16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَعَلَى
اللّهِ قَصْدُ
السَّبِيلِ
وَمِنْهَا
جَآئِرٌ...
16: 9. And unto Allah leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside:
C2029. Through material things "the Way" does always lead to Allah. But some minds are so obsessed with material things that they miss the pointers to the spiritual.
Allah could have forced all to the true Way, but in His Will and Plan is the training of man's will, and that is done by the Signs in nature and Revelation.
... وَلَوْ شَاء لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ﴿٩﴾
if Allah had willed, He could have guided all of you.
وَلَوْ شَاء
اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ
أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً...
16: 93. If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people:
... وَلكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء...
but He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases:
Allah's Will and Plan, in allowing limited free-will to man, is, not to force man's will, but to give all guidance, and leave alone those who reject that guidance, in case they should repent and come back into Grace.
But in all cases, in so far as we are given the choice, we shall be called to account for all our actions. "Leaving to stray" does not mean that we can do what we please. Our personal responsibility remains.
... وَلَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٣﴾
but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.
Other Versions:
16: 9
Asad And it rests with God alone to show you the right path: yet there is who swerves from it. However, had He so willed, He would have guided you all aright.
Pickthall And Allah's is the direction of the way, and some (roads) go not straight. And had He willed He would have led you all aright.
Transliteration Wa 'alalla_hi qasdus sabili wa minha_ ja_'ir(un), wa lau sya_'a lahada_kum ajma'in(a).
[Asad note 8: Since the concept of morality is linked with man’s God-given freedom of choice between good and evil, God does not “impose” His guidance upon man but leaves it to him to accept or reject it. ]
[Ali’s note: 2029 - Through material things "the Way" does always lead to Allah. But some minds are so obsessed with material things that they miss the pointers to the spiritual. Allah could have forced all to the true Way, but in His Will and Plan is the training of man's will, and that is done by the Signs in nature and Revelation. ]
16: 93
Asad for, had God so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community; however, He lets go astray him that wills, and guides aright him that wills, and you will surely be called to account for all that you ever did !
Pickthall Had Allah willed He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sendeth whom He will astray and guideth whom He will, and ye will indeed be asked of what ye used to do.
Transliteration Wa lau sya_'alla_hu laja'alakum ummataw wa_hidataw wa la_kiy yudillu may yasya_'u wa yahdi may yasya_'(u), wa latus'alunna 'amma_ kuntum ta'malu_n(a).
[ Ruby’s note: God’s will can override human will, but God Willingly does not override human will. He let human will dictate consequences often time. And that is why the structure of the verse ends with an expression that a human will be called to account for this freedom. ]
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