Quran 4:159 – Differences In The Translation Of The Same Text
It is about understanding a text with its context and stylistics. Some scholars sometimes fail to appreciate the context and stylistics in their entirety. In this case, the long interpolative sentences tend to make forgetful the actual argument at the beginning of the argument started which is about Quran. It happens when a kalam has high literary merits. The meanings are obvious but they need the readers to raise to them for their full appreciation.
Layuminannan Beh ( لَیُؤْمِنَنَّ بِہٖ ), Qabul Mawtah ( قَبْلَ مَوْتِہٖ ) and Yakunu Alihim Shahidah ( یَکُوْنُ عَلَیْھِمْ شَھِیْدًا ) in Quran4:159 inlcude several pronouns which are referring to a noun, the reference to these pronouns will need to be determined from the verse itself and if not clear from the verse, then from the context of the verses. Differences of opinion can arise while making such determination. According to Ghamidi Sahab , Pronoun in Layuminannan Beh refers to Quran, Pronoun in Qabul Mawtah refers to people of the book and pronouns in Yakunu Alihim Shahidah also refer to Quran establishing shahdah on people of the book. According to Amin Ahsan Islahi Sahab , Pronoun in Layuminannan Beh refers to Quran, Pronoun in Qabul Mawtah refers to Prophet Muhammad (sws) and pronouns in Yakunu Alihim Shahidah refer to Prophet Muhammad (sws) establishing shahdah on people of the book. While there seems a usual consensus among traditional scholars regarding references to Pronouns as Layuminannan Beh referring to Prophet Jesus (sws) and Yakunu Alihim Shahidah referring to Prophet Jesus (sws) establishing shahdah on people of the book. But even among them, there lies a difference of opinion as to what is the appropriate reference for the pronoun in Qabul Mawtah , whether it refers to before the death of Prophet Jesus (sws) or before the death of people of the book. Therefore, the differences in establihsing the right reference to a pronoun can happen because at the end, it is a human endeavour. But it is the verse(s)/context which are the final source in establishing the right reference.