42. Sura ash-Shura, Mecca 62

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَلِذَلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ...

42: 15. Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires;

C4547. How beautifully the mission of Islam is commended in this verse!

1. The more sectarianism and division there is in the world, the more need is there for the Gospel of Unity.

2. It must steadfastly pursue its way.

3. It must not be deflected by worldly or political motives.

4. Its faith must be directly in Allah and in Allah's Revelation. "The Book" mentioned here covers all the revelations sent by Allah to His prophets.

5. it must judge justly between warring factions, as the Religion of Peace and Unity.

...وَقُلْ آمَنتُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِن كِتَابٍ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ...

"I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you.

...اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ...

Allah is Our Lord and your Lord.

For us (is the responsibility for) Our deeds, and for you for your deeds.

There is no contention between us and you.

C4548. The Mission of Islam is further described.

6. The God whom it preaches is not an exclusive God: He is the Lord of the Worlds: to any given person, of whatever faith, 'He is your Allah, as well as mine.'

7. Our Faith is not a question of words; it is deeds which decide; each one of us has personal responsibility for his own conduct.

8. There is no cause of contention whatever, when we preach Unity, Truth, and the Hereafter.

9. If you have doubts, the final arbiter is Allah, and His pleasure is our Goal.

...اللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٥﴾

Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (Our) final goal.

Pickthall’s Version:

42: 15

Pickthall Unto this, then, summon (O Muhammad). And be thou upright as thou art commanded, and follow not their lusts, but say: I believe in whatever Scripture Allah hath sent down, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. Unto us our works and unto you your works; no argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and unto Him is the journeying.

Transliteration Fa liza_lika fadu wastaqim kama_ umirta wa la_ tat tabi ahwa_ ahum wa qul a_mantu bima_ anzalal la_hu min kita_b wa umirtu li adila bainakum al la_hu rab buna_ wa rab bukum lana_ ama_luna_ wa lakum ama_lukum la_ huj jata bainana_ wa bainakum al la_hu yajmau bainana_ wa ilaihil masir