Definition of corruption and mischief in the Quran

5. [al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّمَا جَزَاء الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَادًا...

5: 33. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is:

C738. For the double crime of treason against the State, combined with treason against Allah, as shown by overt crimes, four alternative punishments are mentioned, any one of which is to be applied according to the crime committed, viz.,

- execution (cutting off of the head),

- crucifixion,

- maiming, or

- exile.

These were features of the Criminal Law then and for centuries afterwards, except that tortures such as "hanging, drawing, and quartering" in English Law, and piercing of eyes and leaving the unfortunate victim exposed to a tropical sun, which was practised in Arabia, and all such tortures were abolished.

In any case sincere repentance before it was too late was recognised as a ground for mercy.

... أَن يُقَتَّلُواْ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُواْ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ ...

execution, or crucifixion, of the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides,

C739. Understood to mean the right hand and the left foot.

... أَوْ يُنفَوْاْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ...

or exile from the land:

... ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٣٣﴾

that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.

Others version:

5: 33 Asad It is but a just recompense for those who make war on God and his apostle [note 43], and endeavor to spread corruption on earth, that they are being slain in great numbers, or crucified in great numbers, or have, in result of their perverseness, their hands and feet cur of in great numbers [note 44], or are being [entirely] banished from [the face of ] the earth: such is their ignominy in this world [note 45]. But in the life to come [yet more] awesome suffering awaits them-

Pickthall The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom;

Transliteration Innama_ jaza_'ul lazina yuha_ribu_nalla_ha wa rasu_laha_ wa yas'auna fil ardi fasa_dan ay yuqattala_ au yusallabu_ au tuqatta'a aidihim wa arjuluhum min khila_fin au yunfau minal ard(i), zua_lika lahum khizyun fid dunya_ wa lahum fil a_khirati 'aza_bun'azim(un).

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13. [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ...

13: 25.  But those who break the Covenant of Allah, after having plighted their word thereto

...وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ اللّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ...

and cut asunder those things which Allah has commanded to be joined,

and work mischief in the land --

C1838. This is the opposite of the things explained in 13:21 above, n. 1835.

...أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ ﴿٢٥﴾

on them is the Curse;

for them is the terrible Home!

C1839. This is in contrast to the state of the blessed, described in 13:22-24 above,

The Curse is the opposite of the Bliss, and the Terrible Home is the opposite of the Eternal Home, the Gardens of perpetual bliss.

Others version:

13: 25

Pickthall And those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and sever that which Allah hath commanded should be joined, and make mischief in the earth: theirs is the curse and theirs the ill abode.

Yuksel As for those who break the pledge of God after making its covenant, and they sever what God ordered that it be joined, and they corrupt in the earth; to those is a curse and they will have a miserable abode.

Transliteration Wallazina yanquduu_na 'ahdalla_hi mim ba'di misa_qihi wa yaqta'u_na ma_ amaralla_hu bihi ay yu_sala wa yufsidu_na fil ard(i), ula_'ika lahumul la'natu wa lahum su_'ud da_r(i).

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27 An-Naml (The Ants)

Mecca Period 48

Asad’s Version:

27:13 But when Our light-giving messages came unto them, they said, "This is clearly [but] spellbinding deception!" "

(27:14) - and in their wickedness and self-exaltation they rejected them, although their minds were convinced of their truth: and behold what happened in the end to those spreaders of corruption!

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا...

27:14 And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof:

... فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ ﴿١٤﴾

so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!

Al-Qasas, (The Story)

Mecca Period 49

In The Name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:

Asad’s Version:

28:1 Ta. Sin. Mim. 1

28:2 THESE ARE MESSAGES of a divine writ clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. 2

(28:3) We [now] convey unto thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh, setting forth the truth for [the benefit of] people who will believe.

28:4 Behold, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into castes. 3 One group of them he deemed utterly low; he would slaughter their sons and spare [only] their women: 4 for, behold, he was one of those who spread corruption [on earth].

(28:5) But it was Our will to bestow Our favour upon those [very people] who were deemed [so] utterly low in the land, and to make them forerunners in faith, 5 and to make them heirs [to Pharaoh's glory],

(28:6) and to establish them securely on earth, and to let Pharaoh and Haman 6 and their hosts experience through those [children of Israel] the very thing against which they sought to protect themselves. 7

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

طسم ﴿١﴾

28: 1. Ta Sin Mim.

C3326. See n. 3137 to 26:1.

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ ﴿٢﴾

28: 2. These are Verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.

C3327. See n. 3138 to 26:2.

نَتْلُوا عَلَيْكَ مِن نَّبَإِ مُوسَى وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِالْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٣﴾

28: 3. We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who believe.

C3328. The part of the story of Moses told here is how Moses and his mother were guided in the child's infancy, that even as he grew up, he might be prepared for his high destiny; how in youth he trusted Allah in the most awkward situations and sought His help; how he fled into exile, and yet found love and support because of his well-doing: and how, when he was called to his mission, he received Allah's favour, which defeated all the plots of his enemies.

Thus Allah's Plan works continuously in the web of events. Those who have faith will thus see the hand of Allah in everything and welcome the light that comes to them by Revelation. With such a Faith there is no room for Chance or blind Fate. (R).

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا...

28: 4. Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections,

C3329. For a king or ruler to make invidious distinctions between his subjects, and specially to depress or oppress any particular class of his subjects, is a dereliction of his kingly duties, for which he is responsible to Allah.

Pharaoh and his clique were intoxicated with pride of race and pride of material civilization, and grievously oppressed the Israelites.

Pharaoh decreed that all male sons born to his Israelite subjects should be killed, and the females kept alive for the pleasure of the Egyptians. Moses was saved in a wonderful way, as related further.

...يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءهُمْ...

depressing a small group among them:

their sons he slew but he kept alive their females:

...إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ ﴿٤﴾

for he was indeed a maker of mischief.

وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ...

28: 5 And We wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land,

C3330. What Pharaoh wished was to crush them. But Allah's Plan was to protect them as they were weak, and indeed to make them custodians and leaders in His Faith, and to give them in inheritance a land "flowing with milk and honey".

Here they were established in authority for such time as they followed Allah's Law. As regards Pharaoh and his ministers and hosts, they were to be shown that they would suffer, at the hands of the Israelites, the very calamities against which they were so confidently taking precautions for themselves.

...وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ ﴿٥﴾

to make them leaders (in faith) and make them heirs,

وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ...

28: 6. To establish a firm place for them in the land,

...وَنُرِي فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ ...

and to show Pharaoh, Haman,

C3331. Haman was evidently Pharaoh's minister, not to be confounded with a Haman who is mentioned in the Old Testament (Esther 3:1), as a minister of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) King of Persia, the same who invaded Greece, and ruled from B.C. 485 to 464.

... وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَحْذَرُونَ ﴿٦﴾

and their hosts, at their hands, the very things against which they were taking precautions.

C3332. Pharaoh was trying to kill the Israelites. Instead, the Plagues of Egypt, invoked by Moses, killed thousands of Egyptians (7:133, and notes 1091-92), because "they were steeped in arrogance,-a people given to sin."

In pursuing the Israelites in their flight, Pharaoh and his army were themselves overwhelmed in the sea.

[[Asad’s notes- 1 See Appendix II.

2 For an explanation of the above rendering of the adjective mubin, see note 2 on 12:1.

3 Lit,, "parties" or "sects" - here undoubtedly referring to the division of people into "high" and "low-born" : a division which the Qur'an utterly condemns. The group which, as mentioned in the next sentence, Pharaoh "deemed utterly low" were the Israelites, who had been placed on the lowest rung of the Egyptian social scale and were deprived of almost all human rights.

4 See note 7.

5 Lit., "leaders" or "exemplars" (a'immah, sing, imam) - an allusion to the historical fact that the Hebrews were the first to accept a monotheistic creed in a clear, unequivocal formulation,

and thus became the forerunners of both Christianity and Islam. ]]

Spreading Corruption on Earth

7. [al-Araf, Mecca 39]

7: 55 Call unto your Sustainer humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts. Verily, He loves not those who transgress the bounds of what is right: hence, do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered. And call unto Him with fear and longing: verily, God’s grace is ever near unto the doers of good!

7: 74

Asad “And remember how He made you heirs to Ad and settled you firmly on earth, so that you build for yourselves castles on its plains and hew out mountains as dwellings [note 59]: remember, then God’s blessings, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption..”

Yusuf Ali "And remember how He made you inheritors after the Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth."

Pickthall And remember how He made you viceroys after 'Aad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.

Transliteration Wazkuru_ iz ja'alakum khulafa_'a mim ba'di 'a_diw wa bawwa'akum fil ardi tattakhizu_na min suhu_liha_ qusu_raw wa tanhitu_nal jiba_la buyu_ta_(n), fazkuru_ a_la_'alla_hi wa la_ ta'sau fil ardi mufsidin(a).

7: 85

Asad ............Give, therefore, full measure and weight [in all your dealings], and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs; and do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered: this is for your own good..............

Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people We sent Shu`aib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you if ye have faith.

Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother, Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! a clear proof hath come unto you from your Lord; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not mankind in their goods, and work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering thereof. That will be better for you, if ye are believers.

Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), qad ja_'atkum bayyinatum mir rabbikum fa auful kaila wal miza_na wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asyya_'ahum wa la_ tufsidu_ fil ardi ba'da isla_hiha_, za_likum khairul lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).

7: 86

Asad And do not lie in ambush by every road [that leads to the truth , note 69], threatening and trying to turn away from God’s path all who believe in Him, and trying to make it appear crooked. ...............and behold what happened in the end to the spreaders of corruption

Yusuf Ali "And squat not on every road breathing threats hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him and seeking in it something crooked; but remember how ye were little and He gave you increase. And hold in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.

Pickthall Lurk not on every road to threaten (wayfarers), and to turn away from Allah's path him who believeth in Him, and to seek to make it crooked. And remember, when ye were but few, how He did multiply you. And see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters!

Transliteration Wa la_ taq'udu_ bikulli sira_tin tu_'idu_na wa tasuddu_na 'an sabililla_hi man a_mana bihi wa tabgu_naha_'iwaja_(n), wazkuru_ in kuntum qalilan fa kassarakum, wanzuru_ kaifa ka_na 'aqibatul mufsidin(a).

[[ Asad’s note – 69 – Thus Zamakhshari and Razi, stressing the metaphorical meaning of the above phrase. Cf. a similar expression, attributed to Satan, in verse 16 of this surah.]]

7: 103 And after those We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh..............and behold what happened in the end to those spreaders of corruption!

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2: 11

Yusuf Ali When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth" they say: "Why we only want to make peace!"

Pickthall And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only.

Transliteration Wa iza_ qila lahum la_ tufsidu_ fil ard(i), qa_lu_ innama_ nahnu muslihu_n(a).

2: 12

Asad Oh, verily, it is they, they who are spreading corruption – but they perceive it not! [note 9]

Yusuf Ali Of a surety they are the ones who make mischief but they realize (it) not.

Pickthall Are not they indeed the mischief makers? But they perceive not.

Transliteration Ala_ innahum humul mufsidu_na wala_kil la_ yasy'uru_n(a).

[Ali’s notes: 35 Much mischief is caused (sometimes unwittingly) by people who think that they have a mission of peace, when they have not even a true perception of right and wrong. By their blind arrogance they depress the good and encourage the evil. (2.12)

36 This is another phase of the hypocrite and the cynic. "Faith" he says, "is good enough to fools." But his cynicism may be the greatest folly in the eyes of God. (2.13)

[ Asad’s note 9: It would seem that this is an allusion to people who oppose any “intrusion” of religious considerations into the realm of practical affairs, and thus – often unwittingly, thinking that they are “but improving things” – contribute to the moral and social confusion referred to in the subsequent verse.]

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4:118, 119 Whom god has rejected for having said, “Verily, of Thy servants I shall most certainly take my due share, and shall lead them astray, and fill them with vain desires; and I shall them – and they will cut off the ears of cattle; and I shall command them - and they will corrupt God’s creation!”

But all who take Satan rather than God for their master do indeed, most clearly, lose all:

He holds out promises to them, and fills them with vain desires; yet whatever Satan promises them is but meant to delude the mind: and they shall find no way to escape therefrom.

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4: 119

Asad and shall lead them astray, and fill them with vain desires; and I shall command them – and they will cut off the ears of cattle [in idolatrous sacrifice]; and I shall command them – and they will corrupt God’s creation!” [note 141] But all who take Satan rather than God for their master do indeed, most clearly, lose all:

Yusuf Ali "I will mislead them and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah." Whoever forsaking Allah takes Satan for a friend hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.

Pickthall And surely I will lead them astray, and surely I will arouse desires in them, and surely I will command them and they will cut the cattle's ears, and surely I will command them and they will change Allah's creation. Whoso chooseth Satan for a patron instead of Allah is verily a loser and his loss is manifest.

Transliteration Wa la'udillannahm wa la'umanniyannahum wa la'a_murannahum falayubattikunna a_za_nal an'a_mi wa la'a_murannahum falayugayyirunna khalqalla_h(i), wa may yattakhizisy syaita_na waliyyam min du_nilla_hi faqad khasira khusra_nam mubina_(n).

[[ Ali’s notes:-

628 Satan obtained Allah's permission to tempt man, and this was implied in such free-will as was granted to man by Allah. Satan's boast is that the portion of mankind seduced by him will be so corrupted in their nature that they will bear a sort of brand that will mark them off as his own; or that they will be like a portion assigned to himself. (4.118)

630 Slitting the ears of cattle is just one instance of the superstitions to which men become slaves when they run after false gods. Astrology, magic, and vain beliefs in things that do not exist lead men away from Allah, the one true God. (4.119)

631 To deface the (fair) nature created by Allah; there is both a physical and a spiritual meaning. We see many kinds of defacements practised on men and animals, against their true nature as created by Allah, partly on account of superstition, partly on account of selfishness. Spiritually the case is even worse. How many natures are dwarfed or starved and turned from their original instincts by cruel superstitions or customs? Allah created man pure: Satan defaces the image. (4.119)]]

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5: 33 The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion,

or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: Than is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs is the Hereafter:

5:34 Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Ali

5: 33, 34 It is but just recompense for those who make war on God and His apotle, and endeavor to spread corruption on earth, that they arebeing slain in great numbers, or crucified in great numbers, .........But in the life to come ...awesome suffering awaits them....... Asad

5: 33 [al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]

Asad It is but a just recompense for those who make war on God and his apostle [note 43], and endeavor to spread corruption on earth, that they are being slain in great numbers, or crucified in great numbers, or have, in result of their perverseness, their hands and feet cur of in great numbers [note 44], or are being [entirely] banished from [the face of ] the earth: such is their ignominy in this world [note 45]. But in the life to come [yet more] awesome suffering awaits them-

Yusuf Ali The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion of the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.

Pickthall The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom;

Transliteration Innama_ jaza_'ul lazina yuha_ribu_nalla_ha wa rasu_laha_ wa yas'auna fil ardi fasa_dan ay yuqattala_ au yusallabu_ au tuqatta'a aidihim wa arjuluhum min khila_fin au yunfau minal ard(i), zua_lika lahum khizyun fid dunya_ wa lahum fil a_khirati 'aza_bun'azim(un).

5: 34

Asad save for such [of them] as repent ere you [O believers] become more powerful than they [note 46]: for you must know that God is much- forgiving, a disperser of grace.

Yusuf Ali Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Pickthall Save those who repent before ye overpower them. For know that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Illal lazina ta_bu_ min qabli an taqdiru_ 'alaihim, fa'lamu_ annalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).

5: 35

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and seek to come closer unto Him, and strive hard in His cause, so that you might attain to a happy state.

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! do your duty to Allah seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manuttaqulla_ha wabtagu_ ilaihil wasilata wa ja_hidu_ fi sabilihi la'allakum tuflihu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s notes – 43 …….is meant a hostile opposition to, and willful disregard of, the ethical precepts ordained by God and explained by all His apostles, combined with the conscious endeavor to destroy or undermine other people’s belief in God as well.

note 44 – In classical Arabic idiom, the “cutting off of one’s hands and feet” is often synonymous with “destroying one’s power”, and it is possibly in this sense that the expression has been used here.

45 – Most classical commentators regard this passage as a legal injunction, and interpret it, therefore, as follows: “The recompense of those who make war on God and His apostle and spread corruption on earth shall but be that they shall be slain, or crucified, or that their hands and feet be cut off on opposite sides,…………ignominy in this world.” This interpretation is, however, in no way warranted by the text, and this for the following reasons: [see the detail explanations]…………In short, the attempt of the commentators to interpret the above verse as a “legal injunction” must be categorically rejected, however great the names of the persons responsible for it. On the other hand, a really convincing interpretation suggests itself to us at once as soon as we read the verse – as it ought to be read – in the present tense: for, read in this way, the verse reveals itself immediately as a statement of fact – a declaration of the inescapability of the retribution which “those who make war on God” bring upon themselves. Their hostility to ethical imperatives causes “those to lose sight of all moral values; and their consequent mutual discord and “perverseness” gives rise to unending stripe among themselves for the sake of worldly gain and power: they kill one another in great numbers, and torture and mutilate one another in great numbers, with the result that whole communities are wipes out or, as the Quran puts it, “banished from [the face of] the earth”. It is this interpretation alone that takes full account of all the expressions occurring in this verse – the reference to “great numbers” in connections with deeds of extreme violence, …]]

[[ Ruby’s note – I totally agree with Asad in this. It merely reflects the natural consequences as a result of arrogance, rejection of Truth and spreading corruption and aggressions on earth. The failure that take place as a result of revolting against God’s moral law and fighting actively against it and those who believe and comply with the Moral law.]]

[[ Ali’s notes

740 Taqwa here too might be translated "fear of Allah", but the very next clause shows that "fear of Allah" does not mean "fear" in the ordinary sense, which would make you avoid the object of fear. On the contrary the "fear of Allah" is the intense desire to avoid everything that is against His Will and Law. It is in fact duty to Allah, for we are told to seek ardently the means by which we may approach Him, and that can only be done by striving with might and main for His cause. (5.35)

741 "Prosper" in the real sense, for that is all that matters, as the life of this world is brief and fleeting, and of small account as against Eternity. (5.35) ]]

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10: 40

Yusuf Ali Of them there are some who believe therein and some who do not: and thy Lord knoweth best those who are out for mischief.

Pickthall And of them is he who believeth therein, and of them is he who believeth not therein, and thy Lord is best aware of the corrupters.

Transliteration Wa minhum may yu'minu bihi wa minhum mal la_ yu'minu bih(i), wa rabbuka a'lamu bil mufsidin(a).

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16: 88 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

Yusuf Ali Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the path of Allah for them will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.

Pickthall For those who disbelieve and debar (men) from the way of Allah, We add doom to doom because they wrought corruption.

Yuksel Those who rejected, and repelled others from the path of God, We have increased the retribution for them over the retribution for what they had corrupted.

Transliteration Allazina kafaru_ wa saddu_ 'an sabililla_hi zidna_hum 'aza_ban fauqal 'aza_bi bima_ ka_nu_ yufsidu_n(a).

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Spreading Corruption on Earth

7: 55 Call unto your Sustainer humbly, and in the secrecy of your hearts. Verily, He loves not those who transgress the bounds of what is right: hence, do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered. And call unto Him with fear and longing: verily, God’s grace is ever near unto the doers of good!

7: 103 And after those We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh..............and behold what happened in the end to those spreaders of corruption!

7: 74

Asad “And remember how He made you heirs to Ad and settled you firmly on earth, so that you build for yourselves castles on its plains and hew out mountains as dwellings [note 59]: remember, then God’s blessings, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption..”

Yusuf Ali "And remember how He made you inheritors after the Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains and carve out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth."

Pickthall And remember how He made you viceroys after 'Aad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.

Transliteration Wazkuru_ iz ja'alakum khulafa_'a mim ba'di 'a_diw wa bawwa'akum fil ardi tattakhizu_na min suhu_liha_ qusu_raw wa tanhitu_nal jiba_la buyu_ta_(n), fazkuru_ a_la_'alla_hi wa la_ ta'sau fil ardi mufsidin(a).

7: 85 [al-Araf, Mecca 39]

Asad ............Give, therefore, full measure and weight [in all your dealings], and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs; and do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered: this is for your own good..............

Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people We sent Shu`aib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you if ye have faith.

Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother, Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! a clear proof hath come unto you from your Lord; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not mankind in their goods, and work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering thereof. That will be better for you, if ye are believers.

Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), qad ja_'atkum bayyinatum mir rabbikum fa auful kaila wal miza_na wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asyya_'ahum wa la_ tufsidu_ fil ardi ba'da isla_hiha_, za_likum khairul lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).

7: 86

Asad And do not lie in ambush by every road [that leads to the truth , note 69], threatening and trying to turn away from God’s path all who believe in Him, and trying to make it appear crooked. ...............and behold what happened in the end to the spreaders of corruption

Yusuf Ali "And squat not on every road breathing threats hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him and seeking in it something crooked; but remember how ye were little and He gave you increase. And hold in your mind's eye what was the end of those who did mischief.

Pickthall Lurk not on every road to threaten (wayfarers), and to turn away from Allah's path him who believeth in Him, and to seek to make it crooked. And remember, when ye were but few, how He did multiply you. And see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters!

Transliteration Wa la_ taq'udu_ bikulli sira_tin tu_'idu_na wa tasuddu_na 'an sabililla_hi man a_mana bihi wa tabgu_naha_'iwaja_(n), wazkuru_ in kuntum qalilan fa kassarakum, wanzuru_ kaifa ka_na 'aqibatul mufsidin(a).

[[ Asad’s note – 69 – Thus Zamakhshari and Razi, stressing the metaphorical meaning of the above phrase. Cf. a similar expression, attributed to Satan, in verse 16 of this surah.]]

2: 11

Yusuf Ali When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth" they say: "Why we only want to make peace!"

Pickthall And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only.

Transliteration Wa iza_ qila lahum la_ tufsidu_ fil ard(i), qa_lu_ innama_ nahnu muslihu_n(a).

2: 12

Asad Oh, verily, it is they, they who are spreading corruption – but they perceive it not! [note 9]

Yusuf Ali Of a surety they are the ones who make mischief but they realize (it) not.

Pickthall Are not they indeed the mischief makers? But they perceive not.

Transliteration Ala_ innahum humul mufsidu_na wala_kil la_ yasy'uru_n(a).

[Ali’s notes: 35 Much mischief is caused (sometimes unwittingly) by people who think that they have a mission of peace, when they have not even a true perception of right and wrong. By their blind arrogance they depress the good and encourage the evil. (2.12)

36 This is another phase of the hypocrite and the cynic. "Faith" he says, "is good enough to fools." But his cynicism may be the greatest folly in the eyes of God. (2.13)

[ Asad’s note 9: It would seem that this is an allusion to people who oppose any “intrusion” of religious considerations into the realm of practical affairs, and thus – often unwittingly, thinking that they are “but improving things” – contribute to the moral and social confusion referred to in the subsequent verse.]

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4:118, 119 Whom god has rejected for having said, “Verily, of Thy servants I shall most certainly take my due share, and shall lead them astray, and fill them with vain desires; and I shall them – and they will cut off the ears of cattle; and I shall command them - and they will corrupt God’s creation!”

But all who take Satan rather than God for their master do indeed, most clearly, lose all:

He holds out promises to them, and fills them with vain desires; yet whatever Satan promises them is but meant to delude the mind: and they shall find no way to escape therefrom.

4: 119

Asad and shall lead them astray, and fill them with vain desires; and I shall command them – and they will cut off the ears of cattle [in idolatrous sacrifice]; and I shall command them – and they will corrupt God’s creation!” [note 141] But all who take Satan rather than God for their master do indeed, most clearly, lose all:

Yusuf Ali "I will mislead them and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah." Whoever forsaking Allah takes Satan for a friend hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.

Pickthall And surely I will lead them astray, and surely I will arouse desires in them, and surely I will command them and they will cut the cattle's ears, and surely I will command them and they will change Allah's creation. Whoso chooseth Satan for a patron instead of Allah is verily a loser and his loss is manifest.

Transliteration Wa la'udillannahm wa la'umanniyannahum wa la'a_murannahum falayubattikunna a_za_nal an'a_mi wa la'a_murannahum falayugayyirunna khalqalla_h(i), wa may yattakhizisy syaita_na waliyyam min du_nilla_hi faqad khasira khusra_nam mubina_(n).

[[ Ali’s notes:-

628 Satan obtained Allah's permission to tempt man, and this was implied in such free-will as was granted to man by Allah. Satan's boast is that the portion of mankind seduced by him will be so corrupted in their nature that they will bear a sort of brand that will mark them off as his own; or that they will be like a portion assigned to himself. (4.118)

630 Slitting the ears of cattle is just one instance of the superstitions to which men become slaves when they run after false gods. Astrology, magic, and vain beliefs in things that do not exist lead men away from Allah, the one true God. (4.119)

631 To deface the (fair) nature created by Allah; there is both a physical and a spiritual meaning. We see many kinds of defacements practised on men and animals, against their true nature as created by Allah, partly on account of superstition, partly on account of selfishness. Spiritually the case is even worse. How many natures are dwarfed or starved and turned from their original instincts by cruel superstitions or customs? Allah created man pure: Satan defaces the image. (4.119)]]

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5: 33 The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion,

or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: Than is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs is the Hereafter:

5:34 Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Ali

5: 33, 34 It is but just recompense for those who make war on God and His apotle, and endeavor to spread corruption on earth, that they arebeing slain in great numbers, or crucified in great numbers, .........But in the life to come ...awesome suffering awaits them....... Asad

5: 33 [al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]

Asad It is but a just recompense for those who make war on God and his apostle [note 43], and endeavor to spread corruption on earth, that they are being slain in great numbers, or crucified in great numbers, or have, in result of their perverseness, their hands and feet cur of in great numbers [note 44], or are being [entirely] banished from [the face of ] the earth: such is their ignominy in this world [note 45]. But in the life to come [yet more] awesome suffering awaits them-

Yusuf Ali The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion of the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.

Pickthall The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom;

Transliteration Innama_ jaza_'ul lazina yuha_ribu_nalla_ha wa rasu_laha_ wa yas'auna fil ardi fasa_dan ay yuqattala_ au yusallabu_ au tuqatta'a aidihim wa arjuluhum min khila_fin au yunfau minal ard(i), zua_lika lahum khizyun fid dunya_ wa lahum fil a_khirati 'aza_bun'azim(un).

5: 34

Asad save for such [of them] as repent ere you [O believers] become more powerful than they [note 46]: for you must know that God is much- forgiving, a disperser of grace.

Yusuf Ali Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Pickthall Save those who repent before ye overpower them. For know that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Illal lazina ta_bu_ min qabli an taqdiru_ 'alaihim, fa'lamu_ annalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).

5: 35

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Remain conscious of God, and seek to come closer unto Him, and strive hard in His cause, so that you might attain to a happy state.

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! do your duty to Allah seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manuttaqulla_ha wabtagu_ ilaihil wasilata wa ja_hidu_ fi sabilihi la'allakum tuflihu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s notes – 43 …….is meant a hostile opposition to, and willful disregard of, the ethical precepts ordained by God and explained by all His apostles, combined with the conscious endeavor to destroy or undermine other people’s belief in God as well.

note 44 – In classical Arabic idiom, the “cutting off of one’s hands and feet” is often synonymous with “destroying one’s power”, and it is possibly in this sense that the expression has been used here.

45 – Most classical commentators regard this passage as a legal injunction, and interpret it, therefore, as follows: “The recompense of those who make war on God and His apostle and spread corruption on earth shall but be that they shall be slain, or crucified, or that their hands and feet be cut off on opposite sides,…………ignominy in this world.” This interpretation is, however, in no way warranted by the text, and this for the following reasons: [see the detail explanations]…………In short, the attempt of the commentators to interpret the above verse as a “legal injunction” must be categorically rejected, however great the names of the persons responsible for it. On the other hand, a really convincing interpretation suggests itself to us at once as soon as we read the verse – as it ought to be read – in the present tense: for, read in this way, the verse reveals itself immediately as a statement of fact – a declaration of the inescapability of the retribution which “those who make war on God” bring upon themselves. Their hostility to ethical imperatives causes “those to lose sight of all moral values; and their consequent mutual discord and “perverseness” gives rise to unending stripe among themselves for the sake of worldly gain and power: they kill one another in great numbers, and torture and mutilate one another in great numbers, with the result that whole communities are wipes out or, as the Quran puts it, “banished from [the face of] the earth”. It is this interpretation alone that takes full account of all the expressions occurring in this verse – the reference to “great numbers” in connections with deeds of extreme violence, …]]

[[ Ruby’s note – I totally agree with Asad in this. It merely reflects the natural consequences as a result of arrogance, rejection of Truth and spreading corruption and aggressions on earth. The failure that take place as a result of revolting against God’s moral law and fighting actively against it and those who believe and comply with the Moral law.]]

[[ Ali’s notes

740 Taqwa here too might be translated "fear of Allah", but the very next clause shows that "fear of Allah" does not mean "fear" in the ordinary sense, which would make you avoid the object of fear. On the contrary the "fear of Allah" is the intense desire to avoid everything that is against His Will and Law. It is in fact duty to Allah, for we are told to seek ardently the means by which we may approach Him, and that can only be done by striving with might and main for His cause. (5.35)

741 "Prosper" in the real sense, for that is all that matters, as the life of this world is brief and fleeting, and of small account as against Eternity. (5.35) ]]

10: 40

Yusuf Ali Of them there are some who believe therein and some who do not: and thy Lord knoweth best those who are out for mischief.

Pickthall And of them is he who believeth therein, and of them is he who believeth not therein, and thy Lord is best aware of the corrupters.

Transliteration Wa minhum may yu'minu bihi wa minhum mal la_ yu'minu bih(i), wa rabbuka a'lamu bil mufsidin(a).

16: 88 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

Yusuf Ali Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the path of Allah for them will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.

Pickthall For those who disbelieve and debar (men) from the way of Allah, We add doom to doom because they wrought corruption.

Yuksel Those who rejected, and repelled others from the path of God, We have increased the retribution for them over the retribution for what they had corrupted.

Transliteration Allazina kafaru_ wa saddu_ 'an sabililla_hi zidna_hum 'aza_ban fauqal 'aza_bi bima_ ka_nu_ yufsidu_n(a).