61 As-Saff (The Ranks)

Medina Period

Asad’s Version:

61:2 O YOU who have attained to faith! Why do you say one thing and do another? 1 (61:3) Most loathsome is it in the sight of God that you say what you do not do!

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٢﴾

61: 2. O ye who believe! why say ye that which ye do not?

C5432. At Uhud there was some disobedience and therefore breach of discipline. People had talked much, but had failed to back up their resolution in words with firmness in action. See n. 442 to 3:121. But on all occasions when men's deeds are not commensurate with their words, their conduct is odious in the sight of Allah, and it is only due to Allah's Mercy if they are saved from disaster.

كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ ﴿٣﴾

61: 3. Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.

[[Asad’s note - 1 Lit., "Why do you say what you do not do?" In the first instance, this may be an allusion to such of the Prophet's Companions as had retreated in disorder from their battle stations at Uhud (see surah 3, note 90) despite their previous assertions that they were ready to lay down their lives in the cause of God and His Apostle. In a wider sense, the passage is addressed to all those who claim that they are willing to live up to anything that the divine writ declares to be desirable, then fall short of this determination. ]]