I may have been slightly aware of Islam as a religion before 9/11, though that particular incident definitely put it in the spotlight, with many politicians, particularly on the Right, condemning it as "evil," though some like then-President George W. Bush luckily didn't jump on the bandwagon, even though the Afghanistan and Second Iraq Wars weren't exactly good PR with Arabs and Arab-Americans. I know that pretty much every religion, Christianity included (and even Judaism, with many negative stereotypes about all groups being sadly accurate), has its whackjobs, and eventually decided to give the Qur'an (alternatively spelled Koran) a read to see what the hubbub was about.
This translation is by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, beginning with a history of Muhammad, who was born in Mecca around 570 CE. The religious text is divided into suras, with the first brief one focusing on praise to God, whose name in Arabic is Allah. The second is titled "The Cow," affirming a belief in God and the Last Day and that Jews, Christians, and Sabians that direct themselves to the Lord will be well on Judgement Day. The sura warns not to follow Satan's footsteps since he's a sworn enemy, and to fight in God's cause against those who fight you, warning not to overstep your limits.
The third sura focuses on the family of 'Imran, noting that disbelievers will be "fuel for the Fire," and references various biblical figures like Adam and Jesus, not to mention the Jewish Torah. Neither the possessions of disbelievers nor their children will help them against God, since they'll be companions in the Fire, with frosty wind destroying people who have wronged themselves. All souls will be fully repaid for what they did, with God taking a pledge from those given Scription, to make it known not to conceal it, but they still tossed it aside and bartered it for a bad bargain.
The fourth sura deals with women, warning readers not to entrust their property to the feebleminded, that sons should have equivalent shares of two daughters. A warning is also issued not to pray if intoxicated, because if you are, you don't know what you're saying, and that one cannot pass through the mosque until after bathing. God is always ready to pardon and forgive, with all messengers from Heaven meant to be obeyed, for readers to always fight in God's way. Hypocrites try to deceive God, although it is the Lord who causes them to become deceived, with a distinction made in who is believed.
The fifth sura says that livestock animals are lawful food except for that announced to the readers. It warns believers to be steadfast in their devotion to God and bear impartial witness, not to let hatred of others lead you away from justice, but rather to adhere to it and become closer to the Lord. It's decreed that those who kill one another, unless in retribution for murder or for spreading corruption, are killing all of mankind, while those who save lives in doing so save all of mankind. There's also a warning not to take as allies those who ridicule your faith.
The sixth sura says that praise belongs to God, who created the heavens and earth and made darkness and light, although disbelievers set themselves up as equals to their Lord. Many will look like they're listening to you but will place covers on their hearts and be deaf. Those who come across such people who speak scorn should be turned away from until they move on to other topics. God splits open seeds and fruit stones, brings out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living. God produces trellised and untrellised gardens and various plants, with the Lord ultimately telling them about their deeds.
The seventh sura mentions that punishment comes at night to unbelievers and mentions the story of the Children of Adam receiving garments to cover their nakedness, with God-consciousness being the best clothing of all. Heaven won't be open to those who reject God' revelation, with the analogy of a ropea (a kind of thread) passing through the eye of a needle, similar to that of a camel passing through one in the Bible. Mercy is given to those conscious of God and give alms, believing in His revelations to Muhammad, forbidden to do wrong, making good things lawful to them and bad things unlawful.
The eighth sura mentions how God made Mohammed venture from his home for a true purpose, though believers disliked it and argued about the truth after it was made clear. It urges readers to remember when they numbered few, were victimized, and afraid people would capture them, although God sheltered and strengthened them with His hep and gave things so they would be grateful. Hypocrites and those with sick hearts would say that believers would be deluded by their religion, although God is still to be trusted, and it's wrong to take captives before a prophet conquers the battlefield.
The ninth sura tells followers about the treaties believers made with idolaters, whom God says can move freely but should remember that they won't escape God and He will disgrace those who defy Him. The sura warns not to take father sand brothers as allies if they prefer disbelief to faith, which I found really relatable given my negative experiences with my own toxic family, and I know autistics like I are treated with higher regard in the Islamic world, Qatar I know having the highest percentage neurodivergent population it he world. The sura concludes by saying that it's unfit to ask forgiveness for idolators after having been shown they inhabit the Blaze.
The tenth sura mentions the six days of creation, that the life of the world is like rain sent down to the earth absorbed by its plants, although the planet is adorned with people who think they have power over it. The eleventh suggests that disbelievers are idiots for thinking you won't be resurrected after death, that those who lie about God do wrong. The twelfth focuses on Joseph and his brothers, with a parable of seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, with a plan devised for Joseph in detaining his brother.
The thirteenth sura indicates that what God sent Muhammad is the truth, although most don't believe it. The fourteenth notes that Moses was given signs to bring his people from the depths of darkness into light, to remind them of the Days of God. The fifteenth indicates that disbelievers may well come to wish that they had submitted to God and urged Muhammad to leave them to eat and enjoy themselves. The sixteenth says that God sends water from the sky, providing drink and nourishment to the shrubs that feed animals.
The seventeenth sura bids glory to God that made his servant travel throughout night from his sacred place of worship and says not to kill your children for fear of poverty, for the Lord will provide for them, and killing them is a great sin. The eighteenth tells of young men who believed in their Lord, with God giving them more guidance. The nineteenth focuses on Zachariah when he called to God noting that his bones grew weak and that his hair grayed, but he never prayed to God in vain.
The twentieth sura touches back on Moses and Pharaoh, mentioning that Hell will be the reward of those who return to the Lord as evildoers and remain there, neither living nor dying. The twenty-first notes that Man was created hasty, and urges readers to remember David and Solomon, when they gave judgment regarding the field into which sheep strayed by night and grazed. The twenty-second urges people to be mindful of the Lord, since the earthquake of the Last Hour will be great, with every nursing mother thinking no more of their babies, all pregnant women miscarrying, people thinking people are drunk when they're not, with God's torment being severe.
The twenty-third sura states that those who pray humbly, shun frivolity, pay prescribed alms, guard their chastity except with spouses or slaves, will be given Paradise, with mention to biblical figures like Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh. The twenty-fourth commands to strike adulteresses and adulterers a hundred times, and not to let compassion for them keep one from exercising God's law, to ensure believers witness punishment. The twenty-fifth notes that disbelievers say that lies are forged with the help of others, that biblical stories are ancient fables, and that Moses and Aaron were given law.
The twenty-sixth sura mentions Moses, Pharaoh, and Abraham, mentioning that when the Garden is brought near the righteous and the Fire is fully visible to the misguided, they will be asked whom they worshipped aside from God, and that they can be thrown into Hell. The twenty-seventh states that the Qur'an is a guide and joyful news for believers who keep praying, pay alms, and believe in the next life. The twenty-eighth recounts the story of Moses and Pharaoh, with the latter's army behaving arrogantly, his armies thrown into the sea. The twenty-ninth says that God will mark the true believers and the hypocrites, who will challenge their accusers to hasten their punishments.
The thirtieth sura says that the Byzantines will reverse defeat, that when people receive blessings, they'll rejoice, but when bad events happen, because of their actions, they will fall into despair. The thirty-first says that those who keep up prayer, give alms, and are certain of the next life will prosper. The thirty-second says that those who truly believe in the messages are those who bow down in worship and celebrate their Lord's praises, not thinking themselves above that. The thirty-third tells Muhammad to be mindful of God and not give in to disbelievers and hypocrites.
The thirty-fourth sura says that there was a sign for the inhabitants of Sheba, two gardens, from which they can eat while giving God thanks. The thirty-fifth says that if others call Muhammad a liar, that many messengers before him were also called liars, and it's to God that everything will be returned. The thirty-sixth says that Muhammad is truly one of the messengers sent on a straight path with a revelation from God to warn people whose forefathers weren't warned and are thus unaware. The thirty-seventh states that angels ranged in rows who rebuke reproachfully and recite God's word, know God is one.
The thirty-eighth sura remembers David, with God making the mountains join him in glorifying Him at sunset and sunrise, avians echoing his praise. The thirty-ninth says that God created everyone from a single being from which He made its made, give four kinds of livestock in pairs, and so forth. The fortieth says that the Scripture is sent down from God, forgiver of all sings and Accepter of repentance, severe in punishment, infinite in bounty. The forty-first says that disbelievers have appointed companions who make their present and past seem fair and right to them, but the sentence has already been passed onto them.
The forty-second sura says that all that is in the heavens and earth belongs to God, who is most subtle towards His creatures, providing for whomever He will. The forty-third mentions Moses and Pharaoh, with the former saying he was a messenger from the Lord, but was mocked, even with signs. The forty-fourth says messages have always been sent as a mercy from the all-knowing, all-seeing lord. The forty-fifth wishes woe to every lying sinful person who hears God's revelations being recited to him yet persists in their arrogance as if they never heard them, and for them to receive torment.
The forty-sixth sura say that the disbelievers of the revelations say the Truth hasn't reached them, believing it to be sorcery or invited. The forty-seventh says God will bring to nothing the deeds of those who disbelieve and bar others from the way of God but will overlook the faults of those who have faith, do good, and believe in what has been sent to Muhammad. The forty-eighth says that a path is open to triumph for Muhammad so God may forgive his past and future sins, complete his grace, and guide him to a straight path. The forty-ninth tells believers that if troublemakers bring news, check it first, in case you wrong others unwittingly and later regret what you've done.
The fiftieth sura says that disbelievers think it strange people can come back to life after death. The fifty-first says that the sky was built through God's power, made vast, and spread out across the Earth. The fifty-second says those who were mindful of God are in the Gardens and in bliss, rejoining in the Lord's gifts. The fifty-third references warnings of ancient times, and the fifty-fourth mentions the moon being split, with disbelievers turning away and whining about sorcery. The fifty-fifth mentions that God created Man and taught him to communicate, with maidens restraining their glances.
The fifty-sixth sura mentions that when that which is coming arrives, no one will be able to deny its coming, bringing low and raising high. The fifty-seventh states that everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God, with control of the heavens and earth belonging to Him. The fifty-eighth mentions that God has heard the words of the woman who disputed with Muhammad about her husband and complained to the Lord. The fifty-ninth mentions that believers have cut palm trees by God's leave, so that He might disgraced those who defied Him. The sixtieth tells those who believe not to take God's enemies and theirs as allies.
The sixty-first sura asks who could be more wrong than someone who invents lies against God when called to submit to Him. The sixty-second tells believers to hurry towards the reminder o God and leave off their trading when the call to prayer is made on the day of congregation. The sixty-third says that hypocrites turn their heads away in distain when told that the Messenger of God may ask for forgiveness, yet you see them walking away arrogantly. The sixty-fourth says that all in the heavens and earth glorify God, with all control and praise belonging to Him.
The sixty-fifth sura says tells Muhammad that whenever anyone intends to divorce women, to do so when their prescribed waiting period can properly start and calculate a period carefully. The sixty-sixth mentions that if wives collaborate against God, He will replace them with better ones. The sixth-seventh says that God adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them missiles for stoning devils whom he prepared for blazing torment. The sixty-eighth tells Muhammad to leave those who reject God's revelation, that He will lead them on in ways beyond their knowledge.
The sixth-ninth sura mentions the inevitable Hour, where the people of Thamud and 'Ad denied the crashing blows that would come, with Thamud being destroyed by a deafening blast. The seventieth tells of a man who mockingly demanded punishment, with God and the angels implementing the Ways of Ascent, on a Day whose length is fifty millennia. The seventy-first references Noah and God drowning sinners in floods. The seventy-second reveals that a group of jinn once listened and heard of the Qur'an guiding righteousness that was believed. The seventh-third mentions that God sent a messenger to me Muhammad's witness, and one to Pharaoh, who disobeyed it.
The seventy-fourth sura says that all souls are held in pledge for their deeds, but the Companions of the Right will stay in the Gardens and ask about the guilty. The seventh-fifth features beautiful imagery of the moon eclipse. The seventy-sixth asks if there was any period of time when man was nothing to speak of. The seventy-seventh has a parable of going to the shadow of smoke in three columns. The seventy-eighth says that those who are aware of God know of supreme fulfillment: private gardens, vineyards, maidens of matching age, and overflowing cups.
The seventy-ninth sura says that forceful chargers are raring to go, sweeping ahead at full stretch, overtaking swiftly to sort matters out, and on the Day when the blast reverberates and the second blast follows, hearts will tremble, and eyes will be downcast. The eightieth says that God frowned and turned away when a blind man came to him, since he might have grown in spirit and might have taken note of something useful. The eighty-first mentions tons of situations, for instance, when the sun is rolled up, when the stars are dimmed, when wild beasts are herded, and so forth, every soul will know what has come.
The eighty-second sura says that when the sky breaks, scars are scattered, seas burst forth, when graves turn inside out, each soul will know what it has done and what it has left undone. The eighty-third wishes woe to those who give short measure, who demand of other people full measure for themselves, but when it is they who weight or measure for others, they should give less than they should. The eighty-fourth says that when the sky cracks, obeying its Lord as it rightly must, when the dearth is leveled out, casts out its contents, and becomes empty, obeying its Lord, humans will meet Him.
The eighty-fifth sura says by the sky with its towering constellations, by the promised Day, by witness and the witnessed, the makers of the trench will die by fire. The eighty-sixth says that Man should reflect on what he was created from, spurting fluid, emerging from between the backbone and the breastbone. The eighty-seventh tells Muhamad to glorify the name of God the Highest, who created all things in due proportion and so forth. The eighty-eighth asks Muhammad if he heard about the Overwhelming Event, with some faces being downcast, toiling and weary, as they enter blazing Fire and are forced to drink from boiling springs.
The eighty-ninth sura says the nature of Man is that when his Lord tries him through honor and blessings, God has honored him, but when tried through the restriction of his provision, God has humiliated him. The ninetieth tells Muhammad that he is an inhabitant of God's city, what was created for Man for toil and trial. The ninety-first says by the sun in its morning brightness and by the moon as it follows, by the soul and how He formed it, its own rebellion and piety. The ninety-second says that by the covering night, by the radiant day, by the radiant male and female He created, the ways you take differ greatly.
The ninety-third sura says that by morning brightness and by night when it grows still, God has not forsaken Muhammad, nor does He hate him, and the future will be better, and God will give him more that he will be pleased. The ninety-fourth asks if God did not relieve Muhammad's heart, He is sure to give him so much that he will be pleased. The ninety-fifth says by the fig, by the olive, by Mount Sinai, Man has been created in his finest state then reduced to the lowest of the low.
The ninety-sixth sura says that Man exceeds all bounds when he thinks he is self-sufficient, with all returning to the Lord. The ninety-seventh talks of the Night of Glory and how it will be explained. The ninety-eighth says that disbelievers among the People of the Book and the idolators not about to change their ways until seeking clear evidence, as a messenger from God, reading purified scrolls, containing true scriptures. The ninety-ninth says when the earth is violently shaken, when earth throws out its burdens, when man asks what is happening, it will tell all because God inspires it.
The hundredth sura says that by charging steeds that pant and strike sparks with their hooves, who make dawn raids, raising dust, and plunging into the midst of the enemy, Man is ungrateful to the Lord, and He witnesses this, with Man being greedy. The 101st says the Crashing Blow will send disbelievers to the Bottomless Pit for his new home. The 102nd says that competing for more distracts you until you go into your graves. The 103rd says that by the fading day, Man is deep in loss, except for believers who do good deeds, urge one another to the truth, and urge one another to steadfastness.
The 104th sura wishes woe to all fault-finding backbiters who amass riches, counting them over, thinking they will make them immortal. The 105th asks Muhammad if he sees how the Lord dealt with the army of the elephant, how He confounded their plans. The 106th says God made the Quraysh feel secure in their winter and summer journeys, to let them worship the Lord of the House. The 107th asks Muhammad if he considered people who deny the Judgment, since it's he who pushes aside orphans and don't urge others to feed the needy.
The 108th sura says that God gave abundance to Muhammad and tells him to pray to God and make his sacrifices to Him alone, since it is the one who hates him that has been cut off. The 109th tells Muhammad that disbelievers don't worship what he worship, and that others have their own religions. The 110th says that when God's help come and He opens up Muhammad's way, when he sees people embracing God's faith in crows, to celebrate His praise. The 111st says that the hands of Abu Lahab will be ruined, and he as well. The 112nd says God is the One, the eternal. The 113rd tells Muhammad to seek refuge with God at daybreak. The 114th and final sura says to seek refuse with the Lord of people, the Controller of people, the God of people, against the harm of slinking whisperers.
Overall, I enjoyed the Qur'an, and found it, despite the rampant modern Islamophobia, especially coming from the Christian Right, to be innocent, as there seemed absolutely nothing "evil" about it, and the Bible itself is full of offensive content and sexual degenerates like Moses and Samson, and Christians have done horrible things throughout their history as well. Jews too often exemplify negative stereotypes, and while there are certainly evil Muslims, there have been many good ones like the late Malcolm X, and I know autistics are held in higher regard in the Islamic world than in the secular Western world, with many modern Christians actually consider autism a form of demonic possession. In the end, most modern Islamophobes have actually never read the Qur'an, and should actually do so before making judgements about Islam.