2:106 clarification and questions
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I was reading this thread http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9598548.0 and it says that nansakh used in 2106 means copy and not abrogate. Knowing that, would this be most accurate (I understand it can never be perfect) translation of the below verse? Also the main question of this thread is my question of whether "ayatin" means verse(s)/revelation or sign/miracle. Jack says that he believes it means "sign" and not "verse."
"We do not copy from a sign(s), or We make it forgotten (except that) We come/bring with better than it, or similar/equal/alike to it. Do you not know that God (is) on every thing powerful/capable?"
What is the consensus on this site, of those reading this thread of this word in dispute, do you believe it means sign or verse and why?
Right now I think it means sign and not verse, otherwise it would mean The God is saying that He brings something better from His original words? Isn't that technically changing/modifying His words? Even if He is improving/strengthening His words, He is still technically changing it by bringing something better, correct?
However I remember reading that Edip believes it means verse and not miracle, because his reasoning is that a miracle in context with verses, is an entire chapter, and not just a verse? And even if it meant an entire chapter (miracle in context of entire chapter/surah) The God is saying He copies/brings a better chapter (miracle of chapter/surah) and causes the other to be forgotten as a result? (equal or better than the one He is copying, however He does not change His mind, why would He bring an equal chapter, and especially bringing a better chapter would mean He is modifying/changing His words)
So does it then mean miracle/sign rather than verse? Why or why not?
Here are the translations of 2106, where the literal translation where ayatin is being translated by some as verse/revelation, and by some as sign/miracle
Transliteration Ma nansakh min ayatin aw nunsiha na/ti bikhayrin minha aw mithliha alam taAAlam anna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
Literal We do not erase/nullify/abolish from a sign/verse/evidence , or We make it forgotten, (except that) We come/bring with better than it, or similar/equal/alike to it. Do you not know that God (is) on every thing powerful/capable ?
Yusuf Ali None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?
Pickthal Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?
Arberry And for whatever verse We abrogate or cast into oblivion, We bring a better or the like of it; knowest thou not that God is powerful over everything?
Shakir Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?
Sarwar For whatever sign We change or eliminate or cause to recede into oblivion, We bring forth a better sign, one that is identical. Do you not know that God has power over all things?.
Khalifa When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent?
Hilali/Khan Whatever a Verse (revelation) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allah is able to do all things?
H/K/Saheeh We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?
Malik We do not abrogate any of Our verses of the Qur'an or cause it to be forgotten except that We substitute it with something better or similar; don't you know that Allah has full power over everything?
QXP We have not abrogated the old commands without replacing them with the everlasting Commands that are
either similar or better than the previous ones ((54, (6116), (159)). Do you not know that Allah is the Appointer of due measure for all things?Maulana Ali Whatever message We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or one like it. Knowest thou not that Allah is Possessor of power over all things?
Free Minds We do not duplicate a sign, or make it forgotten, unless We bring one which is like it or even greater. Did you not know that God is capable of all things?
Qaribullah If We supersede any verse or cause it to be forgotten, We bring a better one or one similar. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things!
George Sale Whatever verse we shall abrogate, or cause thee to forget, we will bring a better than it, or one like unto it. Dost thou not know that God is almighty?
JM Rodwell Whatever verses we cancel, or cause thee to forget, we bring a better or its like. Knowest thou not that God hath power over all things?
Asad Any message which, We annul or consign to oblivion We replace with a better or a similar ones. Dost thou not know that God has the power to will anything?
Off topic question Who composed the Free Mind's translation? Any links or commentary on the background of this person/persons?
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peace,
NB AQ=al quran
When trying to determine the meaning of a word, it is important to study ALL occurrences in AQ, extract ALL possible information from these occurrences, look up its Classical Arabic meanings, reflect, apply logic, read differing views (if they exist). Luckily, with the free tools available now, this can be done by anyone, all it requires is time.  
From Project Root List http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
Alif-Ya-Waw = sign, apparent sign, mark, indication, message, evidence, proof, miracle, communication, verse of The Quran. It properly signifies any apparent thing inseparable from a thing not equally apparent so that when one perceives the former, he perceives the other which he cannot perceive by itself.
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Forum member Layth is the translator of the free-minds translation, you can read his posts on this forum, or some of his articles on the main site. -
From Project Root List http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
Quote
Alif-Ya-Waw = sign, apparent sign, mark, indication, message, evidence, proof, miracle, communication, verse of The Quran. It properly signifies any apparent thing inseparable from a thing not equally apparent so that when one perceives the former, he perceives the other which he cannot perceive by itself.It seems a mistake. Root is Alif Ya Ya.
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peace Mazhar,
Can you quote the references?
The root list is based on hanna e kassis' concordance of quran. I'd have to check some other sources to confirm.
Salam Wakas,
I have not seen it mentioned somewhere else also. Hanna e kassis has put heading A Y W. Other dictionaries say Alif Ya Ya.
