Three Translations of The Koran (Al-Qur'an) side by side Part 284

P: Is he who relieth on a clear proof from his Lord like those for whom the evil that they do is beautified while they follow their own l.u.s.ts?

S: What! is he who has a clear argument from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work is made fairseeming: and they follow their low desires.

047.015 Y: (Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)?

P: A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear-run honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord. (Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire and are given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels?

S: A parable of the garden which those guarding (against evil) are promised: Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste whereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified and for them therein are all fruits and protection from their Lord. (Are these) like those who abide in the fire and who are made to drink boiling water so it rends their bowels asunder.

047.016 Y: And among them are men who listen to thee, but in the end, when they go out from thee, they say to those who have received Knowledge, "What is it he said just then?" Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and who follow their own l.u.s.ts.

P: Among them are some who give ear unto thee (Muhammad) till, when they go forth from thy presence they say unto those who have been given knowledge: What was that he said just now? Those are they whose hearts Allah hath sealed, and they follow their own l.u.s.ts.

S: And there are those of them who seek to listen to you, until when they go forth from you, they say to those who have been given the knowledge: What was it that he said just now? These are they upon whose hearts Allah has set a seal and they follow their low desires.

047.017 Y: But to those who receive Guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint (from evil).

P: While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to their guidance, and giveth them their protection (against evil).

S: And (as for) those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance and gives them their guarding (against evil).

047.018 Y: Do they then only wait for the Hour,- that it should come on them of a sudden? But already have come some tokens thereof, and when it (actually) is on them, how can they benefit then by their admonition?

P: Await they aught save the Hour, that it should come upon them unawares? And the beginnings thereof have already come. But how, when it hath come upon them, can they take their warning?

S: Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?

047.019 Y: Know, therefore, that there is no G.o.d but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes.

P: So know (O Muhammad) that there is no G.o.d save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women.

Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest.

S: So know that there is no G.o.d but Allah, and, ask protection for your fault and for the believing men and the believing women; and Allah knows the place of your returning and the place of your abiding.

047.020 Y: Those who believe say, "Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?" But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death.

But more fitting for them-

P: And those who believe say: If only a surah were revealed! But when a decisive surah is revealed and war is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with the look of men fainting unto death. Therefor woe unto them!

S: And those who believe say: Why has not a Chapter been revealed? But when a decisive Chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein you see those in whose hearts is a disease look to you with the look of one fainting because of death. Woe to them then!

047.021 Y: Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.

P: Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them.

S: Obedience and a gentle word (was proper); but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them.

047.022 Y: Then, is it to be expected of you, if ye were put in authority, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin?

P: Would ye then, if ye were given the command, work corruption in the land and sever your ties of kinship?

S: But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship!

047.023 Y: Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.

P: Such are they whom Allah curseth so that He deafeneth them and maketh blind their eyes.

S: Those it is whom Allah has cursed so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes.

047.024 Y: Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them?

P: Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts?

S: Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks.

047.025 Y: Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes.

P: Lo! those who turn back after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He giveth them the rein.

S: Surely (as for) those who return on their backs after that guidance has become manifest to them, the Shaitan has made it a light matter to them; and He gives them respite.

047.026 Y: This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets.

P: That is because they say unto those who hate what Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their secret talk.

S: That is because they say to those who hate what Allah has revealed: We will obey you in some of the affairs; and Allah knows their secrets.

047.027 Y: But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs?

P: Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs!

S: But how will it be when the angels cause them to die smiting their backs.

047.028 Y: This because they followed that which called forth the Wrath of Allah, and they hated Allah's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect.

P: That will be because they followed that which angereth Allah, and hated that which pleaseth Him. Therefor He hath made their actions vain.

S: That is because they follow what is displeasing to Allah and are averse to His pleasure, therefore He has made null their deeds.

047.029 Y: Or do those in whose hearts is a disease, think that Allah will not bring to light all their rancour?

P: Or do those in whose hearts is a disease deem that Allah will not bring to light their (secret) hates?

S: Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring forth their spite?

047.030 Y: Had We so wiled, We could have shown them up to thee, and thou shouldst have known them by their marks: but surely thou wilt know them by the tone of their speech! And Allah knows all that ye do.

P: And if We would, We could show them unto thee (Muhammad) so that thou shouldst know them surely by their marks. And thou shalt know them by the burden of their talk. And Allah knoweth your deeds.