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Summary: God's word is infallable...
Review: ...and this translation encourages that idea. What could be better than the word of God himself? Why do most muslims discourage reading the Quran and bog the believers down with man-made rules and hadiths that go against what God has revealed? This translation encourages the believers to seek the truth in Islam which has become distorted since the time of Muhammed. It makes so much sense that the Quran says to worship God alone and to read the Quran. Reading the Quran itself is enough of a miracle, but this translation also reveals the miracles built into the Quran. Mainstream Islam is so confusing, contradictory, and complex; if they were following God's truth, there would not be any error and the religion would be easy, and Islam would be embraced much more readily. Thank God for His guidance. I encourage those who want to seek the true Islam to invest in this book; it's an investment that will last after death. Peace and God bless.
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Summary: THE FACTS ABOUT DR. RASHAD KHALIFA'S TRANSLATION OF QURAN
Review: 786Many conflicting articles have been written about Dr. Rashad Khalifa. As expected from a man who has shaken the foundations of the corrupted religious establishments, he was both attacked and praised. Few of the articles are defending him while the others are attacking him. Some of these articles present the truth and as expected some others are full of lies. People usually resort to lies when they cannot defend their ideas or beliefs. They resort to assailing the character when they cannot assail the ideas or principles. This is most obvious in case of Dr Khalifa, who was treated as a hero first, when he discovered the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran. He was later defamed, attacked, insulted then assassinated when he denounced the corruption of religion in Islam (Submission), Christianity and Judaism. Because there is a growing and persistent interest in Dr. Rashad Khalifa, and his work, we decided to provide this information to the reader. We are hoping to correct all the lies and misinformation that is propagated by the corrupted religious leaders and their followers about him. This article was written to save the sincere reader, the agony of going through some of these lies, false accusations and distortions. God willing, we present to you here, the truth about Dr. Khalifa and the main issues he stood for. We need however, to remind the reader that , it is not Dr Khalifa, the man, that we should care about at this time but rather the issues he brought forward, stood and died for. If any of the material needs more clarification, check it His father was a religious leader for a large Sufi group, made of thousands of followers. The Sufi group was named after the elder son of their leader, i.e. Rashad, when Rashad was still a child. It is interesting to know that it was the same Sufi group with their idolization of the Muslim Saints (Wali ), the prophet and his family, and their upholding of other books with the Quran that might have started Dr. Khalifa on the road to evaluate the TRUE WORSHIP of GOD ALONE. Dr. Khalifa finished his university education in Egypt before coming to the United states in 1959, where he continued his higher education. He received his Master Degree in Biochemistry from Arizona State University and his Ph.D. from University of California, Riverside. He held several jobs in the United States and in the Middle East. All his jobs were in his field of Biochemistry including his work for the United Nations. Early on, during his life in the USA he was active in the Muslim communities where he lived. He published few Islamic newsletters and publications. He was still attached to the teachings of Islam (Submission) as he learned it from his father as well as the Sofi teachings he was brought up with. He went back to Egypt after finishing his PhD before settling in the USA with his wife and two children. After many years of reading different English translations of the Quran, he was not happy with any single one. They all had some violations of some of the basic teachings of the Quran. He was also met with a challenge from his children, while studying Quran with them...Dr. Khalifa's study of the Quran with the computer, the first of its kind then, resulted in the discovery of one of the greatest miracles of the Quran, as God described it in 74:35. This miracle had to do with number 19, mentioned in sura 74. MATHEMATICAL MIRACLE OF THE QURAN He published the results in several books, magazines and newspapers, and gave many lectures in many countries of the Muslim world. The Muslim scholars and governments cheered him and treated him like a hero and supported the new discoveries in the Quran. The momentous discovery that "19" is the common denominator of the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran became a reality in January, 1974. This was coinciding with Zul-Hijjah 1393 A.H. The Quran was revealed in 13 B.H. (Before Hijrah). This makes the number of years from the revelation of the Quran to the discovery of its miracle (in 1974), 1393+13=1406 years. It was more than interesting to notice that 1406 = 19 X 74. The only time number 19 was mentioned in the Quran is in sura 74. The correlation between 19X74 lunar years and 1974 solar years could not escape notice, especially with number 19 mentioned only in sura 74. . Dr. Khalifa continued his service to the Muslim community and continued his Islamic studies. The Mathematical Miracle of the Quran provided a physical proof beyond doubt that the Quran is the word of God. MATHEMATICAL MIRACLE OF THE QURAN Quoting the Quran, Dr. Khalifa confirmed what the Quran has been saying about itself; that Quran (1) is complete, perfect and fully detailed, (see 6:19, 38, 114, 115; 50:45) (2) is he ONLY acceptable Hadith, (see 7:185, 10:36, 31:6, 39:23, 45:6, 52:34, 68:44, 77:50, 39:29..., etc.). (3) Quran called on the Prophet Muhammed to deliver, preach, live and rule by the Quran ALONE, (see 5:48-50). With his understanding of the Quran and the fact that the hadiths books are vastly corrupted, Dr. Khalifa delivered his brave and clear understanding to the Muslim community. He proclaimed that Quran is the ONLY acceptable law in this great religion. He also emphasized the fact that all the known hadiths books are corrupted beyond recognition and can only be used for its historical value and not for religious guidance or laws. Dr. Khalifa called on the Muslims to follow the Quran alone and to disregard all the fabrications and lies that filled the Hadith and Sunna books. Dr. Khalifa did not consider or care for the angry reaction of the traditional Muslim scholars and their followers. Dr. Khalifa felt that the truth is more important than the fear of the people's reaction or its result. The Muslim scholars, shocked by his stand after they supported his Mathematical discoveries in the Quran, considered him a great risk for their traditional teachings. That risk was specially greater after he received a world wide recognition and support for his discoveries of the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran. When Dr. Khalifa's view about Quran alone was published, QURAN, HADITH AND ISLAM: (for download only), a campaign of intimidation, insults, fabrications, and accusations of misconduct against him started. Many of the Muslim Scholars who cheered him for the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran tried to play down its significance even at the expense of the truth. Despite the fierce attacks by the traditionalists on his views that was totally and only Quranic, Dr. Khalifa refused to change his position. He was even offered a large sum of money by one of the Royal Governments in the Middle East to change his position but he refused. He believed that the truth cannot be bought by any sum of money and that the truth belongs only to God ALONE. During his life in serving the Muslim community, he published one of the best English translations of the Quran available to us today. THE HOLY QURAN: (for download only), He never forgot to acknowledge the help and contribution to his translation of some of his close friends and associates. Some of them are still active in preaching the same message of worshipping God alone and following the Quran alone. Even those who criticize hi
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Summary: One of the Best English Translations
Review: As a convert to Islam who has a wide variety of copies of the Qur'an, this really is my favorite translation. The English is clear and easy to understand. Now, I find Dr. Khalifa's mathematical theory of the Qur'an a bit wacky, in all honesty...but for the translation of the actual text of the Qur'an, this can't be beat! Yusuf Ali is probably the standard used by most English-speaking Muslims (go for the Amana publications version)...and Marmaduke Pickthall's is quite good as well.
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Summary: The best translation I've ever seen
Review: As a native Arabic speaker, I must say this is the best and most clear translation of God's book, Quran, I have ever come across. It presents clearly God's message without mixing in any of the traditions that have plagued Islam and its reputation for centuries. God's message has never been clearer and more to the point. The accurate scientific information and the overwhelming mathematical structure of Quran that was discovered by Dr. Khalifa show beyond a shadow of a doubt that this scripture is from our Creator. Quran is the most enlightening book one can read, and this translation is the one of choice for anyone who is interested in God's message to the world. At last the most important questions for any human being are answered; questions like why are we here? What is the purpose of our lives? Where do we go after this life? And how to achieve perfect hapiness. This book has changed my life and allowed me to rediscover Islam (Submission to God alone) in its pure form.
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Summary: Good Translation, Horrible Commentary
Review: As a Progressive Muslim I like this Translation because it is a more up to date comtemporary transaltion, comparable to that of Ahmed Ali. However the commentary in the version is not only blasphemous but laughable. (1) Mr. Khalifa did NOT discover, invent or otherwise originate Qur'anic numerical code. The origins of such a concept are from Qabbalistic Judaism, also seen in imitation that of the Christian bible code. This code 19 is proceded in Islamic thought by centuies, and it's actual islamic origins to where credit is rightfully due is to the Ismailis and the Batinis, roughly 4 centuries before the the birth of Mr. Khalifa. (2) Mr. Khalifa's ascertation that he believes that there can be Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic Muslims is not new and I myself came about this conclusion; but I will not say that this is proof that I am a messenger of God, as Mr. Khalifa reports. (3) Mr. Khalifa fails to recognize the distinction between a Messenger (Rasul) and a Prophet (Nabi). All Messengers are Prophet's, but not all Prophet's are Messengers. The distinction is found in revelation. A Messenger is one that brings down a book ie: Moses (as), David (as), Jesus (as), and Muhammad (saws). These men (may peace be upon them all) all brought down a direct revelation from Allah (swt). But other Prohpet's such as Shuayb (Jethro), Salih, Abraham (as), Ismael, Isaac, ect were Prophets but brought no revelation. But this mistake can also be seen amonst todays Muslim's refusal to make a distinction amongst Jews and Zionist; just because All Zionist are Jews does NOT make all Jews Zionist. The universal transaltion of this Qur'an would be excellent if the entire commentary was dropped. I am however giving this book a rating of three stars because of the universiality of the translation, which alone makes this Qur'an worth looking at, however I would NOT would waste my money on a version of this Qur'an with the ridiculous ascertations made by Mr. Khalifa in his commentary.
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Summary: Mandatory Reading
Review: Being an atheist at one point in my life, I must admit there is heavy evidence for belief in God. This book exposes organized religion: how the clergy of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have polluted what appears to be a very rich, honest message from our creator. The mathematical phenomenon outlined in the appendix is astonishing; certain chapters in the Qur'an are prefixed by initials which placed by the author (presumably GOD). These initials were apparantly a big mystery until their meaning was uncovered by computer in 1969. Rashad Khalifa explains the computer's findings well; there is so much evidence it is very difficult to dismiss this as coincidence! What I find most ironic, as a true skeptic, is that the one chapter that clears up most of the confusion in religion (and is therefore ALSO subject to the most criticism), Sura 19: Mary, is also the MOST mathematically authenticated Sura. With FIVE qur'anic initials preceding this chapter, it is very difficult to dismiss as false. If this is not God's word, I don't know what else to call it. This book is a must read!
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Summary: The Best English translation of the Quran.
Review: Dr. Khalifa, whose mother tongue is Arabic, has produced the best English translation of the Quran. It is simple, easy to read and understand and easy to share with all the family and friends of all ages including children.. This great translation exposes all the false teachings of the Muslim scholars that have no basis in the Quran. False teachings like; The meaning of a prophet Vs a messenger, messengers do not receive a scripture but prophets do, see 3:81. That Muhammed was the last prophet, not the last messenger according to the Quran, see 33:40. That the meaning of the word Kitab for example is not only a book but can mean also a predetermined time, a decree, an interim...etc, see 13:38, 2:235, 4:24, 30:56...etc The meaning of the true testimony (Shahada) Vs false shahada advocated by the traditional Muslims. The meaning of Khimar Vs, the false teachings of some Arabs who try, out of ignorance to force their tradition on the straight forward meaning of the Arabic words of the Quran. His translation of 5:3, unlike what some people claim reflects the same meaning of all the other famous translations of the Quran. It was too simple for some, as you need to save an animal attacked by another animal before you slaughter it. The word "Dhakaa" does not denote the 'mode of slaughtering an animal at the side of jugular vein' but rather means to make the animal a halal (permitted) sacrifice before it dies out of its injuries. The translation of the verses that talk about women dress code reflects the unbiased understanding of the Quran, not influenced by tradition or oppression that prevails among the traditional Muslim countries. His translation is met by a great opposition by those who tremendously honor their tradition and that is why you see the cry about the straight forward translation of verses like 24:31 or 33:59. Dr. Khalifa also exposed the false teachings of the traditional scholars that Prophet Muhammed explained the Quran. As Muslims, we never had a book called explanation of the Quran by Muhammed. Nor does the Hadiths books have enough explanation of the majority of the Quran and of the available claims of explanation, there is contradiction to common sense, modern science and the other verses in the Quran. This shows that these false teachings did not come from Muhammed. After All , God is telling us in the Quran that He is the teacher of the Quran, 55:1-2 and the One to explain it (not Muhammed), See 75:19. When Muhammed died, he left for the Muslims, olny one book, the Quran. Dr. Khalifa also emphasized the important teachings in the Quran that we should accept no other Hadith but the Quran, see: 7:185, 31:6, 39:23, 45:6....etc. This translation of the Quran is the only English translation that has the details of the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran. This math miracle proved beyond doubt what has always been suspicious for 1400 years, that the verses 9:128-129 are not part of the Quran. The research presented in this translation is very interesting and strong. you have to see it to believe it. Although many Egyptians are not of Arab descent, they have been speaking Arabic for over 1400 years They have been the best teachers of Arabic language in the Middle East for the last 500 years or more. They have been teaching the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula the proper Arabic language in the schools untill this year 2001 and for over a century by now. It is of no surprise that we get the Best English translation of the Quran from the original Arabic completed by Dr. Khalifa. I strongly recommend this translation for every sincere seeker of the truth. Its simplicity will make it very enjoyable to read for self or others.
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Summary: Excellent Translation/Arguments - U Can Draw Own Conclusions
Review: Dr. Rashad Khalifa provides:
1. translation of the Quran,
2. interpretation of the Quran, and
3. a summary of his research of the Quran composition and structure.
The culmination of all three items provide a serious challenge to traditional Islamic thought and principles. While some reviews praise or denounce his work based on whether they agree or disagree with his conclusions, I will not ascertain my opinion on the truth or the validity of his work. That task is for each reader to achieve on their own. What I can say is that he does provide well constructed arguments and allows his reader to follow the chain of thought easily. Therefore, it is possible to focus the debate about the validity of his conclusions solely around the premise and the logic of his arguments. With embedded Arabic text, Arabic speaking readers can analyze his translations as they read the English text.
Some of the Islamic principles that he has challenged include:
1. origin of mankind and the original sin,
2. difference between a 'prophet' and a 'messenger',
3. the validity of the Hadith (recorded sayings by the prophet Muhammad which are not to be confused with the Quran itself),
4. the role of the prophet, and
5. intercession.
He provides a detailed summary of his research in the mathematical structure of the Quran. From it, he concludes that this structure acts as a 'checksum' (mathematical verification) that ascertains the Quran's divinity. This mathematical structure is based on mathematical patterns of the prime number 19.
Most traditional Muslims will find his conclusions very difficult to accept from the first reading since his conclusions produce a serious paradigm shift. New comers to Islam and non-Muslims will acquire a non-traditional view that may help them understand the traditional view better. Personally, coming from a traditional Muslim background, at first I was amazed with his discoveries, and then as I read on I naturally struggled with this paradigm shift. But I was stubborn and continued to read and analyze his work. I am glad that I stayed the course, for now, I see Islam from a different perspective. I certainly do not agree with all his conclusions; but that does not take away from the value of his work.
I do highly recommend this book. I also strongly recommend "Hadith, A Re-evaluation" by Dr. Kassim Ahmad (ISBN 1881893022). Dr. Kassim Ahmad continues to build on Dr. Khalifa's challenge to the validity of the Hadith with more thorough arguments.
Dare to know.
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Summary: Good Translation, Bad Commentary
Review: Dr. Reshad Khalifa did a really good job with his translation. However, he shadowed God's message by inserting his name in parantheses in Quran, claiming that he is a messenger of God, and those verses are talking about him. Ridiculously, he (or someone else?) use his name in the verses that talks about messenger in a good way, and Mohammad's name in the verses that talk about mesenger in a bad way. Reshad can be a messenger (NOT a prophet (nebi)), but this is not something everyone has to believe! QURAN is the message, and this is the main thing. I dont believe he was, by the way. My opinion is Reshad's messengerhood and refuting two verses (9:129, 9:128) are two main problems that must be solved to spread Islam in so called "muslim" countries. Most of the Sunnis and Shia people uses the above excuses to reject the Quran's message and they go on with their middle age traditions. In fact, these are only the excuses. The real reason is said in Quran : * There is a wall between Quran and the ones who disbelieves afterlife, they dont understand. * Their hearts will fill with hatred when only The God's name is mentioned (Try saying LaIlaheIllallah to a sunni guy without Mohammeden Resullullah and see the result. This is an Ayat from The God) Reshad Khalifa has been murdered (martyred on his way to lead morning prayer) more than 10 years ago by "islamic" terrorists. Peace
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Summary: Why this is a good book:
Review: First, I would like to nullify the claims of those who have given this book a poor review, because they claim that Rashad Khalifa is trying to pass himself off as a prophet. He does not make a single claim to prophethood whatsoever. What he does do is demonstrate how the Quran clearly differentiates between the concept of being a Prophet, as oppossed to being a messenger. Because this Quran comes with Arabic text, the reader can easily verify the translation at any time. Also, Rashad Khalifa invites the reader to study the other translations as well. The author has also included in this translation of the Quran information about an amazing discovery of a mathematical code which pervades the Quran, similar to the mathematical code which can be found in intact portions of the Torah. The code's purpose as Dr.Khalifa reports is to preserve the Quran and protect it from alteration, Prove the Quran's divine origins, and to strengthen the faith of those who believe in God. This code is hinted at within the actual Quran itself, through allegorical and non-allegorical verses. The best part about this code, however, is that any person who takes the time can validate the codes existance. By taking the Arabic version(and if you don't trust Dr.Khalifas text you can go grab another one and still get results) and by spending an hour at the least, one can verify the simplist of Khalifas examples. The code contains examples which range from simple to complex. The simple examples make up the bulk and the most important examples. Dr.Khalifa also points out controversial subjects such as the validity of Hadiths, and the importance of devotion to God ALONE. He points out verses within the Quran which specifically support his claims, and are easily verifiable. Khalifa adds nothing to the Quran, every statement he makes he backs up with evidence from the Quran. If you doubt the translation of any of the verses from this book, my suggestion is not to go to any of the other translations to look for the correct meaning, or to any of the appointed religious leaders, but rather to the Arabic itself. (Its not hard to look up the meanings of Arabic words yourself if you do not understand Arabic). Then compare the Arabic to other translations. If you are interested in this book because you are trying to understand the religion of Islam, for whatever reason, then I highly recommend it. You will NOT find in this translation any form of Anti-Semitism, or hatred of any opposing religion. What you will find in this translation is Tolerance of religion, the belief that Islam (which means Submission[To God]) can be found in existing religions today, and that all beings are created equal. Rashad Khalifa does make a claim to be a messenger sent from God. He validates this claim by pointing out verses in the Quran that proves that messengers are distinctly different from Prophets (Every Prophet is a messenger, but not every messenger is a prophet, just like every Square is a Rectangle, but not every Rectangle is a Square). His claim to messengership is supported by the code, and DOES NOT GLORIFY HIMSELF. He states in his appendices which are placed after the Quran translation that the purpose of his messengership is to deliver the same message which was delivered throughout history: GOD ALONE. This is the underlying message of the Quran, and the mathematical code. Also, this translation of the Quran explains how anyone who advocates the worship of God Alone and does not demand a wage, is a messenger from God...
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