Koran and Islam
Compiled by Michael McGoodwin, prepared 2002
The Bismillah,
transliterated as "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim", is translated as
"In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful"
and appears at the beginning of every sura of the Koran except the
ninth.
It has been rendered in many different ways calligraphically, of which this is
only one version
Introduction
I read the Koran in conjunction with
a course presented by Alan Rawn Ph.D. for the Northwest
Classics Society Here are some links I have found useful in studying the Koran or
which seem appealing. I am also
including some related links regarding other topics
related to Islam.
Many sites that I have found reflect devout Islamic belief, and I am not in a
position to be able to assess their scholarly accuracy or
"objectivity".
However, the dedication and conviction of the individuals who have put together many of these
sites is quite apparent. The Koran is a good place to start in trying to
learn more about this faith shared by more than one billion people.
The Koran
(Quran / Qur'an / Qu'an / Qur'aan, meaning "The Recitation")
English Translations
- Shakir Translation: An
online translation "translated by M.H. Shakir and published by Tahrike
Tarsile Qur'an, Inc., in 1983." This site is searchable but has
no annotations other than interpolations of missing words and does not
include Arabic script. The word Allah is used rather than God, and
precise verse designations are included.
(http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/)
- "Rough"
Translation: This site has links to English Only and to Arabic + English
translation versions apparently by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Ph.D. and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Click at the top menu on "Quran" and then select either
"Rough Translation in English" or "Rough Translation with Arabic Text".
(http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/index.htm).
- The eMuslim site compiled by Shaikh AbdulKarim Parekh provides extensive information on
learning the language of the Koran. In particular, the suras are
presented in Arabic.
Subject Index and Chapter Introductions
- Subject Index:
The eMuslim site also
lists subjects alphabetically and in great detail (such as Aaron, Ablution,
Abraham, Abrogation, Acacia flowers, Adam, Adultery, Adversity, etc.) and for
each entry provides links to precise sura and verse references. You may choose
to link to actual sura pages in Arabic + English or to English-only
translations. Click at the top menu on "Quran" and then select
either "Index pointing to Arabic/English text Quran" or "Index pointing to English text only Quran".
(http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/index.htm)
- Chapter
Introductions: The eMuslim site provides detailed chapter (sura) introductions written by Syed Abu-Ala' Maududi.
Maududi has also published a 6 volume annotated translation, but it is
said to be unavailable online currently. Click at the top menu on
"Quran" and then select "Introductions to each chapter".
(http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/index.htm)
Summary of Koran Tenets
I have prepared the following listing of major tenets and
subject of the Koran arranged
by subject. Selected quotations are included.
Other
- Holy Qur'an Resources on the Internet.
Lists other online translations of the Koran including those by Abdullah Yusuf Ali,
Dr. T.B.Irving, etc. as well as the relationship of the Koran to the Bible,
etc. (formerly found at http://www.quran.org.uk/index.html)
- Audio version of the first Sura:
The first sura is called
al-Fatihah or "The Opening". The audio file requires Quick Time
browser capability. (link no longer available, formerly at islamworld.net)
- Kufic
script: Archeological
examples from the Smithsonian Museum. Click on thumbnails to see images
full size. (former link at
http://www.mnh.si.edu/epigraphy/english_version/html/e_kufic5.htm)
- On The
Origins Of Kufic Script (from a Muslim perspective, link no longer available)
- Abbreviations encountered: PBUH (Peace be upon him, from "Alaihis Salam");
SAW/SAAS/SAWS: "These letters are abbreviations for the words `Salla Allahu 'Alaihi Wa
Sallam', which means`may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him'.
When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him."
[from www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary.html]
Islam
(meaning "Submission to the Will of God")
- eMuslim: (http://www.emuslim.com/)
- Islam World: This is an extensive site with broad
utility. Includes Introduction for Non Muslims; The Holy Quran; Hadith &
Sunnah; summaries of Fundamental Beliefs in Islam; Islamic practices such as
Ramadan, Hajj, and Eid; Women, Family, and Marriage; Muslim Character; Jihad;
Fatwas; Comparative Religion; and index of Islamic Literature in Foreign
Languages; Islamic History; Dictionaries, etc. (accessed at http://www.islamworld.net/).
- About Islam and
Muslims. This site
has information about Islam, Islamic Law, Practices, Sunnah and
Hadith, (http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/index.htm)
- The Five
Pillars of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Zakat (purification or growth through
giving), The Fast, and Pilgrimage (Hajj).. (http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~muslimst/islam/islam5.html)
Acknowledgements
(1) The background used in this webpage has been modified from the background image used at The Holy Quran (web link no longer available)
(2) The image of the Bismillah at the top of this page has been modified from that on the eMuslim site.
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