Quote:
{47:20} Those who believe say, "Why has a surah not been sent down?" But when a precise surah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is hypocrisy looking at you with a look of one overcome by death. And more appropriate for them [would have been]
I love Al-Muntakhab's translation of
فأولى لهم as "serves them right!" I suggest,
{47:20} Those who believe say, "Would a Chapter be sent down!" But when a Chapter, definitive, is sent down and mentioned therein is fighting, you would see those in whose hearts is ailment looking at you with a look of one overcome by death. And rightly so for them.This is one place where two interpretations are valid and I have to choose one, because there is no one word that can convey both meanings. The second interpretation is "woe unto them." That interpretation is valid, because it is clearly what 75:34-35 imply,
Quote:
{47:21} Obedience and good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to God, it would have been better for them.
I suggest,
{47:21} Obedience and proper utterance [are required]. And when the matter has set out, if they had been truthful with God, it would have been better for them.