“As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people, working at sea. So I intended to damage it, for there was a king ahead of them who seizes every ship by force.” “And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would pressure them into defiance and disbelief. So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place.” (Qur’an 18:79-81)
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The Qur’an is sublime.
“Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.” (Qur’an 43:3)
In the Qur’an, in chapter 18, verses 65 to 82, we have information related to us by a figure that Islamic scholars have named ‘Khidr’.
Finally, when Prophet Moses (as) is no longer able to keep patient with this figure and the things that this figure does prompt Moses (as) on every occasion to question why he does the things that he does, he finally gets resolution.
“As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people, working at sea. So I intended to damage it, for there was a king ahead of them who seizes every ship by force.” “And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared that he would pressure them into defiance and disbelief. So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place.” “And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.” (Qur’an 18:79-81)
None of the translations of the meaning can give justice to the Arabic Qur’an.
As regards the action of damaging the ship. The individual ascribes that action to himself.
So I intended to damage it. I intended: fa-aradttu 1st person singular verb.
“and we feared that he would pressure them into defiance and disbelief. So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place.”
We feared: fakhashina 1st person plural perfect verb. The ‘we feared’ is better translated or understood as ‘we disliked’. Whatever displeases Allah (swt) displeases his loyal and faithful servants.
We hoped: fa-aradna 1st person plural perfect verb. The ‘we hoped’ is better translated as we intended.
In here fakhashina ‘we disliked’ he returns it to himself and to Allah (swt). Why?
- Killing the child, he returns back to himself.
“So they proceeded until they came across a boy, and the man killed him. Moses protested, “Have you killed an innocent soul who killed no one?” You have certainly done a horrible thing.” (Qur’an 18:74)
“So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place.”
- Allah is replacing the child with another.
So the killing is from the companion of Moses (as) and the replacement is from Allah (swt). You can use the ‘We’ as Allah (swt) is the creator of all things and human beings acquire the actions.
“So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord.”
The Lord intended: fa-arada rabbuka 3rd person masculine singular perfect verb
fa-aradttu (I intended) an a’ibaha (cause a defect) -I wanted to.
fa-aradna- (we intended)
fa-arada rabbuka (so intended Your Lord)
Very often the various translations rob the reader of the depth of the Arabic language.
Another example is Qur’an 3:7
“And none know its interpretation save God and those firmly rooted in knowledge. They say, “We believe in it; all is from our Lord.”
Those who may lack depth of Arabic grammar and syntax would argue that the verse should be read as: “But none knows its interpretation except Allah”. And those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: “We believe in this, it is all from our Lord.”
Whereas the better reading is:
“But none knows its interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge. They say, “We believe in this it is all from our Lord.”
However, due to the lack of depth of the Arabic grammar and syntax, they would object by looking at English translations of the meanings and say:
That Allah (swt) would not say: “We believe in this it is all from our Lord.”
But this is not the proper understanding at all. The part of the verse: “We believe in this it is all from our Lord.” Is a reference to : “Those who are firmly rooted in knowledge.” and not to Allah (swt).
Issues that arise from the verses by those not grounded in theology.
They argue that it looks as if Allah (swt) is certain of the righteousness of the substitute son that does not exist yet; all the while, the unbelieving son, Allah (swt) was simply using the principle of probability.
But this type of reasoning is turned on its head. If Allah (swt) knew, the righteousness of the substitute son, which does not exist yet, he certainly knew of the actions of the unbelieving son.
Allah (swt) allowing for the son to be killed as well as the announcement of another son are all based upon certain knowledge that Allah (swt) has.
All praise be to Allah (swt).
The Qur’an is sublime.
May Allah (swt) guide the Ummah.
May Allah (swt) forgive the Ummah.
Prima Quran 
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
May I ask what’s your opinion on the translation and commentary by the late Muhammad Asad [may Allah (swt) have mercy on him]?
walakum salaam warahmutallah wabarkatuh,
he seems to come from a contingent of thought that believes some how that miracles violate the supposed “laws of causality” and thus his translation shows this.
We end up with wide eyed and run away train misinterpretations of the text.
This can be seen for example with his treatment of Jesus (as) making the birds out of clay or of the virgin birth of Jesus (as).
Which on that point (the virgin birth) you can take another group that tend to argue for it be something “naturalistic” namely the Qadiani sect B.
What is interesting is they understand the text to be plainly speaking of a virgin birth yet they try and make it seem like some type of tumor or rare medical condition.
Point being here they see what the text indicates, where as Assad and those in that camp approach the text with these presuppositions.
What translations are recommended (up to the most recent on Islam Awakened, not just the traditional)?
It was interesting that you brought up Islam Awakened, I have no idea who is behind the website may Allah (swt) bless them.
To my knowledge that is one of the best tools because it allows one to see behind the curtain so to speak.
Say someone was looking into Islam and they come to realize the differences that exist among the Muslims.
By understanding this one may come to realize why they translate text in the way that they do.
I believe the other project perhaps not included there is the “Reformist Translation” as well as “The Study Qur’an”
Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaah. Sorry for the confusion. Islam Awakened allows one to look up a verse and compare 79 different translations for each verse. I was wondering if you have been on there and looked at selected verses and had an opinion on which is most faithful to the Ibadi interpretation?
walakum salaam warahmatullah wabarkatuh,
“I was wondering if you have been on there and looked at selected verses and had an opinion on which is most faithful to the Ibadi interpretation?”
I often go there thinking to myself which of these translations might be best to convey certain aspects of the Qur’an. Some times I might even combine translations.
As regard to which is most faithful to the Ibadi interpretation? I would have to say none of them, as none of those translations follow our school.
However, (and may Allah bless you for this) you have given me an idea for a future article on this very topic. Like which of these translations would be recommended etc?
It is hoped that this blog (primaquran) that we do our level best to cover via articles those key issues on creed, theology, or jurisprudence so that one may use that as a means to judge the various translations.
I hope this is helpful, may Allah (swt) continue to bless us and guide us to what is beloved to Allah (swt) and may Allah (swt) cause this Ramadan to be filled with many beautiful openings for you and your loved ones.
Btw. ‘child of the 80s’ has to be one of the best usernames on this blog, thus far!
Jazakullaah Khayr. Ameen. I hope to read it some day.