INTRODUCTION
This book comprises excerpts from the Quran, arranged under relevant headings. It provides an introduction to Islam which is derived directly from the original, revealed source. No interpretation or commentary has been added.
The theme of this book—the good life—is taken from the following verse of the Quran:
To whoever does good deeds, man or woman, and is a believer, We shall assuredly give a good life; and We will bestow upon them their reward according to the best of their works. (
The meaning of the “good life” mentioned in this verse is clear from the phrase “according to their noblest actions.” A good life is a life of good actions. A commentator of the Quran, ad-Dahhak, has defined it as “being content with an honest living and serving God in one’s life.” This is the meaning that the Companions of the Prophet and their followers generally inferred from the phrase.
To believe in God and implement His commandments is to qualify oneself for His
succour. God bestows multiple blessings on a person who lives a life of faith and righteousness. He enables him to experience the joy of closeness to God in his worship; to settle day-to-day problems in a divinely-inspired manner; to deal with friends and foes in an equally honest-to-God way, God guides him on the straight path. He in turn always seeks God’s pleasure and nothing can turn him away from this aim.
The Quran has given a clear exposition of the theoretical and practical nature of the good life. The verses which have been selected for this book describe various fundamental aspects of this life in the Quran’s inimitable style. These passages thus provide both a description of the good life and an authentic example of how it should be lived.
Wahiduddin Khan
The Islamic Centre,
New Delhi
GOD IS ONE
Say, ‘He is God, the One, God, the Self-sufficient One. He does not give birth, nor was He born, and there is nothing like Him. (
People, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous, who made the earth a bed, and the sky a canopy; and it is He who sends down rain from above for the growth of every kind of fruit for your sustenance. And do not knowingly set up rivals to God. (
Surely, God will not forgive the ascribing of partners to Him. He forgives whoever He will for anything other than that. Whoever ascribes partners to God has strayed far indeed. (
GOD—THE SUBLIME, THE TREMENDOUS
God: there is no deity save Him, the Living, the Eternal One. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belong whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows all that is before them and all that is behind them. They can grasp only that part of His knowledge which He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; and their upholding does not weary Him. He is the Sublime, the Almighty One.(
GOD’S SIGNS
Your Lord is God, who created the heavens and the earth in six Days [periods] and then settled Himself firmly on the throne. He throws the veil of night over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession. It was He who created the sun, the moon and the stars, and made them subservient to His will. His is the creation, His the command. Blessed be God, Lord of the universe! Call on your Lord with humility and in secret—He does not love the transgressors: do not spread corruption on the earth after it has been set in order—pray to Him with fear and hope, God’s mercy is close to those who do good. It is God who sends forth the winds as harbingers of His mercy, and when they have gathered up the heavy clouds, We drive them on to a dead land where We cause rain to fall, bringing out all kinds of fruit, just as We will raise the dead to life. Perhaps you will take heed. Vegetation comes out of good land in abundance by the will of its Lord, but out of bad land only scantily. Thus We explain Our signs in diverse ways for those who give thanks. (
IN SPACE AND ON EARTH
So glorify God in the evening and in the morning— and praise be to Him in the heavens and on the earth—and glorify Him in the late afternoon, and at midday. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. He gives life to the earth after its death, and you shall be raised to life in the same way. One of His signs is that He created you from dust and, behold, you became human beings and multiplied yourselves throughout the earth. Another of His signs is that He created for you from among yourselves spouses, so that you might find repose in them, and He created between you affection and kindness. Truly there are signs in this for people who reflect. Another of His signs is that He created the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. There truly are signs in this for those who know. Among His signs are your sleep, at night or in daytime, and your seeking His bounty. There truly are signs in this for people who hear. Among His
signs is this: He shows you the lightning, giving rise to [both] fear and hope, and sends down water from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless: in this, behold, there are signs indeed for people who use their reason! Another of His signs is this: the heavens and the earth stand firm by His command and afterwards when He calls you, behold, from the earth you will come forth. All those in the heavens and on the earth belong to Him. All are obedient to Him. He is the One who originates creation, then repeats it, and it is very easy for Him. His is the most exalted state in the heavens and on the earth; He is the Mighty, the Wise One. (
THE COSMIC CALL
It is God who splits the seed and the fruit-stone. He brings forth the living from the dead, and the dead from the living. That is God. How then can you, deluded, turn away from the truth? He causes the break of day, and has made the night for rest and He made the sun and the moon to a precise measure. That is the measure determined by the Almighty and the All Knowing. It is He who has set up for you the stars so that you might be guided by them in the midst of the darkness of land and sea. We have made the signs clear for people who want to understand. It is He who first produced you from a single soul, then gave you a place to stay [in life] and a resting place [after death]. We have made Our revelations clear to those who are men of understanding. It is He who sends down water from the sky. With it We produce vegetation of all kinds; out of green foliage, We produce clustered grain; and from the date-palm, out of its sheath, We produce bunches of dates hanging low. We produce vineyards and
olive groves and pomegranates, alike yet different. Look at their fruit as He causes it to grow and ripen. In this are signs for people who believe. They have set up jinns as associates with God, even though He created them! They have even dared, in their ignorance, to attribute sons and daughters to Him. Hallowed be He and exalted far above what they ascribe to Him, the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He has no consort? He created everything and is aware of everything! This is God, your Lord, there is no God but Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him; He is the guardian of all things.
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LORD OF THE GREAT THRONE
Do you imagine that We created you without any purpose and that you would not be brought back to Us?’ Then, exalted be God, the true King, there is no deity except Him, the Lord of the Glorious Throne. He, who invokes another deity along with God—a deity of whose divinity he has no proof— will be brought to account by his Lord. Certainly, those who deny the truth shall never prosper. Say, ‘Lord, forgive us and have mercy. You are the best of those who show mercy.
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LOVE FOR GOD
In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the ships that sail the ocean bearing cargoes beneficial to man; in the water which God sends down from the sky and with which He revives the earth after its death, scattering over it all kinds of animals; in the courses of the winds, and in the clouds pressed into service between earth and sky, there are indeed signs for people who use their reason. Yet there are some who set up equals with God and adore them with the adoration due to God, but those who believe love God most. If only the wrongdoers could see—as they will see when they face the punishment—that all power belongs to God, and that God is severe in punishment. When they face their punishment, those who have been followed will disown their followers, and all their ties shall be cut asunder, those who followed will say, ‘If we could only return to the world, we would disown them as they have disowned us.’ God will thus show them their actions as a cause of bitter regret and
remorse. They shall never emerge from the Fire. O mankind, eat whatever is lawful and wholesome on the earth; and do not follow in the footsteps of Satan; for he is indeed your avowed enemy. He bids you only to do evil and to commit deeds of abomination and to attribute to God something of which you have no knowledge. (
GOD’S PROPHETS
It is those who have faith, and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing, who will be secure, and it is they who are rightly guided.’ This is the reasoning We gave to Abraham against his people—We raise in rank anyone We please—your Lord is wise and aware. We gave him Isaac and Jacob, each of whom We guided as We had guided Noah before. Among his descendants were David and Solomon, and Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the righteous. Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elijah—every one of them was righteous—Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot—We favoured each one of them above other people,
Makkans] reject it, We shall entrust it to a people who will never refuse to acknowledge it. Those [the previous prophets] were the people whom God guided. Follow their guidance then and say, ‘I ask no reward for this from you: it is only a reminder for all mankind.
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HEAVEN AND HELL
No just estimate have they made of God, such as is due to Him. But on the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will lie within His grasp, while heaven will be folded up in His right hand—Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above all that they associate with Him—the Trumpet shall be blown and whoever is in heaven and whoever is on earthwill fall down in a swoon, except those who shall be spared by God. Then the Trumpet will be blown again and they shall rise and gaze around them. The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the Book will be laid open; the prophets and witnesses will be brought in; and judgement will be passed on them with fairness. And none shall be wronged.
Every soul will be repaid in full for what it has done. He is fully aware of all that they did. Those who rejected the truth will be led to Hell in throngs. When they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them, ‘Have messengers not come to you from among yourselves, who
conveyed to you the revelations of your Lord and warned you about meeting [Him] on this Day?’ They will answer, ‘Yes, they did come.’ But the decree of punishment has proved true against the deniers of the truth. They will be told, ‘Enter the gates of Hell, to stay therein forever.’ What an evil dwelling place for the haughty. But those who fear their Lord will be led in groups towards Paradise. When they reach it, its gate will be opened, and its keepers will say to them, ‘Peace be upon you. You have done well, enter Paradise and dwell in it forever,’ and they will say, ‘Praise be to God who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want.’ How excellent is the reward of those who labour! You shall see the angels circling about the throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. And judgement will have been passed in justice on all and it will be said, ‘Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe.’
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PRAYERS
Say your prayers from the decline of the sun, until nightfall; and at dawn—the recitation at dawn is indeed witnessed. And during the night wake up and pray, as an additional prayer: it may well be that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise and glory.
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Say your prayers morning and evening, and during parts of the night; surely good makes amends for evil. This is a reminder for people who pay heed. Be steadfast; for surely, God does not let the wages of the righteous be wasted.
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When you have finished the prayer, remember God while standing, and sitting, and lying on your sides. When you feel secure, say your prayers in the prescribed form. Believers are under the obligation to say their prayers at the appointed hours.
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Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and pray regularly. Surely prayer restrains one from indecency and evil and remembrance of God is greater. God has knowledge of all your actions.
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Be ever mindful of prayers, especially the middle prayer; and stand up before God in submissive devotion.
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FASTING
Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil. Fast for a specified number of days, but if any one among you is ill or on a journey, let him fast the same number of days later. For those who can fast only with extreme difficulty, there is a way to compensate—the feeding of a needy person. But he who does good of his own accord shall be well rewarded; but to fast is better for you, if you only knew. The month of Ramadan is the month when the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion by which to distinguish right from wrong. Therefore, whoever of you is present in that month, let him fast; but he who is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. God desires ease for you, not hardship. He desires you to fast the whole month, so that you may glorify Him for His having guided you and so that you may be grateful to Him.
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ALMS-GIVING
Believers, spend out of what We have given you, before the Day comes when there will be neither trading, friendship nor intercession. Truly, it is those who deny the truth who are the wrongdoers.
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Those who spend their wealth for God’s cause may be compared to a grain of corn which sprouts into seven ears, with a hundred grains in each ear: for God grants manifold increase to whom He wills; God is infinite and all knowing. Those who spend their wealth for God’s cause and do not follow their almsgiving with taunts and insults shall be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve. A kind word and forgiveness is better than a charitable deed followed by hurtful words: God is self-sufficient and forbearing. Believers, do not cancel out your charitable deeds with reminders and hurtful words, like one who spends his wealth only to be seen by people, and
not believing in God and the Last Day. Such men are like a rock covered with earth: a shower falls upon it and leaves it hard and bare. They will gain nothing from their works. God does not guide those who deny the truth. But those who spend their wealth in order to gain God’s approval, and to strengthen their souls are like a garden on elevated ground. When heavy rain falls on it, it doubles its produce; and if heavy rain does not fall, then light rain suffices. God sees what you do. Would any of you, being a man well advanced in age with helpless children to support, like to have a garden of dates and grapes, watered by rivers and containing all kinds of fruits, stricken by a fiery whirlwind and utterly scorched? Thus God makes His signs clear to you, so that you may reflect. Believers, give charitably from the good things which you have earned and what We produce for you from the earth; not worthless things which you yourselves would only reluctantly accept. Know that God is self-sufficient and praiseworthy. Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and
commands you to do foul deeds. But God promises His forgiveness and His bounty. God is bountiful and all knowing. He grants wisdom to whom He will; and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant wealth. Yet none bear this in mind except those endowed with understanding.
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PILGRIMAGE
Perform the Hajj and the minor pilgrimage [umrah] for the sake of God. If you are prevented from doing so, then make whatever offering you can afford and do not shave your heads until the offering has reached the place of sacrifice. But if any of you is ill, or has an ailment of the head, he should compensate by fasting or almsgiving or sacrifice. In times of peace, if any of you combines the minor pilgrimage with the Hajj, he should make whatever offering he can afford, but if he lacks the means, then let him fast three days during the pilgrimage and for seven days after his return; that is, ten days in all. That is incumbent upon anyone whose family does not live near the Sacred Mosque. Fear God and know that God is severe in punishment. The pilgrimage is in the appointed months. Whoever intends to perform it during them must abstain from indecent speech, from all wicked conduct, and from quarrelling
while on the pilgrimage. Whatever good you may do, God is aware of it. Make provision for yourselves—but surely, the best of all provision is God consciousness. Always be mindful of Me, you that are endowed with understanding. You will be committing no sin if [during the pilgrimage] you seek to obtain any bounty from your Lord. When you return from Arafat, remember God at the sacred place, and remember Him as He has guided you. Before this you were surely astray. Then press on from where the pilgrims stream forth and ask God’s forgiveness. God is ever forgiving and most merciful. When you have performed the acts of worship prescribed for you, celebrate the praises of God as you celebrated the praises of your fathers, or even more fervently than that. There are some who say, ‘Our Lord, give us abundance in this world.’ These shall have no share in the world to come. But there are others who pray, ‘Our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come, and protect us from the torment of
the Fire.’ They shall have a good share from what they have earned. God is swift in His reckoning. Remember God during the appointed days; for one who hastens to leave in two days, it shall be no sin; and for one who stays on, it shall be no sin for him either. This is for one who fears God. Have fear of God, and know that you shall all be gathered before Him.
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SACRIFICE
For every people We have appointed rites of sacrifice, so that they may pronounce the name of God over the cattle which He has provided for them. Your God is One God; surrender yourselves to Him; and give good news to the humble whose hearts are filled with awe at the mention of God; who endure adversity with fortitude, say their prayers regularly and spend out of what We have given them. We have appointed for you the sacrificial camels as one of the symbols set up by God, in which there is much good for you. So invoke God’s name over them as you line them up for slaughter, and when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and feed the needy—those who do not ask as well as those who do. We have thus subjected them to you so that you may be grateful. Their flesh and blood do not reach God: it is your piety that reaches Him. Thus God has subjected them to you, so that you may glorify
Him for the guidance He has given you. Give glad tidings to those who do good.
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SERVING GOD
All that the heavens and the earth contain belongs to God, whether you disclose what is in your minds or keep it hidden. God will bring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and punish whom He pleases: He has power over all things. The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and [so do] believers. They all believe in God and His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers. They say, ‘We do not differentiate between any of His messengers. We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, Lord, to You we shall all return!’ God does not charge a soul with more than it can bear. It shall be requited for whatever good and whatever evil it has done. [They pray], ‘Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake! Our Lord, do not place on us a burden like the one You placed on those before us! Our Lord, do not place on us a burden we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy on us. You are our Lord and Sustainer, so help us against those who deny the truth. (
THE SHARI’AH
Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and show kindness to your parents. If either or both of them attain old age with you, say no word of contempt to them and do not rebuke them, but always speak gently to them and treat them with humility and tenderness and say, ‘Lord, be merciful to them both, as they raised me up when I was little.’ Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts; if you are righteous, He is most forgiving to those who constantly turn to Him. Give to your relatives their due, and also to the needy and the wayfarer. Yet do not spend extravagantly; spendthrifts are the brothers of Satan, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord— but if, while waiting for your Lord’s bounty which you are expecting, you turn them down, then at least speak to them kindly. Be neither miserly, nor so open-handed that you suffer reproach and become destitute. Your Lord gives abundantly to whom He will and sparingly to whom He
pleases. He is informed and observant about His servants. You shall not kill your offspring for fear of want. It is We who provide for them, and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin. Do not commit adultery,a for it is an indecent thing and an evil course. Do not take life which God has made inviolate—except by right. If anyone is killed wrongfully, We have given authority to his heirs to demand retribution, but let them not transgress the prescribed limits in exacting retribution; for then he will be assisted [by the law]. Do not go near the orphans’ property, except with the best of intentions, until they reach maturity. Keep your promises; you will be called to account for every promise which you have made! Give full measure, when you measure, and weigh with accurate scales. That is fair, and better in the end. Do not follow what you do not know; for the ear and the eye and the heart shall all be called to account. Do not walk proudly on the earth. You cannot cleave the earth, nor can you rival the mountains in height. All that is evil in the sight of your Lord,
and is detestable. This is part of the wisdom that your Lord has revealed to you. Do not set up any other deity with God, lest you be cast into Hell, condemned and rejected.
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THE SERVANTS OF THE MERCIFUL
The true servants of the Gracious One are those who walk upon the earth with humility and when they are addressed by the ignorant ones, their response is, ‘Peace’; and those who spend the night prostrating themselves, and standing before their Lord, who say, ‘Our Lord, ward off from us the punishment of Hell, for its punishment is a dreadful torment to suffer. Indeed, it is an evil abode and evil dwelling-place.’ They are those who are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but keep a balance between the two; those who never invoke any other deity besides God, nor take a life which God has made sacred, except with the right to do so, nor commit adultery. Anyone who does that shall face punishment: he shall have his suffering doubled on the Day of Resurrection and he will abide forever in disgrace, except for those who repent and believe and do good deeds. God will change the evil deeds of such people into good ones: He is most forgiving and most merciful. He who repents and does good deeds has truly
turned to God. And those who do not bear false witness, and when they pass by frivolity, they pass by with dignity; who do not turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the signs of their Lord when they are reminded of them; who say, ‘Lord, grant us joy in our wives and children and make us a model for the righteous.’ These are the ones who will be rewarded with lofty mansions in Paradise, for their steadfastness. They will be received therein with greetings of welcome and salutations of peace. There they shall abide forever: a blessed dwelling and a blessed resting place.
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TRUST IN GOD
God! There is no god but He, so let the faithful put their trust in Him. Believers![Even] among your wives and your children you have enemies: so beware of them. But if you overlook their offences and forgive and pardon them, then surely, God is most forgiving and merciful. Your wealth and your children are only a trial; God’s reward is great: so be mindful of God as best as you can; and listen, and obey; and spend in charity: it is for your own good. Those who guard themselves against their own greed will surely prosper: if you give a good loan to God, He will multiply it for you and forgive you, for God is appreciative and forbearing.
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WORDS OF WISDOM
Luqman said to his son, counselling him, ‘My son, do not associate anything with God. Associating others with Him is a terrible wrong.’ We have enjoined man to show kindness to his parents—for his mother bears him, in hardship upon hardship, and his weaning takes two years. [We said] Give thanks to Me and to your parents; all will return to Me. But if they press you to associate something with Me about which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. Yet be kind to them in this world and follow the path of those who turn to Me. You will all return to Me in the end, and I will tell you everything that you have done. [Luqman further said,] ‘O my son! Though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard seed and though it be hidden in a rock, or in the heavens or on the earth, God will bring it forth. Truly, God is the knower of all subtleties and He is aware. O my dear son! Say your prayers regularly, and enjoin good, and forbid evil, and endure patiently whatever may befall you. Surely, this is something which requires firm
resolve. Do not avert your face from people out of haughtiness and do not walk with pride on the earth: for, behold, God does not love arrogant and boastful people. Walk modestly and lower your voice, for the ugliest of all voices is the braying of the ass.
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GOD-FEARING PEOPLE
True believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, and whose faith grows stronger as they listen to His revelations. They are those who put their trust in their Lord, who pray regularly and give in alms out of what We have provided for them. Such are the true believers. They have a high standing with their Lord, His forgiveness and an honourable provision made for them.
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Those who turn to God in repentance; who worship and praise Him; who go about in the land serving His cause, who bow down, who prostrate themselves, who enjoin good and forbid evil, and who observe the limits set by God. Give good news to the believers.
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THE GOOD LIFE
God commands justice, kindness and giving their [due to] near relatives, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and transgression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed! Fulfil the covenant of God when you have made one; and do not break your pledges after their confirmation. Indeed you have made God your surety; for God knows all that you do. Do not, like the woman who unravels her yarn after its strands have been firmly spun, use your oaths as a means of deceiving one another, just because one community could become bigger than another. God is only testing you by means of this. On the Day of Resurrection He will make it clear to you what you differed about. Had God pleased, He would have united you in one community; but He lets go astray whoever He will, and guides whoever He will, and you will surely be called upon to account for all your actions. Do not use your oaths to deceive each other lest any foot should
slip after being firmly placed and lest you should taste the penalty for having hindered others from the path of God, for then you will have a terrible punishment.
Do not sell God’s covenant for a paltry price. What is with God is better for you if you only knew. What you have shall pass away, but what is with God is lasting. We will certainly give those who are patient their reward according to the best of their actions. To whoever does good deeds, man or woman, and is a believer, We shall assuredly give a good life; and We will bestow upon them their reward according to the best of their works.
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HARAM AND HALAL
Say, ‘Come! I will tell you what your Lord has really forbidden you! Do not associate anything with Him; be good to your parents; and do not kill your children for fear of poverty—We shall provide sustenance for you as well as for them—refrain from committing indecent deeds, whether openly or in secret; and do not kill the life which God has made sacred, save by right. That is what He has enjoined upon you, so that you may understand. Stay well away from an orphan’s property, except with the best intentions, before he comes of age. Give full measure and weight, according to justice—We never charge a soul with more than it can bear—when you speak, observe justice, even though it concerns a close relative; and fulfil the covenants of God. That is what He has enjoined upon you so that you may take heed.
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Say,‘My Lord has forbidden indecency, both open and hidden, sin and wrongful oppression and that,
without His sanction, you associate things with Him, and that you say things about Him without knowledge.’ For all people a term has been set: and when [the end of] their term approaches, they can neither delay it by a single moment, nor can they advance it. Children of Adam! If messengers come to you from among yourselves, reciting My revelations to you, then those that take warning and mend their ways, on such shall come no fear nor shall they grieve. But those who deny and scorn] Our revelations shall be the inmates of Hell, where they shall remain forever.
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HEAVENLY SOULS
Indeed, man is born impatient: when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. But not so the worshippers who are steadfast in prayer; those who give a due share of their wealth to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; and those who believe in the Day of Judgement and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; those who preserve their chastity except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame—but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; and those who stand by their testimony and are steadfast in their prayers. They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss.
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THE SERENE SOUL
As for man, when his Lord tests him, through honour and blessings, he says, ‘My Lord has honoured me,’ but when He tests him by straitening his means of livelihood, he says, ‘My Lord has disgraced me.’ No indeed, but you show no kindness to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor, and you greedily devour the inheritance of the weak, and you have a love of wealth which can never be satisfied. No indeed! When the earth is crushed and ground to dust, when your Lord comes down with the angels, rank upon rank, and Hell is made to appear on that Day, then man will be mindful, but what will being mindful then avail him? He will say, ‘Oh, would that I had provided beforehand for my life!’ On that Day no one will punish as He punishes, and none can bind with bonds like His! [But to the righteous, God will say], ‘O soul at peace, return to your Lord, well pleased, well-pleasing. Join My servants. Enter My Paradise.
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DIVINE SOULS
Believers, do not devour usury multiplied many times over. Fear God, so that you may prosper— guard yourself against the Fire prepared for those who deny the truth—and obey God and the Messenger, so that you may be given mercy. And vie with one another for your Lord’s forgiveness and for a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been prepared for the Godfearing, for those who spend, both in prosperity and adversity, who restrain their anger and are forgiving towards their fellow men—God loves those who do good works. And who, when they have committed an indecency or have wronged their souls, remember God and pray that their sins be forgiven—for who but God can forgive sins?— and do not knowingly persist in their misdeeds, their recompense is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing through them, where they will abide forever. How excellent will be the reward of those who do good works.
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THE CORRECT WAY
Whatever you have been given is only a temporary provision of this life, but that which is with God is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord; who refrain from heinous sins and gross indecencies; who forgive when they are angry; who respond to their Lord and attend to their prayers; who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation and spend out of what We have provided for them; who, when they are attacked, defend themselves. Let harm be requited by an equal harm. But whoever pardons and amends will find his reward with God. He does not love the wrongdoers. Those who defend themselves after they have been wronged cannot be held blameworthy, blame falls only on those who wrong men and transgress on this earth without justification—such will have a painful punishment—whoever is patient and forgiving, acts with great courage and resolution.
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PROFITABLE TRADING
Believers! Shall I guide you to a profitable course that will save you from a painful punishment? You should believe in God and His Messenger, and strive for God’s cause with your possessions and your lives. That will be better for you, if you only knew—and He will forgive you your sins and admit you into Gardens with rivers flowing under them. He will lodge you in fine dwellings in the Gardens of Eternity; that is indeed the supreme achievement. He will give you another blessing which you desire: help from God and imminent victory. Give good tidings [O Muhammad] to believers! Believers, be God’s helpers, as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, ‘Who will be my helpers in the cause of God?’ The disciples said, ‘We shall be God’s helpers.’ Some of the Children of Israel believed in him and some denied the truth; We supported the believers against their enemies and they triumphed over them.
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REAL PIETY
Virtue does not consist in whether you face towards the East or the West; virtue means believing in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the prophets; the virtuous are those who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and those who ask [for charity], and to set slaves free, and who attend to their prayers and pay the alms, and who keep their pledges when they make them, and show patience in hardship and adversity, and in times of distress. Such are the true believers; and such are the God-fearing.
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GOD’S HOSPITALITY
As for those who affirm, ‘Our Lord is God,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend on them, saying, ‘Have no fear and do not grieve. Rejoice in the [good ews of the] Garden that you have been promised. We are your companions in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have all that your souls desire, and therein you shall have all that you ask for as a rich provision from One who is ever forgiving and most merciful.
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THE BELIEVER’S LIVELIHOOD
Believers! When the call to prayer is made on the day of congregation, hasten to the remembrance of God, and leave all worldly commerce: this is for your own good, if you but knew it. When the prayer is ended, disperse in the land and seek to obtain [something] of God’s bounty; and remember God much, so that you may prosper. Yet when they see some merchandise or entertainment, they break away to go to it and leave you standing. Say, ‘That which God has in store is far better than any merchandise or entertainment.’ God is the most munificent Giver.
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THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE
Successful indeed are the believers; those who are humble in their prayer; those who turn away from all that is frivolous; those who pay the zakat; those who safeguard their chastity except with their wives, and what their right hands posses —for then they are free from blame, but those who seek to go beyond that are transgressors—those who are faithful to their trusts and promises; and thosewho attend to their prayers; these are the heirs of Paradise they shall abide in it forever.
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THE BELIEVER IS GOD’S TREE
Do you not see how God compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches are in the sky, it yields its fruit each season with its Lord’s permission— God makes such comparisons for people, in order that they may take heed— but an evil word is like an evil tree torn out of the earth; it has no foothold. God will strengthen the believers with His steadfast word, both in the present life and in the Hereafter. God lets the wrongdoers go astray. He does what He wills.
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GOOD ADVICE
God commands you to hand back your trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, to judge with fairness. God’s instructions to you are excellent. God hears and sees all things.
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He who fears [God] will heed the reminder, but it will be ignored by the most unfortunate, who will enter the Great Fire, where he will neither die nor live. He who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays, shall indeed be successful. But you prefer the life of this world, although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.
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DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION
Woe to every fault-finding back-biter, who amasses wealth, counting it over, thinking that his wealth will make him live forever. By no means! He shall surely be cast into the crushing torment. Would that you understood what that crushing torment is like. It is a Fire kindled by God. Reaching right into the hearts of men, it closes in on them from every side in towering columns.
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THE DENIERS OF GOD’S SIGNS
Whoever turns away from My reminder, will lead a straitened existence and on the Day of Judgement We shall raise him up blind and he will ask, ‘Lord, why have You raised me up blind, while I possessed sight before?’ God will say, ‘Just as Our signs came to you and you ignored them, so will you on this Day be ignored.’ Thus We shall reward the transgressor who denies the signs of his Lord. But the suffering of the life to come is more terrible and more lasting.
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FAIR TESTIMONY
Believers, be steadfast in the cause of God and bear witness with justice. Do not let your enmity for others turn you away from justice. Deal justly; that is nearer to being God-fearing. Fear God. God is aware of all that you do. God has promised those who believe and do good deeds forgiveness and a great reward; but those who deny the truth and deny Our signs are destined for Hell.
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LIVING IN HARMONY
Believers! When you encounter a party, remain firm and remember God much, so that you may succeed. Obey God and His Messenger, and avoid dissension, lest you falter and are no longer held in awe. Have patience: God is with those who are patient. Do not be like those who left their homes full of conceit and showing off to others. They debar others from the path of God: but God has knowledge of all their actions.
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ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Believers, if an evil-doer brings you news, ascertain the correctness of the report fully, lest you unwittingly harm others, and then regret what you have done, and know that the Messenger of God is among you. If he were to obey you in many things, you would suffer for it. However, God has endeared the faith to you, and beautified it in your hearts, and has made denial of the truth, wickedness, and disobedience hateful to you. People such as these are rightly guided through God’s bounty and favour; God is all knowing, and wise. If two parties of believers fight againsteach other, make peace between them; then if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party that transgresses until it submits to the command of God. Then if it complies, make peace between them with equity, and act justly. Truly, God loves the just. Surely all believers are brothers. So make peace between your brothers, and fear God, so that mercy may be shown to you. Believers, let not some men among you ridicule
others: it may be that the latter are better than the former: nor should some women laugh at others: it may be that the latter are better than the former: do not defame or be sarcastic to each other, or call each other by [offensive] nicknames. How bad it is to earn an evil reputation after accepting the faith! Those who do not repent are evil-doers. Believers, avoid much suspicion. Indeed some suspicion is a sin. And do not spy on one another and do not backbite. Would any of you like to eat his dead brother’s flesh? No, you would hate it. Fear God, God is ever forgiving and most merciful. Mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes, so that you might come to know each other. The noblest of you in God’s sight is the one who fears God most. God is all knowing and all-aware.
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CALLING TO GOD
Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation and reason with them in a way that is best. Your Lord knows best those who have strayed away from His path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided. If you want to retaliate, retaliate to the same degree as the injury done to you. But if you are patient, it is better to be so. Endure with patience; truly, your patience is possible only with the help of God. Do not grieve for them, or feel distressed because of their plottings, for God is with those who are righteous and those who do good.
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MAGNIFYING THE LORD
O, you, wrapped in your cloak, arise and give warning! Proclaim the glory of your Lord; purify your garments; shun uncleanness; do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. When the Trumpet is sounded, that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. (
No, by the moon! By the night when it departs. By the dawn when it lightens! Surely, it is one of the gravest things, it is a warning to man, alike to every one of you, who want to go forward or hang back. Every soul is held in pledge against its own deeds, except those of the right hand who in their gardens will be enquiring about the sinners. ‘What has brought you into the Fire of Hell?’ and they shall reply, ‘We were not among those who prayed; and we did not feed the poor; we indulged in vain arguments along with those who indulged in them; and we denied the Day of Judgement until the Inevitable End [death] overtook us.’ So no intercession will avail them. (
ETERNITY IS BETTER
He who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays, shall indeed be successful. But you prefer the life of this world, although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. This indeed is what is taught in the former scriptures— the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.
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THEIR EFFORTS WILL BE REWARDED
We created man from a drop of mingled fluid so that We might try him; We gave him hearing and sight; We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful. [Now,] behold, for those who deny the truth, We have prepared chains, iron collars and a blazing fire, but the righteous shall drink from a cup mixed with the coolness of kafur, a spring from which God’s servants will drink, making it gush forth in branches. They keep their vows and fear a day the woe of which will spread far and wide; they give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives, saying, ‘We feed you for the sake of God alone, we seek neither recompense nor thanks from you. Truly, we fear from our Lord a woefully grim Day.’ Therefore, God will ward off from them the woes of that Day, and make them find brightness and joy, and their reward for being patient will be a Garden and silk [clothing]. Reclining upon couches, they will find therein neither the heat of the sun nor bitter, biting
cold, the shading branches of trees will come down low over them, and their clusters of fruit, will hang down where they are the easiest to reach. Vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them and gleaming silver goblets which have been filled to the exact measure, and they will be given a cup to drink flavoured with ginger, from a flowing spring called Salsabil. They will be attended by youths who will not age— when you see them you will think them to be like sprinkled pearls—wherever you look, you will see bliss and a great kingdom: they will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade. They will be adorned with silver bracelets. And their Lord will give them a pure drink. This is your reward. Your endeavour is fully acknowledged.
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THE DAY OF REWARD AND RETRIBUTION
When the sky is cleft asunder; and when the stars are scattered; when the seas overflow; and when the graves are laid open: then everyone will know what he has sent ahead, and what he has left behind. O man! What is it that lures you away from your bountiful Sustainer, who created you, fashioned you and proportioned you, in whatever form He pleased? Yet you deny the Last Judgement. Surely, there are guardians watching over you, noble recorders, who know all that you do: the virtuous will dwell in bliss, whereas the wicked will be in Hell; which they shall enter on the Day of Judgement, and from which they will find no escape. What will make you realize what the Day of Judgement will be? Again: what will make you realize what the Day of Judgement will be? It will be a Day when no human being shall be of the least avail to any other human being, God [alone] will hold command on that Day.
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THE RELIGION THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD
As for the abode of the Hereafter, We shall assign it to those who seek neither self aggrandisement on the earth nor corruption. The righteous shall have a blessed end. He who does good shall be rewarded with something better. But he who does evil shall be requited according to his deeds.
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Anyone who has acted arrogantly and prefers the life of this world, will find himself in Hell; but one who fears to stand before his Lord and restrained himself from base desires, shall dwell in Paradise.
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If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam [submission to God], it will not be accepted from him; he will be among the losers in the Hereafter.
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PRAYER
All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Universe; the Beneficent, the Merciful; Lord of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path: the path of those You have blessed; not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.
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I am God. There is no deity save Me; so worship Me alone, and say your prayers in My remembrance.
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TO THE LORD
Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake! Our Lord, do not place on us a burden like the one You placed on those before us! Our Lord, do not place on us a burden we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy on us. You are our Lord and Sustainer, so help us against those who deny the truth.
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Say, ‘Lord, sovereign of all sovereignty. You bestow sovereignty on whom you will and take it away from whom You please; You exalt whoever You will and abase whoever You will. All that is good lies in Your hands. You have the power to will anything. You cause the night to pass into the day, and the day into the night; You bring forth the living from the lifeless and the lifeless from the living. You give without measure to whom You will.
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PROTECT US!
Who say, ‘Lord, grant us joy in our wives and children and make us a model for the righteous.
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Inspire me to be thankful for the blessings You have granted me and my parents, and to do good deeds that please You; and include me, by Your grace, among Your righteous servants.
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Our Lord, You embrace all things in mercy and knowledge. Forgive those who turn to You and follow Your path. Save them from the punishment of Hell and admit them, Lord, to the Eternal Garden You have promised to them, together with their righteous ancestors, spouses, and offspring: You alone are the Almighty; the All Wise. Protect them from all evil deeds: those You protect from
[the punishment for] evil deeds will receive Your mercy—that is the supreme success.
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HELP US!
Our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.
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Our Lord, bestow patience upon us, make us stand firm, and help us against those who deny the truth.
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Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Bestow upon us Your mercy. Surely You are a Munificent Giver.
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Lord, we believe in You, forgive us our sins and keep us from the punishment of the Fire.
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PURIFY OUR HEARTS
Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in the faith and leave no malice in our hearts towards those who believe. Lord, You are indeed compassionate and merciful.
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O our Lord, in You we have placed our trust and to You we turn in repentance and to You is the final return. Our Lord, do not make us a prey for those who deny the truth, and forgive us our Lord. For You alone are the Mighty, the Wise One.
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Lord perfect our light for us, and forgive us; You have power over all things.
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GRANT US A RIGHTEOUS END
Lord, You have not created all this without purpose. Glory be to You! Save us from the torment of the Fire. Lord, those whom You condemn to enter the Fire You have surely brought to disgrace. Wrongdoers will have no supporters. Lord, we have heard a caller calling to the true faith saying, “Believe in your Lord,” and we believed. Lord, forgive us our sins and remove from us our bad deeds and make us die with the virtuous. Our Lord! Grant us what You have promised to us through Your messengers, and do not humiliate us on the Day of Resurrection. Surely, You never fail to fulfil Your promise.
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HAVE MERCY ON US
Lord, grant that I may keep up the prayer, and so may my offspring. My Lord, accept my prayer. Forgive me, Lord, and forgive my parents and all the believers on the Day of Reckoning.
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Lord, be merciful to them both, as they raised me up when I was little.
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SAVE US FROM EVIL
Our Lord, we have wronged our souls: if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we shall be among the lost.
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Our Lord, pour patience upon us, and cause us to die in a state of submission to You.
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You are our Protector. Forgive us, therefore, and have mercy on us, for You are the best of those who forgive. Grant us good things, both in this life and in the hereafter. To You alone we turn.
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Our Lord, make us not a trial [the subject of persecution] for the oppressors. And deliver us by Your mercy from the people who deny the truth.
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Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my patron in this world and the Hereafter! Make me die in submission to You and admit me among the righteous.
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STRENGTHEN US!
Lord, grant me an honourable entrance and an honourable exit, and sustain me with Your power.
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Our Lord, grant us Your special mercy and give us right guidance in our affair.
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LEAVE ME NOT ALONE!
My Lord! open up my heart, and make my task easy for me. Loosen the knot in my tongue, so that they may understand my speech.
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My Lord, increase my knowledge.
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I have been afflicted with great distress: but You are the most merciful of the merciful.
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Do not leave me heirless Lord, You are the best of heirs.
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My Lord, let me land with Your blessing in a blessed landing place. You alone can provide the best landings.
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My Lord, build me a house in nearness to You in Paradise.
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Lord, I am truly in need of whatever blessing You may send down for me.
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Lord, help me against this wicked people.
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I am overcome, so help me!
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SAVE US FROM DOOM
My Lord, I seek refuge with You from the prompting of the devils. I seek refuge with You, Lord, lest they should come near me.
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Lord, We believe, so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the best one to show mercy.
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Our Lord, ward off from us the punishment of Hell.
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The Quran, according to the Islamic belief, is the preserved word of God sent for all mankind. In the present book Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has selected excerpts from the Quran and arranged them under relevant headings. In this way the book provides an introduction to Islam, which has been derived directly from the original, revealed source. No interpretation or commentary has been added. It will surely help readers to understand the message of the Quran.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (1925-2021) was an Islamic scholar, spiritual guide, and an Ambassador of Peace. He authored over 200 books and recorded thousands of lectures giving the rational interpretation of Islamic concepts, prophetic wisdom, and the spiritual meaning of the Quran in the contemporary style. His English translation, The Quran, is widely appreciated as simple, clear and in contemporary style. He founded Centre for Peace and Spirituality (CPS) International in 2001 to re-engineer minds towards God-oriented living and present Islam as it is, based on the principles of peace, spirituality, and co-existence. Maulana breathed his last on 21 April, 2021 in New Delhi, India. His legacy is being carried forward through the CPS International Network.
What God most earnestly desires from human beings is worship. The Quran says: “I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” ( 51:56 )
