TheMostReadBook.org

An English translation of the Quran that is as close as possible to the Arabic sacred text
View active topics
  Verse(s):    
View unanswered posts





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Verses 8:67-69
PostPosted: 06 Jun 2009, 08:46 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 08 May 2009, 14:16
Posts: 1994
Go to previous segment   Go to next segment


Suggested translation1,2:


-------
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.

Go to previous segment   Go to next segment


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Verses 8:67-69
PostPosted: 05 Jan 2010, 01:31 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: 04 May 2009, 16:10
Posts: 4558
Location: USA
Quote:
{8:67} It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a massacre [upon God's enemies] in the land. Some Muslims desire the commodities of this world, but God desires [for you] the Hereafter. And God is Exalted in Might and Wise.

I normally refrain from criticizing other translations, but I draw the line on this one. The use of "massacre" here is totally wrong. أثخن simply means "to thicken," nothing to do with no massacre! In Arabic, the verb is used to indicate doing something extensively or on a big scale. Here, the subject is fighting the hostile disbelievers and the verse teaches that a prophet is not to take prisoners of war for bargaining purposes until after he has done all he can to defeat the enemy. Only Yusuf Ali got that point. I suggest,
{8:67} It is not for a prophet to have prisoners of war until he has subdued [the enemy] in the land. You [Muslims] desire the commodities of [this] nearest [life] (spoils of war) but God desires [for you] the Hereafter. And God is Mighty and Wise.

_________________
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Verses 8:67-69
PostPosted: 23 Jun 2010, 05:05 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: 04 May 2009, 16:10
Posts: 4558
Location: USA
Linguistic wrote:
I normally refrain from criticizing other translations, but I draw the line on this one. The use of "massacre" here is totally wrong. يثخن simply means "to thicken," nothing to do with no massacre! In Arabic, the verb is used to indicate doing something extensively or on a big scale. Here, the subject is fighting the hostile disbelievers and the verse teaches that a prophet is not to take prisoners of war for bargaining purposes until after he has done all he can to defeat the enemy. Only Yusuf Ali got that point.

In his book بالحجة والبرهان لا نسخ في القرآن, page 168, Husaam Rushdi Al-Ghaali propounds the varied interpretations of the scholars of the word يثخن. He said Ibn Abbaas, may God have been pleased with him, said it means To prevail. Al-Bukhaari, rahimahullah, said it means to conquer. Al-Ghaali opines like I did in the quote above: that first comes victory then prisoners of war are taken.

_________________
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
It is currently 19 Mar 2024, 06:13

All times are UTC

Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group