17. Surah Al Isra

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَكَ هَـذَا الَّذِي كَرَّمْتَ عَلَيَّ...   

17: 62.  He said,

"Seest Thou? This is the one whom thou hast honored above me!

...لَئِنْ أَخَّرْتَنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ لأَحْتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ إَلاَّ قَلِيلاً ﴿٦٢﴾

If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway -- all but a few!"

C2252. The power of Evil (Satan) over man is due to man's limited free-will.

In other words man hands himself to Evil. As to those who loyally worship and serve Allah, Evil has no power over them.

This is expressly mentioned in verse 65 below, and in other places.

قَالَ اذْهَبْ ...

17: 63.  Allah said:

"Go thy way;

C2253. The power of Evil is summarily dismissed, but not without a clear warning.

"Do thy worst; if any of them misuse their limited free-will and deliberately follow thee, they must take the consequences with thee; all of you must answer according to your personal responsibility."

... فَمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَآؤُكُمْ جَزَاء مَّوْفُورًا ﴿٦٣﴾

if any of them follow thee, verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all) -- an ample recompense.

Other versions:

17: 62

Asad [And] he added: “Tell me, is this [foolish delight] the one whom You have exalted above me? ……..I shall most certainly cause his descendants – all but a few – to obey me blindly! [note 76].

Yusuf Ali He said "Seest Thou? This is the one whom thou hast honored above me! If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment I will surely bring his descendants under my sway all but a few!"

Pickthall He said: Seest Thou this (creature) whom Thou hast honored above me, if Thou give me grace until the Day of Resurrection I verily will seize his seed, save but a few.

Yuksel He said, "Shall I show You this one whom You have preferred over me, that if You respite me until the day of Resurrection, I will destroy his progeny, except for a few."

Transliteration Qa_la ara'aitaka ha_zal lazi karramta 'alayya la'in akhkhartani ila_ yaumil qiya_mati la'ahtanikanna zurriyyatahu_ illa_ qalila_(n).

[[ Asad’s note 76 – Cf. 7:16-17. The verb “hanaka” denotes, literally, : he put a rope around the lower jaw” (hanak) [of a horse]”, i.e., in order to lead it; hence, the form ihtanaka means “he made [another being follow him submissively” or “obey him blindly”.

17: 63

Asad [God] answered: “Go! But as for such of them as shall follow you – behold, hell will be the recompense of you [all]’ a recompense most ample!

Yusuf Ali Allah said: "Go thy way; if any of them follow thee verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all) an ample recompense.

Pickthall He said: Go, and whosoever of them followeth thee--lo! Hell will be your payment, ample payment.

Transliteration Qa_la-zhab faman tabi'aka minhum fa inna jahannama jaza_'ukum jaza_'am maufu_ra_(n).