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Quran in English: Modern English Translation. Clear and Easy to Understand.
Perhaps the best Quran English translation. It is clear, easy to read, and very faithful to the Arabic original. It closely follows the Arabic text, and often reminds the reader of the Arabic original. It uses today's English language, and today's English vocabulary, thus it is easy to read and understand. The flow is smooth, the sentence structure is simple, the meaning is clear. This Quran translation has no interpretations, no footnotes, and no explanations. It is a pure translation of the Quran, from Arabic to English, and it does not try to emphasize any school of thought. The text purely and accurately translates the Holy Quran, from Arabic, into contemporary English. It was translated by a Muslim, who saw firsthand the miracles inside the Quran. His native language is Arabic; his everyday language is American English. For 15 years, he studied the Quran. For many years, he translated speech between his mother and his wife. For a living, he develops quality software.The translation is available in two editions. Edition A uses the word Allah to refer to the Creator. Edition B uses the word God. This is edition B.Quran Sura 81. The Rolling. at-Takwir.In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.1. When the sun is rolled up.2. When the stars are dimmed.3. When the mountains are set in motion.4. When the relationships are suspended.5. When the beasts are gathered.6. When the oceans are set aflame.7. When the souls are paired.8. When the girl, buried alive, is For what crime was she killed?10. When the records are made public.11. When the sky is peeled away.12. When the Fire is set ablaze.13. When Paradise is brought near.14. Each soul will know what it has readied.15. I swear by the galaxies.16. Precisely running their courses.17. And by the night as it recedes.18. And by the morn as it breathes.19. This is the speech of a noble messenger.20. Endowed with power, eminent with the Lord of the Throne.21. Obeyed and honest.22. Your friend is not possessed.23. He saw him on the luminous horizon.24. And He does not withhold knowledge of the Unseen.25. And it is not the word of an accursed devil.26. So where are you heading?27. It is only a Reminder to all mankind.28. To whoever of you wills to go straight.29. But you cannot will, unless God wills-The Lord of the Worlds.The Quran is the last Book from the Creator. It contains guidance, mercy, and healing. The Quran is a blessing, within reach.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2014
About the author
Talal Itani
113 books27 followersTalal Itani is an electronics engineer, software developer, and writer. He was born in 1961, in Beirut Lebanon. He immigrated to the United States when he was 18, seeking education and peace. In 1983, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. After a few years of employment, he founded a research and development company, which quickly became successful and renowned in the field of telecommunications.
Talal first encountered the Holy Quran in 1992. He studied and researched the Quran for 15 years, then decided to translate it himself, into clear and easy-to-read modern English. The translation, which he published in 2012, is praised as pure, clear, and very faithful to the Arabic Original. Talal currently develops software and maintains the Quran translation. He lives in the United States, is married, and has two adult daughters.
Talal is the founder of:
www.ClearQuran.com
www.SureQuran.com
Talal first encountered the Holy Quran in 1992. He studied and researched the Quran for 15 years, then decided to translate it himself, into clear and easy-to-read modern English. The translation, which he published in 2012, is praised as pure, clear, and very faithful to the Arabic Original. Talal currently develops software and maintains the Quran translation. He lives in the United States, is married, and has two adult daughters.
Talal is the founder of:
www.ClearQuran.com
www.SureQuran.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 1, 2017
First off, I’m not a believer so I’m not going to review the Quran theologically. I grew up Christian so all my previous religious knowledge comes from the Bible. So that’s how I read the Quran, mostly noticing the similarities and differences from the Bible. And I’m going to just call the deity God because Allah isn’t a name like Yahweh, it’s more of a title (God most high), similar to El Elyon in the Bible.
I encourage anyone with the interest to read the Quran. It is better than hearing people talking about it without knowing what it contains. It’s interesting.
It’s a little long although not nearly as long as the Bible. I’ve heard people say it’s about the same length as the new testament in the Bible. It’s a bit repetitive. The chapters are organized with the longer ones first. Toward the end, the chapters are sometimes just a page long or less.
I have a pretty intimate knowledge of the more popular Christian sects. So if you know anything about Calvinism, you could say that God is definitely a Calvinist in the Quran. There are a number of passages that denigrate non believers but usually follow by saying that if God wanted you to believe, you would definitely believe.
Similarly to the Bible, there are a lot of passages that take natural earth processes, like plants growing and rain falling and use that as an argument for God’s existence. Some verses say that the sky is being held up by God. Noting that it would fall down on us if not for God.
In terms of storytelling, I found the Bible (other than the "begats" passages) a lot more entertaining. I think the Bible lends itself better to those children’s Bibles we were all so fond of as children. There is a lot of detail in the Bible narratives compared to the Quran. It’s important to note however, that the same narratives and characters you find in the Bible are also in the Quran. Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, Jonah, Lot, even Jesus and Mary. So I always find it interesting when you hear people talk about the Quranic God and the Biblical God as 2 separate deities. If they are separate, it’s certainly coincidental that they share the same cast of characters and stories. And the Quran seems to treat the old testament of the Bible as scripture. There is a lot of emphasis on the Israelites not obeying God, etc.
If you didn’t know before, the big sticking point between Islam and Christianity is the Trinity. The Quran is very focused on monotheism. It attacks the Trinity head on. It talks about how God doesn’t have any children. It does however have a special place for Jesus. It definitely venerates Jesus and has him do miracles and even talk in his crib, it just doesn’t present him as equal to God almighty. I thought in that way the theology was a lot simpler. If you talk to Christians about the Trinity, you are likely to hear many different definitions. There is just one God and he’s the ultimate is certainly easier to understand. Again, I believe gods are man-made creations. I’m speaking as an outsider as to the simplicity of the theology, not to the truthfulness of the claims.
Regarding Hell, the Bible’s references are actually few and far between. Christians have a pretty firm picture of it based on church attendance I believe. But the Quran is different. It mentions Hell constantly. There are details about drinking boiling water and being burnt. There is a lot of talk about how regretful you will be when you end up there. You’ll want another chance to believe for sure.
Christian Protestants focus a lot about ‘justification by faith.’ They won’t really say it like this but if you follow what Paul says, you basically just need to believe in Jesus to get into Heaven. The Quran does insist you believe but you also have to act on it. It’s beliefs + works as far as I can tell.
In our current age of islamic terrorism, I would be remiss not to talk about that aspect of the Quran. I pretty much read the whole thing and kept thinking - wait where were all the verses saying to kill the infidels? I found an anti-islamic website and went through all the verses they said talked about jihad and fighting and highlighted them in my kindle. I knew they were in there but I think it's similar to the Bible where people just blow over all the genocide in the old testament. When I was reading the narrative, it was more subtle than jumping to those verses individually. If you are so inclined, you can certainly find justification by God to kill non-believers or polytheists. God’s really hates them in the Quran. It says that explicitly. I do wonder if some of the more explicit commands are in the Hadith(s) as opposed to only the Quran itself but I’m too lazy to read the Hadith(s).
Satan is interesting in the Quran. When Adam was created, God asked all the angels to bow before him but Satan refused saying something like, “I'm not bowing to a lesser being!” which caused the rift with God. I couldn’t really make sense out of Satan’s role in the Quran. He seems like a tempter but then God is supreme. I have the same confusion with Christian Calvinism. I can’t figure out where God’s sovereignty ends and Satan’s power begins.
Bottom line, I read it and i'm not convinced to become a Muslim ;) and thank God it's short enough to get through. If it was as long as the Bible I couldn't have done it. Read it for yourself and see what you think!
I encourage anyone with the interest to read the Quran. It is better than hearing people talking about it without knowing what it contains. It’s interesting.
It’s a little long although not nearly as long as the Bible. I’ve heard people say it’s about the same length as the new testament in the Bible. It’s a bit repetitive. The chapters are organized with the longer ones first. Toward the end, the chapters are sometimes just a page long or less.
I have a pretty intimate knowledge of the more popular Christian sects. So if you know anything about Calvinism, you could say that God is definitely a Calvinist in the Quran. There are a number of passages that denigrate non believers but usually follow by saying that if God wanted you to believe, you would definitely believe.
Similarly to the Bible, there are a lot of passages that take natural earth processes, like plants growing and rain falling and use that as an argument for God’s existence. Some verses say that the sky is being held up by God. Noting that it would fall down on us if not for God.
In terms of storytelling, I found the Bible (other than the "begats" passages) a lot more entertaining. I think the Bible lends itself better to those children’s Bibles we were all so fond of as children. There is a lot of detail in the Bible narratives compared to the Quran. It’s important to note however, that the same narratives and characters you find in the Bible are also in the Quran. Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, Jonah, Lot, even Jesus and Mary. So I always find it interesting when you hear people talk about the Quranic God and the Biblical God as 2 separate deities. If they are separate, it’s certainly coincidental that they share the same cast of characters and stories. And the Quran seems to treat the old testament of the Bible as scripture. There is a lot of emphasis on the Israelites not obeying God, etc.
If you didn’t know before, the big sticking point between Islam and Christianity is the Trinity. The Quran is very focused on monotheism. It attacks the Trinity head on. It talks about how God doesn’t have any children. It does however have a special place for Jesus. It definitely venerates Jesus and has him do miracles and even talk in his crib, it just doesn’t present him as equal to God almighty. I thought in that way the theology was a lot simpler. If you talk to Christians about the Trinity, you are likely to hear many different definitions. There is just one God and he’s the ultimate is certainly easier to understand. Again, I believe gods are man-made creations. I’m speaking as an outsider as to the simplicity of the theology, not to the truthfulness of the claims.
Regarding Hell, the Bible’s references are actually few and far between. Christians have a pretty firm picture of it based on church attendance I believe. But the Quran is different. It mentions Hell constantly. There are details about drinking boiling water and being burnt. There is a lot of talk about how regretful you will be when you end up there. You’ll want another chance to believe for sure.
Christian Protestants focus a lot about ‘justification by faith.’ They won’t really say it like this but if you follow what Paul says, you basically just need to believe in Jesus to get into Heaven. The Quran does insist you believe but you also have to act on it. It’s beliefs + works as far as I can tell.
In our current age of islamic terrorism, I would be remiss not to talk about that aspect of the Quran. I pretty much read the whole thing and kept thinking - wait where were all the verses saying to kill the infidels? I found an anti-islamic website and went through all the verses they said talked about jihad and fighting and highlighted them in my kindle. I knew they were in there but I think it's similar to the Bible where people just blow over all the genocide in the old testament. When I was reading the narrative, it was more subtle than jumping to those verses individually. If you are so inclined, you can certainly find justification by God to kill non-believers or polytheists. God’s really hates them in the Quran. It says that explicitly. I do wonder if some of the more explicit commands are in the Hadith(s) as opposed to only the Quran itself but I’m too lazy to read the Hadith(s).
Satan is interesting in the Quran. When Adam was created, God asked all the angels to bow before him but Satan refused saying something like, “I'm not bowing to a lesser being!” which caused the rift with God. I couldn’t really make sense out of Satan’s role in the Quran. He seems like a tempter but then God is supreme. I have the same confusion with Christian Calvinism. I can’t figure out where God’s sovereignty ends and Satan’s power begins.
Bottom line, I read it and i'm not convinced to become a Muslim ;) and thank God it's short enough to get through. If it was as long as the Bible I couldn't have done it. Read it for yourself and see what you think!
July 7, 2019
God is great
I have a Quran in my home but I decided to read it on my kindle and I have to say it's just so beautiful, I read the last chapters really slow because I didn't want it to end that's how much I enjoyed reading it so I will just read it again. God is great. I would recommend this Quran to any and everyone because it's that clear and good.
Thank you for having a kindle copy 😊
I have a Quran in my home but I decided to read it on my kindle and I have to say it's just so beautiful, I read the last chapters really slow because I didn't want it to end that's how much I enjoyed reading it so I will just read it again. God is great. I would recommend this Quran to any and everyone because it's that clear and good.
Thank you for having a kindle copy 😊
May 18, 2015
Galatians 1:8 NIV
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!
First of all, let me state that I am a follower of Jesus, the Son of the Living God and Creator of the universe. I don't believe that there were any further revelations given to men after the apostles finished their divinely inspired letters which became our new testament. In fact, Jesus warned us that in the last days there would be many false prophets:
Matthew 24:23-25 NIV
At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. [24] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you ahead of time.
Matthew 7:15-17 NIV
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
By their fruit we will know that they are false or in other words we may know the motives of those claiming to be prophets by their words and deeds. I believe Muhammad's Quran speaks for itself in regards to the goals of the would-be prophet.
The primary objective Muhammad sought was to wield power over others. His first mission in accomplishing this goal was to construct a framework of divine authority behind his teachings. He claims that he has received revelations from Allah, who he says is the only true god, through the angel Gabriel. In fact to say that there is any other God besides Allah, or that Allah has "partners" automatically makes you an unbeliever in Islam.
The Quran (al-Isra ') Ch 17.111
And say, "Praise be to Allah, who has not begotten a son, nor has He a partner in sovereignty, nor has He an ally out of weakness, and glorify Him constantly.
The Quran (al-Ma'idah) Ch. 5.72
They disbelieve those who say, "Allah is the Messiah the son of Mary." But the Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his dwelling is the Fire. The wrongdoers have no saviors."
That is not what Jesus said:
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 10:30 NIV
I and the Father are one.”
Never mind the fact that Jesus declared the previous two statements 500+ years before Muhammad even claims his revelations. At best, Muhammad is a historical revisionist; however there is evidence in his work of fiction that he desired much more than just to retell, with his own twist, all of the stories of the Jewish patriarchs and the message of the Messiah.
In fact, it’s hard to find a chapter in the Quran where the accounts from the Scriptures are not perverted in such a way that it would be difficult not to feel a burning desire, even an obligation for Muslims to put an end to disbelieving Jews (People of the Scripture) and Christians (Polytheists) once and for all.
The Quran (al-Bayyinah) Ch 98.6
Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture, and the Polytheists, will be in the Fire of Hell, where they will abide forever. These are the worst of creatures.
Muhammad even goes so far as to describe how Muslims should dispose of nonbelievers of Allah. In a chapter named after himself, the modern day tactics of Islamic terrorists seem to jump from the pages of the Quran and into daily news headlines:
The Quran (Muhammad) Ch 47.4-6
When you encounter those who disbelieve, strike at their necks. Then, when you have routed them, bind them firmly. Then, either release them by grace, or by ransom, until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste. 5. He will guide them, and will improve their state of mind. 6. And will admit them into Paradise, which He has identified for them
The axe Muhammad grinds and squarely aims at the necks of Jews and Christians is a consistent tool used throughout the Quran to harness the ill sentiment among all those who are anti-Semitic. It would be easy enough to gain a following among those who despise Israel and anyone associated with them, but Muhammad doesn’t seem to just want power over a group of fanatical followers.
The Quran belies another ulterior motive lurking in the heart of the aspiring religious prodigy. Fame leading to fortune is often the goal of charlatans and swindlers, and in this Muhammad is no different. Though Muhammad's first motive for writing the Quran seems to be power over many, his second goal seems to be directed toward manipulation of individuals through the fame he sought as Allah’s ”last Messenger." Muhammad elevates himself to rockstar status by having Gabriel equate him with Noah, Abraham, and even Jesus- whom he says were all messengers of Allah.
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.163
We have inspired you, as We had inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And We inspired Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon. And We gave David the Psalms.
He even equates himself with Moses and claims Pharaoh’s downfall was defiance of Allah's messenger:
The Quran (al-Muzzammil) Ch 73.15-16
We have sent to you a messenger, a witness over you, as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger. 16. But Pharaoh defied the Messenger, so We seized him with a terrible seizing.
There are many verses in the Quran that setup personal perks for Muhammad. These supposedly come directly from the "mouth of Allah," through Gabriel, to the Prophet.
Final authority in all matters:
The Quran (al-Hujurat) Ch 49.1-2
O you who believe! Do not place your opinions above that of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Allah is Hearing and Knowing. 2. O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loudly to him, as you speak loudly to one another, lest your works be in vain without you realizing.
Complete dominance over all Muslims:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.53a
O you who believe! Do not enter the homes of the Prophet, unless you are given permission to come for a meal; and do not wait for its preparation. And when you are invited, go in. And when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. This irritates the Prophet, and he shies away from you, but Allah does not shy away from the truth.
Special recognition in public:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.56
Allah and His angels give blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, call for blessings on him, and greet him with a prayer of peace.
Oh! And of course, money:
The Quran (al-Mujadilah) Ch 58.12
O you who believe! When you converse privately with the Messenger, offer something in charity before your conversation. That is better for you, and purer. But if you do not find the means-Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
There is no doubt that Muhammad received each of these benefits in light of how much fame and notoriety was given to him as Allah's last messenger to mankind.
The Quran (Saad) Ch 38.86-88
Say, "I ask of you no wage for this, and I am not a pretender. 87. It is but a reminder to mankind. 88. And you will know its message after a while.
The last goal of Muhammad in writing the Quran appears to me to be one of a very earthly nature. Underlying many of the commands and guidance he gives to Muslim men and women is a compulsion to denigrate women and lower them to the level of property for men. In the Muhammad-constructed family unit, in which is permitted bigamy and slave girls, women are basically bartered for in order to enjoy. He views women as an object to fulfill men's wishes; this is apparent in this verse that continues the discussion of which females it is prohibited to have relations with:
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.24
And all married women, except those you rightfully possess. This is Allah's decree, binding upon you. Permitted for you are those that lie outside these limits, provided you seek them in legal marriage, with gifts from your property, seeking wedlock, not prostitution. If you wish to enjoy them, then give them their dowry -a legal obligation. You commit no error by agreeing to any change to the dowry. Allah is All-Knowing, Most Wise.
According to the Prophet, it is also permitted for men to beat their wives:
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.34
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great.
Further evidence for Muhammad's insatiable desire to create a religion that gave him divine rights to establish his own private harem, can be found in the verses that highlight the Prophet’s jealousy over his property:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.53b
And when you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You must never offend the Messenger of Allah, nor must you ever marry his wives after him, for that would be an enormity with Allah.
Muhammad uses his prestige as a prophet of Allah to lord over his wives with the threat of divorce:
The Quran (at-Tahrim) Ch 66.1-2, 5
O prophet! Why do you prohibit what Allah has permitted for you, seeking to please your wives? Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 2. Allah has decreed for you the dissolution of your oaths. Allah is your Master. He is the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.
5. Perhaps, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you: submissive, believing, obedient, penitent, devout, fasting-previously married, or virgins.
Judge a man by his fruit and you will know whether he is false. The Quran spills forth with the fruit of Muhammad and it reeks of self-aggrandizement, prejudice, hatred, thirst for power and fame, and pure lust. God created man in his own image, but Muhammad created Allah in the image of sinful man. There is no love in Allah, only spite and wrath.
There are so many verses that betray the media's portrayal of Islam's "peaceful nature," that it is obvious that they either haven't read the Quran, or they are actively being deceitful due to fear of Muslims. I say "Muslims" and not "terrorists," because it seems that if you truly follow Muhammad's Quran then you would be doing exactly what the jihadists are doing. Don't believe me? Here are more of Muhammad's own words:
The Quran (al-Nisa') Ch 4.89
They would love to see you disbelieve, just as they disbelieve, so you would become equal. So do not befriend any of them, unless they
emigrate in the way of Allah. If they turn away, seize them and execute them wherever you may find them; and do not take from among them allies or supporters.
The Quran (al-Mujadilah) Ch 22.58
You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their parents, or their children, or their siblings, or their close relatives.
The Quran (al-Ma'idah) Ch 5.51
O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies; some of them are allies of one another. Whoever of you allies himself with them is one of them. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.61
They are cursed; wherever they are found, they should be captured and killed outright.
There are many more verses I could have referenced, and that is why I would recommend that every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should read Muhammad's work of fiction for themselves. You must know what they teach in order to know how to reason with others about Muhammad's validity as a prophet of God. The goal of Satan is simple, turn humanity against itself and rise in the aftermath of war and destruction. What better way to do it than by inspiring a militarized religion among the people that most hate Jews and Christians.
The Quran (al-Anfal) Ch 8.39
Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for Allah. But if they desist-Allah is Seeing of what they do.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!
First of all, let me state that I am a follower of Jesus, the Son of the Living God and Creator of the universe. I don't believe that there were any further revelations given to men after the apostles finished their divinely inspired letters which became our new testament. In fact, Jesus warned us that in the last days there would be many false prophets:
Matthew 24:23-25 NIV
At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. [24] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you ahead of time.
Matthew 7:15-17 NIV
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
By their fruit we will know that they are false or in other words we may know the motives of those claiming to be prophets by their words and deeds. I believe Muhammad's Quran speaks for itself in regards to the goals of the would-be prophet.
The primary objective Muhammad sought was to wield power over others. His first mission in accomplishing this goal was to construct a framework of divine authority behind his teachings. He claims that he has received revelations from Allah, who he says is the only true god, through the angel Gabriel. In fact to say that there is any other God besides Allah, or that Allah has "partners" automatically makes you an unbeliever in Islam.
The Quran (al-Isra ') Ch 17.111
And say, "Praise be to Allah, who has not begotten a son, nor has He a partner in sovereignty, nor has He an ally out of weakness, and glorify Him constantly.
The Quran (al-Ma'idah) Ch. 5.72
They disbelieve those who say, "Allah is the Messiah the son of Mary." But the Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his dwelling is the Fire. The wrongdoers have no saviors."
That is not what Jesus said:
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 10:30 NIV
I and the Father are one.”
Never mind the fact that Jesus declared the previous two statements 500+ years before Muhammad even claims his revelations. At best, Muhammad is a historical revisionist; however there is evidence in his work of fiction that he desired much more than just to retell, with his own twist, all of the stories of the Jewish patriarchs and the message of the Messiah.
In fact, it’s hard to find a chapter in the Quran where the accounts from the Scriptures are not perverted in such a way that it would be difficult not to feel a burning desire, even an obligation for Muslims to put an end to disbelieving Jews (People of the Scripture) and Christians (Polytheists) once and for all.
The Quran (al-Bayyinah) Ch 98.6
Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture, and the Polytheists, will be in the Fire of Hell, where they will abide forever. These are the worst of creatures.
Muhammad even goes so far as to describe how Muslims should dispose of nonbelievers of Allah. In a chapter named after himself, the modern day tactics of Islamic terrorists seem to jump from the pages of the Quran and into daily news headlines:
The Quran (Muhammad) Ch 47.4-6
When you encounter those who disbelieve, strike at their necks. Then, when you have routed them, bind them firmly. Then, either release them by grace, or by ransom, until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste. 5. He will guide them, and will improve their state of mind. 6. And will admit them into Paradise, which He has identified for them
The axe Muhammad grinds and squarely aims at the necks of Jews and Christians is a consistent tool used throughout the Quran to harness the ill sentiment among all those who are anti-Semitic. It would be easy enough to gain a following among those who despise Israel and anyone associated with them, but Muhammad doesn’t seem to just want power over a group of fanatical followers.
The Quran belies another ulterior motive lurking in the heart of the aspiring religious prodigy. Fame leading to fortune is often the goal of charlatans and swindlers, and in this Muhammad is no different. Though Muhammad's first motive for writing the Quran seems to be power over many, his second goal seems to be directed toward manipulation of individuals through the fame he sought as Allah’s ”last Messenger." Muhammad elevates himself to rockstar status by having Gabriel equate him with Noah, Abraham, and even Jesus- whom he says were all messengers of Allah.
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.163
We have inspired you, as We had inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And We inspired Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon. And We gave David the Psalms.
He even equates himself with Moses and claims Pharaoh’s downfall was defiance of Allah's messenger:
The Quran (al-Muzzammil) Ch 73.15-16
We have sent to you a messenger, a witness over you, as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger. 16. But Pharaoh defied the Messenger, so We seized him with a terrible seizing.
There are many verses in the Quran that setup personal perks for Muhammad. These supposedly come directly from the "mouth of Allah," through Gabriel, to the Prophet.
Final authority in all matters:
The Quran (al-Hujurat) Ch 49.1-2
O you who believe! Do not place your opinions above that of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Allah is Hearing and Knowing. 2. O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loudly to him, as you speak loudly to one another, lest your works be in vain without you realizing.
Complete dominance over all Muslims:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.53a
O you who believe! Do not enter the homes of the Prophet, unless you are given permission to come for a meal; and do not wait for its preparation. And when you are invited, go in. And when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. This irritates the Prophet, and he shies away from you, but Allah does not shy away from the truth.
Special recognition in public:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.56
Allah and His angels give blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, call for blessings on him, and greet him with a prayer of peace.
Oh! And of course, money:
The Quran (al-Mujadilah) Ch 58.12
O you who believe! When you converse privately with the Messenger, offer something in charity before your conversation. That is better for you, and purer. But if you do not find the means-Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
There is no doubt that Muhammad received each of these benefits in light of how much fame and notoriety was given to him as Allah's last messenger to mankind.
The Quran (Saad) Ch 38.86-88
Say, "I ask of you no wage for this, and I am not a pretender. 87. It is but a reminder to mankind. 88. And you will know its message after a while.
The last goal of Muhammad in writing the Quran appears to me to be one of a very earthly nature. Underlying many of the commands and guidance he gives to Muslim men and women is a compulsion to denigrate women and lower them to the level of property for men. In the Muhammad-constructed family unit, in which is permitted bigamy and slave girls, women are basically bartered for in order to enjoy. He views women as an object to fulfill men's wishes; this is apparent in this verse that continues the discussion of which females it is prohibited to have relations with:
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.24
And all married women, except those you rightfully possess. This is Allah's decree, binding upon you. Permitted for you are those that lie outside these limits, provided you seek them in legal marriage, with gifts from your property, seeking wedlock, not prostitution. If you wish to enjoy them, then give them their dowry -a legal obligation. You commit no error by agreeing to any change to the dowry. Allah is All-Knowing, Most Wise.
According to the Prophet, it is also permitted for men to beat their wives:
The Quran (an-Nisa') Ch 4.34
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great.
Further evidence for Muhammad's insatiable desire to create a religion that gave him divine rights to establish his own private harem, can be found in the verses that highlight the Prophet’s jealousy over his property:
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.53b
And when you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You must never offend the Messenger of Allah, nor must you ever marry his wives after him, for that would be an enormity with Allah.
Muhammad uses his prestige as a prophet of Allah to lord over his wives with the threat of divorce:
The Quran (at-Tahrim) Ch 66.1-2, 5
O prophet! Why do you prohibit what Allah has permitted for you, seeking to please your wives? Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 2. Allah has decreed for you the dissolution of your oaths. Allah is your Master. He is the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.
5. Perhaps, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you: submissive, believing, obedient, penitent, devout, fasting-previously married, or virgins.
Judge a man by his fruit and you will know whether he is false. The Quran spills forth with the fruit of Muhammad and it reeks of self-aggrandizement, prejudice, hatred, thirst for power and fame, and pure lust. God created man in his own image, but Muhammad created Allah in the image of sinful man. There is no love in Allah, only spite and wrath.
There are so many verses that betray the media's portrayal of Islam's "peaceful nature," that it is obvious that they either haven't read the Quran, or they are actively being deceitful due to fear of Muslims. I say "Muslims" and not "terrorists," because it seems that if you truly follow Muhammad's Quran then you would be doing exactly what the jihadists are doing. Don't believe me? Here are more of Muhammad's own words:
The Quran (al-Nisa') Ch 4.89
They would love to see you disbelieve, just as they disbelieve, so you would become equal. So do not befriend any of them, unless they
emigrate in the way of Allah. If they turn away, seize them and execute them wherever you may find them; and do not take from among them allies or supporters.
The Quran (al-Mujadilah) Ch 22.58
You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their parents, or their children, or their siblings, or their close relatives.
The Quran (al-Ma'idah) Ch 5.51
O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies; some of them are allies of one another. Whoever of you allies himself with them is one of them. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people
The Quran (al-Ahzab) Ch 33.61
They are cursed; wherever they are found, they should be captured and killed outright.
There are many more verses I could have referenced, and that is why I would recommend that every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should read Muhammad's work of fiction for themselves. You must know what they teach in order to know how to reason with others about Muhammad's validity as a prophet of God. The goal of Satan is simple, turn humanity against itself and rise in the aftermath of war and destruction. What better way to do it than by inspiring a militarized religion among the people that most hate Jews and Christians.
The Quran (al-Anfal) Ch 8.39
Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for Allah. But if they desist-Allah is Seeing of what they do.
January 17, 2023
ok so idk if i can really count this bc we only read like 10 suras (or chapters), but i’m going to put it as “read” anyways. but anywaysss
how much can a female Christian say about the “goodness” of the Muslim holy book? maybe a little you say? well you say wrong my friend bc i ain’t got NOTHIN good to say about this sucker 😂😂 this is really an appalling book, with all sorts of fun stuff like “yOu CaN mArRy FoUr WoMeN!” and “ThE cHrIsTiAnS sAy ThAt ThErE aRe ThReE gOdS! jEsUs, MaRy, and AlLaH!” and well yk, that just is NOT RIGHT AT ALL. at all. at. all. but all (correct) biases aside, Mohammed and whoever else wrote this atrocity were bad writers. there is no flow at all between verses and don’t even get me started on the chapter titles. the heifer? for a chapter all about NOT a heifer? what the heck bro 😂. i do know that reading parts of this will help me defend my faith, and help me to know what Muslims believe. so overall 1/5 stars bc it would be very wrong for me to rate it any higher lol
how much can a female Christian say about the “goodness” of the Muslim holy book? maybe a little you say? well you say wrong my friend bc i ain’t got NOTHIN good to say about this sucker 😂😂 this is really an appalling book, with all sorts of fun stuff like “yOu CaN mArRy FoUr WoMeN!” and “ThE cHrIsTiAnS sAy ThAt ThErE aRe ThReE gOdS! jEsUs, MaRy, and AlLaH!” and well yk, that just is NOT RIGHT AT ALL. at all. at. all. but all (correct) biases aside, Mohammed and whoever else wrote this atrocity were bad writers. there is no flow at all between verses and don’t even get me started on the chapter titles. the heifer? for a chapter all about NOT a heifer? what the heck bro 😂. i do know that reading parts of this will help me defend my faith, and help me to know what Muslims believe. so overall 1/5 stars bc it would be very wrong for me to rate it any higher lol
February 19, 2015
Alhumdulillah,
This books is written plane and simple; Talal Itani has interpreted in such a way that it can easily be understood by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
This books is written plane and simple; Talal Itani has interpreted in such a way that it can easily be understood by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
May 12, 2022
هذه هي الترجمة التي كنت أبحث عنها 💛
أحسن ترجمة إنگليزية لمعاني القرآن الكريم لحد الآن.
عرفت أنها لي بمجرد قراءتي لسورة الشمس :
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. By the sun and its radiance.
2. And the moon as it follows it.
3. And the day as it reveals it.
4. And the night as it conceals it.
5. And the sky and He who built it.
6. And the earth and He who spread it.
7. And the soul and He who proportioned it.
8. And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness.
9. Successful is he who purifies it.
10. Failing is he who corrupts it.
11. Thamood denied in its pride.
12. When it followed its most wicked.
13. The messenger of God said to them, “This is the she-camel of God, so let her drink."
14. But they called him a liar, and hamstrung her. So their Lord crushed them for their sin, and leveled it.
15. And He does not fear its sequel.
أحسن ترجمة إنگليزية لمعاني القرآن الكريم لحد الآن.
عرفت أنها لي بمجرد قراءتي لسورة الشمس :
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. By the sun and its radiance.
2. And the moon as it follows it.
3. And the day as it reveals it.
4. And the night as it conceals it.
5. And the sky and He who built it.
6. And the earth and He who spread it.
7. And the soul and He who proportioned it.
8. And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness.
9. Successful is he who purifies it.
10. Failing is he who corrupts it.
11. Thamood denied in its pride.
12. When it followed its most wicked.
13. The messenger of God said to them, “This is the she-camel of God, so let her drink."
14. But they called him a liar, and hamstrung her. So their Lord crushed them for their sin, and leveled it.
15. And He does not fear its sequel.
January 29, 2020
Interesting. As a Christian and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was curious as to what this book was all about. It talks a lot about the Old Testament and it refers to Jesus Christ quite a bit, too. Nothing inherently evil here; easy to read. Nothing really stands out to me as to being profound or anything, but it read a lot like the Bible and The Book of Mormon. It had a lot of "do this" and "don't do this", but I didn't really see much of a story to it. More like "the teachings of..." kind of thing.
February 22, 2020
Interesting book.
Consistent with the prequels, God remains this big bully boy who will threaten to break your toys unless you do as he says. Of course, not a privilege of the Quran. Gotta give it to monotheism: unconditional love under certain conditions is a pitch that sells.
I particularly enjoyed how Mohammad positions himself historically, even if the constant looping-back to Moses and Noah got a bit on my nerves. The Quran is an easy read if compared to, say, Genesis. Maybe due to the translator’s work (title does read “Clear and Easy to Understand”), maybe because it’s a more recent book.
Another particularly interesting detail is Mohammad’s resolve in denying the god status to Jesus. He’s *kinda* cool with Jewish and Christians, but places “Jesus son of Mary” at the same level as himself and Moses: simple messengers of God. I can see how this would upset Christians.
It’s also a very political book, very prescriptive of behaviour with very few magic tricks, which I enjoyed. Overall, I rather appreciated the read. God is quite the entertaining character and the narration is actually very engaging, with some good poetry here and there.
I feel like now I may be ready to give Satanic Verses another try without feeling completely lost.
Consistent with the prequels, God remains this big bully boy who will threaten to break your toys unless you do as he says. Of course, not a privilege of the Quran. Gotta give it to monotheism: unconditional love under certain conditions is a pitch that sells.
I particularly enjoyed how Mohammad positions himself historically, even if the constant looping-back to Moses and Noah got a bit on my nerves. The Quran is an easy read if compared to, say, Genesis. Maybe due to the translator’s work (title does read “Clear and Easy to Understand”), maybe because it’s a more recent book.
Another particularly interesting detail is Mohammad’s resolve in denying the god status to Jesus. He’s *kinda* cool with Jewish and Christians, but places “Jesus son of Mary” at the same level as himself and Moses: simple messengers of God. I can see how this would upset Christians.
It’s also a very political book, very prescriptive of behaviour with very few magic tricks, which I enjoyed. Overall, I rather appreciated the read. God is quite the entertaining character and the narration is actually very engaging, with some good poetry here and there.
I feel like now I may be ready to give Satanic Verses another try without feeling completely lost.
November 1, 2022
The language is English, but it is neither clear nor easy to understand. The notes are lacking, the interpretation resembles google translate service, and the soul of the meaning is removed. I have previously read some of the Quran in a different language, translated badly still, but still got more than from this translation.
I want to add there is little introduction, framing for the understanding to be having some foundation, so a reading of this, or the ingredients list of the average shampoo are not as far apart as one would expect.
In previously reading the Easy to Read Version of the Bible - a much tougher book to unify and give meaningful transcending interpretation, I can say that this Quran stands a whole lot to be improved.
For the poetic part, most of it was lost in translation, so this seems to me to be lost at "clear and easy to understand" moment.
If nevertheless, one further decides to give it a go, good luck, you'll need it.
I want to add there is little introduction, framing for the understanding to be having some foundation, so a reading of this, or the ingredients list of the average shampoo are not as far apart as one would expect.
In previously reading the Easy to Read Version of the Bible - a much tougher book to unify and give meaningful transcending interpretation, I can say that this Quran stands a whole lot to be improved.
For the poetic part, most of it was lost in translation, so this seems to me to be lost at "clear and easy to understand" moment.
If nevertheless, one further decides to give it a go, good luck, you'll need it.
May 12, 2020
Here is a new translation of the Quran by Talal Itani, who kindly offered Holybooks.com to post it as an ebook. Talal Itani first read the Quran 1992, in order to discredit it. Since then, Talal has been studying the Quran, researching it, and teaching it to others. Talal decided to translate the Quran when he gave up all hope of finding an English Translation that is at the same time highly accurate, and very easy to read. This is the result: https://www.holybooks.com/quran-engli...
August 10, 2016
Translated well.
Translated well. Very thorough and thought provoking.
I will go back daily as I do the Bible. Enlightening and an easy read.
Translated well. Very thorough and thought provoking.
I will go back daily as I do the Bible. Enlightening and an easy read.
January 19, 2022
for there is no greater book
May 22, 2025
I should acknowledge at the outset that my read of the Quran was a compromise—I read it in a contemporary English translation instead of Arabic; I read it silently instead of reciting it aloud; I read the surahs (chapters) in chronological order (when written or taken down as approximated by scholars) instead of the traditional order (generally in descending length.) Even so, the message of the Quran is clear and unambiguous. It is not a narrative but rather a warning to those who will listen from God through His Messenger Muhammed.
The message? God created man to worship Him. Those who believe without doubt and surrender to God, who believe in the angels, the prophets and the scripture, who believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead on the Last Day, who say the prayers daily, who regularly give alms, who fast at the anointed times, and who pilgrimage to Mecca, if possible, are favored by God who forgives them their sins (slips) past and future and who opens the gates of Paradise to them at their deaths. Those who disbelieve are dammed to an eternity in Hell. The message is repeated in different ways again and again in the Quran.
The Quran was written or recited by Mohammed over a period of 23 years, first in Mecca where he and his followers were persecuted, and later in Medina after emigration there. Mohammed, the Quran says, was the last of the Messengers sent by God to warn mankind of His vengeance on disbelievers and His blessings for believers. Biblical prophets and other messengers preceded Mohammed who confirms and supersedes their scriptures.
In this brief review rather then try to drill down into the Quran, I’d like to share some thoughts after having read it even as an unbeliever.
Every surah begins with “In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.” Indeed, God is gracious and merciful to believers, but His vengeance on disbelievers is merciless and unrelenting. Moreover, God chooses whom to guide to belief and whom to blind to His message. Some will believe and be saved; most will not. “God guides to His light whomever he wills.” 34:35 “He to whom God has not granted a light has no light.” 34:40
In the later surahs written after persecution in Mecca, Mohammed writes that violence in self defense and in the cause of God is not only permissible, it is to be embraced; those who mobilize and die fighting for God are welcomed into Paradise. “Do not consider those killed in the cause of God as dead. In fact, they are alive, at their Lord, well provided for.” 3:169
The Quran allows only limited tolerance of other faiths for “It is He who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, in order to make it prevail over all religions, even though idolaters dislike it.” 9:33
The Quran itself is believed to be divine—every word, every letter, every jot—is the unalterable word of God. To change it, even to translate it, is to alter the Word. “The Word of your Lord has been completed, in truth and justice. There is no changing to His words.” 6:115 In Sunni Islam the Quran is believed to have always existed alongside God. The unchangingness of the Quran is seen as one of the proofs that it is indeed the Word of God in contrast to the Torah and Bible which have been translated and edited over time thereby forsaking any claims to be the Word of God.
In the chronically later surahs, Mohammed seems to associate himself with God; obedience to the Messenger is the same as obedience to God. “You must never offend the Messenger of God.” 33:53 “It is not for any believer, man or woman, when God and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have liberty of choice in their decision.” 33:36 This applies to matters great and small. “Do not enter the homes of the Prophet, unless you are given permission to come for a meal; and do not wait for its preparation. And when you are invited, go in. And when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. This irritates the Prophet and he shies aways from you.” 33:53
Some two billion men and women look to the Quran for guidance. It speaks to them in a way it does not speak to me. I view the Quran through the lens of my own upbringing, my own experience, my own biases, and my own beliefs whether I recognize them or not. The meaning and purpose the Quran brings to billions are not within my ability to understand. That said, I am grateful to have read it, even in my own flawed way.
The message? God created man to worship Him. Those who believe without doubt and surrender to God, who believe in the angels, the prophets and the scripture, who believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead on the Last Day, who say the prayers daily, who regularly give alms, who fast at the anointed times, and who pilgrimage to Mecca, if possible, are favored by God who forgives them their sins (slips) past and future and who opens the gates of Paradise to them at their deaths. Those who disbelieve are dammed to an eternity in Hell. The message is repeated in different ways again and again in the Quran.
The Quran was written or recited by Mohammed over a period of 23 years, first in Mecca where he and his followers were persecuted, and later in Medina after emigration there. Mohammed, the Quran says, was the last of the Messengers sent by God to warn mankind of His vengeance on disbelievers and His blessings for believers. Biblical prophets and other messengers preceded Mohammed who confirms and supersedes their scriptures.
In this brief review rather then try to drill down into the Quran, I’d like to share some thoughts after having read it even as an unbeliever.
Every surah begins with “In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.” Indeed, God is gracious and merciful to believers, but His vengeance on disbelievers is merciless and unrelenting. Moreover, God chooses whom to guide to belief and whom to blind to His message. Some will believe and be saved; most will not. “God guides to His light whomever he wills.” 34:35 “He to whom God has not granted a light has no light.” 34:40
In the later surahs written after persecution in Mecca, Mohammed writes that violence in self defense and in the cause of God is not only permissible, it is to be embraced; those who mobilize and die fighting for God are welcomed into Paradise. “Do not consider those killed in the cause of God as dead. In fact, they are alive, at their Lord, well provided for.” 3:169
The Quran allows only limited tolerance of other faiths for “It is He who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, in order to make it prevail over all religions, even though idolaters dislike it.” 9:33
The Quran itself is believed to be divine—every word, every letter, every jot—is the unalterable word of God. To change it, even to translate it, is to alter the Word. “The Word of your Lord has been completed, in truth and justice. There is no changing to His words.” 6:115 In Sunni Islam the Quran is believed to have always existed alongside God. The unchangingness of the Quran is seen as one of the proofs that it is indeed the Word of God in contrast to the Torah and Bible which have been translated and edited over time thereby forsaking any claims to be the Word of God.
In the chronically later surahs, Mohammed seems to associate himself with God; obedience to the Messenger is the same as obedience to God. “You must never offend the Messenger of God.” 33:53 “It is not for any believer, man or woman, when God and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have liberty of choice in their decision.” 33:36 This applies to matters great and small. “Do not enter the homes of the Prophet, unless you are given permission to come for a meal; and do not wait for its preparation. And when you are invited, go in. And when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. This irritates the Prophet and he shies aways from you.” 33:53
Some two billion men and women look to the Quran for guidance. It speaks to them in a way it does not speak to me. I view the Quran through the lens of my own upbringing, my own experience, my own biases, and my own beliefs whether I recognize them or not. The meaning and purpose the Quran brings to billions are not within my ability to understand. That said, I am grateful to have read it, even in my own flawed way.
April 4, 2024
I am Christian. I only read the book because I was curious. I imagined it totally different.
I didn't like it when things got repetitive.
I found it interesting when it talked about jinns and 7 layers of Heaven.
I didn't like it when things got repetitive.
I found it interesting when it talked about jinns and 7 layers of Heaven.
March 22, 2026
"This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guide for the righteous. These are the successful. As for those who disbelieve ... whether you have warned them or not ... they will have a severe torment." [¹]
Plainly the Qur'an, or at least the amount I managed to get through – the first five chapters (surahs), which takes up about a quarter of the length in this translation – is largely a very unsettling book to read. A large part of this is undoubtedly due to the fact that it is presented as a series of revelations (wahy) given to the prophet Muhammad by God at a time when the believers (mumins) were fighting for their own existence against persecution, so the material is not as centred around concepts like personal enlightenment or spiritual peace as much as it is about preservation of God's true and favoured kind [see above quote] against its earthly enemies – of whom the promise of being destined to fall guides much of the motivation present in these passages.
Much of the language is explicitly incendiary and makes provisions for things like acts of battle, even going so far as to rebuke believers for not engaging in battle for their emancipation:
"Fighting is ordained for you, even if you dislike it. But, it may be that you dislike something while it is good for you ... God knows and you do not." [²]
As suggested by the context, the book is very suspicious of disbelievers (kafir) in general and uses extremely wary language. It is quite cultish in this regard, stating unabashedly that God does not love the disbelievers [³] and so neither should you [⁴]. Unfortunately I believe it is easy to see how these verses can be taken to shape the attitudes of more fundamentalist Muslims in the present day. It particularly mocks Jews and Christians – the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab) – and portrays them as cunning liars – their "cursed ... enemies", even [⁵] – who take joy in twisting the true revelations of previous Abrahamic prophets [⁶], which God was correcting through Muhammad.
It is incredibly hypocritical in demanding proof of the People of the Book against something as unprovable as the revelations that Muhammad received – Hitchens' razor comes to mind – and in attempting to rebuke the various contradictions within the Islamic scripture makes a particularly ridiculous claim:
"We never nullify a verse, nor cause it to be forgotten, unless we bring one better than it." [⁷]
Going into this I was already aware of the most virulent verses regarding warfare (jihad) and the Qur'an's frankly reprehensible attitude to women – see basically the whole of Surah an-Nisa' – but what struck me most upon finishing the first few chapters were just how supremacist the book is. It gleefully implores Muslims to "travel the world and note the fate of the deniers ... And do not waver, nor feel remorse [when they are "eliminated"]. You are the superior ones" [⁸]. Decorated amongst a repetitive litany of verses talking about the "mighty" reward of dying in battle and for the cause of Islam, it is turbulent and angry.
There are a few parts of the early chapters of the Qur'an which do invite some note in a more positive light: compared to the Abrahamic scriptures that came before it, a more thorough description of Satan and his works are described, as well as giving a somewhat coherent alternative narrative surrounding the miracle birth, life, and eventual ascension of the prophet Jesus. There are echoes of the Sermon on the Mount throughout, my favourite amongst them being:
"Those who spend their wealth in the way of God, and then do not follow up what they spent with reminders of their generosity or with insults, they will have their reward with their Lord ... Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by insults." [⁹]
Unfortunately these are but glimpses of optimism in a piece otherwise so rambling and directionless, so unnecessarily antagonistic, and so contradictory that I was continually astounded that the Qur'an's assertion that the quality of the scripture itself was proof of its divinity – being referenced not only on the cover of this edition [¹⁰] as well as the continual challenge for sceptics to "produce a chapter [as good as] these" [¹¹] – as though it were not plagued by a serious readability problem. I cannot reasonably recommend the Qur'an for casual readers, save for religious scholars or out of an inane curiosity – the latter of which I was clearly consumed by. Besides, the modern incarnations of Islam – especially in distinguishing between the Sunnis and the Shi'as – seem mostly to be bound up in interpretations of the sayings of Muhammad (hadiths) rather than the Qur'an itself, especially in the more bizarre elements of the religion.
Nevertheless, the framework is duly set by the Qur'an – whose revelation remains the most miraculous pull-factor to Islam to this day. And, to be fair, I do not personally have an answer as to how the prophet Muhammad – an illiterate – came to be able to process such scripture, which I according to the canon of Islam did not actually read (as I only read a translation). Maybe I will attempt to complete the whole book one day, perhaps with some more thorough cross-referencing to the original Arabic. But however it was obtained, I do not feel as if I am reading the words of God on these pages. I read the words of a people who were clambering over themselves for a narrative of assured dominance in a time of distress.
Note: this is not a review on the translation quality itself, for which – as someone accessing the Qur'an for the first time – it appears Mr Itani did a good job with. The material itself was put across clearly, is neatly presented throughout, and the ClearQur'an website helpfully provides versions with both transliterated Arabic and English references to God (Allah) – the latter of which I chose.
(Citations: [¹] al-Baqarah 2, 5b-7b. [²] al-Baqarah 217. [³] ali'Imran 32. [⁴] ali'Imran 28. [⁵] al-Ma'idah 13-14. [⁶] al'Imran 71. [⁷] al-Baqarah 106. [⁸] ali'Imran 137b, 139[141]. [⁹] al-Baqarah 262-263. [¹⁰] Yunus 37. [¹¹] al-Baqarah 23.)
April 5, 2023
Alhamdullilah. Finished this beauty and honestly how can I write a choherent review....howw?!
I read the Qur'an in Arabic many a Times however I always have read it with minimal knowledge of meaning behind it.
So as a beginner starting out to know the meaning behind my beautiful religion I had to start from the start and that was the Qur'an. Thank you to the author for compiling such a beauty. Really really increased my knowledge and understanding. Not the most authentic of translations but that's for my second re-read.
SubhanAllah,Alhamdullilah, Allah Akbar.
Jazakallah xxxx
I read the Qur'an in Arabic many a Times however I always have read it with minimal knowledge of meaning behind it.
So as a beginner starting out to know the meaning behind my beautiful religion I had to start from the start and that was the Qur'an. Thank you to the author for compiling such a beauty. Really really increased my knowledge and understanding. Not the most authentic of translations but that's for my second re-read.
SubhanAllah,Alhamdullilah, Allah Akbar.
Jazakallah xxxx
Read
June 20, 2015It's unambiguous and clear in its message, and if you care about current events involving the Islamic faith, then it remains a starting point to understand the cause of the daily atrocities committed by the serious followers of this book. Mind you, this is a very violent text and contains explicit content. I do not recommend giving this book to a child to read.
P.S Though it's unambiguous and clear, that does not mean that it is easy to read. Judge for yourself.
P.S Though it's unambiguous and clear, that does not mean that it is easy to read. Judge for yourself.
August 23, 2016
We gave him power?
We gave him that? We gave him this.
Who is this "WE"?
And when we said to the angels "Bow down to Adam"they bowed down, except for Satan. He refused.
I need an answer to this "WE"reference.
Are WE the prophets? " We burden you with adversity & prosperity - a test. And to us you will be returned"
Thanks & Sorry if I offended your Religion.
We gave him that? We gave him this.
Who is this "WE"?
And when we said to the angels "Bow down to Adam"they bowed down, except for Satan. He refused.
I need an answer to this "WE"reference.
Are WE the prophets? " We burden you with adversity & prosperity - a test. And to us you will be returned"
Thanks & Sorry if I offended your Religion.
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May 7, 2021Alhamdulillah May Allah guide every reader to the straight path
Very easy to read and understand. I’ve compared many of the new English versions available on kindle to the older English versions (Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, etc) and this was the best!
Very easy to read and understand. I’ve compared many of the new English versions available on kindle to the older English versions (Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, etc) and this was the best!
March 17, 2015
basic understanding
I like this view it's simple easy to read and straight to the point. I recommend this book to any who wants to know about Islam.
I like this view it's simple easy to read and straight to the point. I recommend this book to any who wants to know about Islam.
November 24, 2015
So far, I am confused
Jews and Christians seem to be believers and accepted by Muslims as cobelievers. It also says to kill another believer damns you to hell. Why this war?
Jews and Christians seem to be believers and accepted by Muslims as cobelievers. It also says to kill another believer damns you to hell. Why this war?
Currently Reading
August 29, 2020Gibberish
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October 9, 2024As a Christian on a quest to learn more about the 4 major religions of our world, I started with Islam and the Quran. I really appreciate Talal Itani translating it into English. As the book does not have chapter introductions or an index, I found islamicstudies.info extremely helpful in providing commentary and/or background for nearly every verse. When the commentary was not enough, Wikipedia, Britannica, and Google searches were also tremendously helpful. As the book was only 275 pages, I did not expect it to take an entire year, but I enjoyed taking my time and the extra insight gained from complimenting the book with the other website information. In reality I was slacking from March to October 2023, but after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, it kind of lit a fire under me to step it up and complete this goal to understand Muslims and the religion of Islam. I found the journey very rewarding. I also ran across aCommonWord.com along the way and I'm not sure how I missed or didn't remember it in the news in 2007-2012, but either way, it's really cool and worth checking out too. As this is a sacred book to nearly 2 billion Muslim believers I don't feel qualified to provide a star rating as I would regular books, but again I am very thankful for Talal Itani for providing the English version for people like me.
May 7, 2024
This review is PURELY based on WHAT the translator was trying to do, which was a direct translation. I am not of this faith, and I read this to understand more about the books on the war in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and other countries in the region.
The translation seems to be well done. I don’t speak Arabic, so I have no idea, but I have a degree in Spanish and we dealt with translation. Reading this gives me the same feeling as direct translation from Spanish without changing words and meanings. There are parts that feel awkward, as any direct translation without interpreting would feel.
The translation seems to be well done. I don’t speak Arabic, so I have no idea, but I have a degree in Spanish and we dealt with translation. Reading this gives me the same feeling as direct translation from Spanish without changing words and meanings. There are parts that feel awkward, as any direct translation without interpreting would feel.
Want to Read
June 12, 202435:44 God will not be thwarted by anything in Heaven nor on earth. He is Aware, Capable.
34:51-53—If you could see when they are startled and there is no escape, and they are seized from a place near at hand, how they will say: “We believe in it!” Yet have they any way to snatch it up at such a distance? They have already disbelieved in it, and aimed at knowing the Unseen from a distance. Something will intervene between them and whatever they crave to have, just as was done with their different sects long before. They have lived in such suspicious doubt.
34:51-53—If you could see when they are startled and there is no escape, and they are seized from a place near at hand, how they will say: “We believe in it!” Yet have they any way to snatch it up at such a distance? They have already disbelieved in it, and aimed at knowing the Unseen from a distance. Something will intervene between them and whatever they crave to have, just as was done with their different sects long before. They have lived in such suspicious doubt.
December 23, 2024
I believe it's too simple a translation. I'm neither a Muslim nor can I read Arabic but sure know that revelation doesn't mean " to be revealed". So, I don't know if this or the other translation I read is better but this book is as violent as a hurricane sitting on top of an exploding volcano.
If you're one of the people who prefer the new testament to the old one:
I recommend a translation by Yusuf Ali. I think this comes as close as possible to being simple without losing essence. But, who am I to say this. I can't read Arabic.
If you're one of the people who prefer the new testament to the old one:
I recommend a translation by Yusuf Ali. I think this comes as close as possible to being simple without losing essence. But, who am I to say this. I can't read Arabic.
July 20, 2019
Not necessarily a bad translation (as if I knew how to judge that, not knowing Arabic). Some phrases - like "bed of hell" and "padlocked fire" - come across as too modernish though and threw me off.
Definitely appreciate that the author making it free online, and would recommend if you read it alongside other translations. I used Quran.com and IslamicStudies.com, but I'm by no means an expert and would suggest researching if you're sincerely, scholastically interested.
Definitely appreciate that the author making it free online, and would recommend if you read it alongside other translations. I used Quran.com and IslamicStudies.com, but I'm by no means an expert and would suggest researching if you're sincerely, scholastically interested.
March 7, 2026
It’s interesting to see the range of translations and interpretations available, and how each one can help readers connect with the message in their own way. For anyone working with translations or interpretations of Arabic texts more broadly, resources like this one — and even practical services for accurate language conversion such as the ones listed at https://www.translation.pk/arabic-tra... highlight how much care and expertise go into conveying meaning across languages
January 26, 2020
Best Read
I have had the opportunity to read few translations of the Quran.This is in simple and plain English.I’ll definitely recommend it to anyone who is seeking to have basic knowledge of the content of the Quran because this does not contain the detailed explanations of the verses.It’s a good read..
I have had the opportunity to read few translations of the Quran.This is in simple and plain English.I’ll definitely recommend it to anyone who is seeking to have basic knowledge of the content of the Quran because this does not contain the detailed explanations of the verses.It’s a good read..
July 10, 2020
Phenomenal
An excellent read. I have tried many English translations, however the flow of this particular translation has brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. Beauty that is difficult to capture in words. Find it hard to put down often. Will be my go to translation from now on.
An excellent read. I have tried many English translations, however the flow of this particular translation has brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. Beauty that is difficult to capture in words. Find it hard to put down often. Will be my go to translation from now on.
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