السلام عليكم
I have come across these 2 words and think that the definition taught doesn’t really match up with the ayah translation. Not sure if it need updating? If not an explanation will be helpful.
جزاك الله خيرا
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته @iimaan,
Wa iyyak!
Everything will be updated in terms of translation in sha Allah, and all at once in sha Allah.
In the meantime, please see explanation below for your understanding.
Please do keep in mind that although we are switching translations - it doesn’t necessarily mean that the overall meaning of this translation (as an example) is wholly incorrect. The fact is, there are many ‘ways’ to convey a word/phrase in English, and there is also a way to convey the meaning and context while keeping as close as possible to the original root and word meaning.
The two words you referenced are perfect examples.
(74:26) سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ
أُصْلِي stems from the root ص-ل-ي, with the basic verb صَلِيَ meaning “he was burned” or “he was exposed to fire.” يَصْلَى means “he burns” or “he is exposed to fire.” أُصْلِي is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object to complete the action. Here the object is هِ (him), meaning: “I will make him burn.”
With regards to this verse, it indicates a more direct imposition of punishment by Allah (ﷻ). Some translations use the phrase “I will drive him into Saqar,” essentially implying being driven into and being burned by the fire.
In full translation:
“I will make him burn [in] Saqar”
فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا (73:17)
اتَّقَى stems from the root و-ق-ي, with the basic verb وَقَى meaning “he protected” or “he guarded.” اتَّقَى means “he guarded himself,” “he protected himself,” or “he was cautious.”
So, while the core meaning of و-ق-ي is simply ‘guarding or protecting oneself,’ ideas like righteousness, piety, and fear are additional layers that have developed in Islamic teachings. These qualities are seen as ways to reach a state of تَقْوَى (self-guarding or caution), but they’re not built into the root meaning itself.
In full translation:
“So how will you guard yourselves, if you disbelieve, [from] a Day that will make the children white-haired?”
I hope this gives you a better understanding in sha Allah.
May Allah (ﷻ) make it easy for you.
Let me know if there’s anything else in sha Allah.
Assalaamu Alaikum, Raghda
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Wa alaykumusalam Raghda.
جزاك الله خيرا for your explanation.
Just what I needed Alhamdulilah!
May Allah reward you all for your work
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Wa iyyak! Alhamdllilah, I’m so happy to hear that 
جزاك الله خيراً for your words. I hope and pray that Allah makes your journey smooth!
Anything else, please reach out and I’ll try my best to help as much as I can in sha Allah.
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