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« on: December 13, 2019, 02:02:03 PM »
Salam,
What's the exact meaning of the phrase 'yatalaqqa al--mutalaqqiyan'?
I don't know arabic. But I try to make a comparative study among the available translations. While studying Muhammad Assad's translation of the Quran I came upon something very interesting.
He translates, 50:17 as,
50:17 -[And so,] whenever the two demands [of his nature] come face to face, contending from the right and from the left
In his footnote he states,- 'The first part of the above sentence - i.e., the phrase yatalaqqa al--mutalaqqiyan- may be understood in either of two senses: "the two that are meant to receive do receive", or "the two that aim at meeting each other do meet". The classical commentators adopt, as a rule, the first sense and, consequently, interpret the passage thus: ..... the two angels that are charged with recording man's doings - do record them, sitting on his right and on his left". In my opinion, however, the second of the two possible meanings ("the two that aim at meeting each other") corresponds better with the preceding verse, which speaks of what man's innermost self (nafs) - whispers within him", i.e., voices his subconscious desires.
Thus, "the two that aim at meeting" are, I believe, the two demands of, or, more properly, the two fundamental motive forces within man's nature: his primal, instinctive urges and desires, both sensual and non-sensual (all of them comprised in the modern psychological term "libido"), on the one side, and his reason, both intuitive and reflective, on the other. The "sitting (qa'id) on the right and on the left" is, to my mind, a metaphor for the conflicting nature of these dual forces which strive for predominance within every human being: hence, my rendering of qa'id as "contending". This interpretation is, moreover, strongly supported by the reference, in verse 21, to man's appearing on Judgment Day with "that which drives and that which bears witness" - a phrase which undoubtedly alludes to man's instinctive urges as well as his conscious reason'
Various other translators translate this verse as follows:
(ABDEL HALEEM)
two receptors set to record, one on his right side and one on his left.
(Shaheeh International)
When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left.
(PICKTHALL)
When the two Receivers receive (him), seated on the right hand and on the left
(Yusuf Ali)
Behold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and noted them), one sitting on the right and one on the left.
So what is the proper meaning of the phrase
'yatalaqqa al--mutalaqqiyan'?
I'd appreciate it very much if my knowledgeable brothers and sisters in faith, give some of your valuable opinion on this matter.
I would be very grateful if brother Joseph comes upon this and gives his precious opinion on the subject. But considering his busy schedule I understand that it might not be possible.
In my personal opinion Muhammad Assad's rendition appears as both logical and coherent with the overall theme of the context.
I've started ardently studying Qur'an very recently, so I am hoping and praying that God almighty bestows upon me the knowledge of truth.
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