Quote:
{7:203} And when you, [O Muhammad], do not bring them a sign, they say, "Why have you not contrived it?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This [Quran] is enlightenment from your Lord and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."
"Contrive" is an excellent translation because one of its meanings is to bring something about, which is close to what
اجتبى means. The Arabic verb means "to select carefully then bring." Unfortunately, "contrive" has come to be understood as to invent in modern parlance, so I wouldn't use it. I'd follow Asad and suggest,
{7:203} And when you [, O Muhammad,] have not brought them a sign, they said, "If only you would have obtained it." Say, "Verily, I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This [Quran] is insights from your Lord and guidance and mercy for a folk who believe."Quote:
{7:204} So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.
Excellent translation but the preface "So" has no place here. I suggest,
{7:204} And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it [you all] and pay attention so that you may receive mercy.Quote:
{7:205} And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.
I suggest,
{7:205} And remember your Lord within yourself, with imploring and fearfulness, and below vocalizing of uttering - at the dawning and the dusks. And do not be among the heedless.Quote:
{7:206} Indeed, those who are near your Lord are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, and they exalt Him, and to Him they prostrate.
I suggest,
{7:206} Verily, those who are by your Lord do not deem themselves above His worship, and they sanctify Him and to Him they prostrate.