The Qur'an

by Anonymous

Muhammad was born in Mecca in about the year 570 CE. The religion of most people in Mecca and Arabia at the beginning of Muhammad’s lifetime was polytheism. Christianity was found in places, notably in Yemen, and among the Arab tribes in the north under Byzantine rule; Judaism too was practised in Yemen, and in and around Yathrib, later renamed Madina (Medina), but the vast majority of the population of Arabia were polytheists.

Few hard facts are known about Muhammad’s childhood. It is known that his father Abdullah died before he was born and his mother Amina when he was 6 years old; that his grandfather Abdul Muttalib then looked after him until, two years later, he too died.

In his twenties, Muhammad was employed as a trader by a wealthy and well-respected widow fifteen years his senior named Khadija. Impressed by his honesty and good character, she proposed marriage to him. They were married for over twenty-five years until Khadija’s death when Muhammad was some 49 years old.

Muhammad was in the habit of taking regular periods of retreat and reflection in the Cave of Hira outside Mecca. This is where the first revelation of the Qur’an came to him in 610 CE, when he was 40 years old. This initiated his prophethood.

Soon after his return to Medina in the year 632 CE (AH 10), the Prophet received the last revelation of the Qur’an and, shortly thereafter, died. His role as leader of the Islamic state was taken over by Abu Bakr (632–4 CE), followed by ‘Umar (634–44) and ‘Uthman (644–56), who oversaw the phenomenal spread of Islam beyond Arabia. They were followed by ‘Ali (656–61). These four leaders are called the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

For the first experience of revelation Muhammad was alone in the cave, but after that the circumstances in which he received revelations were witnessed by others and recorded. When he experienced the ‘state of revelation’, those around him were able to observe his visible, audible, and sensory reactions. His face would become flushed and he would fall silent and appear as if his thoughts were far away, his body would become limp as if he were asleep, a humming sound would be heard about him, and sweat would appear on his face, even on winter days. This state would last for a brief period and as it passed the Prophet would immediately recite new verses of the Qur’an.

This translation is intended to go further than previous works in accuracy, clarity, flow, and currency of language. It is written in a modern, easy style, avoiding where possible the use of cryptic language or archaisms that tend to obscure meaning.

62The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabiansa—all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good—will have their rewards with their Lord.

87We gave Moses the Scripture and We sent messengers after him in succession. We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.

111They also say, ‘No one will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian.’ This is their own wishful thinking. [Prophet], say, ‘Produce your evidence, if you are telling the truth.’ 112In fact, any who direct themselvesc wholly to God and do good will have their reward with their Lord: no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

113The Jews say, ‘The Christians have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ though they both read the Scripture, and those who have no knowledge say the same; God will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning their differences.

116Theyd have asserted, ‘God has a child.’ May He be exalted! No! Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, everything devoutly obeys His will.

120The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you unless you follow their ways. Say, ‘God’s guidance is the only true guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would find no one to protect you from God or help you. 121Those to whom We have given the Scripture, who follow it as it deserves,e are the ones who truly believe in it. Those who deny its truth will be the losers.

252These are the revelations of God which We recite to you [Muhammad] with the truth, and you truly are one of the messengers. 253We favoured some of these messengers above others. God spoke to some; others He raised in rank; We gave Jesus, son of Mary, Our clear signs and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If God had so willed, their successors would not have fought each other after they had been brought clear signs. But they disagreed: some believed and some disbelieved. If God had so willed, they would not have fought each other, but God does what He will.

38Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are man or woman, as punishment for what they have done—a deterrent from God: God is almighty and wise. 39But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and makes amends, God will accept his repentance: God is most forgiving, most merciful.

Garments of fire will be tailored for those who disbelieve; scalding water will be poured over their heads, 20melting their insides as well as their skins; 21there will be iron crooks to restrain them; 22whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape, they will be pushed back in and told, ‘Taste the suffering of the Fire.’

50Those who believe and do good deeds will be forgiven and have a generous reward, 51but those who strive to oppose Our messages and try in vain to defeat Us are destined for the Blaze.

Those who believe and do good deeds will be admitted to Gardens of Delight, 57while those who disbelieve and reject Our revelations will receive a humiliating torment.

will you not use your minds?

91God has never had a child. Nor is there any god beside Him—if there were, each god would have taken his creation aside and tried to overcome the others.

55The people of Paradise today are happily occupied— 56they and their spouses— seated on couches in the shade. 57There they have fruit and whatever they ask for.

69[Prophet], do you see how deluded those who dispute God’s messages are— 70those who reject the Scripture and the messages We have sent through Our messengers? They will find out 71when, with iron collars and chains around their necks, they are dragged 72into scalding water, and then burned in the Fire, 73and asked, ‘Where now are those you called upon 74besides God?’

29Here is Our record that tells the truth about you: We have been recording everything you do.’ 30Those who believed and did good deeds will be admitted by their Lord into His mercy—

17They think they have done you [Prophet] a favour by submitting. Say, ‘Do not consider your submission a favour to me; it is God who has done you a favour, by guiding you to faith, if you are truly sincere.’

15The righteous will be in Gardens with [flowing] springs. 16They will receive their Lord’s gifts because of the good they did before: 17sleeping only little at night, 18praying at dawn for God’s forgiveness, 19giving a rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived.

11Woe on that Day to those who deny the Truth, 12who amuse themselves with idle chatter: 13on that Day they will be thrust into the Fire of Hell.

19‘Eat and drink with healthy enjoyment as a reward for what you have done.’ 20They are comfortably seatede on couches arranged in rows; We pair them with beautiful-eyed maidens;

22We provide them with any fruit or meat they desire. 23They pass around a cup which does not lead to any idle talk or sin.

11[The Prophet’s] own heart did not distort what he saw. 12Are you going to dispute with him what he saw with his own eyes?

48on the Day when they are dragged on their faces in Hell.

11For these will be the ones brought nearest to God 12in Gardens of Bliss: 13many from the past 14and a few from later generations. 15On couches of well-woven cloth 16they will sit facing each other; 17everlasting youths will go round among them 18with glasses, flagons, and cups of a pure drink 19that causes no headache or intoxication; 20[there will be] any fruit they choose; 21the meat of any bird they like; 22and beautiful companions 23like hidden pearls: 24a reward for what they used to do. 25They will hear no idle or sinful talk there, 26only clean and wholesomea speech.

God leaves whoever He will to stray and guides whoever He will—no one knows your Lord’s forces except Him.

What drove you to the Scorching Fire?’ [they will ask] 43and they will answer, ‘We did not pray; 44we did not feed the poor; 45we indulged with others [in mocking the believers];