Review | Translation of the meaning of the Quran

This is the front cover of the English translation of the meaning of the Quran that I read. It has been translated by 'Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik' and the publisher is 'The Institute of Islamic Knowledge.'

I came across a copy of this book in the prayer room at the hospital I do my placement in, while I was on a break I read a few surah's and absolutely fell in love with it. The reason I really like this version is because It's really easy to understand and read (none of that old English).

It gives you the setting and situation of the time when each surah was revealed and explains the meaning of translation of each surah too. There is a short biography on the Prophets life, different themes in the Quran and a section where each surah is broken down into the main points made in that surah.

At the back of it there is a HUGE index of different subjects and the pages in which the Quran talks about these issues. There is a bit about the history of the Quran and different types of shirk. I don't think I can do this book justice in this one post, but all I can say is it really has helped me to further my understanding of the Holy Quran. It has made me realise how beautiful the Quran really is and has made my love for Allah s.w.t grow so much. The Quran is Allah directly talking to me and now using this book I'm finally beginning to understand Him and how much more He loves me.

I will give you an abstract of a section on Surah Al-Fatiha

Period of Revelation:
It is one of the very earlier revelations. In fact. we learn from authentic traditions that it was the first complete Surah (chapters) revealed to the Prophet (pbuh)...

Prayer and Divine Guidance:

• This Surah is known as ab'a Mathani (seven oft-repeated verses)
• It is also called Umm-al-Kitab (mother of the book), foundation and essence of the Quran
• Its recitation is mandatory in each Islamic prayer (Salah). It is recited at least seventeen times daily in the five obligatory prayers.
• This prayer is taught by Allah (Almighty God) Himself to mankind, as a favour, to let them know the format of a Prayer which is acceptable to him.

This prayer is for all those who want to study His Message. It is placed at the very beginning to teach the reader that if he sincerely wants o benefit from Al-Quran, he should offer this prayer to the Rabb (Lord) of the Universe. Al Fatiha teaches that the best thing for a man is to pray for "guidance towards the Right Way" and to study Al-Quran with the mental attitude of a seeker of truth, and to recognise that the Rabb (Lord) of the Universe is the source of all knowledge. One should, therefore, begin the study of Al-Quran with a prayer to Allah for seeking His guidance.
It is important to know that the real relation between Al-Fatiha and Al-Quran is not that of an introduction to a book but that of a prayer and its answer. Al-Fatiha is the prayer from the devotee and the rest of Al-Quran is the answer form Allah. The devotee prays to Allah to show him the "right way" and Allah places the whole of Al-Quran before him in answer to his prayer, as if to say:

"This is the Guidance that you have asked for"

Taken from page 109

In fact I love it so much I've just ordered the audio version to listen to in the car =D

Its great for anyone who wants to understand Islam and further their knowledge in it, and it is especially great for reverts or prospective reverts.I would recommend this book to everyone of all ages. I know my little brother who is 7 just loves the stories of the different prophets mentioned in the Quran, this book is not only easy to understand but makes you enthusiastic and want to read the Quran.