|
|
|
|
|
Squashed down to read in about 60 minutes "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful"   Wikipedia -  Full Text -  Print Edition: ISBN 1853267821 NOTE: This is not a devotional text, but a short abridgement for private study. It is traditionally taken that The Quran is a complete book in Arabic, and if it is not complete or not in Arabic, as with this and other abridgements or selections, then it is not the Quran, and is not due the high reverence usually accorded to the physical text.
The Qur’an, or 'recitation' is the central text of Islam, said to have been revealed by God to Muhammad ibn Abdullah through the angel Gabriel over some twenty years and written down by Muhammad's companions at Mecca and Medina, in modern Saudi Arabia, around 632CE. It consists of 114 suras, customarily arranged not chronologically or thematically, but, apart from the opening, simply in order of decreasing length. Each, except one, begins with the 'Bismala' In the name of Allah... and is typically divided into numbered ayahs. The meaning of the letter groups at the beginning of some suras remains obscure.
This abridgement reduces the original 149860 words down to 9160 (6%), giving an estimated reading time of 60 minutes. Paraphrased from the translations by Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Mohammad Habib Shakir. Abridged: GH. Because the Quran does not have a narrative structure but does have numbered verses, the abridgement was guided by an analysis of citations.
You'll find the basics of the other holy texts neatly squashed down at Religion
Squashed version edited by Glyn Hughes © 2011 1: THE OPENING (Al-Fatehah) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; The Beneficent, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help. Show us the straight way, the way of those who receive Thy Grace, not the way of those who gain Thy wrath or go astray. 2: THE COW (Al-Baqarah) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A.L.M. 2 This is the definitive Scripture; honest guidance to those who guard against evil. Those who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have granted them; They are truly guided by their Lord, they will prosper. As for the Disbelievers, whether thou warn them or not; they will not believe. Allah hath sealed their hearts, their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil. Theirs will be an awful punishment. 30 Thy Lord said, "I will create a vicegerent on earth." "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; but approach not the tree, or ye transgress." Yet Satan made them fall. And we said, "Earth will be your dwelling-place- for a time." 40 O Children of Israel! Remember the favours I have bestowed upon you! We divided the sea for you, and drowned Pharaoh's people for you. We gave Moses the Scripture and the Commandments. But the transgressors altered the words from that which had been given. (60) And remember ye beseeched Moses for water. And ye beseeched Moses for pot-herbs, and cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions. Those who believe in the Qur'an, and those who follow the scriptures of the Jews, the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear. 67 And remember Moses said to his people, "Allah commands that ye sacrifice a heifer." Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will. Remember ye slew a man and fell into a dispute among yourselves as to a crime: But Allah was to bring forth what ye did hide. So We said, "Strike the body with a piece of the heifer." Thus Allah bringeth the dead to life and showeth you His Signs: Perchance ye may understand. 83 And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel: Worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide even now. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and messengers, to Gabriel and Michael, Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith. Be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees well all that ye do. 113 The Jews say, "The Christians have naught to stand upon"; and the Christians say, "The Jews have naught to stand upon." Yet they profess to study the same Book. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment. Say ye, "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham and Moses and Jesus. Our religion is the Baptism of Allah: it is He Whom we worship". Those who reject Faith, and die rejecting, on them is Allah's curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind; Your Allah is One Allah: There is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 164 Behold! the creation of the heavens and the earth; the night and the day; the rain which Allah Sends down, the life which He gives to an earth that is dead; the beasts, the winds, and the clouds. Here are Signs for the wise. O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good. He hath only forbidden you dead meat, blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any name hath been invoked other than that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, then is he guiltless. For Allah is Most Merciful. 178 O ye who believe! equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand. It is prescribed, when death approaches you, to make a reasonable bequest to parents and next of kin. 183 O ye who believe! Ramadhan is the month every one of you should spend in fasting. But if one is ill, or travelling, the period should be made up later. Allah does not want to make difficulties. Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. And you may eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread. Those are Limits set by Allah: that you may learn self-restraint. 190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. Slay them wherever ye catch them, but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque. And fight on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in Allah. 196 Perform the pilgrimage of Hajj and the visit to Mecca for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. Whatever good ye do, Allah knoweth it. 219 When they ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say, "In them is some sin, and some gain; but the sin is greater than the gain." When they ask thee concerning orphans. Say, "The best thing to do is what is for their good." 221 Do not marry unbelieving women, until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do but beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden of bliss and forgiveness. When they ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: So keep away from women in their courses, for Allah loves those who keep themselves clean. A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. So if a husband divorces his wife irrevocably, he cannot then re-marry her until after she has married and divorced another husband. Mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desire, but he shall bear the cost of food and clothing. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother nor father shall be treated unfairly on account of their child. 255 Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what appeareth to His creatures as before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme in glory. 256 Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Those who reject faith are the patrons are the evil ones. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein for ever. The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things. O ye who believe! Give of the good things which ye have earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you. Those who in charity spend of their goods by night and by day in secret or in public have great reward with their Lord. 275 Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. If a debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time. But if ye remit it by way of charity, it is best if ye only knew. O ye who believe! When ye do business with each other, reduce your contracts to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully, the one who takes liability to dictate. Allah knoweth all that ye do. On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. 3: THE FAMILY OF IMRAN (Ali-'Imran) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A. L. M. 2 Allah! There is no god but He, the living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal. He has sent down the Book, confirming what went before it. He sent down the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Commandments for judgment between right and wrong. Say to those who reject Faith, "Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to Hell!" 35 Behold! a woman of Imran said, "O my Lord! I dedicate to Thee what is in my womb." And she was delivered of a female child, Mary, commended her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One. Behold! the angels said, "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee above the women of all nations. O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings: his name will be Christ Jesus, held in honour in this world and the Heavens." Mary said, "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said, "Allah createth what He willeth. And Allah will teach him wisdom, and appoint him a messenger to the Children of Israel, to heal the blind, and the lepers, and to quicken the dead, by Allah's leave." 110 If only the People of the Book had faith! Some have faith, but most are perverted transgressors. They who believe in Allah and the Last Day; enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and hasten in good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. Those who reject Faith will dwell in the Fire for ever. 118 Ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. 149 O ye who believe! If ye obey the Unbelievers, they will drive you back on your heels, and ye will turn from Faith to your own loss. Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, their abode will be the Fire!. Evil indeed is the home of the wrong-doers! Allah did indeed fulfil His promise to you when ye with His permission were about to annihilate your enemy, -until ye flinched and fell to disputing. Those of you who turned back on the day the two hosts met, were guided by Satan because of past actions. But Allah Has blotted out their fault: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing. 189 To Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allah hath power over all things. Let not the strutting Unbelievers deceive thee: Their ultimate abode is Hell: what an evil bed to lie on! Yet, for those who fear their Lord, are Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath; therein are they to dwell for ever, a gift from the presence of Allah. 4: THE WOMEN (Al-Nesa') In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered like seeds countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual rights, and reverence the wombs that bore you, for Allah ever watches over you. 3 If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four. But if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one, or a slave-girl that your right hands possess. To those weak of understanding, feed and clothe them, and speak to them words of kindness and justice. 11 Allah directs you as regards your Children's inheritance: to the male, a portion equal to that of two females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. These are settled portions ordained by Allah, the All-Knowing, All-Wise. 19 O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, but live with them in kindness and equity. Prohibited to you in marriage are your female relatives and your step-daughters born of your wives to whom ye have gone in, no prohibition if ye have not gone in. Allah doth wish to lighten your difficulties: For man was created weak in flesh. 34 Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore, righteous women are devoutly obedient. Of women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them first, next, refuse to share their beds, and last, beat them lightly; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means of annoyance: For Allah is Most High and great. 43 O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, nor in a state of impurity. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or come from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again. 56 Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power. O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. Let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah, whether he is slain or gets victory - We give him a great reward. And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed? 86 When a courteous greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous. Allah takes careful account of all things. 92 Never should a believer kill a believer; but if it happens by mistake, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensation to the deceased's family. If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, the curse of Allah is upon him. 100 He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: Should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Messenger, His reward becomes due and sure with Allah: And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. When ye travel through the earth, there is no blame on you if ye shorten your prayers, for fear the Unbelievers may attack you. The Unbelievers are your open enemies. 129 Ye are never able to be fair and just between women, even if it is your ardent desire. But turn not away from a woman altogether, so as to leave her unsupported. If ye come to a friendly understanding, and practise self-restraint, Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 156 That they rejected Faith uttered a grave false charge against Mary; they said, "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah", but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear. Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. 160 For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them certain foods which are good and wholesome. We have sent inspiration through Noah5 and the Messengers. O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus was a messenger of Allah, say not "Trinity": for Allah is one Allah, He is above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. Then those who believe in Allah, and hold fast to Him, soon will He admit them to mercy and grace. 5: THE TABLE SPREAD (Al-Ma'edah) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 O ye who believe! Fulfil your obligations. Lawful unto you for food are most four-footed animals, but animals of the chase are forbidden while ye are on pilgrimage. 6 O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash yourselves. 12 Allah did make a covenant with the Children of Israel, From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We took a covenant, but they forgot. So We estranged them, with enmity and hatred to the Day of Judgment. 32 We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person, unless for murder or for spreading mischief, it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved a whole people. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger is execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet, or exile. As to the thief, cut off their hands. But if the thief repents, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 44 It was We who revealed the Law to Moses, "Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, and wound for wound." But if any one remits the retaliation from charity, it is an act of atonement. 46: And We sent Jesus the son of Mary, and the Gospel, as guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law of old. But O ye who believe! take not Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors, they are but friends and protectors to each other. Your real friends are Allah, His Messenger, and the fellowship of believers. Strongest in enmity to the believers are the Jews and Pagans, and nearest in love to the believers are those who say, "We are Christians". 90 O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, dedication of stones, and divination by arrows, are an abomination of Satan. Eschew such abomination, that ye may prosper. Satan's plan is to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? 97 Allah made the Ka'ba, the Sacred House, the Sacred Months, the animals for offerings, and the garlands that mark them. It was not Allah who instituted the superstitions of a slit-ear she-camel, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals. 109 One day will Allah gather the messengers together, and say, "O Jesus the son of Mary! Thou madest of clay the figure of a bird, and thou breathest upon it and it becometh a living bird, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, and thou bringest forth the dead, all by My leave. O Jesus son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods?" And he will say, "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right to say." 7: THE HEIGHTS (Al-A'araf) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A.L.M.S. 4 How many towns have We destroyed? Our punishment took them while they slept or in their afternoon rest. Remember how we threw Adam and his wife from the garden when they transgressed. Let not Satan seduce you in the same manner. He and his tribe watch you from where ye cannot see, they are the friends to those without faith. O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel for prayer. Eat and drink, but waste not, for Allah loveth not the wasters. 80 We sent Lut to his people, saying, "Do ye commit a new lewdness? For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women." And we rained down on them a shower of brimstone. See what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime! To the Madyan people We sent Shu'aib, saying, "O my people! worship Allah." But the earthquake took them unawares! We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh, but they rejected them: So we punished the people with droughts and plagues. 137 And We made a people, considered weak and of no account, inheritors of lands in both east and west. The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy. And we ordained for them laws, yet the people of Moses made the image of calf for worship. Thus did we divide them into twelve nations. 180 The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by them and shun profanity. When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, celebrate His praises, and prostrate before Him. 8: SPOILS OF WAR (Al-Anfal) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 The spoils of war are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger. Remember your Lord assisted you with angels, saying, "I am with you, to strengthen the Believers. I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers- smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them." O ye who believe! it is not ye who slew the Unbelievers, it was Allah. When thou threwest dust, it was not thy act, but Allah's. 41 Know ye that of the booty ye acquire in war, a fifth share is for Allah, and his Messenger, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer. Yea, enjoy now what ye took in war, lawful and good, but fear Allah. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 9: THE DISPENSATION (Bara'ah) 3 An announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the Great Pilgrimage! That Allah and His Messenger dissolve all treaty obligations with the dishonest among the Pagans. But when the proscribed months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them with all cunning. If they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them. Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. If a Pagan ask thee for asylum, grant it, that he may hear the word of Allah, for they are ignorant men. Oh ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean, so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, even if they are People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya tax and feel themselves subdued. The Jews call 'Uzair (Ezra) a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. Allah's curse be on them! 72 Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. O Prophet! strive hard and firm against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites. Their abode is Hell, an evil refuge indeed. 10: JONAH (Younus) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A.L.R. These are the verses of the Book of Wisdom. 2 Is it a wonderment that We have sent Our inspiration to a man among you? Say the Unbelievers, "Here is a sorcerer!" Those who believe will cry, "Glory to Allah! Cherisher and Sustainer of worlds!" Mankind was first but one nation. Had it not been for a word sent from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled. But most of them follow nothing but fancy, which availeth naught against truth. 37 This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah, it is a confirmation of the revelations before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book. To those who say, "He forged it", say, "Bring a Sura like unto it, and call to your aid anyone you can besides Allah, if ye speak the truth!" 98 Why was there not a single township among those We warned, which believed, except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We permitted them to enjoy their life for a while. Follow thou the inspiration sent unto thee, and be patient and constant, till Allah do decide: for He is the best to decide. 12: JOSEPH (Yousuf) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A.L.R. These are the verses of scripture sent down in plain Arabic, that ye may understand. 3 Here We relate the most beautiful of stories. Behold! The brothers of Joseph said, "Truly Joseph is loved more by our father than we! Let us throw him into a well." So they did, saying to their father, "Lo, the wolf devoured him." But Allah knoweth all they do! And the brethren sold Joseph for a few dirhams to a man of Egypt, who treated him well. But the wife of the house sought to seduce him, yet said he "Allah forbid! truly thy husband is my lord!" So she cast him into prison. 36 Now in the prison, two young men. Said one "I dream of pressing wine." said the other "I dream of birds eating bread from my head." "Tell us the meaning thereof." "O my companions! One of you will pour wine for his lord, the other will hang from the cross." 43 The king of Egypt said "I see in a vision seven fat kine, whom seven lean ones devour, and seven green ears of corn, and seven withered. O ye chiefs! Expound to me my vision" They said "We know not." But the companion of the prison, now released, said "Ask, O King, of Joseph." Joseph said "Seven years shall ye sow, then will come seven years of want." Said the King "I take thee to myself, an honoured man." 58 Came Joseph's brethren, to buy corn, and he knew them, but they knew him not. And by a trick he put a gold drinking-cup into his brother's saddle-bag, so that some shouted "Ye thieves! Slavery is the reward of the thief. Turn back to your father, and say, 'O father! Thy son committed theft! we bear witness!'" 83 And so, Jacob the father said "O my sons! go ye to enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing." And when they returned into Joseph's presence they said "O exalted one! distress has seized our family, grant us some bushells, for Allah doth reward the charitable." He said "Know ye how ye dealt with Joseph and his brother? I am Joseph, and this is our brother, behold, never will Allah suffer the reward to be lost of those who do right." They said "Indeed we have sinned!" He said "Allah will forgive you! Take my old shirt, and cast it over the face of my father, and his old eyes will become clear." And so did they, and Joseph gave a home for them with himself in Egypt. Here is a true story of wise instruction, a guide and a mercy to such as believe. 16: THE BEE (Al-Nahl) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Inevitable are the Command of Allah, seek ye not then to hasten them. He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends. He has created man from a sperm-drop, yet this same man disputes Him! Cattle He has created for you, that ye have pride in as ye drive them home in the evening, and to pasture in the morning, and who carry your heavy loads to far lands. He has created horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and for show. He has created other things of which ye have no knowledge. He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and fruit. He has made the Night and the Day, sun and moon. Allah sends down life-giving rain from the skies. And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in men's habitations. There issues from their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men. Truly, this is a Sign. 70 It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death, and who sends some back to an age where they know nothing after having known much. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others. 127 Do thou be patient, for thy patience is from Allah; For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good. 17: THE NIGHT JOURNEY or THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL (Bani Israel) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Glory to Allah Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque. He is the One Who heareth and seeth all. The One who gave Clear Warning to the Children of Israel, that twice would they do mischief and twice be punished! 13 On the Day of Judgment each man shall be brought to account. Therefore be kind to your parents. render to kindred their dues, and to those in want, and to the wayfarer. Kill not your children for fear of want, for We shall provide. Nor come to adultery, nor take life except for just cause. Come not to the orphan's property except to improve it, for all will be known to Allah. 35 Give full measure, and weigh with a balance true. Pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge. Walk not on the earth with insolence, for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor approach the mountains in height. 45 Recite the Qur'an with respect and call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman, for all his names are Most Beautiful. 18: THE CAVE (Al-Kahf) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness. Those who say, "Allah hath a son" say falsehood! 10 Behold, some youthful companions betook themselves to a Cave, then We drew a veil over their ears, for a number of years. Then We roused them from sleep, and one said, "We have stayed perhaps a day." Some say they were five, some say seven and their dog. Enter not into controversies concerning the affair of the Sleepers. They stayed in their Cave three hundred years, and some say nine more. 83 When they ask thee concerning Zul-Qarnain6, say, We granted him strength, that he followed clear roads to the place where the sun sets, and found there a pool of dark water and a People living. We said, "O Zul-qarnain! thou hast authority, to punish, or to protect." He said, "Whoever believes, and works righteousness, shall have a goodly reward." Then he came to the land where the sun rises, and found there a naked people. Then did he reach a place between two mountains, and found a people who scarcely understood a word. They said, "O Zul-qarnain! the Gog and Magog People do great mischief, make up a barrier between us and them." And he filled up the space between the mountains with iron and molten lead, saying, "In proper time my Lord will make it dust." Then shall We leave them to surge like waves on one another, the trumpet will blow, and We shall collect them together. The Unbelievers shall see Hell, and the righteous will have the Gardens of Paradise, 109 Say, "If the ocean were ink to write out the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord." 19: MARY (Maryam) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 16 Tell now the story of Mary, how she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. She veiled herself and We sent to her Our Spirit, appearing as a handsome man. He said, "I am a messenger from thy Lord, to announce to thee the gift of a holy son." She said, "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me?" So she conceived him, and when the pains of childbirth came, a voice cried to her from beneath a palm-tree, "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided. Shake the trunk of the palm-tree, ripe dates will fall into stream beneath, so eat and drink and cool thine eye." Such was born Jesus the son of Mary, this is a statement of truth. 20: TA-HA In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Ta-Ha. 2 We have not sent down the Qur'an to be an occasion for distress, but only as an admonition to those who fear Allah. 9 Has the story of Moses reached thee? Behold, he saw a fire, and said to his family, "Tarry ye, perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom." But from the fire a voice was heard, "I am thy Lord! in My presence put off thy shoes. And what is that in the right hand, O Moses?" He said, "It is my rod, on it I lean, with it I beat down fodder, and in it I find other uses." Allah said, "Throw it!" And behold! It became a snake, alive! 21 Allah said, "Go thou to Pharaoh." And Pharaoh said, "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with magic, O Moses? We can surely produce magic also!" Than did Pharoh's magicians make, by trickery, rods and ropes to move like snakes, but the snakes of Moses' rod devoured them. And then Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, but the waters overcame him. 80 O ye Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and made a Covenant with you on the side of Mount Sinai, and We sent to you Manna and quails and brought you away from the worship of the image of a calf. Thus do We relate to thee some old stories: and for now have We sent an Arabic Qur'an. 132 Be constant in prayer. Say, "Wait ye, and soon shall ye know who it is that is on the straight way, and who it is that has received Guidance." 21: THE PROPHETS (Al-Anbya') In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning, yet they heed not. 16 Not for idle sport did We create the heavens and the earth! We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! We granted to Moses and Aaron the Commandments, We bestowed on Abraham his proper course. 76 Remember Noah, when he cried to Us aforetime- We listened to his prayer and delivered him and his family from great distress. The people given to Evil We drowned in the Flood all together. And remember David and Solomon, Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, Zun-nun and Zakariya. 96 When the Gog and Magog people are let through their barrier, and they swarm from every hill. Then will the true promise draw nigh! Verily ye, unbelievers, and the false gods ye worship, are but fuel for Hell! Allah is One, therefore bow to His Will in Islam. 22 THE PILGRIMAGE (Al-Hajj) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 O mankind! fear your Lord! For at the Hour of Judgment Allah will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, and they shall be adorned with gold and pearls, and their garments will be silk. 26 Behold! We gave to Abraham the Sacred House, saying, "Sanctify My House for those who walk it round, or present themselves therein in prayer. And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men, they will come to thee on foot and on every kind of camel." 34 To every people did We appoint rites of sacrifice; Then pronounce the name of Allah over the camels, and when they are killed, eat ye thereof, and feed the poor who beg with due humility. We have made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful. 39 To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight, because they are wronged, and verily, Allah is powerful for their aid. They are those who have been expelled from their homes for no cause but sayong, "Our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, so that the churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein Allah is honoured, do not fall. Allah will aid those who aid Him, for Allah is Mighty. Yet they ask thee to hasten the Punishment! But Allah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning. 77 O ye who believe! Worship and do good. It is He who has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion, the faith of your father Abraham. 23: THE BELIEVERS (Al-Mu'minun) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 The believers must eventually succeed- Those who humble themselves in prayer, who avoid vain talk, who are active in deeds of charity, who abstain from sex except in marriage, or with the slaves whom their right hands possess. These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise, to dwell therein for ever. 12 Man We did create from a quintessence of clay, and all the good things of the earth. We sent prophets like to Noah, saying "O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him." We inspired him to construct the Ark, then when at our Command, the fountains of the earth gushed forth, to take of every species, male and female, and his family- except the wrong-doers. We sent Moses and Aaron, and We made the son of Mary. 52 Verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, therefore fear Me and no other. 24: THE LIGHT (Al-Noor) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 2 The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication- flog each of them with a hundred stripes Let not compassion move you, it is a matter prescribed by Allah, and let a party of Believers witness their punishment. And those who accuse a chaste women, and produce not four witnesses- flog them with eighty stripes. Unless they repent; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Women impure are for men impure. 30 Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. They should not display their beauty and ornaments without need. They should draw their veils over their bosoms and display their beauty only to their husbands, their close relatives, their slaves, or male servants who have no need of women. O ye Believers! turn ye towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss. Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste. If your goodly slave ask for their freedom, give them such, yea, and something more. But force not your maids to prostitution. 56 Pray, give Charity; and obey the Messenger; that ye may receive mercy. Never think that the Unbelievers will frustrate Allah's Plan. Their abode is Fire! 58 Let those whom your right hands possess, and children not of age, ask your permission before they come to your presence, on three occasions- before morning prayer, while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat, and after late-night prayer. 60 Elderly women may lay aside their outer garments, provided they make not a wanton display. Allah sees and knows all things. 64 To Allah is heaven and earth. He knows your intention. One day ye will be brought back to Him. 27: THE ANT (Al-Naml) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 These are verses of the Qur'an- a book that makes things clear; 17 King Sulayman (Solomon) with his hosts, of jinns and men and birds, came to a valley of ants. And one of the ants said, "O ants, get into your habitations, lest ye be crushed under foot." And Soloman took a muster of the Birds, and said, "Where is the Hoopoe? And the Hoopoe came, saying, "I have have travelled from Saba (Sheba), where a woman rules from a magnificent throne, she and her people worshipping the sun." Sulayman said, "Go thou, and say to her, "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful - come to me in submission." And she received the message and sent ambassadors with gifts. But Sulayman said, "This wealth is naught to what Allah has given me. Which of us can bring me her throne?" "I will", said an Ifrit (strong spirit)". Then said one who knew of the Book, "I will bring it in a wink", and Lo! Sulayman saw the throne before him, and said, "Let us disguise it, to see if she can recognise truth." 42 So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "We know it to be so, for we have submitted to Allah." And in the great palace, she saw a lake of water, and lifted her skirts to walk over. He said, "This is but a paving of smooth glass." She said, "O my Lord! I indeed do now submit in Islam." 88 Thou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed, but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away, such is the artistry of Allah. So rehearse the Qur'an, for the good of thine own souls. 29: THE SPIDER (Al-'Ankaboot) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A.L.M. 2 Do men think that saying, "We believe", will suffice? Remember the 'Ad and the Thamud people, whose fate ye may read in their ruins. Those who take protectors other than Allah are like the spider, who builds to itself a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses- if they but knew. 45 Recite the Book, and establish regular Prayer, for Prayer restrains from improper deeds. And dispute not with the People of the Book. Say, "Our Allah and your Allah is one, to Him we bow in Islam." 30: THE ROMANS (Al-Room) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 A. L. M. 2 The Roman Empire has been defeated, in a land close by, but soon they will be victorious again. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future. 33: THE CLANS (Al-Ahzab) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 O Prophet! Fear Allah, and hearken not to the Unbelievers and Hypocrites. 6 The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. 28 O ye wives of the Prophet! Whosoever of you committeth lewdness, her punishment will be doubled. But any that is devout, her reward will be doubled. O wives of the Prophet! Ye are not like other women! 50 O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee wives to whom thou hast paid dowry, and those whom thy right hand possesses from the prisoners of war, and daughters of thy uncles and aunts who migrated from Makka with thee, and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes her. This is only for thee, and not for the Believers at large. 53 O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses, unless ye are invited, and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such behaviour annoys the Prophet. And when ye ask his ladies for anything, ask them from before a screen- that makes for greater purity. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him. Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger - are cursed in this World and in the Hereafter will have a humiliating Punishment. 59 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons when abroad, that they should be able to be recognised and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 64 Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers and prepared for them a Blazing Fire. O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and speak rightly. 36: YA-SEEN In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Ya Sin.Ya Sin. Ya Seen. 2 By the Qur'an, full of Wisdom, the wise Qur'an, thou art most surely among the messengers of the Straight Way, to warn a folk whose fathers were not warned. Verily We shall give life to the dead, and make record of all things. 14 We sent to them two messengers, and they rejected them: We sent a third: and they said, "Ye are only men; for Allah Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation." Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messenger. I have faith in the Lord, listen, then, to me!" It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." But! Alas! There comes not a messenger, but they mock him! 33 A Sign is sent; the dead earth We do give life, and produce grain therefrom, and the orchard with date-palms and vines, that they may enjoy the fruits, not of their hands. Glory to Allah, Who created all things. We made a sign in the Night and the Day. We made the Moon to traverse her mansions till she returns like a withered date-stalk. We made the Sun to swim in its orbit. We bore their peoples through the Flood in the Ark. Not a Sign comes to them, but they turn away therefrom. 51 The trumpet shall be sounded, when behold! They from the tombs will rush forth to their Lord! Saying "Woe unto us! Who hath disturbed our rest?" Lo! they will be brought before Us! Then, shall ye be repaid of your past Deeds. Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in groves of cool shade, reclining on Thrones, every joyous fruit will be theirs. And O ye in sin! Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan and go the Straight Way? Here now is Hell of which ye were warned! Embrace ye the fire!." 69 We have not taught the Prophet poetry, the Qur'an is clear, that it may give warning to any who reject Truth. 37: THE RANKS (As-Saaffat) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 By those who range themselves in ranks, and so are strong in repelling evil, and thus proclaim the Message, verily, verily, your Allah is one! 40 The sincere servants of Allah are promised fruits of delight, and honour and dignity, in Gardens of Felicity. Facing each other on Thrones, round will be passed a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain, crystal-white of a taste delicious, free from headiness or intoxication. Beside them will be chaste women; restraining their glances with big eyes. Then they will turn to one another and question one another and one of them will say: "I had an intimate companion on the earth who did not accept the Message." Then a voice will say: "Would ye like to look down?" And he saw him in the midst of the Fire. 42: THE CONSULTATION (Al-Shoora) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 H.M 8 If Allah had so willed, He could have made all a single people, but He admits whom He will to His Mercy. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein. They became divided only after Knowledge reached them, through selfish envy between themselves. The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous. 43: THE ORNAMENTS OF GOLD (Az-Zukhruf) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 H.M 2 By the Book that makes things clear, a Qur'an in Arabic. How many were the prophets We sent amongst the peoples of old? And never came there a prophet to them but they mocked him. 18 Is then one brought up among trinkets, truly to be associated with Allah? Nay! they say, “Our fathers followed a certain religion, and we follow their footsteps." But when the Truth came to them, they said: "We reject this sorcery!" But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the wealth which they amass. Were everyone that blasphemes against Allah to have silver roofs for their houses and silver stair-ways, and silver doors and thrones and adornments of gold, this would be nothing but conveniences of the present life. 51 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me? Am I not better than this Moses, a contemptible wretch who can scarcely express himself clearly? Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed on him, or angels accompany him in procession?" Then when the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, thy people raise a clamour in ridicule! 68 My devotees! No fear shall be on you that Day, nor shall ye grieve, - Enter ye the Garden, ye and your wives, rejoicing. To them will be passed round, dishes and goblets of gold: there will be there all that souls could desire, all that ayes could delight in. 47: MUHAMMAD (Muhammad) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 1 Those who reject Allah and hinder men from the Path, their deeds will Allah render vain. Those who reject Allah follow vanities, while those who believe follow the Truth. Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers in fight, smite at their necks. And when ye have bound them, then is the time for generosity or ransom, until the war lays down its burdens. Those who are slain in the Way of Allah, soon will He admit to the Garden. 15 The Garden for the righteous has rivers of water incorruptible, rivers of milk, rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink, and rivers of pure honey, and fruit of all kinds, and the Grace from their Lord. Can those in such Bliss be compared to such as dwell for ever in the Fire, drinking boiling water which cuts up their bowels to pieces? 49: THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS (Al-Hujurat) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 2 O you who believe! do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loud to him as you speak loud to one another, lest your deeds became null while you do not perceive. 11 O you who believe! let not one people laugh at another people perchance they may be better than they, nor let women laugh at other women, perchance they may be better than they; and do not find fault with your own people nor call one another by nicknames; evil is a bad name after faith, and whoever does not turn, these it is that are the unjust. 13 O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honourable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful of his duty; surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. 53: THE STAR (An-Najm) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 3 Truly the Prophet saw signs of his Lord near to the Lote-tree in the garden! Yet has anyone seen Lat and Uzza? And the goddess, Manat? What! Sons for you, and for Allah, only daughters? These are but names which ye have invented! 27 Those who believe not in the Hereafter, give the angels female names. But they have no knowledge. Shun those who turn away from Our Message. 49 Allah is the Lord of Sirius the Mighty Star, He who destroyed many peoples. Why then waste your time in vanities? But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore Him! 97: THE NIGHT OF DESTINY (Al-Qadr) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 3 The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand. 98: PROOF (Al-Bayyinah) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 5 To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith; to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight 6 Those who reject Truth, among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein for aye. They are the worst of creatures. Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher. 105: THE ELEPHANT (Al-Feel) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant? Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them Flights of Birds, striking them with stones of baked clay. Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw, of which the corn has been eaten up. 109: THE DISBELIEVERS (Al-Kaaferoon) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine. 114: MANKIND (Al-Naas) In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King of Mankind, The God of Man, From the mischief of Shaitan, who whispers and hides, The one who whispers to the hearts of Mankind, among jinns (genies) and among men.  Muhammad ibn Abdullah c570 - 632 Muhammad's tomb is in the Mosque of the Prophet at Medina, Saudi Arabia.  ISBN 9781326806781     |
No Time? Read THE VERY, VERY SQUASHED VERSION...