Peace jkhan.
We all go through GOD s trial and there are many phases in the journey.
Guidance is subjective and only GOD knows 100% the guided.
Seeking guidance and knowing for sure we are guided are two different things. We have to undergo a test and Only GOD Alone does the guiding not those who are guided-Think or even know for sure they are.
In reality we could think we are guided,yet pursue a line of arrogance/our own opinions and follow our ego.
GOD warns with His signs/Aayat for us to beware and keep going with sincerity and humility:
Give them the news of one who was given our proofs( And verses-double meaning in my opinion-), but chose to disregard them. Consequently, the devil pursued him, until he became a strayer.
وَاتلُ عَلَيهِم نَبَأَ الَّذى ءاتَينٰهُ ءايٰتِنا فَانسَلَخَ مِنها فَأَتبَعَهُ الشَّيطٰنُ فَكانَ مِنَ الغاوينَ
Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions-followed his ego-. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs(and verses). Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.
وَلَو شِئنا لَرَفَعنٰهُ بِها وَلٰكِنَّهُ أَخلَدَ إِلَى الأَرضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوىٰهُ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الكَلبِ إِن تَحمِل عَلَيهِ يَلهَث أَو تَترُكهُ يَلهَث ذٰلِكَ مَثَلُ القَومِ الَّذينَ كَذَّبوا بِـٔايٰتِنا فَاقصُصِ القَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُم يَتَفَكَّرونَ
Bad indeed is the example of people who reject our proofs( and verses); it is only their own souls that they wrong.
ساءَ مَثَلًا القَومُ الَّذينَ كَذَّبوا بِـٔايٰتِنا وَأَنفُسَهُم كانوا يَظلِمونَ
Whomever God guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He commits to straying, these are the losers.
مَن يَهدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ المُهتَدى وَمَن يُضلِل فَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الخٰسِرونَ
This really could apply to any of us . We could say we believe in GOD s proofs but reject other Aayats of His Book- or misunderstand them or do the wrong thing with them...etc.
The last verses is clarifying that GOD Alone guides and knows who is truly guided.
It is not necessarily all those who say they are guided. Those who think they are guided should always be wary of the ego and keep seeking GOD s guidance - one should never reach the end of this-
Now ,while I appreciate what you do and you are trying your best to find the real interpretations, there is a straight forward way. Start with a view to complete the translation of the whole Qoran.
For example , I have been trying to translate the whole Qoran for me- In the last 5 /6 years- and put it out there for people to browse/check for themselves. I am still in the process of making sure I get the right consistent approach and guidance to complete my project.
In my opinion the best way to do a translation that can be useful is to put out one s own translation of the whole text and leave it at that. People can use or refuse or... through their own effort. Or do their own- . This will allow for better comparisons . Selected verses are bits and bobs that may not show the full picture.
At the end of the day GOD is the sole guide and we can only give our views/opinions/interpretations according to our own research/faculties.
Even if one thinks they are 100% right in their interpretation, it is irrelevant and will never guide anyone else.
GOD will sort it out for each guidance seeker to find their right interpretation.
Having said that I appreciate what you do.
GOD bless you.
Peace.
