28:4 wayastahyeenisaahum
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Salaam Aleykun
I have found a phrase in 284 that seems to be translated quite differently when you compare the English translations on quranix.net
Edip-Layth 284 Pharaoh became mighty in the land, and he turned its people into factions, he oppressed a group of them by killing their children and shaming their women. He was of those who corrupted.
The Monotheist Group 284 Pharaoh became mighty in the land, and he turned its people into factions, he oppressed a group of them by killing their children and raping their women. He was of those who corrupted.
Muhammad Asad 284 Behold, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into castes.3 One group of them he deemed utterly low; he would slaughter their sons and spare (only) their women4 for, behold, he was one of those who spread corruption .
Rashad Khalifa 284 Pharaoh turned into a tyrant on earth, and discriminated against some people. He persecuted a helpless group of them, slaughtering their sons, while sparing their daughters. He was indeed wicked.
Shabbir Ahmed 284 Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into castes. A tribe among them (the Israelites) he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women (for slavery and shameful acts). Surely, he was of the corrupters.
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Transliteration 284 Inna firAAawna AAala fee al-ardiwajaAAala ahlaha shiyaAAan yastadAAifu ta-ifatanminhum yuthabbihu abnaahum wayastahyeenisaahum innahu kana mina almufsideenaA 284
According to corpus.quran.com "wayastahyi" means "to let live"
http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=28&verse=4
but I notice that the same word is also shown to mean "to shame" or "to be shy" or "shyness"
http//corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?root=Hyy#%2828414%29What was happening to the women?
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from dictionary.com
http//dictionary.reference.com/browse/shame?&qsrc=verb to shame =
?verb (used with object)
5.
to cause to feel shame; make ashamed His cowardice shamed him.
6.
to drive, force, etc., through shame He shamed her into going.
7.
to cover with ignominy or reproach; disgrace. -
peace,
The difference seems to stem from the Biblical account, i.e. it says "sparing" there, so it seems it was taken to mean "sparing" here. However, when this form is used in AQ, it means "shame" (to make immodest) everywhere else, and implies their women/nisa were abused. This also fits in with the context/implication of it being a significant trial/punishment etc.
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I don't like how the translation of "shaming" the women and "making them immodest" somehow implies part of the blame goes to the women. Like it's their fault for becoming the victims of rape. Or that even when it wasn't their fault for getting raped, they will still be considered immodest women, or women with guilt and shame, when they are innocent victims of abuse. It is this kind of thinking that gets rape victims accused and punished for "Adultery" as it seems that the ones in charge in some countries are happy to label "shamed women" (victims of rape) as adulterers, so it seems.
I think I like the other translations better - the ones about "sparing" and "letting live". Can the same word really mean both? I don't have a very good working knowledge of Arabic, but I'm trying.
However, it doesn't really matter which translation I like, it's the truth that I want. And I know the Almighty, Fairest Judge would not imply any blame on innocent women.
In English, one of the definitions of "to shame" is "to force"...
Maybe the correct translation should be "and forced their women" not shamed.
Sorry for the sensitive subject. Let's dig a little deeper, educate ourselves and others, God Willing.
