The Holy Koran

An Introduction with Selections

A.J. Arberry

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9780415440578
• eBook ISBN: 9781135030292
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Despite being revered as the Holy Book by Muslims throughout the world, the Koran is the least known and least understood in the West of all the great religious books. In this volume A J Arberry examines this paradox and explains the qualities of the Koran which have made it acceptable to so many people. The selections have been chosen and arranged to illustrate the religious and ethical message of the Koran.

TRANSLATIONS

THE OPENING PRAYER

In the name of God, the All-Compassionate, the Merciful.

To God belongs Praise, for He is the Lord of all Being,

the All-Compassionate, the Merciful,

the Ruler of the Day of Reckoning.

Thee only we serve ; to Thee alone we pray for succour.

Guide us in the straight path,

the path of those whom Thou hast blessed,

not of those against whom Thou art wrathful, nor of them who are astray.

I

THE UNITY OF GOD

SAY :	He is God, One,
	God, the Everlasting Refuge,
	Who has not begotten, and has not been begotten,
	and equal to Him is not any one.

CXII

GLORY TO GOD

Glory to God in the evening and the morning :

Praise be to Him in the heavens and the earth,

at night and through the noonday.

He brings forth the living from the dead

and brings forth the dead from the living

and quickens the earth after it was dead :

even so shall you be brought forth.

These are His Signs :

that He created you of dust,

then lo ! you are men, scattered through the earth.

These are His Signs :

that He created for you, of your very selves,

spouses, that you may find repose in them,

and fashioned between you a love and a compassion—

Surely there are Signs for a people who reflect.

These are His Signs :

that He created the heavens and the earth,

and the diversity of your tongues and colours—

Surely there are Signs for all living beings.

These are His Signs :

your sleeping night and day,

and your questing after His bounty—

Surely there are Signs for a people who hearken.

These are His Signs :

that He shows you the lightning, for fear and hope,

and sends down a rain out of heaven

quickening therewith the earth after it was dead—

Surely there are Signs for a people having reason.

These are His Signs :

that heaven and earth at His bidding shall arise,

and then, when He shall call you, once and suddenly

out of the earth, behold ! you shall come forth.

To Him belongs every one in the heavens and earth :

all stand suppliant before Him.

xxx 19-25

GOD THE ONE

It is He who fashioned for you hearing, eyes and hearts

(but little do you give thanks),

and it is He who scattered you through the earth

(and to Him shall you be mustered),

and it is He who causes you to die, and to live,

and to Him belongs the alternation of night and day :

will you not understand ?

(But no : they said the like of what the Ancients said.

They said : “ What ? When we are dead,

and become dust and bones,

shall we indeed be summoned up ?

Why, we have already been promised this before,

we and our fathers :

this is nothing but the tales of the Ancients ”.)

SAY : To whom does the earth belong, and all who dwell in it,

if you are so knowing ?

They will SAY : To God.

SAY : Will you not then be mindful ?

SAY : Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens,

and the Lord of the Mighty Throne ?

They will SAY : They are God's.

SAY : Will you not then have awe of Him ?

SAY : In whose hand is the Kingdom of all things,

protecting He, Himself unprotected,

if you are so knowing ?

They will SAY : It is God's.

SAY : Why then are you bewitched ?

(No indeed : We came to them with the Truth : it is they who are liars.)

God has taken no son to Himself,

nor was there ever with Him any other god ;

else every several god would have gone off with his creation,

and some would have risen superior to others.

Glorious is God, far transcending what they describe,

having knowledge of the Unseen and the Visible,

far above what they associate with Him.

XXIII 80-94

GOD HAS NO SON

SAY :

If the All-Compassionate indeed had a son,

I would be the first of his worshippers.

Glorious is the Lord of the heavens and the earth,

the Lord of the Throne,

far transcending what they describe.

(Leave them then to plunge and play

until they shall meet their day,

the day wherewith they were ever menaced.)

And it is He who in Heaven is God,

and in Earth is God ;

and He is the Wise, the All-Knowing.

And Blessed is He to whom belongs

the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth

and all that lies between them.

He likewise has knowledge of the Hour,

and to Him shall you every one be returned.

XLIII 81-86

THE GOD OF ALL

To Him belongs every one

dwelling in the heavens and the earth,

and likewise those who dwell in His presence

not disdaining to worship Him

neither growing weary,

magnifying Him night and day

without flagging.

Have they taken to themselves gods of the earth,
able to raise up the dead ?

(Had there been gods in heaven and earth other than God
they would surely have fallen into corruption.)

Glor...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Title Page
• Copyright
• GENERAL INTRODUCTION
• CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• TRANSLATIONS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY