Three Translations of The Koran (Al-Qur'an) side by side Part 70

007.169 Y: After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?

P: And a generation hath succeeded them who inherited the scriptures.

They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil-doing) and say: It will be forgiven us. And if there came to them (again) the offer of the like, they would accept it (and would sin again). Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the truth? And they have studied that which is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better, for those who ward off (evil). Have ye then no sense?

S: Then there came after them an evil posterity who inherited the Book, taking only the frail good of this low life and saying: It will be forgiven us. And if the like good came to them, they would take it (too). Was not a promise taken from them in the Book that they would not speak anything about Allah but the truth, and they have read what is in it; and the abode of the hereafter is better for those who guard (against evil). Do you not then understand?

007.170 Y: As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,- never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

P: And as for those who make (men) keep the Scripture, and establish worship - lo! We squander not the wages of reformers.

S: And (as for) those who hold fast by the Book and keep up prayer, surely We do not waste the reward of the right doers.

007.171 Y: When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may fear Allah."

P: And when We shook the Mount above them as it were a covering, and they supposed that it was going to fall upon them (and We said): Hold fast that which We have given you, and remember that which is therein, that ye may ward off (evil).

S: And when We shook the mountain over them as if it were a covering overhead, and they thought that it was going to fall down upon them: Take hold of what We have given you with firmness, and be mindful of what is in it, so that you may guard (against evil).

007.172 Y: When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful":

P: And (remember) when thy Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily. We testify. (That was) lest ye should say at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this we were unaware;

S: And when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their backs, their descendants, and made them bear witness against their own souls: Am I not your Lord? They said: Yes! we bear witness.

Lest you should say on the day of resurrection: Surely we were heedless of this.

007.173 Y: Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false G.o.ds, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"

P: Or lest ye should say: (It is) only (that) our fathers ascribed partners to Allah of old and we were (their) seed after them. Wilt Thou destroy us on account of that which those who follow falsehood did?

S: Or you should say: Only our fathers a.s.sociated others (with Allah) before, and we were an offspring after them: Wilt Thou then destroy us for what the vain doers did?

007.174 Y: Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn (unto Us).

P: Thus we detail the revelations, that haply they may return.

S: And thus do We make clear the communications, and that haply they might return.

007.175 Y: Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he pa.s.sed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.

P: Recite unto them the tale of him to whom We gave Our revelations, but he sloughed them off, so Satan overtook him and he became of those who lead astray.

S: And recite to them the narrative of him to whom We give Our communications, but he withdraws himself from them, so the Shaitan overtakes him, so he is of those who go astray.

007.176 Y: If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue.

That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.

P: And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own l.u.s.t. Therefor his likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if thou attackest him he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him he panteth with his tongue out.

Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations. Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old), that haply they may take thought.

S: And if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby; but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire, so his parable is as the parable of the dog; if you attack him he lolls out his tongue; and if you leave him alone he lolls out his tongue; this is the parable of the people who reject Our communications; therefore relate the narrative that they may reflect.

007.177 Y: Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.

P: Evil as an example are the folk who denied Our revelations, and were wont to wrong themselves.

S: Evil is the likeness of the people who reject Our communications and are unjust to their own souls.

007.178 Y: Whom Allah doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from His guidance,- such are the persons who perish.

P: He whom Allah leadeth, he indeed is led aright, while he whom Allah sendeth astray - they indeed are losers.

S: Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the one who follows the right way; and whomsoever He causes to err, these are the losers.

007.179 Y: Many are the jinns and men we have made for h.e.l.l: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning).

P: Already have We urged unto h.e.l.l many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle - nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.

S: And certainly We have created for h.e.l.l many of the jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones.

007.180 Y: The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in his names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.

P: Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.

S: And Allah's are the best names, therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanct.i.ty of His names; they shall be recompensed for what they did.

007.181 Y: Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth.

And dispense justice therewith.

P: And of those whom We created there is a nation who guide with the Truth and establish justice therewith.

S: And of those whom We have created are a people who guide with the truth and thereby they do justice.

007.182 Y: Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not;

P: And those who deny Our revelations - step by step We lead them on from whence they know not.

S: And (as to) those who reject Our communications, We draw them near (to destruction) by degrees from whence they know not.

007.183 Y: Respite will I grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing).

P: I give them rein (for) lo! My scheme is strong.

S: And I grant them respite; surely My scheme is effective.

007.184 Y: Do they not reflect? Their companion is not seized with madness: he is but a perspicuous warner.

P: Have they not bethought them (that) there is no madness in their comrade? He is but a plain warner.

S: Do they not reflect that their companion has not unsoundness in mind; he is only a plain warner.