13. [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَفِي
الأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ
مُّتَجَاوِرَاتٌ...
13: 4. And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring,
وَجَنَّاتٌ
مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ
وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ
صِنْوَانٌ
وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ
يُسْقَى بِمَاء
وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ...
and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees -- growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water,
C1806. Does "growing out of single roots or otherwise" qualify "palm trees" or "vines" and "corn" as well?
The former construction is adopted by the classical Commentators: in which case the reference is to the fact either;
- that two or more palm trees occasionally grow out of a single root, or
- that palm trees grow sometimes as odd trees and sometimes in great thick clusters.
If the latter construction is adopted, the reference would be to the fact that date-palm (and palms generally) and some other plants arise out of a single tap-root, while the majority of trees arise out of a net-work of roots that spread out extensively.
Here is adaptation to soil and water conditions,-another Sign or wonder of Creation.
...بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الأُكُلِ...
yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat.
C1807. The date-palm, the crops of food-grains, and the grape-vine are all fed by the same kind of water, yet how different the harvests which they yield! And that applies to all vegetation.
The fruit or eatable produce may vary in shape, size, colour, flavour, etc., in endless variety.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٤﴾
Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who understand!
وَإِن
تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ
قَوْلُهُمْ
أَئِذَا كُنَّا
تُرَابًا أَئِنَّا
لَفِي خَلْقٍ
جَدِيدٍ...
13: 5. If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying:
"When we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?"
C1808. After seeing the Signs in nature and the Signs in revelation, it is indeed strange that people should deny their Creator.
But if they admit the Signs of the Creator, Who works marvels before their very eyes every day, why should they doubt that when they are reduced to dust, they can be raised up again?
If one creation is possible, what difficulty can there be in accepting a renewed creation?
It becomes then a question of an obstinate and rebellious will, for which the punishment is described.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّهِمْ...
They are those who deny their Lord!
...وَأُوْلَئِكَ الأَغْلاَلُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ...
They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude):
C1809. Aglal: yokes (of servitude): Cf. 7:157 and n. 1128.
The punishment may be conceived of in two stages:
- immediately, yokes of servitude to superstition, falsehood, etc., as against the freedom in Faith;
- and finally, the Fire which bums the very soul.
...وَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدونَ ﴿٥﴾
they will be Companions of the Fire, who dwell therein (for aye)!
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ
بِالسَّيِّئَةِ
قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ
وَقَدْ خَلَتْ
مِن قَبْلِهِمُ
الْمَثُلاَتُ...
13: 6. They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: yet have come to pass, before them, (many) exemplary punishments!
C1810. The Unbelievers by way of a taunt say: "If there is a punishment, let us see it come down now."
The answer to it is threefold.
1. Why do you want to see the punishment rather than the mercy of Allah?
Which is better?
2. Have you not heard in history of terrible punishments for evil?
And have you not before your very eyes seen examples of wickedness brought to book?
3. Allah works not only in justice and punishment, but also in mercy and forgiveness, and mercy and forgiveness come first.
...وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِمْ...
But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrongdoing:
...وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٦﴾
and verily thy Lord is (also) strict in punishment.
وَيَقُولُ
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ
لَوْلآ أُنزِلَ
عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ
مِّن رَّبِّهِ...
13: 7. And the Unbelievers say!
"Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"
C1811. After all the Signs that have just been mentioned it is mere fractiousness to say, "Bring down a Sign."
Al-Mustafa brought Signs and credentials as other Prophets did, and like them, refused to satisfy mere idle curiosity.
...إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ ﴿٧﴾
But thou art truly a warner and to every people a guide.
C1812. The last sentence of this verse has usually been interpreted to mean that the Prophet's function was merely to warn, and that guidance was sent by Allah to every nation through its Prophets.
I think the following interpretation is equally possible:
'it is itself a Sign that Al-Mustafa should warn and preach and produce the Quran, and the guidance which he brings is universal guidance, as from Allah.'
13: 4
Pickthall And in the Earth are neighboring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands, and date palms, like and unlike, which are watered with one water. And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who have sense.
Yuksel On earth are neighboring pieces of land with gardens of grapes and plants and palm trees, some of which may be twins sharing the same root, or single, even though they are being watered with the same water source; and We make preference for some of them over others in what they consume. In that are signs for a people who reason.
Transliteration Wa fil ardi qita'um mutaja_wira_tuw wa janna_tum min a'na_biw wa zar'uw wa nakhilun sinwa_nuw wa gairu sinwa_niy yusqa_ bi ma_'iw wa_hid(in), wa nufaddilu ba'daha_ 'ala_ ba'din fil ukul(i), inna fi za_likala a_ya_til liqaumiy ya'qilu_n(a).
13: 5
Pickthall And if thou wonderest, then wondrous is their saying: When we are dust, are we then forsooth (to be raised) in a new creation? Such are they who disbelieve in their Lord; such have carcans on their necks; such are rightful owners of the Fire, they will abide therein.
Yuksel If you wonder, then what is more wondrous is their saying: "Can it be that when we are dust, we will be created anew!" These are those who rejected their Lord, and they will have chains around their necks, and they are the dwellers of the fire, in it they will abide.
Transliteration Wa in ta'jab fa 'ajabun qauluhum a'iza_ kunna_ tura_ban ainna_ lafi khalqin jadid(in), ula_'ikal lazina kafaru_ bi rabbihim, wa ula_'ikal agla_lu fi a'na_qihim, wa ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).
13: 6
Pickthall And they bid thee hasten on the evil rather than the good, when exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them. But lo! thy Lord is rich in pardon for mankind despite their wrong, and lo! thy Lord is strong in punishment!
Yuksel They ask you to hasten with the doom rather than the good, yet the examples of those before them have already been given. Your Lord is with great forgiveness to the people despite their transgression, and your Lord is severe in retribution.
Transliteration Wa yasta'jilu_naka bis sayyi'ati qablal hasanati wa qad khalat min qablihimul masula_t(u), wa inna rabbaka lazu_ magfiratil lin na_si 'ala_ zulmihim, wa inna rabbaka lasyadidul 'iqa_b(i).
13: 7
Pickthall Those who disbelieve say: If only some portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Thou art a warner only, and for every folk a guide.
Transliteration Wa yaqu_lul lazina kafaru_ lau la_ unzila 'alaihi a_yatum mir rabbih(i), innama_ anta munziruw wa likulli qaumin ha_d(in).