By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Preface

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All Praise and thanks be to Allâh, the Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allâh be upon our Prophet, Muhammad r, and upon his family and his companions, and whoever follows his Sunnah till the Day of Judgment.

This book aims to enlighten all peoples from all races, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and perspectives as well as beliefs in all parts of the world to adhere to the Divine Message for all mankind. In short, this book addresses all humanity to the Qur’ân. It serves as a key eye opener to all of us to open our minds and hearts to the Book of Allâh.

For the educated and professionals among us, this book challenges us to read, study and follow the Qur’ân. We have been reading so many books in our lives; but have we ever set some time reading the Divine Book? Have we fully understood its Message to us? Have we studied it deeply? Have we tried our best learning how to read in Arabic and recite Allâh’s Book in its original Arabic text? Have we been listening to it with attention? Do we care to remember it for the pleasure of Allâh? How many of us have been following its teachings for divine guidance? All of us should positively and actively respond to these challenges. We have to remember that of all books, only the Qur’ân guides us to the Truth. It rationally tells us Who is our Creator and Rabb. Of all books, the Qur’ân alone repeatedly claims in many of its Ayât (verses) that it comes from Allâh, the Rabb of the Worlds (this present world and the world in the Hereafter). The Qur’ân is the only book where Allâh enjoins us to: read (73:20), understand (21:10; 47: 24 and 54:17, 22, 32, 40), study (2:121), recite (29:45; 73:4), listen (7:204), remember (80:11-14) and follow it for Guidance (6:155and 39:18).

For those who are very fortunate among us to have responded to Allâh’s commandments, how many have been sharing the divine knowledge, truth, and guidance to others? In other words, how many of us are actively doing Da‘wah (Islâmic propagation) to the unfortunate Unbelievers?

The Qur’ân serves as Allâh’s great blessing to all humanity. It guides us to the Right Path, Islâm ¾  the religion and complete way of life for all. It is the only religion that guarantees us peace and happiness both in this world and in the life Hereafter. We have to thank Allâh for having sent down the Qur’ân to His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad r. He sent it down to His Messenger through Angel Gabriel for our divine guidance. We should thank Him also for inspiring His Messenger r with the best conduct (Sunnah) that guides us how to live according to the Qur’ân. 

The Qur’ân and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad r constitute the Islâmic Shar‘iah (Law). The Divine Law is complete. It guides humanity in all aspects of life be it economic, social, educational, cultural, political, religious, moral and spiritual, and the like. It applies to all humanity irrespective of race, culture, sex, socio-economic status and other demographic differences. It covers all aspects of life whether personal, domestic or national and even in international or world affairs. If fully implemented, no man-made law even the United Nations’ International Law can surpass nor equal Allâh’s Divine Law. Nothing can ever substitute it. Unlike any man-made law that calls for revisions and amendments, the Divine Law needs no revision. It guides all peoples at all times in all circumstances.

It is Allâh’s blessing also that many scholars have written books about the Qur’ân. Muslim scholars from various countries, devoted part of their time writing about the Qur’ân. They want to share the best teachings and the best guidance that Allâh gives to all humanity through His Divine Book. They know that by propagating it, they serve the humanity; and thus, please Allâh the Almighty. This book is an attempt to carry out the same noble purpose.

In organizing this book, I confined my source to the Qur’ân based on two popularly used English translations.  I made use of ‘Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s “The Holy Qur’ân English Translation of the Meanings and Commentary” revised and edited by the Presidency of Islâmic Researches, IFTA, Call and Guidance in Riyadh, published by the King Fahd Holy Qur’ân Printing Complex in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.  I also referred to Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud Din Al-Hilai and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan’s “Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur’ân in the English Language”, published by Maktaba DARUSSALAM, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1993.  My purpose in using both translations and combining them is to come up with the closest meaning of the Qur’ânic Ayât (verses), which the readers can understand easily without losing the excellent beauty or elegance of the Words of Allâh.

I invite non-Muslims to read the Qur’ân. Also read all books and other reading materials written all about the Book of Allâh. Do not judge Islâm by the behavior of some Muslims who do not actually implement Islâm. If you are among those who still find difficulty and doubts in the Divine Revelation then follow this piece of advice. Before, during and after your readings, pray (at least supplicate) to our Only True God and Creator to open your mind and heart and be rational. Be sincere in your prayers. If you are objective in your readings, Insha Allâh (God Willing), you will find the Truth. The Truth is that the Qur’ân is the Book of Allâh, the One and Only True God and Creator of all mankind.

Try to be rational in your readings and accept the Truth. Contemplate and ponder upon the incomparable excellence, beauty, wisdom, truth and veracity of the Qur’ân so that you will see the Light.  You will find that indeed, the Qur’ân is the Divine Message for all mankind.