hatta_ yahkumalla_hu bainana_, wa huwa khairul ha_kimin(a).
7. Sura al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَقَالَ
الْمَلأُ مِن
قَوْمِ فِرْعَونَ...
7: 127. Said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people:
...أَتَذَرُ مُوسَى وَقَوْمَهُ لِيُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ وَيَذَرَكَ وَآلِهَتَكَ...
"Wilt thou leave Moses and his people, to spread mischief in the land, and to abandon thee and thy gods?"
...قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبْنَاءهُمْ وَنَسْتَحْيِـي نِسَاءهُمْ وَإِنَّا فَوْقَهُمْ قَاهِرُونَ ﴿١٢٧﴾
He said:
"Their male children will we slay; (only) their females will we save alive;
and we have over them (power) irresistible."
C1084. Pharaoh's order against the sorcerers was drastic enough. But his Council is not satisfied.
What about Moses and the Israelites?
They had a seeming victory, and will now be more mischievous than ever. They appeal to Pharaoh's vanity and his superstition and sense of power. "If you leave them alone." they say, "where will be your authority? You and your gods will be defied!"
Pharaoh has a ready answer. He was really inwardly cowed by the apparent power of Moses. He dared not openly act against him. But he had already, before the birth of Moses, passed a cunning order to destroy the whole people of Israel. Through the instrumentality of midwives (Exod. 1:15-16) all the male children were to be destroyed. and the females would then be for the Egyptians: the race of Israel would thus be at an end. This order was still in force, and would remain in force until the despised race was absorbed.
But Egyptian cunning and wickedness had no power against Allah's Plan for those who had faith.
See verse 129 below.
قَالَ
مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ
اسْتَعِينُوا
بِاللّهِ
وَاصْبِرُواْ...
7: 128. Said Moses to his people:
"Pray for help from Allah, and (wait) in patience and constancy:
... إِنَّ الأَرْضَ لِلّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ...
for the earth is Allah's to give as a heritage to such of his servants as He pleaseth;
...وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٢٨﴾
and the end is (best) for the righteous.
C1085. Notice the contrast between the arrogant tone of Pharaoh and the humility and faith taught by Moses.
In the end the arrogance was humbled, and humility and faith were protected and advanced.
Other versions:
7: 127
Yusuf Ali Said the chiefs of Pharaoh's people: "will you leave Moses and his people to spread mischief in the land and to abandon thee and thy gods?" He said: "Their male children will we slay; (only) their females will we save alive; and we have over them (power) irresistible."
Pickthall The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: (O King), wilt thou suffer Moses and his people to make mischief in the land, and flout thee and thy gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women, for lo! we are in power over them.
Transliteration Wa qa_lal mala'u min qaumi fir'auna atazaru mu_sa_ wa qaumahu_ liyufsidu_ fil ardi wa yazaraka wa a_lihatak(a), qa_la sanuqattilu abna_'ahum wa nastahyi nisa_'ahum, wa inna_ fauqahum qa_hiru_n(a).
7: 128
Asad …..”Turn unto God for aid, and have patience in adversity. Verily, all the earth belongs to God: He gives it as a heritage to such as He wills of His servants; and the future belongs to the God-consciousness!”
Yusuf Ali Said Moses to his people: "Pray for help from Allah and (wait) in patience and constancy: for the earth is Allah's to give as a heritage to such of his servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.
Pickthall And Moses said unto his people: Seek help in Allah and endure. Lo! the earth is Allah's. He giveth it for an inheritance to whom He will. And lo! the sequel is for those who keep their duty (unto Him).
Transliteration Qa_la mu_sa_ li qaumihista'inu_ billa_hi wasbiru_, innal arda lilla_h(i), yu_risuha_ may yasya_'u min 'iba_dih(i), wal'a_qibatu lil muttaqin(a).
2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ
عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ...
2: 222. They ask thee concerning women's courses.
... قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى ...
Say:
They are a hurt and a pollution;
C247. Adhan: hurt, pollution.
Both aspects must be remembered. Physical cleanliness and purity make for health, bodily and spiritual. But the matter should be looked at from the woman's point of view as well as the man's. To her there is danger of hurt, and she should have every consideration.
In the animal world, instinct is a guide which is obeyed. Man should in this respect be better: he is often worse.
... فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلاَ تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ...
so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean.
... فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ ...
But when they have purified themselves ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah.
C248. Haythu: A comprehensive word referring to manner, time, or place.
The most delicate matters are here referred to in the most discreet and yet helpful terms.
In sex morality, manner, time, and place are all important: and the highest standards are set by social laws, by our own refined instinct of mutual consideration, and above all, by the light shed by the highest Teachers form the wisdom which they receive from our Maker, Who loves purity and cleanliness in all things.
... إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾
For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.
Other versions:
2: 222 [al-Baqara, Medina 87 ]
Asad And they will ask thee about [women’s] monthly courses. Say: “It is a vulnerable condition. Keep, therefore, aloof from women during their monthly courses, and do not draw near unto them until they re cleansed; and when they are cleansed, go in unto them as God has bidden you to do.” [note 209].
Verily, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves pure [note 210].
Yusuf Ali They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution; so keep away from women in their courses and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves ye may approach them in any manner time or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.
Pickthall They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such time and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.
Transliteration Wa yas'alu_naka 'anil mahid(i), qul huwa aza_(n), fa'tazilun nisa_'a fil mahid(i), wa la_ taqrabu_hunna hatta_yathurn(a), fa iza_tatahharna fa'tu_hunna min haisu amarakumulla_h(u), innalla_ha yuhibbuttawwa_bina wa yuhibbul mutatahhirin(a).
[ Asad’s note 209 – This is one of the many references in the Quran to the positive, God-ordained nature of sexuality. Note 210 – I.e., if they have transgressed against the above restriction.]
[Ali’s notes:
247 Azan: hurt, pollution. Both aspects must be remembered. Physical cleanliness and purity make for health, bodily and spiritual. But the matter should be looked at from the woman's point of view as well as the man's. To her there is danger of hurt, and she should have every consideration. In the animal world, instinct is a guide which is obeyed. Man should in this respect be better: he is often worse. (2.222)
248 Haithu: A comprehensive word referring to manner, time, or place. The most delicate matters are here referred to in the most discreet and yet helpful terms. In sex morality, manner, time, and place are all important: and the highest standards are set by social laws, by our own refined instinct of mutual consideration, and above all, by the light shed by the highest Teachers form the wisdom which they receive from our Maker, Who loves purity and cleanliness in all things. (2.222) ]
11.Surah Hud
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قَالَ
يَا قَوْمِ أَرَأَيْتُمْ
إِن كُنتُ عَلَىَ
بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن
رَّبِّي وَرَزَقَنِي
مِنْهُ رِزْقًا
حَسَنًا...
11: 88. He said:
"O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself?
C1588. Shu'ayb's answer is gentle and persuasive,
- First, he would ask them not to fly into a passion but satisfy themselves that he had a mission from Allah, and was working in the discharge of his mission: he was not merely finding fault with them.
- Secondly, though he was a poor man, he asked them to note that he was happy and comfortable: Allah had given him good sustenance, material and spiritual, as from Himself, though he did not resort to the sort of tricks which they considered necessary for their prosperity.
- Thirdly, if he forbade them anything he wished to apply the same standards to himself.
- Fourthly, all the advice which he is giving them is for their own good, which he desires to advance to the utmost of his powers.
- Fifthly, he is humble for himself; he would not set himself up to be their teacher or guide, or expect to be obeyed; the success of any of his efforts on their behalf must come from Allah's grace; will they not therefore turn to Allah, so that Allah's grace can heal them?
...وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ...
I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do.
...إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلاَّ الإِصْلاَحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلاَّ بِاللّهِ...
I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power;
and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah:
...عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ ﴿٨٨﴾
in Him I trust, and unto Him I look.
Other versions:
11: 88
Asad He answered: “ O my people! What do you think? If I am taking my stand on
A clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has vouchsafed me goodly sustenance from Himself [how could I speak to you otherwise than I do]? And yet, I have no desire to do, out of opposition to you, what I am asking you not to do: I desire no more than to set things to rights in so far as it lies within my power; but the achievement of my aim depends on God alone. In Him have I placed my trust, and unto Him do I always turn!
Yusuf Ali He said: "O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not in opposition to you to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah: in Him I trust and unto Him I look.
Pickthall He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am (acting) on a clear proof from my Lord and He sustaineth me with fair sustenance from Him (how can I concede aught to you)? I desire not to do behind your backs that which I ask you not to do. I desire naught save reform so far as I am able. My welfare is only in Allah. In Him I trust and unto Him I turn (repentant).
Yuksel He said, "O my people, do you see that if I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and He has provided me with good provision from Him, then I would not want to contradict by doing what I forbid you from. I only want to fix what I can, and my guidance is only with God. To Him I place my trust, and to Him I repent."
Transliteration Qa_la ya_ qaumi ara'aitum in kuntu 'ala_ bayyinatim mir rabbi wa razaqani minhu rizqan hasanaw wa ma_ uridu an ukha_lifakum ila_ ma_ anha_kum 'anh(u), in uridu illal isla_ha ma-stata't(u), wa ma_ taufiqi illa_ billa_h(i), 'alaihi tawakkaltu wa ilaihi unib(u).
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
كَذَلِكَ
أَرْسَلْنَاكَ
فِي أُمَّةٍ
قَدْ خَلَتْ
مِن قَبْلِهَا
أُمَمٌ...
13: 30. Thus have We sent thee amongst a People before whom (long since) have (other) Peoples (gone and) passed away;
C1845. Our Prophet came later in time than other Prophets, to complete their Message and universalize Religion. And certainly it is after his age that the process of the unification of the world began. That process is not complete yet, but is proceeding apace.
...لِّتَتْلُوَ عَلَيْهِمُ الَّذِيَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِالرَّحْمَـنِ...
in order that thou mightest rehearse unto them what We send down unto thee by inspiration;
yet do they reject (Him), the Most Gracious!
...قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّي لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ...
Say:
"He is my Lord!
There is no god but He!
...عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ ﴿٣٠﴾
On Him is my trust,
and to Him do I turn!"
C1846. Faith tells us that no amount of opposition from Unbelievers can ever stop Allah's Plan.
Other versions:
13: 30 [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]
Yusuf Ali Thus have We sent thee amongst a People before whom (long since) have (other) Peoples (gone and) passed away; in order that thou mightest rehearse unto them what We send down unto thee by inspiration; yet do they reject (Him) the Most Gracious! Say: "He is my Lord! There is no god but He! On Him is my trust and to Him do I turn!"
Pickthall Thus We send thee (O Muhammad) unto a nation, before whom other nations have passed away, that thou mayst recite unto them that which We have inspired in thee, while they are disbelievers in the Beneficent. Say: He is my Lord; there is no God save Him. In Him do I put my trust and unto Him is my recourse.
Yuksel As such, We have sent you to a nation as other nations that have come before, so that you may recite for them what has been inspired to you; while they are still rejecting the Gracious. Say, "He is my Lord, there is no god but He, in Him I place my trust and to Him is my repentance."
Transliteration Kaza_lika arsalna_ka fi ummatin qad khalat min qabliha_ umamul litatluwa 'alaihimul lazi auhaina_ ilaika wa hum yakfuru_na bir rahma_n(i), qul huwa rabbi la_ ila_ha illa_ huw(a), 'alaihi tawakkaltu wa ilaihi mata_b(i).