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 18, Verses 54-56
Thus, indeed, have We given in this Qur’an many facets to every kind of lesson [designed] for [the benefit of] mankind.
However, man is, above all else, always given to contention: for, what is there to keep people from attaining to faith now that guidance has come unto them, and from asking their Sustainer to forgive them their sins – unless it be [their wish] that the fate of the [sinful] people of ancient times should befall them [as well], or that the [ultimate] suffering should befall them in the hereafter?
But We send [Our] message-bearers only as heralds of glad tidings and as warners – whereas those who are bent on denying the truth contend [against them] with fallacious arguments, so as to render void the truth thereby, and to make My messages and warnings a target of their mockery.
Chapter 18, Verses 58-59
Yet, [withal,] thy Sustainer is the Truly-Forgiving One, limitless in His grace. Were He to take to them [at once] to task for whatever [wrong] they commit, He would indeed bring about their speedy punishment [then and there]: but nay, they have a time-limit beyond which they shall find no redemption – as [was the case with all] those communities that we destroyed when they went on and on doing wrong: for We had set a time limit for their destruction.
Chapter 18, Verse 110
Say, [O Prophet]: “I am but a mortal man like all of you. It has been revealed unto me that your God is the One and Only God. Hence, whoever looks forward [with hope and awe] to meeting his Sustainer [on Judgment Day], let him do righteous deeds. And let him not ascribe unto anyone or anything a share in the worship due to his Sustainer!”
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