While I read through the Penguin Classics translation of the Qu'ran I noted passages that seemed interesting or worth noting, and have quoted them below. Reading these will, I believe, give a good idea of what reading the Qu'ran is like. The Penguin Classics translation is probably the most widely read translation, so I have included its page numbers next to each quote. Unfortunately the exact verse number is not provided,only the first verse number of each paragraph. For this reason the verses given below are only approximate.
The Tidings
Hell will lie in ambush, a home for the transgressors. There they shall abide long ages; there they shall taste neither refressment nor any drink; save boiling water and decaying filth: a fitting recompense.
They disbelieved in Our reckoning and roundly denied Our revelations. But we counted all their doings and wrote them down. We shall say: 'Taste this: you shall have nothing but mounting torment!'
As for the righteous, they shall surely triumph. Theirs shall be gardens and vineyards, and high-bosomed maidens for companions: a truely overflowing cup.
The Ladders
But the fire of Hell shall drag him down by the scalp, shall claim him who had turned his back on the true faith and amassed riches and covetously hoarded them.
Indeed, man was created impatient. When evil befalls him he is despondent; but blessed with good fortune he grows niggardly.
Not so the worshippers who are steadfast in prayer; who set aside a due portion of their goods for the needy and the dispossessed; who truely believe in the Day of Reckoning and dread the punishment of their Lord (for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord); who restrain their carnal desire (save with their wives and slave-girls, for these are lawful to them; he that lusts after other than these is a transgressor); who keep their trusts and promises and bear true witness; who attend to their prayers with promprirude. These shall be laden with honours and shall dwell in fair gardens.
That Which is Coming
When the earth shakes and quivers and the mountains crumble away and scatter abroad into fine dust, you shalll be divided into three multitudes: those on the right (blessed shall be those on the right); those on the left (damned shall be those on the left); and those to the fore (foremost shall be those!). Such as they that shall be brought near to their Lord in the gardens of delight: a whole multitude from the men of old, but only a few from the later generations.
They shall recline on jewelled couches face to face, and there shall wait on them immortal youths with bowls and ewers and a cup of purest wine (that will neither pain their heads nor take away their reason); with fruits of their own choice and flesh of fowls that they relish. And theirs shall be the dark-eyed houris, chaste as hidden pearls: a guerdon for their deeds.
There shall be no idle talk, no sinful speach, but only the greeting, 'Peace! Peace!'
Those on the right hand - happy shall be those on the right hand! They shall recline on couches raised on high in the shade of thornless sidrahs and clusters of talh; amidst gushing waters and abundant fruits, unforbidden, never-ending.
We created the houris and made them virgins, loving companions for those on the right-hand: a multitude from the men of old, and a multitude from the later generations.
As for those on the left hand (wretched shall be those on the left hand!) they shall swell amidst scorching winds and seething water: in the shade of pitch-black smoke, neither cool nor refreshing. For they have lived in comfort and persisted in the heinous sin, saying: 'When we are once dead and turned to dust and bones, shall we, with all our forefathers, be raised to life?'
Say: 'This present generation, as well as the generations that passed before it, shall be brought together on an appointed day. As for you sinners who deny the truth, you shall eat the fruit of the Zaqqum-tree and fill your bellies with it. You shall drink boiling water: yet you shall drink it as the thirsty camel drinks.'
Such shall be their fare on the Day of Reckoning.
Smoke
The fruit of the Zaqqum-tree shall be the sinner's food. Like dregs of oil, like scalding water, it shall simmer in his belly. A voice shall cry: 'Seize him and drag him into the depth of Hell. Then pour out boiling water over his head, saying: "Taste this, illustrious and honourable man! This is the punishment which you have doubted."
As for the righteous, they shall dwell in peace together amidst gardens and fountains, arrayed in rich silks and fine brocade. Yes, and We shall wed them to dark-eyed houris. Secure against all ills, they shall call for every kind of fruit; and, having died once, they shall die no more. Your Lord will through His mercy shield them from the scourge of Hell. That will be the supreme triumph.
We have revealed this to your in your own tounge so that they may take heed. Wait, then, as they themselves are waiting.
The Ranks
Light
We have revealed this Chapter, and sanctioned it, proclaiming in it clear revelations, so that you may take heed.
The adulterer and the adulteress shall each be given a hundred lashes. Let no pity for them cause you to disobey Allah, if you truely believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a number of believers.
The adulterer may marry only an adulteress or an idoltress; and the adulteress may marry only an adulterer or an idolater. True believers are forbidden such marriages.
Those that defame honourable women and cannot produce four witnesses shall be given eighty lashes. No testimony of their shall be admissible, for they are great transgressors - except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is forgiving and merciful.
If a man accuses his wife but has no witnesses except himself, he shall sware four times by Allah that his charge is true, calling down upon himself the curse of Allah if he is lying. But if his wife swares four times by Allah that his charge is false and calls down his curse upon herself if it be true, she shall receive no punishment.
But for Allah's grace and mercy, His wisdom and forgiveness, this would never have been revealed to you.
The Believers
The Heights
She Who Pleaded
The Chambers
Victory
It was He who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the faithful so that their faith might grow stronger. His are the legions of the heavens and the earth. Allah is wise and all-knowing.
Sad
All this shall be your on the Day of Reckoning; Our gifts shall never fail.
The Confederate Tribes
The Bee
The Spoils
Thus We punished them because they defied Allah and His apostle. He that defies Allah and His apostle shall be sternly punished. We said to them: 'Feel Our scourge. Hell-fire awaits the unbelievers.'
Repentance
If an idolator seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and then convey him to safety. For the idolators are ignorant men.
Repentance
They worship their rabbis and their monks, and the Messiah the son of Mary, as gods besides Allah; though they were ordered to serve one God only. There is no god but Him. Exalted be He above those who they deify beside Him!
They would extinsguish the light of Allah with their mouths: but Allah seeks only to perfect His light, though the infidels abhor it.
The Cow
The Cow
Women
Women
(It is Allah who has sealed their hearts, on account of their unbelief. They have no faith except, a few of them.)
They denied the truth and uttered a monstrous falsehood against Mary. They declared: 'We have put to death the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of Allah.' They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but he was made to resemble another for them.
Those that disagreed about him were in doubt concerning his death, for what they knew about it was sheer conjecture; they were not sure that they had slain him. Allah lifted him up to His presence; He is mighty and wise. There is none among the People of the Book but will believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.
The Table
After those prophets We sent forth Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah already revealed, and gave him the Gospel, in which there is guidance and light, corraborating that which was revealed before it in the Torah,a guide and an admonition to the righteous. Therefore let the followers of the Gospel judge in accordance with what Allah has revealed therein. Evil-doers are those that do not base their judgements on Allah's revelations.
The Table
The Table
Allah replied: 'I am sending one to you. But whoever of you disbelieves hereafter shall be punished as no man has ever been punished.'
Then Allah will say: 'Jesus, son of Mary, did you ever say to mankind: "Worship me and my mother as gods beside Allah?"'
'Glory to You,' he will answer, 'how could I say that to which I have no right? If I had ever said so, You would have surely known it. You know what is in my mind, but I cannot tell what is in Yours. You alone know what is hidden. I spoke to them of nothing except what you bade me. I said: "Serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord." I watched over them whilst living in their midst, and ever since You took me to You, You Yourself have been watching over them. You are the witness of all things. They are your own bondsmen: it is for you to punish or to forgive them. You are the Mighty, the Wise One.'
Pilgrimage
The Imrans
The Imrans
Cattle
Cattle
78:13-40
Penguin p.53
Fixed is the Day of Judgement. On that day the Trumpet shall be sounded and you shall come in multitudes. The gates of heaven shall swing open and the mountains shall pass away and become like vapour.
70:8-70:38
Penguin p.58
On that day the heavens shall become like molten brass, and the mountains like tufts of wool scattered in the wind. Friends will meet, but shall not speak to one another. To redeem himself from the torment of that day the sinner will gladly sacrifice his children, his wife, his brother, the kinsfolk who gave him shelter, and all the people of the earth, if then this might deliver him.
56:1-56:56
Penguin p.110-111
When that which is coming comes - and no soul shall then deny its coming - some shall be abased and others exalted.
44:34-44:59
Penguin pp 148-149
The Day of Judgement is the appointed time for all. On that day no man shall help his friend; none shall be helped save those on whom Allah will have mercy. He is the mighty one, the Merciful.
37:40-37:57
Penguin p. 170
But the true servants of Allah shall be provided for, feasting on fruit, and honoured in the gardens of delight. Reclining face to face on soft couches, they shall be served with a goblet filled at a gushing fountain, white, and delicious to whose who drink it. It will neither dull their senses nor befuddle them. They shall sit with bashful, dark-eyed virgins, as chaste as the sheltered eggs of ostriches.
24:1-24:12
Penguin p.214
In the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful
23:1-23:17
Penguin p.220
Blessed be the believers, who are humble in their prayers; who avoid profane talk, and give alms to the destitute; who restrain their carnal desires (except with their wives and slave-girls, for these are lawful to them) and do not transgress through lusting after other women; who are true to their trusts and promises and never neglect their prayers. These are the heirs of Paradise; they shall abide in it for ever.
7:163-7:167
Penguin p.260
Ask them about the city which overlooked the sea and what befell its people when they broke the Sabbath. Each Sabbath the fish used to appear before them floating on the water, but on week-days they never came near them. Thus We tempted the people because they had done wrong.
58:7-58:9
Penguin p.272
Are you not aware that Allah knows what the heavens and the earth contain? If three men talk in secret together, He is their fourth; if four, He is their fifth; if five, He is their sixth; whether fewer or more, wherever they be, He is with them. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of their doings. Allah has knowledge of all things.
58:9-58:14
Penguin p.272
If two parties of believers take up arms one against the other, make peace between them. If either of them commits aggression against the other, fight against the agressors till they submit to Allah's judgement. When they submit make peace between them in equity and justice; Allah loves those who act in justice.
48:1-48:5
Penguin p.275
We have given you a glorious victory, so that Allah may forgive your past and future sins, and perfect His goodness in you; that He may guide you to the right path and bestow on you His mighty help.
38:44-38:55
Penguin p.288
This is but an admonition. The righteous shall return to a blessed retreat. They shall enter the gardens of Eden, whose gates shall be open to receive them. Reclining there with bashful virgins for companions, they shall feast on abundant fruit and drink.
33:55-33:60
Penguin p.295
Prophet, enjoin your wives, your daughters, and the wives of true believers to draw their veils close round them. That is more proper, so that they may be recognised and not molested. Allah is forgiving and merciful.
16:57-16:63
Penguin p.308
If Allah punished men for their sins, not one creature would be left alive. He respites them to an appointed day; when their hour is come, not for one moment shall they stay behind: nor can they go before it.
8:12-8:19
Penguin p.315
Allah revealed His will to the angels, saying: 'I shall be with you. Give courage to the believers. I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, maim them in every limb!'
9:4-9:8
Penguin p. 321
When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and pay the alms-tax, let them go their way. Allah is forgiving and merciful.
9:30-9:34
Penguin p.323
The Jews say Ezra is the son of Allah, while the Christians say the Messiah is the son of Allah. Such are their assertions, by which they imitate the infidels of old. Allah confound them! How perverse they are!
2:178-2:183
Penguin p.350
Believers, retaliation is decreed for you in bloodshed: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. He who is pardoned by his aggrieved brother shall be prosecuted according to usage and shall pay him a liberal fine. This is a merciful dispensation from your Lord. He that transgresses thereafter shall be sternly punished.
2:219-2:221
Penguin p.355
They ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: 'There is great harm in both, althoughthey have some benefit for men; but their harm is far greater than their benefit.'
4:54-4:59
Penguin p. 372
As for those that have faith and do good works, We shall admit them to gardens watered by running streams, where, wedded to chaste virgins, they shall abide forever. We shall admit them to a cool shade.
4:154-4:159
Penguin p.382
When We made a covenant with them We raised the Mount above them and said: 'Enter the gates in adoration. Do not break the Sabbath.' We took from them a solemn covenant. But they broke the covenant, denied the revelations of Allah, and killed their prophets unjustly. They said: 'Our hearts are sealed.'
5:45-5:48
Penguin p.393
In the Torah We decreed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a wound for a wound. But if a man charitably forebears retaliation, his remission shall atone for him. Transgressors are those that do not judge in accordance with Allah's revelations.
5:49-5:52
Penguin p.393
Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. Allah does not guide the wrongdoers.
5:113-5:120
Penguin p.400
'Lord,' said Jesus, the son of Mary, 'send to us from heaven a table spread with food, that it may mark a feast for us and for those that will come after us: a sign from You. Give us our sustenance; You are the best Giver.'
22:18-22:23
Penguin p.403
The faithful and the unbelievers contend about their Lord. Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Scalding water shall be poured upon their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies. They shall be lashed with rods of iron.
Whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape from Hell, the angels will drag them back, saying: 'Taste the torment of Hell-fire!'
As for those that have faith and do good works, Allah will admit them to gardens watered by running streams. They shall be decked with pearls and bracelets of gold, and arrayed in garments of silk. For they have been shown the noblest of words and guided to the path of the Glorious Lord.
3:14-3:19
Penguin p.409
Men are tempted by the lure of women and offspring, of hoarded treasures of gold and silver, of splendid horses, cattle, and plantations. These are the comforts of this life, but far better is the return to Allah.
Say: 'Shall I tell you of better things than these, with which the righteous shall be rewarded by their Lord? Theirs shall be gardens watered by running streams, where they shall dwell forever: wives of perfect chastity, and grace from Allah.'
Allah is watching over His servants, those who say: 'Lord, we believe in You: forgive us our sins and keep us from the torment of Hell-fire'; who are steadfast, sincere, obedient, and charitable; and who implore forgiveness at break of day.
3:45-3:64
Penguin p.412
The angels said to Mary: 'Allah bids you rejoice ina Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus the Son of Mary. He shall be noble in this world and in the next, and shall be favoured by Allah. He shall preach to men in his cradle and in the prime of manhood, and shall lead a righteous life.'
'Lord,' she said,' how can I bear a child when no man has touched me?'
He replied: 'Such is the will of Allah. He creates whom He will. When He decrees a thing He need only say: "Be," and it is. He will instruct him in the Scriptures and in wisdom, in the Torah and in the Gospel, and send him forth as an apostle to the Israelites. He will say: "I bring you a sign from your Lord. From clay in will make for you the likeness of a bird. I shall breath into it and, by Allah's leave, it shall become a living bird. By Allah's leave I shall give sight to a blind man, heal the leper, and raise the dead to life. I shall tell you what to eat and what to store up in your houses. Surely that will be a sign for you, if you are true believers. I come to confirm the Torah that has already been revealed, and to make lawful to you some of the things you are forbidden. I bring you a sign from your Lord: therefore fear Him and obey Me. Allah is my God and your God: therefore serve Him. That is the straight path.
When Jesus observed that they had no faith, he said: 'Who will help me in the cause of Allah?'
The disciples replied: 'We are the helpers of Allah. We believe in Him. Bear witness that we have ourselves to Him. Lord, we believe in Your revelations and follow your apostle. Could us among your witnesses.'
They plotted, and Allah plotted. Allah is the supreme Plotter. He said: 'Jesus, I am about to cause you to die and lift you up to Me. I shall take you aware from the unbelievers and exalt your followers above them till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you shall return and I shall judge your disputes. The unbelievers shall be sternly punished in this world and in the world to come: there shall be none to help them. As for those who have faith and do good works, they shall be given their reward in full. Allah does not love the evil-doers.
This revelation, and this wise admonition, We recite to you. Jesus is like Adam in the sight of Allah. He created him of dust and then said to himL 'Be,' and he was.
6:72-6:80
Penguin p.432
Thus we showed Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, so that he might become a firm believer.
When night drew its shadow over him, he saw a star, 'That,' he said, 'is surely my God.'
But when it faded in the morning light, he said: 'I will not worship gods that fade.'
When he beheld the rising moon, he said: 'That must be my God.' But when it set, he said: 'If Allah does not guide me, I shall surely go astray.'
Then, when he beheld the sun shining, he said: 'That must be my God: it is larger than the other two.'
But when it set, he said to him people: 'I am done with your idols. I will turn my face to Him who has created the heavens and the earth, and live a righteous life. I am not idolator.'
6:152-6:157
Penguin p.440
Do not tamper with the property of orphans, but strive to improve their lot until they reach maturity. Give just weight and full measure; We never charge a soul with more than it can bear. Speak for justice, even if it affects your own kinsmen. Be true to the covenant of Allah. Thus Allah exhorts you, so that you may take heed.
This path of Mine is straight. Follow it and do not follow other paths, for they will lead you away from Him. Thus Allah exhorts you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.
To Moses We gave the Scriptures, a perfect code for the righteous, with precepts about all things, and a guide and a blessing, so that his people might believe in the ultimate meeting with their Lord. And now we have revealed this Book with Our blessings. Observe it and keep from evil, so that you may find mercy and not say: 'The Scriptures were revealed only to two sects before us; we have no knowledge of what they read'; or 'Had the Scriptures been revealed to us we would have been better guided than they.'
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