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Word Analysis & Comparison
13. Surah • 17. Verse
Word Analysis
مِنَ
mina
from
وَمِمَّا
wamimmā
And from what
عَلَيْهِ
ʿalayhi
[on] it
فِى
fī
in
أَوْ
aw
or
كَذَٰلِكَ
kadhālika
Thus
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah
فَأَمَّا
fa-ammā
Then as for
وَأَمَّا
wa-ammā
and as for
مَا
mā
what
فِى
fī
in
كَذَٰلِكَ
kadhālika
Thus
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah sets forth
Rashad Khalifa
The Final Testament
He sends down water from the sky, causing the valleys to overflow, then the rapids produce abundant foam. Similarly, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced. GOD thus cites analogies for the truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it goes to waste, while that which benefits the people stays close to the ground. GOD thus cites the analogies.
The Monotheist Group
The Quran: A Monotheist Translation
He sends down water from the sky, so valleys flow according to their capacity, and the flood produces foam. And from what they burn to smelt jewelry or goods is produced a similar foam. It is in such a manner that God strikes the falsehood with the truth. As for the foam, it passes away, and as for what benefits the people, it remains in the earth. It is such that God puts forth the examples.
Edip-Layth
Quran: A Reformist Translation
He sent down water from the sky, so valleys flowed according to their capacity, and the flood produces foam. From what they burn to smelt jewelry or goods similar foam is produced. It is in such a manner that God strikes the falsehood with the truth. As for the foam, it passes away; as for what benefits the people, it remains in the earth. It is such that God cites the examples.
Taqi Usmani
Holy Quran Translation
He sent down water from the heavens, so the canals flowed according to their capacity, and the flood carried bulging scum. And a similar scum comes up from what they melt in the fire to obtain ornaments or other objects. This is how Allah depicts the truth and the untruth. As for the scum, it goes to be thrown away, while that which benefits people remains on the earth. This is how Allah brings out the parables.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: But the torrent bears away to foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like forth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables.
Al-Hilali & Khan
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface - and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allâh (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood[1]. Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allâh sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).
Abdul Haleem
Holy Quran Translation
He sends water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The stream carries on its surface a growing layer of froth, like the froth that appears when people melt metals in the fire to make ornaments and tools: in this way God illustrates truth and falsehood- the froth disappears, but what is of benefit to man stays behind- this is how God makes illustrations.
Abul A'la Maududi
Tafhim commentary
Allah sends down water from the heavens and the river-beds flow, each according to its measure, and the torrent carries along a swelling scum.[1] In like manner, from that metal which they smelt in the fire to make ornaments and utensils,[2] there arises scum like it. Thus does Allah depict truth and falsehood. As for the scum, it passes away as dross; but that which benefits mankind abides on the earth. Thus does Allah explain (the truth) through examples.
1
In this simile the knowledge which had been sent down by Allah to the Prophet (peace be upon him) has been likened to the rain from the sky, and the believers to the streams, rivulets and rivers. Just as the streams etc. fill themselves with rain water, each according to its capacity, so his followers gained knowledge from him, each according to his ability. On the other hand, the hue and cry that was raised by the opponents of the Islamic movement has been likened to the swelling foam etc. that begins to dance about on the surface of flood water, but soon vanishes away.
2
As it is but natural that scum should appear on the surface when ornaments are heated in the furnace for purification, likewise bad people would come to the surface and take prominent part in persecuting the good people who are passed through the furnace of persecution for their purification.
Marmaduke Pickthall
Holy Quran Translation
He sendeth down water from the sky, so that valleys flow according to their measure, and the flood beareth (on its surface) swelling foam - from that which they smelt in the fire in order to make ornaments and tools riseth a foam like unto it - thus Allah coineth (the similitude of) the true and the false. Then, as for the foam, it passeth away as scum upon the banks, while, as for that which is of use to mankind, it remaineth in the earth. Thus Allah coineth the similitudes.
Mustafa Khattab
The Clear Quran
He sends down rain from the sky, causing the valleys to flow, each according to its capacity. The currents then carry along rising foam, similar to the slag produced from metal that people melt in the fire for ornaments or tools. This is how Allah compares truth to falsehood. The ˹worthless˺ scum is then cast away, but what benefits people remains on the earth. This is how Allah sets forth parables.
Mohamed Ahmed - Samira
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water from the skies, which flows in channels according to their capacity, with the scum borne on the surface of the torrent, as rises the scum when metals are heated on the fire for making ornaments and household utensils. This is how God determines truth and falsehood. The scum disappears like the foam on the bank, and that which is useful to man remains on the earth. That is how God sets forth precepts of wisdom.
Aisha Bewley
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water from the sky and river-beds fill up and flow according to their size, and the floodwater carries with it an increasing layer of scum; a similar kind of scum comes from what you heat up in the fire, when you desire to make jewellery or other things. That is how Allah depicts the true and the false. As for the scum, it is quickly swept away. But as for that which is of use to people, it remains behind in the ground. That is a metaphor which Allah has made
Arthur John Arberry
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down out of heaven water, and the wadis flow each in its measure, and the torrent carries a swelling scum; and out of that over which they kindle fire, being desirous of ornament or ware, out of that rises a scum the like of it. So God strikes both the true and the false. As for the scum, it vanishes as jetsam, and what profits men abides in the earth. Even so God strikes His similitudes.
George Sale
Holy Quran Translation
He causeth water to descend from heaven, and the brooks flow according to their respective measure, and the floods bear the floating froth: And from the metals which they melt in the fire, seeking to cast ornaments or vessels for use, there ariseth a scum like unto it: Thus God setteth forth truth and vanity. But the scum is thrown off, and that which is useful to mankind remaineth on the earth. Thus doth God put forth parables.
Ali Quli Qarai
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water from the sky whereat the valleys are flooded to [the extent of] their capacity, and the flood carries along a swelling scum. And from what they smelt in the fire for the purpose of [making] ornaments or wares, [there arises] a similar scum. That is how Allah compares the truth and falsehood. As for the scum, it leaves as dross, and that which profits the people remains in the earth. That is how Allah draws comparisons.
Amatul Rahman Omar
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down some water from the clouds so that the water courses flow up to their capacity, and the torrent carries (on its surface) swelling foam. And out of that (metal) which the people heat in the fire seeking to make ornaments and other articles a similar foam rises to (the surface of) it. In this way does Allâh illustrate truth and falsehood. As for the foam it goes away as (does all) dross, but as to that which does good to mankind it stays in the earth. That is how Allâh sets forth excellent description of things.
Bijan Moeinian
Holy Quran Translation
God is the One Who pours down water from the sky causing the valleys to overflow. The river then produces lots of foam as the water runs fast. The metals, melted to make ornaments or utensils, too, produces lots of scum. By these examples the Lord wants to explain how the truth (like the water or the melted metal) which is useful for the people stays and how the falsehood (the foam or the scum which is good for nothing) disappears.
E. Henry Palmer
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down from the sky water, and the water-courses flow according to their bulk, and the torrent bears along the floating scum: and from what they set fire to, craving ornaments or utensils, comes a scum like that;- thus does God hit the truth and the falsehood;- and as for the scum it is thrown off, and as for what profits man it stays on the earth. Thus does God strike out parables!
Mahmoud Ghali
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down from the heaven water so that valleys flow, each to its determined (course), so that the flood carries away (on its surface) a swelling scum. And from that on which they kindle fire (i.e., or) seeking (to make) ornaments or belongings, out of that there is a scum like it. Thus Allah strikes the Truth and the untruth. So, as for the scum, then it goes away as jetsam (i.e., vanishes as useless) and as for whatever profits mankind, then it stays in the earth. Thus Allah strikes the similitudes.
Hamid S. Aziz
Holy Quran Translation
Say, "Who is Lord (and Sustainer) of the heavens and the earth?" Say, "Allah" Say, "Do ye, then, take beside Allah patrons who have no control over benefit or harm to themselves?" Say, "Shall the blind and the seeing be held equal? Or shall the darkness and the light be held equal? Or have they made partners with Allah who can create as He creates, so that the creations seem similar to them?" Say, "Allah is the creator of all things, and He is the One, the Almighty. "
Abdel Khalek Himmat
Al- Muntakhab
He sends the rain-water from the floor of the vault of heaven and there it is conveyed along channels of various capacities in due measure. Where the torrent flows, it drives before it unworthy matter and impurities floating on the surface gathering into a heap of froth resembling aptly the foamy admixture and impurities mounting to the surface of the heated ores for the separation of precious metals used for ornaments and other uses. Thus does Allah give examples with allegorical representations of truth and falsehood. As to the froth and the scum, they are rejected and disappear, whereas what is profitable to the people remains behind on earth. Thus does Allah describe a subject under the guise of some other subject of aptly suggestive resemblance.
Muhammad Asad
Holy Quran Translation
[Whenever] He sends down water from the sky, and [once-dry] river-beds are running high according to their measure, the stream carries scum on its surface; and, likewise, from that [metal] which they smelt in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, [there rises] scum. In this way does God set forth the parable of truth and falsehood: for, as far as the scum is concerned, it passes away as [does all] dross; but that which is of benefit to man abides on earth. In this way does God set forth the parables
Progressive Muslims
Holy Quran Translation
He sent down water from the sky, so valleys flowed according to their capacity, and the flood produces foam. And from what they burn to smelt jewellery or goods is produced a similar foam. It is in such a manor that God strikes the falsehood with the truth. As for the foam, it passes away, and as for what benefits mankind, it remains in the Earth. It is such that God cites the examples.
Shabbir Ahmed
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water from the height causing the riverbeds to flow according to their measure, and the flood bears on its surface swelling foam. And, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced like it. In this way Allah is citing for you the example of the Truth and the Falsehood. For, as far as the foam is concerned, it passes away as scum upon the banks. While that which is of benefit to mankind, abides on earth. (The real existence on earth is of the person or the system that benefits humanity). This is how Allah uses analogies for you to understand.
Syed Vickar Ahamed
Holy Quran Translation
He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the channels flow (with water), each by its measure: But the flood carries away (to clean) the foam that comes up to the surface. And like this, from the (ore) which they heat (to melt) in the fire, to make ornaments or pots (and pans) from it, also there is a scum (or foam). Thus Allah clearly shows forth truth and vanity for the scum disappears when it is thrown out; Whereas what remains is for the good of mankind on the earth. Thus Allah does set forth examples (parables).
Sahih International
(Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)
He sends down from the sky, rain, and valleys flow according to their capacity, and the torrent carries a rising foam. And from that [ore] which they heat in the fire, desiring adornments and utensils, is a foam like it. Thus Allah presents [the example of] truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it vanishes, [being] cast off; but as for that which benefits the people, it remains on the earth. Thus does Allah present examples.
Sam Gerrans
The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation
He sends down from the sky water, and the valleys flow according to their measure, then the flood carries a swelling froth; and from what they burn in the fire seeking ornaments or tools there is a froth like it. Thus does God present truth and vanity: as for the froth, it departs as dross; and as for what is of benefit to men, it remains in the earth. Thus does God strike similitudes.