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 15, Verses 94-99
Hence, proclaim openly all that thou [O Prophet] hast been bidden [to say], and leave alone all those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God: verily, We shall suffice thee against all who [now] deride [this message – all] who assert that there are, side by side with God, other divine powers as well: for in time they will come to know [the truth].
And well do We know that thy bosom is constricted by the [blasphemous] things that they say: but extol thou thy Sustainer’s limitless glory and praise Him, and be of those who prostrate themselves [before Him] in adoration, and worship thy Sustainer till death comes to thee.
Chapter 16, Verse 1
God’s judgment is [bound to] come: do not, therefore, call for its speedy advent!
Limitless is He in his glory and sublimely exalted above anything to which men may ascribe a share in His divinity!
Chapter 16, Verses 10-13
It is He who sends down water from the skies; you drink thereof, and thereof [drink] the plants upon which you pasture your beasts; [and] by virtue thereof He causes crops to grow for you, and olive trees, and date-palms, and grapes, and all [other] kind of fruit: in this, behold, there is a message indeed for people who think!
And he has made the night and the day and the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws, so that they be of use] to you; and all the stars are subservient to His command: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who use their reason!
And all the [beauty of] many hues which He has created for you on earth: in this, behold there is a message for people who [are willing to] take it to heart!
Chapter 16, Verse 17
Is, then, He who creates comparable to any [beings] that cannot create? Will you not, then, bethink yourselves? Will you not, then, bethink yourselves?
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