10:48

 Salaam all,

10:48

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

 

wayaqūlūna matā hādhā l-waʿdu in kuntum ṣādiqīna

 

The Aya says:

And they ask: “When is this promise if you were truthful?”

 

My personal note:

The Aya points to a question and a challenge by those who reject a day of judgement.  They ask when is it?!

 

Translation of the transliterated words:

wayaqūlūna: and they say/ and they ask

Note: WA here for initiation of a sentence connected to the previous ones.  YAQOOLOONA is derived from the root Qaf-W-L and it means saying or communicating in any way possible whether in words or otherwise. YAQOOLOONA is an action that is being completed or will be completed that is derived from the root. It means the action of saying happened by the subject (third person plural). This, in turn means: they say or they happen to say or communicate.

Matā: When?

Hādhā: this

l-waʿdu: promise

Note: the root is W-Ain-D and it means promise.  ALWaAADA means the promise.  The AL suggested the listener knows what is asked about.

 

In: if

Kuntum: you (plural)were/ you happened to be

Note: It is derived from the root K-W-N and it means being.  KUNTUM is an action that is completed that is derived from the root. It means: the action of being happened by the subject (second personal plural). 

 

ṣādiqīna:  truthful/ honest

Note: the root is Sad-D-Qaf and it means truth in word or deed as a concept. When it is in deed, it takes the shape of any act of truthfulness including charity, in a sense the deed proves the truthfulness of the heart and the word.  SADIQEEN here points to being truthful and honest.

 Salaam all and have a great day

Hussein

 

10:47

 

Salaam all

10:47

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ فَإِذَا جَآءَ رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ

 

walikulli ummatin rasūlun fa-idhā jāa rasūluhum quḍiya baynahum bil-qis`ṭi wahum lā yuẓ`lamūna

 

The Aya says:

And to each nation a messenger.  So, when their messenger arrives, matters will be arbitrated between them in justice and they will be treated justly.

 

My personal note:

The Aya brings about what happens on the day of Judgement where people will be gathers as nations and their messengers will arbitrate between them their religious or ideological differences and also their other conflicts.

 

Translation of the transliterated words:

walikulli: and for every

Note: WA is for initiation of a new statement within the big subject.  LI means to or for.  KULLI is derived from the root K-L-L and it means the parts put together. This is the concrete and it means all or every or each. It can also be extended conceptually to mean the parts surrounding an entity. KULLI means every, or each.

 

Ummatin: nation

Note:  UMMA is derived from the root Hamza-M-M and it means mother or sources/origin if said as UMM and destination if said as AMM. UMMA means in this context nation and that is because it is a group that have the same origin and is moving to the same destination.  Often times it points to outlook and ideology and so on.

 

Rasūlun: messenger/ envoy

Note: RUSULUN is derived from the root R-S-L and it means to envoy someone or a group of people or animals. The concrete word is RASL and it means a group of people or animals that were sent by their owners or senders. RUSULU means messengers of and is the plural of Rasul who is the one that is sent and is used to mean the messenger because he was sent by the sender to the receiver.

fa-idhā: so when

jāa:  came

 Note:  JAA is derived from the root t J-Y-Hamza and it means coming. One concrete word that is derived from this word is the pool where the rain water comes. JAA is an action that is completed and that is derived from the root. It means that the action of coming happened by the subject (third person singular).

 

rasūluhum: their messenger/ their envoy (the messenger or envoy sent to them)

Note: RUSULUHUM is derived from the root R-S-L and it means to envoy someone or a group of people or animals. The concrete word is RASL and it means a group of people or animals that were sent by their owners or senders. RUSULU means messengers of and is the plural of Rasul who is the one that is sent and is used to mean the messenger because he was sent by the sender to the receiver. HUM means them.

quḍiya: was concluded/ was resolved/ arbitrated

Note: QUDIYA is derived from the root Qaf-Dhad-Y and it means a mandate that one makes to completion of it and anything in between. It points to determination at the beginning and the finishing of it towards the end. The meaning of the word is according to the sentence, sometimes the sentence allows the whole range and at others, part of the range of the meaning. QUDIYA is an action that is completed or concluded by an undeclared subject.  In this context, it means to resolution of something or conclusion of arbitration whatever is happening.

 

Baynahum: between them

bil-qis`ṭi: by the justice/ by fairness

Note: BI signifies an attachment or close linkage between what is before and what is after it.  In a Verbal sentence it can mean attachment to the action or to the subject as it does the action.  This attachment can then signify many things according to the verb and to the sentence and so on.  In here it serves to make the following word a tool or mechanism.  ALQIST is derived from the root Qaf-S-TTA and it means portioning. Some derivatives of this root give the meaning of just and fair portioning and others not. ALQISTI in this context points to fair reward.   This fair reward is much more than what is deserved.

Wahum: and they/ while they

lā yuẓ`lamūna: will not be misjudged/ will not be treated unfairly

Note:  YUTHLAMOON is derived from the root THA-L-M and it means darkness in the most concrete form. This word also takes the meaning of misplacing right from wrong and transgression or injustice since injustice is displacing right from wrong and a decision made in darkness. YUTHLAMOON is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means the action of misplacing/ transgressing or acting unjustly/ unfairly is happening or will be happening against the object (third person plural) by an undeclared subject.  However, the LA that preceded it points to a negation of the action.

 

 Salaam all and have a great day

Hussein

Introduction

Introduction 12-27-04 Salam All, I am starting to write my own personal and literal interpretation of the Qur’an. I am Muslim and therefore I do feel an obligation to learn more and to share what I learn with all, and therefore this work. The way I plan to proceed with this is through writing the Arabic as well as the transliteration of the Arabic. Explain the transliteration word for word in a fashion that will not be totally grammatically correct in English. I will explain the Arabic words as I understand them in “Qamoos Muheet” dictionary of Arabic. I will share what I understand as the essence of the word in my own opinion. Arabic words are interesting. Many words share one root word that may hold the essence of the meaning and then other derivatives. One element that I will use is to highlight a concrete word that is derived from the root in order to give the reader a better feel for the abstract meaning. Sometimes, the same root gives rise to two words that are opposite to each other in meaning. I plan to share my own understanding of the text as I read it. I understand that it is difficult to separate our own biases when reading religious texts. I hope that I will be very conscious of my own biases and therefore I will try to limit their effect on me. I will share with you my own background in order to help you know where I come from and therefore will help you be aware of my own weaknesses. I am muslim, Palestinian and I consider myself liberal. I believe that the understanding of the Qur’an needs to be made by all readers. I understand that I will make mistakes and I ask forgiveness from GOD and the people about that. I also hope to open the way for the brothers and sisters to share their own view and understanding of the Qur’an- as long as it is linguistically acceptable. The reason behind this work was the fact that I am very disenchanted as to the various misunderstandings of the Qur’an that I have seen in the English language. I am also very disenchanted with the various efforts at Translating the Qur’an to promote a particular pattern of thinking. Please understand that this work is not a forum. However, I welcome any effort that would correct a certain understanding of the Arabic. I also welcome any other PERSONAL understanding of the Qur’an, whether traditional, liberal, or in between, as long as that understanding is feasible linguistically, as long as the person submits to polite behaviour in the use of words and as long s the person is not passing judgement on anyone (No name callings especially KAFIR,MUNAFIQ or IDOLATOR) Such language is not going to be helpful to any conscious and serious effort at understanding the Qur’an. With GOD’s help and with your help we proceed to the next step. SALAM Hussein 2-1-2012 Salaam again, I thought that it is time to write some followup on my previous note that was written close to exactly 7 years ago. I am now on the gates of my 50th birthday. Al Hamdulillah, I am still working on this slow and very enlightening and enriching work. I do feel that I am learning from this effort as time passed and that my understanding of Islam and the Qur'an and the Arabic language. My better understanding of the Arabic made me appreciate and respect the books of tafsir especially that of Tabari because they shared with us some aspects of the understandings of the early Muslims. An understanding is rich and is in agreement with the linguistic meanings that I have been studying. I also found myself evolve in my own Islam and spirituality within the last seven years from a Qur'an aloner to a hadeeth skeptic to a person of Ahl Alhadeeth aided by my better understanding of the Qur'an as well as the better understanding and appreciation of the books of hadeeth and of the writings of the different great scholars of Islamic history. Also my understanding of certain words and roots can be changing with time so you may want to search the root and how it was used in different places to see my own evolution in that area. Jazakum Allah kheir for visiting and may Allah guide and help me and you to always come closer to Him and His religion. Hussein

Followup 2-9-2022

It is getting close to 20 years since I started and I have learnt a lot.  I hope that I have helped others and not misguided them.  The project is still ongoing.  Now that I turned 60 I do hope that I will be able to finish the work before my passing.  I keep learning more and appreciating the Qur'an more every day.

Hussein

10:46

 Salaam all

10:46

وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ

 

wa-immā nuriyannaka baʿḍa alladhī naʿiduhum aw natawaffayannaka fa-ilaynā marjiʿuhum thumma l-lahu shahīdun ʿalā mā yafʿalūna

 

The Aya says:

And whether we show you (O Muhammad) some of what We promise them or we take you, then their return is to us then Allah is witness on what they do.

 

My personal note:

The Aya informs Muhammad (upon him be peace) that Allah may show him in his life some of what was promised.  However it also informs Muhammad as well that when he dies Allah is still witnessing what they do and will deal with it accordingly and that they still all come back to Allah on the day of judgment.  The message is that What Allah promises will happen whether we live to see it or we die before it.

 

Translation of the transliterated words:

wa-immā: and whether

nuriyannaka: We show you (singular)

Note: NURIYANNAKA is derived from the root is R-Hamza-Y and it means viewing or seeing. NURIYANNAKA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of making the object (KA=singular you) see is happening or will be happening by the subject (first person plural)

baʿḍa: some of

Note: the root is B-Ain-Dhad and it means some of whole or just some. BaAADA means some of.

Alladhī: that which

naʿiduhum: We promise them

Note: the root is W-Ain-D and it means promise.  NaAAiDU means is an action that is happening or will be happening.  It means: the action of promising the object (HUM=them) is happening or will be happening by the subject (first person plural).

 

Aw: or

Natawaffayannaka: We take you/ We take your soul

Note: the root is W-F-Y and it means meeting dues. This then takes different meanings according to the plane of thought of the sentence. One meaning could be death since it is a meeting of dues, or just a taking of someone or something depending on the situation, or other forms of meeting dues. NATAWAFFAYANNAKA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of making the object (KA=singular you) meet dues is happening or will be happening by the subject (first person plural). So, here the meeting of the dues is us being taken or soul taken, basically meeting the dues of this life.

fa-ilaynā: So to us/ So towards us

marjiʿuhum: their return

Note: the root is R-J-Ain and it means returning. MARJiAAu is place and time of the return or just the return at a designated place or time of/ HUM means them

Thumma: then

l-lahu: Allah

shahīdun: witness

Note: the root is SH-H-D and it means witnessing of truth and it also denotes that the witness knows very well what he or she is witnessing about. The concrete meaning is the honey mixed with wax therefore the wax is the witness of the truth that the honey is the honey. Another concrete meaning is the baby that was just born and is covered with a membrane. In both, there is close association which is proof or witness of the fact. SHAHIDUN means witnessing or testifying.

 

ʿalā: upon/ on

Mā: what

yafʿalūna: they do

Note: YAFAAaLOONA is derived from the root F-Ain-L and it means doing. YAFAAaLOONA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of doing is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person plural)

 

 Salaam all and have a great day

Hussein