The Clear Quran: A Thematic English Translation: English Only

by Anonymous

Humanity had once been one community ˹of believers before they lost faith˺. Then God raised prophets as deliverers of good news and as warners, and revealed to them the Scriptures in truth to judge among people regarding their disputes.

God guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path.

214. Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will God’s help come?” Indeed, God’s help is ˹always˺ near.

Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. God knows and you do not know.

They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.”

God will not hold you accountable for unintentional oaths, but for what you intended in your hearts. And God is All-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

Women have rights similar to those of men equitably, although men have a degree ˹of responsibility˺ above them. And God is Almighty, All-Wise.

230. So if a husband divorces his wife ˹three times˺, then it is not lawful for him to remarry her until after she has married another man and then is divorced. Then it is permissible for them to reunite, as long as they feel they are able to maintain the limits of God.

Remarrying One’s Ex-Spouse 232. When you have divorced women and they have reached the end of their waiting period, do not prevent them from re-marrying their ex-husbands if they come to an honourable agreement. This is enjoined on whoever has faith in God and the Last Day. This is purer and more dignifying for you. God knows and you do not know.

No one will be charged with more than they can bear. No mother or father should be made to suffer for their child.

God knows that you are considering them ˹for marriage˺. But do not make a secret commitment with them—you can only show interest in them appropriately.

Graciousness is closer to righteousness. And do not forget kindness among yourselves. Surely God is All-Seeing of what you do.

238. Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer96—and stand in true devotion to God. 239. If you are in danger, pray on foot or while riding. But when you are safe, ˹take time to˺ remember God for teaching you what you did not know.

243. Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who fled their homes in the thousands for fear of death?98 God said to them, “Die!” then He gave them life. Surely God is ever Bountiful to humanity, but most people are ungrateful. 244. Fight

“How many times has a small force vanquished a mighty army by the Will of God! And God is ˹always˺ with the steadfast.”

Had God not repelled a group of people by ˹the might of˺ another, corruption would have dominated the earth, but God is Gracious to all. 252. These are God’s revelations which We recite to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth. And you are truly one of the messengers.

255. God! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹to reveal˺. His Seat106 encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. For He is the Most High, the Greatest.107

256. Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood.

God is the Guardian of the believers—He brings them out of darkness and into light.

He wondered, “How could God bring this back to life after its destruction?” So God caused him to die for a hundred years then brought him back to life. God asked, “How long have you remained ˹in this state˺?” He replied, “Perhaps a day or part of a day.” God said, “No! You have remained here for a hundred years!

262. Those who spend their wealth in the cause of God and do not follow their charity with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words—they will get their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury.

264. O believers! Do not waste your charity with reminders ˹of your generosity˺ or hurtful words, like those who donate their wealth just to show off and do not believe in God or the Last Day.

Do not pick out worthless things for donation, which you yourselves would only accept with closed eyes. And know that God is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.

Devil Discouraging Charity 268. The Devil threatens you with ˹the prospect of˺ poverty and bids you to the shameful deed ˹of stinginess˺, while God promises you forgiveness and ˹great˺ bounties from Him. And God is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.

272. You are not responsible for people’s guidance ˹O Prophet˺—it is God Who guides whoever He wills.

Whatever you donate will be paid back to you in full, and you will not be wronged.

God has permitted trading and forbidden interest.

If it is difficult for someone to repay a debt, postpone it until a time of ease. And if you waive it as an act of charity, it will be better for you, if only you knew. Reminder

Call upon two of your men to witness. If two men cannot be found, then one man and two women of your choice will witness—so if one of the women forgets the other may remind her.114

You must not be against writing ˹contracts˺ for a fixed period—whether the sum is small or great. This is more just ˹for you˺ in the sight of God, and more convenient to establish evidence and remove doubts.

call upon witnesses when a deal is finalized.

He forgives whoever He wills, and punishes whoever He wills. And God is Most Capable of everything.

286. God does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss.

The chapter also touches on early battles against the Meccan pagans with emphasis on the lessons to be drawn from the Muslims’ defeat at the Battle of Uḥud, which took place in 3 A.H./625 C.E.

for those well-grounded in knowledge, they say, “We believe in this ˹Quran˺—it is all from our Lord.” But none will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.

14. The enjoyment of ˹worldly˺ desires—women, children,121 treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and fertile land—has been made appealing to people. These are the pleasures of this worldly life, but with God is the finest destination.

And God is All-Seeing of ˹His˺ servants, 16. who pray, “Our Lord! We have believed, so forgive our sins and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” 17. ˹It is they˺ who are patient, sincere, obedient, and charitable, and who pray for forgiveness before dawn.123

If they submit, they will be ˹rightly˺ guided. But if they turn away, then your duty is only to deliver ˹the message˺. And God is All-Seeing of ˹His˺ servants.

Indeed, those who deny God’s signs, kill the prophets unjustly, and kill people who stand up for justice—give them good news of a painful punishment.

They have been deceived in their faith by their wishful lying.

Believers should not take disbelievers as guardians instead of the believers—and whoever does so will have nothing to hope for from God—unless it is a precaution against their tyranny.

Zachariah said, “My Lord! Grant me a sign.” He said, “Your sign is that you will not ˹be able to˺ speak to people for three days except through gestures. Remember your Lord often and glorify ˹Him˺ morning and evening.”

‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by God’s Will.

And the disbelievers made a plan ˹against Jesus˺, but God also planned—and God is the best of planners.

And as for those who believe and do good, they will be rewarded in full.

Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of God is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be!” And he was!

why do you now argue about what you have no knowledge of?137 God knows and you do not know.

O People of the Book! Why do you mix the truth with falsehood and hide the truth knowingly?

There are some among the People of the Book who, if entrusted with a stack of gold, will readily return it. Yet there are others who, if entrusted with a single coin, will not repay it unless you constantly demand it. This is because they say, “We are not accountable for ˹exploiting˺ the Gentiles.”