Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XI
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 148 to 176 and Al-Maidah Verses 1 to 27.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
2md December, 2007
سورة النساء
(An-Nisa)
Chapter 4: The Women
| 148 |
۞ لَّا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا |
148. L a yu hibbu All ahu aljahra bi alssoo-i mina alqawli ill a man thulima wak ana All ahu sameeAAan AAaleem an
148. Allah loves not the public utterance of anything evil, except by someone who is wronged. And Allah does hear, know.73
73. It is human tendency to gossip about anything bad that might have happened to or done by another person. In this Verse, mankind is advised to eschew this tendency unless the publicity of an evil deed is done by a person directly affected by the evil. Pardoning of the evil by the affected party even, is recommended in the next Verse, 4.149.
| 149 |
إِن تُبْدُوا خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا عَن سُوءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا |
149. In tubdoo khayran aw tukhfoohu aw taAAfoo AAan soo-in fa-inna All aha k ana AAafuwwan qadeer an
149. If you disclose a good deed or conceal it, or you do pardon an evil, then, surely, Allah is Forbearing, Powerful.
| 150 |
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا |
150. Inna alla theena yakfuroona bi All ahi warusulihi wayureedoona an yufarriqoo bayna All ahi warusulihi wayaqooloona nu/minu bibaAA din wanakfuru bibaAA din wayureedoona an yattakhi thoo bayna thalika sabeel an
150. Indeed, those who suppress the Truth about Allah and about His Messengers and would differentiate between Allah and His Messengers and say they believe in some and deny others, and would adopt a way in between.74
74. This Verse, as one may obviously see, only qualifies/describes the subject 'they' of the first clause in the next Verse 4.151.
| 151 |
أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ حَقًّا ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا |
151. Ol a-ika humu alk afiroona haqqan waaAAtadn a lilk afireena AAa thaban muheen an
151. They, in fact, are the ones who suppress the Truth, and We have prepared a disgraceful punishment for the suppressors of Truth.
| 152 |
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُولَـٰئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا |
152. Wa alla theena amanoo bi All ahi warusulihi walam yufarriqoo bayna a hadin minhum ol a-ika sawfa yu/teehim ojoorahum wak ana All ahu ghafooran ra heem an
152. And He shall give those their rewards, who believe in Allah and His Messengers and make no distinction between any of them75. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
75. Please refer to footnote 2.204 of these Studies in this context.
| 153 |
يَسْأَلُكَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَن تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ كِتَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ ۚ فَقَدْ سَأَلُوا مُوسَىٰ أَكْبَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَقَالُوا أَرِنَا اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ بِظُلْمِهِمْ ۚ ثُمَّ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَعَفَوْنَا عَن ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ سُلْطَانًا مُّبِينًا |
153. Yas-aluka ahlu alkit abi an tunazzila AAalayhim kit aban mina a lssam a-i faqad saaloo moos a akbara min thalika faq aloo arin a All aha jahratan faakha that-humu a lssaAAiqatu bi thulmihim thumma ittakha thoo alAAijla min baAAdi m a j aat-humu albayyin atu faAAafawn a AAan thalika wa atayn a moos a sul tanan mubeen an
153. The people of the Book ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. They had demanded, of Moses, a greater thing than that! They had said, "Show Allah to us openly." So then the lightning struck them because of their transgression.76 They then took to the calf, after clear signs had come to them.77 We pardoned them even that! And We gave Moses a clear proof of authority.
76. Refer Verse 2.55 and the footnote thereunder, of these Studies.
77. This episode, of the Jews taking to the worship of the calf, is described in details in Verses 7.148 to 7.154. Refer also Verse 2.92 and footnotes thereunder, of these Studies, in this context.
| 154 |
وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ الطُّورَ بِمِيثَاقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ادْخُلُوا الْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا فِي السَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا |
154. WarafaAAn a fawqahumu a lttoora bimeeth aqihim waquln a lahumu odkhuloo alb aba sujjadan waquln a lahum l a taAAdoo fee a lssabti waakha thn a minhum meeth aqan ghalee than
154. And We raised over them the mountain to enforce their covenant, and We asked them to prostrate while entering the gate, and We forbade to them transgression in the matter of the Sabbath, and We took from them a covenant with harsh terms.
| 155 |
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الْأَنبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ۚ بَلْ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا |
155. Fabim a naq dihim meeth aqahum wakufrihim bi- ay ati All ahi waqatlihimu al-anbiy aa bighayri haqqin waqawlihim quloobun a ghulfun bal tabaAAa All ahu AAalayh a bikufrihim fal a yu/minoona ill a qaleel an
155. 78Because of their breaking of their covenant, their suppression of Allah's Verses/signs, their killing of Prophets unjustly and their saying that their minds are closed. Nay! Allah has put a seal on them, on account of their suppression of the Truth. So they believe but little.
78. Herein are given the reasons for the terms of the covenant with the Children of Israel being harsh. And the reasons for the Jews' continued sufferings till recently (World War II), are given in Verses 156 and 157 below.
| 156 |
وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيمًا |
156. Wabikufrihim waqawlihim AAal a maryama buht anan AAa theem an
156. And because of their suppression of the Truth and their having uttered against Mary a grave calumny.79
79. Refer Verses 19.27 and 19.28.
| 157 |
وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا |
157. Waqawlihim inn a qataln a almasee ha AAees a ibna maryama rasoola All ahi wam a qataloohu wam a salaboohu wal akin shubbiha lahum wa-inna alla theena ikhtalafoo feehi lafee shakkin minhu m a lahum bihi min AAilmin ill a ittib aAAa a lththanni wam a qataloohu yaqeen an
157. And their saying that they indeed killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, Messenger of Allah. And they killed him not; nor did they crucify him. But it so appeared to them. And those indeed who differ therein, do so only in doubt. They have no knowledge about it, but follow only conjecture. And they killed him not for sure.80
80. Not only do the Jews have this false notion of Jesus having been killed on the Cross, but the Christians, the so-called followers of Jesus, have that notion too! The Christians have added the further falsehood that Jesus was son of God and that the son died on the Cross for atonement of the sins of the Christians, whereby every Christian now is assured of a place in Paradise, whatever sins he/she may have committed in this world!!
| 158 |
بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا |
158. Bal rafaAAahu All ahu ilayhi wak ana All ahu AAazeezan hakeem an
158. Nay! Allah took him up to Himself.81 And Allah is Almighty, Wise.
81. Some Muslims take the divine statement here to mean that Jesus was bodily taken up to Heavens. But Verse 3.55 makes it clear that Jesus was made to die and his soul was taken up like any other human being's. Refer footnote 3.68 of these Studies under that Verse.
| 159 |
وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا |
159. Wa-in min ahli alkit abi ill a layu/minanna bihi qabla mawtihi wayawma alqiy amati yakoonu AAalayhim shaheed an
159. And if there be any, of the people of the Book, who wouldn't believe in this before his/her death, he (Jesus) shall be a witness against all such persons, on the Day of Resurrection.
| 160 |
فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَاتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا |
160. Fabi thulmin mina alla theena h adoo harramn a AAalayhim tayyib atin o hillat lahum wabi saddihim AAan sabeeli All ahi katheer an
160. And because of the transgression of the Jews and their hindering of many from Allah's Path, We prohibited to them certain good things which had been made lawful for them.82
82. Refer footnote 3.108 of these Studies under Verse 3.93, in this context.
| 161 |
وَأَخْذِهِمُ الرِّبَا وَقَدْ نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَأَكْلِهِمْ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا |
161. Waakh thihimu a lrrib a waqad nuhoo AAanhu waaklihim amw ala a lnn asi bi alb atili waaAAtadn a lilk afireena minhum AAa thaban aleem an
161. 83And because of their indulgence in Ar-Riba84, though indeed they were forbidden from it, and their usurping people's property falsely. And We have prepared, for the suppressors of Truth from among them, a painful punishment.
83. This Verse, in continuation of the preceding one, gives another reason for the penal prohibition, for Jews, of certain things, otherwise permitted.
84. For a comprehensive understanding of this Qur'aanic term, please refer Verses 2.275 to 2.279 and the footnotes thereunder of these Studies. At the time of revelation of this Verse 4.161, the complete prohibition against Ar-Riba was not yet imposed. It (Verse 4.161) was the second divine step towards preparing the Muslims for the final prohibition imposed under Verse 2.275. The first step was Verse 3.130. It (Verse 4.161) further explains the definition of Ar-Riba, given in Verse 30.39, by asserting that it constitutes false usurpation of people's property.
| 162 |
لَّـٰكِنِ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلَاةَ ۚ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أُولَـٰئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا |
162. L akini a lrr asikhoona fee alAAilmi minhum wa almu/minoona yu/minoona bim a onzila ilayka wam a onzila min qablika wa almuqeemeena a lssal ata wa almu/toona a lzzak ata wa almu/minoona bi All ahi wa alyawmi al- akhiri ol a-ika sanu/teehim ajran AAa theem an
162. But the knowledgeable among them85, and the believers, believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you. And to those who establish prayers, give charity and believe in Allah and the last day, We will give a great reward.
85. The pronoun 'them' here stands for the Jews, referred to in Verses 160 and 161 above.
| 163 |
۞ إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا |
163. Inn a aw hayn a ilayka kam a aw hayn a il a noo hin wa alnnabiyyeena min baAAdihi waaw hayn a il a ibr aheema wa-ism aAAeela wa-is haqa wayaAAqooba wa al-asb ati waAAees a waayyooba wayoonusa wah aroona wasulaym ana wa atayn a d awooda zaboor an
163. We indeed have divinely inspired you86 as We did divinely inspire Noah. And We did divinely inspire the Prophets who came after him: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon. And We gave the Psalms to David.
86. The pronoun in Arabic here is in the singular, the obvious addressee being Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
| 164 |
وَرُسُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ ۚ وَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا |
164. Warusulan qad qa sa sn ahum AAalayka min qablu warusulan lam naq su shum AAalayka wakallama All ahu moos a takleem an
164. And Messengers We did mention to you before and Messengers we have not mentioned to you. And Allah did actually speak to Moses.
| 165 |
رُّسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا |
165. Rusulan mubashshireena wamun thireena li-all a yakoona li lnn asi AAal a All ahi hujjatun baAAda a lrrusuli wak ana All ahu AAazeezan hakeem an
165. Messengers to give good news and to warn. So that there remains no argument87 for mankind to have against Allah, after them. And Allah is Almighty, Wise.
87. The argument that Allah had not sent any Messenger to guide them.
| 166 |
لَّـٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ ۖ أَنزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِهِ ۖ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا |
166. L akini All ahu yashhadu bim a anzala ilayka anzalahu biAAilmihi wa almal a-ikatu yashhadoona wakaf a bi All ahi shaheed an
166. But Allah bears witness, by what He has sent down to you, that He has sent it down, with His knowledge. And the angels bear witness. And Allah is sufficient as a witness.
| 167 |
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوا ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا |
167. Inna alla theena kafaroo wa saddoo AAan sabeeli All ahi qad dalloo dal alan baAAeed an
167. Those indeed have strayed far away, who suppress the Truth and cause hindrance in Allah's Path.
|
168 |
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَظَلَمُوا لَمْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا |
168. Inna alla theena kafaroo wa thalamoo lam yakuni All ahu liyaghfira lahum wal a liyahdiyahum tareeq an
168. Allah won't indeed forgive those who suppress the Truth and do wrong, nor guide them to a way.
| 169 |
إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا |
169. Ill a tareeqa jahannama kh alideena feeh a abadan wak ana thalika AAal a All ahi yaseer an
169. 88Other than the way to Hell, for them to dwell therein forever. And that is easy for Allah.
88. This is continuation of the phrase 'nor guide them to a way' occurring at the end of the preceding Verse.
| 170 |
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَآمِنُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا |
170. Y a ayyuh a a lnn asu qad j aakumu a lrrasoolu bi al haqqi min rabbikum fa aminoo khayran lakum wa-in takfuroo fa-inna lill ahi m a fee a lssam aw ati wa al-ar di wak ana All ahu AAaleeman hakeem an
170. O Mankind! Certainly, the Messenger has come to you with the Truth from your Lord. So believe! It is good for you. And if you suppress the Truth, then, indeed, all that is in the heavens and the earth is Allah's! And Allah is Knowledgeable, Wise.
| 171 |
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا |
171. Y a ahla alkit abi l a taghloo fee deenikum wal a taqooloo AAal a All ahi ill a al haqqa innam a almasee hu AAees a ibnu maryama rasoolu All ahi wakalimatuhu alq ah a il a maryama waroo hun minhu fa aminoo bi All ahi warusulihi wal a taqooloo thal athatun intahoo khayran lakum innam a All ahu il ahun w ahidun sub hanahu an yakoona lahu waladun lahu m a fee a lssam aw ati wam a fee al-ar di wakaf a bi All ahi wakeel an
171. O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion, and speak not but the truth about Allah. The Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, is only a Messenger of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Mary, and a soul from Him. Believe then in Allah and His Messengers, and say not, "Trinity"! Desist. It is better for you. Allah is the only Entity worthy of worship. HE is too Exalted to have a son! All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth is His. And Allah is sufficient as Manager of all things.
| 172 |
لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا |
172. Lan yastankifa almasee hu an yakoona AAabdan lill ahi wal a almal a-ikatu almuqarraboona waman yastankif AAan AAib adatihi wayastakbir fasaya hshuruhum ilayhi jameeAA an
172. The Messiah did feel no aversion to being a worshipper of Allah, nor do the angels who are near to Him. And He will gather together to Himself all those who have felt aversion to His worship and have been proud.
| 173 |
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا |
173. Faamm a alla theena amanoo waAAamiloo a lssali hati fayuwaffeehim ojoorahum wayazeeduhum min fa dlihi waamm a alla theena istankafoo wa istakbaroo fayuAAa ththibuhum AAa thaban aleeman wal a yajidoona lahum min dooni All ahi waliyyan wal a na seer an
173. Then as for those who believe and do good, He will pay them their rewards in full and give them more, as Favour from Him. And as for those who feel aversion and are proud, He will give them a painful punishment. And they shall find for themselves, besides Allah, none to take refuge with, nor to help.
| 174 |
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُم بُرْهَانٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُّبِينًا |
174. Y a ayyuh a a lnn asu qad j aakum burh anun min rabbikum waanzaln a ilaykum nooran mubeen an
174. O Mankind! There has certainly come to you evidence from your Lord and We have sent to you a clear light.89
89. Please take note that this is an address to the entire mankind. There is evidence galore in every human body, and in all things surrounding, that an Unseen Power is in absolute control. If that human being denies the existence of that Power, he/she does so only by suppressing the overwhelming evidence before him/her. The entire evidence, moreover, is documented and presented to mankind in the form of the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan does not only present the evidence, but also provides the Guiding Light so that mankind does not stumble astray under the influence of satanic temptations.
| 175 |
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَاعْتَصَمُوا بِهِ فَسَيُدْخِلُهُمْ فِي رَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلٍ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَيْهِ صِرَاطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا |
175. Faamm a alla theena amanoo bi All ahi wa iAAta samoo bihi fasayudkhiluhum fee ra hmatin minhu wafa dlin wayahdeehim ilayhi sir atan mustaqeem an
175. Then as for those who believed in Allah and held fast to Him, He will admit them to Mercy and Favour from Him and guide them, on the Straight Path, to Himself.
| 176 |
يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ اللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِي الْكَلَالَةِ ۚ إِنِ امْرُؤٌ هَلَكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَهُ أُخْتٌ فَلَهَا نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ ۚ وَهُوَ يَرِثُهَا إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهَا وَلَدٌ ۚ فَإِن كَانَتَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُمَا الثُّلُثَانِ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ۚ وَإِن كَانُوا إِخْوَةً رِّجَالًا وَنِسَاءً فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۗ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ أَن تَضِلُّوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ |
176. Yastaftoonaka quli All ahu yufteekum fee alkal alati ini imruon halaka laysa lahu waladun walahu okhtun falah a ni sfu m a taraka wahuwa yarithuh a in lam yakun lah a waladun fa-in k anat a ithnatayni falahum a a lththuluth ani mimm a taraka wa-in k anoo ikhwatan rij alan wanis aan fali lththakari mithlu ha ththi alonthayayni yubayyinu All ahu lakum an ta dilloo wa All ahu bikulli shay-in AAaleem un
176. They ask you for a legal decree. Say, "Allah gives you a decree concerning the person who has neither parents nor offspring. If it is a man that dies with no child, and he has a sister, she shall have half of what he leaves behind. - And he shall inherit her, if she has no child. - And if there are two sisters, they shall have two-thirds of what he leaves behind. And if there are siblings, both male and female, then the share of the male shall be equal to the shares of two females. Allah makes things clear to you, lest you err. And Allah knows all things."90
90. This Verse constitutes a sort of Supplement to the Qur'aanic Law of Inheritance enunciated in Verses 4.11 and 4.12.
سورة المائدة
Chapter 5: The Table Spread With Food
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
| 1 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ ۚ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ |
1. Y a ayyuh a alla theena amanoo awfoo bi alAAuqoodi o hillat lakum baheematu al-anAA ami ill a m a yutl a AAalaykum ghayra mu hillee a lssaydi waantum hurumun inna All aha ya hkumu m a yureed u
1. O you who believe! Fulfill obligations. Permitted to you are the quadruped animals except what is mentioned to you1, provided the prohibition against hunting is not violated while you are in the state of Ihram2. Indeed, Allah orders what He desires.
1. The prohibited things are mentioned below in Verse 5.3.
2. I.e. while performing rites of pilgrimage, during which hunting is prohibited.
| 2 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحِلُّوا شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْهَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَائِدَ وَلَا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوا ۚ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ |
2. Y a ayyuh a alla theena amanoo l a tu hilloo shaAA a-ira All ahi wal a a lshshahra al har ama wal a alhadya wal a alqal a-ida wal a ammeena albayta al har ama yabtaghoona fa dlan min rabbihim wari dw anan wa-i tha halaltum fa istadoo wal a yajrimannakum shana anu qawmin an saddookum AAani almasjidi al har ami an taAAtadoo wataAA awanoo AAal a albirri wa alttaqw a wal a taAA awanoo AAal a al-ithmi wa alAAudw ani wa ittaqoo All aha inna All aha shadeedu alAAiq ab i
2. O you who believe! Treat not irreverently the rites sanctified by Allah; nor the sacred month, nor the offerings, nor the garlands, and nor those going/coming to the Sacred House seeking the Favour and Pleasure of their Lord. And when you are free from the obligations of the pilgrimage, then hunt. And let not hatred of a people, on account of their stopping you from going to the Sacred Place of Worship,3 lead you to transgression. And co-operate with one another in goodness/righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate with one another in sin and transgression, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in giving punishment.
3. The reference here is to an event that occurred before the fall of Makkah to the Muslim forces. The Prophet (peace be upon him), with some of his companions had come out from Medina for visiting the Kaabah, but the Makkans had then prevented the Prophet's party. But the divine statement here has a general import. It is applicable to all situations, wherein human tendency is for persons to commit transgression in dealings with those who had done some wrong to the former, earlier.
| 3 |
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ ۗ الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ ۚ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ ۙ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ |
3. Hurrimat AAalaykumu almaytatu wa alddamu wala hmu alkhinzeeri wam a ohilla lighayri All ahi bihi wa almunkhaniqatu wa almawqoo thatu wa almutaraddiyatu wa alnna tee hatu wam a akala a lssabuAAu ill a m a thakkaytum wam a thubi ha AAal a a lnnu subi waan tastaqsimoo bi al-azl ami thalikum fisqun alyawma ya-isa alla theena kafaroo min deenikum fal a takhshawhum wa ikhshawni alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum waatmamtu AAalaykum niAAmatee wara deetu lakumu al-isl ama deenan famani i dturra fee makhma satin ghayra mutaj anifin li-ithmin fa-inna All aha ghafoorun ra heem un
3. Forbidden to you are the carrion, and the blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is consecrated to any one other than Allah,4 and the strangled and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn and eaten by beasts unless you slaughter it properly berore its death, and that which is sacrificed over idols and that you try to know your future by means of arrows5. That is a transgression. - This day, those, who have suppressed the Truth, have despaired of your religion; so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My Favour upon you and approved for you Islam as religion. -6 But if one is compelled by hunger, and has no intention to sin, then Allah is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
4. The words so far in this Verse are similar to those in Verse 2.173. Please therefore go through the footnotes thereunder of these Studies.
5. This is an allusion to the practice among Arabs, at the time of revelation of the Qur'aan, to use blunted arrows as a means for knowing or divining their future. It was akin to the modern-day popular newspaper column: 'what the stars foretell'. Here, the stars are made use of for foretelling what the future holds for newspaper readers. There, the people had devised some method of using blunted arrows for the same purpose. The divine Verse here prohibits all such attempts at knowing one's future. The future is known only to Allah, and He has kept it hidden from His creatures. All attempts by the creatures to defeat Allah's purpose would of course be futile. Allah has called all such attempts as transgressions.
6. This part of the Verse, in parenthesis, is very important. It unmistakably denotes the completion of the divine Message of the Qur'aan. It denotes that no further divine instructions for mankind have come thereafter in the form of Qur'aanic revelations. But a question arises as to why this important piece of divine revelation is placed so inconspicuously, as it were, in the midst of another divine instruction, obviously revealed earlier. The only explanation for this, that occurs to my mind, is that it is one of the divine ways to show that the Qur'aan has remained unpolluted. Man is unable to effect any changes therein surreptitiously. If Man were able to do that, he would have taken this important revelation out from its present inconspicuous position and placed it elsewhere. Allah knows best.
| 4 |
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ |
4. Yas-aloonaka m atha o hilla lahum qul o hilla lakumu a lttayyib atu wam a AAallamtum mina aljaw ari hi mukallibeena tuAAallimoonahunna mimm a AAallamakumu All ahu fakuloo mimm a amsakna AAalaykum wa othkuroo isma All ahi AAalayhi wa ittaqoo All aha inna All aha sareeAAu al his ab i
4. They ask you as to what is permitted to them. Say, "Permitted to you are the good wholesome things. And eat of what the animals trained by you as hounds - you teach them of what Allah has taught you - hunt for you and over which you mention Allah's name. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is quick in account-keeping.
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5 |
الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ |
5. Alyawma o hilla lakumu a lttayyib atu wa taAA amu alla theena ootoo alkit aba hillun lakum wa taAA amukum hillun lahum wa almu hsan atu mina almu/min ati wa almu hsan atu mina alla theena ootoo alkit aba min qablikum i tha ataytumoohunna ojoorahunna mu hsineena ghayra mus afi heena wal a muttakhi thee akhd anin waman yakfur bi al-eem ani faqad habi ta AAamaluhu wahuwa fee al- akhirati mina alkh asireen a
5. This day all the good wholesome things are permitted to you. And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And lawful for you are the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who had been given the Book before you, when you have given them their dues as chaste women in marriage ties - not indulging in extramarital sex or taking them as live-in girlfriends. And he who has suppressed Faith, has surely wasted his deeds; and, in the Hereafter, he shall be one of those doomed!
| 6 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ |
6. Y a ayyuh a alla theena amanoo i tha qumtum il a a lssal ati fa ighsiloo wujoohakum waaydiyakum il a almar afiqi wa imsa hoo biruoosikum waarjulakum il a alkaAAbayni wa-in kuntum junuban fa ittahharoo wa-in kuntum mar da aw AAal a safarin aw j aa a hadun minkum mina algh a-i ti aw l amastumu a lnnis aa falam tajidoo m aan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban fa imsa hoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum minhu m a yureedu All ahu liyajAAala AAalaykum min harajin wal akin yureedu liyu tahhirakum waliyutimma niAAmatahu AAalaykum laAAallakum tashkuroon a
6. O you who believe! When you get up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows - and wipe your heads - and your feet up to the ankles.7 And if you are unclean, then cleanse yourselves. And if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you has come from the privy, or you have had sexual contacts with women, and you find no water, then simulate washing with clean earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to keep you clean and to complete His Favour upon you, so that you may be grateful.
7. This is the divine order for ablution (wudu) before a salah. As may be seen from the divine wording, the order is for ablution before every salah. But Muslims here in the Indian subcontinent are in the habit of considering a wudu made for one salah as valid for another coming hours later, during which interval they may attend to worldly work or engage in gossip with friends. This is one of many instances wherein today's Muslims go blatantly against specific divine instructions. No wonder then that they are devoid of Allah's Favour upon them. Please see the next Verse also in this context. The Muslims of today are breaking their covenant with Allah, when they disobey the instructions.
| 7 |
وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيثَاقَهُ الَّذِي وَاثَقَكُم بِهِ إِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ |
7. Wa othkuroo niAAmata All ahi AAalaykum wameeth aqahu alla thee w athaqakum bihi i th qultum samiAAn a waa taAAn a wa ittaqoo All aha inna All aha AAaleemun bi thati a lssudoor i
7. And remember Allah's Favour upon you and His Covenant with which He bound you, when you said, "We hear and we obey." And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah knows the secrets of the minds.
| 8 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ |
8. Y a ayyuh a alla theena amanoo koonoo qaww ameena lill ahi shuhad aa bi alqis ti wal a yajrimannakum shana anu qawmin AAal a all a taAAdiloo iAAdiloo huwa aqrabu li lttaqw a wa ittaqoo All aha inna All aha khabeerun bim a taAAmaloon a
8. O you who believe! Be firm as just witnesses for Allah. And let not enmity and hatred for people induce you to commit the crime of being unjust. Be just! It is conducive to piety. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do.
| 9 |
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ |
9. WaAAada All ahu alla theena amanoo waAAamiloo a lssali hati lahum maghfiratun waajrun AAa theem un
9. Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward for those who believe and do good deeds.
| 10 |
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ |
10. Wa alla theena kafaroo waka ththaboo bi- ay atin a ol a-ika a s- habu alja heem i
10. And those who suppress the Truth and deny our Verses/Signs - those shall be the dwellers of the Fire.
| 11 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ |
11. Y a ayyuh a alla theena amanoo o thkuroo niAAmata All ahi AAalaykum i th hamma qawmun an yabsu too ilaykum aydiyahum fakaffa aydiyahum AAankum wa ittaqoo All aha waAAal a All ahi falyatawakkali almu/minoon a
11. O you who believe! Remember Allah's Favour upon you when people had planned to raise their hands against you, but He stayed their hands from you.8 And fear Allah. And in Allah let the believers put their trust.
8. Reference here is obviously to events during the time the Qur'aan was revealed. But many Muslims today may recall instances in their own personal lives when they were miraculously saved from attacks intended against them by others. I myself am aware of such instances in my life. Although we are guilty of disobedience to Him in many matters, Allah still protects us sometimes so that we remember this and come back to the blessed path of complete obedience and submission to Him, putting our complete trust in Him.
| 12 |
۞ وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا ۖ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ ۖ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَيْتُمُ الزَّكَاةَ وَآمَنتُم بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ |
12. Walaqad akha tha All ahu meeth aqa banee isr a-eela wabaAAathn a minhumu ithnay AAashara naqeeban waq ala All ahu innee maAAakum la-in aqamtumu a lssal ata wa ataytumu a lzzak ata wa amantum birusulee waAAazzartumoohum waaqra dtumu All aha qar dan hasanan laokaffiranna AAankum sayyi- atikum walaodkhilannakum jann atin tajree min ta htih a al-anh aru faman kafara baAAda thalika minkum faqad dalla saw aa a lssabeel i
12. And Allah did take a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We raised up among them twelve chieftains. And Allah said, "I am indeed with you. If you establish prayer and give charity and believe in My Messengers and assist them and lend a goodly loan to Allah9, I shall certainly condone your shortcomings, and shall certainly admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever has suppressed the Truth from among you after that, he has surely lost the right way."
9. A similar phrase is used in Verse 2.245. Kindly go through the footnote, of these Studies, under that Verse.
| 13 |
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ ۙ وَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ ۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَائِنَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاصْفَحْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ |
13. Fabim a naq dihim meeth aqahum laAAann ahum wajaAAaln a quloobahum q asiyatan yu harrifoona alkalima AAan maw adiAAihi wanasoo ha ththan mimm a thukkiroo bihi wal a taz alu ta ttaliAAu AAal a kh a-inatin minhum ill a qaleelan minhum fa oAAfu AAanhum wa isfa h inna All aha yu hibbu almu hsineen a
13. And then, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They pervert the Word from its contextual sense10 and they have forgotten a part of what they were reminded of. And you will not cease to find treachery in them, except in a few of them. But then leave them alone and overlook. Allah does indeed love those who do good.
10. Alas! Many Muslims of today are trying to do the same thing with the Qur'aan. Had it not been for the divine protection of the original text in Arabic, they might have succeeded in corrupting it.
| 14 |
وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَىٰ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَهُمْ فَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَأَغْرَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَسَوْفَ يُنَبِّئُهُمُ اللَّهُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ |
14. Wamina alla theena q aloo inn a na sar a akha thn a meeth aqahum fanasoo ha ththan mimm a thukkiroo bihi faaghrayn a baynahumu alAAad awata wa albagh daa il a yawmi alqiy amati wasawfa yunabbi-ohumu All ahu bim a k anoo ya snaAAoon a
14. And from those who call themselves Christians, We took their covenant. And then, they forgot a part of what they were reminded of. So then, We made mutual enmity and hatred stick to them till the Day of Resurrection. And Allah will inform them what work they did.
| 15 |
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ ۚ قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ |
15. Y a ahla alkit abi qad j aakum rasoolun a yubayyinu lakum katheeran mimm a kuntum tukhfoona mina alkit abi wayaAAfoo AAan katheerin qad j aakum mina All ahi noorun wakit abun mubeen un
15. O people of the Book! Our Messenger has surely come to you explaining to you much of what you concealed of and effaced from the Book. Surely, from Allah has come to you light, and a clear Book.
| 16 |
يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ |
16. Yahdee bihi All ahu mani ittabaAAa ri dw anahu subula a lssal ami wayukhrijuhum mina a lththulum ati il a a lnnoori bi-i thnihi wayahdeehim il a sir atin mustaqeem in
16. With it Allah guides him who seeks His pleasure to ways of peace. And He takes them out of darknesses to light by His will. And He guides them to the Straight Path.
| 17 |
لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ |
17. Laqad kafara alla theena q aloo inna All aha huwa almasee hu ibnu maryama qul faman yamliku mina All ahi shay-an in ar ada an yuhlika almasee ha ibna maryama waommahu waman fee al-ar di jameeAAan walill ahi mulku a lssam aw ati wa al-ar di wam a baynahum a yakhluqu m a yash ao wa All ahu AAal a kulli shay-in qadeer un
17. Surely they suppress the Truth, who say, "The Messiah, son of Mary, is indeed Allah." Say, "Who then could have power over anything against Allah if He wished to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother, and anyone on the entire earth? And to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And Allah can do anything.
| 18 |
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ ۚ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُم بِذُنُوبِكُم ۖ بَلْ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ |
18. Waq alati alyahoodu wa alnna sar a na hnu abn ao All ahi waa hibb aohu qul falima yuAAa ththibukum bi thunoobikum bal antum basharun mimman khalaqa yaghfiru liman yash ao wayuAAa ththibu man yash ao walill ahi mulku a lssam aw ati wa al-ar di wam a baynahum a wa-ilayhi alma seer u
18. And the Jews and the Christians say, "We are the children of Allah and His loved ones." Say, "Why does He then punish you for your sins? Nay, you are but human beings from among those whom He has created. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And to Allah belongs the absolute authority over the heavens and the earth and over all that is between them. And to Him is the final destination."
| 19 |
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍ مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا جَاءَنَا مِن بَشِيرٍ وَلَا نَذِيرٍ ۖ فَقَدْ جَاءَكُم بَشِيرٌ وَنَذِيرٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ |
19. Y a ahla alkit abi qad j aakum rasoolun a yubayyinu lakum AAal a fatratin mina a lrrusuli an taqooloo m a j aan a min basheerin wal a na theerin faqad j aakum basheerun wana theerun wa All ahu AAal a kulli shay-in qadeer un
19. O people of the Book! Surely, Our Messenger has come to you to explain things to you, after a break in sending the Messengers, lest you say, "No one had come to us as a messenger of good news or as a warner." Surely, now, there has come to you a messenger of good news and a warner. And Allah can do anything.
| 20 |
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنبِيَاءَ وَجَعَلَكُم مُّلُوكًا وَآتَاكُم مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ |
20. Wa-i th q ala moos a liqawmihi y a qawmi o thkuroo niAAmata All ahi AAalaykum i th jaAAala feekum anbiy aa wajaAAalakum mulookan wa at akum m a lam yu/ti a hadan mina alAA alameen a
20. And when Moses said to his people, "O my people! Remember Allah's Favour upon you when He raised Prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any of the worlds11."
11. For the meaning of aalameen, refer footnote 1.5 of these Studies.
| 21 |
يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ |
21. Y a qawmi odkhuloo al-ar da almuqaddasata allatee kataba All ahu lakum wal a tartaddoo AAal a adb arikum fatanqaliboo kh asireen a
21. "O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah has assigned to you12,13 and turn not on your backs; for, then, you will turn back doomed."
12. It is on the basis of this divine statement, which obviously the Torah also contains, that the State of Israel has now been created. The Jews claim that they have a divine right to the land, which was almost entirely inhabited by the Arabs at the beginning of the twentieth century. There were hardly any Jews living there then. They had been scattered all over the world, living everywhere as small minorities. The Allied Forces, which had defeated the Germans in World War II, had promised to the Jews, who had suffered greatly in Hitler's Germany, to give them a land of their own. And so was the State of Israel created in 1948. And the scattered Jews flocked to the new State from all over the world. The land with the original boundaries of Israel was not enough, and it managed to occupy surrounding Arab territory in conflicts and wars that ensued. The Arabs were thus turned into refugees in their own land.
13. But, whatever the circumstances under which Israel stands now created, the coming into existence of the new State is a confirmation of the divine statement that the land was assigned to the Jews. Therefore they are there now. They were there before also, forty years after they were first told to enter the land, as the Verses, following this Verse, indicate. Under David and Solomon, the land prospered and expanded. But, thereafter, the Jews relapsed into the same rebellious mood as depicted in Verses below. They were punished, their State was completely destroyed, and they were scattered to live as small minorities in different parts of the world. [Refer Verses 17.4 & 17.5] They are brought together now as foretold in Verse 17.104. And if they become tyrants and arrogant again, they are destined for destruction again. [Verse 17.7]
| 22 |
قَالُوا يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْمًا جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّىٰ يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا فَإِن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَاخِلُونَ |
22. Q aloo y a moos a inna feeh a qawman jabb areena wa-inn a lan nadkhulah a hatt a yakhrujoo minh a fa-in yakhrujoo minh a fa-inn a d akhiloon a
22. They said, "O Moses! In it indeed live a cruel people. And we shall definitely not enter it until they go out from it. And if they go out from it, then indeed we shall enter.
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قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ادْخُلُوا عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَالِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ |
23. Q ala rajul ani mina alla theena yakh afoona anAAama All ahu AAalayhim a odkhuloo AAalayhimu alb aba fa-i tha dakhaltumoohu fa-innakum gh aliboona waAAal a All ahi fatawakkaloo in kuntum mu/mineen a
23. Two men of those who feared and upon both of whom Allah had bestowed favour, said, "Enter upon them by the gate, and when you enter it, you shall indeed be victorious. And upon Allah put your trust, if you do believe.
| 24 |
قَالُوا يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا أَبَدًا مَّا دَامُوا فِيهَا ۖ فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلَا إِنَّا هَاهُنَا قَاعِدُونَ |
24. Q aloo y a moos a inn a lan nadkhulah a abadan m a d amoo feeh a fa-i thhab anta warabbuka faq atil a inn a h ahun a q aAAidoon a
24. They said, "O Moses! We shall never enter it so long as they are in it. Go then, you and your Lord, and fight you both with them. We shall indeed sit right here!
| 25 |
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِي وَأَخِي ۖ فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ |
25. Q ala rabbi innee l a amliku ill a nafsee waakhee fa ofruq baynan a wabayna alqawmi alf asiqeen a
25. He said, "My Lord! I have indeed no control but on my own self and on my brother. Make a distinction, then, between us and the transgressing people."
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قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ۛ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ۛ يَتِيهُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ |
26. Q ala fa-innah a mu harramatun AAalayhim arbaAAeena sanatan yateehoona fee al-ar di fal a ta/sa AAal a alqawmi alf asiqeen a
26. Allah said, "So it is forbidden to them for forty years, during which time they shall suffer, wandering from place to place on the earth. Be not sad then for the transgressing people."
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۞ وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الْآخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ |
27. Wa otlu AAalayhim nabaa ibnay adama bi al haqqi i th qarrab a qurb anan fatuqubbila min a hadihim a walam yutaqabbal mina al- akhari q ala laaqtulannaka q ala innam a yataqabbalu All ahu mina almuttaqeen a
27. And relate to them the story of the two sons of Adam with truth. When each offered a sacrifice, the sacrifice from one of them was accepted and the sacrifice from the other was not. The latter said, "I will certainly kill you." The former said, "Allah accepts offerings only from the pious."14
14. This story about the two sons of Adam is continued in Verses, immediately following this Verse in the Qur'aan. Those following Verses are to be taken up for these Studies, in the next Volume inshaAllah.
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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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