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:

"Did you think that you would be let off without Allah distinguishing those amongst you who strived but did not not take anyone besides Allah - neither His Messenger nor anyone of the believers - as patron? Allah is aware of what they do." [Q: 9.16] (A) Is the above translation of the Qur`aanic verse correct, in your opinion? (B) If it is wrong, why? Please support your answer with reference to Arabic grammer and syntax. (C) What would be the correct translation, in your opinion? 

(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:

Meaning of surah Taubah verse 9-16

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.

The translation by Brother Abdullah Yusuf Ali of the Aayah of Surah Taubah verse 16 is as follows:

16 Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned as though Allah did not know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for friends and protectors except Allah, His Apostle, and the (community of) believers? But Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

Translation by Syed Abul Aala Maududi of the same Aayah is as follows:

Do you (the believers) think that you will be (without a trial), whereas Allah has not as yet seen which of you exerted you utmost (in His Cause) and did not take as intimate friends any other than Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. Allah has full knowledge of what you do.

Allah Subhanah addresses the believers and guides and consoles them that the reason the believers have to undergo so many trials is so that Allah Subhanah wants to clearly distinguish between the true and pure believers, who strive with all in their might and mean in the Noble Cause of Allah; whose main aim is only the success of the Hereafter, and thus they befriend and intimately trust only Allah, His Messenger, and the believers; from the hypocrites who do not really love Allah, His Messenger and the believers, but their aim is in fact the success of this transitory world, thus they do not strive sincerely in the Cause of Allah. Allah Subhanah wills, by these severe trials, to distinguish the pure from the impure, the true believers from the hypocrites, the deservers of His Mercy from the deservers of His Wrath; for He indeed is aware of All things.

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