Surah 5. Al-Maida, Ayah 66
| وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِنْ تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ ۚ مِنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُقْتَصِدَةٌ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ سَاءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ |
| Transliteration | : | law-laa yanhaa -hum ar- rabbaaneyon wa- al- ah.baar can qawl -him al- 'ithm wa- 'akl -hum as- suh.t la- bi's maa kaano yas.nacon |
| Pickthall | : | If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct. |
| Asad | : | and if they would but truly observe the Torah and the Gospel and all [the revelation] that has been bestowed from on high upon them by their Sustainer, they would indeed partake of all the blessings of heaven and earth. Some of them do pursue a right course; but as for most of them - vile indeed is what they do!84 |
| Malik | : | If they would have observed the Laws of Taurat and the Injeel (Gospel) and other Revelations which were sent to them from their Rabb, they would have certainly enjoyed abundance from above and from beneath. Though there are some among them on the moderate course; but most of them do nothing but evil. |
| Yusuf Ali | : | If only they had stood fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil. 776 |
Note - 84The expression "partake of all the blessings of heaven
and earth" (lit., "eat from above them and from beneath
their feet") is an allusion to the blessing which
accompanies the realization of a spiritual truth, as well
as to the social happiness which is bound to follow an
observance of the moral principles laid down in the
genuine teachings of the Bible. It should be borne in
mind that the phrase "if they would but truly observe
(law annahum aqamu) the Torah and the Gospel", etc.
implies an observance of those scriptures in their
genuine spirit, free of the arbitrary distortions due to
that "wishful thinking" of which the Qur'an so often
accuses the Jews and the Christians - such as the Jewish
concept of "the chosen people", or the Christian
doctrines relating to the alleged divinity of Jesus and
the "vicarious redemption" of his followers.
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Note - 776To eat (akala) is a very comprehensive word, and denotes
enjoyment generally, physical, social, mental and moral,
and spiritual. "To eat what is forbidden" in verses 62
and 63 referred to taking unlawful profit, from usury or
trust funds or in other ways. Here "eating" would seem to
mean receiving satisfaction or happiness in this life as
well as in the life to come. "From above them" may refer
to heavenly or spiritual satifaction, and "from below
their feet" to earthly satisfaction. But it is better to
take the words as a general idiom, and understand
"satisfaction or happiness from every side."
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The expression "partake of all the blessings of heaven and earth" (lit., "eat from above them and from beneath their feet") is an allusion to the blessing which accompanies the realization of a spiritual truth, as well as to the social happiness which is bound to follow an observance of the moral principles laid down in the genuine teachings of the Bible. It should be borne in mind that the phrase "if they would but truly observe (law annahum aqamu) the Torah and the Gospel", etc. implies an observance of those scriptures in their genuine spirit, free of the arbitrary distortions due to that "wishful thinking" of which the Qur'an so often accuses the Jews and the Christians - such as the Jewish concept of "the chosen people", or the Christian doctrines relating to the alleged divinity of Jesus and the "vicarious redemption" of his followers. |
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To eat (akala) is a very comprehensive word, and denotes enjoyment generally, physical, social, mental and moral, and spiritual. "To eat what is forbidden" in verses 62 and 63 referred to taking unlawful profit, from usury or trust funds or in other ways. Here "eating" would seem to mean receiving satisfaction or happiness in this life as well as in the life to come. "From above them" may refer to heavenly or spiritual satifaction, and "from below their feet" to earthly satisfaction. But it is better to take the words as a general idiom, and understand "satisfaction or happiness from every side." |
