Sura 2, al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic text and Ali’s version

2:143. Thus

C142. Thus: By giving you a Qiblah of your own, most ancient in history, and most modern as a symbol of your organisation as a new nation (Ummah).

... جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا ...

have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced,

C143. Justly balanced: The essence of Islam is to avoid all extravagances on either side. It is a sober, practical religion.

But the Arabic word (wasat) also implies a touch of the literal meaning of Intermediacy. Geographically Arabia is in an intermediate position in the Old World, as was proved in history by the rapid expansion of Islam, north, south, west and east.

... لِّتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَاء عَلَى النَّاسِ...

that ye might be witnesses over the nations,

C144. Witnesses: When two persons dispute, they advance extravagant claims. A just witness comes between them, and brings the light of reason to bear on them, pruning all their selfish extravagances. So the mission of Islam is to curb, for instance, the extreme formalism of the Mosaic law and the extreme "other-worldliness" professed by Christianity.

The witness must be unselfish, equipped with first-hand knowledge, and ready to intervene in the cause of justice. Such is the position claimed by Islam among rival systems. Similarly, within Islam itself, the position of witness to whom disputants can appeal is held by Muhammad Al Mustafa.

... وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا...

and the Messenger a witness over yourselves;

2: 143

Asad And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way [note 118], so that you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you.

Pickthall Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you.

Transliteration Wa kaza_lika ja'alna_kum ummataw wasatal litaku_nu_ syuhada_'a 'alan na_si wa yaku_nar rasu_lu 'alaikum syahida_(n), wa ma_ ja'alnal qiblatal lati kunta 'alaiha_ illa_ lina'lama may yattabi'ur rasu_la mimmay yanqalibu 'ala_ 'aqibaih(i), wa in ka_nat lakabiratan illa_ 'alal lazina hadalla_h(u), wa ma_ ka_nalla_hu liyudi'a ima_nakum, innalla_ha bin na_si la ra'u_fur rahim(un).

[ Asad’s note 118: Lit., “middlemost community” – i.e., a community that keeps an equitable balance between extremes and is realistic in its appreciation of man’s nature and possibilities,