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
his conversion to Islam travelled and worked throughout
the Muslim world, from North Africa to as far east
as Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. After years
of devoted study he 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” (For people who think
Chapter 30, verse 8
Have they never learnt to think for themselves?
God has not created the heavens and the earth and
all that is between them without [an inner] truth
and a term set [by Him]: and yet, behold, there
are many people who stubbornly deny the truth that
they are destined to meet their Sustainer!
Chapter 30, verses 14 - 23
And when the Last Hour dawns - on that Day will
all [men] be sorted out: as for those who attained
to faith and did righteous deeds, they shall be
made happy in a garden of delight; but as for those
who refused to acknowledge the truth and gave the
lie to Our messages - and [thus] to the announcement
of life to come - they will be given over to suffering.
Extol, then God’s limitless glory when you
rise at morn; and [seeing that] unto Him is due
all praise in the heavens and on earth, [glorify
Him] in the afternoon as well, and when you enter
upon the hour of noon.
He [it is who] brings forth the living out of that
which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of
that which is alive, and gives life to the earth
after it has been lifeless: and even thus will you
be brought forth [from death to life].
And among His wonders is this: He creates you out
of dust - and then, lo! You become human beings
ranging far and wide!
And among His wonders is this: He creates for you
mates out of your own kind, so that you might incline
towards them, and He engenders love and tenderness
between you: in this, behold, there are messages
indeed for people who think!
And among His wonders is the creation of the heavens
and earth, and the diversity of your tongues and
colors: for in this, behold, there are messages
indeed for all who are possessed of [innate] knowledge!
And among His wonders is your sleep, at night or
in daytime, as well as your [ability to go about
in] quest of some of His bounties: in this, behold,
there are messages for people who [are willing to]
listen!