5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ اللّهُ الرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَا أُجِبْتُمْ...

5: 109. One day will Allah gather the Messengers together, and ask:

"What was the response ye received (from men to your teaching)?

... قَالُواْ لاَ عِلْمَ لَنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ ﴿١٠٩﴾

They will say:

"We have no knowledge: it is Thou who knowest in full all that is hidden."

C814. A scene of the Day of Reckoning is put before us in graphic words, showing the responsibility and the limitations of the Prophets of Allah, sent to preach His Message to men, with special reference to the Message of Jesus.

The Messengers are sent to preach the Truth. What fantastic forms the Message takes in men's reactions to it was beyond their knowledge, at the time, and beyond their responsibility. (R).

Other versions:

5: 109 [al-Maidah, Medina 112]

Asad On the Day when God shall assemble all the apostles and shall ask, “What response did you receive?” – they will answer, “We have no knowledge; verily, it is You alone who fully know all the things that are beyond the reach of a created being’s perception.” [note 130]

Yusuf Ali One day will Allah gather the apostles together and ask: "What was the response ye received (from men to your teaching)? They will say: "We have no knowledge: it is thou who know in full all that is hidden.

Pickthall In the day when Allah gather together the messengers, and says: What was your response (from mankind)? they say: We have no knowledge. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Knower of Things Hidden.

Transliteration Yauma yajma'ulla_hur rusula fa yaqu_lu ma_za_ ujibtum, qa_lu_ la_ 'ilma lana_, innaka anta 'alla_mul guyu_b(i).

[[ Asad’s note 130 – Cf. verse 99 above: “No more is the Apostle bound to do than deliver the message” – for, neither can he force people to follow the right path, nor can he know what is in their hearts. (see also 4:41-42)]]

[[ Ali’s note - 814 A scene of the Day of Reckoning is put before us in graphic words, showing the responsibility and the limitations of the Prophets of Allah, sent to preach His Message to men, with special reference to the Message of Jesus. The Messengers are sent to preach the Truth. What fantastic forms the Message takes in men's reactions to it was beyond their knowledge, at the time, and beyond their responsibility. (5.109) ]]