Selected Verses of the Holy Quran

Foreward

Each verse of the Holy Quran has a simple and obvious meaning which can be understood even on a first reading. In addition to this, each verse forms a part of a unique integrated system of multiple channels containing numerous meanings hidden below the surface. Via these channels, the subject matter of any verse forms a continuous link with the preceding and following verses and chapters, like a multichannel communication system.

In the light of the above, two things become obvious:

1. However meticulous and faithful a translation may be, it can only go part of the way in helping to convey the meaning of a book so multi- faceted and rich in the meaning as the Holy Quran. Indeed it is impossible to claim that any one translation of the Holy Quran is sufficient to convey to the reader the entire message contained in the original text.

2. It is even more difficult to choose some specimen verses of the Holy Quran relating to a given subject and consider them to be sufficiently representative. For instance, if a few verses of the sacred text are selected to represent the economic system, as envisaged in the Holy Quran, the task would become prohibitive because of the rich multi- faceted nature of the Holy Quran; also because the philosophy of the Islamic economic system can be deduced from many verses of the Holy Quran which are not even directly related to the subject of economics.

However, when we consider the fact that a large majority of the world's population, speaking different languages and belonging to different cultures and ethnic groups, are as yet deprived of having any access to the study of this most wonderful book; the urgency of this grave situation becomes apparent. Indeed, it is a tragedy that during the last fourteen centuries the Holy Quran has not been translated into more than 65 languages, as against the translation of the Bible which numbers 1808 according [to] the report of Bible Societies.

In view of the above, the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has launched the most ambitious and noble task of making a complete rendering of the Holy Quran into at least 50 widely spoken world languages by the year 1989 - that being the centenary year of the foundation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

In addition to this, an attempt is being made to present the Holy Quran, at least in part, to the speakers of many other languages while the preparation of a complete translation continues. To do this appropriately, a subject-wise selection of the verses of the Holy Quran has been made to introduced some fundamental Islamic teachings to such readers as possess little or no knowledge of Islam.

Holy Quran: 1. Allah - God

Allah is the name of the Supreme Being in the Arabic Language. The word Allah is never used for any other being or thing. The names for God found in other languages are all attributive or descriptive and are often used in the plural, but the word "Allah" is never used in the plural. In the absence of a parallel word in the English language, the original name "Allah" has been retained throughout the translation.

1:1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

1:2. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds,

1:3. The Gracious, the Merciful,

1:4. Master of the Day of Judgment.

1:5. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help.

1:6. Guide us in the right path --

1:7. The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.

57: 2. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies ALLAH; and HE is the Mighty, the Wise.

57: 3. HIS is the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; HE gives life and HE causes death, and HE has power over all things.

57: 4. HE is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and HE has full knowledge of all things.

57: 5. HE it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, then HE settled Himself on the Throne. HE knows what enters the earth and what comes out of it, and what comes down from the heaven and what goes up into it. And HE is with you wheresoever you may be. And ALLAH sees all that you do.

57: 6. HIS is the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and to ALLAH are all affairs returned for final judgment.

57: 7. HE causes the night to pass into the day and causes the day to pass into the night; And HE knows well all that is in the breasts.

57: 8. Believe in ALLAH and His Messenger, and spend in the way of ALLAH out of that to which HE has made you heirs. And those of you who believe and spend will have a great reward.

64: 2. Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth glorifies ALLAH. HIS is the Kingdom and HIS is the praise, and HE has power over all things.

64: 3. It is HE Who has created you, but some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And ALLAH sees what you do.

64: 4. HE created the heavens and the earth with an eternal purpose and HE gave you shape and made your shapes beautiful, and to HIM is the ultimate return.

64: 5. HE knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and HE knows what you hide and what you disclose; and ALLAH knows full well all that which is hidden in the breasts.

6: 96. Verily, it is ALLAH Who causes the grain and the date-stones to sprout. HE brings forth the living from the dead, and HE is the Bringer forth of the dead from the living. That is ALLAH; wherefore, then, are you turned back ?

6: 97. HE causes the break of day and HE made the night for rest and the sun and the moon for the reckoning of time. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.

6: 98. And HE it is Who has made the stars for you that you may follow the right direction with their help amid the darkness of the land and the sea. WE have explained the Signs in detail for a people who possess knowledge.

6: 99. And HE it is Who has produced you from a single soul and there is for you a temporary resort and a permanent abode. WE have explained the Signs in detail for a people who understand.

6:100. And HE it is Who sends down water from the cloud; And WE bring forth therewith every kind of growth; then WE bring forth with that green foliage wherefrom WE produce clustered grain. And from the date-palm, out of its sheaths comes forth bunches hanging low. And WE produce therewith gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate - like and unlike. Look at the fruit thereof when it bears fruit, and the ripening thereof. Surely, in this are Signs for a people who believe.

6:101. And they hold the jinn to be partners with ALLAH, although HE created them; and they falsely ascribe to HIM sons and daughters without any knowledge. Holy is HE and exalted far above what they attribute to HIM,

2:256. ALLAH - there is no god save HIM, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes HIM not, nor sleep. To HIM belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that dare intercede with HIM save by HIS permission ? HE knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of HIS knowledge, except what HE pleases. HIS knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them wearies HIM not; and HE is the High, the Great.

59: 23. HE is ALLAH and there is no god beside HIM, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. HE is the Gracious, the Merciful.

59: 24. HE is ALLAH and there is no god beside HIM, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of peace, the Bestower of security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted. Holy is ALLAH, far above that which they associate with HIM.

59: 25. HE is ALLAH, the creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. HIS are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies HIM, and HE is the Mighty, the Wise.