Gems from the Holy Qur’an
From the translation by Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
About the translator:
Muhammad Asad, Leopold Weiss, was born of Jewish parents in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in 1900, and at the age of 22 made his first visit to the Middle East. He later became an outstanding foreign correspondent for the Franfurter Zeitung, and after years of devoted study became one of the leading Muslim scholars of our age. His translation of the Holy Qur'an is one of the most lucid and well-referenced works in this category, dedicated to “li-qawmin yatafakkaroon” (people who think). Forwarded by Dr Ismat Kamal.
Chapter 79, An- Naaziyaat, Verses 15-26
Has the story of Moses ever come within thy ken?
Lo! His Sustainer called out to him in the twice-hallowed valley:
“Go unto Pharaoh – for, verily, he has transgressed all bounds of what is right – and say [unto him], ‘Art thou desirous of attaining to purity? [If so,] then I shall guide thee towards [a cognition of] thy Sustainer, so that [henceforth] thou wilt stand in awe [of Him].’ ”
And thereupon he [went to Pharaoh and] made him aware of the great wonder [of God’s grace].
But Pharaoh gave him the lie and rebelliously rejected [all guidance], and brusquely turned his back [on Moses]; and then he gathered [his great ones], and called [unto his people], and said, “I am your Lord All-Highest!”
And thereupon God took him to task, [and made him] a warning example in the life to come as well as in this world.
In this, behold, there is a lesson indeed for all who stand in awe [of God].
Chapter 79, An- Naaziyaat, Verses 34-45
And so, when the great, overwhelming event [of resurrection] comes to pass – on that Day man will [clearly] remember all that he has ever wrought; and the blazing fire [of hell] will be laid open before all who [are destined to] see it.
For unto him who shall have transgressed the bounds of what is right, and preferred the life of this world [to the good of his soul], that blazing fire will truly be the goal!
But unto him who shall have stood in fear of his Sustainer’s Presence, and held back his inner self from base desires, paradise will truly be the goal!
They will ask thee [O Prophet] about the Last Hour: “When will it come to pass?”
[But] how couldst thou tell anything about it, [seeing that] with thy Sustainer alone rests the beginning and end [of all knowledge] there of? Thou art but [sent] to warn those who stand in awe of it.
