Of Light and the Believers – From the Holy Qur’an, Part 1 of 2

Today it is a pleasure to share selections from Sūra 23: Mu-minūn, or The Believers, and Sūra 24: Nūr, or Light, in the Holy Qur’an.

Sūra 23: Mu-minūn, or The Believers Section 1

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim” [In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.]

“The Believers must (Eventually) win through, Those who humble themselves In their prayers; Who avoid vain talk; Who are active in deeds Of charity; Who abstain from sex, Except with those joined To them in the marriage bond. […] But those whose desires exceed Those limits are transgressors; Those who faithfully observe Their trusts and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard Their prayers; These will be the heirs, Who will inherit Paradise: They will dwell therein (Forever). […]”

Section 2

“(Further, We sent a long line Of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, ‘O my people! Worship God!’ […] We inspired him (With this message): ‘Construct The Ark within Our sight And under Our guidance: then When comes Our command, And the fountains of the Earth Gush forth, take thou on board Pairs of every species, male And female, and thy family […]. And when thou have embarked On the Ark—thou and those With thee, say: ‘Praise be To God, Who has saved us […].’ And say: ‘O my Lord! Enable me to disembark With Thy blessing: for Thou Are the Best to enable (us) To disembark.’ Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (Thus) do We try (men). Then We raised after them Another generation.” […]

Sūra 24: Nūr, or Light. Section 5

“God is the Light Of the Heavens and the Earth. The parable of His Light Is as if there were a Niche And within it a Lamp: The Lamp enclosed in Glass: The glass as it were A brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, An Olive, neither of the East Nor of the West, Whose Oil is well-nigh Luminous, Though fire scarce touched it Light upon Light! God does guide Whom He will To His Light: God does set forth Parables For men: and God Does know all things. […]”