#FridayReminders 56: Tricky Translations (37:93)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/4CseZ51DlbY

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٣

Then he swiftly turned on them, striking ˹them˺ with his right hand.

[37:93]

We often hear scholars describe the inability of translating the Quran perfectly. In a recent OnePath Network podcast featuring Dr. Mustafa Khattab, renowned translator of the acclaimed "Clear Quran," he discussed various reasons contributing to this challenge. One of the key difficulties is encapsulating the rich array of meanings found in Arabic into a single word in English. Dr. Khattab provided an illustrative example using the verse mentioned above, specifically focusing on the word (بِٱلْيَمِينِ), translated here as "with his right hand." However, during the podcast, he explained that this phrase actually encompasses multiple meanings, but he could only carry one of them forward in his translation.

I was inspired to research the word, seeing what meanings I could uncover from the Tafsir literature. I came across an enlightening passage from Al-Shawkani's tafsir, which sheds light on the various interpretations offered by commentators for this particular word. Here are 7 meanings I found within the literature:

1) The right hand

Al-Wahidi said, 'Commentators state it means striking them with his right hand.' This is the strongest opinion according to Al-Shawkani.

2) A symbol for strength

As-Suddi said, '[Al-Yameen means] with strength and power, for the right hand is the stronger of the two hands.' Al-Farra' and Tha’lab state, 'Striking with strength, as the right hand signifies strength.'

Qurtubi adds in his tafsir: The emphasis on striking with the right hand is because it is stronger, and striking with it is more severe, as mentioned by Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi' ibn Anas.

3) An oath

[In Arabic, the word Yameen is used to refer to making an oath]. Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi' ibn Anas said, 'What is meant by the Yameen here is the oath that he swore by when he said

وَتَٱللَّهِ لأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَـٰمَكُمْ

{By Allah, I will surely plot against your idols.}'

[Quran 21:57]

Here, Prophet Ibrahim is fulfilling his oath by smashing idols as he stated.

4) Justice

It is said that what is meant by the right hand here is justice, as understood in another verse:

{And if He had spoken any word against Us, We would have seized him by the Yameen.}

وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ ٱلأَقَاوِيلِ * لأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِٱلْيَمِينِ

[Quran 69:44-45]

Here, the word Yameen is a metaphor for justice, just as the left is often a metaphor for injustice.

In Qurtubi’s Tafsir, he discusses much of the same meanings, adding a few nuances and other variations:

5) Obedience to God

You will find within the Quran sins are associated with the left, and obedience on the right. Allah ﷻ states in the Quran

إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَأْتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

'{Indeed, you used to come to Us from the Yameen.}'

[Quran 37:28],

In this context, Yameen means to come to Allah ﷻ from the side of obedience. Prophet Ibrahim’s act was done in obedience to the will of God.

6) Pledge of Allegiance

Qurtubi states: Don't you see that we pledged allegiance to Allah ﷻ with our right hand on the Day of the Covenant? [Here, this is referring to the pledge all souls took before Allah ﷻ upon the creation of Adam]. Any pledge is taken with the right hand. That is why the book will be given to the person with their right hand in the hereafter because they fulfilled their pledge, while the one who breaks the pledge and flees from Allah ﷻ will receive it with their left hand as that is the symbol of injustice. So, His saying, {بِٱلْيَمِينِ} in this verse refers to that pledge on that day.

May Allah ﷻ make us from those who truly understand and live the Quran.