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I have a linguistic problem - i.e. translation of an Arabic (QURANIC ) VERSE Chapter 36 Verse 12 into English and comparison between various translations
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
As salaam alaikum
I have a linguistic problem - i.e. translation of an Arabic (QURANIC ) VERSE Chapter 36 Verse 12 into English and comparison between various translations.
Because of difficulty writing Arabic, I give below the transliteration- but no doubt you have ready access to a copy of The Quran - of the verse:
'Innaa Nahnu nuhiyil-mawtaa maa qaddamuu wa naktubu maa qaddamuu wa 'aasaarahum: wa kulla shay-'in 'ah-saynaahu fiii 'Imaamim-mubin.
I would be most grateful if you would let me have
1. Meaning(s) of each word;
2. Literal meaning of each natural phrase;
3. Literal translation of each sentence;
4. A free translation of the whole verse.
Below are some of the translations that I have come across.
I would appreciate it very much if, the person concerned would comment as to the correctness of those translations according to whether it is
1. Acceptable
2. Borderline
3. Unacceptable
A) Lo! We it is Who bring the dead to life. We record that which they send before (them), and their footprints. And all things We have kept in a clear register. (M.M.P.)
Our Comment: ACCEPTABLE.
B) It is We who will resurrect the dead. We record the deeds of men and the marks they leave behind: We note all things in a glorious book. (N.J.D.)
Our Comment: ACCEPTABLE.
C) Verily We, (and) We (alone) give life unto dead, and We write down what they have sent before them and (even) their footprints (which they leave behind them): And everything have We confined into a Manifesting Imam (Guide).(S.V.M.)
Our Comment: The connotation derived is UNACCEPTABLE.
D) We bring the dead to life and we record what they send ahead and what they leave behind. We have listed everything in a clear register. (A. & A..B.)
Our Comment: ACCEPTABLE
E) Verily we will restore the dead to life, and will write down their works which they shall have sent before them, and their footsteps which they shall have left behind them; and everything do we set down in a plain register. (G.S.)
Our Comment: ACCEPTABLE
F) Verily We shall give life to the dead and We record that which they send before and that which they leave behind, and of all things have We taken account. In a clear Book (of evidence).(Y.A.)
Our Comment: MOST ACCEPTABLE
G) Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which send before (them), and their traces and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book. (M.M.K.)
Our Comment: UNACCEPTABLE (‘numbers’ is inappropriate)
H) Surely it is We who bring the dead to life and write down what they have forwarded and what they have behind; everything We have numbered in a clear register.(A.J.A.)
Our Comment: UNACCEPTABLE (‘numbered’ is inappropriate)
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
Aayah translations
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Your question: Meaning(s) of each word;
a) Innaa : Verily or Indeed
b) Nahnu : We (plural form as in a Majestic Decree)
c) nuhiyil-mawtaa : give life to dead (present and future both)
d) maa -xx : not in original text of the Quran!
e) qaddamuu -xx : not in original text of the Quran!
f) wa : and
g) naktubu : record, write (can be present and future, but here present tense)
h) maa qaddamuu : what they have sent before
i) wa : and
j) aasaarahum: : the repercussions or impact of the deeds they leave behind
k) wa : and
l) kulla : every
m) shay-'in : thing
n) 'ah-saynaahu : account, collect (statistics)
o) fiii : in
p) 'Imaamim- : several meanings of ‘imam’ in Arabic language according to the context. In this context, Register or Book.
q) mubin. : open, clear, manifest.
Your question: Literal meaning of each natural phrase;
a) Innaa Nahnu nuhiyil-mawtaa : Verily, We give(present) and shall (future) give life to the dead
b) maa qaddamuu : not in the original text of the Quran!
c) wa naktubu maa qaddamuu wa 'aasaarahum: and (We) record or write that which they sent before and also that which they leave behind. ‘asaar’ literally means the (good or bad) impacts (of the deeds) they left behind
d) wa kulla shay-'in 'ah-saynaahu fiii 'Imaamim-mubin: And all things (We have) recorded in a clear book or register.
Your question: Literal translation of each sentence;
’Verily We shall give life to the dead and We record that which they sent before and that which they leave behind and of all things have We taken account in a clear Book (of evidence).’
Your question: A free translation of the whole verse.
’We certainly give (and shall give) life to the dead. We are recording all the deeds they have done, and also the impact of the deeds which they have left behind. We have preserved everything in an Open Register.’
Dear Brother in Islam, some misguided sects of Islam have used this verse, and especially the term in the verse ‘Imam-im Mubeen’, to justify their beliefs in some personalities whom they consider their ‘Imaams’ or leaders! Little do they realize that the Arabic term ‘Imaam’ has several meanings, depending on the context of the sentence. We have written a full article on this term, and are attaching the article for your reference.
Little do these misguided people realize that it is not Allah who gave their leaders the title of ‘Imams’! It is a title human beings have themselves given to their leaders! If tomorrow someone comes and gives himself the title ‘Quran’ or ‘Sunnah’, would it be incumbent and obligatory upon the believers to follow this person???? Their claim that the Revelations of Allah justify their beliefs, just because the term ‘Imaam’ is mentioned in the Quran, is as ridiculous and unacceptable as someone calling himself ‘Quran’ or ‘Sunnah’ and demanding people follow him because the Revelations of Allah demand it!
May Allah have Mercy on the Ummah of Islam, and guide us all to the Straight Path of Islam.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your Brother in Islam,
Burhan
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