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 23, Verses 1-11
Truly, to a happy state shall attain the believers: those who humble themselves in their prayer, and who turn away from all that is frivolous, and who are intent on inner purity; and who are mindful of their chastity, [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses – that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock] -: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are transgressors; and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges, and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. It is they, they who shall be the inheritors that will inherit the paradise; [and] therein shall they abide.
Chapter 23, Verses 72-75
Or dost thou [O Muhammad] ask of them any worldly recompense? But [they ought to know that] a recompense from thy Sustainer is best, since He is the best of providers!
And, verily, thou callest them onto a straight way – but, behold, those who will not believe in the life to come are bound to deviate from that way.
And even were We to show them mercy and remove whatever distress might befall them [in this life], they would still persist in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro.
Chapter 23, Verses 91-92
Never did God take unto Himself any offspring, nor has there ever been any deity side by side with Him: [for, had here been any,] lo! Each deity would surely have stood apart [from the others] in whatever it had created, and they would surely have [tried to] overcome one another!
Limitless in His glory is God, [far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition, knowing all that is beyond the reach of a created being’s perception as well as all that can be witnessed by a creature’s senses or mind – and, hence, sublimely exalted is He above anything to which they may ascribe a share in His divinity.
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