2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ ...
2: 6. As to those who reject Faith,
C30. Kafara kufr, kafr, and derivative forms of the word, imply a deliberate rejection of Faith as opposed to a mistaken idea of Allah or faith, which is not inconsistent with an earnest desire to see the truth. Where there is such desire, the grace and mercy of Allah gives guidance.
But that guidance is not efficacious when it is deliberately rejected and the possibility of rejection follows from the grant of free will.
The consequence of the rejection is that the spiritual faculties become dead or impervious to better influences.
See also n. 93 to 2:88.
... سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٦﴾
it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.
خَتَمَ
اللّهُ عَلَى
قُلُوبِهمْ
وَعَلَى سَمْعِهِمْ
...
2: 7. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing,
C31. All actions are referred to Allah. Therefore, when we get the penalty of our deliberate sin, and our senses become impervious to good, the penalty is referred to the justice of Allah.
... وَعَلَى أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ...
and on their eyes is a veil;
... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ ﴿٧﴾
great is the penalty they (incur).
C32. The penalty here is the opposite of the prosperity referred to in 2:5. As we go down the path of sin, our penalty gathers momentum, just as goodness brings its own capacity for greater goodness.
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ لاَ
تَقُولُواْ
رَاعِنَا وَقُولُواْ
انظُرْنَا
وَاسْمَعُواْ...
2: 104. O ye of Faith! say not (to the Prophet) words of ambiguous import, but words of respect; and hearken (to him);
C106. The word disapproved is Raina, which is used by the Muslims meant “Please look at us, attend to us.”
But it was ridiculed by enemies by a little twist to suggest some insulting meaning. So an unambiguous word “Unzurna,” with the same meaning is suggested.
The general lesson is that we must guard ourselves against the cynical trick of using words which should complimentary to the ear but have a hidden barb in them. Not only must we be plain and honest in our words. We must respectfully hearken to the words of a Teacher whom we have addressed. Thoughtless people use vain words or put foolish questions, and straightaway turn their minds to something else.
... وَلِلكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿١٠٤﴾
to those without faith is a grievous punishment.
Other versions:
2: 6
Asad Behold, as for those who are bent on denying the truth – it is all one to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them: they will not believe,
Yusuf Ali As to those who reject Faith it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.
Pickthall As for the disbelievers, whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not.
Transliteration Innal lazina kafaru_ sawa_'un 'alaihim a'anzartahum am lam tunzirhum la_ yu'minu_n(a).
[Ruby’s note: The expression “they will not believe” added at the end of this verse indicates what kind of hard headed persons these rejecters are. There are not ordinary rejecters who are rejecting now but have a chance of accepting the truth when they are rightly exposed to the truth and understand it better. These group of people are so obstinate and arrogant that is spite of right exposure and even some understanding of the Message, they would reject it. There is no humility or fear that this may be the truth and they better look at it seriously before rejection. These group of people generally are insolent and do not leave any option to consider or have any remorse about it. They are ignorant and they are arrogant not to care about the possible consequences of rejection, in case if this is the truth that they are rejecting. One has to come to this in order to lose God’s guidance because they do not care for God’s guidance at all. I believe most of the humanity does not belong to this extreme group.]
2: 7
Asad God has sealed their hearing, and over their eyes is a veil; and awesome suffering awaits them.
Yusuf Ali Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).
Pickthall Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom.
Transliteration Khatamalla_hu 'ala_ qulu_bihim wa 'ala_ sam'ihim, wa 'ala_ absa_rihim gisya_watuw walahum 'aza_bun 'azim(un).
[ Ali’s note: 30 Kafara kufr, kafr, and derivative forms of the word, imply a deliberate rejection of Faith as opposed to a mistaken idea of God or faith, which is not inconsistent with an earnest desire to see the truth. Where there is such desire, the grace and mercy of God gives guidance. But that guidance is not efficacious when it is deliberately rejected and the possibility of rejection follows from the grant of free will. The consequence of the rejection is that the spiritual faculties become dead or impervious to better influences. See also n. 93 to ii.88. (2.6)
31 All actions are referred to God. Therefore, when we get the penalty of our deliberate sin, and our senses become impervious to good, the penalty is referred to the justice of God. (2.7) ]
[Asad note 7 : ‘A reference to the natural law instituted by God, whereby a person who persistently adheres to false beliefs and refuses to listen to the voice of truth gradually loses the ability to perceive the truth, “ so that finally, as it were, a seal is set upon his heart” Since it is God who has instituted all laws of nature – which, in their aggregate, are called ‘sunnat Allah’ (“The way of God”) – this “ sealing is attributed to Him: but it is obviously a consequence of man’s free choice and not an act of “predestination”.
Similarly, the suffering which, in the life to come, is in store for those who during their life in this world have willfully remained deaf and blind to the truth, is a natural consequence of their free choice – just as happiness in the life to come is the natural consequence of man’s endeavor to attain to righteousness and inner illumination....]
ضُرِبَتْ
عَلَيْهِمُ
الذِّلَّةُ
أَيْنَ مَا
ثُقِفُواْ
إِلاَّ بِحَبْلٍ
مِّنْ اللّهِ
وَحَبْلٍ مِّنَ
النَّاسِ ...
3: 112. Shame is pitched over them (like a tent) wherever they are found, except when under a covenant (of protection) from Allah and from men;
C435. Duribat: I think there is a simile from the pitching of a tent.
Ordinarily a man's tent is a place of tranquility and honour for him. The tent of the wicked wherever they are found is ignominy, shame, and humiliation. It is pity from Allah or from men that gives them protection when their pride has a fall.
Using the same simile of tent in another way, their home will be destitution and misery.
...وَبَآؤُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْكَنَةُ ...
they draw on themselves wrath from Allah, and pitched over them is (the tent of) destitution.
...ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ الأَنبِيَاء بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ...
This because they rejected the signs of Allah, and slew the Prophets in defiance of right;
...ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُواْ يَعْتَدُونَ ﴿١١٢﴾
this because they rebelled and transgressed beyond bounds.
وَلاَ
يَحْزُنكَ
الَّذِينَ
يُسَارِعُونَ
فِي الْكُفْرِ
إِنَّهُمْ لَن
يَضُرُّواْ
اللّهَ شَيْئاً...
3: 176. Let not those grieve thee who rush headlong into unbelief: not the least harm will they do to Allah:
...يُرِيدُ اللّهُ أَلاَّ يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظًّا فِي الآخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٧٦﴾
Allah's plan is that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter, but a severe punishment.
Other versions:
3: 85
Asad For, if one goes in search of a religion other than self- surrender unto God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.
Yusuf Ali If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
Pickthall And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.
Transliteration Wa may yabtagi gairal isla_mi dinan falay yuqbala minh)u), wa huwa fil a_khirati minal kha_sirin(a).
3: 86
Asad How would God bestow his guidance upon people who have resolved to deny the truth after having attained to faith,
Yusuf Ali How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Apostle was true and that clear signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a people unjust.
Pickthall How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
Transliteration Kaifa yahdilla_hu qauman kafaru_ ba'da ima_nihim wa syahidu_ annar rasu_la haqquw wa ja_'ahumul bayyina_t(u), walla_hu la_ yahdil qaumaz za_limin(a).
3: 87
Yusuf Ali Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah of His angels and of all mankind.
Pickthall As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined.
Transliteration Ula_'ika jaza_'uhum anna'alaihim la'natalla_hi wal mala_'ikati wan na_si ajma'in(a).
3: 88
Yusuf Ali In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened nor respite be their (lot).
Pickthall They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved;
Transliteration Kha_lidina fiha_, la_ yukhaffafu 'anhumul 'aza_bu wa la_ hum yunzaru_n(a).
3: 89
Yusuf Ali Except for those that repent (even) after that and make amends: for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Pickthall Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Illal lazina ta_bu_ mim ba'di za_lika wa aslahu_, fa innalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).
3: 112
Asad Overshadowed by ignominy are they wherever they may be, save [when they bind themselves again] in a bond with God and bond with men [note 83]; for they have earned the burned of God’s condemnation, and are overshadowed by humiliation: all this [has befallen them] because they persisted in defying the truth of God’s messages and in slaying the prophets against all right: all this, because they reveled [against God], and persisted in transgressing the bounds of what is right [note 84].
Yusuf Ali Shame is pitched over them (like a tent) wherever they are found except when under a covenant (of protection) from Allah and from men; they draw on themselves wrath from Allah and pitched over them is (the tent of) destitution. This because they rejected the signs of Allah and slew the prophets in defiance of right; this because they rebelled and transgressed beyond bounds.
Pickthall Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save (where they grasp) a rope from Allah and a rope from men. They have incurred anger from their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them. That is because they used to disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slew the Prophets wrongfully. That is because they were rebellious and used to transgress.
Transliteration Duribat 'alaihimuz zillatu ainama_ suqifu_ illa_ bi hablim minalla_hi wa hablim minan na_si wa ba_'u_ bi gadabim minalla_hi wa duribat 'alaihimul maskanah(tu), za_lika bi annahum ka_nuyakfuru_na bi a_ya_tilla_hi wa yaqtulu_nal ambiya_'a bi gairi haqq(in),za_lika bima_ 'asau wa ka_nu_ ya'tadu_n(a).
3: 176
Asad And be not grieved by those who vie with one another in denying the truth: verily, they can no wise harm God. It is God’s will that they shall have no share [note 134] in the [blessings of the ] life to come; and tremendous suffering awaits them.
Yusuf Ali Let not those grieve thee who rush headlong into unbelief: not the least harm will they do to Allah: Allah's plan is that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter but a severe punishment.
Pickthall Let not their conduct grieve thee, who run easily to disbelief, for Lo! they injure Allah not at all. It is Allah's will to assign them no portion in the Hereafter, and theirs will be an awful doom.
Transliteration Wa la_ yahzunkal lazina yusa_ri'u_na fil kufr(i), innahum lay yadurrulla_ha syai'a_(n), yuridulla_ha alla_ yaj'ala lahum hazzan fil a_khirati wa lahum 'aza_bun'azim(un).
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَحْلِفُونَ
لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْاْ
عَنْهُمْ فَإِن
تَرْضَوْاْ
عَنْهُمْ ...
9: 96. They will swear unto you, that ye may be pleased with them
... فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَرْضَى عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾
but if ye are pleased with them, Allah is not pleased with those who disobey.
وَمِمَّنْ
حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ
الأَعْرَابِ
مُنَافِقُونَ
وَمِنْ أَهْلِ
الْمَدِينَةِ...
9: 101. Certain of the desert Arabs round about you are hypocrites, as well as (desert Arabs) among the Medina folk:
C1350. The desert Arabs were not all simple folk. There were cunning hypocrites among them: both among certain tribes encamped round about Madinah and certain others in Madinah itself.
I understand that both groups are of the Arab, to whom the context refers, and not of the settled citizens of Madinah, whose Hypocrites were already referred to in previous sections. They might look simple, but they were, in their ignorance, all the more obstinate and hypocritical.
... مَرَدُواْ عَلَى النِّفَاقِ لاَ تَعْلَمُهُمْ ...
they are obstinate in hypocrisy: thou knowest them not:
... نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ ...
We know them:
... سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿١٠١﴾
twice shall We punish them and in addition shall they be sent to a grievous penalty.
C1351. Their punishment in this world was double, viz., not only in their discomfiture, but because in their obstinate ignorance, they failed to understand the accomplished facts, while cleverer men realized that their hostility to Islam was hopeless.
In addition to their discomfiture in this life, they would have to meet the penalties to come.
Other versions:
9: 96
Yusuf Ali They will swear unto you that ye may be pleased with them but if ye are pleased with them Allah is not pleased with those who disobey.
Pickthall They swear unto you, that ye may accept them. Though ye accept them, Allah verily accepteth not wrongdoing folk.
Transliteration Yahlifu_na lakum litardau'anhum, fa in tardau 'anhum fa innalla_ha la_ yarda_ 'anil qaumil fa_siqin(a).
9: 101 But among the Bedouin who dwell around you there are hypocrites; and among the people of the [Prophet’s] City [too] there are such as have grown insolent in [their] hypocrisy. Thou dost not [always] know them, [O Muhammad – but] We know them. We shall cause them to suffer doubly [in this world] [note 134]: and then they will be given over to awesome suffering [in the life to come].
Yusuf Ali Certain of the desert Arabs round about you are hypocrites as well as (desert Arabs) among the Medina folk: they are obstinate in hypocrisy: thou knowest them not: We know them: twice shall We punish them and in addition shall they be sent to a grievous penalty.
Pickthall And among those around you of the wandering Arabs there are hypocrites, and among the townspeople of Al-Madinah ( there are some who) persist in hypocrisy whom thou (O Muhammad) knowest not. We, We know them, and We shall chastise them twice; then they will be relegated to a painful doom.
Transliteration Wa mimman haulakum minal a'ra_bi muna_fiqu_n(a), wa min ahlil madinati maradu_ 'alan nifa_q(i), la_ ta'lamuhum, nahnu na'lamuhum, sanu'azzibuhum marrataini summa yuraddu_na ila_ 'aza_bin'azim(in).
16.Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلاَ
تَتَّخِذُواْ
أَيْمَانَكُمْ
دَخَلاً بَيْنَكُمْ
فَتَزِلَّ
قَدَمٌ بَعْدَ
ثُبُوتِهَا...
16: 94. And take not your oaths, to practice deception between yourselves, with the result that someone's foot may slip after it was firmly planted;
C2134. In 16:92, above, the motive for false and fraudulent covenants was pointed out with reprobation. Now are pointed out the consequences, viz.,
- to others, if they had not been deceived, they might have walked firmly on the Path, but now they lose faith and perhaps commit like frauds for which you will be responsible;
- to yourselves; you have not only gone wrong yourselves; but have set others on the wrong path; and you deserve a double Penalty. Perhaps the "evil consequences" refer to this world, and the "Wrath" to the Hereafter.
... وَتَذُوقُواْ الْسُّوءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ...
and ye may have to taste the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the path of Allah,
... وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٩٤﴾
and a mighty Wrath descend on you.
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ
لاَ يَهْدِيهِمُ
اللّهُ...
16: 104. Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, Allah will not guide them,
... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿١٠٤﴾
and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِي
الْكَذِبَ
الَّذِينَ لاَ
يُؤْمِنُونَ
بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ...
16: 105. It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood:
... وَأُوْلـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ ﴿١٠٥﴾
it is they who lie!
C2144. It is clearly those who raise the cry of forgery that are guilty of falsehood, as there is not the least basis or even plausibility in their suggestion.
مَن كَفَرَ
بِاللّهِ مِن
بَعْدِ إيمَانِهِ ...
16: 106. Anyone who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters unbelief,
C2145. The exception refers to a case like that of 'Ammar, whose father Yasir and mother Sumayya, were subjected to unspeakable tortures for their belief in Islam, but never recanted. 'Ammar,
suffering under tortures himself and his mind acted on by the sufferings of his parents, uttered a word construed as recantation, though his heart never wavered and he came back at once to the Prophet, who consoled him for his pain and confirmed his faith. (R).
... إِلاَّ مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالإِيمَانِ...
except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith,
... وَلَـكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ...
but such as open their breast to unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah,
... وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٠٦﴾
and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
Other versions:
16: 94
Yusuf Ali And take not your oaths to practice deception between yourselves with the result that someone's foot may slip after it was firmly planted; and ye may have to taste the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the path of Allah and a mighty Wrath descend on you.
Pickthall Make not your oaths a deceit between you, lest a foot should slip after being firmly planted and ye should taste evil forasmuch as ye debarred (men) from the way of Allah, and yours should be an awful doom.
Yuksel Do not use your oaths as a means of deception between you, that a foot will falter after it had been firm, and you will taste the evil of turning away from the path of God, and you will have a great retribution.
Transliteration Wa la_ tattakhizu_ aima_nakum dakhalam bainakum fa tazilla qadamum ba'da subu_tiha_ wa tazu_qus su_'a bima_ sadattum 'an sabililla_h(i), wa lakum 'aza_bun 'azim(un).
16: 104
Yusuf Ali Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah Allah will not guide them and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.
Pickthall Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, Allah guideth them not and theirs will be a painful doom.
Transliteration Innal lazina la_ yu'minu_na bi a_ya_tilla_h(i), la_ yahdihimulla_hu wa lahum 'aza_bun alim(un).
16: 105
Yusuf Ali It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah that forge falsehood: it is they who lie!
Pickthall Only they invent falsehood who believe not Allah's revelations, and (only) they are the liars.
Transliteration Innama_ yaftaril kazibal lazina la_ yu'minu_na bi a_ya_tilla_h(i), wa ula_'ika humul ka_zibu_n(a).
16: 106
Yusuf Ali Anyone who after accepting faith in Allah utters unbelief except under compulsion his heart remaining firm in faith but such as open their breast to unbelief on them is Wrath from Allah and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
Pickthall Whoso disbelieveth in Allah after his belief save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with Faith but whoso findeth ease in disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom.
Transliteration Man kafara billa_hi mim ba'di ima_nihi illa_ man ukriha wa qalbuhu_ mutma'innum bil ima_ni wala_kin man syaraha bil kufri sadran fa 'alaihim gadabum minalla_h(i), wa lahum 'aza_bun 'azim(un).
40. Sura al Mu’min
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَا
يُجَادِلُ
فِي
آيَاتِ
اللَّهِ
إِلَّا
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُوا...
40: 4. None can dispute about the Signs of Allah but the Unbelievers.
C4359. Allah's knowledge and attributes are perfect, and everything around us proclaims this. We are surrounded by His Signs. It is only want of Faith that will make people dispute about them.
... فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِي الْبِلَادِ ﴿٤﴾
Let not, then, their strutting about through the land deceive thee!
C4360. Cf. 3:196.
Their strutting about shows how little they can read the Signs.
كَذَّبَتْ
قَبْلَهُمْ
قَوْمُ
نُوحٍ
وَالْأَحْزَابُ
مِن
بَعْدِهِمْ...
40: 5. But (there were people) before them, who denied (the Signs) -- the People of Noah, and the confederates (of Evil) after them;
C4361. Cf. 38:11-13, and n. 4158.
All the hosts of wickedness collected together from history will have no power against Allah's Truth, or the Messenger of that Truth, or Allah's holy Plan for all His Creation.
... وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ بِرَسُولِهِمْ لِيَأْخُذُوهُ...
and every People plotted against their prophet, to seize him,
... وَجَادَلُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا بِهِ الْحَقَّ...
and disputed by means of vanities, therewith to condemn the truth;
C4362. Whenever a great or vital Truth is proclaimed and renewed, there are always shallow minds that are ready to dispute about it! And what petty and vain arguments they advance! They think they can discredit or condemn the Truth in this way, or render "of none effect" Allah's Plan. But they are mistaken. If they seem to succeed for a time, that is merely their trial. They may try to plan and plot against Allah's men. But their plots will fail in the long run. They will themselves be caught in their own snares. And then, how terrible will be their Punishment!
... فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ...
but it was I that seized them!
... فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ ﴿٥﴾
And how (terrible), was My Requital!
C4363. Cf. 13:32.
Asad’s Version:
40:4 NONE BUT THOSE who are bent on denying the truth would call God's messages in
question. But let it not deceive thee that they seem to be able to do as they please on earth:
(40:5) to the truth gave the lie, before their time, the people of Noah and, after them, all those [others] who were leagued together [against God's message-bearers]; 2 and each of those communities schemed against the apostle sent unto them, 3 aiming to lay hands on him; and they contended [against his message) with fallacious arguments, so as to render void the truth thereby: but then I took them to task - and how awesome was My retribution!