4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَن
يُطِعِ اللّهَ
وَالرَّسُولَ
فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
مَعَ الَّذِينَ
أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ
عَلَيْهِم ...
4: 69. All who obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,
... مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاء وَالصَّالِحِينَ ...
of the Prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the righteous (who do good):
... وَحَسُنَ أُولَـئِكَ رَفِيقًا ﴿٦٩﴾
ah! what a beautiful fellowship!
C586. A passage of the deepest devotional meaning. Even the humblest man who accepts Faith and does good becomes an accepted member of a great and beautiful company in the Hereafter. It is a company which lives perpetually in the sunshine of Allah's Grace. (This passage partly illustrates 1:5).
It is a glorious hierarchy, of which four grades are specified:
1. The highest is that of the Prophets or Apostles, who get plenary inspiration from Allah, and who teach mankind by example and precept. That rank in Islam is held by Muhammad Al-Mustafa.
2. The next are those whose badge is sincerity and truth: they love and support the truth with their person, their means, their influence, and all that is theirs.
That rank was held by the special Companions of Muhammad, among whom the type was that of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq.
3. The next are the noble army of Witnesses, who testify to the truth.
The testimony may be by martyrdom, Or
it may be by the tongue of the true Preacher or
the pen of the devoted scholar, or
the life of the man devoted to service,
4. Lastly, there is the large company of Righteous people, the ordinary folk who do their ordinary business, but always in a righteous Way. They are the rank and file of the beautiful Fellowship, in which each has his place and yet all feel that they derive glory from the common association. (R).
ذَلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنَ اللّهِ وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ عَلِيمًا ﴿٧٠﴾
4: 70. O ye who believe! take your precautions, and either go forth in parties or go forth all together.
C587. If a generous General gives the private soldier the privilege of sitting with his comrades and officers, high and low, in one common Brotherhood, people may perhaps wonder: how may this be?
If we are admitted to that Company, we want to know no more. It is enough to us that Allah knows our humility and our unworthiness, and with His full knowledge admits us to that glorious Fellowship!
Other versions:
4: 69 [an-Nisa, Medina 92]
Yusuf Ali All who obey Allah and the Apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah of the Prophets (who teach) the sincere (lovers of truth) the witnesses (who testify) and the righteous (who do good): ah! what a beautiful fellowship!
Pickthall Whoso obeyeth Allah and the messenger, they are with those unto whom Allah hath shown favor, of the Prophets and the saints and the martyrs and the righteous. The best of company are they!
Transliteration Za_likal fadlu minalla_h(i), wa kafa_ billa_hi 'alima_(n).
4: 70
Yusuf Ali Such is the Bounty from Allah: and sufficient is it that Allah knoweth all.
Pickthall Such is the bounty of Allah, and Allah sufficeth as knower.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ khuzu_ hizrakum fanfiru_ suba_tin awinfiru_ jami'a_(n).
[[ Ali’s notes- 586 A passage of the deepest devotional meaning. Even the humblest man who accepts Faith and does good becomes an accepted member of a great and beautiful company in the Hereafter. It is a company which lives perpetually in the sunshine of God's Grace. (This passage partly illustrates Q. i. 5). It is a glorious hierarchy, of which four grades are specified: (1) The highest is that of the Prophets or Apostles, who get plenary inspiration from God, and who teach mankind by example and precept. That rank in Islam is held by Muhammand Al-Mustafa. (2) The next are those whose badge is sincerity and truth: they love and support the truth with their person, their means, their influence, and all that is theirs. That rank was held by the special Companions of Muhammad, among whom the type was that of Hadhrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq. (3) The next are the noble army of Witnesses, who testify to the truth. The testimony may be by martyrdom, Or it may be by the tongue of the true Preacher or the pen of the devoted scholar, or the life of the man devoted to service, (4) Lastly, there is the large company of Righteous people, the ordinary folk who do their ordinary business, but always in a righteous Way. (4.69)
If a generous General gives the private soldier the privilege of sitting with his comrades and officers, high and low, in one common Brotherhood, people may perhaps wonder: how may this be? If we are admitted to that Company, we want to know no more. It is enough to us that Allah knows our humility and our unworthiness, and with His full ]]
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَأَطِيعُواْ
اللّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ
الرَّسُولَ
وَاحْذَرُواْ...
5: 92. Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware (of evil):
C796. We are asked to obey the commands of Allah (which are always reasonable), instead of following superstitions (which are irrational), or seeking undue stimulation in intoxicants or undue advantage in gambling.
To some there may be temporary excitement or pleasure in these, but that is not the way either of prosperity or piety.
... فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّمَا عَلَى رَسُولِنَا الْبَلاَغُ الْمُبِينُ ﴿٩٢﴾
if ye do turn back, know ye that it is Our Messenger's duty to proclaim (the Message) in the clearest manner.
C797. Cf. 5:67.
Both the worldly and the spiritual aspects of loss are pointed out.
Can Allah's Message do more?
Other versions:
5: 92
Asad Hence, pay heed unto God, and pay heed unto the Apostle, and be ever on your guard [against evil]; and if you turn away, then know that Our Apostle’s only duty is a clear delivery of the message [entrusted to him] (note 107)..
Yusuf Ali Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and beware (of evil): if ye do turn back know ye that it is Our Apostle's duty to proclaim (the Message) in the clearest manner.
Pickthall Obey Allah and obey the messenger, and beware! But if ye turn away, then know that the duty of Our messenger is only plain conveyance (of the message).
Transliteration Wa ati'ulla_ha wa ati'ur rasu_la wahzaru_, fa in tawallaitum fa'lamu_ annama_'ala_ rasu_linal bala_gul mubin(u).
[[ Asad’s note 107 – This implies that he cannot force people to believe, and cannot, therefore, be hold responsible for their failure to do so.]]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ
عَنِ الأَنفَالِ...
8: 1. They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war.
C1178. The occasion was the question of the division of the booty after the battle of Badr- See Introduction to this Surah.
...قُلِ الأَنفَالُ لِلّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ...
Say:
"(such) spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger:
C1179. Booty taken in a lawful and just war. It belongs to the Cause, in this case the Cause of Allah, as administered by His Messenger. The chief thing is to remain staunch to the Cause of Allah, and have no differences among those who stand for the Cause.
Our internal relations must be kept straight: they must not be disturbed by cupidity or worldly considerations of gain, for any windfalls of this kind should be outside our calculations.
...فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَأَصْلِحُواْ ذَاتَ بِيْنِكُمْ...
so fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves:
...وَأَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١﴾
obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe."
إِنَّمَا
الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا
ذُكِرَ اللّهُ
وَجِلَتْ
قُلُوبُهُمْ...
8: 2. For, believers are those who,
- when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts,
...وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا...
- and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened,
...وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ﴿٢﴾
- and put (all) their trust in their Lord.
وَأَطِيعُواْ
اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...
8: 46. And obey Allah and His Messenger;
...وَلاَ تَنَازَعُواْ فَتَفْشَلُواْ وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ...
and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart;
...وَاصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾
and be patient and persevering:
for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
C1215. A fine description of the Muslim virtues which make for success and whose loss brings about humiliation and failure.
"Power": literally, "wind", -the favourable wind for a sailing ship.
Other versions:
8: 1 [al-Anfal, Medina 88]
Asad They will ask you about the spoils of war. Say: “All spoils of war belong to God and the Apostle [note 1].” Remain, then, conscious of God, and keep alive the bonds of brotherhood among yourselves [note 2], and pay heed unto God and his Apostle, if you are [truly] believers!
Yusuf Ali They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say: "(Such) spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the apostle: so fear Allah and keep straight the relations between yourselves: obey Allah and His apostle if ye do believe."
Pickthall They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.
Transliteration Yas'alu_naka 'anil anfa_l(i), qulil anfa_lu lilla_hi war rasu_l(i), fattaqulla_ha wa aslihu_ za_ta bainikum, wa ati'ulla_ha wa rasu_lahu_ in kuntum mu'minin(a).
8: 2 [al-Anfal, Medina
Yusuf Ali For believers are those who when Allah is mentioned feel a tremor in their hearts and when they hear His signs rehearsed find their faith strengthened and put (all) their trust in their Lord.
Pickthall They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when the revelations of Allah are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord;
Transliteration Innamal mu'minu_nal lazina iza_ zukiralla_hu wajilat qulu_buhum wa iza_ tuliyat 'alaihim a_ya_tuhu_ za_dathum ima_naw wa'ala_ rabbihim yatawakkalu_n(a)
8: 46 [al-Anfal, Median 88, after Badr 2H]
Yusuf Ali And obey Allah and His apostle; and fall into no disputes lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
Pickthall And obey Allah and His messenger, and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah is with the steadfast.
Transliteration Wa ati'ulla_ha wa rasu_lahu_ wa la_ tana_za'u_ fa tafsyalu_ wa tazhaba rihukum wasbiru_, innalla_ha ma'as sa_birin(a).
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ
وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ
بَعْضُهُمْ
أَوْلِيَاء
بَعْضٍ...
9: 71. The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another:
...يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ...
- they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil:
...وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...
- they observe regular prayers,
- practice regular charity,
- and obey Allah and His Messenger.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللّهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٧١﴾
On them will Allah pour His mercy:
for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.
Other versions:
9: 71 [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, after Tabuk 9H]
Asad And [as for] the believers, both men and women –they are close unto another [note 99]:……..and are constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and pay heed unto God and His Apostle. ……………
Yusuf Ali The believers men and women are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers practice regular charity and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power Wise.
Pickthall And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Transliteration Wal mu'minu_na wal mu'mina_tu ba'duhum auliya_'u ba'd(in), ya'muru_na bil ma'ru_fi wa yanhauna 'anil munkari wa yuqimu_nas sala_ta wa yu'tu_naz zaka_ta wa yuti'u_nalla_ha wa rasu_lah(u_), ula_'ika sayarhamuhumulla_h(u), innalla_ha 'azizun hakim(un).
[[ Asad’s note 99 – Or: “are the protectors [or “ friends and protectors”] of one another”………]]
49 . Surah Al-Hujurat (The Private Apartments)
Medina Period 106 [18 verses]9H
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قَالَتِ
الْأَعْرَابُ
آمَنَّا...
49: 14. The desert Arabs say, "We believe."
C4934. The desert Arabs were somewhat shaky in their faith. Their hearts and minds were petty, and they thought of petty things, while Islam requires the complete submission of one's being to Allah. See next verse.
Some of the failings of the desert Arabs are described in 48:11-15. But the reference here is said to be to the Banu Asad, who came to profess Islam in order to get charity during a famine.
...قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ...
Say,
"Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah.'
C4935. 'This is what ye ought to prove if your faith has any meaning, but ye only say it with your tongues.'
For not yet has Faith entered your hearts.
...وَإِن تُطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَا يَلِتْكُم مِّنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْئًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٤﴾
But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds:
for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Asad’s Version:
49:14 THE BEDOUIN say, "We have attained to faith." Say [unto them, O Muhammad]: "You have not [yet] attained to faith; you should [rather] say, 'We have [outwardly] surrendered' - for [true] faith has not yet entered your hearts. 17 But if you [truly] pay heed unto God and His Apostle, He will not let the least of your deeds 18 go to waste: for, behold, God is much- forgiving, a dispenser of grace."
[[Asad’s note - 18 I.e., "your own deeds, in distinction from the supposed 'glorious deeds' of your ancestors, which count for nothing in His sight" . ]]