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 10, Verses 71-73
And convey unto them the story of Noah – when he said unto his people: “O my people! If my presence [among you] and my announcement of God’s messages are repugnant to you – well, in God have I placed my trust. Decide, then, upon what you are going to do [against me], and [call to your aid] those beings to whom you ascribe a share in God’s divinity; and once you have chosen your course of action, let no hesitation deflect you from it; and then carry out against me [whatever you may have decided], and give me no respite! But if you turn away [from the message which I bear, remember that] I have asked no reward whatever of you: my reward rests with none but God, for I have been bidden to be amongst those who have surrendered themselves unto Him.”
And yet they gave him the lie! And so We saved him and all who stood by him, in the ark, and made them inherit [the earth], the while We caused those who gave the lie to Our messages to drown: behold, then, what happened in the end to those people who had been warned [in vain]!
Chapter 10, Verses 108-109
Say [O Prophet]: O mankind! The truth from you Sustainer has now come unto you. Whoever, therefore, chooses to follow the right path, follows it but for his own god; and whoever chooses to go astray, goes but astray to his own hurt. And I am not responsible for your conduct.”
And [as for thyself, O Muhammad,] follow but what is being revealed unto thee, and be patient in adversity, until God shall give His judgment: for He is the best of all judges.
Chapter 11, Verses 9-11
And thus it is: if We let man taste some of Our grace, and then take it away from him – behold, he abandons all hope, forgetting all gratitude [for Our past favors]. And thus it is: if We let him taste ease and plenty after hardship has visited him, he is sure to say, “Gone is affliction from me!” – for, behold, he is given to vain exultation, and glories only in himself.
[And thus it is with most men -] save those who are patient in adversity and do righteous deeds: it is they whom forgiveness of sins awaits, and a great reward.
Chapter 11, Verses 114
And be constant in praying at the beginning and the end of the day, as well as during the early watches of he night: for, verily, good deeds drive away evil deeds: this is a reminder to all who bear [God] in mind.
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