Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
Indeed I see that you are faring well,
but I fear for you the punishment
of an all-embracing day.’
85 ‘O my people!
Observe fully the measure and the balance,
with justice,
and do not cheat the people of their goods,1
and do not act wickedly on the earth,
causing corruption.’
86 ‘What remains of Allah’s provision 2 is better for you,
should you be faithful,
and I am not a keeper over you.’
87 They said, ‘O Shu‘ayb,
does your worship require
that we abandon
what our fathers have been worshiping,
or that we should not do with our wealth
whatever we wish?
You are indeed [a] gentle and sensible [person].’
88 He said, ‘O my people! Have you considered,
should I stand on a manifest proof from my Lord,
who has provided me a good provision from Himself?3
I do not wish to oppose you
by what I forbid you.
I only desire to put things in order,
as far as I can,
1 That is, by employing short weights and measures.
2 That is, of your lawful earnings.
3 That is, ‘If I stand on a clear proof from my Lord, who has provided me with lawful means of livelihood, is it a right thing for you to reject my call to faith in Allah and fair dealing?’
