The Clear Quran: A Thematic English Translation: English Only

by Anonymous

The Quran states that the pleasures which God has prepared for the believers in Paradise are beyond human comprehension (see 32:17). Hence, generic terms (e.g., rivers, gardens, fruits, garments of silk, bracelets of gold, etc.) are often used to describe these pleasures in an appealing way, bringing it down to our level of understanding, whereas the realities of Paradise are far beyond these descriptions.

Another visible stylistic feature is the ‘rotation of pronouns’ (iltifât) found throughout the Quran, alternating between first person, second person, and third person (see 17:1). If rendered verbatim into English this rhetorical device becomes entirely meaningless, as it is rarely found in any Indo-European language at all, and almost never in English.

God, Who is referred to as ‘He’ despite being gender-neutral in order to preserve the use of a singular pronoun, while avoiding the use of ‘it.’

Though each prophet had a relatively different law, the essence of the message of Islam was always the same: have faith in one God and do good.

Contrary to the common belief, not all Muslims are Arab; not all Arabs are Muslim. Arabs make up less than 18% of the world’s Muslim population. Indonesia (a single non-Arab Muslim country in Southeast Asia) has more Muslims than all Arab countries combined.

Just like many previous prophets, Muḥammad and his early followers were persecuted—and some were even killed—for advocating revolutionary ideas such as social justice and women’s rights.

Before the Prophet passed away at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the west and as far east as China.

The Quran emphasizes universal ethics such as honesty, sincerity, generosity, mercy, and standing up for what is right. It aims at humanizing humanity and deifying God and therefore condemns those who personify God and idolize their fellow created beings.

Also, according to the Quran (Chapter 19), prophets are infallible of sin.

there are many scientific references in the Quran such as the formation and developmental phases of an embryo in the uterus (23:12–14 and 22:5), the Big Bang (21:30), the constant expansion of the universe (51:47–8), spherical shape of the earth (39:5 and 79:30), the earth’s rotation (27:88), and many others that have become known only in the last two centuries.

Mariam Al-Astrolabiya, a female Muslim scholar who lived in the 10th century in Syria, was famous for designing and constructing astrolabes. Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, etc.) are used worldwide.

Sharia does not apply to non-Muslim minorities living in predominantly Muslim countries.

Muslims living in the West follow the law of the land and maintain Sharia mainly in personal matters (such as prayers, marriage, and inheritance). Sharia also forbids the consumption of pork, alcohol, and drugs. Smoking is frowned upon.

the segregation of blacks and whites under the Jim Crow Laws and abuses against Indigenous Peoples would be prohibited under Sharia, since discrimination based on colour or race goes against Islamic beliefs.

The Prophet set the etiquettes of fighting as follows: “Do not ask God to meet your enemies in battle” and “Do not start a war. If you must fight, then strike only at those ˹combatants˺ who attacked you. Do not attack women, children, the elderly, or those retreating in their places of worship. Do not cut down trees or kill animals.”

In Islam, fighting is allowed against aggressors regardless of their faith. Fighting against innocents is prohibited regardless of their faith.

some people manipulate religion to justify acts of violence.

have seen notorious anti-religion, secularist ideologies, like those championed by Mao and Stalin (the top mass murderers in modern history), which were responsible for over seventy million deaths in the 20th century.

The high status of women in Islam explains why 75% of reverts to Islam are women.

28. How can you deny God? You were lifeless and He gave you life, then He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, and then to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.

Islam guarantees the freedom of non-Muslims to practice their faith and protection for their places of worship.

The Prophet said, “Whoever harms a non-Muslim under the protection of Islam, I shall be their opponent on Judgment Day and they will not even smell Paradise.”

The Quran teaches that there are three types of brotherhood: brotherhood in humanity (this includes all human beings), biological brotherhood (one’s siblings)...

The Quran (60:8-9) exhorts Muslims to be kind and generous to non-Muslims. It forbids forcing non-Muslims to convert to Islam (2:256).

Jesus is mentioned by name in the Quran twenty-five times, Mary thirty-one times (compared to eighteen times in the Bible), whereas Prophet Muḥammad is mentioned by name only four times.

Muslims believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Messiah. They also believe in his

virgin birth, ascension, and se...

Jinn are another creation of God, similar to humans in that they—unlike angels— have free will, but are made of smokeless fire and live in another plane of existence.

Israel is another name for Prophet Jacob.

And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble— 46. those who are certain that they will meet their Lord and to Him they will return.

“They are not of us, those who do not show respect to our seniors or show mercy to our youngsters.”

“None of you truly believes until they love for others what they love for themselves.”

“The ˹true˺ Muslim is the one who does not harm people with their hands or tongue.” “Seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim.” “Don’t respond to evil by evil, but by doing what is good.” “Show mercy to those on earth and God will show mercy to you.”

“Take advantage of five matters before the coming of five things: your health before you fall sick, your wealth before you become poor, your free time before you become busy, your youth before you become old, and your life before your death.”

know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with perseverance, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.”

This is the Book! There is no doubt about it2—a guide for those mindful ˹of God˺,3 3. who believe in the unseen,4 establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them, 4. and who believe in what has been revealed to you ˹O

And there are some who say, “We believe in God and the Last Day,” yet they are not ˹true˺ believers. 9. They seek to deceive God and the believers, yet they only deceive themselves, but they fail to perceive it.

When they are told, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they reply, “We are only peace-makers!”6 12. Indeed, it is they who are the corruptors, but they fail to perceive it.

God will throw their mockery back at them, leaving them to continue wandering blindly in their defiance.

˹He is the One˺ Who has made the earth a place of settlement for you and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, causing fruits to grow as a provision for you. So do not knowingly set up equals to God ˹in worship˺.

Give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to those who believe and do good that they will have Gardens under which rivers flow. Whenever provided with fruit, they will say, “This is what we were given before,” for they will be served fruit that looks similar ˹but tastes different˺.

He leaves none to stray except the rebellious— 27. those who violate God’s covenant after it has been affirmed, break whatever ˹ties˺ God has ordered to be maintained, and spread corruption in the land. It is they who are the ˹true˺ losers.

How can you deny God? You were lifeless and He gave you life, then He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, and then to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.

He is the One Who created everything in the earth for you. Then He turned towards the heaven, forming it into seven heavens. And He has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.

He taught Adam the names of all things, then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?”

Do not mix truth with falsehood or hide the truth knowingly.

Establish prayer, pay alms-tax,18 and bow down with those who bow down.

seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble— 46. those who are certain that they will meet their Lord and to Him they will return.

˹Remember˺ how We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with dreadful torment, slaughtering your sons and keeping your women. That was a severe test from your Lord. Favour 3) Parting the Sea 50. And ˹remember˺ when We parted the sea, rescued you, and drowned Pharaoh’s people before your very eyes. Favour

They were stricken with disgrace and misery, and they invited the displeasure of God for rejecting God’s signs and unjustly killing the prophets.