21
January, 2005
From the translation by
Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
(Recently, a media
talk show host, well known for his anti-Muslim bias,
saw it fit to make scornful remarks against the
Qur’an on TV. In these columns, selections
from this Holy Book will be published, so that unacquainted
readers of the Pakistan Link may be able to judge
for themselves.)
Chapter 23, Verses 99-100
[As for those who will not believe in the life to
come, they go on lying to themselves] until, when
death approaches them, he prays: “O my Sustainer!
Let me return, let me return [to life], so that
I might act righteously in whatever I have failed
[aforetime]!” Nay, it is indeed but a [meaningless]
word that he utters: for behind those [who leave
the world] there is a barrier [of death] until the
Day when all will be raised from the dead!
Chapter 24, Verse 42
For, God’s is the dominion over the heavens
and earth, and with God is all journeys’ end.
Chapter 24, Verses 44-45
It is God who causes night and day to alternate:
in this [too], behold, there is surely a lesson
for all who have eyes to see! And it is God who
has created all animals out of water; and [He has
willed that] among them are such as crawl on their
bellies, and such as walk on two legs, and such
as walk on four. God creates what He wills: for,
verily, God has the power to will anything.
Chapter 25, Verses 1-3
Hallowed is He who from on high, step by step, has
bestowed upon His servant the standard by which
to discern the true from the false, so that to all
the world it will be a warning: He to whom the dominion
over the heavens and earth belongs, and who begets
no offspring, and has no partner in His dominion:
for it is He who creates every thing and determines
its nature in accordance with [His own] design.
And yet, some choose to worship, instead of Him,
[imaginary] deities that cannot create anything
but are themselves created and have it not within
their power to avert harm from, or bring benefit
to, themselves, and have no power over death, nor
over life, nor over resurrection!
Chapter 25, Verse 20
And [even] before thee, [O Muhammad,] We never sent
as Our message-bearers any but [mortal men,] who
indeed ate food [like other human beings] to be
a means of testing one another. Are you able to
endure [this test] with patience? For
[remember, O man,] thy Sustainer is truly all seeing!
