean to be obsessed with increasing and preserving one’s wealth and material advancement but how best this wealth, knowledge, expertise and advancement could be utilized to spread it in the society and do social welfare and make the society more pious and spiritual. That is achievement towards permanent success.

Is this generation or civilization some place in the South East Asia? The abundant rain and rivers seem like it is somewhere in that part of the world. ]]

6: 7

Asad But even if We had sent down unto you [O Prophet] a writing on paper, and they had touched it with their own hands – those who are bent on denying the truth would indeed have said, “This is clearly nothing but a deception!”

Pickthall Had we sent down unto thee (Muhammad) (actual) writing upon parchment, so that they could feel it with their hands, those who disbelieve would have said: This is naught else than mere magic.

Transliteration Wa lau nazzalna_ 'alaika kita_ban fi qirta_sin falamasu_hu bi aidihim laqa_lal lazina kafaru_ in ha_za_ illa_ sihrum mubin(un).

6: 8

Pickthall They say: Why hath not an angel been sent down unto him? If We sent down an angel, then the matter would be judged; no further time would be allowed them (for reflection).

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ lau la_ unzila 'alaihi malak(un), wa lau anzalna_ malakal laqudiyal amru summa la_ yunzaru_n(a).

6: 9

Pickthall Had We appointed an angel (Our messenger), We assuredly had made him (as) a man (that he might speak to men); and (thus) obscured for them (the truth) they (now) obscure.

Transliteration Wa lau ja'alna_hu malakal laja'alna_hu rajulaw wa lalabasna_ 'alaihim ma_ yalbisu_n(a).

6: 10

Pickthall Messengers (of Allah) have been derided before thee, but that whereat they scoffed surrounded such of them as did deride.

Transliteration Wa laqdistuhzi'a bi rusulim min qablika fa ha_qa billazina sakhiru_ minhum ma_ ka_nu_ bihi yastahzi'u_n(a).

[[ Ali’s notes – 839 - Qirtas, in the Apostle's life, could only mean "parchment," which was commonly used as writing material in Western Asia from the 2nd century B.C. The word was derived from the Greek, Charles (Cf. Latin, "Charta"). Paper, as we know it, made from rags, was first used by the Arabs after the conquest of Samarqand in 751 A.D. The Chinese had used it by the 2nd century B.C. The Arabs introduced it into Europe; it was used in Greece in the 11th and 12th century, and in Spain through Sicily in the 12th century. The Papyrus, made from an Egyptian reed, was in Egypt as early as 2500 B.C. It gave place to paper in Egypt in the 10th century. (6.6)

840 The materialists want to see actual physical material things before them, but if such a thing came from an unusual source or expressed things they cannot understand, they give it some name like magic, or superstition, or whatever name is in fashion, and they are not helped at all in attaining faith, because their "hearts are diseased" (ii. 10) (6.7)

841 Cf. ii. 210. An angel is a heavenly being, a manifestation of God's glory, invisible to men who live gross material lives. Such men are given plenty of respite in which to turn in repentance to God and make theselves worthly of His light. But if their prayer to see an angel were grated, it would do them no good, for thy would be destroyed as darkness is destroyed by light. (6.8)

842 Supposing an angel should appear to their grosser senses, he could only do it in human form. In that case their present confused notions about spiritual life would be still more confounded. They would say: "We wanted to see an angel, and we have only seen a man!" (6.9)

843 "The scoffers were mocked by the thing that they mocked" would express epigrammatically part of the sense, but not the whole. "Hemmed in" implies that the logic of events turned the tables, and as a man might be besieged and surrounded by an enemy in war, and would be forced to surrender, so these mockers will find that events would justify Truth, not them. The mockers of Jesus, - where were they when Titus detroyed Jerusalem? The mockers who drove out Muhammad from Mecca, - what was their plight when Muhammad came back in triumph and they sued for mercy, - and he gave it to them! According to the Latin proverb, Great is Truth, and must prevail. (6.10) ]]

10. Surah Yunus

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ...   

10: 17.  Who doth more wrong than such as forge a lie against Allah, or deny His Signs?

...إِنَّهُ لاَ يُفْلِحُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ ﴿١٧﴾  

But never will prosper those who sin.

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ...   

10: 18.  They serve, besides Allah, things that hurt them not nor profit them,

...وَيَقُولُونَ هَـؤُلاء شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللّهِ...

and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah."

...قُلْ أَتُنَبِّئُونَ اللّهَ بِمَا لاَ يَعْلَمُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلاَ فِي الأَرْضِ ...

Say: "Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not in the heavens or on earth? --

C1405. When we shut our eyes to Allah's glory and goodness, and go after false gods, we give some plausible excuse to ourselves, such as that they will intercede for us.

But how can stocks and stones intercede for us?

And how can men intercede for us, when they themselves have need of Allah's Mercy?

Even the best and noblest cannot intercede as of right, but only with His permission (10:3). To pretend that there are other powers than Allah is to invent lies and to teach Allah.

There is nothing in heaven or earth that He does not know, and there is no other like unto Him.

...سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

Glory to Him!

and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!"

Others version:

10: 17

Pickthall Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah and denieth His revelations? Lo! the guilty never are successful.

Yuksel Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God or denies His signs? The criminals will never succeed.

Transliteration Fa man azlamu mimman-iftara_ 'alalla_hi kaziban au kazzaba bi a_ya_tih(i),innahu_ la_ yuflihul mujrimu_n(a).

10: 18

Pickthall They worship beside Allah that which neither hurteth them nor profiteth them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth? Praised be He and high exalted above all that ye associate (with Him)!

Yuksel They serve besides God what does not harm them or benefit them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with God." Say, "Are you informing God of what He does not know in the heavens or in the earth?" Be He glorified and high from what they set up.

Transliteration Wa ya'budu_na min du_nilla_hi ma_ la_ yadurruhum wa la_ yanfa'uhum wa yaqu_lu_na ha_'ula_'i syufa'a_'una_ 'indalla_h(i), qul atunabbi'u_nalla_ha bima_ la_ ya'lamu fis sama_wa_ti wa la_ fil ard(i), subha_nahu_ wa ta'a_la_ 'amma_ yusyriku_n(a).

20 Sura Taha

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَى وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا ﴿١٢٥﴾

20: 125. He will say: "O my Lord! why hast thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?"

C2649. Because Allah gave him physical sight in this life for trial, he thinks he should be favoured in the real world, the world that matters! He misused his physical sight and made himself blind for the other world.

قَالَ كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا...

20: 126. (Allah) will say:

"Thus didst thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, disregard them:

...وَكَذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنسَى ﴿١٢٦﴾

so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded."

C2650. 'You were deliberately blind to Allah's Signs: now you will not see Allah's favours, and will be excluded from His Grace.

وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِن بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ...   

20: 127. And thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and believes not in the Signs of his Lord:

...وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَى ﴿١٢٧﴾

and the Penalty of the Hereafter is far more grievous and more enduring.

C2651. Blindness in the world of enduring Reality is far worse than physical blindness in the world of probation.

أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ...   

20: 128. It is not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed,

...يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ...

in whose haunts they (now) move?

...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُوْلِي النُّهَى ﴿١٢٨﴾

Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.

C2652. Cf. 20:54.

This phrase concluded the argument of Moses with Pharaoh about Pharaoh's blindness to Allah and the Signs of Allah.

Now it concludes the more general argument about men, concerning whom the saying arose: 'none are so blind as those who will not see.'

Others version:

20:125

(20:126)

20:127

For, thus shall We recompense him who wastes his own self... and does not believe in his Sustainer's messages: and, indeed, the suffering [of such sinners] in the life to come shall be most severe and most enduring!

20:128

CAN, THEN, they [who reject the truth] learn no lesson by recalling how many a generation We have destroyed before their time? 1 " - [people] in whose dwelling-places they [themselves now] walk about? In this, behold, there are messages indeed for those who are endowed with reason!

21. Surah Al Anbiya'

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ ...

21: 1.     Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning:

C2662. Every minute sees them nearer to their doom, and yet they are sadly heedless, and even actively turn away from the Message that would save them.

... وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مَّعْرِضُونَ ﴿١﴾

yet they heed not and they turn away.

Asad’s Version:

21:1

CLOSER DRAWS unto men their reckoning: and yet they remain stubbornly heedless [of its approach]. 1

(21:2) Whenever there comes unto them any new reminder from their Sustainer, they but listen to it with playful amusement, 2

(21:3) their hearts set on passing delights; yet they who are [thus] bent on wrongdoing conceal their innermost thoughts 3 [when they say to one another], "Is this [Muhammad] anything but a mortal like yourselves? Will you, then,

yield to [his] spellbinding eloquence with your eyes open?" 4