17. Surah Al Isra
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لاَّ تَجْعَل مَعَ اللّهِ إِلَـهًا آخَرَ ...
17: 22. Take not with Allah another object of worship;
... فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًا مَّخْذُولاً ﴿٢٢﴾
or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution.
وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ
أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ
إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ
وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ
إِحْسَانًا...
17: 23. Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him,
and that ye be kind to parents.
...إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا ...
Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life,
C2204.
Note that the act of worship may be collective as well as individual; hence the plural ta'buda.
The kindness to parents is an individual act of piety; hence the singular taqul, qul, etc.
... فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا...
say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them,
...وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣﴾
but address them in terms of honor.
وَاخْفِضْ
لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ
الذُّلِّ مِنَ
الرَّحْمَةِ
وَقُل...
17: 24. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:
...رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا ﴿٢٤﴾
"My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood."
رَّبُّكُمْ
أَعْلَمُ بِمَا
فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ...
17: 25. Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts:
...إِن تَكُونُواْ صَالِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ لِلأَوَّابِينَ غَفُورًا ﴿٢٥﴾
if ye do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).
C2207. It is the heart, and its hidden and secret motives, by which we are judged: for Allah knows them all.
وَآتِ
ذَا الْقُرْبَى
حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ
وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ...
17: 26. And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer:
C2208. In the Jewish Decalogue, which was given to a primitive and hard-hearted people, this refinement of Kindness, -to those in want and to wayfarers (i.e., total strangers whom you come across) finds no place.
Nor was there much danger of their wasting their substance out of exuberance. Even the command "to honour thy father and mother" comes after the ceremonial observance of the Sabbath.
With us, the worship of Allah is linked up with kindness;
- to parents, kindred,
- those in want,
- those who are far from their homes though they may be total strangers to us.
It is not mere verbal kindness. They have certain rights which must be fulfilled.
...وَلاَ تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦﴾
but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
C2209. All charity, kindness, and help are conditioned by our own resources. There is no merit if we merely spend out of bravado or for idle show.
How many families are ruined by extravagant expenses at weddings, funerals, etc., or (as they may call it) to "oblige friends or relatives", or to give to able-bodied beggars?
To no one was this command more necessary than it is to Muslims of the present day.
إِنَّ
الْمُبَذِّرِينَ
كَانُواْ إِخْوَانَ
الشَّيَاطِينِ...
17: 27. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones;
...وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا ﴿٢٧﴾
and the Evil One is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful.
C2210. Spendthrifts are not merely fools. They are of the same family as the Satan.
And the Satan himself-fell by his ingratitude to Allah. So those who misuse or squander Allah's gifts are also ungrateful to Allah.
وَإِمَّا
تُعْرِضَنَّ
عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاء
رَحْمَةٍ مِّن
رَّبِّكَ
تَرْجُوهَا...
17: 28. And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect,
...فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّيْسُورًا ﴿٢٨﴾
yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.
C2211. You may have to "turn away" from people for two reasons.
- You may not have the wherewithal with which to entertain them and give them their rights; or
- you may have to give them a wide berth because their thoughts are not as your thoughts.
In either case there is no need to speak harshly to them. Your words should be those of "easy kindness", i.e., the sort of kindness (not merely frigid politeness) which flows from pity and understanding and smoothes over unnecessary difficulties in human intercourse.
وَلاَ تَجْعَلْ
يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً
إِلَى عُنُقِكَ...
17: 29. Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck,
C2212. Cf. the phrase for niggardliness in 5:64.
We are not to be so lavish as to make ourselves destitute and incur the just censure of wise men, nor is it becoming to keep back our resources from the just needs of those who have a right to our help. Even strangers have such a right, as we saw in 17:26 above. But we must keep a just measure between our capacity and other people's needs.
...وَلاَ تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا ﴿٢٩﴾
nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute.
إِنَّ
رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ
الرِّزْقَ لِمَن
يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ...
17: 30. Verily thy Lord doth provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleaseth, and He provideth in a just measure:
C2213. If a foolish spendthrift pretends that his generosity, even if it ruins himself, is good for other people, he is reminded that Allah will take care of all. He knows every one's true needs and cares for them.
He gives in abundance to some, but in all cases He gives in just measure. Who are we to pretend to greater generosity! (R).
إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا بَصِيرًا ﴿٣٠﴾
for He doth know and regard all His servants.
وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ
أَوْلادَكُمْ
خَشْيَةَ
إِمْلاقٍ...
17: 31. Kill not your children for fear of want:
C2214. The Arabs were addicted to female infanticide. In a society perpetually at war a son was a source of strength whereas a daughter was a source of weakness. Even now infanticide is not unknown in other countries for economic reasons.
This crime against children's lives is here characterized as one of the greatest of sins.
...نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُم...
We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you:
...إنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْءًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٣١﴾
verily the killing of them is a great sin.
وَلاَ
تَقْرَبُواْ
الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ
كَانَ فَاحِشَةً
وَسَاء سَبِيلاً ﴿٣٢﴾
17: 32. Nor come nigh to adultery:
for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).
C2215. Adultery is not only shameful in itself and inconsistent with any self-respect or respect for others, but it opens the road to many evils.
- It destroys the basis of the family:
- it works against the interests of children born or to be born;
- it may cause murders and feuds and loss of reputation and property, and also loosen permanently the bonds of society.
Not only should it be avoided as a sin, but any approach or temptation to it should be avoided.
وَلاَ
تَقْتُلُواْ
النَّفْسَ
الَّتِي حَرَّمَ
اللّهُ إِلاَّ
بِالحَقِّ...
17: 33. Nor take life -- which Allah has made sacred -- except for just cause.
...وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطَانًا ...
And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive):
C2216. On the subject of Qisas see 2:178 and the notes thereto.
Under the strict limitations there laid down, a life may be taken for a life. The heir is given the right to demand the life; but he must not exceed due bounds, because he is helped by the Law.
Some Commentators understand "he" in "he is helped (by the Law)" to refer to the heir of the person against whom Qisas is sought. He too will be helped by the Law, if the heir of the first slain exceeds the 'bounds of Law.
... فَلاَ يُسْرِف فِّي الْقَتْلِ...
but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life:
...إِنَّهُ كَانَ مَنْصُورًا ﴿٣٣﴾
for he is helped (by the Law).
وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ
مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ
إِلاَّ بِالَّتِي
هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ...
17: 34. Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it,
C2217. Cf. 6:152, and other passages relating to orphans, e.g., 2:220.
If an orphan's property is touched at all, it should be to improve it, or to give him something better than he had before,
- never to take a personal advantage for the benefit of the guardian.
A bargain that may be quite fair as between two independent persons would be, under this verse, unfair as between a guardian and his orphan ward until the latter attains the full age of understanding.
... حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ...
until he attains the age of full strength;
C2218. Ashuddahu means the age when the orphan reaches his full maturity of strength and understanding, say between the ages of 18 and 30.
The age of legal maturity may be 18 (as for certain purposes in India) or 21 (as in England). For certain purposes in Muslim law it may be less than 18.
In the orphan's interest a much stricter standard is required in his case.
...وَأَوْفُواْ بِالْعَهْدِ ...
and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every)
C2219. The definite article al has here a generic meaning, and is best translated by "every".
... إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْؤُولاً ﴿٣٤﴾
engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
وَأَوْفُوا
الْكَيْلَ إِذا
كِلْتُمْ وَزِنُواْ
بِالقِسْطَاسِ
الْمُسْتَقِيمِ...
17: 35. Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight:
...ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلاً ﴿٣٥﴾
that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination.
C2221. Giving just measure and weight is not only right in itself but is ultimately to the best advantage of the person who gives it.
وَلاَ
تَقْفُ مَا
لَيْسَ لَكَ
بِهِ عِلْمٌ...
17: 36. And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge;
...إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولـئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً ﴿٣٦﴾
for every act of hearing, or of seeing, or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
وَلاَ تَمْشِ
فِي الأَرْضِ
مَرَحًا...
17: 37. Nor walk on the earth with insolence:
C2223. Insolence, or arrogance, or undue elation at our powers or capacities, is the first step to many evils. Besides, it is unjustified.
All our gifts are from Allah.
...إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ الأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ الْجِبَالَ طُولاً ﴿٣٧﴾
for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.
كُلُّ
ذَلِكَ كَانَ
سَيٍّئُهُ
عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ
مَكْرُوهًا ﴿٣٨﴾
17: 38. Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of thy Lord.
ذَلِكَ مِمَّا
أَوْحَى إِلَيْكَ
رَبُّكَ مِنَ
الْحِكْمَةِ...
17: 39. These are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord Has revealed to thee.
...وَلاَ تَجْعَلْ مَعَ اللّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ فَتُلْقَى فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومًا مَّدْحُورًا ﴿٣٩﴾
Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.
.
Asad’s Version:
17:22 – 39
17:22 Do not set up with God another god; or you will find yourself disgraced, abandoned.
17:23 Your Lord decreed that you shall not serve except Him, and do good to your parents. When one of them or both of them reaches old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect nor raise your voice at them, but say to them a kind saying.
17:24 Lower for them the wing of humility through mercy, and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they have raised me when I was small."
17:25 Your Lord is fully aware of what is in yourselves. If you are good, then He is to those who repent a Forgiver.
17:26 Give the relative his due, and the poor, and the wayfarer; and do not waste excessively.
17:27 Those who waste excessively are brothers to the devils, and the devil was an unappreciative of his Lord.
17:28 If you turn away from them to seek a mercy from your Lord which you desire, then say to them a gentle saying.
17:29 Do not make your hand stingy by holding it to your neck, nor shall you lay it fully open so you become in despair and regret.
17:30 Your Lord lays out openly the provision for whom He wishes, and He is able to do so. He is Ever-aware and Watcher to His servants.
17: 31 [al-Israa, Mecca 50]
Pickthall Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.
Yuksel Do not kill your born children out of fear of poverty; We shall provide for you and them. The killing of them was a big mistake.*
Transliteration Wa la_ taqtulu_ aula_dakum khasy-yata imla_q(in), nahnu narzuquhum wa iyya_kum, inna qatlahum ka_na khit'an kabira_(n).
[[Ali’s note-
2214 The Arabs were addicted to female infanticide. In a society perpetually at war a son was a source of strength whereas a daughter was a source of weakness. Even now infanticide is not unknown in other countries for economic reasons. This crime against children's lives is here characterised as one of the greatest of sins. (17.31)]]
17: 32 [al-Israa, Mecca 50]
Pickthall And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way.
Yuksel Do not go near adultery, for it is a sin and an evil path.
Transliteration Wa la_ taqrabuz zina_ innahu_ ka_na fa_hisyah(tan), wa sa_'a sabila_(n).
[[Ali’s note - 2215 Adultery is not only shameful in itself and inconsistent with any self-respect or respect for others, but it opens the road to many evils. It destroys the basis of the family: it works against the interests of children born or to be born; it may cause murders and feuds and loss of reputation and property, and also loosen permanently the bonds of society. Not only should it be avoided as a sin, but any approach or temptation to it should be avoided. (17.32) ]]
[[ Ruby’s note 17-32 – The reason for many great wars started with promiscuity and lusts of the leaders who dictates such actions. Lust-Greed and Ego are the real culprits and history reveals this pattern of human dark sides.]]
17: 33 [al-Israa, Mecca 50]
Pickthall And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden save with right. Whoso is slain wrongfully, We have given power unto his heir, but let him not commit excess in slaying. Lo! he will be helped.
Yuksel Do not kill, for God has made this forbidden, except in the course of justice. Whoever is killed unjustly, then We have given his heir authority. Since he received help let him not transgress in the taking of a life.
Transliteration Wa la_ taqtulun nafsal lati harramalla_hu illa_ bil haqq(i), wa man qutila mazlu_man faqad ja'alna_ li waliyyihi sulta_nan fala_ yusrif fil qatl(i), innahu_ ka_na mansu_ra_(n).
17:34 Do not go near the orphan's money, except for what is best, until he reaches maturity. Fulfill your oath, for the oath brings responsibility.
17:35 Give full measure when you deal, and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good and better in the end.
17:36 Do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and mind, all these are held responsible for that.*
17:37 Do not walk in the land arrogantly, for you will not penetrate the earth, nor will you reach the mountains in height.
17:38 All of this is bad, and disliked by your Lord.
17:39 That is from what your Lord has inspired to you of the wisdom. Do not make with God another god, or you will be cast into hell, blameworthy and rejected.*