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Qur'an-> Arabic (Qur'an) Tafsir (Tafseer) Translation of the Meaning of Qur'an Study and History (Qur'an)
Absolute Essential Reading
Before a Muslim performs any act or deed, he is required to acquire knowledge in the path that will lead him to the best end, that is, having his good deeds accepted by Allah, Allah willing. It is important to note that what counts is not the number of good deeds or acts of worship performed, for there may be a person who performs many good deeds, yet, all what he gains is tiredness in this life and hardships in the Last Life. The Messenger said, what translated means,
There are two essential conditions that must both be present in every performed good act or deed, so as to ensure their acceptance by Allah.
1) Correct Intention i.e The Act must be for the sake of Allah Alone
First, a Muslim must seek Allah alone in the good deeds that he performs. Second, this good deed must be in total accordance with what Allah has legislated in His Book and what His Messenger has commanded in his Sunnah.
Whenever one of those two conditions is absent from any righteous act or deed, then this good deed or act is neither good nor accepted, for Allah said, what translated means, "So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [18:110]
In this Ayah, Allah has decreed that any good act or deed must be righteous, that is, being in accordance with His Religion, and that He alone is sought by this good act or deed.
'these are the two conditions that ensure the acceptance of any righteous act: it must be performed for the sake of Allah alone and according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.' Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Absolute Essential
All sorts of Books are being read ( books of Aqeedah, Fiqh and other primers ) , we pray, fast and memorize a few Surahs , but a few read the Qur'an on their own and Contemplate upon Its Meaning. This is a travesty, for no book of Aqeedah or Fiqh can replace the Noble words of the CREATOR
I have no hesitation in saying that all Reading is worthless unless one regularly read the Complete Qur'an with Understanding
"Then do they not Reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?" {TMQ 47:24}.
" There is no Knowledge unless there is understanding along with it, and there is no recitation if there is no reflection in it" (Ali Ibn ali Talib, Suyuti)
I have even heard that there are some literate Muslims who have never Ever Read the Complete Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an., this is a matter of great shame.
It is a fact that only some of the meanings of Qur’an are captured by any translation. Because of this, several translations don’t even claim to translate the Qur’an but rather 'the meanings of the Qur’an' , and to really understand the full subtleties and ranges of meanings of the Qur’an you need really to go into the Arabic text.
However this fact is no excuse for us to Completely ignore Whatever Meaning of the Qur'an we can grasp.
The Qur'an is a Miracle and as long as one makes an effort to ponder and reflect upon its meaning, One will feel the sense of Peace and Communication with the Lord of the Worlds.
Please do not let Shaytan Keep you from Reading the Meaning of the Translation of the Qur'an with the common excuse ' When I have Completed Arabic Studies I will be able read the Original Text', this is true but also a trick from Shaytan to delay you from acquiring the benefit from the Meaning of the Qur'an.
How To Experience a drop of the Great Ocean and Miracle of the Qur'an
- Make An Intention that you sincerely seek the truth
- Ask Allah From the depth of your Heart to show you the Truth
- Third Be in a Clean state of Body and Mind (Free from Filth and away from worldly Distraction)
- Fourth open the Translation of the meaning of the Qur'an read few Pages Regularly from Beginning until the end (even if it takes 3 Years)
- For Non Muslims I simply ask them to select any Chapter and read Few Pages
Which Translations to Read
With all the differences between translations, which one conveys the 'True Spirit' of the Qur'an. A translation can try to faithfully render the meanings of the Qur'an into another language, but simply by being a translation, no one can ever claim that a translation is the Qur'an or is the word of Allah.
Any Translation no matter how deficient it may be will give you some benefit, my advice is try to read as many translations as you can, approaching the Qur'an with the heart of someone who sincerely wants to understand, but at the same time, to take things easy and slowly, so as not to overwhelm yourself with too much at one time.
'Truly, hearts find peaceful calm in the remembrance of Allah' (Ar-Ra`d 13:28)
Having said the above, from personal experience the following translations are recommended due to its clarity, flow and friendly English language (Translation of its Meaning Only)
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The Qur'an Arabic Text With Corresponding English Meanings Revised and Edited by Saheeh International
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Towards Understanding the Qur'an , Abridged English translation of Tafhim al-Qur'an Translated & Edited by: Zafar Ishaq Ansari
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The Translation By Abdullah Yusuf Ali is still preferred by many
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The Meaning of the GLORIOUS QUR'AN, By Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall New Modern English Edition adapted by Dr Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
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The Noble Qur'an A New Rendering of its Meaning in English By AbdulHaqq and Aisha Bewley
For A Brief and Simple Tafseer (Commentary) the following are Highly Recommended
Qur'an-> Arabic (Qur'an) Tafsir (Tafseer) Translation of the Meaning of Qur'an Study and History (Qur'an)
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