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.

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.