Qur'aanic Studies - Volume IX
by
Mohammad Shafi
PREFACE
Below the Arabic text of every verse of the Qur'aan, is its transliteration, followed by translation and Chapter Notes, if any, essentially based on the Qur'aan itself. Please remember that the Arabic text is divine and, therefore, sacrosanct, but the transliteration, translation and the Notes are human and, therefore, subject to correction. Please also remember that the human-made Notes cannot, and do not, explain the divine verses. They seek to explain the human translation only and/or to relate the verse to present circumstances or to divine explanations given in other verses of the Qur'aan.
I have adopted the transliteration method employed by the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) of the University of Southern California. And, in this regard, I may usefully quote from their site:
"MSA-USC would like to thank muslimnet.net for making their transliteration of the Qur'an publicly available.
'We would like to emphasize that this [transliteration] text is not a substitute for the original Arabic Qur'an. It is only an attempt to help those who are trying to learn to read the Arabic text, since it is as close to the written text as possible.
It is important to practice pronouncing the letters as directed in the transliteration table, especially the underlined letters, before starting to read. It will be helpful if an Arabic speaker can help you.
This work is free for use to everyone as long as no changes that might distort it are done to it. We request from those who benefit from it to pray for us. We pray to Almighty Allah to help you learn to read the Holy Qur'an, and to do every good thing.'"
I present this humble work in the earnest hope that it will prompt my Readers to try and understand the divine Message in its original Arabic text. They should remember that no translation however meticulously done can ever equal the original Arabic text in its divine grandeur and pristine clarity.
One may wonder why this yet another addition to the existing plethora of Translations and Commentaries! The answer to this question lies in the beauty of the fact that the divine Message of the Qur'aan remains valid for all times and ages since its revelation until the Last Day. The Message therefore needs to be studied from time to time in the changing perspectives of the changing times. It would be absolutely wrong to confine this universal Message for mankind to the circumstances and situations of a particular period in the past. Unfortunately, however, most of the commentators so far have based their understanding of the Qur'aan in the strict perspective of the circumstances and situations prevailing at the time of its revelation way back in 7th century A.D. The Muslim mindset generally has thus got stagnated and therefore unable to cope with the changing situations of the changing times. This humble attempt of mine is to help Muslims generally to come out, Allah willing, of that crippling stagnation.
This Volume of my Qur'aanic Studies is on An-Nisa Verses 24 to 86.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
6th August, 2007
سورة النساء
(An-Nisa)
Chapter 4: The Women
| 24 |
۞ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۖ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَأُحِلَّ لَكُم مَّا وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَن تَبْتَغُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُم مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ ۚ فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِ مِنْهُنَّ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَاضَيْتُم بِهِ مِن بَعْدِ الْفَرِيضَةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا |
24. Waalmuhsanatu mina alnnisa-i illa ma malakat aymanukum kitaba Allahi AAalaykum waohilla lakum ma waraa thalikum an tabtaghoo bi-amwalikum muhsineena ghayra musafiheena fama istamtaAAtum bihi minhunna faatoohunna ojoorahunna fareedatan wala junaha AAalaykum feema taradaytum bihi min baAAdi alfareedati inna Allaha kana AAaleeman hakeeman
24. 18And the married among the women other than those whom your right hands possess19. This is Allah's ordinance for you! And permitted for you are women other than those, provided that you seek marriage, and not extramarital sex, with them with your own means.20 Then, on consummation of the marriages, give them their obligatory wedding gifts. And no blame on you in what you mutually agree upon, after fulfilling the obligation.21 Indeed, Allah is Knowing, Wise.
18. This is a continuation, from the Verse immediately preceding, of the list of women, that a man is forbidden to marry. By this Verse, women already married to other men, are added to that list.
19. Please refer footnotes 4.4 and 4.5 of these Studies for the Qur'aanic meaning of the term, ma malakat aymanukum (whom your right hands possess). The slave-girls are made exceptions here to the general divine command against marrying already-married women, who were not divorced and whose husbands were not dead. This exception was made because the slave-girls were generally those who were captured in a battle from the enemy. And before their capture, they could have been married to men still living in the enemy camp. It should be well remembered in this context that slavery is now defunct, and this Islamic sanction of sexual relationship with slave-girls should not be confused with the present-day practice of the invading forces committing rapes on women in enemy territory. During the times of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Islamic forces did not commit such rapes. But if there were women among the war prisoners taken at the scene of the battle, the women were distributed among the men in the Muslim force to serve as their slave-girls. It was a nascent Islamic State then, which lacked the wherewithal of a modern-day State. Even the expenses incurred in a war were personally borne by the participating believers.
20. The restrictions/conditions mentioned in Verse 4.3 should also be borne in mind while contracting marriages with the eligible women.
21. From this part of the Verse, it is clear that the mehr fixed has to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride immediately after the marriage is consummated. Thereafter, it is the general responsibility of the husband to bear all the family expenses. But if the bride is financially rich because of her personal inheritance or other lawful means/resource, there is no blame on the husband if the wife agrees, of her own free will, to bear a part of or the entire expense.
| 25 |
وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنكُمْ طَوْلًا أَن يَنكِحَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ فَمِن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُم مِّن فَتَيَاتِكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِكُم ۚ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ ۚ فَانكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ وَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مُحْصَنَاتٍ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحَاتٍ وَلَا مُتَّخِذَاتِ أَخْدَانٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أُحْصِنَّ فَإِنْ أَتَيْنَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَى الْمُحْصَنَاتِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ الْعَنَتَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأَن تَصْبِرُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ |
25. Waman lam yastatiAA minkum tawlan an yankiha almuhsanati almu/minati famin ma malakat aymanukum min fatayatikumu almu/minati waAllahu aAAlamu bi-eemanikum baAAdukum min baAAdin fainkihoohunna bi-ithni ahlihinna waatoohunna ojoorahunna bialmaAAroofi muhsanatin ghayra masafihatin wala muttakhithati akhdanin fa-itha ohsinna fa-in atayna bifahishatin faAAalayhinna nisfu ma AAala almuhsanati mina alAAathabi thalika liman khashiya alAAanata minkum waan tasbiroo khayrun lakum waAllahu ghafoorun raheemun
25. And whoever amongst you has not been in a position to marry free believing women, then let him marry those from among slave-girls who have become believers. And Allah does know your faith. You are of one another. Marry those of them then - with the permission of their masters, and giving them their wedding gifts properly - who are chaste and do not seek extramarital sex taking you as just boyfriends for the purpose. And if, after marriage, they commit fornication, their punishment is half that for free women. This is for the one amongst you who fears falling into sin otherwise. And it is better for you to be patient. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
| 26 |
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ سُنَنَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ |
26. Yureedu Allahu liyubayyina lakum wayahdiyakum sunana allatheena min qablikum wayatooba AAalaykum waAllahu AAaleemun hakeemun
26. Allah wishes to recount to you the customs of people who lived before you, and to guide you and forgive those of you who repent their transgressions. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.
| 27 |
وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الشَّهَوَاتِ أَن تَمِيلُوا مَيْلًا عَظِيمًا |
27. WaAllahu yureedu an yatooba AAalaykum wayureedu allatheena yattabiAAoona alshshahawati an tameeloo maylan AAatheeman
27. And Allah wishes that He forgives those of you who repent their transgressions, while those who follow sensual desires wish that you go far astray.
| 28 |
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنكُمْ ۚ وَخُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ ضَعِيفًا |
28. Yureedu Allahu an yukhaffifa AAankum wakhuliqa al-insanu daAAeefan
28. Allah wishes that He lightens your burdens, and man is created weak.
| 29 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا |
29. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la ta/kuloo amwalakum baynakum bialbatili illa an takoona tijaratan AAan taradin minkum wala taqtuloo anfusakum inna Allaha kana bikum raheeman
29. O you who believe! Do not consume your property among yourselves wrongfully; except that you do it by way of trading with mutual consent. And commit no suicides, nor kill one another amongst you! Indeed, Allah is Merciful to you.
| 30 |
وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ عُدْوَانًا وَظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِ نَارًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا |
30. Waman yafAAal thalika AAudwanan wathulman fasawfa nusleehi naran wakana thalika AAala Allahi yaseeran
30. And whoever does this22 through animosity and injustice, We will soon cast him into Fire! And that is easy for Allah.
22. Refer preceding Verse.
| 31 |
إِن تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَنُدْخِلْكُم مُّدْخَلًا كَرِيمًا |
31. In tajtaniboo kaba-ira ma tunhawna AAanhu nukaffir AAankum sayyi-atikum wanudkhilkum mudkhalan kareeman
31. If you shun the greater of the evil things you are forbidden, We shall clear you of your evil tendencies and cause you to enter a noble entrance23.
23. Obviously, of Paradise.
| 32 |
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا |
32. Wala tatamannaw ma faddala Allahu bihi baAAdakum AAala baAAdin lilrrijali naseebun mimma iktasaboo walilnnisa-i naseebun mimma iktasabna wais-aloo Allaha min fadlihi inna Allaha kana bikulli shay-in AAaleeman
32. And covet not the things which Allah has favoured some of you with, over others. For men, the lot they earn; and for women, the lot they earn. And do ask Allah for some Favour from Him. Indeed, Allah is conversant with everything.
|
33 |
وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مَوَالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ فَآتُوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدًا |
33. Walikullin jaAAalna mawaliya mimma taraka alwalidani waal-aqraboona waallatheena AAaqadat aymanukum faatoohum naseebahum inna Allaha kana AAala kulli shay-in shaheedan
33. And in all cases, We have appointed heirs to what parents and near relatives leave behind. And give to those to whom you have made a pledge, their portion. Indeed, Allah is witness to all things.
| 34 |
الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ ۚ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا |
34. Alrrijalu qawwamoona AAala alnnisa-i bima faddala Allahu baAAdahum AAala baAAdin wabima anfaqoo min amwalihim faalssalihatu qanitatun hafithatun lilghaybi bima hafitha Allahu waallatee takhafoona nushoozahunna faAAithoohunna waohjuroohunna fee almadajiAAi waidriboohunna fa-in ataAAnakum fala tabghoo AAalayhinna sabeelan inna Allaha kana AAaliyyan kabeeran
34. Men are the supports of women, since Allah has favoured some over others in certain respects, and since men are required to bear all family expenses from their (men's) property. The righteous women then are obedient guardians of privacy24 as Allah has guarded it. And as for those women on whose part you fear refractoriness25, admonish them, leave them alone in beds and turn away from them. Then if they obey you, do not resort to any punitive measure against them. Indeed, Allah is High, Great.
24. The privacy of the intimate relations between a husband and his wife. Allah does not want these relations to be exhibited in public.
25. A family, consisting of the husband, wife and their children, is the basic social, cultural and economic unit of a human society. The prosperity and well-being of the entire society depends, to a large extent, on the prosperity and well-being of the majority of these basic units. Mal-administration of most of these units is bound to affect the administration of the entire society. For the good administration of the unit, it should have an administrative head. And, in Islam, the husband is the divinely appointed head of this basic unit. The family is expected to be run on the basis of mutual consultations, and the husband has to give due regard to his wife's views on any matter. But, it is the husband, as head of the family, who shall have the final say in that matter. Now if the wife refuses to obey her husband, the administration of the unit is bound to fall apart.
|
35 |
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ شِقَاقَ بَيْنِهِمَا فَابْعَثُوا حَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهِ وَحَكَمًا مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا إِن يُرِيدَا إِصْلَاحًا يُوَفِّقِ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرًا |
35. Wa-in khiftum shiqaqa baynihima faibAAathoo hakaman min ahlihi wahakaman min ahliha in yureeda islahan yuwaffiqi Allahu baynahuma inna Allaha kana AAaleeman khabeeran
35. And if you fear a breach between the two, then appoint an arbiter from his people and an arbiter from hers. If they both desire continuation of and improvement in the relationship, Allah will bring about reconciliation between the two. Indeed, Allah is Knowing, Aware.
| 36 |
۞ وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا |
36. WaoAAbudoo Allaha wala tushrikoo bihi shay-an wabialwalidayni ihsanan wabithee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waaljari thee alqurba waaljari aljunubi waalssahibi bialjanbi waibni alssabeeli wama malakat aymanukum inna Allaha la yuhibbu man kana mukhtalan fakhooran
36. And worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. And be good to parents, near of kin, orphans, the needy, the neighbour near of kin, the neighbour not of kin, the companion/colleague, the wayfarer and your slaves/servants. Indeed, Allah loves not him/her who is boastful, proud.
|
37 |
الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبُخْلِ وَيَكْتُمُونَ مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا |
37. Allatheena yabkhaloona waya/muroona alnnasa bialbukhli wayaktumoona ma atahumu Allahu min fadlihi waaAAtadna lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
37. 26Those who are miserly and bid people to be miserly and hide what Allah has favoured them with. And We have prepared, for the suppressers of Truth, a disgraceful punishment.
26. This sentence is in continuation of the last sentence in the preceding Verse. Along with those who are boastful and proud, Allah loves not those who are miserly and exhort people to be miserly and hide their wealth.
| 38 |
وَالَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۗ وَمَن يَكُنِ الشَّيْطَانُ لَهُ قَرِينًا فَسَاءَ قَرِينًا |
38. Waallatheena yunfiqoona amwalahum ri-aa alnnasi wala yu/minoona biAllahi wala bialyawmi al-akhiri waman yakuni alshshaytanu lahu qareenan fasaa qareenan
38. And those who spend their wealth in order to show off, and believe not in Allah nor in the Hereafter.27 And as for him, the Satan is an ally of whom, then he has an evil ally!
27. And Allah loves not such people too.
| 39 |
وَمَاذَا عَلَيْهِمْ لَوْ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَنفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِهِمْ عَلِيمًا |
39. Wamatha AAalayhim law amanoo biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri waanfaqoo mimma razaqahumu Allahu wakana Allahu bihim AAaleeman
39. And what calamity would befall them, had they believed in Allah and the Hereafter and spent out of what Allah had given them!? And Allah does know them very well.
| 40 |
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ۖ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا |
40. Inna Allaha la yathlimu mithqala tharratin wa-in taku hasanatan yudaAAifha wayu/ti min ladunhu ajran AAatheeman
40. Indeed, Allah wrongs not even to the infinitesimal extent of the weight of an atom. And if there is a good deed, He doubles it and bestows, from Him, a great reward.
| 41 |
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا |
41. Fakayfa itha ji/na min kulli ommatin bishaheedin waji/na bika AAala haola-i shaheedan
41. How about then, when We bring, from every people, a witness, and bring you28 as a witness against these?
28. The addressee here is Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
| 42 |
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَعَصَوُا الرَّسُولَ لَوْ تُسَوَّىٰ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضُ وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ اللَّهَ حَدِيثًا |
42. Yawma-ithin yawaddu allatheena kafaroo waAAasawoo alrrasoola law tusawwa bihimu al-ardu wala yaktumoona Allaha hadeethan
42. That Day29, those, who suppress the Truth and disobey the Messenger, would wish that the earth were levelled with them. And they shall not hide any event from Allah.
29. The Day of Judgement, in the Hereafter.
| 43 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا |
43. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqraboo alssalata waantum sukara hatta taAAlamoo ma taqooloona wala junuban illa AAabiree sabeelin hatta taghtasiloo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum inna Allaha kana AAafuwwan ghafooran
43. O you who believe! Go not to prayer while you are under the influence of intoxication30,31, until you know what you say, nor while you are in an unclean state - unless on the move from one place to another - until you take a bath. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or any of you has come from the toilet or you have been in sexual contact with the women, and you cannot get water, then simulate the cleaning act with pure earth, wiping your faces and your hands therewith. Indeed, Allah is Lenient, Forgiving.
30. The human mind can be intoxicated in a number of ways. And the very next phrase in this Verse viz., 'until you know what you say', makes the divine meaning of the Arabic term sukara, used here, clear. The Arabic term obviously therefore means a state of the mind in which the person concerned does not fully understand the implications of what his/her mouth utters. Such a state of mind could be brought about by all sorts of intoxicants, or even by drowsiness. And any person could also be in such a state when his/her mind wavers to thoughts other than that of Allah. And the person's thoughts are bound to waver particularly when he/she does not understand the meaning of the Arabic words uttered in prayers. Understanding the meanings of what we say is therefore an absolute must for our prayers to be heard, accepted and answered.
31. Total abstinence from intoxicants was ordained under Verse 5.90. Obviously, this Verse, 4.43, was revealed before 5.90. This is in keeping with divine plan of eradicatng a deep-rooted evil habit in stages, and not abruptly. As a first step towards ordering total abstinence, the believers were asked not to come for prayers in an intoxicated state of mind. But, on that account, it would be wrong to say that Verse 4.43 stands abrogated by Verse 5.90. In fact, it would be wrong to say that any of the existing Verses in the Qur'aan are abrogated. Please see Verse 2.106 and footnotes 150 to 154 thereunder and Verse 2.109 and footnotes 161 and 162 thereunder in this context. Verse 4.43 is so construed by the All-knowing and Wise Author of the Qur'aan that its application in this regard is not negated even after the revelation of Verse 5.90. Moreover, as we have seen in the preceding note, the Arabic term sukara, used in Verse 4.43, implies a wider meaning than just being under the influence of drugs and alcoholic drinks.
| 44 |
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يَشْتَرُونَ الضَّلَالَةَ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا السَّبِيلَ |
44. Alam tara ila allatheena ootoo naseeban mina alkitabi yashtaroona alddalalata wayureedoona an tadilloo alssabeela
44. Have you not seen those who were given an Edition of the Book32, trading perversity and wishing that you should go off the Path?
32. The Torah and the Gospel (Injeel) were two of the earlier Editions of the Divine Book.
| 45 |
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ نَصِيرًا |
45. WaAllahu aAAlamu bi-aAAda-ikum wakafa biAllahi waliyyan wakafa biAllahi naseeran
45. And Allah knows your enemies. And Allah suffices as Supporter, and Allah's Help suffices.
| 46 |
مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَيًّا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْنًا فِي الدِّينِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا |
46. Mina allatheena hadoo yuharrifoona alkalima AAan mawadiAAihi wayaqooloona samiAAna waAAasayna waismaAA ghayra musmaAAin waraAAina layyan bi-alsinatihim wataAAnan fee alddeeni walaw annahum qaloo samiAAna waataAAna waismaAA waonthurna lakana khayran lahum waaqwama walakin laAAanahumu Allahu bikufrihim fala yu/minoona illa qaleelan
46. Among the Jewish people are those who distort the word from its context and say, "We have heard and we disobey." and, "Hear, and don't make us hear! And listen to us!" twisting words with their tongues and taunting the Religion. And had they just said, "We have heard and we obey." and "Hear, and look at us!" it would have been better and more upright for them.33 But Allah has cursed them on account of their suppression of the Truth. So they believe not, except for a few.
33. The Jews in the audiences addressed by the Prophet (peace be upon him)used to play mischief as little children do. Apparently making a show of positively responding to the addresses, they used to twist words like waataAAna (and we obey) to similar sounding words like waAAasayna (and we disobey).
| 47 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ آمِنُوا بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهَا أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّا أَصْحَابَ السَّبْتِ ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا |
47. Ya ayyuha allatheena ootoo alkitaba aminoo bima nazzalna musaddiqan lima maAAakum min qabli an natmisa wujoohan fanaruddaha AAala adbariha aw nalAAanahum kama laAAanna as-haba alssabti wakana amru Allahi mafAAoolan
47. O you who have been given the Book! Believe in what We have sent down, confirming that which is with you, before We efface faces and then turn them on their backs, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath companions.34 And Allah's command does get executed!
34. Refer Verse 2.65 and footnote 73 thereunder, of these Studies, in this context. As regards effacing of faces, it may be noted that the human face is like the identity card of a person. Any human being is recognised by his/her face. If the facial features are obliterated, he/she cannot normally be recognised, with a certainty. That being the case, the reference here to effacing the faces may very well mean that the people referred to may not be recognised and treated as fellow human beings by other human beings. They may be despised as just other animals - or like the apes, as the Jewish people who transgressed the Sabbath restrictions were. The Muslims should not think this Verse applies only to the Jews and the Christians. Like those two communities, the Muslims too are those who have been given the divine Book. In fact, it is the Muslim community which is despised now. That is obviously because most of the Muslims now have ceased believing in and acting upon what is revealed to them in the Qur'aan.
| 48 |
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَىٰ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا |
48. Inna Allaha la yaghfiru an yushraka bihi wayaghfiru ma doona thalika liman yashao waman yushrik biAllahi faqadi iftara ithman AAatheeman
48. Indeed, Allah forgives not that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives whomsoever, He pleases, committing any sin other than that. And whoever associates anything with Allah, he/she is certainly guilty of concocting and committing a grave sin.
| 49 |
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُزَكُّونَ أَنفُسَهُم ۚ بَلِ اللَّهُ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاءُ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا |
49. Alam tara ila allatheena yuzakkoona anfusahum bali Allahu yuzakkee man yashao wala yuthlamoona fateelan
49. Have you not seen those who consider themselves as pure? But Allah it is Who purifies whom He pleases. And they shall not be wronged even a bit.
| 50 |
انظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۖ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا |
50. Onthur kayfa yaftaroona AAala Allahi alkathiba wakafa bihi ithman mubeenan
50. Look, how they forge the lie upon Allah!35 And this by itself is a sin, manifest.
35. The reference here is to those, mentioned in the preceding Verse, considering themselves as pure. The Jews think that they are the only chosen people of God. The others (gentiles) are not as purified and deserving God's favours as they themselves are. This was the reason why they could not accept Muhammad (peace be upon him) as God's Messenger. He was of the gentiles - not of them! And the Christians think that only those who believe in Jesus being the son of God, shall have a guaranteed entry into Paradise! And the Muslims are not far behind, in this game of one-upmanship. Most of them too are sure that their Prophet's intercession will take them to Jannah, their sins in this life notwithstanding! All these claims of the different communities are lies forged upon Allah.
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51 |
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هَـٰؤُلَاءِ أَهْدَىٰ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا |
51. Alam tara ila allatheena ootoo naseeban mina alkitabi yu/minoona bialjibti waalttaghooti wayaqooloona lillatheena kafaroo haola-i ahda mina allatheena amanoo sabeelan
51. Have you not seen how those to whom has been given an Edition of the Book, believe in idols and false deities36, and say of those who suppress the Truth that the latter are better guided in the path than those who believe?
36. The Christians worship idols of Jesus and his mother Mary. And the Muslims worship at the graves of saints. And they condemn those who try to follow the Qur'aanic teachings as fundamentalists and Wahhabees and consider them worse than non-believers.
| 52 |
أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَمَن يَلْعَنِ اللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا |
52. Ola-ika allatheena laAAanahumu Allahu waman yalAAani Allahu falan tajida lahu naseeran
52. Those are the people whom Allah has cursed. And you shall find none to help whomsoever Allah curses.
| 53 |
أَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُلْكِ فَإِذًا لَّا يُؤْتُونَ النَّاسَ نَقِيرًا |
53. Am lahum naseebun mina almulki fa-ithan la yu/toona alnnasa naqeeran
53. Or, do they have a share in the governance?37 Then, in that case, they would give to others, not even a little bit.
37. This is a reference to the Jews. Until recently they had no territory to govern. And now when they do have some territory by themselves to govern, their continual efforts at deprivation of the Arabs within and around that territory, in an on-going conflict, is a vindication of the divine statement that follows in this Verse.
| 54 |
أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَىٰ مَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۖ فَقَدْ آتَيْنَا آلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَآتَيْنَاهُم مُّلْكًا عَظِيمًا |
54. Am yahsudoona alnnasa AAala ma atahumu Allahu min fadlihi faqad atayna ala ibraheema alkitaba waalhikmata waataynahum mulkan AAatheeman
54. Or do they envy the others for what Allah has given them of His Favour?38 And, surely, We had given to children of Abraham the Book and the Wisdom, and We had given them a great territory to govern!
38. A reference to the Jews again. They resented the bestowal of Prophethood on Muhammad (peace be upon him), someone not of them.
| 55 |
فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن صَدَّ عَنْهُ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِجَهَنَّمَ سَعِيرًا |
55. Faminhum man amana bihi waminhum man sadda AAanhu wakafa bijahannama saAAeeran
55. Then there were those among them who believed in him39, and those among them who turned away from him. And Hell is sufficient Inferno40.
39. Muhammad (peace be on him)
40. To punish all the suppressors of Truth with, without making them die therein (please see the next Verse below).
| 56 |
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا |
56. Inna allatheena kafaroo bi-ayatina sawfa nusleehim naran kullama nadijat julooduhum baddalnahum juloodan ghayraha liyathooqoo alAAathaba inna Allaha kana AAazeezan hakeeman
56. Indeed, We shall burn those who suppress the Truth in regard to Our Verses/Signs, in fire. Whenever their skins get fully burnt, We shall replace them with other skins, that they may go on tasting the punishment. Allah indeed is Mighty, Wise!
| 57 |
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۖ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ ۖ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِلًّا ظَلِيلًا |
57. Waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati sanudkhiluhum jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha abadan lahum feeha azwajun mutahharatun wanudkhiluhum thillan thaleelan
57. And those who believe and do good deeds, We shall make them enter gardens with rivers flowing underneath, to abide therein for ever. For them shall there be mates pure, and We shall admit them into cool everlasting shade.
| 58 |
۞ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا |
58. Inna Allaha ya/murukum an tu-addoo al-amanati ila ahliha wa-itha hakamtum bayna alnnasi an tahkumoo bialAAadli inna Allaha niAAimma yaAAithukum bihi inna Allaha kana sameeAAan baseeran
58. Allah does indeed command you to hand over the trusts to those to whom they are due, and that when you judge between people, you judge with justice. Allah does indeed give you the best of admonition. Allah does indeed hear all, see all!
| 59 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا |
59. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ateeAAoo Allaha waateeAAoo alrrasoola waolee al-amri minkum fa-in tanazaAAtum fee shay-in faruddoohu ila Allahi waalrrasooli in kuntum tu/minoona biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri thalika khayrun waahsanu ta/weelan
59. O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those in authority from amongst you. Then if you believe in Allah and the Hereafter and quarrel on anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger. That is better, and it is the best solution.41
41. This Verse gives the basic principle of jurisprudence in Islam. Since the Messenger is no longer living amidst mankind now, the only source for reference is Allah Himself. And the Qur'aan is His Book of Guidance especially given to mankind for the purpose. The Qur'aan therefore ought to be the final reference on any dispute. Allah assures us here that this final source for reference would provide the best solution. We have but to trust Him. As regards the directive to obey the Messenger, please see footnotes 3.144 to 3.146 on Verse 3.132, of these Studies, for further information.
| 60 |
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا |
60. Alam tara ila allatheena yazAAumoona annahum amanoo bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika yureedoona an yatahakamoo ila alttaghooti waqad omiroo an yakfuroo bihi wayureedu alshshaytanu an yudillahum dalalan baAAeedan
60. Have you not seen those who assert that they believe in what has been revealed to you and in what was revealed before you? They would like to go to someone who has rebelled against Allah, for judgement, although they were commanded to deny him. And the Satan desires to lead them far astray.42
42. This Verse indicates that in an Islamic State, court judges have necessarily to be those who do believe in all that the Qur'aan states. The candidates have to be thoroughly grilled about their beliefs before they are appointed as judges. This requirement cannot, of course, be practically implemented in a non-Islamic State, where the Muslim minority may try to get their internal disputes settled, on Qur'aanic basis, among themselves, without resorting to the penal provisions. The Qur'aanic penal provisions are to be implemented only in an Islamic State.
| 61 |
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا |
61. Wa-itha qeela lahum taAAalaw ila ma anzala Allahu wa-ila alrrasooli raayta almunafiqeena yasuddoona AAanka sudoodan
61. And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger", you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.
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62 |
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ جَاءُوكَ يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا إِحْسَانًا وَتَوْفِيقًا |
62. Fakayfa itha asabat-hum museebatun bima qaddamat aydeehim thumma jaooka yahlifoona biAllahi in aradna illa ihsanan watawfeeqan
62. Then, how about it, when a calamity befalls them on account of what they did before, and they come to you swearing by Allah, "We did not desire anything but the good, and divine guidance"?
| 63 |
أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًا بَلِيغًا |
63. Ola-ika allatheena yaAAlamu Allahu ma fee quloobihim faaAArid AAanhum waAAithhum waqul lahum fee anfusihim qawlan baleeghan
63. Allah knows what is there in their inner minds. So leave them alone, admonish them, and speak to them words that would touch their inner souls.
| 64 |
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا |
64. Wama arsalna min rasoolin illa liyutaAAa bi-ithni Allahi walaw annahum ith thalamoo anfusahum jaooka faistaghfaroo Allaha waistaghfara lahumu alrrasoolu lawajadoo Allaha tawwaban raheeman
64. And We did not send any Messenger but to be obeyed by Allah's command. And if only they had - when they were unjust to themselves - come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting repentance, Merciful.43
43. The people who were unjust to themselves were told here to come to the Prophet (peace be upon him), obviously, when he was living in this world. It is unfortunate that some people take this Verse as their licence to visit the Prophet's grave now, for the same purpose. These people assume that the Prophet, in his grave, can hear them. But they thereby deny the Truth of the Verse 35.22 declaring unequivocally, "And you are in no position to make those to hear who are in the graves."
| 65 |
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا |
65. Fala warabbika la yu/minoona hatta yuhakkimooka feema shajara baynahum thumma la yajidoo fee anfusihim harajan mimma qadayta wayusallimoo tasleeman
65. No! By your Lord, no! They believe not, until they make you the arbiter in disputes among them, and then find no reservations in their minds on your decisions and submit to them entirely.
| 66 |
وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ أَوِ اخْرُجُوا مِن دِيَارِكُم مَّا فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا |
66. Walaw anna katabna AAalayhim ani oqtuloo anfusakum awi okhrujoo min diyarikum ma faAAaloohu illa qaleelun minhum walaw annahum faAAaloo ma yooAAathoona bihi lakana khayran lahum waashadda tathbeetan
66. And if We had passed an order for them to lay down their lives or to leave their homes, they would not have done it, except for a few of them. And had they done what they were advised to, it would have certainly been better for them and it would have very much strengthened their position.
| 67 |
وَإِذًا لَّآتَيْنَاهُم مِّن لَّدُنَّا أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا |
67. Wa-ithan laataynahum min ladunna ajran AAatheeman
67. And in that case, We would certainly have given them from Ourselves a great reward.
| 68 |
وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا |
68. Walahadaynahum siratan mustaqeeman
68. And We would certainly have guided them to the Straight Path.
| 69 |
وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَـٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا |
69. Waman yutiAAi Allaha waalrrasoola faola-ika maAAa allatheena anAAama Allahu AAalayhim mina alnnabiyyeena waalssiddeeqeena waalshshuhada-i waalssaliheena wahasuna ola-ika rafeeqan
69. And persons like the one who obeys Allah and the Messenger, are in the company of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous, upon whom Allah has bestowed rewards. And how excellent are these companions!
| 70 |
ذَٰلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ عَلِيمًا |
70. Thalika alfadlu mina Allahi wakafa biAllahi AAaleeman
70. This is the favour from Allah, and sufficient is Allah, the Embodiment of all knowledge!
| 71 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا خُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ فَانفِرُوا ثُبَاتٍ أَوِ انفِرُوا جَمِيعًا |
71. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo khuthoo hithrakum fainfiroo thubatin awi infiroo jameeAAan
71. O you who believe! Be on your guard, and then go out in strength or all together.
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72 |
وَإِنَّ مِنكُمْ لَمَن لَّيُبَطِّئَنَّ فَإِنْ أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالَ قَدْ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ إِذْ لَمْ أَكُن مَّعَهُمْ شَهِيدًا |
72. Wa-inna minkum laman layubatti-anna fa-in asabatkum museebatun qala qad anAAama Allahu AAalayya ith lam akun maAAahum shaheedan
72. And, indeed, among you certainly is he who would drop behind! If then a calamity befalls you, he says, "Surely Allah conferred a benefit on me that I was not present with them."
| 73 |
وَلَئِنْ أَصَابَكُمْ فَضْلٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لَيَقُولَنَّ كَأَن لَّمْ تَكُن بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُ مَوَدَّةٌ يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنتُ مَعَهُمْ فَأَفُوزَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا |
73. Wala-in asabakum fadlun mina Allahi layaqoolanna kaan lam takun baynakum wabaynahu mawaddatun ya laytanee kuntu maAAahum faafooza fawzan AAatheeman
73. And if you do get a favour from Allah, he would certainly say, - as if you were not on friendly terms with him44 -"Oh! I wish I had been with them. I would then achieve a great success."
44. And that was the reason why he lagged behind while the believers had proceeded for the expedition. The hypocrite thus put the blame for his failure to join the expedition - and thus to get a share in the believers' success - on the lack of affection between him and the believers!
| 74 |
۞ فَلْيُقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا بِالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا |
74. Falyuqatil fee sabeeli Allahi allatheena yashroona alhayata alddunya bial-akhirati waman yuqatil fee sabeeli Allahi fayuqtal aw yaghlib fasawfa nu/teehi ajran AAatheeman
74. Those fight in Allah's Path, then, who are ready to exchange this life for the other! And whoever fights in Allah's Path, and then whether he is killed or he gets victory, We shall grant him a great reward.
| 75 |
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا |
75. Wama lakum la tuqatiloona fee sabeeli Allahi waalmustadAAafeena mina alrrijali waalnnisa-i waalwildani allatheena yaqooloona rabbana akhrijna min hathihi alqaryati alththalimi ahluha waijAAal lana min ladunka waliyyan waijAAal lana min ladunka naseeran
75. And what's the matter with you that you fight not, in Allah's Path, for the weak among the men, for the women and for the children, who say, "Our Lord! Take us out of this town, whose people are oppressors, and raise for us from You a guardian and raise for us from You a helper."45
45. This Verse was revealed in the background of the believers who could not leave Makkah and were persecuted by the non-believers there. The other believers, who had established a nascent State at Medina, were thus exhorted to fight in Allah's Path for their brethren suffering at Makkah. In this present age too, the Muslims are suffering in various parts of the world. Perhaps, some Muslims now misinterpret Verses, like this one, in the Qur'aan, as inspiring them to resort to suicide attacks on soft targets around the world. They choose soft targets as they don't have the means to make a direct attack on the forces that inflict the suffering on the Muslims. In such suicide attacks, it is the innocents, mostly, that sustain losses of life and property. The attacks therefore prove to be counter-productive and fail to achieve the intended objective. These cannot at all be termed as fighting in Allah's Path. The Muslims should remember that the Prophet (peace be upon him) suffered immensely at the hands of the Makkans, for thirteen long years. He did not attempt any suicide attacks on soft targets, because he did not have enough strength then to attack the mighty opposition. He bided his time, and attacked the evil forces only when he had the strength to do so. Muslims of today should take a lesson from his example. The Qur'aan exhorts the believers, in Verse 2.153, to seek Allah's help with patience and prayer. Allah is certainly with those that are patient. Let the Muslims have absolute trust in Allah, and refrain from indulging in the fruitless deeds which only boomerang on them themselves. Deeds like the suicide attacks, are, moreover, exhibitions of lack of faith in Allah's promise of ultimate success. How then would Allah give them that success? |
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| 76 |
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا |
76. Allatheena amanoo yuqatiloona fee sabeeli Allahi waallatheena kafaroo yuqatiloona fee sabeeli alttaghooti faqatiloo awliyaa alshshaytani inna kayda alshshaytani kana daAAeefan
76. Those who believe, fight in Allah’s Path; and those who suppress the Truth, fight in the path of the false god. Fight then against those who are friends of the Satan46. The Satanic strategy is indeed weak.
46. The Satan has vowed to harm the believers and their interests. Hence, friends of the Satan are those who work to harm the believers and their interests.
| 77 |
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوا أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً ۚ وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ ۗ قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا |
77. Alam tara ila allatheena qeela lahum kuffoo aydiyakum waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata falamma kutiba AAalayhimu alqitalu itha fareequn minhum yakhshawna alnnasa kakhashyati Allahi aw ashadda khashyatan waqaloo rabbana lima katabta AAalayna alqitala lawla akhkhartana ila ajalin qareebin qul mataAAu alddunya qaleelun waal-akhiratu khayrun limani ittaqa wala tuthlamoona fateelan
77. Do you see these people who were asked to withhold their hands and to establish the prayer and pay the poor due?47 Then, when fighting was ordained for them, a section of these very people started fearing men, as they should fear Allah, or even more! And they said, “O Lord! Why have you ordained fighting for us? Had you but given us a little more time!” Say, “Short is the enjoyment of this world. And the other world is better for him who fears Allah. And you shall not be wronged, even a bit.”
47. After the Hijrah and the establishment of the nascent Islamic State at Medina, the believers were rearing to go and fight against their oppressors at makkah, as this part of the Verse depicts. They were advised patience. But when, finally, the permission to fight was for the first time given vide Verse 22.39, the turnaround in the attitudes of some of the believers, is depicted here, in the latter part of the Verse.
| 78 |
أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ۗ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَـٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَـٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ ۚ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَالِ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا |
78. Aynama takoonoo yudrikkumu almawtu walaw kuntum fee buroojin mushayyadatin wa-in tusibhum hasanatun yaqooloo hathihi min AAindi Allahi wa-in tusibhum sayyi-atun yaqooloo hathihi min AAindika qul kullun min AAindi Allahi famali haola-i alqawmi la yakadoona yafqahoona hadeethan
78. Wherever you are, death will overtake you even if you are within fortified fortresses. And if any good comes to them, they say, “This is from Allah.” And if anything bad afflicts them, they say, “This is from you48?” Say, “All things are from Allah.” And what’s the matter with these people that they are unable to understand the statement,49
48. That is, they put the blame therefor on someone other than themselves.
49. The statement is mentioned in the first part of the next Verse.
| 79 |
مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا |
79. Ma asabaka min hasanatin famina Allahi wama asabaka min sayyi-atin famin nafsika waarsalnaka lilnnasi rasoolan wakafa biAllahi shaheedan
79. "Whatever good comes to you, it is from Allah. And whatever bad befalls you, it is from you yourself."50 And We have sent you as Messenger to mankind. And Allah is sufficient as Witness.51
50. All good things that come to man, are of course from Allah. And even if an apparently bad thing comes from Him, it comes by way of a test or warning. Behind the apparent badness of the test or warning, lies only good for the one who recognises it as such. And if man encounters anything really bad, it is because of his own wanton acts of omission and commission against the divine law.
51. Allah, the Creator, Himself gives witness here that the divine Message of the Qur'aan, sent with Muhammad (peace be upon him), was for the entire mankind, and not just for the Arabs.
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مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا |
80. Man yutiAAi alrrasoola faqad ataAAa Allaha waman tawalla fama arsalnaka AAalayhim hafeethan
80. Whoever obeys the Messenger, does surely obey Allah. And whoever turns away, We have not sent you as guardian of such persons.52
52. For us today, living in this world centuries after the Messenger's passing away, obeying him (the Messenger), and thereby obeying Allah, connotes obeying the divine instructions given in the Qur'aan. Those who neglect, overlook or puposely act against these instructions, can get protection neither from the Messenger, nor from anyone else, against Allah.
| 81 |
وَيَقُولُونَ طَاعَةٌ فَإِذَا بَرَزُوا مِنْ عِندِكَ بَيَّتَ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ غَيْرَ الَّذِي تَقُولُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَكْتُبُ مَا يُبَيِّتُونَ ۖ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا |
81. Wayaqooloona taAAatun fa-itha barazoo min AAindika bayyata ta-ifatun minhum ghayra allathee taqoolu waAllahu yaktubu ma yubayyitoona faaAArid AAanhum watawakkal AAala Allahi wakafa biAllahi wakeelan
81. They declare their obedience. Then, once out of your53 presence, a section of them pass all night in doing other than what you advise them to do. And Allah records their nocturnal doings. So, leave them alone, and trust Allah! And Allah suffices as Trustee.
53. I.e., Prophet Muhammad's.
| 82 |
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا |
82. Afala yatadabbaroona alqur-ana walaw kana min AAindi ghayri Allahi lawajadoo feehi ikhtilafan katheeran
82. Do they not then ponder over the Qur’aan? And had it been from anybody other than Allah, they would certainly find in it many a contradiction.54
54. This Verse gives the criterion to distinguish a divine book from a non-divine one. In other words, it makes a divine statement to the effect that any book authored by a man, howsoever learned he may be, is bound to contain errors.
| 83 |
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا |
83. Wa-itha jaahum amrun mina al-amni awi alkhawfi athaAAoo bihi walaw raddoohu ila alrrasooli wa-ila olee al-amri minhum laAAalimahu allatheena yastanbitoonahu minhum walawla fadlu Allahi AAalaykum warahmatuhu laittabaAAtumu alshshaytana illa qaleelan
83. And when there comes to them any matter of peace or fear, they make it public. And had they referred it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, it would have been properly scrutinized by the investigators among them. And had it not been for Allah’s Favour upon you, and His Mercy, you would certainly have followed Satan, save a few of you.
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فَقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ ۚ وَحَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأْسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأْسًا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلًا |
84. Faqatil fee sabeeli Allahi la tukallafu illa nafsaka waharridi almu/mineena AAasa Allahu an yakuffa ba/sa allatheena kafaroo waAllahu ashaddu ba/san waashaddu tankeelan
84. Fight, then, in Allah’s Path. You will be beld responsible for none but you yourself, and exhort the believers. It may be that Allah will contain the power of those who suppress the Truth. And Allah is the strongest in power and the most severe in giving punishment.55
55. Although this Verse apparently addressed the Prophet while he was leading the believers on a battlefield, it continues to address every believer, in all situations of the on-going struggle in Allah's Path, till the Last Day. The struggle need not necessarily be in a field of battle. The struggle has to be waged in all walks of life. The Satan is ever vigilant to see to it that his friends among mankind go on laying roadblocks on the Allah-laden Straight Path. A believer has to struggle to remove those roadblocks. And in this struggle, he is responsible for none else but his own self, although he may from time to time urge others to keep to the Straight Path, come what may. The obstacles on the Path won't be insurmountable, as the believer is assured of Allah's help. He should have an unshakeable faith in Him.
| 85 |
مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا |
85. Man yashfaAA shafaAAatan hasanatan yakun lahu naseebun minha waman yashfaAA shafaAAatan sayyi-atan yakun lahu kiflun minha wakana Allahu AAala kulli shay-in muqeetan
85. Whoever intercedes in a good cause56, for him a share thereof; and whoever intercedes in a bad cause, for him a part thereof. And Allah is the Controller over all things.
56. The Arabic word used is shafaAAatan (intercession). This should not be confused with intercession with Allah Ta'ala on the Day of Judgement. There won't be any intercession by anyone on that Day as reiterated in Verse 2.254. The intercession, referred to here in this Verse 4.85, is that made by any person with any other in any dispute/conflict arising in this life.
| 86 |
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا |
86. Wa-itha huyyeetum bitahiyyatin fahayyoo bi-ahsana minha aw ruddooha inna Allaha kana AAala kulli shay-in haseeban
86. And when you are greeted with a greeting, then return the greeting in a better or similar manner. Indeed, Allah is the Comptroller over all things.
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"... This day, I (God) have pefected your Way of Life for you,
completed my favour upon you,
and have chosen for you Islam as your Way of Life. ..."
[Qur'aan: Chapter 5, Verse 3]
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QSV-IX
