The Holy Qor-aan 064:007
ذٰ لِكَ بِاَنَّهٗ كَانَتۡ تَّاۡتِيۡهِمۡ رُسُلُهُمۡ بِالۡبَيِّنٰتِ فَقَالُوۡۤا اَبَشَرٌ يَّهۡدُوۡنَـنَا فَكَفَرُوۡا وَتَوَلَّوْا وَّاسۡتَغۡنَى اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيۡدٌ
Zaa-lay-ka-bay-un-na-hoo-kaa-nut Tau-tee-him-ro-so-lo-hoom-bil-buy-yay-naa-tay Fa-qaa-loo-aa-ba-sha-roon-yah-do-na-naa Fa-ka-fa-roo-wa-ta-wul-lao-wus-tugh-nul-laa-ho Wul-laa-ho-gha-ne-yoon-ha-mee-d
This is so because it has been that Their messengers have come to them with clear signs But they said, “Is a mortal going to guide us?” So they disbelieved and turned away and disregarded Allah And by God Allah needs nobody and is Praiseworthy.
- ذٰلِكَ — Zaa-lay-ka — This (= Here; refers to an aforesaid fact, person or statement; it was because; right here; such is this; that is how it is. A/t/a, ‘That was’ [and ‘That is’)
- بِاَنَّهٗ — Bay-unna-hoo — Because it (= This combination of three words means because it. The first word بِ (bay) means with. The second word اَنَّ (un-na) means certainly, definitely, surely, verily. The third word هٗ (hoo) it or that. A/t/a, ‘because’)
- كَانَتۡ –Kaa-nut — Have (= v., past., s., f., 3rd person., Continued doing; used to; went on; were doing. This words indicates an endless continuity from the past to the present and into future)
- تَّاۡتِيۡ — Tau-tee — Come (= v., pres., s., 3rd person. Arrive; bring; come; deliver; reach; show. A/t/a, ‘kept coming unto’ and ‘kept on coming.’ But ‘there came,’ ‘came’ and ‘brought in the past tense is an inaccurate translation of what the Holy Qor-aan has stated in the present tense)
- هِمۡ — Him — Them (= pro., pl., m., 3 rd person. Those men; they; their)
- رُسُلُ — Ro-so-lo — Messengers (= n., pl., Apostles; messengers; prophets; sages; saints)
- هُمۡ — Hoom — Their (= pro., pl., m., 3 rd person. Those men; they; their)
- بِ — B … (il) — With (= Literally the word بِ means with)
- الۡبَيِّنٰتِ — Buy-ya-naa-tay — Clear Signs (= pl., Clear, convincing, irrefutable, manifest, veritable and sure arguments, corroborations, evidences, manifestations, proofs, portents, reasons, signs and testimonies of Truth and Allah. A/t/a, ‘clear signs,’ ‘clear arguments,’ ‘clear proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty),’ ‘manifest signs,’ ‘clear proofs,’ ‘with clear proofs (signs)’ and ‘veritable signs’)
- فَ — Fa — Then (= After all this; at the end; consequently; finally; hence; in conclusion; so; thereafter; therefore; thus. A/t/a, ‘but’)
- قَالُوۡۤا — Qaa-loo — They said (= v., past, s, m, 3rd person. Announced; broadcast; called; conveyed; declared; informed; elaborated; explained; specified; told. Also, commanded; directed; instructed; laid down; mandated; ordered – 002:031)
- اَ — Aa — Is (= Question mark like Is, Are, Can, Have, Shall or Will? A/t/a, ‘Shall’ and ‘are’)
- بَشَرٌ — Ba-sha-roon — A mortal (= n., Human being; mortals; pious, righteous or truthful human. A/t/a, ‘(mere) human beings,’ ‘mere mortals,’ ‘a mere human being’ and ‘mere men’)
- يَّهۡدُوۡنَ — Yah-do-na — Guide (= v., pres., m., pl., 3rd person. Direct to the best way; guide to the right road; lead on level linier lines; put on proper path; show sure success; avoid evil that obstruct us from reaching noble goals and objects. A/t/a, ‘direct,’ ‘guide,’ ‘going to guide’ and ‘be our guides’)
- نَآ — Naa — Us (= pro., m & g., pl., 1st person. Our; We; Us)
- فَ — Fa — Then (= After all this; hence; then; so; thus. See فَ above)
- كَفَرُوۡا — Ka-fa-roo — Disbelieved (= v., past., pl., 3rd person. Denied, refused or rejected the Faith or Belief in Allah, the Holy Qor-aan, Iss-laam and become Moslem. See Commentary titled as the Believe and Disbelieve. A/t/a, ‘disbelieved,’ ‘they rejected (The Message)’ and ‘they denied’ the truth’)
- وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. A/t/a, ‘but’)
- تَوَلَّوْا — Ta-wul-lao — Turned away (= v., past., pl., 3rd person. Took steps backward; turned back. A/t/a, ‘turned away,’ ‘turned away (paying no heed,’ ‘turned away (from the truth)’ and ‘gave no heed’)
- وَّ — Wa … (us) And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ above. A/t/a, ‘Thereupon’)
- اسۡتَغۡنَى — Us-tugh-na..(ul) — Disregarded (= v., past., pl., 3rd person. Acted, considered, construed, deemed, demented, disregarded or thought oneself to be his own master, independent or self-sufficient as if one needed none and could not care less. Did not care. Unneeded. Sought to be independent of. See below the Note 064:007)
- اللّٰهُ — Laa-ho– Allah (= The One and the Only One Almighty God)
- وَ — Wa … (ul) — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses. See وَ above)
- اللّٰهُ — Laa-ho — Allah (= The One and the Only One Almighty God)
- غَنِىٌّ — Gha-ne-yoon — Needs nobody (= n., Beyond needs. One who is independent and needs none. A/t/a, ‘free of all needs,’ ‘Absolute,’ ‘self sufficient,’ ‘Rich (Free of all needs),’ ‘Self-Sufficient (above all needs)’ and ‘All-Sufficient’)
- حَمِيۡدٌ — Ha-mee-d — Praiseworthy (= n., One who is praised a lot. A/t/a, ‘Worthy of all praise,’ ‘Praiseworthy,’ ‘Praised,’ ‘Owner of Praise,’ ‘Worthy of all praise,’ ‘Worthy of All-Praise (in His own right)’ and ‘glorious’)
** Note 064:007. This verse details four actions of disbelievers. Firstly, by اَبَشَرٌ يَّهۡدُوۡنَـنَا they questioned about the Messenger of Allah being a mortal sent to guide them. Secondly, by كَفَرُوۡا they disbelieved. Thirdly, by تَوَلَّوْا they turned away. Fourthly, by اسۡتَغۡنَى they disrespected Allah as if they did not need Him; but many authors have translated this last act inaccurately.
Apparently an earlier inaccuracy in translating this word as God’s act instead of man’s was just duplicated by subsequent authors (See Translations with Author’s whims) as follows. — In 1917, God ‘is above all needs’ was said by Maulana Muhammad Ali. — In 1930, God ‘was independent (of them)’ was said by M Marmaduke Pickthall. — In 1934, God ‘can do without them’ was said by A Yusuf Ali. — In 1936, Allah ‘had never any need of them‘ was said by Maulvi Sher. — In 1956, God ‘was in no need of them’ was said by NJ Dawood. — In 1970, Allah ‘had no need of them’ was said by M Zafrulla Khan. — In 1988, Allah ‘had no need of them’ was said by M Ghulam Farid. — In 1989, God ‘was in no need of them’ was said by Dr Ahmad Zindan. — In 1990, Allah ‘showed them that He had no need of them’ was said by A Rahman Omar — In 1999, Allah ‘not in need (of them)’ was said by M Mohsin Khan and Taqiuddin Din — Years of first publication taken from Wikipedia or the Printed Book
The Arabic grammar has a unique feature to form new derivate words from its root word and the meanings of the derivate words add certain fixed concepts to the those of the root word. A derivate is made up on one of many specific patterns or Ubwaab of which one is called Baab Iss-tif-aal and the meanings of a Baab Iss-tif-aal derivate are those of its root word added with the concept of asking, attempting, making an effort, seeking, trying, wising for a way to get, etc
To convey the real sense of the word اسۡتَغۡنَى in English requires adding adverbs such as arrogantly, boastfully, disdainfully, indifferently or proudly. The Holy Qor-aan has decried this bad act as really repugnant if done by man relative to the Almighty God. Yet the mistranslation of this word was done by assigning to it an Attribute of God.
Like وَاسۡتَغۡفِرُوا اللّٰهَ meaning And seek forgiveness of Allah (002:200), وَّاسۡتَغۡنَى اللّٰهُ can only mean And seek self-sufficiency or want independence of Allah (064:007) as the disbelievers did.
Following examples show how the Holy Qor-aan has used such derivates that carried the meanings of its root plus the concept conveyed by words like sought, tried, wanted or wished to. — اسۡتِبۡدَال (1ss-tib-daal = Seeking to replace wife or divorce a woman to wed another) in 004:021. — اسۡتَجَا بَ (Iss-ta-jaab = Seeking acceptance, answer, grant of a favorable response) in 003:196. — اسۡتَزَلَّ (Iss-ta-zulla = Wanting to cause carelessness, failure, inefficiency, seduction) in 003:156. — اسۡتَسۡقَىٰ (Iss-tus-qaa = Asked, begged, prayed or requested for water) in 002:061, 007:161 — اسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا (Us-ta-ee-noo = Ask, beg, beseech, desire, pray or request, seek or try for assistance, guidance, fortification and protection against danger or risk) in 002:154. — اسۡتَطَاعُوۡا (Iss-ta-taa-oo = Tried that they could have the ability) in 002:218. — اسۡتَغۡفَرُوا (Us-tugh-fa-roo = They asked, begged, desired, implored, prayed, repented, sought or tried to be excused, forgiven, pardoned or protected) in 003:136, 004:065. — اسۡتَغۡفِرُوا (Us-tugh-fay-roo = You ask, beg, beseech, desire, request, seek or want forgiveness. See Note 110:004a and Commentary Praying for others) in 002:200. — اسۡتَغۡنَى (Us-tugh-naa = Disregarded; didn’t care; unneeded; sought to be independent) in 064:007. — اسۡتَغۡنٰى (Iss-tugh-naa = Acted arrogantly, proudly, disdainfully or indifferently. Construed, deemed, demented or thought to be independent or self-sufficient as if needing none or couldn’t care less) in 080:006 and 092:009. — اسۡتَكَانُوۡا (Us-ta-kaa-noo = Abased. Argued. Broken down. Cringed abjectly. Crushed. Degraded, humiliated, lowered or shamed themselves. Expressed resentment. Failed or faltered to take a stand. Fell on their knees. Made excuses) in 003:147. — اسۡتَكۡبَرُوۡا (Us-tuk-ba-roo = Acted arrogantly with big ego. Behaved pride-stricken and puffed with pride. Bragged boastfully and haughtily. Deemed oneself too big and proud. Scorned others. Showed being vanity-rich) in 002:035 and 004:174. — اسۡتَـنۡكَفُوۡا (Us-tun-ka-foo = Derided, disapproved, disdained, disliked, downplayed, knocked down, mocked, ridiculed, scoffed or scorned worshiping God) in 004:174. — اسۡتَهۡوَتۡ (Iss-tah-wut = Bewitched. Caused or made to follow caprice. Led wrongfully. Enticed. Fanned with ego or vanity. Incited. Infatuated. Lured. Misled) in 006:072. — اسۡتَمۡسَكَ (Iss-tum-sa-ka = Caught; got; gotten; grabbed; grasped; hanging on; held; laid hands on; seized; taken hold of; taken on) in 002:257. — اسۡتَمۡتَعۡ (Iss-tum-tau = Benefitted. Derived, got, had, pursued, received or sought the benefits of marriage. Sought to be content by marrying for enjoyment) in 004:025. — اسۡتَوۡقَدَ (Iss-tao-qa-da = Fired up; kindled; lighted; lit up) in 002:018. — اسۡتَيۡسَرَ (Us-tai-sa-ra = Easily accessed, afforded, available, feasible, found or obtained) in 002:197.
