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.
سورة الأعراف
Chapter 7: Al-A'araf (The Heights)
164. Wa-ith qalat ommatun minhum lima taAAithoona qawman Allahu muhlikuhum aw muAAaththibuhum AAathaban shadeedan qaloo maAAthiratan ila rabbikum walaAAallahum yattaqoona
164. And when a section from them62 said, “Why do you admonish a people whom Allah would destroy or give a severe punishment?” They63 said, “To be free of blame before your Lord! And, haply, they may fear Allah.”
62. People to whom Allah Almighty had sent His Messengers/Prophets.
63. The Messengers/Prophets.
165. Falamma nasoo ma thukkiroo bihi anjayna allatheena yanhawna AAani alssoo-i waakhathna allatheena thalamoo biAAathabin ba-eesin bima kanoo yafsuqoona
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165. So when they forgot what they had been reminded of, We saved those who forbade evil and We severely punished those who did wrong, because they transgressed.64
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64. See Verse 6.44 also in this context.
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166. Falamma AAataw AAan ma nuhoo AAanhu qulna lahum koonoo qiradatan khasi-eena
166. And when they revoltingly persisted in what they had been forbidden, We said to them, “Be apes, despised and hated.”65
65. Please see study notes 2.73 to 2.76 under Verses 2.65 & 2.66
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167. Wa-ith taaththana rabbuka layabAAathanna AAalayhim ila yawmi alqiyamati man yasoomuhum soo-a alAAathabi inna rabbaka lasareeAAu alAAiqabi wa-innahu laghafoorun raheemun
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167. And when your Lord declared that He would certainly impose upon them, till the Day of Resurrection, those who would treat them badly, your Lord indeed is quick to requite and indeed He is Forgiving, Merciful!66
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66. This divine declaration applies to all those who ‘forgot what they had been reminded of’. It’s not that divine punishment was meted out only on those ancient, pre-historic peoples. It is meted out on modern, historic peoples also. And it will continue to be meted out, on this earth itself, till the Last Day. The divine punishment comes in the form of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes etc. It also comes in the form of despotic rules like that of Hitler against the Jews or of Israel against the Palestinian Arabs. The victims are those who ‘forgot what they had been reminded of’. And the last divine Reminder is the Qur’aan. The victims transgressed the limits of ‘forgetting’ what they had been reminded of. And the despots should not think that they would go scot free. Remember what happened to the Pharaoh of the anscient ages and to Hitler of the modern age.
168. WaqattaAAnahum fee al-ardi omaman minhumu alssalihoona waminhum doona thalika wabalawnahum bialhasanati waalssayyi-ati laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
168. And We broke them67, on the earth, into groups; some of them are righteous and some of them are not. And We tried them with good things and bad, so that they might turn back to the Right Path.
67. The Jews it is that are meant here, primarily, but, now, the Muslims too could be covered by this pronoun.
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169. Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun warithoo alkitaba ya/khuthoona AAarada hatha al-adna wayaqooloona sayughfaru lana wa-in ya/tihim AAaradun mithluhu ya/khuthoohu alam yu/khath AAalayhim meethaqu alkitabi an la yaqooloo AAala Allahi illa alhaqqa wadarasoo ma feehi waalddaru al-akhiratu khayrun lillatheena yattaqoona afala taAAqiloona
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169. Then, there came after them a posterity that inherited the Book, taking what this worldly life offers and saying, “We will be forgiven!” And if a like offer came to them again, they would take it too! Was not a promise taken from them in the Book that they would not speak anything about Allah but the truth? And they have read what is there in it! And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah. Don’t you understand?68
68. The reference in this Verse too is primarily to the Jews; but the reference could be stretched to the Muslims now.
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170. Waallatheena yumassikoona bialkitabi waaqamoo alssalata inna la nudeeAAu ajra almusliheena
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170. And as for those who hold fast to the Book and establish proper prayer, We do not indeed cause the reward of the doers of good to go waste.
171. Wa-ith nataqna aljabala fawqahum kaannahu thullatun wathannoo annahu waqiAAun bihim khuthoo ma ataynakum biquwwatin waothkuroo ma feehi laAAallakum tattaqoona
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171. And when We made the mountain shake over them like a shadow - and they thought that it was definitely going to fall down upon them - telling them, “Hold firmly what We have given you, and take heed of what there is in it, so that you become pious.”69
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69. Refer Verse 2.63 and study notes thereunder of these Studies.
172. Wa-ith akhatha rabbuka min banee adama min thuhoorihim thurriyyatahum waashhadahum AAala anfusihim alastu birabbikum qaloo bala shahidna an taqooloo yawma alqiyamati inna kunna AAan hatha ghafileena
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172. And when your Lord brought forth, from Adam and his children, their offspring, and made them bear witness against their own souls, “Am I not your Lord?”, they said, “Yes! We bear witness.” Lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, “Indeed, we were unaware of this.”70
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70. This Verse and the next one show that the fundamental beliefs, in Allah Almighty and His final Judgment on the fate of every human being, are ingrained in his/her mind at birth itself. He/she deviates from these ingrained beliefs by exercising his/her conscious freedom of choice for the short-term glitter of worldly life, at the expense of a life of piety.
173. Aw taqooloo innama ashraka abaona min qablu wakunna thurriyyatan min baAAdihim afatuhlikuna bima faAAala almubtiloona
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173. Or you should say, “It was our fathers, before us, who worshiped others besides Allah, and we were only their offspring following them! Will You then destroy us for what those culprits did?”
174. Wakathalika nufassilu al-ayati walaAAallahum yarjiAAoona
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174. And thus do We explain the Verses, in details and so as to facilitate their return to the Right Path.
175. Waotlu AAalayhim nabaa allathee ataynahu ayatina fainsalakha minha faatbaAAahu alshshaytanu fakana mina alghaweena
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175. And recite to them the story of one to whom We gave Our Verses/signs, but he withdrew himself therefrom! The Satan then followed him, and he became one of those who deviate from the Right Path.
176. Walaw shi/na larafaAAnahu biha walakinnahu akhlada ila al-ardi waittabaAAa hawahu famathaluhu kamathali alkalbi in tahmil AAalayhi yalhath aw tatruk-hu yalhath thalika mathalu alqawmi allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina faoqsusi alqasasa laAAallahum yatafakkaroona
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176. And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he remained clinging to the earth and followed his base desire. His example then is that of the dog; if you put some burden on him he lolls out his tongue, and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue!71 Similar is the example of those who reject Our Verses/signs. Relate the narrative then, so that people do reflect thereupon.72
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71. A dog doing so is indicative of its utterly submissive behaviour towards its master. A man, who refuses to be governed by divine law, condemns himself to similar slavish behaviour towards some other human beings, in pursuit of his base desires.
72. The Qur’aan does not name the person about whom this narrative is related in these two Verses 175 & 176. But it definitely applies to a general prototype of a modern-day Muslim. To this Muslim, Allah Almighty gave the Qur’aan, but he does not follow the instructions therein – let alone follow, he does not even try to understand those instructions. The Satan then follows him, and he is led to grave-worship in pursuit of his worldly desires. Being unaware of Qur’aanic instructions, he goes to Mullahs – religious leaders – for guidance. The Mullahs generally reject the oft-repeated Qur’aanic statement that it contains, in itself, instructions explained in details on all matters concerning the Religion. And they guide the gullible prototype Muslim on matters not contained in the Qur’aan, on the basis of man-influenced and error-prone ahaadeeth and other books of human authors. As a result, the Muslim Ummah in general is reduced to the status of the dog, mentioned in this Verse, in the comity of nations today.
177. Saa mathalan alqawmu allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina waanfusahum kanoo yathlimoona
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177. Evil is the example of people who reject Our Verses/signs, and are unjust to their own souls.
178. Man yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadee waman yudlil faola-ika humu alkhasiroona
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178. Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the one who follows the right way; and whomsoever He sends astray, these are the ones who are doomed.
179. Walaqad thara/na lijahannama katheeran mina aljinni waal-insi lahum quloobun la yafqahoona biha walahum aAAyunun la yubsiroona biha walahum athanun la yasmaAAoona biha ola-ika kaal-anAAami bal hum adallu ola-ika humu alghafiloona
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179. And certainly We have created for Hell many of the jinn and the human beings; they have minds with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle - nay, they are worse in going astray. They are the ones grievously unaware of their destiny.
180. Walillahi al-asmao alhusna faodAAoohu biha watharoo allatheena yulhidoona fee asma-ihi sayujzawna ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
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180. And Allah has the best of names, for you to call on Him wherewith. And keep away from those who violate the sanctity of His names. They shall be punished for what they did.
181. Wamimman khalaqna ommatun yahdoona bialhaqqi wabihi yaAAdiloona
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181. And of those whom We have created there are people who guide with the truth and judge therewith.
182. Waallatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina sanastadrijuhum min haythu la yaAAlamoona
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182. And as to those who reject Our Verses/signs, We rein them in, by degrees, from whence they know not.
183. Waomlee lahum inna kaydee mateenun
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183. And I (Allah) give them a long rope. Indeed, My plan is fool-proof.
184. Awa lam yatafakkaroo ma bisahibihim min jinnatin in huwa illa natheerun mubeenun
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184. Do they not reflect that their companion73 is not unsound in mind? He is only a plain warner!
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73. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
185. Awalam yanthuroo fee malakooti alssamawati waal-ardi wama khalaqa Allahu min shay-in waan AAasa an yakoona qadi iqtaraba ajaluhum fabi-ayyi hadeethin baAAdahu yu/minoona
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185. Do they not ponder over the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever things Allah has created, and over the likelihood of their own death being near? What hadeeth74 would they then believe in after this?
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74. This Arabic word has been used in the Qur’aan variously in the meanings of (i) story, (ii) discourse or (iii) speech. In the context of the preceding sentence, in this very Verse, the word here could connote the broad statement as under:
The orderly behaviour of the entire universe gives enough proof of the existence of a super-intelligent Being faultlessly governing it. When that Being can so control such a gigantic thing, He can obviously do the far less complex task of managing and controlling, inter alia, every human life. It is this Being, Whom we call Allah, that is guiding mankind in the proper conduct of their lives, through this Qur’aan. Every human being should grasp this Reality before it is too late. No one knows when death would come. It may be just round the corner.
But the word hadeeth came to acquire another meaning after the completion of the revelation of the Qur’aan, and the departure of the Prophet from this world. Centuries after the death of the Prophet, his orally reported sayings, and those of his companions, came to be recorded in writing. And these recorded sayings came to be known as ahaadeeth (plural of hadeeth). Allah Almighty knows all about the future. And at the time of the revelation of this Verse, He was aware of this future meaning of the term hadeeth. He (Allah), in that sense, is disapprovingly hinting here at future generations of the Muslim Ummah believing in such man-influenced, error-prone ahaadeeth in preference to the well-explained teachings in the Qur’aan.
186. Man yudlili Allahu fala hadiya lahu wayatharuhum fee tughyanihim yaAAmahoona
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186. Whomsoever Allah sends astray, there is no guide for him. And He leaves them alone wandering blindly in their inordinateness.
187. Yas-aloonaka AAani alssaAAati ayyana mursaha qul innama AAilmuha AAinda rabbee la yujalleeha liwaqtiha illa huwa thaqulat fee alssamawati waal-ardi la ta/teekum illa baghtatan yas-aloonaka kaannaka hafiyyun AAanha qul innama AAilmuha AAinda Allahi walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
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187. They ask you when the Hour (of the end of this world) would come. Say, “The knowledge of it is only with my Lord. None but He shall manifest it at its time; it will be a hard time in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but of a sudden.” They ask you as if you were well-informed about it. Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people know not.”
188. Qul la amliku linafsee nafAAan wala darran illa ma shaa Allahu walaw kuntu aAAlamu alghayba laistakthartu mina alkhayri wama massaniya alssoo-o in ana illa natheerun wabasheerun liqawmin yu/minoona
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188. Say, “I cannot have any benefit or harm for my own self except as Allah pleases. And had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me. I am but a warner and the giver of good news to people who believe.
189. Huwa allathee khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin wajaAAala minha zawjaha liyaskuna ilayha falamma taghashshaha hamalat hamlan khafeefan famarrat bihi falamma athqalat daAAawa Allaha rabbahuma la-in ataytana salihan lanakoonanna mina alshshakireena
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189. He it is Who created you from a single being, and He made therefrom his mate, that he might have the pleasure of living with her. So when he mounts her she bears a light burden, and she moves about with it. And when it grows heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord, “If You give us a good child, we shall certainly be of those who are grateful.”
190. Falamma atahuma salihan jaAAala lahu shurakaa feema atahuma fataAAala Allahu AAamma yushrikoona
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190. But when He gives them a good child, they set up associates with Him in what He had given them. But high is Allah above what they associate with Him.
191. Ayushrikoona ma la yakhluqu shay-an wahum yukhlaqoona
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191. Do they associate with Allah those who do not create anything, but are themselves created!?
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192. Wala yastateeAAoona lahum nasran wala anfusahum yansuroona
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192. And they can muster no help, nor can they help themselves.
193. Wa-in tadAAoohum ila alhuda la yattabiAAookum sawaon AAalaykum adaAAawtumoohum am antum samitoona
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193. And if you invite them to guidance, they follow you not. It is immaterial whether you invite them or not.
194. Inna allatheena tadAAoona min dooni Allahi AAibadun amthalukum faodAAoohum falyastajeeboo lakum in kuntum sadiqeena
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194. All those whom you pray to, besides Allah, are under Allah’s absolute control like you are. Call on them then, and let them answer you if you are right.
195. Alahum arjulun yamshoona biha am lahum aydin yabtishoona biha am lahum aAAyunun yubsiroona biha am lahum athanun yasmaAAoona biha quli odAAoo shurakaakum thumma keedooni fala tunthirooni
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195. Have they feet with which they walk, or have they hands with which they hold, or have they eyes with which they see, or have they ears with which they hear? Say, “Call those whom you worship besides Allah, then plot against me and give me no concession.”
196. Inna waliyyiya Allahu allathee nazzala alkitaba wahuwa yatawalla alssaliheena
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196. Allah is indeed my Wali75, Who has sent down the Book. And He is close to the good, righteous people.
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75. Refer study note 2.154 for a comprehensive Qur’aanic meaning of this Arabic term.
197. Waallatheena tadAAoona min doonihi la yastateeAAoona nasrakum wala anfusahum yansuroona
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197. And those whom you pray to, besides Him, are not able to help you, nor can they help themselves.
198. Wa-in tadAAoohum ila alhuda la yasmaAAoo watarahum yanthuroona ilayka wahum la yubsiroona
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198. And if you invite them to the Guidance, they do not listen. And you see them looking towards you, yet they do not see.
199. Khuthi alAAafwa wa/mur bialAAurfi waaAArid AAani aljahileena
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199. Show forgiveness and enjoin what is good and be indulgent towards the ignorant people.
200. Wa-imma yanzaghannaka mina alshshaytani nazghun faistaAAith biAllahi innahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
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200. And if a mischief from the Satan affects you, seek refuge in Allah. HE does indeed hear, know.
201. Inna allatheena ittaqaw itha massahum ta-ifun mina alshshaytani tathakkaroo fa-itha hum mubsiroona
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201. Those indeed that fear Allah remember Him much when a visitation from the Satan affects them. Then lo! They see76.
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76. They see that the visitation is from the Satan trying to mislead them.
202. Wa-ikhwanuhum yamuddoonahum fee alghayyi thumma la yuqsiroona
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202. And their brethren relentlessly help them in wrong-doing!
203. Wa-itha lam ta/tihim bi-ayatin qaloo lawla ijtabaytaha qul innama attabiAAu ma yooha ilayya min rabbee hatha basa-iru min rabbikum wahudan warahmatun liqawmin yu/minoona
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203. And when you do not bring them a miracle/sign77, they say, “Why have you not brought it?” Say, “I follow only that which is revealed to me from my Lord. These78 are clear insights from your Lord and guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.”
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77. Refer study notes 2.264 to 2.268 on Verse 2.164 in this context.
78. The Qur’aanic Verses.
204. Wa-itha quri-a alqur-anu faistamiAAoo lahu waansitoo laAAallakum turhamoona
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204. And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and remain silent, so that you are showered with mercy.79
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79. Most Muslims today do not take care to abide by this divine directive. No wonder then that Allah Almighty has withdrawn His hand of mercy from them.
205. Waothkur rabbaka fee nafsika tadarruAAan wakheefatan wadoona aljahri mina alqawli bialghuduwwi waal-asali wala takun mina alghafileena
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205. And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and in fear and in a voice that is not loud, morning and evening and be not of those who are heedless.
206. Inna allatheena AAinda rabbika la yastakbiroona AAan AAibadatihi wayusabbihoonahu walahu yasjudoona
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206. Indeed, those with your Lord are not too proud to worship Him, and they declare His glory and to Him they prostrate.
سورة الأنفال
Chapter 8: Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War)
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1. Yas-aloonaka AAani al-anfali quli al-anfalu lillahi waalrrasooli faittaqoo Allaha waaslihoo thata baynikum waateeAAoo Allaha warasoolahu in kuntum mu/mineena
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1. They ask you about the spoils1 of war. Say, “The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger.2 So fear Allah and improve mutual relationships among yourselves. And obey Allah and His Messenger3 if you do believe!”
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1. Things captured from a vanquished enemy.
2. The spoils, in other words in modern terms, belong to the State whose army has gained victory. These are then utilized for common welfare measures for its people.
3. Refer study notes 3.35 to 3.37 on Verse 3.31 on what obeying the Messenger now means.
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2. Innama almu/minoona allatheena itha thukira Allahu wajilat quloobuhum wa-itha tuliyat AAalayhim ayatuhu zadat-hum eemanan waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona
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2. The believers are only those whose hearts are moved with fear when Allah is mentioned. And when His Verses/signs are recited to them, it (recitation) strengthens them in faith. And in their Lord do they trust.
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3. Allatheena yuqeemoona alssalata wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona
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3. Those who establish proper prayer4 and spend5 out of what We have given them.
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4. Refer study notes 2.4 and 2.108 for the Qur’aanic meaning of the Arabic term used for ‘establish proper prayer’.
5. Refer study note N2.385 on Verse 2.215 to know what is meant by ‘spending’ in Qur’aanic terms.
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4. Ola-ika humu almu/minoona haqqan lahum darajatun AAinda rabbihim wamaghfiratun warizqun kareemun
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4. These are the real believers. For them are high grades from their Lord, and forgiveness, and good wholesome provisions.
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5. Kama akhrajaka rabbuka min baytika bialhaqqi wa-inna fareeqan mina almu/mineena lakarihoona
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5. Likewise, in truth, did your Lord cause you to go forth from your house.6 And indeed a section of the believers were against it.
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6. As succeeding Verses of this Chapter would reveal, the Messenger (peace be upon him) had then set forth on a mission of armed conflict (the first one) with the non-believers.
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6. Yujadiloonaka fee alhaqqi baAAda ma tabayyana kaannama yusaqoona ila almawti wahum yanthuroona
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6. They disputed7 with you the truth after what had become clear, as if they were being driven, with their eyes wide open, to death!
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7. When it became clear that they were going into a war, a section of the believers started questioning the advisibility of fighting an enemy that was superior in number and equipment. They were afraid they were going to meet certain death.
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7. Wa-ith yaAAidukumu Allahu ihda altta-ifatayni annaha lakum watawaddoona anna ghayra thati alshshawkati takoonu lakum wayureedu Allahu an yuhiqqa alhaqqa bikalimatihi wayaqtaAAa dabira alkafireena
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7. And when Allah promised you that one of the two enemy groups shall be yours, and you preferred that the one not armed should he yours, Allah desired to make manifest the truth of His words and to cut off the root of those who suppress the Truth.8
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8. Obviously, the believers could not avail of their easier option and had to face the tougher option of fighting the well-armed enemy group. Man proposes, but Allah disposes. HE wished that the well-armed group be defeated so that the vital strength of the suppressors of Truth is weakened.
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8. Liyuhiqqa alhaqqa wayubtila albatila walaw kariha almujrimoona
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8. That He may establish the truth and destroy the falsehood, the wrong-doers’ dislike notwithstanding.
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9. Ith tastagheethoona rabbakum faistajaba lakum annee mumiddukum bi-alfin mina almala-ikati murdifeena
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9. As you sought aid from your Lord, so He answered you, “I will assist you with waves after waves of a thousand of the angels.”
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10. Wama jaAAalahu Allahu illa bushra walitatma-inna bihi quloobukum wama alnnasru illa min AAindi Allahi inna Allaha AAazeezun hakeemun
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10. And Allah did not make it9 but as a good news, so that your hearts might be at peace thereby. And there is no help except from Allah. Allah is indeed Mighty, Wise!
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9. Helping the believers with an army of angels.
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11. Ith yughashsheekumu alnnuAAasa amanatan minhu wayunazzilu AAalaykum mina alssama-i maan liyutahhirakum bihi wayuthhiba AAankum rijza alshshaytani waliyarbita AAala quloobikum wayuthabbita bihi al-aqdama
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11. When10 He caused you to be overcome with drowsiness as a means of mental peace from Him and sent down upon you water from the cloud that He might thereby purify you. And He rid you of satanic pollution that He might fortify your hearts and steady footsteps thereby.
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10. I.e., before the battle.
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12. Ith yoohee rabbuka ila almala-ikati annee maAAakum fathabbitoo allatheena amanoo saolqee fee quloobi allatheena kafaroo alrruAAba faidriboo fawqa al-aAAnaqi waidriboo minhum kulla bananin
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12. When your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you, so make the believers firm and steady. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who suppress the Truth. Then hit on their necks and cut all fingers off them11.”
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11. Cutting the fingers off effectively makes a person unfit for war.
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13. Thalika bi-annahum shaqqoo Allaha warasoolahu waman yushaqiqi Allaha warasoolahu fa-inna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi
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13. This is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, then, indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.
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14. Thalikum fathooqoohu waanna lilkafireena AAathaba alnnari
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14. “This it is, so taste it; for, punishment for the suppressors of the Truth is the Fire!”
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15. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha laqeetumu allatheena kafaroo zahfan fala tuwalloohumu al-adbara
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15. O you who believe! When you meet the suppressors of the Truth in war, turn not your backs to them.
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16. Waman yuwallihim yawma-ithin duburahu illa mutaharrifan liqitalin aw mutahayyizan ila fi-atin faqad baa bighadabin mina Allahi wama/wahu jahannamu wabi/sa almaseeru
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16. And whoever turns his back to them on that day - unless it is only to turn back to fighting or to withdraw to one’s own company - then he does indeed incur Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell. And it is an evil destination!
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17. Falam taqtuloohum walakinna Allaha qatalahum wama ramayta ith ramayta walakinna Allaha rama waliyubliya almu/mineena minhu balaan hasanan inna Allaha sameeAAun AAaleemun
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17. Then it was not you who killed them, but it was Allah Who killed them. And it was not you who threw when you threw, but it was Allah Who threw. And He did it to test the believers with a good test from Himself.12 Indeed, Allah listens, knows.
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12. The battleground is the scenario. Apparently, it was the believers who were throwing arrows/spears at the enemy men and killing them. But the Qur’aan insists here that it was Allah Who did that. And herein lay the acid test for the believers. Did they give credit to themselves or did they give the credit to Allah Almighty and thank Him for giving them thus the upperhand? The acid test for all believers is the same. Whatever we are able to do, it is because Allah facilitates its doing. Without His tacit but conscious consent, nothing can happen. We should believe in this. We are not believers otherwise.
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18. Thalikum waanna Allaha moohinu kaydi alkafireena
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18. Thus it is that Allah undermines the scheme of the suppressors of the Truth.
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19. In tastaftihoo faqad jaakumu alfathu wa-in tantahoo fahuwa khayrun lakum wa-in taAAoodoo naAAud walan tughniya AAankum fi-atukum shay-an walaw kathurat waanna Allaha maAAa almu/mineena
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19. If you sought victory, the victory has certainly then come to you. And if you desist, it will be better for you. And if you turn back, We shall turn back. And your forces shall avail you nothing, though they may be many, since Allah is with the believers.13
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13. Ostensibly, this is an address from the angels to the defeated army of the non-believers. The non-believers are told here sarcastically that they had come to the battlefield seeking victory for them. Victory has certainly come there, but it is for the believers!
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20. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ateeAAoo Allaha warasoolahu wala tawallaw AAanhu waantum tasmaAAoona
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20. O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn back while listening to him.
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21. Wala takoonoo kaallatheena qaloo samiAAna wahum la yasmaAAoona
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21. And be not like those who said, ‘We hear’, and they did not hear.
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22. Inna sharra alddawabbi AAinda Allahi alssummu albukmu allatheena la yaAAqiloona
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22. Indeed, the worst moving creatures, in Allah's sight, are the deaf/dumb that understand not.14
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14. For its mind to understand what the sound bytes float around in the air, a creature ought to have the hearing facility. It can’t understand any oral advice given to it, otherwise. People who do possess the hearing facility, and yet take no heed to what they hear, are wasting their Allah-given hearing facility. They are no better than any deaf/dumb creature. Like those heedless people during the Prophet’s time, an overwhelming majority of the people living in the world now, including most Muslims, are deaf and dumb to what they hear of the divine Message of the Qur’aan. Those who do understand the Qur’aan, and yet speak not about it to others, are also deaf and dumb in Allah’s sight. They fail in their Allah-given duty to pass on to others what they have learnt from the Qur’aan. They act dumb.
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23. Walaw AAalima Allahu feehim khayran laasmaAAahum walaw asmaAAahum latawallaw wahum muAAridoona
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23. And if Allah had known any good in them He would have made them hear, and if He makes them hear they would turn away and contradict.
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24. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo istajeeboo lillahi walilrrasooli itha daAAakum lima yuhyeekum waiAAlamoo anna Allaha yahoolu bayna almar-i waqalbihi waannahu ilayhi tuhsharoona
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24. O you who believe! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that for which Allah gives you life.15 And know that Allah intervenes between man and his mind16, and that to Him you shall be gathered.
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15. The Islamic outlook is that human life on earth is not the be-all and end-all of existence. This is only a testing ground for a better and higher life. Allah and His Messenger call us to the code of conduct in this life necessary for passing the test. And that code of conduct is laid down in the Qur’aan.
16. In other words, Allah Almighty tells us that He knows all the secrets of our minds.
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25. Waittaqoo fitnatan la tuseebanna allatheena thalamoo minkum khassatan waiAAlamoo anna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi
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25. And beware of a trial17 which may not afflict only those of you in particular who do wrong. And know that Allah is severe in punishment.18
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17. The long-drawn-out test of this earthly life is split into several trials and tribulations, and includes exemplary punishments, in this life itself, for excessive wrongs done. The punishments apart, trials and tribulations are, by their nature, not restricted to just the wrong-doers. It is to such a trial that this Verse refers to here.
18. This is a severe warning to those who do not respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger and neglect to follow the Qur’aan.
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26. Waothkuroo ith antum qaleelun mustadAAafoona fee al-ardi takhafoona an yatakhattafakumu alnnasu faawakum waayyadakum binasrihi warazaqakum mina alttayyibati laAAallakum tashkuroona
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26. And remember when you were few, deemed weak in the land, fearing lest people might carry you off by force. Then He sheltered you, strengthened you with His aid and provided you with good things so that you feel grateful.
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27. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la takhoonoo Allaha waalrrasoola watakhoonoo amanatikum waantum taAAlamoona
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27. O you who believe! Betray not Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts, knowingly.
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28. WaiAAlamoo annama amwalukum waawladukum fitnatun waanna Allaha AAindahu ajrun AAatheemun
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28. And know that your property and your children are a trial, and that, with Allah, there is a magnificent reward!19
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19. The reward is for those who deal with their property and children, and conduct all their other affairs, in accordance with the code laid down in the Qur’aan.
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29. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo in tattaqoo Allaha yajAAal lakum furqanan wayukaffir AAankum sayyi-atikum wayaghfir lakum waAllahu thoo alfadli alAAatheemi
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29. O you who believe! If you fear Allah, He will create in you an ability to distinguish between right and wrong and do away with your evil tendencies, and forgive you. And Allah possesses great grace.
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30. Wa-ith yamkuru bika allatheena kafaroo liyuthbitooka aw yaqtulooka aw yukhrijooka wayamkuroona wayamkuru Allahu waAllahu khayru almakireena
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30. And those who suppressed the Truth plotted to confine you, kill you or drive you away. They plotted and Allah plotted. And Allah is the best of plotters.
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31. Wa-itha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna qaloo qad samiAAna law nashao laqulna mithla hatha in hatha illa asateeru al-awwaleena
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31. And when Our Verses/signs are recited to them, they say, “We have heard. We certainly could, if we pleased, say things like that. These are nothing but fables of the ancients.”
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32. Wa-ith qaloo allahumma in kana hatha huwa alhaqqa min AAindika faamtir AAalayna hijaratan mina alssama-i awi i/tina biAAathabin aleemin
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32. And they said, “O Allah! If this is the truth from You, then rain upon us stones from the sky or bring on us a painful punishment.”
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33. Wama kana Allahu liyuAAaththibahum waanta feehim wama kana Allahu muAAaththibahum wahum yastaghfiroona
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33. But Allah was not going to punish them while you dwelt among them, nor was Allah going to punish them while they may yet ask for forgiveness.
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34. Wama lahum alla yuAAaththibahumu Allahu wahum yasuddoona AAani almasjidi alharami wama kanoo awliyaahu in awliyaohu illa almuttaqoona walakinna aktharahum la yaAAlamoona
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34. And why should Allah not punish them when they hinder people from the Sacred Place of Worship and when they cannot be its custodians. Its custodians can only be those who fear Allah, but most of them know not.
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35. Wama kana salatuhum AAinda albayti illa mukaan watasdiyatan fathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum takfuroona
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35. And their prayer before the House is nothing but whistling and clapping. Tastes then the punishment, for you have been suppressing the Truth.
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36. Inna allatheena kafaroo yunfiqoona amwalahum liyasuddoo AAan sabeeli Allahi fasayunfiqoonaha thumma takoonu AAalayhim hasratan thumma yughlaboona waallatheena kafaroo ila jahannama yuhsharoona
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36. Indeed, those who suppress the Truth spend their wealth to hinder people from the Path of Allah. And they shall continue to spend it so, till they are overcome with intense regret thereupon. And those, who suppress the Truth, shall be driven together to Hell!
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37. Liyameeza Allahu alkhabeetha mina alttayyibi wayajAAala alkhabeetha baAAdahu AAala baAAdin fayarkumahu jameeAAan fayajAAalahu fee jahannama ola-ika humu alkhasiroona
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37. That Allah might separate the bad from the good, and pile up the bad, one upon another, and then cast them together into Hell. These are the ones that are doomed.
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38. Qul lillatheena kafaroo in yantahoo yughfar lahum ma qad salafa wa-in yaAAoodoo faqad madat sunnatu al-awwaleena
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38. Tell those who suppress the Truth that if they desist, that which is past shall be forgiven to them. And if they persist, what happened to the ancients is already on record.20
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20. The Qur’aan is the record of what happened to recalcitrant people like those of Prophets Noah, Lot etc., Pharaoh’s army, the Aad, the Thamood et al of the anscient ages.
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39. Waqatiloohum hatta la takoona fitnatun wayakoona alddeenu kulluhu lillahi fa-ini intahaw fa-inna Allaha bima yaAAmaloona baseerun
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39. And fight with them until revolt/insurrection stops, and the way of life is restored in its entirety to Allah. Then if they desist, Allah does indeed see what they do.21
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21. In other words, it is for Allah to see whether an individual human being believes in Islam or not. Such personal beliefs are outside the domain of any human authority. The fighting, urged in this Verse, is not related, per se, to such beliefs. If it were so, the very purpose of Allah’s creation of human beings would be defeated. Allah has created human beings to test them individually whether they come to believe in Him, in this earthly life, without seeing him and willingly follow His directives. No coercion is applied. The human beings are expected to be just and peaceful in their relations with one another. That, broadly, is the divine scheme of things in this world. Anyone or any group of individuals, acting against this divine scheme, is raising the banner of revolt/insurrection. It is this revolt/insurrection that believers are urged to fight against, in this Verse.
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40. Wa-in tawallaw faiAAlamoo anna Allaha mawlakum niAAma almawla waniAAma alnnaseeru
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40. And if they turn back, then know that Allah is your Patron - the best Patron and the best One to help.
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Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, India,
January, 2009
QSV-XVIII
