Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers (40 page)

BOOK: Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers
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SURA 94: THE OPENING
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

An early Meccan sura comprising only eight verses, ‘The Opening’ shows Muhammad struggling to understand the mission of his prophethood.

[94:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[94:1] Did we not cool your temper?
 
[94:2] And we unloaded your load (of sins).
 
[94:3] One that burdened your back.
 
[94:4] We exalted you to an honorable position.
 
[94:5] With pain there is gain.
 
[94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain.
 
[94:7] Whenever possible you shall strive.
 
[94:8] Seeking only your Lord.
 
SURA 95: THE FIG
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

An early Meccan sura comprising of only eight verses, ‘The Fig’ refers to the laws handed to Moses atop of Mount Sinai. Muhammad tells Muslims these are the laws they must follow.

[95:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[95:1] By the fig and the olive.
 
[95:2] Mount Sinai.
 
[95:3] And this honored town (Mecca).
 
[95:4] We created man in the best design.
 
[95:5] Then turned him into the lowliest of the lowly.
 
[95:6] Except those who believe and lead a righteous life; they receive a reward that is well deserved.
 
[95:7] Why do you still reject the faith?
 
[95:8] Is GOD not the Most Wise, of all the wise ones?
 
SURA 96: THE BLOOD
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

This is the sura believed by Muslims to be the first recitation of Muhammad at the Cave in Hira.

[96:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[96:1] Read, in the name of your Lord, who created.
 
[96:2] He created man from an embryo.
 
[96:3] Read, and your Lord, Most Exalted.
 
[96:4] Teaches by means of the pen.
 
[96:5] He teaches man what he never knew.
 
[96:6] Indeed, the human transgresses.
 
[96:7] When he becomes rich.
 
[96:8] To your Lord is the ultimate destiny.
 
[96:9] Have you seen the one who enjoins.
 
[96:10] Others from praying?
 
[96:11] Is it not better for him to follow the guidance?
 
[96:12] Or advocate righteousness?
 
[96:13] If he disbelieves and turns away.
 
[96:14] Does he not realize that GOD sees?
 
[96:15] Indeed, unless he refrains, we will take him by the forelock.
 
[96:16] A forelock that is disbelieving and sinful.
 
[96:17] Let him then call on his helpers.
 
[96:18] We will call the guardians of Hell.
 
[96:19] You shall not obey him; you shall fall prostrate and draw nearer.
 
SURA 97: POWER
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

‘The Power’ is one the earliest suras and consists of only five verses.

[97:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[97:1] We revealed it in the Night of Destiny.
 
[97:2] How awesome is the Night of Destiny!
 
[97:3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
 
[97:4] The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord’s leave, to carry out every command.
 
[97:5] Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn.
 
SURA 98: CLEAR EVIDENCE
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

One of the first suras addressed to the pagans and polytheists.

[98:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[98:1] Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof given to them.
 
[98:2] A messenger from GOD is reciting to them sacred instructions.
 
[98:3] In them there are valuable teachings.
 
[98:4] In fact, those who received the scripture did not dispute until the proof was given to them.
 
[98:5] All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.
 
[98:6] Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, and the idol worshipers, have incurred the fire of Gehenna forever. They are the worst creatures.
 
[98:7] Those who believed and led a righteous life are the best creatures.
 
[98:8] Their reward at their Lord is the gardens of Eden with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever. GOD is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. Such is the reward for those who reverence their Lord.
 
SURA 99: THE EARTHQUAKE
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

A Meccan sura of only eight verses, ‘The Earthquake’ refers to the calamity that will trigger the end of times.

[99:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[99:1] When the earth is severely quaked.
 
[99:2] And the earth ejects its loads.
 
[99:3] The human will wonder: “What is happening?”
 
[99:4] On that day, it will tell its news.
 
[99:5] That your Lord has commanded it.
 
[99:6] On that day, the people will issue from every direction, to be shown their works.
 
[99:7] Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.
 
[99:8] And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
 
SURA 100: THE CHARGERS
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

A Meccan sura comprising only eleven verses, Muhammad uses this sura to warn the unbelievers that although they’re weak in numbers and military strength now, a time will come when they will conquer their oppressors.

[100:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[100:] By the fast gallopers.
 
[100:2] Igniting parks.
 
[100:3] Invading (the enemy) by morning.
 
[100:4] Striking terror therein.
 
[100:5] Penetrating to the heart of their territory.
 
[100:6] The human being is unappreciative of his Lord.
 
[100:7] He bears witness to this fact.
 
[100:8] He loves material things excessively.
 
[100:9] Does he not realize that the day will come when the graves are opened?
 
[100:10] And all secrets are brought out.
 
[100:11] They will find out, on that day, that their Lord has been fully Cognizant of them.
 
SURA 101: THE BLOW
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

A Meccan sura that refers to the Day of Judgment.

[101:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[101:1] The Shocker.
 
[101:2] What a shocker!
 
[101:3] Do you have any idea what the Shocker is?
 
[101:4] That is the day when the people come out like swarms of butterflies.
 
[101:5] The mountains will be like fluffy wool.
 
[101:6] As for him whose weights are heavy.
 
[101:7] He will lead a happy
 
(eternal)
 
life.
 
[101:8] As for him whose weights are light.
 
[101:9] His destiny is lowly.
 
[101:10] Do you know what it is?
 

[101:11] The blazing Hellfire.

SURA 102: DESIRE
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

A Meccan sura that warns believers against forming schisms and disagreements among each other.

[102:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[102:1] You remain preoccupied with hoarding.
 
[102:2] Until you go to the graves.
 
[102:3] Indeed, you will find out.
 
[102:4] Most assuredly, you will find out.
 
[102:5] If only you could find out for certain.
 
[102:6] You would envision Hell.
 
[102:7] Then you would see it with the eye of certainty.
 
[102:8] Then you will be questioned, on that day, about the blessings you had enjoyed.
 
SURA 103: THE AFTERNOON
 
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
 

A Meccan sura that encourages Muslims to remain righteous and steadfast.

[103:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
 
[103:1] By the afternoon.
 

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