“Our Lord, do not take us to task in case we forget or we make mistakes.” (Qur’an 2:286)
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APOLOGY TO FELLOW MUSLIMS AND TRUTH SEEKERS.
May Allah (swt) forgive me. Praise be to Allah (swt) who guides us to a way that is best.
I used to rely upon a particular translation of the Qur’an 4:31 until upon closer examination I realized the game that was being played upon the unaware.
I’m thankful to Shaykh Hafidh Hamed Al Sawafi for pointing this out to me!
Most people are usually familiar with this translation:
“If you avoid major sins that you are prohibited, We will absolve YOU YOUR MINOR SINS and cause you to enter a generous gate.” (Qur’an 4:31)
Any translation that comes remotely close to that is a FALSE
Take a look at the different translations into English here:
https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/4/31/
Those people who are either translating this text as such are doing so according to their i’tiqad or without giving much thought about it -according to the i’tiqad of others.
The most correct translation is: the one from Yusuf Ali (1985) which states:
“IF (but) eschew the evilest of the things which you are forbidden to do, We shall expel out of ( Saiyiatikum) YOU ALL THE EVIL IN YOU, and admit you to a gate of great honor.” -(Qur’an 4:31)
The reason that certain translators translate it the way that they do is because of their theology. Which is that the small sins get wiped out and the big sins get purified in the hell-which one latter is released from.
However, the correct understanding is that if a Muslim avoids the major big sins, or if they do them and rush to repent and reform, Allah (swt) will forgive our minor mistakes and faults.
Imposing their theological suppositions upon the Qur’an Al-Kareem!
As one Muslim brother pointed out: “Saiyiatikum” is “all evil in you”.
To interpret it as “minor sins” or the likes is but an interpretation.
The literal meaning takes precedence over an interpretation unless there’s a hujjah to support the interpretation.
Insh’Allah in time I will begin to replace the translation with the appropriate translation free from i’tiqad -may Allah (swt) help me.
Kindly take note. My humble and sincere apologies.
“And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.” (Qur’an 40:9)
May Allah (swt) Guide the Ummah.
May Allah (swt) Forgive the Ummah.
Prima Quran 