3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ
إِن كُنتُمْ
تُحِبُّونَ
اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي
يُحْبِبْكُمُ
اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ
لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ
...
3: 31. Say:
"If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins,
...وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾
for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
وَسَارِعُواْ
إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ
مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ
...
3: 133. Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord,
... وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٣٣﴾
and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous.
C452. The Fire (3:131) is, as always, contrasted with the Garden, -in other words, Hell contrasted with Heaven, we are told that its width alone is that of the whole of the heavens and the earth,- all the creation we can imagine.
In other words our spiritual felicity covers not merely this or that part of our being, but all life and existence. Who can measure its width, or length, or depth? (R).
Other versions:
3: 31 [al-i-Imran, Medina 89 ]
Yusuf Ali Say: "If ye do love Allah follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful."
Pickthall Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Qul in kuntum tuhibbu_nalla_ha fattabi'u_ni yuhbibkumulla_hu wa yagfirlakum zunu_bakum, walla_hu gafu_rur rahim(un).
Following Sunna
3: 133
Asad And vie with one another to attain to your Sustainer’s forgiveness and to a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for the God-conscious-
Yusuf Ali Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth prepared for the righteous.
Pickthall And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who ward off (evil);
Transliteration Wa sa_ri'u_ ila_ magfiratim mir rabbikum wa jannatin'arduhas sama_wa_tu wal ard(u), u'iddatillmuttaqin(a).
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 held responsible for their failure to do so.]]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ أَطِيعُواْ
اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ...
8: 20. O ye who believe!
obey Allah and His Messenger,
...وَلاَ تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾
and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).
وَلاَ
تَكُونُواْ
كَالَّذِينَ
قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا
وَهُمْ لاَ
يَسْمَعُونَ ﴿٢١﴾
8: 21. Nor be like those who say,
"We hear," but listen not:
C1194. Cf. 2:93.
Other versions:
8: 20 [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2 H ]
Asad [Hence,] O you who have attained to faith, pay heed unto God and His Apostle, and do not turn away from Him now that you hear [His message];
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! obey Allah and his apostle and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).
Pickthall O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His messenger, and turn not away from him when ye hear (him speak).
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ ati'ulla_ha wa rasu_lahu_ wa la_ tawallau 'anhu wa antum tasma'u_n(a).
8: 21
Asad and be not like those who say, “We have heard”, the while they do not hearken [note 22].
Yusuf Ali Nor be like those who say "we hear" but listen not:
Pickthall Be not as those who say, We hear, and they hear not.
Transliteration Wa la_ taku_nu_ kal lazina qa_lu_ sami'na_ wa hum la_ yasma'u_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 22 – See 2:93 and 4:46, and the corresponding notes. While in the above-mentioned two instances the Jews are alluded to, the present allusion is more general, and relates to all people who have come to know and understand the message of the Quran, but pay no heed to it.]]
Those who follow God and His Apostle:
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.
Asad’s Version:
9: 71 And the believers, both men and women – they are close unto one another: they enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and are constant in prayer, and render the purifying dies, and pay heed unto God and His Apostle. It is they upon whom God will bestow His grace: verily, God is almighty, wise!
4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
فَلاَ
وَرَبِّكَ لاَ
يُؤْمِنُونَ
حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ
فِيمَا شَجَرَ
بَيْنَهُمْ
...
4: 65. But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them,
... ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٦٥﴾
and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.
C583. The test of true Faith is not mere lip profession, but bringing all our doubts and disputes to the one in whom we profess faith.
Further, when a decision is given we are not only to accept it. but find in our inmost souls no difficulty and no resistance, but on the contrary a joyful acceptance springing from the conviction of our own faith.
مَّنْ
يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ
فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ
اللّهَ ...
4: 80. He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah:
... وَمَن تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا ﴿٨٠﴾
but if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds).
C599. The Messenger was sent to preach, guide, instruct, and show the Way, -not to drive people to good. That is not Allah's Plan, which trains the human Will.
The Messenger's duty is therefore to convey the Message of Allah, in all the ways of persuasion that are open to him.
If men perversely disobey that Message, they are not disobeying him but they are disobeying Allah. In the same way those who obey the Message are obeying Allah. They are not obliging the Messenger: they arc merely doing their duty.
Other versions:
4: 65 But nay, by thy Sustainer! They do not believe unless they make thee [O Prophet] a judge of all on which they disagree among themselves, and then find in their hearts no bar to an acceptance of thy decision and give themselves up [to it] in utter self-surrender. Asad, see note 84.
4: 80 [an-Nisa, Medina 92]
Asad Whoever pays heed unto the Apostle pays heed unto God thereby; and as for those who turn away – We have not sent you to be their keeper.
Yusuf Ali He who obeys the Apostle obeys Allah: but if any turn away We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds).
Pickthall Whoso obeyeth the messenger obeyeth Allah, and whoso turneth away: We have not sent thee as a warder over them.
May yuti'ir rasu_la fa qad ata_'alla_h(a), wa man tawalla_ fama_ arsalna_ka 'alaihim hafiza_(n).
4:65 [ an-Nisa, Medina 92]
Asad But nay, by your Sustainer! They do not [really] believe unless they make you [O Prophet] a judge of all on which they disagree among themselves, and then find in their hearts no bar to an acceptance of your decision and give themselves up [to it] in utter self-surrender [note 84].
Yusuf Ali But no by thy Lord they can have no (real) Faith until they make thee judge in all disputes between them and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions but accept them with the fullest conviction.
Pickthall But nay, by thy lord, they will not believe (in truth) until they make thee judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no dislike of that which thou decidest, and submit with full submission.
Yuksel No, by your Lord, they will not acknowledge until they make you judge in what they dispute with each other, then they will not find in their persons any animosity for what you have decided, and they will yield completely.*
Transliteration Fala_ wa rabbika la_ yu'minu_nahatta_ yuhakkimu_ka fima_ syajara bainahum summa la_ yajidu_ fi anfusihim harajam mimma_ qadaita wa yusallimu_ taslima_(n).
[[ Ali’s note - 583 The test of true Faith is not mere lip profession, but bringing all our doubts and disputes to the one in whom we profess faith. Further, when a decision is given we are not only to accept it, but find in our inmost souls no difficulty and no resistance, but on the contrary a joyful acceptance springing from the conviction of our own faith. (4.65) ]]
[[ Asad’s note - Note 84 – This verse lays down in an unequivocal manner the obligation of every Muslim to submit to the ordinances which the Prophet, under divine inspiration, promulgated with a view to exemplifying the message of the Quran………These ordinances constitute what is described as the sunnah (lit., “way”) of the Prophet Muhammad, and have (whenever they are authenticated beyond any possibility of doubt) full legal force side by side with the Quran: see verse 80 of this surah. ]]
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَحْلِفُونَ
بِاللّهِ لَكُمْ
لِيُرْضُوكُمْ...
9: 62. To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you:
...وَاللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُواْ مُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٢﴾
but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger if they are believers.
Other versions:
9: 62 [at-Tawbah, Meidna 113, 9H, after Tabuk]
Asad ………….the while it is God and His Apostle whose pleasure they should seek above all else, if indeed the yare believers! [note 88]
Yusuf Ali To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His apostle if they are believers.
Pickthall They swear by Allah to you (Muslims) to please you, but Allah, with His messenger, hath more right that they should please Him if they are believers.
Transliteration Yahlifu_na billa_hi lakum liyurdu_kum walla_hu wa rasu_luhu_ ahaqqu ay yurdu_hu in ka_nu_ mu'minin(a).
note 88 - ……….As has been pointed out by many of the commentators (and most succingtly by Rashid Rida in Manar X, 607f.), there is no question of any juxtaposition of God and His Apostle in this phrase. This is made clear by the use of the singular pronoun in ‘an yurduhu (“that they should seek His pleasure”), which is meant to bring out – in the inimitable elliptic form so characteristic of the Quran –the idea that God’s pleasure is the only worthwhile goal of all human endeavor, and that a believer’s duty to surrender to the Prophet’s guidance is but an outcome of the fact that he is the bearer of God’s message to man. Cf. in this connection, “Whoever pays heed unto the Apostle pays heed unto God thereby” (4:80), or, “Say [O Prophet]: ‘If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you’ “ (3:31). ]]
[[Ali’s notes - 1321 The assonance of the Arabic words "Y-zuna" and "uzunun" is of course lost in the translation. But the sense remains. Detractors of the Prophet said. "O! he listens to everybody!" "Yes," is the answer, "he listens for their good: he is a mercy and a blessing to all men of Faith, but especially to you (who are addressed)." The general statement is emphasized for the particular people addressed. (9.61)]]
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