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 17, Verses 33-35
And do not take any human being’s life – [the life] which God has willed to be sacred – otherwise than [in the pursuit of] justice. Hence, if anyone has been slain wrongfully, We have empowered the defender of his rights [to exact a just retribution]; but even so, let him not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing [ 1 ]. [And as for him who has been slain wrongfully - behold, he is indeed succored [by God]!
And do not touch the substance of an orphan, save to improve it, before he comes of age. And be true to every promise – for, verily, [on Judgment Day] you will be called to account for every promise which you have made!
And give full measure whenever you measure, and weigh with a balance that is true: this will be [for your own good], and best in the end.
Chapter 17, Verse 37
And walk not on earth with haughty self-conceit: for verily, thou canst never rend the earth asunder, nor canst thou ever grow as tall as the mountains!
Chapter 17, Verse 53
And tell My servants that they should speak in the most kindly manner [unto those who do not share their beliefs]: verily, Satan is always ready to stir up discord between men – for, verily, Satan is man’s open foe!
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Translator’s Notes
[ 1 ] Thus, the defender of the victim’s rights (in this case, a court of justice) is not only not entitled to impose a capital sentence on any but the actual murderer or murderers, but may also, if the case warrants it, concede mitigating circumstances and refrain from capital punishment altogether.
