Surah Al-Imran Ayat 79 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 79
It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, “Be servants to me rather than Allah,” but [instead, he would say], “Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied.”
It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office, should say to people: “Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah’s”: on the contrary (He would say) “Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly.”
It does not befit a man that Allah should grant him His Book and sound judgement and prophet-hood, and thereafter he should say to men: ‘Become servants to me apart from Allah.’ He would rather say: ‘Become dedicated men of Allah, in accord with the dictates of the Book you have been teaching and studying.’
It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukma (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion, etc.) and Prophethood to say to the people: “Be my worshippers rather than Allah’s.” On the contrary (he would say): “Be you Rabbaniyun (learned men of religion who practise what they know and also preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.”
It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the prophethood that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah; but (what he said was): Be ye faithful servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and of your constant study thereof.
In no way should a mortal (to whom) Allah brings the Book and the Judgment and the Prophethood thereafter say to mankind, “Be bondmen to me, apart from Allah.” But, (i.e. But he should say) “Be lordly (i.e. teachers of Divine Law and worshipers of Allah) in that you used to teach the Book and in that you used to study (it).”
No person to whom God had given the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood would ever say to people, ‘Be my servants, not God’s.’ [He would say], ‘You should be devoted to God because you have taught the Scripture and studied it closely.’
کسی ایسے انسان کو جسے اللہ تعالیٰ کتاب وحکمت اور نبوت دے، یہ ﻻئق نہیں کہ پھر بھی وه لوگوں سے کہے کہ تم اللہ تعالیٰ کو چھوڑ کر میرے بندے بن جاؤ، بلکہ وه تو کہے گا کہ تم سب رب کے ہو جاؤ، تمہارے کتاب سکھانے کے باعﺚ اور تمہارے کتاب پڑھنے کے سبب۔
Quran 3 Verse 79 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Imran ayat 79, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(3:79) It does not befit a man that Allah should grant him His Book and sound judgement and prophet-hood, and thereafter he should say to men: ‘Become servants to me apart from Allah.’ He would rather say: ‘Become dedicated men of Allah,[67] in accord with the dictates of the Book you have been teaching and studying.’
67. The term rabbani is used here to denote Jewish religious scholars and functionaries who were supposed to provide true religious guidance to establish their rites of worship, implement religious laws, and so on. The same word occurs in (Surah Al-Maidah, ayat 44) and (Surah Al-Maidah, ayat 63). In the Christian tradition the word ‘divine’ is used as an equivalent to the word rabbani.
Ibn-Kathir
79. It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukm and prophethood to say to the people: “Be my worshippers rather than Allah’s.” On the contrary (he would say): “Be you Rabbaniyyun, because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.” 80. Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords. Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah’s will
This Ayah ﴿3:79﴾ means, it is not for a person whom Allah has given the Book, knowledge in the Law and prophethood to proclaim to the people, “Worship me instead of Allah,” meaning, along with Allah. If this is not the right of a Prophet or a Messenger, then indeed, it is not the right of anyone else to issue such a claim.
This criticism refers to the ignorant rabbis, priests and teachers of misguidance, unlike the Messengers and their sincere knowledgeable followers who implement their knowledge; for they only command what Allah commands them, as their honorable Messengers conveyed to them. They also forbid what Allah forbade for them, by the words of His honorable Messengers. The Messengers, may Allah’s peace and blessings be on all of them, are the emissaries between Allah and His creation, conveying Allah’s Message and Trust. The messengers indeed fulfilled their mission, gave sincere advice to creation and conveyed the truth to them. Allah’s statement,
(On the contrary (he would say), “Be you Rabbaniyyun, because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.”) means, the Messenger recommends the people to be Rabbaniyyun. Ibn `Abbas, Abu Razin and several others said that Rabbaniyyun means, “Wise, learned, and forbearing.” Ad-Dahhak commented concerning Allah’s statement,
(because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.) “Whoever learns the Qur’an deserves to become a Faqih (learned).”
(and you are studying it), preserving its words.
Allah then said,
(Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords.) The Prophet does not command worshipping other than Allah, whether a sent Messenger or an angel.
(Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah’s will) meaning, he would not do that, for whoever calls to worshipping other than Allah, will have called to Kufr. The Prophets only call to Iman which commands worshipping Allah Alone without partners. Allah said in other Ayat,
(And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ) but We revealed to him (saying): “None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me”.) ﴿21:25﴾,
(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid Taghut (all false deities).”) ﴿16:36﴾, and,
(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: “Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious (Allah)”) ﴿43:45﴾
Allah said concerning the angels,
(And if any of them should say: “Verily, I am a god besides Him (Allah),” such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.) ﴿21:29﴾.
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