colour

Once again our Christian friends have been playing with the English translation of a certain word found in the Quran. They read the English translation of Surah 2:138, by Yusuf Ali and picked up on a word which they believe applies to the Christian belief.  They quote:

(Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah. And who can baptize better than Allah. And it is He Whom we worship. (Surah 2:138 Yusuf ali translation  in English)

However the above verse is not the absolute correct translation of the Arabic word Sibgah as we will see. Below is a more accurate translation of the word Sibgah rendered in English. As well as showing the translation, we’ll also show from commentary and classical Arabic lexicon dictionary on what the word Sibgah means.

Say: “Take on Allah’s colour.” And whose colour is better than Allah’s? It is Him that we serve. (2:138)

Commentary:

This verse can be translated in two ways. One of these is: 'We have taken on Allah's colour.' The other is: 'Take on Allah's colour.' On the eve of the advent of Christianity the Jews followed the practice of bathing everyone who embraced their religion. This ritual bath signified that all his previous sins had been washed away and that he had adopted a different colour for his life. This practice was subsequently taken over by the Christians and is termed 'baptism'. Not only converts but even new-born babies were baptized. The Qur'anic remarks here refer to this institution. The Qur'an says in effect: 'Of what use is this formal baptism? What really is worth doing is to adopt the colour of God, and it is not water that gives one this colour but actual service and devotion to God.' (Islamic Studies Tahfeem)

Ibn Kathir tells is it is the  religion of Allah Swt.

(The Sibghah of Allah). Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "The religion of Allah.'' This Tafsir was also reported of Mujahid, Abu Al-`Aliyah, `Ikrimah, Ibrahim, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, `Abdullah bin Kathir, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, As-Suddi and other scholars. The Ayah,

(Allah's Fitrah (i.e. Allah's Islamic Monotheism)) (30:30) directs Muslims to, "Hold to it.''

In the Holy Quran, the arabic word used (approximated in
english) is "Sibghah", the root meaning of which implies a dye or colour. So the beautiful image of Baptism expressed by the Holy Quran is not merely a washing, or even an. immersion, but is instead a literal "soaking" in the Will of God, so that every fiber of ones being becomes indelibly permeated.



Let’s dwell a little deeper. It’s interesting to know that the Arabic word for Baptism found in the Bible is not Sibgah. The Arabic word is بمعمودية  (mahmudiyat), a stupendous difference.  

صبغ  sibgah in Arabic text, here’s a line from the Arbic Bible dictory website. It gives an explantion of the word Zerjun are the pillars of generosity. And comes in other meanings such as "wine" or "red dye" (صبغ). The single word "Zarjona". Interestingly when it uses the word dye in Arabic it says Sibgah صبغ

classical Arabic dictionary shows the meaning for Sibgah is, A dye used for coloring clothes. we've explained how this color in a metaphorical way means.