Maryam 19:61
The verse
جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَأْتِيًّا ٦١
Gardens of Eden, which the Beneficent hath promised to His slaves in the unseen. Lo! His promise is ever sure of fulfilment - — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
The Arabic verb translated by Palmer as “comes to pass” is ma’tiyan. In Arabic, the verb is actually in the passive voice—“made to pass”—instead of the active. The intended meaning requires the active voice as Palmer correctly translated it. This variation and lack of preciseness and accuracy only confuses the reader of the Qur’ān.
Arabic text of this item
جاءت المفردةُ بصيغة المفعولِ عِوضاً عن صيغة الفاعل. والمقصود هو القول: «وكان وعدُه آتياً». وهذا التنويع في الصيَغِ يُشوِّش على القارئ.
Sources cited
Sources added in review (the original item cited none)
- al-Qurṭubī, al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, on Q 19:61 · link checked 2026-10-12