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 42, verses 14 – 15

And [as for the followers of earlier revelation,] they broke up their unity, out of mutual jealousy, only after they had come to know [the truth]. [ 1 ] And had it not been a decree that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, [postponing all decision] until a term set [by Him], all would indeed have been decided between them [from the outset]. As it is, behold, they who have inherited their divine writ from those who preceded them are [now] in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about what it portends.
Because of this, then, summon [all mankind, O Muhammad], and pursue the right course, as thou hast been bidden [by God]; and do not follow their likes and dislikes but say:
“I believe in whatever revelation God has bestowed from on high; and I am bidden to bring about equity in your mutual views.[ 2 ] God is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer. To us shall be accounted our deeds, and to you, your deeds. Let there be no contention between us and you: God will bring us all together – for with Him is all journey’s end.”

Chapter 42, verse 20

To him who desires a harvest in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires [but] a harvest in this world, We [may] give something thereof – but he will have no share in [the blessings of] the life to come.
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Translator’s Notes
[ 1 ] Lit., “ they did not break up their unity until after knowledge had come to them” – i.e., the knowledge that God is one, and that the teachings of all of His prophets were essentially the same.
[ 2 ] Lit., “between you” – i.e., “to induce you to be more tolerant of one another”: evidently an allusion to the bitterness which stands in the way of an understanding between the various sects and schools of thought in all revealed religions.

 

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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