The Message - Progressive Muslims
The Message
A Modern Literal Translation of the Quran
"This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, a guide for the righteous." (Quran 2:2)
Updated December 9th, 2004
Disclaimer
This work represents a translation of the divine words revealed in the Quran over 1,400 years ago and in no way is the translation itself divine or perfect. Any shortcomings are purely due to human error and the reader is always advised to independently verify what he/she reads as the only absolute truth is with God.
"And do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and mind, all these you are responsible for." (Quran 17:36)
Dedication
To God. This work is a very small way of saying "Thank You" for all Your blessings and mercy upon us, beyond measure, and beyond limits. May You overlook our constant shortcomings, and never abandon us to our destructive tendencies and desires.
Please report any errors or comments to info@ProgressiveMuslims.Org
Preface
"A.L.R. A Scripture which We have sent down to you so that you may take the people out of the darkness and into the light by their Lord's leave to the path of the Noble, the Praiseworthy." (Quran 14:1)
The Quran is the final in a series of written revelations that occurred between God and humankind beginning with the revelations given to Abraham and ending with the last prophet over 1,400 years ago. All the revealed texts have had an immense impact on human society and history and their traces and influences can still be found in many aspects of civil life around the globe.
What makes the Quran unique amongst all the texts is that it culminates all previous messages and laws, thus re-establishing the bond between man and God. According to the Quran itself, it has been sent to authenticate and supercede all other scripts, thus establishing the path that humankind is to undertake until the coming of the Hour.
"And We have sent down to you the Scripture with truth, authenticating what is present of the Scripture and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and had God willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute." (Quran 5:48)
Stating The Obvious
To the average reader of the Quran, the first glaring observation that he/she will make is that the subject matters are scattered throughout with no logical reference. For example, the history of the Children of Israel is heavily recorded in Chapter 2, but then different snap-shots from the same story are found in Chapter 7, Chapter 20, and elsewhere in the Scripture.
In fact, the only subject that has not been scattered throughout the Scripture is that of Joseph in Chapter 12 where his story is given sequentially and in one take.
The structure of the Scripture is one of the main reasons that people turn away from studying the Quran for themselves and they opt to have others explain it to them, while they simply become content with 'reciting' the book to gain favor with God and extra credit. This lazy approach has opened the door to the exploitation of the masses through the myriad of appointed scholars who emerged over the past 14 centuries to be God's representatives and to tell the people what God wants them to know or do.
Why This Jigsaw Puzzle?
While most who have read the Quran may live and die without ever confronting the above question, the students who seek God know not to leave a stone unturned in their pursuit for knowledge and in their use of the faculties of sight, hearing, mind, and heart that God Himself bestowed them with.
The answer comes directly from God's Book regarding its unique structure, that it has been designed as such to identify peoples inner intentions, and to reveal those who do not believe in the Hereafter from those who do believe.
"He is the One who sent down to you the Scripture, from which there are firm verses; they are the essence of the Scripture; and others which are similar to each other. As for those who have disease in their hearts, they will follow what is similar from it seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God and those who are well founded in knowledge, they Say: "We believe in it, all is from our Lord." And none will remember except the people of understanding." (Quran 3:7)
The firm verses are understood to be the ones where the message needs no extra work and where the verse carries no ambiguity or loss of information on its own (e.g. God is One, honor your parents, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not lie, do not steal, do not be a tyrant, do not oppress, etc.). While the similar verses are mixed into the Book like a jigsaw puzzle, and where people who follow them without taking the proper time and effort to study them risk committing crimes under the guise that 'God had ordered this!'
Do All People Need To Study The Quran?
It is a fact of life that many people will not have the time, ability, or effort to study the Quran as it deserves to be studied?Therefore, it is important to mention from the outset of this preface that simply sticking to the firm verses as mentioned in 3:7 is enough for the people to be able to walk the Straight Path and attain salvation for their souls.
The Quran confirms this understanding by stating the following:
"Those who believe, and those who are Jewish, and the Converts, and the Nazarenes; whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good works, then they will have nothing to fear nor will they grieve." (Quran 5:69)
Thus, the minimum that a person needs to save himself/herself is to believe in God and work righteousness.
As for the definition of 'what is considered righteousness,' that too has not been left to ambiguity and has been made clear in the firm verses of the Scripture:
"Say: 'Come let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden for you: that you should not set up anything with Him; and be kind to your parents; and do not kill your unborn children for fear of poverty, We provide for you and for them; and do not come near lewdness, what is plain of it or subtle; and do not kill the soul, which God has forbidden, except in justice. That is what He enjoined you that you may comprehend. And do not come near the money of the orphan, except for what is best, until he reached his maturity; and give honestly full measure and weight equitably. We do not burden a soul except by what it can bear, and if you speak then be just even if against a relative; and regarding the pledges made to God, you shall observe them. This He has enjoined you that you may remember.' And this is My path, a Straight One. 'So follow it, and do not follow the other paths lest they divert you from His path. That is what He has enjoined you to that you may be righteous.'" (Quran 6:151-153)