|
Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XXVIII
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-Nahl Verses 45 to 128.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
24th January, 2010
Chapter 16: An-Nahl (The Bee)
45. Afaamina allatheena makaroo alssayyi-ati an yakhsifa Allahu bihimu al-arda aw ya/tiyahumu alAAathabu min haythu la yashAAuroona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45 Do they then who plan evil deeds feel confident that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that punishment may not overtake them from whence they do not perceive? ================================
46. Aw ya/khuthahum fee taqallubihim fama hum bimuAAjizeena
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46. Or that He may not seize them while they are on the move, and so they cannot escape? =================================
47. Aw ya/khuthahum AAala takhawwufin fa-inna rabbakum laraoofun raheemun
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47. Or that He may not seize them with fear and/or slow destruction? And your Lord is indeed most Compassionate, Merciful. =================================
48. Awa lam yaraw ila ma khalaqa Allahu min shay-in yatafayyao thilaluhu AAani alyameeni waalshshama-ili sujjadan lillahi wahum dakhiroona ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48. Do they not see that anything, which Allah has created on any side, casts its shadow in humble prostration to Allah? ================================
49. Walillahi yasjudu ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi min dabbatin waalmala-ikatu wahum la yastakbiroona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49. And to Allah does prostrate any creature that is in the heavens and that is in the earth, and the angels too do it. And they do not show pride. ================================
50. Yakhafoona rabbahum min fawqihim wayafAAaloona ma yu/maroona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50. They fear their Lord over them. And they do what they are commanded. ==============================
51. Waqala Allahu la tattakhithoo ilahayni ithnayni innama huwa ilahun wahidun fa-iyyaya fairhabooni
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51. And Allah says, “Take not two gods. He is Allah, the One and Only. So Me alone should you hold in awe.”7
------------------------------------------------------------
7. In study note 2.184 we have seen why there is a sudden change from the singular to the plural form in some of the Qur’aanic Verses. The change here from the third to the first person is on the same grounds. ==================================================
52. Walahu ma fee alssamawati waal-ardi walahu alddeenu wasiban afaghayra Allahi tattaqoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
52. And whatever is in the heavens and the earth is His, and the way of life ought to be for Him ever.8 Will you then fear any being other than Allah?
------------------------------------------------------------
8. Human beings are Allah’s representatives on earth. Their way of life here should therefore be such as to please Him, and not antagonise Him. ================================================
53. Wama bikum min niAAmatin famina Allahi thumma itha massakumu alddurru fa-ilayhi taj-aroona -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53. And the good things, you have, are all from Allah. Then when anything bad afflicts you, to Him do you complain loudly. ================================
54. Thumma itha kashafa alddurra AAankum itha fareequn minkum birabbihim yushrikoona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54. And yet when He removes the hardship from you, lo, some of you worship others besides their Lord! ================================
55. Liyakfuroo bima ataynahum fatamattaAAoo fasawfa taAAlamoona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55. And so they become ungrateful for what We have given them. Enjoy then for now! You shall soon come to know your real destiny. ===============================
56. WayajAAaloona lima la yaAAlamoona naseeban mimma razaqnahum taAllahi latus-alunna AAamma kuntum taftaroona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56. And they set apart a portion of what We have given them for that which they do not know9. By Allah, you shall most certainly be questioned about that which you have been concocting!
------------------------------------------------------------
9. It is a practice among polytheists to offer some material things for their deities, other than Allah, whom they worship. These deities are either fictitious things or statues of persons, dead or living. The worshippers have no invontrovertible evidences of any divine powers that are reportedly attributed to these deities. Their belief in them is based on just hearsays. The Muslims too have unfortunately fallen a prey to this shirk. They go to the graves of saints, with costly chaddars and hefty monetary donations, thinking that the saints exercise divine powers through their graves. Their thoughts and actions are utterly un-islamic, and yet they call themselves Muslims! ================================================
 57. WayajAAaloona lillahi albanati subhanahu walahum ma yashtahoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57. And they arbitrarily attribute daughters (angels) to Allah. HE is too glorious to have any such creaturely attribute. And, for themselves, they would have what they desire (sons)! ================================
58. Wa-itha bushshira ahaduhum bialontha thalla wajhuhu muswaddan wahuwa katheemun
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58. And when news of a daughter being born is given to any of them, his face becomes darkened with suppressed anger.
================================= 
59. Yatawara mina alqawmi min soo-i ma bushshira bihi ayumsikuhu AAala hoonin am yadussuhu fee altturabi ala saa ma yahkumoona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59. He hides himself from the people because of the stigma of the news given to him. Shall he keep it despite the disgrace, or bury it in the dust? Verily, their judgment is vicious.10
------------------------------------------------------------
10. It is sad that female infanticide is even now prevalent in some parts of the world. ================================================
60. Lillatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati mathalu alssaw-i walillahi almathalu al-aAAla wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60. An example of evil applies to those who believe not in the Hereafter. And the best/loftiest example applies to Allah. And He is the Almighty, the Wise. ================================
61. Walaw yu-akhithu Allahu alnnasa bithulmihim ma taraka AAalayha min dabbatin walakin yu-akhkhiruhum ila ajalin musamman fa-itha jaa ajaluhum la yasta/khiroona saAAatan wala yastaqdimoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61. And had Allah seized mankind for their unjust acts, He would not have left, on the earth, even a single creature. But He gives them a definite time limit. And when their time comes, they shall not be able to postpone it for a moment nor prepone it. ================================
62. WayajAAaloona lillahi ma yakrahoona watasifu alsinatuhumu alkathiba anna lahumu alhusna la jarama anna lahumu alnnara waannahum mufratoona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62 And they assign to Allah what they hate for themselves. And their tongues philosophically cover up the lie to say that for them there shall be nothing but the good. There is no doubt that for them there shall be the Fire and that they shall be hastened thereto. ===============================
63. TaAllahi laqad arsalna ila omamin min qablika fazayyana lahumu alshshaytanu aAAmalahum fahuwa waliyyuhumu alyawma walahum AAathabun aleemun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63. By Allah, We did certainly send Messengers to peoples that existed before you. Then the Satan made their deeds seem good to them. And he became their wali11 of the day (period). And they shall have a painful punishment.
------------------------------------------------------------
11. See study note 2.154. ================================================
64. Wama anzalna AAalayka alkitaba illa litubayyina lahumu allathee ikhtalafoo feehi wahudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64. And We have not sent down the Book to you but to make clear to them what they differ in, and as guidance and mercy for people who believe. =================================
65. WaAllahu anzala mina alssama-i maan faahya bihi al-arda baAAda mawtiha inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yasmaAAoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65. And Allah it is Who sends down water from the sky and therewith gives life to the earth after its death. There is indeed a sign12 in this for people who listen.
------------------------------------------------------------
12. The life-reviving rain is one of the innumerable signs of the existence of the Creator Who has made adequate provisions for continuance of life on earth. The earth’s revival after rains is a sign also that the Creator can likewise resurrect mankind after it dies out entirely. Some other signs are mentioned in Verses 66 to 72 below. Such signs are mentioned elsewhere too in the Qur’aan. =================================================
66. Wa-inna lakum fee al-anAAami laAAibratan nusqeekum mimma fee butoonihi min bayni farthin wadamin labanan khalisan sa-ighan lilshsharibeena
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66. And, indeed, in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you pure, potable drink of milk, drawn from between excreta and blood in their bellies. ================================
67. Wamin thamarati alnnakheeli waal-aAAnabi tattakhithoona minhu sakaran warizqan hasanan inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaAAqiloona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67. And from the fruits of the palm-tree and the vine, you get intoxication as well as good food. There is indeed a sign in this for a people who ponder. ================================
68. Waawha rabbuka ila alnnahli ani ittakhithee mina aljibali buyootan wamina alshshajari wamimma yaAArishoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68. And your Lord inspired the bee, “make hives in the mountains, in the trees and in the buildings.” =================================
69. Thumma kulee min kulli alththamarati faoslukee subula rabbiki thululan yakhruju min butooniha sharabun mukhtalifun alwanuhu feehi shifaon lilnnasi inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yatafakkaroona -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
69. “And then eat of all the fruits and tread the paths of your Lord submissively.” A beverage of various colours comes forth from within it, wherein there is curative value13 for mankind. There is indeed a sign in this for people who reflect.
------------------------------------------------------------
13. Check up in google search. =================================================
70. WaAllahu khalaqakum thumma yatawaffakum waminkum man yuraddu ila arthali alAAumuri likay la yaAAlama baAAda AAilmin shay-an inna Allaha AAaleemun qadeerun
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70. And Allah it is Who has created you. It is He then Who causes you to die. And among you there may be someone who, after having acquired knowledge, is reduced to such a decrepit state14 of life that he knows nothing. Allah is indeed Knowledgeable, Powerful.
------------------------------------------------------------
14. State of insanity or very old aga, for example. =================================================
71. WaAllahu faddala baAAdakum AAala baAAdin fee alrrizqi fama allatheena fuddiloo biraddee rizqihim AAala ma malakat aymanuhum fahum feehi sawaon afabiniAAmati Allahi yajhadoona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71. And it is Allah Who has given some of you more/better provisions than to others. Do they then those who are thus favoured would give away their provisions to their slaves so that they become equal therein? Do they then deny this privilege15 that Allah has given them?
------------------------------------------------------------
15. The Qur’aan tells us that Allah has favoured some in rank over others so that the former can get work done from others (Verse 43.32), and so that He may try you in what He has given you (Verse 6.165). =================================================
72. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum min anfusikum azwajan wajaAAala lakum min azwajikum baneena wahafadatan warazaqakum mina alttayyibati afabialbatili yu/minoona wabiniAAmati Allahi hum yakfuroona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72. And it is Allah Who has made spouses for you from among yourselves, and though your spouses He has given you sons, daughters and their further families. And He has provided wholesome food for you. Do they believe then in the falsehood and disbelieve that it is Allah Who has given them the good things they enjoy? ================================
73. WayaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi ma la yamliku lahum rizqan mina alssamawati waal-ardi shay-an wala yastateeAAoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73. And they worship, besides Allah, that which possesses nothing from the heavens and the earth, wherewith to sustain them. Nor have they any power. =================================
74. Fala tadriboo lillahi al-amthala inna Allaha yaAAlamu waantum la taAAlamoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74. So liken not anything to Allah! Indeed, Allah knows and you do not. ==================================
75. Daraba Allahu mathalan AAabdan mamlookan la yaqdiru AAala shay-in waman razaqnahu minna rizqan hasanan fahuwa yunfiqu minhu sirran wajahran hal yastawoona alhamdu lillahi bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75. Allah gives an example: a slave - property of another person - who has no power over anything, and, on the other hand, a free man whom We have given a good provision from Ourselves and he spends from it secretly and openly. Are the two alike? To Allah is due all praise! But, most of them know not.16
------------------------------------------------------------
16. Polytheists do not understand even the simple thing that their deities, other than Allah, who are themselves creatures (slaves) of Allah, cannot at all be equal to Allah, their Master. The obvious inequality is illustrated by another example in Verse 76 below. ==================================================
76. Wadaraba Allahu mathalan rajulayni ahaduhuma abkamu la yaqdiru AAala shay-in wahuwa kallun AAala mawlahu aynama yuwajjihhu la ya/ti bikhayrin hal yastawee huwa waman ya/muru bialAAadli wahuwa AAala siratin mustaqeemin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76. And Allah gives another example, of two men, one of whom is dumb, unable to do anything, and a burden on his master. He is not good at whatever task the master gives him. Can he be held equal to him who enjoins what is just, and is himself on the right path? ===============================
77. Walillahi ghaybu alssamawati waal-ardi wama amru alssaAAati illa kalamhi albasari aw huwa aqrabu inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77. And with Allah is the knowledge of the unseen/secrets of the heavens and the earth. And the happening of the hour is but as a momentary sight or consuming even less time. Allah indeed can do anything. ===============================
78. WaAllahu akhrajakum min butooni ommahatikum la taAAlamoona shay-an wajaAAala lakumu alssamAAa waal-absara waal-af-idata laAAallakum tashkuroona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
78. And it is Allah Who brought you out from the wombs of your mothers. You did not know anything, and He gave you hearing and sight and intellect that you may be grateful.17
------------------------------------------------------------
17. When a woman delivers a baby normally, we tend to forget about the wonderful process that Allah sets in motion, within the body of the mother, to get the baby out into the open world. The mother just bears the process, and it is Allah Who brings out the child. As a new-born infant, it knows nothing, but while the foetus of the child was still in the mother’s womb, Allah had meticulously so fashioned it that it is now able to hear and see things. And by the time the child grows into a full-fledged man/woman, he/she acquires considerable knowledge through his/her mind gradually assimilating the things heard and seen during the intervening period. But is he/she grateful to Allah for giving him/her the faculties that enabled this acquisition? =================================================
 79. Alam yaraw ila alttayri musakhkharatin fee jawwi alssama-i ma yumsikuhunna illa Allahu inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yu/minoona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
79. See they not how the birds are enabled to be in mid-air above? None keeps them there but Allah. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who believe.18
------------------------------------------------------------
18. It is in the construction of their wings that the secret of the birds’ ability to fly lies. Man has built aeroplanes on the same lines. The ingenious design of the birds’ wings is an unmistakable sign of the existence of the Creator of super intelligence. ==================================================
80. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum min buyootikum sakanan wajaAAala lakum min juloodi al-anAAami buyootan tastakhiffoonaha yawma thaAAnikum wayawma iqamatikum wamin aswafiha waawbariha waashAAariha athathan wamataAAan ila heenin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80. And Allah has facilitated for you rest, security and solace in your houses. And He has facilitated for you tents.of the skins of cattle which you find light to carry when you travel and when you stay out. And of the animal wool, fur and hair He has given you assets and possessions for a time. ===================================
81. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum mimma khalaqa thilalan wajaAAala lakum mina aljibali aknanan wajaAAala lakum sarabeela taqeekumu alharra wasarabeela taqeekum ba/sakum kathalika yutimmu niAAmatahu AAalaykum laAAallakum tuslimoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81. And Allah has made for you shelters from what He has created, and places of retreat in the mountains. And He has provided for garments for you to protect you from the heat and armour to protect you in your armed conflicts. Thus does He complete His favour upon you in order that you submit to Him. ==================================
82. Fa-in tawallaw fa-innama AAalayka albalaghu almubeenu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
82. And if, even then, they turn away, the responsibility on you (Prophet Muhammad) is only to deliver Allah’s Message clearly to the people. ================================
83. YaAArifoona niAAmata Allahi thumma yunkiroonaha waaktharuhumu alkafiroona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83. They recognize Allah’s favour, yet they deny it! And most of them are those who suppress the Truth. ===================================
84. Wayawma nabAAathu min kulli ommatin shaheedan thumma la yu/thanu lillatheena kafaroo wala hum yustaAAtaboona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84. And One Day We will raise a witness out of every community. Then shall no leeway be given to those who suppress the Truth, nor shall they be allowed to solicit forgiveness. ===================================
85. Wa-itha raa allatheena thalamoo alAAathaba fala yukhaffafu AAanhum wala hum yuntharoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
85. And when those who are wicked experience the punishment, its severity on them shall not be decreased, nor shall they be given any respite. ===================================
86. Wa-itha raa allatheena ashrakoo shurakaahum qaloo rabbana haola-i shurakaona allatheena kunna nadAAoo min doonika faalqaw ilayhimu alqawla innakum lakathiboona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
86. And when those who worship others besides Allah see their other gods, they shall say, “Our Lord! These are our other gods whom we prayed to besides You.” But they will retort, “Certainly indeed you are liars!” ===================================
87. Waalqaw ila Allahi yawma-ithin alssalama wadalla AAanhum ma kanoo yaftaroona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
87. And they shall tender submission to Allah on that day. And what they used to concoct shall depart from them. ===================================
88. Allatheena kafaroo wasaddoo AAan sabeeli Allahi zidnahum AAathaban fawqa alAAathabi bima kanoo yufsidoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88. For those who suppress the Truth and cause hindrance in Allah's Path, We will add punishment over punishment because they have been spreading corruption. ===================================
89. Wayawma nabAAathu fee kulli ommatin shaheedan AAalayhim min anfusihim waji/na bika shaheedan AAala haola-i wanazzalna AAalayka alkitaba tibyanan likulli shay-in wahudan warahmatan wabushra lilmuslimeena
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89. And One Day We will raise in every people a witness against them from among themselves, and bring you as a witness against these. And We have revealed to you the Book explaining everything19 clearly, and as a guidance, mercy and good news for those who submit. 20
------------------------------------------------------------
19. What does ‘everything’ mean here? It obviously does not mean, for example, any recipe for cooking a delicious food item. It means general principles for conduct of human life. As regards the recipe, in the example taken, Allah has obviously left it and such other things to be learnt through experiences of earlier people and personal innovations and inspirations. The divine Hand is inherent here too when a man innovates or invents a new thing. But the characteristics of discovery, innovation and invention are common to all human beings, whether one is a believer or not. Human beings are however given the choice of recognizing or denying the existence of One Supreme Creator of the entire Universe and everything therein. And the Kind Creator has provided innumerable and unending signs for mankind to make the right choice of recognizing His existence. Not only that, but He has sent Prophets and Messengers with divinely authored Books for their guidance for making the right choice and conducting life accordingly. ‘Everything’ in the Verse implies everything for this purpose of making the right choice and conducting life accordingly. On the exercise of this choice depends Man’s fate in the Hereafter. And the stake is extremely high! And Allah could have left mankind to its fate by just providing the tell-tale numerous signs in the Universe, but He is Kind and extremely Merciful to His human creatures. HE has given them, in addition, the divine Book of Guidance, the Qur’aan, as a token of Mercy from Him. Therein He has moreover given the enticement of Paradise to mankind to help them make the right choice.
20. The unequivocal divine statement here that the Qur’aan gives clear explanation of everything makes the Book the sole authoritative source and basis for Islam, the Allah-chosen way of life for entire mankind. The equal (and in some quarters even greater) importance given to the man-influenced and error-prone ahaadeeth is the cause of the downfall of Muslims. Allah Ta’ala has obviously withdrawn His Hand of Mercy from them. ===================================================
 90. Inna Allaha ya/muru bialAAadli waal-ihsani wa-eeta-i thee alqurba wayanha AAani alfahsha-i waalmunkari waalbaghyi yaAAithukum laAAallakum tathakkaroona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90. Allah does indeed enjoin justice, kindness and giving things to near and dear ones. And He forbids obscenity, abomination and rebellion. He admonishes you that you may remember and take heed. =================================
91. Waawfoo biAAahdi Allahi itha AAahadtum wala tanqudoo al-aymana baAAda tawkeediha waqad jaAAaltumu Allaha AAalaykum kafeelan inna Allaha yaAAlamu ma tafAAaloona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
91. And fulfill Allah’s covenant when you make one. And break not oaths after affirming them; for, then, you have indeed made Allah stand surety for you. Allah does indeed know what you do. ===================================
92. Wala takoonoo kaallatee naqadat ghazlaha min baAAdi quwwatin ankathan tattakhithoona aymanakum dakhalan baynakum an takoona ommatun hiya arba min ommatin innama yablookumu Allahu bihi walayubayyinanna lakum yawma alqiyamati ma kuntum feehi takhtalifoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92. And be not like the woman who disintegrates her well-spun yarn into fibres.21 You take your oaths as means of interference in one another’s affairs so that one community gets bigger than another. Allah has not but put you on trial by this; and He will certainly make clear to you, on the Resurrection Day, that about which you differed.22
------------------------------------------------------------
21. The rationale for the directive in the preceding Verse not to break oaths made is explained here by use of a metaphor. A yarn spun out of a number of fibres has a greater strength and usefulness than the individual fibres. Likewise, a human being, individually, has little strength and usefulness. But the community, in which he lives with other human beings, gives him the necessary strength and security. He has written and unwritten conventions made with the other people and the society in general. He cannot afford to break these conventions. He will not be able to live there otherwise.
22. At the micro level of individuals, as also at the macro level of nations, agreements and treaties are often misused for exercising undue influence on and/or for unduly usurping properties and territories of one another. Most international conflicts among nations are a result of such misuse. ====================================================
 93. Walaw shaa Allahu lajaAAalakum ommatan wahidatan walakin yudillu man yashao wayahdee man yashao walatus-alunna AAamma kuntum taAAmaloona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
93. And if Allah had so willed, He would certainly have made you a single community. But He causes whom He wills to go astray and guides whom He wills to go on the Right Path. And you will certainly be questioned as to what you did.23
------------------------------------------------------------
23. Allah would like entire mankind to become one single community. That is why He sent His last Prophet with the last Message for them all. He has given mankind access to technologies that have rendered this world as one global village. But He won’t force this desired unity; for, then, the freedom of choice, which He has bestowed on mankind, would be rendered meaningless. Man, exercising that freedom, may choose to go astray even when the Merciful Allah has given him all the warnings and guidelines, and thus come in the way of mankind becoming one community. Man is given the freedom of choice, but he has to account for all that he did here despite the warniongs and guidelines. ===================================================
 94. Wala tattakhithoo aymanakum dakhalan baynakum fatazilla qadamun baAAda thubootiha watathooqoo alssoo-a bima sadadtum AAan sabeeli Allahi walakum AAathabun AAatheemun
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
94. And take not your oaths as means of interference in one another’s affairs, lest a footstep should stumble after it is firmly taken24 and you should taste adversity because you hindered someone from Allah's Path. And grievous punishment should be your lot.
------------------------------------------------------------
24. In other words, lest a man, on the verge of becoming a Muslim, should retrace his steps after observing other Muslims’ deceitful conduct in the matter of the oaths they had taken. ==================================================
95. Wala tashtaroo biAAahdi Allahi thamanan qaleelan innama AAinda Allahi huwa khayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95. And trade not covenant with Allah for petty gains. That which is with Allah is certainly better for you, if you but knew. ===================================
96. Ma AAindakum yanfadu wama AAinda Allahi baqin walanajziyanna allatheena sabaroo ajrahum bi-ahsani ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
96. What is with you gets exhausted and what is with Allah endures. And We will certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the good things they did. ===================================
97. Man AAamila salihan min thakarin aw ontha wahuwa mu/minun falanuhyiyannahu hayatan tayyibatan walanajziyannahum ajrahum bi-ahsani ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97. Whoever, male or female, does good work, and he/she is a believer, We will certainly make him/her live a good and clean life, and We will certainly give them their reward for the good things they did. ===================================
98. Fa-itha qara/ta alqur-ana faistaAAith biAllahi mina alshshaytani alrrajeemi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98. So when you recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan. ===================================
99. Innahu laysa lahu sultanun AAala allatheena amanoo waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99. Indeed he has no authority over those who believe and have trust in their Lord. ===================================
100. Innama sultanuhu AAala allatheena yatawallawnahu waallatheena hum bihi mushrikoona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100. His authority is only over those who befriend him and those who worship him besides Allah. ===================================
101. Wa-itha baddalna ayatan makana ayatin waAllahu aAAlamu bima yunazzilu qaloo innama anta muftarin bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101 And when We change one Message25 for another - and Allah knows best what He reveals - they say, “You are only a forger.” Nay - most of them know not.
------------------------------------------------------------
25. The Arabic word aayat has been used in the Qur’aan in the meaning of a sign, a miracle or a Verse of the Qur’aan. It has also the meaning of a divine Message. Every Verse of the Qur’aan is also indeed a divine Message, but the word could connote the entire divine Message, like that of the Qur’aan or the Torah. The divine Message of the Torah or of the Injeel (Gospel) was changed to the divine Message of the Qur’aan. ===================================================
102. Qul nazzalahu roohu alqudusi min rabbika bialhaqqi liyuthabbita allatheena amanoo wahudan wabushra lilmuslimeena
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
102. Say, “The Holy Spirit has authoritatively revealed it (the Qur’aan) as from your Lord, in order that it may stabilise those who believe and give guidance and good news for those who submit.” ==================================
103. Walaqad naAAlamu annahum yaqooloona innama yuAAallimuhu basharun lisanu allathee yulhidoona ilayhi aAAjamiyyun wahatha lisanun AAarabiyyun mubeenun
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103. And We are certainly aware that they say, “A certain man it is who teaches him.” The person they are alluding to speaks a foreign tongue, and this is clear Arabic tongue! ===================================
104. Inna allatheena la yu/minoona bi-ayati Allahi la yahdeehimu Allahu walahum AAathabun aleemun
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104. Allah does indeed not guide those who do not believe in His Messages. And they shall have a painful punishment. ==================================
105. Innama yaftaree alkathiba allatheena la yu/minoona bi-ayati Allahi waola-ika humu alkathiboona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
105. Those that believe not in Allah’s Messages, it is they who concoct the lie. And those are the liars. ==================================
106. Man kafara biAllahi min baAAdi eemanihi illa man okriha waqalbuhu mutma-innun bial-eemani walakin man sharaha bialkufri sadran faAAalayhim ghadabun mina Allahi walahum AAathabun AAatheemun
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106. Allah’s Wrath is on people like him who denies Allah after having believed in Him - not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest with faith, but he who opens his mind to suppression of the Truth. And they shall have the most severe punishment. ===================================
107. Thalika bi-annahumu istahabboo alhayata alddunya AAala al-akhirati waanna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alkafireena
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107. That is because they love this worldly life more than the Hereafter, and because Allah does not guide people who suppress the Truth. ===================================
108. Ola-ika allatheena tabaAAa Allahu AAala quloobihim wasamAAihim waabsarihim waola-ika humu alghafiloona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108. These are the people on whose hearts, hearing and eyes Allah has set a seal. And these are the heedless ones. ===================================
109. La jarama annahum fee al-akhirati humu alkhasiroona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109. No doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the doomed ones. ===================================
110. Thumma inna rabbaka lillatheena hajaroo min baAAdi ma futinoo thumma jahadoo wasabaroo inna rabbaka min baAAdiha laghafoorun raheemun
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110. And then, on the other hand, your Lord is indeed Forgiving and Merciful on those who migrate after they are persecuted, then struggle hard and are patient. ===================================
111. Yawma ta/tee kullu nafsin tujadilu AAan nafsiha watuwaffa kullu nafsin ma AAamilat wahum la yuthlamoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111. On that Day every one shall come, pleading for one’s own self. And every one shall be paid one’s full dues, and they shall not be wronged. ===================================
112. Wadaraba Allahu mathalan qaryatan kanat aminatan mutma-innatan ya/teeha rizquha raghadan min kulli makanin fakafarat bi-anAAumi Allahi faathaqaha Allahu libasa aljooAAi waalkhawfi bima kanoo yasnaAAoona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112. And Allah gives an example of a village/town, safe and secure, to which its means of subsistence came in abundance from every quarter. Then it became ungrateful to Allah's favours. And Allah made it suffer the pall of hunger and fear because of what they wrought. ==================================
113. Walaqad jaahum rasoolun minhum fakaththaboohu faakhathahumu alAAathabu wahum thalimoona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
113. And, of course, a Messenger from among them had come to them, but they rejected him. So disaster struck them because of their wickedness. ===================================
114. Fakuloo mimma razaqakumu Allahu halalan tayyiban waoshkuroo niAAmata Allahi in kuntum iyyahu taAAbudoona
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114. Eat then of what Allah has given you, lawful and wholesome. And be grateful for Allah's favours, if Him it is that you worship. ===================================
115. Innama harrama AAalaykumu almaytata waalddama walahma alkhinzeeri wama ohilla lighayri Allahi bihi famani idturra ghayra baghin wala AAadin fa-inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115. HE has forbidden you only carrion (what dies of itself), blood, flesh of swine and that over which any name, other than that of Allah, has been invoked. But if anyone is driven by necessity – and not desire – and does not exceed limits, then Allah is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.26
------------------------------------------------------------
26. This Verse is, almost verbatim, the same as Verse 2.173. Please see study notes 281 to 285 under that Verse. ====================================================
116. Wala taqooloo lima tasifu alsinatukumu alkathiba hatha halalun wahatha haramun litaftaroo AAala Allahi alkathiba inna allatheena yaftaroona AAala Allahi alkathiba la yuflihoona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
116. And describe not anything falsely, with your tongues, as being lawful or unlawful so as to concoct the lie and ascribe it to Allah. Indeed, those who concoct the lie and ascribe it to Allah shall not prosper. ================================
117. MataAAun qaleelun walahum AAathabun aleemun
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117. It is but a little enjoyment for them. And they shall have a painful punishment. ===================================
118. WaAAala allatheena hadoo harramna ma qasasna AAalayka min qablu wama thalamnahum walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
118. And for those who were Jews We prohibited what We have related to you already.27 And We did them no wrong, but they wronged themselves.
------------------------------------------------------------
27. Refer Verse 6.146. ====================================================
119. Thumma inna rabbaka lillatheena AAamiloo alssoo-a bijahalatin thumma taboo min baAAdi thalika waaslahoo inna rabbaka min baAAdiha laghafoorun raheemun
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
119. And your Lord is indeed Forgiving and Merciful to those who do an evil act in ignorance, then turn in repentance after that and make amends. ===================================
120. Inna ibraheema kana ommatan qanitan lillahi haneefan walam yaku mina almushrikeena
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
120. Abraham was indeed an institution, firmly devoted to Allah. And he was never a polytheist. ===================================
121. Shakiran li-anAAumihi ijtabahu wahadahu ila siratin mustaqeemin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
121. He was ever grateful for Allah’s favours. HE chose him and guided him to the Straight Path. ===================================
122. Waataynahu fee alddunya hasanatan wa-innahu fee al-akhirati lamina alssaliheena
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
122. And We gave him a good life in this world, and, in the next, he will indeed be among the good, righteous people. ===================================
123. Thumma awhayna ilayka ani ittabiAA millata ibraheema haneefan wama kana mina almushrikeena
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
123. We then instructed you to follow Abraham’s lifestyle steadfastly. And he was not of the polytheists. ===================================
124. Innama juAAila alssabtu AAala allatheena ikhtalafoo feehi wa-inna rabbaka layahkumu baynahum yawma alqiyamati feema kanoo feehi yakhtalifoona
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
124. The Sabbath28 was ordained only for those who differed about it, and your Lord indeed will judge between them on the Resurrection Day concerning that about which they differed.
------------------------------------------------------------
28. See study note 2.73. The Jews and the Christians differ about the day of the week on which the rest day is to be observed. ====================================================
125. OdAAu ila sabeeli rabbika bialhikmati waalmawAAithati alhasanati wajadilhum biallatee hiya ahsanu inna rabbaka huwa aAAlamu biman dalla AAan sabeelihi wahuwa aAAlamu bialmuhtadeena
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125. Call people to the Path of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel, and argue with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord does indeed know who go astray from His path, and who follow it. ===================================
126. Wa-in AAaqabtum faAAaqiboo bimithli ma AAooqibtum bihi wala-in sabartum lahuwa khayrun lilssabireena
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
126. And if you retaliate, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you are patient, it will certainly be better for those who are patient.29
------------------------------------------------------------
29. Recently, there was that case about Danish cartoons. Some Danish newspaper had published derogatory cartoons about our Prophet (peace be upon him). In pursuance of the divine directive in this Verse, the only thing the Muslims could do in retaliation was to publish an equally derogatory cartoon about Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) in one of the newspapers controlled by them. But could the Muslims do it? No, never! Because, for the Muslims Prophet Jesus is as honourable as Prophet Muhammad. The best response for the Muslims then would have been to be patient, in accordance with the divine directive in this Verse, and try and publish an article in the same Danish paper eulogizing Prophet Jesus. But the Muslims did not then follow divine directive. They called for death to the persons concerned in the publication of the said Danish cartoons and for boycott of all Danish goods. How would Allah help the Muslims if they won’t follow His advice? ====================================================
 127. Waisbir wama sabruka illa biAllahi wala tahzan AAalayhim wala taku fee dayqin mimma yamkuroona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
127. And be patient and your patience is not but by Allah’s Grace. And grieve not for them, and do not distress yourself at what they plot. ===================================
128. Inna Allaha maAAa allatheena ittaqaw waallatheena hum muhsinoona
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
128. Allah is indeed with those who fear Allah and with those who do good deeds. ===================================
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, India,
24th January, 2010
|
QSV-XXVIII
