Preface

Each time one reads the Quran his or her understanding deepens. One may be blessed to have a command of the Arabic language and read the Quran in the language exactly as revealed from Allah to the Prophet through the Angel Gabriel. However, for most Muslims around the world, even if we know Arabic, the beauty and depth of the Quran eludes us. Therefore, we often rely on the tafseer (explanation) and translations to help us gain an understanding to guide us in our lives. Brother Hashemi continues from his previous works to carefully delineate in the translated text which words or phrases are a mere translation and which few words or phrases were added for easier reading and understanding.

As a revert to Islam, and a humble but imperfect follower of the teachings of Prophet Mohamed, I tried to learn from authenticated sources: The Quran, The Hadiths (substantiated sayings of the Prophet), and Sunnah (practices of the Prophet as witnessed from endorsed sources). Having information does not make someone knowledgeable. Even with authentic sources readily available, it takes a lifetime of study to consolidate the information into knowledge. And, being knowledgeable does not necessarily mean one uses this knowledge to guide one’s life. However, with works like those produced by Brother Badr Hashemi, we can become that much closer to understanding the body of knowledge and incorporating that knowledge in our daily lives.

Allah used his messengers to relay His message to humans and jinn (unseen creation) in order to guide us. The last messenger, Prophet Mohamed was given the final and irrevocable message to mankind, the Quran. It was revealed in the language spoken by the Prophet and the people of Arabia. The Quran confirms what was previously revealed to the messengers that came before: David, Moses, Jesus (may peace and blessings be on all of them). In the Quran, Allah promises to preserve it; that is, each Quran in its original Arabic is the original message.

The language of the Quran is unique. Even those fluent in Arabic require decades of study to gain a full understanding of its words and their usage in the Quran. Fortunately, we now have this translation in which Brother Hashemi clarifies some of the most important, yet sometimes misunderstood concepts from its original and sacred Arabic text to something we can understand and apply in our lives.

The Quran is a miracle as a stand alone book. Yet, Brother Hashemi manages to deliver further evidence of the Quran’s inexplicable favor to mankind. It is not every day that we can find a book that is complete in both depth and breadth. It is a translation, a historical account, a linguistic study, and a contemporary guide. Brother Hashemi’s two decades’ long study in the multiple facets of Islam and Abrahamic religions has resulted in this gift: an explanation of the Quran for Muslims, non-Muslims, the learned, and the novice.

Alexandria K. Osborne, Ph.D, PMP Michigan, USA.