45. Al-Jathiyah (Kneeling Down)

Mecca Period 65

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَآتَيْنَاهُم بَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَمَا اخْتَلَفُوا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءهُمْ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ...

45: 17. And We granted them clear Signs in affairs (of Religion):

it was only after knowledge had been granted to them that they fell into schisms, through insolent envy among themselves.

C4754. Cf. 10:93.

The Jews were the more to blame that they fell from Grace after all the divine favours which they had enjoyed. Their schisms and differences arose from mutual envy, which was rebellious insolence against Allah.

As the next verse shows, some of them (not all) rejected the mission of the holy Prophet, also through envy that a Prophet had come among the Arabians.

C4755. Cf. 2:90, and that whole passage, with its notes.

...إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِي بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿١٧﴾

Verily thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgement as to those matters in which they set up differences.

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا ...

45: 18. Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way),

C4756. Shariah is best translated the "right Way of Religion", which is wider than the mere formal rites and legal provisions, which mostly came in the Madinah period, long after this Makkan verse had been revealed.

... وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاء الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

and follow not the desires of those who know not.

إِنَّهُمْ لَن يُغْنُوا عَنكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيئًا...

45: 19. They will be of no use to thee in the sight of Allah:

C4757. That is, in the service of Allah.

Ignorant and contentious men are of no use or service to any Cause. The more you seek their help, the more do their ignorance and their contentiousness increase their own importance in their own eyes.

Evil protects (or thinks it protects) evil: it has really no power of protection at all, for itself or for others. The righteous seek the protection of Allah, Who can and will protect them.

...وإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٩﴾

it is only Wrongdoers (that stand as) protectors, one to another: but Allah is the Protector of the Righteous.

هَذَا بَصَائِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمِ يُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾

45: 20. These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and Mercy to those of assured Faith.

C4758. The evidences of Allah's Signs should be clear to all men: to men of Faith, who accept Allah's Grace, they are a Guide and a Mercy.

Asad’s Version:

45:17 And We gave them clear indications of the purpose [of faith]; 15 and it was only after all this knowledge had been vouchsafed to them that they began, out of mutual jealousy, to hold divergent views:" [but,] verily, thy Sustainer will judge between them on Resurrection Day regarding all whereon they were wont to differ.

45:18 And, finally, 17 [O Muhammad,] We have set thee on a way by which the purpose [of faith] may be fulfilled: 18 so follow thou this [way], and follow not the likes and dislikes of those who do not know [the truth]. 19

(45: 19) Behold, they could never be of any avail to thee if thou wert to defy the will of God 20 - for, verily, such evildoers are but friends and protectors of one another, whereas God is the Protector of all who are conscious of Him.

45:20 This [revelation, then,] 21 is a means of insight for mankind, and a guidance and grace unto people who are endowed with inner certainty.