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For a new non-Arab revert or a person still investigating Islam with a view to embracing it, reading the Qur’an may be an arduous task. First, because he/she has no choice but to read a translation and a translation is not the Qur’an, but an interpretation thereof. Second, the Qur’an does not follow the modern western writing pattern. For one thing, the Qur’an may move suddenly from one topic to another without any apparent transition. For another, rather than a linear pattern, the Qur’an follows a circular one.

To familiarize the new reverts with the Qur’an, I suggest that they should read a collection of verses most representative of the essence of the Qur’an. Once, they have read and assimilated the meanings of theses verses, reading the whole book becomes accessible and easily undertaken.

Suggested approach:

• Read the verse in toto to get its gist.
• Reread it word by word.
• More often than not a word in Arabic has several meanings and connotations. In order to catch a glimpse thereof go to commentaries of the Qur’an or to translators notes.
• Compare verses of similar meanings and topics and try to find the differences in between.

I have done my best to select the verses that most reflect the spirit of the Noble Qur’an. The verses have been selected from the translations of three renowned translators: Yussuf Ali, Pickthall and Shakir.

Just in the same way, whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: “We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps.”

He said: “What! Even if I brought you better guidance than that which ye found your fathers following?” They said: “For us, we deny that ye (prophets) are sent (on a mission at all).”

So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)!

AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY) 23-25

Friends on that day will be foes, one to another,- except the Righteous.

O My slaves! For you there is no fear this day, nor is it ye who grieve;

(Ye) who believed Our revelations and were self-surrendered,

Enter the Garden, ye and your wives, to be made glad.

Therein are brought round for them trays of gold and goblets, and therein is all that souls desire and eyes find sweet. And ye are immortal therein.

This is the Garden which ye are made to inherit because of what ye used to do.

Therein for you is fruit in plenty whence to eat.

Lo! the guilty are immortal in hell’s torment.

It is not relaxed for them, and they despair therein.

We wronged them not, but they it was who did the wrong.

AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY) 67-76

And He it is Who is Allah in the heavens and Allah in the earth; and He is the Wise, the Knowing.

AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY) 84

We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, merely in (idle) sport:
We created them not except for just ends: but most of them do not understand.

AD-DUKHAN (SMOKE) 38-39

And He has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, all, from Himself; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

AL-JATHIYA (CROUCHING) 13

Nay! do those who have wrought evil deeds think that We will make them like those who believe and do good– that their life and their death shall be equal? Evil it is that they judge.

AL-JATHIYA (CROUCHING) 21

Hast thou seen him who maketh his desire his god, and Allah sendeth him astray purposely, and sealeth up his hearing and his heart, and setteth on his sight a covering? Then who will lead him after Allah (hath condemned him)? Will ye not then heed?

And they say: “What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we live, and nothing but time can destroy us.” But of that they have no knowledge: they merely conjecture:

AL-JATHIYA (CROUCHING) 23-24

When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say, of the Truth when it comes to them: “This is evident sorcery!”
Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say: “Had I forged it, then can ye obtain no single (blessing) for me from Allah. He knows best of that whereof ye talk (so glibly)!

Say: “I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but a Warner open and clear.”

Say: “See ye? If (this teaching) be from Allah, and ye reject it, and a witness from among the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity (with earlier scripture), and has believed while ye are arrogant, (how unjust ye are!) truly, Allah guides not a people unjust.”

And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: If it had been (any) good, they would not have been before us in attaining it. And since they will not be guided by it, they say: This is an ancient lie;

When before it there was the Scripture of Moses, an example and a mercy; and this is a confirming Scripture in the Arabic language, that it may warn those who do wrong and bring good tidings for the righteous.

AL-AHQAF (THE WIND-CURVED SANDHILLS ) 7-12

Have they not considered that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not tired by their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Aye! He has surely power over all things.
And on the day when those who disbelieve shall be brought before the fire: Is it not true? They shall say: Aye! by our Lord! He will say: Then taste the punishment, because you disbelieved.
Therefore bear up patiently as did the messengers endowed with constancy bear up with patience and do not seek to hasten for them (their doom). On the day that they shall see what they are promised they shall be as if they had not tarried save an hour of the day. A sufficient exposition! Shall then any be destroyed save the transgressing people?

AL-AHQAF (THE WIND-CURVED SANDHILLS ) 33-34

And (as for) those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance and gives them their guarding (against evil).

MUHAMMAD 17

Will they then not meditate on the Qur’an, or are there locks on the hearts?

MUHAMMAD 24

It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion: and enough is Allah for a Witness.

Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward.

AL-FATH (VICTORY) 28-29

O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done

AL-HUJRAAT (THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS) 6

The believers are naught else than brothers. Therefore make peace between your brethren and observe your duty to Allah that haply ye may obtain mercy.

O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers.

O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.

O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.

AL-HUJRAAT (THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS) 10-13

We verily created man and We know what his soul whispereth to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.

Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).

And the stupor of death will bring Truth (before his eyes): “This was the thing which thou wast trying to escape!”

QAF (THE LETTER QAF) 16-19

Lo! those who keep from evil will dwell amid gardens and watersprings,

Taking that which their Lord giveth them; for lo! aforetime they were doers of good;

They used to sleep but little of the night,

And ere the dawning of each day would seek forgiveness,

And in their wealth the beggar and the outcast had due share.

And in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure.

And (also) in yourselves. Can ye then not see?
And in the heaven is your providence and that which ye are promised;

And by the Lord of the heavens and the earth, it is the truth, even as (it is true) that ye speak.

ADH-DHARIYAT (THE WINNOWING WINDS) 15-23

We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).

And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: How excellently We do spread out!

And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect.

Hasten ye then (at once) to Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open!

And set not any other god along with Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from Him.

ADH-DHARIYAT (THE WINNOWING WINDS) 47-51

I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.

I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me.

Lo! Allah! He it is that giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.

ADH-DHARIYAT (THE WINNOWING WINDS) 56-58

Surely those who guard (against evil) shall be in gardens and bliss

Enjoying the (Bliss) which their Lord hath bestowed on them, and their Lord shall deliver them from the Penalty of the Fire.

(And it is said unto them): Eat and drink in health (as a reward) for what ye used to do,

They will recline (with ease) on Thrones (of dignity) arranged in ranks; and We shall join them to Companions, with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.

And (as for) those who believe and their offspring follow them in faith, We will unite with them their offspring and We will not diminish to them aught of their work; every man is responsible for what he shall have wrought.

And We provide them with fruit and meat such as they desire.

There they pass from hand to hand a cup wherein is neither vanity nor cause of sin.

Round about them will serve, (devoted) to them, young male servants (handsome) as Pearls well-guarded.

AT-TUR (THE MOUNT) 17-24

Therefore continue to remind, for by the grace of your Lord, you are not a soothsayer, or a madman.

Or do they say: A poet, we wait for him the evil accidents of time.

Say: Wait, for surely I too with you am of those who wait.

Is it that their faculties of understanding urge them to this, or are they but a people transgressing beyond bounds?

Or do they say, “He fabricated the (Message)”? Nay, they have no faith!

Let them then produce a recital like unto it,- If (it be) they speak the truth!

Or were they created out of naught? Or are they the creators?

Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they are sure of nothing!

Or do they own the treasures of thy Lord? Or have they been given charge (thereof)?

Or have they any stairway (unto heaven) by means of which they overhear (decrees). Then let their listener produce some warrant manifest!

Or hath He daughters whereas ye have sons?
Or do you ask them for a reward, so that they are overburdened by a debt?

Or possess they the Unseen so that they can write (it) down?

Or seek they to ensnare (the messenger)? But those who disbelieve, they are the ensnared!

Or have they a god other than Allah? Exalted is Allah far above the things they associate with Him!

AT-TUR (THE MOUNT) 29-43

I swear by the star when it goes down.
Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray;
Nor does he speak out of desire.
It is naught but revelation that is revealed,
He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);
When he was on the uppermost horizon.
Then he approached and came closer,

And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;
And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
The (Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.
Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
And verily he saw him yet another time
Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
(His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.

AN-NAJM (THE STAR) 1-18

And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?

AL-QAMAR (THE MOON) 17

Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure.
And Our Command is but a single (Act),- like the twinkling of an eye.

AL-QAMAR (THE MOON) 49-50

The Beneficent
Hath made known the Qur’an.
He hath created man.
He hath taught him utterance
The sun and the moon are made punctual.
The stars and the trees prostrate.
And the sky He hath uplifted; and He hath set the measure,
That ye exceed not the measure,
But observe the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof.
And the earth hath He appointed for (His) creatures,
Wherein are fruit and sheathed palm-trees,
Husked grain and scented herb
Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

AR-RAHMAN (THE BENEFICENT) 1-13

Nay, I swear by the places of the stars –
And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew –
That (this) is indeed a noble Qur’an
In a Book kept hidden
Which none toucheth save the purified,
A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.

AL-WAQIA (THE EVENT, THE INEVITABLE) 75-80

Thus if he is of those brought nigh,
Then breath of life, and plenty, and a Garden of delight.
And if he is of those on the right hand,
Then (the greeting) “Peace be unto thee” from those on the right hand.
But if he is of the rejecters, the erring,
Then the welcome will be boiling water
And roasting at hell-fire.
Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainly.
So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme.

AL-WAQIA (THE EVENT, THE INEVITABLE) 88-96