Surah 3. Aal-Imran

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.

  - Mohammad Asad

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.

How it can be that Allah would guide those people who commit Kufr (reject faith) after their Iman (acceptance of faith), acknowledge that the Rasool is true, and clear proofs have come to them? Allah does not guide such wrongdoers.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

How will Allah guide a people who chose to disbelieve after they had believed, acknowledged the Messenger to be true, and received clear proofs? For Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

  - Mustafa Khattab

How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Apostle was true and that clear signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a people unjust.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Their requital shall be rejection by God, and by the angels, and by all [righteous] men.

  - Mohammad Asad

The reward of such people is that upon them is the curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Their reward is that they will be condemned by Allah, the angels, and all of humanity.

  - Mustafa Khattab

As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah of His angels and of all mankind.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In this state shall they abide; [and] neither will their suffering be lightened, nor will they be granted respite.

  - Mohammad Asad

They shall remain under it for ever; neither will their punishment be lightened nor will they be given respite.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

They will be in Hell forever. Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be delayed 'from it'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened nor respite be their (lot). ⁴¹⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Muslim position is clear. The Muslim does not claim to have a religion peculiar to himself. Islam is not a sect or an ethnic religion. In its view all Religion is one, for the Truth is one. It was the religion preached by all the earlier Prophets. It was the truth taught by all the inspired Books. In essence it amounts to a consciousness of the Will and Plan of Allah and a joyful submission to that Will and Plan. If any one wants a religion other than that, he is false to his own nature, as he is false to Allah's Will and Plan. Such a one cannot expect guidance, for he has deliberately renounced guidance. (A) Cf. ii. 161-62.

But excepted shall be they that afterwards repent and put themselves to rights: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

  - Mohammad Asad

However, those who repent after this and mend their ways, then verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

As for those who repent afterwards and mend their ways, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Except for those that repent (even) after that and make amends: for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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.

  - Mohammad Asad

My interpolation, between brackets, of the words "of other sins" is based on Tabari's convincing explanation of this passage.

However, those who disbelieve after their belief (acceptance of Islam) then go on adding to their disbelief, their repentance will never be accepted; because they intentionally chose to go astray.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, those who disbelieve after having believed then increase in disbelief, their repentance will never be accepted.¹ It is they who are astray.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Their repentance will not be accepted if they die as disbelievers.

Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterward grow violent in disbelief: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But those who reject faith after they accepted it and then go on adding to their defiance of faith never will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose) gone astray.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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.

  - Mohammad Asad

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.

As to those who are unbelievers and die while they were unbelievers, if they were to fill the whole earth with gold and offer as a ransom for each one of them, that will not be accepted. These are the ones who shall have the painful punishment, and shall have no helpers.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, if each of those who disbelieve then die as disbelievers were to offer a ransom of enough gold to fill the whole world, it would never be accepted from them. It is they who will suffer a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief, the (whole) earth full of gold would not be accepted from such a one if it were offered as a ransom (for his soul). Theirs will be a painful doom and they will have no helpers.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

As to those who reject faith and die rejecting never would be accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains though they should offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty grievous and they will find no helpers.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

[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

  - Mohammad Asad

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 ).

You can never attain righteousness unless you spend in the cause of Allah that which you dearly cherish; and whatever you spend, surely it is known to Allah.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

You will never achieve righteousness until you donate some of what you cherish. And whatever you give is certainly well known to Allah.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend, Allah is aware thereof.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give of a truth Allah knoweth it well. ⁴¹⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The test of charity is: do you give something that you value greatly, something that you love? If you give your life in a Cause, that is the greatest gift you can give. If you give yourself, that is, your personal efforts, your talents, your skill, your learning, that comes next in degree. If you give your earnings, your property, your possessions, that is also a great gift; for many people love them even more than other things. And there are less tangible things, such as position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of Allah.

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!"

  - Mohammad Asad

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}.

All food, that is lawful in Islamic Law, was also Halal (lawful) for the children of Israel except what Israel (Ya'qoob) made Haram (unlawful) for himself before the Taurat (Torah) was revealed to Musa. Ask them: "Bring the Taurat (Torah) and read a passage from it in support of your objection, if what you say is true."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

All food was lawful for the children of Israel, except what Israel¹ made unlawful for himself before the Torah was revealed.² Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Bring the Torah and read it, if your claims are true.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Jacob (ﷺ).

 When Jacob fell sick, he made camel meat unlawful for himself, but not for the rest of his people.

All food was lawful unto the children of Israel, save that which Israel forbade himself, (in days) before the Torah was revealed. Say: Produce the Torah and read it (unto us) if ye are truthful.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

All food was lawful to the children of Israel except what Israel made unlawful for itself before the Law (of Moses) was revealed. Say: "Bring ye the Law and study it if ye be men of truth." ⁴²⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Arabs ate the flesh of the camel, which is lawful in Islam, but it was prohibited by the Jewish Law of Moses (Leviticus xi. 4). But that Law was very strict because of the "hardness of heart" of Israel, because of Israel's insolence and iniquity (Q. vi. 146). Before it was promulgated Israel was free to choose its own food.

And all who henceforth invent lies about God - it is they, they who are evildoers!⁷⁴

  - Mohammad Asad

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".

Then whoever fabricates a lie against Allah after this, will indeed be unjust.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Then whoever still fabricates lies about Allah, they will be the 'true' wrongdoers.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And whoever shall invent a falsehood after that concerning Allah, such will be wrong doers.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

If any after this invent a lie and attribute it to Allah they are indeed unjust wrong-doers.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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."

  - Mohammad Asad

Say: "Allah has declared the truth. If you are sincere then follow the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham); he was upright and not a mushrik."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Allah has declared the truth. So follow the Way of Abraham, the upright- who was not a polytheist.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Say: "Allah speaketh the truth: follow the religion of Abraham the sane in faith; he was not of the pagans." ⁴²¹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation. We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews.

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,

  - Mohammad Asad

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 Quran 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.

Undoubtedly the first House for the worship of Allah ever built for mankind is the one at Bakka (Makkah), a blessed site and a guidance for all the worlds.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Surely the first House 'of worship' established for humanity is the one at Bakkah- a blessed sanctuary and a guide for 'all' people.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! the first Sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Mecca, a blessed place, a guidance to the peoples;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings: ^{422 423}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Bakka: same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'ba goes back to Abraham.

'Alamin: all the worlds (i. 2. ii), all kinds of beings; all nations (iii. 42): all creatures (iii. 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.

  - Mohammad Asad

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).

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.).

In it are clear signs and the Station of Ibrahim (Abraham) where he used to worship. Whoever enters it is safe. Performance of Hajj (pilgrimage) to this House is a duty to Allah for all who can afford the journey to it; and the one who disobeys this commandment should know that Allah is Self-sufficient, beyond the need of anyone from the worlds.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

In it are clear signs and the standing-place of Abraham. Whoever enters it should be safe. Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.¹ And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of 'any of His' creation.

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Pilgrimage is obligatory on every Muslim at least once in their lifetime if the person is physically and financially able.

Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham stood up to pray; and whosoever entereth it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieveth, (let him know that) Lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

In it are signs manifest; (for example) the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures. ^{424 425}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Station of Abraham: see ii. 125 and n. 125.

See reference in last note.

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?"

  - Mohammad Asad

Say: "O people of the Book! Why do you deny the revelations of Allah? Allah Himself is a witness to your actions."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'O People of the Book! Why do you deny the revelations of Allah, when Allah is a Witness to what you do?'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do?

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Say: "O people of the Book! why reject ye the signs of Allah when Allah is Himself witness to all ye do?

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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."

  - Mohammad Asad

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".

Say: "O people of the Book! Why do you obstruct the believers from the path of Allah and desire that they follow the crooked way while you yourselves are witnesses to Allah's Covenant? Allah is not unmindful of what you do."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Say, 'O People of the Book! Why do you turn the believers away from the Way of Allah- striving to make it 'appear' crooked, while you are witnesses 'to its truth'? And Allah is never unaware of what you do.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Say: O People of the Scripture! Why drive ye back believers from the way of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, when ye are witnesses (to Allah's guidance)? Allah is not unaware of what ye do.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Say: "O ye People of the Book! why obstruct ye those who believe from the path of Allah seeking to make it crooked while ye were yourselves witnesses (to Allah's Covenant)? But Allah is not unmindful of all that ye do." ⁴²⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. iii. 81.

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].

  - Mohammad Asad

O believers! If you were to obey a group of those who were given the Book, they will turn you back from belief to unbelief.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

O believers! If you were to yield to a group of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back from belief to disbelief.

  - Mustafa Khattab

O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

O ye who believe! if ye listen to a faction among the People of the Book they would (indeed) render you apostates after ye have believed!

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali