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 41, verses 41 –
43
Verily, they who are bent on denying the truth of
this reminder as soon as it comes to them –
[they are the losers]: for, behold, it is a sublime
divine writ: no falsehood can ever attain to it
openly, and neither in a stealthy manner, [since
it is] bestowed from on high by One who is truly
wise, ever to be praised.
[And as for thee, O Prophet,] nothing is being said
to thee but what was said to all [of God’s]
apostles before thy time.
Behold thy Sustainer is indeed full of forgiveness
– but He has also the power to requite most
grievously!
Chapter 41, verse 46
Whoever does what is just and right, does so for
his own good: and whoever does evil, does so to
his own hurt: and never does God do the least wrong
to His creatures.
Chapter 41, verse 49
Man never tires of asking for the good [things of
life]; and if evil fortune touches him, he abandons
all hope, giving himself up to despair.
Chapter 41, verse 51
And, too, when We bestow Our blessings upon man,
he tends to turn aside and keep aloof [from remembering
Us]; but as soon as evil fortune touches him, he
is full of wordy prayers!
Chapter 42, verse 10
And on whatever you may differ, [O believers,] the
verdict thereon rests with God. [Say, therefore:]
“Such is God, my Sustainer: in Him have I
placed my trust, and unto Him do I always turn!”
Chapter 42, verse 13
In matters of faith, He has ordained for you that
which He had enjoined upon Noah – and into
which We gave thee [O Muhammad] insight through
revelation – as well as that which We had
enjoined upon Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus: Steadfastly
uphold the [true] faith, and do not break up your
unity therein.
[And even though] that [unity of faith] to which
thou callest them appears oppressive to those who
are wont to ascribe to other beings or forces a
share in His divinity, God draws unto Himself everyone
who is willing, and guides unto Himself everyone
who turns unto Him.