Gems from the Holy Qur’an
From the translation by Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
About the translator:
Muhammad Asad, Leopold Weiss, was born to 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 Frankfurter 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 22, Verses 39 - 41
Permission [to fight] is given to those against whom war is being wrongfully waged – and, verily, God indeed has the power to succour them-: those who have been driven from their homelands against all right for no other reason than their saying, “Our Sustainer is God!”
For, if God had not enabled people to defend themselves against one another, [all] monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques – in [all of] which God’s name is abundantly extolled –would surely have been destroyed [ere now].
And God will most certainly succour him who succours His cause: for, verily, God is most powerful, almighty, [well aware of] those who, [even] if We firmly establish them on earth, remain constant in prayer, and give in charity, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong: but with God rests the final outcome of all events.
Chapter 22, Verses 67 – 68
Unto every community have We appointed [different] ways of worship, which they ought to observe. Hence [O believer,] do not let those [who follow ways other than thine] draw thee into disputes on this score, but summon [them all] unto thy Sustainer: for, behold, thou art indeed on the right way, and if they try to argue with thee, say [only]: “God knows best what you are doing.”
Chapter 22, Verse 73
O men! A parable is set forth [herewith]; hearken, then, to it! Behold, those beings whom you invoke instead of God cannot create [as much as] a fly, even were they to join all their forces to that end! And if a fly robs them of anything, they cannot [even] rescue it from him! Weak indeed is the seeker, and week the sought!
Chapter 22, Verse 77
O you who have attained to faith! Bow down and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Sustainer [alone], and do good, so that you might attain to a happy state!
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