THE HOLY QUR'AAN


SURAH 19
Maryam  (Mary)

INTRODUCTION:

This Surah consists of 98 verses, 780 sentences and 6 Ruku's.

Period of Revelation : It was revealed before the Migration to Habash. We learn from authentic Traditions that Hadrat Ja'afar recited vv. 1-40 of this Surah in the court of Negus when he called the migrants to his court.

Historical Background : We have already briefly referred to the conditions of that period in the introduction to Surah Al-Kahf. Here we shall give rather fuller details of the same conditions, which will be helpful in grasping the meaning of this Surah and the other Surahs of the period. When the chiefs of the Quraish felt that they had failed to suppress the Islamic movement by ridicule, sarcasm, and by holding out promises and threats and by making false accusations, they resorted to persecution, beating and economic pressure. They would catch hold of the new Muslims of their clans and persecute them, starve them and would even inflict physical torture on them in order to coerce them to give up Islam. The most pitiful victims of their persecution were the poor people and the slaves and the proteges of the Quraish. They were beaten black and blue, were imprisoned and kept thirsty and hungry and were dragged on the burning sands of Makkah. The people would get work from the professional labourers but would not pay them their wages. As an instance we give below the story of Hadrat Khabbab bin Arat, which is given in Bukhari and Muslim: "I used to work as a blacksmith in Makkah. Once I did some work for As bin Wa'il. When I went to ask for my wages, he said, 'I will not pay your wages unless you disown Muhammad'."

In the same connection Hadrat Khabbab says, "One day the Holy Prophet was sitting in the shadow of the Ka'abah. I went to him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, now persecution has gone to its extreme; why do you not pray to Allah (for relief)?' At this the Holy Prophet was greatly moved. He said, 'The believers before you were persecuted much more than you. Their bones were scraped with combs of iron and their heads were cut with saws, but still they did not give up their Faith. I assure you that Allah will fulfil this Mission, and there will come a period of such peace that one would travel from Sanna to Hadramaut, and he will have no fear from anyone, save Allah. But you people have already become impatient'." (Bukhari)

 

When the conditions became unbearable, the Holy Prophet, in the month of Rajab of the fifth year of Prophethood, gave advice to his Companions to this effect: "You may well migrate to Habash, for there is a king, who does not allow any kind of injustice to anyone, and there is good in his land. You should remain there till the time that Allah provides a remedy for your affliction".

 

Accordingly, at first, eleven men and four women left for Habash. The Quraish pursued them up to the coast but fortunately they got a timely boat for Habash at the sea-port of Shu'aibah, and they escaped arrest. Then after a few months, other people migrated to Habash and their number rose to eighty-three men and eleven women of the Quraish and seven non-Quraish. After this, only forty persons were left with the Holy Prophet at Makkah.

 

There was a great hue and cry in Makkah after this Migration, for every family of the Quraish was adversely affected by this. There was hardly a family of the Quraish which did not lose a son, a son-in-law, a daughter, a brother or a sister. For instance, there were among the Migrants the near relatives of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan and other chief of the Quraish who were notorious for their persecution of the Muslims. As a result of this, some of them became even more bitter in their enmity of Islam, while there were others who were so moved by this that they embraced Islam. For instance, this Migration left a deep mark on Hadrat Umar. One of his relatives, Laila, daughter of Hathmah, says, "I was packing my luggage for Migration, while my husband, Amr bin Rabiy'ah, had gone out. In the meantime Umar came there and began to watch me, while I was engaged in preparation for the journey. Then he said, 'Are you also going to migrate?' I answered, 'Yes by God, you people have persecuted us much. But the wide earth of Allah is open for us. Now we are going to a place where Allah will grant us peace'. At this, I noticed such signs of emotion on the face of Umar as I had never seen before. He simply said, 'May God be with you' and went away."

 

After the migration, the Quraish held consultations, and decided to send Abdullah bin Abi Rabiy'ah, half brother of Abu Jahl, and Amr bin As to Habash with precious gifts so as to persuade Negus to send the migrants back to Makkah. Hadrat Umm Salmah (a wife of the Holy Prophet), who was among the migrants, has related this part of the story in detail. She says, "When these two clever statesmen of the Quraish reached Habash, they distributed the gifts among the courtiers of the King and persuaded them to recommend strongly to him to send the migrants back. Then they saw Negus himself and, presenting rich gifts to him, said, 'Some headstrong brats of our city have come to your land and our chiefs have sent us to you with the request that you may kindly send them back. These brats have forsaken our faith and have not embraced your faith either, but have invented a new faith'. As soon as they had finished their speech, all the courtiers recommended their case, saying, 'We should send such people back to their city for their people know them better. It is not proper for us to keep them here'. At this the King was annoyed and said, 'I am not going to give them back without proper enquiry. As these people have put their trust in my country rather than in any other country and have come here to take shelter, I will not betray them. At first I will send for them and investigate into the allegations these people have made against them. Then I will make my final decision'. Accordingly, the King sent for the Companions of the Holy Prophet and asked them to come to his court.

 

When the migrants received the message of the King, they assembled and held consultations as to what they should say to the King. At last they came to this unanimous decision: '"We will present before the King the teachings of the Holy Prophet without adding anything to or withholding anything from them and leave it to him whether he lets us remain here or turns us out of his country'. When they came to the court, the King put this problem abruptly before them: 'I understand that you have given up the faith of your own people and have neither embraced my faith nor any other existing faith. I would like to know what your new faith is.' At this, Jafar bin Abi Talib, on behalf of the migrants, made an extempore speech to this effect: 'O King! We were sunk deep in ignorance and had become very corrupt; then Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) came to us as a Messenger of God, and did his best to reform us. But the Quraish began to persecute his followers, so we have come to your country in the hope that here we will be free from persecution'. After his speech, the King said, 'Please recite a piece of the Revelation which has been sent down by God to your Prophet'. In response, Hadrat Jafar recited that portion of Surah Maryam which relates the story of Prophets John and Jesus (Allah's peace be upon them). The King listened to it and wept, so much so that his beard became wet with tears. When Hadrat Jafar finished the recital, he said: 'Most surely this Revelation and the Message of Jesus have come from the same source. By God I will not give you up into the hands of these people'.

Next day Amr bin As went to Negus and said, 'Please send for them again and ask them concerning the creed they hold about Jesus, the son of Mary, for they say a horrible thing about him'. The King again sent for the migrants, who had already learnt about the scheme of Amr. They again sat together and held consultations in regard to the answer they should give to the King, if he asked about the belief they held about Prophet Jesus. Though this was a very critical situation and all of them were uneasy about it, they decided that they would say the same thing that Allah and His Messenger had taught them. Accordingly, when they went to the court, the King put them the question that had been suggested by Amr bin As. So Jafar bin Abi Talib stood up and answered without the least hesitation: 'He was a Servant of Allah and His Messenger. He was a Spirit and a Word of Allah which had been sent to virgin Mary.' At this the King picked up a straw from the ground and said, 'By God, Jesus was not worth this straw more than what you have said about him.' After this the King returned the gifts sent by the Quraish, saying, 'I do not take any bribe'. Then he said to the migrants, 'You are allowed to stay here in perfect peace'."

Theme and Subject: Keeping in view this historical background, it becomes quite obvious that this Surah was sent down to serve the migrants as a "provision" for their journey to Habash, as if to say, "Though you are leaving your country as persecuted emigrants to a Christian country, you should not in the least hide anything from the teachings you have received. Therefore you should plainly say to the Christians that Prophet Jesus was not the son of God."

After relating the story of Prophets John and Jesus in vv. 1-40, the story of Prophet Abraham has been related (vv. 41-50) also for the benefit of the Migrants for he also had been forced like them to leave his country by the persecution of his father, his family and his countrymen. On the one hand, this meant to console the Emigrants that they were following the footsteps of Prophet Abraham and would attain the same good end as that Prophet did. On the other hand, it meant to warn the disbelievers of Makkah that they should note it well that they were in the position of the cruel people who had persecuted their forefather and leader, Abraham, while the Muslim Emigrants were in the position of Prophet Abraham himself.

 

Then the mention of the other Prophets has been made in vv. 51-65 with a view to impress that Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) had brought the same way of Life that had been brought by the former Prophets but their followers had become corrupt and adopted wrong ways.

 

In the concluding passage (vv. 66-98), a strong criticism has been made of the evil ways of the disbelievers of Makkah, while the Believers have been given the good news that they would come out successful and become the beloved of the people, in spite of the worst efforts of the enemies of the Truth.

Maududi

 

 

IMPORTANT: Please note that the Digest is based upon these outstanding translations and they have been reproduced here for the benefit of serious readers of the Qur’aan; the copyrights of these works are held by their respective authors/publishers from whom they can be purchased by anyone interested in acquiring them and we ardently hope that no offence will be taken by their inclusion.

 

 

THE HOLY QUR'AAN


SURAH 19

MARYAM (MARY)


 

Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Section 1  

 19 : 1

1. Kaf-ha-ya-AAayn-sad

1. Kâf­ Hâ­Yâ­'Aîn­Sâd.  

19 : 2

2. Thikru rahmati rabbika AAabdahu zakariyya

This is an account of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zachariah -

19 : 3

3. Ith nada rabbahu nidaan khafiyyan

 

When he invoked his Lord with a discreet invocation -

(Three reasons are given why this prayer was offered by Zachariah discreetly : because silent prayer is nearer to humility; seeking offspring from Allah at the age of seventy five to eighty is embarrassing; and finally, on account of his ripe years, his voice had become thin from physical infirmity).

19 : 4

4. Qala rabbi innee wahana alAAathmu minnee waishtaAAala alrra/su shayban walam akun biduAAa-ika rabbi shaqiyyan

Saying : 'My Lord! Verily brittle have become my bones from senility and grey have gone the hair on my scalp! And never have I been disappointed in my prayer to you, O Lord!'

19 : 5

5. Wa-innee khiftu almawaliya min wara-ee wakanati imraatee AAaqiran fahab lee min ladunka waliyyan

'Verily I am fearful of the actions of my kinsfolk after me because my spouse is an infertile woman! So give me from your presence an heir -

19 : 6

6. Yarithunee wayarithu min ali yaAAqooba waijAAalhu rabbi radiyyan

'Who shall be my successor and also a scion for the House of Jacob; and make him, my Lord, one acceptable to you!'

19 : 7

7. Ya zakariyya inna nubashshiruka bighulamin ismuhu yahya lam najAAal lahu min qablu samiyyan

 

(So it was said to him) : 'O Zachariah! We give you the good tidings of a son whose name shall be Yahya (John) and We have never given this name to anyone else before him!

19 : 8

 

8. Qala rabbi anna yakoonu lee ghulamun wakanati imraatee AAaqiran waqad balaghtu mina alkibari AAitiyyan


He said : 'My Lord! How can I have a son when my spouse is infertile and I have reached the stage when I am searing with old age?'

19 : 9

9. Qala kathalika qala rabbuka huwa AAalayya hayyinun waqad khalaqtuka min qablu walam taku shay-an

He said : 'So shall it be! Your Lord says : 'It is easy for Me! As it was when I created you once before while you were nothing!'

19 : 10

10. Qala rabbi ijAAal lee ayatan qala ayatuka alla tukallima alnnasa thalatha layalin sawiyyan

He said : 'My Lord! Grant me a token!' He said : 'Your token is that you shall speak to no one for three nights, though you have no impairment.'

19 : 11

11. Fakharaja AAala qawmihi mina almihrabi faawha ilayhim an sabbihoo bukratan waAAashiyyan

Then he came out of the sanctuary to his people and said to them in signs : 'Glorify your Lord at daybreak and at sunset regularly!

19 : 12

12. Ya yahya khuthi alkitaba biquwwatin waataynahu alhukma sabiyyan


(And it was said to his son) : 'O Yahya! Hold resolutely to the Scripture!' And We bestowed upon him prophethood whilst he was still a child, -

19 : 13

13. Wahananan min ladunna wazakatan wakana taqiyyan

 

And compassion from Our presence and rectitude - and he was astutely dedicated, -

19 : 14

14. Wabarran biwalidayhi walam yakun jabbaran AAasiyyan

 And he was obedient to his parents. And he was not conceited nor was he belligerent.

19 : 15

15. Wasalamun AAalayhi yawma wulida wayawma yamootu wayawma yubAAathu hayyan

So peace be upon him on the day he was born and on the day he dies and on the Day he will be raised again! (R)

(John was a man of exceptional qualities. He was only three when he was appointed a Prophet of Allah because his mental acumen had developed at a very early age; he had a firm grip on himself; his sense of perception had matured soon; it is said that even as a child, when other children invited him to play with them, he declined to join them saying that he was not there to play; he was blessed with compassion and rectitude; his dedication to Allah was exemplary; his love for his parents was infinite; he never spoke with conceit to anyone nor did he do anything to harm others.

There are three times in the life of every man when he encounters the unfamiliar : at the time of birth; at the time of death and at the time of Resurrection. That is why he was blessed by Allah on those three occasions)


OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

1. Kâf­ Hâ­Yâ­'Aîn­Sâd.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. (This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariya (Zachariah).

3. When he called out his Lord (Allâh) a call in secret,

4. Saying: "My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

5. "And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir,

6. "Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya'qûb (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!".

7. (Allâh said) "O Zakariya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)."

8. He said: "My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age."

9. He said: "So (it will be). Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!"

10. [Zakariya (Zachariah)] said: "My Lord! Appoint for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect."

11. Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihrâb (a praying place or a private room, etc.), he told them by signs to glorify Allâh's Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

12. (It was said to his son): "O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Taurât (Torah)]." And We gave him wisdom while yet a child.

13. And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous,

14. And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allâh or to his parents).

15. And Salâmun (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again)!


019.001
YUSUFALI: Kaf. Ha. Ya. 'Ain. Sad.
PICKTHAL: Kaf. Ha. Ya. A'in. Sad.
SHAKIR: Kaf Ha Ya Ain Suad.

019.002
YUSUFALI: (This is) a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zakariya.
PICKTHAL: A mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zachariah.
SHAKIR: A mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zakariya.

019.003
YUSUFALI: Behold! he cried to his Lord in secret,
PICKTHAL: When he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret,
SHAKIR: When he called upon his Lord in a low voice,

019.004
YUSUFALI: Praying: "O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee!
PICKTHAL: Saying: My Lord! Lo! the bones of me wax feeble and my head is shining with grey hair, and I have never been unblest in prayer to Thee, my Lord.
SHAKIR: He said: My Lord! surely my bones are weakened and my head flares with hoariness, and, my Lord! I have never been unsuccessful in my prayer to Thee:

019.005
YUSUFALI: "Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself,-
PICKTHAL: Lo! I fear my kinsfolk after me, since my wife is barren. Oh, give me from Thy presence a successor
SHAKIR: And surely I fear my cousins after me, and my wife is barren, therefore grant me from Thyself an heir,

019.006
YUSUFALI: "(One that) will (truly) represent me, and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased!"
PICKTHAL: Who shall inherit of me and inherit (also) of the house of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, acceptable (unto Thee).
SHAKIR: Who should inherit me and inherit from the children of Yaqoub, and make him, my Lord, one in whom Thou art well pleased.

019.007
YUSUFALI: (His prayer was answered): "O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before."
PICKTHAL: (It was said unto him): O Zachariah! Lo! We bring thee tidings of a son whose name is John; we have given the same name to none before (him).
SHAKIR: O Zakariya! surely We give you good news of a boy whose name shall be Yahya: We have not made before anyone his equal.

019.008
YUSUFALI: He said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"
PICKTHAL: He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have reached infirm old age?
SHAKIR: He said: O my Lord! when shall I have a son, and my wife is barren, and I myself have reached indeed the extreme degree of old age?

019.009
YUSUFALI: He said: "So (it will be) thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!'"
PICKTHAL: He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me, even as I created thee before, when thou wast naught.
SHAKIR: He said: So shall it be, your Lord says: It is easy to Me, and indeed I created you before, when you were nothing.

019.010
YUSUFALI: (Zakariya) said: "O my Lord! give me a Sign." "Thy Sign," was the answer, "Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb."
PICKTHAL: He said: My Lord! Appoint for me some token. He said: Thy token is that thou, with no bodily defect, shalt not speak unto mankind three nights.
SHAKIR: He said: My Lord! give me a sign. He said: Your sign is that you will not be able to speak to the people three nights while in sound health.

019.011
YUSUFALI: So Zakariya came out to his people from him chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate Allah's praises in the morning and in the evening.
PICKTHAL: Then he came forth unto his people from the sanctuary, and signified to them: Glorify your Lord at break of day and fall of night.
SHAKIR: So he went forth to his people from his place of worship, then he made known to them that they should glorify (Allah) morning and evening.

019.012
YUSUFALI: (To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth,
PICKTHAL: (And it was said unto his son): O John! Hold fast the Scripture. And we gave him wisdom when a child,
SHAKIR: O Yahya! take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child

019.013
YUSUFALI: And piety (for all creatures) as from Us, and purity: He was devout,
PICKTHAL: And compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout,
SHAKIR: And tenderness from Us and purity, and he was one who guarded (against evil),

019.014
YUSUFALI: And kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious.
PICKTHAL: And dutiful toward his parents. And he was not arrogant, rebellious.
SHAKIR: And dutiful to his parents, and he was not insolent, disobedient.

019.015
YUSUFALI: So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!
PICKTHAL: Peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive!
SHAKIR: And peace on him on the day he was born, and on the day he dies, and on the day he is raised to life

  

Section 2. 

19 : 16

16. Waothkur fee alkitabi maryama ithi intabathat min ahliha makanan sharqiyyan

And make mention of Mary in the Scripture when she left her people and withdrew into a chamber that faced the East, -

19 : 17

17. Faittakhathat min doonihim hijaban faarsalna ilayha roohana fatamaththala laha basharan sawiyyan

And screened herself off from them. Then We sent to her Our Spirit and he became manifest to her in the likeness of a flawless man.

19 : 18

18. Qalat innee aAAoothu bialrrahmani minka in kunta taqiyyan

She said to him : 'I seek refuge from you in the Beneficent, - if you have any fear of Him at all!'

19 : 19

19. Qala innama ana rasoolu rabbiki li-ahaba laki ghulaman zakiyyan

He said : 'I am only a messenger of your Lord sent to give you tidings of a hallowed Son!'

19 : 20

20. Qalat anna yakoonu lee ghulamun walam yamsasnee basharun walam aku baghiyyan

She said to him : 'How can I bear a son when no man has touched me nor have I been unchaste?'

19 : 21

21. Qala kathaliki qala rabbuki huwa AAalayya hayyinun walinajAAalahu ayatan lilnnasi warahmatan minna wakana amran maqdiyyan

 

He said : 'So shall it be! Your Lord says : 'It is easy for Me! And thus shall it be so that We may make of him a sign for all mankind and a personification of Our mercy to them! And this has already been so ordained!

19 : 22

22. Fahamalat-hu faintabathat bihi makanan qasiyyan

And she conceived him and then went away to an even distant resort.

19: 23

23. Faajaaha almakhadu ila jithAAi alnnakhlati qalat ya laytanee mittu qabla hatha wakuntu nasyan mansiyyan

Then the agony of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said : 'How I wish I had died before this and become a thing unknown, - erased from memory!'

19 : 24

24. Fanadaha min tahtiha alla tahzanee qad jaAAala rabbuki tahtaki sariyyan

Then a voice from below said to her : 'Grieve not! Your Lord has caused a spring to gush forth from underneath your feet!

19 : 25

25. Wahuzzee ilayki bijithAAi alnnakhlati tusaqit AAalayki rutaban janiyyan

'Drag the palm leaves towards you and shake them. It will cause some fresh and ripe dates to shower upon you!

19 : 26

26. Fakulee waishrabee waqarree AAaynan fa-imma tarayinna mina albashari ahadan faqoolee innee nathartu lilrrahmani sawman falan okallima alyawma insiyyan

So eat and drink and comfort your eyes. And if you come across a mortal, say : 'I am on a fast dedicated to the Beneficent and will not speak with any mortal this day.'

19 : 27

27. Faatat bihi qawmaha tahmiluhu qaloo ya maryamu laqad ji/ti shay-an fariyyan

Then she went back to her folk carrying the baby in her arms. They said : 'O Mary! Verily you have done an incredible thing!'

19 : 28

28. Ya okhta haroona ma kana abooki imraa saw-in wama kanat ommuki baghiyyan

'O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a promiscuous person nor was your mother a libertine!'

(Understandably, her folks became upset when she returned to them with a baby in her arms, especially because they were decent people and had never expected that a chaste young woman like her who hailed from the family of Imraan to commit an act of gross indecency and thus disgrace her lineage.

Mary is addressed by her folks as sister of Aaron because she and her cousin Elisabeth were descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses and it was idiomatic in Hebrew to address her as a sister of her precursor, though there are many commentators who beg to differ and say that he was an entirely different Aaron).
 

19 : 29

29. Faasharat ilayhi qaloo kayfa nukallimu man kana fee almahdi sabiyyan

She just pointed the baby to them They said : 'How can we talk to one who in his cradle - still an infant?'

(All Mary could do in response to their allegations was to retain the seal of silence on her lips but point at the baby to speak for her as she had been instructed to).

19 : 30

30. Qala innee AAabdu Allahi ataniya alkitaba wajaAAalanee nabiyyan

At that moment the infant spoke and said to them : 'I am a servant of Allah Who has given me the Scripture and has appointed me a Prophet -

19 : 31

31. WajaAAalanee mubarakan aynama kuntu waawsanee bialssalati waalzzakati ma dumtu hayyan

'And He has made me blessed wherever I be and has enjoined on me worship and charity for as long as I live!

19 : 32

32. Wabarran biwalidatee walam yajAAalnee jabbaran shaqiyyan

'And has enjoined upon me reverence towards she that bore me and has not made me either conceited or belligerent!'

(This simple message delivered through the mouth of the babe, his very first miracle, contains several assertions : that he was a servant and not the son of Allah; that he was chosen to be a Prophet and would soon be given the Divine Scripture; that the blessings of Allah would always be upon him, no matter to which part of the world he went; that worship of Allah - and not worshipped as Allah - was ordained for him as was charity and compassion; and finally, he absolved his mother of wrongdoing by saying that he was also enjoined to show respect to her who bore him by the command of Allah and not as a result of sin).

19 : 33

33. Waalssalamu AAalayya yawma wulidtu wayawma amootu wayawma obAAathu hayyan

So peace be upon me on the day I was born and on the day when I die and on the day when I shall be raised again!

(He too, like John, the Baptist' was blessed by Allah on those three turning points in the life of every human : birth, death and resurrection).

19 : 34

34. Thalika AAeesa ibnu maryama qawla alhaqqi allathee feehi yamtaroona

Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; a statement of the truth which they repudiate.

(After delivering that initial message, Jesus never spoke again until he reached the age at which all babies learn to speak.

The Qur'aan claims in no uncertain terms that these were the circumstances centred around the birth of the man who was to change the history of mankind during years to come, though they are distorted out of all proportions by his followers, some claiming that he was God  who came down on earth to cleanse the souls of human beings of evil; some claiming that he was sent by Him to share the sins by which mankind was beleaguered and  alleviate their suffering by taking on some of its burden on his own shoulders and dying on the Cross, and then resurrected and taken back to heaven by his Father soon after his mission was accomplished; some claiming he was one angle of a holy triangle formed by the Father on one hand, the Son on the other and the Holy Spirit on the third, hinting that Jesus was the result of a conspiracy between three formidable forces in which the Lord, through the services provided by the Archangel, who had visited Mary in the guise of a flawless man, impregnated her and later on she gave birth to His son conceived as a result of this unholy communion between a human and a spirit; and others claiming, - as the Qur'aan and its followers do, - that he was no more than a mortal chosen by Allah to deliver His warnings and good news to mankind in the same way as all other messengers of Allah did)

19 : 35

35. Ma kana lillahi an yattakhitha min waladin subhanahu itha qada amran fa-innama yaqoolu lahu kun fayakoonu

It is not in par with the (Eminence) of Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing to happen, He merely says : 'Be!' and it is!

19 : 36

36. Wa-inna Allaha rabbee warabbukum faoAAbudoohu hatha siratun mustaqeemun

And (Jesus always said) : Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So obey Him, for that is the straight path!'

19 : 37

37. Faikhtalafa al-ahzabu min baynihim fawaylun lillatheena kafaroo min mashhadi yawmin AAatheemin

But the factions amongst them differ. Damnation upon the disbelievers when they confront the awesome Day!

(These factions, trying to get to grips with the concept of the virgin birth, which to Allah was not such a phenomenal impossibility, but to them an enigma of phenomenal proportions which needed to be fitted into traditional moulds and explained away in terms other than the real and understandable terms, add up to a staggering number of well over 2300 at the latest count!)

19 : 38

38. AsmiAA bihim waabsir yawma ya/toonana lakini alththalimoona alyawma fee dalalin mubeenin

On the Day when they present themselves before Us, how clearly will they see and hear! But the miscreants this day are in blatant aberration.

(But for those who persistently refuse to see the portents of Allah in the life of this world and decline to listen to the voice of reason whilst there is still the chance for them to heed it, a clear vision and an unhampered hearing after time for reformation has passed away would be of no avail).
 

19 : 39

39. Waanthirhum yawma alhasrati ith qudiya al-amru wahum fee ghaflatin wahum la yu/minoona

 

But warn them (O Mohammed) of the Day of repentance when Our Decrees are fulfilled whilst they remain heedless and unconvinced!

19 : 40

40. Inna nahnu narithu al-arda waman AAalayha wa-ilayna yurjaAAoona

Verily We shall inherit the earth and all that is in it, for their returning is to Us! (R)

(Because, on the Day of Resurrection, as mankind is summoned to rise from their graves and assemble before the Lord to face their ultimate trial, the entire Creation would be destroyed, and He and He alone would remain!)



OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

16. And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân, O Muhammad SAW , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

18. She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh."

19. (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son."

20. She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?"

21. He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allâh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).' "

22. So she conceived him[], and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!"

24. Then [the babe 'Iesa (Jesus) or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you;

25. "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you."

26. "So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'"

27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).

28. "O sister (i.e. the like) of Hârûn (Aaron) [not the brother of Mûsa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman."

29. Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?[]"

30. "He ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allâh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;[]"

31. "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salât (prayer), and Zakât, as long as I live."

32. "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.

33. "And Salâm (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!"

34. Such is 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).

35. It befits not (the Majesty of) Allâh that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allâh, by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allâh]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is[].

36. ['Iesa (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allâh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allâh's Religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

37. Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about 'Iesa (Jesus) <><>], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allâh] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire)[].

38. How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error.

39. And warn them (O Muhammad SAW) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not[].

40. Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned,


019.016
YUSUFALI: Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
PICKTHAL: And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,
SHAKIR: And mention Marium in the Book when she drew aside from her family to an eastern place;

019.017
YUSUFALI: She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
PICKTHAL: And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.
SHAKIR: So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man.

019.018
YUSUFALI: She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."
PICKTHAL: She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing.
SHAKIR: She said: Surely I fly for refuge from you to the Beneficent Allah, if you are one guarding (against evil).

019.019
YUSUFALI: He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.
PICKTHAL: He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son.
SHAKIR: He said: I am only a messenger of your Lord: That I will give you a pure boy.

019.020
YUSUFALI: She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"
PICKTHAL: She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste?
SHAKIR: She said: When shall I have a boy and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste?

019.021
YUSUFALI: He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."
PICKTHAL: He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.
SHAKIR: He said: Even so; your Lord says: It is easy to Me: and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed.

019.022
YUSUFALI: So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.
PICKTHAL: And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.
SHAKIR: So she conceived him; then withdrew herself with him to a remote place.

019.023
YUSUFALI: And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"
PICKTHAL: And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!
SHAKIR: And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten!

019.024
YUSUFALI: But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;
PICKTHAL: Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,
SHAKIR: Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you;

019.025
YUSUFALI: "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
PICKTHAL: And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.
SHAKIR: And shake towards you the trunk of the palmtree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates:

019.026
YUSUFALI: "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"
PICKTHAL: So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal.
SHAKIR: So eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent Allah, so I shall not speak to any man today.

019.027
YUSUFALI: At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!
PICKTHAL: Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing.
SHAKIR: And she came to her people with him, carrying him (with her). They said: O Marium! surely you have done a strange thing.

019.028
YUSUFALI: "O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"
PICKTHAL: O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.
SHAKIR: O sister of Haroun! your father was not a bad man, nor, was your mother an unchaste woman.

019.029
YUSUFALI: But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"
PICKTHAL: Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy?
SHAKIR: But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle?

019.030
YUSUFALI: He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
PICKTHAL: He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,
SHAKIR: He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet;

019.031
YUSUFALI: "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
PICKTHAL: And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive,
SHAKIR: And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live;

019.032
YUSUFALI: "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;
PICKTHAL: And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest.
SHAKIR: And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed;

019.033
YUSUFALI: "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!
PICKTHAL: Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!
SHAKIR: And peace on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life.

019.034
YUSUFALI: Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
PICKTHAL: Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.
SHAKIR: Such is Isa, son of Marium; (this is) the saying of truth about which they dispute.

019.035
YUSUFALI: It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.
PICKTHAL: It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
SHAKIR: It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a ! son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is.

019.036
YUSUFALI: Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.
PICKTHAL: And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path.
SHAKIR: And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path.

019.037
YUSUFALI: But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day!
PICKTHAL: The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day.
SHAKIR: But parties from among them disagreed with each other, so woe to those who disbelieve, because of presence on a great

019.038
YUSUFALI: How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest!
PICKTHAL: See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are to-day in error manifest.
SHAKIR: How clearly shall they hear and how clearly shall they see on the day when they come to Us; but the unjust this day are in manifest error.

019.039
YUSUFALI: But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe!
PICKTHAL: And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.
SHAKIR: And warn them of the day of intense regret, when the matter shall have been decided; and they are (now) in negligence and they do not believe.

019.040
YUSUFALI: It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned.
PICKTHAL: Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned.
SHAKIR: Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned.

 

Section 3

19 : 41

41. Waothkur fee alkitabi ibraheema innahu kana siddeeqan nabiyyan

And make mention (O Mohammed) of Abraham in the Book. Verily he was a chaste man and a prophet.

19 : 42

42. Ith qala li-abeehi ya abati lima taAAbudu ma la yasmaAAu wala yubsiru wala yughnee AAanka shay-an

When he said to his father : 'O my father! Why must you worship those who neither hear you nor see you nor are of any use to you?

19 : 43

43. Ya abati innee qad jaanee mina alAAilmi ma lam ya/tika faittabiAAnee ahdika siratan sawiyyan

'O my father! Verily there has come to me a knowledge that never came to you, so follow me and I shall lead you to the straight path!

19 : 44

44. Ya abati la taAAbudi alshshaytana inna alshshaytana kana lilrrahmani AAasiyyan

'O my father! Do not surrender to Satan, for Satan did rebel against the Beneficent!

19 : 45

45. Ya abati innee akhafu an yamassaka AAathabun mina alrrahmani fatakoona lilshshyatani waliyyan

 

'O my father! I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent is inflicted upon you and you become a sycophant of Satan!

19 : 46

46. Qala araghibun anta AAan alihatee ya ibraheemu la-in lam tantahi laarjumannaka waohjurnee maliyyan

He said : 'Dare you turn your face away from my deities O Abraham? Verily if you do not desist, I shall stone you to death! So go away from me for a long while.'

19 : 47

47. Qala salamun AAalayka saastaghfiru laka rabbee innahu kana bee hafiyyan

He said : 'Peace be to you! I shall seek forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily He has always been gracious to me!

(Whereas Abraham's invitation to his father to renounce the inconsequential idols is extended in the most courteous and persuasive manner, without any provocation, his father's response is vindictive, threatening to stone him to death, if he did not desist from insulting his gods.  Small wonder that, despite the special relationship between Allah and Abraham, his prayer to redeem the soul of his father was summarily rejected by Him)

19 : 48

48. WaaAAtazilukum wama tadAAoona min dooni Allahi waadAAoo rabbee AAasa alla akoona biduAAa-i rabbee shaqiyyan

'I shall withdraw myself from you and from all that which you worship in the place of Allah and carry on worshipping my Lord! It is hardly likely that worshipping my Lord would bring me misfortune!'

(With those words of parting, his heart filled with hope in the kindness and compassion of Allah and his mind made up to sever his connection with his idol worshipping father and all his folks in Babel, he took his leave in peace and went away to Syria, the hallowed land').

19 : 49

49. Falamma iAAtazalahum wama yaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi wahabna lahu ishaqa wayaAAqooba wakullan jaAAalna nabiyyan

So when he withdrew from them and those whom they worshipped in the place of Allah, We blessed him with Isaac and Jacob and edified each of them as a prophet.

19 : 50

50. Wawahabna lahum min rahmatina wajaAAalna lahum lisana sidqin AAaliyyan

And We bestowed on them Our mercy and sanctioned for them status and fame! (R)

(His firm faith in Allah was rewarded with a long and fruitful life during which he was blessed with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, both of whom he lived long enough to see elevated to the status of Prophet, whereas his father Azar, sunk in the stupor of idol worship, passed away into anonymity.

The high status of prominence bestowed upon Isaac and Jacob is such that, not only the Muslims, but the Jews and the Christians too venerate them in their prayers.

This verse also reiterates that those who forsake their homes and emigrate to far off lands for the sake of Allah are always aptly and amply rewarded).



OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

41. And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân) Ibrâhim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet.

42. When he said to his father: "O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything?

43. "O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path.

44. "O my father! Worship not Shaitân (Satan). Verily! Shaitân (Satan) has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allâh).

45. "O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allâh) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shaitân (Satan) (in the Hell-fire)." [Tafsir Al-Qurtubî]

46. He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Ibrâhim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you."

47. Ibrâhim (Abraham) said: "Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious.

48. "And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allâh. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord."

49. So when he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allâh, We gave him Ishâque (Isaac) and Ya'qûb (Jacob), and each one of them We made a Prophet.

50. And We gave them of Our Mercy (a good provision in plenty), and We granted them honour on the tongues (of all the nations, i.e everybody remembers them with a good praise).[]


019.041
YUSUFALI: (Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet.
PICKTHAL: And make mention (O Muhammad) in the Scripture of Abraham. Lo! he was a saint, a prophet.
SHAKIR: And mention Ibrahim in the Book; surely he was a truthful man, a prophet.

019.042
YUSUFALI: Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing?
PICKTHAL: When he said unto his father: O my father! Why worshippest thou that which heareth not nor seeth, nor can in aught avail thee?
SHAKIR: When he said to his father; O my father! why do you worship what neither hears nor sees, nor does it avail you in the least:

019.043
YUSUFALI: "O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight.
PICKTHAL: O my father! Lo! there hath come unto me of knowledge that which came not unto thee. So follow me, and I will lead thee on a right path.
SHAKIR: O my father! truly the knowledge has come to me which has not come to you, therefore follow me, I will guide you on a right path:

019.044
YUSUFALI: "O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: O my father! Serve not the devil. Lo! the devil is a rebel unto the Beneficent.
SHAKIR: O my father! serve not the Shaitan, surely the Shaitan is disobedient to the Beneficent Allah:

019.045
YUSUFALI: "O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend."
PICKTHAL: O my father! Lo! I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent overtake thee so that thou become a comrade of the devil.
SHAKIR: O my father! surely I fear that a punishment from the Beneficent Allah should afflict you so that you should be a friend of the Shaitan.

019.046
YUSUFALI: (The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!"
PICKTHAL: He said: Rejectest thou my gods, O Abraham? If thou cease not, I shall surely stone thee. Depart from me a long while!
SHAKIR: He said: Do you dislike my gods, O Ibrahim? If you do not desist I will certainly revile you, and leave me for a time.

019.047
YUSUFALI: Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: He said: Peace be unto thee! I shall ask forgiveness of my Lord for thee. Lo! He was ever gracious unto me.
SHAKIR: He said: Peace be on you, I will pray to my Lord to forgive you; surely He is ever Affectionate to me:

019.048
YUSUFALI: "And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides Allah: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest."
PICKTHAL: I shall withdraw from you and that unto which ye pray beside Allah, and I shall pray unto my Lord. It may be that, in prayer unto my Lord, I shall not be unblest.
SHAKIR: And I will withdraw from you and what you call on besides Allah, and I will call upon my Lord; may be I shall not remain unblessed in calling upon my Lord.

019.049
YUSUFALI: When he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet.
PICKTHAL: So, when he had withdrawn from them and that which they were worshipping beside Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob. Each of them We made a prophet.
SHAKIR: So when he withdrew from them and what they worshipped besides Allah, We gave to him Ishaq and Yaqoub, and each one of them We made a prophet.

019.050
YUSUFALI: And We bestowed of Our Mercy on them, and We granted them lofty honour on the tongue of truth.
PICKTHAL: And we gave them of Our mercy, and assigned to them a high and true renown.
SHAKIR: And We granted to them of Our mercy, and We left (behind them) a truthful mention of eminence for them.

 

 

Section 4.

19 : 51

51. Waothkur fee alkitabi moosa innahu kana mukhlasan wakana rasoolan nabiyyan

And make mention of Moses in the Scripture! Verily he was chosen, and a messenger of Allah and a prophet!

19 : 52  

52. Wanadaynahu min janibi alttoori al-aymani waqarrabnahu najiyyan

And We called him from the right camber of the Mount and We brought him closest to Us in communion.

19 : 53

53. Wawahabna lahu min rahmatina akhahu haroona nabiyyan

And We gave him of Our mercy his brother Aaron who was also a prophet like him!

(Apart from Aaron's prophethood and assistance granted to him at his behest, Prophet Moses also had the distinction of being the only Prophet of Allah with whom the Lord held a conversation on Mount Sinai, which is located between Egypt and Midian).

19 : 54

54. Waothkur fee alkitabi ismaAAeela innahu kana sadiqa alwaAAdi wakana rasoolan nabiyyan

And make mention of Ishmael in the Scripture! Verily he resolutely abided by all his promises and was a messenger of Allah and a prophet.

(Ishmael was also a son of Abraham and the direct ancestor of our beloved Prophet. The reference here is to the promise which he made to his father that he would gladly allow himself to be sacrificed to comply with the command of Allah, but was expiated by the sacrifice of a ram.

It is said that, on one occasion, when a man asked him to wait at a particular place until he returned, - and he promised to wait, - he waited there for three whole days until the man returned!)
 

19 : 55

55. Wakana ya/muru ahlahu bialssalati waalzzakati wakana AAinda rabbihi mardiyyan

And he enjoined on his people worship and charity and was cherished by his Lord!

19 : 56

56. Waothkur fee alkitabi idreesa innahu kana siddeeqan nabiyyan

And make mention of Idris (Enoch) in the Scripture! He was a saint and a prophet!

19 : 57

57. WarafaAAnahu makanan AAaliyyan

And We elevated him to a higher plane!

(Enoch is said to be the great grandfather of Noah, the first Prophet of Allah since Adam.  He is believed to be the first to have used a pen to write with; the first to wear garments instead of animal hides; the first to make use of weapons; the first to have set up scales and used weights; the first to be associated with astrology and arithmetic. He is also said to have received a total of thirty revelations from Allah. Though the mention of his being elevated to a higher plane in verse 67 is taken to mean by commentators his unique ability to cure diseases with the use of herbal medicines, others claim that he was the only Prophet besides Jesus who was allowed by Allah to physically dwell in the fourth Paradise.   

  

19 : 58

 

58. Ola-ika allatheena anAAama Allahu AAalayhim mina alnnabiyyeena min thurriyyati adama wamimman hamalna maAAa noohin wamin thurriyyati ibraheema wa-isra-eela wamimman hadayna waijtabayna itha tutla AAalayhim ayatu alrrahmani kharroo sujjadan wabukiyyan

These are the prophets from among the seed of Adam on whom Allah did bestow His favour; and the seed of those whom We boarded with Noah on his ark; and the seed of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and whom We chose. Whenever the revelations of the Beneficent were recited to them, they fell prostrate in veneration, tears streaming down their eyes!

19 : 59

59. Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun adaAAoo alssalata waittabaAAoo alshshahawati fasawfa yalqawna ghayyan

After them there followed a generation of reprobates who have lost their passion for worship and have pursued their lusts. But they will surely confront defeat -

19 : 60

60. Illa man taba waamana waAAamila salihan faola-ika yadkhuloona aljannata wala yuthlamoona shay-an

Save those who repent and become believers and perform righteous deeds! They will enter the Garden and shall not be wronged in the slightest, -

19 : 61

61. Jannati AAadnin allatee waAAada alrrahmanu AAibadahu bialghaybi innahu kana waAAduhu ma/tiyyan

Gardens of Eden which the Beneficent has promised His slaves without their having seen them! Verily His promise will indeed come to pass, -

19 : 62

62. La yasmaAAoona feeha laghwan illa salaman walahum rizquhum feeha bukratan waAAashiyyan

Wherein they will not hear any idle gossip save greetings of peace and wherein they will be given their repast in the mornings and in the evenings!

19 : 63

63. Tilka aljannatu allatee noorithu min AAibadina man kana taqiyyan

These are the Gardens which We cause only those of Our slaves to inherit who have always been abstemious!

* * *

Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when the Prophet urged the revealing Angel Gabriel to visit him more often than he does.

19 : 64

64. Wama natanazzalu illa bi-amri rabbika lahu ma bayna aydeena wama khalfana wama bayna thalika wama kana rabbuka nasiyyan

We (angels) never come to you save by the command of your Lord! To Him belongs all that is before us and all that is behind us and all that is in between the two - and your Lord never forgets anything, -

19 : 65

65. Rabbu alssamawati waal-ardi wama baynahuma faoAAbudhu waistabir liAAibadatihi hal taAAlamu lahu samiyyan

For, He is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth and that which lies in between, so worship Him and be resolute in worship! Are you aware of one who could be named along with Him? (R)



OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

51. And mention in the Book (this Qur'ân) Mûsa (Moses). Verily! He was chosen and he was a Messenger (and) a Prophet.

52. And We called him from the right side of the Mount, and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him [Mûsa (Moses)].

53. And We bestowed on him his brother Hârûn (Aaron), (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy.

54. And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân) Ismâ'il (Ishmael). Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a Messenger, (and) a Prophet.

55. And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salât (the prayers) and the Zakât, and his Lord was pleased with him.

56. And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân) Idris (Enoch).Verily! He was a man of truth, (and) a Prophet.

57. And We raised him to a high station.

58. Those were they unto whom Allâh bestowed His Grace from among the Prophets, of the offspring of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nûh (Noah), and of the offspring of Ibrâhim (Abraham) and Israel and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the Verses of the Most Beneficent (Allâh) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrating and weeping.[]

59. Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salât (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salât (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times, etc.] and have followed lusts.[] So they will be thrown in Hell.

60. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad SAW), and work righteousness[]. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught.

61. (They will enter) 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which the Most Beneficent (Allâh) has promised to His slaves in the unseen: Verily! His Promise must come to pass.

62. They shall not hear therein (in Paradise) any Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk), but only Salâm (salutations of peace). And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and afternoon. [See (V.40:55)].

63. Such is the Paradise which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slaves who have been Al-Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons - See V.2:2).

64. And we (angels) descend not except by the Command of your Lord (O Muhammad SAW). To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two, and your Lord is never forgetful,

65. Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, so worship Him (Alone) and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any who is similar to Him? (of course none is similar or coequal or comparable to Him, and He has none as partner with Him). [There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer][]. 


 019.051
YUSUFALI: Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
PICKTHAL: And make mention in the Scripture of Moses. Lo! he was chosen, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.
SHAKIR: And mention Musa in the Book; surely he was one purified, and he was a messenger, a prophet.

019.052
YUSUFALI: And we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse).
PICKTHAL: We called him from the right slope of the Mount, and brought him nigh in communion.
SHAKIR: And We called to him from the blessed side of the mountain, and We made him draw nigh, holding communion (with Us).

019.053
YUSUFALI: And, out of Our Mercy, We gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet.
PICKTHAL: And We bestowed upon him of Our mercy his brother Aaron, a prophet (likewise).
SHAKIR: And We gave to him out of Our mercy his brother Haroun a prophet.

019.054
YUSUFALI: Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
PICKTHAL: And make mention in the Scripture of Ishmael. Lo! he was a keeper of his promise, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.
SHAKIR: And mention Ismail in the Book; surely he was truthful in (his) promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet.

019.055
YUSUFALI: He used to enjoin on his people Prayer and Charity, and he was most acceptable in the sight of his Lord.
PICKTHAL: He enjoined upon his people worship and almsgiving, and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord.
SHAKIR: And he enjoined on his family prayer and almsgiving, and was one in whom his Lord was well pleased.

019.056
YUSUFALI: Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet:
PICKTHAL: And make mention in the Scripture of Idris. Lo! he was a saint, a prophet;
SHAKIR: And mention Idris in the Book; surely he was a truthful man, a prophet,

019.057
YUSUFALI: And We raised him to a lofty station.
PICKTHAL: And We raised him to high station.
SHAKIR: And We raised him high in Heaven.

019.058
YUSUFALI: Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.
PICKTHAL: These are they unto whom Allah showed favour from among the prophets, of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent were recited unto them, they fell down, adoring and weeping.
SHAKIR: These are they on whom Allah bestowed favors, from among the prophets of the seed of Adam, and of those whom We carried with Nuh, and of the seed of Ibrahim and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose; when the communications of the Beneficent Allah were recited to them, they fell down making obeisance and weeping.

019.059
YUSUFALI: But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-
PICKTHAL: Now there hath succeeded them a later generation whom have ruined worship and have followed lusts. But they will meet deception.
SHAKIR: But there came after them an evil generation, who neglected prayers and followed and sensual desires, so they win meet perdition,

019.060
YUSUFALI: Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least,-
PICKTHAL: Save him who shall repent and believe and do right. Such will enter the Garden, and they will not be wronged in aught -
SHAKIR: Except such as repent and believe and do good, these shall enter the garden, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly in any way:

019.061
YUSUFALI: Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass.
PICKTHAL: Gardens of Eden, which the Beneficent hath promised to His slaves in the unseen. Lo! His promise is ever sure of fulfilment -
SHAKIR: The gardens of perpetuity which the Beneficent Allah has promised to His servants while unseen; surely His promise shall come to pass.

019.062
YUSUFALI: They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace: And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.
PICKTHAL: They hear therein no idle talk, but only Peace; and therein they have food for morn and evening.
SHAKIR: They shall not hear therein any vain discourse, but only: Peace, and they shall have their sustenance therein morning and evening.

019.063
YUSUFALI: Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.
PICKTHAL: Such is the Garden which We cause the devout among Our bondmen to inherit.
SHAKIR: This is the garden which We cause those of Our servants to inherit who guard (against evil).

019.064
YUSUFALI: (The angels say:) "We descend not but by command of thy Lord: to Him belongeth what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between: and thy Lord never doth forget,-
PICKTHAL: We (angels) come not down save by commandment of thy Lord. Unto Him belongeth all that is before us and all that is behind us and all that is between those two, and thy Lord was never forgetful -
SHAKIR: And we do not descend but by the command of your Lord; to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these, and your Lord is not forgetful.

019.065
YUSUFALI: "Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them; so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship: knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"
PICKTHAL: Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! Therefor, worship thou Him and be thou steadfast in His service. Knowest thou one that can be named along with Him?
SHAKIR: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, so serve Him and be patient in His service. Do you know any one equal to Him?

 

Section 5.

19 : 66

66. Wayaqoolu al-insanu a-itha ma mittu lasawfa okhraju hayyan

And man says : 'How be it that, after I am dead, I shall be brought back to life?'

19 : 67

67. Awa la yathkuru al-insanu anna khalaqnahu min qablu walam yaku shay-an

Does not man remember that We created him once before when he was nothing?

19 : 68

68. Fawarabbika lanahshurannahum waalshshayateena thumma lanuhdirannahum hawla jahannama jithiyyan

And by your Lord! Verily We shall gather them and the devils together and then We shall herd them around hell, crouching on their knees!

19 : 69

69. Thumma lananziAAanna min kulli sheeAAatin ayyuhum ashaddu AAala alrrahmani AAitiyyan

Then We shall drag from every group one who had been the most persistent in his defiance towards the Beneficent!

19 : 70

70. Thumma lanahnu aAAlamu biallatheena hum awla biha siliyyan

And We are best aware of those amongst them that deserve to burn in the Fire more than most!

19 : 71

71. Wa-in minkum illa wariduha kana AAala rabbika hatman maqdiyyan

There is not one among you who will not have to approach it! That is an irreversible Decree of your Lord!

(It should be noted that, according to this and other verses containing the same topic, all human beings, regardless of their denominations and performance, would confront hell once. However, while the believers and the righteous are protected from its blazes, the disbelievers and the sinful would be cast in it without mercy).

19 : 72

72. Thumma nunajjee allatheena ittaqaw wanatharu alththalimeena feeha jithiyyan

Then We shall rescue the righteous but abandon the sinners huddled on their knees to burn therein!

19 : 73

73. Wa-itha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna bayyinatin qala allatheena kafaroo lillatheena amanoo ayyu alfareeqayni khayrun maqaman waahsanu nadiyyan

When Our clear revelations are recited to them, the disbelievers say to the believers : 'Which group among us has a much higher status and who between us can assemble a stronger army?'

19 : 74

74. Wakam ahlakna qablahum min qarnin hum ahsanu athathan wari/yan

How many generations have We exterminated before them who were far superior in equipment and in ostentation!

(This is a reference to hard-core idolaters among the Tribe of Quraish in Mecca who used to wear posh clothes, splash perfume on their bodies, apply fragrant oils to their hair and then ask the poverty-stricken believers these spurious questions to make them feel jealous and regret their decision to embrace Islam, warning them not to forget the manner and extent to which other boastful nations in the past were dealt with by Him).

19 : 75

75. Qul man kana fee alddalalati falyamdud lahu alrrahmanu maddan hatta itha raaw ma yooAAadoona imma alAAathaba wa-imma alssaAAata fasayaAAlamoona man huwa sharrun makanan waadAAafu jundan

Say to them  : 'As for him who goes astray, the Beneficent will give him a loose rope until he confronts that which has been promised to him - either castigation or the Hour - and only then will he realize whose status is lower and whose assembly is stronger!'

19 : 76

76. Wayazeedu Allahu allatheena ihtadaw hudan waalbaqiyatu alssalihatu khayrun AAinda rabbika thawaban wakhayrun maraddan

Allah increases His guidance for those who walk aright! And for the righteous deeds that are enduring in the sight of your Lord, their reward is best and their outcome is propitious!

(The righteous deeds that are enduring and endearing in the sight of Allah are implicit obedience to Allah's command; Salaat offered with consistency and punctuality at all prescribed timings; regular remembrance of Allah and hymning His glory, aloud or below the breath, not to mention every seemly deed we perform which brings peace to our hearts and takes us nearer to our Lord).

* * *

Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when a believer who had lent some money to a disbeliever demanded the debt to be redeemed at once. But the disbeliever refused to settle the debt until the lender renounced his new religion and returned to the old ways. The dispute took them into the realms of after-life when the debtor made a jest over it and said : 'In that case, wait until I have  come back from my grave with more wealth and children given to me by your Allah!'

19 : 77

77. Afaraayta allathee kafara bi-ayatina waqala laootayanna malan wawaladan

And Have you seen him who repudiates Our ordinances and yet boasts : 'I shall be given more wealth and children after I die and have returned from my grave?'

19 : 78

78. AttalaAAa alghayba ami ittakhatha AAinda alrrahmani AAahdan

Has he caught a glimpse of the 'Unseen' or has he obtained a special deal from the Beneficent?

19 : 79

79. Kalla sanaktubu ma yaqoolu wanamuddu lahu mina alAAathabi maddan

Nay! From now onwards, We shall enter whatever he says in a record and increase his torment!

19 : 80

80. Wanarithuhu ma yaqoolu waya/teena fardan

We shall inherit from him the things of which he boasts when he returns to Us empty handed!

* * *

19 : 81

 

 

81. Waittakhathoo min dooni Allahi alihatan liyakoonoo lahum AAizzan

 

And they have chosen other gods for worship besides Allah from whom they hope to gather strength!

19 : 82

82. Kalla sayakfuroona biAAibadatihim wayakoonoona AAalayhim diddan

Nay, but they will deny their worship and turn against them! (R)



OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

66. And man (the disbeliever) says: "When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

67. Does not man remember that We created him before, while he was nothing?

68. So by your Lord, surely, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Shayâtin (devils) (with them), then We shall bring them round Hell on their knees.

69. Then indeed We shall drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against the Most Beneficent (Allâh).

70. Then, verily, We know best those who are most worthy of being burnt therein.

71. There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished[].

72. Then We shall save those who use to fear Allâh and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell).

73. And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve (the rich and strong among the pagans of Quraish who live a life of luxury) say to those who believe (the weak, poor companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW who have a hard life): "Which of the two groups (i.e. believers and disbelievers) is best in (point of) position and as regards station (place of council for consultation)."

74. And how many a generation (past nations) have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance?

75. Say (O Muhammad SAW) whoever is in error, the Most Beneficent (Allâh) will extend (the rope) to him, until, when they see that which they were promised, either the torment or the Hour, they will come to know who is worst in position, and who is weaker in forces. [This is the answer for the Verse No.19:73]

76. And Allâh increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allâh who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. And the righteous good deeds that last, are better with your Lord, for reward and better for resort.

77. Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Ayât (this Qur'ân and Muhammad SAW) and (yet) says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children [if I will be alive (again)],"

78. Has he known the unseen or has he taken a covenant from the Most Beneficent (Allâh)?

79. Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall increase his torment (in the Hell);

80. And We shall inherit from him (at his death) all that he talks of (i.e. wealth and children which We have bestowed upon him in this world), and he shall come to Us alone.

81. And they have taken (for worship) âliha (gods) besides Allâh, that they might give them honour, power and glory (and also protect them from Allâh's Punishment etc.).

82. Nay, but they (the so-called gods) will deny their worship of them, and become opponents to them (on the Day of Resurrection).


019.066
YUSUFALI: Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"
PICKTHAL: And man saith: When I am dead, shall I forsooth be brought forth alive?
SHAKIR: And says man: What! when I am dead shall I truly be brought forth alive?

019.067
YUSUFALI: But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?
PICKTHAL: Doth not man remember that We created him before, when he was naught?
SHAKIR: Does not man remember that We created him before, when he was nothing?

019.068
YUSUFALI: So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;
PICKTHAL: And, by thy Lord, verily We shall assemble them and the devils, then We shall bring them, crouching, around hell.
SHAKIR: So by your Lord! We will most certainly gather them together and the Shaitans, then shall We certainly cause them to be present round hell on their knees.

019.069
YUSUFALI: Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: Then We shall pluck out from every sect whichever of them was most stubborn in rebellion to the Beneficent.
SHAKIR: Then We will most certainly draw forth from every sect of them him who is most exorbitantly rebellious against the Beneficent Allah.

019.070
YUSUFALI: And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein.
PICKTHAL: And surely We are Best Aware of those most worthy to be burned therein.
SHAKIR: Again We do certainly know best those who deserve most to be burned therein.

019.071
YUSUFALI: Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.
PICKTHAL: There is not one of you but shall approach it. That is a fixed ordinance of thy Lord.
SHAKIR: And there is not one of you but shall come to it; this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord.

019.072
YUSUFALI: But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.
PICKTHAL: Then We shall rescue those who kept from evil, and leave the evil-doers crouching there.
SHAKIR: And We will deliver those who guarded (against evil), and We will leave the unjust therein on their knees.

019.073
YUSUFALI: When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say to those who believe, "Which of the two sides is best in point of position? Which makes the best show in council?"
PICKTHAL: And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Which of the two parties (yours or ours) is better in position, and more imposing as an army?
SHAKIR: And when Our clear communications are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: Which of the two parties is best in abiding and best in assembly?

019.074
YUSUFALI: But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?
PICKTHAL: How many a generation have We destroyed before them, who were more imposing in respect of gear and outward seeming!
SHAKIR: And how many of the generations have We destroyed before them who were better in respect of goods and outward appearance!

019.075
YUSUFALI: Say: "If any men go astray, (Allah) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) - either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour,- they will at length realise who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!
PICKTHAL: Say: As for him who is in error, the Beneficent will verily prolong his span of life until, when they behold that which they were promised, whether it be punishment (in the world), or the Hour (of doom), they will know who is worse in position and who is weaker as an army.
SHAKIR: Say: As for him who remains in error, the Beneficent Allah will surely prolong his length of days, until they see what they were threatened with, either the punishment or the hour; then they shall know who is in more evil plight and weaker in forces

019.076
YUSUFALI: "And Allah doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return."
PICKTHAL: Allah increaseth in right guidance those who walk aright, and the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better for resort.
SHAKIR: And Allah increases in guidance those who go aright; and ever-abiding good works are with your Lord best in recompense and best in yielding fruit.

019.077
YUSUFALI: Hast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?"
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen him who disbelieveth in Our revelations and saith: Assuredly I shall be given wealth and children?
SHAKIR: Have you, then, seen him who disbelieves in Our communications and says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children?

019.078
YUSUFALI: Has he penetrated to the Unseen, or has he taken a contract with (Allah) Most Gracious?
PICKTHAL: Hath he perused the Unseen, or hath he made a pact with the Beneficent?
SHAKIR: Has he gained knowledge of the unseen, or made a covenant with the Beneficent Allah?

019.079
YUSUFALI: Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall add and add to his punishment.
PICKTHAL: Nay, but We shall record that which he saith and prolong for him a span of torment.
SHAKIR: By no means! We write down what he says, and We will lengthen to him the length of the chastisement

019.080
YUSUFALI: To Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone.
PICKTHAL: And We shall inherit from him that whereof he spake, and he will come unto Us, alone (without his wealth and children).
SHAKIR: And We will inherit of him what he says, and he shall come to Us alone.

019.081
YUSUFALI: And they have taken (for worship) gods other than Allah, to give them power and glory!
PICKTHAL: And they have chosen (other) gods beside Allah that they may be a power for them.
SHAKIR: And they have taken gods besides Allah, that they should be to them a source of strength;

019.082
YUSUFALI: Instead, they shall reject their worship, and become adversaries against them.
PICKTHAL: Nay, but they will deny their worship of them, and become opponents unto them.
SHAKIR: By no means! They shall soon deny their worshipping them, and they shall be adversaries to them.

 

Section 6

19 : 83

83. Alam tara anna arsalna alshshayateena AAala alkafireena taozzuhum azzan

See you not (O Mohammed) We have sent down devils to provoke them and to plunge them into confusion?

19 : 84

84. Fala taAAjal AAalayhim innama naAAuddu lahum AAaddan

So make no haste about them, for their days are but numbered!

19 : 85

85. Yawma nahshuru almuttaqeena ila alrrahmani wafdan

On the Day when We will carry the righteous to the Beneficent as honoured guests, -

19 : 86

86. Wanasooqu almujrimeena ila jahannama wirdan

And push the sinful towards hell, their throats parched.

(The verbs carry in the case of believers and push in the case of the disbelievers are representative of the reception each of these categories are given on the Day of Resurrection. According to commentators, the believers would be carried on mounts from their graves to the place of their tryst with the Lord, but the disbelievers would be pushed towards hell with contempt).
 

19 : 87

87. La yamlikoona alshshafaAAata illa mani ittakhatha AAinda alrrahmani AAahdan

None shall be entitled to intercede except those who kept their covenant with the Beneficent!

(According to a Hadith of our beloved Prophet, anyone who declares : There is no God save Allah 'ipso facto enters into a covenant with Allah and therefore becomes eligible for intercession).

19 : 88

88. Waqaloo ittakhatha alrrahmanu waladan

And they say : 'The Beneficent has begotten for Himself a son!'

19 : 89

89. Laqad ji/tum shay-an iddan

Verily you pronounce an ignoble blasphemy, -

19 : 90

90. Takadu alssamawatu yatafattarna minhu watanshaqqu al-ardu watakhirru aljibalu haddan

Which could tear the heavens asunder and rent the earth into pieces and set the mountains tumbling –


19 : 91

 

91. An daAAaw lilrrahmani waladan

That you cast aspersions upon the Beneficent by ascribing to Him a son -

19 : 92

92. Wama yanbaghee lilrrahmani an yattakhitha waladan

When it is not in par with the Eminence of the Beneficent to choose for Himself a son!

(So profound is the indignation of Allah at being assigned offspring that He warns mankind their blatant and callous blasphemy against the Lord of the Worlds could cause these worlds to collide with each other and get blown to smithereens; the hills to crumble, the mountains to heap and the heavens to rent asunder!

It is said by many commentators that when such an acrid imputation was first levelled against Allah by mankind, all but mankind reacted with anger; the oceans experienced a surge in waves; a cataclysmic turbulence gripped the mountains; the trees in the forests came to an abrupt halt; the beasts in the wilderness stood at a standstill; the wind gathered a sudden momentum; the thunder roared; lightning flashed without a pause; the flames in hell blazed with an uncanny preponderance; the angels froze in their tracks and trembled with fear; every apocalyptic sign strong enough to wipe out man's habitat from the face of this planet emerged until the Lord Himself intervened and calmed things down so that mankind does not fall a victim to its own folly but gets a second chance, in keeping with His mercy and clemency).

19 : 93

93. In kullu man fee alssamawati waal-ardi illa atee alrrahmani AAabdan

There is none in the heavens and upon the earth but will eventually come before the Beneficent as His slave!

19 : 94

94. Laqad ahsahum waAAaddahum AAaddan

Verily He is well aware of their numbers and has counted each and every one of them with an accurate count!

19 : 95

 

95. Wakulluhum ateehi yawma alqiyamati fardan

And each of them will come before Him on the Day of Resurrection on his own!

(Husbands will no longer be accompanied by their wives; parents will no longer come surrounded by their children; friends will not have the backing of friends; kings will be without their armies and their subjects; heroes will stand aloof from their admirers! As we came alone into this world, so shall we return to Him alone after this world).

19 : 96

96. Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati sayajAAalu lahumu alrrahmanu wuddan

Verily in the case of those who believe and perform righteous deeds, the Beneficent will bestow upon them His love!

(According to a Hadith of our beloved Prophet, he whom Allah cherishes, the angels also cherish him and cause the rest of mankind to cherish him!).


19 : 97

97. Fa-innama yassarnahu bilisanika litubashshira bihi almuttaqeena watunthira bihi qawman luddan

We have revealed this Qur'aan to you (O Mohammed) in your own tongue so that you deliver good tidings to those who avoid evil and warn those who transgress!

19 : 98

98. Wakam ahlakna qablahum min qarnin hal tuhissu minhum min ahadin aw tasmaAAu lahum rikzan

How many generations of people have We destroyed before them! Could you catch even a glimpse of their vestige (O Mohammed) or hear from them even one muted whisper? (R)

(And thus the Surah ends with a note of warning to those who disbelieve; who refute His revelations and impugn His messengers; who assign partners to Him and dilute His Sole Sovereignty; who impute that He has begotten for Himself offspring, be they sons or be they daughters; be they from terrestrial or be they from Celestial, to remember that, when the mace of punishment landed on the heads of the guilty, they fell to the ground without making the slightest noise and vanished from the face of the earth without leaving behind them the vaguest of signs!)



OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

 

MUHSIN:

83. See you not that We have sent the Shayâtin (devils) against the disbelievers to push them to do evil.

84. So make no haste against them; We only count out to them a (limited) number (of the days of the life of this world and delay their term so that they may increase in evil and sins).

85. The Day We shall gather the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2) unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh), like a delegate (presented before a king for honour).

86. And We shall drive the Mujrimûn (polytheists, sinners, criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, etc.) to Hell, in a thirsty state (like a thirsty herd driven down to water),

87. None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Beneficent (Allâh).

88. And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allâh) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son ['Iesa (Christ) <><>], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels, etc.)]."

89. Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.

90. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins,

91. That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allâh).

92. But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent (Allâh) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).

93. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) as a slave.

94. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.

95. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).

96. Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)] and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Beneficent (Allâh) will bestow love for them[] (in the hearts of the believers).

97. So We have made this (the Qur'ân) easy in your own tongue (O Muhammad SAW), only that you may give glad tidings to the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons - See V.2:2), and warn with it the Ludda[] (most quarrelsome) people.

98. And how many a generation before them have We destroyed! Can you (O Muhammad SAW) find a single one of them or hear even a whisper of them?


019.083
YUSUFALI: Seest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the unbelievers, to incite them with fury?
PICKTHAL: Seest thou not that We have set the devils on the disbelievers to confound them with confusion?
SHAKIR: Do you not see that We have sent the Shaitans against the unbelievers, inciting them by incitement?

019.084
YUSUFALI: So make no haste against them, for We but count out to them a (limited) number (of days).
PICKTHAL: So make no haste against them (O Muhammad). We do but number unto them a sum (of days).
SHAKIR: Therefore be not in haste against them, We only number out to them a number (of days).

019.085
YUSUFALI: The day We shall gather the righteous to (Allah) Most Gracious, like a band presented before a king for honours,
PICKTHAL: On the day when We shall gather the righteous unto the Beneficent, a goodly company.
SHAKIR: The day on which We will gather those who guard (against evil) to the Beneficent Allah to receive honors

019.086
YUSUFALI: And We shall drive the sinners to Hell, like thirsty cattle driven down to water,-
PICKTHAL: And drive the guilty unto hell, a weary herd,
SHAKIR: And We will drive the guilty to hell thirsty

019.087
YUSUFALI: None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from (Allah) Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: They will have no power of intercession, save him who hath made a covenant with his Lord.
SHAKIR: They shall not control intercession, save he who has made a covenant with the Beneficent Allah.

019.088
YUSUFALI: They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"
PICKTHAL: And they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son.
SHAKIR: And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken (to Himself) a son.

019.089
YUSUFALI: Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!
PICKTHAL: Assuredly ye utter a disastrous thing
SHAKIR: Certainly you have made an abominable assertion

019.090
YUSUFALI: At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin,
PICKTHAL: Whereby almost the heavens are torn, and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall in ruins,
SHAKIR: The heavens may almost be rent thereat, and the earth cleave asunder, and the mountains fall down in pieces,

019.091
YUSUFALI: That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.
PICKTHAL: That ye ascribe unto the Beneficent a son,
SHAKIR: That they ascribe a son to the Beneficent Allah.

019.092
YUSUFALI: For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.
PICKTHAL: When it is not meet for (the Majesty of) the Beneficent that He should choose a son.
SHAKIR: And it is not worthy of the Beneficent Allah that He should take (to Himself) a son.

019.093
YUSUFALI: Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) Most Gracious as a servant.
PICKTHAL: There is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the Beneficent as a slave.
SHAKIR: There is no one in the heavens and the earth but will come to the Beneficent Allah as a servant.

019.094
YUSUFALI: He does take an account of them (all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly.
PICKTHAL: Verily He knoweth them and numbereth them with (right) numbering.
SHAKIR: Certainly He has a comprehensive knowledge of them and He has numbered them a (comprehensive) numbering.

019.095
YUSUFALI: And everyone of them will come to Him singly on the Day of Judgment.
PICKTHAL: And each one of them will come unto Him on the Day of Resurrection, alone.
SHAKIR: And every one of them will come to Him on the day of resurrection alone.

019.096
YUSUFALI: On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will (Allah) Most Gracious bestow love.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.
SHAKIR: Surely (as for) those who believe and do good deeds for t them will Allah bring about love.

019.097
YUSUFALI: So have We made the (Qur'an) easy in thine own tongue, that with it thou mayest give Glad Tidings to the righteous, and warnings to people given to contention.
PICKTHAL: And We make (this Scripture) easy in thy tongue, (O Muhammad) only that thou mayst bear good tidings therewith unto those who ward off (evil), and warn therewith the froward folk.
SHAKIR: So We have only made it easy in your tongue that you may give good news thereby to those who guard (against evil) and warn thereby a vehemently contentious people.

019.098
YUSUFALI: But how many (countless) generations before them have We destroyed? Canst thou find a single one of them (now) or hear (so much as) a whisper of them?
PICKTHAL: And how many a generation before them have We destroyed! Canst thou (Muhammad) see a single man of them, or hear from them the slightest sound?
SHAKIR: And how many a generation have We destroyed before them! Do you see any one of them or hear a sound of them?

 Index

SURAH 20