Ahmed Raza Khan

The path of those whom You have favoured – Not the path of those who earned Your anger – nor of those who are astray.

All All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation.

The path of those whom You have favoured - –

Not the path of those who earned Your anger - – nor of those who are astray.

And who believe in this (Qur’an) which has been sent down upon you, O beloved Prophet, (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) and what was sent down before you; and are certain of the Hereafter.

As for those whose fate is disbelief, whether you warn them or do not warn them - – it is all one for them; they will not believe. (Because their hearts are sealed - – see next verse).

And among the people are some * some* that say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day **” Day**” whereas they are not believers! (* The hypocrites ** the Day of Resurrection)

These are the people who purchased error in exchange of guidance - – so their bargain did not profit them, and they did not know how to trade.

The One Who has appointed the earth a base for you, and the sky a canopy - – and caused water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you; and do not knowingly set up rivals to Allah!

And if you are in any doubt concerning what We have sent down upon Our distinguished bondman (Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), bring forth a single surah (chapter) equal to it; and call upon all your supporters, other than Allah, if you are truthful.

And if you are unable to bring forth (one chapter) - – and We declare that you can never bring one - – then fear the fire (of hell), the fuel of which is men and stones; kept ready for the disbelievers.

Those who break the covenant of Allah after ratifying it - – and sever what Allah has ordered to join, and who cause turmoil (evil / religious chaos) in the earth; it is they who are the losers.

And (remember) when We ordered the angels to prostrate before Adam, so they all prostrated, except Iblis (Satan - – devil); he refused and was proud - – and became a disbeliever.

And We said, “O Adam! You and your wife dwell in this Garden, and eat freely from it wherever you please - – but do not approach this tree for you will become of those who transgress.”

So the devil destabilised them in it and removed them from where they were - – and We said, “Go down, one of you is an enemy to the other; and for a fixed time you shall stay on earth and feed in it.”

We said, “Go down from Paradise, all of you; then if some guidance comes to you from Me - – so whoever follows My guidance, for such is neither fear nor any grief.”

And accept faith in what I have sent down (the Qur’an), which confirms what is with you (the Torah / Bible), and do not be the first to disbelieve in it - – and do not exchange My verses for an abject - – and fear Me alone.

And when We made a commitment with Moosa (Moses) for forty nights - – then behind him you started worshipping the calf, and you were unjust.

And when Moosa said to his people, “O my people! You have wronged yourselves by taking the calf, * calf,* therefore turn in repentance to your Creator, therefore kill each other; this is better for you before your Creator”; He therefore accepted your repentance; indeed He only is the Most Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful. (* as your deity for worship)

And when We said, “Enter this town and eat freely from what is in it, and enter the gate whilst prostrating, and say, ‘May our sins be forgiven’ - – We will forgive you your sins; and We will soon increase the reward for the righteous.”

And when you said, “O Moosa! We shall never put up with only one kind of food, so call upon your Lord to produce for us what the earth grows - – some herbs, cucumbers, corn, lentils and onions”; he said, “What! You wish to exchange the better for something inferior? Therefore settle down in Egypt or any city, where you will get what you demand”; and disgrace and misery were destined for them; and they returned towards Allah’s wrath; that was because they disbelieved in Allah’s signs and wrongfully martyred the Prophets; that was for their disobedience and transgression.

Indeed the believers (the Muslims) and those among the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabeans who sincerely accept faith in Allah and the Last Day * Day* and do good deeds - – their reward is with their Lord; and there shall be no fear upon them nor shall they grieve. (* i.e. convert to Islam)

And you certainly know of those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of Sabth (Sabbath - – Saturday) - – We therefore said to them, “Become apes, despised!”

Then after it, your hearts hardened - – so they are like rocks, or even harder; for there are some rocks that rivers gush forth from them; and some that water flows from them when they split asunder; and there are rocks that fall down for the fear of Allah; and Allah is not unaware of your deeds.

And they said, “The fire will not touch us except for a certain number of days”; say, “Have you taken a covenant from Allah - – then Allah will certainly not break His covenant - – or do you say something concerning Allah what you do not know?”

Yes, why not? * not?* The one who earns evil and his sin surrounds him; he is from the people of fire (hell); they will remain in it forever. (You will remain in the fire forever).

And those who believe and do good deeds - – they are the People of Paradise; they will abide in it forever.

Then it is you who began slaying each other and you drive out a group of your people from their homeland - – providing support against them (to their opponents) through sin and injustice; and if they come to you as captives you redeem them, whereas their expulsion itself is forbidden to you; so do you believe in some of Allah’s commands and disbelieve in some? So what is the reward of those who do so, except disgrace in this world? And on the Day of Resurrection they will be assigned to the most grievous punishment; and Allah is not unaware of your deeds.

These are the people who bought the worldly life in exchange of the Hereafter - – so their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be helped.

And indeed We gave Moosa (Moses) the Book and subsequent to him, sent Noble Messengers one after another - – and We gave Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit; so when a Noble Messenger from Allah comes to you bringing what you yourselves do not desire, you grow arrogant; so you disbelieve in a group of the Prophets and another group of Prophets you slay!

And when the Book from Allah (the Holy Qu’ran) came to them, which confirms the Book in their possession (the Taurat / Torah) - – and before that they used to seek victory through the medium of this very Prophet (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) over the disbelievers; so when the one whom they fully recognised (the Holy Prophet) came to them, they turned disbelievers - – therefore Allah’s curse is upon the disbelievers.

And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down", they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us, and disbelieve in the rest” - – whereas it is the Truth confirming what they possess! Say (to them, O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Why did you then martyr the earlier Prophets, if you believed in your Book?”

And indeed Moosa came to you with clear signs, and after it you worshipped the calf - – and you were unjust.

And remember when We made a covenant with you and raised the Mount Tur (Sinai) above you; “Accept and hold fast to what We give you, and listen”; they said, “We hear and we disobey”; and the calf was still embedded in their hearts because of their disbelief; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “What an evil command is what your faith orders you, if you are believers!”

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “If the abode of the Hereafter in the sight of Allah is for you alone and none else, then long for death if you are truthful!”

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel (Gabriel)” - – for it is he who has brought down this Qu’ran to your heart by Allah’s command, confirming the Books before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to Muslims. - –

And they followed what the devils used to read during the rule of Sulaiman (Solomon - – peace and blessings be upon him); and Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved - – they teach people magic; and that which was sent down to the two angels, Harut and Marut in Babylon; and the two (angels) never taught a thing to anyone until they used to say, “We are only a trial, therefore do not lose your faith” and they used to learn from them that by which they cause division between man and his wife; and they cannot harm anyone by it except by Allah’s command; and they learn what will harm them, not benefit them; and surely they know that whoever bargains for this will not have a share in the Hereafter; and for what an abject thing they have sold themselves; if only they knew!

Those who disbelieve - – the People given the Book(s) or the polytheists - – do not wish that any good be sent down upon you from your Lord; and Allah chooses whomever He wills by His Mercy; and Allah is the Most Munificent.

And the People given the Book(s) said, “None will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian”; these are their own imaginations; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Bring your proof, if you are truthful.”

And the Jews said, “The Christians are nothing” - – and the Christians said, “The Jews are nothing” whereas they both read the Book; and the ignorant spoke similarly; so Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection, concerning the matter in which they dispute.

And the East and the West, all belong to Allah - – so whichever direction you face, there is Allah’s Entity (Allah’s Mercy is directed towards you); indeed Allah is the All Capable, (His powers and reach are limitless), the All Knowing.

And they said, “Allah has taken an offspring for Himself” - – Purity is to Him! In fact, all that is in the heavens and the earth, is His dominion; all are submissive to Him.

The Originator of the heavens and the earth - – and when He commands a thing, He only says to it, “Be", and it thereupon happens.

Undoubtedly, We have sent you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) with the truth, giving glad tidings and conveying warning, and you will not be questioned about the people of hell.

Those to whom We have given the Book, read it in the manner it should be read; it is they who believe in it; and those who deny it - – it is they who are the losers.

And (remember) when Ibrahim prayed, “My Lord! Make this city a place of security and bestow upon its people various fruits as providence - – for those among them who believe in Allah and the Last Day (of Resurrection)”; He answered, “And whoever disbelieves, I shall provide him also some subsistence and then compel him towards the punishment of fire (hell); and that is a wretched place to return.”

“Our Lord! And make us submissive towards you and from our offspring a nation obedient to You - – and show us the ways of our worship, and incline towards us with Your mercy; indeed You only are the Most Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful.”

And Ibrahim willed the same religion upon his sons, and also did Yaqub (Jacob); (saying), “O my sons - – indeed Allah has chosen this religion for you; therefore do not die except as Muslims (those who submit to Him).”

In fact, some of you yourselves were present when death approached Yaqub and when he said to his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We shall worship Him Who is your God, and is the God of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq (Isaac) - – the One God; and to Him we have submitted ourselves.”

And the People given the Book(s) said, “Become Jews or Christians - – you will attain the right path”; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “No - – rather we take the religion of Ibrahim, who was far removed from all falsehood; and was not of the polytheists.”

Say, “We believe in Allah and what is sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahim, and Ismael, and Ishaq, and Yaqub, and to their offspring, and what was bestowed upon Moosa and Eisa (Jesus), and what was bestowed upon other Prophets - – from their Lord; we do not make any distinction, in belief, between any of them; and to Allah we have submitted ourselves.”

And if they believe in the same way you have believed, they have attained guidance; and if they turn away, they are clearly being stubborn; so Allah will soon suffice you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) against them; and He only is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “What! You dispute with us concerning Allah, whereas He is our Lord and also yours? Our deeds are with us and with you are your deeds; and only to Him do we sincerely belong.”

And so it is that We have made you the best nation* for you are witnesses** against mankind, and the Noble Messenger is your guardian and your witness; and (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) We had appointed the qiblah which you formerly observed only to see (test) who follows the Noble Messenger, and who turns away; and it was indeed hard except for those whom Allah guided; and it does not befit Allah’s Majesty to waste your faith! Indeed Allah is Most Compassionate, Most Merciful towards mankind. (The (* The best Ummah is that of Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him. **The ** The Holy Prophet is a witness from Allah.)

We observe you turning your face, several times towards heaven (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him); so We will definitely make you turn (for prayer) towards a qiblah which pleases you; therefore now turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca); and O Muslims, wherever you may be, turn your faces (for prayer) towards it only; and those who have received the Book surely know that this is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not unaware of their deeds. (Allah seeks to please the Holy Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him.)

Those to whom We gave the Book(s) recognise the Prophet (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) as men (or they) recognise their own sons; and undoubtedly a group among them purposely conceals the truth.

This is the Truth from your Lord, therefore (O those who listen) beware - – do not be in doubt.

And O dear Prophet (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) wherever you come from, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque; and wherever you may be, O Muslims, turn your faces towards it only, so that people may not have an argument against you - – except those among them who do injustice; therefore do not fear them, and fear Me; and this is in order that I complete My favour upon you and that you may attain guidance. - –

The way We have sent to you a Noble Messenger from among you, who recites to you Our verses and purifies you, and teaches you the Book and sound wisdom*, and teaches you what you did not know. (The traditions / sayings of the Holy Prophet - – peace and blessings be upon him).

And We will surely test you with some fear and hunger, and with paucity of wealth and lives and crops; and give glad tidings to those who patiently endure. - –

Undoubtedly Safa and Marwah * Marwah* are among the symbols of Allah; so there is no sin on him, for whoever performs the Hajj (pilgrimage) of this House (of Allah) or the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), to go back and forth between them; and whoever does good of his own accord, then (know that) indeed Allah is Most Appreciative (rewards virtue), the All Knowing. (These are 2 hillocks near the Holy Ka’aba)

Indeed those who hide the clear proofs and the guidance which We sent down, after We made it clear to mankind in the Book - – upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of those who curse.

Except those who repent and do reform and disclose (the truth) - – so I will accept their repentance; and I only am the Most Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful.

Your God is One God; there is no God except Him - – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the continuous alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail the seas carrying what is of use to men, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky thereby reviving the dead earth and dispersing all kinds of beasts in it, and the movement of the winds, and the obedient clouds between heaven and earth - – certainly in all these are signs for the intelligent.

(The day) when the leaders will be disgusted with their followers - – and they shall see their punishment, and all their links will be cut off.

And the example of the disbelievers is similar to one who calls upon one that hears nothing except screaming and yelling; deaf, dumb, blind - – so they do not have sense.

Those who hide the Book sent down by Allah and exchange it for an abject price - – they only fill their bellies with fire and Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them; and for them is a painful punishment.

So whoever changes the will after he has heard it - – its sin is only upon those who change it; indeed Allah is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Qur’an - – the guidance for mankind, the direction and the clear criteria (to judge between right and wrong); so whoever among you witnesses this month, must fast for the (whole) month; and whoever is sick or on a journey, may fast the same number in other days; Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you - – so that you complete the count (of fasts), and glorify Allah’s greatness for having guided you, and so that you may be grateful.

And O dear Prophet (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), when My bondmen question you concerning Me, then surely I am close; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they must obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may attain guidance.

Going to your wives during the nights of the fast is made lawful for you; they are coverings for you and you are coverings for them; Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves (in this respect), so He accepted your penance and forgave you; so cohabit with them and seek what Allah has destined for you - – and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at dawn - – then complete the fast till nightfall; and do not touch women while staying in seclusion for worship in the mosques; these are the limits imposed by Allah, so do not go near them; this is how Allah explains His verses to mankind so that they may attain piety.

They ask you, (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), regarding the crescents; say, “They are indicators of time for mankind and for Hajj (the pilgrimage)”; and it is not a virtue at all that you enter the houses by demolishing their back portions, but in reality virtue is piety; and enter the houses using their gates - – and keep fearing Allah, hoping that you achieve success.

The sacred month for the sacred month, and respect in lieu of respect; harm the one who harms you, to the extent as he did - – and keep fearing Allah, and know well that Allah is with the pious.

And perform Hajj (greater pilgrimage) and Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) for Allah; and if you are prevented, send sacrifice whatever is available; and do not shave your heads until the sacrifice reaches its destination; so whoever among you is sick or has an ailment in the head, must pay a compensation by fasting or charity or sacrifice; then when you are in peace - – and whoever takes the advantage of combining the Hajj and Umrah, it is compulsory for him to sacrifice whatever is available; and whoever cannot afford it, must fast for three days while on the pilgrimage, and seven when you have returned to your homes; these are ten in all; this decree is for him who is not a resident of Mecca; and keep fearing Allah and know well that Allah’s punishment is severe.

The Hajj is during the well-known months; and for one who intends to perform the Hajj in it - – neither is there to be mention of cohabitation in the presence of women, nor any sin, nor a fight with anyone till the completion of Hajj; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it; and take provision along with you for the best provision is piety; and keep fearing Me, O men of understanding!

It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord; so when you return from Arafat, remember Allah near the Sacred Symbol (Mash’ar al Haram) - – and remember Him in the manner He has guided you; and indeed, before this, you were of the astray.

So when you have completed your Hajj rites, remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers, in fact more than that; and among the people are some that say, “Our Lord! Give us in this world” - – and he does not have a portion in the Hereafter.

And remember Allah in the counted days; so whoever hastens by departing in two days, there is no sin on him; and whoever stays on, there is no sin for him - – for the pious; and keep fearing Allah, and know well that it is to Him you will be raised.

And when it is said to him, “Fear Allah”, he becomes more resolute in committing sin - – therefore hell is sufficient for such; and that is indeed, a very wretched resting place.

O People who Believe! Enter Islam in full - – and do not follow the footsteps of the devil; indeed he is your open enemy.

Mankind was on one religion; so Allah sent Prophets giving glad tidings and warnings - – and with them sent down the true Book to judge between mankind on their differences; and only those to whom it was given created disputes regarding the Book, after clear commands had come to them, due to hostility of one another; so Allah, by His command, made the truth clear to the believers, concerning their disputes; and Allah may guide whomever He wills to the Straight Path.

They ask you the decree regarding fighting in the sacred month; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Fighting in it is a great sin; and to prevent from the way of Allah, and not to believe in Him and to prevent (people) from the Sacred Mosque and to expel its residents - – these are greater sins before Allah"; and the turmoil they cause is worse than killing; and they will keep fighting you till they turn you away from your religion, if they can; and whoever among you turns renegade and dies as a disbeliever, then their deeds are wasted in this world and in the Hereafter; and they are the people of hell; they will remain in it forever.

Those who believed, and those who migrated for the sake of Allah, and fought in Allah's cause - – they are hopeful of gaining Allah’s mercy; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

They ask you the decree regarding wine (intoxicants) and gambling; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “In both is great sin, and some worldly benefit for men - – but their sin is greater than their benefit”; and they ask you what they should spend; say, “That which remains spare (surplus)”; this is how Allah explains His verses to you, so that you may think.

Your women are a tillage for you; so come into your tillage as you will; and first perform the deeds that benefit you; and keep fearing Allah, and know well that you have to meet Him; and (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) give glad tidings to the Muslims.

And divorced women shall restrain themselves for three menstrual periods; and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day; and their husbands have the right to take them back, during this time, if they desire reconciliation; and the women also have rights similar to those of men over them, in accordance with Islamic law - – and men have superiority over them; and Allah is Almighty, Wise.

And when you have divorced women and they complete their waiting period - – then O guardians of such women, do not prevent them from marrying their husbands if they agree between themselves in accordance with Islamic law; this lesson is for those among People who Believe in Allah and the Last Day; this is purer for you, and cleaner; and Allah knows and you do not know.

And mothers shall breast-feed their children for two full years - – for those who wish to complete the term of milk feeding; and the father of the child must provide for food and clothing of the mother in accordance with custom; no one will be burdened except with what he can bear; a mother should not be harmed because of her child, nor he to whom the child is born be harmed because of his child (or a mother should not harm the child nor he to whom the child is born should harm the child); and the same is incumbent on the guardian in place of the father; then if the parents desire to wean the child by mutual consent and consultation, it is no sin for them; and if you wish to give your children out to a (milk feeding) nurse, it is no sin for you, provided you pay to them what is agreed, with kindness; and keep fearing Allah, and know well that Allah is seeing what you do.

And those among you who die leaving wives behind them - – they should bequeath for their wives a complete provision for one full year without turning them out; so if they go out themselves, there is no sin on you regarding what they do of themselves in a reasonable manner; and Allah is Almighty, Wise.

Did you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) not see those who left their homes, whereas they numbered in thousands, fearing death? So Allah said to them, “Die”; He then brought them back to life; indeed Allah is Most Munificent towards mankind, but most men are ungrateful.

Is there someone who will lend an excellent loan to Allah, so that He may increase it for him several times over? And Allah restricts and eases (the sustenance) - – and it is to Him that you will return.

Did you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) not see a group of the Descendants of Israel, after Moosa? When they said to one of their Prophets (Shamueel - – Samuel), “Appoint a king for us so that we may fight in Allah’s way”? He said, “Do you think you would refrain from fighting if it is made obligatory for you?” They said, “What is the matter with us that we should not fight in Allah’s cause, whereas we have been driven away from our homeland and our children?” So when fighting was ordained for them, they all turned away, except a few; and Allah is Well Aware of the unjust.

So when Talut left the city along with the armies, he said, “Allah will surely test you with a river; so whoever drinks its water is not mine - – and whoever does not drink is mine - – except him who takes it in the hollow of his hand”; so they all drank it, except a few of them; thereafter when Talut and the believers with him had crossed the river, they said, “We do not have power this day to face Jalut (Goliath) and his armies”; those who were certain of meeting Allah said, “Many a times has a smaller group overcome a bigger group by Allah’s command; and Allah is with the steadfast.”

These are the verses of Allah, which We recite to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) with truth; and undoubtedly you are one of the Noble Messengers.

These are the Noble Messengers, to whom We gave excellence over each other; of them are some with whom Allah spoke, and some whom He exalted high above all others; and We gave Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam, clear signs and We aided him with the Holy Spirit; and if Allah willed, those after them would not have fought each other after the clear evidences had come to them, but they differed - – some remained on faith and some turned disbelievers; and had Allah willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah may do as He wills.

Allah - – there is no God except Him; He is Alive (eternally, on His own) and the Upholder (keeps others established); He never feels drowsy nor does He sleep; to Him only belongs all whatever is in the heavens and all whatever is in the earth; who is he that can intercede* with Him except by His command? He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them; and they do not achieve anything of His knowledge except what He wills; His Throne (of Sovereignty) encompasses the heavens and the earth; and it is not difficult for Him to guard them; and He is the Supreme, the Greatest. (This Verse is popularly known as Ayat Al-Kursi. It has a special status and reciting it carries great reward. *Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first one to be granted the permission to intercede, others will follow.)

Allah is the Guardian of the Muslims - – He removes them from realms of darkness towards light; and the supporters of disbelievers are the devils - – they remove them from light towards the realms of darkness; it is they who are the people of fire; they will remain in it forever.

Did you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) not see him who argued with Ibrahim (Abraham) concerning his Lord, as Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim said, “My Lord is He Who gives life and causes death”, he answered, “I give life and cause death”; Ibrahim said, “So indeed it is Allah Who brings the sun from the East - – you bring it from the West!” - – the disbeliever was therefore baffled; and Allah does not guide the unjust.

Or like him * him* who passed by a dwelling and it had fallen flat on its roofs; he said, “How will Allah bring it to life, after its death?”; so Allah kept him dead for a hundred years, then brought him back to life; He said, “How long have you stayed here?”; he replied, “I may have stayed for a day or little less”; He said, “In fact, you have spent a hundred years - – so look at your food and drink which do not even smell stale; and look at your donkey whose bones even are not intact - – in order that We may make you a sign for mankind - – and look at the bones how We assemble them and then cover them with flesh”; so when the matter became clear to him, he said, “I know well that Allah is Able to do all things.” (Prophet Uzair - – peace be upon him.)

And when Ibrahim said, “My Lord! Show me how You will give life to the dead”; He said, “Are you not certain (of it)?” Ibrahim said, “Surely yes, why not? But because I wish to put my heart at ease”; He said, “Therefore take four birds (as pets) and cause them to become familiar to you, then place a part of each of them on separate hills, then call them - – they will come running towards you; and know well that Allah is Almighty, Wise.” (Prophet Ibrahim called the dead birds and they did come running towards him.)

O People who Believe! Do not invalidate your charity by expressing favour and causing injury - – like one who spends his wealth for people to see, and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day; his example is similar to that of a rock covered with dust and hard rain fell on it, leaving it as a bare rock; they shall get no control over (or benefit from) anything they have earned; and Allah does not guide the disbelievers.

And the example of those who spend their wealth in order to seek Allah’s pleasure and to make their hearts steadfast, is similar to that of a garden on a height - – hard rain fell on it, so bringing forth its fruit twofold; so if hard rain does not reach it, the dew is enough; and Allah is seeing your deeds.

Would any of you like that he may own a garden of dates and grapes, with rivers flowing beneath it - – in it are all kinds of fruits for him - – and he reaches old age and has young children; therefore a windstorm containing fire came to the garden, burning it? This is how Allah explains His verses to you, so that you may give thought.

O People who Believe! Spend a part of your lawful earnings, and part of what We have produced from the earth for you - – and do not (purposely) choose upon the flawed to give from it (in charity) whereas you would not accept it yourselves except with your eyes closed towards it; and know well that Allah is Independent, Most Praised.

It is not your duty (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) to make them accept guidance - – but Allah guides whomever He wills; and whatever good thing you spend is beneficial for yourselves; and it is not right for you to spend except to seek Allah’s pleasure; and whatever you spend will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged. - –

(Spend) For the poor who are restricted while in Allah's cause, who cannot travel in the land (for earning) - – the unwise think they are wealthy because of their restraint; you will recognise them by their faces; they do not seek from people in order to avoid grovelling; and Allah knows whatever you spend in charity.

Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly - – their reward is with their Lord; and there shall be no fear upon them nor shall they grieve.

Indeed those who believed and did good deeds and kept the prayer established and paid the charity - – their reward is with their Lord; and there shall be no fear upon them nor shall they grieve.

O People who Believe! If you make an agreement for debt for a specified time, write it down; and appoint a scribe to write it for you with accuracy; and the scribe must not refuse to write in the manner Allah has taught him, so he must write; and the liable person (debtor) should dictate it to him and fear Allah, Who is his Lord, and not hide anything of the truth; but if the debtor is of poor reasoning, or weak, or unable to dictate, then his guardian must dictate with justice; and appoint two witnesses from your men; then if two men are not available, one man and two women from those you would prefer to be witnesses, so that if one of them forgets, the other can remind her; and the witnesses must not refuse when called upon to testify; do not feel burdened to write it, whether the transaction is small or big - – write it for up to its term’s end; this is closer to justice before Allah and will be a strong evidence and more convenient to dispel doubts amongst yourselves - – except when it is an instant trade in which exchange is carried out immediately, there is no sin on you if it is not written down; and take witnesses whenever you perform trade; and neither the scribe nor the witnesses be caused any harm (or they cause any harm); and if you do, it would be an offence on your part; and fear Allah; and Allah teaches you; and Allah knows everything.

Allah does not burden anyone, except with something within its capacity; beneficial for it is the virtue it earned, and harmful for it is the evil it earned; “Our Lord! Do not seize us if we forget or are mistaken; our Lord! And do not place on us a heavy burden (responsibility) as You did on those before us; our Lord! And do not impose on us a burden, for which we do not have the strength; and pardon us - – and forgive us - – and have mercy on us - – You are our Master, therefore help us against the disbelievers.”

Allah - – none is worthy of worship, except Him, He is Alive (eternally, on His own) and the Upholder (keeps others established).

He has sent down to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) this true Book (the Holy Qur’an), confirming the Books before it, and He sent down the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Bible). - –

It is He Who has sent down to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) this Book (the Qur’an) containing the verses that have a clear meaning - – they are the core of the Book - – and other verses the meanings of which are indistinct; those in whose hearts is deviation pursue the verses having indistinct meanings, in order to cause turmoil and seeking its (wrongful) interpretation; and only Allah knows its proper interpretation; and those having sound knowledge say, “We believe in it, all of it is from our Lord”; and none accept guidance except the men of understanding.

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) to the disbelievers, “Very soon you shall be overcome and driven towards hell; and that is a wretched resting-place.”

Beautified is for mankind the love of these desires - – women, and sons, and heaps of gold and piled up silver, and branded horses, and cattle and fields; this is the wealth of the life of this world; and it is Allah, with Whom is the excellent abode.

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Shall I inform you of something better than that? For the pious, with their Lord, are Gardens beneath which rivers flow - – they will abide in it forever - – and pure wives, and Allah’s pleasure”; and Allah sees the bondmen.

Allah has given witness that there is none worthy of worship (God) except Him - – and the angels and the scholars also give witness, established with justice (with truth) - – there is no God except Him, the Almighty, the Wise.

Then if they argue with you, (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) say, “I have submitted my face (self) to Allah and likewise have my followers”; and say to the People given the Book(s) and the illiterate, “Have you submitted (accepted Islam)?” If they submit, they have attained the right path - – and if they turn away (reject), then your duty is only to convey this command; and Allah is seeing the bondmen.

Those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah, and wrongfully martyr the Prophets, and slay people who enjoin justice - – so give them the glad tidings of a painful punishment.

Did you not see them who have received a part of the Book - – when called towards the Book of Allah for judging between them, a group of them opposes it and turns away?

Invoke (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “O Allah! Owner Of The Kingdom - – You bestow the kingdom on whomever You will, and You take back the kingdom from whomever You will; and You give honour to whomever You will, and You humiliate whomever You will; only in Your Hand (control) lies all goodness; indeed, You are Able to do all things.”

Say, (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Whether you hide or reveal whatever is in your hearts, Allah knows it all; and He knows all whatever is in the heavens and all whatever is in the earth; and Allah has control over all things.”

On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good that it has done; and all the evil that it has done - – it will wish that perhaps there would have been a great distance between itself and the punishment; and Allah warns you of His punishment; and Allah is Most Compassionate towards His bondmen.

Proclaim, (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “O mankind! If you love Allah, follow me - – Allah will love you and forgive you your sins”; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Proclaim, “Obey Allah and the Noble Messenger”; so if they turn away - – then Allah is not pleased with the disbelievers.

(Remember) When the wife of Imran said, “My Lord! I pledge to you what is in my womb - – that it shall be dedicated purely in Your service, so accept it from me; indeed You only are the All Hearing, the All Knowing.”

And the angels called out to him while he was standing, offering prayer at his place of worship, “Indeed Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), who will confirm a Word (or sign) from Allah, - – a leader, always refraining from women, a Prophet from one of Our devoted ones.”

These are tidings of the hidden, which We secretly reveal to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him); and you were not present with them when they threw their pens to draw lots, to know who should be the guardian of Maryam; nor were you present with them when they were quarrelling. (Yet you know of these things - – this is a proof of your being a Prophet.)

And remember when the angels said, “O Maryam! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Eisa the son of Maryam - – he will be honourable in this world and in the Hereafter, and among the close ones (to Allah).”

She said, “My Lord! How can I bear a child when no man has ever touched me?” He said, “This is how Allah creates whatever He wills; when He wills a thing, He only says to it, ‘Be’ - – and it happens immediately.”

‘And I come confirming the Taurat (Torah) - – the Book before me - – and to make lawful for you some of the things which were forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord - – therefore fear Allah and obey me.’

‘Undoubtedly Allah is the Lord of all - – mine and yours - – so worship Him only; this is the Straight Path.’”

The example of Eisa with Allah is like that of Adam; He created him (Adam) from clay and then said to him, “Be” - – and it thereupon happens!

Therefore say to those who dispute with you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) concerning Eisa after the knowledge has come to you, “Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves - – then pray humbly, thereby casting the curse of Allah upon the liars!” (The Christians did not accept this challenge.)

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “O People given the Book(s)! Come towards a word which is common between us and you, that we shall worship no one except Allah, and that we shall not ascribe any partner to Him, and that none of us shall take one another as lords besides Allah”; then if they do not accept say, “Be witness that (only) we are Muslims.”

Listen! This was what you argued about - – of which you have some knowledge - – why do you then argue about the matter you do not have any knowledge of? And Allah knows whereas you do not know.

Undoubtedly among all mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him) and the believers; and Allah is the Guardian of the believers.

And a group among the People given the Book(s) said, “Believe in what has been sent down to the believers in the morning and deny it by evening - – perhaps they (the Muslims) may turn back (disbelieve).”

“And do not believe in anyone except him who follows your religion”; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Only Allah’s guidance is the true guidance” - – (so why not believe in it) if someone has been given similar to what was given to you, or if someone may be able to evidence it against you before your Lord; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - – peace and blessings be upon him), “Undoubtedly the munificence lies only in Allah’s Hand (control); He may bestow upon whomever He wills; and Allah is Most Capable, All Knowing.”

Yes, why not? Whoever fulfilled his pledge and practised piety - – and indeed Allah loves the pious.

Those who accept abject prices in exchange of Allah’s covenant and their oaths, do not have a portion in the Hereafter - – Allah will neither speak to them nor look towards them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and for them is a painful punishment.

It is not for any human to whom Allah has given the Book and wisdom and Prophethood, that he should afterwards say to the people, “Leave (the worship of) Allah and be my worshippers” - – but he will surely say, “Be sincere worshippers of Allah, because you teach the Book and you preach from it.”