003:008

The Holy Qor-aan                                                                                                                     003:008

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هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ۬ مُّحۡكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ۬‌ۖ  فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٌ۬ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦ‌ۗ  وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ  وَٱلرَّٲسِخُونَ فِى ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ  كُلٌّ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَا‌ۗ  وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ

Ho-wa  ul-la-ze  aun-za-la  aa-lai  ka  ul-kay-taa-ba                                                                      Min  ho  aa-yaa-toon  moh-ka-maa-toon                                                                                        Hoon-na  om-mo  ol-kay-taa-bay                                                                                                  Wa  o-kha-ro  mo-ta-shaa-bay-haa-to

Fa  aum-ma  ul-la-ze-na  fee  qo-loo-bay  him  zai-ghoon                                                          Fa  yaut-ta-bay-oon-na  maa  ta-shaa-ba-ha  min                                                                        Ho  ob-tay-ghaa  aul-fit-na-tay  wa  ub-tay-ghaa-aa  tau-vee-lay  he                                      Wa  maa  yau-la-mo  tau-vee-la  hoo  il-la  ul-laa-ho

Wa  ur-raa-say-khoo-na  fee  l-il-may  ya-qoo-loo-na                                                                  Aa-maun-naa  bay  he                                                                                                                            Kool-loon  min  in-day  raub-bay  naa                                                                                        Wa  maa  yauz-zauk-ka-ro  il-la  o-loo  ol-aul-baa-b

He is the One Who entrusted  the Book to you.                                                               From it you get the Signs firm and clear.                                                                  They are the mother of the Book.                                                                                            And others are congruent (susceptible to interpretation).

So as regards those in whose hearts is a perversity                                                        They follow what looked like something else from it                                                   Seeking mischief and seeking its explanation.                                                              But none knows its real explanation except Allah. 

And those deeply rooted in knowledge say,                                                                        “We have believed in this.                                                                                                          All is from our God.”                                                                                                                And none heeds except those with the understanding. 
 

• هُوَ — Ho-wa … (ul) — He is (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the Almighty God.  Allah, One and the Only One worthy of worship)
  
• الَّذِىۡ — La-zee — He Who (= s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the Almighty God)
  
• أَنزَلَ — Aun-za-la — He entrusted (= v., past., s., 3^rd person. Dispatched; gave; granted; inspired, revealed. Handed. laid, lowered or sent down.  Also, delivered; landed; provided; released; supplied. See Note 002:005a)
• عَلَيۡ — Alai — To (= Above; against; for; on top of; over; upon)
• كَ — Ka … (ul) — You (= pro., s., m., 2^nd person. You single male. The addressee of this divine message is initially the Holy Prophet  s.a.w and secondarily every Moslem, in fact every human being. See Note 002:005)
  
• ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ — Kay-taa-ba — he Book (= n., Code; Divine Regulations; scriptures. God’s Eternal Message that man penned down in black and white in a written form. See 002:003)
• مِنۡ — Min — From (= From among the class, category, count, persons or out of)
• هُ — Ho– It (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the aforesaid Book)
• اٰيٰتُ — Aa-yaa-to … (om) — Signs (= n., pl of … An argument, corroboration, indication,  insinuation, pointer, portent, sign, suggestion, symbol or token. See Note 002:074)
• مُّحۡكَمَـٰتٌ — Moh-ka-maa-toon –Firm and clear (= n., pl., Acknowledged, established, known, obvious and recognized universally. Clearly commanded, directed, enforced, mandated or stated. Crystal clear; decisive; fundamental; firmly established; precise.  Entirely, totally and wholly clear in their meanings. Things with well-established meanings that leave no doubt. The word has also been extrapolated to refer to the following three kinds of laws:-                                                                                                      1. Laws directing obedience, Commandments. They are also called Ah-kaam.                  2. Laws imposing duties and obligations. They are also called Fa-raaiz.                            3. Laws prescribing punishments. They are also called Ha-dood )
• هُنَّ — Hoon-na — They (= pl, f, in 3rd person. Refers to the aforesaid clear signs)
• أُمُّ — Om-mo … (ol) — Mother (= n., s., 1. The basic; backbone; fundamental; principal. 2. Base; basis; crux; essence; foundation; root; rule; source; strength; substance; trunk 3. Coach; developer; grower; procreator; trainer; tutor; who nourishes)
• ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ — Kay-taa-bay — The Book (= Code; Divine Regulations; scriptures. See  ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ above)
  
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., It links words, phrases or clauses; additionally; but; more over; though; when; while; yet; whereupon)
• أُخَر — O-kha-ro — Others (= Besides; in addition to)
  
• مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ — Mo-ta-shaa-bay-haat — Look-alike (= n., pl., 1. Appearing and looking alike, overlapping, resembling or similar. 2. Open or susceptible to various different explanations, expositions and interpretations. 3. Seen as allegorical, ambiguous, non-distinguishable or unclear when viewed from different perspectives)
• فَ — Fa — Then (= As a result; consequently; hence; so; thereafter; therefore)
• أَمَّا — Aum-ma … (ul) — As regards (= This is the combination of two words. The first word  اَنۡ  means that. The second word مَاۤ means  all that, what or whatever. Thus أَمَّا   means as regard)
• ٱلَّذِينَ — Aul-la-ze-na — Those who (= pl., m, 3^rd person. All those persons)
  
• فِىۡ — Fee — In  (= Contained or inside a duration, event time, place, period, thing or situation. Also concerning; in reference or regarding or relative to)
• قُلُوۡب — Qo-loo-bay — Hearts (= n., pl of … 1. Mind; inner soul; ability to think, choose, decide and act in an appropriate manner both physically and spiritually; understanding.  2. The central organ inside the chest of all living creatures that keeps up the supply of blood to every tissue by pumping blood constantly through veins and controls all body parts and directs all their functions)
• هِمۡ — Him — Those (= pro., pl., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the people)
• زَيۡغٌ۬ — Zai-ghoon — Perversity (= n., Crookedness. Deviation with deviated minds. Gone astray. Infected with doubt and disbelief. In the habit of deliberately twisting things the wrong way)
• فَ — Fa — So (= As a result; consequently; hence; so. See فَ  above) 
• يَتَّبِعُونَ — Yaut-ta-bay-oo-na — They follow (= v., pres., pl., 3^rd person. Copy; duplicate; emulate; go after; obey; pursue; tail) 
• مَاۤ — Maa — What (= All that; whatever; whatsoever)
• تَشَـٰبَهَ — Ta-shaa-ba-ha — Looked like (= v., past., pl., 3^rd person. Appeared ambiguous. Looked alike, confusing, identical, similar unclear. Resembled and like something else. Susceptible to different interpretation)
  
• مِنۡ — Min — From (= From among the class, category, count, persons or out of)
• هُ — Ho … (ob) — It (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the aforesaid Book)
• ٱبۡتِغَآءَ — Ob-tay-ghaa-a … (ul) — Seeking (= v., pres., s., 3^rd person. Aspiring; attempting; desiring; going after; looking for; perverting; pursuing; searching; seeking; striving; trying for; wanting and wishing to get)
  
• ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ — Fit-na-tay — Mischief (= n., 1. Creation of differences and law & order situation.  Developing troubles. Disregard of peaceful status quo.  Eruption of commotions, confusions, disagreements, discords, disorders, disputes, disruptions, dissensions, disturbances, hullabaloo, lawlessness, panic, uproar, tumult or violent wrangling, Fanning uprisings. 2. Oppression; persecution. 3. Test; turmoil; trial. 4. Forced idolatry; misleading; polytheism. Persecuting people to sway them from God’s religion)
• وَ — Wa … (ub) — And (= Conj., It links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
  
• ٱبۡتِغَآءَ — Aub-tay-ghaa-aa — Seeking (= Aspiring; attempting; desiring. See ٱبۡتِغَآءَ  above
  
• تَأۡوِيلِ — Tau-vee-lay — Explanation (= n., Genuine explanation, exposition and meanings that  can be inferred and insinuated. Interpretation. See Note 003:08 below)
• هٖ — He — Its (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the aforesaid Book)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., It links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)
  
• مَاۤ — Maa — None (= Absolutely not; no; never)
• يَعۡلَمُ —Yau-la-mo — Knows (= v., pres. s., 3^rd person. Is aware. Has the information and knowledge. When used for men, the word means ‘has the coaching, education, guidance, instruction, teaching, training or tutoring)
• تَأۡوِيلَ — Tau-vee-la — Explanation (= n., Genuine explanation, exposition. See  تَأۡوِيلِ  above)
  
• هٗ — Hoo — Its (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the aforesaid Book)
• اِلَّا — Il-la … (ul) — Except (= Apart from; besides; excluding; in case; save; unless)
• اللّٰهُ — Laa-ho — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship
• ۗ   Punctuation  (= Sign indicating pause like a coma in the English)
• وَ — Wa … (ur) — And (= Conj., It links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ  above)

Text in the next three (3) words is repeated in 003:008 and 004:163

• ٱلرَّٲسِخُونَ — Raa-say-khoo-na — Deeply-rooted (= n., pl., Firmly grounded; serious scholars who are dug deep, established, firmed up, soundly possessed, well-founded and well-grounded in knowledge)
  
• فِىۡ — Fee … (il) — In (= Contained or inside a time, place, thing or situation. Also, concerning; regarding, relative or in reference to)
  
• ٱلۡعِلۡمِ — Il-may — Knowledge (= n., Awareness; information. See   يَعۡلَمُ   above) 
• يَقُولُونَ — Ya-qoo-loo-na — Say (=v., pres., p., 3^rd person. State; announce; broadcast; convey; declare; describe; explain; inform; insist; invoke; practice; preach; profess, specify; tell)
  
• اٰمَنَّا — Aa-mun-naa — We believed (= v., past., pl. 1^st person.  We have believed in the Holy Qor-aan, Iss-laam and are Moslems)
  
• بِ — Bay — In (= The word translates into ‘with.’ But the real intent of the original text is sometimes conveyed, as in instant instant case, with words like ‘in, about regarding, relative, in ref to, or relative to’) 
• هٖ — He — It (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the aforesaid Book)
• كُلٌّ — Kool-loon — All (= Altogether; everyone; whole. Refers to both aforesaid types of commandments which are (a) very clear and (b) are open and susceptible to interpretation)
• مِّنَ — Min — From (= From)
• عِندِ — In-day — From (= Close at hand; with)
• رَبِّ — Rub-bay God (= The Almighty Allah who fills needs of all creatures; Cherisher; Creator; Guardian; Master; Lord Provident. The Only One Who provides all that sustains life. The Ultimate Provider of air, water, food and whatever we and all other creatures need to live and subsist)
• نَآ — Naa –Us (= Pronounce refers to ‘us all’, both genders)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ   above)
• مَاۤ — Maa — None (= Nobody; no one; none at all)
• يَذَّكَّرُ — Yauz-zauk-karo — Heeds (= v., pres., s., 3^rd person. Bears in mind. Calls to mind. Comprehends. Gets admonished, reminded & warned. Grasps intent. Heeds. Pays attention. Ponders. Recalls.  Recollects. Reflects. Remembers. Takes heed. Thinks about. Understands. Undertakes to analyze, celebrate, discuss dissect, elaborate, extol, extrapolate, glorify, interpret, join, mention, participate, remember, share, talk, translate, teach or tutor in academic discussions, community prayer groups, congregational gatherings and similar situations of invocations that follow the famous Hadeeth (quotation of the Holy Prophet, s.a.w) to the effect that Angels invoke prayers for those who sit in the gatherings which are convened to glorify God Allah)
• اِلَّا — Il-laa — Except (= Apart from; besides; excluding; save; unless)
• اُولُوا — O-loo … (ol) — Those with (= pl., Endowed with; master; owner; possessor; who have. Refers to ‘Men of senses or understanding’)
• الۡاَلۡبَابِ‏ — Aul-baab — Understanding (= Balanced view; common sense; comprehension; high intellect; pure wisdom; real sense; total awareness; with clear and sound mind and wisdom. ‘Men of senses’; ‘Men of understanding’)

* Note 003:008. This highlights two aspects regarding the translation of Holy Qor-aan.

I – Effect of Punctuation Marks

There are two clauses and a punctuation mark between them. The mark dictates that the reader pauses after the first clause. The reader then goes on to the next clause and the meanings are clear. There is no need for a prosumer to presume the existence of a word in order to squeeze out any non-existing meanings that he wants.

The two clauses are “None knows its interpretation except Allah.  And the deeply-rooted in knowledge say …”  Drs Khan and Al-Hilali and Dr Khan among others have correctly translated this verse this way.

By not pausing at this punctuation mark, by presuming that there was the word ‘who’ that connected the first clause with the next clause, and by linking the prior and the later clauses together as one sentence, it produces drastically different meanings, i.e.,  “None knows its interpretation except Allah and the deeply-rooted in knowledge who say, “Our Lord …”

Such wrong translations present meanings which are not proper for the following reasons.

1. Such meanings convey that the ‘scholars deeply-rooted in knowledge‘ are equals of Allah in knowing what the Holy Qor-aan means. No Moslem in his right mind can proclaim, profess or practice such idolatry meanings.

2. Such meanings necessitate presuming the word who between the deeply-rooted in knowledge and ‘who say. Let us be very clear about this point.

— Without presuming the non-existing aforesaid word ‘who’, the meanings would be “None knows its interpretation except Allah. And the deeply-rooted in knowledge say, “Our Lord …” And this is the right translation.

—  By assuming the existence of aforesaid word ‘ who’, the meanings would be “None knows its interpretation except Allah and the deeply-rooted in knowledge who say, “Our Lord….” This is palpably the wrong translation that contradicts Laa Elaha Illa Allah.  

— Presuming the existence of non-existing word ‘who’ is the tell-tale key that shows that the two independent clauses are different, distinct and separate. It’s improper to continue and construe them as one single continuing sentence.

II – Duplication of earlier translations

            Duplication of words, concepts and even errors in the earlier translations in later works shows only that the later translations are no independent works but just copy-cat reproductions of earlier works. Chronological dates of translations contradict or justify any criticism of them.

One concrete example is the translation of word  تَأۡوِيلِ  (tau-vee-l). This noun means a fact that ends another continuation or process as its after-effect, apex, climax, conclusion; consequence, ending, follow up, finality, outside limit or result. It is the ultimate extreme, height, depth or length to which the meanings of a statement can be elasticized by way of its elaboration, explanation, exposition, extension, extrapolation and interpretation. It includes the following.

1. Genuine explanation, exposition and meanings that can be inferred and insinuated.
2. True detail, elaboration, extrapolation and extension by slicing and splitting each word.
3. Any concoction, fabrication, making up or pursuit of one’s own agenda done by willfully misconstruing, misrepresenting and twisting the real meanings under the pretext of trying to fathom out some concealed, hidden, invisible, unobvious or veiled meanings of a statement.

The earliest translation of this word  تَأۡوِيلِ  that we saw were just copied by subsequent translators, sometimes exactly in those words and sometimes with slight variations as following.

1. In verse 003:008, “Interpretation.”
2. In verse 004:060, “final determination’ [aya, mmk, tda], ‘more suitable to (achieve) the end’ [mma], ‘in the end’ [msa, mmp, mgf, mzk] and ‘in the long run’ [aro])
3. In verse 007:054, “fulfilment of warnings’ [msa, mgf], ‘fulfilment of that of which it warns’ [mzk], ‘fulfilment’ [mmp, daz, njd], ‘final fulfillment of’ [mmk, tda], ‘final fulfilment of the event’ [aya], ‘final sequel’ [mma] and final sequel (of the warning)’ [aro])