A Clarification Regarding Al-Namal 27: 90 - 92
Question
Title: A Clarification Regarding Al-Namal 27: 90 - 92 Question: Yusuf Ali has translated the referred verses as: 27:90 And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: "Do ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?" 27:91 For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah's Will, - 27:92 And to rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls, and if any stray, say: "I am only a Warner". Pickthall has translated the referred verses as: 27:90 And whoso bringeth an ill-deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye rewarded aught save what ye did? 27:91 (Say): I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him), 27:92 And to recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner. My question is why did Yusuf Ali translate the beginning of verse 91 as "For Me" when this makes it sound like Muhammad has written it, although this is not what I am insinuating. Pickthall has translated it as "Say I (Muhammad)" which seems like it would be correct b/c it would be Allah commanding Muhammad to say something. I am sure I am missing something here, and I was just wondering if you could help me reconcile the two translations. Salaam Salman Merchant United States of America Answer: You are right. The befitting translation of the verse is that of Pickthall. He has correctly disclosed the suppressed command of the Almighty to His Prophet (pbuh) to announce the given words. [Say, O Muhammad,]: I am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hollowed...(27:90) Mr. Ali did not disclose this suppression. "For me" is actually equivalent to "As far as I am concerned". Thus, if this suppression were revealed, the translation would undoubtedly be: [Say, O Muhammad,]: As far as I am concerned, I have been commanded... Jhangeer Hanif April 28, 2003
Answer
Title: A Clarification Regarding Al-Namal 27: 90 - 92 Question: Yusuf Ali has translated the referred verses as: 27:90 And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: "Do ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?" 27:91 For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah's Will, - 27:92 And to rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls, and if any stray, say: "I am only a Warner". Pickthall has translated the referred verses as: 27:90 And whoso bringeth an ill-deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye rewarded aught save what ye did? 27:91 (Say): I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him), 27:92 And to recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner. My question is why did Yusuf Ali translate the beginning of verse 91 as "For Me" when this makes it sound like Muhammad has written it, although this is not what I am insinuating. Pickthall has translated it as "Say I (Muhammad)" which seems like it would be correct b/c it would be Allah commanding Muhammad to say something. I am sure I am missing something here, and I was just wondering if you could help me reconcile the two translations. Salaam Salman Merchant United States of America Answer: You are right. The befitting translation of the verse is that of Pickthall. He has correctly disclosed the suppressed command of the Almighty to His Prophet (pbuh) to announce the given words. [Say, O Muhammad,]: I am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hollowed...(27:90) Mr. Ali did not disclose this suppression. "For me" is actually equivalent to "As far as I am concerned". Thus, if this suppression were revealed, the translation would undoubtedly be: [Say, O Muhammad,]: As far as I am concerned, I have been commanded... Jhangeer Hanif April 28, 2003
Ask a follow-up
A follow-up appears here only after an editor approves it.