A Second Query on Some Verses of Surah Aal I Imraan
Date: November 06, 1997

Interestingly you have made no mention of the following verses (3:38-40). So I am quoting them again with some doubts that you may not have received them altogether.

Verses 3:38-40

First where this translation says, '......, who shall confirm the Word of God. .....' the Urdu translation says something like '.....who shall confirm the prophet hood of Jesus....' . How would you read it?

And the other point is, what conceivably could be in Zacharias' mind when he prayed for upright descendants, except a child or children? What bothers me is why was he sort of shocked on the acceptance of his prayers? So much so that he wanted some kind of a sign. And then the giving of a sign is completely not understood. Hazrat Zacharias was told by Allah to fast for three days and during this period to say his prayers and not to talk to anyone - what is your point of view? (This last part is probably the translation of verse 3:41)

3:81

Well, I have no problem in understanding the statement, 'When God made His covenant with the prophets, .......' I am taking 'covenant' to mean an agreement. But you seem to be taking the meaning of 'covenant' as an OATH, correct! No comments on the other parts of your understanding of the verse.

However, what puzzles my naive mind are questions like: When was this agreement done or oath taken in time? Was it done at any one particular instance? or it was an on-going process before each of the prophets were sent? or is it only metaphorical? If this agreement was done at one time then were all the prophets present there (they should be logically)? It seems to be pointing toward the coming of the last prophet, if so was he too present at the time of this oath taking? and did the others know of his presence? if he wasn't there, why and where was he? OR all that I have written is rubbish?

3:118

Could you elaborate this part, 'We have made plain to you Our revelations.'
 

The Reply

Date: November 06, 1997

I didn't have anything to say about the verses 38 - 40 so I didn't. But now I think I should have done that... "who shall confirm the Word of God" should be more accurate, if translated as: "confirming (or giving news of the coming of) 'A' word of God"

As, in "kalimatin minalah" the word "kalimatin" is not a proper noun, therefore, it should not be translated with the definite article, as NJD has done (The Word..) it should rather be translated with the indefinite article.

As far as the difference in the urdu and English translations are concerned... they are basically a matter of interpretation. The literal translation would be close to what Dawood has done.... But here the Arabic word "Kalimatin minallah" (translated: "Word of God") is interpreted as "Jesus", Jesus has been called a "word" of God here because he was born by His "word' ... "Kun". I really do not have any objection to this interpretation. Especially, when right after the reference to Zacharias' story starts the story of the birth of Jesus, there again it is obviously him who is referred to as "A Word" (or "kalimatin") see verse 45.

I really could not understand your question: "And the other point is, what conceivably could be in Zacharias' mind when he prayed for upright descendants, except a child or children?"... please elaborate your question.

He was not shocked at the acceptance of his prayer. He just wanted to be sure that the glad tidings are really from Allah and not just his own desires turning into a hallucination or a day dream, or just an intervention of the Devil. That is why he wanted a sign.

I don't know how has NJD translated 3: 41... As I understand it, the translation should be:

"he said: God, give me a sign. God said: your sign shall be that you shall not be able to talk to people for three days, except in signs (i.e., as those who cannot speak do... in sign language) And keep to the remembrance of your Lord a lot and keep glorifying Him, day and night (i.e., all day)"

Now, there is no reference of "fasting" here. As I see it, the thing given as a sign made it certain for Zacharias that the "Good News", was really from Allah. As satan has no control over the powers of a human being... such as speaking. Furthermore, Zacharias is ordained to "keep to the remembrance of Allah" and "keep glorifying Him". Obviously both these orders cannot be from Satan. This satisfied Zacharias that the Glad Tidings of a son, really are from Allah.

The answer to your questions regarding 3: 81 need a little clarification. I ll try to be brief. But if anything remains unclear, regarding my perception of the meaning of these verses, please do write back.

Now the basic point is that in Aal Imraan (Surah 3) from verse 33 to 99, Allah has commented on the deviations of Ahle kitaab (Jews and Christians), in general and Nasaara (Christians), in particular. The following points may help in understanding these verses and their mutual relationship:

  1. (Verses 33 - 44)... To begin with, It is referred that Aal Imraan (the family in which Jesus was born according to the Qur'an) were descendants of Adam, Noah and Abraham. Which, obviously refutes the Divinity of Jesus and Mary, and establishes the continuation of the tradition of the institute of Prophet hood. Then the circumstances surrounding the birth and childhood of Mary are referred. Here again, the disappointment of Mary's mother at the birth of her child is referred to refute the Divinity of Mary the remaining reference to Mary is basically to stress her steadfastness in the way of Allah (to show that the one Christians have elevated to Divinity, was really a person who had fully submitted to the will of Allah). Then the circumstances surrounding the birth of John are referred. This again is to show that there was not much of a difference in the birth of Jesus and John. You can also see the similarity in the narration of the two births.
  2. (Verses 45 - 63)... The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus are referred, again to show their similarity with the birth of John. Then the teachings of Jesus are referred... to show that he never presented himself as God... but a messenger of God. Furthermore, his miracles are also referred in such a way that shows that they were all performed by the pure intervention of the Divine, and not by Jesus on his own. Then the sincerity and understanding of Jesus' first followers is referred. Then the circumstances of Jesus' death and the promise of Allah of keeping believers in him (Christians) above those who rejected him (Jews) till the end of time is referred, which is the Law of Allah regarding His Messengers (Rasuls). Then a reference is made towards the similarity of Jesus and Adam... for if one was born without a father, the other was born without even a mother... thus if Adam does not become a "son" because of this, why should Jesus become one. In the end, a challenge is made to the christians that if they still believe that Jesus was the "son" and not just a prophet and messenger of Allah, they should come and face the challenge.
  3. (Verses 64 - 71)... The Ahl e kitaab are called to the way of Allah on the basis of their own belief in Tawheed. Both the Jews and the Christians claimed that they were the ones who were on the path that was followed by Abraham... this claim is refuted. It is declared that the path of Abraham is followed only by the prophet and his followers. Some ulterior motives of the Ahl e kitaab are also made known. And finally they are called to follow the Truth and not to hide what they do really know, very clearly.
  4. (Verses 72 - 76)... Some deceptive strategies of the Ahl Kitaab are made known. And some flaws in their character is referred... specially, their lies in religious teachings... doing what they want and wrongfully ascribing their actions to the teachings of Allah.
  5. (Verses 77 - 80)... The importance of fulfilling the covenants made with Allah is stressed. And some more flaws in the character and beliefs of ahl i kitaab are made known.
  6. (Verses 81 - 91)... A reference is made to the covenant that Allah took from the Ahl Kitaab, regarding the prophets, and especially that prophet who was to come as predicted in their Book. The belief which is correct in the eyes of Allah is explained. The ahl i kitaab are told that they deserve the damnation of Allah and their only way to get out of damnation is to repent and correct their behavior. In case they do it not, they will have to face the punishment for ever and nothing shall be able to save them from the wrath of Allah.
  7. (Verses 92 - 99)... Some further wrongs and false claims of ahl i kitaab are referred. And some signs to substantiate that it was really the Ka`bah that was built by Abraham for the worship of Allah and not any other place, as the ahl i kitaab claimed are given... In the end the ahl i kitaab are reminded that their position is that of witnesses of the truth... therefore they should declare the truth rather than stop others from submitting to it and making the true way of Allah, confusing for others.

This is the introduction of the topics discussed in the verses 3: 33 - 99. Keeping this in mind, Verse 81 should be (I think) quite clear. It actually refers to the covenant (oath) of the ahl i kitaab, with Allah that they will believe and help the prophets and especially the prophet who comes as a fulfillment of the prophecies of the book that was with them. (This covenant is also referred to in Al-maidah 5: 12 and Al-a`araaf 7: 156-157).

I think with this (brief) explanation, your questions regarding verse 81 would not need any answer. In any case, please do let me know if anything remains unclear. I will be glad to be of any help, whatsoever, in the way of understanding the Book of Allah, for the sake of Allah.

And ... yes... all that you have written is not rubbish.. but it should be clear now, why I say that the correct translation is: "The Covenant regarding the prophets (taken from Ahl i kitaab)" and not "The covenant of the Prophets".

3:118:

It refers to the fact that Allah has made clear to you the motives and desires of the ahl i kitaab... now if you are heedful, you should be aware of them.

I really do hope I have been of some help, Please do let me know.

The Learner

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