Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali
Translated by: Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan
& Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali. For the first time the Noble
Qur’an, and the translation of its meaning in the English language by Dr
Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr Muhammad Muhsin Khan, are being
presented on audio CDs. The beautiful recitation of the Noble Qur’an is
done by Sheikh Nadir Al-Qallawi, and the translation is read by Mr.
Phelps (Bilal Abdul-Karim) from USA.
The Qur’an (”Qor-Ann”) is a Message from
Allah (swt) to humanity. It was transmitted to us in a chain starting
from the Almighty Himself (swt) to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet
Muhammad (saw). This message was given to the Prophet (saw) in pieces
over a period spanning approximately 23 years (610 CE to 632 CE). The
Prophet (saw) 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 of the two sources
which form the basis of Islam. The second source is the Sunnah of the
Prophet (saw). What makes the Qur’an different from the Sunnah is
primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qur’an is literally the Word
of Allah (swt), whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording
and actions are the Prophet’s (saw). 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 (saw) was the final
Messenger of Allah to humanity, and therefore the Qur’an is the last
Message which Allah (swt) has sent to us. Its predecessors such as the
Torah, Psalms, and Gospels have all been superseded. 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 (swt) 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 (saw)
1400 years ago.
The Qur’an was revealed in pure Arabic to
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over a period of twenty-three years ending in
632 A.D., the year he passed away. The first revelation was only five
verses, the first five verses of Chapter 96. Among the very early
revelations are Surah 73, 74, 80 and 97. The revelations were sent by
Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala (SWT), the creator and sustainer of the
universe, and transmitted to him by the Archangel Jibril (as) (Gabriel).
The revelations he received were sometimes a few verses, a part of a
chapter or the whole chapter. Some revelations came down in response to
an inquiry by the nonbelievers. The ordering of the Qur’an is not the
same as the revelations. Archangel Jibril (as) taught the ordering of
Ayat and Surahs (refer to Surah 75) as he transmitted the revelations to
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The Qur’an speaks in the first person,
i.e., Allah’s commandments to its creation. The Qur’an also uses the
royal “We” for Allah’s commandments. The main theme of the Qur’an and
all previous revelations has been the absolute oneness of Allah, the
creator and sustainer of the universe, who is without partner(s). Allah
(Glory be to Him) did not beget nor was He begotten. The Qur’anic verses
address people in a variety of ways depending on the context. It says
“O mankind” and “O people” in a general sense addressing to all people,
and in other instances “O believers” for those who have already accepted
the message of Qur’an.
The Qur’an is the direct Word of Allah
and it does not contain a single alphabet from anyone, even Prophet
Muhammad. The sayings of Prophet Muhammad are contained in separate
compilations known as Hadith, and include his deeds, lifestyle, and
decisions on a variety of issues. The Qur’an and Hadith form the
foundation of daily life of a practicing Muslim. The Qur’an has not
changed by even an alphabet since its revelation fourteen centuries ago.
Allah (SWT) has promised in the Qur’an that He will preserve it to the
end of time. It is also for this reason there is no need for any new
prophet or revelation (guidance) to come to humankind. The Qur’an is
read in Arabic with great emphasis on the accuracy of recitation,
including the recognition of diacritical marks and places where one
pauses momentarily or stops.
The Arabic word Surah is loosely
translated as chapter and Ayah as verse for the English readers who are
unfamiliar with Qura’nic concepts. The Ayah (plural Ayat) means a sign.
Those who have read the meaning of the Qur’an thoroughly and have had
time to reflect upon them appreciate the word ayah as it is truly a sign
from Allah (SWT), the lord of the universe, the absolute, without any
partners or associate. Allah is the personal name of God, the Lord of
the universe, the owner of the day of judgement. The word Allah is not
subject to gender (male or female, such as god or goddess) or plurality
(such as gods or goddesses). This word is found in Semitic languages,
spoken by Prophets (I’sa) Jesus and (Musa) Moses, peace be upon them
both (as).
According to the Qur’an, Allah sent
Numerous Nabi (prophets) and Rasool (messengers), i.e., those prophets
who were also given revelations or books from Allah. Among them are many
that are also mentioned in the old and new testaments, and others that
are specifically mentioned in the Qur’an. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
came about six centuries after Prophet I’sa (Jesus) and was the last
prophet of Allah. He is the seal of the Prophets. The words Islam and
Muslim are defined in the Qur’an, and Allah (SWT) states in the Qur’an
that the religion of all Prophets was Islam and called them Muslims.
Specifically, Prophet Abraham, among others, is called a Muslim in the
Qur’an. The word Islam means total submission (to the will and
commandments of Allah). It is derived from the root word SLM and salam
means peace (shalom in Hebrew). A Muslim is one who submits to the will
and commandments of Allah. The Qur’an is sent for both humankind and
Jinns.
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