34. Surah Saba-(Sheba) Mecca 58 [54 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَأْتِينَا السَّاعَةُ...

34: 3. The Unbelievers say, "Never to us will come the hour":

C3788. The last two verses prepared us to realise the position of Unbelievers in Allah's great Universe. They are the discord in the universal harmony of Prayer and Praise. Their existence is due to the grant of a limited free-will, the Trust which the Unbelievers have betrayed (see 33:72 and n. 3777-79 and n. 3780-82).

But they must and will be eliminated: see verse 5 below.

For there is nothing more certain in the world, physical, moral, and spiritual, than that every cause, great or small, must have its corresponding consequences.

... قُلْ بَلَى وَرَبِّي لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ ...

say,

"Nay! but most surely, by my Lord, it will come upon you --

C3789. The strongest emphasis and the most perfect assurance of certainty are indicated by reference to the authority of Allah Himself, the Ruler of the Day of Judgment.

...عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ...

by Him Who knows the unseen -- from Whom is not hidden the least little atom in the Heavens or on earth:

... وَلَا أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٣﴾

nor is there anything less than that, or greater, but is in the Record Perspicuous:

C3790. In the symbolical language of our own human experience, a record is more enduring than memory: in fact (if properly preserved) it is perpetual.

If, further, it is expressed in clear language, without any obscurity, it can always be read with perfect precision and without any doubt whatever. Apply these qualities, free from human defect to Allah's laws and decrees. They are unerring and enduring. Everything, greater or small, will receive due recognition-a Reward for Good and a Punishment for Evil.

لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ...

34: 4. That He may reward those who believe and work deeds of righteousness:

... أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ ﴿٤﴾

for such is Forgiveness and a Sustenance Most Generous."

C3791. "Sustenance": Spiritual in things spiritual, and physical in things physical.

It implies not only the satisfaction of desire, but the provision of means for sustaining the ground won and for winning more ground in the march of progress.

Asad’s Version:

34:3 And yet, they who are bent on denying the truth assert, "Never will the Last Hour come upon Say: "Nay, by my Sustainer! By Him who knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being's perception: it will most certainly come upon you! " Not an atom's weight [of whatever there is] in the heavens or on earth escapes His knowledge; and neither is there anything smaller than that, or larger, but is recorded in [His] clear decree,

(34:4) to the end that He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds: [for] it is they whom forgiveness of sins awaits, and a most excellent sustenance 3 – [[3 See note 5 on 8:4. ]]

65.Surah At-Talaq (Divorce)

Medina Period 99

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

رَّسُولًا يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ مُبَيِّنَاتٍ ...

65:11. A Messenger, who rehearses to you the Signs of Allah containing clear explanations,

... لِّيُخْرِجَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ...

that he may lead forth those who believe and do righteous deeds from the depths of Darkness into Light.

C5525. Cf. 14:40:

the unbelievers' state is "like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by dark clouds; depths of darkness, one above another."

Cf. 2:257; "Allah is the Protector of those who have Faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light."

... وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ...

And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness, He will admit to Gardens beneath which rivers flow,

... خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا...

to dwell therein forever:

قَدْ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ لَهُ رِزْقًا ﴿١١﴾

Allah has indeed granted for them a most excellent provision.

Asad’s Version:

65:11

[He has sent] an apostle who conveys unto you God's clear messages, so that He might those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds out of the depths of darkness into the light. And whoever believes in God and does what is right and just, him will He admit into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time: indeed, a most goodly provision will God have granted him!