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To highlight / To mark” as the core meaning of DRB () in Quran

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
Here we offer the translation of “to highlight/to mark” for the verb DRB (ضرب) in Quran, and verify that to what extent it is consistent with the rest of Quran. This is in contrast with the dominant translation of “to strike”, which has resulted into some controversial interpretations of Quran. I appreciate the comments about the probable errors in the study.
Disclaimer: this is an on-going research and subject to mistakes and errors.

Summary:
With this understanding of the root of DRB, we reach the following translations for the 57 occurrences of this root in Quran:
[38x] a) DRB s.t. (ضرب شیء) : to highlight, to mark
e.g., DRB examples (ضرب مثلا): to highlight the examples
e.g., DRB all fingertips (ضرب کل بنان): to mark all fingertips
[6x] b) ZRB in s.t. (ضرب فی شیء): to leave marks in s.t.
e.g., DRB in earth: to leave marks on earth, to have your social activity leave symptoms on earth
[4x] c) DRB s.t. with s.t. (ضرب بشیء شیء): to point to s.t. with s.t., to highlight it with pointing
e.g., DRB the see with your staff (اضْرِ*ب بِّعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ*): point to the see with your staff
[3x] d) ZoReBa adj. on s.b., (ضُرِ*بَ عَلَی فرد صفة): to have destiny marked on somebody, to highlight the destiny on somebody’s life
e.g., ZoReBat on them humiliation (ضُرِ*بَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ): the humilation is marked on their destiny, they are destined for humiliation
[2x] e) ZRB with s.t (ضرب بشیء).: to highlight the intention with something
e.g, yaZReBna with their covers on their chest(يَضْرِ*بْنَ بِخُمُرِ*هِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ): indicate that [the act of not showing the adornments] with having their covers on their chest
[3x] f,g,h) …

Approach:
a) The author might subconsciously be affected by some Arabic dictionaries, but the offered translation is not argued based on any external dictionary. The only tool for verification of the offered translation is consistency with Quran. At one point we also compare the translation with bible’s version of the story.
b) To understand why some our daily verbs are substituted with a variation of “to highlight”, sometimes we benefit from viewing the world from the God’s perspective (which is the correct view) in contrast with the view of a typical person at our time. We then see why it makes sense to refer to those events with “to highlight” instead of other substitutes.

Advantages:
1) 54 out of 57 usages of this root in Quran is consistent with the offered translation
2) This translations offers a more reasonable interpretations for some controversial verses in Quran previously understood as to hit wives or as to massacre.

Disadvantages:
1) For 3 out of 57 usages of this root, although the concluded translation is not inconsistent, it is still not very clear.

References:
This articles is mainly inspired by the following link, although the approach and some concluded translations are different:
http://www.quran434.com/wife-beating-islam.html

Details:
In the following posts we go over all the usages of the root ZRB in Quran and verify our offered translation with the context of Quran.
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[38x] a) DRB s.t. (ضرب شیء) : to highlight, to mark
[29x] a-1) DRB examples (ضرب مثلا): to highlight the examples
(2:26), (13:17), (14:24), (14:25), (14:45), (16:74), (16:75), (16:76), (16:112), (17:48), (18:32), (18:45), (22:73), (24:35), (25:9), (25:39), (29:43), (30:28), (30:58), (36:13), (36:78), (39:27), (39:29), (43:17), (43:57), (47:3), (59:21), (66:10), (66:11)
The examples are already exist in life. When we take an example, we actually highlight it in our conversation. The English term “to take an example” is also consistent with this understanding.

[2x] a-2)
Then how [will it be] when the angels take them in death, marking their faces and their backs? (47:27)
And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved... They are marking their faces and their backs and taste the punishment of the Burning Fire. (8:50)

The burning fire does not happen at the moment of death and there is a long gap between the death and hell. So, here DRB cannot refer to a physical punishment (which is the dominant translation). It rather says that the angels mark both front and back of such people for the later punishment by burning fire.

[1x] a-3)…Like this Allah highlights truth and falsehood... (13:17)

[1x] a-4) And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and highlight for them (point them to) a dry path through the sea; ... (77)

Here we offer the translation of pointing to the path (in contrast to the dominant translation of “to strike the path”). Note that from the God’s perspective who is not bounded in time, the path already exists and only needs to be highlighted to people. If we also refer to bible, there is no report of “striking” in that event and Moses simply “points to” the path:

“Exodus 14:16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.”
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[1x] a-5) ...But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance (?) - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], mark them [make the matter public] ... (4:34)

Here the verse suggests husbands not to make the problems between the husband and the wife public, and at least postpone it until after two other steps.This is consistent with what happens right after the problem is highlighted (cited), which is holding a (family) court for discussing the problem:
And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people; if they both desire settlement, Allah will cause it between them. (4:35)
This also goes along with what suggested to wives in the very similar situation at the end of this chapter:
And if a woman fears from her husband arrogance (?) or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best... (4:128)
in which, it is said that it is ok for wives to jump to the final step of seeking settlement (without needing the first two steps).

[2x] a-6) [Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, "I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so mark [them] above the necks and mark from them every fingertip." (8:12)

The verse is typically translated as an instruction to massacre. But here we have a conversation between the God and the angels and telling angels to cut the necks is irrational. Instead the Gold tells them to mark above the neck and the fingertips as the focus point of the fear that will strike them.

[1x] a-7) And they said, "Are your gods better, or is he?" They did not highlight it [the comparison] for you except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute. (58)

[1x] a-8) So when you meet those who disbelieve mark them as captive [arrest them] until you have inflicted ThKhN upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens… (47:4)

The author is unclear about the translation of this verse and it is indicated by ThKhN in the translation. The verse suggests to take captives from the enemy. This is quite consistent with the rest of the verse that mentions ransom for them.

This is a very controversial verse usually translated as: “So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them…”.
First, I do not know why the translators choose “neck” for translation of “ReGHab” (رِّ*قَابِ)! The same word is used in other parts of Quran to mean captive: (2:177). Second, it is not clear why they translate the root “ThKhN” (ثخن) as slaughter! This Sura is preparing the muslim for a war and the next immediate sura explains that war, which is war of Fath, in which we know there was no single drop of blood shed! So the translation of the slaughter is inconsistent with the context of the war as well as with the translation of captive for “ReGHab”. The author, however, is not currently aware of a proper translation for this word.
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[6x] b) ZRB in s.t. (ضرب فی شیء): to leave marks in s.t.
[5x] b-1) DRB in earth: to leave marks on earth, to have your social activity leave symptoms on earth
(2:273), (3:156) , (4:101), (5:106), (73:20)

We offer this translation since from the top-level perspective, the earth existed before human and the activities of human on earth is making changes and is leaving symptoms, and this is the essence of our life on earth. This could also imply a long-distance travel. Note that our translation is in contrast with the usual translation of “walking on land”, which is inconsistent with Quran. For example in (2:273) we have:
[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to have activities on earth. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their modesty, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it. (2:273)

It is not reasonable to translate “ZRB in earth” as “walking” in this verse, otherwise for an ignorant it would not be hard to recognize the poor people who cannot walk.

[1x] b-2) DRB in the path of the God (ضَرَ*بْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ): to have activities in the name of God
(4:94)
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[4x] c) DRB s.t. with s.t. (ضرب بشیء شیء): to point to s.t. with s.t., to highlight it with pointing
[1x] c-1) DRB the see with your staff (اضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ*): point to the see with your staff
This translation is also consistent with bible in which there is no mention of striking the sea with staff (only pointing to it):
“Exodus 14:16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.”

[2x] c-2) DRB the stone with your staff (اضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَ*): point to the stone with your staff
(2:60), (7:160)

Note: this translation is not consistent the English translation of bible, which says “to strike the stone”. However, due to similarities between Hebrew and Arabic, it would not be surprise if a similar mistake had happened when the bible was being translated to English.

“Exodus 17:6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

[1x] c-3) DRB him with part of it (اضْرِبُوهُ بِبَعْضِهَا): point to him with part of it.
(2:73)
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[4x] d) ZoReBa adj. on s.b., (ضُرِبَ عَلَی فرد صفة): to have destiny marked on somebody, to highlight the destiny on somebody’s life
[2x] d-1) ZoReBat on them humiliation (ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ): the humiliation is marked on their destiny, they are destined for humiliation
(2:61), (3:112)
[2x] d-2) ZoReBat on them destitution (ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْكَنَةُ): the destitution is marked on their destiny, they are destined for destitution
(2:61), (3:112)

From the God’s perspective the destiny of people is already written. An event (perhaps some wrong thing that the person does) however could highlight some particular aspect of the destiny and justify it.

[1x] d-3) Then We ZRB on their ears a number of years, in the Cave (18:11)
The author is unclear about a proper translation for this verse.
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[2x] e) ZRB with s.t (ضرب بشیء).: to highlight the intention with something
[1x] e.1) yaZReBna with their covers on their chest(يَضْرِ*بْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ): indicate that [the act of not showing the adornments] with having their covers on their chest
And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; and should indicate that with having their covers on their chest … (24:31)

[1x] e.2) Not yaZReBna with their feet: do not highlight that [the bad intention of showing off] with their feet
… and that they should not indicate (highlight) with their feet to make known what they have hidden from adornment... (24:31)
 

safdar.dushantappeh

simpleislam.weebly.com
[1x] f) ZoReBa between them s.t. (ضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بشیء): to highlight something between them.
On the [same] Day the hypocrite men and hypocrite women will say to those who believed, "Wait for us that we may acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek light." And a wall will be highlighted between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment. (57:13)

The wall between the two groups always exist. What happens after the request of one group for light is that the wall is highlighted and they become aware of it.

[1x] g) ZRB s.t. from s.b. (نَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ شیء): to un-highlight something for somebody
Then should We un-highlight the paper-version of the reminder for you, because you are a transgressing people? (43:5)

The reminder (ذکر) already flows in everything in the universe and the people with pure heart could see it everywhere. Quran, is a paper-version of the reminder, highlighted for our guidance. This verse says that should the God undo this highlighting because the people of its time are transgressing people.

[1x] h) ZRBan with s.t. (ضَرْبًا بِشیء)
And he turned upon them [in a?] ZRB with right. (37:93)
The author is unclear about a proper translation for this verse.
 

Union

Well-Known Member
Quite interesting . I will spare some time InshALLAH to go through these one by one . May ALLAH , the Almighty bless you for your effort and sincerity in devouring the knowledge in Qur'an .
 
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