Sura- 6 [Al Anam mecca 55]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَقَالُواْ لَوْلاَ نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ...

6:37. They say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"

...قُلْ إِنَّ اللّهَ قَادِرٌ عَلَى أَن يُنَزِّلٍ آيَةً وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣٧﴾

Say: "Allah hath certainly power to send down a Sign: but most of them understand not."

C858. Signs are all around them, but they do not understand. If they want a particular Sign to suit their gross ignorance, they will not be humored, for they can always pick holes in anything that descends to their level.

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم ...

6:38. There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you.

C859. "Animals living on the earth" include those living in the water-fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, as well as four-footed beasts. Life on the wing is separately mentioned.

"Tair," which is ordinarily translated as "bird," is anything that flies, including mammals like bats.

In our pride we may exclude animals from our purview, but they live a life, social ad individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the Plan and Will of Allah.

In 6:59 we are told that not a leaf falls but by His Will, and things dry and green are recorded in His Book. In other words they all obey His archetypal Plan, the Book which is also mentioned here.

They are all answerable in their several degrees to His Plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). This is not Pantheism: it is ascribing all life, activity, and existence to the Will and Plan of Allah.

...مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ...

Nothing have We omitted from the Book,

... ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٣٨﴾

and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.

Other versions:

6: 37

Asad And they say , “Why has no miraculous sign been bestowed on him form on high by his Sustainer?” Say: “Behold, God has the power to bestow any sign from on high.” Yet most human beings are unaware of this [note 29]-

Yusuf Ali They say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "Allah hath certainly power to send down a Sign: but most of them understand not."

Pickthall They say: Why hath no portent been sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: Lo! Allah is Able to send down a portent. But most of them know not.

Transliteration Wa qa_la_ lau la_ nuzzila'alaihia a_yatum mir rabbih(i), qul innalla_ha qa_dirun 'ala_ ay yunazzilaa_yataw wa la_kinna aksarahum la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

[[Asad’s note 29 – Lit., “most of them do not know”, i.e., that God manifests Himself always – as the next verse points out – through the ever-recurring miracle of His creation.]]

6: 38

Asad although there is no beast that walks on earth and no bird that flies on its two wings which is not [God’s] creature [note 30] like yourselves: no single thing have We neglected n Our decree. And once again [note 31]: Unto their Sustainer shall they [all] be gathered.

Yusuf Ali There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth nor a being that flies on its wings but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.

Pickthall There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.

Transliteration Wa ma_ min da_bbatin fil ardi wa la_ ta_'iriy yatiru bi jana_haihi illa_ umamun amsa_lukum, ma_ farratna_ fil kita_bi min syai'in summa ila_ rabbihim yuhsyaru_n(a).

6: 39

Yusuf Ali Those who reject Our Signs are deaf and dumb in the midst of darkness profound: whom Allah willeth He leaveth to wander whom He willeth He placeth on the way that is straight.

Pickthall Those who deny our revelations are deaf and dumb in darkness. Whom Allah will He sendeth astray, and whom He will He placeth on a straight path.

Transliteration Wallazina kazabu_ bi a_ya_tina_ summuw wa bukmun fiz zuluma_t(i), may yasya'illa_hu yudlilhu wa may yasya' yaj'alhu 'ala_ sira_tim mustaqim(in).

[[Asad’s note 30 – Lit., “but they are [God’s] creatures (unam)” The word ‘ummah’ [of which ‘umam’ is the plural] primarily denotes a group of living beings having certain characteristics of circumstances in common. Thus, it is often synonymous with “community”, “people”, “nation”, “genus”, “generation”, and so forth. [Lisan al-Arab, with particular eference to this very Quran verse; also Lane I, 90].

Thus, the meaning of the above passage is this; Man can detect God’s “signs” or “miracles” in all the life-phenomena that surround him, and should, therefore, try to observe them with a view to better understanding ‘God’s way” [sunnat Allah] – which is the Quranic term for what we call “laws of nature”.]]

[[ Ali’s notes - 858 Sins are all around them, but they do not understand. If they want a particular Sign to suit their gross ignorance, they will not be humoured, for they can always pick holes in anything that descends to their level. (6.37)

859 "Animals living on the earth" include those living in the water, - fishes, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, as well as four-footed beasts. Life on the wing is separately mentioned. "Tair," which is ordinarily translated as "bird," is anything that flies, including mammals like bats. In our pride we may exclude animals from our purview, but they all live a life, social and individual, like ourselves, and all life is subject to the Plan and the Will of God. In vi. 59 we are told that not a leaf falls but by His Will, and things dry and green are recorded in His Book. In other words they all obey His archetypal Plan, the Book which is also mentioned here. They are all answerable in their several degrees to His Plan ("shall be gathered to their Lord in the end"). This is not Pantheism: it is ascribing all life, activity, and existence to the Will and Plan of God. (6.38)

860 The limited free will of man makes a little difference. If he sees the Signs but shuts his ears to the true Message, and refuses (like a dumb thing) to speak out the Message which all Nature proclaims, then according to the Plan ( of his limited free-will) he must suffer and wander, just as, in the opposite case, he will receive grace and salvation.

(6.39) ]]

Sura-10 [ Yunus mecca 51]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَمَا كَانَ النَّاسُ إِلاَّ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُواْ...   

10:19.  Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later).

C1406. Cf. 2:213.

All mankind was created one, and Allah's Message to mankind is in essence one, the Message of Unity and Truth.

But as selfishness and egotism got hold of man, certain differences sprang up between individuals, races, and nations, and in His infinite Mercy He sent them messengers and messages to suit their varying mentality, to test them by His gifts, and stir them up to emulation in virtue and piety (5:48).

...وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿١٩﴾  

Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.

C1407. Cf. 6:115. 9:40, and 4:171.

"Word" is the Decree of Allah, the expression of His Universal Will or Wisdom in a particular case.

When men began to diverge from one another (see last note). Allah made their very differences subserve the higher ends by increasing their emulation in virtue and piety, and thus pointing back to the ultimate Unity and Reality. (R).

وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلاَ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ...   

10:20.  They say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"

...فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا الْغَيْبُ لِلّهِ فَانْتَظِرُواْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ ﴿٢٠﴾  

Say:

"The Unseen is only for Allah (to know). Then wait ye: I too will wait with you."

C1408. Their demand for a Sign is disingenuous. All nature and revelation furnishes them with incontestable Signs. What they want is the Book of the Unseen opened out to them like the physical leaves of a book. But they forget that a physical Book is on a wholly different plane from Allah's Mysteries, and that their physical natures cannot apprehend the mysteries.

They must wait. Truth will also wait. But the waiting in the two cases is in quite different senses. Cf. 6:158 and 9:52.

C.100 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(10:21-40)

The good, the beautiful, and the useful

In man's life are derived from Allah;

Yet man is ungrateful. He runs

After the ephemeral things of this life;

Yet they are no better than the green

Of fields, that lasts for a season

Ere it perish! Allah's call is to an eternal

Home of Peace. Will ye not answer it?

Know ye not that it is He Who sustains

And cherishes? No partner has He.

And He speaks to His creatures and guides them

Through His wonderful Book unmatched.

Section 3

Other versions:

10: 19 [Yunus, Mecca 51]

Yusuf Ali Mankind was but one nation but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord their differences would have been settled between them.

Pickthall Mankind were but one community; then they differed; and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord, it had been judged between them in respect of that wherein they differ.

Transliteration Wa ma_ ka_nan na_su illa_ ummataw wa_hidatan fa-khtalafu_, wa lau la_ kalimatun sabaqat mir rabbika laqudiya bainahum fima_ fihi yakhtalifu_n(a).

10: 20

Yusuf Ali They say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "The Unseen is only for Allah (to know). Then wait ye: I too will wait with you."

Pickthall And they will say: If only a portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Then say (O Muhammad): The Unseen belongeth to Allah. So wait! Lo, I am waiting with you.

Transliteration Wa yaqu_lu_na lau la_ unzila 'alaihi a_yatum mir rabbih(i), faqul innamal gaibu lilla_hi fantaziru_, inni ma'akum minal muntazirin(a).

13: 27 [ar-R’ad, Medina 96]

Yusuf Ali The Unbelievers say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "Truly Allah leaveth to stray whom He will; but He guideth to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence

Pickthall Those who disbelieve say: If only a portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Say: Lo! Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth unto Himself all who turn (unto Him),

Transliteration Wa yaqu_lul lazina kafaru_ lau la_ unzila 'alaihi a_yatum mir rabbih(i), qul innallu_ha yudillu may yasya_'u wa yahdi ilaihi man ana_b(a).

Sura -17 [Al-Israa, Mecca 50]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَقَالُواْ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّى تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ الأَرْضِ يَنبُوعًا ﴿٩٠﴾

17:90.  They say:

"We shall not believe in thee, until thou cause spring to gush forth for us from the earth,

C2292. Cf. 2:60.

أَوْ تَكُونَ لَكَ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَعِنَبٍ فَتُفَجِّرَ الأَنْهَارَ خِلالَهَا تَفْجِيرًا ﴿٩١﴾

17:91.  "Or (until) thou have a garden of date trees and vines, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst, carrying abundant water;

C2293. This ill-assorted and crude jumble of the sort of miracles which the Unbelievers wanted is in very appropriate contrast to the sober and reasoned argument which has begun in the last sentence ofverse 93 and continued in sections 11 and 12, which close this Surah.

It is throughout reminiscent of the materialistic imagination of Jewish skeptics, which was mainly responsible for the fall of the Jewish nation (see verse 104 below). For a thirsty people sojourning in a dry land, the finding of a spring of water as in the story of Moses or of the well of Zamzam is an appropriate miracle. But miracles are not for faithless crowds to gape at.

A beautiful well-watered Garden is a symbol of Felicity: but a skeptic cannot order Allah to produce it for his pleasure. The same may be said about a house adorned with gold, except that its symbolism is even more materialistic.

The fall of the sky or producing Allah face to face or climbing to the skies by a ladder, or bringing down a book of parchment which men could handle, are all irreverent suggestions that make no distinction between spiritual and material things.

Other versions:

17: 90

Yusuf Ali They say: "We shall not believe in thee until thou cause spring to gush forth for us from the earth

Pickthall And they say: We will not put faith in thee till thou cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us;

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ lan nu'mina laka hatta_ tafjura lana_ minal ardi yambu_'a_(n),

17: 91

Yusuf Ali "Or (until) thou have a garden of date trees and vines and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst carrying abundant water;

Pickthall Or thou have a garden of date palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth therein abundantly;

Transliteration Au taku_na laka jannatum min nakhiliw wa 'inabin fa tufajjiral anha_ra khila_laha_ tafjira_(n),

Sura-29 [Al-'Ankabut mecca 85 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ...

29:50 [Ali] . Yet they say: "Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?"

...قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْآيَاتُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿٥٠﴾

Say:

"The Signs are indeed with Allah: and I am indeed a clear Warner [nazirun mubin]."

Asad’s Version:

29:50 [Asad] And yet they say, "Why have no miraculous signs ever been bestowed upon him from on high by his Sustainer?" Say: "Miracles are in the power of God alone; 49 and as for me - 1 am but a plain warner.