17. Surah Al Isra

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ...   

17: 41.  We have explained (things) in various (ways) in this Qur'án, in order that they may receive admonition,

C2227. Things are explained in the Quran from all points of view, individual and national, by means of stories, parables, and figures of speech, and by way of categorical commands.

But those who are evil, instead of profiting by such instruction, often go farther and farther away from the Truth.

...وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلاَّ نُفُورًا ﴿٤١﴾

but it only increases their flight (from the Truth)!

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ مَعَهُ آلِهَةٌ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذًا لاَّبْتَغَوْاْ إِلَى ذِي الْعَرْشِ سَبِيلاً ﴿٤٢﴾

17: 42.  Say:

if there had been (other) gods with Him -- as they say -- behold, they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!

C2228. There is only One True God. But if, as polytheists say, there had been subsidiary gods, they would yet have had to submit to the Throne of the Supreme God, for they could have done nothing without Him. Thus the Islamic idea of the unity of the Godhead is quite different from the polytheistic ideas of a supreme god, as in the Greek Pantheon, where Jupiter was often defied by the minor deities! But such ideas are absurd, as stated in the next verse.

Asad’s Version:

17: 41

Pickthall We verily have displayed (Our warnings) in this Qur'an that they may take heed, but it increaseth them in naught save aversion.

Yuksel We have cited in this Quran so they may remember, but it only increases their aversion!

Transliteration Wa laqad sarrafna_ fi ha_zal qura'a_ni liyazzakkaru_, wa ma_ yaziduhum illa_ nafu_ra_(n).

17: 42

Pickthall Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): If there were other gods along with Him, as they say, then had they sought a way against the Lord of the Throne.

Yuksel Say, "If there had been gods with Him as they say, then they would have tried to gain a way to the Possessor of Authority."

Qul lau ka_na ma'ahu_ a_lihatun kama_ yaqu_lu_na izal la-btagau ila_ zil 'arsyi sabila_(n)

[[ Ali’s note - 2228 There is only One True God. But if, as polytheists say, there had been subsidiary gods, they would yet have had to submit to the Throne of the Supreme God, and worship Him. (17.42) ]]