17 Surah Al Isra
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا
لَكَ إِنَّ
رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ
بِالنَّاسِ...
17: 60. Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about:
C2248. The reference may be to 72:28, probably an earlier Makkan revelation. But the argument is independent of time.
This verse falls naturally into three divisions. Warnings and Portents and Signs are sent or not sent according to Allah's All-Wise Plan of Mercy and Justice, this is in no wise inconsistent with the apparent freedom given to the wicked: because:
- in any case Allah is all round all His creatures, and His delay as a Sign of Mercy in no way diminishes His power;
- the Visions of Truth vouchsafed to Prophets of Allah are themselves Signs by which they can warn the ungodly; and
- sometimes it is more merciful to give them time by not immediately bringing the matter to judgment. (R).
...وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ إِلاَّ فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ...
We granted the Vision which We showed thee, but as a trial for men --
C2249. Some Commentators take this as referring to the Mi'raj (17:1) and others to other visions. Such visions are miracles, and become a stumbling block to unbelievers.
They are an encouragement to men of faith. Thus they are "a trial for men".
...وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُونَةَ فِي القُرْآنِ...
as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'án:
C2250. The tree Zaqqum, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable.
See 37:62-65; 44:43-46; and 56:52.
All these are Surahs chronologically earlier than this Surah.
The application of the name to a tree of the myrobalan kind in the region of Jericho is, I think, of post-Quranic date.
It is a trial for wrong- doers. See 37:63 and n. 4073.
...وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلاَّ طُغْيَانًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٦٠﴾
We put terror (and warning) into them, but it only increases their inordinate transgression!
17: 60
Pickthall And (it was a warning) when We told thee: Lo! thy Lord encompasseth mankind, and We appointed the vision which We showed thee as an ordeal for mankind, and (likewise) the Accursed Tree in the Qur'an. We warn them, but it increaseth them in naught save gross impiety.
Yuksel We had said to you: "Your Lord has encompassed the people." We did not make the vision that We showed you except as a test for the people, and the tree that was cursed in the Quran. We alert them, but it only increases their transgression.*
Wa iz qulna_ laka inna rabbaka aha_ta bin na_s(i), wa ma_ ja'alnar ru'yal lati araina_ka illa_ fitnatal lin na_si wasy syajaratal mal'u_nata fil qur'a_n(i), wa nukhawwifuhum, fama_ yaziduhum illa_ tugya_nan kabira_(n).
[[ Ali’s notes - 2248 The reference may be to lxxii. 28, probably an earlier Makkan revelation. But the argument is independent of time. This verse falls naturally into three divisions. Warnings and Portents and Signs are sent or not sent according to Allah's All-Wise Plan of Mercy and Justice, this is in no wise inconsistent with the apparent freedom given to the wicked: because (1) in any case Allah is all round all His creatures, and His delay as a Sign of Mercy in no way diminishes His power; (2) the Visions of Truth vouchsafed to Prophets of Allah are themselves Signs by which they can warn the ungodly; and (3) sometimes it is more merciful to give them time by not immediately bringing the matter to judgment. (17.60)
2249 Some Commentators take this as referring to the Mi'raj (xvii. 1) and others to other visions. Such visions are miracles, and become a stumbling block to unbelievers. They are an encouragement to men of faith. Thus they are "a trial for men". (17.60)
2250 The tree Zaqqum, a bitter and pungent tree described as growing at the bottom of Hell, a type of all that is disagreeable. See xxxvii. 62-65; xliv. 43-46; and lvi. 52. All these are Suras chronologically earlier than this Sura. The application of the name to a tree of the myrobalan kind in the region of Jericho is, I think, of post-Quranic date. It is a trial for wrong-doers. See xxxvii. 63 and n. 4073. (17.60) ]]
[[Yuksel - 017:060 This might be a reference to Muhammad's journey to receive revelation (17:1 and 53:1-18). The diabolically poisonous tree, zaqqum, grows inside hell (37:62-66) and we are informed that it will confuse and expose the hypocrites as unappreciative people since they cannot understand that the hellfire is a metaphor. With their shallow literal understanding, they solidify their dogmatic fanaticism by scoffing at the Quran, "How can a tree grow in the middle of fire?" God uses examples with multiple purposes, thereby guiding those who are appreciative and misleading those who have already made their minds and chosen the wrong path (2:26; 3:7; 17:82; 74:31). No wonder, the Quran is a mercy and reminder for those who wish to take heed (6:157; 7:203; 12:111; 17:82; 29:51; 31:3; 45:20). ]]
Transliteration Wa iz qulna_ lil mala_'ikati-sjudu_ li a_dama fasajadu_ illa_ iblis(a), qa_la a'asjudu liman khalaqta tina_(n).