Verses 4:29-31

Index · **Joined:** 08 May 2009, 14:16 **Posts:** 1994

Suggested translation^1,2:

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¹This translation may have been updated from the original suggested translation as a result of the discussions that follow.
²Click on the {verse number} of a translation to see other good translations of the verse.

Linguistic · **Posted:** 06 Sep 2009, 17:11

Quote:

{4:29} O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, God is to you ever Merciful.

I'd translate this as,
{4:29} O you who have believed, do not consume one another's properties unjustly but only if it is a trade by mutual consent from you. And do not kill yourselves; verily, God has ever been to you Merciful.

This verse is another good example showing that the exception article إلا is not always used for exceptions in Arabic. Here, trading is not an exception from unjust consumption of wealth! That kind of construct is a particular Arabic construct which means, "trading by mutual consent is another matter."

Quote:

{4:30} And whoever does that in aggression and injustice - then We will drive him into a Fire. And that, for God, is [always] easy.

I suggest,
{4:30} And whoever does that in aggression and injustice - then We will singe him in a Fire. And that, for God, has ever been easy.

Quote:

{4:31} If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise].

I suggest,
{4:31} If you avoid the major ones of what you are curbed from, We [will] expiate away from you your misdeeds and admit you to a noble entrance.

Pragmatic · **Posted:** 10 Sep 2009, 09:33

Linguistic wrote:

Quote:

{4:29} O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, God is to you ever Merciful.

I'd translate this as,
{4:29} O you who have believed, do not consume one another's properties unjustly but only if it is a trade by mutual consent from you. And do not kill yourselves; verily, God has ever been to you Merciful.

This verse is another good example showing that the exception article إلا is not always used for exceptions in Arabic. Here, trading is not an exception from unjust consumption of wealth! That kind of construct is a particular Arabic construct which means, "trading by mutual consent is another matter."

"but only if it is" is a great translation of إلا in this context.

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Verses 4:29-31

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