I use this book in conjunction with others translations in order to get as much as insight knowledge on the wisdom within the Quran. I am compelled to write this when I saw a review which said that God promotes hate and violent to the non believers in Quran and that God in Islam is an unjust God.
I don't think it is a hate or punishment from God, and He is doing so without reasons. Let's not be one sided as His scriptures ( e.g. Torah, Gospel, and Quran) also mention multitude of rewards for doing good. Therefore, God's punishment is a justification for the wrongdoers ( who are unjust to others) and to the non believers ( who do not believe in the (True) God), who neither ask for mercy nor mend their way while they are given the opportunity throughout their lifetime to do so. And for those who are steadfast, who are just (to others and to God, ie the faithfuls ) there are rewards for the goods that they do, and they need not to worry. And this is I believe the essence and the wisdom that are contained within the scriptures that there is a way for salvation, as also a way for damnation, but also mercy (for our wrongs) for those who seek His forgiveness.
Scriptures admonish us about our dealings, for God has prepared hell for the sinners and heaven as mercy for the faithfuls. Hence it is the one who does bad (ie who unjusts to the others) who should take precaution ( as scriptures allow victim to seek justice against the perpetrator, and with the rest unchastised (offenses) to be brought to him on the day of judgment). And it is he the one who rejects God or worship false gods who should be aware ( as unless they correct their false belief, God Himself (not men) will take an account for his behavior). Thus you can not certainly find anywhere in all these scriptures which say that God punishes a person who is just and kind to another, and more importantly he who is obedient to God's commands, and that God has commanded the prophets and His faithfuls to raise arms and put an end ( e.g. by death) to those who ( while they disbelieve Him ) do not raise arms against the believers ( i.e. they live peacefully among us) - this is simply not the message that they carry. And certainly all the prophets of God were told to invite all onto God's way in the best manner possible, and to leave those who rejected His message - unless they created oppression (unjust) against the believers. So when unavoidable happened ( bloodshed ), those ( reprisals) were done not because of their disbelief to (True) God but because they wronged the believers ( by waging war, inflicting bodily harm, initiated oppression), hence at times broke their agreed peace treaty. And on another as an example, their punishment ( i.e. whether being banished or being executed (by using their own law; Deuteronomy 20:12-14 )) was as a consequence of transgression (treachery) at war against their own community who had protected and fight for them.
Hence the assumption that scriptures incite oppression onto disbelievers who simply do not believe is simply baseless ( please look online for Constitution of Medina which guaranteed peace, freedom of religion, cooperation, equal right, cost sharing (at war), protectors of each others (at war) under one nation (among muslims, jews, and pagan tribes) in 6th century Medina, as well as sample verses from Quran I listed on the comment section). Although we all know, facts at times say otherwise, that religions ( e.g. Judaism, Christian, Islam, and between different fractions within themselves) have been used as a justification to oppress the others (i.e. oppression in the name of God). But yet the message stands, as the acts of misguided people, who use their religions to oppress the others, who use their covert as being pious (i.e. as if they follow the Word of God) hence they acted that way, should never be considered as a proof of what religion teaches, as the fruit of religion per se as nowhere in the scripture has stated them to do so. Hence these particular people, who so called themselves religious people, are indeed sinners and transgressors for going against God's command.
The way the scriptures tell us to hate is to stay away, to restrain ourselves, to have compassion for it wrongs others (affect them negatively), to have fear for it punishable ( affect us negatively), to not fall into it ( in exchange for worldly gains), to feel ashamed from doing it (as it deems immoral). And hating the "actions" of the disbelievers is never to mean to convert them or they die on your hand, as to believe without believing does not benefit no one (i.e. defeating the purpose of believing). Hence belief and conviction can not be coerced, nor has God allowed even prophets to act as such. He certainly never ordered prophets as converters but as warners and messengers. He wants us to believe in Him and His commands willingly, to believe in sincerity using our reasoning and intellect (by observing all His signs around us). And indeed believing in God and doing good is, at the least, to the benefit of ourselves.
And for those who determined to disobey God's command, (e.g. previous nations mentioned in the scriptures), who transgressed the limit set by Him ( those who had determined to never mend their way even after the His messenger came and warned them) , then it was God himself who ordered the Angels to wipe them off the earth.
One of the name of God is Al-Hakam, the Judge, thus it is in God's right to judge mankind as we are His creations, hence by His Will giving reward as justification for what we do good ( here on earth and in Heaven) and giving punishment as justification for what we do wrong ( here on earth and Hell) . You certainly can not call a judge unfair for sending criminals to prison. And as a matter of fact there must be a reason why someone is sent to prison (i.e. for being unfair to another). But don't worry, another name of God is Al-Adl, The Just. So if you have done what God has commanded then why you worry,otherwise if you don't ask for forgiveness, keep sinning, and wrong others then there will be justification for it. Hence God's punishment is not at all an oppression to the unjust.
God simply loves the the goods that we do and encourages us to do more as He's decreed Heaven as the wage for the faithfuls. He however frowns upon the the bad that we do and discourages us from doing it, as He's decreed Hell as a place for the unjust.
In essence, to fulfill the objective of our lives God needs two things established, which is a good man to man relation and a good man to his Maker relation.
God's scriptures also simply lay down the blue prints of our lives , of what He has decided (The Divine Decree and Will) for all of us (e.g. that insignificant part of our lives will be spent here on earth, and the rest ( much of it ) on the Hereafter). And it is by His Divine Decree and Will that He Himself will judge all that we do ( the good and the bad) where no one will be wronged even at the slightest, hence all will be justified. And this does not say that the wrongdoers will be freed of their chastisement in the hereafter, while here on earth never they asked for mercy nor correcting their misdeeds.
His Will also decrees us rewards for good behaviors and punishment for bad behaviors. Certainly the good and bad are not the same. It is therefore unfair to reward good works with nothing or even with punishment, and so does leaving people who are perpetually wrong others without punishment.
But the scriptures also say that if you were bad and felt you gained ( triumphant) by being so ( which was not a good sign), and then after you read God's scripture you contemplated, found wisdom in it, and thus changed. Now you indeed see yourself lose when you wrong (another and God) and you want to be the good guy. The next step would be to ask God for mercy for what you had done wrong and mend what you do, for there is forgiveness in it , as another God's name is Ar-Rahim, The Merciful. And as a matter of fact, correcting your action is indeed a sign of true repentance, for which God urges you to do for your own sake.
Another lesson drawn from scriptures is not to let any condition (trial) in our life preventing us from doing good and fair, and most importantly preventing us from obeying God's command. And if we are indeed fall into transgressions then our redemption is by quickly turning for repentance and correcting our actions ( before the door of repentance is closed. i.e. at one's death ). For fact, it is also His Will that our life is not without a test (filled with struggles to do goods and to abstain from evils ).
Quran mentions that all what we do here while living ( in open and in secret ) are recorded by God's scribes ( the Angels ). And there will be a promised day, the day of reckoning, where each of us will be shown our book of deed. So some who think that they have gotten away for being unjust here in this world, or others who keep sinning and thinking they won't have to pay for it because they never got caught will find just punishment on the day of judgment. And for Allah is Al-Basir, All-Seeing of what you do.
Quran also mentions for those who think that once they die they will turn to dust , and that's it - will find it otherwise. They will wish they are turned back to dust (not wanting to be resurrected) to avoid the day of judgment. But none shall escape the day of reckoning where our full judgments await. And miserable would be those who are unjust and act foolishly in the world. As for the faithfuls, bountiful in goodness would be their recompense.
Quran also says that men can not wish what they wish ( we can not refuse to be born, to die, refuse to be resurrected, refuse to be judged or refuse His judgment while God has said so). Our will is within ( by what is allowed by ) the Will of Creator. And certainly too it is God's Divine Decree and Will that every person's life has been prescribed to end with death; which then all of us together to be resurrected for the day of reckoning.
Now, unless you think otherwise ( that you are the master of yourself, that it is what you will and not God's will, that no judgment shall be brought to you, or that your idol gods will save you), then you certainly are given free will to think that way. And it is by His mercy that even the non believers are allowed you to earn their decreed portions (life with its ups and downs) in this world but certainly not in the Hereafter (while the non believers do not have the belief in it). God in His scriptures has made you aware that Hell will be a place for disbelievers ( and wrongdoers ) where none of the them will be able to escape and refuse their chastisement.
God certainly gives us free will, for you to believe in what you believe as I believe in what I believe. To each his own. Among men, we all should accept that we can indeed agree to disagree, and that we shall not be unfair to each other just because we believe differently. And God never asked the believers to act unjustly ( i.e. among ourselves and to the non believers).
Quran reiterates in so many ways that God's Divine Decree and Will will always prevail, and that is the belief of the faithfuls. And that is the message in God's scriptures.
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For every revelation ( or group of revelations ) in Quran there was reason behind it, (ie full history of why it descended at that certain time to prophet Muhammad (pbuh)). So definitely find out about its background to give you more accurate perspective of its meaning and justification within ( i.e. who/ what was the verse in reference to, under what conditon was it sent, and if it is appliable to other cases ).
I think what most commonly argued is about the so called sword verse where fighting (in defense) was allowed only toward the ones who raised arms against you, includes treason. And there is another about not taking the disbelievers (i.e. pagans) as your protecting friends when then enmity was high toward the believers. And another on the cutting off the hand of the thief which did not apply on petty thefts and stealing out of hunger for example, but on determined amount ( or more) on theft. And also an alternative to such punishment where it could be applied (detainment as mentioned in the story of prophet Joseph), and also forgiveness given by the victim ( with the return of stolen items, or anything agreeable) with which expiates his sin.
In all examples given above, the believers need to be cautious in punishing another believers as the judgment needs to be just, for we will be asked of why we carried such judgment on another. It also worth mentioning that the muslims laws were only to judge the muslims although judgment could be given to others who asked.
And it is important to question ourselves, Why did prophet Muhammad do such ( i.e. under what known reasons and facts, hence the judgment then)?
Below (on the comment section) are some verses with their inline commentaries (within parentheses). From those verses I listed, I picked and chose among their translations, from different sources, which explained (clarify to me) the most. I also added them to each other, and added notes to make their insight contents easier (quicker) to absorb whenever I reread them. They are primarily for my own understanding, but I hope these will help clarify those who would like to read them as well.
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This translation is the reason that I was finally able to read the entire Qur’an at age 50
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
For years, I’ve been trying to read an English translation of the Holy Qur’an cover to cover but haven’t been able to get through any for one reason or the other. I would usually get a good rhythm going, but then something would derail me. Many times I just skipped around or only read those surahs that I had questions about.I finally discovered this translation and it’s the first time I read the Holy Qur’an from beginning to end like a novel. I think it might have been the accessibility of the English language that was used that hooked me. Maybe I was just in the right frame of my mind at this point in my life. Perhaps it was because of the high recommendations from so many pious, learned Muslim scholars whom I trusted? Whatever it was, this version was just what I needed, and I’m thankful that I read it.I ended up underlining and highlighting and annotating like never before. On certain evenings, it seemed like questions and issues that had come up for me that very day were addressed in that night’s reading. So many times I teared up with relief. Other times I was overcome with awe. More than a few times, I was just filled with gratitude.The main thing that happened was that I saw clear themes emerging in God’s final message to mankind - and the most recurrent theme was one of hope and mercy. Again and again, I was reminded of God’s Mercy in His own words. The Qur’an is definitely a hopeful book. You leave it feeling hopeful.A few other themes that emerged multiple times:- the importance of the night prayer- the importance of doing good deeds ALONG with worshipping Allah and the importance of worshipping your Creator ALONG with being good to His creation (you can’t have one without the other - it’s not binary)- the importance of charity- the importance of looking beyond the surface, reading btwn the lines, looking for signs- the fact that there will definitely be a Day of Recompense/Judgment/Reckoning/Regret- while we have life, there is still time to repent - it’s never too late- no one is forcing you to believe - it’s your choice and your choice alone- this world is so temporary- we’re all going to die- we’re all returning to our Lord- we are unable to count our blessings
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
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SSS
I wish I had found this years ago...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 18, 2019
SSS
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 18, 2019
This translation arrived today and I can’t put it down, I love the feel of the book, I feel comfortable with it. It lays down flat and the paper is light and soft to the touch. These are just minor things but it all adds up.
The way in which this has been translated, it’s easy to follow, some translations I find are difficult to read and digest but this one is really good. I wish I had bought this years ago.
The only minor minor thing I don’t like and this is just my personal preference. I love to highlight books that I’ll coming back to and although the paper is soft and light the highlighter does bleed into the paper. This isn’t to put you off buying, regardless of not being able to highlight I would still purchase this. Just something to be mindful off. Otherwise I would have given this 5 stars.
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Carolann Thomas
Let's see what all the fuss is about
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 14, 2017
