Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
SÛRAH XXXI
Luqmân takes its name from v. 12 ff., which contain mention of the wisdom of Luqmân, a sage whose memory the Arabs reverenced, but who is unknown to Jewish Scripture. He is said to have been a negro slave and the fables associated with his name are so like those of Aesop that the usual identification seems justified. The Sûrah conveys assurance of success to the Muslims at a time of persecution.
It belongs to the middle or last group of Meccan Sûrahs; except vv. 27 and 28 which were revealed at Al-Madînah.
Luqmân
1. Alif. Lâm. Mîm.1
2. These are revelations of the wise Scripture,
3. A guidance and a mercy for the good,
4. Those who establish, worship and pay the poor-due and have sure faith in the Hereafter.
5. Such have guidance from their Lord. Such are the successful.
6. And of mankind is he who payeth for mere pastime of discourse, that he may mislead from Allah’s way without knowledge, and maketh it the butt of mockery. For such there is a shameful doom.
7. And when Our revelations are recited unto him he turneth away in his pride as if he heard them not, as if there
1 See Sûr. II, v. 1, footnote.
