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 46, Verses 15 – 16
Now [among the best of deeds which] We have enjoined upon man is goodness towards his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth; and her bearing him and his utter dependence on her took thirty months. And so, when he attains to full maturity and reaches forty years, [ 1 ] he [that is righteous] prays: “O my Sustainer! Inspire me so that I may do what is right [in a manner] that will meet with Thy godly acceptance; and grant me righteousness in my offspring [as well]. Verily, unto Thee have I turned in repentance: for, verily I am of those who have surrendered themselves unto Thee!”
It s [such as] these from whom We shall accept the best that they ever did, and whose bad deeds We shall overlook: [they will find themselves] among those who are destined for paradise, in fulfillment of the true promise which they were given [in this world].
Chapter 48, Verses 4 - 5
It is He who from on high has bestowed inner peace upon the hearts of the believers, so that – seeing that God’s are all the forces of the heavens and the earth, and that God is all-knowing, truly wise – they might grow more firm in their faith; [and] that He might admit the believers, both men and women, into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and that He might efface their [past bad] deeds: and that is, in the sight of God, indeed a triumph supreme!
Chapter 49, Verse 11
O you who have attained to faith! No men shall deride [other] men: it may well be that those [whom they deride] are better than themselves; and no women [shall deride other] women: it may well be that those [whom they deride] are better than themselves. And neither shall you defame one other, nor insult one other by [opprobrious] epithets: evil is all imputation of iniquity after [one has attained to] faith; and they who [become guilty thereof and] do not repent – it is they, they who are evildoers!
Translator’s Notes
[ 1 ] I.e., the age at which man is supposed to attain full intellectual and spiritual maturity. It is to be borne in mind that the masculine noun insaan (“man” or “human being”) appearing in the first sentence of this verse applies to both sexes alike.
