Feb 18, 2012 01:12
12 yrs ago
Arabic term
United States
Law/Investments/Finance (PhD & MBA)
Native in: English 
, Arabic
Works in: Arabic to English, English to Arabic, French to English, and 2 more.
الذباب والعنكبوت اليهود
Arabic to English
Other
Religion
Koranic exegesis
The sentence is the following regarding the interpretation of Verse 26 (re the mosquito) of the Koranic Chapter of the Cow. I am not sure how to understand the following sentence and what is its correct exegesis, contextual and otherwise, especially with regard to the mention of the Jews next to the flies and the spider:
الذبات والعنكبوت اليهود
Does that mean that the Jews are considered in the same category as spiders and flies?
The sentence is as follows:
أن الله تعالى لما ضرب المثل بالذباب والعنكبون اليهود ما أراد الله بذكر هذه الأشياء الخسيسة. وقيل: قال المشركون: إنا لا نعبد إلها يذكر إلها يذكر مثل هذه الأشياء، فأنزل الله تعالى هذه الآية
الذبات والعنكبوت اليهود
Does that mean that the Jews are considered in the same category as spiders and flies?
The sentence is as follows:
أن الله تعالى لما ضرب المثل بالذباب والعنكبون اليهود ما أراد الله بذكر هذه الأشياء الخسيسة. وقيل: قال المشركون: إنا لا نعبد إلها يذكر إلها يذكر مثل هذه الأشياء، فأنزل الله تعالى هذه الآية
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +1 | The Jews "said" قالت" اليهود" |
Lucinda Wills
|
Proposed translations
+1
8 hrs
Lucinda Wills
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Related KudoZ points
:
24
Selected
The Jews "said" قالت" اليهود"
I agree with Marwa. There is a missing word قالت" اليهود".
The Jews said, “What could God mean by mentioning such despicable things?”
They were referring to verses 22:73 about the fly and 29:41 about the spider, so God answered them with 2:26 about the mosquito saying “God does not shy away from citing any kind of allegory, from the tiny mosquito or of even less than that. As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. As for those who disbelieve, they say, “What did God mean by such an allegory?” He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. But He never misleads thereby except the wicked.”
The Jews have never been likened to the fly or spider in any tafsir, so it doesn’t make sense to assume the sentence is not missing a word as I said above.
The Jews said, “What could God mean by mentioning such despicable things?”
They were referring to verses 22:73 about the fly and 29:41 about the spider, so God answered them with 2:26 about the mosquito saying “God does not shy away from citing any kind of allegory, from the tiny mosquito or of even less than that. As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. As for those who disbelieve, they say, “What did God mean by such an allegory?” He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. But He never misleads thereby except the wicked.”
The Jews have never been likened to the fly or spider in any tafsir, so it doesn’t make sense to assume the sentence is not missing a word as I said above.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Saleh Dardeer
: I do agree. I made a search on this point and I found the word "said" is mentioned in this context at Tafsir of Al-Baghawi, Al-Khaazin, etc.
9 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks Lucinda, I truly appreciate your sharing your admirable scholarship on these topics..."
Discussion
I think the sentence should read:
ن الله تعالى لما ضرب المثل بالذباب والعنكبون "قال" اليهود ما أراد الله بذكر هذه الأشياء الخسيسة.