Arabic Language

1« Previous thread | Next thread »
- Zebedee
- Pub Regular
- offline
Arabic Language
OP - January 25, 2011, 05:42 PM

I've started this thread so that people can post questions and hopefuly get answers from some of the Arabic speakers, or post useful links to materials pertaining to the aforementioned subject.

As it happens, I have a question.

Qur'an 6:131 states:

ذٰلِكَ أَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ رَّبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا غَٰفِلُونَ

Would an accurate translation of this be: 'That is because your Lord would not destroy the cities with injustice/unjustly'?

To me, that seems to be the most apparent meaning of the verse but those divine command theorists that are Muslim theologians interpret the 'injustice' part not to be about Allah destroying the townships, but state that it pertains to the injustices of the destroyed peoples themselves.

They say that Allah necessarily can't do anything that's unjust, but this verse seems to indicate otherwise, and a number of translations do render the meaning as I have, and indeed, it's consonant with the context which talks about the people being 'unaware,' and as such it would be unjust to destroy them for doing what they don't know is immoral.

So, any ideas?
- raison
- Ex-Muslim
- Murttad (ex-Muslim)
- offline
Re: Arabic Language
Reply #1 - January 25, 2011, 06:33 PM

AFAICT, the verse's talking about villages not cities. And you skipped the last bit that roughly translates as "and their inhabitants are none the wiser".

Other than that, I have no interest in having a theological discussion about what some imaginary entity really meant.
- Zebedee
- Pub Regular
- offline
Re: Arabic Language
Reply #2 - January 25, 2011, 07:25 PM

Quote
AFAICT, the verse's talking about villages not cities.

That is the point under contention, but it's not so clear cut.

Pickthall: This is because thy Lord destroyeth not the townships arbitrarily while their people are unconscious (of the wrong they do).
Bewley: That was because their Lord would never have destroyed the cities unjustly...
Shakir: This is because your Lord would not destroy towns unjustly...
Palmer: That is because thy Lord would never destroy towns unjustly...
Arberry: That is because thy Lord would never destroy the cities unjustly...

Quote
And you skipped the last bit that roughly translates as "and their inhabitants are none the wiser".

Intentionally, although now that you mention it, it may indeed speak in favour of the above interpretations.

Quote
Other than that, I have no interest in having a theological discussion about what some imaginary entity really meant.

I don't care. I'm not asking you for one.
- Shahid Raza
- Ex-Muslim
- offline
Re: Arabic Language
Reply #3 - January 25, 2011, 08:05 PM

I have a question. Does Islam mean "peace", or "submission", or "peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah"?

.
1« Previous thread | Next thread »