The Format of the Chapters

The Qur’an cannot be translated and should be taught one to one by a teacher with ijaza to do so for a full understanding as one without knowledge may miss or misinterpret the meanings of the verses.

In Islam there is a whole science behind this that includes hadeeth exploration, reasons for Qur’anic revelation, the rules and intricacies of Arabic language and grammar, knowledge of abrogated verses, etc etc. This list could go on.

Most laymen do not have the time to engage fully in all of the above and so ‘translations’ have been deemed the best way to convey the meaning of the Arabic to an English reading audience.

In trying to make this clearer and more detailed than other English versions, this poetic rendition is colour coded for the reader, to offer a clear understanding of where the information is coming from and what is behind a verse.

Key:

Items written in black are a rendition of the qur’anic text – this is to say the meaning has been turned into English in what is hopefully easy to read and follow as well as being memorable through rhyme. The rhyme is attempted as a respectful attempt at replicating the way of Islamic teachers of the past who would sometimes advise and teach rules of Islam through poetry as it was better remembered.

Example:       Abu Lahab's hands will be destroyed and so will he
Nothing he has in wealth will make what's to come easy.

Explanation: This meaning is conveyed even if it is laboured to fit the rhyme scheme

Items in blue are hadeeth inclusions – this is done in the hope of providing first hand reference material for a specific verse. The majority of hadeeth are used from the direct explanation from Ibn Abaas (R.A) and the tafsir of the Jalalayin (R.A). On occasion a hadeeth may also be used from Bukhari (R.A) and Muslim (R.A) as it is understood to support the section being rendered. I will try to maximize use of the hadeeth where appropriate to facilitate a better understanding for readers.

Example:         We have blessed you with plenty
  And you'll have a river in Heaven by that name

Explanation:   The double meaning of ‘Kawthar’ is noted by the scholars and an important addition to understanding the favours given by Allah to his Prophet (pbuh)

Items in red are qur’anic additions from other parts of the Qur’an that help to explain the meaning or link the meaning from another section. This is very common practice as the Qur’an often revisits topics and material to shed new light on them and to reinforce their importance.

Example:        There will be no nourishment in either, or hunger relief

An ample reward for those who wallowed in disbelief

Explanation: The reference to the punishment of the disbelievers is often mentioned and therefore here it is referenced: namely they will be punished for their disbelief.

Items in green are stylistic additions to generally make the transitions between sections smoother and if needs be to provide a few words, to complete a rhyme set, but the words chosen MUST be in keeping with the qur’anic verse and will be in line with general Islamic understanding.

Example:         It is written on honoured pages, by the hands of truthful scribes

Offering mankind divine knowledge on how to live their lives

Explanation: The ending a topic in a chapter would ideally be at the end of a couplet, however this is dictated by the text that is being reflected. As such, sometimes such lines are needed to complete one section before moving to the next one. In the example above the addition is in keeping with Islamic understanding but is not, to my knowledge, directly referencable from one source; it is an understanding gathered from several sources and therefore not easy to label as an isolated piece of hadeeth or Qur’an. For this reason I have labeled it green. I will try and minimize any use of this.