Sura -11 [Hud mecca 52]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
وَإِلَى مَدْيَنَ
أَخَاهُمْ
شُعَيْبًا...
11:84. To the Madyan people (We sent) Shu'ayb, one of their own brethren:
C1582. Cf. 7:85-93.
The location of Madyan is explained in n. 1053 to 7:85 and the chronological place of Shu'ayb in n. 1064 to 7:93.
The point of the reference here is different from that in Surah 7. Here the emphasis is on Allah's dealings with men and men's crooked and obstinate ways:
there the emphasis was rather on their treatment of their Prophet, thus throwing light on some of the sins of the Makkans in later times.
...قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـهٍ غَيْرُهُ...
he said:
"O my people! worship Allah:
ye have no other god but Him.
...وَلاَ تَنقُصُواْ الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ...
And give not short measure or weight:
...إِنِّيَ أَرَاكُم بِخَيْرٍ وَإِنِّيَ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ ﴿٨٤﴾
I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the Penalty of a Day that will compass (you) all round.
C1583. The Midianites were a commercial people, and their besetting sin was commercial selfishness and fraudulent dealings in weights and measures.
Their Prophet tells them that that is the surest way to cut short their "prosperity", both in the material and the spiritual sense. When the Day of Judgment comes, it will search out their dealings through and through: "it will compass them all round," and they will not be able to escape then, however Much they may conceal their frauds in this world.
وَيَا
قَوْمِ أَوْفُواْ
الْمِكْيَالَ
وَالْمِيزَانَ
بِالْقِسْطِ ...
11:85. "And O my people!
give just measure and weight,
...وَلاَ تَبْخَسُواْ النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءهُمْ ...
nor withhold from the people the things that are their due:
C1584. Both Plato and Aristotle define justice as the virtue which gives every one his due.
From this point of view Justice becomes the master virtue, and includes most other virtues. It was the lack of this that ruined the Midianites. Their selfishness was "intent on mischief," i.e., spoiling other people's business by not giving them their just dues.
... وَلاَ تَعْثَوْاْ فِي الأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾
commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
بَقِيَّةُ
اللّهِ خَيْرٌ
لَّكُمْ إِن
كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ...
11:86. "That which is left you by Allah is best for you, if ye (but) believed!
C1585. Allah's Law does not require that a man should deprive himself of the things that are necessary for his own well-being and development.
If he follows Allah's Law, what is left him after he renders to others their just dues will be not only enough, but will be the best possible provision for his own physical and spiritual growth. Even the kindness and consideration which Allah's Law inculcates are in the best interests of the man's own soul. But of course the kindness and consideration must be spontaneous. It must flow from the man's own will, and cannot be forced on him by the Prophet who come from Allah to show him the way.
...وَمَا أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ ﴿٨٦﴾
But I am not set over you to keep watch!"
Other versions:
11: 84
Asad …..and do not give short measure and weight [in any of your dealings with men]. Behold, I see you [now] in a happy state: but, verily, I dreadlest suffering befall you on a Day that will encompass. [see note 117]
Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people (We sent) Shuaib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity but I fear for you the Penalty of a Day that will compass (you) all round.
Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him! And give not short measure and short weight. Lo! I see you well to do, and lo! I fear for you the doom of a besetting Day.
Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi-'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), wa la_ tanqusul mikya_la wal miza_na inni ara_kum bi khairiw wa inni akha_fu 'alaikum 'aza_ba yaumim muhit(in).
11: 85
Asad Hence, O my people, give full measure and weight, with equity, and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs,……
Yusuf Ali "And O my people! give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
Pickthall O my people! Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods. And do not evil in the earth, causing corruption.
Transliteration Wa ya_ qaumi auful mikya_la wal miza_na bil qisti wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asy-ya_'ahum wa la_ ta'sau fil ardi mufsidin(a).
Sura- 6 [Al Anam mecca 55]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
قُلْ
تَعَالَوْاْ
أَتْلُ
مَا
حَرَّمَ
رَبُّكُمْ
عَلَيْكُمْ
...
6:151. Say:
"Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from":
C976. Instead of following Pagan superstitions, and being in constant terror of imaginary taboos and prohibitions, we should study the true moral law, whose sanction is Allah's Law.
The first step is that we should recognise that He is the One and Only Lord and Cherisher. The mention of goodness to parents immediately afterwards suggests:
- that Allah's love of us and care for us may -on an infinitely higher plane- be understood by our ideal of parental love, which is purely unselfish;
- that our first duty among our fellow creatures is to our father and mother, whose love leads us to the conception of divine love.
Arising from that is the conception of our converse duties to our children. Allah provides sustenance (material and spiritual) not only for us, but for them; hence any custom like the Pagan custom of sacrificing children of Moloch stands condemned.
Then come the moral prohibitions against lewdness and all unseemly acts, relating to sex or otherwise, open or secret. This is followed by the prohibition of killing or fighting.
All these things are conformable to our own interests, and therefore true wisdom from our own point of view.
...أَلاَّ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا ...
- join not anything as equal with Him;
...وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا...
- be good to your parents:
...وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُم مِّنْ إمْلاَقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ...
- kill not your children on a plea of want; -- We provide sustenance for you and for them; --
...وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ...
- come not nigh to shameful deeds, whether open or secret;
...وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ...
- take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law:
C977. For the comprehensive word haqq I have used the two words "justice and law"; other significations implied are:
right, truth, what is becoming, etc.
It is not only that human life is sacred, but all life is sacred. Even in killing animals for food, a dedicatory formula "in the name of Allah" has to be employed, to make it lawful:
see 698 to 5:4, and n. 962 to 6:138.
...ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿١٥١﴾
thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.
وَلاَ
تَقْرَبُواْ
مَالَ
الْيَتِيمِ
إِلاَّ
بِالَّتِي
هِيَ
أَحْسَنُ
حَتَّى
يَبْلُغَ
أَشُدَّهُ...
6:152. - And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength;
...وَأَوْفُواْ الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ...
- give measure and weight with (full) justice;
...لاَ نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا...
no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;
...وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُواْ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَى...
- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned;
...وَبِعَهْدِ اللّهِ أَوْفُواْ...
- and fulfil the Covenant of Allah:
...ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿١٥٢﴾
thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.
وَأَنَّ
هَـذَا
صِرَاطِي
مُسْتَقِيمًا
فَاتَّبِعُوهُ...
6:153. Verily, this is My Way, leading straight: follow it:
...وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ...
follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path:
...ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٥٣﴾
thus doth He command you that ye may be righteous.
C979. Note again the triple refrain with variations, in 6:151, 152, and 153.
- In verse 151, we have the moral law, which it is for our own good to follow: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom."
- In verse 152, we have to deal justly and rightly with others; we are apt to thing too much of ourselves and forget others: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may remember."
- In verse 153 our attention is called to the Straight Way, the Way of Allah, the only Way that leads to righteousness: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous."
Other versions:
6: 151
Yusuf Ali Say: "Come I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents: kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not nigh to shameful deeds whether open or secret; take not life which Allah hath made sacred except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you that ye may learn wisdom.
Pickthall Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord hath made a sacred duty for you: that ye ascribe no thing as partner unto Him and that ye do good to parents, and that ye slay not your children because of penury--We provide for you and for them--and that ye draw not nigh to lewd things whether open or concealed. And that ye slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice. This He hath commanded you, in order that ye may discern.
Transliteration Qul ta'a_lau atlu ma_ harrama rabbukum 'alaikum alla_ tusyriku_ bihi syai'aw wa bil wa_lidaini ihsa_na_(n), wa la_ taqtulu_ aul_dakum min imla_q(in), nahnu narzuqukum wa iyya_hum, wa la_ taqrabul fawa_hisya ma_ zahara minha_ wa ma_ batan(a), wa la_ taqtulun nafsal lati harramalla_hu illa_ bil haqq(i), za_likum wassa_kum bihi la'allakum ta'qilu_n(a).
6: 152
Asad ………….and when you voice an opinion, be just, even though it be [against] one near of kin. [see also 2 note 19]
Yusuf Ali And come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice; no burden do We place on any soul but that which it can bear; whenever ye speak speak justly even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the Covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you that ye may remember.
Pickthall And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better; till he reach maturity. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if ye give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be (against) a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember.
Transliteration Wa la_ taqrabu_ ma_lal yatimi illa_ billati hiya ahsanu hatta_ yabluga asyuddah(_),wa auful kaila wal miza_na bil qist(i), la_ nukallifu nafsan illa_ wus'aha_, wa iza_ qultum fa'dilu_ wa lau ka_na za_ qurba_, wa bi'ahdilla_hi aufu_, za_likum wassa_kum bihi la'allakum tazakkaru_n(a).
6: 153
Yusuf Ali Verily this is My Way leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you that ye may be righteous.
Pickthall And (He commandeth you, saying) : This is My straight path, so follow it Follow not other ways, lest ye be parted from His way: This hath He ordained for you, that ye may ward off (evil).
Transliteration Wa anna ha_za_ sira_ti mutaqiman fattabi'u_h(u), wa la_ tattabi'us subula fa tafarraqa bikum 'an sabilih(i), za_likum wassa_kum bihi la'allakum tattaqu_n(a).
[[ Asad’s note -
[[ Ali’s notes - 976 Instead of following Pagan superstitions, and being in constant terror of imaginary taboos and prohibitions, we should study the true moral law, whose sanction is God's Law. The first step is that we should recognise that He is the One and Only Lord and Cherisher. The mention of goodness to parents immediately afterwards suggests: (1) that God's love of us and care for us may -on an infinitely higher plane- be understood by our ideal of parental love, which is purely unselfish; (2) that our first duty among our fellow creatures is to our father and mother, whose love leads us to the conception of divine love. Arising from that is the conception of our converse duties to our children. God provides sustenance (material and spiritual) not only for us, but for them; hence any custom like the Pagan custom of sacrificing children of Moloch stands condemned. Then come the moral prohibitions against lewdness and all unseemly acts, relating to sex or otherwise, open or secret. This is followed by the prohibition of killing or fighting. All these things are conformable to our own interests, and therefore true wisdom from our own point of view. (6.151)
977 For the comprhensive word haqq I have used the two words "justice and law"; other significations implied are: right, truth, what is becoming, etc. It is not only that human life is sacred, but all life is sacred. Even in killing animals for food, a dedicatory formula "in the name of God" has to be employed, to make it lawful: see n. 698 to v. 5, and n. 962 to vi. 138. (6.151)
978 Cf. v. 1, and n. 682. (6.152)
979 Note again the triple refrain with variations, in vi. 151, 152, and 153. In verse 151, we have the moral law, which it is for our own good to follow: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom." In verse 152, we have to deal justly and rightly with others; we are apt to think too much of ourselves and forget others: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may remember." In verse 153 our attention is called to the Straight Way, the Way of God, the only Way that leads to righteousness: "Thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous." (6.153) ]]
6: 151 Say: “Come, let me convey unto you what God has [really] forbidden to you;
Do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him;
and do good unto your parents;
and do not kill your children for fear of poverty – for it is We who shall provide sustenance for you as well as for them;
and do not commit any shameful deeds, be they open or secret;
and do not take any human being’s life – which God has declared to be sacred –otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice;
this has He enjoined upon you so that you might use your reason;
6: 152 And do not touch the substance of an orphan – save to improve it – before he comes of age.”
And give full measure and weight, with equity : [however], We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear; and when you voice an opinion, be just, even though it be against one near of kin.”
And [always] observe your bond with God: this has He enjoined upon you, so that you might keep it in mind.
6: 153 and [know] that this is the way leading straight unto Me: follow it, then, and follow not other ways, lest they cause you to deviate from His way. [All] this has He enjoined upon you, so that you might remain conscious of Him. Asad
=========================
7: 85 [al-Araf, Mecca 39]
Asad ............Give, therefore, full measure and weight [in all your dealings], and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs; and do not spread corruption on earth after it has been so well ordered: this is for your own good..............
Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people We sent Shu`aib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you if ye have faith.
Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother, Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Lo! a clear proof hath come unto you from your Lord; so give full measure and full weight and wrong not mankind in their goods, and work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering thereof. That will be better for you, if ye are believers.
Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), qad ja_'atkum bayyinatum mir rabbikum fa auful kaila wal miza_na wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asyya_'ahum wa la_ tufsidu_ fil ardi ba'da isla_hiha_, za_likum khairul lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a).
[[ Asad’s note 67 – Shu’ayb is said to be indentical with Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, also called in the Bible Reu-el (Exodus ii, 18), meaning “Faithful to God”. The region of Madyan – the Midian of the Bible –extended from the present-day Gulf of Aqabah westwards deep into the Sanai Peninsula and the mountains of Moab east of the Dead Sea; its inhabitants were Arabs of the Amorite group of tribes.
Note 68 – Lit., “do not diminish to people their things” – an expression which applies to physical possessions as well as to moral and social rights. Regarding my interpretation of “in all your dealings”, see surah 6, note 150.]]
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11: 84 [Hud, Mecca 52]
Asad And unto [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu’ayb [note 116]……..and do not give short measure and weight [in any of your dealings with men] [note 117]. Behold, I see you [now] in a happy state; but, verily, I dread lest suffering befall you on a Day that will encompass [you with doom]!
Yusuf Ali To the Madyan people (We sent) Shuaib one of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity but I fear for you the Penalty of a Day that will compass (you) all round.
Pickthall And unto Midian (We sent) their brother Shueyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him! And give not short measure and short weight. Lo! I see you well to do, and lo! I fear for you the doom of a besetting Day.
Yuksel To Midian was their brother Shuayb, he said, "My people, serve God, you have no god besides Him, and do not give short in the measure and weight. I see you in prosperity, and I fear for you the retribution of a day that is surrounding."
Transliteration Wa ila_ madyana akha_hum syu'aiba_(n), qa_la ya_ qaumi-'budulla_ha ma_ lakum min ila_hin gairuh(u_), wa la_ tanqusul mikya_la wal miza_na inni ara_kum bi khairiw wa inni akha_fu 'alaikum 'aza_ba yaumim muhit(in).
[[ Asad’s note 116 – see surah 7, ntoe 67. Note 117 – Thus, belief in the One God and justice in all dealings between man and man (see surah 6, note 150) are hre placed together as the twin postulates of all righteousness. Some commentators assume that the people of Madyan were of a particularly commercial bent of mind, and given to fraudulent dealings. …..goes far beyond anything that might be construed by a purely “historical” interpretation…..the enunciation of a generally applicable principle of ethics: namely, the impossibility of one’s being righteous with regard to God unless one is righteous – in both the moral and social senses of this word – in the realm of human relationships as well. This explains the insistence with which the above prohibition is re-stated in a positive form, as an injunction, the next verse.]
11: 85
Asad Hence, O my people, [always] give full measure and weight, with equity, and do nto deprive people of what is rightfully theirs, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption.
Yusuf Ali "And O my people! give just measure and weight nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
Pickthall O my people! Give full measure and full weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods. And do not evil in the earth, causing corruption.
Yuksel "My people, give full measure and weight with justice, do not hold back from the people what is theirs, and do not roam the land corrupting."
Transliteration Wa ya_ qaumi auful mikya_la wal miza_na bil qisti wa la_ tabkhasun na_sa asy-ya_'ahum wa la_ ta'sau fil ardi mufsidin(a).
[[ Ali’s notes -
1584 Both Plato and Aristotle define justice as the virtue which gives every one his due. From this point of view Justice becomes the master virtue, and includes most other virtues. It was the lack of this that ruined the Midianites. Their selfishness was "intent on mischief," i.e., spoiling other people's business by not giving them their just dues. (11.85)
1583 The Midianites were a commercial people, and their besetting sin was commercial selfishness and fraudulent dealings in weights and measures. Their Prophet tells them that that is the surest way to cut short their "prosperity", both in the material and the spiritual sense. When the Day of Judgment comes, it will search out their dealings through and through: "it will compass them all round," and they will not be able to escape then, however much they may conceal their frauds in this world. (11.84) ]]
[[
11: 86
Asad “That which rest with God [note 119] is best for you, if you but believe! However, I am not your keeper.”
Yusuf Ali "That which is left you by Allah is best for you if ye (but) believed! But I am not set over you to keep watch!"
Pickthall That which Allah leaveth with you is better for you if ye are believers; and I am not a keeper over you.
Yuksel "What will remain for you with God is far better if you are those who acknowledge. I am not a guardian over you."
Transliteration Baqiyyatulla_hi khairul lakum in kuntum mu'minin(a), wa ma_ ana 'alaikum bi hafiz(in).
[[ Asad’s note 119 – I.e., the lasting merit achieved by virtue of good deeds and fair dealings with one’s fellow-men (cf. the expression “al-baqiyat as-salihat” in 18:46 and 19:76).]]