16. An-Nahl, Mecca 70

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ﴿٩٨﴾

16: 98.  When thou dost read the Qur'án, seek Allah's protection from Satan the rejected one.

C2139. Evil has no authority or influence on those who put their trust in Allah. It is good to express that trust in outward actions, and a formal expression of it-as in the formula, "I seek Allah's protection from Evil"-helps us.

Reading or reciting the Quran should be understood both literally and figuratively as the symbol of the earnest desire of the soul to know and understand Allah's Will and act in accordance therewith.

Man is weak at best, and he should seek strength for his will in Allah's help and protection.

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٩٩﴾

16: 99.  No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.

إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٠٠﴾

16: 100. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.

C.127 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(16:101-128)

Allah's Truth may come in stages, but it gives

Strength, guidance, and glad tidings, and should

Be held fast when once received. Be not

Like those who get puffed up with pride

In worldly good, and scorn the Truth.

Enjoy the good things of life, but render

Thanks to Allah and obey His Law.

Be true in faith, and proclaim His Word

With gentle, patient wisdom; for Allah

Is with those who live in self-restraint

A pure, good, and righteous Life.

Other versions:

16: 98

Asad Now whenever you happen to read this Quran seek refuge with God from Satan, the accursed.

Pickthall And when thou recitest the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.

Yuksel So, when you study the Quran, you shall seek refuge with God from Satan the outcast.*

Transliteration Fa iza_ qara'tal qur'a_na fa-sta'iz billa_hi minasy syaita_nir rajim(i).

[[ Yksel’s note - 016:098 Why was this instruction not placed in the beginning of the Quran or every chapter? Is it because we are not asked to utter some words but to acquire a proper mental state before studying the Quran?

[[ Ali’s note- 2139 Evil has no authority or influence on those who put their trust in Allah. It is good to express that trust in outward actions, and a formal expression of it-as in the formula, "I seek Allah's protection from Evil"-helps us. Man is weak at best, and he should seek strength for his will in Allah's help and protection. (16.98) ]]

16: 99

Asad Behold, he has no power over those who have attained to faith and in their Sustainer place their trust:

Pickthall Lo! he hath no power over those who believe and put trust in their Lord.

Yuksel He has no authority over those who acknowledge, and who put their trust in their Lord.

Transliteration Innahu_ laisa lahu_ sulta_nun 'alal lazina a_manu_ wa 'ala_ rabbihim yatawakkalu_n(a).

16: 100

Asad he has power only over those who are willing to follow him, and who ascribe to him a share in God’s divinity.

Pickthall His power is only over those who make a friend of him, and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah).

Yuksel His authority is over those who follow him, and those who set him up as a partner.

Transliteration Innama_ sulta_nuhu_ nalal lazi yatawallaunahu_ wal lazina hum bihi musyriku_n(a).