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Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XXIV
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 Hud Verses 84 to 123 and Yusuf Verses 1 to 52.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
5th September, 2009
سورة هود
Chapter 11: Hud
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
84. Wa-ila madyana akhahum shuAAayban qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu wala tanqusoo almikyala waalmeezana innee arakum bikhayrin wa-innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin muheetin
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84. And to the people of Midian, We sent their brother Shu'aib. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than He. And cheat not in measure and weight. I do indeed see you that you are in prosperity, and I do indeed fear for you the punishment of a Day that will not leave out anything.” ==================================
85. Waya qawmi awfoo almikyala waalmeezana bialqisti wala tabkhasoo alnnasa ashyaahum wala taAAthaw fee al-ardi mufsideena
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85. “And, O my people! Give full and fair measure and weight, and defraud not people of their things. And make no mischief on earth, spreading corruption.”
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86. Baqiyyatu Allahi khayrun lakum in kuntum mu/mineena wama ana AAalaykum bihafeethin
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86. “That which is left by Allah is better for you, if you do believe! And I am not a guardian over you.” ==================================
87. Qaloo ya shuAAaybu asalatuka ta/muruka an natruka ma yaAAbudu abaona aw an nafAAala fee amwalina ma nashao innaka laanta alhaleemu alrrasheedu
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87. They said, “O Shu'aib! Does your prayer enjoin you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped, or that we should not do what we please with our property? You have indeed been the considerate and right-thinking person.” ==================================
88. Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu AAala bayyinatin min rabbee warazaqanee minhu rizqan hasanan wama oreedu an okhalifakum ila ma anhakum AAanhu in oreedu illa al-islaha ma istataAAtu wama tawfeeqee illa biAllahi AAalayhi tawakkaltu wa-ilayhi oneebu
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88. He said, “O my people! Do you see that, if I have been on clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me a good providence from Him Himself, and I do not wish to do, behind your backs, the very thing that I forbid you from, I desire nothing but reform so far as I am able to? And I get inspiration from none but Allah. On Him do I place my trust and to Him do I turn:”
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89. Waya qawmi la yajrimannakum shiqaqee an yuseebakum mithlu ma asaba qawma noohin aw qawma hudin aw qawma salihin wama qawmu lootin minkum bibaAAeedin
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89. “And, O my people, let not hostility to me make you commit sin so that there may befall on you the like of what befell the peoples of Noah, Hood or Salih. And the people of Lot were not very far in the past from you.”
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 90. Waistaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi inna rabbee raheemun wadoodun
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90. “And ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance. My Lord is indeed Merciful, Loving.”
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91. Qaloo ya shuAAaybu ma nafqahu katheeran mimma taqoolu wa-inna lanaraka feena daAAeefan walawla rahtuka larajamnaka wama anta AAalayna biAAazeezin
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91. They said, “O Shu'aib! We do not understand much of what you say and we do indeed consider you to be a weak one amongst us. And were it not for your family we would surely have stoned you to death. And you have no power over us.”
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92. Qala ya qawmi arahtee aAAazzu AAalaykum mina Allahi waittakhathtumoohu waraakum thihriyyan inna rabbee bima taAAmaloona muheetun
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92. He said, “O my people! Is my family more powerful for you than Allah? And you put Him behind your backs? My Lord indeed does encompass what you do.”18
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18. Those pre-historic people of Median put Allah behind their backs and thus got destroyed (see Verse 94 below). But what about us now? The overwhelming majority of mankind (Muslims included) today has also put Allah behind its back. So what are we waiting for (refer Verse 93 below): the Last Day?
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93. Waya qawmi iAAmaloo AAala makanatikum innee AAamilun sawfa taAAlamoona man ya/teehi AAathabun yukhzeehi waman huwa kathibun wairtaqiboo inne maAAakum raqeebun
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93. “And, O my people! Do what you can. I do what I do. You will soon come to know upon whom the disgracing punishment shall come and who the liar is. And you do wait! Indeed! I too am waiting with you.”
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94. Walamma jaa amruna najjayna shuAAayban waallatheena amanoo maAAahu birahmatin minna waakhathati allatheena thalamoo alssayhatu faasbahoo fee diyarihim jathimeena
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94. And when did Our decree come to pass, We saved, by mercy from Us, Shu’aib and those who believed with him, And the terribly rumbling sound19 struck those who were unjust, and they lay prostrate in their homes.
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19. It could be the sound that is generated when an earthquake occurs.
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95. Kaan lam yaghnaw feeha ala buAAdan limadyana kama baAAidat thamoodu
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95. As though they had never dwelt in them! Verily, away with the people of Median just as the people of Samood20 had gone away.
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20. The people of Samood too were destroyed by an earthquake (see Verse 67 above).
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96. Walaqad arsalna moosa bi-ayatina wasultanin mubeenin
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96. And certainly We did send Moses with Our signs/Verses and clear authority. ==================================
97. Ila firAAawna wamala-ihi faittabaAAoo amra firAAawna wama amru firAAawna birasheedin
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97. To Pharoah and his chieftains who followed his rule. And Pharaoh's rule was not good.
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98. Yaqdumu qawmahu yawma alqiyamati faawradahumu alnnara wabi/sa alwirdu almawroodu
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98. He (Pharaoh) shall lead his people, on the Resurrection Day, to the Fire. And bad is the place which they shall be led to.
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99. WaotbiAAoo fee hathihi laAAnatan wayawma alqiyamati bi/sa alrrifdu almarfoodu
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99. And curse followed them in this world and shall follow them on the Resurrection Day. Bad would be the gift they shall be given. ==================================
100. Thalika min anba-i alqura naqussuhu AAalayka minha qa-imun wahaseedun
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100. This is an account, We relate to you, of the peoples that inhabited this earth. Of them are some that still exist and others, destroyed. ==================================
101. Wama thalamnahum walakin thalamoo anfusahum fama aghnat AAanhum alihatuhumu allatee yadAAoona min dooni Allahi min shay-in lamma jaa amru rabbika wama zadoohum ghayra tatbeebin
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101. And We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. And their gods, whom they invoked besides Allah, did avail them nothing when the decree of your Lord came to pass. And they but added to their ruin. ==================================
102. Wakathalika akhthu rabbika itha akhatha alqura wahiya thalimatun inna akhthahu aleemun shadeedun
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102. And such was the seizure of your Lord when He seized the inhabitants of the earth while they did wrong. His seizure is indeed painful, severe. ==================================
103. Inna fee thalika laayatan liman khafa AAathaba al-akhirati thalika yawmun majmooAAun lahu alnnasu wathalika yawmun mashhoodun
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103. There is indeed in this a sign for him who fears the punishment in the Hereafter. This is the day for the gathering together of mankind and this is the day for production of evidence21.
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21. Before the divine Judgment is pronounced, everyone will get the complete and irrefutable evidence of how he or she fared in the great test of his/her worldly life.
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104. Wama nu-akhkhiruhu illa li-ajalin maAAdoodin
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104. And We won’t convene the Hereafter till an appointed time. ==================================
105. Yawma ya/ti la takallamu nafsun illa bi-ithnihi faminhum shaqiyyun wasaAAeedin
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105. The day when it is convened, no one shall speak except with His permission. Some of them then shall be miserable and some happy.
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106. Faamma allatheena shaqoo fafee alnnari lahum feeha zafeerun washaheequn
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106. The miserable ones, then, shall be in the Fire. For them there shall be sighing and groaning in it.
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107. Khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waal-ardu illa ma shaa rabbuka inna rabbaka faAAAAalun lima yureedu
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107. They shall abide therein so long as the heavens and the earth last, unless your Lord wills otherwise. Your Lord does indeed do what He wills.22
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22. Allah Almighty wills that those sho suppressed the Truth in this world and rebelled against His laws should suffer for ever in Hell-fire. HE does what He wills. If He wills to terminate their suffering, it will indeed be terminated. But, as indicated in this Verse and in many other Verses of the Qur’aan, the suffering in the Hell shall be ever-lasting. And as explained in Verse 14.48, the heavens and the earth as we understand these today, will not be destroyed to nothingness in the Hereafter, but will be changed. See also Verse 108 below in this context.
108. Waamma allatheena suAAidoo fafee aljannati khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waal-ardu illa ma shaa rabbuka AAataan ghayra majthoothin
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108. And the happy ones, then, shall be in the Paradise. They shall abide therein as long as the heavens and the earth last, unless your Lord wills otherwise. It’s a gift that shall never be terminated.
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109. Fala taku fee miryatin mimma yaAAbudu haola-i ma yaAAbudoona illa kama yaAAbudu abaohum min qablu wa-inna lamuwaffoohum naseebahum ghayra manqoosin
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109. Be not then in doubt as to what these people worship: they do not worship but as their fathers did before. And indeed We will pay them back in full their due undiminished. ==================================
110. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba faikhtulifa feehi walawla kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika laqudiya baynahum wa-innahum lafee shakkin minhu mureebun
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110. And certainly did We give the Book to Moses, and disputes were raised therein. And had not a Word already gone forth from your Lord23, the matter would surely have been decided between them. And the sceptics are indeed in doubt over it.
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23. I.e., had not the Lord fixed an appropriate time for His decision on the disputes. And one may take a serious note of the fact that just as the Jews had differences over their Torah, the Muslims have differences over the Qur’aan.
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111. Wa-inna kullan lamma layuwaffiyannahum rabbuka aAAmalahum innahu bima yaAAmaloona khabeerun
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111. And your Lord will indeed pay back to them all for their deeds in full. He is indeed aware of what they do. ==================================
112. Faistaqim kama omirta waman taba maAAaka wala tatghaw innahu bima taAAmaloona baseerun
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112. Stand firm then, you and those who have turned to Allah with you, on what you are commanded with, and transgress not. He does indeed see what you do. ==================================
113. Wala tarkanoo ila allatheena thalamoo fatamassakumu alnnaru wama lakum min dooni Allahi min awliyaa thumma la tunsaroona
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113. And do not incline towards those who are unjust, lest the Fire catches you. And you have no awliya24 other than Allah, and you shall not be helped.
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114. Waaqimi alssalata tarafayi alnnahari wazulafan mina allayli inna alhasanati yuthhibna alssayyi-ati thalika thikra lilththakireena
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114. And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and proximities of the night.25 Good deeds do indeed eradicate the evil. This is a reminder to those who remember Allah much.
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25. In the chronological order of revelation, this is the second divine command, after Verse 17.78, specifying the times for ritual prayers at dawn and dusk. The third is 2.238. Please see study notes 451 to 455 on that Verse in this context.
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115. Waisbir fa-inna Allaha la yudeeAAu ajra almuhsineena
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115. And be patient; for, Allah does indeed not let the good people go unrewarded!26
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26. If only we would adhere to this golden principle! We could have the best of this world and the next. We do not adhere to this principle because we do not believe that just being good will give us good rewards. Most of us believe that we get nothing for our good deeds. In the ultimate analysis, we do not have a strong, unshakable faith in Allah.
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116. Falawla kana mina alqurooni min qablikum oloo baqiyyatin yanhawna AAani alfasadi fee al-ardi illa qaleelan mimman anjayna minhum waittabaAAa allatheena thalamoo ma otrifoo feehi wakanoo mujrimeena
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116. If only there were, among the generations before you, more men of understanding forbidding mischief on earth! There were but a few men of understanding of those whom We saved from among them. And those who were unjust were preoccupied with the luxuries they were given. And they sinned. ==================================
117. Wama kana rabbuka liyuhlika alqura bithulmin waahluha muslihoona
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117. And your Lord could not have unjustly destroyed habitations, while the people living there were good. ==================================
118. Walaw shaa rabbuka lajaAAala alnnasa ommatan wahidatan wala yazaloona mukhtalifeena
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118. And if your Lord had so willed He would certainly have made mankind a single community. And yet they shall not cease to differ.
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119. Illa man rahima rabbuka walithalika khalaqahum watammat kalimatu rabbika laamlaanna jahannama mina aljinnati waalnnasi ajmaAAeena
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119. Exceptions are those to whom your Lord turns with mercy. And for this27 did He create them. And the statement of your Lord is bound to be fulfilled, “I will certainly fill Hell with the jinn and the human beings, together.”28
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27. I.e., for bestowing mercy upon the human beings.
28. But most of mankind disqualify themselves by disobeying Allah Almighty. And in His infinite knowledge, He knows this in advance. Hence is this dreadful divine prediction.
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120. Wakullan naqussu AAalayka min anba-i alrrusuli ma nuthabbitu bihi fu-adaka wajaaka fee hathihi alhaqqu wamawAAithatun wathikra lilmu/mineena
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120. All that we relate to you of the accounts of the Messengers is to strengthen your mind therewith. And in this29 have come to you the truth, admonition and a Book, for being frequently referred to, for the believers.
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29. I.e., the Qur’aan. This Verse is a divine confirmation of the fact that the Qur’aan contains all the truth and admonition for man to conduct his life on this earth, and it should serve him frequently as a Reference Book for trouble-shooting problems encountered.
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121. Waqul lillatheena la yu/minoona iAAmaloo AAala makanatikum inna AAamiloona
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121. And tell those who do not believe “You act your way; we act our.” ==================================
122. Waintathiroo inna muntathiroona
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122. “And you wait. We too indeed wait.”
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123. Walillahi ghaybu alssamawati waal-ardi wa-ilayhi yurjaAAu al-amru kulluhu faoAAbudhu watawakkal AAalayhi wama rabbuka bighafilin AAamma taAAmaloona
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123. And Allah’s are the secrets of the heavens and the earth and to Him are all matters returned. Do worship Him then and rely on Him! And your Lord is not the One to neglect what you do.
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سورة يوسف
Chapter 12: Yusuf (Joseph)
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1. Alif-lam-ra tilka ayatu alkitabi almubeenu
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1. Alif Lam Ra. These are the Verses of the open, clear and self-expressive Book. ==================================
2. Inna anzalnahu qur-anan AAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona
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2. We have indeed revealed it as an Arabic Quran in order that you understand it.1
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1. The Qur’aan was revealed for all the peoples of the entire world. And it was to be revealed through one human Messenger to emphasise the unity of religion for mankind. And since the All-knowing Allah had chosen an Arab to be that Messenger, the language of the divine Message had necessarily to be in Arabic. It is therefore the bounden duty of every Muslim living anywhere in the world to learn Arabic. Failure to learn it betrays a grave lack of faith in Islam on the part of the Muslims.
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3. Nahnu naqussu AAalayka ahsana alqasasi bima awhayna ilayka hatha alqur-ana wa-in kunta min qablihi lamina alghafileena
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3. We narrate to you the best of narratives by Our revealing to you this Quran. And, before this, you were indeed among those who did not know.2
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2. The addressee in this Verse is in the 2nd person singular. By implication, therefore, it was the Prophet (peace be upon him) who was the addressee initially, but every other Muslim is also implied.
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4. Ith qala yoosufu li-abeehi ya abati innee raaytu ahada AAashara kawkaban waalshshamsa waalqamara raaytuhum lee sajideena
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4. When Joseph said to his father, “O my father! I did indeed see eleven stars and the sun and the moon. I saw them prostrating to me.” ==================================
5. Qala ya bunayya la taqsus ru/yaka AAala ikhwatika fayakeedoo laka kaydan inna alshshaytana lil-insani AAaduwwun mubeenun
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5. He said, “O my son! Do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they devise a plan against you. The Satan is indeed an open enemy to man.” ==================================
6. Wakathalika yajtabeeka rabbuka wayuAAallimuka min ta/weeli al-ahadeethi wayutimmu niAAmatahu AAalayka waAAala ali yaAAqooba kama atammaha AAala abawayka min qablu ibraheema wa-ishaqa inna rabbaka AAaleemun hakeemun
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6. “And as per this vision, your Lord will choose you and teach you the interpretation of events and complete His favour upon you and upon the children of Jacob, as He did complete it, before, upon your fathers, Abraham and Isaac. Your Lord is indeed Knowledgeable, Wise.” ==================================
7. Laqad kana fee yoosufa wa-ikhwatihi ayatun lilssa-ileena
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7. Certainly in Joseph and his brothers there are signs for those who ask there for. ==================================
8. Ith qaloo layoosufu waakhoohu ahabbu ila abeena minna wanahnu AAusbatun inna abana lafee dalalin mubeenin
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8. When they said, “Certainly Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we. And we are more in number and strength.3 Our father is indeed making a manifest mistake.”
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3. The elder brothers were envious of their two youngest ones being doted on by their father. The youngest ones, being weak, needed more attention, and the father was naturally more protective of those two. But the elder brothers could not understand this. It was the usual sibling rivalry, which in this case had gone too far. ===================================================
9. Oqtuloo yoosufa awi itrahoohu ardan yakhlu lakum wajhu abeekum watakoonoo min baAAdihi qawman saliheena
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9. “Kill Joseph or abandon him into a distant land, so that your father dotes on you exclusively. And thereafter you can become righteous people.”
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10. Qala qa-ilun minhum la taqtuloo yoosufa waalqoohu fee ghayabati aljubbi yaltaqithu baAAdu alssayyarati in kuntum faAAileena
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10. One of them said, “Do not kill Joseph, but, if you must do something about him, put him down into the bottom of a well so that some travellers may pick him up.” ==================================
11. Qaloo ya abana ma laka la ta/manna AAala yoosufa wa-inna lahu lanasihoona
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11. They said, “O our father! Why do you not trust us with regard to Joseph? And we are indeed his sincere well-wishers!” ==================================
12. Arsilhu maAAana ghadan yartaAA wayalAAab wa-inna lahu lahafithoona
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12. “Send him with us tomorrow that he may eat, drink and play. And we will indeed guard him well.” ==================================
13. Qala innee layahzununee an thathhaboo bihi waakhafu an ya/kulahu alththi/bu waantum AAanhu ghafiloona
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13. Their father said, “It does indeed grieve me that you should take him away. And I fear lest the wolf devour him while your attention is diverted from him.”
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14. Qaloo la-in akalahu alththi/bu wanahnu AAusbatun inna ithan lakhasiroona
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14. They said, “Surely if the wolf should devour him even when we are a strong group, we should then indeed be the doomed ones!” ==================================
15. Falamma thahaboo bihi waajmaAAoo an yajAAaloohu fee ghayabati aljubbi waawhayna ilayhi latunabi-annahum bi-amrihim hatha wahum la yashAAuroona
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15. So then they went off with him and mutually agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of a well. And We revealed to him, “They know it not, but you shall one day certainly tell them of this act of theirs.”4
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4. The little Joseph was thus divinely reassured, while he was at the bottom of the well, that he will overcome the difficult situation he was in at that particular time, and will live to tell his brothers about their nefarious act.
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16. Wajaoo abahum AAishaan yabkoona
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16. And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping. ==================================
17. Qaloo ya abana inna thahabna nastabiqu watarakna yoosufa AAinda mataAAina faakalahu alththi/bu wama anta bimu/minin lana walaw kunna sadiqeena
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17. They said, “O our father! We did indeed get ourselves engaged in the racing game and left Joseph behind with our goods. Then, the wolf ate him. And you will not believe us though we do tell you the truth.”
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18. Wajaoo AAala qameesihi bidamin kathibin qala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amran fasabrun jameelun waAllahu almustaAAanu AAala ma tasifoona
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18. And they brought his shirt with false blood thereon. He said, “Nay, you yourselves have contrived this tale. All I can do is resort to graceful patience. And I seek Allah’s supp”ort against what you tell me.”
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19. Wajaat sayyaratun faarsaloo waridahum faadla dalwahu qala ya bushra hatha ghulamun waasarroohu bidaAAatan waAllahu AAaleemun bima yaAAmaloona
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19. And a caravan of travellers did come there and they sent their man to draw water from the well and he let down his bucket. He exclaimed, “O goodness! There is a boy here.” And they took him along as an article of merchandise. And Allah knew what they did.
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20. Washarawhu bithamanin bakhsin darahima maAAdoodatin wakanoo feehi mina alzzahideena
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20. And they sold him for a paltry price - a few dirhams - and few showed any interest in him. ==================================
21. Waqala allathee ishtarahu min misra liimraatihi akrimee mathwahu AAasa an yanfaAAana aw nattakhithahu waladan wakathalika makkanna liyoosufa fee al-ardi walinuAAallimahu min ta/weeli al-ahadeethi waAllahu ghalibun AAala amrihi walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
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21. And the man from the city who bought him said to his wife, “Make his stay comfortable. Maybe he will be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.” And thus did We establish Joseph in the land and taught him the interpretation of events. And Allah is in complete control of what He does, but most people know not.
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22. Walamma balagha ashuddahu ataynahu hukman waAAilman wakathalika najzee almuhsineena
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22. And when he attained his maturity, We gave him authority and knowledge. And thus do We reward those who are good.
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23. Warawadat-hu allatee huwa fee baytiha AAan nafsihi waghallaqati al-abwaba waqalat hayta laka qala maAAatha Allahi innahu rabbee ahsana mathwaya innahu la yuflihu alththalimoona
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23. And she, in whose house he lived, solicited him, closed the doors and said, “Come on!” He said, “I seek Allah's protection. My master has indeed given me good shelter. Those who do wrong shall indeed not prosper.”
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24. Walaqad hammat bihi wahamma biha lawla an raa burhana rabbihi kathalika linasrifa AAanhu alssoo-a waalfahshaa innahu min AAibadina almukhlaseena
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24. And she did desire him. And he would have desired her too, had he not seen a clear sign from his Lord. Thus did We turn evil and indecency away from him. He was indeed one of Our sincere worshippers. ==================================
25. Waistabaqa albaba waqaddat qameesahu min duburin waalfaya sayyidaha lada albabi qalat ma jazao man arada bi-ahlika soo-an illa an yusjana aw AAathabun aleemun
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25. And they both hastened to the door, and she tore off his shirt from behind and they met her husband at the door. She said, “What is to be done to him who wanted to molest your wife except to imprison him or give him some other painful punishment?”
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26. Qala hiya rawadatnee AAan nafsee washahida shahidun min ahliha in kana qameesuhu qudda min qubulin fasadaqat wahuwa mina alkathibeena
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26. He said, “It was she who tried to seduce me.” And a witness from her own family bore witness, “If his shirt is torn off from the front, she speaks the truth and he is the liar.” ==================================
27. Wa-in kana qameesuhu qudda min duburin fakathabat wahuwa mina alssadiqeena
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27. “And if his shirt is torn off from behind, she tells a lie and he is telling the truth.”
==================================
28. Falamma raa qameesahu qudda min duburin qala innahu min kaydikunna inna kaydakunna AAatheemun
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28. So when he (husband of the woman) saw his (Joseph’s) shirt torn off from behind, he (the husband) said, “It is indeed an instance of female cunningness. You women are indeed great at being cunning.” ==================================
29. Yoosufu aAArid AAan hatha waistaghfiree lithanbiki innaki kunti mina alkhati-eena
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29. “Joseph! You stay away from this; and (to his wife) You ask forgiveness for your sin, You are indeed the one at fault.
==================================
30. Waqala niswatun fee almadeenati imraatu alAAazeezi turawidu fataha AAan nafsihi qad shaghafaha hubban inna lanaraha fee dalalin mubeenin
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30. And the city women gossiped, “The nobleman’s wife has tried to seduce her young slave. She is surely overcome with love for him. We do indeed see her going manifestly astray.” ==================================
31. Falamma samiAAat bimakrihinna arsalat ilayhinna waaAAtadat lahunna muttakaan waatat kulla wahidatin minhunna sikkeenan waqalati okhruj AAalayhinna falamma raaynahu akbarnahu waqattaAAna aydiyahunna waqulna hasha lillahi ma hatha basharan in hatha illa malakun kareemun
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31. So when she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them and arranged comfortable seats for them. And she gave everyone of them a knife, and asked Joseph to come out before them. So when they saw him, they were so much stunned by his personality that they cut their hands, and said, “Glory to Allah! This is not a man; this is none but a noble angel.”
==================================
32. Qalat fathalikunna allathee lumtunnanee feehi walaqad rawadtuhu AAan nafsihi faistAAsama wala-in lam yafAAal ma amuruhu layusjananna walayakoonan mina alssaghireena
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32. She said, “This is the man whom you blamed me about. And I did certainly seek to seduce him, but he resisted. And if he does not do my bidding, he shall certainly be imprisoned, and he shall certainly suffer the ignominy. ==================================
33. Qala rabbi alssijnu ahabbu ilayya mimma yadAAoonanee ilayhi wa-illa tasrif AAannee kaydahunna asbu ilayhinna waakun mina aljahileena
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33. He said, “My Lord! I would prefer to go to jail rather than do what they invite me to. And unless You make their scheme against me ineffective, I will be tempted towards them and behave as one ignorant.”
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34. Faistajaba lahu rabbuhu fasarafa AAanhu kaydahunna innahu huwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
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34. His Lord then accepted his prayer and made their scheme against him ineffective. He does indeed hear, know! ==================================
35. Thumma bada lahum min baAAdi ma raawoo al-ayati layasjununnahu hatta heenin
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35. Then, after weighing the pros and cons of the matter, they thought it advisable to keep him in the prison for the time being.
==================================
36. Wadakhala maAAahu alssijna fatayani qala ahaduhuma innee aranee aAAsiru khamran waqala al-akharu innee aranee ahmilu fawqa ra/see khubzan ta/kulu alttayru minhu nabbi/na bita/weelihi inna naraka mina almuhsineena
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36. And two youngsters entered the prison with him. One of them said, “I saw myself making wine.” And the other said, “I saw myself carrying bread on my head, birds eating wherefrom. Tell us what it means. We do indeed see you as a good man. ==================================
37. Qala la ya/teekuma taAAamun turzaqanihi illa nabba/tukuma bita/weelihi qabla an ya/tiyakuma thalikuma mimma AAallamanee rabbee innee taraktu millata qawmin la yu/minoona biAllahi wahum bial-akhirati hum kafiroona
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37. He said, “I shall tell you both what the dreams mean before the food you eat is brought to you. This is one of the things my Lord has taught me. I have indeed forsaken the lifestyle of people who do not believe in Allah, and who deny the Hereafter.”
==================================
38. WaittabaAAtu millata aba-ee ibraheema wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba ma kana lana an nushrika biAllahi min shay-in thalika min fadli Allahi AAalayna waAAala alnnasi walakinna akthara alnnasi la yashkuroona
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38. “And I follow the lifestyle of my forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We do not have to worship anything other than Allah. This5 is by Allah's grace upon us and on mankind, but most people are ungrateful.”
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5. I.e., the fact that we are not to worship anything other than Allah. Monotheism is Allah’s grace upon mankind, but most people spurn the divine grace and take upon themselves the abomination of polytheism. ===================================================
39. Ya sahibayi alssijni aarbabun mutafarriqoona khayrun ami Allahu alwahidu alqahharu
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39. “O my two prison mates! Are sundry lords better or Allah the One, the Almighty?”
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40. Ma taAAbudoona min doonihi illa asmaan sammaytumooha antum waabaokum ma anzala Allahu biha min sultanin ini alhukmu illa lillahi amara alla taAAbudoo illa iyyahu thalika alddeenu alqayyimu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
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40. “What you worship besides Him are but fictitious things to which you and your fathers have given names. Allah has not sent down any authority for them. The absolute authority is with Allah alone. He has commanded that you shall not worship6 anything or anybody but Him. This is the established way of life, but most people know not.”
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6. To worship is to obey unquestioningly all commands of the authority in question. As this Verse proclaims, this authority is none other than Allah, the one and only Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and of everything therein. But by treating the ahaadeeth to be as sacrosanct as the Qur’aanic Verses, many Muslims are guilty of contravening the dictum of this Verse. Unlike for the Qur’aan, there is no divine guarantee of genuineness for the ahaadeeth. By following and thus obeying the ahaadeeth that are contradictory to Qur’aanic teachings, the Muslims are unquestioningly obeying and thus worshipping the narrators and writers of the ahaadeeth, besides Allah Almighty. ====================================================
41. Ya sahibayi alssijni amma ahadukuma fayasqee rabbahu khamran waamma al-akharu fayuslabu fata/kulu alttayru min ra/sihi qudiya al-amru allathee feehi tastaftiyani
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41. O my two prison mates! As for the first one of you, he shall serve wine to his lord. And as for the other, he shall be crucified, and the birds shall peck from his head. The matter you inquired about is so decreed.
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42. Waqala lillathee thanna annahu najin minhuma othkurnee AAinda rabbika faansahu alshshaytanu thikra rabbihi falabitha fee alssijni bidAAa sineena
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42. And he (Joseph) said to the one of the two, whom he visualised as going to be saved, “Mention me to your lord.” But the Satan caused him to forget mentioning him to his lord, so he remained in the prison for a few years. ==================================
43. Waqala almaliku innee ara sabAAa baqaratin simanin ya/kuluhunna sabAAun AAijafun wasabAAa sunbulatin khudrin waokhara yabisatin ya ayyuha almalao aftoonee fee ru/yaya in kuntum lilrru/ya taAAburoona
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43. And the king said, “I saw seven fat cows, but seven lean cows ate them up! And I saw seven ears of corn that were green and other ears that were withered and dry. O chieftains! Explain to me my dream, if you do interpret dreams.”
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44. Qaloo adghathu ahlamin wama nahnu bita/weeli al-ahlami biAAalimeena
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44. They said, “Dreams are jumbled, and we do not know the interpretation of dreams.” ==================================
45. Waqala allathee naja minhuma waiddakara baAAda ommatin ana onabbi-okum bita/weelihi faarsilooni
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45. And of the two prisoners, the one, who survived, recollected after a long time Joseph’s request to him and said, “I will give you its interpretation, and let me go out now to get it.” ==================================
46. Yoosufu ayyuha alssiddeequ aftina fee sabAAi baqaratin simanin ya/kuluhunna sabAAun AAijafun wasabAAi sunbulatin khudrin waokhara yabisatin laAAallee arjiAAu ila alnnasi laAAallahum yaAAlamoona
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46. “Joseph! O truthful one! Explain to us the dream in which there were seven fat cows, but seven lean cows ate them up! Besides, there were seven ears of corn that were green and other ears that were withered and dry. Explain, so that I may go back to the people and let them know.” ==================================
47. Qala tazraAAoona sabAAa sineena daaban fama hasadtum fatharoohu fee sunbulihi illa qaleelan mimma ta/kuloona
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47. Joseph explained, “You shall sow for seven years continuously, then leave what you reap in ears, except the little that you need for immediate consumption.” ==================================
48. Thumma ya/tee min baAAdi thalika sabAAun shidadun ya/kulna ma qaddamtum lahunna illa qaleelan mimma tuhsinoona
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48. “Then there shall come thereafter seven years of hardship which shall eat away all that you would have preserved for those years, except for a little thereof.” ==================================
49. Thumma ya/tee min baAAdi thalika AAamun feehi yughathu alnnasu wafeehi yaAAsiroona
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49. “Then there will come after that a year in which people shall have rain and in which they shall produce wine/oil.” ==================================
50. Waqala almaliku i/toonee bihi falamma jaahu alrrasoolu qala irjiAA ila rabbika fais-alhu ma balu alnniswati allatee qattaAAna aydiyahunna inna rabbee bikaydihinna AAaleemun
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50. And the king said, “Bring him (Joseph) to me.” So when the messenger came to him, he said, “Go back to your lord and ask him about the case of the women who cut their hands. My Lord does indeed know their guile.” ===================================
51. Qala ma khatbukunna ith rawadtunna yoosufa AAan nafsihi qulna hasha lillahi ma AAalimna AAalayhi min soo-in qalati imraatu alAAazeezi al-ana hashasa alhaqqu ana rawadtuhu AAan nafsihi wa-innahu lamina alssadiqeena
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51. The king called for the women and asked them, “What have you to say on the affair when you sought to seduce Joseph?” They said, “Glory to Allah! We knew of no evil on his part.” And the chieftain's wife said, “Now has the truth come out. It was I who tried to seduce him, and he is indeed the truthful one.” ===================================
52. Thalika liyaAAlama annee lam akhunhu bialghaybi waanna Allaha la yahdee kayda alkha-ineena
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52. “This is to let him (Joseph) know that I have not betrayed him behind his back and that Allah guides not the scheme of the betrayers.”
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Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, India,
5th September, 2009
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QSV-XXIV
