بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Transcription
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Edip-Layth
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
Muhammad Asad
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
Rashad Khalifa
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. ,
Shabbir Ahmed
All praise is due to God, the Lord/Cherisher/Sustainer of the Universe and everything therein.
Çeviriyazı
Bismillâhir rahmânir rahîm.
Edip Yüksel
Rahman, Rahim Allah'ın ismiyle
Yaşar Nuri Öztürk
Rahman ve Rahim Allah'ın adıyla...
Muhammed Esed
RAHMÂN, RAHÎM ALLAH ADINA
Ali Bulaç
Rahman ve Rahim olan Allah'ın adıyla

3:1 الم

3:1 alm
Transcription (English)
3:1 Alif-lam-meem
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:1 A1L30M401

Note 1

A1L30M40. These letters/numbers play an important role in the mathematical system of the Quran based on code 19. See 74:1; 1:1; 2:1; 13:38; 27:82; 38:1; 40:28; 46:10; 72:28.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:1 ALM.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:1 Alif. Lam. Mim.1

Note 1
See Appendix II.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:1 A.L.M.1 ,

Note 1
See Footnote 2:1 and Appendix One.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:1 A.L.M. Alif-Laam-Meem. (Allah, Lateef the Unfathomable, Majeed the Magnificent, states that),1

Note 1


The honored Messengers of God, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad were descendants of the Patriarch, Abraham. Prophet Jacob, the grandson of Abraham was also called Israel. Jews are known as Israelites in reference to Jacob. ‘Imran (Amram) is the name of the father of Moses and Aaron, and also of a branch among Israelites. Mary, the mother of Jesus, belonged to the progeny of ‘Imran. She was a descendant of Prophet Aaron. The Qur'an confirms only the Divine origination of the Bible, but it strongly points to the extensive human touch in the Old & New Testaments. Check the following verses: (2:75, 2:78, 2:101, 3:70, 3:78, 3:186, 5:13, 5:41, 6:91, 9:31).



With the Glorious Name of God, the Instant and Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness



3:2 الله لا اله الا هو الحى القيوم

Transcription (English)
3:2 Allahu la ilaha illahuwa alhayyu alqayyoomu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:2 God; there is no god, except He; the Living, the Sustainer.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:2 God, there is no god except He, the Living, the Sustainer.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:2 GOD - there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:2 GOD: there is no god except He; the Living, the Eternal.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:2 God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsistent Lord of the Universe proclaims that:

3:3 نزل عليك الكتب بالحق مصدقا لما بين يديه وانزل التورىة والانجيل

Transcription (English)
3:3 Nazzala AAalayka alkitaba bialhaqqimusaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi waanzala alttawratawaal-injeela
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:3 He sent down to you the book with truth, authenticating what is present with it; and He sent down the Torah and the Injeel...
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:3 He sent down to you the Book with the truth, authenticating what is between his hands; and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:3 Step by step has He bestowed upon thee from on high this divine writ,2 setting forth the truth which confirms whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations]:3 for it is He who has bestowed from on high the Torah and the Gospel

Note 2
The gradualness of the Qur'anic revelation is stressed here by means of the grammatical form nazzala.

Note 3
Most of the commentators are of the opinion that ma bayna yadayhi - lit., "that which is between its hands" - denotes here "the revelations which came before it", i.e., before the Qur'an. This interpretation is not, however, entirely convincing. Although there is not the least doubt that in this context the pronominal ma refers to earlier revelations, and particularly the Bible (as is evident from the parallel use of the above expression in other Qur'anic passages), the idiomatic phrase ma bayna yadayhi does not, in itself, mean "that which came before it" - i.e., in time - but, rather (as pointed out by me in surah 2, note 247), "that which lies open before it". Since, however, the pronoun "it" relates here to the Qur'an, the metaphorical expression "between its hands" or "before it" cannot possibly refer to "knowledge" (as it does in 2:255), but must obviously refer to an objective reality with which the Qur'an is "confronted": that is, something that was coexistent in time with the revelation of the Qur'an. Now this, taken together (a) with the fact - frequently stressed in the Qur'an and since established by objective scholarship - that in the course of the millennia the Bible has been subjected to considerable and often arbitrary alteration, and (b) with the fact that many of the laws enunciated in the Qur'an differ from the laws of the Bible, brings us forcibly to the conclusion that the "confirmation" of the latter by the Qur'an can refer only to the basic truths still discernible in the Bible, and not to its time-bound legislation or to its present text - in other words, a confirmation of whatever was extant of its basic teachings at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an: and it is this that the phrase ma bayna yadayhi expresses in this context as well as in 5:46 and 48 or in 61:6 (where it refers to Jesus' confirming the truth of "whatever there still remained [i.e., in his lifetime] of the Torah").
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:3 He sent down to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming all previous scriptures, and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:3 He is the One Who has sent down this Book to you (O Messenger) in absolute truth, confirming the authentic in what He has revealed before. He is the One Who revealed the Torah and the Gospel.2

Note 2
The Qur'an confirms only the Divine origination of the Bible, but it strongly points to the extensive human touch in the Old & New Testaments. Check the following verses: 2:75, 2:78, 2:101, 3:70, 3:78, 3:186, 5:13, 5:41, 6:91, 9:31

3:4 من قبل هدى للناس وانزل الفرقان ان الذين كفروا بايت الله لهم عذاب شديد والله عزيز ذو انتقام

Transcription (English)
3:4 Min qablu hudan lilnnasiwaanzala alfurqana inna allatheena kafaroo bi-ayatiAllahi lahum AAathabun shadeedun waAllahuAAazeezun thoo intiqamin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:4 Before; He sent down the Criterion as guidance for the people. For those who become unappreciative of God's signs, they will have a tough retribution, and God is Noble, exacting in Revenge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:4 From before as a guidance for the people, and He sent down the Criterion. Those who rejected the revelations of God, they will have a severe retribution, and God is Noble, exacting in Revenge.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:4 aforetime, as a guidance unto mankind, and it is He who has bestowed [upon man] the standard by which to discern the true from the false.4 Behold, as for those who are bent on denying God's messages - grievous suffering awaits them: for God is almighty, an avenger of evil.

Note 4
It is to be borne in mind that the Gospel frequently mentioned in the Qur'aiun is not identical with what is known today as the Four Gospels, but refers to an original, since lost, revelation bestowed upon Jesus and known to his contemporaries under its Greek name of Evangelion ("Good Tiding"), on which the Arabicized form Injil is based. It was probably the source from which the Synoptic Gospels derived much of their material and some of the teachings attributed to Jesus. The fact of its having been lost and forgotten is alluded to in the Qur'an in 5:14. - Regarding my rendering of al-furqan as "the standard by which to discern the true from the false", see also note 38 on the identical phrase occurring in 2:53.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:4 before that, to guide the people, and He sent down the statute book. Those who disbelieve in GOD's revelations incur severe retribution. GOD is Almighty, Avenger.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:4 He has bestowed guidance upon mankind before, and now He has sent the Final Criterion between right and wrong. Those who reject the revelations of God, theirs will be a strict retribution. God Almighty’s Law of Cause and Effect carries all things and actions to their logical outcome.

3:5 ان الله لا يخفى عليه شىء فى الارض ولا فى السماء

Transcription (English)
3:5 Inna Allaha la yakhfaAAalayhi shay-on fee al-ardi wala fee alssama/-i
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:5 For God nothing is hidden in the earth or in the heaven.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:5 For God nothing is hidden on the earth or in the heavens.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:5 Verily, nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:5 Nothing is hidden from GOD, on earth, or in the heaven.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:5 Nothing on earth and nothing in the Sky is hidden from God.

3:6 هو الذى يصوركم فى الارحام كيف يشاء لا اله الا هو العزيز الحكيم

Transcription (English)
3:6 Huwa allathee yusawwirukum feeal-arhami kayfa yashao la ilaha illahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:6 He is the One who designs you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Noble, the Wise.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:6 He is the One who pictures you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god except He, the Noble, the Wise.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:6 He it is who shapes you in the wombs as He wills. There is no deity save Him, the Almighty, the Truly Wise.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:6 He is the One who shapes you in the wombs as He wills. There is no other god besides Him; the Almighty, Most Wise.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:6 He is the One Who shapes you in the wombs according to His laws. There is no god but He. He is the Almighty, the Wise.3

Note 3
He uses His Might with wisdom, and His Rule is the Rule of law

3:7 هو الذى انزل عليك الكتب منه ءايت محكمت هن ام الكتب واخر متشبهت فاما الذين فى قلوبهم زيغ فيتبعون ما تشبه منه ابتغاء الفتنة وابتغاء تاويله وما يعلم تاويله الا الله والرسخون فى العلم يقولون ءامنا به كل من عند ربنا وما يذكر الا اولوا الالبب

Transcription (English)
3:7 Huwa allathee anzala AAalayka alkitabaminhu ayatun muhkamatun hunna ommualkitabi waokharu mutashabihatun faammaallatheena fee quloobihim zayghun fayattabiAAoona matashabaha minhu ibtighaa alfitnati waibtighaata/weelihi wama yaAAlamu ta/weelahu illa Allahuwaalrrasikhoona fee alAAilmi yaqooloona amannabihi kullun min AAindi rabbina wama yaththakkaruilla oloo al-albabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Multiple-Meaning Verses: Requiring Knowledge and Good Intention3:7 He is the One who sent down to you the book, from which there are definite signs; they are the essence of the book; and others, which are multiple-meaning. As for those who have disease in their hearts, eager to cause confusion and eager to derive their interpretation, they will follow what is multiple-meaning from it. But none knows their meaning except God and those who are well founded in knowledge; they say, "We acknowledge it, all is from our Lord." None will remember except the people of intellect.2

Note 2

The Arabic word we have translated as "multiple meanings" is mutashabihat. The word comes from shabaha (to became similar), and its singular form is mutashabih, which means "similar," "multiple-meaning," or "allegorical" (see 2:118; 2:70; 4:157; 6:99; 6:141; 2:25). The verse about the mutashabih (allegorical or multi-meaning) verses itself is mutashabih. This is one of the most commonly mistranslated verses, and it has crucial implications for understanding the Quran. See 2:106; 16:44; 17:46; 23:14; 41:44; 56:79 for examples of multiple-meaning statements. Also, See 39:23.

The word can be confusing for a novice. Verse 39:23, for instance, uses mutashabihat for the entire Quran, referring to its overall similarity -- in other words, its consistency. In a narrower sense, however, mutashabihat refers to all verses which can be understood in more than one way. The various meanings or implications require some special qualities from the person listening to or reading the Quran: an attentive mind, a positive attitude, contextual perspective, the patience necessary for research, and so forth.

It is one of the intriguing features of the Quran that the verse about mutashabih verses of the Quran is itself mutashabih -- that is, it has multiple meanings. The word in question, for instance, can mean "similar", as we have seen; it can mean, "possessing multiple meanings"; it can also mean "allegorical" (where one single, clearly identifiable element represents another single, clearly identifiable element).

As you may have noticed, interpretation of the last part of 3:7 depends on how one punctuates the verse. (There is no punctuation in the original Arabic text.)

If one stops after the word "God", then one will assume, as centuries of Sunni and Shiite scholars have, that even those who possess deep levels of knowledge will never be able to understand the "mutashabih" verses. However, if the sentence does not stop there, the meaning will change to the opposite: Those who possess knowledge will be able to understand the meaning of allegorical or multiple-meaning verses. For a detailed discussion on this verse, see the Sample Comparisons section in the Introduction.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:7 He is the One who sent down to you the Book, from which there are lawgiving revelations; they are the essence of the Book; and others which are of a similatude. As for those who have a disease in their hearts, they will follow that which is of a similatude, seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God, and those who are well founded in knowledge; they say: "We believe in it, all is from our Lord." And none will remember except those who possess intelligence.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:7 He it is who has bestowed upon thee from on high this divine writ, containing messages that are clear in and by themselves - and these are the essence of the divine writ - as well as others that are allegorical.5 Now those whose hearts are given to swerving from the truth go after that part of the divine writ6 which has been expressed in allegory, seeking out [what is bound to create] confusion,7 and seeking [to arrive at] its final meaning [in an arbitrary manner]; but none save God knows its final meaning.8 Hence, those who are deeply rooted in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole [of the divine writ] is from our Sustainer - albeit none takes this to heart save those who are endowed with insight.

Note 5
The above passage may be regarded as a key to the understanding of the Qur'an. Tabari identifies the ayat muhkamat ("messages that are clear in and by themselves") with what the philologists and jurists describe as nass - namely, ordinances or statements which are self-evident (zahir) by virtue of their wording (cf. Lisan at-'Arab, art. nass). Consequently, Tabari regards as ayat muhkamat only those statements or ordinances of the Qur'an which do not admit of more than one interpretation (which does not, of course, preclude differences of opinion regarding the implications of a particular ayah muhkamah). In my opinion, however, it would be too dogmatic to regard any passage of the Qur'an which does not conform to the above definition as mutashabih ("allegorical"): for there are many statements in the Qur'an which are liable to more than one interpretation but are, nevertheless, not allegorical - just as there are many expressions and passages which, despite their allegorical formulation, reveal to the searching intellect only one possible meaning. For this reason, the ayat mutashabihat may be defined as those passages of the Qur'an which are expressed in a figurative manner, with a meaning that is metaphorically implied but not directly, in so many words, stated. The ayat muhkamat are described as the "essence of the divine writ" (umm al-kitab) because they comprise the fundamental principles underlying its message and, in particular, its ethical and social teachings: and it is only on the basis of these clearly enunciated principles that the allegorical passages can be correctly interpreted. (For a more detailed discussion of symbolism and allegory in the Qur'an. see Appendix 1.)

Note 6
Lit., "that of it".

Note 7
The "confusion" referred to here is a consequence of interpreting allegorical passages in an "arbitrary manner" (Zamakhshari).

Note 8
According to most of the early commentators, this refers to the interpretation of allegorical passages which deal with metaphysical subjects - for instance, God's attributes, the ultimate meaning of time and eternity, the resurrection of the dead, the Day of Judgment, paradise and hell, the nature of the beings or forces described as angels, and so forth - all of which fall within the category of al-ghayb, i.e., that sector of reality which is beyond the reach of human perception and imagination and cannot, therefore, be conveyed to man in other than allegorical terms. This view of the classical commentators, however, does not seem to take into account the many Qur'anic passages which do not deal with metaphysical subjects and yet are, undoubtedly, allegorical in intent and expression. To my mind, one cannot arrive at a correct understanding of the above passage without paying due attention to the nature and function of allegory as such. A true allegory - in contrast with a mere pictorial paraphrase of something that could equally well be stated in direct terms - is always meant to express in a figurative manner something which, because of its complexity, cannot be adequately expressed in direct terms or propositions and, because of this very complexity, can be grasped only intuitively, as a general mental image, and not as a series of detailed "statements": and this seems to be the meaning of the phrase, "none save God knows its final meaning".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:7 He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses - which constitute the essence of the scripture - as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this - all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:7 (The Book He has sent down, bears an important Principle.) He is the One Who has revealed to you (O Prophet) the scripture. In it some verses are literal, while some verses are allegorical. The verses that pertain to Permanent Values have been presented literally. These verses, Muhkamat, are the essence of the Divine law. But abstract phenomena, some historical events, and the World of the Unseen are described in similes, metaphors and allegories (Mutashaabihaat) for your understanding. But those who are given to crookedness in their hearts pursue the allegories and try to give them literal meanings, thus creating dissension of thought. None encompasses their final meaning (of such as the Essence of God, His Throne, His Hand, His Book of Decrees, the exact mode of revelation on the heart of the Messengers, the Eternity) but God. Those who are well founded in knowledge understand why the allegories have been used and they keep learning from them. They proclaim the belief that the entire Book is from their Lord. As the human knowledge evolves, more and more allegories will unfold their literal meaning. But only the men and women of understanding will bear this fact in mind.4

Note 4
Every verse of the Qur’an is absolute truth. The context enables us to understand which ones are to be taken literally and which ones are to be taken allegorically. Each verse in the Book complements another. Many of today’s allegorical verses will become literal as the human knowledge evolves. 11:1, 39:23, 41:53, 47:20, 74:31

3:8 ربنا لا تزغ قلوبنا بعد اذ هديتنا وهب لنا من لدنك رحمة انك انت الوهاب

Transcription (English)
3:8 Rabbana la tuzigh quloobanabaAAda ith hadaytana wahab lana min ladunkarahmatan innaka anta alwahhabu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:8 "Our Lord, do not make our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from You a mercy; You are the Grantor."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:8 "Our Lord, do not make our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from You a mercy. Indeed, You are the Grantor."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:8 "O our Sustainer! Let not our hearts swerve from the truth after Thou hast guided us; and bestow upon us the gift of Thy grace: verily, Thou art the [true] Giver of Gifts.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:8 "Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are the Grantor.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:8 They say, “Our Lord! Let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us, and bestow upon us grace from Your Presence. You are the Grantor of decent things.”

3:9 ربنا انك جامع الناس ليوم لا ريب فيه ان الله لا يخلف الميعاد

Transcription (English)
3:9 Rabbana innaka jamiAAu alnnasiliyawmin la rayba feehi inna Allaha layukhlifu almeeAAada
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:9 "Our Lord, You are the Gatherer of the people for a day in which there is no doubt; God does not break His appointment."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:9 "Our Lord, You will gather the people for a Day in which there is no doubt; God does not break His appointment."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:9 "O our Sustainer! Verily, Thou wilt gather mankind together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt: verily, God never fails to fulfil His promise."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:9 "Our Lord, You will surely gather the people on a day that is inevitable. GOD never breaks a promise.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:9 “Our Lord! You will gather all mankind together on a Day about the advent of which there is no doubt. God never fails in His promise.”

3:10 ان الذين كفروا لن تغنى عنهم امولهم ولا اولدهم من الله شيا واولئك هم وقود النار

Transcription (English)
3:10 Inna allatheena kafaroo lan tughniyaAAanhum amwaluhum wala awladuhum mina Allahishay-an waola-ika hum waqoodu alnnari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Winners versus Losers3:10 As for those who did not appreciate, neither their money nor their children will avail them anything from God. They are the fuel for the fire.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:10 As for those who rejected, neither their money nor their children will avail them anything from God. They are the fuel of the Fire.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:10 BEHOLD, as for those who are bent on denying the truth - neither their worldly possessions nor their offspring will in the least avail them against God; and it is they, they who shall be the fuel of the fire!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:10 Those who disbelieve will never be helped by their money, nor by their children, against GOD. They will be fuel for Hell.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:10 Those who reject the truth, neither their wealth nor their children will avail them against God (and His laws). They will be fuel for the fire.

3:11 كداب ءال فرعون والذين من قبلهم كذبوا بايتنا فاخذهم الله بذنوبهم والله شديد العقاب

Transcription (English)
3:11 Kada/bi ali firAAawna waallatheenamin qablihim kaththaboo bi-ayatinafaakhathahumu Allahu bithunoobihim waAllahushadeedu alAAiqabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:11 Like the behavior of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They rejected Our signs, so God took them for their sins. God is severe in retribution.3

Note 3

The word aya in its singular form occurs 84 times in the Quran and, in all of the occurrences, means miracle, evidence, or lesson. However, its plural form ayat is used both for miracle/evidence/lesson AND for the language of revelation that entails or leads to those miracles/evidences/lessons. See 2:106.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:11 Like the behavior of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They rejected Our signs so God took them for their sins. God is awesome in retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:11 [To them shall - happen] the like of what happened to Pharaoh's people and those who lived before them: they gave the lie to Our messages - and so God took them to task for their sins: for God is severe in retribution.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:11 Like Pharaoh's people and those before them, they rejected our revelations and, consequently, GOD punished them for their sins. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:11 Like Pharaoh’s people and the ones before them, these people reject Our revelations, and so God will seize them for their trailing behind in humanity. God’s Law of Requital is strong in pursuing and grasping.

3:12 قل للذين كفروا ستغلبون وتحشرون الى جهنم وبئس المهاد

Transcription (English)
3:12 Qul lillatheena kafaroo satughlaboonawatuhsharoona ila jahannama wabi/sa almihadu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:12 Say to those who did not appreciate, "You will be defeated and gathered towards hell. What a miserable abode!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:12 Say to those who have rejected: "You will be defeated and gathered towards Hell, what a miserable abode!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:12 Say unto those who are bent on denying the truth: "You shall be overcome and gathered unto hell - and how evil a resting-place!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:12 Say to those who disbelieve, "You will be defeated, then gathered in Hell; what a miserable abode!",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:12 (O Messenger) say to the deniers, “Soon you will be overwhelmed and then you will be gathered together to Hell, a miserable bed to lie on.”

3:13 قد كان لكم ءاية فى فئتين التقتا فئة تقتل فى سبيل الله واخرى كافرة يرونهم مثليهم راى العين والله يؤيد بنصره من يشاء ان فى ذلك لعبرة لاولى الابصر

Transcription (English)
3:13 Qad kana lakum ayatun feefi-atayni iltaqata fi-atun tuqatilu fee sabeeli Allahiwaokhra kafiratun yarawnahum mithlayhim ra/yaalAAayni waAllahu yu-ayyidu binasrihi manyashao inna fee thalika laAAibratan li-olee al-absari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:13 There was a sign for you in the two groups that met. One was fighting in the cause of God, and the other was ingrate. They thus saw them as twice their number with their eyes. God supports with His victory whomever He wills. In this is a lesson for those with vision.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:13 There was a sign for you in the two groups that met. One was fighting in the cause of God, and the other was rejecting. They thus saw them as twice their number with their eyes. And God supports with His victory whom He wills. In this is a lesson for those with vision.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:13 You have already had a sign in the two hosts that met in battle, one host fighting in God's cause and the other denying Him; with their own eyes [the former] saw the others as twice their own number: but God strengthens with His succour whom He wills. In this, behold, there is indeed a lesson for all who have eyes to see.9

Note 9
It is generally assumed that this is an allusion to the battle of Badr, in the third week of Ramadan, 2H., in which three hundred and odd poorly-equipped Muslims, led by the Prophet, utterly routed a well-armed Meccan force numbering nearly one thousand men, seven hundred camels and one hundred horses; it was the first open battle between the pagan Quraysh and the young Muslim community of Medina. According to some commentators, however (e.g., Manar III, 234), the above Qur'anic passage has a general import and alludes to an occurrence often witnessed in history - namely, the victory of a numerically weak and ill-equipped group of people, filled with a burning belief in the righteousness of their cause, over a materially and numerically superior enemy lacking a similar conviction. The fact that in this Qur'an-verse the believers are spoken of as being faced by an enemy "twice their number" (while at the battle of Badr the pagan Quraysh were more than three times the number of the Muslims) lends great plausibility to this explanation - and particularly so in view of the allusion, in the next verse, to material riches and worldly power.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Believers: The Ultimate Victors3:13 An example has been set for you by the two armies who clashed - one army was fighting in the cause of GOD, while the other was disbelieving. They saw with their own eyes that they were twice as many. GOD supports with His victory whomever He wills. This should provide an assurance for those who possess vision.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:13 (Only recently at Badr) there was a sign for you in the two armies that met in combat. One was fighting in the cause of God, the other denying Him. With their own eyes the two armies saw each other as twice their number. But God strengthens people with His support according to His laws. This must be a lesson for people of vision for all times.5

Note 5
The believers in their motivation saw the manifold enemy just twice their own numbers, while the deniers saw the smaller opponents twice the size they actually were. God helps those who help themselves

3:14 زين للناس حب الشهوت من النساء والبنين والقنطير المقنطرة من الذهب والفضة والخيل المسومة والانعم والحرث ذلك متع الحيوة الدنيا والله عنده حسن الماب

Transcription (English)
3:14 Zuyyina lilnnasi hubbualshshahawati mina alnnisa-i waalbaneenawaalqanateeri almuqantarati mina alththahabiwaalfiddati waalkhayli almusawwamati waal-anAAamiwaalharthi thalika mataAAu alhayatialddunya waAllahu AAindahu husnualmaabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:14 It has been adorned for people to love the desire of women, buildings, ornaments made from gold and silver, trained horses, the livestock, and fields. These are the enjoyment of the world, and with God is the best place of return.4

Note 4

The topic of the previous verse is the fighting armies, which were almost all male. "The people" in verse 3:14 refers to adult males who are expected to draft for military service. Verse 3:14 gives a list of weaknesses in the minds of the drafted male population to join the military for defending their community. A short-term preoccupation with those blessings, ironically, could be the cause of long-term destruction and deprivation from all.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:14 It has been adorned for people to love the desire of women, and sons, and ornaments made from gold and silver, and trained horses, and livestock, and fields. These are the enjoyment of the world, and with God is the best abode.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:14 ALLURING unto man is the enjoyment of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaped-up treasures of gold and silver, and horses of high mark, and cattle, and lands. All this may be enjoyed in the life of this world - but the most beauteous of all goals is with God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Different Priorities3:14 Adorned for the people are the worldly pleasures, such as the women, having children, piles upon piles of gold and silver, trained horses, livestock, and crops. These are the materials of this world. A far better abode is reserved at GOD.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:14 Beautiful seem to people the joys that come from women and children, heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and well-tilled land. These are comforts of the life of the world. But with God is a more excellent abode.6

Note 6
Believers in the Divine laws see this comfort as the means to a higher Goal --- Service --- Self-actualization --- Paradise

3:15 قل اؤنبئكم بخير من ذلكم للذين اتقوا عند ربهم جنت تجرى من تحتها الانهر خلدين فيها وازوج مطهرة ورضون من الله والله بصير بالعباد

Transcription (English)
3:15 Qul aonabbi-okum bikhayrin min thalikumlillatheena ittaqaw AAinda rabbihim jannatun tajreemin tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feehawaazwajun mutahharatun waridwanunmina Allahi waAllahu baseerun bialAAibadi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:15 Say, "Shall I inform you of what is greater than all this? For those who are aware, at their Lord there will be gardens with rivers flowing beneath, abiding there eternally, and purified mates, and an acceptance from God. God is Seer of the servants."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:15 Say: "Shall I inform you of what is greater than all this? For those who believe in their Lord will be estates with rivers flowing beneath them; abiding therein, and with pure mates, and an acceptance from God. And God is Seer over the servants."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:15 Say: "Shall I tell you of better things than those [earthly joys]? For the God-conscious there are, with their Sustainer, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and spouses pure, and God's goodly acceptance." And God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His servants -
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:15 Say, "Let me inform you of a much better deal: for those who lead a righteous life, reserved at their Lord, are gardens with flowing streams, and pure spouses, and joy in GOD's blessings." GOD is Seer of His worshipers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:15 Say (O Messenger), “Shall I inform you of something better than these, with which the upright will be rewarded by their Lord? - Gardens with flowing streams beneath, where they will live forever with spouses of spotless character and the blissful approval of God. God is Seer of His servants.”

3:16 الذين يقولون ربنا اننا ءامنا فاغفر لنا ذنوبنا وقنا عذاب النار

Transcription (English)
3:16 Allatheena yaqooloona rabbanainnana amanna faighfir lana thunoobanawaqina AAathaba alnnari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:16 The ones who say, "Our Lord, we acknowledge, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the retribution of the fire."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:16 The ones who say: "Our Lord, we believe, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the retribution of the Fire."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:16 those who say, "O our Sustainer! Behold, we believe [in Thee]; forgive us, then, our sins, and keep us safe from suffering through the fire" - :
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:16 They say, "Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the agony of the hellfire.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:16 Those who say, “Our Lord! We have chosen to be graced with belief. So, protect us from trailing behind in doing good and save us from the agony of the fire of regret.”

3:17 الصبرين والصدقين والقنتين والمنفقين والمستغفرين بالاسحار

Transcription (English)
3:17 Alssabireena waalssadiqeenawaalqaniteena waalmunfiqeena waalmustaghfireenabial-ashari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:17 The patient, the truthful, the devout, the givers, and the seekers of forgiveness in the late periods of the night.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:17 The patient, and the truthful, and the dutiful, and the givers, and the seekers of forgiveness in the late hours of the night.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:17 those who are patient in adversity, and true to their word, and truly devout, and who spend [in God's way], and pray for forgiveness from their innermost hearts.10

Note 10
The expression bi'l-ashar is usually taken to mean "at the times before daybreak", or simply "before daybreak". This is in agreement with the Prophet's recommendation to his followers (forthcoming from several authentic Traditions) to devote the latter part of the night, and particularly the time shortly before dawn, to intensive prayer. But while the word sahar (also spelled sahr and suhr), of which ashar is the plural, undoubtedly denotes "the time before daybreak", it also signifies - in the spellings sahar and suhr - "the core of the heart", "t;the inner part of the heart", or simply "heart" (cf. Lisan al -:Arab; also Lane IV, 1316). It seems to me that in the context of the above Qur'an-verse - as well as of 51:18 - this latter rendering is preferable to the conventional one: for, although the value of praying before daybreak has undoubtedly been stressed by the Prophet, it is not very plausible that the Qur'an should have tied the prayer for forgiveness to a particular time of day.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:17 They are steadfast, truthful, submitting, charitable, and meditators at dawn.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:17 They are proactively steadfast, truthful in word and action, ever submitting to the commandments, keeping their wealth open for the society, and guarding themselves early against any forthcoming challenge.

3:18 شهد الله انه لا اله الا هو والملئكة واولوا العلم قائما بالقسط لا اله الا هو العزيز الحكيم

Transcription (English)
3:18 Shahida Allahu annahu la ilahailla huwa waalmala-ikatu waoloo alAAilmi qa-imanbialqisti la ilaha illa huwaalAAazeezu alhakeemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Divine System: Peacemaking and Submission to God3:18 God bears witness that there is no god but He; as do the controllers, and those with knowledge; He is standing with justice. There is no god but He, the Noble, the Wise.5

Note 5

The act of testifying to the oneness of God (shahada) is considered to be the essential requirement of being a Muslim. The expressions la ilaha illa Allah (there is no god, but the god) and la ilaha illa Hu (there is no god, but He) occur 30 times in the Quran and never in conjunction with another name. Trying a deficiency in the shahada taught by God is a sign of not valuing God as He should be valued. Requiring the addition of another name to God's name implies that God forgot to include Muhammed's name, thirty times (19:64; 6:115). Trying to teach God is the zenith of ignorance and audacity (49:16). Considering God alone insufficient is the symptom of idolatry (39:45).

The only shahada (testimony) about the messengership of Muhammed is mentioned in verse 63:1, and those who feel the need for such a testimony are described as hypocrites. There are different reasons for why a person might be considered a hypocrite while he or she is uttering the expression ashadu anna Muhammedan rasululullah (I testify that Muhammed is a messenger of God). Today, the most common hypocrisy is that those who utter this phrase in fact have considered Muhammed to be much more than a messenger, since they reject his message and messengership by not following the verses of the Quran and associating volumes of fabricated narration and sectarian jurisprudence with it. Their testimony regarding Muhammed's messengership is lip service, since they consider him a god by giving him the power of intercession, the power of collaborating with God in decreeing rules for eternal salvation, the power of amending and abrogating God's law, the power of fabricating prohibitions in the name of God, and the authority of explaining the "ambiguous" words in God's book. Despite the words of Muhammed's Lord, they do not consider Muhammed a human being like them (18:110; 41:6). They do not believe what they say when they say "Muhammed is God's servant" since they consider the title "messenger/mailman" (rasul) of God to be an insult. They can utter God's name without phrases of praise, but they cannot utter Muhammed's name without words of praise. Ironically, they establish their custom of praising Muhammed more than God through distorted and abused meanings of certain verses. Besides, they violate the clear Quranic instruction for not discriminating among His messengers; they put Muhammed in competition with other messengers and consider him high above other prophets and messengers. In today's Sunni mosques, unlike the masjid of Muhammed's and his monotheist companions’ (72:18; 20:14), you will find the names of many idols smirking beside the name of God. In addition to Muhammed's name, one may find the names of Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn. The Shiites have their own set of idols and they too adorn their mosques with their names.

The list of ways Sunnis and Shiites idolize Muhammed can fill an entire book. Nevertheless, they think that they are monotheists, as today's Trinitarian Christians do. Religious leaders dupe their followers by restricting the meaning of ‘idols’ to pictures and statues; in fact, the idols during Muhammed's time were abstract names and those mushriks considered themselves to be monotheists (53:19; 6:22; 6:148; 16:35). One might ask, "what about adorning the walls of masjids with any of the four verses where Muhammed's name is mentioned?" Well, what about hanging the verses about paradise or hell? What about picking any of the 136 verses where Moses' name is mentioned? What about Jesus? Or, how about adorning the walls of the masjids with verses about the hypocrites and idolatry? Of course, there is no problem in hanging the Quran upon the walls of masjids, but if a particular verse is picked, then the intention or context becomes important. If any verse from the Quran should be picked, I suggest 39:44/45 or 39:11, or any other verse that reminds us to be righteous and helpful to other people. Also, See 2:285; 3:64; 39:45; 53:23; 72:18.

Numerous archeological evidences explain how decades after the revelation of the Quran people added Muhammed's name to the original shahada. For instance, see, the gold coin from Umayyad 90 AH, or 80 years after the prophet's departure. Though eighty years after Muhammed, those who worked hard to transform islam to Muhammedanism were not yet able to change the shahada (testimony), by adding side notes etc, they gradually replaced the correct Shahada with today's most common one, the one that mentions Muhammed's name after Allah.

In the middle of one side of the coin, the expression, "There is no God; He Alone; He has no partner" is prominent. However, the falsifiers by now were able to insert Muhammed's name in the margin by a patchy quotation from the end of verse 48:28 and the beginning of 48:29, skipping the expression "And God is sufficient as a witness." The expression "Muhammedun Rasulullah…" (God's messenger Muhammed…) is a fragment, not a statement, taken out of the context of verse 48:29. They have performed an interesting surgery (deletion) in order to be able to fit that fragment in the circle. The other side of the coin contains some words from chapter 112, emphasizing God's oneness and rejecting partners. The Umayyad and Abbasid coins later moved Muhammed's name to the center, next to God. This crucial distortion gradually took place in a period of time spanning several generations.

See, for instance, the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 5:1-11 ; 6:4; 1 Samuel 12:20-21 ; Psalms 115:4.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:18 God bears witness that there is no god except He, as do the angels, and those with knowledge, He is standing with justice. There is no god except He, the Noble, the Wise.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:18 GOD [Himself] proffers evidence11 - and [so do] the angels and all who are endowed with knowledge - that there is no deity save Him, the Upholder of Equity: there is no deity save Him, the Almighty, the Truly Wise.

Note 11
Lit., "bears witness" - i.e., through the nature of His creation, which shows plainly that it has been brought into being by a consciously planning Power.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Most Important Commandment3:18 GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.2 ,

Note 2
The proclamation of faith (Shahaadah) that is decreed by God is: "There is no god except God," in Arabic "La ElaahaElla Allah" (see also 37:35, 47:19). The corrupted Muslims insist upon addinga second "Shahaadah" proclaiming that Muhammad is God's messenger. This isby definition "Shirk" (idolatry) and a flagrant defiance of God and Hismessenger. Additionally, it violates the major commandments in 2:136, 2:285, 3:84, & 4:150 prohibiting any distinction among God's messengers. By proclaiming that"Muhammad is a messenger of God," and failing to make the same proclamation forother messengers such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Saleh, and Jonah, a distinction is committed and a major commandment is violated.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:18 God Himself witnesses that there is no god but He and so do the angels, men and women of science, and those who uphold equity. There is no god but He, the Almighty, the Wise.7

Note 7
21:22. ‘Ilm = Knowledge = Science. Qaaim-am-bil-qist = Those who take the right stand = Those who uphold justice and equity

3:19 ان الدين عند الله الاسلم وما اختلف الذين اوتوا الكتب الا من بعد ما جاءهم العلم بغيا بينهم ومن يكفر بايت الله فان الله سريع الحساب

Transcription (English)
3:19 Inna alddeena AAinda Allahial-islamu wama ikhtalafa allatheena ootooalkitaba illa min baAAdi ma jaahumualAAilmu baghyan baynahum waman yakfur bi-ayati Allahifa-inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:19 The system with God is peacemaking and peaceful surrendering (islam). Those who received the book did not dispute except after the knowledge came to them out of jealousy between them. Whoever does not appreciate God's signs, then God is swift in computation.6

Note 6

Islam is not a proper name; it is a description of the mindset and actions of those who submit themselves to God alone. Islam is the description of the message delivered by all messengers and it reached another level with Abraham (4:125). Islam: is universal (3:83), is the only valid system (3:85), accepts and utilizes diversity (49:13), promotes peace among nations (2:62; 2:135), promises justice to everyone (5:8), has the epistemology of requiring objective evidence besides personal experience (3:86; 2:111; 21:24; 74:30), has as its final book a scripture that is numerically coded and protected (15:9; 2:23; 83:9), promotes peace and reality (8:19; 60:8), rejects holy intermediaries and the clergy class (2:48, 9:31), encourages distribution of wealth against monopoly (59:7), does not tolerate an unproductive economy (5:90; 3:130), requires consultation and elections in public affairs (42:38), gives utmost value to the individual (5:32), values women and promotes their rights (3:195; 4:124; 16:97), promotes freedom of expression and tolerance (2:256; 4:140), asks us to be in harmony with nature and respect the ecosystem (30:41), and requires a scientific method utilizing rational and empirical evidences for acquiring knowledge (17:36)… In short, islam is a way of life in accordance with the natural laws and respects the social imperatives and principles dictated to us; the rational, self-interested utility-maximizers. It is also dedicating one's heart, mind and life to the Lord of the worlds.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:19 The system with God is submission, and those who received the Book did not dispute except after the knowledge came to them out of jealousy between them. And whoever rejects the revelations of God, then God is swift in judgment.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:19 Behold, the only [true] religion in the sight of God is [man's] self-surrender unto Him; and those who were vouchsafed revelation aforetime12 took, out of mutual jealousy, to divergent views [on this point] only after knowledge [thereof] had come unto them.13 But as for him who denies the truth of God's messages - behold, God is swift in reckoning!

Note 12
Most of the classical commentators are of the opinion that the people referred to are the followers of the Bible, or of parts of it - i.e., the Jews and the Christians. It is, however, highly probable that this passage bears a wider import and relates to all communities which base their views on a revealed scripture, extant in a partially corrupted form, with parts of it entirely lost.

Note 13
I.e., all these communities at first subscribed to the doctrine of God's oneness and held that man's self-surrender to Him (islam in its original connotation) is the essence of all true religion. Their subsequent divergencies were an outcome of sectarian pride and mutual exclusiveness.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Submission: The Only Religion3:19 The only religion approved by GOD is "Submission." Ironically, those who have received the scripture are the ones who dispute this fact, despite the knowledge they have received, due to jealousy. For such rejectors of GOD's revelations, GOD is most strict in reckoning.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:19 Remember that the System of Life approved by God is only Islam (Submission). Those who were given the scripture dissented from it through mutual rivalry and envy, after knowledge had come to them. If anyone rejects God's revelations, then God is Swift in reckoning.8

Note 8
‘Ind-Allah = In the Sight of God = Approved by God = Before God. Deen = The System of Life = The Divinely Prescribed Way of Life = In a loose sense, ‘religion’, a ritualistic Way of Life = ‘Religion’ even with a capital R may scarcely come close in meaning to the term Deen. Al-Islam = Submission to God = Submission to Divine will = Universal Peace achieved by submission to the One True God. 6:87

3:20 فان حاجوك فقل اسلمت وجهى لله ومن اتبعن وقل للذين اوتوا الكتب والامين ءاسلمتم فان اسلموا فقد اهتدوا وان تولوا فانما عليك البلغ والله بصير بالعباد

Transcription (English)
3:20 Fa-in hajjooka faqul aslamtu wajhiyalillahi wamani ittabaAAani waqul lillatheena ootooalkitaba waal-ommiyyeena aaslamtum fa-inaslamoo faqadi ihtadaw wa-in tawallaw fa-innama AAalaykaalbalaghu waAllahu baseerun bialAAibadi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:20 If they debate with you, then say, "I have peacefully surrendered myself to God, as well as those who follow me." In addition, say to those who were given the book and the Gentiles: "Have you peacefully surrendered?" If they have peacefully surrendered then they are guided; but if they turn away, then you are only to deliver. God is watcher over the servants.7

Note 7

To claim that Muhammed was an illiterate person, the meaning of the word UMmY has been distorted by ignorant people as "illiterate." Muhammed was a literate and progressive leader who delivered a book that promotes reading, comprehension, learning, and studying. For a detailed discussion on this verse, see the Sample Comparisons section in the Introduction. See 7:157; 2:78; 25:5.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:20 If they debate with you, then say: "I have submitted myself to God, as well as those who follow me." And say to those who have received the Book and the Gentiles: "Have you submitted?" If they have submitted then they are guided, and if they turn away, then you are only to deliver, and God is Seer over the servants.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:20 Thus, [O Prophet,] if they argue with thee, say, "I have surrendered my whole being unto God, and [so have] all who follow me!" - and ask those who have been vouchsafed revelation aforetime, as well as all unlettered people,14 "Have you [too] surrendered yourselves unto Him?" And if they surrender themselves unto Him, they are on the right path; but if they turn away - behold, thy duty is no more than to deliver the message: for God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His creatures.

Note 14
According to Razi, this refers to people who have no revealed scripture of their own.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:20 If they argue with you, then say, "I have simply submitted myself to GOD; I and those who follow me." You shall proclaim to those who received the scripture, as well as those who did not, "Would you submit?" If they submit, then they have been guided, but if they turn away, your sole mission is to deliver this message. GOD is Seer of all people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:20 If they argue with you (O Messenger), tell them, “I have submitted to God; I and those who follow me.” Say to the People of the Scripture, and to those who have no Scripture, “Would you submit (to God)?” If they submit, then they have been guided but if they turn away, then your duty is only to convey the message. God is Seer of His servants.

3:21 ان الذين يكفرون بايت الله ويقتلون النبين بغير حق ويقتلون الذين يامرون بالقسط من الناس فبشرهم بعذاب اليم

Transcription (English)
3:21 Inna allatheena yakfuroona bi-ayatiAllahi wayaqtuloona alnnabiyyeena bighayri haqqinwayaqtuloona allatheena ya/muroona bialqistimina alnnasi fabashshirhum biAAathabin aleemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:21 Those who do not appreciate God's signs and fight/kill the prophets unjustly, and fight/kill those who order justice from amongst the people; give them the good news of a painful retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:21 Those who reject the revelations of God and kill the prophets without right, and kill those who order justice from among the people; inform them of a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:21 Verily, as for those who deny the truth of God's messages, and slay the prophets against all right, and slay people who enjoin equity15 - announce unto them a grievous chastisement.

Note 15
See surah 2, note 48.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:21 Those who have rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly, and killed those who advocated justice among the people, promise them a painful retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:21 Those who reject the messages of God, and wrongfully kill (degrade) the Prophets or their Mission by mixing truth with falsehood, and kill or harm the advocates of justice in the society; promise them grievous retribution.

3:22 اولئك الذين حبطت اعملهم فى الدنيا والءاخرة وما لهم من نصرين

Transcription (English)
3:22 Ola-ika allatheena habitataAAmaluhum fee alddunya waal-akhiratiwama lahum min nasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:22 These are the ones whose works will be lost in this world, and in the Hereafter, they will have no supporters.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:22 These are the ones whose works will be lost in this world, and in the Hereafter they will have no supporters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:22 It is they whose works shall come to nought both in this world and in the life to come; and they shall have none to succour them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:22 Their works have been nullified, both in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:22 They are the people whose (good) deeds shall be nullified in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers at all.

3:23 الم تر الى الذين اوتوا نصيبا من الكتب يدعون الى كتب الله ليحكم بينهم ثم يتولى فريق منهم وهم معرضون

Transcription (English)
3:23 Alam tara ila allatheena ootoonaseeban mina alkitabi yudAAawna ila kitabiAllahi liyahkuma baynahum thumma yatawallafareequn minhum wahum muAAridoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:23 Did you not see those who were given a portion of the book being invited to God's book to judge between them, then a group of them turn away while they are adverse?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:23 Did you not see those who were given a portion of the Book being invited to the Book of God to judge between them, then a group of them turns away while they are adverse?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:23 Art thou not aware of those who have been granted their share of revelation [aforetime]? They have been called upon to let God's writ be their law16 - and yet some of them turn away [from it] in their obstinacy,

Note 16
Lit., "decide [all disputes] between them" - the reference being to the Torah.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:23 Have you noted those who were given part of the scripture, and how they are invited to uphold this scripture of GOD, and apply it to their own lives, then some of them turn away in aversion?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:23 Have you noted those who were given a share of the scripture? When they are invited to the Book of God to judge among them, a party of them turns away in displeasure.

3:24 ذلك بانهم قالوا لن تمسنا النار الا اياما معدودت وغرهم فى دينهم ما كانوا يفترون

Transcription (English)
3:24 Thalika bi-annahum qaloo lantamassana alnnaru illa ayyamanmaAAdoodatin wagharrahum fee deenihim ma kanooyaftaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:24 That is because they said, "The fire will not touch us except a few number of days," and they were arrogant by what they invented in their system.8

Note 8

Those who upheld fabricated hadith as partners with the Quran have repeated the same Jewish claim. See 2:80. Also, see the Appendix titled: Merciful God and Eternal Hell?

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:24 That is because they said: "The Fire will not touch us except for a few number of days," and they were arrogant by what they invented in their system.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:24 simply because they claim, "The fire will most certainly not touch us for more than a limited number of days":17 and thus the false beliefs which they invented have [in time] caused them to betray their faith.18

Note 17
Cf. 2:80, and the corresponding note.

Note 18
Lit., "that which they were wont to invent has deluded them in their faith".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:24 This is because they said, "The hellfire will not touch us, except for a few days." They were thus deceived in their religion by their own fabrications.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:24 This is because they say that the fire will not touch them but only for a few days. What they used to invent has deceived them in their own religion.

3:25 فكيف اذا جمعنهم ليوم لا ريب فيه ووفيت كل نفس ما كسبت وهم لا يظلمون

Transcription (English)
3:25 Fakayfa itha jamaAAnahumliyawmin la rayba feehi wawuffiyat kullu nafsin makasabat wahum la yuthlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:25 How shall it be when We gather them on the day in which there is no doubt; every person shall receive what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:25 How shall it be when We gather them on the Day in which there is no doubt; and every soul shall receive what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:25 How, then, [will they fare] when We shall gather them all together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt, and every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has done, and none shall be wronged?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:25 How will it be for them, when we summon them on that inevitable day? Each soul will be paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:25 How will they feel on the Day when We will gather them, the Day about the advent of which there is no doubt? Then, every person will be paid in full for what he or she has earned. No injustice will be done to anyone.

3:26 قل اللهم ملك الملك تؤتى الملك من تشاء وتنزع الملك ممن تشاء وتعز من تشاء وتذل من تشاء بيدك الخير انك على كل شىء قدير

Transcription (English)
3:26 Quli allahumma malika almulkitu/tee almulka man tashao watanziAAu almulka mimman tashaowatuAAizzu man tashao watuthillu man tashaobiyadika alkhayru innaka AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Absolute Sovereign3:26 Say, "Our god, Ruler of sovereignty; you grant sovereignty to whom You please, revoke sovereignty from whom You please, dignify whom You please, and humiliate whom You please; in Your hand is goodness. You are capable of all things."9

Note 9

See 57:22. Compare this verse to the Old Testament, Judges 1:19 , where God is claimed to not be able to drive out the Canaanites in the valleys of Palestine because they had chariots of iron. See 7:180.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:26 Say: "Our god, Possessor of kingship; you grant kingship to whom You please, and revoke kingship from whom You please, and honor whom You please, and humiliate whom You please; in Your hand is goodness. You are capable of all things."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:26 SAY: "O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Attributes of God3:26 Say, "Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:26 Say, “O God! Owner of all Dominion! You give power to nations according to Your laws and You strip off power from nations according to Your laws. You have established laws for attaining honor and facing humiliation. All good emanates from Your Hand. Certainly, You have Power over all things.”9

Note 9
God has appointed due measure for all things in the Universe, and therefore, His Rule is the Rule of law

3:27 تولج اليل فى النهار وتولج النهار فى اليل وتخرج الحى من الميت وتخرج الميت من الحى وترزق من تشاء بغير حساب

Transcription (English)
3:27 Tooliju allayla fee alnnahariwatooliju alnnahara fee allayli watukhriju alhayyamina almayyiti watukhriju almayyita mina alhayyi watarzuquman tashao bighayri hisabin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:27 "You blend the night into the day, and blend the day into the night; and you bring the living out of the dead, and bring the dead out of the living; and You provide for whom You please with no computation."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:27 "You blend the night into the day, and blend the day into the night; and you bring the living out of the dead, and bring the dead out of the living; and You provide for whom You wish without reckoning."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:27 "Thou makest the night grow longer by shortening the day, and Thou makest the day grow longer by shortening the night. And Thou bringest forth the living out of that which is dead, and Thou bringest forth the dead out of that which is alive. And Thou grantest sustenance unto whom `Thou willest, beyond all reckoning."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:27 "You merge the night into the day, and merge the day into the night. You produce the living from the dead, and produce the dead from the living, and You provide for whomever You choose, without limits.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:27 (We witness Your laws in action throughout the Universe) “You merge the night into the day and merge the day into the night. You bring forth the living from the dead and bring forth the dead from the living, and through Your laws, You provide all according to Your laws and beyond measure.”

3:28 لا يتخذ المؤمنون الكفرين اولياء من دون المؤمنين ومن يفعل ذلك فليس من الله فى شىء الا ان تتقوا منهم تقىة ويحذركم الله نفسه والى الله المصير

Transcription (English)
3:28 La yattakhithi almu/minoonaalkafireena awliyaa min dooni almu/mineena wamanyafAAal thalika falaysa mina Allahi fee shay-in illaan tattaqoo minhum tuqatan wayuhaththirukumuAllahu nafsahu wa-ila Allahi almaseeru
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Pick Your Allies Carefully3:28 Let not those who acknowledge take the ingrates as allies instead of those who acknowledge. Whoever does so will have nothing with God, for you are to be cautious of them for a particular reason. Moreover, God warns you of Himself, and to God is the destiny.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:28 Let not the believers take the rejecters as allies instead of the believers. And whoever does so will have nothing with God; for you are to be cautious of them as they deserve. And God warns you of Himself, and to God is the destiny.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:28 LET NOT the believers take those who deny the truth for their allies in preference to the believers19 - since he who does this cuts himself off from God in everything - unless it be to protect yourselves against them in this way.20 But God warns you to beware of Him: for with God is all journeys' end.

Note 19
I.e., in cases where the interests of those "deniers of the truth" clash with the interests of believers (Manar 111, 278). Regarding the deeper implications of the term "allies" (awliya'), see 4:139 and the corresponding note.

Note 20
Lit., "unless you fear from them something that is to be feared". Zamakhshari explains this phrase as meaning, "unless you have reason to fear that they might do something which ought to be guarded against" - obviously referring to situations in which "those who deny the truth" are more powerful than the Muslims, and are therefore in a position to damage the latter unless they become their "allies" in a political or moral sense.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Choose Your Friends Carefully3:28 The believers never ally themselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Whoever does this is exiled from GOD. Exempted are those who are forced to do this to avoid persecution. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. To GOD is the ultimate destiny.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:28 The believers do not take non-believers for their allies in preference to fellow believers. If anyone does that, he will have nothing to do with God - except that one of you is forced to do so to avoid persecution. But God cautions you to fear Himself alone. To God is the ultimate destination.10

Note 10
Al-Maseer = Ultimate destination = Journey’s end

3:29 قل ان تخفوا ما فى صدوركم او تبدوه يعلمه الله ويعلم ما فى السموت وما فى الارض والله على كل شىء قدير

Transcription (English)
3:29 Qul in tukhfoo ma fee sudoorikumaw tubdoohu yaAAlamhu Allahu wayaAAlamu ma fee alssamawatiwama fee al-ardi waAllahu AAalakulli shay-in qadeerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:29 Say, "Whether you hide what is in your chests or reveal it, God knows." He knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth; and God is capable of all things.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:29 Say: "Whether you hide what is in your chests or you reveal it, God will know." And He knows what is in the heavens and the earth; and God is capable of all things.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:29 Say: "Whether you conceal what is in your hearts21 or bring it into the open, God knows it: for He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and God has the power to will anything."

Note 21
Lit., "breasts", This is a reference to the real motives underlying the decision of a Muslim group or power to form an alliance with "those who deny the truth" in preference to, or against the legitimate interests of, other believers.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:29 Say, "Whether you conceal your innermost thought, or declare it, GOD is fully aware thereof." He is fully aware of everything in the heavens and the earth. GOD is Omnipotent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:29 Say, “Whether you hide your strategy or reveal it, God is fully Aware thereof.” And He knows all things and events in the heavens and all things and events on earth. God is all-Powerful and He has endowed everything with the potential to become what it is meant to be.

3:30 يوم تجد كل نفس ما عملت من خير محضرا وما عملت من سوء تود لو ان بينها وبينه امدا بعيدا ويحذركم الله نفسه والله رءوف بالعباد

Transcription (English)
3:30 Yawma tajidu kullu nafsin ma AAamilatmin khayrin muhdaran wama AAamilat min soo-intawaddu law anna baynaha wabaynahu amadan baAAeedan wayuhaththirukumuAllahu nafsahu waAllahu raoofun bialAAibadi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:30 The day every person will find what good it had done present, and what bad it had done; it wishes that between them was a great distance. God warns you of Himself, and God is Kind towards the servants.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:30 The Day every soul will find what good it had done present; and what bad it had done, it will wish that between them was a great distance. And God warns you of Himself, and God is Compassionate towards the servants.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:30 On the Day when every human being will find himself faced with all the good that he has done, and with all the evil that he has done, [many a one] will wish that there were a long span of time between himself and that [Day]. Hence, God warns you to beware of Him; but God is most compassionate towards His creatures.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:30 The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. GOD is Compassionate towards the people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:30 On the Day of Reckoning every ‘self’ will confront all its doings, good and evil. Every ‘self’ would wish there may be a gulf of distance between it and that evil. God cautions you in advance, for He is Compassionate to His servants.

3:31 قل ان كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعونى يحببكم الله ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم والله غفور رحيم

Transcription (English)
3:31 Qul in kuntum tuhibboona AllahafaittabiAAoonee yuhbibkumu Allahu wayaghfirlakum thunoobakum waAllahu ghafoorun raheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:31 Say, "If you love God then follow me so God will love you and forgive your sins." God is Forgiver, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:31 Say: "If you love God then follow me so God will love you and forgive your sins." God is Forgiver, Merciful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:31 Say [O Prophet]: "If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:31 Proclaim: "If you love GOD, you should follow me." GOD will then love you, and forgive your sins. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:31 Say, (O Messenger) “If you love God, follow me. Then God will love you and protect you from trailing behind in humanity. God is Forgiving, Merciful."11

Note 11
Hubb = Love = Full support = Having a common objective. Loving God = Following His commands = Serving His creation = Benefiting others. God’s love = His blessings in both lives. Zanb = Tail = Trailing behind. Ghafarah = Helmet = Protection against deterioration = Forgiveness

3:32 قل اطيعوا الله والرسول فان تولوا فان الله لا يحب الكفرين

Transcription (English)
3:32 Qul ateeAAoo Allaha waalrrasoolafa-in tawallaw fa-inna Allaha la yuhibbu alkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:32 Say, "Obey God and the messenger." But if they turn away, then God does not like the ingrates.10

Note 10

Obeying the messenger means obeying the message of the messenger, which is submitting oneself to God alone. 6:112; 9:1.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:32 Say: "Obey God and the messenger." But if they turn away, then God does not love the rejecters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:32 Say: “Pay heed unto God and the Apostle." And if they turn away - verely, God does not love those who deny the truth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:32 Proclaim: "You shall obey GOD and the messenger." If they turn away, GOD does not love the disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:32 Say, (O Messenger) “Obey God and the Messenger. But if they turn away, then, God does not love the deniers.”12

Note 12
Obeying the Messenger = Obeying God’s revelations to him = Obeying the Islamic Central Authority. 4:59

3:33 ان الله اصطفى ءادم ونوحا وءال ابرهيم وءال عمرن على العلمين

Transcription (English)
3:33 Inna Allaha istafa adamawanoohan waala ibraheema waala AAimranaAAala alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Family of Imran and Maryam's (Mary) Birth3:33 God has chosen Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran over the worlds.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:33 God has selected Adam, and Noah, and the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran over the worlds.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:33 BEHOLD, God raised Adam, and Noah, and the House of Abraham, and the House of `Imran above all mankind,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Birth of Mary3:33 GOD has chosen Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Amram (as messengers) to the people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:33 (The Qur’an is the Final Perfected guidance for all humanity. But God has elected Messengers before to convey His messages.) Indeed, God did choose Adam and Noah (Nooh), and the family of Abraham and the family of Imran above all people of their times.13

Note 13
Adam = Aadam = The human ancestor = The first Homo sapiens = Allegorically, Adami, the first humans = Mankind = Possibly a prominent early human = Perhaps a Prophet, but the chain of Prophets begins with Noah. See 4:163, 6:80

3:34 ذرية بعضها من بعض والله سميع عليم

Transcription (English)
3:34 Thurriyyatan baAAduhamin baAAdin waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:34 A progeny each from the other, and God is Hearer, Knower.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:34 A progeny each from the other, and God is Hearer, Knower.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:34 in one line of descent.22 And God was all-hearing, all-knowing23

Note 22
Lit., "offspring of one another" - an allusion not merely to the physical descent of those prophets but also to the fact that all of them were spiritually linked with one another and believed in one and the same fundamental truth (Tabari). Thus, the above passage is a logical sequence to verses 31-32, which make God's approval contingent upon obedience to His chosen message-bearers. The names which appear in this sentence circumscribe, by implication, all the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an inasmuch as most of them were descendants of two or more of these patriarchs. The House of `Imran comprises Moses and Aaron, whose father was `Imran (the Amram of the Bible), and Aaron's descendants, the priestly caste among the Israelites - thus including John the Baptist, both of whose parents were of the same descent (cf. the reference, in Luke i, 5, to John's mother Elisabeth as one "of the daughters of Aaron"), as well as Jesus, whose mother Mary - a close relation of John - is spoken of elsewhere in the Qur'an (19:28) as a "sister of Aaron": in both cases embodying the ancient Semitic custom of linking a person's or a people's name with that of an illustrious forebear. The reference to the House of `Imran serves as an introduction to the stories of Zachariah, John, Mary, and Jesus.

Note 23
My joining of this phrase with the following passage is in agreement with the interpretation advanced by Muhammad `Abduh and Rashid Rida' (Manar III, 289).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:34 They belong in the same progeny. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:34 In one lineage. God is the Hearer, Knower of all things and events.14

Note 14
Muhammad belongs to the same progeny of Abraham through Ishmael, and Jesus belongs to it through the family of ‘Imran. Now is related the truth about Jesus son of Mary. History has made fiction of these two great servants of God

3:35 اذ قالت امرات عمرن رب انى نذرت لك ما فى بطنى محررا فتقبل منى انك انت السميع العليم

Transcription (English)
3:35 Ith qalati imraatu AAimranarabbi innee nathartu laka ma fee batnee muharraranfataqabbal minnee innaka anta alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:35 When the wife of Imran said, "My Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, dedicated, so accept it from me. You are the Hearer, the Knower."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:35 When the wife of Imran said: "My Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, devoted, so accept from me, You are the Hearer, the Knower."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:35 when a woman of [the House of] `Imran prayed: "O my Sustainer! Behold, unto Thee do I vow [the child] that is in, my womb, to be devoted to Thy service. Accept it, then, from me: verily, Thou alone art all-hearing, all-knowing!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:35 The wife of Amram said, "My Lord, I have dedicated (the baby) in my belly to You, totally, so accept from me. You are Hearer, Omniscient.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:35 The wife of ‘Imran prayed, “My Lord! I have dedicated the baby in my belly to You entirely (for the service of the temple). So accept from me. You are the Hearer, Knower.”

3:36 فلما وضعتها قالت رب انى وضعتها انثى والله اعلم بما وضعت وليس الذكر كالانثى وانى سميتها مريم وانى اعيذها بك وذريتها من الشيطن الرجيم

Transcription (English)
3:36 Falamma wadaAAat-ha qalatrabbi innee wadaAAtuha ontha waAllahuaAAlamu bima wadaAAat walaysa alththakarukaalontha wa-innee sammaytuha maryamawa-innee oAAeethuha bika wathurriyyatahamina alshshaytani alrrajeemi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:36 So when she delivered she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female," and God is fully aware of what she delivered, "The male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her and her progeny with You from the outcast devil."11

Note 11

The Arabic root of the word we translated as "the rejected" is RaJaMa and it means excommunication or expulsion. We are not sure when the secondary meaning of "stoning" was attached to it, but the Quranic usage of the word is different from its usage in the books of hadith and sectarian jurisprudence. Decades after the revelation of the Quran when muslims reverted back to the days of ignorance, they started using this word literally to "stone" adulterers to death, or literally to "stone" Satan during Hajj. The Quran describes Satan (Perverse) with the word RaJyM (3:36; 15:17; 15:34; 16:98; 38:77; 81:25). Nevertheless, Satan is not stoned but rejected from heaven. Muslims, with the collection of hadith and creation of sects, about two centuries after Muhammed, fully revived the pagan Arab traditions, borrowed superstitions, and backward practices from the distorted teachings of Christianity and Judaism. For instance, while they turned Muhammed's grave into a shrine of idolatry and promoted its visitation among the rituals of annual pilgrimage (Hajj), they also made a mockery of the phrase "rejection of Satan" by innovating the practice of stoning the Satan, as if Satan was a material being. Every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed during the mayhem caused by this absurd ritual. Some pilgrims throw away their shoes or anything they have in their possession to inflict injury to Satan, unfortunately causing injury to their comrades. If Perverse has fun watching humans do stupid things in the name of God, this ritual is most likely to be one of the most fun. With this reversion, they imported the practice of stoning to death and named it RaJM, in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Quran (See 24:1). For other usages of the word, RaJaMa, see 11:91; 18:20, 18:22; 19:46; 26:116; 36:18; 44:40; 67:5.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:36 So when she had delivered she said: "My Lord, I have delivered a female," and God is fully aware of what she delivered, "And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her and her progeny with You from the outcast devil."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:36 But when she had given birth to the child,24 she said: "O my Sustainer! Behold, I have given birth to a female" - the while God had been fully aware of what she would give birth to, and [fully aware] that no male child [she might have hoped for] could ever have been like this female25 - "and I have named her Mary. And, verily, I seek Thy protection for her and her offspring against Satan, the accursed."

Note 24
Lit., "to her" - implying that it was a girl.

Note 25
Lit., "and the male is not [or "could not be"] like the female". Zamakhshari reads these words as forming part of the parenthetic sentence relating to God's knowledge, and explains them thus: "The male [child] which she had prayed for could not have been like the female which she was granted" - which implies that Mary's excellence would go far beyond any hopes which her mother had ever entertained.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:36 When she gave birth to her, she said, "My Lord, I have given birth to a girl" - GOD was fully aware of what she bore - "The male is not the same as the female. I have named her Mary, and I invoke Your protection for her and her descendants from the rejected devil.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:36 When she delivered she said, “My Lord! I have delivered a female.” God knew best what she delivered; the male is not the same as the female. “I have named her Mary. I request Your protection for her and for her descendants from the rejected Satan.”15

Note 15
The male she had prayed for could have not been like the outstanding daughter she was granted. This female would have a role that no male could have, in breaking the shackles of asceticism. As a ‘holy’ custom, a nun would either remain single, or rarely, would be allowed to marry one of the monks

3:37 فتقبلها ربها بقبول حسن وانبتها نباتا حسنا وكفلها زكريا كلما دخل عليها زكريا المحراب وجد عندها رزقا قال يمريم انى لك هذا قالت هو من عند الله ان الله يرزق من يشاء بغير حساب

Transcription (English)
3:37 Fataqabbalaha rabbuhabiqaboolin hasanin waanbataha nabatan hasananwakaffalaha zakariyya kullama dakhalaAAalayha zakariyya almihraba wajadaAAindaha rizqan qala ya maryamu annalaki hatha qalat huwa min AAindi Allahi innaAllaha yarzuqu man yashao bighayri hisabin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:37 So her Lord accepted her with a good acceptance, and made her grow like a flower, and charged Zechariah with her. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the temple enclosure, he found provisions with her. He said, "O Mary, from where did you get this?" She said, "It is from God, God provides for whom He wishes beyond reckoning."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:37 So her Lord accepted her a good acceptance, and made her grow into a good growth, and charged Zachariah with her. Every time Zachariah entered upon her in the temple enclosure, he found provisions with her. He said: "O Mary, from where did you get this?" She said: "It is from God, for God provides for whom He wishes without reckoning."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:37 And thereupon her Sustainer accepted the girl-child with goodly acceptance, and caused her to grow up in goodly growth, and placed her in the care of Zachariah.26 Whenever Zachariah visited her in the sanctuary, he found her provided with food. He would ask: "O Mary, whence came this unto thee?" She would answer: "It is from God; behold, God grants sustenance unto whom He wills, beyond all reckoning."27

Note 26
As is evident from verse 44 of this surah, the guardianship of Mary was entrusted to Zachariah - who was not only her relative but also a priest attached to the Temple - after lots had been drawn to decide which of the priests should have the responsibility for this girl who, in consequence of her mother's vow, was to be dedicated to Temple service (Tabari).

Note 27
In spite of all the legends quoted in this connection by most of the commentators, there is no indication whatsoever either in the Qur'an or in any authentic Tradition that these provisions were of a miraculous origin. On the other hand, Tabari quotes a story to the effect that when, in his old age, Zachariah became unable to support Mary by his own means, the community decided to assume this responsibility through another of its members, who thereupon provided her daily with food. Whether this story is authentic or not, Mary's answer to Zachariah reflects no more and no less than her deep consciousness of God as the ultimate Provider.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:37 Her Lord accepted her a gracious acceptance, and brought her up a gracious upbringing, under the guardianship of Zachariah. Whenever Zachariah entered her sanctuary he found provisions with her. He would ask, "Mary, where did you get this from?" She would say, "It is from GOD. GOD provides for whomever He chooses, without limits.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:37 Her Lord accepted her graciously. (Mary was dedicated to the temple) and He made her grow in purity and elegance, a gracious upbringing, under the guardianship of Zakariya (Zacharias). Whenever he entered the chamber of Mary, he found that she had food. (Knowingly) he asked, “O Mary! Where does this food come from?” She said, “It is from God.” God provides according to His laws, beyond reckoning.16

Note 16
Zakariya was a Prophet of God and a distant uncle of Mary. ‘It is from God’… Visitors to the sanctuary serve the saints. Many of them bring gifts to get their vows fulfilled. Yasha in reference to God = Through His laws = Common mistranslation, ‘as He pleases’. Bighayiri hisaab = Beyond reckoning = Without account = Humans cannot reckon God’s Power of sustaining and providing the entire Universe. The last sentence of the verse cannot be a quote from Mary, as generally suggested, since she would not lecture a Prophet of God

3:38 هنالك دعا زكريا ربه قال رب هب لى من لدنك ذرية طيبة انك سميع الدعاء

Transcription (English)
3:38 Hunalika daAAa zakariyyarabbahu qala rabbi hab lee min ladunka thurriyyatantayyibatan innaka sameeAAu aldduAAa/-i
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Birth of Yahya (John)3:38 It was then that Zechariah called on his Lord, he said, "My Lord, grant me from You a good progeny; You are hearer of the prayers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:38 It was then that Zachariah implored his Lord; he said: "My Lord, grant me from You a good progeny. You are the hearer of prayer."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:38 In that self-same place, Zachariah prayed unto his Sustainer, saying: "O my Sustainer! Bestow upon me [too], out of Thy grace, the gift of goodly offspring; for Thou, indeed, hearest all prayer."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Birth of John3:38 That is when Zachariah implored his Lord: "My Lord, grant me such a good child; You are the Hearer of the prayers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:38 This was when Zakariya prayed to his Lord, “My Lord! Bestow upon me from Your Presence the gift of goodly offspring. You are the Hearer of prayer.”

3:39 فنادته الملئكة وهو قائم يصلى فى المحراب ان الله يبشرك بيحيى مصدقا بكلمة من الله وسيدا وحصورا ونبيا من الصلحين

Transcription (English)
3:39 Fanadat-hu almala-ikatu wahuwaqa-imun yusallee fee almihrabi annaAllaha yubashshiruka biyahya musaddiqanbikalimatin mina Allahi wasayyidan wahasooranwanabiyyan mina alssaliheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:39 The controllers called him while he was standing and praying in the temple enclosure: "God gives you good tidings of John, authenticating a word from God, respectable, protected, and a prophet from the reformers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:39 So the angels called to him while he was standing, making contact, in the temple enclosure: "God gives you glad tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:39 Thereupon, as he stood praying in the sanctuary, the angels called out unto him: "God sends thee the glad tiding of [the birth of] John, who shall confirm the truth of a word from God,28 and [shall be] outstanding among men, and utterly chaste, and a prophet from among the righteous."

Note 28
In view of the fact that the expression kalimah is often used in the Qur'an to denote an announcement from God, or a statement of His will, or His promise (e.g., 4:171, 6:34 and 115, 10:64, 18:27, and so forth), we must conclude that in the above passage, too, the "word from God" which would be confirmed by the birth of John (described in the Gospels as "John the Baptist") refers to a divine promise given through revelation: and this, indeed, is the interpretation adopted by the famous philologist Abu `Ubaydah Ma`mar ibn al-Muthanna, who lived in the second century H. and devoted most of his labours to the study of rare expressions in the Arabic language; his identification, in the context under discussion, of kalimah with kitab ("revelation" or "divine writ") has been quoted by Razi in his commentary on this verse and is, moreover, agreeable with a similar announcement conveyed to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus (see verse 45 of this surah).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:39 The angels called him when he was praying in the sanctuary: "GOD gives you good news of John; a believer in the word of GOD, honorable, moral, and a righteous prophet.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:39 While he was still praying in the chamber, angels announced to him, “God gives you the good news of a son, Yahya (John the Baptist) who would reiterate the Word of God, be a disciplined leader and a Prophet among those who set things right.”

3:40 قال رب انى يكون لى غلم وقد بلغنى الكبر وامراتى عاقر قال كذلك الله يفعل ما يشاء

Transcription (English)
3:40 Qala rabbi anna yakoonu leeghulamun waqad balaghaniya alkibaru waimraatee AAaqirunqala kathalika Allahu yafAAalu mayasha/o
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:40 He said, "My Lord, how can I have a son when old age has reached me and my wife is sterile?" He said, "It is as such that God does what He pleases."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:40 He said: "My Lord, how can I have a son when old age has reached me and my wife is infertile?" He said: "It is as such that God does what He pleases."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:40 [Zachariah] exclaimed: "O my Sustainer! How can I have a son when old age has already overtaken me, and my wife is barren?" Answered [the angel]: "Thus it is: God does what He wills."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:40 He said, "How can I have a boy, when I am so old, and my wife is sterile?" He said, "GOD does whatever He wills.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:40 Zakariya prayed to God, but then wondered, “My Lord! How could I have a son when old age has overtaken me already and my wife is barren?” He said, “So it will be, God does everything according to His laws.”17

Note 17
The infertility in his wife was cured. 21:90

3:41 قال رب اجعل لى ءاية قال ءايتك الا تكلم الناس ثلثة ايام الا رمزا واذكر ربك كثيرا وسبح بالعشى والابكر

Transcription (English)
3:41 Qala rabbi ijAAal lee ayatan qalaayatuka alla tukallima alnnasa thalathataayyamin illa ramzan waothkur rabbakakatheeran wasabbih bialAAashiyyi waal-ibkari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:41 He said, "My Lord, make for me a sign" He said, "Your sign is not to speak to the people for three days except by symbol, and remember your Lord greatly, and glorify at dusk and dawn."12

Note 12

The verse reminds us not to give in to peer pressure and cultural norms when God and truth is the issue. God provides signs to those who sincerely seek them. The author of these annotations, after accepting Quran alone in 1 July 1986, experienced an important theological and intellectual conflict and for days asked for a sign from God. Exactly 114 days after his acceptance of the Quran, he experienced a profound divine sign in 23 November 1986, which saved him from a tormenting intellectual problem regarding an implication of code 19. The extraordinary personal experience was followed by a chain of prophetic and objective signs that were witnessed by others, and finally was fulfilled in 1 July 1990. See Chapter 74 and the Appendix On it is Nineteen.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:41 He said: "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is not to speak to the people for three days except by symbol, and remember your Lord greatly, and glorify at dusk and dawn."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:41 [Zachariah] prayed: "O my Sustainer! Appoint a sign for me!" Said [the angel]: "Thy sign shall be that for three days thou wilt not speak unto men other than by gestures.29 And remember thy Sustainer unceasingly, and extol His limitless glory by night and by day."

Note 29
According to Abu Muslim (quoted with approval by Razi), Zachariah was merely enjoined not to speak to anyone during the period of three days, and not struck dumb as in the New Testament narrative (Luke i, 20-22): thus the "sign" was purely spiritual, and was to consist in Zachariah's utter self-abandonment to prayer and contemplation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:41 He said, "My Lord, give me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three days, except through signals. Commemorate your Lord frequently; and meditate night and day.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:41 Thankful, Zakariya asked, “My Lord! Give a message to me.” He said, “The message to you is that you shall not speak to people for three days (and nights), except by signs. Remember your Lord much and keep striving in His cause night and day.”18

Note 18
19:10. Abstaining from speech would save the elderly couple from the embarrassing curiosity of people

3:42 واذ قالت الملئكة يمريم ان الله اصطفىك وطهرك واصطفىك على نساء العلمين

Transcription (English)
3:42 Wa-ith qalati almala-ikatuya maryamu inna Allaha istafaki watahharakiwaistafaki AAala nisa-i alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Birth of Esau (Jesus)3:42 The controllers said, "O Mary, God has selected you and cleansed you, and He has chosen you over the women of the worlds."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:42 And the angels said: "O Mary, God has selected you and cleansed you, and He has selected you over all the women of the worlds."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:42 AND LO! The angels said: "O Mary! Behold, God has elected thee and made thee pure, and raised thee above all the women of the world.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Mary and Jesus3:42 The angels said, "O Mary, GOD has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you from all the women.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:42 (Mary kept a spotless character as she grew up.) Angels told her, “God has chosen you, given you a spotless character and given you distinction among the women of your times.”19

Note 19
She guarded her chastity and built a strong moral character in very adverse circumstances. Many monks and devotees of temples used to harbor evil intentions against nuns. She was the first revolutionary feminine voice against the manmade institution of monasticism. 57:27

3:43 يمريم اقنتى لربك واسجدى واركعى مع الركعين

Transcription (English)
3:43 Ya maryamu oqnutee lirabbiki waosjudeewairkaAAee maAAa alrrakiAAeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:43 "O Mary, be devoted to your Lord and prostrate and kneel with those who kneel."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:43 "O Mary, be dutiful to your Lord and prostrate and kneel with those who kneel."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:43 O Mary! Remain thou truly devout unto thy Sustainer, and prostrate thyself in worship, and bow down with those who bow down [before Him]."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:43 "O Mary, you shall submit to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow down.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:43 (Angels said to her), “Gather courage (quit monasticism), submit to the commands of your Lord and bow with those who bow to commands (Join your family for leading a normal life bowing to the design that God has ordained for mankind.)

3:44 ذلك من انباء الغيب نوحيه اليك وما كنت لديهم اذ يلقون اقلمهم ايهم يكفل مريم وما كنت لديهم اذ يختصمون

Transcription (English)
3:44 Thalika min anba-i alghaybinooheehi ilayka wama kunta ladayhim ithyulqoona aqlamahum ayyuhum yakfulu maryama wamakunta ladayhim ith yakhtasimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:44 This is from the news of the unseen that We inspire to you. You were not with them when they drew straws as to which one of them will be charged with Mary; you were not with them when they disputed.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:44 This is from the news of the unseen that We inspire to you. You were not with them when they drew straws as to which one of them will be charged with Mary; you were not with them when they disputed.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:44 This account of something that was beyond the reach of thy perception We [now] reveal unto thee:30 for thou wert not with them when they drew lots as to which of them should be Mary's guardian,31 and thou wert not with them when they contended [about it] with one another.

Note 30
This parenthetic passage, addressed to the Prophet, is meant to stress the fact that the story of Mary, as narrated in the Qur'an, is a direct outcome of revelation and, therefore, inherently true in spite of all the differences between this account and that given in the scriptures regarded by the Christians as authentic (Muhammad `Abduh in Manar III, 301 f.).

Note 31
See note 26 above. The phrase rendered above as "they drew lots" reads literally, "they cast their reeds" - obviously a reference to an ancient Semitic custom, perhaps similar to the divination by means of blunt arrows practiced by the pre-Islamic Arabs and comprehensively described in Lane III, 1247. The pronoun "they" relates to the priests, of whom Zachariah was one.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:44 This is news from the past that we reveal to you. You were not there when they drew their raffles to select Mary's guardian. You were not present when they argued with one another.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:44 (O Messenger) We are revealing to you these events of the unseen history (so that you may dispel conjecture). You were not present with them when they threw their pens (casting lots) which of them should take charge of Mary (after Zakariya). And you were not present with them when they quarreled about it.

3:45 اذ قالت الملئكة يمريم ان الله يبشرك بكلمة منه اسمه المسيح عيسى ابن مريم وجيها فى الدنيا والءاخرة ومن المقربين

Transcription (English)
3:45 Ith qalati almala-ikatuya maryamu inna Allaha yubashshiruki bikalimatinminhu ismuhu almaseehu AAeesa ibnu maryama wajeehanfee alddunya waal-akhirati waminaalmuqarrabeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:45 The controllers said, "O Mary, God gives good news of a word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. Honorable in this world and in the Hereafter, and from among those who are made close."13

Note 13

Since Esau (Jesus) Maseh (Messiah; Christ) was born through God's word "Be" and not by a father; he is called God's Word. Jesus is mentioned 25 times while his mother Mary's name is mentioned 34 times in the Quran. The Quran uses the name in various combinations of title: Jesus; Jesus, son of Mary; Messiah; Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary; and Messiah son of Mary. To emphasize his human nature, the Quran frequently refers to Jesus as "Jesus, Son of Mary" in 16 out of 25 occurrences of which 3 are "the Messiah, Jesus, and Son of Mary." The Quran refers to Jesus as "the Messiah, Son of Mary" 5 times, and "Messiah" 3 times.

The Quran uses "Son of Mary" to refer to (J)esu(s) in 21 out of 32 total references. The Gospel authors, however, influenced by the misogynistic teachings of Rabbis and the Pharisee-son-of-Pharisee St. Paul, never call their idols with the name of the woman who gave birth to him. Actually, there might be an exception, Mark 6:3 , which proves our point. There the "son of Mary" title is used by people who did not expect from wonders from him. Obviously, the authors of the Gospels and their guru St. Paul considered the title "son of Mary" to be demeaning. They transformed the original nickname "son of Mary" or "the son of woman" into "the son of man," one of the oft-used Biblical attributes for Jesus. Gospel authors, however, did not stop there. They managed to promote "the son of man" to "the son of God," and from there one step higher, infinitely higher, to "the only son of God," proving the ingenuity of Perverse to carve idols in many forms and shapes. If St. Paul had a miracle, his miracle would be his contribution to the evolution of "son of Mary" to "the only begotten son of God." In the case of Christianity, Perverse came up with a new formula, "three gods in one," as well as many other saint-gods, and false teachings bonus, and plenty of guilt and drama as incentive. Since then, the package containing the formula has been a great success in the religious market, where people act according to their primitive feelings rather than thoughts!

Since the Pauline god is a character of fiction whose major deed is his suffering on crucifiction, it is the embodiment of contradiction. It not only continuously oscillates between humanity and divinity, but occasionally becomes a devil (Revelations 22:16 & Isaiah 14:12 ), accursed of God (Deuteronomy 21:23 & Galatians 3:13 & Matthew 27:38 & Mark 15:27 & Luke 23:33 & John 19:38 ), infinitely patient and curser of a fig tree (1 Timothy 1:16 v Matthew 21:19 ), liar (John 7:8-10 ), a very old sheep (John 1:29 & Exodus 12:5 ), follower of the laws and abolisher of the laws (Matthew 5:17-19 & Luke 16:17 v Hebrews 7:18-19 & Romans 10:4 ), teller of everything and not teller of everything (John 15:15 v John 16:12 ); the peacemaker and the warmonger (John 14:27 & Acts 10:36 & Colossians 1:19-20 v Matthew 10:34 ), a mighty authority and a powerless man (Colossians 2:10 v John 5:30 ), part of a trinity and part of a quadrinity (Matthew 28:19 v Hebrews 7:1-3 ), the last and not the last (Revelation 22:13 v John 16:12-13 ), invisible and visible (John 1:18 v John 18:20 ), and even one who ends up in hell (1 Peter 3:18-20 & Matthew 25:41 ).

See the Quran: 25:3; 3:18. Also, see 2:59; 3:51, 55; 4:11; 5:72; 7:162; 19:36.

Jesus is not the original name of the prophet who brought the New Testament two millennia ago. Its original version in Hebrew is Esau, a common Jewish name at the time. In classical times it was spelled Yashua, and then it past through a series of mutations ending up with what we have now, Jesus, a Western Latin hybrid. If it were not awkward, we would prefer writing the name as (J)esu(s). The same name can be found as Hosea, Hoshea, Jehoshuah, Jeshua, Jeshuah, Osea and Oshea (See Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). These names are mentioned hundreds of times in the Old Testament. They are all different spellings of the same original expression, meaning, "Yahweh is salvation."

However, Trinitarian Christians use and abuse Matthew 1:1 to create a human-god out of transliterative inconsistencies: "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Besides, there is more than one Christ (Anointed) in the Bible. Isaiah 45:1 ; 1 Samuel 24:6 , 10; 1Samuel 26:9; Numbers 3:3 are but a few examples. The New Testament refers to the Son of Mary as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 18:7 ), and "Jesus the son of Joseph" (John 6:42 ).

Encyclopedia Americana, in its 1959 print, under the entry of Jesus provides the following information: "Although Matthew 1:21 interprets the name (originally Joshua that is Yahweh is salvation) and finds it especially appropriate for Jesus of Nazareth, it was a common one at the time. Josephus, the Jewish historian, refers to 19 different persons by that name." It is evident from St. Paul's letters, that the use of the name continued among Christians for a while (Colossians 4:11 ). When St. Paul's polytheistic doctrine became the official creed, Christians mostly abandoned giving this name to their children. With the reputation of Jesus and the rise of Christianity, Jews too gave up using that name, since they considered him a heretic, and the name of a new idol.

Easton provides the following information about the word Jesus: "This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Numbers 13:8 , 16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Numbers 13:16 ; 1 Corinthians 7:27 ), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus."

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:45 And the angels said: "O Mary, God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary. Honorable in this world and in the Hereafter, and from among those who are made close."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:45 Lo! The angels said: "O Mary! Behold, God sends thee the glad tiding, through a word from Him, [of a son] who shall become known as the Christ32 Jesus, son of Mary, of great honour in this world and in the life to come, and [shall be] of those who are drawn near unto God.

Note 32
Lit., "whose name shall be `the Anointed' (al-masih)". The designation al-masih is the Arabicized form of the Aramaic meshiha which, in turn, is derived from the Hebrew mahsiah, "the anointed" - a term frequently applied in the Bible to the Hebrew kings, whose accession to power used to be consecrated by a touch with holy oil taken from the Temple . This anointment appears to have been so important a rite among the Hebrews that the term "the anointed" became in the course of time more or less synonymous with "king". Its application to Jesus may have been due to the widespread conviction among his contemporaries (references to which are found in several places in the Synoptic Gospels) that he was descended in direct - and obviously legitimate - line from the royal House of David. (It is to be noted that this could not have related to his mother's side, because Mary belonged to the priestly class descending from Aaron, and thus to the tribe of Levi, while David descended from the tribe of Judah .) Whatever may have been the historical circumstances, it is evident that the honorific "the Anointed" was applied to Jesus in his own lifetime. In the Greek version of the Gospels - which is undoubtedly based on a now-lost Aramaic original - this designation is correctly translated as Christos (a noun derived from the Greek verb chriein, "to anoint"): and since it is in this form - "the Christ" - that the designation al-masih has achieved currency in all Western languages, I am using it throughout in my translation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:45 The angels said, "O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is `The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me.',
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:45 Angels said, “O Mary! God gives you the good news through a word from Him. His name would be Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, held in honor in this world and among the ones close (to Me) in the Hereafter.

3:46 ويكلم الناس فى المهد وكهلا ومن الصلحين

Transcription (English)
3:46 Wayukallimu alnnasa feealmahdi wakahlan wamina alssaliheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:46 "He speaks to the people from the cradle, and as an adult; and he is among the reformers."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:46 "And he will speak to the people from the cradle and to middle-age, and is from among the upright."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:46 And he shall speak unto men in his cradle,33 and as a grown man, and shall be of the righteous."

Note 33
A metaphorical allusion to the prophetic wisdom which was to inspire Jesus from a very early age. As regards the expression min al-muqarrabin ("of those who are drawn near", i.e., unto God), see 56:11, where the most excellent among the inmates of paradise are thus described.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:46 "He will speak to the people from the crib, as well as an adult; he will be one of the righteous.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:46 He will speak to people while very young and after attaining full maturity with his faculties well intact.”20

Note 20
‘Kahlan’ = After attaining full maturity = After age 40. See 46:15. Saalih= Doer of good, healthy

3:47 قالت رب انى يكون لى ولد ولم يمسسنى بشر قال كذلك الله يخلق ما يشاء اذا قضى امرا فانما يقول له كن فيكون

Transcription (English)
3:47 Qalat rabbi anna yakoonu leewaladun walam yamsasnee basharun qala kathaliki Allahuyakhluqu ma yashao itha qada amranfa-innama yaqoolu lahu kun fayakoonu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:47 She said, "My Lord, how can I have a son when no human has touched me?" He said, "It is thus that God creates what He wills, when He decrees a command, He merely says to it 'Be,' and it becomes."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:47 She said: "My Lord, how can I have a son when no human being has been with me?" He said: "It is thus that God creates what He wills, when He decrees a command, He merely says to it 'Be,' and it is."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:47 Said she: "O my Sustainer! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?" [The angel] answered: "Thus it is: God creates what He wills34 when He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it, 'Be' - and it is.

Note 34
See 19:16 and the corresponding notes. In the context of the story of Mary in al `Imran, the announcement made to her, as well as the parallel one to Zachariah (verses 39-40 above), is meant to stress God's unlimited power of creation - specifically, in both cases, His power to create the circumstances in which His will is to manifest itself - and thus to bring about any event, however unexpected or even improbable it might seem at the time of the announcement.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:47 She said, "My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?" He said, "GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, `Be,' and it is.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:47 Mary exclaimed! “O My Lord, How shall I have a son when no man has (intimately) touched me?” He said, “Just as God creates everyone according to His laws (3:40). When God decrees a matter, it starts happening.”21

Note 21
In the repressive society Mary had to keep her wedding confidential in the family

3:48 ويعلمه الكتب والحكمة والتورىة والانجيل

Transcription (English)
3:48 WayuAAallimuhu alkitaba waalhikmatawaalttawrata waal-injeela
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:48 He teaches him the book and the Wisdom, the Torah and the Injeel.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:48 And He teaches him the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:48 And he will impart unto thy son35 revelation, and wisdom, and the Torah, and the Gospel,

Note 35
Lit., "to him".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:48 "He will teach him the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:48 “And God will teach him the scripture and the wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel.”

3:49 ورسولا الى بنى اسرءيل انى قد جئتكم باية من ربكم انى اخلق لكم من الطين كهية الطير فانفخ فيه فيكون طيرا باذن الله وابرئ الاكمه والابرص واحى الموتى باذن الله وانبئكم بما تاكلون وما تدخرون فى بيوتكم ان فى ذلك لءاية لكم ان كنتم مؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:49 Warasoolan ila banee isra-eelaannee qad ji/tukum bi-ayatin min rabbikum annee akhluqulakum mina altteeni kahay-ati alttayrifaanfukhu feehi fayakoonu tayran bi-ithni Allahiwaobri-o al-akmaha waal-abrasa waohyeealmawta bi-ithni Allahi waonabbi-okum bimata/kuloona wama taddakhiroona fee buyootikum inna fee thalikalaayatan lakum in kuntum mu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:49 As a messenger to the Children of Israel: "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord; that I create for you from clay the form of a bird, then I blow into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave, and I heal the blind and the lepers, and give life to the dead by God's leave, and I can tell you what you have eaten, and what you have stored in your homes. In that is a sign for you if you have acknowledged."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:49 And as a messenger to the Children of Israel: "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord; that I create for you from clay the form of a bird, then I blow into it and it becomes a bird with the permission of God, and I heal the blind and the lepers, and give life to the dead with the permission of God, and I prophesize for you what you shall eat and what to store in your homes. In that is a sign for you if you are believers."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:49 and [will make him] an apostle unto the children of Israel ."36 "I HAVE COME unto you with a message from your Sustainer. I shall create for you out of clay, as it were, the shape of [your] destiny, and then breathe into it, so that it might become [your] destiny by God's leave;37 and I shall heal the blind and the leper, and bring the dead back to life by God's leave;38 and I shall let you know what you may eat and what you should store up in your houses.39 Behold, in all this there is indeed a message for you, if you are [truly] believers.

Note 36
The passage which follows here - up to the end of verse 51 - may be understood in either of two ways: as part of the announcement made to Mary (implying that he would thus speak in the future) or, alternatively, as a statement of what, at a later time, he actually did say to the children of Israel . In view of the narrative form adopted in verses 52 ff., the second of these two alternatives seems preferable.

Note 37
Lit., "[something] like the shape of a bird (tayr); and then I shall breathe into it, so that it might [or "whereupon it will"] become a bird...". The noun tayr is a plural of ta'ir ("flying creature" or "bird"), or an infinitive noun ("flying") derived from the verb tara ("he flew"). In pre-Islamic usage, as well as in the Qur'an, the words ta'ir and tayr often denote "fortune" or "destiny", whether good. or evil (as, for instance, in 7:131, 27:47 or 36:19, and still more clearly in 17:13). Many instances of this idiomatic use of tayr and ta'ir are given in all the authoritative Arabic dictionaries; see also Lane V, 1904 f. Thus, in the parabolic manner so beloved by him, Jesus intimated to the children of Israel that out of the humble clay of their lives he would fashion for them the vision of a soaring destiny, and that this vision, brought to life by his God-given inspiration, would become their real destiny by God's leave and by the strength of their faith (as pointed out at the end of this verse).

Note 38
It is probable that the "raising of the dead" by Jesus is a metaphorical description of his giving new life to people who were spiritually dead; cf. 6:122 - "Is then he who was dead [in spirit], and whom We thereupon gave life, and for whom We set up a light whereby he can see his way among men - [is then he] like unto one [who is lost] in darkness deep, out of which he cannot emerge?" If this interpretation is - as I believe - correct, then the "healing of the blind and the leper" has a similar significance: namely, an inner regeneration of people who were spiritually diseased and blind to the truth.

Note 39
I.e., "what good things you may partake of in the life of this world, and what good deeds you should lay up as a treasure for the life to come".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:49 As a messenger to the Children of Israel: "I come to you with a sign from your Lord - I create for you from clay the shape of a bird, then I blow into it, and it becomes a live bird by GOD's leave. I restore vision to the blind, heal the leprous, and I revive the dead by GOD's leave. I can tell you what you eat, and what you store in your homes. This should be a proof for you, if you are believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:49 And He will be a Messenger to the Children of Israel. He will say to them, “I come to you with revelation from your Lord. If you follow me, I will raise you from dust to the heights of glory by the command of God (7:176). The blind among you will begin to see the truth. Those of you who are spotted with sin, I will heal them, and I shall grant real life to those who are just dragging on without purpose; all by God’s leave, according to His laws. I am here to establish justice and equity. I shall see to it how much you hoard in your houses and how much you spend on the community. My teachings are sufficient signs for you to believe.”

3:50 ومصدقا لما بين يدى من التورىة ولاحل لكم بعض الذى حرم عليكم وجئتكم باية من ربكم فاتقوا الله واطيعون

Transcription (English)
3:50 Wamusaddiqan lima baynayadayya mina alttawrati wali-ohilla lakumbaAAda allathee hurrima AAalaykum waji/tukumbi-ayatin min rabbikum faittaqoo Allaha waateeAAooni
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:50 "Authenticating what is present with me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of what was forbidden to you; and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so be aware of God and obey me."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:50 "And authenticating what is between my hands of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was made unlawful to you; and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so be aware of God and obey me."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:50 "And [I have come] to confirm the truth of whatever there still remains40 of the Torah, and to make lawful unto you some of the things which [aforetime] were forbidden to you. And I have come unto you with a message from your Sustainer; remain, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me.

Note 40
Lit., "whatever there is between my hands": for an explanation, see note 3 on verse 3 of this surah.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:50 "I confirm previous scripture - the Torah - and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, and obey me.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:50 “I confirm the truth in the Torah before me, and make permissible to you some of what was forbidden. I have come with your Lord’s revelation. Be mindful of His commands and heed me.”22

Note 22
The Qur’an describes denial as a ‘disease’, calls the deniers ‘deaf, dumb and blind’ in 2:18, ‘diseased of the heart’ in 2:10 and ‘dead’ in 27:80. That is why the revelation, which is the truth, is called a ‘healing’ in 41:44. Tayir = Omen = Destiny = Registration of deeds = Fleet-footed horse = Bird. 2:260, 5:110, 6:38, 7:131, 17:13, 27:16, 24:41, 27:47

3:51 ان الله ربى وربكم فاعبدوه هذا صرط مستقيم

Transcription (English)
3:51 Inna Allaha rabbee warabbukum faoAAbudoohuhatha siratun mustaqeemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:51 "God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him, this is a Straight Path."14

Note 14

In contradiction with the Trinitarian doctrine whose seeds was planted by St. Paul and was harvested by the Church at the Nicene conference of 325 AC, the New Testament contains many verses emphasizing the oneness of God and Jesus being at His service.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20:17 )

The translation of Matthew 7:21 in The New American Bible (1970) of Catholic Biblical Association of America, reveals an important distortion by other translations:

"None of those who cry out, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of God; but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21 ).

The following verses also support the information given by the Quran regarding the true message of Jesus; not polytheism but un-compromised Monotheism.

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:29-33 ).

See 4:171. Also, see 2:59; 5:13; 4:11; 5:73; 7:162; 19:36.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:51 "God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him, this is a straight path."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:51 "Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship Him [alone]: this is a straight way."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:51 "GOD is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.",3

Note 3
This is precisely what Jesus is quoted to say throughout the New Testament. See for example the Gospel of John 20:17 , and the book "Jesus: Myths and Message" by Lisa Spray, Ch. 4 (Universal Unity, Fremont, CA 1992).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:51 “God is my Lord and your Lord, so obey Him. That is the straight path.”

3:52 فلما احس عيسى منهم الكفر قال من انصارى الى الله قال الحواريون نحن انصار الله ءامنا بالله واشهد بانا مسلمون

Transcription (English)
3:52 Falamma ahassa AAeesaminhumu alkufra qala man ansaree ila Allahiqala alhawariyyoona nahnu ansaruAllahi amanna biAllahi waishhadbi-anna muslimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Muslim Disciples3:52 So when Jesus felt their rejection, he said, "Who are my supporters towards God?" The disciples said, "We are God's supporters, we acknowledge God and we bear witness that we have peacefully surrendered."15

Note 15

Compare it to Matthew 26:56 ; Mark 14:50 . Why would the authors of the Gospels, who were all influenced by the teachings of Paul, depict the disciples of Jesus as cowards? See 5:78 for the answer. Also, see 2:59; 3:45, 51, 55; 4:11; 5:72; 7:162; 19:36.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:52 So when Jesus felt their rejection, he said: "Who are my supporters to God?" The disciples said: "We are the supporters of God, we believe in God and we bear witness that we have submitted."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:52 And when Jesus became aware of their refusal to acknowledge the truth,41 he asked: "Who will be my helpers in God's cause?" The white-garbed ones42 replied: "We shall be [thy] helpers [in the cause] of God! We believe in God: and bear thou witness that we have surrendered ourselves unto Him!

Note 41
This relates to a later time, when Jesus was being opposed by the majority of his people, and particularly the Pharisees.

Note 42
Al-hawariyyun (sing. hawari) is the designation applied in the Qur'an to the disciples of Jesus. Many interpretations of this term (derived from hawar, "whiteness") are given by the commentators, ranging from "one who whitens clothes by washing them" (because this was allegedly the occupation of some of Jesus' disciples) to "one who wears white garments", or "one whose heart is white", i.e., pure (cf. Tabari, Razi, Ibn Kathir). It is, however, most probable - and the evidence provided by the recently discovered Dead Sea Scrolls strongly supports this view - that the term hawari was popularly used to denote a member of the Essene Brotherhood, a Jewish religious group which existed in Palestine at the time of Jesus, and to which, possibly, he himself belonged. The Essenes were distinguished by their strong insistence on moral purity and unselfish conduct, and always wore white garments as the outward mark of their convictions; and this would satisfactorily explain the name given to them. The fact that the Prophet once said, "Every prophet has his hawari " (Bukhari and Muslim) does not conflict with the above view, since he obviously used this term figuratively, recalling thereby Jesus' "helpers in God's cause".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:52 When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, "Who are my supporters towards GOD?" The disciples said, "We are GOD's supporters; we believe in GOD, and bear witness that we are submitters.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:52 (This is what the angels had told Mary. Then Jesus was commissioned as a Prophet.) As he sensed their rejection, he called out, “Who are my supporters towards God?” The disciples said, “We are God’s supporters, we believe in God, so bear witness that we are submitters (Muslimoon).”

3:53 ربنا ءامنا بما انزلت واتبعنا الرسول فاكتبنا مع الشهدين

Transcription (English)
3:53 Rabbana amanna bimaanzalta waittabaAAna alrrasoola faoktubnamaAAa alshshahideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:53 "Our Lord, we acknowledged what You have sent down; we followed the messenger, so record us with those who bear witness."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:53 "Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down, and followed the messenger, so record us with those who bear witness."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:53 O our Sustainer! We believe in what Thou hast bestowed from on high, and we follow this Apostle; make us one,43 then, with all who bear witness [to the truth]!"

Note 43
Lit., "write us down" or "inscribe us". It must, however, be borne in mind that the verb kataba means also "he drew together" or "brought together": hence the noun katibah, "a body of men".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:53 "Our Lord, we have believed in what You have sent down, and we have followed the messenger; count us among the witnesses.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:53 They said, “Our Lord! We believe in what You have revealed and we follow the Messenger. So make us live as the living witnesses to the truth.”

3:54 ومكروا ومكر الله والله خير المكرين

Transcription (English)
3:54 Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahukhayru almakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Death of Jesus3:54 They schemed and God schemed, but God is the best schemer.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:54 And they schemed and God schemed, but God is the best schemer.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:54 And the unbelievers schemed [against Jesus];44 but God brought their scheming to nought: for God is above all schemers.

Note 44
Lit., "they schemed" - here referring to those among the Jews who refused to acknowledge Jesus as a prophet and tried to destroy him.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Death of Jesus3:54 They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD is the best schemer.4 ,

Note 4
We learn that Jesus' soul, the real person, was raised, i.e., Jesus' life on earth was terminated, prior to the arrest,torture, and crucifixion of his empty, soulless, but physiologically living body(See the details in Appendix 22)
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:54 They (the opponents) made some plans, but so did God. God is the most Virtuous of planners.23

Note 23
They schemed to arrest and crucify Jesus but God assured him

3:55 اذ قال الله يعيسى انى متوفيك ورافعك الى ومطهرك من الذين كفروا وجاعل الذين اتبعوك فوق الذين كفروا الى يوم القيمة ثم الى مرجعكم فاحكم بينكم فيما كنتم فيه تختلفون

Transcription (English)
3:55 Ith qala Allahu yaAAeesa innee mutawaffeeka warafiAAuka ilayya wamutahhirukamina allatheena kafaroo wajaAAilu allatheenaittabaAAooka fawqa allatheena kafaroo ila yawmialqiyamati thumma ilayya marjiAAukum faahkumubaynakum feema kuntum feehi takhtalifoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:55 God said, "O Jesus, I will terminate you, and raise you to Me, and cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you above those who rejected, until the day of Resurrection; then to Me is your return so I will judge between all of you in what you were disputing."16

Note 16

During the fertile era of hadith fabrication, Christian converts (like their contemporary Jews, Arab nationalists, proponents of various Sunni and Shiite sects, and propagandists of Umayyad or Abbasid caliphs), used hadith as a tool to import their religious, cultural or political ideas. The later muslims not only imported them, but by attributing them to the idolized name of prophet Muhammed, baptized them and provided a powerful protective shield against time, reason, facts, and utility.

The Christian converts were successful in introducing their own fabrications regarding the "second coming of Jesus" into islam via hadith. Though the verse expressly uses the verb mutaWaFeKa (I will terminate you), many commentaries of the Quran ignore the word. The word WaFaYa means Complete (11:85; 12:59; 24:39), Fulfill (2:40; 2:177; 3:76; 5:1; 13:20; 22:29; 47:10; 53:37; 76:7), Recompense or Pay (3:57; 4:173; 8:60; 11:15; 11:111; 16:111; 35:30; 46:19). In 25 occurrences, however, it is used in the form TaWaFa, and in all of them, it means "terminate" or "put to death" or "take the conscious away." (2:234; 2:240; 3:193; 4:15; 4:97; 6:60; 7:37; 7:126; 8:50; 10:46; 10:104; 12:101; 13:40; 16:28; 16:32; 16:70; 22:5; 32:11; 39:42; 40:67; 40:77; 47:27).

Christ's consciousness was uploaded to heaven without possibility of return. His enemies did not crucify him but his unconscious but biologically living body. St. Paul created a pagan religion based on the absurd concept of "God sacrificing his innocent son, or His third personality, to be able to forgive our sins!" See 4:157. Also, see 2:59; 3:45, 51-52, 55; 4:11; 5:72; 7:162; 19:36.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:55 For God said: "O Jesus, I will terminate your life, and raise you to Me, and cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you above those who have rejected until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, all of you,so I will judge between you in what it was that you disputed."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:55 Lo! God said: "O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause thee to die, and shall exalt thee unto Me, and cleanse thee of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth; and I shall place those who follow thee [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, unto the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were wont to differ.45

Note 45
This refers to all who revere Jesus (i.e., the Christians, who believe him to be "the son of God", and the Muslims, who regard him as a prophet) as well as to those who deny him altogether. Regarding God's promise to Jesus, "I shall exalt thee unto Me", see surah 4, note 172.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:55 Thus, GOD said, "O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:55 God said, “O Jesus! I will cause you to die of natural causes, will exalt you in My Sight and will clear you of the slander of the disbelievers. And I will cause those who truly follow you to dominate those who are rejecting you, until the Day of Resurrection. Eventually, all of you will return to Me. Then I will judge among you about that wherein you used to differ.”24

Note 24
Wafaat = Dying of natural causes. Rafa’ = Exalt = Raising in honor. Ilayya = To Me = Allegorically, in My Sight. God being Omnipresent is not confined to the heavens

3:56 فاما الذين كفروا فاعذبهم عذابا شديدا فى الدنيا والءاخرة وما لهم من نصرين

Transcription (English)
3:56 Faamma allatheena kafaroofaoAAaththibuhum AAathaban shadeedan fee alddunyawaal-akhirati wama lahum min nasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:56 "As for those who did not appreciate, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and in the Hereafter; they will have no supporters."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:56 "As for those who have rejected, I will punish them severely in this world and in the Hereafter, they will have no supporters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:56 "And as for those who are bent on denying the truth, I shall cause them to suffer a suffering severe in this world and in the life to come, and they shall have none to succour them;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:56 "As for those who disbelieve, I will commit them to painful retribution in this world, and in the Hereafter. They will have no helpers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:56 Those who disregard faith (in God’s laws of nature), I shall cause them to suffer in this world and in the Hereafter. Nor will they have any helpers.

3:57 واما الذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصلحت فيوفيهم اجورهم والله لا يحب الظلمين

Transcription (English)
3:57 Waamma allatheena amanoowaAAamiloo alssalihati fayuwaffeehimojoorahum waAllahu la yuhibbu alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:57 "As for those who acknowledged and promoted reforms, We will pay them their reward; God does not like the wicked."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:57 "And as for those who have believed and have done good works, We will pay them their recompense; God does not love the wicked."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:57 whereas unto those who attain to faith and do good works He will grant their reward in full: for God does not love evildoers."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:57 As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, He will fully recompense them. GOD does not love the unjust.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:57 And those who choose to believe and work for the betterment of the society, He will pay their wages in full. But God does not love the violators of human rights.25

Note 25
Zaalim = Oppressor = Violator of human rights = Wrongdoer = One who relegates the truth = One who displaces something from its rightful place = Unjust = One who chooses to do wrong

3:58 ذلك نتلوه عليك من الءايت والذكر الحكيم

Transcription (English)
3:58 Thalika natloohu AAalayka mina al-ayatiwaalththikri alhakeemi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:58 This We recite to you is from the revelation and the wise reminder.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:58 This We recite to you from the revelations and the wise reminder.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:58 THIS MESSAGE do We convey unto thee, and this tiding full of wisdom:46

Note 46
Lit., "This We convey unto thee of the messages and of the wise tiding." The expression "this of the messages" bears, to my mind, the connotation of one particular message - namely, the one which follows immediately after this sentence.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:58 These are the revelations that we recite to you, providing a message full of wisdom.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:58 (O Messenger) these are the messages We convey to you, as the Reminder full of wisdom.26

Note 26
Az-Zikr = The Reminder = The Book that can give you eminence = The Message worth taking to hearts

3:59 ان مثل عيسى عند الله كمثل ءادم خلقه من تراب ثم قال له كن فيكون

Transcription (English)
3:59 Inna mathala AAeesa AAinda Allahikamathali adama khalaqahu min turabin thumma qalalahu kun fayakoonu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:59 The example of Jesus with God is similar to that of Adam; He created him from dust, then He said to him, "Be," and he became.17

Note 17

The similarity between Jesus and Adam is supported by numbers too. Both names occur in the Quran an equal amount of times, each exactly 25.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:59 The example of Jesus with God is similar to that of Adam; He created him from dust, then He said to him "Be" and he was.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:59 Verily, in the sight of God, the nature of Jesus is as the nature of Adam, whom He created out of dust and then said unto him, "Be" - and he is.47

Note 47
Lit., "The parable of Jesus is as the parable of Adam...", etc. The expression mathal (rendered above as "nature") is often metaphorically employed to denote the state or condition (of a person or a thing), and is in this sense - as the commentators have pointed out - synonymous with sifah (the "quality" or "nature" of a thing). As is evident from the sequence, the above passage is part of an argument against the Christian doctrine of the divinity of Jesus. The Qur'an stresses here, as in many other places, the fact that Jesus, like Adam - by which name, in this context, the whole human race is meant - was only a mortal "created out of dust", i.e., out of substances, both organic and inorganic, which are found in their elementary forms on and in the earth. Cf. also 18:37, 22:5, 30:20, 35:11, 40:67, where the Qur'an speaks of all human beings as "created out of dust". That "Adam" stands here for the human race is clearly implied in the use of the present tense in the last word of this sentence.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Mathematical Confirmation3:59 The example of Jesus, as far as GOD is concerned, is the same as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, "Be," and he was.5 ,

Note 5
The "equality" of the creation of Jesus and Adam is confirmed mathematically; Jesus and Adam are mentioned in the Quran the same numberof times; 25 times each.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:59 With God, the example of Jesus is that of Adam (other humans) who were initially created from dust and then evolved through different stages of life (22:5, 30:20). He created him (the human) beginning from inorganic matter, then He said to him, “Be! And he is.”27

Note 27
The process of procreation goes on - “IS”. Kun fayakoon = The moment God decrees a thing, it starts happening

3:60 الحق من ربك فلا تكن من الممترين

Transcription (English)
3:60 Alhaqqu min rabbika fala takunmina almumtareena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:60 The truth is from your Lord; so do not be of those who are doubtful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:60 The truth is from your Lord, so do not be of those who doubt.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:60 [This is] the truth from thy Sustainer; be not, then, among the doubters!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:60 This is the truth from your Lord; do not harbor any doubts.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:60 (O Messenger) this is the truth from your Lord, so do not be of those who argue in this matter.

3:61 فمن حاجك فيه من بعد ما جاءك من العلم فقل تعالوا ندع ابناءنا وابناءكم ونساءنا ونساءكم وانفسنا وانفسكم ثم نبتهل فنجعل لعنت الله على الكذبين

Transcription (English)
3:61 Faman hajjaka feehi min baAAdi majaaka mina alAAilmi faqul taAAalaw nadAAu abnaanawaabnaakum wanisaana wanisaakumwaanfusana waanfusakum thumma nabtahil fanajAAal laAAnataAllahi AAala alkathibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:61 Whoever debates with you in this after the knowledge has come to you, then say, "Let us call our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then, let us call out, and we shall make God's curse upon the liars."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:61 Whoever debates with you in this after the knowledge has come to you, then say: "Let us call our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then, let us invoke and make the curse of God upon the liars."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:61 And if anyone should argue with thee about this [truth] after all the knowledge that has come unto thee, say: "Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves; and then let us pray [together] humbly and ardently, and let us invoke God's curse upon those [of us] who are telling a lie."48

Note 48
I.e., regarding the true nature of Jesus. According to all the reliable authorities, verses 59-63 of this surah were revealed in the year 10 H., on the occasion of a dispute between the Prophet and a deputation of the Christians of Najran who, like all other Christians, maintained that Jesus was "the son of God" and, therefore, God incarnate. Although they refused the "trial through prayer" (mubahalah) proposed to them by the Prophet, the latter accorded to them a treaty guaranteeing all their civic rights and the free exercise of their religion.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Challenging the Disbelievers3:61 If anyone argues with you, despite the knowledge you have received, then say, "Let us summon our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us invoke GOD's curse upon the liars.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:61 If anyone argues with you concerning him, after the knowledge has come to you, then say, “Come! Let us call upon our children, and your children, and our women and your women, and our people and your people to leave one another alone, knowing that God's condemnation is upon the liars.”28

Note 28
Bahl = To leave alone = Let someone hold on to his views = Let others do as they will. Erroneously, but commonly, Mubahila = A contest of mutual cursing! This verse has been subjected to much conjecture through ‘Shan-e-Nuzool’the circumstances of a revelation.Some exponents assert that the exalted Prophet is being told here to run a cursing contest with some Christians from Najran in Southern Arabia!

3:62 ان هذا لهو القصص الحق وما من اله الا الله وان الله لهو العزيز الحكيم

Transcription (English)
3:62 Inna hatha lahuwa alqasasualhaqqu wama min ilahin illa Allahuwa-inna Allaha lahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:62 This is the narration of truth, there is no god but God; and God is the Noble, the Wise.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:62 This is the narration of truth, there is no god except God; and God is the Noble, the Wise.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:62 Behold, this is indeed the truth of the matter, and there is no deity whatever save God; and, verily, God - He alone - is almighty, truly wise.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:62 Absolutely, this is the narration of the truth. Absolutely, there is no god except GOD. Absolutely, GOD is the Almighty, Most Wise.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:62 This is the true account (of Jesus). There is no god but God. And God is Almighty, the Wise.

3:63 فان تولوا فان الله عليم بالمفسدين

Transcription (English)
3:63 Fa-in tawallaw fa-inna AllahaAAaleemun bialmufsideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:63 If they turn away, then God is aware of the corruptors.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:63 And if they turn away, then God is aware of the corrupters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:63 And if they turn away [from this truth] - behold, God has full knowledge of the spreaders of corruption.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:63 If they turn away, then GOD is fully aware of the evildoers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:63 But if they turn away (from the truth), then God is Aware of the corrupters.

3:64 قل ياهل الكتب تعالوا الى كلمة سواء بيننا وبينكم الا نعبد الا الله ولا نشرك به شيا ولا يتخذ بعضنا بعضا اربابا من دون الله فان تولوا فقولوا اشهدوا بانا مسلمون

Transcription (English)
3:64 Qul ya ahla alkitabi taAAalawila kalimatin sawa-in baynana wabaynakum allanaAAbuda illa Allaha wala nushrika bihishay-an wala yattakhitha baAAdunabaAAdan arbaban min dooni Allahi fa-intawallaw faqooloo ishhadoo bi-anna muslimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Invitation to Unite Around a Common Principle3:64 Say, "O people of the book, let us come to a common statement between us and you; that we do not serve except God, and do not set up anything at all with Him, and that none of us takes each other as lords beside God." If they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we have peacefully surrendered."18

Note 18

Anyone who accepts the principles mentioned in this verse is a Muslim, that is, submitter to God alone. Clergymen and religious leaders have transformed the same divine message into separate and competing religions and sects. A paradigm shift similar to the "Copernican Revolution" is needed in the realm of religion. Instead of Buddha, Jesus, Muhammed centered religions, we should unify in a God-centered system. See 4:171; 9:31. The Quran mentions major distortion in Christianity, such as claiming the exclusive right to enter Paradise (2:111, 120, 135), engaging in deceptive evangelical propaganda tactics (3:72), committing thievery and embezzlement (3:75), claiming to be the chosen ones (5:18), not following the laws of their own book (5:47), taking their scholars and priests to be lords besides God (9:31), and hoarding wealth instead of spending in the cause of God, such as for helping the poor.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:64 Say: "O people of the Book, let us come to a common understanding between us and between you; that we serve none except God, and that we do not set up anything with Him, and that none of us takes each other as patrons besides God." If they turn away, then say: "Bear witness that we have submitted."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:64 Say: "O followers of earlier revelation! Come unto that tenet which we and you hold in common:49 that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall not ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and that we shall not take human beings for our lords beside God."50 And if they turn away, then say: "Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves unto Him."

Note 49
Lit., "a word [that is] equitable between you and us". The term kalimah, primarily meaning "word" or "utterance", is often used in the philosophical sense of "proposition" or "tenet".

Note 50
Lit., "that we shall not take one another for lords beside God". Since the personal pronoun "we" obviously applies to human beings, the expression "one another" necessarily bears the same connotation. In its wider implication, the above call is addressed not merely to the Christians, who attribute divinity to Jesus and certain aspects of divinity to their saints, but also to the Jews, who assign a quasi-divine authority to Ezra and even to some of their great Talmudic scholars (cf. 9:30).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Invitation to All Believers3:64 Say, "O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except GOD; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords beside GOD." If they turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are submitters.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:64 Say, “O People of the Book! Let us come to common terms as between us and you that we shall serve none but God. That neither shall we ascribe divinity to anyone beside Him, nor shall we take others for our lords besides God.” And if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves to Him.”

3:65 ياهل الكتب لم تحاجون فى ابرهيم وما انزلت التورىة والانجيل الا من بعده افلا تعقلون

Transcription (English)
3:65 Ya ahla alkitabi lima tuhajjoonafee ibraheema wama onzilati alttawratuwaal-injeelu illa min baAAdihi afalataAAqiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Abraham3:65 "O people of the book, why do you debate us about Abraham when the Torah and the Injeel were not sent down except after him? Do you not reason?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:65 "O people of the Book, why do you debate with us regarding Abraham when the Torah and the Gospel were not sent down except after him? Do you not comprehend?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:65 O FOLLOWERS of earlier revelation! Why do you argue about Abraham,51 seeing that the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till [long] after him? Will you not, then, use your reason?

Note 51
I.e., as to whether the principles he followed were those of the Jewish faith, according to which the Torah is considered to be the final Law of God, or of the Christian faith, which conflicts with the former in many respects.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:65 O followers of the scripture, why do you argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Do you not understand?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:65 O People of the Book! Why do you argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Do you not use your intelligence?

3:66 هانتم هؤلاء حججتم فيما لكم به علم فلم تحاجون فيما ليس لكم به علم والله يعلم وانتم لا تعلمون

Transcription (English)
3:66 Ha antum haola-i hajajtumfeema lakum bihi AAilmun falima tuhajjoona feemalaysa lakum bihi AAilmun waAllahu yaAAlamu waantumla taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:66 Here you have debated in what you knew; so why then do you debate in what you do not know? God knows while you may not know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:66 Here you have debated in what you knew; so why then do you debate in what you do not know? And God knows while you do not know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:66 Lo! You are the ones who would argue about that which is known to you; but why do you argue about something which is unknown to you?52 Yet God knows [it], whereas you do not know:

Note 52
I.e., as to what was the true creed of Abraham. "That which is known to you" is an allusion to their knowledge of the obvious fact that many of the teachings based on the extant versions of the Torah and the Gospels conflict with the teachings of the Qur'an (Razi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:66 You have argued about things you knew; why do you argue about things you do not know? GOD knows, while you do not know.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:66 You argued (with Moses and Jesus) in matters of which you had knowledge. Why do you dispute in matters that you know nothing about? Indeed, God knows and you know not.

3:67 ما كان ابرهيم يهوديا ولا نصرانيا ولكن كان حنيفا مسلما وما كان من المشركين

Transcription (English)
3:67 Ma kana ibraheemuyahoodiyyan wala nasraniyyan walakinkana haneefan musliman wama kana minaalmushrikeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:67 Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a monotheist who peacefully surrendered; he was not of those who set up partners.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:67 Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a monotheist who submitted; he was not of the polytheists.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:67 Abraham was neither a "Jew" nor a "Christian", but was one who turned away from all that is false, having surrendered himself unto God; and he was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:67 Abraham was neither Jewish, nor Christian; he was a monotheist submitter. He never was an idol worshiper.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:67 Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was an upright man who had surrendered to God. He never ascribed divinity to anyone beside the One True God.

3:68 ان اولى الناس بابرهيم للذين اتبعوه وهذا النبى والذين ءامنوا والله ولى المؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:68 Inna awla alnnasibi-ibraheema lallatheena ittabaAAoohu wahathaalnnabiyyu waallatheena amanoo waAllahuwaliyyu almu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:68 The closest people to Abraham are those who followed him, this prophet, and those who acknowledged; and God is the ally of those who acknowledge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:68 The most legitimate people to Abraham are those who followed him; and this prophet, and those who believed; and God is the supporter of the believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:68 Behold, the people who have the best claim to Abraham are surely those who follow him - as does this Prophet and all who believe [in him] - and God is near unto the believers.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:68 The people most worthy of Abraham are those who followed him, and this prophet, and those who believe. GOD is the Lord and Master of the believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:68 People most worthy of Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe with him. God is the Protecting Friend of the true believers.

3:69 ودت طائفة من اهل الكتب لو يضلونكم وما يضلون الا انفسهم وما يشعرون

Transcription (English)
3:69 Waddat ta-ifatun min ahli alkitabilaw yudilloonakum wama yudilloona illaanfusahum wama yashAAuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:69 A group from the people of the book wished that they could misguide you, but they only misguide themselves and they do not notice.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:69 A group from the people of the Book wished that they could misguide you, but they only misguide themselves and they do not notice.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:69 Some of the followers of earlier revelation would love to lead you astray: yet none do they lead astray but themselves, and perceive it not.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:69 Some followers of the scripture wish to lead you astray, but they only lead themselves astray, without perceiving.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:69 A party among the People of the Book wish to lead you astray. But, by doing so, they shall only lead themselves astray without knowing it.

3:70 ياهل الكتب لم تكفرون بايت الله وانتم تشهدون

Transcription (English)
3:70 Ya ahla alkitabi limatakfuroona bi-ayati Allahi waantumtashhadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:70 O people of the book, why do you reject God's signs while you are bearing witness?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:70 "O people of the Book, why do you reject the revelations of God while you are bearing witness?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:70 O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you deny the truth of God's messages to which you yourselves bear witness?53

Note 53
Lit., "when you [yourselves] bear witness": an allusion to the Biblical prophecies relating to the coming of the Prophet Muhammad.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:70 O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD though you bear witness (that this is the truth)?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:70 O People of the Book! Why do you deny the truth of God’s messages to which you yourselves bear witness?29

Note 29
Was not the scripture revealed to you foretelling the advent of this Prophet?

3:71 ياهل الكتب لم تلبسون الحق بالبطل وتكتمون الحق وانتم تعلمون

Transcription (English)
3:71 Ya ahla alkitabi limatalbisoona alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoonaalhaqqa waantum taAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:71 O people of the book, why do you dress the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?19

Note 19

Similar accusations and arguments were made by Jews against Jews. See Jeremiah 8:8 , Deut 31:29.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:71 "O people of the Book, why do you confound the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:71 O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you cloak the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth of which you are [so well] aware?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:71 O followers of the scripture, why do you confound the truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, knowingly?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:71 O People of the Book! Why do you cloak the truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth that you are so well aware of?

3:72 وقالت طائفة من اهل الكتب ءامنوا بالذى انزل على الذين ءامنوا وجه النهار واكفروا ءاخره لعلهم يرجعون

Transcription (English)
3:72 Waqalat ta-ifatun min ahlialkitabi aminoo biallathee onzilaAAala allatheena amanoo wajha alnnahariwaokfuroo akhirahu laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:72 A group among the people of the book said, "Acknowledge what was revealed to those who acknowledged during the beginning of the day, and reject it by the end of it; perhaps they will return."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:72 And a group from among the people of the Book said: "Believe in what was sent down to those who believe during the beginning of the day, and reject it by the end of it, perhaps they will return."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:72 And some of the followers of earlier revelation say [to one another]: "Declare your belief in what has been revealed unto those who believe [in Muhammad] at the beginning of the day, and deny the truth of what came later,54 so that they might go back [on their faith];

Note 54
Most of the commentators, relying on views current among some of the tabi'un (i.e., the generation that came after the Companions of the Prophet), understand this passage thus: "Declare at the beginning of the day your belief in what has been revealed unto those who believe in Muhammad, and deny the truth [thereof] in its latter part." This rendering would imply that the Judaeo-Christian attempts at confusing the Muslims, to which the above verse refers, consisted in alternatingly declaring belief and disbelief in the Qur'anic message. On the other hand, the rendering adopted by me (and supported by Al-Asam, whose interpretation has been quoted by Razi in his commentary on this verse) implies that some Jews and Christians have been and are hoping to achieve this end by admitting, however reluctantly, that there may be "some truth" in the early Qur'anic revelations ("that which has been revealed at the beginning of the day"), while they categorically reject its later parts inasmuch as they clearly contradict certain Biblical teachings.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:72 Some followers of the scripture say, "Believe in what was sent down to the believers in the morning, and reject it in the evening; maybe someday they will revert.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:72 A party among the People of the Book say to one another, “Declare belief in what has been revealed to the believers in the early hours of the day, and go back to your word of disbelief in the later hours so that they (the believers) might waver to return (to their old ways).”

3:73 ولا تؤمنوا الا لمن تبع دينكم قل ان الهدى هدى الله ان يؤتى احد مثل ما اوتيتم او يحاجوكم عند ربكم قل ان الفضل بيد الله يؤتيه من يشاء والله وسع عليم

Transcription (English)
3:73 Wala tu/minoo illa limantabiAAa deenakum qul inna alhuda huda Allahian yu/ta ahadun mithla ma ooteetum aw yuhajjookumAAinda rabbikum qul inna alfadla biyadi Allahiyu/teehi man yashao waAllahu wasiAAunAAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:73 "Do not acknowledge except for those who follow your system."-- say, "The guidance is God's guidance."-- "That anyone should be given similar to what you have been given, or that they debate with you at your Lord." Say, "The bounty is in God's hand, He gives it to whom He chooses, and God is Encompassing, Knowledgeable."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:73 "And do not believe except in he who follows your system." Say: "The guidance is the guidance of God." That anyone should be given similar to what you have been given, or that they debate with you at your Lord. Say: "The bounty is in the hand of God, He gives it to whom He chooses, and God is Encompassing, Knowledgeable."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:73 but do not [really] believe anyone who does not follow your own faith." Say: "Behold, all [true] guidance is God's guidance, consisting in one's being granted [revelation] such as you have been granted."55 Or would they contend against you before your Sustainer? Say: "Behold, all bounty is in the hand of God; He grants it unto whom He wills:56 for God is infinite, all-knowing,

Note 55
This refers to the Jews and the Christians, who are not prepared to accept the Qur'anic message on the ground that it conflicts with parts of their own scriptures.

Note 56
In this context, the term fadl ("bounty") is synonymous with the bestowal of divine revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:73 "And do not believe except as those who follow your religion." Say, "The true guidance is GOD's guidance." If they claim that they have the same guidance, or argue with you about your Lord, say, "All grace is in GOD's hand; He bestows it upon whomever He wills." GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:73 “And do not trust anyone except he who follows your own religion.” Say, (O Messenger) “The true guidance is God’s guidance. They (People of the Book) tell each other not to accept that revelation could be sent to anyone else, like what had been sent to you. Or, do they wish to argue with you (believers) in the presence of your Lord? Say, “All grace is in God’s Hand. He bestows it to anyone according to His laws. God is Infinite, all Knowing.”30

Note 30
He has now chosen a non-Israelite Prophet for His grace of revelation. 7:157. Manyyasha = In accordance with His laws = Per His due measure. Erroneously translated as ‘Whom He wills’. An error like this turns the dynamic Islam into a fatalistic religion. 3:26, 4:88, 10:25, 74:31

3:74 يختص برحمته من يشاء والله ذو الفضل العظيم

Transcription (English)
3:74 Yakhtassu birahmatihi man yashaowaAllahu thoo alfadli alAAatheemi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:74 He specifies His mercy for whomever He chooses, and God is with Great Bounty.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:74 He singles out with His mercy whom He chooses, and God is with Great Bounty.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:74 singling out for His grace whom He wills. And God is limitless in His great bounty."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:74 He specifies His mercy for whomever He wills; GOD possesses unlimited grace.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:74 He elects for His grace whom He wills according to His laws. God is the Lord of Infinite bounty (and He knows the proper time, place and person for His revelation.)

3:75 ومن اهل الكتب من ان تامنه بقنطار يؤده اليك ومنهم من ان تامنه بدينار لا يؤده اليك الا ما دمت عليه قائما ذلك بانهم قالوا ليس علينا فى الامين سبيل ويقولون على الله الكذب وهم يعلمون

Transcription (English)
3:75 Wamin ahli alkitabi man in ta/manhubiqintarin yu-addihi ilayka waminhum man in ta/manhubideenarin la yu-addihi ilayka illa madumta AAalayhi qa-iman thalika bi-annahum qaloolaysa AAalayna fee al-ommiyyeena sabeelun wayaqooloonaAAala Allahi alkathiba wahum yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Honesty3:75 Among the people of the book are those whom if you entrust him with a large amount he gives it back to you, and there are those whom if you entrust with one gold coin he will not return it to you unless you are standing over him. That is because they said, "We have no obligation towards the Gentiles." They say about God lies while knowing.20

Note 20

Religious scholars and clergymen have transformed the meaning of the Arabic word UMmY from ‘gentile’ into ‘illiterate.’ The main reason for this distortion is their attempt to give more credibility to the so-called "literary miracle" of the Quran. As it can be seen in this verse, Jews and Christians were classifying the population of the region into two groups: people with divine books and people without divine books. It is unreasonable to think that in their religious struggle, Jews and Christians divided people into literate and illiterate groups. See 7:157; 2:78; 3:20; 25:5.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:75 And from among the people of the Book are those whom if you entrust him with a large amount he gives it back to you, and there are those whom if you entrust with one gold coin he will not return it to you unless you are standing over him. That is because they said: "We have no obligation towards the Gentiles." They say about God lies while they know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:75 AND AMONG the followers of earlier revelation there is many a one who, if thou entrust him with a treasure, will [faithfully] restore it to thee; and there is among them many a one who, if thou entrust him with a tiny gold coin, will not restore it to thee unless thou keep standing over him - which is an outcome of their assertion,57 "No blame can attach to us [for anything that we may do] with regard to these unlettered folk": and [so] they tell a lie about God, being well aware [that it is a lie]."58

Note 57
Lit., "this, because they say". In Arabic usage, the verb qala (lit., "he said") often signifies "he asserted" or "expressed an opinion". As is evident from many Traditions, the people referred to are the Jews.

Note 58
I.e., they falsely claim that God Himself has exempted them from all moral responsibility towards non-Jews (contemptuously described as "unlettered folk"), knowing well that their own scriptures provide no basis whatever for such a claim.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Be Honest With All People3:75 Some followers of the scripture can be trusted with a whole lot, and they will give it back to you. Others among them cannot be trusted with a single dinar; they will not repay you unless you keep after them. That is because they say, "We do not have to be honest when dealing with the gentiles!" Thus, they attribute lies to GOD, knowingly.,6

Note 6
Prior to the discovery of the Quran's mathematical code, some scholars falsely claimed that Muhammad was an illiterate man whocould not write such a great book. They distorted the meaning of the word"Ummy," claiming that it meant "illiterate." This verse proves that"Ummiyyeen" means "gentiles" (See also 62:2 & Appendix 28).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:75 Among the People of the Scripture, there is one you can trust with a heap of gold, and he will readily return it to you. And among them there is one who, if you trust him with a single gold coin, he will not repay you unless you keep after him. This is because they (believe and) say, “We owe no way (of honesty) to the Gentiles.” Thus they speak lies about God, and they very well know it.

3:76 بلى من اوفى بعهده واتقى فان الله يحب المتقين

Transcription (English)
3:76 Bala man awfa biAAahdihi waittaqafa-inna Allaha yuhibbu almuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:76 Indeed, anyone who fulfils his pledge and is conscientious, then God loves the conscientious.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:76 Indeed, anyone who fulfils his pledge and is righteous, then God loves the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:76 Nay, but [God is aware of] those who keep their bond with Him,59 and are conscious of Him: and, verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him.

Note 59
Some of the commentators relate the personal pronoun in `ahdihi to the person or persons concerned, and therefore take `ahd as meaning "promise" - thus: "[as for] him who fulfils his promise . . .", etc. It is, however, obvious from the next verse that the pronoun in `ahdihi refers to God; consequently, the phrase must be rendered either as "those who fulfil their duty towards Him", or "those who keep their bond with Him" - the latter being, in my opinion, preferable. (For the meaning of man's "bond with God", see surah 2, note 19.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:76 Indeed, those who fulfill their obligations and lead a righteous life, GOD loves the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:76 Indeed, those who fulfill their obligations, and seek to live upright, God loves such righteous.

3:77 ان الذين يشترون بعهد الله وايمنهم ثمنا قليلا اولئك لا خلق لهم فى الءاخرة ولا يكلمهم الله ولا ينظر اليهم يوم القيمة ولا يزكيهم ولهم عذاب اليم

Transcription (English)
3:77 Inna allatheena yashtaroona biAAahdiAllahi waaymanihim thamanan qaleelan ola-ikala khalaqa lahum fee al-akhirati walayukallimuhumu Allahu wala yanthuruilayhim yawma alqiyamati wala yuzakkeehim walahumAAathabun aleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:77 Those who trade God's pledge and their oaths for a small price will have no portion in the Hereafter. God will not speak to them nor look at them on the day of Resurrection, nor purify them, and they will have a painful retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:77 The ones who purchase with the pledge of God and their oaths a cheap price, those will have no portion in the Hereafter, and God will not speak to them, nor will He look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they will have a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:77 Behold, those who barter away their bond with God and their own pledges for a trifling gain - they shall not partake in the blessings of the life to come; and God will neither speak unto them nor look upon them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He cleanse them of their sins; and grievous suffering awaits them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:77 As for those who trade away GOD's covenant, and their obligations, for a cheap price, they receive no share in the Hereafter. GOD will not speak to them, nor look at them, on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. They have incurred a painful retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:77 Those who trade away the Divine value of keeping pledge and their oaths for petty gains, will have no portion in the Hereafter. God shall neither speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He make their own ‘self’ grow. So, for them is a torment of suffering. (Mere survival without progress is a torment in itself.)

3:78 وان منهم لفريقا يلون السنتهم بالكتب لتحسبوه من الكتب وما هو من الكتب ويقولون هو من عند الله وما هو من عند الله ويقولون على الله الكذب وهم يعلمون

Transcription (English)
3:78 Wa-inna minhum lafareeqan yalwoonaalsinatahum bialkitabi litahsaboohu minaalkitabi wama huwa mina alkitabiwayaqooloona huwa min AAindi Allahi wama huwa minAAindi Allahi wayaqooloona AAala Allahi alkathibawahum yaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Those Who Try to Add to the Book3:78 From amongst them is a group that twists their tongues with the book so that you may count it from the book, while it is not from the book, and they say it is from God while it is not from God, and they knowingly say lies about God.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:78 And from among them is a group who twist their tongues with the Book so that you may think it is from the Book, while it is not from the Book, and they say it is from God while it is not from God, and they say about God lies while they know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:78 And, behold, there are indeed some among them who distort the Bible with their tongues, so as to make you think that [what they say] is from the Bible, the while it is not from the Bible; and who say, "This is from God," the while it is not from God: and thus do they tell a lie about God, being well aware [that it is a lie].60

Note 60
Most of the commentators assume that this refers specifically to the Jews, whom the Qur'an frequently accuses of having deliberately corrupted the Old Testament. However, since the next two verses clearly relate to Jesus and to the false beliefs of the Christians regarding his nature and mission, we must conclude that both Jews and Christians are referred to in this passage. For this reason, the term al-kitab, which occurs three times in this sentence, has been rendered here as "the Bible". - According to Muhammad `Abduh (Manar III, 345), the above-mentioned distortion of the Bible does not necessarily presuppose a corruption of the text as such: it can also be brought about "by attributing to an expression a meaning other than the one which was originally intended". As an example, `Abduh quotes the metaphorical use, in the Gospels, of the term "my Father" with reference to God - by which term, as is evident from the Lord's Prayer, was obviously meant the "Father" - i.e., the Originator and Sustainer - of all mankind. Subsequently, however, some of those who claimed to be followers of Jesus lifted this expression from the realm of metaphor and "transferred it to the realm of positive reality with reference to Jesus alone": and thus they gave currency to the idea that he was literally "the son of God", that is, God incarnate.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:78 Among them are those who twist their tongues to imitate the scripture, that you may think it is from the scripture, when it is not from the scripture, and they claim that it is from GOD, when it is not from GOD. Thus, they utter lies and attribute them to GOD, knowingly.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:78 Among them is a group who distort the scripture, to make you think that what they relate is a part of the scripture, when it is not from the scripture. And they assert that it is from God, when it is not from God. Thus, they tell lies concerning God, and they are well aware of it. [2:101]

3:79 ما كان لبشر ان يؤتيه الله الكتب والحكم والنبوة ثم يقول للناس كونوا عبادا لى من دون الله ولكن كونوا ربنين بما كنتم تعلمون الكتب وبما كنتم تدرسون

Transcription (English)
3:79 Ma kana libasharin anyu/tiyahu Allahu alkitaba waalhukmawaalnnubuwwata thumma yaqoola lilnnasikoonoo AAibadan lee min dooni Allahi walakinkoonoo rabbaniyyeena bima kuntum tuAAallimoonaalkitaba wabima kuntum tadrusoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:79 It is not for a human that God would give him the book, the authority, and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: "Be servants to me rather than to God!", rather: "Be devotees to what you have been taught of the book, and to what you studied."21

Note 21

The Quran considers slavery to be polytheism. See 4:3; 5:89; 8:67; 24:32; 58:3; 90:13; 2:286; 12:39; 79:24

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:79 It is not for any human being that God would give him the Book and the authority and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: "Be servants to me rather than God!" Rather: "Be Devotees for what you have been taught of the Book, and of what you have studied."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:79 It is not conceivable that a human being unto whom God had granted revelation, and sound judgment, and prophethood, should thereafter have said unto people,61 "Worship me beside God"; but rather [did he exhort them], "Become men of God62 by spreading the knowledge of the divine writ, and by your own deep study [thereof]."

Note 61
This obvious reference to Jesus reads, literally, "It is not [possible] for a human being that God should grant him … and that thereafter he should say …". Zamakhshari regards the term hukm ("judgment" or "sound judgment") occurring in the above sentence as synonymous, in this context, with hikmah ("wisdom").

Note 62
According to Sibawayh (as quoted by Razi), a rabbani is "one who devotes himself exclusively to the endeavour to know the Sustainer (ar-rabb) and to obey Him": a connotation fairly close to the English expression "a man of God".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:79 Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:79 Never would a human being whom God has blessed with the scripture, wisdom and even prophetic office, thereafter say to people, “Be servants of me instead of God.” Rather, he would say, “Become true devotees of the Lord according to the scripture you teach and explain.”

3:80 ولا يامركم ان تتخذوا الملئكة والنبين اربابا ايامركم بالكفر بعد اذ انتم مسلمون

Transcription (English)
3:80 Wala ya/murakum an tattakhithooalmala-ikata waalnnabiyyeena arbabanaya/murukum bialkufri baAAda ith antum muslimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:80 Nor does he order you that you take the controllers and the prophets as lords. Would he order you to reject after you have peacefully surrendered?22

Note 22

Those who could not call Muhammed "God's Son" came up with alternative ways of idolizing him and making him a partner with God. They added his name next to God in the statement of testimony (shahada); they commemorated his name in sala prayers; accepted him as a savior through stories of intercession; considered him infallible and free of sins; considered the fabrications attributed to him as the second source of their religion; claimed that the universe was created because of him; and gave him many exclusive divine attributes. According to the Quran, mushriks are ignorant and delusional; even though they have sunk deep into shirk, they think they are monotheists (6:23).

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:80 Nor does He order you that you take the angels and the prophets as patrons. Would He order you to rejection after you have submitted?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:80 And neither did he bid you to take the angels and the prophets for your lords:63 [for] would he bid you to deny the truth after you have surrendered yourselves unto God?

Note 63
I.e., to attribute divine or semi-divine powers to them: a categorical rejection of the adoration of saints and angelic beings.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:80 Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve after becoming submitters?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:80 Nor would he instruct you to take angels and the Prophets for lords and patrons. What! Would he ever enjoin upon you unbelief after you have surrendered to God?

3:81 واذ اخذ الله ميثق النبين لما ءاتيتكم من كتب وحكمة ثم جاءكم رسول مصدق لما معكم لتؤمنن به ولتنصرنه قال ءاقررتم واخذتم على ذلكم اصرى قالوا اقررنا قال فاشهدوا وانا معكم من الشهدين

Transcription (English)
3:81 Wa-ith akhatha Allahumeethaqa alnnabiyyeena lama ataytukummin kitabin wahikmatin thumma jaakumrasoolun musaddiqun lima maAAakum latu/minunna bihiwalatansurunnahu qala aaqrartum waakhathtumAAala thalikum isree qaloo aqrarnaqala faishhadoo waana maAAakum mina alshshahideena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Messenger after All Prophets3:81 God took a covenant from the prophets: "For what I have given you of the book and wisdom, then a messenger will come to you authenticating what is with you. You will acknowledge him and support him." He said, "Do you testify, and agree to this burden?" they said, "We testify." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you bearing witness."23

Note 23

The word RaSaLa, with all its derivatives, occurs 513 times in the Quran and the word RaSuL (messenger) in this verse is its 19th occurrence. In other words, this verse is the 19th verse where the derivatives of the root RaSaLa (send message, messenger) occurs. See 33:7 and 33:40; see 72:24; 21:2; 4:164; 7:35; 40:28; 54:1; 74:1.

Also, See Malaki 3:1, Luka 17:22 and Matta 24:27.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:81 And God took a covenant from the prophets: "For what I have given you of the Book and wisdom, then a messenger will come to you authenticating what is with you. You will believe in him and support him." He said: "Do you testify, and agree to this burden?" They said: "We testify." He said: "Then bear witness, and I am with you bearing witness."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:81 AND, LO, God accepted, through the prophets, this solemn pledge [from the followers of earlier revelation]:64 "If, after all the revelation and the wisdom which I have vouchsafed unto you, there comes to you an apostle confirming the truth already in your possession, you must believe in him and succour him. Do you" - said He - "acknowledge and accept My bond on this condition?" They answered: "We do acknowledge it." Said He: "Then bear witness [thereto], and I shall be your witness.65

Note 64
Lit., "the solemn pledge of the prophets". Zamakhshari holds that what is meant here is a pledge taken from the community as a whole: a pledge consisting in their acceptance of the messages conveyed through the prophets.

Note 65
Lit., "and I am with you among the witnesses".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Major Prophecy Fulfilled God's Messenger of the Covenant3:81 GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."7 ,

Note 7
This major prophecy has now been fulfilled. God's Messenger of the Covenant, as prophesied in this verse and in the Bible's Malachi 3:1-21 ,Luke 17:22-36 , & Matthew 24:27 is to purify and unify God's messageswhich were delivered by God's prophets. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,Buddhism, etc. have been severely corrupted. It is the will of Almighty Godto purify them and unify them under the banner of worshiping Him alone.Overwhelming evidence has been provided by God in support of His Messengerof the Covenant, whose name is incontrovertibly specified into the Quran'smathematical code as "Rashad Khalifa." For example, adding the gematricalvalue of "Rashad" (505), plus the value of "Khalifa" (725), plus the versenumber (81) gives 1311, or 19x69 (seeAppendix 2for the detailedevidence).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:81 Remember! God took a solemn promise from all Prophets (and through them with their respective nations that they would welcome each of the next Messengers in the process of Divine revelations and support him.) God said to the Prophets, “Now! I give you the Book and wisdom. Afterward there shall come a Messenger confirming (the truth in) what you have. You must, then, acknowledge him and help him. Do you accept and agree to hold on to this pledge of Mine?” They said, “We do agree.” He said, “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”31

Note 31
This was the promise with their nations. The personal covenant made with each Messenger is mentioned in 33:7. See 2:101 & 3:78 for ‘the truth in’

3:82 فمن تولى بعد ذلك فاولئك هم الفسقون

Transcription (English)
3:82 Faman tawalla baAAda thalikafaola-ika humu alfasiqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:82 Whoever turns away after that, they are the wicked ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:82 Whoever turns away after that, then they are the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:82 And, henceforth, all who turn away [from this pledge] - it is they, they who are truly iniquitous!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Rejectors of God's Messenger of the Covenant are Disbelievers3:82 Those who reject this (Quranic prophecy) are the evil ones.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:82 (People of the Book must uphold this pledge while the Prophet is in their midst.) Whoever, after this, turns away, it is those who have drifted away from the right path.

3:83 افغير دين الله يبغون وله اسلم من فى السموت والارض طوعا وكرها واليه يرجعون

Transcription (English)
3:83 Afaghayra deeni Allahi yabghoonawalahu aslama man fee alssamawati waal-arditawAAan wakarhan wa-ilayhi yurjaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:83 Is it other than God's system that they desire, when those in the heavens and the earth have peacefully surrendered to Him voluntarily or by force? To Him they will be returned.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:83 Is it other than the system of God that they desire, when those in the heavens and the earth have submitted to Him voluntarily or by force? And to Him they will be returned.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:83 Do they seek, perchance, a faith other than in God,66 although it is unto Him that whatever is in the heavens and on earth surrenders itself, willingly or unwillingly, since unto Him all must return?67

Note 66
Lit., "[any] other than God's religion".

Note 67
Lit., "will be returned". For an explanation of this sentence, see 13:15 and the corresponding notes.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:83 Are they seeking other than GOD's religion, when everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly and unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:83 What! Do they seek other than the Prescribed way (Deen) of God, when to Him submit all beings in the heavens and earth, either by free will or by their innate nature and programming, and to Him they will be returned - and to Him they go back as their Originating Source.32

Note 32
All things in the Universe surrender to God, either by free will as the believers do, or through their innate nature such as animals, trees, stars, seasons etc. Even the deniers of the truth live by Divine laws in their physical lives

3:84 قل ءامنا بالله وما انزل علينا وما انزل على ابرهيم واسمعيل واسحق ويعقوب والاسباط وما اوتى موسى وعيسى والنبيون من ربهم لا نفرق بين احد منهم ونحن له مسلمون

Transcription (English)
3:84 Qul amanna biAllahiwama onzila AAalayna wama onzila AAalaibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqawayaAAqooba waal-asbati wama ootiya moosawaAAeesa waalnnabiyyoona min rabbihim lanufarriqu bayna ahadin minhum wanahnu lahumuslimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do not Discriminate Among Prophets3:84 Say, "We acknowledge God and what was sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Patriarchs, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We do not discriminate between them, and to Him we peacefully surrender."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:84 Say: "We believe in God and what was sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Patriarchs, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We do not make a distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:84 Say: "We believe in God, and in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, and that which has been bestowed upon Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, and that which has been vouchsafed by their Sustainer unto Moses and Jesus and all the [other] prophets: we make no distinction between any of them.68 And unto Him do we surrender ourselves."

Note 68
See 2:136 and the corresponding note 112.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Make No Distinction Among God's Messengers3:84 Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:84 Declare, “We believe in God and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and their descendant Prophets, and what was given from their Lord to Moses, Jesus and the other Prophets. We make no distinction among any of them. And we submit to Him alone.”33

Note 33
All Prophets were one in purpose. 2:253, 17:55

3:85 ومن يبتغ غير الاسلم دينا فلن يقبل منه وهو فى الءاخرة من الخسرين

Transcription (English)
3:85 Waman yabtaghi ghayra al-islamideenan falan yuqbala minhu wahuwa fee al-akhirati minaalkhasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Only One System: Peace and Submission to God3:85 Whoever follows other than peacemaking and peaceful surrendering as a system, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he is of the losers.24

Note 24

Some critics claim there is a contradiction between 3:85, or 5:72 and 2:62, or 5:69. The critic assumes that peacefully surrendering to God is only possible by uttering a magic Arabic word. Islam is not a proper name. It did not start with Muhammed, nor did it end with Muhammed. Any person, regardless of the name of their religion, who dedicates himself to God alone, believes in the day of judgment and lives a righteous life, is considered Muslim (those who peacefully surrender themselves to God alone and promote peace). Many among the Christians and Jews fit this description.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:85 And whoever follows other than submission as a system, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he is of the losers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:85 For, if one goes in search of a religion other than self-surrender unto God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Only One Religion Approved by God3:85 Anyone who accepts other than Submission as his religion, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:85 Whoever seeks as a Way of Life other than Islam (Submission) to God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life Hereafter, he will be among those who have completely lost their investments.34

Note 34
This is because the Deen Religion of the entire Universe is Submission

3:86 كيف يهدى الله قوما كفروا بعد ايمنهم وشهدوا ان الرسول حق وجاءهم البينت والله لا يهدى القوم الظلمين

Transcription (English)
3:86 Kayfa yahdee Allahu qawman kafaroobaAAda eemanihim washahidoo anna alrrasoola haqqunwajaahumu albayyinatu waAllahu layahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:86 How would God guide a people who have rejected after acknowledging and they witnessed that the messenger was true, and the clear evidences had come to them? God does not guide the wicked people.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:86 How can God guide a people who have rejected after believing, and they had witnessed that the messenger was true, and the clarity had come to them? God does not guide the wicked people.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:86 How would God bestow His guidance upon people who have resolved to deny the truth after having attained to faith, and having borne witness that this Apostle is true, and [after] all evidence of the truth has come unto them?69 For, God does not guide such evildoing folk.

Note 69
The people referred to are the Jews and the Christians. Their acceptance of the Bible, which predicts the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, has made them "witnesses" to the truth of his prophethood. See also verses 70 and 81 above.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:86 Why should GOD guide people who disbelieved after believing, and after witnessing that the messenger is truth, and after solid proofs have been given to them? GOD does not guide the wicked.,8

Note 8
Verses 3:82-90 inform usthat those who reject God's Messenger of the Covenant are no longer submitters(Muslims), since they no longer believe the Quran. The proofsmentioned in3:86 refer to the Quran's mathematicalcode, which was revealed through God's Messenger of the Covenant. Both3:86 and3:90 talkabout "disbelieving afterbelieving."
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:86 How else would God guide a people who go back to their old ways of disbelief after experiencing the blessings of faith, and after witnessing that the Messenger was indeed truthful as he has produced the clear evidence of reality (in the form of the State of Madinah). God does not show the lighted road to those who choose to do wrong, and thus, hurt their own ‘self’.35

Note 35
Zaalimeen = Oppressors = Those who hurt themselves or others = Who displace something from its rightful place = Who relegate the truth = Those who choose to do wrong = Violators of human rights = Misdirected = Those who prefer to live in the darkness of ignorance = Commonly translated as wrongdoers. This verse 3:86 very much applies to today’s Muslims. The Prophet S did establish the Divine System in the State of Madinah as a living witness to the Qur’anic truth

3:87 اولئك جزاؤهم ان عليهم لعنة الله والملئكة والناس اجمعين

Transcription (English)
3:87 Ola-ika jazaohum annaAAalayhim laAAnata Allahi waalmala-ikati waalnnasiajmaAAeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:87 For these, the consequence will be that God's curse will be upon them as well as that of the controllers and the people all together!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:87 To these the punishment will be that the curse of God will be upon them and that of the angels and the people all together!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:87 Their requital shall be rejection by God, and by the angels, and by all [righteous] men.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:87 These have incurred condemnation by GOD, and the angels, and all the people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:87 They are the ones whose logical recompense is God's rejection, and that of the angels, and of humanity at large.36

Note 36
Rejecters of the Divine laws trail behind in the community of nations. Angels = Laws or forces in Nature

3:88 خلدين فيها لا يخفف عنهم العذاب ولا هم ينظرون

Transcription (English)
3:88 Khalideena feeha layukhaffafu AAanhumu alAAathabu wala hum yuntharoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:88 Eternally they will abide in it, the retribution will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved;
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:88 Abiding therein, the retribution will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:88 In this state shall they abide; [and] neither will their suffering be lightened, nor will they be granted respite.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:88 Eternally they abide therein; the retribution is never commuted for them, nor will they be reprieved.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:88 They will abide in this state. Their torment will neither be diminished, nor will they be given further respite.

3:89 الا الذين تابوا من بعد ذلك واصلحوا فان الله غفور رحيم

Transcription (English)
3:89 Illa allatheena taboomin baAAdi thalika waaslahoo fa-inna Allahaghafoorun raheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:89 Except those who repent after this and reform, then God is Forgiver, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:89 Except those who repent after this and make amends, then God is Forgiver, Merciful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:89 But excepted shall be they that afterwards repent and put themselves to rights: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:89 Exempted are those who repent thereafter, and reform. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:89 Except those who practically repent by ceasing their transgressions, start journeying in the right direction and, thus, take corrective action. God is Absolver of faults, Nourisher of the Universe.37

Note 37
The terms Taubah, Ghafoor and Raheem have been translated according to the Quraish lexicon

3:90 ان الذين كفروا بعد ايمنهم ثم ازدادوا كفرا لن تقبل توبتهم واولئك هم الضالون

Transcription (English)
3:90 Inna allatheena kafaroo baAAda eemanihimthumma izdadoo kufran lan tuqbala tawbatuhum waola-ikahumu alddalloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Repentance and Criterion for Charity3:90 Those who have rejected after their acknowledgement, then increased in rejection, their repentance will not be accepted; they are the strayers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:90 Those who have rejected after their belief, then increased in rejection, their repentance will not be accepted, they are the strayers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:90 Verily, as for those who are bent on denying the truth after having attained to faith, and then grow [ever more stubborn] in their refusal to acknowledge the truth, their repentance [of other sins] shall not be accepted:70 for it is they who have truly gone astray.

Note 70
My interpolation, between brackets, of the words "of other sins" is based on Tabari's convincing explanation of this passage.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
When Repentance is Unacceptable3:90 Those who disbelieve after believing, then plunge deeper into disbelief, their repentance will not be accepted from them; they are the real strayers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:90 As for those who reject faith after choosing to believe, and then, go on adding to their defiance of faith, their repentance will not be accepted. For, it is those who have chosen the wrong direction. [4:18]

3:91 ان الذين كفروا وماتوا وهم كفار فلن يقبل من احدهم ملء الارض ذهبا ولو افتدى به اولئك لهم عذاب اليم وما لهم من نصرين

Transcription (English)
3:91 Inna allatheena kafaroo wamatoowahum kuffarun falan yuqbala min ahadihim miloal-ardi thahaban walawi iftada bihi ola-ikalahum AAathabun aleemun wama lahum min nasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:91 Those who have rejected and died while they were ingrates, if the earth full of gold were to be ransomed with it, it would not be accepted from any of them. For these there will be a painful retribution and they will have no supporters.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:91 Those who have rejected and died while they were rejecters, if the earth full of gold were to be ransomed with it would not be accepted from any of them. For these there will be a painful retribution and they will have no supporters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:91 Verily, as for those who are bent on denying the truth and die as deniers of the truth - not all the gold on earth could ever be their ransom.71 It is they for whom grievous suffering is in store; and they shall have none to succour them.

Note 71
Lit., "there shall not be accepted from any of them the earth full of gold, were he to proffer it in ransom". The meaning of this sentence is obviously metaphorical; but in view of the mention of "ransom", some of the commentators are of the opinion that what is meant here are otherwise good actions in this world (and, in particular, efforts and possessions spent for the sake of helping one's fellow-men), on the strength of which such stubborn "deniers of the truth" might plead for God's clemency on the Day of Judgment - a plea that would be rejected on the ground of their deliberate denial of fundamental truths.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:91 Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, an earthful of gold will not be accepted from any of them, even if such a ransom were possible. They have incurred painful retribution; they will have no helpers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:91 Those who reject the truth and prefer to journey through life in the darkness of ignorance, and die as deniers, thereafter, not even the entire gold of the earth could ever be their ransom. It is they for whom is reserved a grievous torment and for them will be no helpers.38

Note 38
We have already seen that 'Azaab = Torment = Chastisement = Punishment = Suffering, is a natural consequence of transgressions according to the Law of Cause and Effect. God does not punish people out of rage like human tyrants and kings. Reward and punishment are built-in results of one's own deeds. So, no helpers either

3:92 لن تنالوا البر حتى تنفقوا مما تحبون وما تنفقوا من شىء فان الله به عليم

Transcription (English)
3:92 Lan tanaloo albirra hattatunfiqoo mimma tuhibboona wama tunfiqoo minshay-in fa-inna Allaha bihi AAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:92 You will not reach piety until you spend from what you love. Whatever you spend, God is aware of it.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:92 You will not reach piety until you spend from what you love; and whatever you spend, God is aware of it.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:92 [But as for you, O believers,] never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend - verily, God has full knowledge thereof.72

Note 72
After telling those who deliberately deny the truth that even their benevolent spending of efforts and possessions during their lifetime will be of no avail to them on the Day of Judgment, the Qur'an reminds the believers that, on the other hand, their faith in God cannot be considered complete unless it makes them conscious of the material needs of their fellow-beings (cf . 2:177).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:92 You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, GOD is fully aware thereof.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:92 You will never attain exponential growth of the ‘self’ unless you open up for others the possessions you cherish. And whatever you spend, God is well Aware of it.39

Note 39
God, the Knower of your own ‘self’, reminds that Paradise is for those who attain self-actualization by giving. 92:18

3:93 كل الطعام كان حلا لبنى اسرءيل الا ما حرم اسرءيل على نفسه من قبل ان تنزل التورىة قل فاتوا بالتورىة فاتلوها ان كنتم صدقين

Transcription (English)
3:93 Kullu alttaAAami kanahillan libanee isra-eela illa ma harramaisra-eelu AAala nafsihi min qabli an tunazzala alttawratuqul fa/too bialttawrati faotlooha inkuntum sadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Prohibitions Falsely Attributed to God3:93 All the food used to be lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel forbade for himself before the Torah was sent down. Say, "Bring the Torah and recite it if you are truthful."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:93 All the food was made lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel forbade for himself before the Torah was sent down. Say: "Bring the Torah and recite it if you are truthful."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:93 ALL FOOD was lawful unto the children of Israel, save what Israel had made unlawful unto itself [by its sinning] before the Torah was bestowed from on high.73 Say: "Come forward, then, with the Torah and recite it, if what you say is true!"

Note 73
Up to this point, most of this surah dealt with the divine origin of the Qur'an and was meant to establish the true nature of the mission entrusted to the Prophet - namely, his call to an acknowledgement of God's oneness and uniqueness. Now, verses 93-97 are devoted to a refutation of two objections on the part of the Jews to what they consider to be an infringement, by the Qur'an, of Biblical laws, in spite of the oft-repeated Qur'anic claim that this revelation confirms the truth inherent in the teachings of the earlier prophets. These two objections relate to (a) the Qur'anic annulment of certain dietary injunctions and prohibitions laid down in the Torah, and (b) the alleged "substitution" of Mecca for Jerusalem as the direction of prayer (qiblah)- see surah 2, note 116. In order to answer the objection relating to Jewish food laws, the Qur'an calls to mind that originally all wholesome foods were lawful to the children of Israel, and that the severe restrictions subsequently imposed upon them in the Torah were but a punishment for their sins (cf. 6:146), and were, therefore, never intended for a community that truly surrenders itself to God. For an answer to the second objection, see verse 96.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:93 All food used to be lawful for the Children of Israel, until Israel imposed certain prohibitions on themselves before the Torah was sent down. Say, "Bring the Torah and read it, if you are truthful.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:93 All means of physical sustenance were abundantly available to the Children of Israel, except what Israel as a community had deprived themselves (due to their transgressions) – before the Torah was revealed. Say, "Bring the Torah and study it if you are truthful.”40

Note 40
Hillan = Halaal = Permissible = Abundantly available. Israel = A title of Jacob = Figuratively here, the Israelites

3:94 فمن افترى على الله الكذب من بعد ذلك فاولئك هم الظلمون

Transcription (English)
3:94 Famani iftara AAala Allahialkathiba min baAAdi thalika faola-ika humualthalimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:94 Whoever invents lies about God after this, these are the wicked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:94 Whoever invents lies about God after this, these are the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:94 And all who henceforth invent lies about God - it is they, they who are evildoers!74

Note 74
This is a reference to the unwarranted Jewish belief that the Mosaic food restrictions were an eternal law decreed by God. As against this claim, the Qur'an stresses that no food restrictions had been imposed before the time of Moses and, secondly, that the restrictions arising from the Mosaic Law were imposed on the children of Israel alone. To claim that they represent an eternal divine law is described here as "inventing lies about God".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Do Not Prohibit What Is Lawful3:94 Those who fabricate false prohibitions after this, and attribute them to GOD, are truly wicked.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:94 Then, whoever invents a lie concerning God, after this (clear evidence), it is those who will be unjust.

3:95 قل صدق الله فاتبعوا ملة ابرهيم حنيفا وما كان من المشركين

Transcription (English)
3:95 Qul sadaqa Allahu faittabiAAoomillata ibraheema haneefan wama kanamina almushrikeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:95 Say, "God bears truth. Follow the creed of Abraham, monotheism, and he was not of those who set up partners."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:95 Say: "God bears truth. Follow the creed of Abraham, monotheism, and he was not of the polytheists."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:95 Say: "God has spoken the truth: follow, then, the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false, and was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God."
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:95 Say, "GOD has proclaimed the truth: You shall follow Abraham's religion - monotheism. He never was an idolater.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:95 Say, “God has declared the truth. Follow, then, the Creed of Abraham, the upright who shunned all falsehood. He was not of those who choose authorities besides God.”

3:96 ان اول بيت وضع للناس للذى ببكة مباركا وهدى للعلمين

Transcription (English)
3:96 Inna awwala baytin wudiAAa lilnnasilallathee bibakkata mubarakan wahudan lilAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The First Public House3:96 The first house established for the public is the one in Bakka, blessed, and guidance for the worlds.25

Note 25

It is interesting to see that the name of the city mentioned in 48:24 as Mecca is spelled differently here, as Bakka. Considering the role of the alphabet letters initializing this chapter, one understands the relationship of preferring a different spelling of the same name, a spelling without the letter M in a chapter that starts with A.L.M., where the number of M participates in the numerical structure based on code 19. Does the "Valley of Baca" mentioned in Psalms 84:6 refer to the same city?

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:96 The first Sanctuary established for the people is the one in Bakk'a, blessed, and a guidance for the worlds.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:96 Behold, the first Temple ever set up for mankind was indeed the one at Bakkah:75 rich in blessing, and a [source of] guidance unto all the worlds,

Note 75
All authorities agree that this name is synonymous with Mecca (which, correctly transliterated, is spelt Makkah). Various etymologies have been suggested for this very ancient designation; but the most plausible explanation is given by Zamakhshari (and supported by Razi): in some old Arabic dialects the labial consonants b and m, being phonetically close to one another, are occasionally interchangeable. The mention, in this context, of the Temple in Mecca - that is, the Ka'bah - arises from the fact that it is the direction of prayer (qiblah) stipulated in the Qur'an. Since the prototype of the Ka`bah was built by Abraham and Ishmael (see 2:125 ff.) - and is, therefore, much older than the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem - its establishment as the qiblah of the followers of the Qur'an does not only not imply any break with the Abrahamic tradition (on which, ultimately, the whole Bible rests), but, on the contrary, re-establishes the direct contact with that Patriarch: and herein lies the answer to the second of the two Jewish objections mentioned in note 73 above.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:96 The most important shrine established for the people is the one in Becca; a blessed beacon for all the people.,9

Note 9
This is an M-initialed sura, and this peculiar spelling of "Mecca" as "Becca" causes the occurrence of "M" to conform tothe Quran's mathematical code. The normal spelling "Mecca" would have increasedthe frequency of occurrence of "M" (Appendix 1).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:96 He erected the First House (Sanctuary) appointed for all mankind, at the blessed Bakkah. It is to serve as a beacon of light for all humanity (in order to regain their lost unity).41

Note 41
2:125. Bakkahcame to be known as Makkah later. In the ancient Arabic dialect b was interchangeable with m

3:97 فيه ءايت بينت مقام ابرهيم ومن دخله كان ءامنا ولله على الناس حج البيت من استطاع اليه سبيلا ومن كفر فان الله غنى عن العلمين

Transcription (English)
3:97 Feehi ayatun bayyinatunmaqamu ibraheema waman dakhalahu kana aminanwalillahi AAala alnnasi hijjualbayti mani istataAAa ilayhi sabeelan waman kafarafa-inna Allaha ghaniyyun AAani alAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:97 In it are clear signs: the place of Abraham. Whoever enters it will be secure. Pilgrimage to the sanctuary is a duty from God for the people who can afford a means to it. Whoever rejects, and then God has no need of the worlds.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:97 In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. And whoever enters it will be secure. And God is owed from the people to make Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, whoever can make a path to it. And whoever rejects, then God has no need of the worlds.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:97 full of clear messages.76 [It is] the place whereon Abraham once stood; and whoever enters it finds inner peace.77 Hence, pilgrimage unto the Temple is a duty owed to God by all people who are able to undertake it. And as for those who deny the truth - verily, God does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds.

Note 76
Lit., "in it [are] clear messages" - such as the messages relating to God's oneness and uniqueness (symbolized by the Ka'bah), to the continuity of mankind's religious experience ("the first Temple set up for mankind") and, finally, to the brotherhood of all believers (who, wherever they may be, turn their faces in prayer towards this one focal point).

Note 77
Or: "is secure" - i.e., in the original sense of amn, which implies "ease of mind and freedom from fear" (cf. Lane I, 100 f.).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:97 In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:97 Therein are clear messages (to achieve that coveted goal and recall) how Abraham once took his stand (against all divisions of humanity and was granted the leadership of all mankind 2:124-125). Those who enter the System symbolized thereby shall find inner peace and external security. Pilgrimage to this House is a duty all mankind owe to God, those who have the circumstantial means to undertake the visit. One who denies this command should know that God is Absolutely Independent of all His creation.42

Note 42
Pilgrimage = Joining the Hajj Convention. Mankind can realize the blessings of unity by rallying around this Divinely appointed Center of Ideology. 22:25. The idolaters are forbidden only to ‘ya’mur’ or administer the Masjid for obvious ideological reasons. 9:17

3:98 قل ياهل الكتب لم تكفرون بايت الله والله شهيد على ما تعملون

Transcription (English)
3:98 Qul ya ahla alkitabi limatakfuroona bi-ayati Allahi waAllahushaheedun AAala ma taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:98 Say, "O people of the book, why do you reject God's signs, while God is witness over what you do?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:98 Say: "O people of the Book, why do you reject the revelations of God, while God is witness over what you do?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:98 SAY: "O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you refuse to acknowledge the truth of God's messages, when God is witness to all that you do?"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:98 Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:98 Say, “O People of the Book! Why do you reject God's messages when God Himself is Witness to all that you do?”

3:99 قل ياهل الكتب لم تصدون عن سبيل الله من ءامن تبغونها عوجا وانتم شهداء وما الله بغفل عما تعملون

Transcription (English)
3:99 Qul ya ahla alkitabi lima tasuddoonaAAan sabeeli Allahi man amana tabghoonahaAAiwajan waantum shuhadao wama Allahu bighafilinAAamma taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:99 Say, "O people of the book, why do you repel from the path of God those who acknowledge? You wish to twist it while you were witness. God is not oblivious to what you do."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:99 Say: "O people of the Book, why do you repel from the path of God those who believe? You wish to twist it while you are witnesses. And God is not unaware of what you do."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:99 Say: "O followers of earlier revelation! Why do you [endeavour to] bar those who have come to believe [in this divine writ] from the path of God by trying to make it appear crooked, when you yourselves bear witness78 [to its being straight]? For, God is not unaware of what you do."

Note 78
I.e., "through your own scriptures" (see note 69 above, as well as note 33 on 2:42). This is an allusion to the attempts of Jews and Christians to "prove" that Muhammad had "borrowed" the main ideas of the Qur'an from the Bible and twisted them out of context so as to suit his own alleged "ambitions".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:99 Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you repel from the path of GOD those who wish to believe, and seek to distort it, even though you are witnesses?" GOD is never unaware of anything you do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:99 Say, “O People of the Book! Why do you bar from the path of God, him who chooses to believe? – Seeking to make it crooked, even though you are witnesses (to the truth).” But God is not unaware of whatever you do.

3:100 يايها الذين ءامنوا ان تطيعوا فريقا من الذين اوتوا الكتب يردوكم بعد ايمنكم كفرين

Transcription (English)
3:100 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooin tuteeAAoo fareeqan mina allatheena ootoo alkitabayaruddookum baAAda eemanikum kafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:100 O you who acknowledge, if you obey a group of those who received the book they will turn you after your acknowledgement into ingrates!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:100 O you who believe, if you obey a group of those who received the Book they will turn you after your belief into rejecters!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:100 O you who have attained to faith! If you pay heed to some of those to whom revelation was vouchsafed aforetime, they might cause you to renounce the truth after you have come to believe [in it].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:100 O you who believe, if you obey some of those who received the scripture, they will revert you, after having believed, into disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:100 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! If you were to heed a group of those who have been given the scripture before, they might turn you back to the darkness of ignorance after you have chosen to acknowledge the truth.43

Note 43
The very act of heeding or obeying others against the messages of God is an indication that such people have not understood the beauty in these messages

3:101 وكيف تكفرون وانتم تتلى عليكم ءايت الله وفيكم رسوله ومن يعتصم بالله فقد هدى الى صرط مستقيم

Transcription (English)
3:101 Wakayfa takfuroona waantum tutlaAAalaykum ayatu Allahi wafeekum rasooluhuwaman yaAAtasim biAllahi faqad hudiya ilasiratin mustaqeemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Reverting Back from the Message3:101 How can you reject when God's signs are being recited to you and His messenger is among you? Whoever holds firmly to God, has been guided to the straight path.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:101 And how can you reject when the revelations of God are being recited to you and with you is His messenger? And whoever holds firmly to God has been guided to the straight path.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:101 And how could you deny the truth when it is unto you that God's messages are being conveyed, and it is in your midst that His Apostle lives? But he who holds fast unto God has already been guided onto a straight way.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:101 How can you disbelieve, when these revelations of GOD have been recited to you, and His messenger has come to you? Whoever holds fast to GOD will be guided in the right path.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:101 How could you choose the darkness of ignorance when God's messages are being conveyed to you and His Messenger is in your midst (implementing these messages in the society)? Whoever holds fast to God (dismissing all other 'authorities'), is already guided onto a straight path. [3:144]

3:102 يايها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله حق تقاته ولا تموتن الا وانتم مسلمون

Transcription (English)
3:102 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooittaqoo Allaha haqqa tuqatihi walatamootunna illa waantum muslimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:102 O you who acknowledge, be aware of God as He deserves awareness, and do not die except as ones who have peacefully surrendered.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:102 O you who believe, reverence God as He deserves to be reverenced, and do not die except as ones who have submitted.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:102 O you who have attained to faith! Be conscious of God with all the consciousness that is due to Him, and do not allow death to overtake you ere you have surrendered yourselves unto Him.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:102 O you who believe, you shall observe GOD as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:102 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Live a life upright being mindful of God in a manner befitting to Him. Let not death overtake you but that you are Muslims.

3:103 واعتصموا بحبل الله جميعا ولا تفرقوا واذكروا نعمت الله عليكم اذ كنتم اعداء فالف بين قلوبكم فاصبحتم بنعمته اخونا وكنتم على شفا حفرة من النار فانقذكم منها كذلك يبين الله لكم ءايته لعلكم تهتدون

Transcription (English)
3:103 WaiAAtasimoo bihabliAllahi jameeAAan wala tafarraqoo waothkurooniAAmata Allahi AAalaykum ith kuntum aAAdaanfaallafa bayna quloobikum faasbahtum biniAAmatihiikhwanan wakuntum AAala shafa hufratinmina alnnari faanqathakum minha kathalikayubayyinu Allahu lakum ayatihi laAAallakumtahtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:103 Hold firmly to the rope/covenant of God, all of you, and do not be disunited. Remember God's blessing upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts, then you became, with His blessing, brothers; and you were on the verge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. Thus, God clarifies for you His signs, so that you may be guided.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:103 And hold firmly to the rope of God, all of you, and do not be separated. And remember the blessing of God upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts. Then you became, with His blessing, brothers; and you were on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it; it is thus that God clarifies for you His signs that you may be guided.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:103 And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God, and do not draw apart from one another. And remember the blessings which God has bestowed upon you: how, when you were enemies, He brought your hearts together, so that through His blessing you became brethren; and [how, when] you were on the brink of a fiery abyss.79 He saved you from it. In this way God makes clear His messages unto you, so that you might find guidance,

Note 79
Lit., "a pit of fire" - a metaphor of the sufferings which are the inescapable consequence of spiritual ignorance. The reminder of their one-time mutual enmity is an allusion to man's lot on earth (cf. 2:36 and 7:24), from which only God's guidance can save him (see 2:37).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Believers are United3:103 You shall hold fast to the rope of GOD, all of you, and do not be divided. Recall GOD's blessings upon you - you used to be enemies and He reconciled your hearts. By His grace, you became brethren. You were at the brink of a pit of fire, and He saved you therefrom. GOD thus explains His revelations for you, that you may be guided.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:103 You must hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of God (stretched out for you) and be not divided among yourselves. Remember God’s favor upon you when you were enemies and He brought mutual affection in your hearts. Thus, you became brothers and sisters by His grace. You were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. This is how God makes His messages clear for you that you may be guided.44

Note 44
The Rope of God is the Qur’an which is an Unbreakable Support 2:256. 6:165, 30:31. Huda= Guidance = Walk the right path = Travel on a lighted road

3:104 ولتكن منكم امة يدعون الى الخير ويامرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر واولئك هم المفلحون

Transcription (English)
3:104 Waltakun minkum ommatun yadAAoona ilaalkhayri waya/muroona bialmaAAroofi wayanhawna AAanialmunkari waola-ika humu almuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:104 Let there be a nation from amongst you that calls towards goodness, and orders recognized norms, and deters from evil. These are the successful ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:104 And let there be a nation from among you who calls towards goodness, and orders kindness, and prohibits vice. And these are the successful ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:104 and that there might grow out of you a community [of people] who invite unto all that is good, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong: and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:104 Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:104 Let there be a community among you that invites to all that is good, advocating virtue and deterring vice. They are the truly successful.45

Note 45
Verses 2:143, 3:110 and 22:78 assign this duty to the entire Muslim community. Ma'roof = Virtue = Kindness = All that is good = Declared Ma’roof by the Qur’an. Munkar = Vice = Evil = All that is wrong = Declared Munkar by the Qur’an. 2:143, 3:109, 23:1, 61:2

3:105 ولا تكونوا كالذين تفرقوا واختلفوا من بعد ما جاءهم البينت واولئك لهم عذاب عظيم

Transcription (English)
3:105 Wala takoonoo kaallatheenatafarraqoo waikhtalafoo min baAAdi ma jaahumualbayyinatu waola-ika lahum AAathabun AAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do not get divided into Sects and Factions3:105 Do not be like those who separated and differed after the proof had come to them. For them is a painful retribution.26

Note 26

See 6:159.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:105 And do not be like those who separated and differed after the clarity had come to them. And for them is a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:105 And be not like those who have drawn apart from one another and have taken to conflicting views after all evidence of the truth has come unto them:80 for these it is for whom tremendous suffering is in store

Note 80
I.e., like the followers of the Bible, who became "Jews" and "Christians" in spite of the fact that their beliefs have a common source and are based on the same spiritual truths (see also 6:159 and the corresponding note).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:105 Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:105 Do not be like those who became divided and disputed after all evidence of the truth had come to them. For, they have incurred a tremendous suffering.46

Note 46
‘Bayyinaat’ = Clear evidences. Sectarianism, geographic and political schism, and ethnic divisions stand in the way of unity of all mankind. 6:159, 30:32, 42:13

3:106 يوم تبيض وجوه وتسود وجوه فاما الذين اسودت وجوههم اكفرتم بعد ايمنكم فذوقوا العذاب بما كنتم تكفرون

Transcription (English)
3:106 Yawma tabyaddu wujoohun wataswadduwujoohun faamma allatheena iswaddat wujoohuhumakafartum baAAda eemanikum fathooqoo alAAathababima kuntum takfuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:106 The day on which faces will be brightened and faces will be darkened; as for those whose faces will be darkened: "Did you reject after acknowledging? Taste the retribution for what you rejected."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:106 The Day on which faces will be lightened and faces will be darkened; as for those whose faces will be darkened: "Did you reject after believing? Taste the retribution for what you rejected."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:106 on the Day [of Judgment] when some faces will shine [with happiness] and some faces will be dark [with grief]. And as for those with faces darkened, [they shall be told:] "Did you deny the truth after having attained to faith? Taste, then, this suffering for having denied the truth!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:106 The day will come when some faces will be brightened (with joy), while other faces will be darkened (with misery). As for those whose faces are darkened, they will be asked, "Did you not disbelieve after believing? Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:106 The Day (will come) when some faces will shine with joy and some faces will be portraits of gloom. (The former are those who hold on to the Bond of God, and the latter are those who get lost in sectarianism.) Those who will be portraits of gloom, will be told, "Ah, did you, (by falling to sectarianism) elect disbelief after attaining faith? Taste then, the punishment for your disbelief.

3:107 واما الذين ابيضت وجوههم ففى رحمة الله هم فيها خلدون

Transcription (English)
3:107 Waamma allatheena ibyaddatwujoohuhum fafee rahmati Allahi hum feeha khalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:107 As for those whose faces are brightened, they are in God's mercy, in it they abide eternally.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:107 As for those whose faces will be lightened, they are in the mercy of God, in it they abide.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:107 But as for those with faces shining, they shall be within God's grace, therein to abide.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:107 As for those whose faces are brightened, they will rejoice in GOD's mercy; they abide therein forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:107 And those whose faces shine, in the grace of God, they shall abide forever. [11:118-119]

3:108 تلك ءايت الله نتلوها عليك بالحق وما الله يريد ظلما للعلمين

Transcription (English)
3:108 Tilka ayatu Allahinatlooha AAalayka bialhaqqi wama Allahuyureedu thulman lilAAalameena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:108 These are God's signs; We recite them to you with truth. God does not want wickedness for the worlds.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:108 These are the revelations of God, We recite them to you with the truth. God does not want wickedness for the worlds.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:108 These are God's messages: We convey them unto thee, setting forth the truth, since God wills no wrong to His creation.81

Note 81
Lit., "to the worlds". For an explanation of this sentence, see 6:131 and note 117.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:108 These are GOD's revelations; we recite them to you, truthfully. GOD does not wish any hardship for the people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:108 (The Rules given in these revelations determine the Rise and Fall of nations.) These are God's messages. We convey them to you in absolute truth, for, God wills no injustice to any of the creation.

3:109 ولله ما فى السموت وما فى الارض والى الله ترجع الامور

Transcription (English)
3:109 Walillahi ma fee alssamawatiwama fee al-ardi wa-ila AllahiturjaAAu al-omooru
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:109 To God is all that is in the heavens and in the earth; and to God the events will be returned.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:109 And to God is all that is in the heavens and the earth; and to God all matters are returned.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:109 And unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and all things go back to God [as their source].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:109 To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by GOD.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:109 (His Rules are operative in the entire Universe.) Unto God belongs all that is in the Highs and all that is in the Lows, and all things are constantly working to fulfill the Divine Plan, moving and evolving toward what they are meant to be. All affairs turn to God (in order that the incredible discipline in the Universe be maintained.)47

Note 47
Lillah= For God = For the sake of God = In the cause of God = Belonging to God = Being subservient to Him = Working to fulfill the Divine Plan

3:110 كنتم خير امة اخرجت للناس تامرون بالمعروف وتنهون عن المنكر وتؤمنون بالله ولو ءامن اهل الكتب لكان خيرا لهم منهم المؤمنون واكثرهم الفسقون

Transcription (English)
3:110 Kuntum khayra ommatin okhrijat lilnnasita/muroona bialmaAAroofi watanhawna AAani almunkariwatu/minoona biAllahi walaw amana ahlu alkitabilakana khayran lahum minhumu almu/minoona waaktharuhumualfasiqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:110 You became the best nation that emerged for the people; you order recognized norms, deter from evil, and trust/acknowledge God. If the people of the book acknowledged, it would have been better for them; from amongst them are acknowledgers, but most remain wicked.27

Note 27

The verse does not limit the addressee to the era of prophet Muhammed; all monotheists, all submitters to God alone fit the description.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:110 You were the best nation that emerged for the people, you ordered kindness and prohibited vice, and believed in God. If the people of the Book believed it would have been better for them; from among them are the believers, but the majority are the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:110 YOU ARE indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for [the good of] mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God. Now if the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; [but only few] among them are believers, while most of them are iniquitous:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Best Community3:110 You are the best community ever raised among the people: you advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and you believe in GOD. If the followers of the scripture believed, it would be better for them. Some of them do believe, but the majority of them are wicked.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:110 (Since you have been empowered by the Qur’an), you are the best suited Community that has been raised up for the good of mankind. You shall enjoin the Right and discourage the Wrong, since you have conviction in God. Now if the People of the Scripture had attained this kind of belief, it would have been for their own good. Some of them do embrace belief while most of them continue to drift away.48

Note 48
The believers accept the Qur’an as the Criterion of right and wrong 3:4. It educates people on the Permanent Moral Value System and distinguishes clearly what the otherwise vague terms of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, and ‘good’ and ‘evil’ would mean

3:111 لن يضروكم الا اذى وان يقتلوكم يولوكم الادبار ثم لا ينصرون

Transcription (English)
3:111 Lan yadurrookum illa athanwa-in yuqatilookum yuwallookumu al-adbara thumma layunsaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:111 They will not harm you except in being an annoyance, and if they fight you they will turn and flee; then they will not be supported.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:111 They will not harm you except in being an annoyance, and if they fight you they will turn and flee, then they will not be supported.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:111 [but] these can never inflict more than a passing hurt on you; and if they fight against you, they will turn their backs upon you [in flight], and will not be succoured.82

Note 82
As is obvious from the opening sentence of verse 110, this promise to the followers of the Qur'an is conditional upon their being, or remaining, a community of people who "enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and [truly] believe in God"; and - as history has shown -this promise is bound to lapse whenever the Muslims fail to live up to their faith.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:111 They can never harm you, beyond insulting you. If they fight you, they will turn around and flee. They can never win.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:111 But they will do you no harm except for a trifling inconvenience. And if they fight against you, they will turn their backs to you and then, they will find no helpers.

3:112 ضربت عليهم الذلة اين ما ثقفوا الا بحبل من الله وحبل من الناس وباءو بغضب من الله وضربت عليهم المسكنة ذلك بانهم كانوا يكفرون بايت الله ويقتلون الانبياء بغير حق ذلك بما عصوا وكانوا يعتدون

Transcription (English)
3:112 Duribat AAalayhimu alththillatuayna ma thuqifoo illa bihablin mina Allahiwahablin mina alnnasi wabaoo bighadabinmina Allahi waduribat AAalayhimu almaskanatu thalikabi-annahum kanoo yakfuroona bi-ayati Allahiwayaqtuloona al-anbiyaa bighayri haqqin thalikabima AAasaw wakanoo yaAAtadoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:112 They are stricken with humiliation wherever they are found, except through a covenant from God and a covenant from the people. They earned God's wrath and were stricken with humiliation; that is because they were being unappreciative of God's signs and fighting/killing the prophets without just cause. This is the consequence of their disobedience and transgression.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:112 They are struck with humiliation wherever they are encountered, except for a rope from God and a rope from the people. And they stayed in the wrath of God and were struck with humiliation; that is because they were disbelieving in the revelations of God and killing the prophets without right; that is for what they disobeyed and were transgressing.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:112 Overshadowed by ignominy are they wherever they may be, save [when they bind themselves again] in a bond with God and a bond with men;83 for they have earned the burden of God's condemnation, and are overshadowed by humiliation: all this [has befallen them] because they persisted in denying the truth of God's messages and in slaying the prophets against all right: all this, because they rebelled [against God], and persisted in transgressing the bounds of what is right.84

Note 83
I.e., if they return to the concept of God as the Lord and Sustainer of all mankind, and give up the idea of being "God's chosen people" which creates a barrier between them and all other believers in the One God.

Note 84
The above passage - as the very similar one in 2:61 - relates specifically to the children of Israel , although this section as a whole (verses 110-115) obviously refers to the followers of the Bible in general, that is, to both the Jews and the Christians.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:112 They shall be humiliated whenever you encounter them, unless they uphold GOD's covenant, as well as their peace covenants with you. They have incurred wrath from GOD, and, consequently, they are committed to disgrace. This is because they rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:112 Humiliation will be branded on them wherever they might be, unless they grasp a bond with God and a bond with humanity. They have earned God's condemnation, and are committed to an abject state of misery. This is because they have been rejecting God's messages and have been opposing the Prophets, even slaying some of them against all right. All this, because they disobeyed, rebelled, and exceeded the bounds of what is right.

3:113 ليسوا سواء من اهل الكتب امة قائمة يتلون ءايت الله ءاناء اليل وهم يسجدون

Transcription (English)
3:113 Laysoo sawaan min ahli alkitabiommatun qa-imatun yatloona ayati Allahianaa allayli wahum yasjudoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Righteous Jews and Nazarenes3:113 They are not all the same, from the people of the book are an upright nation; they recite God's signs during parts of the night and they prostrate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:113 They are not all the same, from the people of the Book are a nation that is upright; they recite the revelations of God during the night hours and they prostrate.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:113 [But] they are not all alike: among the followers of earlier revelation there are upright people,85 who recite God's messages throughout the night, and prostrate themselves [before Him].

Note 85
Lit., "an upright community": a reference to those among the followers of the Bible who are truly believers (cf. the last sentence of verse 110 above) and observe the "bond with God and with men" (verse 112).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Righteous Jews & Christians3:113 They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture, there are those who are righteous. They recite GOD's revelations through the night, and they fall prostrate.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:113 They are not all alike. Among the People of the Scripture there are those who take a firm stand for the right cause, reflect on the revelations of God all night long and submit in adoration.

3:114 يؤمنون بالله واليوم الءاخر ويامرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر ويسرعون فى الخيرت واولئك من الصلحين

Transcription (English)
3:114 Yu/minoona biAllahi waalyawmial-akhiri waya/muroona bialmaAAroofi wayanhawnaAAani almunkari wayusariAAoona fee alkhayrati waola-ikamina alssaliheena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:114 They acknowledge God and the Last day, promote recognized norms and deter from evil, and they hasten in goodness; these are of the reformed ones.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:114 They believe in God and the Last Day and order kindness and prohibit vice, and they hasten in goodness; these are of the good doers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:114 They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and vie with one another in doing good works: and these are among the righteous.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:114 They believe in GOD and the Last Day, they advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and they hasten to do righteous works. These are the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:114 They have conviction in God and the Last Day. They advocate virtue by example, and forbid all vice by example. They race with one another in acts of collective good. It is they who enrich the society, increase human potential and these are among the righteous.49

Note 49
Saaliheenembraces all three meanings given in the last sentence

3:115 وما يفعلوا من خير فلن يكفروه والله عليم بالمتقين

Transcription (English)
3:115 Wama yafAAaloo min khayrin falanyukfaroohu waAllahu AAaleemun bialmuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:115 What they do of good will not be turned back, and God is aware of the conscientious.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:115 And what they do of good will not be turned back, and God is aware of the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:115 And whatever good they do, they shall never be denied the reward thereof: for, God has full knowledge of those who are conscious of Him.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:115 Any good they do will not go unrewarded. GOD is fully aware of the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:115 Of the good they do, nothing will be rejected from them. God is Aware of those who live a life upright.50

Note 50
Muttaqeen = Those who walk on a secure path = Those who seek to journey through life in security = The observant = Those who live upright. See Taqwa2:41

3:116 ان الذين كفروا لن تغنى عنهم امولهم ولا اولدهم من الله شيا واولئك اصحب النار هم فيها خلدون

Transcription (English)
3:116 Inna allatheena kafaroo lan tughniyaAAanhum amwaluhum wala awladuhum mina Allahishay-an waola-ika as-habu alnnarihum feeha khalidoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:116 As for those who were unappreciative, neither their money nor their children will avail them anything from God. These are the people of the fire, where they abide eternally.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:116 As for those who rejected, neither their money nor their children will avail them anything from God. These are the people of the Fire, in it they abide.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:116 [But,] behold, as for those who are bent on denying the truth - neither their worldly possessions nor their children will in the least avail them against God: and it is they who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:116 Those who disbelieved can never be helped by their money or their children against GOD. They have incurred Hell, wherein they abide forever.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:116 Indeed, those who reject the truth and thus choose to live in the darkness of ignorance, neither their wealth nor their children will avail them in the least against (the inevitable consequences of violating the laws of) God. They are the dwellers of the fire, abiding therein.51

Note 51
Reward and punishment are built-in as the logical consequence of actions e.g. disuse of muscles causes them to atrophy. God does not punish people like human tyrants, out of rage or vengeance 3:182, 4:111, 20:15, 7:147, 27:90

3:117 مثل ما ينفقون فى هذه الحيوة الدنيا كمثل ريح فيها صر اصابت حرث قوم ظلموا انفسهم فاهلكته وما ظلمهم الله ولكن انفسهم يظلمون

Transcription (English)
3:117 Mathalu ma yunfiqoona fee hathihialhayati alddunya kamathali reehinfeeha sirrun asabat hartha qawmin thalamooanfusahum faahlakat-hu wama thalamahumu Allahuwalakin anfusahum yathlimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:117 The example of what they spend in this world is like a wind in which there is a frost; it afflicts the field of the people who wronged themselves, and thus destroys it. God did not wrong them, but it was themselves that they wronged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:117 The example of what they spend in this world is like a wind in which there is a frost; it afflicts the field of the people who wronged themselves, and thus destroys it. God did not wrong them, but it was their souls that they wronged.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:117 The parable of what they spend on the life of this world is that of an icy wind which smites the tilth of people who have sinned against themselves, and destroys it: for, it is not God who does them wrong, but it is they who are wronging themselves.86

Note 86
In a marginal note connected with hit commentary on this verse, Zamakhshari explains this parable thus: "If the 'tilth' [i.e., the gainful achievement] of those who deny the truth is lost, it is lost in its entirety, with nothing remaining to them in this world and in the life to come; while, on the other hand, the 'tilth' of a believer is never lost in its entirety: for even if it is seemingly lost, there remains to him the expectation of a reward, in the life to come, for his patience in adversity." In other words, the above Qur'anic phrase is meant to stress the completeness of loss of all efforts in the case of those who are bent on denying the truth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:117 The example of their accomplishments in this life is like a violent wind that hits the harvest of people who have wronged their souls, and wipes it out. GOD never wronged them; it is they who wronged themselves.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:117 The example of what they spend on the life of this world is that of an icy wind which destroys the harvest of people who have wronged themselves. God is not unjust to them, but it is they who wrong their own ‘self’.

3:118 يايها الذين ءامنوا لا تتخذوا بطانة من دونكم لا يالونكم خبالا ودوا ما عنتم قد بدت البغضاء من افوههم وما تخفى صدورهم اكبر قد بينا لكم الءايت ان كنتم تعقلون

Transcription (English)
3:118 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola tattakhithoo bitanatan min doonikum laya/loonakum khabalan waddoo ma AAanittum qad badatialbaghdao min afwahihim wama tukhfee sudooruhumakbaru qad bayyanna lakumu al-ayati inkuntum taAAqiloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Beware of the Hypocrites3:118 O you who acknowledge do not take protection from any besides yourselves; they will only disrupt you greatly. They wish that you suffer; the hatred appears from their mouths and what their chests hide is greater! We have made clear for you the signs if you reason.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:118 O you who believe do not take as an inner-circle any from besides yourselves; they will only disrupt you greatly. They wish that you deviate; the hatred is apparent out of their mouths and what their chests conceal is even greater! We have made clear for you the signs if you comprehend.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:118 O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not take for your bosom-friends people who are not of your kind.87 They spare no effort to corrupt you; they would love to see you in distress.88 Vehement hatred has already come into the open from out of their mouths, but what their hearts conceal is yet worse. We have indeed made the signs [thereof] clear unto you, if you would but use your reason.

Note 87
Lit., "from among others than yourselves". Some of the commentators incline to the view that this expression comprises all non-Muslims: but this view obviously conflicts with 60:8, where the believers are expressly allowed to form friendships with such of the non-believers as are not hostile to them and to their faith. Moreover, the sequence makes it clear that by "those who are not of your kind" are meant only people whose enmity to Islam and its followers has become apparent from their behaviour and their utterances (Tabari). The rendering adopted by me, "people who are not of your kind", implies that their outlook on life is so fundamentally opposed to that of the Muslims that genuine friendship is entirely out of the question.

Note 88
Lit., "they love that which causes you distress".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Do Not Befriend Hypocrites3:118 O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:118 (Qur’anic Ideology will always be the basis of an Islamic state.) O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Do not take as confidant intimates any but your own people. They will leave no stone unturned in order to disrupt the harmony in your social fabric, and love to see you in distress. Their malice has already become manifest by their utterances, and what their hearts conceal is far greater. We have made plain the revelations for you so that you may use your intellect.

3:119 هانتم اولاء تحبونهم ولا يحبونكم وتؤمنون بالكتب كله واذا لقوكم قالوا ءامنا واذا خلوا عضوا عليكم الانامل من الغيظ قل موتوا بغيظكم ان الله عليم بذات الصدور

Transcription (English)
3:119 Ha antum ola-i tuhibboonahumwala yuhibboonakum watu/minoona bialkitabikullihi wa-itha laqookum qaloo amannawa-itha khalaw AAaddoo AAalaykumu al-anamilamina alghaythi qul mootoo bighaythikuminna Allaha AAaleemun bithati alssudoori
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:119 Here you love them while they do not love you, and you acknowledge the whole book. When they meet you they say, "We acknowledge," and when they are alone they bite their fingers out of frustration at you. Say, "Die in your frustration, God is aware of what is in the chests."28

Note 28

The word KiTaB is singular, but it is used for all divine books. Furthermore, since the original Quran did not contain vowels, this word might be read in its plural form KuTuB. All meanings are acceptable as long as they do not create contradictions within the general and specific contexts of the Quran and facts in the natural world.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:119 Here you love them while they do not love you, and you believe in the entire Book. And if they meet you they say: "We believe," and if they are alone they bite their fingers out of frustration at you. Say: "Die in your frustration, God is aware of what is in the chests."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:119 Lo! It is you who [are prepared to] love them, but they will not love you, although you believe in all of the revelation.89 And when they meet you, they assert, "We believe [as you believe]"; but when they find themselves alone, they gnaw their fingers in rage against you. Say: "Perish in your rage! Behold, God has full knowledge of what is in the hearts [of men]!"

Note 89
I.e., including the revelation of the Bible.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:119 Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, "We believe," but as soon as they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage towards you. Say, "Die in your rage." GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:119 Ah! You are those who love them, but they do not love you, although you acknowledge all the revelation (including the Bible). When they meet you they say, “We believe (as you believe)." But in their privacy, they bite their fingers in rage against you. Say, “Perish in your rage. God is fully Aware of what is hidden in the hearts."

3:120 ان تمسسكم حسنة تسؤهم وان تصبكم سيئة يفرحوا بها وان تصبروا وتتقوا لا يضركم كيدهم شيا ان الله بما يعملون محيط

Transcription (English)
3:120 In tamsaskum hasanatun tasu/humwa-in tusibkum sayyi-atun yafrahoo bihawa-in tasbiroo watattaqoo la yadurrukumkayduhum shay-an inna Allaha bima yaAAmaloona muheetun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:120 If any good befalls you it disturbs them, and if any bad befalls you they rejoice with it. If you are patient and aware, their planning will not harm you at all. Over all they do God is Encompassing.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:120 If any good befalls you it disturbs them, and if any bad befalls you they rejoice with it. And if you are patient and righteous their planning will not harm you at all. God is Encompassing all they do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:120 If good fortune comes to you, it grieves them; and if evil befalls you, they rejoice in it. But if you are patient in adversity and conscious of God, their guile cannot harm you at all: for, verily, God encompasses [with His might] all that they do.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:120 When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:120 If you are blessed with good fortune, it grieves them, and if a calamity befalls you, they rejoice in it. But if you persevere and be on guard, their plotting cannot harm you at all. For, God encompasses whatever they may contrive.52

Note 52
Taqwa = Living upright = Being observant = Seeking to journey through life in security = Be on guard. 2:41

3:121 واذ غدوت من اهلك تبوئ المؤمنين مقعد للقتال والله سميع عليم

Transcription (English)
3:121 Wa-ith ghadawta min ahlika tubawwi-oalmu/mineena maqaAAida lilqitali waAllahusameeAAun AAaleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Battle of Badr3:121 Recall when you departed from your family to prepare for those who acknowledged, their stations for battle, and God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:121 And as you departed from your family to prepare for the believers their stations for battle - and God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:121 AND [remember, O Prophet, the day] when thou didst set out from thy home at early morn to place the believers in battle array.90 And God was all-hearing, all-knowing

Note 90
This reference to the battle of Uhud, to which many verses of this surah are devoted, connects with the exhortation implied in the preceding verse, "if you are patient in adversity and conscious of God, their guile cannot harm you at all". Since this and the subsequent references cannot be fully understood without a knowledge of the historical background, a brief account of the battle would seem to be indicated. In order to avenge their catastrophic defeat at Badr in the second year after the hijrah, the pagan Meccans - supported by several tribes hostile to the Muslims - mustered in the following year an army comprising ten thousand men under the command of Abu Sufyan and marched against Medina. On hearing of their approach, in the month of Shawwal 3 H., the Prophet held a council of war at which the tactics to be adopted were discussed. In view of the overwhelming cavalry forces at the disposal of the enemy, the Prophet himself was of the opinion that the Muslims should give battle from behind the fortifications of Medina and, if need be, fight in its narrow streets and lanes; and his plan was supported by some of the most outstanding among his Companions. However, the majority of the Muslim leaders who participated in the council strongly insisted on going forth and meeting the enemy in the open field. In obedience to the Qur'anic principle that all communal affairs must be transacted on the basis of mutually-agreed decisions (see verse 159 of this surah, as well as 42:38), the Prophet sorrowfully gave way to the will of the majority and set out with his followers towards the plain below the mountain of Uhud, a little over three miles from Medina. His army consisted of less than one thousand men; but on the way to Mount Uhud this number was still further reduced by the defection of some three hundred men led by the hypocritical `Abd Allah ibn Ubayy, who pretended to be convinced that the Muslims did not really intend to fight. Shortly before the battle, two other groups from among the Prophet's forces - namely, the clans of Banu Salamah (of the tribe of Al-Aws) and Banu Harithah (of the tribe of Khazraj) almost lost heart and were about to join the defectors (3:122) on the plea that because of their numerical weakness the Muslims must now avoid giving battle; but at the last moment they decided to follow the Prophet. Having less than seven hundred men with him, the Prophet arrayed the bulk of his forces with their backs to the mountain and posted all his archers - numbering fifty - on a nearby hill in order to provide cover against an outflanking manoeuvre by the enemy cavalry; these archers were ordered not to leave their post under any circumstances. In their subsequent, death-defying assault upon the greatly superior forces of the pagan Quraysh, the Muslims gained a decisive advantage over the former and almost routed them. At that moment, however, most of the archers, believing that the battle had been won and fearing lest they lose their share of the spoils, abandoned their covering position and joined the melee around the encampment of the Quraysh. Seizing this opportunity, the bulk of the Meccan cavalry under the command of Khalid ibn al-Walid (who shortly after this battle embraced Islam and later became one of the greatest Muslim generals of all times) veered round in a wide arc and attacked the Muslim forces from the rear. Deprived of the cover of the archers, and caught between two fires, the Muslims retreated in disorder, with the loss of many lives. The Prophet himself and a handful of his most stalwart Companions defended themselves desperately; and the Prophet was seriously injured and fell to the ground. The cry immediately arose, "The Apostle of God has been killed!" Many of the Muslims began to flee; some among them were even prepared to throw themselves upon the mercy of the enemy. But a few of the Companions - among them `Umar ibn al-Khattab and Talhah - called out, "What good are your lives without him, O believers? Let us die as he has died!" - and threw themselves with the strength of despair against the Meccans. Their example at once found an echo among the rest of the Muslims, who in the meantime had learnt that the Prophet was alive: they rallied and counter-attacked the enemy, and thus saved the day. But the Muslims were now too exhausted to exploit their chances of victory, and the battle ended in a draw, with the enemy retreating in the direction of Mecca. On the next day the Prophet started in pursuit of them at the head of seventy of his Companions. But when the Muslims reached the place called Hamra' al-Asad, about eight miles south of Medina, it became obvious that the Meccans were in no mood to risk another encounter and were rapidly marching home; and thereupon the tiny Muslim army returned to Medina.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Battle of Badr3:121 Recall that you (Muhammad) were among your people when you set out to assign to the believers their positions for battle. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:121 (And recall O Prophet, the day of the UhudBattle), when you left your household early in the morning to deploy the believers in battle positions. God is Hearer, Knower.53

Note 53
Knowing this, you remembered to use your faculties of listening and observing

3:122 اذ همت طائفتان منكم ان تفشلا والله وليهما وعلى الله فليتوكل المؤمنون

Transcription (English)
3:122 Ith hammat ta-ifataniminkum an tafshala waAllahu waliyyuhumawaAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:122 When the two parties from among you were concerned about their failure, though God was their ally. In God those who acknowledge should trust.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:122 When two parties from among you were obsessed that they would fail; while God was their supporter. In God the believers should trust.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:122 when two groups from among you were about to lose heart,91 although God was near unto them and it is in God that the believers must place their trust:

Note 91
I.e., the clans of Banu Salamah and Banu Harithah, who had almost joined the deserters led by `Abd Allah ibn Ubayy (see preceding note).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:122 Two groups among you almost failed, but GOD was their Lord. In GOD the believers shall trust.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:122 When two of your units were about to lose heart, God was Patron of them both. God it is, then, in Whom the believers must put their trust. [3:151-152]

3:123 ولقد نصركم الله ببدر وانتم اذلة فاتقوا الله لعلكم تشكرون

Transcription (English)
3:123 Walaqad nasarakumu Allahubibadrin waantum athillatun faittaqoo AllahalaAAallakum tashkuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:123 God had granted you victory at Badr while you had been the lesser, so be aware of God that you may be thankful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:123 God had granted you victory at Badr, while you had been the lesser, so reverence God that you may be thankful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:123 for, indeed, God did succour you at Badr, when you were utterly weak.92 Remain, then, conscious of God, so that you might have cause to be grateful.

Note 92
A reference to the battle of Badr, in 2 H., which is dealt with extensively in surah 8.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:123 GOD has granted you victory at Badr, despite your weakness. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, to show your appreciation.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:123 God had granted you help and the victory at Badr, although you were utterly disadvantaged (few and ill-equipped 8:9). Therefore, guard yourselves according to God’s laws so that your efforts bring results, such that you have cause to be grateful in word and action.

3:124 اذ تقول للمؤمنين الن يكفيكم ان يمدكم ربكم بثلثة ءالف من الملئكة منزلين

Transcription (English)
3:124 Ith taqoolu lilmu/mineena alanyakfiyakum an yumiddakum rabbukum bithalathati alafinmina almala-ikati munzaleena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:124 When you said to those who acknowledge: "Is it not enough for you that your Lord would supply you with three thousand of the controllers sent down?"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:124 When you said to the believers: "Is it not enough for you that your Lord would supply you with three thousand of the angels sent down?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:124 [And remember] when thou didst say unto the believers: "Is it not enough for you [to know] that your Sustainer will aid you with three thousand angels sent down [from on high]?
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
God's Angels Help the Believers3:124 You told the believers, "Is it not enough that your Lord supports you with three thousand angels, sent down?",10

Note 10
Thirty different numbers are mentioned in the Quran. Their total comes to 162146, 19x8534. This conforms with theQuran's mathematical miracle (SeeAppendix One).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:124 Remember when you said to the believers, “Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should help you with three thousand angels, sent down to your hearts?”54

Note 54
Fearlessness, determination, inner calm, and courage are the angels God sends down upon those who strive in His cause. 8:9, 41:30. Taking such verses literally, leads us to wrongly conclude the utter feebleness of 'angels' - the Battle of Badrwas fought between 313 Muslims and about 1,000 opponents

3:125 بلى ان تصبروا وتتقوا وياتوكم من فورهم هذا يمددكم ربكم بخمسة ءالف من الملئكة مسومين

Transcription (English)
3:125 Bala in tasbiroo watattaqoowaya/tookum min fawrihim hatha yumdidkum rabbukumbikhamsati alafin mina almala-ikatimusawwimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:125 Indeed, if you are patient and are aware and they come and attack you, He will supply you with five thousand of the well-trained controllers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:125 Indeed, if you are patient and are righteous and they come and attack you, He will supply you with five thousand of the angels battle trained.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:125 Nay, but if you are patient in adversity and conscious of Him, and the enemy should fall upon you of a sudden, your Sustainer will aid you with five thousand angels swooping down!"93

Note 93
As is evident from the next verse, the Prophet's allusion to God's aiding the believers with thousands of angels signifies, metaphorically, a strengthening of the believers' hearts through spiritual forces coming from God (Manar IV, 112 ff., and IX, 612 ff.). A very similar announcement - relating to the battle of Badr - occurs in 8:9, where "one thousaand" angels are mentioned. As regards these varying numbers (one, three and five thousand), they would seem to indicate the unlimited nature of God's aid to those who are "patient in adversity and conscious of Him". It is reasonable to assume that the Prophet thus exhorted his followers immediately before the battle of Uhud, that is, after three hundred men under the leadership of `Abd Allah ibn Ubayy had deserted him and some of the others "almost lost heart" in the face of the greatly superior enemy forces.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:125 Indeed, if you steadfastly persevere and maintain righteousness, then they attack you suddenly, your Lord will support you with five thousand angels, well trained.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:125 If you take a firm stand and be on guard, and the enemy launches on you a sudden attack, your Lord will aid you with five thousand angels, specialized.55

Note 55
Musawwimeen= Clearly marked = Those given a clear assignment = Branded horses = Destined to succeed = Special forces = Specialized. Once again, the term refers to invincible determination

3:126 وما جعله الله الا بشرى لكم ولتطمئن قلوبكم به وما النصر الا من عند الله العزيز الحكيم

Transcription (English)
3:126 Wama jaAAalahu Allahu illabushra lakum walitatma-inna quloobukum bihi wamaalnnasru illa min AAindi AllahialAAazeezi alhakeemi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:126 God did not give this except as good news to you, and so that your hearts may be assured with it. Victory is only from God, the Noble, the Wise.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:126 And God did not give this except as good news to you, and so that your hearts may be assured with it. Victory is only from God, the Noble, the Wise.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:126 And God ordained this [to be said by His Apostle94 ] only as a glad tiding for you, and that your hearts should thereby be set at rest - since no succour can come from any save God, the Almighty, the Truly Wise -

Note 94
According to many commentators (see Manar IV, 112), this interpolation is justified by the preceding two verses, which show that it was the Prophet who, under divine inspiration, made this promise to his followers. See also 8:9, where a similar promise is voiced on the occasion of the battle of Badr.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:126 GOD thus informs you, in order to give you good news, and to assure your hearts. Victory comes only from GOD, the Almighty, Most Wise.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:126 God made this but an allegory to give you glad tiding, and to comfort your hearts, since there is no victory contrary to the laws of God, the Almighty, the Wise.

3:127 ليقطع طرفا من الذين كفروا او يكبتهم فينقلبوا خائبين

Transcription (English)
3:127 LiyaqtaAAa tarafan mina allatheenakafaroo aw yakbitahum fayanqaliboo kha-ibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:127 Thus, He would sever a group of those who reject, or disgrace them; then they will turn back frustrated.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:127 Thus He will sever a group of those who reject, or disgrace them; then they will turn back frustrated.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:127 [and] that [through you] He might destroy some of those who were bent on denying the truth, and so abase the others95 that they would withdraw in utter hopelessness.

Note 95
Lit., "that He might destroy some ... or [so] abase them". It is obvious that the particle aw ("or") does not, in this context, denote an alternative but, rather, a specification (tanwi') - as, for instance, in the phrase "ten persons were killed or injured": meaning that some of them were killed and others injured.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:127 He thus annihilates some disbelievers, or neutralizes them; they always end up the losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:127 This is how He cuts off a flank of the rejecters, and abases them so that they turn back utterly dejected.56

Note 56
Yaqta' = He cut off = Sets apart = Sets aside. 'Aw' in this case more appropriately indicates 'and'

3:128 ليس لك من الامر شىء او يتوب عليهم او يعذبهم فانهم ظلمون

Transcription (English)
3:128 Laysa laka mina al-amri shay-on aw yatoobaAAalayhim aw yuAAaththibahum fa-innahum thalimoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:128 You will have no say in the matter, for He may pardon them, or punish them for their wickedness.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:128 You will have no say in the matter, for He may pardon them, or punish them; for they are wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:128 [And] it is in no wise for thee [O Prophet] to decide whether He shall accept their repentance or chastise them - for, behold, they are but wrongdoers,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:128 It is not up to you; He may redeem them, or He may punish them for their transgressions.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:128 It is not your personal concern (O Messenger) whether He accepts their repentance or punishes them because they have been unjust aggressors.57

Note 57
The matter will be decided according to law. Zaalimoon = Oppressors = Violators of human rights = Those who commit unjust aggression = Who displace right with wrong = Those who relegate the truth = Those who choose to do wrong

3:129 ولله ما فى السموت وما فى الارض يغفر لمن يشاء ويعذب من يشاء والله غفور رحيم

Transcription (English)
3:129 Walillahi ma fee alssamawatiwama fee al-ardi yaghfiru liman yashaowayuAAaththibu man yashao waAllahughafoorun raheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:129 To God is what is in the heavens and the earth, He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases; and God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:129 And to God is what is in the heavens and in the earth, He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases; and God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:129 whereas unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth: He forgives whom He wills, and He chastises whom He wills; and God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.96

Note 96
As recorded in several authentic Traditions, the Prophet invoked, during the battle of Uhud, God's curse upon the leaders of the pagan Quraysh (Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ahmad ibn Hanbal); and when he lay on the ground severely injured, he exclaimed, "How could those people prosper after having done this to their prophet, who but invites them to [acknowledge] their Sustainer?" - whereupon the above two verses were revealed (Muslim and ibn Hanbal).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:129 To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. He forgives whomever He wills, and punishes whomever He wills. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:129 (Their case will be decided by Divine law, since) all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth belongs to God and working His Plan. He (His law) forgives him that deserves to be forgiven, and chastises him that deserves to be chastised. God is Absolver of faults, Merciful.58

Note 58
8:42. Individuals and nations get to choose which law applies to them. Yasha carries the connotations of 'will', ‘deserve’, ‘choose’, 'due measure' and 'law'

3:130 يايها الذين ءامنوا لا تاكلوا الربوا اضعفا مضعفة واتقوا الله لعلكم تفلحون

Transcription (English)
3:130 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola ta/kuloo alrriba adAAafanmudaAAafatan waittaqoo Allaha laAAallakumtuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Exploit the Needy Through Usury3:130 O you who acknowledge, do not consume usury multiplying over, and be aware of God that you may succeed.29

Note 29

See 2:275.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:130 O you who believe, do not consume usury, compounding over and over; and reverence God that you may succeed.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:130 O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not gorge yourselves on usury, doubling and re-doubling it97 - but remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state;

Note 97
For a definition of riba ("usury"), see note 35 on 30:39, the earliest Qur'anic reference to this term. As for the connection of the above verse with the subject-matter dealt with in the foregoing, the best explanation is, to my mind, the one offered by Qiffal (as quoted by Razi): Since it was mainly through usurious gains that the pagan Meccans had acquired the wealth which enabled them to equip their powerful army and almost to defeat the poorly-armed Muslims at Uhud, the latter might have been tempted to emulate their enemies in this respect; and it was to remove this temptation - from them as well as from later generations of believers - that the prohibition of usury was once again stressed through revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Usury Prohibited3:130 O you who believe, you shall not take usury, compounded over and over. Observe GOD, that you may succeed.11 ,

Note 11
Interest on bank deposits and interest charged on loans are lawful if they are not excessive (5-15%). Banks invest and theirprofits are passed on to the depositors. Since all parties are happy andno one is victimized, it is perfectly lawful to take interest from the bank(see2:275).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:130 (The battle was about repelling aggression. The prime duty is to maintain a benevolent, equitable society to which usury is a big detriment. Usury is the return on money while trade is the return on labor. Usury or interest appears ever-increasing, but God blights usury and nourishes the acts of caring 2:275-279) O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Devour not usury which is compounded over and over again. Live upright as ordained by God in order to build a truly prosperous society.

3:131 واتقوا النار التى اعدت للكفرين

Transcription (English)
3:131 Waittaqoo alnnaraallatee oAAiddat lilkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:131 Be aware of the fire that has been prepared for the ingrates.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:131 And be aware of the Fire that has been prepared for the rejecters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:131 and beware of the fire which awaits those who deny the truth!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:131 Beware of the hellfire that awaits the disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:131 So, (by avoiding the interest-based economy in your society), guard yourselves against the fire that has been readied for the rejecters (who run systems contrary to Divine laws).59

Note 59
Kaafireenrejecters in this context reveals another shade of meaning that is clearly defined in 5:44, “Whoever does not judge and rule according to what God has revealed, such are the disbelievers.”

3:132 واطيعوا الله والرسول لعلكم ترحمون

Transcription (English)
3:132 WaateeAAoo Allaha waalrrasoolalaAAallakum turhamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:132 Obey God and the messenger so that you may obtain mercy.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:132 And obey God and the messenger so that you may obtain mercy.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:132 And pay heed unto God and the Apostle, so that you might be graced with mercy.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:132 You shall obey GOD and the messenger, that you may attain mercy.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:132 And obey God and the Messenger (the Central Authority). That is how you will achieve the development of your own ‘self’. A benevolent society helps you grow like a mother's womb nourishes the embryo.60

Note 60
Turhamoon from Rahmor womb = 'You may find mercy', carries the meanings rendered in the last two sentences

3:133 وسارعوا الى مغفرة من ربكم وجنة عرضها السموت والارض اعدت للمتقين

Transcription (English)
3:133 WasariAAoo ila maghfiratinmin rabbikum wajannatin AAarduha alssamawatuwaal-ardu oAAiddat lilmuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Good-doers3:133 Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a paradise whose width encompasses the width of the heavens and the earth; it has been prepared for the conscientious.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:133 And race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the width of the heavens and of the earth; it has been prepared for the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:133 And vie with one another to attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness and to a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for the God-conscious
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Attributes of the Righteous3:133 You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous,,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:133 Move forward eagerly to the tranquil security that comes from your Lord, and to the Paradise that transcends spatial boundaries, encompassing the heavens and earth. It has already been prepared for those who live upright.61

Note 61
Paradise is not confined to the skies. Like Hell, it begins right here in this world

3:134 الذين ينفقون فى السراء والضراء والكظمين الغيظ والعافين عن الناس والله يحب المحسنين

Transcription (English)
3:134 Allatheena yunfiqoona fee alssarra-iwaalddarra-i waalkathimeenaalghaytha waalAAafeena AAani alnnasiwaAllahu yuhibbu almuhsineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:134 The ones who spend in prosperity and adversity, repress anger, and pardon the people; God loves the good doers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:134 The ones who spend in prosperity and hardship, and who repress anger, and who pardon the people; God loves the good doers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:134 who spend [in His way] in time of plenty and in time of hardship, and hold in check their anger, and pardon their fellow-men because God loves the doers of good;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:134 who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:134 And for those who, in ease and in adversity, keep their resources open for others. They divert and sublimate their anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, becoming a source of tranquility and comfort to others. They pardon people gracefully. God loves the benefactors of humanity.

3:135 والذين اذا فعلوا فحشة او ظلموا انفسهم ذكروا الله فاستغفروا لذنوبهم ومن يغفر الذنوب الا الله ولم يصروا على ما فعلوا وهم يعلمون

Transcription (English)
3:135 Waallatheena ithafaAAaloo fahishatan aw thalamoo anfusahum thakarooAllaha faistaghfaroo lithunoobihim wamanyaghfiru alththunooba illa Allahuwalam yusirroo AAala ma faAAaloo wahumyaAAlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:135 If they commit any evil, or wrong themselves, they remember God and seek forgiveness for their sins. Who can forgive the sins except God? They do not persist in what they have done while they know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:135 And those who, if they commit lewdness, or wrong themselves, they remember God and seek forgiveness for their sins. And who can forgive the sins except God? And they do not persist in what they have done while they know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:135 and who, when they have committed a shameful deed or have [otherwise] sinned against themselves, remember God and pray that their sins be forgiven - for who but God could forgive sins? - and do not knowingly persist in doing whatever [wrong] they may have done.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:135 If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember GOD and ask forgiveness for their sins - and who forgives the sins except GOD - and they do not persist in sins, knowingly.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:135 Such men and women quickly correct any wrong or indecency that has occurred from them, by remembering the commands of God, and thus, protect themselves from trailing behind in humanity. And who can absolve imperfections but God? And they know well enough to refrain from persisting in whatever (wrong or indecency) had occurred from them.

3:136 اولئك جزاؤهم مغفرة من ربهم وجنت تجرى من تحتها الانهر خلدين فيها ونعم اجر العملين

Transcription (English)
3:136 Ola-ika jazaohum maghfiratunmin rabbihim wajannatun tajree min tahtihaal-anharu khalideena feeha waniAAma ajrualAAamileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:136 To these the reward will be forgiveness from their Lord and gardens with rivers flowing underneath, eternally abiding in it. Excellent is the reward of the workers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:136 To these the recompense will be forgiveness from their Lord and estates with rivers flowing beneath them; abiding therein. Excellent is the recompense of the workers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:136 These it is who shall have as their reward forgiveness from their Sustainer, and gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: and how excellent a reward for those who labour!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:136 Their recompense is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. What a blessed reward for the workers!,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:136 These are the ones whose reward from their Lord is their protection against the detrimental effects of their errors, and magnificent Gardens with streams flowing beneath, therein to abide. How excellent a reward for the sincere workers!

3:137 قد خلت من قبلكم سنن فسيروا فى الارض فانظروا كيف كان عقبة المكذبين

Transcription (English)
3:137 Qad khalat min qablikum sunanun faseeroofee al-ardi faonthuroo kayfa kanaAAaqibatu almukaththibeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:137 Many nations have come before you. So roam the earth and see what the consequence of the liars was.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:137 Many nations have come before you, so roam the earth and see how the punishment was for the deniers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:137 [MANY] WAYS of life have passed away before your time.98 Go, then, about the earth and behold what happened in the end to those who gave the lie to the truth:

Note 98
The word sunnah (of which sunan is the plural) denotes a "way of life" or "conduct" (hence its application, in Islamic terminology, to the way of life of the Prophet as an example for his followers). In the above passage, the term sunan refers to the "conditions (ahwal) characteristic of past centuries" (Razi), in which, despite all the continuous changes, an ever-recurring pattern can be discerned: a typically Qur'anic reference to the possibility, and necessity, of learning from man's past experiences.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Victory for the Righteous3:137 Precedents have been set for you in the past; roam the earth and note the consequences for the unbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:137 Many ways of life have passed away before your time. Travel, then, in the land and see the end of nations that denied the truth.62

Note 62
Mukazzibeen= Those who deny the truth in practice but not verbally = Those who deny the truth = Who live by conjecture instead of the unalterable Divine laws

3:138 هذا بيان للناس وهدى وموعظة للمتقين

Transcription (English)
3:138 Hatha bayanun lilnnasiwahudan wamawAAithatun lilmuttaqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:138 This is a clarification for the people and a guidance and advice for the conscientious.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:138 This is a clarification for the people and a reminder for the righteous.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:138 this [should be] a clear lesson unto all men, and a guidance and an admonition unto the God-conscious.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:138 This is a proclamation for the people, and a guidance and enlightenment for the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:138 This Qur’an is a declaration for the entire mankind, and a beacon of light and a beautiful instruction for those who seek to journey through life in honor and security.

3:139 ولا تهنوا ولا تحزنوا وانتم الاعلون ان كنتم مؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:139 Wala tahinoo wala tahzanoowaantumu al-aAAlawna in kuntum mu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
You Will be Tested3:139 Do not be weak, and do not grieve, for you are superior, if you have acknowledged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:139 Do not be weak, and do not grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:139 Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not:99 for you are bound to rise high if you are [truly] believers.

Note 99
A reference to the near-disaster at Uhud and the heavy loss of lives (about seventy men) which the Muslims had suffered.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:139 You shall not waver, nor shall you grieve, for you are the ultimate victors, if you are believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:139 Do not ever, then, lose heart, and do not grieve, for you are bound to prevail if you are truly believers. [4:141]

3:140 ان يمسسكم قرح فقد مس القوم قرح مثله وتلك الايام نداولها بين الناس وليعلم الله الذين ءامنوا ويتخذ منكم شهداء والله لا يحب الظلمين

Transcription (English)
3:140 In yamsaskum qarhun faqad massaalqawma qarhun mithluhu watilka al-ayyamu nudawiluhabayna alnnasi waliyaAAlama Allahu allatheenaamanoo wayattakhitha minkum shuhadaa waAllahula yuhibbu alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:140 If you are wounded, then know that the other group is also wounded. Such are the days, We alternate them between the people, so that God will know those who acknowledge, and so He may make witnesses from among you; and God does not like the wicked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:140 If you are wounded, then know that the other group is also wounded. And such are the days, We alternate them between the people, so that God will distinguish those who believe, and so He may make witnesses from among you; and God does not love the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:140 If misfortune100 touches you, [know that] similar misfortune has touched [other] people as well; for it is by turns that We apportion unto men such days [of fortune and misfortune]: and [this] to the end that God might mark out those who have attained to faith, and choose from among you such as [with their lives] bear witness to the truth101 - since God does not love evildoers -

Note 100
Lit., "a wound" (qarh) or, according to some philologists, "pain caused by a wound".

Note 101
I.e., "His decision to let some of you die as martyrs in His cause is not due to love of the sinful enemies who oppose you, but to His love for you." The term shuhada' (pl. of shahid) denotes "witnesses" as well as "martyrs". The rendering adopted by me comprises both the concepts of "bearing witness to the truth" and of "martyrdom" in God's cause.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:140 If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:140 If a wound afflicts you, a similar wound has afflicted the other community. Such are the days of fluctuating fortunes that We rotate among mankind. God thus makes known (and distinguishes through perseverance) the believers, and takes among you witnesses (as truth personified). God does not love the oppressors.63

Note 63
Shuhada = Witnesses = Those who uphold the truth = Those who uphold the truth even with their lives

3:141 وليمحص الله الذين ءامنوا ويمحق الكفرين

Transcription (English)
3:141 Waliyumahhisa Allahuallatheena amanoo wayamhaqa alkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:141 God will refine those who acknowledge and He will destroy the ingrates.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:141 And God will prove those who believe and He will condemn the rejecters.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:141 and that God might render pure of all dross those who have attained to faith, and bring to nought those who deny the truth.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:141 GOD thus toughens those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:141 This is how God enables the true believers to emerge stronger after every challenge and causes the rejecters of Divine laws to wither away.

3:142 ام حسبتم ان تدخلوا الجنة ولما يعلم الله الذين جهدوا منكم ويعلم الصبرين

Transcription (English)
3:142 Am hasibtum an tadkhuloo aljannatawalamma yaAAlami Allahu allatheena jahadoominkum wayaAAlama alssabireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:142 Or did you calculate that you would enter paradise without God knowing those who would strive amongst you and knowing those who are patient?
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:142 Or did you think that you would enter the Paradise without God distinguishing those who would strive among you and distinguishing those who are patient?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:142 Do you think that you could enter paradise unless God takes cognizance of your having striven hard [in His cause], and takes cognizance of your having been patient in adversity?102

Note 102
Lit., "while God has not yet taken cognizance of those of you who have striven ... and those who are patient in adversity". Since God is all-knowing, His "not taking cognizance" implies, of course, that the thing or happening referred to has not come about or is non-existent (Zamakhshari).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Our Claims Must Be Tested3:142 Do you expect to enter Paradise without GOD distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing those who are steadfast?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:142 Do you think that you would enter Paradise without God distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing the steadfast? [2:214]

3:143 ولقد كنتم تمنون الموت من قبل ان تلقوه فقد رايتموه وانتم تنظرون

Transcription (English)
3:143 Walaqad kuntum tamannawna almawta min qablian talqawhu faqad raaytumoohu waantum tanthuroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:143 You used to long for death before you came upon it, and now you see it right in front of you!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:143 And you used to long for death before you came upon it; so now you see it right in-front of you!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:143 For, indeed, you did long for death [in God's cause] before you came face to face with it; and now you have seen it with your own eyes!103

Note 103
In Zamakhshari's opinion, this is a twofold reproach addressed to the majority of the Companions who took part in the battle of Uhud: firstly, on account of their insistence, against the Prophet's advice, on giving battle to the enemy in the open field and thereby unnecessarily courting a deadly danger; and, secondly, on account of their failure to live up to their faith during the earlier part of the battle (see note 90 above). This passage may have yet another, more positive implication: namely, a reference to the lesson which the believers should draw from their near-defeat, and a reminder of the fact that their future depends on the strength of their faith in God (cf. verse 139 above) and not on a fleeting desire for self-sacrifice.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:143 You used to long for death before you had to face it. Now you have faced it, right before your eyes.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:143 You longed for death (in the cause of God) before you faced it. And now you have seen it with your own eyes.64

Note 64
A life of honor in this world belongs to those who have conquered the fear of death, and death is the gateway to eternal life. 2:94, 2:243

3:144 وما محمد الا رسول قد خلت من قبله الرسل افاين مات او قتل انقلبتم على اعقبكم ومن ينقلب على عقبيه فلن يضر الله شيا وسيجزى الله الشكرين

Transcription (English)
3:144 Wama muhammadun illarasoolun qad khalat min qablihi alrrusulu afa-in mataaw qutila inqalabtum AAala aAAqabikum wamanyanqalib AAala AAaqibayhi falan yadurra Allahashay-an wasayajzee Allahu alshshakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Muhammed Was No Different3:144 Muhammed is but a messenger, like many messengers that have passed before him. If he dies or gets killed, will you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back on his heels, he will not harm God in the least. God will reward the thankful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:144 And Mohammed is but a messenger, like many messengers who have passed before him. If he dies or is killed will you turn back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels, he will not harm God in the least. And God will recompense the thankful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:144 AND MUHAMMAD is only an apostle; all the [other] apostles have passed away before him: if, then, he dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels?104 But he that turns about on his heels can in no wise harm God - whereas God will requite all who are grateful [to Him].

Note 104
This stress on the mortality of the Prophet - and that of all the other prophets who preceded him in time - connects, in the first instance, with the battle of Uhud and the rumour of his death, which caused many Muslims to abandon the fight and even brought some of them close to apostasy (Tabari; see also note 90 above). In its wider implication, however, the above verse re-states the fundamental Islamic doctrine that adoration is due to God alone, and that no human being - not even a prophet - may have any share in it. It was this very passage of the Qur'an which Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, recited immediately after the Prophet's death, when many faint-hearted Muslims thought that Islam itself had come to an end; but as soon as Abu Bakr added, "Behold, whoever has worshipped Muhammad may know that Muhammad has died; but whoever worships God may know that God is ever-living, and never dies" (Bukhari), all confusion was stilled. - The expression "turning about on one's heels" denotes - according to circumstances - either actual apostasy or a deliberate withdrawal from efforts in the cause of God.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:144 Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:144 Muhammad is only a Messenger. The Messengers before him have passed on. So, if he died or were slain, would you turn about on your heels? But anyone who turns about his heels, would not, in the least, harm God. And God will soon reward those who remain appreciative (for the guidance).65

Note 65
The System the Prophet has established is to become a beacon of light for all humanity. The believers will reap the fruit of the Benevolent System here and, then, get rewarded in the Hereafter. 3:101, 3:185, 35:10

3:145 وما كان لنفس ان تموت الا باذن الله كتبا مؤجلا ومن يرد ثواب الدنيا نؤته منها ومن يرد ثواب الءاخرة نؤته منها وسنجزى الشكرين

Transcription (English)
3:145 Wama kana linafsin an tamootailla bi-ithni Allahi kitabanmu-ajjalan waman yurid thawaba alddunyanu/tihi minha waman yurid thawaba al-akhiratinu/tihi minha wasanajzee alshshakireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:145 It is not permitted for a person to die except by God's leave in an appointed record. Whoever wants the rewards of this world We give him of it, and whoever wants the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. We will reward the thankful.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:145 It is not permitted for a soul to die except by the permission of God in an appointed record. And whoever wants the reward of this world We give him of it, and whoever wants the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. And We will reward the thankful.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:145 And no human being can die save by God's leave, at a term pre-ordained. And if one desires the rewards of this world, We shall grant him thereof; and if one desires the rewards of the life to come, We shall grant him thereof; and We shall requite those who are grateful [to Us].
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Time of Death Predetermined3:145 No one dies except by GOD's leave, at a predetermined time. Whoever seeks the vanities of this world, we give him therefrom, and whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we bless him therein. We reward those who are appreciative.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:145 No one dies except by God’s leave, at a term appointed by His laws. Whoever seeks the rewards of this world, We give him thereof, and whoever seeks the returns of the Hereafter, We shall grant him thereof. We will soon reward those who are appreciative (for serving Him).66

Note 66
Being appreciative Shaakir is not confined to verbal proclamations. It involves sharing Divine bounties with the society and individuals. The Qur’an shows humans the way to success in both worlds. 3:148, 17:18, 24:55, 28:77

3:146 وكاين من نبى قتل معه ربيون كثير فما وهنوا لما اصابهم فى سبيل الله وما ضعفوا وما استكانوا والله يحب الصبرين

Transcription (English)
3:146 Wakaayyin min nabiyyin qatalamaAAahu ribbiyyoona katheerun fama wahanoo lima asabahumfee sabeeli Allahi wama daAAufoo wamaistakanoo waAllahu yuhibbu alssabireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
They Did Not Waver Nor Did They Lose Hope3:146 Many a prophet had a large number of devotees fighting with him. They did not waver by what afflicted them in the cause of God, nor did they become weak, nor did they become discouraged; and God loves the steadfast.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:146 And many a prophet had a large number of Devotees fighting with him. They did not waver by what afflicted them in the cause of God, nor did they become weak, nor did they become discouraged; and God loves the patient ones.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:146 And how many a prophet has had to fight [in God's cause], followed by many God-devoted men: and they did not become faint of heart for all that they had to suffer in God's cause, and neither did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves [before the enemy], since God loves those who are patient in adversity;
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:146 Many a prophet had godly people fight along with him, without ever wavering under pressure in the cause of GOD, nor did they hesitate or become discouraged. GOD loves the steadfast.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:146 Many a Prophet fought, - and with them numerous devotees of their Lord, without wavering under adversity, in the cause of God, nor did they hesitate or become discouraged. Know that God loves those who are determined to achieve a noble objective.67

Note 67
Wa= And = Since = Witness = Or = For = Then = As a continuum, it may be understood as 'know', 'remember'. Saabir = Steadfast = Persevering = Determined = Patient in ease and adversity

3:147 وما كان قولهم الا ان قالوا ربنا اغفر لنا ذنوبنا واسرافنا فى امرنا وثبت اقدامنا وانصرنا على القوم الكفرين

Transcription (English)
3:147 Wama kana qawlahum illaan qaloo rabbana ighfir lana thunoobanawa-israfana fee amrina wathabbit aqdamanawaonsurna AAala alqawmi alkafireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:147 They said nothing but: "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our shortcomings in our responsibility, and make firm our foothold, and grant us victory over the ingrates."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:147 And they did not say except: "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our shortcomings in our responsibility, and make firm our foothold, and grant us victory over the rejecting people."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:147 and all that they said was this: "O our Sustainer! Forgive us our sins and the lack of moderation in our doings! And make firm our steps, and succour us against people who deny the truth!" -
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:147 Their only utterance was, "Our Lord, forgive us our sins, and our transgressions, strengthen our foothold, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:147 Their resolve was their utterance, "Our Lord! Protect us from trailing behind in our mission and from wasting our efforts. Make us firm in our stand, and help us against people who oppose the truth."

3:148 فاتىهم الله ثواب الدنيا وحسن ثواب الءاخرة والله يحب المحسنين

Transcription (English)
3:148 Faatahumu Allahu thawabaalddunya wahusna thawabi al-akhiratiwaAllahu yuhibbu almuhsineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:148 So God gave them the reward of this world and the best reward of the Hereafter; and God loves the good doers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:148 So God gave them the reward of this world and the best reward of the Hereafter; and God loves the good doers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:148 whereupon God granted them the rewards of this world, as well as the goodliest rewards of the life to come: for God loves the doers of good.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:148 Consequently, GOD granted them the rewards of this world, and the better rewards of the Hereafter. GOD loves the good doers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:148 So, God gave them excellent returns in this world; and better are the returns of the Hereafter. Remember that God loves the benefactors of humanity.

3:149 يايها الذين ءامنوا ان تطيعوا الذين كفروا يردوكم على اعقبكم فتنقلبوا خسرين

Transcription (English)
3:149 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooin tuteeAAoo allatheena kafaroo yaruddookum AAalaaAAqabikum fatanqaliboo khasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:149 O you who acknowledge, if you obey those who have rejected, then they will turn you back on your heels and you will turn back as losers.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:149 O you who believe, if you obey those who have rejected, then they will turn you back on your heels and you will turn back as losers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:149 O YOU who have attained to faith! If you pay heed to those who are bent on denying the truth, they will cause you to turn back on your heels, and you will be the losers.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:149 O you who believe, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, then you end up losers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:149 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! If you heed the rejecters of the Divine System, they will make you turn back on your heels, and you will turn back to your own loss.

3:150 بل الله مولىكم وهو خير النصرين

Transcription (English)
3:150 Bali Allahu mawlakum wahuwakhayru alnnasireena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:150 It is God who is your Patron, and He is the best victor.30

Note 30

See 2:286.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:150 It is God who is your Patron, and He is the best victor.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:150 Nay, but God alone is your Lord Supreme, and His is the best succour.105

Note 105
Lit., "He is the best of all who bring succour".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:150 GOD alone is your Lord and Master, and He is the best supporter.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:150 Remember, only God is your Maula (Master), and He is the Best of helpers.

3:151 سنلقى فى قلوب الذين كفروا الرعب بما اشركوا بالله ما لم ينزل به سلطنا وماوىهم النار وبئس مثوى الظلمين

Transcription (English)
3:151 Sanulqee fee quloobi allatheenakafaroo alrruAAba bima ashrakoo biAllahima lam yunazzil bihi sultanan wama/wahumu alnnaruwabi/sa mathwa alththalimeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:151 We will cast fear in the hearts of those who rejected, because of what they have set up besides God while He never sent down any authority to do so, and their destiny is the fire. Miserable is the abode of the wicked.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:151 We will cast terror in the hearts of those who have rejected, because of what they have set up besides God while He never sent down any authority to do so, and their destiny is the Fire. Miserable is the abode of the wicked.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:151 Into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth We shall cast dread in return for their ascribing divinity, side by side with God, to other beings - [something] for which He has never bestowed any warrant from on high;* and their goal is the fire - and how evil that abode of evildoers!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
God Controls Your Enemies3:151 We will throw terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, since they set up besides GOD powerless idols. Their destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode for the transgressors!,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:151 (True belief removes fear and grief 2:38.) We shall cause dread in the hearts of those who defy the Divine laws since they choose masters besides God. For this, He has revealed no authority, and granted power to none contrary to His laws. Fire is their resting place, and miserable is the ultimate home of those who hurt their own ‘self’ by relegating the truth.68

Note 68
The last line defines Zaalimeenin the context

3:152 ولقد صدقكم الله وعده اذ تحسونهم باذنه حتى اذا فشلتم وتنزعتم فى الامر وعصيتم من بعد ما ارىكم ما تحبون منكم من يريد الدنيا ومنكم من يريد الءاخرة ثم صرفكم عنهم ليبتليكم ولقد عفا عنكم والله ذو فضل على المؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:152 Walaqad sadaqakumu AllahuwaAAdahu ith tahussoonahum bi-ithnihi hattaitha fashiltum watanazaAAtum fee al-amri waAAasaytummin baAAdi ma arakum ma tuhibboonaminkum man yureedu alddunya waminkum man yureedual-akhirata thumma sarafakum AAanhum liyabtaliyakumwalaqad AAafa AAankum waAllahu thoofadlin AAala almu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Battle of Uhud3:152 God has fulfilled His promise to you, that you would overwhelm them by His leave; but then you failed and disputed in the matter and disobeyed after He showed you what you had sought. Some of you want this world, and some of you want the Hereafter. Then He let you retreat from them that He may test you; and He has pardoned you. God is with great favor over those who have acknowledged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:152 And God has fulfilled His promise to you, that you would overwhelm them with His permission; but then you failed and disputed in the matter and disobeyed after He showed you what you had sought. Some of you want this world, and some of you want the Hereafter. Then He let you retreat from them that He may test you; and He has pardoned you. God is with great grace over the believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:152 AND, INDEED, God made good His promise unto you when, by His leave, you were about to destroy your foes106 - until the moment when you lost heart and acted contrary to the [Prophet's] command,107 and disobeyed after He had brought you within view of that [victory] for which you were longing. There were among you such as cared for this world [alone], just as there were among you such as cared for the life to come:108 whereupon, in order that He might put you to a test, He prevented you from defeating your foes.109 But now He has effaced your sin: for God is limitless in His bounty unto the believers.110

Note 106
I.e., something which He never permits. The use of the adverb "never" in my rendering is based on the grammatical form lam yunazzil (lit., "He has not been sending down" or "bestowing from on high"), which implies continuity in time.

Note 107
Lit., "when you were destroying them": a reference to the opening stages of the battle of Uhud. Regarding the promise alluded to, see verses 124-125 of this surah.

Note 108
Lit., "you disagreed with one another regarding the [Prophet's] command" - an allusion to the abandonment of their post by most of the archers at the moment when it seemed that victory had been won (see note 90 above).

Note 109
Out of the fifty Muslim archers less than ten remained at their post, and were killed by Khalid's cavalry. It is to them, as well as the few Companions who went on fighting after the bulk of the Muslims had fled, that the second part of the above sentence refers.

Note 110
Lit., "He turned you away from them".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Battle of Uhud3:152 GOD has fulfilled His promise to you, and you defeated them by His leave. But then you wavered, disputed among yourselves, and disobeyed after He had shown you (the victory) you had longed for. But then, some of you became distracted by the spoils of this world, while others were rightly concerned with the Hereafter. He then diverted you from them to test you. He has pardoned you. GOD showers the believers with His grace.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:152 Indeed, God fulfilled His promise to you when you routed them by following His law - until you wavered and disputed among yourselves about the situation, and disobeyed after He had shown you what you so much loved. (You were winning the battle of Uhud,) but then some of you (were distracted by the spoils of war and) desired the world, while others rightly kept in focus the lasting success in the Hereafter. He then disengaged you from defeating them to let you go through trying circumstances. But He absolved your imperfections (as you realized your fault and stood firm again). God is full of bounty for the true believers.

3:153 اذ تصعدون ولا تلون على احد والرسول يدعوكم فى اخرىكم فاثبكم غما بغم لكيلا تحزنوا على ما فاتكم ولا ما اصبكم والله خبير بما تعملون

Transcription (English)
3:153 Ith tusAAidoona walatalwoona AAala ahadin waalrrasooluyadAAookum fee okhrakum faathabakum ghammanbighammin likay la tahzanoo AAala mafatakum wala ma asabakum waAllahukhabeerun bima taAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:153 For you were climbing the hill and would not even glance towards anyone, and the messenger was calling you from behind. Therefore, He gave you worry to replace your worry, so that you would not have sadness by what has passed you, or for what afflicted you, and God is Ever-aware of what you do.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:153 For you were ascending to the high ground and would not even glance towards anyone, and the messenger was calling to you from behind. Therefore He gave you worry to replace your worry, so that you would not have sadness by what has passed you, or for what afflicted you, and God is Expert over what you do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:153 [Remember the time] when you fled, paying no heed to anyone, while at your rear the Apostle was calling out to you - wherefore He requited you with woe in return for [the Apostle's] woe, so that you should not grieve [merely] over what had escaped you, nor over what had befallen you: for God is aware of all that you do.111

Note 111
I.e., the realization of how shamefully they had behaved at Uhud (see note 90 above) would be, in the end, more painful to them than the loss of victory and the death of so many of their comrades: and this is the meaning of the "test" mentioned in the preceding verse.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:153 Recall that you rushed (after the spoils), paying no attention to anyone, even when the messenger was calling from behind you. Consequently, He substituted one misery for another, that you may not grieve over anything you had missed, or agonize over any hardship you had suffered. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:153 Recall when you rushed after the spoils, caring for none, and the Messenger, in your rear, was calling out to you. So He caused you to suffer grief upon grief to teach you a lesson. Grieve not over whatever has left you, nor over a calamity that befalls you. God is well Aware of all you do.

3:154 ثم انزل عليكم من بعد الغم امنة نعاسا يغشى طائفة منكم وطائفة قد اهمتهم انفسهم يظنون بالله غير الحق ظن الجهلية يقولون هل لنا من الامر من شىء قل ان الامر كله لله يخفون فى انفسهم ما لا يبدون لك يقولون لو كان لنا من الامر شىء ما قتلنا ههنا قل لو كنتم فى بيوتكم لبرز الذين كتب عليهم القتل الى مضاجعهم وليبتلى الله ما فى صدوركم وليمحص ما فى قلوبكم والله عليم بذات الصدور

Transcription (English)
3:154 Thumma anzala AAalaykum min baAAdi alghammiamanatan nuAAasan yaghsha ta-ifatan minkumwata-ifatun qad ahammat-hum anfusuhum yathunnoonabiAllahi ghayra alhaqqi thannaaljahiliyyati yaqooloona hal lana mina al-amri minshay-in qul inna al-amra kullahu lillahi yukhfoona feeanfusihim ma la yubdoona laka yaqooloona law kanalana mina al-amri shay-on ma qutilna hahunaqul law kuntum fee buyootikum labaraza allatheena kutibaAAalayhimu alqatlu ila madajiAAihim waliyabtaliyaAllahu ma fee sudoorikum waliyumahhisama fee quloobikum waAllahu AAaleemun bithatialssudoori
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:154 Then after the worry, He sent down to you a peaceful slumber, overtaking a group of you; while another group was worried about themselves; they were thinking about God other than the truth, the thoughts of the days of ignorance. They say, "Why are we involved in this affair?" Say, "The entire affair is up to God." They hide in their persons what they do not show to you; they say, "If we had a say in this affair then none of us would have been killed here." Say, "If you were inside your own homes, then the ones who have been marked for death would have gone forth to their resting place." God will test what is in your chests and bring out what is in your hearts. God is Knowledgeable as to what is in the chests.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:154 Then He sent down to you after the worry a tranquility in sleepiness, it overtook a group of you; and another group was obsessed with themselves, they were thinking about God other than the truth, the thoughts of the days of ignorance. They say: "Why are we involved in this affair?" Say: "The entire affair is for God." They hide in their souls what they do not show to you, they say: "If we had a say in this affair then none of us would have been killed here." Say: "If you were inside your own homes, then the ones who had been marked for death would have come out to their resting place." God will test what is in your chests and bring out what is in your hearts. God is Knowledgeable as to what is in the chests.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:154 Then, after this woe, He sent down upon you a sense of security, an inner calm which enfolded some of you,112 whereas the others, who cared mainly for themselves, entertained wrong thoughts about God - thoughts of pagan ignorance - saying, "Did we, then, have any power of decision [in this matter]?"113 Say: "Verily, all power of decision does rest with God"114 - [but as for them,] they are trying to conceal within themselves that [weakness of faith] which they would not reveal unto thee, [O Prophet, by] saying, "If we had any power of decision, we would not have left so many dead behind."115 Say [unto them]: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those [of you] whose death had been ordained would indeed have gone forth to the places where they were destined to lie down." And [all this befell you] so that God might put to a test all that you harbour in your bosoms, and render your innermost hearts116 pure of all dross: for God is aware of what is in the hearts [of men].

Note 112
I.e., those who had remained steadfast throughout the battle. According to some commentators - in particular Raghib - the term nu `as (lit., "the drowsiness which precedes sleep") is used here metaphorically, and denotes "inner calm".

Note 113
I.e., in the matter of victory or defeat. The "thoughts of pagan ignorance" is obviously an allusion to the initial reluctance of those faint-hearted people to admit their moral responsibility for what had happened, and to their excusing themselves by saying that their failure to live up to their faith had been "predestined". See also surah 5, note 71.

Note 114
I.e., while it is for God alone to apportion actual success or failure to whomever He wills, "nought shall be accounted unto man but what he is [or "was"] striving for" (53:39).

Note 115
Lit., "we would not have been killed here".

Note 116
Lit., "all that is in your hearts".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Moment of Death Predetermined3:154 After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right - the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, "Is anything up to us?" Say, "Everything is up to GOD." They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds." GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:154 After the setback, He sent down upon you calm that pacified some of you - Whereas another group was unduly anxious within themselves, holding wrong assumptions about God, the assumptions of ignorance. (They were hypocrites worried for their lives.) They said, “Do we have any control?” Tell them, “All control belongs to, and derives from, God.” You can control events only within the framework of His laws. These (hypocrites) concealed within themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, “If we had nothing to do with this battle we would not have been harmed.” Say, “Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled themselves to the circumstance of death.” God thus lets you test your real convictions so that you emerge stronger after every challenge deep down in your hearts. God is Aware of your psyche and what is deep down in the hearts.69

Note 69
Destined to be killed = Following demise according to Divine laws

3:155 ان الذين تولوا منكم يوم التقى الجمعان انما استزلهم الشيطن ببعض ما كسبوا ولقد عفا الله عنهم ان الله غفور حليم

Transcription (English)
3:155 Inna allatheena tawallaw minkumyawma iltaqa aljamAAani innama istazallahumualshshaytanu bibaAAdi ma kasaboowalaqad AAafa Allahu AAanhum inna Allahaghafoorun haleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:155 The day the two armies met, the devil caused some of you to turn away, because of what they had gained. God has pardoned them, for God is Forgiver, Compassionate.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:155 Those of you who turned away on the day that the two hosts met, it was the devil who caused them to slip due to some of what they had earned. And God has pardoned them, for God is Forgiver, Compassionate.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:155 Behold, as for those of you who turned away [from their duty] on the day when the two hosts met in battle - Satan caused them to stumble only by means of something that they [themselves] had done.117 But now God has effaced this sin of theirs: verily, God is much-forgiving, forbearing.

Note 117
This is an illustration of a significant Qur'anic doctrine, which can be thus summarized: "Satan's influence" on man is not the primary cause of sin but its first consequence: that is to say, a consequence of a person's own attitude of mind which in moments of moral crisis induces him to choose the easier, and seemingly more pleasant, of the alternatives open to him, and thus to become guilty of a sin, whether by commission or omission. Thus, God's "causing" a person to commit a sin is conditional upon the existence, in the individual concerned, of an attitude of mind which makes him prone to commit such a sin: which, in its turn, presupposes man's free will - that is, the ability to make, within certain limitations, a conscious choice between two or more possible courses of action.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:155 Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:155 Those of you, who turned back on that day when the two armies clashed, it was their selfish desires that caused them to backslide. This happened because of some errors they had done. Now God has pardoned them (since their good outweighed their shortcomings). Indeed, God is Absolver of imperfections, Most Clement.

3:156 يايها الذين ءامنوا لا تكونوا كالذين كفروا وقالوا لاخونهم اذا ضربوا فى الارض او كانوا غزى لو كانوا عندنا ما ماتوا وما قتلوا ليجعل الله ذلك حسرة فى قلوبهم والله يحى ويميت والله بما تعملون بصير

Transcription (English)
3:156 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola takoonoo kaallatheena kafaroo waqalooli-ikhwanihim itha daraboo fee al-ardiaw kanoo ghuzzan law kanoo AAindana mamatoo wama qutiloo liyajAAala Allahu thalikahasratan fee quloobihim waAllahu yuhyeewayumeetu waAllahu bima taAAmaloona baseerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:156 O you who acknowledge do not be like those who rejected and said to their brothers when they were marching in the land or on the offensive: "If they were here with us they would not have died nor been killed." God will make this a source of grief in their hearts, and God grants life and death, and God is watching over what you do.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:156 O you who believe do not be like those who rejected and said to their brothers when they had gone forth in the land or on the offensive: "If they were here with us they would not have died nor been killed." God will make this a source of grief in their hearts, and God grants life and death, and God is watching over what you do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:156 O you who have attained to faith! Be not like those who are bent on denying the truth and say of their brethren [who die] after having set out on a journey to faraway places118 or gone forth to war, "Had they but remained with us, they would not have died," or, "they would not have been slain" - for God will cause such thoughts to become119 a source of bitter regret in their hearts, since it is God who grants life and deals death. And God sees all that you do.

Note 118
Lit., "when they travel on earth".

Note 119
Lit.; "so that God causes this to be": but since the particle li in li-yaj`al is obviously a lam al-aqibah (i.e., the letter lam denoting a causal sequence), it is best rendered in this context by the conjunctive particle "and", combined with the future tense.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:156 O you who believe, do not be like those who disbelieved and said of their kinsmen who traveled or mobilized for war, "Had they stayed with us, they would not have died or gotten killed." GOD renders this a source of grief in their hearts. GOD controls life and death. GOD is Seer of everything you do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:156 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Do not be like disbelievers who (regretfully) say of their brethren who went forth or fought in the battle, "If they had stayed (home) with us, they would not have died nor been killed.” God creates anguish in the hearts for this kind of attitude. For, it is God Who gives life and causes death, and God is Seer of what you do.70

Note 70
Fear of death takes away "life" out of life

3:157 ولئن قتلتم فى سبيل الله او متم لمغفرة من الله ورحمة خير مما يجمعون

Transcription (English)
3:157 Wala-in qutiltum fee sabeeli Allahiaw muttum lamaghfiratun mina Allahi warahmatunkhayrun mimma yajmaAAoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:157 If you are killed in the cause of God or die, then forgiveness from God and mercy is far greater than all they can put together.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:157 And if you are killed in the cause of God or die, then forgiveness from God and mercy are far greater than all they can put together.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:157 And if indeed you are slain or die in God's cause, then surely forgiveness from God and His grace are better than all that one120 could amass [in this world]:

Note 120
Lit., "they".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:157 Whether you get killed or die in the cause of GOD, the forgiveness from GOD, and mercy are far better than anything they hoard.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:157 And if you are slain, or die in the way of God, then God’s protective forgiveness His grace are better than whatever they amass.71

Note 71
Maghfirah= Usually translated as forgiveness = Protection against deterioration. Notice the third person used in the end, pointing to all treasures that any humans, believers or unbelievers, may amass

3:158 ولئن متم او قتلتم لالى الله تحشرون

Transcription (English)
3:158 Wala-in muttum aw qutiltum la-ilaAllahi tuhsharoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:158 If you die or are killed, then to God you will be gathered.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:158 And if you die or are killed, then to God you will be gathered.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:158 for, indeed, if you die or are slain, it will surely be unto God that you shall be gathered.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:158 Whether you die or get killed, you will be summoned before GOD.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:158 For, whether you die or are slain, life goes on to its destination. To God you will be gathered, and every step of yours is heading toward Him.

3:159 فبما رحمة من الله لنت لهم ولو كنت فظا غليظ القلب لانفضوا من حولك فاعف عنهم واستغفر لهم وشاورهم فى الامر فاذا عزمت فتوكل على الله ان الله يحب المتوكلين

Transcription (English)
3:159 Fabima rahmatin mina Allahilinta lahum walaw kunta faththan ghaleethaalqalbi lainfaddoo min hawlika faoAAfuAAanhum waistaghfir lahum washawirhum fee al-amrifa-itha AAazamta fatawakkal AAala Allahiinna Allaha yuhibbu almutawakkileena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Good Example of the Messenger: Caring, Tolerant, Consulting People, and Trusting in God3:159 It was a mercy from God that you were soft towards them; had you been harsh and mean hearted, they would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter; but when you are convinced, then put your trust in God; God loves those who trust.31

Note 31

The Quran provides us with good examples of Muhammed's attitude, behavior and actions. Here we learn that he was not a harsh man. In hadith books, however, we see numerous bad actions attributed to Muhammed. For instance, in a hadith narrated by many so-called "authentic" books, including Bukhari, Muhammed advised a group from the Urayna and Uqayla tribes to drink camel urine as medicine, and then upon learning that they killed his shepherd, he cut off their arms and legs, gouged their eyes with hot nails and left them dying under the sun, denying his companions from giving them water. Bukhari and many other hadith collections contain many insults to Muhammed. The portrait of Muhammed in hadith books is a person with multiple personalities, oscillating between extremes: a merciful person and a violent torturer; a modest person and a sexual maniac; a genius and an imbecile. No wonder the Quran refers to those collections with prophetic language in 6:112 as devils' revelation. See 33:21.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:159 It was a mercy from God that you were soft towards them; had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter; but when you are convinced, then put your trust in God; for God loves those who put their trust.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:159 And it was by God's grace that thou [O Prophet] didst deal gently with thy followers:121 for if thou hadst been harsh and hard of heart, they would indeed have broken away from thee. Pardon them, then, and pray that they be forgiven. And take counsel with them in all matters of public concern; then, when thou hast decided upon a course of action, place thy trust in God: for, verily, God loves those who place their trust in Him.122

Note 121
Lit., "with them"- i.e., with those of his followers who had failed in their duty before and during the disaster at Uhud. According to all available accounts, the Prophet did not even reproach any of them for what they had done.

Note 122
This injunction, implying government by consent and council, must be regarded as one of the fundamental clauses of all Qur'anic legislation relating to statecraft. The pronoun "them" relates to the believers, that is, to the whole community; while the word al-amr occurring in this context - as well as in the much earlier-revealed phrase amruhum shura baynahum in 42:38 - denotes all affairs of public concern, including state administration. All authorities agree in that the above ordinance, although addressed in the first instance to the Prophet, is binding on all Muslims and for all times. (For its wider implications see State and Government in Islam, pp. 44 ff.) Some Muslim scholars conclude from the wording of this ordinance that the leader of the community, although obliged to take counsel, is nevertheless free to accept or to reject it; but the arbitrariness of this conclusion becomes obvious as soon as we recall that even the Prophet considered himself bound by the decisions of his council (see note 90 above). Moreover, when he was asked - according to a Tradition on the authority of `Ali ibn Abi Talib - to explain the implications of the word `azm ("deciding upon a course of action") which occurs in the above verse, the Prophet replied, "[It means] taking counsel with knowledgeable people (ahl ar-ra'y) and thereupon following them [therein]" (see Ibn Kathir's commentary on this verse).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Messenger's Kindness3:159 It was mercy from GOD that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in GOD. GOD loves those who trust in Him.,12

Note 12
The currency of the U.S.A. is the only currency that carries the phrase: "In God we trust." It is a fact that the American dollar has beenthe strongest currency in the world, and the standard by which all othercurrencies are measured.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:159 It is God's mercy that you (O Messenger) are lenient and compassionate with people. For, if you were harsh and stern of heart, they would have broken away from you. So, pardon them, arrange for their security, and consult with them in matters of public interest. Then, once you have taken a decision, put your trust in God. God loves those who do their best and then put their trust in Him.

3:160 ان ينصركم الله فلا غالب لكم وان يخذلكم فمن ذا الذى ينصركم من بعده وعلى الله فليتوكل المؤمنون

Transcription (English)
3:160 In yansurkumu Allahu falaghaliba lakum wa-in yakhthulkum faman thaallathee yansurukum min baAAdihi waAAala Allahifalyatawakkali almu/minoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:160 If God grants you victory then none can defeat you, and if He abandons you then who can grant you victory after Him? In God, those who acknowledge should put their trust.32

Note 32

A similar rule is also mentioned in the Old Testament. For instance, see Deuteronomy chapter 28; 2 Chronicles 24:23-25 .

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:160 If God grants you victory then none can defeat you, and if He abandons you then who can grant you victory after Him? And towards God the believers should put their trust.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:160 If God succours you, none can ever overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who could succour you thereafter? In God, then, let the believers place their trust!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:160 If GOD supports you, none can defeat you. And if He abandons you, who else can support you? In GOD the believers shall trust.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:160 Remember, when God helps you, none can overcome you. But if He forsakes you (for your forsaking Him), who is there to help you thereafter? In God, then, let the believers put their trust.72

Note 72
He is Trustworthy since He never changes His laws

3:161 وما كان لنبى ان يغل ومن يغلل يات بما غل يوم القيمة ثم توفى كل نفس ما كسبت وهم لا يظلمون

Transcription (English)
3:161 Wama kana linabiyyin anyaghulla waman yaghlul ya/ti bima ghalla yawma alqiyamatithumma tuwaffa kullu nafsin ma kasabat wahum layuthlamoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
None is Above the Law and Justice3:161 It was not for any prophet that he should embezzle, and he who embezzles will be brought with what he has embezzled on the day of Resurrection, then every person will be given what it has earned without being wronged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:161 It was not for any prophet to embezzle, and he who embezzles will be brought with what he has embezzled on the Day of Resurrection, then every soul will be given what it has earned without being wronged.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:161 AND IT IS not conceivable that a prophet should deceive123 - since he who deceives shall be faced with his deceit on the Day of Resurrection, when every human being shall be repaid in full for whatever he has done, and none shall be wronged.

Note 123
I.e., by attributing his own opinions to God, and then appealing to the believers to place their trust in Him alone. However contrary to reason such deceit may be, it is a common view among non-believers that the Prophet himself "composed" the Qur'an and thereupon falsely attributed it to divine revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
No One Above the Law3:161 Even the prophet cannot take more of the spoils of war than he is entitled to. Anyone who takes more than his rightful share will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. That is when each soul is paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:161 It is inconceivable that a Prophet could ever act dishonestly. Anyone who acts dishonestly will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. Then every ‘self’ will be paid in full for what it has earned, and no injustice will be done to them.

3:162 افمن اتبع رضون الله كمن باء بسخط من الله وماوىه جهنم وبئس المصير

Transcription (English)
3:162 Afamani ittabaAAa ridwana Allahikaman baa bisakhatin mina Allahi wama/wahujahannamu wabi/sa almaseeru
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:162 Is one who follows the pleasure of God, as one who draws the wrath of God and whose abode is hell? What a miserable destiny!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:162 Is he who follows the pleasure of God as he who draws the wrath of God and his abode is Hell and a miserable destiny?
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:162 Is then he124 who strives after God's goodly acceptance like unto him who has earned the burden of God's condemnation125 and whose goal is hell? - and how vile a journey's end!

Note 124
An allusion, in this case, to the Prophet Muhammad as well as to prophets in general.

Note 125
I.e., by falsely attributing his own views to God or distorting His messages by arbitrary interpolations and deliberate changes in the wording of a revelation - an accusation often levelled in the Qur'an (e.g., 2:79 and 3:78) against the followers of earlier revelations.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:162 Is one who pursues GOD's pleasure the same as one who incurs wrath from GOD and his destiny is Hell, the most miserable abode?,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:162 Is one who seeks the approval of God the same as one who earned God’s disapproval, and whose resting place is Hell? What a miserable destination?

3:163 هم درجت عند الله والله بصير بما يعملون

Transcription (English)
3:163 Hum darajatun AAinda AllahiwaAllahu baseerun bima yaAAmaloona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:163 They are in degrees with God, and God is seer of what they do.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:163 They are in grades with God, and God is Seer of what they do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:163 They are on [entirely] different levels in the sight of God; for God sees all that they do.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:163 They certainly occupy different ranks at GOD. GOD is Seer of everything they do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:163 They have different ranks in the Sight of God, for, God is Seer of what they do.73

Note 73
Conduct is the sole determining factor for ranks with God. 6:132, 49:13, 84:19

3:164 لقد من الله على المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ءايته ويزكيهم ويعلمهم الكتب والحكمة وان كانوا من قبل لفى ضلل مبين

Transcription (English)
3:164 Laqad manna Allahu AAalaalmu/mineena ith baAAatha feehim rasoolan min anfusihimyatloo AAalayhim ayatihi wayuzakkeehimwayuAAallimuhumu alkitaba waalhikmata wa-inkanoo min qablu lafee dalalin mubeenin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:164 God has bestowed favor upon those who acknowledge by sending them a messenger from amongst themselves reciting His signs, improving them and teaching them the book and the wisdom, though they were before in manifest confusion.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:164 God has bestowed grace upon the believers by sending them a messenger from among themselves reciting His revelations and purifying them and teaching them the Book and the wisdom, and they were before in manifest darkness.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:164 Indeed, God bestowed a favour upon the believers when he raised up in their midst an apostle from among themselves, to convey His messages unto them, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart unto them the divine writ as well as wisdom - whereas before that they were indeed, most obviously, lost in error.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:164 GOD has blessed the believers by raising in their midst a messenger from among them, to recite for them His revelations, and to purify them, and to teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone totally astray.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:164 God has done a great favor to the believers that He has sent a Messenger from among themselves, who conveys to them His messages (and establishes the System) enabling them to grow in humanity, and imparts to them the law and the wisdom behind it. Before, they were in manifest error.

3:165 اولما اصبتكم مصيبة قد اصبتم مثليها قلتم انى هذا قل هو من عند انفسكم ان الله على كل شىء قدير

Transcription (English)
3:165 Awa lamma asabatkum museebatunqad asabtum mithlayha qultum anna hathaqul huwa min AAindi anfusikum inna Allaha AAalakulli shay-in qadeerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:165 It was when you suffered setback. Even though you afflicted them with twice as much setback, you said, "Where is this coming from?" Say, "It is from yourselves." God is capable of all things.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:165 And so it was when you suffered setback; even though you afflicted them with twice as much setback; you said: "Where is this coming from?" Say: "It is from yourselves." God is capable of all things.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:165 AND DO YOU, now that a calamity has befallen you after you had inflicted twice as much [on your foes],126 ask yourselves, "How has this come about?" Say: "It has come from your own selves."127 Verily, God has the power to will anything:

Note 126
I.e., at the battle of Badr, in the year 2 H.

Note 127
Many of the followers of the Prophet had been convinced that, whatever the circumstances, God would grant them victory on account of their faith alone. The bitter experience at Uhud came as a shock to them; and so the Qur'an reminds them that this calamity was a consequence of their own doings.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:165 Now that you have suffered a setback, and even though you inflicted twice as much suffering (upon your enemy), you said, "Why did this happen to us?" Say, "This is a consequence of your own deeds." GOD is Omnipotent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:165 What! When a single calamity inflicts you, (that you have suffered a setback at Uhud), although you inflicted twice as much on the enemy (at Badr), you say, “How did this happen?” Say (O Messenger), “This is from yourselves.” God has appointed due measure for all things and events. [3:152]

3:166 وما اصبكم يوم التقى الجمعان فباذن الله وليعلم المؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:166 Wama asabakum yawma iltaqaaljamAAani fabi-ithni Allahi waliyaAAlamaalmu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:166 What you suffered on the day the two armies met was by God's leave, and to let those who acknowledge know.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:166 And what you suffered on the day the two hosts met was with the permission of God, and to let the believers know.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:166 and all that befell you on the day when the two hosts met in battle happened by God's leave, so that He might mark out the [true] believers,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:166 What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with GOD's will, and to distinguish the believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:166 That which befell you when the two armies clashed, was according to God’s laws that He might let the believers know their strength and weakness,

3:167 وليعلم الذين نافقوا وقيل لهم تعالوا قتلوا فى سبيل الله او ادفعوا قالوا لو نعلم قتالا لاتبعنكم هم للكفر يومئذ اقرب منهم للايمن يقولون بافوههم ما ليس فى قلوبهم والله اعلم بما يكتمون

Transcription (English)
3:167 WaliyaAAlama allatheena nafaqoowaqeela lahum taAAalaw qatiloo fee sabeeli Allahiawi idfaAAoo qaloo law naAAlamu qitalan laittabaAAnakumhum lilkufri yawma-ithin aqrabu minhum lil-eemaniyaqooloona bi-afwahihim ma laysa fee quloobihim waAllahuaAAlamu bima yaktumoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:167 To let those who are hypocrites know, that they were told: "Come fight in the cause of God or defend," they said, "If we knew how to fight we would have followed you." That day they were closer to rejection then they were to acknowledgement. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and God knows well what they conceal.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:167 And to let those who are hypocrites know, that they were told: "Come fight in the cause of God or defend," they said: "If we knew how to fight we would have followed you." They are closer to rejection than they are to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and God is aware of what they conceal.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:167 and mark out those who were tainted with hypocrisy and, when they were told, "Come, fight in God's cause" - or, "Defend yourselves"128 - answered, "If we but knew [that it would come to a] fight, we would indeed follow you." Unto apostasy were they nearer on that day than unto faith, uttering with their mouths something which was not in their hearts,129 the while God knew fully well what they were trying to conceal:

Note 128
Only a fight in self-defence - in the widest meaning of this term - can be considered a "fight in God's cause" (see 2:190, and the corresponding notes); and, thus, the particle "or" between these two phrases is almost synonymous with the expression "in other words".

Note 129
This is an allusion to the three hundred men who, on the way from Medina to Mount Uhud, forsook the Prophet on the specious plea that he did not really intend to give battle (see note 90 above). But since they knew in their hearts that it would come to a fight, their defection from God's cause almost amounted to a denial of Him (kufr, here rendered as "apostasy").
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:167 And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:167 And that He might mark out those afflicted with hypocrisy. They had been told, “Come! Fight in the cause of God, or at least defend (the city).” They answered, “If we knew that confrontation was forthcoming, we would have joined you.” On that day they were closer to disbelief than belief, uttering with their mouths that was not in their hearts. But God was best Aware of what they were trying to conceal.

3:168 الذين قالوا لاخونهم وقعدوا لو اطاعونا ما قتلوا قل فادرءوا عن انفسكم الموت ان كنتم صدقين

Transcription (English)
3:168 Allatheena qaloo li-ikhwanihimwaqaAAadoo law ataAAoona ma qutiloo qul faidraooAAan anfusikumu almawta in kuntum sadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:168 Those who remained and said to their brothers, "If they obeyed us they would not have been killed." Say, "Then avert death away from yourselves if you are truthful!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:168 Those who remained and said to their brothers: "If they obeyed us they would not have been killed." Say: "Then avert death away from yourselves if you are truthful!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:168 they who, having themselves held back [from fighting, later] said of their [slain] brethren, "Had they but paid heed to us, they would not have been slain." Say: "Avert, then, death from yourselves, if what you say is true!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:168 They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:168 Those who sat at home said of their brethren, “If they had listened to us they would not have been slain.” Say (O Messenger), “Then avert death from yourselves if you are truthful.”

3:169 ولا تحسبن الذين قتلوا فى سبيل الله اموتا بل احياء عند ربهم يرزقون

Transcription (English)
3:169 Wala tahsabanna allatheenaqutiloo fee sabeeli Allahi amwatan bal ahyaonAAinda rabbihim yurzaqoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Death: Transition to Another Universe3:169 Do not count that those who are killed in the sake of God are dead. No, they are alive at their Lord receiving provisions.33

Note 33

The death of righteous people is a pleasant journey to paradise: see 2:154; 8:24; 16:32; 22:58; 44:56; 36:26.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:169 And do not think that those who are killed in the cause of God are dead. No, they are alive at their Lord receiving a bounty.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:169 But do not think of those that have been slain in God's cause as dead. Nay, they are alive! With their Sustainer have they their sustenance,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Righteous Do Not Really Die3:169 Do not think that those who are killed in the cause of GOD are dead; they are alive at their Lord, enjoying His provisions.13 ,

Note 13
We learn from the Quran that the righteous do not really die; they simply leave their worldly bodies and go directlyto the same Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived(2:154:24,16:32,22:58,44:56, &36:26;see also Appendix 17).
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:169 Think not of those, who are slain in the cause of God, as dead. Nay, they are living! And by their Lord they are well provided for. [2:154]

3:170 فرحين بما ءاتىهم الله من فضله ويستبشرون بالذين لم يلحقوا بهم من خلفهم الا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون

Transcription (English)
3:170 Fariheena bima atahumuAllahu min fadlihi wayastabshiroona biallatheenalam yalhaqoo bihim min khalfihim alla khawfunAAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:170 Happy with what God has granted them from His favor, and they rejoice for those who have yet to follow them. There is no fear over them nor do they grieve.34

Note 34

Prophets, those who affirm their mission, those who witness the truth, and righteous people are together in the hereafter (4:69). See Psalms 37:29, Matthew 22:32 , Luke 10:25 and John 17:3 .

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:170 Happy with what God has granted them from His grace, and they rejoice in those who have yet to follow after them. There is no fear upon them nor do they grieve.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:170 exulting in that [martyrdom] which God has bestowed upon them out of His bounty. And they rejoice in the glad tiding given to those [of their brethren] who have been left behind and have not yet joined them, that no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:170 They are rejoicing in GOD's grace, and they have good news for their comrades who did not die with them, that they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:170 They are happy in the bounty that God has given them - and pleased for those left behind, who have not yet joined them - that upon them shall be no fear, nor anything to regret.

3:171 يستبشرون بنعمة من الله وفضل وان الله لا يضيع اجر المؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:171 Yastabshiroona biniAAmatin mina Allahiwafadlin waanna Allaha la yudeeAAuajra almu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:171 They rejoice with God's blessing and bounty; God will not waste the reward of those who acknowledge.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:171 They rejoice with the bounty of God and grace; God will not waste the recompense of the believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:171 they rejoice in the glad tiding of God's blessings and bounty, and [in the promise] that God will not fail to requite the believers
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:171 They have good news of GOD's blessings and grace, and that GOD never fails to reward the believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:171 They rejoice because of the favor from God and the bounty. For, God never fails to reward those who have conviction in His laws.

3:172 الذين استجابوا لله والرسول من بعد ما اصابهم القرح للذين احسنوا منهم واتقوا اجر عظيم

Transcription (English)
3:172 Allatheena istajaboo lillahiwaalrrasooli min baAAdi ma asabahumu alqarhulillatheena ahsanoo minhum waittaqaw ajrunAAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:172 For those who have answered God and the messenger after they were afflicted with wounds, and for those of them who did good and were aware is a great reward.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:172 Those who have answered God and the messenger after they were afflicted with wounds. For those of them who did good and were righteous is a great recompense.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:172 who responded to the call of God and the Apostle after misfortune had befallen them.130 A magnificent requital awaits those of them who have persevered in doing good and remained conscious of God:

Note 130
Lit., "after injury had afflicted them". Most of the commentators assume that this is an allusion to the losses sustained by the Muslims at the battle of Uhud. It is, however, probable that the implication is much wider, the more so since this passage connects directly with the preceding verses which speak, in general terms, of the martyrs who die in God's cause. There is a distinct tendency on the part of most of the classical commentators to read minute historical references into many Qur'anic passages which express ideas of a far wider import and apply to the human condition as such. Verses 172-175 are an instance of this. Some commentators are of the opinion that they refer to the fruitless expedition to Hamra' al-Asad on the day following the battle of Uhud, while others see in it an allusion to the Prophet's expedition, in the following year, known to history as the "Little Badr" (Badr as-Sughra ); others, again, think that verse 172 refers to the former and verses 173-174 to the latter. In view of this obvious lack of unanimity - due to the absence of a really authoritative support, either in the Qur'an itself or in authentic Traditions, for any of these speculative assumptions - there is every reason for concluding that the whole passage under consideration expresses a general moral, rounding off, as it were, the historical references to the battle of Uhud and the lessons to be drawn therefrom.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:172 For those who respond to GOD and the messenger, despite the persecution they suffer, and maintain their good works, and lead a righteous life, a great reward.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:172 For those who respond to God and the Messenger even after harm has struck them - and continue to work for the betterment of humanity and live upright, is a tremendous reward. [8:24]

3:173 الذين قال لهم الناس ان الناس قد جمعوا لكم فاخشوهم فزادهم ايمنا وقالوا حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل

Transcription (English)
3:173 Allatheena qala lahumu alnnasuinna alnnasa qad jamaAAoo lakum faikhshawhumfazadahum eemanan waqaloo hasbunaAllahu waniAAma alwakeelu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Monotheists are Fearless3:173 The ones who the people said to them: "The people have gathered against you, so be fearful of them," but it only increased their acknowledgement and they said, "God is enough for us, and He is the best defender."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:173 The ones who the people said to them: "The people have gathered against you, so be concerned by them," but it only increased their faith and they said: "God is sufficient for us, and He is the best to put our trust in."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:173 those who have been warned by other people,131 "Behold, a host has gathered against you; so beware of them!" - whereupon this only increased their faith, so that they answered, "God is enough for us; and how excellent a guardian is He!"

Note 131
Lit., "those to whom people said".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:173 When the people say to them, "People have mobilized against you; you should fear them," this only strengthens their faith, and they say, "GOD suffices us; He is the best Protector.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:173 When people warn them, “Indeed, a host has assembled against you - so fear them!” But this only strengthens their faith. And they say, “God suffices for us and how Excellent a Guardian He is!”

3:174 فانقلبوا بنعمة من الله وفضل لم يمسسهم سوء واتبعوا رضون الله والله ذو فضل عظيم

Transcription (English)
3:174 Fainqalaboo biniAAmatin mina Allahiwafadlin lam yamsas-hum soo-on waittabaAAoo ridwanaAllahi waAllahu thoo fadlinAAatheemin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:174 So they came back with a blessing from God and a bounty, no harm would touch them. They had followed the pleasure of God, and God is the One with great bounty.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:174 So they came back with a recompense from God and a bounty, no harm would touch them. And they had followed the pleasure of God, and God is the One with great pleasure.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:174 - and returned [from the battle] with God's blessings and bounty, without having been touched by evil:132 for they had been striving after God's goodly acceptance - and God is limitless in His great bounty.

Note 132
I.e., the moral evil arising out of weakness of faith and loss of courage: an allusion to what happened to many Muslims at Uhud.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:174 They have deserved GOD's blessings and grace. No harm ever touches them, for they have attained GOD's approval. GOD possesses infinite grace.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:174 So, they return with God's blessings and bounty, and no harm touches them in either case. They seek God's approval, and God is the Lord of Great bounty.

3:175 انما ذلكم الشيطن يخوف اولياءه فلا تخافوهم وخافون ان كنتم مؤمنين

Transcription (English)
3:175 Innama thalikumu alshshaytanuyukhawwifu awliyaahu fala takhafoohum wakhafooniin kuntum mu/mineena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:175 It is only the devil trying to create fear for his allies, so do not fear them, but fear Me if you have acknowledged.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:175 It is only the devil trying to create fear for his allies, so do not fear them, but fear Me if you are believers.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:175 It is but Satan who instils [into you] fear of his allies:133 so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [truly] believers!

Note 133
I.e., people who "ally themselves with Satan" by deliberately doing wrong.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Fear: The Devil's Tool3:175 It is the devil's system to instill fear into his subjects. Do not fear them and fear Me instead, if you are believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:175 It is only Satan, that would instill into you fear of his allies. So, do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers!74

Note 74
Satan's allies = Selfish desires in different guises = Satanic people

3:176 ولا يحزنك الذين يسرعون فى الكفر انهم لن يضروا الله شيا يريد الله الا يجعل لهم حظا فى الءاخرة ولهم عذاب عظيم

Transcription (English)
3:176 Wala yahzunka allatheenayusariAAoona fee alkufri innahum lan yadurroo Allahashay-an yureedu Allahu alla yajAAala lahum haththanfee al-akhirati walahum AAathabun AAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:176 Do not be saddened by those who rush into rejection. They will not harm God in the least. God does not wish to make for them any share in the Hereafter, and they will have a great retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:176 And do not be saddened by those who rush into disbelief. They will not harm God in the least. God does not wish to make for them any share in the Hereafter, and they will have a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:176 And be not grieved by those who vie with one another in denying the truth: verily, they can in no wise harm God. It is God's will that they shall have no share134 in the [blessings of the] life to come; and tremendous suffering awaits them.

Note 134
Lit., "that He will not assign to them a share".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:176 Do not be saddened by those who hasten to disbelieve. They never hurt GOD in the least. Instead, GOD has willed that they will have no share in the Hereafter. They have incurred a terrible retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:176 And do not be saddened by those who rush to rejection. For, they cannot harm God at all. God wishes for them no share in the Hereafter. And for them is an awful doom.

3:177 ان الذين اشتروا الكفر بالايمن لن يضروا الله شيا ولهم عذاب اليم

Transcription (English)
3:177 Inna allatheena ishtarawoo alkufrabial-eemani lan yadurroo Allahashay-an walahum AAathabun aleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:177 Those who have purchased rejection with acknowledgement will not harm God in the least, and they will have a painful retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:177 Those who have purchased rejection with belief will not harm God in the least, and they will have a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:177 Verily, they who have bought a denial of the truth at the price of faith can in no wise harm God, whereas grievous suffering awaits them.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:177 Those who choose disbelief, instead of belief, do not hurt GOD in the least; they have incurred a painful retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:177 Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith, not the least harm will they do to God. But for them is a painful doom.

3:178 ولا يحسبن الذين كفروا انما نملى لهم خير لانفسهم انما نملى لهم ليزدادوا اثما ولهم عذاب مهين

Transcription (English)
3:178 Wala yahsabanna allatheenakafaroo annama numlee lahum khayrun li-anfusihim innamanumlee lahum liyazdadoo ithman walahum AAathabunmuheenun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:178 Those who do not appreciate should not count that We are providing for them out of the goodness of themselves. We are only providing for them so that they may increase in transgression, and they will have a humiliating retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:178 And let not those who reject think that We are providing for them out of the goodness of themselves. We are only providing for them so that they may increase in transgression, and they will have a humiliating retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:178 And they should not think - they who are bent on denying the truth - that Our giving them rein is good for them: We give them rein only to let them grow in sinfulness; and shameful suffering awaits them.135

Note 135
This is an allusion to the doctrine of natural law (in Qur'anic terminology, sunnat Allah, "God's way") to which man's inclinations and actions - as well as all other happenings in the universe - are subject. The above verse says, as it were, "Since these people are bent on denying the truth, Our giving them rein [that is, freedom of choice and time for a reconsideration of their attitude] will not work out for their benefit but will, on the contrary, cause them to grow in false self-confidence and, thus, in sinfulness." As in many similar passages in the Qur'an, God attributes here their "growing in sinfulness" to His own will because it is He who has imposed on all His creation the natural law of cause and effect. (See also note 4 on 14:4.)
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:178 Let not the disbelievers think that we lead them on for their own good. We only lead them on to confirm their sinfulness. They have incurred a humiliating retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:178 Let not the unbelievers think that the respite We give them is good for them. We give them time so that they increasingly exhaust their energies in iniquity. Ultimately, for them is a humiliating suffering.75

Note 75
People and nations that mend their ways in the period of respite, avert the pitiable consequences

3:179 ما كان الله ليذر المؤمنين على ما انتم عليه حتى يميز الخبيث من الطيب وما كان الله ليطلعكم على الغيب ولكن الله يجتبى من رسله من يشاء فامنوا بالله ورسله وان تؤمنوا وتتقوا فلكم اجر عظيم

Transcription (English)
3:179 Ma kana Allahu liyatharaalmu/mineena AAala ma antum AAalayhi hattayameeza alkhabeetha mina alttayyibi wama kanaAllahu liyutliAAakum AAala alghaybi walakinnaAllaha yajtabee min rusulihi man yashao faaminoobiAllahi warusulihi wa-in tu/minoo watattaqoofalakum ajrun AAatheemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:179 God was not to leave those who acknowledge as they were without distinguishing the rotten from the good. God was not to let you know the future, but God chooses from His messengers whom He wishes; so acknowledge God and His messengers. If you acknowledge and be aware, then you will have a great reward.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:179 God was not to leave the believers as they were without distinguishing the rotten from the good. And God was not to let you know the future, but God chooses from His messengers whom He wishes; so believe in God and His messengers. And if you believe and are righteous, then you will have a great recompense.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:179 It is not God's will [O you who deny the truth] to abandon the believers to your way of life:136 [and] to that end He will set apart the bad from the good. And it is not God's will to give you insight into that which is beyond the reach of human perception: but [to that end] God elects whomsoever He wills from among His apostles.137 Believe, then, in God and His apostles; for if you believe and are conscious of Him, a magnificent requital awaits you.

Note 136
Some commentators (e.g., Razi) assume that the expression ma antum `alayhi (lit.. "that upon which you are") denotes here "the condition in which you are" - i.e., the state of weakness and confusion in which the Muslim community found itself after the battle of Uhud - and that, therefore, this passage is addressed to the believers. This interpretation, however, is not plausible. Apart from the fact that the believers are here referred to in the third person, while ma antum `alayhi is in the second person plural, the latter expression denotes almost invariably, both in the Qur'an and in the Traditions, people's mode of life and beliefs. Moreover, we have reliable reports to the effect that Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, Muqatil and Al-Kalbi unhesitatingly declared that the people addressed here are "those who deny the truth" to whom the preceding passages refer (see Tabari's and Baghawi's commentaries on this verse). Read in this sense, the above passage implies that the believers would, in time, differ from the unbelievers not only in their convictions but also in their social aims and their manner of living.

Note 137
I.e., it is through these apostles that God vouchsafes to man a partial glimpse of the reality of which He alone has full knowledge.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:179 GOD is not to leave the believers as you are, without distinguishing the bad from the good. Nor does GOD inform you of the future, but GOD bestows such knowledge upon whomever He chooses from among His messengers. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. If you believe and lead a righteous life, you receive a great recompense.,14

Note 14
The end of the world is one example of future events revealed to God's Messenger of the Covenant. SeeFootnote72:27.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:179 God will not leave the believers as you are, until He distinguishes what is evil from what is good. But God will not let you know the secrets of the Unseen. God chooses His Messengers to receive knowledge of the Unseen as He wills. So, believe in God and His Messengers. If you believe and do right, yours will be a great reward.76

Note 76
The believers will stand out not only in their convictions but also in their decent manners of life and the hypocrites will no longer remain hidden. 47:29, 72:26

3:180 ولا يحسبن الذين يبخلون بما ءاتىهم الله من فضله هو خيرا لهم بل هو شر لهم سيطوقون ما بخلوا به يوم القيمة ولله ميرث السموت والارض والله بما تعملون خبير

Transcription (English)
3:180 Wala yahsabanna allatheenayabkhaloona bima atahummu Allahu minfadlihi huwa khayran lahum bal huwa sharrun lahum sayutawwaqoonama bakhiloo bihi yawma alqiyamati walillahimeerathu alssamawati waal-ardiwaAllahu bima taAAmaloona khabeerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:180 Those who are stingy with what God has given them of His bounty should not count that it is good for them; no, it is evil for them. They will be surrounded by what they were stingy with on the day of Resurrection. To God will be the inheritance of the heavens and the earth; and God is Ever-aware of what you do.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:180 And let not those who are stingy with what God has given them of His bounty think that it is good for them, no, it is evil for them. They will be surrounded by what they were stingy with on the Day of Resurrection. And to God will be the inheritance of the heavens and the earth; and God is Expert over what you do.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:180 AND THEY should not think - they who niggardly cling to all that God has granted them out of His bounty - that this is good for them: nay, it is bad for them.138 That to which they [so] niggardly cling will, on the Day of Resurrection, be hung about their necks: for unto God [alone] belongs the heritage of the heavens and of the earth; and God is aware of all that you do.

Note 138
This is an allusion to the way of life of the unbelievers mentioned in verse 179 above: a way of life characterized by extreme attachment to the material things of this world - a materialism based on a lack of belief in anything that transcends the practical problems of life.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:180 Let not those who withhold and hoard GOD's provisions think that this is good for them; it is bad for them. For they will carry their hoarding around their necks on the Day of Resurrection. GOD is the ultimate inheritor of the heavens and the earth. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:180 Let not those, who withhold the gifts that God has bestowed upon them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Nay, it is bad for them. It will be tied to their necks as shackles on the Day of Resurrection. To God belongs the heritage of the heavens and earth. God is Aware of all you do.77

Note 77
He bestows His provision to humanity for equitable distribution to all. 55:10

3:181 لقد سمع الله قول الذين قالوا ان الله فقير ونحن اغنياء سنكتب ما قالوا وقتلهم الانبياء بغير حق ونقول ذوقوا عذاب الحريق

Transcription (English)
3:181 Laqad samiAAa Allahu qawla allatheenaqaloo inna Allaha faqeerun wanahnu aghniyaonsanaktubu ma qaloo waqatlahumu al-anbiyaabighayri haqqin wanaqoolu thooqoo AAathabaalhareeqi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:181 God has heard the words of those who said, "God is poor and we are rich!" We will record what they said as well as their killing of the prophets without just cause. We will say, "Taste the retribution of the fire!"
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:181 God has heard the words of those who said: "God is poor and we are rich!" We will record what they have said and their killing of the prophets without right; and We will say: "Taste the retribution of the Fire!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:181 God has indeed heard the saying of those who said, "Behold, God is poor while we are rich!"139 We shall record what they have said, as well as their slaying of prophets against all right,140 and We shall say [unto them on Judgment Day]: "Taste suffering through fire

Note 139
According to several authentic Traditions, the Jews of Medina were given to satirizing the phraseology of the Qur'an, and especially 2:245 - "Who is it that will offer up unto God a goodly loan, which He will amply repay, with manifold increase?"

Note 140
Regarding this accusation levelled against the Jews, see surah 2, note 48.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Humans Continue to Defy God3:181 GOD has heard the utterances of those who said, "GOD is poor, while we are rich." We will record everything they said, just as we recorded their killing of the prophets unjustly, and we will say, "Suffer the retribution of Hell.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:181 God has heard the utterance of those who said, "God is poor whereas we are rich." We will record what they say, just as their slaying of the Prophets against all right. And We shall say, "Taste the torment of burning.”78

Note 78
Most of the first followers of all Messengers have been the poor. 11:27

3:182 ذلك بما قدمت ايديكم وان الله ليس بظلام للعبيد

Transcription (English)
3:182 Thalika bima qaddamataydeekum waanna Allaha laysa bithallaminlilAAabeedi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:182 This is for what their hands have brought forth, and God does not wrong the servants.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:182 This is for what their hands have delivered, and God does not wrong the servants.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:182 in return for what your own hands have wrought - for never does God do the least wrong to His creatures!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:182 "This is the consequence of your own works." GOD is never unjust towards the people.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:182 This is for what your own hands have sent forth. God is never a tyrant over His servants. [8:51]

3:183 الذين قالوا ان الله عهد الينا الا نؤمن لرسول حتى ياتينا بقربان تاكله النار قل قد جاءكم رسل من قبلى بالبينت وبالذى قلتم فلم قتلتموهم ان كنتم صدقين

Transcription (English)
3:183 Allatheena qaloo inna AllahaAAahida ilayna alla nu/mina lirasoolin hattaya/tiyana biqurbanin ta/kuluhu alnnaruqul qad jaakum rusulun min qablee bialbayyinatiwabiallathee qultum falima qataltumoohum in kutum sadiqeena
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:183 Those who said, "God has pledged to us that we should not acknowledge a messenger unless he brings us an offering which the fire will devour." Say, "Messengers have come to you before me with proof and with what you have said, so why did you fight/kill them if you were truthful?"35

Note 35

See 5:27.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:183 Those who said: "God has pledged to us that we should not believe in a messenger unless he brings us an offering which the fire will devour." Say: "Messengers have come to you before me with clarity and with what you have said, so why did you kill them if you were truthful?"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:183 As for those who maintain, "Behold, God has bidden us not to believe in any apostle unless he comes unto us with burnt offerings"141 - say [unto them, O Prophet]: "Even before me there came unto you apostles with all evidence of the truth, and with that whereof you speak: why, then, did you slay them, if what you say is true?"142

Note 141
Lit., "with an offering which the fire consumes" - in other words, unless he conforms to Mosaic Law, which prescribes burnt offerings as an essential part of divine services. Although this aspect of the Law had been left in abeyance ever since the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews of post-Talmudic times were convinced that the Messiah promised to them would restore the Mosaic rites in their entirety; and so they refused to accept as a prophet anyone who did not conform to the Law of the Torah in every detail.

Note 142
At the time of the martyrdom of John the Baptist and of Zachariah, of Jesus' exclamation, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets" (Matthew xxiii, 37), and of the reference of Paul of Tarsus to the Jews "who killed their own prophets" (I Thessalonians ii, 15), the Second Temple was still in existence, and burnt offerings were a daily practice: thus, the refusal of the Jews to accept the prophets alluded to, culminating in their killing, could not be attributed to those prophets' lack of conformity with Mosaic Law.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:183 It is they who said, "GOD has made a covenant with us that we shall not believe in any messenger, unless he produces an offering that gets consumed by fire." Say, "Messengers before me have come to you with clear proofs, including what you just demanded. Why then did you kill them, if you are truthful?",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:183 It is they (the Children of Israel) who assert, “God has taken a promise from us that we should not believe in any Messenger unless he shows us an offering consumed by fire.” Say, “Messengers before me came to you with self-evident truth, and what you describe (as a burnt offering). Why, then, did you slay them, if you are truthful?”79

Note 79
I Thessalonians ii, 15 / Mathew xxiii, 37. Burnt offering = Animal sacrifice that a fire from the sky would consume

3:184 فان كذبوك فقد كذب رسل من قبلك جاءو بالبينت والزبر والكتب المنير

Transcription (English)
3:184 Fa-in kaththabooka faqad kuththibarusulun min qablika jaoo bialbayyinati waalzzuburiwaalkitabi almuneeri
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:184 If they reject you, then messengers before you were also rejected. They came with proof and the Psalms, and the book of enlightenment.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:184 If they deny you, then messengers before you were also denied; they came with the proofs and the scriptures and the Book of Enlightenment.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:184 And if they give thee the lie - even so, before thy time, have [other] apostles been given the lie when they came with all evidence of the truth, and with books of divine wisdom, and with light-giving revelation.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:184 If they reject you, messengers before you have been rejected, even though they brought proofs, the Psalms, and the enlightening scripture.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:184 If they deny you (O Messenger), so were denied Messengers before you when they came with clear evidence of the truth, and with books of Divine wisdom, and the light giving revelation.

3:185 كل نفس ذائقة الموت وانما توفون اجوركم يوم القيمة فمن زحزح عن النار وادخل الجنة فقد فاز وما الحيوة الدنيا الا متع الغرور

Transcription (English)
3:185 Kullu nafsin tha-iqatu almawtiwa-innama tuwaffawna ojoorakum yawma alqiyamatifaman zuhziha AAani alnnari waodkhilaaljannata faqad faza wama alhayatu alddunyailla mataAAu alghuroori
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:185 Every person will taste death, and you will be recompensed your dues on the day of Resurrection. Whoever escaped the fire and entered into paradise, he has indeed won. This worldly life is nothing more than the enjoyment of vanity.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:185 Every soul will taste death, and you will be recompensed your dues on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is swayed from the Fire and entered into the Paradise, he has indeed won. This worldly life is nothing more than the enjoyment of vanity.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:185 Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] - whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the fire and brought into paradise will indeed have gained a triumph: for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
A Great Triumph3:185 Every person tastes death, then you receive your recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever misses Hell, barely, and makes it to Paradise, has attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than an illusion.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:185 (You may get some passing delight in denial, but) every living being is bound to taste death. And you will receive your recompense in full on the Day of Resurrection. Then whoever is drawn away from the fire, and gets admitted to the Garden, will have gained supreme triumph. (He who considers it the end in itself should know that for him) the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-deception.80

Note 80
The real success entails striving for both worlds. 2:201, 10:63, 14:27, 28:77

3:186 لتبلون فى امولكم وانفسكم ولتسمعن من الذين اوتوا الكتب من قبلكم ومن الذين اشركوا اذى كثيرا وان تصبروا وتتقوا فان ذلك من عزم الامور

Transcription (English)
3:186 Latublawunna fee amwalikumwaanfusikum walatasmaAAunna mina allatheena ootoo alkitabamin qablikum wamina allatheena ashrakoo athankatheeran wa-in tasbiroo watattaqoo fa-inna thalikamin AAazmi al-omoori
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:186 We will test you with your wealth and with yourselves, and you will hear from those who have been given the book before you and from those who set up partners much annoyance. If you strive and be aware, then these are affairs of great resolve.36

Note 36

Those who prove their conviction and dedication to God alone by successfully passing through a series of tests attain happiness both in this world and in the hereafter. See 10:62; 24:55 and 29:2, 3.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:186 We will test you in your wealth and in yourselves, and you will hear from those who have been given the Book from before you and from the polytheists much annoyance. And if you are patient and righteous, then that is from a strength of conviction.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:186 You shall most certainly be tried in your possessions and in your persons; and indeed you shall hear many hurtful things from those to whom revelation was granted before your time, as well as from those who have come to ascribe divinity to other beings beside God. But if you remain patient in adversity and conscious of Him - this, behold, is something to set one's heart upon.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
The Inevitable Test3:186 You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.15 ,

Note 15
After passing the admission tests, the proven worshipers of God ALONE enjoy a perfect life, now and forever. See10:62,24:55, and29:2-3.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:186 You will certainly go through changes of fortune in your wealth and persons. And you will hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the scripture before you, and from the idolaters and those who wish to impose manmade systems. But if you remain steadfast and continue to live upright, this will strengthen your resolve. [2:155]

3:187 واذ اخذ الله ميثق الذين اوتوا الكتب لتبيننه للناس ولا تكتمونه فنبذوه وراء ظهورهم واشتروا به ثمنا قليلا فبئس ما يشترون

Transcription (English)
3:187 Wa-ith akhatha Allahumeethaqa allatheena ootoo alkitabalatubayyinunnahu lilnnasi wala taktumoonahufanabathoohu waraa thuhoorihim waishtarawbihi thamanan qaleelan fabi/sa ma yashtaroona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Do Not Hide the Truth3:187 God took the covenant of those who were given the book: "You will proclaim to the people and not conceal it." However, they threw it behind their backs and purchased with it a cheap price. Miserable indeed is what they have purchased.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:187 And God took the covenant of those who were given the Book: "You will make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they placed it behind their backs and purchased with it a cheap price. Miserable indeed is what they have purchased.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:187 AND LO, God accepted a solemn pledge from those who were granted earlier revelation [when He bade them]: "Make it known unto mankind, and do not conceal it!"143 But they cast this [pledge] behind their backs, and bartered it away for a trifling gain: and how evil was their bargain!144

Note 143
This connects with verses 183-184, where the Jews are spoken of as refusing to accept the message of the Qur'an. The implication of verse 187 above is that the advent of the Prophet Muhammad was predicted in both the Old and New Testaments, and that the followers of the Bible had been called upon to spread this prophecy and not - as they actually have done - to suppress it.

Note 144
Lit., "that which they are buying" - an allusion to the belief of the Jews that they are "God's chosen people", and to the conviction of the Christians that their belief in Jesus' "vicarious atonement" automatically assures to them salvation: the "bargain" being, in both cases, an illusion of immunity in the life to come.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:187 GOD took a covenant from those who received the scripture: "You shall proclaim it to the people, and never conceal it." But they disregarded it behind their backs, and traded it away for a cheap price. What a miserable trade.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:187 God accepted a solemn pledge from those who had received the scripture, “Make it clearly known to people, and never conceal it!” But they flung it behind their backs, and traded it away for a little gain. How evil was the bargain they made! [2:16]

3:188 لا تحسبن الذين يفرحون بما اتوا ويحبون ان يحمدوا بما لم يفعلوا فلا تحسبنهم بمفازة من العذاب ولهم عذاب اليم

Transcription (English)
3:188 La tahsabanna allatheenayafrahoona bima ataw wayuhibboona an yuhmadoobima lam yafAAaloo fala tahsabannahum bimafazatinmina alAAathabi walahum AAathabun aleemun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:188 Do not count that those who are happy with what they have been given, and they love to be praised for what they did not do; do not think they are saved from the punishment. For them is a painful retribution.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:188 Do not think that those who are happy with what they have been given, and they love to be praised for what they did not do; do not think they are saved from the punishment. For them is a painful retribution.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:188 Think not that those who exult in what they have thus contrived, and who love to be praised for what they have not done145 - think not that they will escape suffering: for grievous suffering does await them [in the life to come].

Note 145
I.e., they have not, in spite of all their claims, preserved the integrity of the Bible and of Abraham's faith (Razi).
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:188 Those who boast about their works, and wish to be praised for something they have not really done, should not think that they can evade the retribution. They have incurred a painful retribution.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:188 Do not think that those who exult in their works, and love to be praised for what they have not done – No! Never think that they can escape punishment. For them is a painful suffering.

3:189 ولله ملك السموت والارض والله على كل شىء قدير

Transcription (English)
3:189 Walillahi mulku alssamawatiwaal-ardi waAllahu AAala kullishay-in qadeerun
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:189 To God is the sovereignty of heavens and earth, and God is capable of all things.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:189 And to God is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and God is capable of all things.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:189 AND UNTO GOD belongs the dominion over the heavens and the earth: and God has the power to will anything.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:189 To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. GOD is Omnipotent.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:189 Unto God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and earth. And God, having Power over all things and events, has appointed laws in due measure. [10:4, 34:3-4, 53:31]

3:190 ان فى خلق السموت والارض واختلف اليل والنهار لءايت لاولى الالبب

Transcription (English)
3:190 Inna fee khalqi alssamawatiwaal-ardi waikhtilafi allayli waalnnaharilaayatin li-olee al-albabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Study Cosmology and Astronomy3:190 In the creation of heavens and earth, and the difference between night and day, are signs for those with intelligence.37

Note 37

The idiosyncratic language of the Quran is interesting. Why does the Quran continuously use the expression "the alteration of night and day" rather than "the setting and rising of the Sun"? See 27:88.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:190 In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference between the night and the day, are signs for those who possess intelligence.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:190 Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight,
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Those Who Possess Intelligence3:190 In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intelligence.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:190 Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for men and women who use their intellect.

3:191 الذين يذكرون الله قيما وقعودا وعلى جنوبهم ويتفكرون فى خلق السموت والارض ربنا ما خلقت هذا بطلا سبحنك فقنا عذاب النار

Transcription (English)
3:191 Allatheena yathkuroona Allahaqiyaman waquAAoodan waAAala junoobihimwayatafakkaroona fee khalqi alssamawati waal-ardirabbana ma khalaqta hatha batilan subhanakafaqina AAathaba alnnari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:191 Those who remember God while standing, and sitting, and on their sides, and they ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord you did not create this without purpose, be You glorified, and spare us the retribution of the fire!"38

Note 38

True monotheists remember God frequently and rejoice when God's name is mentioned alone, without the addition of any other name. Their existence and everything surrounding them reminds them of their Creator, the Lord of the universe. See 13:28; 23:84; 33:42; 39:45.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:191 Those who remember God while standing, and sitting, and on their sides, and they ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord you have not created this without purpose, glory to You, spare us the retribution of the Fire!"
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:191 [and] who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep,146 and [thus] reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "O our Sustainer! Thou hast not created [aught of] this without meaning and purpose.147 Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire!

Note 146
Lit., "and [lying] on their sides".

Note 147
Lit., "in vain" (batilan): see note 11 on 10:5.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:191 They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.,16

Note 16
Your god is whoever or whatever occupies your mind most of the time. The true believers are those who remember Godmost of the time. See23:84-89 andAppendix 27.
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:191 (Such men and women of understanding keep reflecting upon how God’s laws operate in the Universe) Standing, sitting, and reclining, they reflect upon the wonders of creation in the skies and earth, saying, "Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose. Glory to You! Save us, then, from (being negligent in attaining knowledge and thus from) the doom of the fire.”81

Note 81
When humans harness the forces in Nature and use them for the common good of all, they move away from Hell, rightfully hoping to achieve Paradise in both lives. 13:17, 45:13

3:192 ربنا انك من تدخل النار فقد اخزيته وما للظلمين من انصار

Transcription (English)
3:192 Rabbana innaka man tudkhili alnnarafaqad akhzaytahu wama lilththalimeenamin ansarin
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:192 "Our Lord, whoever You admit to the fire has been disgraced. The wicked will have no supporters."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:192 "Our Lord, whoever You admit to the Fire has been disgraced. The wicked will have no supporters."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:192 "O our Sustainer! Whomsoever Thou shalt commit to the fire, him, verily, wilt Thou have brought to disgrace [in this world];148 and such evildoers will have none to succour them.

Note 148
I.e., the suffering which a sinner will have to undergo in the life to come will be a consequence of the spiritual disgrace which he has already brought upon himself by his actions in this world.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:192 "Our Lord, whomever You commit to Hell are the ones You have forsaken. Such transgressors have no helpers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:192 (Reflecting on the Universe and upon their own role on the Planet, such people work for the betterment of humanity 13:17. They say), “Our Lord! Any individuals and nations whom You admit into the fire, You have brought them low (for failing to harness the forces in Nature)." There are no helpers for those who choose to do wrong, and thus, hurt themselves.82

Note 82
Zaalimeen translated according to the context

3:193 ربنا اننا سمعنا مناديا ينادى للايمن ان ءامنوا بربكم فامنا ربنا فاغفر لنا ذنوبنا وكفر عنا سياتنا وتوفنا مع الابرار

Transcription (English)
3:193 Rabbana innana samiAAnamunadiyan yunadee lil-eemani an aminoobirabbikum faamanna rabbana faighfirlana thunoobana wakaffir AAannasayyi-atina watawaffana maAAa al-abrari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
"We Heard the Caller"3:193 "Our Lord, we have heard a caller inviting to the acknowledgement: ‘Acknowledge your Lord,’ so we have acknowledged. Our Lord forgive us our evil deeds and remit our sins, and take us with the obedient ones."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:193 "Our Lord, we have heard a caller inviting to the faith: "Believe in your Lord," so we have believed. Our Lord forgive us our bad deeds, and forgive our sins, and let us die in the company of the righteous."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:193 "O our Sustainer! Behold, we heard a voice149 call [us] unto faith, `Believe in your Sustainer!' - and so we came to believe. O our Sustainer! Forgive us, then, our sins, and efface our bad deeds; and let us die the death of the truly virtuous!

Note 149
Lit., "a caller".
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:193 "Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:193 "Our Lord! We have heard the call of one calling to faith, “Believe in your Lord!” So we have chosen to believe. Our Lord! Protect us from trailing behind in humanity, blot out from us our faults, and let our end be in the company of those who have helped others to make progress in the society."83

Note 83
2:186. Abraar= Those who create opportunities for others to make progress

3:194 ربنا وءاتنا ما وعدتنا على رسلك ولا تخزنا يوم القيمة انك لا تخلف الميعاد

Transcription (English)
3:194 Rabbana waatina mawaAAadtana AAala rusulika wala tukhzinayawma alqiyamati innaka la tukhlifu almeeAAada
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:194 "Our Lord, and grant us what You have promised through Your messengers, and do not embarrass us on the day of Resurrection. You do not break the promise."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:194 "Our Lord, and grant us what You have promised through Your messengers, and do not embarrass us on the Day of Resurrection. You do not break the promise."
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:194 "And, O our Sustainer, grant us that which Thou hast promised us through Thy apostles, and disgrace us not on Resurrection Day! Verily, Thou never failest to fulfil Thy promise!"
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:194 "Our Lord, shower us with the blessings you promised us through Your messengers, and do not forsake us on the Day of Resurrection. You never break a promise.",
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:194 “And our Lord! Grant us what You have promised to us through Your Messengers. And save us from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. You never break the promise.” [24:55]

3:195 فاستجاب لهم ربهم انى لا اضيع عمل عمل منكم من ذكر او انثى بعضكم من بعض فالذين هاجروا واخرجوا من ديرهم واوذوا فى سبيلى وقتلوا وقتلوا لاكفرن عنهم سياتهم ولادخلنهم جنت تجرى من تحتها الانهر ثوابا من عند الله والله عنده حسن الثواب

Transcription (English)
3:195 Faistajaba lahum rabbuhumannee la odeeAAu AAamala AAamilin minkum minthakarin aw ontha baAAdukum min baAAdinfaallatheena hajaroo waokhrijoo min diyarihimwaoothoo fee sabeelee waqataloo waqutiloolaokaffiranna AAanhum sayyi-atihim walaodkhilannahum jannatintajree min tahtiha al-anharu thawabanmin AAindi Allahi waAllahu AAindahu husnualththawabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:195 Their Lord answered them: "I do not waste the work of any worker from among you, be you male or female, you are all as each other. For those who emigrated and were driven-out from their homes and were harmed in My cause, and they fought and were killed, I will remit for them their sins and admit them to paradises with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from God; and God has the best reward."
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:195 Their Lord answered them: "I do not waste the work of any worker from among you, whether male or female, you are all as each other. For those who emigrated and were driven-out from their homes and were harmed in My cause, and they fought and were killed, I will forgive for them their sins and admit them to estates with rivers flowing beneath them." A recompense from God; and God has the best recompense.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:195 And thus does their Sustainer answer their prayer: "I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours [in My way], be it man or woman: each of you is an issue of the other.150 Hence, as for those who forsake the domain of evil,151 and are driven from their homelands, and suffer hurt in My cause, and fight [for it], and are slain - I shall most certainly efface their bad deeds, and shall most certainly bring them into gardens through which running waters flow, as a reward from God: for with God is the most beauteous of rewards."

Note 150
I.e., "you all are members of one and the same human race, and therefore equal to one another".

Note 151
See surah 2, note 203, and surah 4, note 124.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
God Responds3:195 Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams." Such is the reward from GOD. GOD possesses the ultimate reward.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:195 Thus their Lord accepts and answers their prayer, “Indeed, I never let the work of any worker, male or female, go to waste. You are members of one another. So, those who emigrate, and are driven from their homelands, and suffer harm in My cause, and fight, and are slain, I shall certainly blot out their faults, erasing the imprints of their misdeeds on their ‘self’. I will admit them into Gardens with streams flowing beneath - a handsome return from God's Presence. For, with God is the fairest return of actions. [2:186]

3:196 لا يغرنك تقلب الذين كفروا فى البلد

Transcription (English)
3:196 La yaghurrannaka taqallubu allatheenakafaroo fee albiladi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:196 Do not be deceived by the success of those ingrates throughout the land.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:196 Do not be deceived by the success of those who have rejected in the land.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:196 LET IT NOT deceive thee that those who are bent on denying the truth seem to be able to do as they please on earth:
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:196 Do not be impressed by the apparent success of disbelievers.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:196 Let not the thump and thud, and decorum of the opponents of the Divine System, in townships, impress you.

3:197 متع قليل ثم ماوىهم جهنم وبئس المهاد

Transcription (English)
3:197 MataAAun qaleelun thumma ma/wahumjahannamu wabi/sa almihadu
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:197 A brief enjoyment, then their abode is hell. What a miserable abode!
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:197 A brief enjoyment, then their abode is Hell. What a miserable abode!
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:197 it is [but] a brief enjoyment, with hell thereafter as their goal - and how vile a resting-place! -
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:197 They only enjoy temporarily, then end up in Hell; what a miserable destiny!,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:197 It is but a brief enjoyment. Eventually, Hell is their resting place, and how uncomfortable a bed it is to lie on!84

Note 84
Wrong systems take away inner peace, and collapse to a life of Hell in both worlds

3:198 لكن الذين اتقوا ربهم لهم جنت تجرى من تحتها الانهر خلدين فيها نزلا من عند الله وما عند الله خير للابرار

Transcription (English)
3:198 Lakini allatheena ittaqawrabbahum lahum jannatun tajree min tahtihaal-anharu khalideena feeha nuzulan minAAindi Allahi wama AAinda Allahi khayrunlil-abrari
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
3:198 As for those who are aware of their Lord, they will have paradises with rivers flowing beneath; eternally they reside in it as a dwelling from God. What is with God is better for the righteous.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:198 As for those who reverence their Lord, they will have estates with rivers flowing beneath them; abiding therein as a dwelling from God. What is with God is better for the obedient.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:198 whereas those who remain conscious of their Sustainer shall have gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: a ready welcome from God. And that which is with God is best for the truly virtuous.
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:198 As for those who observe their Lord, they have deserved gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. Such is the abode given to them by GOD. What GOD possesses is far better for the righteous.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:198 But those who remain mindful of their Lord, for them are Gardens with streams flowing beneath, therein to abide - a Gift of Welcome from their Lord. For, with God is the best reward for those who have grown in humanity and eased the way for others.

3:199 وان من اهل الكتب لمن يؤمن بالله وما انزل اليكم وما انزل اليهم خشعين لله لا يشترون بايت الله ثمنا قليلا اولئك لهم اجرهم عند ربهم ان الله سريع الحساب

Transcription (English)
3:199 Wa-inna min ahli alkitabi lamanyu/minu biAllahi wama onzila ilaykum wamaonzila ilayhim khashiAAeena lillahi layashtaroona bi-ayati Allahi thamananqaleelan ola-ika lahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim inna AllahasareeAAu alhisabi
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
The Righteous Among The People Of The Book, Such As, Jews And Christians3:199 Among the people of the book are those who acknowledge God, what was sent down to you and what was sent down to them. They revere God and they do not purchase with God's signs a cheap price. These will have their reward with their Lord. God is quick in computation.
The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:199 And from the people of the Book are those who believe in God and what was sent down to you and what was sent down to them; fearful to God, they do not purchase with the revelations of God a cheap price. These will have their recompense with their Lord. For God is swift in reckoning.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:199 And, behold, among the followers of earlier revelation there are indeed such as [truly] believe in God, and in that which has been bestowed from on high upon you as well as in that which has been bestowed upon them. Standing in awe of God, they do not barter away God's messages for a trifling gain. They shall have their reward with their Sustainer - for, behold, God is swift in reckoning!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
Righteous Jews and Christians3:199 Surely, some followers of the previous scriptures do believe in GOD, and in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed to them. They reverence GOD, and they never trade away GOD's revelations for a cheap price. These will receive their recompense from their Lord. GOD is the most efficient in reckoning.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:199 Among the People of the Book are some who believe in God, and in what is revealed to you, and in what was revealed to them. They humble themselves before God, and do not trade away God’s revelations for a trifling gain. Their reward is with their Lord. God is Swift in taking account. [3:113-114]

3:200 يايها الذين ءامنوا اصبروا وصابروا ورابطوا واتقوا الله لعلكم تفلحون

Transcription (English)
3:200 Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooisbiroo wasabiroo warabitoo waittaqooAllaha laAAallakum tuflihoona
Edip-Layth (Quran: A Reformist Translation)
Support Each Other And Strive Individually And Communally3:200 O you who acknowledge, be patient, call for patience, bond together, and be aware of God that you may succeed.39

Note 39

The teachings of some mystic orders distorted the meaning and implication of the word Rabitu (be connected) and fabricated a ritual that required the follower to meditate frequently by thinking of his guru and even visualizing his face in his imagination while commemorating God's name. The Quran condemns religious exploitation. See 6:21; 7:37; 10:17 and 9:31. The Quran emphases the importance of individual freedom and at the same time it reminds us the importance of being active members of a community. Social isolation has many side effects, including rise in crime, corruption in politics, troubled children, and decline in charities. In modern societies where family structure and social fabric is harmed, loneliness contributes to unhappiness despite financial prosperity.

The Monotheist Group (The Quran: A Monotheist Translation)
3:200 O you who believe, be patient and call for patience, and stand firm, and reverence God that you may succeed.
Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
3:200 O you who have attained to faith! Be patient in adversity, and vie in patience with one another, and be ever ready [to do what is right], and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state!
Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
3:200 O you who believe, you shall be steadfast, you shall persevere, you shall be united, you shall observe GOD, that you may succeed.,
Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
3:200 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Persevere in patience and constancy, outdo others in steadfastness, and remain united, strengthening each other. And be mindful of God, so that you may prosper.