002:103

The Holy Qor-aan                                                                                                          002:103

.

وَاتَّبَعُوۡا مَا تَتۡلُوا الشَّيٰطِيۡنُ عَلٰى مُلۡكِ سُلَيۡمٰنَ‌‌ۚ وَمَا کَفَرَ سُلَيۡمٰنُ وَلٰـكِنَّ الشَّيٰـطِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا يُعَلِّمُوۡنَ النَّاسَ السِّحۡرَ وَمَآ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَى الۡمَلَـکَيۡنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوۡتَ وَمَارُوۡتَ‌ؕ وَمَا يُعَلِّمٰنِ مِنۡ اَحَدٍ حَتّٰى يَقُوۡلَاۤ اِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ فِتۡنَةٌ فَلَا تَكۡفُرۡؕ‌ فَيَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ مِنۡهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُوۡنَ بِهٖ بَيۡنَ الۡمَرۡءِ وَ زَوۡجِهٖ‌ؕ وَمَا هُمۡ بِضَآرِّيۡنَ بِهٖ مِنۡ اَحَدٍ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ‌ؕ وَيَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمۡ وَلَا يَنۡفَعُهُمۡ‌ؕ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمُوۡا لَمَنِ اشۡتَرٰٮهُ مَا لَهٗ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ مِنۡ خَلَاقٍ‌ؕ وَلَبِئۡسَ مَا شَرَوۡا بِهٖۤ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ‌ؕ لَوۡ کَانُوۡا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏

Wut-ta-ba-oo-maa-tut-loosh-sha-yaa-tee-no-alaa-mool-kay-so-lai-maa-na
Wa-maa-ka-fa-ra-so-lai-maa-no-wa-laa-kin-nush-sha-yaa-tee-na-ka-fa-roo
Yo-ul-lay-moo-nun-naa-sus-seh-ra
Wa-maa-oon-zay-la-alul-ma-la-kai-nay
Bay-baa-bay-la-haa-roo-ta-wa-maa-roo-t

Wa-maa-yo-ul-lay-maa-nay-min-aa-ha-din-hut-taa-ya-qoo-laa
In-na-maa-nuh-no-fit-na-toon-fa-laa-tuk-foor
Fa-ya-ta-ul-la-moo-na-min-ho-maa-maa                                                                                        Yo-fur-ray-qoo-na-ba-he-bai-nul-mur-aiy-wa-zao-jay-he
Wa-maa-hoom-be-dzaar-re-na-bay-he-min-aa-ha-din 
Il-laa-bay-iz-nil-laa-hay

Wa-ya-ta-ul-la-moo-na-maa-ya-dzoor-ro-hoom-wa-laa-yun-fa-o-hoom
Wa-la-qud-aa-lay-moo-la-ma-nish-ta-raa-ho
Maa-la-hoo-fil-aa-khay-ra-tay-min-kha-laaq
Wa-la-bae-sa-maa-sha-rao-bay-he-un-fo-sa-hoom
Lao-kaa-noo-yau-la-moo-n.

And they followed what (*) the evil ones taught during the reign of Solomon.
And Solomon did not (*) disbelieve but the evil ones had disbelieved.
They were teaching the people the magic
And not (*) what was sent down on two (person like) angles
Haaroot and Maaroot in Babylon.

And the two did not (*) teach anyone until they would first say
“We are a test. So do not disbelieve.”
So they were learning from those two that 
With it would cause separation between a man and his wife.
And with that they did not (*) hurt anyone
Except with the leave of Allah.

And they were learning what (*) was hurting them and doing them no good.
And most certainly they knew that whoever bought
Will have no (*) share in the Hereafter.
And surely it was evil for what (*) they sold themselves
If only they would know.

• وَ — Wa…(ut) — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses; additionally; but; also; more over; though; when; while; yet; whereupon)
• اتَّبَعُوۡا — Ta-ba-oo — They followed (= v., past., pl., 3^rd person Those who obeyed, acted upon, carried out, pursued or stood supporting an assigned, enforced, given, laid out, prohibited or received command, course or line of action, direction, instruction, mandate, order or task. They fell in rank behind others and yielded to them. See the Note below)
• مَاۤ — Maa — What   *   (= All that; whatever; whatsoever)
• تَتۡلُوا — Tut-loo..(sh) — Had taught (= v., Fabricated; gave out; narrated; practiced; preached; professed; read; recited; related; told; trained; tutored)
• الشَّيٰطِيۡنُ — Sha-yaa-tee-no — The evil ones (= n., pl., Bad, false evil deities, friends, people or leaders; devils; evil spirited persons; polytheists; rebellious; ring-leaders. Also hypocrite; idol-worshipers, Satanic companions; the evil personified. Plural of the Satan)
• عَلٰى — Alaa — During (= Above; against; before; during; for; on; on top of; over; to; upon)
• مُلۡكِ — Mool-kay — Reign (= n., 1. Control; domain; dominion; empire; kingdom; kingship; power; rein; rule. 2. Area, country,, empire or territories rued over. Also life-time)
• سُلَيۡمٰنَ‌‌ — So-lai-maa-na — Solomon (= The name of a Messenger / Prophet of Allah)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• مَاۤ — Maa — Not   *   (= Absolutely not at all; no; never)
• كَفَرَ — Ka-fa-ra — Disbelieved (= v., s.,  1. Denied, refused or rejected faith or belief in Allah, the Holy Qor-aan & Islaam to become Moslem.   2. Was blasphemer, faithless. heretic, infidel, pagan, non-believer or resistor to God and unbelievers.   3. Acted ungratefully by failing to appreciate, thank for, use or utilize God-given abilities, blessings capabilities capacities, gifts, talents and opportunities by abusing or misusing them.    4. Breached faith)
• سُلَيۡمٰنُ — So-lai-maa-no — Solomon (= The name of a Messenger / Prophet of Allah)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• لٰـكِنَّ — Laa-kin-n..(ush) — But (= However; instead; nevertheless; yet)
• الشَّيٰـطِيۡنَ — Sha-yaa-tee-na — The evil ones (= n., pl., Bad, false evil deities, friends, people or leaders; devils; evil spirited persons; polytheists; rebellious; ring-leaders. Also hypocrite; idol-worshipers, Satanic companions; the evil personified. Plural of the Satan)
• كَفَرُوۡا — Ka-fa-roo — Disbelieved (= v., pl., See كَفَرَ above for meanings)
• يُعَلِّمُوۡنَ — Yo-ul-le-moo…(nun) Teaching (= v., pres., pl., 3^rd person., They were coaching, instructing, training or tutoring. Some authors pinned this word on the Jews of Madina)
• النَّاسَ — Nun-naa…(sus) — The people (= Factions; folks; groups; human beings; mankind; men; nations; tribes)
• السِّحۡرَ — Sehr — The magic (= n., Deception; enchantment; evil crafts; falsehood; false impressions; making illusions; modes of intrigue; sorcery; trickery; witchcraft. Something imaginary and not real or true)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• مَاۤ — Maa — Not at all   *   (= Absolutely not; no; never; not at all. Also ‘such things’)
• اُنۡزِلَ — Oon-ze-la — Sent down (= v., Was delivered, entrusted, furnished, handed down; inspired provided, released or supplied to; landed. 2. Also, came, lowered, showered or poured down)
• عَلَى — A-lul — On (= Above; for; on top of; over; upon)
• الۡمَلَـکَيۡنِ — Mala-kai-nay — Two Angels (= pl., The immortal beings attendant upon God; a kind, loving and lovable person. Also, saintly persons or those who were like the angels)
• بِ — Bay — In — (= Literally بِ means with, but here the meanings of the original text is better conveyed by using ‘in or at’)
• بَابِلَ — Baa-bay-la — Babylon (= Name of an old village during Solomon’s reign)
• هَارُوۡتَ — Haa-roo-ta — Haa-root (= Name of a big shot in the village known as Babylon)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• مَارُوۡتَ‌ — Maa-roo-ta — Maroot (= Name of a big shot in the village known as Babylon)
• وَ   — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• مَاۤ — Maa — Not at all   *   (= Absolutely not; no; never; not at all)
• يُعَلِّمٰنِ — Yo-ul-le-maa-nay — Teaching (= v., pres., 2pl., 3^rd person., Both were coaching, instructing, training or tutoring)
• مِنۡ — Min — Among (= From the class, category, count, kind, persons or out of
• اَحَدٍ — Aa-ha-din — Any one (= Individual; single)
• حَتّٰى — Hut-taa — Until (= Till; unless. Warned them beforehand)
• يَقُوۡلَا — Ya-qoo-laa — Two would say (= v., pre., pl-2., m., 3rd person. Announce; broadcast; convey; declare; inform; say; specify; state; tell)
• اِنَّمَا — In-na-Maa — Certainly (= It consists of two words. The first word اِنَّ (inna) means ‘in all seriousness; absolutely; doubtlessly; earnestly; indeed; positively; really; surely; truly; verily.’ The second word مَاۤ (= maa) means ‘all that, what, whatever, whatsoever.’ Together اِنَّ and مَاۤ as اِنَّمَا (= inna-maa) lay great emphasis on the information highlighted and make the statement that follows it ‘absolutely and positively very accurate’)
• نَحۡنُ — Nuh-no — We (= pro., pl., 1st person. We / Us)
• فِتۡنَةٌ — Fit-na-toon — Test (= Trial; hurdle; lure; obstacle; ordeal; temptation; sent to tempt)
• فَ — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thereafter; therefore; yet
  After all this; at the end of; in conclusion)
• لَا — Laa — Don’t (= Absolute denial; never; not at all; total negation)
• تَكۡفُرۡ — Tuk-foor–  Disbelieve (= v., Act ungratefully. Disbelieve in Allah. Deny God’s grace on you by leaning falsehood, fakery, magic and creating illusions. Don’t become unbelievers. Reject God’s grace we bring you. Renounce your Faith)
• فَ — Fa — So (= Consequently; as a result; then; thereafter; therefore; yet; after all this; at the end of; in conclusion)
• يَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ — Ya-ta-ul-la-moo-na — Learning (= Receiving coaching, instruction, training or tutoring. A/t/a Learning a charm. Learning a means to sow discord between man and his wife – Abdulla Yusuf Ali)
• مِنۡ — Min — From (= From the class, category, count, kind, persons or out of)
• هُمَا — Ho-maa — Those two (= pro., pl-2., m., 3rd person. Refers to the two aforesaid named individuals)
• مَاۤ — Maa — Not   *   (= Absolutely not; no; never)
• يُفَرِّقُوۡنَ — Yo-fur-ray-qoo-na —  Separating (= v., pres, pl., 3^rd person. Causing, creating, developing or making a clear separation between the given two elements, things like good or bad, or persons like wife and husband. The original text dictates if a translation of teaching or learning to distinguish, differentiate or discriminate is more suitable than inciting, promoting or sponsoring some difference, disagreement, dissent,  division, trouble or unhappy discord. A/t/a, ‘They taught men only and not women’)
• بِ — Bay — With (= This word in Arabic literally means ‘with’)
• هٖ — Hee — That (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to the ‘magic they taught’)
• بَيۡنَ — Bai-na — Between (= Betwixt)
• الۡمَرۡءِ — Mur-aiy — Man (= Husband)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• زۡوج — Zaoo-jay — Wife (= n., s., Associate; close companion; life-companion; relation; mate; spouse)
• هٖ — He — Him (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘the learning husband’) ‘
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• مَاۤ — Maa — Not   *   (= Absolutely not; no; never)
• ھُمۡ‌ — Hoom — Them (= pro., pl., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘those who taught’ and/or ‘those who were taught))
• بِ — Bay — With (= This word in Arabic literally means with)
• ضَآرِّيۡنَ — Dzaar-re-na — Hurting (= Adversely affecting. Causing damage, harm, loss injury)
• بِ — Bay — With (= This word in Arabic literally means with)
• هٖ — Hee — That (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘the magic they taught’ )
• مِنۡ — Min — Among (= From the class, category, count, kind, persons or out of)
• اَحَدٍ  — Aha-din — One (= Individual; single)
• اِلَّا — Il-laa–  Except (= Apart from; besides; excluding; save; unless)
• بِ — Bay — With (= This word in Arabic literally means with)
• اِذۡنِ — Iz-n..(il) — Leave (= Approval; command; decision; decree; dictate; order; direction; grace; plan; permission; scheme of things)
• اللّٰهِ — Laa-hay — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• يَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ — Yata-ul-la-moona —  Learning (= Receiving coaching, instruction, training and tutoring)
• مَاۤ — Maa — What   *   (= Whichever; what; whatever)
• يَضُرّ — Ya-dzoor-ro — Hurt (= Damage; harm; cause loss)
• ھُمۡ‌ — Hoom — Them (= pro., pl., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘man and his wife’)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• لَا — Laa — No (= Absolute denial; never; not at all; total negation)
• يَنۡفَعُ — Yun-fa-o — Doing good (= Benefit; contribute anything; help. Also profit)
• ھُمۡ‌ — Hoom — Them (= pro., pl., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘man and his wife’)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• لَ — La — Certainly (= Absolutely; definitely; positively; surely; truly; verily)
• قَدۡ — Qud — Surely (= Lays emphasis as by absolutely; categorically certainly
  definitely, doubtlessly; for sure; in spite of; positively, specially, specifically, verily; without a doubt. Read Commentary ‘2 Words of Emphasis used together‘
• عَلِمُوۡا — Aa-lay-moo — Knew (= v., pl., Became aware and learned; came to know; had knowledge; were informed)
• لَ — La — Certainly (= Absolutely; definitely; doubtlessly; earnestly; indeed; in all seriousness; in all sincerity; positively; really; surely; truly; verily)
• مَنِ — Ma-n..(ish) — Who (= Anyone; whoever; whatever; whom; whomever)
• اشۡتَرٰ — Sh-ta-raa — Bought (= v., 1. Bartered; paid the price; purchased;; traded; trafficked. 2. Chosen, preferred this life over that of the Hereafter; bought this life for the price of the Hereafter)
• هُ — Ho — That (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to the ‘magic taught’)
• مَاۤ — Maa — None   *   (= Absolutely no-; not at all; never)
• لَ — La — For (= For the attention, benefit, purpose or reason of. Concerning. Regarding. Relative to)
• هٗ — Hoo — Him (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to the ‘Learner of the magic’)
• فِىۡ — F…(il) — In (= 1. Contained in or amidst a duration, event, time, place, period, thing or situation; inside.   2. Concerning; for the sake of; in reference, relative or pursuant to; regarding)
• ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ — Aa-khay-ra-tay — The Hereafter (= Hereafter; Beyond this life; life after death; next world; yet to come)
• مِنۡ — Min Among — (= From the class, category, count, kind, persons or out of)
• خَلَا قٍ — Kha-laaq — Share (= Part; portion of gain; section)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
• لَ — La — Certainly (= Absolutely; definitely; doubtlessly; earnestly; indeed; in all seriousness; in all sincerity; positively; really; surely; truly; verily)
• بِئۡسَ — Bae-sa — Evil (= Bad; miserable; undesirable; unfortunate; worse; worst possible; vile)
• مَاۤ — Ma..(ush) — What   *   (= All that; if; whatever; whatsoever)
• شَرَوۡا — Sha-rao — Bought (= v., 1. Bartered; paid the price; purchased;; traded; trafficked. 2. Chosen, preferred this life over that of the Hereafter; bought this life for the price of the Hereafter)
• بِ — Bay — With (= By means of; with the instrumentality of)
• هٖ — He — It (= pro., s., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘the magic taught’)
• اَنۡفُسَ — Un-fo-sa — Souls (= pl., Individuals’ hearts and minds; persons; selves)
• هُمۡ‌ — Hoom — Their (= pro., pl., m., 3rd person. Refers to ‘the magic buyers’)
• لَوۡ — Lao –If (= If the situation arises; in case; under the circumstances;
  Would it be that)
• كَانُوۡا — Kaa-noo — They had (= v., Conveys continuation from the past to the present and leading into the future)
• يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ — Yau-la-moo-n — Known (= v., pl., Have the information and knowledge; are aware; know the consequence of their calumny and enormity; recognize. Also knowingly)

Note 002:103.  This one verse of the Holy Qor-aan consists of several words and clauses with distinctly different possible meanings. And the numerous permutations and combination of those possibilities have further resulted in several translations. Following are some of the avenues which stemmed those differences.

1. The placement of a vowel above or beneath a letter in the Arabic changes what that word means.   Such a change affects the meanings of the whole phrase, clause and verse which hinge on that word.   The verse 002:103 shows how such a variation in its very first verb اتَّبَعُوۡا made the huge difference.   The second letter of the word اتَّبَعُوۡ is بَ and the vowel fut-ha on the top gives it specific meanings.   Such construction means ‘they followed’ and reflects that action in the past tense 3rd person format.   But a kus-rauh underneath said letter ب would have given the text an entirely different meanings.  It would have meant that ‘you follow’ and reflected an action in the present tense 2nd person format.   Any translation work must know that difference.

That’s why most translations used this verb as they followed and conveyed ‘the narration of a past event done by those in the 3rd person.’   But M M Pickthall translated it as follow that and conveyed as if it were a command to ‘you in the 2nd person to follow a previous act, see its culmination and learn a lesson from it as a guidance for your own future.

2.   Serious students of Islaam will seek to pin-point the real meanings communicated by actual words.   They will hesitate to follow the view of someone else no matter how good the Translation was.   This should help them to stay on the right track when reading and comparing several translations.   Different translations in just first sentence of 002:103 of seven significant words won’t be an issue.   [Shown Underlined or color-coordinated  in our Commentary tiled as Qor-aan Is No Joke 045-010]

• “They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon.” Abdulla Yusuf Ali.
• “And they follow what the devils fabricated against the kingdom of Solomon.” – Maulana Muhammad Ali.
• “And they pursue the course which the rebellious men followed during the reign of Solomon.” – Maulawi Sher Ali
• “And they pursue the course which was pursued by the rebellious men against the Kingdom of Solomon.” – Malik Ghulam Farid
• “They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon).” Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Dr. Muhammad Al-Hilali
• “They pursue the course which the rebellious ones followed in the reign of Solomon.” – Muhammad Zafrulla Khan
• “Moreover, they (- the Jews of the Prophet’s time) pursue (the same tactics) which the rebels had followed against the empire of Solomon.” – A R Omar and A M Omar
• “And follow that which the devils falsely related against the Kingdom of Solomon”. – Marmaduke Pickthall
• “They followed that which the satans recited during the reign of Solomon.” Dr Ahmad Zidan and Mrs Dina Zindan

3. More variations show up further down in the translated actions of Satan, of Haaroot and Maaroot and were they angels or persons with the natures like those of the angels, or a) what, b) how, c) to whom they taught, d) that was then used to what effect regarding a man and his wife and e) the follow-ups.

4. Then there is the word مَاۤ (*) that has at least four distinct meanings and has been used nine (9) times in this one verse 002:103..
i. All that; what; whatever.
ii. Any time; at such time; when; whenever.
iii. Never, no; not; not at all; total negation.
iv. Which; whichever; where; wherever.
Using any of the four choices drastically changes the meanings of the entire clause and the total message. Indeed they magnify the differences reflected in various translations of the verse.