Quran: The Final Testament

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Summary: Thank GOD for this holy Quran
Review: I was raised in an Atheist family, and slowly discovered Christianity - but I never managed to overcome my ingrained scepticism sufficiently to believe. I have suffered depression and mental-illness for much of my life. Upon starting to read this Quran, my life is transformed. I now firmly believe, it is impossible even for a highly sceptical person, as I was, to discount the clarity and authority, the generosity and benevolence of the voice that speaks to us through this translation; this Quran truly and surely is the voice of GOD. No other translation I have seen is anywhere near as accessible and coherent as this one.

This Quran confirms and clarifies the Gospel, the Torah and the Prophets. This Quran has rescued me from depression, and brought me to God - and for this I am very grateful!

There is an unbiased summary of the controversy regarding Khalifa's translation at http://rashad-khalifa.wikiverse.org/
and also a photograph - after looking at his photograph, I am convinced that he was a good man; that the people who accuse him of self-seeking are simply liars.

This book is available for download at http://submission.org/
The site is a great resource, its quality and spirit reflects the quality and spirit of this translation. As a computer programmer, I would like to say that the software available at http://submission.org/ is excellent!

Concerning the number 19 which protects the Quran from corruption; there are 10 commandments given through Moses, 2 commandments given through Jesus, and 7 deadly sins that we must avoid: 10 + 2 + 7 = 19; there are 12 semitones in a musical "octave", and 7 degrees in a harmonic major scale (these facts are mathematically inevitable, not merely an innovation of humans): 12 + 7 = 19. The colours of the rainbow, of which we conventionally recognise 7, are an image of the harmonic scale; the visible spectrum covers an "octave" (or frequency doubling) of light. So, I think that all the beauty we see and hear confirms the significance of these numbers 12 and 7, which add to give 19.

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Summary: THE BEST Translation, you have to see it for yourself.
Review: Quran is a very unique book. Although it is written in Arabic but the Author (God Almighty) knows that the majority of the Muslims will not speak it. God promised to be the TEACHER of the Quran, 55:1-2. Many Arabic speaking readers who made their comments here, did not grasp the fact that it is God not the Arabic background, a Ph.D. or graduation from an Islamic University that guarantees the correct understanding of the Holy book, the Quran. As a native Arab who lived in this country over 20 years, I find Dr. Khalifa's translation to be the best of all the several translations I have seen since I moved to this country. Those who do not agree with parts of his translation did so because they could not shake off the deeply rooted interpretation of some misguided scholars. The book is simple, easy, clear and inspiring. But everyone has to read it for him/herself to find out, and that is the advise of God Almighty in the Quran, see verse 36 of sura 17.

Native Arab in USA

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Summary: May prove to be your most important investment ever!
Review: Success in the Herafter is the best reward for anyone. Submission only to the One God has been the main message of all prophets and messengers sent to mankind. The theme of this translation is to submit to the One God and unification of all religions.

God is the author of the Quran which was revealed in Arabic over 1400 years ago. This is the only translation which scientifically proves its divine authorship. God states that Miracles only come down from Him. The translator was blessed by God in unveiling this Great Miracle to the human race. This Great Miracle is embedded with the Arabic Text. God states that the Quran is a numerically structured book. Mathematics being a pure science does not require belief. It requires verification. Anyone can verify this miracle from God (unlike miracles performed by previous messengers which were limited in space and time). Since we now have scientific proof of its divine authorship, this Great Miracle also validates miracles performed by previous messengers and prophets. We therefore now have irrefutable scientific evidence that Jesus did raise the dead and Moses parted the sea by Gods authorization.

The Quran is a book of guidance as well as a warning to the human race. Now we have this in simple to read English translated by a Native Arabic speaker who was blessed by God. The translation is the best in literacy accuracy in the English language. Since miracles are only Authorized by God, this translation which includes this Great Miracle is authorized by God.

God Bless.

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Summary: God's guidance exactly as He wanted
Review: The best translation done by an Arab (not a non-arab muslim) who not only held a doctorate, but got divine help in translating and deciphering this divine artwork. A must read for all religious people.

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Summary: Can be the most valuable investment in this life.
Review: The Quran is the nineteenth scripture revealed by God to mankind. Dr. Khalifa’s authorized English translation is the nineteenth “English” translation. Since the Quran is the Final Testament from God, it confirms all previous scriptures and therefore requires belief in the “revealed” parts of previous scriptures.

And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain (Quran 2:4).

None can grasp it except the sincere (Quran 56:79).

The insincere “believers” who are not satisfied with the Quran alone are divinely prevented from understanding the Quran. This concept is repeated throughout the Quran (17:45-46, 18:57). Consequently, they cannot understand this verse. For example, compare this translation of 7:3, 17:46, 41:44, and 56:79 with other translations.

A numerically structured book (Quran 83:20).

In chapter 74 titled “The Hidden Secret”, verse 30 states “Over it is nineteen”. Dr Khalifa demonstrates that 19 is the common denominator of the Quran. Five verses later it states “One of the great miracles” (Quran 74:35). This translation therefore provides the first physical “numerical” evidence that the Quran is God's final message to the world. This 19-based miracle which extends to astronomical numerical values is detailed in Appendix 1. This secret remained hidden for over 1400 hundred years and remains hidden for those for the insincere (Quran 83:20).

They said, "If only miracles could come down to him from his Lord!" Say, "All miracles come only from GOD; I am no more than a manifest warner (Quran 29:50).

Dr Khalifa was of course blessed from God to reveal this “Great” miracle to the modern world. This miracle will not be limited to time and space. It can be witnessed by anyone at any time in their own home.

In addition to the fact that Dr Khalifa must have been chosen by God to reveal this miracle (Quran 29:50), he has presented “numerical” evidence for being the messenger of the covenant who was promised by God (Quran 3:81, 33:7).

GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you" (Quran 3:81).

This major prophecy has now been fulfilled. God's Messenger of the Covenant, as prophesied in this verse and in the Bible's Malachi 3:1-21, Luke 17:22-36 & Matthew 24:27, is to purify and unify God's messages which were delivered by God's prophets. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. have been severely corrupted. It is the will of Almighty God to purify them and unify them under the banner of worshiping Him alone. Overwhelming evidence has been provided by God in support of His Messenger of the Covenant, whose name is incontrovertibly specified in the Quran's mathematical code as "Rashad Khalifa." For example, adding the gematrical value of "Rashad" (505), plus the value of "Khalifa" (725), plus the verse number (81) gives 1311, or 19x69 (see Appendix 2 for the detailed evidence).

Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge (Quran 33:7)

The covenant is detailed in 3:81. God took a covenant from the prophets that they shall support His Messenger of the Covenant who would come after Muhammad to purify and unify their messages. The Covenant was made before the earth's creation, and was fulfilled in Mecca Zul-Hijja 3, 1391 (December 21, 1971). The sum of the Islamic month (12), plus the day (3), plus the year (1391) gives 1406, 19x74. Overwhelming proof identifying God's Messenger of the Covenant as Rashad Khalifa is provided throughout the Quran (Appendices 2 & 26).

This is the only English translation explaining the numerical structure of the Quran. It is also the best available English translation for its linguistic simplicity. Dr. Khalifa’s native language was Arabic. Multiple shades of meanings for Arabic words may exist. Dr Khalifa presents the closest English wording within the context of the Quran. The wording can be confirmed by cross-referencing the same words used within in the Quran.

This can be the most valuable investment one will ever make if it “Guides” one to Heaven.

Mahmood Ahmad, MD

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Summary: seriously misleading, but with some redeeming features
Review: The title and presentation of this book are very misleading. Whether or not this was intentional on the part of the authour and/or publishers, I cannot say. However, some hard truths about this book are:

This is not the Quran, and its claim to be the "Authorized English version" is seriously misleading. Yes, this is a translation of the Quran, and yes, it is in English, but the word "Authorized" in the title should in certainly not be taken as an indication that this translation is in any way canonical, or even widely-accepted. Serious questions have in fact been raised about the legitimacy of many of the translations. HOWEVER, as no translation is perfect, this is no reason to discard this book out of hand. It is in fact, as the publicity states, very readable and clear, while avoiding overly-modern language which would have detracted from the "sacred" nature of the text.

Thus I would have recommended it to those looking for an easy-to-read translation of the Quran - but for the second major deception practiced by the authour, being the whole "mathematical miracle" theory, which pervades the book in the form of numerous footnotes and an appendix. This aspect of the book completely ruins it for me. Claims of "mathematical miracles" and hidden codes in Holy scripture abound, and while they all seem credible engouh, anyone who has seriously and rigourously investigated these matters will quickly discover that the "miracle" this authour claims to have discovered has no more scientific or mathematical basis than any of the many similar claims that have been made throughout history. One might be inclined to pardon the authour his spurious scholarship were it not for the fact that he then uses it as the basis of his claim to prophethood, which is to be found in several of the footnotes. This leads me to seriously doubt his intentions, to the point of questioning the reliiability of his translation.

So, all things considered, I would recommend that this book be approached with a great deal of caution. Inasmuch as it presents many of the core principles of Islam in a relatively accessible manner, it is doubtless of value as a source of ideas for those interested in questions of religion and spirituality. However, the abovementioned faulty scholarship seriously undermines the authour/translator's credibility, and makes it difficult for me, personally, to take him seriously.

As a final word to those who are interested in how my personal beliefs may have skewed the opinions expressed here (and because it seems that everyone who criticises this book is instantly labelled as misguided, ultra-conservative or blindly atheistic), I would like to point out that (1) I am not a Muslim, nor am I affiliated with any other religious or spiritual sect. (2) I agree with the authour's contention that misguided application of the principles of the Hadith has been responsable for much wrong-doing in the past, and still is today. (3) I believe that the true "mathematical miracle" to be found when one delves into the endless complexity, subtlety and beauty of pure mathematics (as opposed to the relatively simple and arbitrary numerical manipulations presented in this book) IS an indication of intentional design by a sentient creator.

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Summary: God is One
Review: there are too many well written reviews detailing Quran's contents and the proofs therein for me to justify repeating them. i will only submit my agreement. this book has doubtless led me out of the darkness into light. had to order more. gave mine away. i would give away the next, and the next, ad infinitum. Read.

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Summary: Why this is a Good Book:
Review: This is the best English translation available of the Quran. I have compared it to other translations and done my homework on the Arabic and the other translators are biased by Hadith and Sunnah (traditional laws), to the point where they actually don't represent the actual Arabic that is being translated (they omit words completely or choose the wrong meanings). This happens because they do not worship God ALONE. They set up their leaders and traditions as idols and don't even realize they are doing so.

Rashad Khalifa (the translator) openly says in the Introduction as well as the Appendices that he advocates God ALONE, and Quran ALONE, since it is God's word, and infallible, while the Hadith and Sunna are not. Hadith and Sunnah contradict each other as well as the Quran. The Quran has NO CONTRADICTIONS in it.

I encourage you to read this translation for yourself and compare it to others in your search for the Truth. Any sincere seeker will be guided by God, as promised in the Quran.

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Summary: Controversial
Review: This translation of the Quran has accounted for so much controversy and debate. It is for this very reason that I think its purpose has not been fulfilled; to be a universally accepted translation. I'll breifly outline the facts surrounding this controversy.
First of all, Rashad Khalifah says he is a messenger of Allah; this translation being that message. He says 3:81 in the Quran prophesises his messengership and that this should not be confused with prophethood.

I believe his initial aim was to say that the hadiths should not be followed as if they are the word of God. Many muslims agree with this notion, and it does make sense, because the hadiths have been responsible for a lot of innovation and rule-making into Islam, something which Allah forbids. The Quran should indeed be the first and only point of reference for a muslim.

This has been widely mooted as a very readable translation, and, yes it certainly is.

The main controversy has been centred around the commentary: Khalifah says, or interprets that any one who dies under the age of forty will go to heaven (He quotes Malcolm X and Martin Luther as having been pious men and dying before their fourtieth birthdays); he also has his views on punishment under shariah law and that the computer is the 'creature' described in 27:82.

Now, these are all his own views, and I wouldn't have a problem with them as long as they didn't interfere with the actual word of God.

Rashad Khalifah says he discovered a mathematical framework to the Quran where the frequency of certain letters is divisible by 19. He ommited two verses from the Quran to substantiate this theory.

This theory stems from surah 74, Al-Muddaththir , where the number 19 is mentioned. He is the first translator to change the context of the number 19 mentioned in this surah, and indeed you'll find the wording he uses in this surah will differ compared to other translations. People have taken 19 to be the number of angels gaurding hell, whereas Khalifah takes it as a link to his theory.

(Now, these are all his own views, and I wouldn't have a problem with them as long as they didn't interfere with the actual word of God.)

Rashad Khalifah says that as part of his duty as messenger of the covenant, he will predict judgement day (the year 2280 I believe).

It clearly says in the Quran, surah 20, verse 15, that Allah will keep the timing of the end of the world hidden.

According to rashad khalifah, this verse reads:
'The Hour (end of the world) is surely coming; I will keep it almost hidden, for each soul must be paid for its works.'

'Almost' hidden?!


Rating:
Summary: The truth, at last!
Review: This translation, complete with comprehensive appendices of the undeniable mathematical miracle of the Quran is a must have for anyone - believer in God or otherwise. If you seek the truth, then this book, God willing, will guide you to it. Highly recommended!