7. Sura al-ArafThe Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَإِذ
نَتَقْنَا
الْجَبَلَ
فَوْقَهُمْ
كَأَنَّهُ
ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّواْ
أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ
بِهِمْ...
7: 171. When We shook the mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them
...خُذُواْ مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ ...
(We said): "Hold firmly, to what We have given you
... وَاذْكُرُواْ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٧١﴾
and bring (even) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may fear Allah."
C1145. Therein: in the Book or Revelation, in "what We have given you."
Other versions:
7: 171 [al-Araf, Mecca 39, re: Moses]
Asad And …..when We caused Mount Sanai to quake above the children of Israel as through it were a [mere] shadow, and they thought that it would fall upon them, :Hold fast with [all your] strength unto what We have vouchsafed you, and bear in mind all that is therein, so that you might remain conscious of God?
Yusuf Ali When We shook the mount over them as if it had been a canopy and they thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring (even) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may fear Allah."
Pickthall And when We shook the Mount above them as it were a covering, and they supposed that it was going to fall upon them (and We said): Hold fast that which We have given you, and remember that which is therein, that ye may ward off (evil).
Transliteration Wa iz nataqnal jabala fauqahum ka annahu_ zullatuw wa zannu_ annahu_ wa_qi'um bihim, khuzu_ ma_ a_taina_kum biquwwatiw wazkuru_ ma_ fihi la'allakum tattaqu_n(a).
2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
ذَلِكَ
الْكِتَابُ
لاَ رَيْبَ
فِيهِ هُدًى
لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
﴿٢﴾
2: 2. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.
C26. Taqwa and the verbs and nouns connected with the root, signify:
1. the fear of Allah which according to the writer of Proverbs (1:7) in the Old Testament is the beginning of Wisdom;
2. restraint, or guarding one's tongue, hand, and heart from evil;
3. hence righteousness, piety good conduct.
All these ideas are implied; in the translation, only one or other of these ideas can be indicated according to the context.
See also 47:17; and 74:56, n.5808.
Other versions:
2: 2
Asad This Divine Writ – let there be no doubt about it – is [meant to be] a guidance for all the God-conscious (note 2)
Yusuf Ali This is the Book; in it is guidance sure without doubt to those who fear Allah.
Pickthall This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
Transliteration Za_likal kita_bu la_ raiba fihi hudal lilmuttaqin(a).
[Ali’s note: 26 Taqwa and the verbs and nouns connected with the root, signify: (1) the fear of God which according to the writer of Proverbs (i.7) in the Old Testament is the beginning of Wisdom; (2) restraint, or guarding one's tongue, hand, and heart from evil; (3) hence righteousness, piety good conduct. All these ideas are implied; in the translation, only one or other of these ideas can be indicated according to the context. See also xivii 17; and ixxiv 56, n.5808. (2.2) ]
[Asad’s note: The conventional translation of muttaqi as “God-fearing” does not adequately render the positive content of this expression – namely, the awareness of His all-presence and the desire to mould one’s existence in the light of this awareness; while the interpretation adopted by some translators, “one who guards himself against evil” or “one who is careful of his duty”, does not give more than one particular aspect of the concept of God consciousness.]
3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الَّذِينَ
قَالَ لَهُمُ
النَّاسُ إِنَّ
النَّاسَ قَدْ
جَمَعُواْ
لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ
فَزَادَهُمْ
إِيمَاناً...
3: 173. Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": and frightened them: but it (only) increased their faith.
...وَقَالُواْ حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ ﴿١٧٣﴾
They said:
"For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs."
فَانقَلَبُواْ
بِنِعْمَةٍ
مِّنَ اللّهِ
وَفَضْلٍ ...
3: 174. And they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah:
... لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُواْ رِضْوَانَ اللّهِ ...
no harm ever touched them; for they followed the good pleasure of Allah:
...وَاللّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿١٧٤﴾
and Allah is the Lord of bounties unbounded.
إِنَّمَا
ذَلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ
يُخَوِّفُ
أَوْلِيَاءهُ
فَلاَ تَخَافُوهُمْ...
3: 175. It is only the Evil One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries:
be ye not afraid of them,
...وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٧٥﴾
but fear Me, if ye have faith.
Other versions:
3: 173
Yusuf Ali Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you": and frightened them: but it (only) increased their faith. They said: "For us Allah sufficeth and He is the best disposer of affairs."
Pickthall Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefore fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!
Transliteration Allazina qa_la lahumun na_su innan na_sa qad jama'u_ lakum fakhsyauhum fa za_dahum ima_na_(w), wa qa_lu_ hasbunalla_hu wa ni'mal wakil(u).
3: 174
Yusuf Ali And they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah: no harm ever touched them; for they followed the good pleasure of Allah: and Allah is the Lord of bounties unbounded.
Pickthall So they returned with grace and favor from Allah, and no harm touched them. They followed the good pleasure of Allah, and Allah is of infinite bounty.
Transliteration Fanqalabu_ bi ni'matim minalla_hi wa fadlil lam yamsashum su_'(uw),wattaba'u_ ridwa_nalla_h(i), walla_hu zu_ fadlin 'azim(in).
3: 175
Yusuf Ali It is only the Evil One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: be ye not afraid of them but fear Me if ye have faith.
Pickthall It is only the devil who would make (men) fear his partisans. Fear them not; fear Me, if ye are true believers.
Transliteration Innama_ za_likumusy syaita_nu yukhawwifu auliya_'ah(u_), fala_ takha_fu_hum wa kha_fu_ni in kuntum mu'minin(a).
8. Surah Al Anfal
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.
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], an 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
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)
[[ Asad’s note 1 – The “nafl” ( of which “anfal” is the plural) denotes, in its purely linguistic sense, “an accretion or addition received beyond one’s due” or “something given in excess of one’s obligation” (from which latter meaning the term “salat al-nafl” – i.e., a “supererogatory prayer” – is derived). In its plural form “anfal” which occurs in the Quran only in the above verse, this world signifies “spoils of war”, …………..an incidental accession above and beyond anything that a mujahid (“a fighter in God’s cause”) is entitled to expect. The statement that “all spoils of war belong to God and the Apostle” implies that no individual warrior ahs a claim to any war booty: it is public property, to be utilized or distributed by the government of an Islamic state …..For further details relating to the division of the spoils of war, see verse 41 of this surah.
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ
اللّهَ وَكُونُواْ
مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ ﴿١١٩﴾
9: 119. O ye who believe!
fear Allah and be with those who are true (in word and deed).
مَا
كَانَ لِأَهْلِ
الْمَدِينَةِ
وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُم
مِّنَ الأَعْرَابِ
أَن يَتَخَلَّفُواْ
عَن رَّسُولِ
اللّهِ...
9: 120. It was not fitting for the people of Medina and the bedouin Arabs of the neighbourhood, to refuse to follow Allah's Messenger,
وَلاَ يَرْغَبُواْ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ عَن نَّفْسِهِ...
nor to prefer their own lives to his:
... ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلاَ نَصَبٌ وَلاَ مَخْمَصَةٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ...
because nothing could they suffer or do,
but was reckoned to their credit as a deed of righteousness,
whether they suffered thirst, or fatigue, or hunger, in the Cause of Allah,
... وَلاَ يَطَؤُونَ مَوْطِئًا يَغِيظُ الْكُفَّارَ... ...
or trod paths to raise the ire of the unbelievers,
... وَلاَ يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَّيْلاً إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِ عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ...
or received any injury whatever from an enemy:
C1371. Again, the illustration is that of Tabuk, but the lesson is general.
We must not hold our own comfort or lives dearer than that of our leader, nor desert him in the hour of danger. If we have true devotion, we shall hold our own lives or comfort cheap in comparison to his.
But whatever service we render to the Cause of Allah, and whatever sufferings, hardships, or injuries we endure, or whatever resources we spend for the Cause, -all goes to raise our degree in the spiritual world. Nothing is lost. Our reward is far greater in worth than any little service we can render, or any little hardship we can suffer, or any little contributions we can make to the Cause. We "painfully attain to joy".
... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٢٠﴾
for Allah suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do good;
وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَ
نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً
وَلاَ كَبِيرَةً ...
9: 121. Nor could they spend anything (for the Cause), small or great,
... وَلاَ يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُمْ...
nor cut across a valley, but the deed is inscribed to their credit;
C1372. Cut across a valley: this is specially mentioned, as denoting an individual act of heroism, dash, or bravery. To march with the troops along valleys, tread paths of danger along with our Comrades, is good and praiseworthy:
Notice that both the things mentioned in this verse,- the spending of resources and the dashing across a valley- are individual acts, while those mentioned in the last verse are collective acts, which are in some ways easier.
The individual acts having been mentioned, the next verse follows naturally.
... لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ اللّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٢١﴾
that Allah might requite their deed with the best (possible reward).
Other versions:
9: 119
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! fear Allah and be with those who are true (in word and deed).
Pickthall O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu-ttaqulla_ha wa ku_nu_ ma'as sa_diqin(a).
9: 120
Yusuf Ali It was not fitting for the people of Medina and the bedouin Arabs of the neighborhood to refuse to follow Allah's Apostle nor to prefer their own lives to his: because nothing could they suffer or do but was reckoned to their credit as a deed of righteousness whether they suffered thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah or trod paths to raise the ire of the unbelievers or received any injury whatever from an enemy: for Allah suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do good;
Pickthall It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicteth them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angereth the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefore. Lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the good.
Transliteration Ma_ ka_na li ahlil madinati wa man haulahum minal a'ra_bi ay yatakhallafu_ 'ar rasu_lilla_hi wa la_ yargabu_ bi anfusihim 'an nafsih(i), za_lika bi annahum la_ yusibuhum zama'uw wa la_ nasabuw wa la_ makhmasatun fi sabililla_hi wa la_ yata'u_na mauti'ay yagizul kuffa_ra wa la_ yana_lu_na min 'aduwwin nailan illa_ kutiba lahum bihi 'amalun sa_lih(un), innalla_ha la_ yudi'u ajral muhsinin(a).
Ayah 121 
Yusuf Ali Nor could they spend anything (for the cause) small or great nor cut across a valley but the deed is inscribed to their credit; that Allah might requite their deed with the best (possible reward).
Pickthall Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do.
Transliteration Wa la_ yunfiqu_na nafaqatan sagirataw wa la_ kabirataw wa la_ yaqta'a_na wa_diyan illa_ kutiba lahum liyajziyahumulla_hu ahsana ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).
10. Surah Yunus
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ مَن
يَرْزُقُكُم
مِّنَ السَّمَاء
وَالأَرْضِ...
10: 31. Say:
"Who is it that sustains you (in life) from the sky and from the earth?
C1422. Sustenance may be understood in the sense of all the provision necessary for maintaining physical life as well as mental and spiritual development and well-being.
- Examples of the former are light and rain from heaven and the produce of the earth and facilities of movement on land and sea and in air.
- Examples of the latter are the moral and spiritual influences that come from our fellow-men, and from the great Teachers and Prophets.
...أَمَّن يَمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ والأَبْصَارَ...
Or who is it that has power over hearing and sight?
C1423. Just two of our ordinary faculties, hearing and sight, are mentioned, as examples of the rest.
All the gifts of Allah, physical and spiritual, are enjoyed and incorporated by us by means of the faculties and capacities with which He has endowed us.
وَمَن يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيَّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ...
And who is it that brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living?
C1424. Cf. 3:27 and n. 371; 6:95 and n. 920 ; and 30:19.
...وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ الأَمْرَ...
And who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?"
C1425. This is the general summing-up of the argument. The government of the whole Creation and its maintenance and sustenance is in the hands of Allah.
How futile then would it be to neglect His true worship and go after false gods?
...فَسَيَقُولُونَ اللّهُ...
They will soon say, "Allah."
...فَقُلْ أَفَلاَ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿٣١﴾
Say, "Will ye not then show piety (to Him)?"
فَذَلِكُمُ
اللّهُ رَبُّكُمُ
الْحَقُّ فَمَاذَا
بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ
إِلاَّ الضَّلاَلُ...
10: 32. Such is Allah, your real Cherisher and Sustainer:
apart from Truth, what (remains) but error?
C1426. The wonderful handiwork and wisdom of Allah having been referred to, as the real Truth, as against the false worship and false gods that men set up, it follows that to disregard the Truth must lead us into woeful wrong, not only in our beliefs but in our conduct. We shall err and stray and be lost.
How then can we turn away from the Truth?
...فَأَنَّى تُصْرَفُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾
How then are ye turned away?
Other versions:
10: 31 [Yunus, Mecca 51]
Yusuf Ali Say: "Who is it that sustains you (in life) from the sky and from the earth? Or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? And who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?" They will soon say "Allah." Say "Will ye not then show piety (to Him)?"
Pickthall Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Who provideth for you from the sky and the earth, or Who owneth hearing and sight; and Who bringeth forth the living from the dead and bringeth forth the dead from the living; and Who directeth the course? They will say: Allah. Then say: Will ye not then keep your duty (unto Him)?
Transliteration Qul may yarzuqukum minas sama_'i wal ardi ammay yamlikus sam'a wal absa_ra wa may yukhrijul hayya minal mayyiti wa yukhrijul mayyita minal hayyi wa may yudabbirul amr(a), fa sayaqu_lu_nalla_h(u), fa qul afala_ tattaqu_n(a).
10: 32
Yusuf Ali Such is Allah your real Cherisher and Sustainer: apart from Truth what (remains) but error? How then are ye turned away?
Pickthall Such then is Allah, your rightful Lord. After the Truth what is there saving error? How then are ye turned away!
Transliteration Fa za_likumulla_hu rabbukumul haqq(u), fa ma_za_ ba'dal haqqi illad dala_l(u), fa anna_ tusrafu_n(a).