Surah 21. Al-Anbiya

herein, behold, there is a message for people who [truly] worship God.

  - Mohammad Asad

Surely in this is great news for those people who worship Us.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Lo! there is a plain statement for folk who are devout.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And [thus, O Prophet,] We have sent thee as [an evidence of Our] grace towards all the worlds.¹⁰²

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., towards all mankind. For an elucidation of this fundamental principle underlying the message of the Qur'an, see 7:158 and the corresponding note [126]. The universality of the Qur'anic revelation arises from three factors: firstly, its appeal to all mankind irrespective of descent, race or cultural environment; secondly, the fact that it appeals exclusively to man's reason and, hence, does not postulate any dogma that could be accepted on the basis of blind faith alone; and, finally, the fact that - contrary to all other sacred scriptures known to history - the Qur'an has remained entirely unchanged in its wording ever since its revelation fourteen centuries ago and will, because it is so widely recorded, forever remain so in accordance with the divine promise, "it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]" (cf. 15:9 and the corresponding note [10]). It is by virtue of these three factors that the Qur'an represents the final stage of all divine revelation, and that the Prophet through whom it has been conveyed to mankind is stated to have been the last (in Qur'anic terminology, "the seal") of all prophets (cf. 33:40 ).

O Muhammad, We have not sent you but as a blessing for all the worlds.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Say: "It has but been revealed unto me¹⁰³ that your God is the One and Only God: will you, then, surrender yourselves unto Him?"

  - Mohammad Asad

Cf. the first sentence of verse {45} of this surah. This stress on divine revelation as the only source of the Prophet's knowledge referred to in the sequence is expressed, in Arabic, by means of the restrictive particle innama.

Tell them: "It has been revealed to me that your God is One God - will you then become Muslims?"

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Say: It is only inspired in me that your God is One God. Will ye then surrender (unto Him)!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But if they turn away, say: "I have proclaimed this in equity unto all of you alike;¹⁰⁴ but I do not know whether that [judgment] which you are promised [by God] is near - or far [in time].

  - Mohammad Asad

The expression 'ala sawa (lit., "in an equitable manner") comprises in this context two distinct concepts: that of fairness as regards the clarity and unambiguity of the above announcement, as well as of equality, implying that it is being made to all human beings alike; hence my composite rendering of this phrase.

If they give no heed, tell them: "I have warned you all alike in complete fairness; now I do not know whether what you are threatened with is near or far.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

But if they are averse, then say: I have warned you all alike, although I know not whether nigh or far is that which ye are promised.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"Verily, He knows all that is said openly, just as He [alone] knows all that you would conceal.

  - Mohammad Asad

It is He Who knows your spoken words and hidden thoughts.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Lo! He knoweth that which is said openly, and that which ye conceal.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But [as for me,] I do not know whether, perchance, this [delay in God's judgment! is but a trial for you, and a [merciful! respite for a while."¹⁰⁵

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "enjoyment [of life] for a while": i.e., a chance, mercifully granted by God, to attain to

I do not know whether this delay is a trial for you or you are being given respite for an appointed time."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And I know not but that this may be a trial for you, and enjoyment for a while.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Say¹⁰⁶ "O my Sustainer! Judge Thou in truth!" - and [say]: "Our Sustainer is the Most Gracious, the One whose aid is ever to be sought against all your [attempts at] defining [Him]!"¹⁰⁷

  - Mohammad Asad

See note [5] on verse {4} of this surah.

Lit., "against {'ala) all that you attribute [to Him] by way of description" or "of definition" (see note [88] on the last sentence of 6:100 ): implying that only God's grace can save man from the blasphemous attempts - prompted by his inherent weakness - to bring God "closer" to his own, human understanding by means of humanly-conceived "definitions" of Him who is transcendent, infinite and unfathomable.

Finally the Prophet said: "O Rabb! Pass Your Judgment with fairness. And O People! Our Rabb is most Compassionate, Whose help we seek against the blasphemies you utter."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

He saith: My Lord! Judge Thou with truth. Our Lord is the Beneficent, whose help is to be implored against that which ye ascribe (unto Him).

  - Marmaduke Pickthall