The Majestic Quran

2 This is explained as follows; everyone is given the ability to know right and wrong, they have free choice in adopting either one. A person who persists in falsehood and refuses to accept the truth, gradually loses the ability to see it - this is the meaning of “God sealed their hearts...” 3 Literally translated as: “God mocks them”. However, this is too negative a quality for the Lord, therefore I have translated it to express the holiness of God. 4 The message of The Majestic Quran is brief, inspirational and factual. It’s portrayal of the reality. That’s why it is free of doubt. 5 A person goes astray because of their attitude and stubbornness not to listen. So, it is a consequence of their choice, God knows the person’s choice, so He lets them go astray. 6 “Turned to the sky” does not imply God physically turning in a direction, but turning His attention to the next phase of His creation. 7 Iblis is the name of the devil, he is the rebel, the one who refuses the command of God to prostrate. He is from the Jinns, an invisible creation of God made from the Fire. 8 Shaytan , the name of the devil when he acts as a tempter, the one who tempted Adam and Eve. 9 Taqwa is translated as “be mindful”: be aware of God’s creative power, be conscious of your dependency on Him, and of your shortcomings. 10 Qadi Abdul Jabbar, said that the words “kill yourselves” should not be understood literally, but mean “mortify” or “punish yourselves” (Razi). 11 “Manna and quails”: Manna is a special type of food, like honey, that was graciously provided by God to the Israelites, along with quails, a type of small game bird. 12 Instead of saying hittah (“forgive us”), they used a meaningless irreverent word. 13 This refers to the followers of the Prophet Muhammad r . 14 Sabians were a monotheistic sect of Christianity. 15 It has always been a perfectly natural and common practice for Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians to use the name God in their prayers and everyday speech. 16 Ruh ul-Qudus refers to the Archangel Gabriel. 17 The vocative phrase “O believers” occurs eighty-eight times in the Quran, and this is the first time it is used. 18 The word “Ra’ina” has two meanings: “look at us”, and “attend to our need”. However, by a slight twist of the tongue, it has an insulting meaning (carry on deceiving us). That’s why it was banned from being used to address the Messenger r , and the clearer term “unzurna” is recommended. 19 This refers to verse 55 above, when the Israelites demanded: “Moses, we will not believe you until we openly see God”. 20 Zikr ul-llah here refers to Salah, study, spiritual retreat and all kinds of worship. 21 “If you follow” is an address to the followers of the Prophet r . The Prophet r is making the announcement. 22 “Reciting” here means combining reading with understanding and action. 23 The Arabic uses “Muslims”, referring to people who have chosen to submit and commit to the Will of God and to enjoy a living relationship with God. 24 Hanif describes a person who believes in One God and rejects all forms of idolatry. 25 What is idolatry? None of us would dream of worshipping an idol, but succumbing to things that have no eternal value, pleasures, power and possessions? Isn’t this a form of idolatry? Anything we put before God, which dilutes our trust in Him, becomes an idol. 26 “Dye of God” refers to the natural state of humans. This natural state is mentioned in Chapter Ar- Rum: 30 as “Fitra” : the original and good nature of humanity that is instinctively receptive to moral