3. [al-i-Imran, Medina 89 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ...

3: 7. He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning);

...هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ...

they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical.

C347. This passage gives us an important clue to the interpretation of the Holy Quran. Broadly speaking it may be divided into two portions, not given separately, but intermingled: viz.

1. the nucleus or foundation of the Book, literally "the mother of the Book".

2. the part which is not entirely clear.

It is very fascinating to take up the latter, and exercise our ingenuity about its meaning, but it refers to such profound matters that are beyond human language and though people of wisdom may get some light from it, no one should be dogmatic, as the final meaning is known to Allah alone.

The Commentators usually understand the verses "of established meaning" (muhkam) to refer to the categorical orders of the Shariah (or the Law), which are plain to everyone's understanding. But perhaps the meaning is wider:

- the "mother of the Book" must include the very foundation on which all Law rests, the essence of Allah's Message, as distinguished from the various illustrative parables, allegories, and ordinances. (R).

...فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ في قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ ...

But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part there of that is allegorical,

...مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاء الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاء تَأْوِيلِهِ ...

seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings,

...وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللّهُ ...

but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah

...وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ...

and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say:

C348. One reading, rejected by the majority of Commentators, but accepted by Mujahid and others, would not make a break at the point here marked Waq Lazim, but would run the two sentences together.

In that case the construction would run:

"No one knows its hidden meanings except Allah and those who are firm in knowledge. They say", etc.

... آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا...

"We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord;"

...وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الألْبَابِ ﴿٧﴾

and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً...

3: 8. "Our Lord!" (they say),

"Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence;

...إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾

for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure."

رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ...

3: 9. "Our Lord!

Thou art He that will gather mankind together against a day about which there is no doubt:

...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩﴾

for Allah never fails in His promise."

C349. This is the prayer of those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. The more they know the more they realise how little they know.

But they have Faith. The glimpses they get of Truth they wish to hold fast in their hearts, and they pray to Allah to preserve them from deviating even from what light they have got.

They are sure of their eventual return to Allah, when all doubts will be solved.

الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿١٦﴾

3: 16. (Namely), those who say:

"Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the fire."

Pickthall’s Version:

3: 7

Pickthall He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations--They are the substance of the Book--and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

Transliteration Huwal lazi anzala 'alaikal kita_ba minhu a_ya_tum muhkama_tun hunna ummul kita_bi wa ukharu mutasya_biha_t(un), fa ammal lazina fi qulu_bihim zaigun fa yattabi'u_na ma_ tasya_baha minhubtiga_'a ta'wilih(i), wa ma_ ya'lamu ta'wilahu_ illalla_h(u), war ra_sikhu_na fil 'ilmi yaqu_lu_na a_manna_ bih(i), kullum min'indi rabbina_, wa ma_ yazzakaru illa_ ulul alba_b(i).

3: 8

Pickthall Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Bestower.

Transliteration Rabbana_ la_ tuzig qulu_bana_ ba'da iz hadaitana_ wa hab lana_ mil ladunka rahmah(tan), innaka antal wahha_b(u).

3: 9

Pickthall Our Lord! it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together to a Day of which there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst.

Transliteration Rabbana_ innaka ja_mi'un na_si li yaumil la_ raiba fih(i), innalla_ha la_ yukhliful mi'a_d(a).

3: 16

Pickthall Those who say: Our Lord! Lo! we believe. So forgive us our sins and guard us from the punishment of Fire!

Transliteration Allazina yaqu_lu_na rabbana_ innana_ a_manna_ fagfir lana_ zunu_bana_ wa qina_ 'aza_ban na_r(i).