COMMENTARY ON FIVE SURAHS — due Tuesday 11/24/09

Write a 500-word holistic commentary on the five surahs below.

———————————————

AL-ADIYAT (THE COURSER, THE CHARGERS)

Total Verses: 11
Revealed At: MAKKA

100.001
YUSUFALI: By the (Steeds) that run, with panting (breath),
PICKTHAL: By the snorting courses,
SHAKIR: I swear by the runners breathing pantingly,

100.002
YUSUFALI: And strike sparks of fire,
PICKTHAL: Striking sparks of fire
SHAKIR: Then those that produce fire striking,

100.003
YUSUFALI: And push home the charge in the morning,
PICKTHAL: And scouring to the raid at dawn,
SHAKIR: Then those that make raids at morn,

100.004
YUSUFALI: And raise the dust in clouds the while,
PICKTHAL: Then, therewith, with their trail of dust,
SHAKIR: Then thereby raise dust,

100.005
YUSUFALI: And penetrate forthwith into the midst (of the foe) en masse;-
PICKTHAL: Cleaving, as one, the centre (of the foe),
SHAKIR: Then rush thereby upon an assembly:

100.006
YUSUFALI: Truly man is, to his Lord, ungrateful;
PICKTHAL: Lo! man is an ingrate unto his Lord
SHAKIR: Most surely man is ungrateful to his Lord.

100.007
YUSUFALI: And to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds);
PICKTHAL: And lo! he is a witness unto that;
SHAKIR: And most surely he is a witness of that.

100.008
YUSUFALI: And violent is he in his love of wealth.
PICKTHAL: And lo! in the love of wealth he is violent.
SHAKIR: And most surely he is tenacious in the love of wealth.

100.009
YUSUFALI: Does he not know,- when that which is in the graves is scattered abroad
PICKTHAL: Knoweth he not that, when the contents of the graves are poured forth
SHAKIR: Does he not then know when what is in the graves is raised,

100.010
YUSUFALI: And that which is (locked up) in (human) breasts is made manifest-
PICKTHAL: And the secrets of the breasts are made known,
SHAKIR: And what is in the breasts is made apparent?

100.011
YUSUFALI: That their Lord had been Well-acquainted with them, (even to) that Day?
PICKTHAL: On that day will their Lord be perfectly informed concerning them.
SHAKIR: Most surely their Lord that day shall be fully aware of them.

AL-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)

Total Verses: 8
Revealed At: MAKKA

099.001
YUSUFALI: When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,
PICKTHAL: When Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake
SHAKIR: When the earth is shaken with her (violent) shaking,

099.002
YUSUFALI: And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),
PICKTHAL: And Earth yieldeth up her burdens,
SHAKIR: And the earth brings forth her burdens,

099.003
YUSUFALI: And man cries (distressed): ‘What is the matter with her?’-
PICKTHAL: And man saith: What aileth her?
SHAKIR: And man says: What has befallen her?

099.004
YUSUFALI: On that Day will she declare her tidings:
PICKTHAL: That day she will relate her chronicles,
SHAKIR: On that day she shall tell her news,

099.005
YUSUFALI: For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration.
PICKTHAL: Because thy Lord inspireth her.
SHAKIR: Because your Lord had inspired her.

099.006
YUSUFALI: On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).
PICKTHAL: That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds.
SHAKIR: On that day men shall come forth in sundry bodies that they may be shown their works.

099.007
YUSUFALI: Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it!
PICKTHAL: And whoso doeth good an atom’s weight will see it then,
SHAKIR: So. he who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it

099.008
YUSUFALI: And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it.
PICKTHAL: And whoso doeth ill an atom’s weight will see it then.
SHAKIR: And he who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.

AL-BAYYINA (THE CLEAR PROOF, EVIDENCE)

Total Verses: 8
Revealed At: MADINA

098.001
YUSUFALI: Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them Clear Evidence,-
PICKTHAL: Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters could not have left off (erring) till the clear proof came unto them,
SHAKIR: Those who disbelieved from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists could not have separated (from the faithful) until there had come to them the clear evidence:

098.002
YUSUFALI: An messenger from Allah, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and holy:
PICKTHAL: A messenger from Allah, reading purified pages
SHAKIR: An messenger from Allah, reciting pure pages,

098.003
YUSUFALI: Wherein are laws (or decrees) right and straight.
PICKTHAL: Containing correct scriptures.
SHAKIR: Wherein are all the right ordinances.

098.004
YUSUFALI: Nor did the People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence.
PICKTHAL: Nor were the People of the Scripture divided until after the clear proof came unto them.
SHAKIR: And those who were given the Book did not become divided except after clear evidence had come to them.

098.005
YUSUFALI: And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.
PICKTHAL: And they are ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is true religion.
SHAKIR: And they were not enjoined anything except that they should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, upright, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and that is the right religion.

098.006
YUSUFALI: Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.
SHAKIR: Surely those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists shall be in the fire of hell, abiding therein; they are the worst of men.

098.007
YUSUFALI: Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.
PICKTHAL: (And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.
SHAKIR: (As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the -best of men.

098.008
YUSUFALI: Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
PICKTHAL: Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they dwell for ever. Allah hath pleasure in them and they have pleasure in Him. This is (in store) for him who feareth his Lord.
SHAKIR: Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein for ever; Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him; that is for him who fears his Lord.

AL-QADR (POWER, FATE)

Total Verses: 5
Revealed At: MAKKA

097.001
YUSUFALI: We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
PICKTHAL: Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
SHAKIR: Surely We revealed it on the grand night.

097.002
YUSUFALI: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
PICKTHAL: Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
SHAKIR: And what will make you comprehend what the grand night

097.003
YUSUFALI: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
PICKTHAL: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
SHAKIR: The grand night is better than a thousand months.

097.004
YUSUFALI: Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand:
PICKTHAL: The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
SHAKIR: The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair,

097.005
YUSUFALI: Peace!…This until the rise of morn!
PICKTHAL: (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.
SHAKIR: Peace! it is till the break of the morning.

AL-ALAQ (THE CLOT, READ)

Total Verses: 19
Revealed At: MAKKA

096.001
YUSUFALI: Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
PICKTHAL: Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,
SHAKIR: Read in the name of your Lord Who created.

096.002
YUSUFALI: Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
PICKTHAL: Createth man from a clot.
SHAKIR: He created man from a clot.

096.003
YUSUFALI: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
PICKTHAL: Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,
SHAKIR: Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,

096.004
YUSUFALI: He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
PICKTHAL: Who teacheth by the pen,
SHAKIR: Who taught (to write) with the pen

096.005
YUSUFALI: Taught man that which he knew not.
PICKTHAL: Teacheth man that which he knew not.
SHAKIR: Taught man what he knew not.

096.006
YUSUFALI: Day, but man doth transgress all bounds,
PICKTHAL: Nay, but verily man is rebellious
SHAKIR: Nay! man is most surely inordinate,

096.007
YUSUFALI: In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
PICKTHAL: That he thinketh himself independent!
SHAKIR: Because he sees himself free from want.

096.008
YUSUFALI: Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
PICKTHAL: Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.
SHAKIR: Surely to your Lord is the return.

096.009
YUSUFALI: Seest thou one who forbids-
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth
SHAKIR: Have you seen him who forbids

096.010
YUSUFALI: A votary when he (turns) to pray?
PICKTHAL: A slave when he prayeth?
SHAKIR: A servant when he prays?

096.011
YUSUFALI: Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)
SHAKIR: Have you considered if he were on the right way,

096.012
YUSUFALI: Or enjoins Righteousness?
PICKTHAL: Or enjoineth piety?
SHAKIR: Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?

096.013
YUSUFALI: Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah’s guidance) and is froward?
SHAKIR: Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?

096.014
YUSUFALI: Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
PICKTHAL: Is he then unaware that Allah seeth?
SHAKIR: Does he not know that Allah does see?

096.015
YUSUFALI: Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
PICKTHAL: Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock –
SHAKIR: Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,

096.016
YUSUFALI: A lying, sinful forelock!
PICKTHAL: The lying, sinful forelock –
SHAKIR: A lying, sinful forehead.

096.017
YUSUFALI: Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
PICKTHAL: Then let him call upon his henchmen!
SHAKIR: Then let him summon his council,

096.018
YUSUFALI: We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
PICKTHAL: We will call the guards of hell.
SHAKIR: We too would summon the braves of the army.

096.019
YUSUFALI: Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!
PICKTHAL: Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).
SHAKIR: Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).