The Noble Qur'an

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"Alif Laam Raa. A book which we have revealed to you (Muhammad) so that you may lead the people from out of the darknesses into the light by their Lord's leave to the path of the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy." [Qur'an 14:1]

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The Qur'an ("Qor-Ann") is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was transmitted to us in a chain starting from the Almighty Himself (swt) to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (saas). This message was given to the Prophet (saas) in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23 years (610 CE to 622 CE). The Prophet (saas) was 40 years old when the Qur'an began to be revealed to him, and he was 63 when the revelation was completed. The language of the original message was Arabic, but it has been translated into many other languages.

The Qur'an is one leg of two which form the basis of Islam. The second leg is the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas). What makes the Qur'an different from the Sunnah is primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qur'an is quite literally the Word of Allah, whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording and actions are the Prophet's. The Qur'an has not been expressed using any human's words. Its wording is letter for letter fixed by no one but Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (saas) was the final Messenger of Allah to humanity, and therefore the Qur'an is the last Message which Allah has sent to us. Its predecessors such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels have all been superceded. It is an obligation - and blessing - for all who hear of the Qur'an and Islam to investigate it and evaluate it for themselves. Allah has guaranteed that He will protect the Qur'an from human tampering, and today's readers can find exact copies of it all over the world. The Qur'an of today is the same as the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (saas).

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Related Items

• A transliteration of the Qur'an
• An index to the Qur'an
• Search for a particular verse
• Syed Maududi's introduction to each chapter
• An essay highlighting the scientific information contained in the Qur'an
• Another essay on the Qur'an, knowledge, and science
• A brief history of the compilation of the Qur'an, courtesy of Perspectives.
• Some rules to assist in the memorization of the Qur'an.

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Translations of the Qur'an

On this Web site, there are three translations of the Qur'an. Note that any translation of the Qur'an immediately ceases to be the literal word of Allah, and hence cannot be equated with the Qur'an in its original Arabic form. In fact, each of the translations on this site is actually an interpretation which has been translated. The first-time reader is strongly advised to read the introduction to the translations we have made available. Corrections and suggestions are appreciated.

The Chapters of the Qur'an:

1. AL-FATIHA (THE OPENING)
2. AL-BAQARA (THE COW)
3. AAL-E-IMRAN (THE FAMILY OF 'IMRAN, THE HOUSE OF 'IMRAN)
4. AN-NISA (WOMEN)
5. AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE, THE TABLE SPREAD)
6. AL-ANAAM (CATTLE, LIVESTOCK)
7. AL-ARAF (THE HEIGHTS)
8. AL-ANFAL (SPOILS OF WAR, BOOTY)
9. AT-TAWBA (REPENTANCE, DISPENSATION)
10. YUNUS (JONAH)
11. HUD (HUD)
12. YUSUF (JOSEPH)
13. AR-RAD (THE THUNDER)
14. IBRAHIM (ABRAHAM)
15. AL-HIJR (AL-HIJR, STONELAND, ROCK CITY)
16. AN-NAHL (THE BEE)
17. AL-ISRA (ISRA', THE NIGHT JOURNEY, CHILDREN OF ISRAEL)
18. AL-KAHF (THE CAVE)
19. MARYAM (MARY)
20. TA-HA (TA-HA)
21. AL-ANBIYA (THE PROPHETS)
22. AL-HAJJ (THE PILGRIMAGE)
23. AL-MUMENOON (THE BELIEVERS)
24. AN-NOOR (THE LIGHT)
25. AL-FURQAN (THE CRITERION, THE STANDARD)
26. ASH-SHUARA (THE POETS)
27. AN-NAML (THE ANT, THE ANTS)
28. AL-QASAS (THE STORY, STORIES)
29. AL-ANKABOOT (THE SPIDER)
30. AR-ROOM (THE ROMANS, THE BYZANTINES)
31. LUQMAN (LUQMAN)
32. AS-SAJDA (THE PROSTRATION,WORSHIP, ADORATION)
33. AL-AHZAB (THE CLANS, THE COALITION,THE COMBINED FORCES)
34. SABA (SABA, SHEBA)
35. FATIR (THE ANGELS, ORIGNATOR)
36. YA-SEEN (YA-SEEN)
37. AS-SAAFFAT (THOSE WHO SET THE RANKS,DRAWN UP IN RANKS)
38. SAD (THE LETTER SAD)
39. AZ-ZUMAR (THE TROOPS, THRONGS)
40. AL-GHAFIR (THE FORGIVER (GOD) )
41. FUSSILAT (EXPLAINED IN DETAIL)
42. ASH-SHURA (COUNCIL, CONSULTATION)
43. AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY)
44. AD-DUKHAN (SMOKE)
45. AL-JATHIYA (CROUCHING)
46. AL-AHQAF (THE WIND-CURVED SANDHILLS, THE DUNES)
47. MUHAMMAD (MUHAMMAD)
48. AL-FATH (VICTORY, CONQUEST)
49. AL-HUJRAAT (THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS, THE INNER APARTMENTS)
50. QAF (THE LETTER QAF)
51. ADH-DHARIYAT (THE WINNOWING WINDS)
52. AT-TUR (THE MOUNT)
53. AN-NAJM (THE STAR)
54. AL-QAMAR (THE MOON)
55. AR-RAHMAN (THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCY GIVING)
56. AL-WAQIA (THE EVENT, THE INEVITABLE)
57. AL-HADID (THE IRON)
58. AL-MUJADILA (SHE THAT DISPUTETH, THE PLEADING WOMAN)
59. AL-HASHR (EXILE, BANISHMENT)
60. AL-MUMTAHINA (SHE THAT IS TO BE EXAMINED, EXAMINING HER)
61. AS-SAFF (THE RANKS, BATTLE ARRAY)
62. AL-JUMUA (THE CONGREGATION, FRIDAY)
63. AL-MUNAFIQOON (THE HYPOCRITES)
64. AT-TAGHABUN (MUTUAL DISILLUSION, HAGGLING)
65. AT-TALAQ (DIVORCE)
66. AT-TAHRIM (BANNING, PROHIBITION)
67. AL-MULK (THE SOVEREIGNTY, CONTROL)
68. AL-QALAM (THE PEN)
69. AL-HAAQQA (THE REALITY)
70. AL-MAARIJ (THE ASCENDING STAIRWAYS)
71. NOOH (NOOH)
72. AL-JINN (THE JINN)
73. AL-MUZZAMMIL (THE ENSHROUDED ONE, BUNDLED UP)
74. AL-MUDDATHTHIR (THE CLOAKED ONE, THE MAN WEARING A CLOAK)
75. AL-QIYAMA (THE RISING OF THE DEAD, RESURRECTION)
76. AL-INSAN (MAN)
77. AL-MURSALAT (THE EMISSARIES, WINDS SENT FORTH)
78. AN-NABA (THE TIDINGS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT)
79. AN-NAZIAT (THOSE WHO DRAG FORTH, SOUL-SNATCHERS)
80. ABASA (HE FROWNED)
81. AT-TAKWIR (THE OVERTHROWING)
82. AL-INFITAR (THE CLEAVING, BURSTING APART)
83. AL-MUTAFFIFIN (DEFRAUDING, THE CHEATS, CHEATING)
84. AL-INSHIQAQ (THE SUNDERING, SPLITTING OPEN)
85. AL-BUROOJ (THE MANSIONS OF THE STARS, CONSTELLATIONS)
86. AT-TARIQ (THE MORNING STAR, THE NIGHTCOMER)
87. AL-ALA (THE MOST HIGH, GLORY TO YOUR LORD IN THE HIGHEST)
88. AL-GHASHIYA (THE OVERWHELMING, THE PALL)
89. AL-FAJR (THE DAWN, DAYBREAK)
90. AL-BALAD (THE CITY, THIS COUNTRYSIDE)
91. ASH-SHAMS (THE SUN)
92. AL-LAIL (THE NIGHT)
93. AD-DHUHA (THE MORNING HOURS, MORNING BRIGHT)
94. AL-INSHIRAH (SOLACE, CONSOLATION, RELIEF)
95. AT-TIN (THE FIG, THE FIGTREE)
96. AL-ALAQ (THE CLOT, READ)
97. AL-QADR (POWER, FATE)
98. AL-BAYYINA (THE CLEAR PROOF, EVIDENCE)
99. AZ-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)
100. AL-ADIYAT (THE COURSER, THE CHARGERS)
101. AL-QARIA (THE CALAMITY, THE STUNNING BLOW, THE DISASTER
102. AT-TAKATHUR (RIVALRY IN WORLD INCREASE, COMPETITION
103. AL-ASR (THE DECLINING DAY, EVENTIDE, THE EPOCH)
104. AL-HUMAZA (THE TRADUCER, THE GOSSIPMONGER)
105. AL-FIL (THE ELEPHANT)
106. QURAISH (WINTER, QURAYSH)
107. AL-MAUN (SMALL KINDNESSES, ALMSGIVING, HAVE YOU SEEN)
108. AL-KAUTHER (ABUNDANCE, PLENTY)
109. AL-KAFIROON (THE DISBELIEVERS, ATHEISTS)
110. AN-NASR (SUCCOUR, DIVINE SUPPORT)
111. AL-MASADD (PALM FIBRE, THE FLAME)
112. AL-IKHLAS (SINCERITY)
113. AL-FALAQ (THE DAYBREAK, DAWN)
114. AN-NAS (MANKIND)

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There is no more wiggle room for Muslims

To Muslim citizens of the world: Americans appreciate the public condemnations of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., made by many of your political and religious leaders. It is heartening to know that much of the world stands in solidarity against such barbarism. But there is something lacking in these condemnations. In some cases, the spokesperson notes that Islam should not be singled out because there are fanatical terrorists of all religious stripes. In other cases, he or she states that we have to understand that the Americans have somehow brought this on themselves.

Such disingenuous posturing must be questioned. For the truth is that the recent catastrophes are not the isolated acts of a few madmen.

They are merely the tip of an Islamic fundamentalist iceberg that threatens the entire Western world and its democratic ideals.

Muslim citizens of the world can no longer sit back and wash their hands of these atrocities. They can no longer distance themselves from these acts of barbarism. They must not simply mouth equivocal condemnations of such terrorism and then do nothing. Instead, they must begin to dismantle the cultural and religious networks within their own communities that allow such terrorism to flourish.

While there may be fanatics of every religious stripe, they pale in comparison to the numbers of Islamic extremists. Islamic fundamentalism is not simply a handful of terrorist cells directed by Osama bin Laden. Islamic fundamentalism is a worldwide movement that threatens the freedoms of people everywhere.

Young men so filled with hate that they are willing to sacrifice their lives to kill innocent people simply because they are Americans or Israelis do not appear out of nowhere. They are the products of an extremist culture that has taken over parts of the Arab world and threatens to engulf not only the rest of the Arab world but Muslim countries from Europe to Asia as well.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that a Palestinian population where schoolchildren have been taught for 30 years that Americans are evil is a breeding ground for terrorists. Who can blame young men for throwing their lives away when their society crowns them heroes and martyrs for doing so?

Yet it is not just the displaced Palestinians who have created a crucible for crimes of terror. It is also evident in the new theocracies of the Arab world. Afghanistan is the most recent of these intolerant states perversely based on the teachings of the Koran.

The Taliban regime stands for everything America finds abhorrent.

From its religious intolerance to its medieval criminal-justice system to its degradation of women, it is the frightening face of Islamic fundamentalism left unchecked.

But Afghanistan is not the only example of Islam gone bad. Iran still is mired in the repressive rule of a religious government more suited to the 11th Century than the 21st Century.

It has been said that these nations are the exceptions, that they are not representative of Islam as a whole. That may be true today but it is a fragile truth. The Islamic fundamentalist movement is a potent force throughout the Arab world and it would not take much to turn states like Egypt, Jordan, Syria and even Saudi Arabia into new repressive, theocratic regimes.

So what is my message to the majority of peace-loving, tolerant Muslims throughout the world? Don't just condemn terrorist attacks by those perversely claiming to follow your faith. Take action on a daily basis to ensure that Islamic fundamentalism is, if not defeated, at least constantly held at bay.

Every major religion is faced with this problem. Those of reason must always be vigilant and fight the extremists within their own faith. Be they fundamentalist Christians who kill abortion providers in the name of God or ultraorthodox Jews who would turn Israel into an intolerant theocratic state or militant Sikhs and Hindus who carry their ongoing war of hate throughout the world, they must be constantly challenged and thwarted by those of reason within each faith.

The only difference for Muslims is the extent to which the fundamentalist extremists have succeeded. The recent acts of terror are simply the latest, most visible manifestations of a widespread movement that must be stopped. The best way to halt that movement is for reasonable Muslims everywhere to fight the extremists at every turn. They must publicly and loudly declaim the fundamentalists' perversions of the Koran.

They must root out the worst elements of their own community and bring them to justice. They must take the lead in this restoration of sanity.

As one Muslim letter writer to a large daily newspaper wrote in speaking of the recent attacks: "This is terrorism, not Islam." Well, if that's true, let the whole world know and cut the cancer from your religion.

Either you're with us or against us. There is no vacillating middle. The alternative is an ongoing holy war that no right-thinking people would want.
David Martin

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Uhmmm..My answer would be, 'B'. Yes Regis, that is my final answer!!

Islam means peace but not in the way we define peace. They do believe in peace but it is after everyone is living under Sharia, Islamic law and anyone who doesn't submit is killed. There is peace in total obedience to one way of thinking. Not the peace we want though.

Islam means peace subdue. Glad people are waking up to the truth.

Islam as a religion of peace that has been 'hijacked' by a few zealots.

I believe 'a few' means 80% of them.

Not "subdue" but "submission."

Of course, in order to achieve "submission" many of them seem quite willing to subdue people...

I agree, just do a search on "bomb" or "hijack" or "terrorism" and almost invartiably it is Arab related. That is what keeps me wondering how long we can beleive the hype!!

Informative Link:

Islam's Hatred of the Clitoris

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Which version of the Quran do you recommend? I have 7 versions so far.

Islam = Peace like Bible = Good News

Islam means submission. A Muslim is one who submits. The word for submission and peace come from the same root word in Arabic, that is how so-called "moderate" Muslims are spinning submission into peace.

gulbutt@yahoo.com

"All citizens of Afghanistan must be Muslim. Non-Muslims have no place in Afghanistan, except as occasional visitors or servants of the Afghan people. We must not tolerate any evil practices. Non-Islamic people are the root cause of many problems in Afghanistan. "

Gul

20 Oct 2001

Islam means submission.

Bible means book.

Gospel means good news.

Everybody is somebody's Goy, Infidel, Heathen, Satan. Accorcing to the majority of the world's believers the majority of the world's believers are going to burn in Hell because the majority are either goy, heathen or infidel.

You're screwed; I'm screwed; We're all screwed because we don't believe as you believe . . . in other words YOUR FAITH sends me to Hell, And MY FAITH sends you to Hell.

Even if we swap faiths we're still screwed!!!! DAMN! I'd better start makin' ice cubes.

Shit!

Thanks for the references.

Islam means peace?? I've often thought that ISLAM stood for Ignorant, Stupid Lame Annoying Men! I'm sorry, but I don't think this religion is LIBERATING in the least for women and children. I believe that it is oppressive. Perhaps, I'm just not getting it. (Which is a possibility)

Perhaps, the problem is that what I see these people espousing and what their actions are doing are complete opposites. I have no doubts that there are good Muslims. The question is: Do any of the good Muslims have the courage to stand up?? Not enough are doing it and therefore, leaves me with the impression that they are somehow weakminded and threatened by a woman's position in their society. Any insight would be nice!

"Shit!"

Not a bad idea. You may feel better. (Unless, of course, your eyes are already turning yellow.)

BTW, my faith won't send you to Hell, but your lack of faith will.